solar

  • One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What It Means to the Power Industry

    On July 4, 2025, President Trump officially signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) into law. The White House called it “a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation.” The power sector is among

  • How Centralized Data Platforms Are Reshaping Solar Portfolio Management

    When you’re managing 400-plus solar sites scattered across multiple states, a single transformer failure can cost thousands of dollars per day in lost revenue.

  • Kansas Regulators Back Plan for Two New Gas-Fired Plants, Along with Solar Farm

    Kansas regulators have given Evergy the go-ahead to raise the utility’s rates to help finance construction of two new natural gas-fired power plants, along with a utility-scale solar power project, in the state.

  • Rush Toward Another ‘Safe Harbor’ Begins for Solar Industry

    It’s no secret the solar industry has been stockpiling components such as panels and racking since before the Inflation Reduction Act. Under threat of a shortened runway to qualify for credits recently made reality with the passage of the reconciliation bill, the trend has very definitely accelerated.

  • UK’s Largest Solar Park Enters Commercial Operation

    A global energy infrastructure management group said one of its solar-plus-storage projects in the UK is now online. Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners on July 1 said the 373-MW Cleve Hill Solar Park has started commercial operation, and represents the largest solar power and energy storage installation built to date in the UK. Quinbrook on Tuesday said […]

  • Chile Focuses on Solar and Storage as Generation Capacity Expands

    Chile is rapidly moving to build more power generation capacity, with much of that effort focused on renewable energy resources and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The country as part of that ambition

  • Renewable Energy Surges, but Grid Crisis Looms as Demand Grows and Policies Shift

    The U.S. electric power sector is experiencing a surge in renewable energy deployment, yet the grid faces mounting pressure from skyrocketing demand and shifting federal policies. As data centers and

  • POWER Digest [July 2025]

    GE Vernova’s Wind segment announced it has signed an agreement to provide Forestalia with eight of its 6.1-MW wind turbines to power a 49-MW wind project in Aragón, Spain. The deal is part of a framework agreement that the two companies first announced in December 2023 to support the development of projects in the region.

  • NASA Empowers Energy Projects by Providing Global Earth Observation Data

    NASA strives to understand the universe, whether that be the stars above us or Earth around us. One way NASA focuses on the Earth is through satellite, ground, and airborne Earth observations and modeling. NASA’s Earth Science projects work to further understand the Earth and its systems to better help humanity now and in the […]

  • Energy Policy—We Can’t Afford to Hit ‘Pause’ Now

    As Donald Trump took office in January, the administration immediately declared a national energy emergency, explaining that “we need a reliable, diversified and affordable supply of energy to drive our Nation’s manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries.”   Both ends of the political spectrum agree that the U.S. desperately needs more power on the grid—among other […]

  • Private Equity Reprioritizes for a New Energy Landscape

    The advent of President Trump’s second term has heralded significant changes for the U.S. energy industry, and savvy private equity investors are adapting. Six months down the road, the reprioritization of investment opportunities by such savvy private equity investors has delineated some clear—and familiar—near-term winners. Two of the top five private equity investment trends in […]

  • India Scientists Develop Hydrogen Production Method Using Only Solar Power

    Scientists in India said they have developed a scalable next-generation device that produces green hydrogen by splitting water molecules using only solar energy. A group at the Bengaluru-based Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), said the process would produce a clean fuel that could support decarbonizing industries, along with fueling vehicles.

  • ‘World’s Largest’ Energy Storage Site Approved as Part of California Solar Project

    The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the Darden Clean Energy Project, which the agency said is the first to be fast-tracked under the group’s Opt-In Certification program. The commission said the installation features 1,150 MW, or 4,600 kWh, of battery energy storage, along with a 1,150-MW solar array with about 3.1-million panels.

  • The Great Shift: Navigating the Global Energy Transition

    As the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is accelerating, driven by technological advancements and governmental directives. This global shift promises not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to create a more sustainable and resilient energy future. The world stands […]

  • EPA Weakening Rules on Power Plant Emissions in Boost for Fossil Fuels

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced sweeping changes to regulations on emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants from coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, weakening rules established under the Biden administration that sought to combat climate change.

  • Microgrids: Decentralized Power That’s Central to the Energy Transition

    Resilience, sustainability, cost savings, and more are behind the increasing adoption of microgrids, as a variety of industries and enterprises seek greater control of their energy supply.

  • IRA Incentives Fuel U.S. Solar Manufacturing Surge

    The U.S. solar manufacturing landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. Through targeted domestic content incentives, the federal government has successfully ignited a manufacturing renaissance, boosting capacity nearly five-fold and creating thousands of jobs across the country. Catalyzing Growth Through Strategic Incentives The centerpiece of […]

  • Utilities, Grid Operators Grapple with Adding Renewable Energy

    Power generators and transmission system engineers have to rethink their planning strategies, and must continue to develop tools to allow more solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy to populate the power grid. Integrating renewable energy resources such as solar and wind into the electric power grid involves addressing challenges, starting with the intermittent […]

  • The POWER Interview: Advanced Technologies Support Microgrid Movement

    Microgrids have grown in importance as the need for a reliable and resilient supply of power has grown. The technology has proven itself for a variety of commercial and industrial (C&I) enterprises, in both urban and rural areas where a source of off-grid—or in some cases grid-connected—energy is needed, whether a backup power or as a primary source of electricity.

  • AT&T Signs PPA For Output from New 130-MW Texas Solar Farm

    Telecom giant AT&T has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for generation from a new solar power project in Texas. Enbridge, a Canada-based energy group, on June 4 marked the start of operations for the 130-MW Orange Grove Solar installation near Corpus Christi. The array is Enbridge’s first in Texas. The company on Wednesday said AT&T has a long-term virtual PPA for the project.

  • New Solar Array Powering Auto Parts Plant in Illinois

    Toyota Boshoku America (TBA), Onyx Renewables, and key project partners gathered on May 28 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a 5.7-MW solar project that will fulfill 85% of electricity needs at TBA’s Illinois plant with clean, affordable energy.

  • AES, Meta Sign PPAs for 650 MW of Solar Power in Kansas and Texas

    AES Corp. announced the company has entered into two long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to support tech company Meta’s data centers. The deal announced May 21 is for 650 MW of generation from solar projects that AES is bringing online in Texas and Kansas, serving the Southwest Power Pool market.

  • Major Indiana Solar Project Advances to Next Phase

    Project manager Bechtel said construction of the 1.3-GW Mammoth Solar facility in Indiana is moving forward, with the company on May 16 saying the project “kicked its construction activities into a higher gear this month.”

  • The POWER Interview: Microgrids Include a Long List of Technologies—and Benefits

    Microgrids have proven their role in enhancing the reliability, resilience, and sustainability of the modern power system. Kirk Edelman, CEO of SolMicroGrid, provided POWER with several lists detailing the technologies behind microgrids, the companies that can benefit from deployment, and the services the systems can provide for their end-users.

  • India Coal Giant Will Invest $3 Billion for Renewables, and Build 1.6-GW Coal-Fired Plant

    State-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) has announced plans to invest about $3 billion to build as much as 4.5 GW of renewable energy generation capacity. The memorandum of understanding, signed May 7 with major ammonia producer AM Green, is expected to significantly increase India’s green hydrogen and ammonia production capabilities.

  • Nexamp and Chipotle Partner to Expand Community Solar Access with 15 New Solar Farms Across the Country

    Residents to benefit from 75 MW of new renewable energy resources Chipotle Mexican Grill, the fast casual restaurant company cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food, has entered into an agreement with Nexamp, the nation’s largest community solar provider, to purchase renewable energy bill credits to support the construction and operation […]

  • EDP Renewables Brings Second Phase of California Solar Farm Online

    EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA) has inaugurated the company’s 200-MW Scarlet II Solar Energy Park, in Fresno County, California. Scarlet II follows EDPR NA’s Scarlet I Solar Energy Park—a 200-MW solar farm with and 40 MW/160 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS)—which achieved commercial operation in 2024.

  • Sonnen, Energy Groups Join for Major Texas VPP Project

    Abundance Energy, sonnen, and Energywell Technology Licensing on May 6 said they will work together on development of behind-the-meter, battery-enabled VPPs. The program is designed to support retail energy customers of Texas-based Abundance Energy, while also providing support for the state’s power grid.

  • Sunraycer, Meta Have Deal for Two Texas Solar Projects

    Sunraycer Renewables LLC, a developer, owner and operator of clean energy power sites, on May 1 announced the execution of two Environmental Attribute Purchase Agreements with Meta Platforms for Sunraycer’s Midpoint and Gaia projects in Texas. Meta will purchase 100% of the Environmental Attributes from Sunraycer’s Midpoint Solar project in Hill County, Texas, and the […]

  • Innovation Continues to Drive Growth in Solar Power Sector

    Energy experts think solar power still has a bright future, even as challenges impact the industry. Power generation from solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has increased dramatically over the past few years thanks to the need for less-costly power, and for cleaner forms of energy.