Why the West Needs to Secure Heavy Rare Earths for the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of EV charging solutions, announced the new Flex Plus charger. The Flex Plus will be sold in Europe to address the challenge of home charging for company cars, which represent 60% of new car sales in the region. ChargePoint’s Driver Management Solution pairs with the charger to seamlessly reimburse employees for home energy usage, enable public charging for drivers on the road, and provide visibility into the charging activity of an entire fleet.​

The Flex Plus is the first charger to be built on ChargePoint’s new AC charging architecture, which features innovative technologies such as real-time dynamic load management. This feature automatically accelerates charging speeds when power is not needed elsewhere in the building, enabling the fastest charging possible without incurring the cost of upgrading electrical service into the home. The charger’s smart home compatibility allows it to integrate with solar power, batteries and other components of home energy management systems. The Flex Plus debuts an innovative new backplate mounting system which enables drivers to take their charger with them when moving houses. For fleet managers, this allows a previously fixed asset to become portable, thereby lowering costs and assuring continuity as the charger simply pops onto a pre-wired backplate in the new location.

“Fleet managers and company car drivers require a seamless experience to fully embrace their electric vehicles,” said Hossein Kazemi, CTO for hardware at ChargePoint. “The new Flex Plus charger pairs with ChargePoint’s Driver Management Solution to automatically reimburse company car drivers for home charging, making it easy for drivers and fleet managers to go electric.”

ChargePoint’s Flex Plus and Driver Management Solution solves a key issue for fleet managers, accurately automating reimbursement for home charging, thanks to the charger’s built-in meter and connectivity. The software extends beyond this to manage the critical aspects of home and public charging, from installation to consolidated VAT invoicing for international fleets. Fleet managers can onboard new drivers, easily manage driver groups, assign charging rules for specific segments, and utilize a centralized dashboard to manage fleet-wide activity.

For a company car driver, the benefits of the solution are numerous. Flex Plus can be installed quickly, professionally and conveniently at home thanks to ChargePoint’s installation partners. From there, the need to stop and fuel during the workday is traded for the convenience of plugging in at home overnight. When a driver does need to charge on the road, the Driver Management Solution enables them to find, use, and pay for their charging via an app that can be white-labeled, or in some cases right from the in-dash experience of their vehicle.

The ChargePoint Flex Plus is now available for order as part of the Driver Management Solution, with deliveries beginning later this summer.

ChargePoint | https://www.chargepoint.com/en-gb/businesses/residential-charging.

Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in aerospace and defense technology solutions, announced that it has successfully completed the first deployment test for one of its Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSA) for the lunar Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE). Powered by PPE and Redwire’s trailblazing ROSAs, the Gateway will represent the pinnacle of solar electric propulsion technology, a key capability not just for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, but for national security platforms as well. The Gateway ROSAs will generate an unprecedented 60kW - making these the most powerful ROSAs ever built.

With this robust supply of power, Gateway will offer extensive capabilities for sustained exploration and research in deep space, potentially enabling ambitious activities such as resource extraction and utilization, while also providing peaceful space domain awareness and enhancing astronaut safety.

Redwire was contracted by Maxar, the prime contractor for PPE, to develop two ROSA wings. The pair of PPE ROSAs will undergo additional testing in the coming months as Redwire prepares to deliver the ROSA wings to Maxar in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“Redwire is proud to be contributing critical infrastructure for PPE and the Gateway mission, and we are grateful for the trust of our customer Maxar and the dedicated teams that are delivering this important hardware. These ROSAs represent a significant technology achievement that will propel human spaceflight into a bold future,” said Adam Biskner, Redwire President of Space Systems.

Redwire hosted a number of Gateway’s industry and international partners to witness the unveiling of the most powerful ROSAs. Leaders from Maxar, Northrop Grumman, the European Space Agency, the Consulate General of Canada, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the United Arab Emirates’ Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), participated in the event and voiced uniform and unwavering support for the importance of the Gateway to deep space exploration of the Moon and Mars. To watch a replay of the remarks, visit https://youtu.be/MHp5ei1gYSo

“The unprecedented global coalition supporting Gateway is providing more than 60% of its funding, creating a massive savings for the American taxpayer. Moreover, gaining experience with a large spacecraft supporting surface operations will create invaluable experience to ensure that a future mission to Mars is safe and successful. Gateway will ensure that we do not cede the benefits of our international partnerships on Earth, or exploration leadership on the Moon and Mars to China.” added Mike Gold, Redwire President of Civil and International Space.

Redwire Corporation | https://redwirespace.com/

Ventus Energy, a high voltage (HV) engineering specialist, has opened an office in Taiwan to support the growing demand for its services across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. 

Located at the city’s Taichung Port, the office was selected due to the site’s credentials and proximity to Taiwan’s West Coast which has become a hub of offshore wind activity. 

Having operated in the APAC region for several years, Ventus now plans to invest in local personnel and leverage its expertise to support the transition of the country’s highly skilled workforce into the offshore wind sector

Lee Glendening, managing director at Ventus Energy commented: “As a company we are recognising the increase in demand for our services globally and this announcement marks a key milestone for Ventus as we officially make ground in Asia with the opening of our regional office there. 

“The area is an ideal entry point given the maturity of the offshore wind market in the country. Taiwan has a well established offshore wind market, with some trailblazing campaigns taking place across the region. Our base is ideally equipped to support these pivotal projects.”

This key development follows the company’s announcement of the expansion of its services into the US market in November last year.

Ventus Energy specialises in a range of high voltage services including testing and termination, fault and emergency, operations and maintenance, electrical safety management and coordination, and is a preferred supplier for onshore and subsea cable repair.

Ventus Energy | https://www.ventusenergy.com/

The Zero Emission Transportation Association’s Executive Director, Albert Gore, issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Senate reconciliation package: 

“Today, the Senate took a sledgehammer to the domestic EV and battery supply chain that will be felt in communities around the country, particularly in the battery belt, the southwest, and the industrial midwest. There should be no doubt of the starkly negative impacts this bill will have on the future of American manufacturing. It will cost American jobs and close domestic factories, while increasing costs for consumers. In the process, it abandons the goal of making the United States globally competitive in future mineral, battery, and vehicle production markets while ceding that future to our competitors.

“As this package arrives in the House, we will continue to advocate for policies that will promote American automotive dominance and encourage Members of the House to address the key failings in this bill. The companies and workers that have built this supply chain will not waiver in their commitment to innovation and ingenuity, and neither will we.”

Zero Emission Transportation Association | https://www.zeta.org/

According to a report by Allied Market Research, the solar carport market was valued at $0.8 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $1.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2032. A solar carport is a covered building that collects solar energy and serves as a shelter for automobiles. These buildings usually have a canopy-like roof that is fitted with solar panels so that light is drawn in and used to generate electricity. Solar carports have two advantages: they provide clean, renewable energy while shielding cars from the elements like sun, rain, and snow. By combining solar technology with parking infrastructure, land use efficiency is increased and sustainability in energy and mobility is encouraged. In addition, solar carports help to reduce carbon emissions and advance the transition to a more sustainable and greener future by offsetting the usage of fossil fuels for the production of power.

The solar carport market size is expanding due to the growing number of universities and other educational institutions adopting solar carports to become carbon neutral in the next years. Rutgers University, the biggest public university system in the U.S. y, made a commitment in June 2023 to improve campus sustainability by installing approximately 15 MW of solar carport canopy arrays this year. The institution, which covers more than 6,000 acres, would incorporate 16 solar-powered carport installations by DSD Renewables, a company in the renewables business, throughout its four main campuses and off-campus buildings. This would be in line with its 2021 Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. During the projected years, these activities are anticipated to enhance solar carport market share.

Leading Market Players: -

Antai Solar
Enerparc
Ganges International
Mahindra Solarize
Positive Energy Solar
Reenergy
Schletter
Himzen
Quest Renewables, INC.
Mahindra Solarize

The expansion of this solar carport industry is being driven by homeowners who own electric vehicles (EVs) and want to lower their carbon footprint, who are increasingly installing solar carports. Homeowners might use a solar carport to generate sustainable energy and provide shade and shelter for their cars at the same time. But, other uses, including government organisations committed to reducing their carbon footprint, also install solar carports to provide clean energy in addition to providing shade and security for their fleet of government vehicles. These elements are anticipated to support the segment’s expansion during the forecast period.

The growth of solar panel carport projects with capacities exceeding 1 MW is a significant driver for this segment. For example, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced a collaboration with DSD Renewables and Solar Optimum in April 2023 to install a new energy storage system and a 12.37-megawatt solar carport at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles.

On the other hand, increasing development of solar carports tailored for EV charging applications. In September 2022, Paired Power, based in California, introduced a solar carport with a capacity of 5 kW and integrated EV charging capabilities. The dimensions of this innovative 5 kW solar carport are 3.2 meters x 5.2 meters x 3.7 meters, accommodating up to ten bifacial solar panels. This solar canopy is versatile, capable of functioning in both on-grid and off-grid settings, and it can be paired with lithium-ion battery storage systems with capacities of up to 40 kWh.

Allied Market Research | https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/

Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Energy and Sustainability Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) team toured and learned about Kauaʻi renewable energy landscape over spring break in March 2025. The group visited Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) at Port Allen Station and the AES Lawaʻi Solar Farm, gaining hands-on experience with the island’s grid and energy innovations.

“Visiting the KIUC facility and AES Lawaʻi PV system was an eye-opening experience,” said Kristine Locquiao, a UH Mānoa engineering student.

The students got a rare behind-the-scenes look at KIUC’s operations as they explored future energy strategies, battery storage technologies and the unique challenges of maintaining grid stability on an island.

Energy storage, grazing sheep

The team then visited AES Lawaʻi Solar Farm, where students learned how the site uses agrivoltaics—grazing sheep to manage vegetation beneath 64,800 solar panels—and a cutting-edge battery system to store excess solar energy, providing power even when the sun isn’t shining.

“Seeing firsthand how Kauaʻi is leading the way in renewable energy was inspiring,” Locquiao said. “This opportunity gave us valuable knowledge that will shape our future careers in engineering.”

Part of the broader campus-wide VIP program, the Energy and Sustainability team is made up of students and faculty across disciplines who collaborate on long-term sustainability projects.

University of Hawaiʻi | https://www.hawaii.edu/

The Senate has passed the latest reconciliation text, which maintained clean energy tax provisions of the Investment Reduction Act (IRA), while introducing shortsighted energy policy that fails to acknowledge the importance of domestic clean energy production and coordinated, long-term planning, effectively ceding AI innovation and global clean energy leadership to China. In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement:  

“The Senate’s passed reconciliation legislation still does not adequately prioritize domestic energy production or protect Americans from increased prices and economic slowdown,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network.  

“Limiting clean energy and manufacturing tax credits only compounds our national energy crisis, slowing development and ceding innovation leadership to China. In an era where a diverse, all-of-the-above energy strategy is widely acknowledged as the best path to address surging power demand and AI innovation, this legislation doesn’t do enough support American businesses bringing new, domestic power online today. 

“The Senate promised a course-correction but instead accepted a bill that still hampers needed energy generation, depresses job creation, and raises electricity prices for American consumers while only marginally improving the bill by removing some of the most problematic proposals. We urge the House against any reversions and to instead embrace expansive language that prioritizes American jobs, our nation’s economy, and our energy security, and accelerate domestic energy growth before it’s too late. Oceantic Network, its members—representing welders, engineers, mariners, and factory workers from 40 states—and thousands of hard-working Americans stand ready to power our country.”  

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/