Drafting vs. Engineering: Choosing the right partner for commercial projects

At the Local Clean Energy Solutions Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire on September 25, representatives from multiple local governments gathered to celebrate a national recognition: six municipalities earned SolSmart designation for solar readiness. Working with Clean Energy New Hampshire and the SolSmart program, these municipalities are reducing costs, removing barriers, and increasing access to the cheapest source of energy in the U.S., solar power.

The solar-friendly actions these local governments took are already seeing benefits. Barrington, New Hampshire (SolSmart Gold) installed solar on their town hall and library and this year have seen over $15,000 in savings on their electricity bills. Each of the municipalities undertook similar steps to expand solar locally, with a particular focus on eliminating “soft costs,” or non-hardware expenses such as permitting delays and labyrinthine zoning processes, involved in installation. In practice, that meant streamlining solar permitting, assessing current zoning regulations against best practices, and in some cases drafting new regulations for local review. These communities have also provided educational resources about solar for residents, adopted up-to-date electricity codes, and more.

Along with Barrington’s Gold recognition, Thursday’s designees included Hampton and Stratham (Silver), and Milton, Hopkinton, and Dublin (Bronze). At least a dozen more New Hampshire communities are expected to earn SolSmart designation in the weeks and months ahead.  

SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). Over 550 cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. SolSmart provides free technical support for local governments to improve planning and zoning for solar energy, reduce red tape, train municipal staff, and develop local strategies for solar development. Designations of Bronze, Silver, or Gold are awarded based on the extent of a community's actions in these areas.

“So many community members approached me today to say they ‘get it’ now and want to do their part,” said Sarah Brock of Clean Energy New Hampshire. “The actions of these communities—some small, some large, all impactful—really do improve access to solar, and we’re prepared to help many more towns follow in their footsteps.”

“The SolSmart program is comprehensive, well instructed, and highly recommended. The zoning components of the program have been especially helpful to Hampton,” said Jason Bachand, Town Planner of Hampton. “It was also encouraging to learn that there was much that Hampton was already doing well, and that we were able to quickly build upon, enough so to earn the Silver designation.”

“We are honored to receive SolSmart’s Bronze designation, affirming Dublin’s commitment to providing a transparent and efficient process for residents looking to move forward with solar installations,” said Dublin Selectwoman Susan Peters.

One of the key considerations for participating communities was the recent increase in large-scale solar projects being proposed in New Hampshire. The SolSmart training program included best practices for regulating large-scale solar and worked with Clean Energy New Hampshire to develop a model ordinance that local governments across the state could adopt. 

Local governments across the U.S. are taking advantage of SolSmart’s free technical assistance. Learn and join the program here.

Clean Energy New Hampshire | https://www.cleanenergynh.org/

SolSmart | https://solsmart.org/

The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to approve the Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center, a 118 MW wind project in Iowa and Grant Counties. It’s the first wind farm approved by the PSC since 2011 and is a significant win for clean energy, local farmers, and Wisconsin communities. “The environmental, economic, and health benefits of this project will be felt for decades,” says Clean Wisconsin Rural Energy Campaign Manager Rick Coelho. “The PSC’s decision means more economic opportunity and more financial resources for our farming families and communities hosting this project.”

Clean Wisconsin intervened in the proceeding, highlighting the environmental benefits of wind energy while addressing persistent misinformation. Our rural energy campaign team also helped lead local engagement efforts alongside a coalition of partner organizations.

“Our work in the Badger Hollow Wind Project was centered on providing scientifically sound and accurate information about wind energy while helping foster a positive conversation on how to maximize benefits for the community,” Coelho said.

The Commission also approved Whitewater Solar, a 180 MW solar farm on the borders of Walworth and Jefferson Counties. Clean Wisconsin’s recent report on the local environmental benefits of solar farms showed how this project will improve water quality in the area. Placing the solar panels on conventionally farmed ag land will reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous being applied to the landscape, reducing chemical runoff and resulting in cleaner, healthier waterways. Commissioners specifically cited this report when they voted to approve the project.

Public Service Commission | https://www.cleanwisconsin.org/

Sineng Electric made a strong presence at RE+ 2025, the premier solar and energy storage exhibition in Las Vegas, unveiling its next-generation PV+ESS solutions. With a focus on innovation and system-level integration, Sineng is empowering the global energy transition and delivering advanced technologies that meet the evolving needs of customers and partners worldwide.

Pioneering Energy Storage Solutions

As a leader in 6MW+ energy storage solutions, Sineng presented four scenario-based offerings: BESS solution for Renewable energy integration, stand-alone BESS solution, C&I BESS solution, and microgrid BESS solution. Covering both string and central PCS technology routes, all systems are equipped with Sineng’s next-generation enhanced grid-forming technology, providing robust support for large-scale renewable integration and ensuring the stable operation of new power systems.

• 6.88MW String PCS MV Turnkey Station: Featuring 430kW string PCS, this system leverages low-power-consumption liquid cooling and an optimized power drive control algorithm, achieving a 0.2% boost in round-trip efficiency and 30% lower auxiliary consumption. Its cluster-level management and intelligent balancing control deliver 7% higher charging/discharging yield, while cutting O&M costs by 50%.

• 6.9MW Central PCS MV Turnkey Station: Built with 1725kW central PCS, this flexible platform supports 1/2/4/6/8-hour system configurations and matches 6MWh+ DC input. Its passive liquid cooling improves heat dissipation efficiency by 15% and reduces maintenance costs by 30%. The foundation-free design lowers construction costs, while modular replacement ensures a system availability rate of over 99%.

Innovations in Utility-Scale PV Inverters

In addition to storage, Sineng highlighted its flagship PV inverters:

• 465kW String Inverter: High power density design, compatible with larger arrays, reducing installation and transportation costs. Integrated with arc detection 2.0, active airflow health monitoring with reverse dust removal, and AC/DC grounding fault detection, it ensures safer and more efficient solar power generation.
• 4.8MW MV Turnkey Station: Featuring zonal intelligent thermal management, it significantly extends component lifetime. The modular design enables IGBT replacement within 30 minutes, boosting O&M efficiency. Its microsecond-level wave recording function allows precise fault localization.

Driving the Future of Clean Energy

By redefining industry benchmarks with cutting-edge PV and storage technologies, Sineng Electric is shaping the future of clean energy. With China as its foundation and a global vision, Sineng continues to work hand-in-hand with partners worldwide to accelerate the transition toward an intelligent, efficient, and resilient energy system.

Sineng Electric | https://en.si-neng.com/

Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces that further to an agreement signed on October 16, 2024, it has now completed the previously announced transaction to acquire a controlling interest in Motivair Corporation (“Motivair”), a company specialized in liquid cooling and advanced thermal management solutions for high performance computing systems.

Under the terms of the transaction, Schneider Electric has acquired an initial 75% controlling interest in the equity of Motivair. The Group expects to acquire the remaining 25% of non-controlling interests in 2028. Motivair will be reported within the Energy Management business of Schneider Electric.

Schneider Electric | https://www.se.com/us/en/

Enlight Renewable Energy (TASE&NASDAQ: ENLT), a leading global renewable energy company, announced that its U.S. subsidiary Clēnera Holdings has closed two tax equity partnership agreements for the Roadrunner Solar and Energy Storage Project, located near Tucson, Arizona.

The first agreement, with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”), covers the project’s 290 MW solar component and includes a tax equity contribution at COD, along with additional pay-go payments over the first 10 years of operation. The second agreement, with M&T Bank and First Citizens Bank, provides tax equity financing for the 940 MWh storage component at COD. Together, the two partnerships represent approximately $340 million in tax equity commitments at COD, expected to increase to nearly $390 million when including pay-go contributions. These transactions underscore the strength and quality of the Roadrunner project.

The Roadrunner project, a state-of-the-art co-located solar and energy storage project, involves a total investment of $621 million. The solar generation component has initiated production of test energy, and the project is expected to achieve full commercial operation by the end of 2025. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate annual revenues of more than $50 million in its first full operating year and EBITDA of approximately $40 million.

The solar component is expected to benefit from Production Tax Credits (PTC), while the storage component is expected to receive Investment Tax Credits (ITC). The project is expected to qualify for the 10% Energy Community Adder, further emphasizing the value of these partnerships.

All of Enlight’s U.S. projects to date are supported by BUSBAR power purchase agreements (PPAs) with investment-grade offtakers, providing long-term, stable revenues for the company. Roadrunner is backed by a 20-year PPA with the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, ensuring a reliable, low-cost source of energy for member-consumers.

Co-located solar and energy storage projects are a cornerstone of Enlight’s strategy, enabling reliable delivery of clean electricity together with critical flexibility to the grid. Enlight’s substantial portfolio in the United States positions the company as a leader in large-scale clean energy deployment. Roadrunner adds to this momentum as a flagship utility-scale co-located solar and energy storage project, now advancing toward operation across leading U.S. power markets.

Eric Heintz, M&T Bank Managing Director, Energy and Infrastructure Finance: “M&T Bank is proud to partner with Clēnera, Enlight, and First Citizens Bank on the Roadrunner project, which represents one of the most significant co-located solar and storage developments in the U.S. This investment underscores our commitment to advancing battery energy storage as a critical enabler of grid stability and resilience. By helping accelerate the deployment of projects like Roadrunner, we are strengthening America’s domestic energy supply and supporting the country’s leadership in the global clean energy transition.”

Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight: “We thank J.P. Morgan, M&T Bank and First Citizens Bank for their confidence in Enlight through these transactions. We appreciate the trust that J.P. Morgan has consistently placed in us, and we are pleased to deepen our partnerships with M&T Bank and First Citizens Bank. These partnerships reflect the confidence of leading financial institutions in our robust portfolio of projects and in our ability to deliver at scale, further positioning Enlight at the forefront of the clean energy transition.”

Jared McKee, incoming CEO of Clēnera: “We continue to see success and growth in our Enlight/Clēnera U.S. platform. We are appreciative of our partnership with leading banks in the industry and the value they see in partnering with us. The energy market continues to demonstrate a high demand for new power sources, and our projects are delivering on that need. We will continue to build up America’s future energy resources and cultivate a future of responsible energy independence.”

Enlight | www.enlightenergy.co.il

Graphenix Development Inc. (GDI), a Rochester-based battery materials company, is advancing its mission to re-shore critical battery components, and utilize US-based critical minerals for Nextgen Li-ion Batteries. GDI was awarded a $100,000 SuperBoost grant, which will accelerate its ongoing partnership with The Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, to commercialize its 100% silicon anode technology. GDI is spearheading development of a new prelithiation method to improve the durability of its 100% silicon anode lithium-ion batteries, which is a breakthrough that has the potential to transform both performance and supply chain resilience in the U.S. and build the New York State battery ecosystem. This will be leveraged in collaboration with a XTECH Army $1.9M contract for Li-ion cell development for Defense applications.

Just in the past few months, China has imposed new export restrictions on critical battery and rare earth materials, sharpening an already urgent threat to the U.S. supply chain. The US is currently dependent on battery-grade graphite from China (controls 94% of the global supply), a risk that touches every sector relying on lithium-ion batteries: defense, eMobility, consumer electronics, and medical devices. GDI’s 100% silicon anode eliminates the need for graphite entirely and can be manufactured domestically using a NATO-aligned supply chain. Leveraging AGC’s proprietary high throughput PECVD process, GDI deposits a silicon coating directly onto copper foil, removing powders, binders, and solvents from the equation, offering a faster-charging, higher-density, and U.S.-controlled alternative to the status quo. This production method can be scaled cost effectively in the US to combat its supply chain insecurities.

Despite securing more than $10 million in recent private investment, GDI’s leadership emphasized the importance of working alongside the Engine to accelerate progress in New York and build momentum for regional growth. By collaborating with academic partners including Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Cornell University, and Binghamton University, GDI is validating its technology across testbeds and preparing for scaled production in the state.

Rob Anstey, CEO of GDI, commented, “This partnership with the Engine is not just about funding, it’s about showing the world that the U.S. can lead in battery innovation and production. We’ve built our headquarters in Rochester and we’re scaling here because we believe in New York’s role in securing America’s energy future. The Engine helps us move faster, validate critical technologies, and connect with partners who can turn innovation into impact.”

“Range and charge anxiety are two of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in the U.S.,” Anstey continued. “With this project, we’re creating a battery that can deliver 500-miles of range and fast-charge 250 miles in 15 minutes, again and again, over 150,000 miles of use. That’s what will move the market.”

Dr. Fernando Gómez-Baquero, Director of the Translation Pillar at The Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, noted, “GDI is tackling one of the most persistent challenges in the battery world: cycle life for silicon anodes. Through our support, they’re not just improving materials, they’re redefining what’s possible in American battery manufacturing.”

Dr. Meera Sampath, CEO of The Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, added, “SuperBoost was created to help companies like GDI compress the timeline between R&D and real-world deployment. Their commitment to growing in Upstate New York is exactly the kind of industry partnership we need to reclaim our leadership in clean energy and secure our national supply chains.”

As this project advances, GDI is poised to help establish Upstate New York as a cornerstone of American battery innovation, building cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy solutions for the nation’s future.

Graphenix Development I www.gdinrg.com

The Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York | https://upstatenyengine.org

RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, announces a new three-year partnership with international development charity SolarAid. Together, RS Group and SolarAid aim to raise $1.17 million (£1 million) to deliver clean, safe solar lighting to 150,000 people living in rural communities across Africa without access to electricity.

The partnership forms a central part of RS Group's 2030 ESG action plan and champions the shared ambition to "make amazing happen for a brighter world." By combining corporate donations, matched funding, RS PRO product contributions, employee fundraising, and gifts in kind, RS Group will help accelerate SolarAid's mission to create thriving solar businesses that tackle poverty and climate change.

Just one solar light benefits every member of the household, leading to a 90% reduction in kerosene, candles, and torches and a 95% reduction in energy costs, and enabling children to study safely after sunset. It also reduces carbon emissions, supporting the transition to renewable energy. A paraffin candle emits three times its weight in CO2, and a kerosene lamp emits over a ton of carbon every three years.

Employee engagement at the heart of the partnership
RS and SolarAid are closely aligned as providers of products and solutions that support the low-carbon transition with a focus on renewables. As a leader in industrial MRO services, the RS team's expertise will directly support SolarAid's global and local repair programs, helping to create a circular solar economy in off-grid communities. RS employees worldwide will be encouraged to get involved through skills-based volunteering, fundraising challenges, and awareness-raising activities. Planned initiatives include:

• Skills-based volunteering: RS experts will seek to support SolarAid projects, such as improving its Repair App, which helps communities extend the life of solar lights and reduce waste through simple repairs.
• On-the-ground engagement: Opportunities to visit SolarAid-supported communities in Malawi and Zambia, as well as welcoming SolarAid representatives to RS markets for live demonstrations.
• Night Without Light: An awareness initiative where employees spend a night without electricity, experiencing the challenges faced by off-grid communities.
• Active for Change: A global fundraising challenge where employees raise money by logging physical activity in teams.

RS employees are entitled to two annual volunteering days, and the company aims to inspire 50% of colleagues to use this time to support their communities and the SolarAid partnership.

Bridging ambition with proven impact
SolarAid's recent, remarkable achievement in Kasakula, Malawi, underscores the partnership's potential. On August 26, 2025, 100% of households, all local schools, and the health clinic in Kasakula gained solar access through the Light a Village initiative — highlighting what's possible when communities, charities, and partners align around a bold, shared goal.

A brighter future through collaboration
"We are proud to partner with SolarAid on this important mission," said Andrea Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer at RS Group. "Access to clean, safe solar lighting is a powerful catalyst for education, safety, and opportunity. By combining the passion of our people with the innovation of our customers and suppliers, we can make amazing happen for communities that need it most. The success in Kasakula is a living proof point. Achieving 100% access in one of the world's poorest and most remote regions shows that universal energy access is not just achievable, but scalable."

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with RS Group," said John Keane, CEO of SolarAid. "From the very start, our shared purpose and alignment have been clear. Like RS Group, we strive to innovate the best solutions for our customers so that we can deliver sustainable energy access. We are incredibly excited by the huge opportunity we have together, to progress our mission and to bring clean, safe lighting and power to those living in the most remote, hardest to reach communities. Together, we really will make amazing happen for a brighter world."

Driving long-term impact
The partnership builds on RS Group's track record of impactful collaborations, including raising nearly $1.17 million (£1 million) for The Washing Machine Project since 2020. By focusing on engagement opportunities for employees, customers, and suppliers, RS Group and SolarAid aim to create a movement of shared purpose and innovation. To amplify the collective impact, RS Group will match donations and funds raised by employees, further reinforcing its commitment to empowering communities.

RS Group | https://www.rsgroup.com 

SolarAid | http://solar-aid.org