Block ip Trap
Ohio Solar Update: Local Orgs Backing the Buckeye State’s #11 National Ranking
Oct 02, 2025

Ohio Solar Update: Local Orgs Backing the Buckeye State’s #11 National Ranking

On September 25th, Terrasmart hosted members from the Coalition of Community Solar AccessSolar United NeighborsNexamp, and the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati at its office in Cincinnati, Ohio. The goal of the event was to share how Terrasmart and the solar industry are supporting job growth across Ohio. Terrasmart is proud to be one of the 222 solar companies in Ohio, 83 of which are also manufacturers. 

terrasmart

 (left to right): Jessica Collingsworth (Nexamp), Ed McKiernan (Terrasmart), Carlo Cavallaro (Coalition of Community Solar Access)

As a key solar partner within Ohio, Terrasmart shared how they are helping to drive jobs within the state, including its new ground screw manufacturing capability, for which it added 19 new pieces of equipment and new skilled jobs in Cincinnati. During the event, the teams discussed how to best support community solar programs, like through House Bill 303, to ensure Ohio can drive towards energy independence. 

crowd shot

(left to right): Front: Christ Lantz, John Geotz, James Gross, Dustin Dulebohn, Ed McKiernan (Terrasmart) Back: Leslie Erion (Terrasmart), Myyia Williams (Solar United Neighbors), Pam Rincones (Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati), Greta Urbanek (Terrasmart), Carlo Cavallaro (Coalition of Community Solar Access), Jessica Collingsworth (Nexamp), Ben Urbanek, Ameer Abuhamdeh (Terrasmart)

In Ohio, the solar industry supports 7,788 jobs and deploys enough solar energy to power 724,122 homes annually (SEIA, 2025). Terrasmart purchases a majority of its steel from Ohio-based steel suppliers in Cleveland, Mansfield, Toledo, and Columbus. In addition, it partners with 14 Ohio-based companies for steel, tubes, fasteners, galvanization, shipping, and installation services. This supports jobs across the state including Columbus, Cleveland, Mansfield, Toledo, Ashland, Warren, Fairfield, Lebanon, Wooster, Sabina, Youngstown, and Aurora. 

Terrasmart looks forward to its continued partnership with Ohio leaders to drive the growth of solar programs across the state.

Terrasmart | https://www.terrasmart.com/

 

Gulf Pacific Power Expands Operating Wind Portfolio
Oct 02, 2025

Gulf Pacific Power Expands Operating Wind Portfolio

Harbert Management Corporation (“HMC”) is pleased to announce that Gulf Pacific Power, LLC (“GPP”) has completed a transaction with subsidiaries of Enel Green Power North America, Inc. (“Enel”), expanding GPP’s ownership in Midwestern U.S. wind energy facilities (the “Transaction”). Through the Transaction, GPP acquired all of Enel’s cash-equity interests in five operating wind facilities and divested a portion of its interests in two wind facilities.

The acquisitions include all of Enel’s interests in the 200 MW Prairie Rose facility in Rock and Pipestone Counties, Minnesota; the 200 MW Goodwell facility in Texas County, Oklahoma; the 150 MW Origin facility in Murray and Carter Counties, Oklahoma; the 149 MW Rocky Ridge facility in Kiowa and Washita Counties, Oklahoma; as well as all of the equity interests in a 150 MW wind facility in North Dakota. The projects benefit from long-term power purchase agreements with high-credit quality counterparties.

The divestments include a portion of GPP’s interests in the 235 MW Chisholm View facility in Grant and Garfield Counties, Oklahoma, and the 200 MW Caney River facility in Elk County, Kansas. GPP will retain a 49% ownership position in each of Chisholm View and Caney River, with Enel continuing to serve as operator.

Claude Estes, Senior Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure at HMC, noted, “We are excited to expand GPP’s renewable portfolio by acquiring full ownership of these five projects, some of which we have partially owned since 2017. We value our long-standing relationship with Enel and are pleased to continue our partnership through our two jointly owned projects.”

HMC | https://harbert.net/

 

Dow Diamond Expands Commitment to Sustainability with New Solar Array
Oct 02, 2025

Dow Diamond Expands Commitment to Sustainability with New Solar Array

The Great Lakes Loons are thrilled to announce a partnership between Hemlock Semiconductor and Jinko Solar to provide a newly-updated solar panel array at Dow Diamond.

"Solar panels at Dow Diamond isn’t a new concept for us; we’ve always made every effort since ground was broken on the stadium to be as energy efficient as possible,” said Loons President & General Manager Chris Mundhenk. “Sustainability and sports can share the same field and we are fortunate to have partners like HSC and Jinko Solar that share common values in the sustainability arena. Their generosity and expertise in solar made this project become a reality.”

The new system, located on the south side of Dow Diamond near the outfield parking lot, replaces an older solar array that was installed at the stadium almost 20 years ago. The upgraded array features 80 of JinkoSolar’s high-efficiency EAGLE® Modules, containing U.S. polysilicon from Hemlock Semiconductor. JinkoSolar’s EAGLE® Preserve takeback and recycling program has already recycled the decommissioned solar panels, reinforcing the Loons’ long-standing commitment to sustainability.

“We’re excited to team up with the Loons and Hemlock Semiconductor to power Dow Diamond with next-generation solar,” said Nigel Cockroft, General Manager of JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc. “These panels are built with polysilicon made right here in Michigan, proving that American materials and JinkoSolar’s technology can deliver clean energy and real community impact. And while the original solar panels were not ours, we made sure to recycle them through our EAGLE® Preserve program, because sustainability doesn’t stop at installation.”

Midland-based Blasy Electric played a key role in project management and the installation of the modules. The new system will generate up to 50,000 kilowatt hours for the ballpark annually.

“We believe that sustainability starts at home, and Dow Diamond is a home base for so many in our community,” said Phil Rausch, Corning Division Vice President of Commercial for Solar and Hemlock Semiconductor Senior Vice President of Commercial. “This solar array harnesses the most affordable energy source of the 21st century, using a foundation made of our hyper-pure polysilicon manufactured right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region. We’re proud to support a project that reflects our shared values and delivers lasting benefits to the region we call home.”

The Loons have been committed to maintaining Dow Diamond as a best-in-class facility in recent years. Ahead of the 2024 season, a state-of-the-art LED field lighting system was installed as part of $4.7 million investment throughout the ballpark. Other improvements as part of that project included expansion of the protective netting areas, new video surveillance and door access control systems, new wall padding, as well as significant improvements and renovations to numerous locker room areas.

JinkoSolar | www.jinkosolar.com

Hitachi Energy and Grid United Announce Key Milestone in Development of North Plains Connector Interregional Transmission Line
Oct 02, 2025

Hitachi Energy and Grid United Announce Key Milestone in Development of North Plains Connector Interregional Transmission Line

Hitachi Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and a global leader in electrification, and Grid United, a leading developer of high-voltage interregional transmission infrastructure, announced the next phase of their collaboration to strengthen transmission capacity between the Eastern and Western grids in the U.S. Under a newly established Engineering Services Agreement (ESA), the two companies have begun detailing project and system requirements of the North Plains Connector (NPC), an interregional transmission system that will connect Montana and North Dakota.

North Plains Connector is a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interregional transmission system that will span approximately 420 miles. Operating at ±525 kilovolts (kV), NPC will transport up to 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity – enough to power millions of homes or businesses - in either direction between the eastern and western U.S. NPC will help address fast-growing electricity demand driven by AI data centers and industrial electrification. It will play a key role in enabling the sharing of power between grids serving different parts of the country.

Under the ESA, Hitachi Energy will deliver early-stage engineering services, including the development of technical specifications for the HVDC converter stations. This approach reduces project risk, enables proactive supply chain management, and accelerates and streamlines project execution. The ESA is a significant milestone that builds on a March 2024 announcement around a collaboration between the two companies and underscores a shared commitment to bolstering transmission capacity through HVDC technology in the U.S.

“North Plains Connector will be the first transmission system connecting three major U.S. energy markets, supporting a key goal of the U.S. Department of Energy for interregional transmission connections to enhance grid reliability and resilience,” said Allie Wahrenberger, VP of Engineering for Grid United. “We are excited to be moving forward with world-class engineering from Hitachi Energy, a company committed to our shared goal of improving grid reliability and resilience for millions of Americans.”

This agreement will support the ongoing grid connection and coordination processes among the following Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs): Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). NPC will play an important role in unlocking grid capacity. The project is also expected to serve as a catalyst for the economies of Montana and North Dakota, driving significant job creation and tax revenue for local communities. 

“This new agreement with Grid United is a perfect example of how a long-term collaboration built on trust, and a shared vision can accelerate the project and mitigate risk,” said Nathanael Occenad, Vice President and Regional HVDC Sales Manager for Hitachi Energy in the Americas. “We are proud to support Grid United to advance this project, which is so critical to the expansion of the U.S. grid in the face of skyrocketing electricity demand.”

Long-distance transmission lines are critical in delivering low-cost energy from areas with an abundant supply to those with high demand. The transmission systems being developed by Grid United, including the North Plains Connector, will help overcome one of the most persistent energy bottlenecks in the U.S. by bridging the east-west divide. The transmission systems will also play an important role in meeting national energy priorities such as the White House AI Action Plan, which focuses on strengthening the grid to promote American AI competitiveness.

Hitachi | https://www.hitachi.com

Grid United | www.gridunited.com

WindSTAR Receives NSF Grant to Power AI Research Projects
Oct 02, 2025

WindSTAR Receives NSF Grant to Power AI Research Projects

The University of Texas at Dallas has received continuing federal support for the Center for Wind Energy Science, Technology and Research (WindSTAR), a public-private research partnership designed to develop solutions for energy independence and reliability. WindSTAR, which is run by UT Dallas and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, recently received a five-year, $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which has supported WindSTAR since it was founded in 2014.

The new funding, which provides $250,000 to each university, supports projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to minimize manufacturing defects, predict the condition of turbine components, forecast wind conditions, and develop robust and resilient wind energy systems.

WindSTAR is an NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) that aims to generate breakthrough research by facilitating collaboration between industry innovators, academic researchers and government agencies. It is part of UTD Wind, the Wind Energy Center at UT Dallas, which is dedicated to advancing wind energy science and engineering.

“This support from the National Science Foundation enables us to continue our work to strengthen the resiliency of the energy grid,” said Dr. Mario Rotea, UTD Wind director, WindSTAR site director and professor of mechanical engineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. “Investments in WindSTAR enhance our ability to innovate new technologies to ensure greater reliability of our energy systems.”

The IUCRC has completed 79 projects for industrial members that include digital models to assess performance, measurement campaigns, control systems, materials processing and manufacturing for blades and towers.

“WindSTAR has created a direct pipeline between our graduate research and industry needs,” said Dr. Edward White, professor and department head of mechanical engineering and Jonsson School Chair. “More than 25 graduate students have gained invaluable experience working with industrial partners, and many have secured positions with WindSTAR member companies after graduation. This partnership is a model for how university research can be workforce development for the energy sector.”

NAWEA/WindTech 2025

UT Dallas and Sandia National Laboratories will host this year’s conference Oct. 13-17. The event will feature participants from academia, government labs and industry, and foster collaboration and innovation in wind energy research. Learn more on the conference website.

Some WindSTAR graduates have been hired by government labs and academia. Umberto Ciri PhD’19, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and a recipient of a 2025 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award, said support through WindSTAR for his research as a UT Dallas doctoral student gave him the opportunity to work closely with industry to develop and test strategies to make wind farm power production more efficient.

“The dialogue and feedback that went on over the years truly helped make my research more impactful in the field, which was a key goal for me, especially being a student at the early stages of my career,” Ciri said.

“In addition, participating in WindSTAR’s activities and meetings really exposed me to the different aspects of the wind energy sector beyond my specific field of study. This really helped me get to know the industry and was a unique advantage during my PhD studies.”

University of Texas at Dallas | https://www.utdallas.edu/

WindSTAR | https://www.uml.edu/Research/Windstar/default.aspx

Training for the future
Oct 01, 2025

Training for the future

In September, Destructable delivered a retired nacelle to UTI's Dallas Skilled Trades Building. By turning this complex component into a classroom resource, Destructable is helping future wind technicians train safely and hands-on, while extending the life of equipment beyond the field.

yellow crane

This project, led by Director of Business Development, Ashley Helmstetter, reflects our commitment to repurpose, recycle, and recover in ways that strengthen communities and build the next generation of skilled workers.

Destructable | www.destructable.com

Corrosion Protection Stability in the Winds of Energy Market Change
Oct 01, 2025

Corrosion Protection Stability in the Winds of Energy Market Change

Energy is one of the most critical industries for today’s society— and one of the most unpredictable. That fact can make life difficult for those involved in greenfield energy projects, including wind farms subject to international market and domestic policy changes. Whether your wind project is on hold or going strong, corrosion protection is the "yaw and pitch" control that can stabilize greenfield projects facing unexpected changes. Cortec shares some of those strategic tips to keep wind turbine components preserved and ready-to-use for the short haul or indefinite storage period. 

Corrosion Challenges for Greenfield Projects 

Greenfield projects face corrosion challenges during shipping and storage, as components travel from different parts of the world and await installation. Without protection (especially in harsh coastal conditions), wind turbine shafts, rings, and nacelles can begin to corrode before they arrive onsite or are ready to install. This can hold up the entire project until the components are restored or replaced at high costs of time and money. 

blue shrouded nacelle

Corrosion Strategies for Wind Turbine Components 

Just a few quality preservation materials can go a long way for efficient and effective corrosion protection. Starting at the manufacturer is ideal, since a protective shield of VpCI-126 HP UV Shrink Film or (for especially harsh or long durations) MilCorr VpCI Shrink Film can protect components in transit and during extended storage of a year or two. Supplementary protection may include a removable coating for the most sensitive parts (accompanied by a supply of VpCI-414 for easy removal later), or some Cor-Pak 8-MUL Pouches as an extra source of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors inside the package. The same strategies can be employed for assets that are already onsite and need protection when a wind construction project is halted. 

Weather the Winds of Change 

While it is difficult to predict the harshness of an environment or the length of storage for a wind turbine component, Cortec VpCI packaging adds stability to the picture by bringing durable, easy-to-use preservation materials onto the scene. Contact Cortec for more ideas on prepping your wind components to safely weather the unpredictable winds of energy market change.

Cortec | https://www.cortecvci.com/

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