Higher Power PV Modules Drive Up BOS Costs

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy's CapacityConnect Phase 2, a utility-owned battery storage program that will add 50 to 200 megawatts to the energy grid. While the Commission did not move forward with a behind-the-meter virtual power plant program that would connect more customers and lower energy bills, its decision requires Xcel to quantify the benefits that the distributed batteries deployed through the program bring to the grid.  This groundbreaking analysis will set the stage for more fully and fairly valuing the benefits of local clean energy resources, like rooftop solar and batteries, in Minnesota.  

In particular, the Commission ordered Xcel to develop Xcel-specific estimates of the benefits these distributed energy resources provide to the energy grid by November 2027 and to submit the report as part of its Integrated Distribution Plan. Additionally, the order requires Xcel to submit a comprehensive evaluation plan within 180 days explaining how it will measure cost savings, grid benefits, and how these resources can best support both the larger power system and local networks. These requirements will produce the first Minnesota-specific, utility-developed framework for measuring the value of batteries connected to the energy grid and will help guide future CapacityConnect phases and how all future distributed energy resources are valued. 

Will Kenworthy, Vote Solar’s Midwest Regulatory Director, issued the following statement: 

“Approving Xcel’s CapacityConnect Phase 2 program marks positive progress in bringing more battery storage onto Minnesota’s energy grid, but Minnesota is still leaving meaningful energy bill savings on the table by not advancing a virtual power plant program that would help more customers maximize their energy resources. Still, this decision lays important groundwork for the future. By requiring Xcel to define the grid value of all types of distributed energy resources, Minnesota is taking a key step toward fully recognizing the value of local clean energy like solar.  

“Vote Solar will continue to work with partners to ensure distributed resources are fully valued and to accelerate the deployment of virtual power plants and other local clean energy solutions that can reduce emissions and lower energy costs for all.”

Vote Solar | https://votesolar.org/

On April 2, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s proposed “Capacity*Connect” (C*C) program (Docket #25-378), a significant step toward creating the grid of the future. This innovative program originally came out of Xcel’s Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Planning process and will deploy up to 200 megawatts of battery storage on Xcel’s distribution grid. 

“Fresh Energy applauds the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's deep consideration of this issue and forward-looking decision,” said Will Mulhern, Director, Electricity at Fresh Energy. “This docket had many stakeholders and a robust record for the Commission to parse, and their final decision advances an innovative approach to bring much-needed clean energy capacity to the grid quickly, while optimizing benefits to its distribution system.” 

As utilities around the country grapple with growing capacity demands on their systems, distributed energy resources (DERs) can be a valuable tool for maintaining reliability, flexibility, and affordability while advancing decarbonization. Capacity*Connect will provide Xcel with an opportunity to learn how to coordinate DERs on its system in a way that works for its customers and advances decarbonization efforts. This learning will pave the way for further innovation and the adoption of additional DER programs in the future. It's clear that utilities around the country, including Xcel Energy, have a growing understanding that the DER model is viable, important, and in clear alignment with state policy goals. 

In Fresh Energy’s comments filed at the Commission, we supported the development of this program as a way to offset investment in new fossil fuel infrastructure and maximize the value of Xcel Energy’s existing grid. Additionally, because this program represents a large and long-term investment by the utility, we recommended that the Commission ensure Xcel Energy’s commitment to equitable implementation of this program are clear, ensuring it benefits environmental justice communities and diverse suppliers.  

“Fresh Energy is pleased with Xcel Energy and Sparkfund’s inclusion of several items that will allow small and diverse business owners to have the opportunity to bid on the Capacity*Connect contracts,” said Shubha Harris, Chief Equity Policy Officer at Fresh Energy. “This is a step in the right direction to allow more people to benefit from the investments in the clean energy economy.” 

The C*C program, which Xcel Energy would implement in partnership with deployment services company Sparkfund, is unique from other approaches in that it would leverage utility-owned and operated batteries on Xcel Energy’s distribution system. This allows Xcel Energy to control how the batteries are used, maximizing their ability to deliver capacity to the grid when it needs it most. This is one of a number of possible models for distributed energy programs. We are excited that the learnings from this program can pave the way to additional successful deployments in the future. 

Fresh Energy looks forward to continuing to engage with utilities, other stakeholders, and the Commission on advancing novel solutions to meet our state’s climate goals while delivering affordable and reliable service for Minnesotans.  

Fresh Energy | www.fresh-energy.org

The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) released the following statements responding to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s approval of Xcel Energy’s Capacity*Connect distributed storage proposal.

Minnesota has a proud history of grid innovation, but the approved framework for Capacity*Connect represents a significant missed opportunity. While authorized as a pilot to inform future development, the program provides no meaningful pathway to collect comparative data from third-party developers or competitive market participants. By authorizing up to 200 megawatts of utility-owned batteries with a $430 million budget, the program shifts massive financial risks onto ratepayers while shutting out scalable, cost-effective, third-party clean energy solutions. Furthermore, the proceeding failed to incorporate the perspectives of independent developers or trade associations, sidelining industry expertise on interconnection and project development.

“Although we appreciate Xcel’s creative step toward investing in the distribution system, this is a flawed model,” said Sarah Whebbe, Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at MnSEIA. “Giving control to just one partner leaves out Minnesota's experienced solar and storage developers. A truly fair and equitable clean energy future requires open market competition, not a closed system that sidelines local businesses. This approach will add costs and limit the options of Minnesotans who want more clean energy choices.”

Guaranteed Profits at Ratepayer Expense

With this approval, Minnesota becomes the only state to adopt a distributed storage model that forces everyday ratepayers to cover the investment risk instead of leveraging private capital. Treated as utility-owned capital expenditures, Xcel Energy will earn a guaranteed profit. As a result, this is the only approved distributed storage program in the country with a cost-benefit ratio below one—meaning the costs quantifiably outweigh the benefits.

The approval process also suffered from a lack of transparency. During the hearing, Xcel introduced updated, unvetted financial calculations without prior distribution to intervening parties, preventing comprehensive review or display of the employed methodology.

“Xcel’s distributed storage program approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unfortunately bears little resemblance to other states’ storage programs that are proven to lower energy costs and increase grid reliability,” said Andrew Linhares, Midwest Director of State Affairs at SEIA. “Competitive markets for energy storage deployment ensure that ratepayers get the best, most affordable deal possible. The Capacity*Connect program takes the exact opposite approach – shifting the financial risk of projects to captive ratepayers who will be forced to pay for these projects regardless of performance.”

A Closed Pilot and a Double Standard

Positioning this program as a "pilot" misses the mark. By locking the state into an exclusive utility-owned model managed by a single partner, Sparkfund, Minnesota deprives itself of the comparative open-market data needed to scale efficiently.

Additionally, the Commission’s decision to exempt Xcel Energy from its own standard interconnection queue—citing that standard procedures would add costs and delay projects—highlights a glaring double standard, displacing projects and undercutting the rights of those already in the existing queue. If bypassing these standard processes is necessary to make utility projects viable, those same streamlined rules must be extended to all distributed energy resources.  

“Community solar and distributed storage developers have a proven track record of delivering affordable, resilient power to the grid while saving ratepayers money," said Nick Bowman, Senior Manager of Markets and Research at CCSA. “By severely limiting the opportunities for third-party developers to provide these exact same grid services for less, Capacity*Connect misses the mark. We need a modern, collaborative grid where customer-owned and third-party resources can compete fairly to deliver the absolute best value to Minnesotans.”

Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association | www.mnseia.org

SEIA | www.seia.org

CCSA | https://www.communitysolaraccess.org 

HANSI, a mid-cap Chinese company based in Shanghai, is a highly specialized expert in the field of adhesives, offering solution-oriented work and tailor-made products for 25 years with a strong presence in Asia’s cutting-edge sectors. 

This capital partnership is complemented by a technological partnership with a broad portfolio of critical bonding technologies, which will benefit SOCOMORE’s customers in EMEA. 

This transaction allows HANSI to leverage SOCOMORE’s strong presence and customer proximity in Europe for its expansion. 

Based near Mannheim, the manufacturing facility opened in 2024 is fully equipped to produce and develop HANSI’s technologies for Europe. This will be the first SOCOMORE manufacturing site in Germany, paving the road for further development of SOCOMORE’s technologies in the country. 

José Coelho, CEO of SOCOMORE Group: “I’m very happy to have concluded this agreement which brings new manufacturing capacity to SOCOMORE in Germany and reinforces our presence in Europe. This agreement completes our current portfolio with a new adhesive product line developed by a partner with 25 years of experience, serving our markets, and is a perfect addition to our recent partnership with KEOL. This is a new step in our strategic development, which will allow SOCOMORE to enter the bonding market as a new technological activity, following our latest acquisition in the sealant market.” 

Jinsong Xiang, Chairman of HANSI: “We are equally delighted to embark on this strategic partnership with SOCOMORE. This collaboration marks a crucial milestone for our global development, enabling us to bring our 25 years of adhesive expertise and critical bonding technologies to the European market. We look forward to leveraging SOCOMORE’s strong European network and local presence to better serve customers across EMEA, and to jointly drive innovation in high-performance bonding solutions for advanced industries worldwide.” 

HANSI Group – https://en.shhansi.com/ 

SOCOMORE | https://www.socomore.com/en/

Geronimo Power (Geronimo) announced the start of commercial operations at its Dodson Creek Solar Project (Dodson Creek) in Highland County, Ohio. Located within the PJM market, Dodson will deliver 117 megawatts (MW) of power and generate an estimated $49 million in direct economic benefit for the local community.

"Together with our community members and project partners, we're proud to expand our commitment to Ohio," stated Andy Cukurs, Chief Operations Officer for Geronimo Power. "With Dodson Creek, our total Ohio operating portfolio has reached 675 MW - that equates to over $240 million in economic benefit to local and state residents throughout our portfolio's operating life."

During construction, Dodson Creek employed 125 construction workers at its peak. The project was constructed by Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner, Kiewit Power Constructors Co.

"We are pleased that the Dodson Creek Solar Project is now in commercial operation, reflecting our strong partnership with Geronimo Power and the Highland County community," said Brian Koller, Vice President of Kiewit Power Constructors Co. "Kiewit is proud to have successfully delivered this project and to support Ohio's clean energy future and long-term economic growth."

Dodson Creek utilizes Series 7 modules developed and produced by First Solar, Inc (Nasdaq: FSLR), which operates a major manufacturing and R&D hub in nearby Perrysburg, Ohio.

"We're proud that our Series 7 technology is helping power the Dodson Creek Solar Project," said Dr. Mounir El Asmar, First Solar's Head of Strategic Accounts. "This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with Geronimo Power and underscores how genuinely American solar technology can drive economic growth while supporting the nation's need for affordable energy."

Over the first 20 years of operation, Dodson Creek is anticipated to produce approximately $21 million in new tax revenue for Highland County and local townships, school districts and emergency (fire/EMS/mental health) districts.

Additionally, Geronimo announced a pledge to contribute $585,000 to Highland County charities and organizations through a dedicated charitable fund. These operating project charitable funds are unique to Geronimo and exemplify how they commit to being good neighbors within the communities in which their projects are built.  

Geronimo Power | www.geronimopower.com

LG Energy Solution announced that it has joined SDVerse, becoming the first battery company to participate. This move underscores the company's technological leadership as it expands beyond battery manufacturing into the software and services that power next-generation vehicles.

Co-founded in 2024 by General Motors, Magna, and Wipro, SDVerse is the automotive industry's first B2B marketplace for automotive software. It enables sellers to list software solutions that buyers can easily search, compare, and evaluate to find the best fit. As the era of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) takes shape, SDVerse has quickly evolved into a trusted digital hub that helps accelerate innovation across software-defined mobility.

By joining SDVerse, LG Energy Solution is bringing its battery software capabilities directly into the SDV environment, enabling smarter diagnostics, safer operation, and longer battery life. The company is offering five core battery software solutions—Battery Platform SW, Safety Diagnostic Calibration Tool, Onboard FRISM, Onboard BLiS, and Onboard DASH.

Battery Platform SW comprehensively analyzes key battery status indicators, integrating LG Energy Solution's proven BMS technologies into an SDV-optimized architecture.

The Safety Diagnostic Calibration Tool enables safety diagnostics and simulation validation based on battery data. This tool provides algorithms that companies can leverage to perform in-house analysis and operations without relying on external data sources, minimizing the risk of data leakage while enhancing security.

Onboard FRISM, also known as the Cell Data Free SOH Model, is an algorithm-based automotive software that estimates battery condition based on battery field data. It enables accurate diagnosis of battery degradation without cell test data by applying machine learning–based error correction.

Onboard BLiS, which stands for Battery Life Simulator, is an algorithm that numerically predicts the battery degradation process and estimates changes in battery performance under various conditions. It can also predict how rapid‑charging capability changes as batteries degrade, and simulate battery health based on a physical model by continuously monitoring voltage, current, and temperature.

Onboard DASH, which stands for Degradation Reduction Action Strategy for Battery Health, is an algorithm designed to manage the lifespan of EV batteries. It quantitatively analyzes how driving and charging behaviors affect battery degradation, monitors battery status in real time, and provides guidance to support long‑term battery health.

"We are proud to welcome LG Energy Solution and its advanced battery management software, diagnostics, and SDV-ready battery architecture to SDVerse," said Prashant Gulati, CEO of SDVerse. "By combining deep battery expertise with software-driven intelligence, LG Energy Solution is helping accelerate the development of next-generation electric vehicles."

"The SDV era is turning vehicles into ever-evolving software platforms, and batteries are at the core of this transformation," said Je Young Kim, CTO of LG Energy Solution. "By introducing our battery software to SDVerse, we are not only demonstrating our readiness for the software-defined future but also ensuring that our battery intelligence is reflected at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle."

The company has demonstrated distinctive battery software and service capabilities through more than 20 years of BMS development. Over that time, it has accumulated over 10,000 BMS-related patents, building deep expertise in the process. Last October, the company's pioneering status was reaffirmed after becoming the first battery maker to be awarded a CES Innovation Award purely through software technology with its battery life management solution, Better.Re.

Through its participation in the SDVerse ecosystem, LG Energy Solution plans to showcase its expertise in battery service and software technologies built over time, solidifying its position as a comprehensive energy solution provider.

LG Energy Solution | https://news.lgensol.com

SDVerse | www.sdverse.auto

XCharge North America ("XCharge NA"), the North American subsidiary of XCHG Limited (Nasdaq: XCH) and a provider of high-power EV charging and battery-integrated solutions designed to strengthen the North American electrical grid, and JOJO Superfast EV Charging announced a strategic partnership to deploy a high-power electric vehicle charging network across Illinois. Beyond manufacturing the chargers, XCharge NA will oversee every site from concept to completion through its comprehensive turnkey solutions team.

The partnership will bring 800kW of ultra-fast charging capacity to nine initial locations, strategically positioned at Menards—the Midwest’s premier home improvement chain—across the state, providing reliable, high-speed infrastructure where Chicagoland drivers shop and travel. Each site will feature four C6 Smart DC Fast Chargers, providing a total of eight charging ports per location, including:

• Menards Crestwood (now operational)
• Menards Bridgeview (now operational)
• Menards Hodgkins (coming May 2026)
• Menards Tinley Park (coming May 2026)
• Menards Sterling (launching in Q3 2026)
• Menards Freeport (launching in Q3 2026)
• Menards Galesburg (launching in Q3 2026)
• Main St. Carbondale (launching in Q3 2026)
• Aurora Outlet Mall (launching in Q3 2026)

To celebrate the network’s launch, JOJO Superfast held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday at the Menards in Crestwood, the first site to go fully operational. Attendees included Joe Sheehan, CEO of JOJO Superfast; Alex Urist, Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Marketing at XCharge North America; Ken Klein, Mayor of Crestwood, Illinois; Daryl Richardson, New Business Manager at ComEd; and Dennis Esquivel, Electric Vehicle Policy Advisor at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The successful deployment of this new network serves as a prime example of how state and utility incentives—coupled with manufacturers, operators, and state agencies—can turn subsidies into immediate, impactful community assets. The project was made possible through the coordinated efforts of:

• The ComEd "Make-Ready" Rebate: Streamlining the electrical infrastructure required for high-capacity sites.
• The IEPA Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program: Provided through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) to foster equitable access to clean energy.

“As an Illinois native, I am incredibly proud to bring this level of infrastructure to my home state,” said Aatish Patel, President and Co-founder of XCharge North America. “But we aren’t just installing hardware—we are providing Illinois drivers a more efficient, reliable charging experience to replace range anxiety with total confidence.”

“For too long, residents of the South Side of Chicago have been plagued by range anxiety, forcing EV drivers to plan their lives around where they can find a plug. But today, we’re changing that narrative,” said Joe Sheehan, CEO of JOJO Superfast. “Our goal at JOJO’s is to build the most accessible ultra-fast network in the state, and XCharge’s unmatched technology and hardware are the keys to making that scale possible. I also want to thank ComEd and the IEPA, whose collaboration with us proves that EV incentives can create something incredibly impactful when everyone works together.”

XCharge North America | https://www.xcharge.us/

JOJO Superfast EV Charging | https://jojosuperfast.com/