The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Situated at 1664 W. Division Street, Centrum Wicker Park offers luxury living with top-tier amenities in the heart of one of Chicago's most dynamic and lively neighborhoods. These contemporary residences are designed with sleek floor-to-ceiling windows, offering abundant natural light and stunning city views. To achieve this while maintaining exceptional solar control, Hirsch MPG selected Solarban R67 glass by Vitro, ensuring both beauty and performance.

Solarban R67 glass (formerly Solarban 67 glass) offers exceptional solar control performance, surpassing expectations for its high level of transparency. It combines superior energy efficiency with remarkable color clarity and fidelity, precisely transmitting and reflecting ambient light and colors, ensuring true-to-life tones and brightness. Enhanced by its low interior and exterior reflectivity, Solarban R67 glass offers unparalleled crispness and visual clarity.

In a standard one-inch insulating glass unit (IGU), Solarban R67 delivers a visible light transmittance (VLT) of 54% and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.29. In addition to standard clear glass, Solarban R67 glass glass can also be paired with Vitro’s low-iron substrates, Starphire Ultra-Clear glass and Acuity glass, and range of blue, green and earth-toned tinted glasses.

Centrum Wicker Park offers the perfect mix of location and style. With a Walk Score of 97, an analysis of how easy it is to complete daily errands on foot, residents have easy access to everything the neighborhood offers, including public transportation, retail shops, restaurants and green spaces like Wicker Park and Pulaski Park.

Project Credits:

·        Architect: Hirsch MPG

·        Fabricator: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope

·        Glazier: CK2 Contracting

·        Photography: Tom Kessler

Vitro Architectural Glass | vitroglazings.com

Governor Kim Reynolds has designated today, August 13th, as “Solar Day in Iowa.” In honor of the occasion, solar industry leaders and advocates came together at the Iowa State Fair to celebrate all things solar at “Solar Day at the Iowa State Fair.” 

“Iowa farmers have a long history of harvesting the sun to feed, fuel and power the world,” said Ray Gaesser, Chair of the Iowa Conservative Energy Forum. “Whether it’s powering farm facilities or leasing land for utility-scale projects, solar energy is a drought-proof resource that helps farmers hedge against fluctuating commodity markets.” 

The Governor’s proclamation reads:

• Whereas, Iowa is a world leader for the production, development and technology of renewable energy. These industries create jobs in Iowa and grow the state’s economy.
• Whereas, Iowa ranks 16^th among U.S. states in technical potential for solar energy production, ahead of states such as Florida and Georgia, and has the potential to add enough solar to meet the state’s electric needs more than 150 times over.
• Whereas, Solar energy has become an important option for Iowa farmers, businesses and homeowners to manage their energy future.
• Whereas, Solar energy benefits both rural and urban Iowa, with solar installations in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. 
• Whereas, Iowa’s solar industry employs more than 1000 people and supports nearly 100 businesses involved in the supply chain. 
• Whereas, More than $1.1 billion has been invested in solar in Iowa, growing local economies.

“From rooftops to row crops, solar energy benefits Iowans in both urban and rural parts of the state,” said Todd Miller, Board President of the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association and co-founder of 1 Source Solar. “The Iowa State Fair is the perfect backdrop to celebrate solar’s impact in Iowa, especially our rural and agriculture communities.”  

Governor Kim Reynolds | https://governor.iowa.gov/

Brooklyn SolarWorks, New York City’s leading rooftop solar developer and installer, has ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row. This continued recognition amidst volatile markets affirms the company's strong foothold in a crucial sector. As New York City's energy demand continues to rise, and its grid faces increasing strain, the company’s consistent growth underscores the demand for and importance of localized energy generation solutions for city residents and business owners.

This year marks Brooklyn SolarWorks’ tenth anniversary, and the company’s continued growth has been fueled by their relentless focus on maximizing benefits for their customers. The company has helped over 2,000 businesses and homeowners benefit from solar power, reducing their carbon footprint while saving on energy costs. This widespread adoption of solar is important in helping to decentralize and stabilize NYC’s energy grids as demand continues to climb.

"Our growth stems from our collective expertise in the New York City market and our team's dedication to educating customers on the benefits of electrification, not just installing solar,” said T.R. Ludwig, CEO of Brooklyn SolarWorks. “We go beyond providing a product; our true value lies in our knowledge of NYC's local laws, regulations, and the incentives that make solar accessible for everyone. I commend our entire team for this recognition.”

Brooklyn SolarWorks’ has doubled in size in the last few years, with revenues increasing from $8M in 2020 to $22M in 2024, and employee count climbing to more than 80 compared to its 45 employees in 2020. Key to the company’s growth is its expertise in navigating complex city regulations and designing innovative solar systems for limited rooftop spaces to deliver sustainable energy while offsetting the city’s energy demand.  

“Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn’t just weather the storm—they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy.”

To qualify for the Inc. 5000, companies must meet stringent growth criteria – companies are required to have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021, and have generated at least $2 million in revenue in 2024. Brooklyn SolarWorks’ inclusion in this list is a testament to its achievement and positions the company as a leader in the solar industry.

For the full list, company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.

Brooklyn SolarWorks | www.brooklynsolarworks.com

The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) joined Howard County, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), and Howard Community College (HCC) on August 11, for the signing of a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the launch of a joint request for proposals (RFP) for a solar power purchase agreement. The agreement will support multiple sites across the county, marking a significant step towards advancing clean energy solutions in the region.

The event was held at the East Columbia Library and brought together key dignitaries, including County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Paul Pinsky, HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes, and HCC President Daria Willis. Tim Lattimer, Administrator of the Office of Community Sustainability, served as the event’s emcee. Today’s signed MOU creates a partnership between the County, HCPSS, and HCC to collaborate on diverse sustainability initiatives, from clean energy and transportation to emergency management and community education.

“This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change,” said Kathy Magruder, Executive Director of MCEC. “In a time of evolving energy policies, it’s more important than ever for local governments and institutions to lead the way in clean energy. Howard County’s leadership sets a powerful example for the state.”

A solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows entities like Howard County, HCPSS, and HCC to achieve renewable energy and emissions reduction goals without upfront costs, where a solar company installs and maintains solar systems on their properties in exchange for a negotiated electricity rate, generating significant annual savings and revenue. Building on Howard County’s successful 2020 solar PPA, which installed 18 solar projects and now meets over half of the County government’s electricity needs, producing enough clean energy to power over 3,000 homes and eliminate the equivalent emissions of 4,563 cars annually, this new initiative aims to expand these benefits across the participating institutions, further reducing costs, cutting pollution, and advancing energy independence.

“Howard County has been a pioneer in energy innovation,” said County Executive Ball. “Our existing 2020 solar PPA will save the County about $30 million in electricity costs over the 25-year term of that agreement.”

Magruder added, “We are committed to working alongside leaders like Howard County to ensure that Maryland remains at the forefront of clean energy advancement. From large-scale solar projects to microgrids and electrification of public fleets, we will continue to support and facilitate the success of these transformative projects. Together, we are building a cleaner, more sustainable future for all Marylanders.”

MCEC’s support for the Howard County partnership includes:

• Developing procurement strategies for clean energy projects.

• Assisting with the evaluation of proposals and pricing for energy performance contracting.
• Implementing renewable energy technologies, such as solar and microgrids.

• Helping to identify financing options, including those offered by MCEC, for electrification, energy efficiency, and climate resiliency initiatives.

• Collaborating on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, fleet electrification, and county facility energy audits.

This partnership between Howard County, HCPSS, HCC, and MCEC represents a major advancement towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Maryland and future projects throughout the state.

Maryland Clean Energy Center | https://www.mdcleanenergy.org/

EnergySage, the largest online marketplace for residential solar, announced that July saw record participation from homeowners working with installers through its solar marketplace. Notably, EnergySage experienced a 205% year-over-year increase in homeowners actively working with installers and an all-time high in customer inquiries over the past month. 

The surge in consumer activity follows the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on July 4, 2025, and its elimination of the residential Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Section 25D of the U.S. Tax Code, at the end of 2025.

“It’s clear that homeowners are rushing to take advantage of this tax credit before it goes away,” said Josh Levine, EnergySage chief marketing officer. “The urgency to purchase and install residential solar systems before the end of the year is driving real changes in market behavior, putting pressure on installers and utilities as demand surges and timelines tighten.”

Homeowners have through December 31, 2025, to have their systems installed to claim the 30% federal tax credit, which represents an average of $9,000 in savings on typical installations, according to EnergySage Intel data. At a time when electricity demand and prices are increasing across the country as a result of an aging grid, natural disasters, and AI data center growth—with consumption expected to increase 130% by 2030—residential solar energy is the only practical way for homeowners to take control of their energy consumption and reduce their energy costs.

“Homeowners who had been considering solar are now rushing to install systems amid unexpected timeline changes, creating urgency around meeting the tax credit deadline,” said Maria Kiley, solar advisor at EnergySage. “With the process requiring not just installation, but permitting and utility interconnection, we are helping thousands of homeowners navigate going solar quickly.”

Solar installers are also being impacted by the urgency to go solar. A recent survey conducted by EnergySage found that 35% of solar installers expect to stop taking new customers before October 1, 2025, and around 9% indicated they have already reached capacity for 2025. 

Analysts caution that solar industry activity is expected to slow down dramatically in January 2026.

“While this current surge is good for the industry, we anticipate a temporary slowdown in activity once the credit goes away in January,” Levine said. “Even with that expected slowdown, we remain bullish on the long-term value of solar. It offers clear and unmatched economic and grid benefits, especially for homeowners. We expect the market will adjust to policy disruption and start steadily growing again at some point in the second half of 2026.”

Installers can access this page to learn more about working with EnergySage.

EnergySage | https://www.energysage.com/

Core Development Group, a nationally ranked, independent, trusted clean energy provider, announced its sponsorship and attendance at RE+ 2025 in Las Vegas from September 8-11, 2025. The event will feature exhibits and presentations on renewable energy and is expected to attract over 40,000 industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders in the clean energy sector.

RE+ 25 is more than just the largest clean energy event; it brings the modern energy industry together to foster a cleaner future. What began as Solar Power International (SPI) has evolved into RE+, bringing together renewable energy leaders for four days of educational and networking opportunities. Today's RE+25 brings together industry leaders from across the clean energy industry, including solar, energy storage, hydrogen, microgrids, EV charging and infrastructure, wind energy, and now geothermal energy.

"The RE+25 Las Vegas conference unites the global clean energy community and provides business networking and educational opportunities that give attendees the insights and strategies needed to position themselves for 2026 and beyond," said Henry Cortes, CEO and Founder of Core Development Group "We are grateful to the commitment of RE+ and other sponsors who have consistently pledged to support sustainability and clean energy in making the RE+ conference a continued success."

Core Development Group designs and builds solutions to lead the way forward to net zero. Collaborating with the right partners is crucial to success in the clean energy sector. RE+ serves as a common ground for innovators and industry leaders to connect and learn from one another. Sharing ideas, challenges, and solutions makes for a stronger market that can grow and adapt more quickly, ensuring a future powered by clean energy.

Every year, Core Development Group hosts vendor and partner gatherings at RE+. Conference days can be long, so Core Development Group meets with key partners in casual, face-to-face settings to unwind, share ideas, and review accomplishments in the company's increasingly complex and challenging projects.

RE+25 also enables new partners and customers to connect and speak with Core Development Group experts to discuss how to address critical clean energy challenges.

Core Development Group | coredevusa.com

RE+ Events | re-plus.events

Greenbacker, an energy transition-focused investment manager and independent power producer, announced the sale of a 51.2 MW portfolio of 64 operating solar assets to CleanCapital, a leading independent power producer specializing in distributed clean energy. This transaction reflects Greenbacker’s broader strategy to optimize its project fleet for long-term growth with selective sales of non-core assets and a sharpened focus on larger-scale clean energy projects. The sale also supports greater operational efficiency, allowing the firm to reallocate resources toward the construction of higher-impact projects across its pre-operating portfolio.

“As Greenbacker continues to scale, we are optimizing our portfolio to focus on higher-capacity clean energy projects that deliver greater impact and efficiencies across our fleet,” said Dan de Boer, Interim CEO of Greenbacker. “This sale reflects our approach to portfolio management and our commitment to accelerating the energy transition through investments that strengthen the U.S. energy system. We’re pleased to partner on this transaction with CleanCapital—an experienced partner that shares our focus on delivering reliable, clean power to communities across the country.”

“As energy demand across the country surges, distributed generation (DG) solar continues to be a critical resource providing affordable, resilient, and emissions-free energy to local businesses and communities,” said Jon Powers, President of CleanCapital. “The acquisition of these assets from a trusted counterparty like Greenbacker reflects CleanCapital’s commitment to and specialization in DG-scale solar and energy storage projects, and we look forward to continuing to grow our portfolio through both operating and development-stage asset acquisitions.” 

The sale follows Greenbacker’s recent milestone financing of nearly $1 billion to support the construction of its largest project to date—the 674 MWdc utility-scale solar farm in New York. When complete in 2026, Cider is expected to be the largest solar energy project in the state of New York, generating over one million MWh of power in its first year of operation.

Greenbacker’s current portfolio of clean energy projects represents approximately 2.9 gigawatts (“GW”)1 of clean energy generation and storage capacity2 across 30 states, territories, provinces, and Washington, D.C. As of June 30, 2025, Greenbacker’s assets had cumulatively produced more than 13 million MWh of power,3 abating over 8 million metric tons of carbon4 and conserving more than 9 billion gallons of water.5

To date, Greenbacker’s business operations have driven more than $170 million in spend with U.S.-based manufacturers and suppliers in that period, directly supporting American industry and strengthening domestic supply chains, while advancing homegrown energy deployment. Greenbacker’s fleet of operating and pre-operating projects currently support, or are expected to support, thousands of green energy jobs.6

Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company | https://greenbackercapital.com

CleanCapital | https://cleancapital.com/project-acquisition/

1 Data as of June 30, 2025. The financial and portfolio metrics set forth herein are unaudited and subject to change. Total assets and megawatts statistics include those projects where we have contracted for the acquisition of the project pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”).

2 Includes both operating and pre-operating projects.

3 Since January 2016.

4 Data as of June 30, 2025. When compared with a similar amount of power generation from fossil fuels. Carbon abatement is calculated using the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator which uses the Avoided Emissions and generation Tool (AVERT) US national weighted average CO2 marginal emission rate to convert reductions of kilowatt-hours into avoided units of carbon dioxide emissions.

5 Data as of June 30, 2025. Water saved by Greenbacker’s clean energy projects is compared to the amount of water needed to produce the same amount of power by burning coal. Gallons of water saved are calculated based on Operational water consumption and withdrawal factors for electricity generating technologies: a review of existing literature – IOPscience, J Macknick et al 2012 Environ. Res. Lett. 7 045802.

6 Data as of June 30, 2025, and includes both operating and pre-operating projects. Green jobs are calculated using The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) State Clean Energy Employment Projection Support, nrel.gov.