LGCY Power Expands Residential Solar Business Through National Homebuilder Partnerships

Exus Renewables North America (Exus), a leading independent developer and operator of utility-scale renewable energy projects, announced the appointment of Jay D. Leitstein, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer. Leitstein joins Exus' executive leadership team as the company continues to expand its footprint in the renewable energy sector across North America.

Leitstein brings over two decades of financial leadership experience in the energy industry to Exus. He most recently served as Interim Chief Accounting Officer at enCore Energy Corp., where he oversaw all accounting and reporting processes and spearheaded significant improvements in financial systems and controls. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at TexGen Power, LLC, where he managed all financial operations for a large portfolio of power plants, maximizing shareholder returns.

"Jay's extensive background in energy finance and his proven track record of implementing robust financial frameworks make him the ideal addition to our leadership team," said Jim Spencer, President and CEO of Exus Renewables North America. "His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as a next-generation platform that builds, owns, operates, and manages renewable energy assets across North America."

In his new role, Leitstein will oversee all financial operations, including strategic financial planning, reporting, and capital structuring. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as Exus expands its portfolio of renewable energy projects and navigates the evolving landscape of the U.S. renewable energy market.

"I am thrilled to join Exus Renewables North America during this exciting period of growth," said Leitstein. "The company has established itself as a leader in renewable energy development, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success and helping advance America's clean energy future."

Leitstein's appointment follows several recent additions to Exus' leadership team, including Brian Johnston as VP of Engineering, Procurement & Construction; Jay Liu as VP of Transmission; Brian Reindl, VP of Development – West; Seth Wilmore as VP of Permitting & Development; and Andria Lake as VP of Power Origination & Structuring. Together, this strengthened leadership team will drive Exus' strategy to accelerate the development and operation of renewable energy assets across North America.

Leitstein holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Kean University and is a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey.

Exus Renewables North America | www.exus.us

SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR), a leader in the sustainable energy industry and authority on solar recycling, was awarded the 2025 Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) Award for Innovation and Impact. The recognition was presented during the CRA's annual conference in Wilmington, North Carolina, where industry leaders gathered to highlight progress in waste reduction and recycling across the region.

SPR was honored for its pioneering solar panel recycling technology – the first of its kind in the Carolinas and one of the first in the country. Through its advanced, proprietary processes, SPR recovers clean, separated materials from end-of-life solar modules, enabling valuable commodities to re-enter domestic manufacturing supply chains.

The conference also featured SPR's CEO & Co-Founder Brett Henderson, who addressed a full house during Day One of the general session. His remarks focused on the urgent need for scalable, responsible solutions for solar panel recycling.

"In North Carolina alone, the solar industry has created more than 7,300 jobs, attracted $13.3 billion in investment, and installed over 9.6 GW—ranking us 4th in the country," Henderson said. "Yet our landfills—especially those serving the state's most populous areas—are projected to reach capacity in just ten years. The 2026 C&D landfill ban on PV modules shows North Carolina is thinking ahead, and SPR is dedicated to supporting that mission."

Henderson closed his remarks by highlighting the economic, technological, and supply chain opportunities created by true solar panel recycling. He also emphasized the need for policy leadership to scale these efforts nationwide, urging collaboration between industry, lawmakers, and recyclers to meet the moment.

The CRA Award highlights organizations whose work demonstrates leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in the recycling industry. Honorees are selected based on their success addressing current challenges, diverting waste streams, and applying new technologies to material recovery.

"SolarPanelRecycling.com stood out for technological innovation and advanced technology taking on one of our country's most complex waste streams," said Mary McClellan, Executive Director of the Carolina Recycling Association. "Their work exemplifies the kind of smart, forward-thinking leadership the recycling industry needs – not just here in the Carolinas, but nationwide."

Garrett Powell, Director of Sourcing & Client Services at SPR, accepted the award on behalf of the team and parent company PowerHouse Recycling. This recognition follows growing national attention for SPR's work, including a recent site visit from U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (NC).

SolarPanelRecycling.com | https://solarpanelrecycling.com/

Carolina Recycling Association | https://www.cra-recycle.org/

GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a DNV company, introduced significant advancements to its energy management solutions, designed to address key challenges in renewable integration; these innovations support the transition from fossil-fueled peaking power to hybrid plants while ensuring grid stability. The updates include:

·               Hybrid Energy Management System (HEMS), enabling seamless coordination between PV and battery storage, optimizing internal power flow for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and grid compliance.

·               Enhanced Energy Management System (EMS), improving battery storage performance by optimizing energy dispatch, prolonging asset lifespan, and maintaining grid reliability.

“The future grid runs on energy storage and hybrid systems,” said Juan Carlos Arévalo, CEO of GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company. “With falling battery prices, our upgraded HEMS and EMS solutions help renewable plants capitalize on this tipping point. By merging GPM’s 25 years of renewables expertise with DNV’s 5,000+ energy advisors, we’re delivering the solutions needed to phase out fossil backups.”

“We are committed to driving innovation to meet the needs of both our customers and the industry. Working together, by advancing storage systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand, we contribute to meaningful carbon emissions reductions.”

Technologies such as energy storage enhance grid reliability by ensuring energy availability regardless of conditions. The latest HEMS system features aim to transform the renewable energy landscape. The GPM HEMS solution ensures hybrid project reliability and efficiency by maintaining grid compliance and optimizing the performance of photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The GPM EMS system complements these capabilities by improving overall system efficiency, maximizing the performance of the BESS and maintaining seamless grid integration.

BESS management is essential for maintaining overall grid stability and advancing this technology is key to achieving more efficient and resilient renewable energy generation.

Battery prices have been declining steadily, with a 14% drop in 2024 alone, a trend that is making 24-hour solar and storage power more accessible. GPM is meeting market needs and aiding advancements by pulling on its extensive experience, 90GW under management, cutting-edge data science skills and support of more than 5,000 experts from DNV’s advisory departments.

Ultimately, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels during peak demand, BESS and other hybrid energy storage systems will contribute significantly to lowering carbon emissions.

Mr Arévalo added: “At GPM, we recognize that the energy transition is dynamic and requires continuous innovation. As part of DNV, we combine deep expertise in renewable energy management with the flexibility to meet evolving industry needs. We are committed to fostering collaboration—particularly in BESS and hybrid projects—to support the sustainable advancement of the energy market.”

Further details on GPM’s energy storage and hybrid solutions are available on their website, including the Energy Management System and Hybrid Energy Management System.

GreenPowerMonitor | www.greenpowermonitor.com

Wattlab, the Dutch ‘solar power for shipping’ start-up, is not a company that rests on its laurels. After demonstrating impressive growth in the inland shipping sector (including a 312 solar panel-project that has made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records), Wattlab is currently taking its first steps in the seagoing shipping sector. With the first pilot project now complete, it’s time for us to catch up with the company’s founder and CEO Bo Salet to find out more about the results from the pilot project. And to learn more about Wattlab’s ambitions to bring solar power to seagoing shipping with a product called SolarDeck.

Starting in May 2024, Wattlab’s SolarDeck pilot project had two main partners: the Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO and international shipping company Vertom. Furthermore, the pilot has been co-financed by the European Union, or to be precise: by the EU’s Just Transition Fund which is part of the EU’s aims to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050.

“We brought in TNO to focus on the solar power generation of our new product; their aim was to validate whether the power output – and therefore subsequent fuel reduction – was in line with expectations,” begins Bo. “But we also had to validate many other aspects of the SolarDeck. For example, the construction characteristics: taking the salt water and rougher sea states into account, it’s obvious that seagoing ships operate in a tougher environment than inland shipping vessels. For this second validation aspect, we were able to use Vertom’s 7,280dwt general purpose dry cargo vessel Anette, on which we installed one SolarDeck module.”

Let’s not wait any longer… what are the results of Wattlab’s SolarDeck pilot project?

“We recently heard back from TNO that the SolarDeck’s power output is in line with expectations. This positive evaluation is very good. This is partially due to the design; salt water can drain freely from the solar panels; this means that there is no salt crust build-up from evaporated salt water that lowers the power output. And, in terms of the structural integrity of the system, we are happy to report a success. There are some parts of the design that need fine-tuning but there are absolutely no red flags whatsoever. The Anette saw some tough storms during the pilot project, which the SolarDeck dealt with without any damage. What’s more – from a durability viewpoint – we designed this system in such a way that, if there are damages or breakages, then these can be easily repaired by the ship’s crew at minimal cost,” Bo answers. “In addition, we are happy to be able to report many other positive results from this pilot project.”

Safety first

From a safety perspective, SolarDeck performed well. “This system is a stand-alone solar power generator that uses a similar power conversion configuration to our inland shipping product. It is, therefore, inherently safe to use. For example, in the event of cable damage or breakage, the system shuts down automatically; there will never be a current on a broken cable.”

Solar panels are not renowned for their strength. As such, looking at the photos of the SolarDeck installed on Vertom’s Anette, you would be forgiven for wondering if the presence of a wafer-thin solar panel would impact the day-to-day operations of a typical ship’s crew. “We specifically asked the Anette’s crew to carry on their usual deck cleaning activities,” he notes. “This involved rinsing with fresh water, cleaning with normal soap, and also with their toughest cleaning material: heavy duty acidic descaling liquid. The SolarDeck continued working at all times.”

What’s next for SolarDeck?

Now that the SolarDeck pilot project has been completed with undoubtedly successful results, Wattlab has its sights set on bigger targets (or rather, larger surface areas). “We are moving towards full scale; this will be a vessel with the entire deck covered with SolarDeck panels. We will be delivering this before the summer, also in collaboration with Vertom Shipping: a partnership that we are very pleased with,” Bo says.

The deck of a seagoing cargo ship covered with solar panels will definitely be a sight worth seeing. But what about the ship’s loading and unloading operations? Won’t the SolarDeck get in the way? And what about monitoring and managing (surplus) power supply? Won’t that demand a time investment from the crew? “During normal loading and unloading, the SolarDeck can stay in place because it’s thin enough that it fits between two stacked hatches. The only action needed is to disconnect the cables, which needs a minimal amount of time: two minutes of work per edge,” he answers. “And let’s say that the shipowner has a job that involves a deck load: offshore wind blades, for instance. We designed the SolarDeck based on standard 20-foot container twist lock fittings. They are light enough to be carried and the crew can stack all of them within the volume of one 20-foot container.”

“And to answer the question of power output management, the crew doesn’t have to actively think about this; it will be automatic. The generators will turn off when they're not needed. And in the event of a surplus of solar power, the panels will automatically shut down so the they will never overload the system.”

Let’s talk business

Bo wraps up our conversation with a look at probably the most important aspects of owning a seagoing cargo vessel: the regulations and the return on investment. “Based on the results of the pilot project, we predict a fuel reduction of 30 MT with a corresponding 96 MT drop in CO2 emissions. Looking at a shipowner’s EXI and CII scores, this is significant. Moreover, the lower fuel consumption will save shipowners money via the Fuel EU Maritime and EU ETS regulations. And regarding the business case we predict an ROI of around four to five years, not taking any possible subsidies into account. And there is another thing to consider: in general, the older the vessel is, the more inefficient its generators are. Therefore, the business case for installing deck-mounted solar panels is even better with older vessels. And because they are ‘plug-and-play’, they are not a permanent installation: you can simply lift them off the older vessel and put them on the next one,” Bo concludes.

Wattlab | https://wattlab.nl/

Panasonic announced that they are discontinuing their solar and battery storage business line. This change allows will allow them to focus on areas where they believe they can have the greatest strategic impact. Panasonic remains confident in the technology and is grateful to their partners and customers who have supported this journey.

On their website, Panasonic says it is committed to a smooth transition and will continue to provide customer support to existing customers, as well as future customers who are undergoing installations and commissioning — all warranties will be honored for both installed products and those not yet installed. Where third-party warranties apply, Panasonic will continue to support their customers by providing clear direction and points of contact. Support remains available via their website. For more information, contact them through their dedicated solar and battery storage email: [email protected]

Panasonic | https://solar.na.panasonic.com/

Mitra EV, a leader in fleet electrification and charging infrastructure, is removing EV adoption barriers for small and medium fleet owners. On Thursday, May 15th, the company will host a ribbon-cutting of its newest fleet charging hubs in Rancho Cordova—at Sierra Pacific (2576 Mercantile Dr.) and Aztec Solar (11370 Trade Center Dr. #3)—from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Featuring key industry leaders, policymakers, and partners, the event marks a significant milestone in Mitra EV's mission to accelerate fleet adoption of electric vehicles and overcome grid bottlenecks to charger deployment.

The event will highlight Project REEF, a U.S. Department of Energy-supported initiative that sets the national standard for scalable, revenue-generating EV infrastructure. With partners across California, Colorado, Ohio, and Georgia, Project REEF revolutionizes fleet electrification by offering turnkey solutions that eliminate key barriers for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The project has already catalyzed additional growth—eleven more charging hubs are under construction.

Tim Taylor, Executive Director of the Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition, addressed the substantial hurdles SMBs face in adopting EVs: "While EVs offer significant savings, high upfront costs, complex charging setups, and extensive bureaucratic processes often sideline smaller businesses. Mitra EV's innovative model removes these barriers, ensuring that no fleet is left behind." 

SMBs represent the backbone of commercial fleets—99% of fleets in California have fewer than 50 trucks, according to the California Air Resource Board—yet they face the steepest challenges in transitioning to electric.

"Mitra EV's model is designed from the ground up for SMBs," said James Tong, CEO of Mitra EV. "We're not just deploying chargers and vehicles—we're building a path to electrification that's financially accessible, operationally simple, and scalable nationwide. Project REEF shows what's possible with public and private sector collaboration."

Mitra EV's turnkey fleet electrification solutions allow SMBs to electrify with no upfront costs, while saving 30–50% on fuel and maintenance. The company handles EV procurement, charging installation, and compliance—simplifying the transition for fleet operators.

The May 15 event will include technology demonstrations, discussions with early adopters, and networking with investors, media, and policy leaders.

Mitra EV | www.mitra-ev.com

The American Clean Power Association (ACP), on behalf of the U.S. energy storage industry, announced a historic commitment to invest $100 billion into building and buying American-made grid batteries. This investment is expected to fuel the creation of 350,000 jobs across the battery energy storage industry and transform the United States into a global battery manufacturing leader.  

This announcement aligns with actions taken by the Trump Administration to unleash American energy and develop critical mineralsin the United States. The industry’s investment will advance a manufacturing expansion in the United States with the aim of enabling American-made batteries to meet 100% of domestic energy storage project demand.   

“The energy storage industry is providing essential power when needed most while boosting domestic manufacturing and creating jobs across the country,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of ACP. “Today’s historic commitment will invest billions of dollars into American communities and position the United States as a manufacturing leader in battery technology that is critical to national and grid security.”   

Building a Pathway to 100% American-Made Grid Batteries 

The U.S. energy storage industry is committed to investing $100 billion in American grid batteries, including both capital for building new battery manufacturing facilities and procurement of American-made batteries for U.S. energy storage projects. Through this commitment, the industry will advance American battery manufacturing leadership, enhance U.S. energy security, provide energy affordability and reliability, and drive international competitiveness.

This investment represents a clear pathway to supplying 100% of U.S. energy storage projects with American-made batteries by 2030. A pro-business environment, supported by stable tax and trade policy and streamlined permitting, is essential to the industry fulfilling this commitment. 

Booming U.S. Energy Storage Deployments Fuel Manufacturing Resurgence 

Battery energy storage is now a leading energy resource boosting electric grid reliability and keeping energy costs low for families and businesses across America. Since FERC Order 841 was issued in 2018, energy storage deployment has grown 25x. The ongoing growth in energy storage deployment is driving investment in American battery manufacturing facilities.  

The energy storage industry is making significant progress in laying the groundwork for a domestic battery energy storage supply chain, building or expanding more than 25 manufacturing facilities for grid-scale energy storage. With today’s investment commitment, the industry has announced plans to rapidly expand ongoing efforts.  

The Role of Battery Storage in Unleashing American Energy Dominance 

As communities across the country grapple with skyrocketing energy demand, aging grid infrastructure, and concerns over reliability, battery energy storage is providing a ready-to-deploy solution to these challenges.  

Energy storage optimizes all existing power generation, lowering energy bills and hardening the grid against extreme weather events like blizzards and heat waves. As the economy grows, energy storage provides important peaking capacity, freeing up more gas generation to serve as base load and enabling more energy production.  

Energy storage has also been critical for supporting American industrial and technological might, from metals manufacturing in West Virginia to new data centers and AI infrastructure in Texas and Arizona. The need for energy storage resources continues to be strong across the country, as 31 states currently have energy storage projects under construction. 

"Form Energy is proud to be ramping up manufacturing at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, West Virginia, advancing our mission to strengthen the U.S. electric grid with domestically produced, multi-day energy storage. Situated on the historic site of the former Weirton Steel mill—a cornerstone of America’s industrial past—the newly built Form Factory 1 is proving that America’s greatest manufacturing epoch isn’t behind us; it’s unfolding now.” Mateo Jaramillo, Co-founder & CEO of Form Energy, noted, “This investment in American manufacturing not only supports the creation of high-quality jobs in West Virginia but also ensures that the U.S. remains a leader in energy innovation. As the energy storage industry commits to investing $100 billion in American-made grid batteries by 2030, Form Energy is excited to play a key role in building a more reliable, resilient, and secure energy future for our country." 

“Fluence investments in American battery cell, module, enclosure, thermal management, and controls manufacturing are delivering domestic energy storage products starting this year and will help power U.S. economic growth for decades to come,” said John Zahurancik, Fluence President, Americas. “Our manufacturing facilities in Utah, Texas, Tennessee, and Arizona support more reliable and cost-effective energy production while creating a resilient U.S. supply chain that advances American innovation, jobs, and energy security. These investments are about building the future of energy—right here in the United States.” 

“LG Energy Solution is fully committed to expanding US energy storage manufacturing, with our fist factory lines expected to begin production in 2025 in Holland, Michigan, where we will adapt existing lines to provide 16.5 GWh of ESS batteries, with an additional11GWh of capacity planned for the beginning of 2026.” Said Jaehong Park, CEO, LG Energy Solution Vertech. “We have expanded our investment in U.S. manufacturing to meet rising demand; we have currently committed $1.4 billion to our production plan in Holland, MI, with additional investments and capacity expansion to come.” 

“Battery energy storage is keeping the lights on and costs low for consumers across the county. Developers are committed to sourcing batteries made in America to deploy this essential energy resource to more Americans for energy stability and cost savings in the face of increasing demand,” said Stephanie Smith COO, Eolian. “As manufacturers begin ramping up domestic supply, streamlining federal and state policies and permitting processes will make the difference in getting this industry moving quickly and competitively.” 

“Battery energy storage is key to meeting America’s rapidly expanding electricity needs,” said Craig Cornelius, President and CEO of Clearway Energy Group. “As we deploy energy storage at record pace, this investment reflects the industry’s commitment to building these critical grid infrastructure projects with American-made batteries." 

American Clean Power Association | cleanpower.org