The Hidden Risk in Your Battery Storage System: Why cable cleats belong in every BESS specification

Solect Energy, a leading commercial and public-sector solar and energy storage developer serving the Northeast, released a new market update examining how federal tax-credit deadlines, expanding building-performance requirements, and rising electricity costs are reshaping how commercial real estate owners evaluate and structure solar projects. Under current federal law, solar projects that begin construction now must be placed in service by December 31, 2027, to remain eligible for the federal investment tax credit — a timeline that remains workable for contracts in 2026, but leaves little room for delays to complete development, installation and commissioning new project purchases.

At the same time, building-performance ordinances such as Boston’s BERDO and Cambridge’s BEUDO require non-compliance payments for commercial properties that do not conform. Under BERDO, building owners may make Alternative Compliance Payments of $234 for every metric ton of CO₂e above a building’s emissions limit. Owners that remain out of compliance may also face penalties of $1,000 per day for larger covered buildings. In 2024 Massachusetts implemented Large Building Energy Reporting requirement for every building over 20,000 square feet.

“Commercial property owners are navigating the convergence of federal incentive deadlines and state and local building-performance policies, and it’s affecting our customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York,” said Matt Shortsleeve, SVP of Policy & Marketing at Solect Energy. “Owners are evaluating properties for new solar installations now to capture 30% or 40% of project costs before federal tax credits expire. These planning meetings provide our customers clarity and more flexibility to planfully align solar investments with compliance strategies, capital plans, and long-term energy cost containment strategies across the portfolio.”

In preparation for the ITC safe-harbor deadline, Solect invested in more than 100 MW of solar equipment to support future projects. Because Solect can finance and own site-lease and power-purchase-agreement projects, deploying ITC-eligible equipment flows through to more competitive site lease payments and energy pricing. The analysis highlights Solect's work with Parsons Commercial Group, where 22 completed projects are split nearly evenly between direct ownership and Solect-financed site leases — an example highlighting winning financing structures applied property by property within a single portfolio.

Read "The Changing Economics of Solar for Commercial Real Estate," which covers the federal incentive timeline, compliance cost exposure under building-performance ordinances, ownership and financing structures, and how to evaluate a solar partner capable of executing within the current deadlines.

Solect Energy | www.solect.com

OnePlanet, a U.S.-based advanced materials recovery company, unveiled PRISM, a proprietary, fully automated process that recovers copper, aluminum, and high-purity silicon carrying ore-grade silver from end-of-life solar panels at the company's Florida facility. PRISM has completed all engineering testing, with anticipated production beginning in 2027. PRISM ("Photovoltaic Recycling through Integrated Systems and Mechanics") is the Company's next-generation, ground-up redesign of the line running at OnePlanet's commercial demonstration facility in Green Cove Springs, Florida, which has processed end-of-life crystalline-silicon modules for more than two years.

Developed over the past 15 months, the process is fully mechanical, using no thermal or chemical separation steps.

In repeated, staged testing of the complete equipment configuration, PRISM removed 99.5% of module glass at 99% glass purity before any size-reduction step; recovering clean, saleable glass while leaving the silicon- and silver-bearing cell material concentrated rather than diluted through mixed, crushed streams. Performance held on monofacial and bifacial modules alike, whether intact or storm-damaged. Proprietary downstream stages then concentrate that material into a silicon stream exceeding 95% purity carrying approximately 1% silver, as well as a 99% pure copper granulate stream, and a 99.9% pure aluminum (6063) product. The results are supported by testing at independent third-party laboratories.

"One percent silver is not a trace amount. In metallurgical terms, that's a substantial grade, richer than most mined ore," said André Pujadas, Chief Executive Officer of OnePlanet. "Combined with silicon above 95% purity, you have a single feedstock that can feed both an MGS and silver refinery under one roof. Achieving this level of purity for the silicon stream is a substantial milestone in our pursuit of entering the metallurgical grade market, while further diversifying the process to enable 5N silver."

Before co-founding OnePlanet, Pujadas spent his career in steel and metals recovery at Nucor Corporation, PSC Metals and Severstal, where he helped lead the electric-arc-furnace transformation that made recycled scrap the backbone of American steel production.

Silicon and silver were both added to the U.S. Critical Minerals List in November 2025, and both are materials the United States today imports in volume even as domestic solar and advanced manufacturing grow. OnePlanet has been awarded a $14.5 million investment tax credit allocation under the federal Qualifying Advanced Energy Project (48C) program to support construction of its first industrial-scale facility, dubbed 'River City', which will house the first fully integrated PRISM production lines.

OnePlanet's next development program is the metallurgical-grade silicon (MGS) refining process itself –designed to recover the contained silver within the refining step, so silver emerges as a second finished product – targeted for 2030. Silicon above 95% purity requires far less upgrading to reach MGS specification, significantly reducing the energy and emissions intensity of the refining step compared with producing MGS from virgin quartzite. Once the refinery is online, the silicon output from PRISM would be consumed internally, completing OnePlanet's transition from materials recovery into the multi-billion-dollar MGS and silver refining markets.

OnePlanet | www.1planetrecycling.com

PowerBank Corporation, a leader in independent energy development and asset ownership in North America, is pleased to announce it has executed a new lease agreement for a 4 MW ground-mount solar project known as the ON-765 West Solar Project  in North Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. The Project is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 640 homes in the province once operational. ON-765 is expected to be eligible for the Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit, offered by the Canadian federal government, which provides eligible corporations with a refundable tax credit of up to 30% of the capital cost of qualifying clean energy investments, including solar and energy storage equipment.

As artificial intelligence, electrification, and broader digital infrastructure growth place unprecedented new demands on Ontario's electricity grid, distributed energy projects like ON-765 West are becoming an increasingly important part of the province's energy mix. Unlike large, centralized generation facilities, distribution-level solar projects add capacity in smaller increments across many points on the grid, closer to where power is actually consumed, reducing strain on transmission infrastructure and losses along the way. This model can also improve grid resiliency and often be brought online faster than utility-scale projects, which frequently face years-long interconnection and permitting timelines. As demand grows, a broad base of distributed generation helps ensure power availability keeps pace without relying solely on a small number of large projects.

PowerBank's proven expertise, with over 100 MW of completed projects and a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW, underpins the project's execution. Strategic partnerships and institutional-grade development capabilities position PowerBank to deliver reliable, high-impact energy solutions.

PowerBank | www.powerbankcorp.com

Global Battery Materials Corp. ("GBM" or the "Company") announces that it has signed a Letter of Agreement ("LOA") with five First Nations — Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan, Shawanaga and Wasauksing, with respect to engagement, including a potential investment transaction, in the Kearney Graphite Project ("Kearney" or the "Project") in northeastern Ontario. The five First Nations have formed the Gizhe Manidoo O-Miigwewinan Limited Partnership ("GMM LP") to facilitate their collective engagement in the Project. The LOA reflects the interests of all five Nations in ensuring the Project's responsible development and commits both parties to negotiating a Partnership Framework exploring potential opportunities for equity ownership, an energy partnership, and long-term stewardship of the surrounding lands and waters.

The LOA, signed by GBM and the Chiefs of the five First Nations, establishes a process to develop a Partnership Framework between GBM and GMM LP for the restart of the Kearney Mine to ensure mutual benefits for both parties, including equity participation and an energy partnership, while protecting the environment and respecting Indigenous Rights.

Wasauksing Chief Shane Tabobondung commented: "This is an early and significant milestone in our relationship with the Company for the Kearney Graphite Project. This LOA reflects how business is to be conducted in our traditional territories and lands – business that is conducted with and led by our First Nations for the long-term protection of our lands and the responsible and sustainable development of our resources for the benefit of our people."

"Today's agreement establishes the foundation for a long-term relationship built upon mutual trust, transparency, and shared success," said Karl Trudeau, COO of Mining at GBM. "As we advance the Kearney Graphite Project following the positive results of our Preliminary Economic Assessment, we remain committed to working alongside the five First Nations to build a project that reflects responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and meaningful Indigenous participation from planning through operations."

GBM believes that the future of Canada's critical minerals industry will increasingly be built upon long-term partnerships between Indigenous communities, responsible resource developers, and governments. The establishment of a Kearney Partnership Framework is intended to serve as an example of this collaborative approach while supporting regional economic development, environmental responsibility, and supply chain security for North America's critical minerals sector.

"Partnership is how we do business," said Eric Miller, CEO of GBM. "The five First Nations coming together to form a partnership and sign this agreement with a defined path toward equity participation in Kearney is a powerful statement of partnership and shared commitment to long-term stewardship. Advancing economic reconciliation through meaningful Indigenous ownership is becoming the standard for responsible critical minerals development in Canada, and we intend to lead by example. We're not just restarting a mine; we're building a lasting relationship."

This announcement follows the Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Kearney Graphite Project, which evaluated the restart of the prior-producing Kearney Mine and confirmed its strong economics with a 67% internal rate of return and 1.3-year payback. GBM intends to advance a Definitive Feasibility Study as the next step in the Project's development. The Project is the foundation of GBM's integrated mine-to-anode supply chain being built in North America.

Global Battery Materials | www.globalbatterymaterials.com

Southwire is pleased to announce that it is expanding its Starkville, Miss. operations, a move that will add approximately 380,000 square feet to the location's footprint. This project, representing a corporate investment of more than $256 million, is expected to create 128 new jobs and reinforces the company's commitment to its team members, customers and communities. The expansion is part of Southwire's companywide commitment of more than two billion dollars in modernization efforts across its footprint.

As one of the wire and cable solutions providers in North America, Southwire continues to enhance its proven legacy and trusted reputation by building upon its strengths to attain sustainable, strategic growth.

Southwire's Starkville Plant was originally opened by Phelps-Dodge in 1979 and acquired by Southwire in 1989. This project marks the second expansion on the campus, following the initial 2010 expansion, which underscored Southwire's commitment to customer service through the addition of an onsite distribution center.

The expansion and upgrades at the Starkville Plant will enhance the experience for Southwire's team members by supporting a safer, more efficient work environment, strengthening its focus on quality and better positioning the company to serve its customers, communities and stakeholders for years to come.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 with full capacity anticipated to come online in 2028.

QUOTES:

"This expansion represents another meaningful step in Southwire's long-term strategy to modernize our operations, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and continue delivering exceptional service to our customers. Starkville has been an important part of Southwire's story for decades, and this investment reflects our confidence in the team, the community and the opportunities ahead as we continue building for the future." 
– Ganesh Ramaswamy, Southwire's President and CEO

"Southwire's quarter-of-a-billion-dollar investment and the nearly 130 jobs it will create are another example of the incredible momentum we're seeing across Mississippi. This project is more proof that Mississippi gets the job done. And the fact is that Southwire wouldn't be expanding here if our state couldn't deliver results. This is another big win for Starkville and Mississippi." 
– Governor Tate Reeves, State of Mississippi

"Across Southwire, we are making significant investments to modernize our footprint and position our company for long-term growth. This expansion in Starkville is an important part of that effort, connecting to our more than two-billion-dollar investment in modernization and helping us build the capacity needed to meet the growing demand driven by electrification, market growth and the rapid expansion of data centers. It is an exciting time for our industry, for Southwire and for our team in Starkville as we continue strengthening our ability to support growth across North America and best serve our customers." 
– Rohan Kelkar, Southwire's Executive Vice President, Power and Industrial

"This is an exciting moment for our team in Starkville and for the community we are proud to call home. Southwire's continued investment in this location reflects the company's confidence in our people, our operations and the important role Starkville plays in supporting our customers. As we look ahead, this expansion will help us build on our strong foundation, create new opportunities and continue making a positive impact in the community." 
– Erik Adams, Plant Manager, Southwire Starkville Plant

"Companies don't make investments of this size unless the conditions are right. And Southwire's expansion in Starkville is another prime example of the advantages Mississippi continues to deliver to manufacturers, including speed to market, reliable infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a competitive cost of doing business. Those are the qualities that drive reinvestment from existing employers and keep Mississippi competitive for future projects."
– Bill Cork, Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director 

"Southwire's decision to continue investing in Starkville is the result of collaboration and a shared commitment to creating an environment where manufacturers can succeed. By bringing the right partners to the table, ensuring the workforce and infrastructure are prepared to support growth and helping position this community for long-term investment, we know that is always a winning combination. We're grateful for Southwire's continued confidence in Starkville, Oktibbeha County and the entire GTR Region. We look forward to the opportunities this expansion will create for Starkville and Oktibbeha County and the region."
– Meryl Fisackerly, Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO 

"The city of Starkville is gratified and excited to have the tremendous financial commitment of one of our most important industries. Southwire's growth here in Starkville shows their faith in the value of continuing to be part of our community. Their expansion will be the largest single economic development project that the city has seen, and it furthers the narrative that Starkville is a great place for business investment. Southwire brings over 100 high-paying jobs and increased value to our city, serving as the bellwether to other industries that we are open for business. We look forward to their success and will work to make certain that the faith of their investment is well placed."
– Mayor Lynn Spruill, City of Starkville

"It's always exciting to see an existing industry choose to grow right here at home. Southwire has been a valued member of our community for decades, and this investment says a lot about the confidence they have in Oktibbeha County. We're grateful for their continued commitment and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new jobs will have on our community for years to come." 
– Marvell Howard, President, Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors

Southwire | www.southwire.com

Silfab Solar, a leader in American-made solar panels, applauds the thoughtful and responsive polysilicon policy by President Trump to further reshore American jobs and promote domestic manufacturing in support of the growing U.S. solar industry.

The White House decision regarding Section 232 tariffs on imports of polysilicon and its derivatives further strengthens U.S. manufacturers like Silfab Solar, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars at U.S. facilities, employs thousands of American workers, and is planning further expansions to continue producing high-quality, extremely powerful solar panels and solar cells.

“Silfab Solar and the Trump administration share a common goal – to level the playing field and enable companies like ours to expand in the U.S. and build American products supported by a domestic supply chain,” said Paolo Maccario, Silfab President and CEO. “True energy independence for the United States emerges from policies like Section 232.”

Maccario said implementation of Section 232 tariffs coincides with Silfab’s future growth plans in North America, and as it begins full-scale production of solar cells at its new South Carolina facility.

“The decision from the White House to promote domestic production of polysilicon only strengthens our commitment and desire to be an even bigger provider of superior American-made products,” Maccario said. “Reducing dependencies on China for raw materials is good news, especially as Silfab ramps up its solar cell production lines.”

Silfab Solar | www.silfabsolar.com

David Energy, the only energy supplier that guarantees businesses lower power bills every month compared to the utility, announced a partnership with Wonder, a food technology platform with 140 physical locations across the Northeast. David Energy has installed free batteries at each of Wonder’s eligible 21 New York City locations. The 120-volt, plug-in batteries offset the power usage in Wonder’s all-electric kitchens by charging when power is cheap, and discharging when electricity is more expensive, which will save Wonder thousands of dollars annually per location compared to what they would have paid the utility.

Beyond the cost benefits, the deployment reflects Wonder’s broader approach to building smarter, more efficient restaurants. By pairing all-electric kitchens with intelligent energy management technology, Wonder is creating a scalable operating model that reduces peak demand on the grid while improving operational efficiency.

“As we grow our real estate footprint, we're constantly evaluating solutions that can improve operational efficiency across our locations,” said Abe Nasrallah, Senior Vice President of Development at Wonder. “David Energy’s batteries were simple to install, required minimal operational changes, and are expected to deliver meaningful cost savings across our New York City locations. The collaboration between our teams has given us a framework for incorporating energy infrastructure into both our current portfolio and future store developments.”

The batteries give Wonder control over its energy bill at a time of rising prices and help the company further leverage its real estate portfolio to make a positive environmental impact. Many of Wonder’s locations are enrolled in programs that support the grid at times of peak demand. These programs help reduce the chance of power outages and the need for New Yorkers to rely on polluting peaker power plants in the hottest days of summer.

“The team at Wonder really understands how these small batteries can be a game changer for their operations,” said James McGinniss, CEO of David Energy. “We’re excited to be able to bring this cutting-edge battery technology to a partner that is a leader in food tech. We look forward to how we can bring these repeatable, high-impact battery rollouts to new Wonder locations here in New York City and beyond.”

Wonder and David Energy are now working together on back-of-house design for new 2027 location builds in New York City to factor in ideal battery placements.

David Energy | https://www.davidenergy.com/