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LGCY Power, one of the fastest-growing residential solar companies in the U.S., announced its expansion into new home solar construction, offering turnkey solar installation services for homebuilders nationwide. LGCY Power Expands Residential Solar Business Through National Homebuilder Partnerships A LGCY Power technician commissions an Enphase energy system as part of its new homes division and expansion. With a strategi....
Given the Trump administration’s past approach to renewable energy, solar developers and installers nationwide are bracing themselves for another period of lack of support for renewables. But the success of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) support for renewable development, in blue and red states alike, has broadly showcased the benefits of renewable energy development. According to an analysis conducted by E2, about 60 percent of ....
Soil erosion along the driplines of ground-mounted solar panels shows how human-made systems and natural environments interact in complex ways. Solving this problem requires a detailed understanding of factors like the site’s slope, gradients, rainfall patterns, and soil types. Smart land management practices not only control soil erosion but also help preserve the long-term value of the land. The rapid growth of solar energy projects has hi....
While the cultural zeitgeist has shifted, the AESP 2024 State of Demand Flexibility Report found that 93 percent of utilities prioritize demand flexibility initiatives like demand response, EV charging, and more, with 66 percent of respondents surveyed attributing that interest in increasing grid resiliency. The combined pressures of increased electric demand from AI and data centers, volatile and erratic weather conditions, and supply ....
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Clean Energy Credit Union (Clean Energy CU), the nation's only credit union focused solely on clean energy lending, and Blu Opportunity, a fintech company revolutionizing residential solar financing, have announced a strategic partnership to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for homeowners nationwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, Clean Energy CU will provide a forward flow arrangement for Blu Opportunity, purchasing solar loans originated through Blu Opportunity's innovative platform. This partnership will provide Blu Opportunity with a consistent and reliable source of funding to scale its operations and help more homeowners transition to clean energy.
Borrowers who finance their solar projects through Blu Opportunity under this arrangement will become members of Clean Energy Credit Union, joining a community dedicated to environmental stewardship and gaining access to a range of financial services from a mission-driven institution. Loan approvals will be based on jointly defined credit criteria, leveraging the deep expertise of both organizations in clean energy and financial services.
“Blu Opportunity's transparent business model and network of trusted, high-quality installers—combined with our deep expertise in green lending and competitive rates —will deliver significant value to borrowers,” said Terri Mickelsen.
"This partnership with Clean Energy Credit Union is a significant milestone for Blu Opportunity, providing us with the stable funding needed to scale our operations and help more homeowners transition to clean energy," said Jan Rippingale, CEO of Blu Opportunity. "We are thrilled to work with a mission-aligned organization like Clean Energy CU to accelerate the deployment of solar power across the country."
This partnership is expected to streamline the financing process for residential solar projects, offering competitive rates and transparent terms to homeowners while providing solar installers with efficient and reliable funding. By becoming members of Clean Energy CU, borrowers will join a growing movement dedicated to environmental sustainability and gain access to a comprehensive suite of financial services from an institution that puts its members and the planet first.
Clean Energy Credit Union | https://www.cleanenergycu.org/
Blu Opportunity | https://bluopportunity.com/
RRC Companies, a leading full-scope engineering firm in renewable energy, and BattGenie, a battery software company known for its AI-enhanced, physics-based modeling and battery management platform, have signed an exclusive strategic partnership to deliver innovative Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) solutions for the utility-scale energy market.
The collaboration marks a major advancement for the renewable sector. For RRC, it expands its ability to support owners and developers with smarter, safer, and more profitable battery storage infrastructure. For BattGenie, it means partnering with one of the most trusted engineering firms in utility-scale energy.
"We know the product; RRC knows the market," said Manan Pathak, CEO and Co-founder of BattGenie. "This partnership bridges innovation with execution. We're excited to align with a company that has deep expertise in utility-scale energy storage systems and a shared mission to maximize the value of BESS assets."
Central to the partnership is BattStudio, BattGenie's unified platform that delivers accurate state estimation, dynamic charge/discharge control, and predictive analytics across four integrated layers: simulation (BattSaaS), modeling (BattMaaS), data analytics (BattDaaS), and performance management (BattPaaS). BattStudio has been proven to double battery life and reduce charging time for a variety of applications. This technology complements RRC's engineering and SCADA capabilities, especially its RIVR™ platform, enabling seamless integration of BESS performance insights from design through operations.
When integrated with RIVR, BattStudio will add cloud-based predictive analytics and real-time energy management, offering a powerful solution for BESS performance.
Together, RRC and BattGenie will provide:
"Advanced software, when paired with the right engineering partner, unlocks real performance gains in the field," said Bill Bong, President and Co-founder of RRC Companies. "This partnership combines BattGenie's deep product intelligence with our engineering and field expertise to deliver storage systems that exceed expectations."
RRC and BattGenie are already helping BESS clients improve their asset value. Moving forward, they will leverage BattStudio and RIVR to help organizations maximize energy storage ROI.
RRC Companies | https://rrccompanies.com/
BattGenie | https://battgenie.life/
icotek is setting new standards in terms of flexibility, efficiency and space-saving with a new series of cable glands. The innovative solution allows different cable diameters to be routed through a single standard cut-out - thanks to the unique conical structure.
Maximum Flexibility and Easy Installation
The specially developed, conical sealing membranes adapt flexibly to cable diameters from 3 to 28 mm. This enables not only the secure fixing of different cable sizes, but also the angled routing of rigid cables without damaging the membrane. Installation is quick, tool-free and requires just four screws - saving time and money.
High Tightness and Versatility
With a protection rating of up to IP65/IP66, the cable glands are optimally protected against dust, dirt and moisture. This makes them ideal for applications in mechanical and plant engineering, automation technology and control cabinets. Compatibility with standardized cut-outs facilitates integration into existing systems and reduces storage costs.
Product Benefits at a Glance:
Features:
With this new product, icotek provides a future-orientated solution for all applications where flexibility, efficiency and reliability are required.
icotek | https://www.icotek.com/en-us
Schneider Electric, a leader in energy management and automation, introduces its industrial copilot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. Designed to boost productivity and enhance workforce efficiency it integrates Microsoft Azure AI Foundry with Schneider Electric's advanced and secure industrial automation solutions. Eliminating repetitive tasks, this Generative AI-powered assistant allows users to collaborate, supports simplification of application development delivering efficiency gains and bringing quality solutions to market faster.
Industrial copilots are increasingly adopted to address labor shortages and enhance complex operations. They empower workers by reducing mental strain, providing support, and retaining knowledge despite high turnover. By automating routine tasks, copilots boost productivity and allow workers to focus on complex activities. They improve efficiency with real-time recommendations, leading to smoother operations and quicker decisions. Copilots also minimize machine downtime with immediate troubleshooting and predictive maintenance, integrate data for better decision-making, and reduce manual work, saving costs.
“We are at a pivotal moment where industry must achieve unprecedented levels of flexibility and efficiency with Generative AI. Our Copilot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft and leveraging our deep domain expertise, is designed to improve industrial competitiveness by boosting worker confidence, simplifying processes, and bridging skills gaps,” said Aurelien LeSant, Chief Technology Officer, Schneider Electric, Industrial Automation. “This innovative solution proactively assists engineers in adding complex functionalities, such as new production lines, with simple steps by pre-generating code, checking for errors, and improving the reuse of existing libraries. It allows engineers and operators to leverage Schneider Electric's industrial Data Sets to bring systems online faster and optimize them for long-term success.”
Building on Schneider Electric's leadership in open, software-defined automation and leveraging the flexibility of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, the world's first open software, defined automation solution, the Copilot will be available within Schneider’s newly launched unified automation environment, EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform. The EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform integrates seamlessly across various hardware and software platforms, enhancing collaboration between copilots, operators, and engineers by incorporating real-time data access, which is crucial for providing accurate recommendations, predictive maintenance, and immediate troubleshooting.
Schneider Electric | https://www.se.com/us/en/
Qcells, a premier provider of complete energy solutions and global solar energy market leader, announced it has achieved successful stress test validation for its tandem modules, according to both IEC and UL certification standards. These tests also complied with tandem-specific requirements for power measurements, making them a key first in the industry. The standard-compliant execution of the stress tests and measurements has been independently confirmed by TÜV Rheinland. After announcing world-record efficiency for a commercially scalable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell in December 2024, Qcells has now achieved this major milestone in durability that reinforces the company’s leadership in advancing tandem technology toward real-world, commercial deployment.
Tandem technology, which is the pairing of perovskite cells with standard silicon cells, has long shown promise in laboratory settings for improving overall efficiency. It has demonstrated the potential to further reduce the cost of solar energy, and the land footprint required for solar projects, thus helping accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy. However, long-term stability and standardized measurement posed challenges for commercialization. By successfully passing the most critical stress tests for solar cell reliability, especially considering tandem-specific restrictions on power measurement, Qcells has demonstrated that tandem technology can now meet the performance benchmarks that set the groundwork for commercial acceptance.
“To Qcells’ knowledge, this is the first report of tandem modules passing these stress tests, considering tandem-specific restrictions on power measurement, so this is truly a pivotal moment for tandem solar technology,” said Danielle Merfeld, Global Chief Technology Officer at Qcells. “Qcells’ breakthrough marks a critical step towards commercial readiness.”
“Qcells is pleased to announce this outstanding stability achievement based on our in-house developed perovskite technology as a top cell, and cost-efficient Q.ANTUM silicon technology as a bottom cell,” said Fabian Fertig, Head of Tandem R&D at Qcells Germany. “The tested cells and modules are typical devices from our R&D pilot line in Germany and have been fabricated by exclusively using processes that are feasible for mass production. This result is laying the groundwork for future commercialization of this exciting technology.”
Qcells’ tandem cell technology features a 2-terminal device architecture, which is composed of a perovskite technology top layer and silicon bottom layer featuring Qcells’ proprietary Q.ANTUM technology. The core of this latest achievement by Qcells involves successfully passing the most critical stress tests for solar cell reliability according to International Standards IEC 61215-2:2021 and UL 61215-2:2021. These include the UV preconditioning test for 15kWh/m2 (MQT10; UV15), thermal cycling test for 200 cycles (MQT11; TC200), humidity-freeze test for 10 cycles (MQT12; HF10), and damp heat test for 1000h (MQT13; DH1000). These stress tests have been successfully passed by fulfilling the tandem-specific requirements for power measurements as specified in International Standard IEC TS 60904-1-1 for multi-junction modules.
The tested modules were fabricated using Qcells’ tandem R&D pilot line in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, by incorporating tandem solar cells on full-area M10 substrates and applying exclusive mass-production processes for cell and module fabrication.
The Bitterfeld-Wolfen R&D Center in Germany is supported by funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Union, including the light-house project PEPPERONI, along with the Dutch and Swiss governments. Qcells’ Pangyo R&D center, appointed as a research institute for national projects, has received ongoing support from the Korean government to develop commercially viable tandem cell technology.
Qcells | https://qcells.com/us/
In line with what was communicated in a press release on 19 March, 2025, Metacon has now been awarded a contract to supply a 1 MW pressurized alkaline electrolysis plant to a major renewable energy company in Morocco. The customer is one of the largest wind power investors in Africa with around 2,000 MW of renewable assets. The electrolysis plant will be built and delivered as a turn-key containerized system to the customer's site. Total contract value is EUR 1,820,600.
The purpose of this first pilot project is to serve as a platform for technical refinement of directly wind turbine-coupled pressurized alkaline electrolyzers to wind power. This, as a pre-step and preparation for upcoming industrial production plants for green hydrogen, e-fuels and green ammonia in Morocco.
The green hydrogen market in several North African countries is emerging and expected to grow substantially. With a significant and growing asset base in renewable electricity production. The customer has previously communicated a strategy to become a leading green hydrogen producer in Morocco and Northern Africa. A first step into hydrogen and realizing this strategy is now taken with a pilot plant for hydrogen production off-grid, linked to several connected wind turbines.
"I am very happy to announce that Metacon has won this contract with the regional energy leader in Morocco. This is hopefully the beginning of a long-term relation for realizing their ambitions for large-scale production of green hydrogen, e-fuels and green ammonia in Morocco and beyond", commented Christer Wikner, President & CEO, Metacon.
Metacon AB | www.metacon.com
Foss & Company, a leading institutional investment fund sponsor, is pleased to announce the successful closing of an Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Credit Transfer in Ho'Ohana, a co-located solar and battery storage project in Oahu, HI, developed by 174 Power Global. This transaction marks a significant milestone in Foss & Company's expansion into large-scale, technology-intensive renewable energy assets and reinforces its expertise in structuring tax equity financing for innovative clean energy projects.
"This transaction underscores our ability to navigate the evolving tax equity and tax credit transfer landscape while strengthening our role as a trusted partner for developers integrating solar and storage on island grids—an area with unique challenges and opportunities," said Bryen Alperin, Partner and Managing Director of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies at Foss & Company. "We truly enjoyed working with 174 Power Global and were impressed by their adaptability and commitment to making this project a success. We look forward to building on this accomplishment and supporting 174 Power Global in future renewable energy initiatives."
Ho'Ohana's strategic co-located design strengthens grid stability on the island and aligns with Hawaii's push for higher renewable penetration. The battery system's robust safety profile and long-term warranties added confidence to the investment, despite the technical and regulatory hurdles of deploying energy storage in an island setting.
"At 174 Power Global, we are dedicated to developing clean energy solutions that enhance grid stability and contribute to achieving renewable energy targets. The completion of this tax credit transfer with Foss & Company highlights the value of strategic financial partnerships in driving forward innovative solar and storage projects. We greatly appreciate Foss & Company's expertise and collaborative spirit, and we look forward to continuing our partnership on future endeavors," said Joo Yoon, CEO of 174 Power Global.
By successfully closing this transaction, Foss & Company continues to solidify its role as a premier tax equity and tax credit transfer partner for large-scale, cutting-edge renewable energy projects. The firm remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions that accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Foss & Company | www.fossandco.com
Alternative Energies Apr 30, 2025
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