Higher Power PV Modules Drive Up BOS Costs

Ecosuite, a leading provider of distributed energy resource (DER) management and edge compute technology, has been selected by the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (DCPSC), alongside project partner and local virtual power plant (VPP) developer Ecogy Energy, to participate in the Solar Aggregation and Advanced Inverter Project, a 5-year pilot program designed to explore new ways to manage local solar and energy resources on the electric grid.

The project is part of DCPSC's broader PowerPath DC initiative and is funded through the Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability (MEDSIS) program, established as part of the Pepco Holdings–Exelon merger in 2016.

Through this pilot, Ecosuite will demonstrate how smaller, customer-based energy resources, such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging, can work together to support the electric grid. These technologies have the potential to help the grid operate more efficiently as energy demand grows and infrastructure ages.

As part of the demonstration, Ecosuite will deploy its open-source software platform and on-site edge compute nodes (ECNs) across at least three locations in Washington, D.C. These sites will include a mix of solar generation, battery storage, and flexible building or EV charging loads. The project will explore how real-time coordination and dynamic interconnection of DERs can increase solar hosting capacity, streamline interconnections, unlock aggregated grid services, and support a reliable and secure electric grid in the District.

Pepco is supporting the pilot as a learning opportunity to better understand how emerging technologies could benefit customers in the future.

"This project gives us an opportunity to learn how new technologies might help customers connect solar and other clean energy resources more easily, while continuing to deliver reliable service," said Taiwo Alo, Vice President of Technical Services at Pepco. "By participating in pilots like this, we can better understand what works, what's scalable, and how these tools could support a more resilient and efficient grid for the communities we serve."

Pepco supports the DCPSC's efforts to modernize the District's electric distribution system and explore solutions that can expand access to clean energy while protecting reliability and affordability for customers. Insights from this pilot will help inform future discussions about how advanced, interoperable digital tools could support a reliable and cost-effective electric system as customer energy needs continue to evolve.

Ecosuite | ecosuite.io  

Swift Current Energy (Swift Current) announced that Michael Arndt has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective April 6, 2026. Michael succeeds Eric Lammers, who co-founded Swift Current in 2016 and has led the company as CEO for nearly a decade. Lammers founded Swift Current in 2016 alongside current management team members Matt Birchby, William Kelsey, Peter Mara, and Will Havemeyer.

Over the last 10 years, Eric, along with his co-founders, have built Swift Current into a leading clean energy independent power producer. Swift Current is known for its strategic and large-scale projects, including Double Black Diamond Solar, the largest U.S. solar project east of the Mississippi River, and its recently commercialized Steel River project, a 2.9 GWh Storage and 2.5 GWdc solar facility, one of the largest of its kind in the country. During Eric's tenure, Swift Current raised more than $1.5 billion in project financing, $1.2 billion in tax equity and tax credit transfers, and $750 million in corporate debt. Swift Current has also commercialized more than 5 GW of projects and currently operates more than 1 GW of projects.

Michael Arndt joins Swift Current as CEO. Most recently President and General Manager, North America, of Recurrent Energy, Michael led the creation of Recurrent Energy's world-leading battery storage business in the US and successfully oversaw the transition of the company to an independent power producer. Over the course of his career, Michael has developed and overseen a total investment of over $3 billion into renewable energy projects.

As electricity demand accelerates, Swift Current is well positioned to support the next phase of energy infrastructure development. Building on its track record of delivering large-scale, complex renewable projects, the company is continuing to scale its platform to meet the needs of the evolving market. As part of this growth, Swift Current is pursuing a powered land strategy that complements its deep expertise in solar, wind, and energy storage to support energy infrastructure and data centers with long-term power solutions.

Eric Lammers, said, "When we founded Swift Current Energy, we were committed to building a durable organization that could trailblaze a path for major clean energy projects. I am incredibly proud of the organization we have built and how we've gone about it, prioritizing our team, the communities where we operate, and U.S. energy supply chain and workforce. There is tremendous demand for major clean energy projects and Swift Current is positioned well for the next phase of growth."

Neil Doherty, Executive Director at IFM Investors, said, "Under Eric's leadership, Swift Current Energy has grown into a leading independent power producer, with some of the largest operating and development projects in the country. We are grateful for his leadership, vision, partnership and for the strong foundation he leaves behind. We are excited to welcome Michael Arndt to the company. We believe his track record of scaling renewable platforms and driving disciplined growth makes him well suited to lead Swift Current into its next phase."

Michael Arndt, incoming CEO of Swift Current Energy, said, "I look forward to joining Swift Current at such an important time for meeting growing energy demand. Eric and the team have built an impressive portfolio since its formation, and I am excited to help scale the platform to meet rapidly growing power demand. Together we will build on Swift Current's entrepreneurial roots and strong capital backing to deliver projects that define Swift Current as a leading renewable energy platform in the United States."

Swift Current Energy | https://swiftcurrentenergy.com/

Five Texas State Technical College (TSTC) graduates returned to their alma matter, not as students, but as builders, helping deliver the new $72 million Construction Technologies Center where the next generation of trades professionals will be trained. The 120,000-square-foot facility opened to students on February 2. Texas State Technical College will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 26, with media invited to attend.

At the peak of construction, five TSTC alumni were part of the RO team delivering the project:

• Seth Blanchard, Project Manager, TSTC Class of 2016
• James Stefka Jr., Assistant Project Manager, TSTC Class of 2016
• Ulises Camacho, Field Foreman, TSTC Class of 2018
• William Holmes III, Quality Manager, TSTC Class of 2020
• Daniel Sprinkle, Project Engineer, TSTC Class of 2024

The project brings together programs previously spread across campus, including Building Construction Technology, Electrical Construction, HVAC Technology, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology, and Solar Energy Technology, creating a centralized hub for hands-on skilled trades education.

For Seth Blanchard, the project was especially meaningful. The RO project manager graduated from TSTC in 2016, and his connection to the college runs even deeper. His mother is also an alum. 

"This place means a lot to my family," Blanchard said. "TSTC helped launch my career, so getting the chance to come back and build the facility where the next generation will learn these trades is something really special." For Daniel Sprinkle, the experience began before graduation. While still a student, he joined the project team as an intern and was hired full-time as a project engineer after completing his degree.

"Being part of this team while I was still a student was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Sprinkle said. "Now when I walk through it and see students learning here, it's pretty amazing knowing we helped create that opportunity."

The project reflects a broader partnership between RO and TSTC to strengthen the pipeline of skilled trades professionals across Texas. In addition to constructing the facility, RO leaders are collaborating with TSTC to help evolve curriculum and ensure students are gaining the skills required on today's job sites.

The investment comes as demand for skilled trades continues to outpace supply across Texas and the U.S., making workforce development a growing priority for both contractors and educators.

"At RO, we talk about building a better Texas, and that starts with investing in the people who will build it. We're excited to have built this space because TSTC is preparing the skilled workforce our industry depends on. Seeing their graduates come back to campus to help build this facility makes the project especially meaningful," said Braylon Byford, Director of RO Waco.

Rogers-O'Brien Construction | https://r-o.com/

The Department of the Interior announced an agreement with French developer TotalEnergies to invest approximately $1 billion in oil and natural gas and LNG production in the United States. Following this new investment, the federal administration will reimburse the company up to the amount paid for both offshore wind leases in New York and North Carolina. Additionally, TotalEnergies pledged not to develop any new offshore wind projects in the United States.

In response, Oceantic Network has released the following statement from Sam Salustro, SVP of Policy & Market Affairs: 

“After failing to shut down offshore wind through strong-arm tactics and litigation losses, the administration is now spending $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to force developers out of the market—wrapped in a false narrative about affordability, reliability, and national security. Winter Storm Fern showed how offshore wind helps keep the lights on and rates down for millions in the Northeast. And while security claims have been reviewed and dismissed by multiple federal judges, the Department of the Interior and Department of Defense have repeatedly signed off on projects well before construction began.  

"Offshore wind's long-term trajectory remains secure in the U.S. as states continue to make the power source a foundational part of their energy mixture that creates good-paying local jobs. This is political theater meant to obscure the fact that offshore wind capacity is being pulled out of the pipeline when energy prices are skyrocketing, even as other offshore wind projects continue delivering reliable and affordable power to the grid. Paying to remove affordable, homegrown energy out of the equation leaves American consumers struggling to pay their electricity bills."

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/

ArtIn Energy, ArtIn or the Company, a global renewable energy infrastructure platform, announced a definitive agreement for a USD 255 million strategic investment from Agila Investments LLC, Agila or the Investor, a private platform focused on structured capital deployment across energy and infrastructure. The capital will support ArtIn’s U.S. portfolio of utility-scale solar, battery storage, and green fuel infrastructure.

Deal Highlights

Multi-Billion Dollar U.S. Pipeline, ArtIn’s portfolio includes a Texas project with approximately USD 1.4 billion CAPEX and a Nebraska project with approximately USD 2.6 billion CAPEX, collectively implying an enterprise valuation of approximately USD 14.5 billion.

Contracted Investment-Grade Offtake, The projects are supported by long-term agreements with investment-grade counterparties, providing predictable cash flows and strong financing visibility.

Accelerated Renewable Growth, The investment aligns with rapid U.S. renewable expansion driven by solar and battery storage, supported by federal incentives and long-term policy frameworks.

Institutional Governance, Agila’s participation introduces milestone-based funding, board-level oversight, validated financial models, and robust security packages aligned with institutional standards.

Use of Proceeds, Funds will support late-stage development, including interconnection, detailed engineering, procurement, and advancement toward notice-to-proceed and construction financing.

“Agila’s investment validates ArtIn’s institutional platform and disciplined capital strategy,” said Jhon Cohen, CEO of ArtIn Energy. “This partnership accelerates deployment of large-scale renewable infrastructure while maintaining strong governance and risk management.”

Rachel Lucero, President and CEO of Agila Investments, added, “ArtIn has built a sophisticated platform integrating solar, storage, and renewable fuels, aligned with U.S. energy priorities, grid resilience, and large-scale infrastructure deployment.”

ArtIn Energy | www.artinenergy.com

Helio Corporation (OTCID: HLEO) ("Helio" or the "Company"), a developer of advanced space power and engineering solutions supporting next-generation space infrastructure, announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ELISIUM, LLC, the company creating a 4,000 acre microcity in South Florida which will be the most technologically advance and most environmentally sustainable master-planned community in the USA, to help it power the future of next-generation urban development, marking the Company's first customer agreement for its Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) system while providing early commercial validation and supporting initial development funding.

The agreement represents a key milestone for Helio as it begins pre-selling future power capacity from its planned orbital solar infrastructure, scheduled for initial deployment within the next two years. The collaboration positions the ELISIUM microcity as an early adopter of Helio's wireless energy transmission system and reinforces Helio's first-mover advantage in commercial space-based solar power.

According to a recent feature in Forbes, ELISIUM represents one of the most ambitious next-generation urban developments currently planned in the United States. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanreichental/2025/07/06/inside-the-bold-vision-for-americas-first-cognitive-city/

Led by luxury resort developer Ed Miranda and a stellar team of technologists, ELISIUM is a planned 4,000-acre mixed-use luxury lifestyle, sports, and hospitality community in South Florida designed as America's first "cognitive city." The master-planned development is expected to include approximately 4,400 homes for about 10,800 residents across 14 districts, along with luxury hospitality, motorsports facilities, a private airport, wellness and longevity programs, and significant commercial space. Designed as a sustainable, net-zero microcity, ELISIUM will integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced data systems into its core infrastructure, operating as a living laboratory for next-generation urban technologies through its technology arm, COGNITIVE, which is developing AI-driven platforms intended to manage the community and eventually be deployed in cities around the world.

Under the agreement, Helio and ELISIUM will collaborate to explore the integration of space-based solar power delivered via wireless power transmission to support the development and long-term energy infrastructure of the ELISIUM microcity.

"This agreement reinforces Helio's first-mover advantage in the commercialization of space-based solar power," said Ed Cabrera, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Helio Corporation. "ELISIUM is exactly the type of visionary partner that can unlock the potential of space-based solar power. Their commitment to building the cities of the future aligns with Helio's mission to deliver abundant, reliable clean energy from space. We believe ELISIUM is the first of many partners as we move to secure additional early adopters and begin preselling future orbital power capacity."

ELISIUM's leadership emphasized that Helio's technology aligns closely with its long-term vision for the future of sentient cities.

"[Helio's] Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) system solution capable of delivering renewable energy to ELISIUM via wireless power transmission is exactly the type of innovative technology that we want to use in the development and operation of our microcity," said Ed Miranda, CEO of ELISIUM.

Beyond serving as a renewable energy source for ELISIUM, Helio believes the agreement provides third-party validation of the company's technology and commercial model. The Company is now working to bring additional early adopters onboard who are seeking reliable, scalable energy solutions.

These efforts include discussions with new smart city developments, remote industrial operations such as mining and research facilities, and national governments seeking to leapfrog traditional electrical grid infrastructure by deploying next-generation power solutions. Mining operations in remote regions typically rely on diesel generators that require constant fuel shipments and complex logistics, significantly increasing operating costs. In many cases, mining companies must also commit to infrastructure investments in surrounding communities as part of their concessions with host governments. Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) offers a compelling solution to both challenges by delivering continuous, reliable energy without the need for transported fuel while enabling the development of long-term energy infrastructure that can benefit both the mining operation and nearby communities.

Remote research facilities face similar constraints, often operating in isolated environments where maintaining power requires costly and frequent fuel deliveries. SBSP has the potential to provide these installations with dependable, clean energy delivered directly from space, reducing logistical risks and improving operational stability in locations where traditional infrastructure is impractical.

At the national level, many countries struggle to deliver power to remote regions within their borders, frequently requiring multi-billion-dollar transmission infrastructure projects that lose efficiency over long distances or the construction of local power plants that can disrupt surrounding communities and ecosystems. SBSP provides an alternative model for energy delivery by transmitting power wirelessly from orbit, reducing the need for extensive terrestrial infrastructure while expanding reliable access to electricity.

At the same time, global energy markets have experienced increasing volatility as oil and gas supply chains are impacted by geopolitical tensions and international conflicts. For nations seeking resilient, independent energy systems, space-based solar power offers a secure and reliable source of electricity capable of helping prevent blackouts while ultimately supporting long-term baseload energy capacity that is insulated from geopolitical disruptions and climate-related risks. 

Helio's space-based solar power architecture is designed to collect solar energy in orbit and transmit electricity wirelessly to receiving stations on Earth, providing continuous renewable energy independent of weather or daylight cycles.

The Company expects additional announcements related to commercial partnerships, customer agreements, and system development milestones as Helio advances toward its first operational deployment.

Helio | www.helio.space 

ELISIUM | www.elisium.city 

COGNITIVE | www.cog.city

Charge Rigs announced the general availability of Install Planner, a comprehensive cloud-based platform that enables electrical contractors to design EV charging installations, generate professional proposals, manage customer approvals, and coordinate field operations — all within a single, integrated environment.

As the electric vehicle market accelerates and charging infrastructure demand surges nationwide, electrical contractors face mounting pressure to deliver accurate quotes quickly while maintaining compliance with evolving National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. Traditional workflows that rely on disconnected CAD software, spreadsheets, and manual email correspondence create bottlenecks that cost contractors both time and contracts.
Install Planner was built to eliminate those bottlenecks entirely.

A Complete Workflow, Reimagined

At the core of the platform is an interactive Canvas Designer — a professional-grade, drag-and-drop interface where contractors lay out site plans with pixel-perfect precision. With a library of more than 183 pre-loaded EV components, including Level 2 and Level 3 chargers, transformers, panels, and conduit routing, users can visualize complete installations on top of aerial imagery or uploaded site plans with calibrated real-world measurements.
As components are placed and conduit is drawn, the platform's Live Cost Engine calculates project pricing in real time, giving contractors instant visibility into material and labor costs before a single proposal is generated. When the design is complete, one-click PDF generation produces branded, itemized quotes ready for client presentation — a process that previously consumed hours of manual work.

"Our contractors were spending two to four hours assembling a single quote using spreadsheets and generic drawing tools," said the Charge Rigs development team. "Install Planner compresses that entire cycle into under 30 minutes, and the output is a polished, professional proposal that inspires client confidence."

AI-Powered Design Intelligence

Install Planner introduces an AI Design Advisor that provides real-time engineering oversight during the design process. The system delivers an instant Design Quality Score on a 0-to-100 scale, evaluating each installation against NEC standards for service capacity, conductor sizing, grounding requirements, and ADA compliance.

When the advisor identifies potential issues — an undersized conductor, an overloaded panel, or a conduit fill violation — it provides prioritized recommendations with specific NEC article references, enabling contractors to resolve compliance gaps before submitting for permit review. The integrated Wire Sizing Calculator automates conductor selection based on load characteristics and derating factors, replacing manual table lookups that are prone to human error.

"Catching an engineering mistake in the design phase costs minutes. Catching it during inspection costs days and damages your reputation," the team noted. "The AI advisor acts as a second set of eyes on every design, every time."

Customer Collaboration and E-Signatures

The platform extends beyond internal operations with a branded Customer Portal — a secure, password-protected environment where clients can review installation designs, examine itemized cost breakdowns, leave contextual comments, and execute electronic signatures to approve proposals. This streamlined approval process eliminates the delays inherent in back-and-forth email chains and accelerates the path from proposal to signed contract.

Field Operations, Built for the Crew

Recognizing that the contractor's work does not end at the signed proposal, Install Planner includes a mobile-optimized Field Operations module. The "My Day" view provides installation crews with clear site plans, task checklists with one-tap completion, on-site photo documentation capture, and automatically generated Material Pull Lists derived directly from the approved design. This ensures that field teams arrive prepared, reducing costly return trips for forgotten materials.

Early Results

Contractors using the platform during its early access period have reported significant operational improvements. Quoting capacity has increased dramatically, with some firms reporting close rate improvements of up to 40 percent. To date, contractors on the platform have collectively designed more than 2,500 installations and generated over $12 million in professional quotes.

Availability and Pricing

Install Planner is available immediately with a 14-day free trial requiring no credit card. For more information or to start a free trial, visit Install Planner Website

Charge Rigs | https://chargerigs.com/