Drafting vs. Engineering: Choosing the right partner for commercial projects

Daikin Manufacturing México (DMMX), a subsidiary of Daikin Industries, Ltd., the world’s leading global supplier of advanced air conditioning and heating solutions, announced the completion of a 1.2 megawatt-DC (MW DC) rooftop solar project with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects.

The new solar energy arrays, located on the rooftops of DMMX’s two newest production plants in the Millennium Industrial Park in San Luis Potosí, each have a capacity of 624 kW-DC and will , provide a total installed capacity of 1,250 kW-DC and generate approximately 1,180,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity annually—enough to power over 160 homes each year.

“Expanding our solar capacity in San Luis Potosí is a strategic step toward realizing Daikin’s Environmental Vision 2050 of achieving carbon neutrality across our business by mid-century,” said Miguel Medina, DMMX Senior Plant Director, Residential Business. “These projects with ForeFront Power demonstrate how manufacturers in Mexico and around the world can take control of their energy costs and reduce supply chain emissions.”

Building on the success of an existing 500 kW solar project at one of its initial San Luis Potosí facilities, Daikin Manufacturing Mexico sought to procure additional solar energy capacity to advance Daikin’s global sustainability goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting energy efficiency. Daikin Manufacturing Mexico collaborated with ForeFront Power to identify opportunities for renewable energy adoption at its growing San Luis Potosí complex. ForeFront Power conducted a comprehensive assessment of DMMX’s energy requirements at its four San Luis Potosí production plants and developed two new rooftop solar systems atop two of the plants.

The clean, renewable energy produced by the rooftop solar arrays will help DMMX reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 900 tons per year, which is equal to over 880,000 pounds of coal burned. The added clean energy is also a net positive for local air quality, with its carbon offset equivalent to removing 180 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the road each year.

“This project with Daikin Manufacturing Mexico showcases the power of renewable energy to drive both environmental and business benefits for companies across the Mexican private sector,” said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. “It’s been an honor to work with DMMX to help maximize the impact of their solar investment in San Luis Potosí and make significant progress toward their broader sustainability goals as a global organization.”

The project was delivered at no upfront cost to Daikin Manufacturing Mexico. Through a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ForeFront Power owns and maintains the system, while DMMX purchases the electricity at a fixed, lower rate than the utility for electricity, ensuring long-term budget predictability and protection from utility rate increases.

Daikin Industries | www.daikin.com

ForeFront Power | https://www.forefrontpower.com

County Executive Kathy Klausmeier celebrated the completion of Baltimore County government’s first large-scale ground-mounted solar array on the 213-acre closed Parkton Landfill site. It is expected to lower the County’s electricity costs over the long term, reduce its carbon emissions and repurpose an underutilized site for beneficial reuse.

“This project shows how Baltimore County can turn yesterday’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities,” said County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “We are cutting costs for taxpayers and making investments that benefit our communities for decades.”

Clean, Green, Cost-Efficient Energy
The project will account for about 11 percent of the County government’s annual electricity consumption, lowering current and future energy costs.

The projected first-year annual electricity production is 8,220,710 kilowatt hours. According to the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Equivalencies Calculator, this expected solar generation will reduce the equivalent GHG emissions of: 

• 621,480 gallons of gasoline consumed
• 1,151 homes electricity usage for one year
• 14,064,876 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

The seven-megawatt system project consists of four large-scale arrays featuring a total of 15,000 ballasted ground-mounted photovoltaic panels.

Baltimore County’s Chief Sustainability Officer Greg Strella reflected, “Adding another large source of solar electricity to power our County’s facilities reflects our community’s values of making smart investments that take care of the health of our community and environment.”

Through a power-purchase agreement with TotalEnergies, who owns and operates the system, the County has locked in reduced electricity costs, which will insulate the County from escalating electricity costs for the entire 25-year contract term with renewal options up to 33 years.

“We're honored to once again partner with Baltimore County on a landmark solar project for the community," said Eric Potts, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Distributed Generation USA. “This installation is a powerful example of transforming underutilized assets into productive resources, further demonstrating how it is possible to achieve both significant cost savings and ambitious sustainability goals for the County.”

Upon the anticipated completion of the Hernwood Landfill ground-mounted solar project by 2028, the County expects to generate an equivalent of 55% of its electricity production from renewable power.

TotalEnergies | https://totalenergies.com/

LandBridge Company LLC (NYSE: LB) (“LandBridge”) announced it has finalized the sale of a solar project to a leading, publicly-traded energy infrastructure developer. In connection with the transaction, LandBridge received an upfront cash payment and the right to receive contingent future cash payments based on the achievement of certain developmental milestones. The solar project is a 3,000-acre photovoltaic solar energy generation project in Reeves County, Texas with a proposed generation capacity of up to 250 MW.

Jason Long, Chief Executive Officer of LandBridge, stated, “LandBridge is excited to announce the successful execution of this transaction with one of the nation's top energy developers. The construction and operation of the project will be the first project of its kind on LandBridge acreage, and it reflects our commitment to using our assets to facilitate energy generation opportunities to support Permian power demand.”

LandBridge | www.landbridgeco.com

GoldenPeaks Capital (GPC), one of the largest independent renewable power producers in Central and Eastern Europe, and Envision, the global greentech leader in total renewable solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the supply and deployment of 1 GWh of advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects across Europe.

The MoU signing took place in London, attended by Daniel Tain, co-founder and co-chairman of GoldenPeaks Capital and Mr. Lei Zhang, Chairman, Envision, with the MoU formally signed by Fubin Lu, Chief Procurement Officer of GPC and Henry Peng, Senior Vice President, Envision Energy & President of EU & LATAM Regions. The agreement marks a new milestone in GPC’s strategy to expand its energy storage portfolio with cutting-edge technology partners and builds upon Envision’s next generation utility-scale Gen 8 BESS technology.

Under the agreement, Envision will supply its latest generation of high energy density BESS technology, designed to deliver rapid response to renewable intermittency and enhanced system flexibility at grid-scale. The first two projects, totalling 344 MWh of the planned 1 GWh volume, have already been awarded to Envision, marking the initial phase of implementation under this cooperation. The collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of next-generation storage systems that strengthen grid stability and enable the energy transition across key European markets.

GPC has already secured 2.5 GWh of Capacity Market-awarded BESS projects in Poland, reinforcing its leadership in the region’s energy storage market. The company has also funded its first projects with a major European Infrastructure Debt Fund, demonstrating robust investor confidence in GPCH’s business model and execution capability.

"We are entering a critical era in which renewable energy must go hand in hand with world-class energy storage for grid stability and flexibility. This collaboration with GoldenPeaks Capital reflects our commitment to transform Europe’s energy infrastructure at scale," said Lei Zhang, Chairman, Envision.

All GPCH BESS projects have secured long-term revenue streams, having successfully won capacity market contracts, ensuring predictable and stable cash flows for BESS assets that will bring much needed grid support services to the Polish grid.

"This MoU marks another important step in our commitment to deliver innovative and scalable energy storage solutions across Europe," said Daniel Tain, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of GoldenPeaks Capital. "Envision’s high energy density technology perfectly complements our strategic vision to deploy state-of-the-art systems that support the reliability and sustainability of Europe’s power grids."

The partnership builds on GPC’s proven track record in renewable energy development and financing. With more than 15 years of experience and a growing pipeline of solar and storage assets, GPC continues to expand its portfolio of utility-scale BESS projects that integrate seamlessly with its renewable generation base.

Envision | https://www.envision-group.com/

GoldenPeaks Capital | www.goldenpeakscapital.com

Advanced Power continues to cement its leadership in utility-scale power innovation with the sale of Rock Rose Energy Storage LLC (Rock Rose), its first standalone energy storage project. This milestone highlights the company's expertise and deep commitment to enhancing grid reliability through modern power solutions.

Rock Rose is a 200-megawatt/2-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Fort Bend County, Texas. The fully developed project, which is expected to begin operations in 2027, continues Advanced Power's track record of success in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power region. Upon completion, Rock Rose will support grid reliability in the rapidly growing Houston and Freeport areas.

BESS facilities, such as Rock Rose, enhance grid reliability by storing surplus energy from the electric system. Grid operators can strategically dispatch power from BESS during periods of peak demand to support grid stability. BESS also accelerates the transition to cleaner, more resilient power infrastructure.

"The completed development and sale of Rock Rose Energy demonstrates the depth of Advanced Power's capabilities," noted Tom Spang, Advanced Power's CEO. "ERCOT, like other major power markets in the U.S., has an urgent need for projects that enhance grid reliability. As a premier developer of thermal, renewable, and now, BESS technology, Advanced Power is committed to bringing these contemporary power solutions to regions with urgent and growing energy and capacity needs."

Advanced Power was advised by PEI Global Partners, a leader in financing energy projects and infrastructure in the U.S.

Advanced Power | www.advanced-power.com

OnePlanet Solar Recycling, LLC ("OnePlanet"), an advanced materials recovery processor specializing in end-of-life solar panels, today announced that it has secured the R2v3 Certification from SERI, a collaborative nonprofit organization focused exclusively on minimizing the environmental and health risks posed by used and end-of-life electronics. After undergoing a comprehensive audit process, OnePlanet's recycling facility located in Green Cove Springs, Florida, has been certified to uphold SERI's highest standards of traceability for processing photovoltaic modules.

To secure the R2v3 Appendix G certification, OnePlanet was required to track every material that enters and leaves its facilities to establish strong, verifiable traceability and certify that the company is properly recycling the PV modules. In doing so, OnePlanet has established itself as a market leader in end-to-end traceability.

OnePlanet has developed an advanced materials recovery process to leverage aging and damaged solar panels as sources of critical materials – primarily aluminum, copper, and silicon – that are essential for the broader energy, manufacturing, mobility, and semiconductor industries. The company sees an opportunity to create a new circular solar market by reintroducing these materials, from panels that would otherwise end up in landfills, back into domestic supply chains.

"The industry has a responsibility to implement verifiable mechanisms to guarantee that solar panels are being recycled and processed responsibly, yet as we speak with various stakeholders, it is clear that these expectations aren't being met," said André Pujadas, Chief Executive Officer of OnePlanet. "At OnePlanet, we are committed to ensuring that the materials and metals extracted can be definitively traced to compliant, responsible end-users."

OnePlanet recently announced the successful close of a $7 million seed financing round, led by Khasma Capital, to develop its next-generation industrial-scale "River City" Project of a solar panel recycling facility in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Expected to process six million solar modules a year once fully operational, the River City Project is projected to be one of the largest dedicated solar recycling operations in North America.

OnePlanet Solar Recycling | www.1planetrecycling.com

SERI | https://sustainableelectronics.org/

Finish Thompson Inc. (FTI), an international leader in the corrosive chemical transfer industry, highlights its DB Series and UC Series pumps, specifically designed for flow battery applications. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, these innovative pumps are playing a crucial role in advancing energy storage technology, supporting the growing demand for efficient and reliable flow battery systems.

The DB Series and UC Series pumps have been a cornerstone of flow battery technology for over two decades, offering unparalleled performance and reliability. These pumps are engineered to meet the unique challenges of flow battery applications, featuring outstanding chemical resistance and non-conductive materials that ensure optimal performance in diverse battery chemistries.

One of the key advantages of Finish Thompson's pumps is their mag-drive technology, which eliminates the need for mechanical seals. This innovative design not only enhances reliability but also significantly reduces maintenance requirements and potential points of failure. The sealless construction ensures leak-free operation, thereby eliminating the primary cause of failure and improving safety.

The DB Series, known for its compact design and high efficiency, offers a range of benefits tailored to flow battery applications. Its neodymium magnets allow for a space-saving design, while the replaceable shaft and bushing reduce repair costs. The pumps are balanced to ISO 1940 G2.5 standards, ensuring smooth operation with minimal vibration, which is essential for the longevity of flow battery systems.

Complementing the DB Series, the UC Series provides additional options to meet varying flow battery requirements. Both series offer a wide range of pump models, allowing manufacturers to select the perfect fit for different battery sizes and configurations. This versatility, combined with Finish Thompson's proven reliability, makes these pumps an ideal choice for OEMs, engineers, and facility managers involved in flow battery production and implementation.

The pumps' ability to handle a wide range of fluids, coupled with their corrosion-resistant construction, ensures they can withstand the demanding chemical environments typical in flow batteries. This durability translates to reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership, making Finish Thompson pumps a smart investment for flow battery manufacturers and operators.

As the renewable energy sector continues to grow, flow batteries are becoming increasingly important for grid-scale energy storage. Finish Thompson's commitment to innovation and quality positions the company as a key player in this expanding market.

Finish Thompson | https://www.finishthompson.com/markets/renewable-energy