Energy Storage: 2025 and Beyond

The nation’s electrical manufacturers are hard at work to meet America’s growing energy needs at a time of unprecedented electricity demand. As one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the U.S. economy, with a market exceeding $375 billion, the electroindustry plays a pivotal role in shaping critical infrastructure, driving innovation, and securing economic prosperity.

NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips will lead a discussion with Axios on how the electroindustry is building a grid that is secure, resilient and equipped to meet future energy needs.

The discussion will also feature bipartisan insights from Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH-5) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) who will discuss the policies, technologies, and industry shifts expected to play a role in modernizing and expanding electrification.

What: Discussion with Axios on powering the electric future 

Who:  

Speakers:

• Debra Phillips, President and CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
• Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Co-chair, Bicameral Electrification Caucus 
• Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH-5), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Co-chair, Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus 
• Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Co-chair, Bicameral Electrification Caucus

When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 7:30am-9:00am ET 

Where:

The Showroom

1099 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005

To RSVP: To attend either in person or to watch livestream virtually, register here. 

NEMA | www.nema.org

RoboForce, the world's most advanced "Robo-Labor" provider, debuts its AI Robot workforce solution publicly for the first time at Intersolar 2025 in San Diego, CA. During Intersolar, attendees will be able to see the latest generation of RoboForce's AI-enabled, all-terrain robot at Booth #3634 in the Startup Pavilion, and see the technology and mechanisms that enable Robo-Labor to build solar panels from ground to grid.

This is the first public unveiling of RoboForce's technology after the company announced $10M in early stage funding at the beginning of 2025. Its robots are capable of 1mm precision in fine motor movements and manipulations, in tandem with its internally designed and developed AI expert model, to install and secure solar modules for large-scale commercial and utility-scale projects. The robots can perform this installation labor at three times the efficiency and productivity rate of human labor and at a third of the average US labor cost for the same work. With many solar projects of this scale being in harsh environments and remote, isolated locations, empowering the industry with Robo-Labor advances both decarbonization goals and increased energy demands at an accelerated rate, while filling the current labor storage and saving human labor from having to endure difficult working conditions. 

With pilot projects commencing for early customers in early 2025 and commercial launch at the end of 2025, RoboForce is addressing the solar industry's ongoing labor shortages. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently reported that worker shortages and rising labor costs are flattening industry growth over the next five years, at a time when over 4,400 GW of solar power is projected to be built globally by 2030. RoboForce and its Robo-Labor fleet can safely, efficiently work alongside humans where needed, while saving human laborers from repetitive and high force-demanding tasks. Ultimately, solar developers are enabled to meet demand without exceeding project costs or timelines.

"With over 100 years of combined team experience in the AI robotics field, RoboForce is prepared to help solar customers enable AI and automation needed to complete large- and utility-scale projects faster and cheaper," said Leo Ma, founder and CEO, RoboForce. "Those already employing our 'super worker' fleet will be able to overcome industry-wide challenges to bring us closer to the sustainably powered world we need."

For Intersolar attendees, RoboForce's CEO Leo Ma will speak in a panel discussion, "From Prototype to Market - Bringing Cutting-Edge Energy Solutions to Scale," and Head of Business Development, Veeral Hardev, will also take part in a separate panel, "Powering Progress: Building a Skilled & Inclusive Solar Workforce."

As part of the progress towards commercialization this year, RoboForce has recently built an outdoor mini-farm solar testing site and is actively engaging with additional partners and customers. The company is also exploring real-world applications of general use Robo-Labor in additional sectors such as mining, nuclear power and space.

RoboForce | https://www.roboforce.ai/

Airgain, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRG) has achieved a major breakthrough in 5G expansion with the successful launch of a self-sustaining, solar-powered Smart Network-Controlled Repeater (NCR) branded as Lighthouse Solar. Fully detached from the power grid, this revolutionary technology unlocks new revenue opportunities for telecom operators, accelerates 5G adoption in remote areas, and reinforces Airgain’s leadership in next-generation wireless solutions.

With telecom infrastructure expansion often hindered by geographical challenges and high deployment costs, Airgain’s Lighthouse SolarTM Smart NCR system offers a highly scalable, fast to market, and cost-efficient alternative to traditional fiber and power-dependent solutions. Recent field trial demonstrations confirm its transformative market potential:

• 20% 5G coverage expansion, increasing addressable market reach in rural and urban areas.

• Unprecedented speed transformation observed in the recent trial– soaring from 1 Mbps on existing 4G networks to an average of over 250 Mbps, with peak speeds hitting 425 Mbps, even in previously underserved locations.

• More than 50% improvement in spectrum efficiency, maximizing network utilization and boosting operator profitability.

• Superior link quality, enhancing data throughput in challenging environments.

• Rapid deployment in less than a day, eliminating reliance on power grids and fiber backhaul, reducing Capital Expenditures and Operating Expenditures for telecom carriers.

“This breakthrough positions Airgain at the forefront of the 5G infrastructure revolution,” said Dr. Ali Sadri, Chief Technology Officer at Airgain. “By offering a sustainable, grid-independent, and rapidly deployable solution, we are enabling telecom operators to expand their networks at lower costs, increase service reliability, and drive greater monetization opportunities—all while advancing global connectivity.”

With push for sustainable telecom solutions worldwide, and rising demand for 5G coverage expansion, Airgain’s Lighthouse SolarTM NCR system presents a compelling investment opportunity in the evolving digital infrastructure market. By removing traditional deployment bottlenecks, this solution opens the door to faster 5G rollouts, enhanced user experiences and significantly improves customer satisfaction and long-term cost savings for service providers.

Airgain will be showcasing its Lighthouse Solar solution at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) event in Barcelona from March 3 – 6 where they will be hosting an event with partners Omantel to discuss sustainable and smart 5G wireless system solutions. Find out more and register to attend the event, here.

Airgain | airgain.com 

Sunnova Energy International Inc. (“Sunnova”) (NYSE: NOVA), a leading adaptive energy services company, unveiled a solar and battery storage-integrated, Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) at VISION House Las Vegas. Green Builder Media’s VISION House series of demonstration projects are designed to advance a wide range of sustainability solutions, including solar and energy storage technologies, to empower homeowners with greater energy independence, resilience, and cost savings while bolstering grid resilience.

VISION House Las Vegas, a groundbreaking project in collaboration with Green Builder® Media and Beazer Homes, illustrates how integrating solar, storage, and smart panels during a home’s design and construction can lower utility costs, increase energy independence, and create a more sustainable living environment for families. Visitors will get a “behind the walls” look of the inner workings of the home’s innovative energy system, showcasing home construction in a new way.

Sunnova serves as the exclusive solar and battery provider for the VISION House Las Vegas, in collaboration with Beazer Homes, the first national homebuilder to commit to building each of their homes to the Department of Energy’s ZERH standard. A DOE ZERH is a high-performance home that is so energy efficient that a renewable energy system could offset all or most of the home's annual energy use.

"The Zero-Energy-Ready Home is the future of home building," said Michael Grasso, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer at Sunnova. "By adding Sunnova solar + battery storage along with the SPAN Panel, ZERH homes like VISION House Las Vegas will produce, store, and manage their own power – elevating home performance to the next level. Sunnova is committed to helping builders move the industry forward by incorporating clean power, storage, and energy management systems into the construction of home.”

VISION House Las Vegas offers a glimpse into a sustainable future. The show home will display cutting-edge solar and storage solutions that benefit not only the homeowners, but also the wider community: energy load management determines optimal charging and usage times, and in some cases, when to provide surplus power to the grid to reduce strain.

“This project aligns directly with Sunnova’s vision of energy independence for all,” said Grasso. “By integrating advanced solar and battery technologies, we’re creating homes that not only deliver clean, renewable energy but also enhance grid resilience.”

Sunnova Solar and Storage: Benefits for Builders and Homeowners

As utility rates increase and regulatory and environmental demands grow, energy-efficient homes are becoming increasingly essential. Sunnova’s comprehensive solar and storage solutions align seamlessly with Beazer Homes’ ZERH commitment. These solutions help builders reduce the overall cost of homeownership while delivering durable homes.

VISION House Las Vegas: The Future of Energy-Ready Homes

VISION House Las Vegas serves as a model for how communities can evolve to embrace renewable energy for a cleaner, more resilient future utilizing Sunnova’s advanced solar technology, integrated with SPAN’s smart panel, for intelligent and responsive energy management.

“SPAN is proud to contribute to the VISION House project, which underscores our commitment to driving the adoption of all-electric homes powered by renewable energy,” said Arch Rao, SPAN Founder and CEO. “Achieving a fully electric lifestyle requires rethinking home infrastructure and its implication on the electric grid. With its ability to monitor and manage every load in the home, the SPAN Panel allows homeowners to maximize their renewable energy systems, save money, and seamlessly transition to an all-electric future."

Each of the Beazer constructed homes in the community proudly showcases the DOE’s ZERH certification, a prestigious mark of energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality. This signals to prospective homebuyers that their investment supports sustainable, future-ready living.

"Homebuyers prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability, but they don't want to sacrifice comfort and lifestyle when purchasing a home," said Allan Merrill, CEO of Beazer Homes. "The VISION House Las Vegas project demonstrates that zero-energy homes are scalable and meet the needs of today’s consumers for healthier, quieter homes with lower utility costs—no sacrifice required."

Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media, added, “Green Builder Media has been producing VISION House projects for two decades. The VISION House Las Vegas marks a turning point for the housing industry. Through this project, Beazer is showing that high-performance, net-zero homes can be built at scale and at an attainable price point. Sunnova is demonstrating how integrated solar and battery storage systems provide clean, reliable, and affordable power for the next generation of homes and communities.”

Sunnova Energy International I http://www.sunnova.com

Soluna Holdings, Inc. (“SHI”, “Soluna”, or the “Company”), (NASDAQ: SLNH), a developer of green data centers for intensive computing applications including Bitcoin mining and AI, announced that it has secured the necessary land purchase agreement to build its new data center, Project Rosa. This milestone marks a significant step forward in expanding Soluna’s capacity with up to an impressive 187 MW of renewable energy dedicated to powering next-generation AI and Bitcoin mining operations.

Key Project Highlights:

• Soluna Capacity Expansion: Project Rosa will provide up to 187 MW of sustainable energy, executed in two phases, specifically allocated to support high-performance computing tasks in AI and Bitcoin mining.

• Strategic Land Acquisition: Project Rosa will be strategically co-located with a 240 MW wind farm in Texas, enabling the project to harness a substantial share of its renewable energy directly. Soluna has secured the land purchase agreement for the 60 acres of land necessary for this project’s development, an important milestone in its journey to shovel readiness.

• Environmental and Economic Impact: The development of the new data center aligns with Soluna’s mission to utilize excess renewable energy and create sustainable, scalable, low-cost data centers for next-generation workloads.

“Securing these land agreements is a critical achievement for Soluna,” said John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna. “Project Rosa not only enhances our operational capacity but also reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable, cutting-edge solutions in high performance computing.”

With Project Rosa, Soluna continues its tradition of naming its data centers after women who have made significant contributions to science and technology. The project is named after Rosalind Franklin, a chemist whose work was central to understanding the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, and viruses.

Soluna | solunacomputing.com

The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, announced a new recycling partnership with Call2Recycle, the nation’s largest consumer battery stewardship and collection program. Along with the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Power Tool Institute and other participating manufacturers, the initiative will ensure the safe collection and responsible recycling of high-energy batteries used to power outdoor tools and equipment.

“At The Toro Company, sustainability isn't just a goal; it's our very foundation,” said Tiffany Brand, senior sustainability manager at The Toro Company. “Our commitment to sustainability extends to our participation in the High-Energy Battery Recycling program, ensuring that even as we power productivity, we do so responsibly, enriching both the land and the lives it sustains."

To provide the best service in support of a circular economy, Call2Recycle has partnered with industry leaders The Toro Company, Chervon, Husqvarna, Makita, Stanley Black & Decker, STIHL, and Techtronic Industries. Through this collaboration, consumers of their various brands’ products now have access to a responsible end-of-life solution for high-energy batteries.

“Thanks to the participation of our industry partners, we’re making it easier than ever for consumers to recycle their high-energy batteries with the launch of our new program,” said Call2Recycle CEO Leo Raudys. “Together, with brands consumers know and love, we’ve created a process to conveniently and seamlessly collect, assess, ship, and process these recyclable batteries that are increasingly common in everyday products. Call2Recycle applauds the collaboration and commitment of our partners, whose dedication to safety and environmental stewardship is paving the way for a circular future.”

As the prevalence of battery-powered products increases, so does the amount of energy needed to power them. Many large products, from lawnmowers to snow blowers, require the use of high-energy batteries (over 300-watt hours). As these high-energy batteries reach their end-of-life, the accessibility of recycling collection sites becomes fundamental in ensuring the safety of people, property, and the environment.

Under the new program, eligible and enrolled retailers will have access to safety training and recycling materials. Consumers will be able to return end-of-life high-energy batteries to participating collection sites, where they will be assessed, shipped, and processed for proper recycling.

Call2Recycle | www.call2recycle.org/hebattery

The Toro Company | www.thetorocompany.com

NeoVolta Inc. (NASDAQ: NEOV) ("NeoVolta"), a leading innovator in energy storage solutions, announced that it has completed phase two of its loan application for $300M from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Title 17 Loan Program (LPO) and has been approved to proceed the conditional commitment phase, which will include negotiating a term sheet and a site visit with the U.S. Department of Energy.

NeoVolta will produce residential and commercial BESS products across the country, creating over 200 jobs and securing the American supply chain by onshoring battery cells and inverters. The company has shortlisted two states for its new headquarters, manufacturing facility, and regional offices from 23 state economic development offers.

 "In order to 'Unleash American Energy,' battery storage is essential, as well as grid strengthening," stated the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).  Although there have been recent pauses on federal funding, the DOE has clarified that it will "continue to follow the law and allocate monies in a way that supports the initiatives of the Administration."

"We appreciate the DOE's focus on developing a robust domestic energy storage supply chain. NeoVolta will provide products and services to strengthen the grid and offer resilient domestic solutions, fostering research and development for future technologies in America," explained NeoVolta Chief Executive Officer, Ardes Johnson.  "With electricity consumption expected to grow 80% by 2050 and renewable energy meeting much of this demand, NeoVolta is acting at the right time."

Under the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program, projects must be able to feasibly and financially support energy development, transmission, storage, and deployment across the United States.  The Trump Administration is also focusing on U.S. manufacturing, strengthening the supply chain, and onshoring jobs, all components of this project led by NeoVolta.

"We are confident in our application to the DOE," added Johnson, "We believe we are well positioned and ready to execute on our factory strategy here in the U.S."

NeoVolta | https://neovolta.com/