The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced that it trained approximately 150 students during the first year of operations at its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon. The company welcomed its first class to the center one year ago and continues to provide state-of-the-art training to new and existing technicians at the facility located near many of Avangrid’s operating energy projects. The NTC is representative of Avangrid’s efforts to develop America’s energy workforce with an emphasis on safety, supporting its continued investment in U.S. energy production.

“One year ago, we welcomed the first group of students to our National Training Center with a vision to empower our technicians with world-class training and hands-on experience. Today, that vision is thriving. With over 150 current and existing employees trained so far, the NTC has become a cornerstone of our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and workforce development,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “We look forward to expanding the NTC’s capabilities to ensure our teams are prepared to safely and expertly produce power for American homes and businesses.”

“I recently visited the NTC to see firsthand how we are preparing our technicians with the tools and training they need to thrive at Avangrid. I was impressed by the level of expertise, innovation, and dedication in our training program, which is ensuring our people have access to the highest levels of safety and technical training,” said Sy Oytan, CEO of Avangrid Power. “The NTC has become foundational to the success of our technicians who are helping Avangrid meeting surging energy demand across the country.”

The NTC helps newly hired technicians get up to speed quickly and efficiently, while empowering hundreds of existing technicians to become experts in their field. Because Avangrid operates and maintains its nationwide fleet of energy projects, it is critical that technicians are fully equipped with all the knowledge and tools to complete high-quality work.

“I was part of the first class to attend the NTC last year. Going through training there laid the groundwork for me as I started my career at Avangrid,” said Colin Pope, a technician at Avangrid’s La Joya energy project in New Mexico. “The hands-on training helped me become comfortable with my equipment, my harness, and our safety procedures, enabling me to focus on my job and to work safely each day. I welcome the opportunity to go back and expand my skillset in the future.”

“When we started operation of the NTC one year ago, we were imagining what it could be. I think we’ve come further than our imagination,” said Lora Chante, Vice President of Operations & Maintenance at Avangrid. “We have already enriched and enlarged the training center with new equipment and more tools. In a short period of time, the NTC has become a vital asset to Avangrid by equipping our technicians with everything they need.”

Students practice on Avangrid’s 30-foot-tall fall protection tower to learn how to handle emergencies while working at heights, empowering trainees to master proper safety protocols in a safe place before working on a turbine. They get hands-on training on a variety of components pertaining to a wind farm, solar plant, or high voltage installation, including access to a completely intact nacelle for practicing maintenance and troubleshooting in a real-world environment. Students also have access to fully immersive training using virtual and mixed reality, helping them become familiar with a variety of machines and experience working through challenges in a simulated environment.

Avangrid’s training program at the NTC is certified by the Global Wind Organisation, ensuring technicians meet global industry safety standards. The company expects to train at least 100 new and existing technicians at the facility each year.

Avangrid | http://www.avangrid.com

The residential energy management and storage leader FranklinWH has launched the aPower S home battery, Meter Adapter Controller (MAC), and aHub extension as part of its latest additions to the FranklinWH System. These offerings establish new benchmarks for home power quality, system performance, and operational resilience.

"Homeowners are looking for energy solutions that can address increasingly complex challenges," said Gary Lam, CEO of FranklinWH. "That's exactly what we are bringing with our latest innovations. Attendees at the show will witness how these innovations redefine home energy systems."

The FranklinWH System gives homeowners the ability to reduce their reliance on the traditional grid while simultaneously enhancing their power stability to achieve the highest possible return on their solar power and home energy storage system investments.

aPower S: The legendary aPower now with Solar integration

The aPower S represents FranklinWH's most advanced home battery to date, building on the heritage of the installer-trusted aPower product line, featuring a level of scalability in its design that enables homeowners to expand their power capacity. The aPower S includes the following features:

• Enables direct solar tie-in for significantly higher charging efficiency, while still offering the flexibility of AC-coupled architecture.
• Each unit provides 15 kWh of usable storage capacity, with seamless expandability for homes requiring higher power or longer-duration backup.
• Built to last, ensuring dependable performance and backed by the industry's leading 15-year or 60 MWh throughput warranty for ultimate peace of mind.
• Backward compatibility with future-ready expandability, delivering unmatched flexibility and peace of mind.

Meter Adapter Controller: Advanced Control and Ultimate Simplicity

In North America, combo-style electrical panels often make it challenging to add an energy storage system, requiring costly and time-consuming panel modifications. The MAC changes the game, enabling easy system interconnection by directly connecting to the meter socket adapter (MSA) and the electrical meter, avoiding panel overhauls and significantly reducing installation time and costs. 

The MAC serves as the central component of the FranklinWH System, a simplified version of the aGate, providing homeowners with:

• A simple and easy integration with an MSA for meter-panel combinations.
• Predictive load management to forecast upcoming energy requirements.
• Regulate voltage and frequency levels that protect sensitive appliances and electric vehicle charging equipment.
• Delivers seamless, instant power transfer during blackouts, keeping your home running without a single interruption or flicker.

aHub: Intelligent Energy Orchestration

The aHub is the perfect extension to the FranklinWH System, seamlessly integrating additional sources and loads into a single, unified intelligent solution. The aHub includes the following features:

• Versatile interfaces orchestrate various energy sources such as solar, generator, and vehicle-to-load (V2L).
• Accommodates up to three solar arrays with a maximum capacity of 24 kW.
• Each solar circuit is independently controlled and will be automatically cut off if solar overproduction occurs.
• Enables solar integration up to 165 ft away, overcoming the limitation of roof space.
• Connects up to four 240 V Smart Circuits, which can be split to eight 120 V circuits, for independent control of heavy-duty or non-critical appliances, prioritizing essential loads during extended outages.

FranklinWH Energy Storage | franklinwh.com

Nautilus Solar Energy LLC, one of the largest community solar businesses in the U.S. and a contributor to America’s energy independence transition, announced the closing of a $275 million, long-term debt facility, marking the company’s largest single debt transaction to date. The deal expands Nautilus’s lender base with three new financial partners -- MUFG, SMBC, and Apterra Infrastructure Capital -- underscoring strong market confidence in Nautilus and the long-term value of community solar. 

The new capital will support more than 25 community solar projects scheduled to become operational over the next year across Illinois, Maryland, Delaware, New York, and Rhode Island. Together, these projects will add more than 130MW of capacity to local energy grids and increase Nautilus’s total operating and managed portfolio to 700MW. The expansion will deliver clean, affordable energy to over 11,000 households and small businesses. 

“This is the largest single debt raising effort in Nautilus’s history, and the first time we’ve brought on a completely new group of lending partners all at one time,” said Camelia Miu, Chief Financial Officer of Nautilus Solar Energy. “Securing a $275 million commitment in today’s challenging debt market demonstrates the strength of our business and the confidence well-respected financial institutions have in our model. Most importantly, this capital accelerates our ability to deliver more community solar projects that expand access to the benefits of clean energy.” 

"MUFG is pleased to support Nautilus’ growth and serve as Administrative Agent on this important transaction that provides expanded debt capacity for operational projects," said Adam Broski, Vice President of Project Finance Investment Banking at MUFG. 

“Apterra is proud to have acted as Co-Lead Arranger for this milestone transaction for Nautilus, supporting the company’s growth and further build out of their community solar portfolio,” said Michael Pantelogianis and Ralph Cho, co-CEOs of Apterra. “These projects are set to provide affordable clean energy to a diverse customer base, and we believe this transaction highlights the tailored infrastructure financing solutions Apterra can offer to top-tier developers and operators." 

The deal highlights the important role community solar plays in expanding energy access, supporting local economic growth, and driving the transition to a more sustainable energy future. 

To complete this financing deal, Cadence Bank served as depository agent and BNY Mellon acted as collateral agent. Legal counsel for Nautilus was provided by Sheppard Mullin and Milbank LLP provided legal counsel for the lending parties.  

Nautilus | nautilussolar.com

The “Transportation Electrification in the Southeast” sixth annual report will be released by Atlas Public Policy in collaboration with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) on Thursday, September 11. A link to the report and an introductory article will be sent to the media upon publication on Thursday. Registration is open for a webinar on Tuesday, September 16, at 12 PM ET, to share report highlights on the state of the electric vehicle (EV) market and a look ahead at 2026.

Webinar: "Transportation Electrification in the Southeast" Sixth Annual Report
Tuesday, September 16 | 12 PM - 1 PM ET
Register

This year’s report is a snapshot of strong EV market momentum in the Southeast at a pivotal political inflection point. The report examines data from June 2024 through June 2025 for six states across the Southeast — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — across six market indicators: manufacturing investments; anticipated jobs; EV sales; charging infrastructure deployment; utility investments; and public funding. 

Highlights in the “Transportation Electrification in the Southeast” sixth annual report include:

• Continued massive growth in EV and battery manufacturing-related investments and jobs in the region, amassing nearly $79 billion in private sector investments (37% of the national total), and an anticipated 75,000 jobs created (33% of the national total).  
• EV sales rose 38% from last year and market share climbed to 8.3%, with Florida rocketing above the national average to an all-time high of 10.3%.
• Progress continues in installing public fast chargers (known as direct current fast chargers or DCFC) with the region adding over 2,600 new DCFC ports in the past 12 months, a 41% increase year-over-year. 
• Investment by the region’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) increased 10.5% year-over-year, though the region continues to trail the national average of the amount of EV investments per utility customer.

Join the webinar on Tuesday, September 16, at 12 PM ET, with Stan Cross, SACE Electric Transportation Director, and Nick Nigro, Atlas Public Policy Founder, for a discussion of EV market growth over the past year and the national context for what to watch for in the coming year. There will be time for Q&A, and all registrants will receive a recording of the webinar. 

Webinar: "Transportation Electrification in the Southeast" Sixth Annual Report
Tuesday, September 16 | 12 PM - 1 PM ET
Register

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy | cleanenergy.org

Briggs & Stratton and EG4 have established a new working relationship. Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries and PowerProtect^T standby generators now integrate with EG4 inverters.  

“This partnership brings together two strong entities. EG4 is a recognized leader in the inverter market and Briggs & Stratton has been a leader in power solutions across a diverse set of markets for more than 117 years,” said Tom Rugg, SVP & President - Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. "This strategic partnership allows us to continue to offer more options for installers, including hybrid energy solutions with both batteries and generators.”

Briggs & Stratton’s new lineup of Battery Backup Packages feature the company’s SimpliPHI 6.6  stackable batteries paired with EG4 Inverters, providing an easy way for installers to meet customers’ power needs with Essential Power, Managed Power and Whole Home Power options.  

The Briggs & Stratton battery packages seamlessly integrate with EG4’s 12KPV and 18KPV all-in-one hybrid inverters. Briggs & Stratton batteries and generators also integrate with FlexBOSS18 and FlexBOSS21 hybrid inverters and the GridBOSS microgrid interconnect device (MID), which pairs with the FlexBOSS line of inverters. The full closed-loop integration for advanced communication with all EG4 inverters makes commissioning and operation smoother and more efficient. 

The EG4 inverters offer flexible installation options and enhanced power output, making them an accessible entry point into hybrid solar without compromising on performance. The EG4 FlexBOSS21, FlexBOSS18 and 18KPV inverters are also EMP-hardened, ensuring reliable performance during Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) events.

 In addition, EG4 inverters now integrate with Briggs & Stratton’s PowerProtect home standby generators. 

“Our collaboration with Briggs & Stratton combines EG4’s advanced energy storage systems with their proven generator and storage technologies to give customers more ways to achieve reliable, uninterrupted power,” said James Showalter, founder and CEO of EG4. “Whether pairing EG4 ESS with Briggs & Stratton generators for seamless backup or utilizing the new compatibility between the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery system and EG4 inverters, with this partnership we are making it easier than ever to build the right solution for energy independence.”

SimpliPHI 6.6 Package Details

Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI battery backup packages start with one, two or three SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries that deliver a range of power. The package concept centers on how much of the home the user wants to power during an outage – from 50% of a home’s normal energy usage to 100%, which allows the homeowner to power everything in their home for a period of time. While the packages recommend a starting number of batteries, they are scalable. To add more backup time, simply add more batteries. Systems can be scaled as the customer’s energy needs change. 

The continuous energy use of an average U.S. home is 1.23kW. Given a home’s average energy use, a one-battery system with an EG4 12PV inverter delivers 10.8 hours at 50% backup load. A two-battery system with an EG4 18PV inverter delivers 14.5 hours at 75% backup load and a three-battery system with an EG4 18PV inverter delivers 16.4 hours at 100% backup load. All with a 200A pass-thru for easy integration into most homes' main service panel. For larger installations, the battery system can be scaled up to 18 batteries, delivering 119.7 kWh with maximum continuous power of 84 kW or 90 hours of power at 100% load. Utilizing the FlexBoss/GridBoss combinations, installers can continue to scale power at a lower cost, have a simplified wiring configuration and further maximize power output. 

“We are excited to expand our closed-loop integrations with EG4. We have been consistently impressed with their approach to the market, innovative design choices and products that reliably serve their customers,” said Sequoya Cross, vice president of energy storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. 

Quicker Battery Installation

Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries feature a number of advances that make installation easier. They have self-guiding RapidStak connectors that integrate power and communications into a single point without wires or DIP switches. The batteries simply stack on top of one another and click into place, making installation easier and more efficient. Assembling a stack of three can be done in five minutes or less. 

They are IP65 rated so they can be installed indoors or outdoors with no additional cabinets required. They can be ground- or wall-mounted inside a garage, shed, utility closet or basement or outside on an exterior wall. Plus, the flexibility of using one, two or three batteries per stack means the system can fit into compact spaces. 

Tested and certified to the most stringent standards, the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery is UL 1642, UL 1973, UN 3480 and UN DOT 38.3 certified and has gone through UL 9540A fire safety testing. In 2024, it secured its UL 9540 Edition 3 certification as a standalone DC ESS and recently passed the earthquake vibration test (GR-63-CORE, Issue 5. Section 4.4.1) conducted by Element U.S. Space & Defense.

The SimpliPHI 6.6 battery has a 15-year limited warranty and is guaranteed to retain 60% capacity after 15 years.Plus, SimpliPHI batteries are backed by Briggs & Stratton’s 117 years of experience in power solutions.

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions | energy.briggsandstratton.com

EG4 | https://eg4electronics.com/

Vaisala, a global leader in measurement technology, introduces WindCube 2.1 XP, a significant evolution of its trusted vertical profiler wind lidar. With enhanced accuracy, increased data availability, and robust performance in clean air and complex terrain, it sets a new benchmark for wind measurement, particularly at the rotor sweep heights critical for today’s utility-scale wind turbines.

“WindCube 2.1 XP reflects years of customer feedback, rigorous testing, and continuous innovation,” said Romain Guillaume, Senior Product Manager at Vaisala. “Fine-tuning the detector’s sensitivity, reducing power consumption, and refining measurement stability across environmental conditions helped us engineer WindCube 2.1 XP to deliver the performance developers need.”  

While WindCube 2.1 XP retains the form factor and reliability customers trust, it introduces key advancements that translate into tangible value for wind developers, operators, and investors: 

• Improved accuracy throughout the measurement range of up to 400m, covering the full rotor-sweep area for all utility-scale turbines. 
• Only International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)-classified wind lidar with an extended measurement range of up to 200m.  
• 69% average improvement in data availability at 200m in clean air conditions across multiple test locations. 
• 20% lower power consumption, reducing logistical complexity for remote deployments, and reducing carbon footprint.  

These enhancements, together with the cloud-based platform Vaisala Compass launched last year, help derisk wind energy investments, improve site planning and project financing, and reduce operational uncertainty, especially as rotor diameters and hub heights continue to grow. Backed by an expanded five-year warranty, the system is ready for immediate deployment and built to last in the world’s most demanding environments.

According to Richard Fruehmann, Senior Engineer at DNV, “The results from our trial show that the WindCube 2.1 XP has significantly improved data availability with equal wind speed measurement accuracy.” 

For more information about how the global leader in measurement instruments and intelligence for climate action helps push the wind power industry into even newer frontiers, visit Vaisala.com/WindCubeXP. 

Vaisala | www.vaisala.com 

With the global impact investing market reaching a record $1.6 trillion, Aligned Climate Capital (Aligned) reinforces its commitment to measurable climate and social impact through the release of its inaugural Impact Report and a new round of carried interest donations to nonprofits championing clean energy access, workforce development, and public policy.  Beyond documenting the firm’s climate outcomes since 2018, the report introduces the firm's broader philanthropic strategy designed to amplify Aligned’s mission beyond traditional investments. 

“Impact without proof is just a promise,” said Peter Davidson, CEO of Aligned Climate Capital. “We launched Aligned with a simple idea: the technologies needed to scale the clean energy transition already exist. They just need capital to scale, particularly in the communities that need them most. This report shows that our strategy is working: our investments are up and running, reducing carbon, creating jobs, and lowering energy bills.”

The report reflects the results of Aligned’s dual-platform strategy, which includes both an early-stage venture capital fund series and separate infrastructure funds that own and operate distributed clean energy projects. The firm’s portfolio spans distributed solar, energy-efficient buildings, EV charging, and sustainable land use–all focused on proven, financeable technologies ready to scale. 

Key findings from the report include:

• 1.16 million MWh of clean energy generated, enough to power more than 150,000 homes for one year

• 1,671 jobs supported across infrastructure and venture investments

• 43% of venture portfolio companies are led by women or people of color

Beyond the direct environmental and economic impact of its portfolio, Aligned has also committed 3% of carried interest from its latest funds to nonprofit partners advancing equity in the clean energy transition. Most recently, Aligned Solar Partners 6 committed donations to GRID Alternatives, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Let’s Share the Sun. 

“GRID Alternatives is focused on expanding equitable access to clean energy and building the workforce needed for a just energy transition, especially in communities historically excluded from climate investments,” said Christian Weaver, VP of Philanthropy at GRID Alternatives. “As Aligned continues to support strategies that combine decarbonization with inclusive economic opportunity, GRID is honored to be a valued partner.” 

Each nonprofit partner reflects a key pillar of Aligned’s impact philosophy: energy access, policy advocacy, and workforce development. GRID Alternatives is the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer and a leader in workforce development for underserved communities. NRDC leverages its broad membership base and expert team of scientists, lawyers, and advocates to drive ambitious climate policy and accelerate the clean energy transition. Let’s Share the Sun brings reliable solar power to rural areas of Puerto Rico, Honduras, and other communities facing persistent energy insecurity. Together, these partners embody Aligned’s commitment to advancing equity alongside decarbonization–driving impact from the grassroots to the national level.

“NRDC is laser-focused with Aligned’s vision of a 100% clean energy future for the United States, and we are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to make that transition happen,” said Jackie Wong, NRDC’s Senior Vice President of Climate & Energy. “We deeply appreciate the team’s support and partnership, which will enable us to apply our deep legal, scientific, and advocacy expertise to protect progress and advance forward-looking solutions.” 

Aligned operates at the intersection of finance, technology, and policy, tracking market signals early and evaluating investments with a real-world perspective. The firm’s strategy is grounded in a core belief that private capital can deliver strong financial returns while expanding access to clean energy and building a just and sustainable economy.

“Reliable solar power can change the trajectory of a community,” said Bill Jordan, co-founder of Let’s Share the Sun. Aligned’s support helps us punch above our weight by bringing clean energy to people who need it most, including medical patients, domestic violence shelters, and nursing homes in Puerto Rico. By working together, we can create lasting opportunities and hope in places where reliable electricity has too often been out of reach.” 

To view the full Aligned Climate Capital Impact Report, visit here.

Aligned Climate Capital | https://alignedclimatecapital.com/

GRID Alternatives | www.gridalternatives.org

Natural Resources Defense Council | www.nrdc.org

Let’s Share the Sun Foundation | www.letssharethesun.org