Solar is safe when it’s maintained — and risky when basics slip. Across sites, the pattern behind many PV fires is consistent: soiling and shading create hot spots; loose or corroded DC joints run hot; wildlife and litter add fuel; and moisture inside isolators or combiners encourages tracking and arcs. Temperatures rise, combustibles build, and one imperfect connection becomes ignition. How PV fires actually start On the DC side, m....
Quality solar engineering services do more than get you through permitting, they help prevent redesigns, failed inspections, and costly delays. The right solar permit design ensures your project meets code, clears structural review, and gains utility approval without setbacks. With the 30 percent residential solar tax credit ending in 2025, and the commercial ITC phasing down soon after, timing is critical. Missing deadlines due to permitting ....
It didn’t start with a robot. It started with a problem. Clean energy is one of the hottest commodities today, and the world is rushing to meet this increasing demand. However, the typical financial barrier isn’t a problem for the industry; it’s labor. Skilled workers capable of installing solar infrastructure are needed more than ever, and there just aren’t enough to go around. This deficit is threatening the industry at a time when g....
A heifer swats a fly with her tail while chewing her cud and lazily observing the visitors in hard hats on the other side of the electric netting. A calf trots up to her mother, nudging the udder with her head and starting to nurse, while another cow is scratching an itch using one of thousands of metal I-beams that were recently added to their pasture. Some of the calves will stay on this farm for several years as breeding stock. Others will be ....
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Veolia, the world’s leading provider of water services and environmental solutions, and Delgado Community College, the largest community college in Louisiana, are launching a Workforce Development Internship Program to provide students with hands-on experience to help them obtain jobs and start careers in the wastewater treatment, sustainability and environmental sectors.
The program offers students the opportunity to work alongside Veolia's experienced professionals at the New Orleans East Bank and West Bank wastewater treatment facilities. The internships will prepare students to build strong careers while providing environmental security to hundreds of thousands of people in the region.
“Delgado Community College’s broad reach across greater New Orleans and its dynamic population of motivated students makes it a natural partner for Veolia, as we meet both the environmental and community needs of the people we serve,” said Joseph Tackett, Veolia’s CEO of Municipal Water Contract Operations in North America. “The water and wastewater industry faces a generational challenge to replenish its aging workforce at the same time it confronts unprecedented environmental changes and threats. Partnering with Delgado creates strong pathways for these students as well as for our environment.”
“Delgado looks forward to launching and growing this partnership with Veolia, which will place our students in a professional environment where they can learn and thrive,” said Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, Chancellor at Delgado Community College. “The internships will allow students to position themselves for sustainable careers upon graduation while providing critical workforce needs for the water and wastewater sectors.”
Internship program offers practical training and coaching
Delgado Community College serves an average of 21,000 students annually, and its graduates account for 1 of every 90 jobs in the New Orleans region. Delgado’s Workforce Development, which is collaborating with Veolia on the internships, works with business and industry partners to provide a variety of traditional and non-traditional educational opportunities to students. The initial cohort will provide internships to 15 students.
“The Veolia internships will benefit students enrolled in Delgado Community College’s Water and Wastewater Technology program, which equips students with the technical skills and environmental knowledge needed for careers in water treatment and sustainability,” said Dr. April Noble, Assistant Chair of Physical Science Director of Chemical Technology, and leader of the Water and Wastewater Technology Program at Delgado.
Delgado’s curriculum, paired with Veolia’s hands-on training, will provide students with real-world experience that prepares them for certification and employment in the vital water and wastewater sectors. These experiences will foster a deeper understanding of water industry practices, promote problem solving skills, and help students build relationships with water sector professionals.
Veolia continues to expand its workforce development footprint, targeting high school students and recent graduates, opportunity youth, technical and community colleges, universities and retired military members. In the 2024-25 school year, Veolia reached more than 55,000 students across its American municipal water operations, including educational tours for thousands of students and more than 2,000 classes taught. By building strong partnerships with school systems and non-profit organizations, Veolia is transforming workforce development and opening new career pathways for the next generation of the water workforce.
Veolia’s strategic GreenUp program to depollute, decarbonize and preserve resources inspires its comprehensive workforce development efforts across the United States, which provide outreach, training and support to help people find fulfilling careers in the water industry. Veolia programs offer specialized outreach to high school and college students as well as promising individuals who never received their degrees; retired military members entering the civilian workforce after serving their country; and people in underserved areas seeking good jobs that help their communities.
Veolia in North America | www.veolianorthamerica.com
Fortress Power, a leading provider of advanced battery energy storage solutions, proudly announces the release of the eBoost, a powerful and efficient new energy storage system engineered for both grid-tied and off-grid applications. Designed with installers and homeowners in mind, the eBoost delivers more power for less cost through a simplified design that streamlines installation and maximizes system performance.
Each 16kWh unit provides sustainable, long-term backup power for homes and businesses—reducing reliance on the grid and helping users save on electricity costs while maintaining peace of mind during outages. Its modular design allows systems to expand up to 256kWh by connecting 16 units in parallel, providing flexibility for growing energy needs.
The eBoost combines the durability and intelligence Fortress Power is known for with features that make installation faster, maintenance easier, and operation more efficient. With locking wheels for easy maneuvering, an IP65-rated enclosure, and internal heating elements, it performs reliably in extreme weather conditions—from -4 ºF to 140 ºF—ensuring dependable performance year-round.
“The eBoost sets a new standard for flexible, high-capacity energy storage,” said Matthew Daniel, Product Manager for eBoost at Fortress Power. “Its scalability, durability, and seamless integration with the Envy Duo 21 inverter make it an ideal choice for installers and customers who demand reliable performance with ease of deployment.”
Thanks to its powerful BMS, a single eBoost module can deliver up to 12 kW of continuous charge and discharge power, allowing customers to start with a single unit and expand the system as needed.
Key Features of the eBoost:
“Since 2016, Fortress Power has been driven by a mission to make our energy storage systems easier to install, more efficient, and more cost-effective,” added Daniel. “The eBoost represents that vision—combining engineering simplicity with the power and resilience our customers expect.”
Supporting both single-phase and three-phase 208V commercial applications, the eBoost is built for adaptability. It is also the next generation of battery storage following Fortress Power’s successful eVault MAX—offering greater energy density, reduced weight, and a smaller footprint. Designed for indoor or outdoor installation, the eBoost leverages Fortress Power’s eWay interconnection system to simplify setup while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.
The eBoost redefines modern energy storage—providing homeowners, businesses, and installers with a system that is smarter, stronger, and more sustainable.
Fortress Power | www.fortresspower.com
Got Electric, a leading electrical and solar contractor serving Maryland and Virginia, announced that Jeff Gilbert has joined the company as Solar Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager, reinforcing Got Electric's commitment to expanding and professionalizing solar O&M services across the Mid-Atlantic region.
With more than three decades of renewable energy experience, Gilbert's expertise spans system design, inspection, installation, and workforce training. His career includes co-founding Chesapeake Solar, one of the Mid-Atlantic's earliest and most successful solar firms, and later launching Azimuth Solar, a consultancy focused on inspection, training, and technical advisory services. Gilbert is also NABCEP-certified, a credential widely recognized as the gold standard in solar installation and maintenance.
"Bringing Jeff on board is an important step for Got Electric as we continue to grow our commercial solar O&M services," said Grant Gotlinger, President of Got Electric. "His background and technical know-how strengthen our ability to deliver reliable, technician-led solutions for our clients. The recognition we have received in Solar Power World's 2025 rankings reflects that same commitment to expertise and service, and Jeff's role will help us build on that momentum across the Mid-Atlantic."
As the solar industry matures, operations and maintenance have emerged as one of its most critical yet underserved segments. The Mid-Atlantic region alone has thousands of commercial and utility-scale systems that require regular performance monitoring, diagnostics, and repair to ensure uptime and financial returns for system owners. "The biggest challenge is also the biggest opportunity," said Jeff Gilbert. "The Mid-Atlantic has a rapidly growing number of commercial and industrial solar systems. Every minute offline means lost revenue for the owners. Got Electric can make a real impact by being the company with boots on the ground—restoring systems quickly and helping clients maximize the value of their solar investments."
Got Electric's solar O&M division specializes in technician-led diagnostics, affordable service plans, transparent pricing, and deep licensing coverage across Maryland and Virginia. With Gilbert at the helm, the company plans to expand these offerings, strengthening relationships with commercial property owners, developers, and asset managers seeking reliable long-term service partnerships.
Gilbert's addition also aligns with Got Electric's ongoing investment in workforce development and technical training. His background as an educator and conference speaker on the National Electrical Code and solar system design complements Got Electric's culture of continuous learning and hands-on expertise.
For me, it is energizing to join a company that values both technical excellence and business growth," Gilbert added. "Got Electric already has the reputation and talent—it is about scaling that success to meet the region's growing demand for solar maintenance and performance services."
Got Electric |www.gotelectric.net
PowerBank Corporation (Nasdaq: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: 103) ("PowerBank" or the "Company"), a leader in North American energy infrastructure development and asset ownership, is pleased to announce that it has executed a lease agreement on a 1.76 MW DC ground-mount solar power project known as the NY-Hemlock Hill project (the "Project"), in Upstate New York. The Project is expected to be eligible for incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ("NYSERDA") NY-Sun Program.
The Company is in the process of submitting the interconnection application and has initiated the preliminary screening analysis as part of the initial interconnection steps. Assuming receipt of interconnection approval, the Company will work to complete the permitting process and secure the necessary financing for the construction of the Project.
Once completed, the Project will be operated as a community solar project. Community solar is a group of solar panels with access to the local electricity grid. Once the panels are turned on and generating electricity, clean energy from the site feeds into the local power grid. Depending on the size and number of panels the project has, dozens or even hundreds of renters and homeowners can save money from the electricity that is generated by the project. By subscribing to a project, a homeowner earns credits on their electric bill every month from their portion of the solar that's generated by the project, accessing the benefits of solar without installing panels on their home. This allows homeowners to realize a reduced cost per kW/hour from the power they consume versus standard utility rates.
PowerBank's proven expertise, with over 100 MW of completed projects and a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW, underpins the project's execution. Strategic partnerships and institutional-grade development capabilities position PowerBank to deliver reliable, high-impact renewable energy solutions.
The Hemlock Hill Project will help advance New York's ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of 6 GW of solar capacity by 2025. As a national leader in community solar, New York accounts for nearly one-third of the United States' 6.2 GW of installed solar capacity, and PowerBank is honored to help contribute to this transformative milestone.
PowerBank Corporation | www.powerbankcorp.com
Got Electric, LLC, a leading Maryland-based electrical and solar contractor, has donated 127 surplus solar panels to Habitat for Humanity Virginia through its partnership with GiveSolar. The panels, already delivered to Athens, Georgia, will be installed on the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This initiative will reduce operating costs for the ReStore, allowing Habitat to direct more resources toward its mission of building affordable housing for families in need.
The collaboration grew from a simple conversation between Got Electric's Andy Hershberger and GiveSolar's Director, Jeff Heie. Recognizing the opportunity to repurpose surplus equipment, Hershberger coordinated the donation to advance renewable energy access while helping reduce inventory.
"We are honored to support Habitat for Humanity Virginia and GiveSolar in their mission to bring affordable housing and renewable energy together," said Andy Hershberger, Director of Virginia Operations of Got Electric, LLC. "By donating these solar panels, we're not only reducing waste but also helping Habitat lower their energy expenses so more funds can go directly toward building homes for families who need them most."
"This donation is a great example of how surplus solar equipment can be redirected to make a real difference in local communities," said Jeff Heie, Director of GiveSolar. "With support from companies like Got Electric, Habitat for Humanity can expand its impact—providing both affordable housing and the benefits of clean, renewable energy."
The donated panels were delivered by Estes Express Lines and unloaded with the help of volunteers and equipment at the Athens ReStore. The partnership between Got Electric, GiveSolar, and Habitat for Humanity underscores the power of collaboration in advancing sustainability and community impact.
Got Electric | gotelectric.net
Rondo Energy announced the start of commercial operation of the world's largest industrial heat battery. A 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) has entered daily automatic operation, powered exclusively by an on-site PV solar array and delivering continuous high-pressure industrial heat and steam to a Holmes Western Oil Corporation facility in California. The unit sets new records for the industrial heat battery industry in capacity, round-trip efficiency, and power supply. This 100 MWh unit delivers a volume of heat equivalent to 10,000 home heating systems.
During the day, off-grid solar PV charges the heat battery and the RHB delivers heat 24-hours a day. After 10 weeks of operation, the project has achieved all milestones for daily automatic operation, performance, efficiency, and reliability proving out Rondo's unique design, which boasts storage temperatures over 1000°C and round-trip efficiency above 97%.
"The Rondo Heat Battery is now proven at industrial scale," said Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy. "We are already developing and operating heat batteries across four continents and five industries. Our customers are improving their competitiveness and slashing their carbon emissions at the same time."
This Rondo Heat Battery is directly delivering steam alongside gas-fired boilers without changes to the facility. This project was delivered with zero lost-time injuries and is fully meeting all customer contract specifications. By replacing gas consumption with the fixed cost of on-site solar power, the project reduces energy cost volatility, as well as reducing regulatory and carbon market exposure. The lower carbon intensity of the customer's fuel products strengthens competitiveness in low-carbon markets.
Decarbonizing Industry at Scale
Industrial heat makes up 25% of global final energy use, and industries from chemicals to cement rely on high-temperature heat. Rondo's technology provides a simple and safe way for manufacturers to reduce costs and slash scope 1 emissions today.
Unlike heat pumps or electric boilers that need constant power, the Rondo Heat Battery charges using only the six lowest-cost hours of electricity per day — whether from off-grid solar or from the grid. Intermittent and low-cost hours of electricity are becoming available in electricity systems around the world, thanks to the deployment of solar & wind.
"The commercialization of the heat battery represents yet another global inflection point for solar & wind power, said Andy Lubershane, Partner at Energy Impact Partners. "Just as electric vehicles opened up the transport market to renewable electricity, heat batteries will open up an even larger new market, industrial heat, which accounts for roughly a quarter of global energy consumption. We're thrilled that Rondo is leading the way."
Simple, Proven, Safe
The Rondo Heat Battery's storage medium uses only brick and wire — abundant, proven materials that can't catch fire, explode, or cause toxic leaks. Heat batteries replace or drop in alongside industry-standard boilers and seamlessly integrate into existing steam flanges, delivering steam at any conditions at 100+ bar (1450+ PSI). Because it produces no emissions, the Rondo Heat Battery requires no air permits, easing deployment.
Global Scale, Ready Now
Rondo is already developing and operating projects across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with deployments underway for chemicals, biofuels, food & beverage, and cement. The company's technology scales quickly, requiring no scarce minerals and using only proven industrial components.
With the 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery now online, Rondo is demonstrating the future of industrial heat, power, and cogeneration — renewable, reliable, and cost-competitive.
Rondo Energy | https://www.rondo.com/
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) closed a loan guarantee to strengthen grid reliability and ensure lower electricity costs across the midwestern region of the United States.
In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, the $1.6 billion loan guarantee to a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP) will reconductor and rebuild around 5,000 miles of transmission lines across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and enhance grid reliability and capacity in rapidly growing areas.
“Thanks to President Trump and the Working Families Tax Cut, the Energy Department is ensuring the American people will have access to affordable, reliable and secure energy for decades to come,” said U.S. Secretary Wright. “The President has been clear: America must reverse course from the energy subtraction agenda of past administrations and strengthen our electrical grid. This loan guarantee will not only help modernize the grid and expand transmission capacity but will help position the United States to win the AI race and grow our manufacturing base.”
The loan guarantee, which was carefully evaluated under the new LPO guidance directed by Secretary Wright, delivers on the Trump administration’s promise to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars and unleash American energy dominance.
The AEP financial close is also the first closed loan guarantee under the Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) Program created by the Working Families Tax Cut, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. President Trump signed the legislation into law earlier this year. All electric utilities receiving an EDF loan must provide assurance to DOE that financial benefits from the financing will be passed on to the customers of that utility.
DOE remains committed to using all tools at its disposal, including the LPO, to deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy for the American people.
Department of Energy | https://www.energy.gov/
Solar Oct 10, 2025
Solar is safe when it’s maintained — and risky when basics slip. Across sites, the pattern behind many PV fires is consistent: soiling and shading create hot spots; loose or corroded DC joints run hot; wildlife and litter add fuel; and moisture i....
Solar is safe when it’s maintained — and risky when basics slip. Across sites, the pattern behind many PV fires is consistent: soiling and shading create hot spots; loose or corroded DC joints run hot; wildlife and litter add fuel; and moisture i....
As utility-scale hybrid solar and battery energy storage projects become standard across North America, operators are facing increasing complexity. These systems are no longer passive generators, but dynamic assets that must respond in real time to g....
It didn’t start with a robot. It started with a problem. Clean energy is one of the hottest commodities today, and the world is rushing to meet this increasing demand. However, the typical financial barrier isn’t a problem for the industry; it....
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