The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Nextracker (Nasdaq: NXT), a leading solar technology platform provider, announced its expansion into the solar panel frame market with the acquisition of Origami Solar, Inc., a pioneer in roll-formed steel frame technology, in an all-cash transaction of approximately $53 million including future contingent earnout consideration.

Steel frames offer a high-performance alternative to traditional extruded aluminum frames, delivering superior strength and durability, competitive cost, a robust localized supply chain, and significantly lower carbon footprint. The use of steel as a frame material also has the potential to unlock innovation around new solar panel mounting approaches, including robotic assembly, with related improvements in mounting speed and labor cost.

Origami’s frame designs are the result of four years of dedicated development and refinement, including extensive third-party laboratory testing. Engineered as a drop-in replacement for conventional aluminum frames, Origami’s frames mirror standard industry form factors, allowing seamless integration into existing manufacturing lines and helping to facilitate broad and rapid adoption of steel frame technology. Origami’s frames have been tested and qualified by leading panel manufacturers, and with U.S.-based fabrication capacity in place, Nextracker is well positioned to support rapid scaling.

Nextracker brings significant long-term experience and engineering expertise related to the critical panel-tracker interface. The acquisition of Origami Solar brings dedicated panel frame design and engineering talent to Nextracker to drive continued innovation around optimized panel-tracker solutions.

“Solar panel frame technology has been relatively unchanged for over 45 years,” said Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextracker. “During that time, the size and dynamic wind loads on solar panels have increased dramatically, especially in utility-scale tracking applications. From a structural engineering perspective, the shift from aluminum to steel is compelling — steel offers greater strength at competitive cost and significantly reduced carbon intensity. Most importantly, it helps to unlock opportunities for localized manufacturing from steel coil through final fabrication, while delivering real customer benefits like faster panel installation and improved long-term system performance. And with an estimated total addressable market (TAM) in excess of $750 million in the U.S. alone, we see this as a substantial new business opportunity for Nextracker.”

“Origami Solar was founded to drive the commercialization of steel frame technology and to realize the customer value and benefits this new technology can offer,” said Gregg Patterson, CEO of Origami Solar. “Our team has solved key challenges around design, performance, and high-volume production. By joining forces with Nextracker, we have a great opportunity to scale this innovation faster with their global supply chain ecosystem and deep customer relationships and to commercialize a solution that makes a real impact.”

Nextracker | https://www.nextracker.com/

Origami Solar | www.origamisolar.com

In a defining moment for energy infrastructure, 1st Avenue Power (1AP) unveils a radical new clean power solution: a modular, rapidly deployable, fully integrated system engineered to meet the explosive energy demands of the AI era. As the grid buckles under the weight of modern computing, 1st Avenue Power introduces what the market has never seen: dispatchable, firm, cyber-secure, clean energy systems that can go live in months—not years—and scale to gigawatt capacity.

Hyperfirm Power: Dispatchable. Dense. Unmatched. 

1st Avenue Power's proprietary Hyperfirm system architecture combines solar generation, advanced storage, and AI-optimized controls into a single, integrated platform—delivering clean energy with greater reliability than the grid and unprecedented control. Through breakthroughs in solar deployment density and proprietary energy storage and power systems, Hyperfirm systems produce up to twice the usable energy per acre of traditional solar. This makes it the fastest, most cost-effective clean power solution on the market today.

Power systems pioneer Dr. Tom Buttgenbach launched 1st Avenue Power to do what no one else has: deliver dispatchable, firm, low-cost, cyber-secure power systems that can be deployed at speed. "Unlike any other generation technology, our industry is made up of specialized component manufacturers that are assembled on-site by construction companies," said Buttgenbach, founder of 1st Avenue Capital and former CEO of Avantus and 8minute Solar. "We're designing and building fully integrated systems. That's how we get the system performance that the next generation of power infrastructure demands."

Buttgenbach brings an unmatched track record through his leadership of 8minute Energy and Avantus: 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of storage developed—enough to power 20 million U.S. homes day and night—over $10 billion in financing and power purchase agreements secured, and the first U.S. solar project to undercut fossil fuels on price. He led the development of the first gigawatt scale powerplant for a U.S.-based hyperscaler that commenced operation in June 2025.

1st Avenue Power Fact Sheet

Founding Leadership Team

• Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, CEO – 30 GW solar + 90 GWh storage delivered; $10B+ in financing; built first U.S. solar project to beat fossil fuel costs; Ph.D. in Physics (Caltech).
• Kip Larson, CTO – Former CTO at Avantus and executive technology leader at AWS and Amazon with deep experience in AI and industrial controls..
• Drew Lowe, VP Operations – Former Apple, SiriusXM, and Disney operations executive with experience in multi-gigawatt data infrastructure.
• Dr. Finbar Sheehy, VP Technology – Former head of Technology at Avantus and industry expert, former AB Bernstein equities analyst.
• Greg McPheeters, VP Product Development – Product designer formerly with REC Solar and SnapNrack with experience in design and installation of complete turnkey solar electric systems.
• Alex Turek, VP Software Engineering – Software engineering leader at Avantus, Amazon, and Convoy; with deep experience in energy markets and software.
• Executive Advisors: Joe Inzerillo, Blair LaCorte, Jordan Greene.

Technology Innovations

• Hyperfirm Systems – Always-on, firm and dispatchable clean energy by integrating solar, advanced storage, and AI optimization.
• Gemini Architecture – Modular, high-density solar+storage power plants engineered for up to 2x firm energy output per acre, with full dispatchability.
• NatureMount: Rapidly-deployable, terrain-following, solar array technology that enables double-density solar.
• Blackbird Power Systems – Solid-state, turnkey, modular systems designed for 100x higher reliability than conventional grid/thermal generation.
• AI-Driven Optimization – End-to-end predictive analytics for system efficiency, cost savings, and revenue optimization.
• Rapid Deployment – Gigawatt-scale projects rolled out in months, not years — more than 3x faster than conventional builds.

Company Overview

• Founded by: Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, power systems pioneer and founder and former CEO of Avantus/8minute Solar.
• Mission: We deliver rapidly deployable power systems that generate Hyperfirm and inexpensive clean power leveraging the abundance of solar to liberate energy-constrained businesses and communities around the world.
• Approach: Proprietary solar + storage architectures enhanced by AI-optimized software for reliable, dispatchable, low-cost, modular power.

1st Avenue Power | www.1ap.com

CleanCounts, a nonprofit and North America’s most expansive and innovative clean energy registry, announced it was selected as an awardee for LevelTen Energy’s Registry Acceleration Fund (RAF). The fund’s awardees include registries from around the globe, selected based on their ability to accelerate progress towards granular accounting of carbon-free energy by addressing existing gaps in Energy Attribute Certificates (EAC), hourly tracking, and transaction infrastructure. CleanCounts is one of five awardees, selected across two rounds of funding from LevelTen and the GC Trading Alliance.

CleanCounts has demonstrated its commitment to accelerate progress towards granular accounting of carbon-free energy with a registry that offers flexible tracking in both voluntary and compliance markets. CleanCounts has been importing hourly data for generators throughout MISO since 2019. With RAF support, CleanCounts’ registry will support new data infrastructure and begin implementation of EnergyTag standards for generators in the region served by Midcontinent Independent Service Operator (MISO). Corporations, utilities, and brokers already turn to CleanCounts for more granular energy procurements, and with its API support for integration with third-party marketplaces, it is trusted to provide the transparency needed to safeguard against duplicate claims.

"REC registries like CleanCounts serve as the critical backbone for the clean energy market, and we are proud to support their continued evolution,” said Katie Soroye, VP of Granular Procurement Solutions at LevelTen Energy. “As the industry navigates unprecedented levels of electricity demand, this investment incorporates more granular data and delivers the refined tools needed for the next phase of decarbonization."

“After our first-of-a-kind hourly certificate retirement in 2021 with Google, we have been a constant presence in the support for more granularity in EAC markets. We want to foster transparency and trust in the environmental markets across North America. Our tech-forward registry brings visibility to hourly RECs in order to support organizations whether they have granular energy procurement goals, are developing clean hydrogen or ammonia projects that need to meet 45V Federal incentive requirements, or other applications of granular certificates,” said Benjamin Gerber, CEO of CleanCounts. “We are thrilled to have the support of LevelTen Energy’s RAF funding to further accelerate our work and efforts to decarbonize the grid and advance sustainability reporting.”

The CleanCounts platform was responsible for issuing more than 40% of RECs in North America in 2024, with registered generators in 48 of 50 states and several Canadian provinces. The organization’s cross-functional teams have hundreds of years of cumulative software experience and registry-specific expertise.

“Being responsive to the needs of customers, regulators, and stakeholders is priority number one” said James Critchfield, Head of Registry and Market Integrity for CleanCounts. “With a strong governance structure and proven in-house financial and technical expertise, we will apply these funds to market solutions that address customer challenges. Though we’re starting with MISO, it’s exciting to see that several states have clean energy or climate goals that call for extensive use of green hydrogen—which requires a registry that supports hourly matched EACs.”

CleanCounts’ innovations are driven by its nonprofit mission and drive to help customers, regulators, and stakeholders address challenges. CleanCounts customer service team has resolved 73% of customer cases with just one touch, maintains a median response time of less than 3.5 hours, and median full resolution time of just 16 hours.

CleanCounts | www.cleancounts.org

LevelTen Energy | https://www.leveltenenergy.com/

Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: EOSE) ("Eos" or the “Company”), an American energy company and the leading innovator in designing, sourcing, manufacturing, and providing zinc-based battery energy storage systems (BESS) manufactured in the United States, announced the launch of its new proprietary battery management system, software, controls and analytics platform, DawnOS, designed to revolutionize the way energy storage systems are managed, optimized, and integrated into the grid. Fully designed, engineered, and developed in the United States, DawnOS represents a new standard in American-made battery energy storage software – with technical excellence and national security designed into the platform.

Built with advanced analytics and real-time operational intelligence, DawnOS empowers system operators to maximize their battery asset value. The platform utilizes advanced State of Charge (SoC) to accurately track available energy, State of Health (SoH) to detect and correct imbalances between battery strings, reducing operating costs, and State of Energy (SoE) algorithms to estimate site-wide energy capacity enabling precise grid dispatch, revenue optimization, and improved grid coordination.

Purpose-built for the Eos battery chemistry and system architecture, DawnOS enables superior distributed control down to the independent battery module level, driving better system balancing, automated operations, and increased site availability. DawnOS addresses incumbent technology limitations by offering a comprehensive, IP-rich solution specifically designed to extract maximum value from Eos Z3 battery systems.

“As we continue to gain more field operating experience, we have been simultaneously developing DawnOS – marking a significant milestone in the advancement of our technology as we transition from a battery supplier to a provider of complete energy storage solutions,” said Francis Richey, Chief Technology Officer. “We built this platform based on direct feedback from our customers, creating a platform that makes it easier to monitor, manage, and realize the full value of Z3 Eos battery systems. With this software, our customers gain unprecedented visibility and control over their energy storage systems, enabling smarter decisions and greater returns with an American made product.”

Symbolizing the beginning of a new day and a new opportunity, DawnOS represents an Eos operating platform that empowers progress and transformation as the company ushers in the dawn of a new energy transition and drives toward American energy independence. At a time when critical infrastructure faces unprecedented cybersecurity threats and supply chain vulnerabilities, DawnOS delivers a secure, domestic platform with no foreign code and no external cloud dependencies.

“DawnOS was designed from the ground up with performance, cybersecurity, and safety in mind,” said Pranesh Rao, Senior Vice President of Storage System Engineering. “Using the knowledge of our chemistry and application experience, we have developed a customized control system that provides flexibility, scalability, and reliability, catering to the evolving demand for energy storage and supporting the future growth and rising need for BESS systems.”

Key features of DawnOS include:

• Automated System Balancing: Distributed controls perform automated balancing of modules within strings and of strings within cubes, maintaining system availability, extending asset life and minimizing operational and maintenance intervention.
• Real-Time Monitoring and Control: Seamless integration with battery hardware for instant performance insights.
• Unparalleled Flexibility in Energy Dispatch: Allows for dynamic discharge profiles without compromising system performance, health, or safety.
• Secure by Design: Hosted entirely on U.S. infrastructure, with proprietary Eos-developed code and no reliance on foreign software or cloud services.

DawnOS is now being deployed in all new Eos projects and can be integrated into select legacy projects to bring next-generation intelligence and performance to Eos’ fleet of long duration energy storage systems.

Eos | eose.com

rPlus Energies announced the successful close of a tax equity financing commitment of approximately $100 million with Truist Bank to support Pleasant Valley Solar 2, a 125-megawatt (MWac) solar facility in Ada County, Idaho. The project represents an investment of more than $175 million in the state. Pleasant Valley Solar 2 will be the second rPlus Energies project to deliver solar electricity to Idaho Power’s grid and support Meta’s energy commitments in light of its data center in Kuna, ID.

“We appreciate the strong partnership and shared vision we’ve built with Truist,” said Luigi Resta, President and CEO of rPlus Energies. “Pleasant Valley Solar 2 reflects our broader commitment to helping the U.S. meet rising energy demand, while strengthening local economies and supporting grid reliability.”

“Truist is pleased to continue our efforts to support sustainable infrastructure and clean energy for the country, particularly at a time where demand for energy is increasing at levels not seen for decades,” said Chris Nygren, Head of Tax Equity Investments at Truist Bank. “We are excited to partner with a great renewable energy developer like rPlus Energies on the Pleasant Valley Solar 2 project, which will provide both clean energy and economic development for the communities it supports.”

Construction of Pleasant Valley Solar 2, led by Sundt Construction and managed by rPlus Energies, began earlier this year and is expected to create about 200 jobs, support local businesses, and contribute to the region through a 3.5% solar energy tax on gross earnings.

Norton Rose Fulbright and Dorsey & Whitney LLP advised rPlus Energies, while Akerman LLP and Parsons Behle & Latimer advised Truist Bank.

This milestone brings rPlus Energies’ 2025 tax equity financial commitments to more than $600 million across multiple projects, including over $500 million for its 800 MWac Green River Energy Center, further advancing significant renewable energy development throughout the American West.

rPlus Energies | https://www.rplusenergies.com/

ONYX Insight, the Macquarie Capital-backed, leading provider of predictive analytics for the global wind industry, announces the acquisition of ELEVEN‑I, a UK-based specialist in condition monitoring and advanced analytics for wind turbine blades. Founded in 2019, ELEVEN-I specialises in performance, condition, and structural health monitoring of wind turbine blades. This transaction further strengthens ONYX Insight’s whole-turbine predictive maintenance platform with the addition of proven blade monitoring capability – giving operators a single place to monitor and manage whole turbine risk, avoid catastrophic failures, and optimise maintenance across their fleets. 

“As wind turbines grow in size and complexity, blade reliability has become a critical operational risk. Failures don’t just drive unplanned O&M costs – they can escalate into catastrophic events, including blade detachment and full turbine collapse,” said Dr Zhiwei Zhang, Chief Commercial Officer of ONYX Insight. “Through years of research and testing, ELEVEN-I has developed cutting edge sensors and damage detection software allowing for quick data capture and analysis, ensuring difficult-to-detect structural changes are identified and blades can achieve optimal performance.” 

With the acquisition of ELEVEN‑I, ONYX Insight is uniquely positioned as the leading provider combining advanced sensing technology, predictive analytics, and deep engineering expertise across the entire turbine. This whole-turbine approach gives operators a single, integrated view of drivetrain, structure, pitch, and blade health, enabling earlier and efficient fault detection, centralised issue tracking, and more data-driven maintenance planning across entire fleets. 

Bill Slatter, CEO of ELEVEN‑I commented, “We founded ELEVEN‑I to help wind operators understand how their blades perform under real-world conditions. Becoming part of ONYX Insight allows us to scale that mission globally, combining ELEVEN-I’s deep technical expertise with ONYX Insight’s industry-leading predictive analytics to enhance blade reliability globally.” 

“By uniting blade insights with drivetrain CMS and structural health, we deliver whole-turbine analytics in one platform – equipping operators with a holistic understanding of their turbines that supports smarter, faster decision-making,” added Dr John Coultate, VP of Advanced Sensing at ONYX Insight. “That view, delivered through a case management system, represents a significant step forward in helping the industry manage reliability and risk, minimise downtime, and achieve greater operational efficiency across wind fleets.” 

“When we acquired ONYX Insight in 2024, we did so with the intention of supporting the company in expanding its product offering to address evolving client needs,” said John Spirtos, Senior Managing Director at Macquarie Capital. “This acquisition sets ONYX Insight on a pathway towards providing solutions for combatting blade failures, which remain one of the most significant causes of maintenance cost for wind turbine operators,” added Ben Bailey, Senior Managing Director at Macquarie Capital. 

ONYX Insight | https://onyxinsight.com/

ELEVEN-I | https://eleven-i.com/

Stella Power Company (“Stella”), a distributed power business sponsored by Arroyo Investors, and Excelsior Energy Capital (“Excelsior”), a leading clean energy infrastructure investor, announced the formation of an alliance to enhance reliability at utility-scale renewable energy and battery energy storage facilities by incorporating natural gas generation solutions to create firm low carbon power plants.

This alliance brings a unique, all-of-the-above approach to powering energy-intensive businesses such as data centers. Together, Stella and Excelsior aim to deliver 24/7 power options, a minimum guaranteed carbon-free energy target, and rapid speed to market.

With the alliance, Excelsior can offer low carbon firm power to its customers, including data centers and utilities, with time to power in as short as 18 months. Stella will bring its natural gas development and operational expertise to design gas generation solutions that Excelsior can integrate with its renewable and battery energy storage projects. This solution combines the best of each technology to create a fast-response time, low carbon firm power solution to meet the unprecedented energy demand in the U.S.

According to Jamie Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Stella, “The visionary team at Excelsior keenly understands how Stella’s Firm Electrons onsite power generation solutions are a game-changer for the renewable energy industry. Together, we have crafted precisely what data centers and other large energy users are challenged to achieve with available grid capacity, while enabling them to continue to work toward their carbon reduction goals. We are incredibly proud to work with Excelsior.”

Anne Marie Denman, Co-Founder and Partner of Excelsior said, “Jamie and the Stella team have developed a solution that complements and differentiates what Excelsior can provide to the marketplace, allowing us to meet our large load and utility customers where they have expressed greatest need. We are grateful to the Stella and Arroyo teams for working alongside us to combine our renewable and battery expertise with their gas expertise to provide reliable clean power to quickly meet the US energy needs.”

Stella Power Company | www.stellapowerco.com

Excelsior Energy Capital | http://www.excelsiorcapital.com