The urgent need to accelerate solar installations across the United States stands at the forefront of the nation's commitment to significantly decarbonize the energy grid in the fight against climate change. Achieving this ambitious target necessitates a concerted effort to overcome the existing barriers to rapid expansion. Streamlining the installation process, improving regulatory frameworks, and standardizing product names and specifications a....
As the world rapidly electrifies, the demand for clean, scalable, and cost-effective energy storage is skyrocketing. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind offer an abundant and sustainable supply of power, much of their potential remains untapped due to one major challenge: storage. The inability to store and distribute renewable energy efficiently results in enormous daily losses. The good news is that this problem has a solution: c....
Despite generally widespread support for clean, renewable energy, a growing number of solar, wind, and battery storage projects are being met with resistance at the local level. In fact, community opposition has become a leading cause of delays and cancellations, with a recent study revealing that roughly one-third of wind and solar projects are scrapped due to pushback — and nearly half experience delays of six months or mor....
The energy industry is in the midst of massive change, exacerbated by a new administration and an alarming increase in demand that has characterized the past few years. Many industry experts are closely watching the Trump administration’s rhetoric, policies, and legislation to understand what the future energy landscape may look like. However, even during this transitionary period, there are several new opportunities for battery energy stora....
Wind
William “Bud” Frabell
Solar
Jonathan Lwowski
Solar
Robert J. Munnelly, Jr.
PureSky Energy (“PureSky”) is proud to announce that its newest community solar farm, Clover Meadow Solar, located near Claverack, NY, is now fully operational and delivering clean, affordable energy exclusively to Low- to Moderate-Income (LMI) households. The 7.3 MWdc project is enrolled in New York State’s Expanded Solar for All (ESFA) program, which ensures that the benefits of renewable energy reach the communities that need them most.
This milestone underscores PureSky’s deep commitment to energy equity, bringing the benefits of solar to income-qualified residents who often face the greatest barriers to accessing clean energy savings. Clover Meadow was developed by Eden Renewables (“Eden”), based in Troy NY, and is the seventh such project that PureSky and Eden have worked on together.
Clover Meadow Solar Key Facts:
“Clover Meadow represents what community solar should be—a tool to make the clean energy transition equitable and inclusive,” said Nicholas Topping, Vice President of Community Solar at PureSky. “By enrolling the solar farm entirely under the ESFA program, we’re able to deliver immediate savings to thousands of income-eligible households while strengthening New York’s energy independence and supporting the state’s clean energy goals.”
“Clover Meadow is another exciting milestone in our ongoing collaboration with PureSky Energy,” said Giovanni Maruca, Chief Development Officer at Eden Renewables. “At Eden, we’re committed to putting communities at the center of our projects That’s why we’re especially excited that this project will deliver clean, affordable energy to low-income households through the ESFA program.”
This 100%-all LMI project exemplifies the growing capability of community solar to lower energy costs for households, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Households enrolled in the program will see guaranteed savings on their electricity bills—without needing to install rooftop panels or pay any upfront costs.
Beyond household savings, the Clover Meadow Solar project brings broader benefits to the Claverack community by generating new local tax revenue and supporting clean energy jobs. The solar farm is designed to be pollinator-friendly, helping to tackle the global climate crisis, and includes Eden’s industry-leading education program as a community benefit. Projects like this help build more resilient, distributed energy systems while investing directly in local economies.
About Expanded Solar for All (ESFA)
New York’s ESFA program is designed to ensure that LMI households across the state can participate in and benefit from the growth of renewable energy. By connecting utility customers directly to solar projects like Clover Meadow, ESFA delivers monthly bill credits and long-term economic relief to income-qualified participants.
PureSky Energy remains committed to developing and operating inclusive solar projects throughout New York. The company has additional anchor capacity available for future community solar projects and invites municipalities, housing authorities, and local organizations to explore partnership opportunities.
PureSky Energy | www.pureskyenergy.com
Eden Renewables | https://edenrenewables.com/
Exus Renewables North America (Exus), a leading independent developer and operator of utility-scale renewable energy projects, announced the successful completion of financing for several US-based utility-scale renewable energy projects totaling $308.2 million. The transactions include the 185 MW Zia Solar Power solar portfolio in New Mexicoand the 169 MW Keystone wind portfolio in Pennsylvania.
Zia Solar Portfolio - New Mexico
Exus secured $149.6 million in financing for Zia Solar Power's portfolio of nine operational solar farms strategically located across New Mexico, including Deming, Los Lunas, Albuquerque, Moriarty, and Rio Rancho. The 185 MW portfolio is supported by long-term power purchase agreements with Public Service Company of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative, Columbus Electric Cooperative, and City of Rio Rancho, spanning 20-25 years from commercial operation. The financing, which closed in May, was led by ING Capital and PNC Capital Markets LLC.
Keystone Wind Portfolio - Pennsylvania
Exus also completed $158.6 million in financing for the Keystone wind portfolio, consisting of the Twin Ridges (139 MW) and Patton (30 MW) wind projects in Pennsylvania.
KeyBanc Capital Markets served as Coordinating Lead Arranger with Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Societe Generale as Joint Lead Arrangers. The financing supports the recent repowering of Twin Ridges, which achieved its repowering commercial operation date in 2024, extending the project's operational life and enhancing its efficiency.
The portfolio benefits from diverse offtake arrangements, with Vitol serving as the primary counterparty across the assets for power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates.
"Securing this financing across two distinct portfolios demonstrates the strength of our platform and the market's confidence in our execution capabilities," said Jim Spencer, President and CEO of Exus Renewables North America. "From desert solar farms powering data centers to repowered wind turbines in Pennsylvania, we're building the infrastructure that will define America's energy future."
Exus Renewables North America | https://www.exusrenewables.com/north-america
ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a global leader in the energy transition, announced an agreement to acquire a portfolio of 22 net energy metered (NEM) solar energy projects, totaling more than 70 MW in Pennsylvania from Prospect14, a Pennsylvania-based solar energy developer. This acquisition underscores ENGIE's commitment to advancing renewable energy in Pennsylvania, creating jobs, generating local tax revenue, and strengthening distribution grid reliability.
The portfolio consists of multiple distributed solar projects designed to provide clean, cost-effective electricity. By acquiring these projects, ENGIE continues to expand its commitment to renewable energy solutions in the region.
Kristen Fornes, Head of Distributed Solar and Storage at ENGIE North America, commented: "We are excited to develop solar energy projects in Pennsylvania. These projects align with our mission to deliver sustainable, locally sourced energy while supporting the Commonwealth's transition to a more resilient and decarbonized energy system."
Brendan Neagle, President of Prospect14, added: "This is great news for Pennsylvania. A well-capitalized energy market leader like ENGIE investing in solar projects in the Commonwealth means more jobs, increased local tax revenue for rural communities, and enhanced reliability for the distribution grid. Prospect14 is proud to play a role in making these benefits a reality in our home state."
The acquisition of this portfolio reinforces the growing demand for distributed solar generation in Pennsylvania and the financeability of NEM solar projects, and highlights the Commonwealth's potential for further renewable energy investment. As Pennsylvaniacontinues to expand its clean energy infrastructure, transactions like this will help drive economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Prospect14 | www.prospect14.com
ENGIE North America I www.engie-na.com
Renewables maintain their cost leadership in global power markets, IRENA’s new report on Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2024 confirms.
The report confirms that renewables maintained their price advantage over fossil fuels, with cost declines driven by technological innovation, competitive supply chains, and economies of scale.
In 2024, solar photovoltaics (PV) were, on average, 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives, while onshore wind projects were 53% cheaper. Onshore wind remained the most affordable source of new renewable electricity at USD 0.034/kWh, followed by solar PV at USD 0.043/kWh.
The addition of 582 gigawatts of renewable capacity in 2024 led to significant cost savings, avoiding fossil fuel use valued at about USD 57 billion. Notably, 91% of new renewable power projects commissioned last year were more cost-effective than any new fossil fuel alternatives.
Renewables are not only cost-competitive vis-a-vis fossil fuels but are advantageous by limiting dependence on international fuel markets and improving energy security. The business case for renewables is now stronger than ever.
While continued cost reductions are expected as technologies mature and supply chains strengthen, short-term challenges remain. Geopolitical shifts including trade tariffs, raw material bottlenecks, and evolving manufacturing dynamics, particularly in China, pose risks that could temporarily raise costs.
Higher costs are likely to persist in Europe and North America, driven by structural challenges such as permitting delays, limited grid capacity, and higher balance-of-system expenses. In contrast, regions like Asia, Africa, and South America, with stronger learning rates and high renewable potential, could see pronounced cost declines.
IRENA’s 2024 report also explores the structural cost drivers and market conditions shaping renewable investment. It concludes that stable and predictable revenue frameworks are essential to reduce investment risk and attract capital.
Mitigating financing risk is central to scaling renewables in both mature and emerging markets. Instruments such as power purchase agreements (PPAs) play a pivotal role in accessing affordable finance, while inconsistent policy environments and opaque procurement processes undermine investor confidence.
Particularly, integration costs are emerging as a new constraint on deployment of renewables. Increasingly, wind and solar projects are delayed due to grid connection bottlenecks, slow permitting and costly local supply chains. This is acute in G20 and emerging markets, where grid investment must keep pace with rising electricity demand and the expansion of renewables.
Furthermore, financing costs remain a decisive factor in determining project viability. In many developing countries of the Global South, high capital costs, influenced by macroeconomic conditions and perceived investment risks, significantly inflate the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of renewables.
For example, IRENA found that while onshore wind generation costs were similar in Europe and Africa with around USD 0.052/kWh in 2024, the cost structures varied significantly. European projects were capital-expenditure driven, while African projects bore a much higher share of financing costs. IRENA’s assumed cost of capital ranged from 3.8% in Europe to 12% in Africa, reflecting differing perceived risk profiles.
Finally, technological advances beyond generation are also improving the economics of renewables. The cost of battery energy storage systems (BESS) has declined by 93% since 2010, reaching USD 192/kWh for utility-scale systems in 2024. This reduction is attributed to manufacturing scale-up, improved materials and optimised production techniques.
Battery storage, hybrid systems, combining solar, wind and BESS as well as digital technologies are increasingly vital for integrating variable renewable energy. Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital tools are enhancing asset performance and grid responsiveness. However, digital infrastructure, flexibility, and grid expansion and modernisation remain pressing challenges, including in emerging markets, where the full potential of renewables cannot be realised without further investment.
Read the full report Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2024.
IRENA | https://www.irena.org/
GameChange Solar (GCS) and VDE Americas, a global leader in technical advisory and catastrophic risk assessment services for the solar power industry, released a study on the use of GameChange Solar Genius Tracker’s hail mitigation function. In the study “HailStow Performance in April 2025,” VDE evaluated the operation of GameChange Solar’s hail stow for a utility-scale solar facility in hail-prone Arkansas.
The purpose of the study was to confirm the performance of GameChange Solar’s hail mitigation system, which can be installed to protect solar assets from catastrophic hail damage. For the study, VDE reviewed operational data during six storms that passed near the study site over a three-day period and met the criteria to trigger a hail stow. In all cases, the system successfully went to the desired steep stow angle, where solar panels are tilted to deflect direct hail impact. In the report, VDE notes, “For this study period, the HailStow system worked as designed, including processing hail warnings, issuing activation emails, and moving the trackers to hail stow position.”
Hail mitigation has been a genuine concern for owners and insurers of solar power plants throughout the United States and other hail-prone locations. As one of the top three global manufacturers of solar trackers, GameChange Solar has worked closely with VDE to develop a rigorously tested hail mitigation system, delivering advanced protection that helps safeguard assets, reduce risk, and support long-term performance.
“With hailstorms across the globe intensifying, it is critical to install hail mitigation systems – like GameChange’s Solar Genius Tracker HailStow – which are effective in reducing solar panel damage due to hail,” said Jon Previtali, VP and Senior Principal Engineer at VDE Americas. “In our role to protect and extend the economic value of solar assets, we continue to advocate for advanced weather alert services, proactive hail stow implementation and frequent testing of hail stow systems.”
“This successful validation by VDE is the result of a strong engineering partnership and a shared commitment to rigorous, real-world validation,” said Scott Van Pelt, Chief Engineer at GameChange Solar. “We developed the Genius Tracker HailStow to provide a fast, reliable response that helps protect solar infrastructure from catastrophic hail damage. By working closely with VDE, we ensure that our systems provide top tier hail protection, long-term asset reliability, and insurability in hail-prone regions.”
VDE Americas | www.vde.com/en/vde-americas
GameChange Solar | www.gamechangesolar.com
North American safety helmet innovator STUDSON announced that its flagship SHK-1 Full Brim safety helmet has achieved dual certification under both Canadian CSA Standard Z94.1-15 (R2024) and American ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) at the ASSP Safety 2025 Conference in Orlando. The groundbreaking achievement makes the SHK-1 the first Type II safety helmet of its kind to provide seamless compliance for workers operating across the U.S.-Canada border, addressing a critical safety compliance and operational challenge.
While helmet designs have evolved, many Canadian workers were still relying on outdated hard hat technologies. This new helmet represents a significant milestone in industrial safety, particularly for workers in the construction, oil and gas, forestry, and mining industries operating in Canada and across the US-Canadian border. To meet and exceed CSA Z94.1 while maintaining ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 certification standards, the project required rigorous materials testing, extensive structural analysis, and close collaboration with third-party certifiers to ensure compliance with impact, penetration, and environmental resistance criteria.
"It was clear the Canadian market needed more than a helmet—it needed a leap forward in protection, comfort, and performance, and the dual-certified SHK-1 fills that gap," said Ryan Barnes, founder and CEO, STUDSON. “We are also solving a compliance problem that has plagued cross-border industrial operations for decades. Workers can bring the same STUDSON SHK-1 safety helmet they prefer to wear to the job site no matter what side of the border they are on.”
Joint CSA and ANSI/ISEA Certification
To achieve the dual certification, STUDSON worked closely with KOROYD, its provider of Advanced Impact Technology inside the helmet. KOROYD crumples on impact to absorb maximum force, reducing the risk of life-altering head injuries from both direct and angled impacts. The redesign required increased amounts of KOROYD material and a reduction in expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, further improving upon the ventilation and breathability of the original SHK-1 Full Brim helmet.
"Engineering a helmet that excels under both testing protocols required innovative materials science and design optimization," said Chris Ellerby, director of industrial safety and defense, KOROYD. "KOROYD developed the impact protection system, using its expertise derived from engineering solutions across different verticals, that could perform optimally whether facing the focused impact of ANSI testing or the distributed loading of CSA protocols. The dual-performance capability makes the SHK-1 even more robust and protective under real-world impact scenarios.”
Building upon STUDSON's reputation for incorporating advanced protection technologies from action sports into industrial safety equipment, the helmet also integrates Twiceme technology that stores emergency contact details and critical medical information for first responders during emergencies, along with data for occupational health and safety managers to better track and manage safety helmet inventory and worker certifications for regulatory compliance.
The dual-certified helmet includes the same comfort and usability features found in existing SHK-1 safety helmets, including the rear dial-fit system for easy adjustment and the four-point chin strap system with Fidlock magnetic buckle for one-handed operation even with gloves. The Class C version features enhanced ventilation for comfort, and both the Class C and Class E are available in a low-profile, full-brim design. The dual-certified SHK-1 Full Brim safety helmet remains compatible with the full range of STUDSON accessories, including half shields, full-face mesh shields, telescoping headlamps, and ear defenders.
“The SHK-1 Full Brim for the Canadian market reflects a combination of advanced materials, worker insights, and an uncompromising focus on safety,” said Barnes. “Canada deserves the best in head protection. STUDSON is here to deliver it.”
To see samples of the dual-certified SHK-1 Full Brim safety helmet, along with its full lineup of above-the-neck personal protective equipment (PPE), visit the STUDSON booth at ASSP Safety 2025 at the Orlando Convention Center, booth #2301, July 22-24, 2025.
Visitors can also see the SHK-1 featuring the buckle-free HighBar mono-chinstrap safety system, which will be available for purchase starting in October.
The dual-certified SHK-1 will become available for purchase later this year.
STUDSON | https://studson.com/pages/dual-certification.
Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), an advanced nuclear technology company, and Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader of critical digital infrastructure, announced a collaboration agreement focused on the co-development of advanced power and thermal management solutions tailored specifically for hyperscale and colocation data centers, powered by steam and electricity from Oklo’s advanced nuclear power plants. The pilot technology demonstration is planned for the initial Oklo Aurora powerhouse.
In response to surging data center power demand in the U.S., Oklo and Vertiv are joining forces to revolutionize data center operations through an integrated solution that co-optimizes power and cooling, with Oklo's reliable clean energy generation and Vertiv's specifically designed advanced power and thermal management systems. By leveraging heat from Oklo's onsite power plant to drive Vertiv's cooling systems, the collaboration will significantly enhance data center energy efficiency. This approach delivers resilient power for demanding AI and high-performance computing operations while reducing environmental impact. The companies will work together to produce end-to-end reference designs for data centers that use Oklo’s onsite power plants.
“This agreement is about delivering clean power, energy-efficient cooling, and infrastructure solutions purpose-built for AI factories, data centers, and high density compute,” said Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo. “We are developing a plant concept that leverages proven, off-the-shelf components without altering the core design of our plants. Vertiv is an expert in cooling and power innovation for data centers and critical infrastructure, so co-designing these solutions from the outset, we can create greater value and efficiency for data center and infrastructure operators.”
Vertiv CEO Gio Albertazzi stated, “Our collaboration with Oklo is an extension of Vertiv’s commitment to energy-efficient infrastructure that supports modern data center demands. As the demand for AI and high-performance computing continues to grow, nuclear energy is increasingly a discussion point for hyperscale, colocation, and other large data centers. Vertiv is committed to driving innovation with the higher cooling capacities and energy efficiencies required to support modern data centers.”
Oklo’s approach to power generation is designed to adapt quickly to market needs, offering customers more usable energy and enabling seamless teamwork between the power source and data center operations. By co-designing energy and thermal management from the beginning, and by deploying at a site adjacent to customer demand, Oklo and Vertiv will deliver a unified solution that simplifies deployment and enables improved performance and energy efficiency of data centers. These capabilities are uniquely enabled by Oklo’s role as the owner and operator of its power plants, allowing for deeper integration with customer infrastructure and greater flexibility in how and where data centers are deployed.
“This partnership shows how Oklo is thinking about how and where advanced nuclear can be deployed,” added DeWitte. “We’re enhancing what already works to meet the needs of fast-growing industries with the speed, flexibility, and direct integration that our model is built to deliver.”
This collaboration marks an important step in exploring how advanced nuclear energy can support the evolving power and cooling needs of data centers and other high-growth sectors, an increasing emphasis in Oklo’s growing customer pipeline.
Oklo I https://www.oklo.com/overview/default.aspx
Vertiv | vertiv.com
Alternative Energies Jul 15, 2025
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