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Zeo Energy, a Florida-based residential solar and energy efficiency company, has successfully acquired Lumio Holdings, another residential solar firm. This acquisition comes after Lumio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024, with the sale approved on November 1. Zeo Energy’s acquisition of Lumio’s assets positions it for expanded reach in the residential solar market, particularly in fulfilling Lumio's existing customer agreements and financing commitments. Tim Bridgewater, CEO of Zeo Energy, highlighted that this acquisition aligns with the company's growth strategy, especially during challenging times for the residential solar sector. "This transaction allows us to broaden our scale and market influence. With Lumio’s assets, we’re in a strong position to pursue further growth opportunities in 2025 and beyond,” said Bridgewater. Through this acquisition, Zeo Energy also plans to incorporate Lumio’s sales representatives into its platform, enhancing its salesforce and supporting an expanded market reach. The company aims to meet Lumio's prior commitments while leveraging the newly integrated resources to grow at a competitive rate. The acquisition reflects Zeo Energy’s commitment to strategic expansion within the renewable energy industry.

Energy Toolbase has expanded its ETB Developer platform by incorporating Solesca, a pre-CAD solar design tool focused on enhancing the efficiency of commercial, industrial (C&I), and community-scale solar project designs. This integration aims to simplify the design process for solar developers by offering an all-in-one solution for layout creation, energy simulations, and financial assessments. The addition of Solesca allows ETB Developer users to perform all essential design tasks within a single platform, including initial layouts, energy simulations using NREL’s SAM model, and financial analyses. By centralizing these functions, this integration reduces the need for multiple design tools, saving developers both time and resources. Solesca is designed for flexibility, supporting projects of any scale, from rooftop to large ground-mount systems. Its real-time collaboration features improve team productivity and help maintain project timelines. Additionally, Solesca’s fixed-pricing structure helps developers manage budgets more effectively. According to Solesca’s Chief Product Officer, Tom Yao, the goal is to make accurate pre-CAD design accessible for all C&I and community-scale solar projects, so developers can bring projects to completion more efficiently and affordably. The integration of Solesca into ETB Developer represents a significant shift in solar project development by providing a streamlined, budget-friendly design tool for C&I and community-scale solar sectors.

SolarEdge Technologies has closed its first-ever transaction for the sale of Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits (PTCs) under Section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The sale, valued at approximately $40 million, was generated through the sales of U.S.-manufactured inverters produced at SolarEdge’s Austin, Texas, facility in the first half of 2024. This milestone transaction highlights the growing significance of Section 45X credits in supporting U.S. manufacturing of renewable energy technologies. SolarEdge's interim CEO, Ronen Faier, expressed pride in the company's role in advancing U.S. energy technology manufacturing, stating, "This sale marks an important step in the development of the Section 45X credit market and underscores the appeal of tax credits backed by U.S.-made inverters." The sale not only strengthens SolarEdge’s financial position but also enables further investment in U.S. manufacturing. Ariel Porat, SolarEdge’s CFO, noted that the liquidity provided by the sale would allow the company to accelerate its U.S. production capabilities, ensuring a reliable supply of U.S.-produced solar technology. SolarEdge’s Austin facility has significantly ramped up production, reaching a 500 MW quarterly run rate in Q2 2024 and surpassing this in Q3. The company also recently opened its second U.S. manufacturing facility near Tampa, Florida, which started shipping Power Optimizers in Q2 2024. This facility is expected to achieve a production capacity of two million units per quarter, with plans to expand into commercial inverter production in early 2025. This transaction, facilitated by the Crux platform, is a key indicator of the growing importance of U.S.-produced solar technology and the opportunities provided by the IRA’s Section 45X tax credits.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has launched the FY25 Commercial Solar Grant Program, allocating $5 million to help minority-owned, veteran-owned, and disabled-owned businesses adopt solar energy. This initiative aims to increase access to renewable energy for Maryland's low-to-moderate-income communities, furthering the state’s commitment to clean energy equity. By making solar systems more affordable, the program encourages businesses and organizations to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact. The grant program provides targeted incentives for nonprofits, Small Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Veteran and Disabled Veteran-owned businesses, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. These eligible groups can receive funding to install solar photovoltaic systems, which can lead to significant energy savings and promote sustainability within Maryland's underserved communities. With a focus on these groups, the program helps strengthen local economies and create lasting benefits for community development. The FY25 Commercial Solar Grant Program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications accepted through March 31, 2025, or until funding is fully allocated. Businesses with high energy needs can apply for grants to support larger-scale solar installations, reducing their operational costs and contributing to Maryland's broader clean energy goals. Enhanced incentives are available to ensure that applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds have better access to the financial support necessary for solar adoption. MEA Director Paul G. Pinsky emphasized that this program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by small and minority-owned businesses in accessing renewable energy resources. By providing targeted grants, Maryland aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable energy landscape. Interested businesses and organizations can find more information and application details on the Maryland Energy Administration’s website.

SalesRabbit has introduced a new Solar Design tool to simplify the workflow for solar sales teams. Built into the SalesRabbit platform, this tool allows users to design and present comprehensive solar system proposals more efficiently. The new addition aims to save time and improve accuracy in creating roof-ready designs, allowing sales representatives to provide immediate, personalized solutions for customers. This tool integrates with SalesRabbit’s Solar Proposals feature, giving solar teams a unified solution to manage everything from design to sales. Solar representatives can now design layouts within minutes, supporting faster responses to customer needs and enhancing overall sales effectiveness. “This tool gives sales reps the ability to design complete solar systems and show customers accurate projections right away,” explained Rachelle Van Wagoner, Principal Product Manager at SalesRabbit. "This not only speeds up the sales process but also helps to build customer confidence through transparency." SalesRabbit’s new Solar Design tool reinforces its commitment to delivering tools that make field sales more efficient and responsive. By focusing on speed and ease of use, this tool provides solar sales teams with the resources needed to streamline their workflow and better serve prospective customers.

Solis, a leading provider in solar energy technology, has recently received LUMA certification for its S6 Home Hybrid Energy Storage String Inverter and 25-100K 1000V Commercial String Inverters, making these products eligible for use in Puerto Rico. This certification underscores Solis’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality solar solutions designed to meet Puerto Rico's rigorous energy standards, which are essential for grid resilience in the region. This milestone marks an important step toward supporting Puerto Rico’s increasing demand for sustainable, dependable power options. The S6 Home Hybrid Energy Storage String Inverter is tailored for residential use in Puerto Rico, offering flexible, scalable energy storage that can support backup power during outages. This inverter enables homeowners to optimize their energy usage, providing both energy independence and resilience in times of need. Its design aligns well with the needs of Puerto Rican households, ensuring reliability and cost-efficiency even under the island’s unique grid demands. For commercial applications, Solis’s 25-100K 1000V Commercial String Inverters bring enhanced performance and durability, designed to handle large-scale solar installations effectively. Recently expanded to include a new 125kW model, these inverters offer Puerto Rican businesses a dependable solar solution that meets the diverse needs of the commercial sector. The robust design and efficiency of this series help companies manage energy costs and support sustainability goals while maintaining consistent performance. James Qiao, General Manager at Solis, expressed pride in this achievement, emphasizing that the LUMA certification aligns Solis’s products with Puerto Rico’s renewable energy objectives. “Achieving this certification allows us to contribute meaningfully to Puerto Rico’s sustainable energy future,” Qiao noted. “We’re excited to offer our advanced solar technology to both residential and commercial customers on the island, supporting their energy resilience and efficiency.” With these certified inverters, Solis is set to play a crucial role in Puerto Rico’s push for sustainable, resilient energy solutions.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) recently announced the launch of its FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program, designed to accelerate solar energy adoption across Maryland. With a $3.9 million budget, the grant program will provide Maryland jurisdictions with the necessary resources to implement the U.S. Department of Energy’s SolarAPP+ software. This initiative supports the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024, which requires local governments to adopt automated solar permitting solutions. The SolarAPP+ platform, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, enables instant permit approvals for solar installations, significantly cutting down wait times for homeowners and installers while ensuring safety compliance. The program aims to help Maryland counties, cities, and towns cover essential costs associated with SolarAPP+ implementation, including software integration, staff training, and contractual support. MEA Director Paul Pinsky emphasized the platform’s role in Maryland's renewable energy efforts: “SolarAPP+ simplifies solar permitting, making it faster and safer for Marylanders to install solar systems. This program ensures a smoother path to clean energy for communities statewide.” The grant program’s launch has received strong backing from the Streamline Solar for Maryland coalition, a group of environmental organizations including Solar United Neighbors, Sierra Club, and the Maryland Rooftop Solar Coalition. These groups recognize the grant as a critical step toward accessible and efficient solar installations.

Bridge Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Bridge Investment Group Holdings, has teamed up with WATTMORE, an innovative energy management software provider, to develop a 3-MW/12-MWh energy storage project in Lincoln, Nebraska. This project, in collaboration with the Lincoln Electric System (LES), aims to enhance local grid reliability and support community microgrid initiatives. Located near an electric substation, the new energy storage system will play a vital role in stabilizing the distribution grid while providing backup power during outages. LES is focused on delivering reliable and affordable clean energy, and this partnership will equip the utility with hands-on experience in advanced battery storage technology. WATTMORE will implement its Intellect Operate EMS, which utilizes machine learning and analytics to optimize battery performance. This software will manage charging and discharging cycles and monitor battery health to maximize efficiency and cost savings for LES. Eos Energy Enterprises will supply the project with its cutting-edge Eos Znyth batteries. These zinc aqueous batteries are designed for long-duration energy storage, are non-flammable, and are entirely manufactured in the United States. The Eos Znyth systems will provide a sustainable solution that meets the evolving demands of modern energy infrastructure. "This collaboration highlights the significant role that energy storage can play in enhancing grid reliability and supporting clean energy initiatives," said Justin Vagnozzi, senior VP of global sales at Eos. “By leveraging U.S.-made technology, we are contributing to a more resilient energy future.” The Bridge Renewable Energy and WATTMORE partnership represents a key advancement in Nebraska’s clean energy landscape. By focusing on innovative energy solutions, the project not only aims to improve local energy resilience but also supports broader clean energy goals throughout the region.

Middlebury College in Vermont has launched a cutting-edge 5-megawatt (MW) solar tracker array to support its renewable energy initiatives. Developed in partnership with Encore Renewable Energy and Greenbacker Renewable Energy, this solar installation, one of Vermont’s largest, will supply around 40% of the college’s energy needs, bringing Middlebury closer to its goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2028. The array features more than 15,000 solar panels equipped with single-axis trackers, which follow the sun’s movement throughout the day. This tracking capability increases the system's energy production by up to 20% compared to fixed panels, maximizing efficiency and reducing electricity costs. In addition to solar panels, the project includes a battery storage system, South Street Storage, which holds surplus energy for use during high-demand periods, improving grid reliability and campus energy resilience. Middlebury College President Lauri L. Patton emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, noting the active involvement of students and faculty in making it a reality. “This project highlights our commitment to climate justice and sustainable energy,” Patton said. “We are proud of our students for contributing to this meaningful step toward clean energy.” By integrating renewable energy credits from the array, Middlebury is advancing its sustainability goals and providing a model for other institutions. Chad Farrell, co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy, described the project as an innovative model for affordable, customer-driven clean energy in Vermont. Owned and managed by Greenbacker Renewable Energy, this solar and storage system serves as a sustainable energy source for Middlebury while benefiting Vermont’s renewable landscape, showcasing how institutions can achieve significant environmental impact through dedicated partnerships and innovative technology.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has taken a major step toward sustainability with the installation of a 2.8-MW solar canopy system in its main parking area. The project, led by Melink Solar and built with Terrasmart’s racking system, features nearly 5,000 bifacial solar panels that provide shade for about 800 vehicles while generating clean energy. The installation raises the zoo's total on-site solar capacity to 4.55 MW, further reducing its carbon footprint and electricity costs. By 2030, Cincinnati Zoo officials expect the increased solar output will reduce annual energy expenses to around $300,000, a significant decrease from the $1.6 million spent in 2005. This sustainability initiative will allow two-thirds of the zoo’s electricity needs to be met by solar power, according to Mark Fisher, Vice President of Facilities, Planning, and Sustainability. “The new system requires less space but nearly doubles the power generation of our original array,” Fisher stated. Additionally, the zoo is using its Community Solar Resiliency Program to support local energy needs. Through this initiative, 165 kW of solar capacity has been funded for installations at Cincinnati-area churches, schools, and community centers, helping offset energy poverty and promoting solar energy equity across the city. Terrasmart, a subsidiary of Gibraltar Industries, played a key role in the project’s completion. “This solar canopy represents our commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions,” said Yuri Reznikov, Terrasmart’s Chief Sales Officer. “We’re excited to see the positive impact this project will have for the zoo and surrounding community.” The Cincinnati Zoo’s solar expansion not only aligns with its commitment to environmental stewardship but also serves as a model for urban solar applications, contributing to both local and regional sustainability goals.