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A new 9.4-MW solar farm in Warren, Rhode Island, has been built on land that was once a golf course. Developed by TurningPoint Energy (TPE) and constructed by Nexamp, this solar project repurposes the former golf course into a productive renewable energy site. The project, which includes two solar arrays, is part of Rhode Island's Virtual Net Metering program and serves schools, non-profits, and municipalities. The solar farm is expected to generate approximately 11.5 million kWh of clean energy annually. This output will support Rhode Island's goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2033. Among the 15 local organizations benefiting from the project is Hope & Main, a non-profit culinary incubator in Warren. Chris Kearns, Acting Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, highlighted the importance of such projects in meeting the state's climate goals. This solar farm is an example of how underutilized land can be transformed into a renewable energy resource that benefits the community and environment. Nexamp and TPE's collaboration on this project underscores the potential for repurposing land for renewable energy and supporting local organizations through clean energy initiatives. As Rhode Island continues its push toward a greener future, this solar farm represents a significant step forward in sustainable development.

TMEIC Corporation Americas is relocating its headquarters to Houston, Texas, in March 2025. The company, a subsidiary of Japan-based TMEIC Corporation, is also opening a 144,000-square-foot facility in Brookshire, Texas. This facility will focus on manufacturing utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) inverters, boosting TMEIC’s U.S.-based PV manufacturing capabilities. The Brookshire plant, scheduled to begin operations in October 2024, will initially have the capacity to produce 9 GW of PV inverters annually. The facility also has the potential for future expansion to meet growing market demand. TMEIC’s move to Houston reflects its commitment to renewable energy, supporting clean energy technology and U.S. manufacturing. This expansion is expected to create up to 300 jobs in the local Texas community, contributing to economic growth. TMEIC’s new manufacturing facility will complement its existing operations in Katy, Texas, where the company produces uninterruptible power supply and medium voltage drive systems. By strengthening its U.S. presence, TMEIC aims to advance its renewable energy initiatives and compete globally in the clean energy market.

SMA America is unveiling its latest innovations at RE+ 2024 in Anaheim, showcasing significant advancements in residential and commercial energy solutions. The highlight for homeowners is the new SMA Home Storage system, a modular and customizable battery designed to enhance energy independence with flexible storage options. Alongside this, the Sunny Boy Smart Energy inverter offers a hybrid solution that combines immediate energy use with storage, transforming residential energy systems. SMA is also introducing the SPAN Smart Panel, which will be integrated into the SMA Home Energy Solution. This panel provides advanced energy management and whole-home backup capabilities, with a full market release planned for 2025. For commercial and industrial applications, SMA presents the Sunny Tripower CORE1 and Sunny Tripower X inverters, aimed at optimizing energy production and efficiency in larger-scale installations. The “FULL OF ENERGY” campaign will feature SMA’s new Commercial Storage solution and the Sunny Tripower Storage X. Attendees can explore these solutions through interactive digital tools like the Energy App and Sunny Design, offering detailed insights into energy management and control. In the large-scale business segment, SMA will showcase the Sunny Tripower PEAK3 and the modular Sunny Central FLEX power conversion solutions, designed for grid-forming, repowering, and DC-coupling. Visitors to SMA’s booth No. 1 in the Grand Plaza at RE+ 2024 will have the opportunity to experience these cutting-edge technologies and see how SMA is shaping the future of energy solutions. The event provides a unique platform for exploring the latest advancements and innovations in the energy sector.

EVLO Energy Storage Completes First U.S. Utility-Scale Battery Project in Vermont EVLO Energy Storage, a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, has installed its first utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the United States. This 3-MW/12-MWh project, located in Troy, Vermont, is designed to store energy during peak production periods and supply power during high-demand times, enhancing grid reliability. The Troy BESS will help stabilize the grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources, making it available when needed. This project is a key part of efforts to integrate more renewable energy into the New England grid. EVLO’s Troy installation features 16 EVLO 1000 units and four Power Conversion System (PCS) platforms, all managed by the EVLOGIX Energy Management System (EMS). Under a 20-year service agreement, EVLO will monitor and maintain the system in collaboration with Vermont Electric Cooperative. This project will also provide data to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Sandia National Laboratories, demonstrating how battery storage can support renewable energy expansion. This installation represents EVLO’s first BESS project in the U.S., marking the company’s growth beyond Canada and Europe. EVLO plans to continue developing similar projects across the United States to support the renewable energy transition.

DESRI and El Paso Electric have begun construction on the Carne Solar and Storage project, a 130-MWAC solar facility combined with 260-MWh of battery storage in Deming, New Mexico. This project is designed to support El Paso Electric’s (EPE) clean energy goals, aiming for 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045. Once operational in 2025, the facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 37,600 homes each year, contributing significantly to New Mexico's Renewable Portfolio Standard. The Carne Solar and Storage project is DESRI's second venture in Luna County, following the Alta Luna project. It represents a key step forward in advancing renewable energy in the region. The project has also created over 300 construction jobs and will provide training and development opportunities for the local workforce, ensuring long-term economic benefits for the community. DESRI has partnered with SOLV Energy for this project, with SOLV Energy serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor. SOLV Energy will also manage operations and maintenance once the facility is up and running. This collaboration builds on a strong relationship between DESRI and EPE, who have previously worked together to develop renewable energy projects across the United States. With a 20-year power purchase agreement in place, the Carne Solar and Storage project will play a crucial role in meeting New Mexico's growing energy needs. It will also support EPE's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. As New Mexico continues to prioritize clean energy, projects like Carne will pave the way for future solar and storage developments in the state.

NOVA Infrastructure has acquired a substantial majority of shares in UGE International Ltd., a leading provider of community solar and battery storage solutions. The acquisition, completed on May 28, 2024, involved NOVA purchasing approximately 70% of UGE’s common shares. UGE, which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, has now secured regulatory and shareholder approval for the deal. Chris Beall, co-founder and managing partner at NOVA Infrastructure, highlighted the strategic benefits of this acquisition: “Community solar is rapidly expanding in the U.S. energy sector, driven by supportive regulatory frameworks. UGE’s long-term contracts and strong asset base make it a valuable addition to our portfolio. We plan to use our resources to boost UGE’s growth and enhance its cash flow.” Founded in 2010, UGE International Ltd. is a prominent player in the solar industry. The company operates across 11 states, including New York, California, and Massachusetts, and has experience managing over 500 MW of solar projects. UGE specializes in developing, financing, and operating both rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems. NOVA Infrastructure aims to accelerate UGE’s growth through this acquisition. Allison Kingsley, co-founder and partner at NOVA, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with UGE’s experienced team to strengthen our position in the community solar and battery storage markets. This acquisition reflects our dedication to investing in high-growth areas and providing value to both our investors and UGE’s customers.” This strategic move positions NOVA Infrastructure to play a pivotal role in the growth of community solar energy solutions in the U.S., furthering the expansion of renewable energy projects nationwide.

Torus has unveiled "Torus Community," an advanced microgrid management software designed to enhance grid stability in Utah. This new distributed energy management system integrates energy production, storage, and management at the local level, turning residential and commercial buildings into mini power plants. The launch of Torus Community marks a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to support grid resilience through innovative energy solutions. The rollout of Torus Community follows a year of successful participation in Rocky Mountain Power's Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program. During this time, Torus customers played a crucial role in boosting grid stability by responding to 89 demand response events with 99.99% uptime. This impressive performance demonstrates the reliability and scalability of Torus’s microgrid technology, positioning the company as a leader in distributed energy management. One of the standout features of Torus Community is its ability to provide real-time insights into energy usage and its impact on grid health. This empowers users to make informed decisions about their energy consumption, leading to significant reductions in power costs and carbon emissions. The software also supports corporate sustainability goals, helping companies align their energy use with broader environmental objectives. In addition to its technical capabilities, Torus Community offers educational tools that inform users about their role in creating a resilient energy ecosystem. By understanding how their energy use affects the grid, participants can contribute to a more stable and sustainable energy future. This emphasis on education and user empowerment sets Torus Community apart from other energy management solutions. With the launch of Torus Community, Torus is shifting its focus from managing kilowatts to overseeing large-scale megawatts of energy storage and management. This transition highlights the growing potential of community-driven energy solutions in supporting grid stability. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, Torus is setting new standards for reliable, scalable, and secure energy infrastructure.

The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee (AASMTC) has intensified its call for government intervention due to a significant rise in solar panel imports from Vietnam and Thailand. Between April and June 2024, imports from Vietnam spiked by 39%, while those from Thailand saw a 17% increase, compared to the first quarter of the year. This filing is an extension of the ongoing antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation initiated earlier this year by AASMTC against solar products originating from Southeast Asia. The committee argues that these import surges are damaging the U.S. solar manufacturing industry, as Chinese-owned companies operating in Vietnam and Thailand are allegedly ramping up exports to the U.S. to circumvent potential duties. Tim Brightbill, partner at Wiley Rein and lead counsel to AASMTC, stated that the surge in imports seems to be a deliberate effort by Chinese-based companies to flood the U.S. market before any trade restrictions are imposed. "We cannot allow these countries—and Chinese-owned companies—to continue harming the U.S. market unabated," Brightbill said. The Department of Commerce began its AD/CVD investigation in May, with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) making a preliminary finding in June that solar panel imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were being dumped at prices that undercut U.S. manufacturers. The Commerce Department is expected to issue preliminary decisions on countervailing duties in September and on antidumping duties in November. Final determinations and tariff amounts would then be decided by spring 2025. If AASMTC's critical circumstances petition is upheld, duties could be retroactively imposed on solar imports from Vietnam and Thailand up to 90 days before preliminary determinations. For these duties to take effect, the ITC must also find that the surge in imports is causing material harm to the U.S. industry. The petition specifically targets crystalline silicon cells, both assembled and unassembled, imported from Vietnam and Thailand. As the investigation progresses, the outcome could have significant implications for the U.S. solar industry and its ability to compete on the global stage.

The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) is set to install a 26.88-kW solar array with the assistance of Everybody Solar, a nonprofit organization focused on providing solar energy solutions. This solar installation will enable ZYEP to significantly reduce energy costs, allowing the organization to allocate more resources toward its youth programming and community initiatives. Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, the executive director of ZYEP, emphasized the importance of this project for the Zuni community: “By embracing solar energy, we’re reducing our environmental footprint and creating more opportunities to support the growth and development of Zuni youth. This project is a key part of our mission to build a sustainable future for our community.” The solar array will not only generate cost savings but also serve as an educational tool for ZYEP. The organization plans to use the installation to educate youth and community members about the benefits of renewable energy. This effort aligns with ZYEP’s ongoing commitment to improving the well-being of Zuni youth, with 95% of participants reporting enhanced health outcomes through the organization’s programs. Myriam Scally, executive director of Everybody Solar, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We’re excited to partner with ZYEP on this solar project. Our goal is to support ZYEP’s essential work in youth development while promoting renewable energy adoption within indigenous communities. This project reflects our mission to empower communities through clean energy solutions.” The new solar array is expected to have a lasting impact on the Zuni community by providing ongoing energy savings and educational opportunities. As ZYEP continues to expand its programs, the benefits of this solar project will contribute to the organization’s efforts to foster a vibrant and sustainable future for Zuni youth.

Ebon Solar, a division of Singapore-based Ebang International, has announced plans to establish a silicon solar cell manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company will invest $942 million in this project, which will be located in the Mesa del Sol industrial area. The new 834,000-square-foot facility is expected to create over 900 jobs. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham welcomed the investment, noting that it will enhance New Mexico’s role in the renewable energy sector. Ebon Solar’s CEO, Judy Cai, highlighted Albuquerque’s abundant solar resources and favorable renewable energy policies as key factors in the company’s decision to invest in New Mexico. The company plans to leverage its expertise in application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip design to advance solar cell technology, with a focus on TOPCon technology. The Mesa del Sol area is also home to a major project by Maxeon Solar Technologies, which is investing over $1 billion to build a 3.5-GW solar cell and panel manufacturing site. While specific production capacity details for Ebon Solar’s facility have not been disclosed, it is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s solar manufacturing capabilities. This investment by Ebon Solar is anticipated to support the growing demand for renewable energy in the U.S. and contribute to New Mexico’s economic development and sustainability goals.