Ryan Kennedy
Permitting headwinds and geopolitics drive solar PPA prices higher in Q1
A report from LevelTen Energy finds North American solar PPA prices rose 4.6% in the first quarter of 2026 as developers navigate a complex regulatory and geopolitical environment.
De-risking distributed solar: Foundations are a critical bottleneck
As solar deployment accelerates across the United States, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms are facing a persistent challenge: early-stage construction risks, particularly in foundations, continue to disrupt project timelines.
California powers its massive water pumps with 105 MW Kern County solar project
The state is putting the sun to work on the 2,000-foot heavy lift that keeps California hydrated.
Rewiring global energy security
In today’s geopolitical landscape, the most credible path to national, economic, and energy security is rapid electrification powered by renewables and smart grids, argues Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA).
Solar developers face high-stakes tax credit risks as FEOC rules tighten
New restrictions under the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act are reshaping project bankability, with developers facing a steep learning curve on effective control and material assistance limits.
Kiwa PVEL updates solar module testing protocols to address field failures
The independent test lab introduced test to failure methodologies and expanded hail and mechanical stress sequences to better reflect risks from extreme weather and glass breakage.
Trump DOE proposes 52% budget cut for National Laboratory of the Rockies
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a fiscal year 2027 budget justification that seeks to slash $264 million from its lead renewable energy research center.
SRP flips the switch on 55 MW ‘living lab’ solar project in Arizona
Salt River Project (SRP) has commissioned its first utility-owned solar plant, a 55 MW facility at the Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center. Beyond its immediate generation capacity, the site is being utilized as a testing ground for PV hardware durability and long-duration storage technologies in extreme desert environments.
Virginia expands shared solar, streamlines permitting in affordability push
Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a legislative package releasing 525 MW of new capacity and establishing a statewide automated permitting platform.
U.S. distributed solar capacity grows by 6.8 GW in 2025 as Maine leads on per capita basis
A 2025 update from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) finds that small-scale solar installations accounted for 19% of the 36 GW of total solar capacity added to the national grid last year.
