Ryan Kennedy
The richest silver mine isn’t underground: It’s in solar panels
As primary silver grades decline and solar demand surges, the industry must transition from viewing retired panels as waste to treating them as high-grade mineral reserves essential for the energy transition.
New model reveals pathway for land-efficient U.S. solar expansion
McGill University researchers, publishing in Communications Earth & Environment, used deep-learning computer vision to analyze 719 solar projects across the Western U.S. The study establishes a new “land-sparing” benchmark, providing developers with precise data to balance rapid capacity expansion with conservation and land-use priorities.
A winter survival checklist for residential solar and storage
Otovo provides tips for solar customers to avoid getting caught with a dead battery or snow-covered panels when the next winter storm hits the grid.
The future of solar is unwritten
Whatever decision the U.S. Department of Commerce makes on polysilicon imports, some market segments are in for a bumpy ride in 2026 as the expiration of tax credits and other policy levers change the trading environment faced by residential installers and others. Jesse Pichel and Lev Seleznov of Roth Capital assess what lies ahead for U.S. solar.
Shoals reports record $148 million Q4 revenue, full-year growth of 19%
The company ended 2025 with a record $748 million backlog as expansion into BESS and international markets offset tariff-related margin pressure.
Solar and storage to lead record-breaking 86 GW of new U.S. capacity in 2026
From Texas-sized utility projects to skyrocketing residential battery attach rates, 2026 marks the year solar and storage transition from the electric grid’s fastest-growing additions to its foundational pillars.
Google to deploy world’s largest iron-air battery for Minnesota data center
The 300 MW / 30 GWh multi-day storage system from Form Energy will be paired with 1.6 GW of new renewables to facilitate Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy goals.
Beyond rectangles: How geometry-constrained optimization can unlock more rooftop solar
Rethinking solar panel geometry beyond the traditional rectangle can unlock significant energy potential by optimizing coverage on complex, irregular rooflines.
U.S. energy storage shatters records with 58 GWh installed in 2025
A new quarterly report from SEIA and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence highlights a 30% year-over-year growth in the U.S. battery market, even as the industry braces for supply chain restructuring and a shift in the political landscape.
VDE Americas releases “Physical Work Test” playbook to clear OBBBA regulatory hurdles
With the July 4 “start of construction” deadline looming, a new technical memorandum provides a roadmap for developers to navigate the end of the 5% safe harbor and secure tax credit eligibility.
