Renewable energy development can be the catalyst for restoring our economic strength post-Covid-19. Founders of Navajo Power along with Kevin De Leon, Los Angeles City Council candidate, make their case.

Also in the brief: Tesla’s Q Con virtual power plant presentation, the University of Arkansas’ solar design contest, M&A during the pandemic, dodecahedrons and more

The company claimed 25.2% of the residential solar module market, while controlling 13.3% of the commercial and industrial market, according to WoodMac’s Q1 2020 U.S. PV Leaderboard. The achievement marks the first time Q Cells has topped both markets, as well as the first time any company has held a residential market share of 25% or greater.

The funding was led by an existing investor of FreeWire, BP, and will allow the company to commercialize its upcoming Boost EV Charger, as well as expand operations across the United States and into Europe.

Also in the brief: California regulators will include avoided transmission costs to the valuation of distributed energy resources, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has signed two power contracts, Philadelphia has reopened its Solarize Philly program and more.

Building on stretches of 100% renewable generation in late 2019, the island met 56% of its electrical demand with renewables over the year, easily surpassing state and local goals.

Historically underreported by the U.S. Fire Administration, Lawrence Shaw of Higher Powered, LLC has found that fires at solar installations rose 36% from 2017 to 2018. With residential installations representing the majority of fires, he believes mandated infrared imaging could be the key to bringing the number down.

A new report released by Mercom Capital shows that while funding is down from Q4 2019, it is up substantially year-over-year.

Also in the brief: Boston Scientific goes renewable in American operations, a semi-temporary solar farm for Holy Cross Energy, a roadmap to Pandemic Resilience and more.

1.36 GW of PV modules were shipped in February to go along with 1.49 GW shipped in January. These figures are below the single month record of 1.96 GW, established in December 2019. Yet, while the number of modules shipped is decreasing, the price per kW rose drastically in February.