Illinois Shines celebrates Walldog Solar, one of the program’s 171 approved agrivoltaics projects
As the Illinois Shines program approaches 4 GW of approved capacity, it’s offering a closer look at one special traditional community solar installation with agrivoltaic and pollinator-friendly attributes.
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.
U.S. community solar passes 10 GW milestone despite market contraction
The industry installed 1.4 GW in 2025, a drop from 2024 levels as leading markets like New York and Maine slowed.
Minnesota community solar garden program officially named for House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman
Hortman’s legacy shapes how Minnesota approaches energy policy and her impact extends nationwide as the program continues to be a model followed by other states.
California school district completes 3.5 MW solar and energy modernization project
The project spans 12 sites and is projected to deliver $48 million in cost savings over the next 20 years.
Vertical rooftop PV debuts in the U.S.
Norwegian vertical solar specialist Over Easy Solar has installed its first rooftop vertical solar installation in the U.S. market. The 100 kW system, combined with a green roof in New York, is expected to deliver around 120,000 kWh annually depending on factors including albedo, azimuth and local shadowing.
PowerBank announces $1.1M in new funding for New York community solar project
The 7.1 MW Jordan Rd 2 project funding announcement comes nearly one month after similar news about the company’s 7 MW Jordan Rd 1 project. Both installations will operate as community solar facilities following construction.
U.S. small-scale solar hit record 1.9 GW in Q4 2025
Distributed solar accounted for 15% of all new U.S. power capacity in 2025 as residential and community projects reached record installation levels.
Solar and wind reach record 17% of U.S. power generation
The combined output from wind and utility-scale solar reached a record 760,000 GWh last year, accounting for 17% of total U.S. electricity generation as the sector scales to meet intensifying load growth.
Minnesota LMI community solar reaches 179 MW amid regulatory shifts
The state’s shift to a “capped” system means developers are now racing for limited space. The program exceeds its goals for low-income participation, addressing access gaps in the energy transition.
