People on the move: ESS Tech, Xcel Energy and more
Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy transition finance.
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.
Solar LCOE to fall 30% by 2035, says BloombergNEF
Analysis from BloombergNEF finds the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a typical fixed-axis solar farm increased by 6% year-on-year in 2025 to stand at $39/MWh, but innovation and competition are expected to see costs fall by 30% through to 2035.
The changing US solar supply chain
Demand in the US solar market remained broadly stable in 2025, but the supply-side landscape told a markedly different story. Shipments to the United States from major vertically integrated module manufacturers plunged by more than 40% year on year in the first half. Analysis from InfoLink’s Alan Tu reveals that the challenge lies not in end-market demand, but in whether supply chains can effectively function under current conditions.
Base Power takes first step into distributed energy storage market for regulated utilities
The Texas company says its new front-of-the-meter distributed battery program with El Paso Electric will help the utility manage demand and provide resilience for homeowners who host the systems.
Octopus Energy invests $1 billion in California clean technology
Octopus Energy will acquire a solar and storage project in California that is expected to be operational by July as part of its investment. The UK-based company, active across major markets in Europe, Australia, China and the United States, says California’s clean technology sector will “bring innovation, growth and returns to the UK.”
Navigating the OBBBA cliff for solar tax credits
The passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025 brought forward deadlines for PV projects to receive U.S. tax credits introduced by previous legislation, and set new requirements to demonstrate start of construction and other eligibility criteria. Project developers must move quickly to adapt to this new regulatory landscape.
Why annual GHI maps can mislead solar risk assessments
According to SolarGIS, single-year irradiance anomalies shouldn’t be used to reveal long-term trends or structural shifts in solar resource risk.
How battery deployment in the Eastern U.S. could scale as in Texas and California
A study led by two energy lawyers documents the causes of “lagging” battery energy storage deployment in the Eastern U.S. and recommends 15 policy solutions that could help scale BESS deployment.
When the sun sets, batteries rise: 24/7 solar in California
On February 1, 2026, California’s batteries bridged the solar gap with seamless precision. After discharging through the night until sunrise, they spent the daylight hours charging, then pivoted back to exporting power well past midnight—effectively sustaining the state on solar energy for a full 24-hour cycle.
