States take closer look at value of solar, net metering policies
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center identifies notable state policy trends and actions for distributed solar states took during Q2 2025.
PV innovations often originated outside solar sector
Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology highlights 81 unique innovations across a diverse range of research efforts and industries that have impacted PV system costs since 1970, the majority of which originate from outside the sector.
Energy storage microgrid keeps Massachusetts schools powered during outages
Lightshift Energy and Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Commission partnered on an energy storage project to enhance resilience of its schools, while also saving as much as $20 million for customers.
Nexamp self-performs grid interconnection construction to accelerate solar project
The community solar company took interconnection work into its own hands, rather than relying on the electric utility. The company said it reduces both time and cost to self-perform the work.
Agrivoltaic shading, full-sun fields gives farmers the power to pivot
Research conducted at the oldest agrivoltaic research site in the United States found year-to-year weather variability impacts agrivoltaic crop production, emphasizing the importance in conducting studies across multiple years.
Low-income housing in Boston to save over $800,000 on bills with rooftop solar
Four solar projects for a 104 unit multifamily were supported by the 30% federal investment tax credit, plus a 10% adder for its designation as a low-income community project – credits that are soon going away under the new Republican budget bill.
NREL, CubicPV achieves 24% efficiency for perovskite mini solar module
A U.S.-based collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and CubicPV has yielded a perovskite minimodule with certified efficiency of 24.0%. The two noted that it is the first time a U.S. effort has set a record in the perovskite mini module category.
First Solar to integrate quantum dots to boost efficiency
Quantum dot technology promises to boost bifacial solar module output. The company entered into a supply agreement with specialist UbiQD.
Budderfly activates multi-region virtual power plant
The company is now running grid flexibility services for small and mid-sized business customers across the CAISO, NE-ISO, PJM, and SPP independent system operator grids.
RFP alert: Massachusetts takes steps toward 40 GWh of energy storage
The Commonwealth issued a draft request for proposals of 1.5 GW of batteries with storage durations of 4 to 10 hours, primarily funded through the state’s Clean Peak Standard. The procurement is part of a broader effort to procure 5 GW of energy storage by 2030.
