New report finds adoption of solar permitting best practices eludes even the best states
The all-new Solar Permitting Scorecard grades all 50 states on how well they support straightforward residential solar permitting. The report finds that bureaucratic barriers significantly increase costs in all states, with only two states managing to earn a “B” grade.
Agrivoltaics for turnips
Researchers in Canada found that semi-transparent cadmium telluride and low-transparency crystalline silicon solar panels can boost turnip root and leaf yields in agrivoltaic systems by optimizing light quality, distribution, and heat stress. Their study highlights that PV module type, transparency, and spectral transmission must be carefully matched to plant physiology to maximize both crop productivity and renewable energy generation.
Budderfly raises $550 million to scale its Energy-as-a-Service platform
The Connecticut-based company secured an additional $250 million, reaching $550 million total, led by Global Infrastructure Partners to accelerate the deployment of solar and energy efficiency upgrades across the U.S. commercial mid-market.
Private deals, public marketplace breaking the quiet bottleneck of solar sales
The solar industry continues to innovate as demand reaches new sales levels, yet outdated transaction models remain a significant barrier to growth.
AI data center developers eye solid-state transformers for AI power density
The race for more computing power per square meter has put solid-state transformers (SST) high on the agenda for AI data center developers, who see full-DC as the system architecture that will maximize efficiency. Dafna Granot, senior manager strategy and innovation at SolarEdge, explains what the switch means and why it matters, as the inverter and energy storage manufacturer prepares to launch its own transformer product in time for the next generation of AI chips.
Second-life EV batteries approved for data center microgrid expansion
Crusoe and Redwood Energy are scaling a microgrid in Sparks, Nevada, by using repurposed electric vehicle batteries and solar to supply additional modular data centers.
Zelestra secures $600 million for 440 MW Texas solar portfolio to supply Meta
The $600 million project financing supports 440 MW of new capacity in the ERCOT market as Big Tech continues to dominate a shifting corporate PPA landscape.
Study finds solar sheep grazing business models outperform agricultural benchmarks
A financial analysis of Ontario-based sheep farming integrated with utility-scale solar reveals EBITDA margins as high as 40%, far exceeding traditional farming returns.
Envisioning IRA 2.0: Restoring U.S. energy leadership
Securing U.S. economic sovereignty through a modernized, long-term framework for domestic manufacturing and grid resilience.
Remote inspection of new residential solar saves time and can improve safety
A report from nonprofit group IREC presents evidence that remote inspection of new residential solar and/or storage installations can yield improved code compliance and safety, compared to on-site inspection. In Texas, installers can hire an approved third-party remote inspector.
