In case you missed it: Six big solar stories in the news this week
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Community solar bill passes Pennsylvania House after years of stalemate
Despite previous failed attempts, Pennsylvania’s House passed a bill to authorize community solar and natural gas programs to a state with surging energy demands but sluggish energy growth.
Local opposition threatens clean energy transition
Unprecedented local opposition and anti-solar local ordinances, along with softened federal support from the Trump administration, is driving a need for a new generation of state solar rights statutes, researchers conclude in a forthcoming paper from Arizona State University’s College of Law.
Pennsylvania governor energizes Lightning Plan with ‘all-of-the-above’ approach
The plan could add 118 GW of solar to the PJM by 2040.
GE Vernova brings its solar inverter manufacturing home to the U.S.
The utility-scale inverters will be manufactured at GE Vernova’s Pittsburgh facility as part of a $10 million investment.
Sunrise brief: Breaking ground for one of largest U.S. solar projects
Also on the rise: Thornova Solar starts solar cell, module production in Indonesia due to changing U.S. market regulations. Intersolar acquires Midwest Solar Expo. And more.
Up to 25 MW of solar will benefit ordinary customers of Philadelphia-area utility
Citizens groups won an order requiring the utility PECO to secure up to 25 MW of solar power, which will be Pennsylvania’s largest solar procurement serving ordinary customers.
Pennsylvania queued solar projects would increase total capacity 18x
Analysis by LandGate shows that Pennsylvania has 562 MW of solar power operating, with 10,469 MW waiting in queues.
Hitachi Energy expands transformer and switchgear manufacturing
The company plans to expand its high-voltage switchgear and breakers factory in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, a distribution, power, and traction transformer factory in South Boston, Virginia, and to build a distribution transformer factory in Mexico.
Cleanleaf Energy O&M portfolio grows to 1.8 GW
Cleanleaf, spun out of Borrego in 2022, signed agreements with Heelstone Renewable Energy to provide O&M services to five solar projects in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
