New model reveals pathway for land-efficient U.S. solar expansion
McGill University researchers, publishing in Communications Earth & Environment, used deep-learning computer vision to analyze 719 solar projects across the Western U.S. The study establishes a new “land-sparing” benchmark, providing developers with precise data to balance rapid capacity expansion with conservation and land-use priorities.
A winter survival checklist for residential solar and storage
Otovo provides tips for solar customers to avoid getting caught with a dead battery or snow-covered panels when the next winter storm hits the grid.
Batteries backing up wastewater plant and replacing generators
Viridi batteries have been deployed in New York to replace diesel generators, accelerating a trend where batteries replace and complement generators of all sizes.
The future of solar is unwritten
Whatever decision the U.S. Department of Commerce makes on polysilicon imports, some market segments are in for a bumpy ride in 2026 as the expiration of tax credits and other policy levers change the trading environment faced by residential installers and others. Jesse Pichel and Lev Seleznov of Roth Capital assess what lies ahead for U.S. solar.
National lab assesses alternatives to “direct transfer trip” that can block solar projects
“Direct transfer trip,” a costly approach to ensure that distributed generation shuts down during a power outage, can make solar projects uneconomical. A national lab report points to a combination of inverter-based approaches as a viable alternative.
Tigo Energy debuts real-time solar equipment commissioning software at IESNA 2026
The solar equipment and software provider said its new platform will help installers complete jobs faster and reduce the need for repeat truck rolls.
OMCO Solar announces acquisition of parent company by global industrial manufacturer MacLean-Fogg
The acquisition brings together two privately held multi-generational businesses with more than 170 years of combined operational history.
Shoals reports record $148 million Q4 revenue, full-year growth of 19%
The company ended 2025 with a record $748 million backlog as expansion into BESS and international markets offset tariff-related margin pressure.
Solar and storage to lead record-breaking 86 GW of new U.S. capacity in 2026
From Texas-sized utility projects to skyrocketing residential battery attach rates, 2026 marks the year solar and storage transition from the electric grid’s fastest-growing additions to its foundational pillars.
Supplier attestations alone won’t satisfy FEOC scrutiny
As MACR thresholds rise under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, traceability audits and contract reviews are becoming essential to avoid long-term tax credit recapture exposure.
