Solar, wind and storage reliably power Texas grid during unexpected coal shutdown
Solar and wind generated 40.2% of the ERCOT grid’s electricity this year through June. When coal plants shut down for unexpected maintenance, solar and wind stepped in, providing about 50% of generation during peak summer demand in the highest electricity consuming state in the union.
California solar curtailment down 12% on back of batteries
For the first five months of 2025, CAISO data showed solar electricity curtailment declined by 12% as a share of generation, falling from 13% to 11.5%, even as solar output grew 18% year over year. During this period, however, curtailment still rose 4.1% in absolute terms, with March showing a 28% increase, matching the prior year’s peak.
Sunbolt introduces pre-assembled solar “backyarder” kit
The kit includes two 50 W solar panels, a 400 W inverter, and two batteries and powers devices directly with 120V GFCI ports and USB ports.
Solestial designing space solar array with shorter lead time
The U.S.-based manufacturer of silicon solar PV technologies for space announced a project that requires it to manufacture, assemble and integrate 1 kW of solar cells and modules into a novel solar wing within a four-week time-period.
Renewable energy permits now face “final review” from Trump-appointed Interior head
Solar and wind projects on public lands will now undergo “elevated review” by Department of Interior head Doug Burgum.
Global solar corporate funding declines 39% in the first half of 2025
Solar funding declined year-over-year for venture capital, public market and debt financing, falling from $17.8 billion in the first half of 2024 to $10.8 billion in the first half of 2025, said a report from Mercom Capital Group.
Utility-scale solar project updates: Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin
Geronimo Power breaks ground on a 250 MW project, OCI Energy sells a 120 MW project and DESRI starts construction on a 150 MW solar, 600 MWh battery project.
What utility-scale solar project developers should know about One Big Beautiful Bill
Developers will need to navigate expiring tax credits, stricter “safe harbor” rules and foreign content restrictions.
MN8 Energy secures $575 million for nearly 1 GW of solar
The company closed its senior secured notes for a distributed and utility-scale solar and storage portfolio with Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking.
Solar is 77.7% of new capacity added to U.S. grid in 2025
Solar reached 11% of U.S. electric generation capacity, said data through April from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
