Author

Ben-Zientara_USA-Freelancer-scaled

Ben-Zientara_USA-Freelancer-scaled

Ben Zientara

Ben Zientara is a journalist, writer, and policy analyst in the solar industry, where he has worked since 2014. Currently the Associate Editor of pv magazine USA, his written work has informed a broad variety of audiences, teaching homeowners about the state policy and incentives that enable their dreams of going solar and keeping industry professionals up to date on the latest news about solar technology, finance, legislation, and regulatory policy.

In addition to his written work, Ben has hosted informational videos for the SolarReviews online platform and addressed audiences of industry professionals at multiple NABCEP CE conferences. His solar policy analysis work has been covered by both clean energy trade publications and national media outlets like Fast Company, NPR, Politifact, and the New York Times, and is currently included in the annual Community Power Scorecard from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

[email protected]

Articles written by Ben Zientara

Balcony solar panels installed on a flat Germany

Technology & Products

California-based nonprofit now accepting pre-orders for plug-in solar kits Bright Saver says the solar kits cost exactly what it pays to buy, ship and support them. The wholesale model is supported by a new membership program designed to grow help the group continue to deliver progress on legislative and economic priorities.

Ben Zientara

Jul 14, 2026

Technology & Products

Unigrid unveils sodium-ion residential energy storage systems Unigrid has launched Na+Casa, a sodium-ion residential energy storage system using its proprietary NaCrO₂ cathode technology, claiming a 10,000-cycle lifespan, wide temperature tolerance, and improved safety compared with lithium-ion batteries. The 9.25 kWh wall-mountable system has begun initial European installations, with US launch planned for 2026.

Ben Zientara

Jul 08, 2026

ES Foundry building in South Carolina

Markets & Policy

ES Foundry completes 3 GW solar cell factory expansion The expansion is part of a wave of new solar cell manufacturing capacity in the U.S., expected to reach 20.5 GW by the end of 2027.

Ben Zientara

Jul 08, 2026

NJ State House

Markets & Policy

New Jersey legislature unanimously passes plug-in solar bill New Jersey becomes the tenth state to pass a bill enabling citizens to legally use so-called “balcony solar panels.” The bill is set to take effect six months after it becomes law.

Ben Zientara

Jul 03, 2026

Markets & Policy

Trump administration reportedly drafting ban on Chinese solar inverters The ban, which sources say is being drafted by the Federal Communications Commission, may take effect as early as this year, and follows actions in Europe to restrict funding for projects that use inverters from “high-risk” suppliers.

Ben Zientara

Jul 01, 2026

Markets & Policy

Waaree contests CBP evasion finding, assures no Chinese-origin cells used in U.S. shipments Waaree Energies CEO Jignesh Rathod says the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s findings of tariff evasion relate only to certain historical imports, and that Waaree is pursuing legal remedies that could include seeking a new administrative review of the case.

Ben Zientara

Jun 30, 2026

Markets & Policy

Waaree determined to have evaded AD/CVD orders on solar imports, finds U.S. Customs U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it will require cash deposits for anti-dumping tariffs of up to 271.28% on certain solar modules and cells imported to the U.S. by Waaree Energies between 2021 and 2026.

Ben Zientara

Jun 26, 2026

Hoover building

Markets & Policy

Three U.S. solar companies file petition for AD/CVD investigation into South Korea Canadian Solar, SEG Solar and Heliene USA have filed a petition alleging that Korean solar cell manufacturers (most notably Hanwha Q CELLS) are performing only “minor or insignificant” processing of Chinese solar materials made into cells they import to the United States.

Ben Zientara

Jun 24, 2026

Markets & Policy

Utility-scale solar uses only 0.07% of U.S. prime farmland, says SEIA Released ahead of the U.S. Senate’s consideration of the 2026 farm bill, data shows that land used for utility-scale solar does not exceed 0.5% of prime farmland in any state, and is dwarfed by land used for golf courses and suburban development.

Ben Zientara

Jun 22, 2026

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