The agreement includes a direct investment of $100 million by the utility to fund 200 MW of solar projects across the installer’s national portfolio.

The independent power producer reached 1 GW of operating solar projects before the calendar turned to 2017.

When Abigail “Abby” Ross Hopper assumes her duties as president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association next week, it signals a new course for the national association and ushers in an era when the five most powerful association positions in the U.S. solar industry will be held by women.

In the past eight years under President Obama, the solar industry has advanced from a tiny niche market to the country’s largest energy employer – though more work remains to be done.

SEIA has officially announced that Abby Hopper, will start her duties at SEIA on Jan. 17. Hopper previously served as the head of the Maryland Energy Association and was an energy advisor to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, during whose administration Maryland developed a progressive solar policy.

The Utility of the Future report decries poor state-level rate-making, mythical cross-subsidies by non-solar customers, and economies of scale as reasons that adding more distributed PV to utilities’ portfolios make little long-term economic sense.

The reported choice to lead SEIA served as the head of the Maryland Energy Association and was an energy advisor to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, during whose administration Maryland developed a progressive solar policy.

The deal, financed by Investec and Silicon Valley Bank, will be fund more systems around the country for the residential solar financier.

Using 1366’s groundbreaking kerfless silicon wafers and Hanwha’s proprietary PERC cell process, the cells’ remarkable performance was verified by an independent testing firm.

While the Arizona Corporation Commission decided to grandfather current solar customers for 20 years from the interconnection days, new customers will only receive 10 years — which will hurt both solar lessees, loan-holders and potential cash deals.