Ryan Kennedy
Solar met 61% of US electricity demand growth in 2025
A record-breaking year for solar generation and a leap in battery capacity have shifted the US energy landscape, turning solar into a primary workhorse for meeting the nation’s surging power needs.
First Solar wins key round in TOPCon patent dispute
The U.S. federal patent office rejected separate challenges from JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar and Mundra Solar to invalidate intellectual property that First Solar claims is fundamental to the manufacturing of crystalline silicon solar cells.
US court approves Amazon acquisition of 1.2 GW Oregon solar project
A US bankruptcy court approved Amazon’s purchase of the 1.2 GW Sunstone solar and battery storage project in Oregon from bankrupt developer Pine Gate Renewables.
Electricity rate hikes slash commercial solar payback periods in US by 33%, says Wood Mackenzie
Soaring utility costs and rising power demand are recalibrating the financial outlook for the United States non-residential solar market.
Enphase begins shipping GaN-based commercial microinverters
The new IQ9N-3P microinverter utilizes gallium nitride technology to deliver 427 VA of peak power and 97.5% efficiency for the 480 V three-phase commercial market.
Court rules Trump Administration funding cut to clean energy projects unlawful
A federal judge determined the Department of Energy lacks the authority to claw back funds already obligated to clean energy projects.
California introduces bill to legalize plug-in balcony solar
A new bill in California is designed to allow small plug-in solar systems to connect directly to household outlets by reclassifying them as appliances, removing utility interconnection and permitting requirements.
TOYO secures US polysilicon to navigate solar trade barriers
TOYO Co. Ltd. has signed a one-year supply contract with a US-based polysilicon producer to source domestically made material for its solar manufacturing plants in Ethiopia and Texas.
US state repurposes wastewater land for 250 MW solar plant
Consumers Energy has switched on a 250 MW solar project in western Michigan built on an active municipal wastewater treatment site, using a dedicated 138 kV grid connection.
Google acquires Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion
Google is set to acquire solar and storage developer Intersect Power, arming itself with the tools to bypass grid bottlenecks and build the projects that will power its AI data centers.
