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It's time to regroup
After spending months trying to predict what would happen to the Inflation Reduction Act under the Trump presidency, we finally have answers, for better or worse.
While there were some small wins in the final bill to make the administration's about-face on solar slightly less damaging, it's still an incredibly challenging moment for the industry. Residential solar credits will end this year. Large-scale solar incentives are on the clock, with potentially prohibitive supply chain requirements starting next year and a president who can still use executive orders to throw even more curveballs. With the IRA's help, the country went from installing a cumulative 20 GW of solar in 2022 to more than 40 GW each year that followed. It's unclear what HR1's impacts on those numbers will be in 2026 and beyond.
It's a weird time to be heading to the solar industry's biggest tradeshow. The past four have felt exceedingly hopeful, as well as just plain huge. So many companies expanding, so many entering the market thanks to Biden-era support of renewable energy. We're not sure what to expect in this first RE+ in the "after" times, but we'll still be reporting on the policy, products and services you need to know to help you do the best job possible even under less-than-ideal political circumstances.
In this issue, we explore the changes coming from HR1 in all sectors of the solar industry. We also have a preview of highlights to expect on the floor at RE+, because the show must go on despite these new hurdles. As SEIA President Abby Hopper said in her response to HR1's passage, “Regardless of what happens in Washington in the coming months and years, markets will continue to drive outcomes."
We're hopeful that the industry can come together to commiserate and then find a path forward together at RE+. Thanks for sticking with us. SPW
jpowers@wtwhmedia.com kmisbrener@wtwhmedia.com
Rooftop solar installers prepare to pivot without incentives.
HR1 key takeaways
Experts unpack HR1’s colossal changes to solar incentives.
Inverters
The solar industry is still debating rapid shutdown requirements.
Panels
Perovskite manufacturing can maximize solar panel efficiency.
Mounting
Homeowners find many benefits to ground-mount solar projects.
Storage
Energy storage keeps incentives in HR1, but can it still thrive alone?
Residential solar installers are bracing for impact and reassessing their business models as they prepare to lose the residential solar tax credit after December 31, 2025.
RE+ returns to Las Vegas this September. In this special section, check out a preview of the solar, storage and energy products that will be on display across two huge convention halls. PAGE 57
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A GUIDE TO RECENT LEGISLATION AND RESEARCH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
Commerce reveals prelim antidumping tariffs on Chinese battery anode material
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Dept. of Commerce revealed its preliminary antidumping rates in the trade case involving battery anode material from China. Almost every significant battery exporter to the United States, including Canadian Solar, LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, Saft, Samsung and Tesla, was given a 93.5% AD rate.
New AD/CVD investigation launched on solar panels from India, Indonesia and Laos
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade has petitioned the U.S. International Trade Court to investigate potential solar cell and panel dumping from three additional Asian countries — India, Indonesia and Laos. The petitioning trade group includes First Solar, Talon PV, Qcells and Mission Solar.
Virginia State Corporation Commission leaves community solar in limbo with latest ruling
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
The Virginia State Corporation Commission denied the Coalition for Community Solar Access’ petition for reconsideration of its recent ruling affecting shared solar in Appalachian Power Company territory. This decision leaves crucial questions about minimum bill requirements unanswered until later this year — as IRA time ticks down.
Summit Ridge Energy
Nevada governor signs solar policy measures adding consumer protections, HOA access
CARSON CITY, NEVADA
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo recently signed two bills that will establish clearer standards, expand homeowner rights and strengthen consumer protections for rooftop solar customers. SB379 and SB440 will add mandatory oversight by financiers to ensure proper licensing of solar installers, restrict premature payment collection and more.
US launches new tariff investigation into imported polysilicon
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Trump administration initiated a Sec. 232 investigation into the polysilicon industry in July — a law that allows the federal government to impose tariffs on imported products if they are deemed a threat to national security. The Dept. of Commerce has requested public comments on U.S. demand for polysilicon and whether domestic production can meet it.
Gov. Gianforte vetoes Montana community solar legislation
HELENA, MONTANA
Over the summer, Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have created a community solar program in Montana. Solar advocates had sent a letter to the Montana Public Services Commission committing to work hand-in-hand with regulators and lawmakers on the specifics of the program if it is passed.
Dept. of Interior to begin “elevated” review of solar, wind projects on federal lands
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Following a directive from President Donald Trump, the Dept. of the Interior announced that any decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities on public lands will now undergo “elevated review” by Sec. Doug Burgum. Those reviews include leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions.
Oregon governor signs bill paving way for communityowned microgrids
SALEM, OREGON
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill that sets a first-in-the-nation strategy to create a regulatory framework for building microgrids. There are currently no community-owned or operated microgrids in Oregon, and this legislation will make it possible for communities to plan, build, own and value local microgrids that may include solar and energy storage.
Michigan conservatives introduce MAGA Solar bill
LANSING, MICHIGAN
A new Republican-backed bill in Michigan would establish a community solar program for the first time, using a name appealing to the party’s furthest right wing. The “Maximizing American Grid Affordability (MAGA) Solar Act” is “designed to strengthen grid reliability, slash energy bills and secure American energy supply chains from foreign adversaries like China.”
New law allows Maine utilities commission to retroactively change community solar netmetering rates
MAINE
Maine Gov. Janet Mills recently signed a bill that allows the Maine PUC to change community solar net-metering rates “as needed.” The Coalition for Community Solar Access says the law sets a dangerous precedent for Maine’s clean energy future and also prohibits the tariff rate from exceeding 1.5-times the average of the rates set by other states in the region for community solar.
Minnesota legislators vote to preserve community solar program
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
In part due to pressure from solar advocacy organizations, lawmakers voted to protect Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden program rather than cut it in an omnibus energy bill. Minnesotans will now see the results from last year’s program modernization, ensuring that more households can access the benefits of local clean energy.
NJ legislature passes instant online residential solar permitting legislation
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
The New Jersey state legislature unanimously passed a bill in late June to establish statewide solar permitting. The bill would require the state’s Dept. of Community Affairs to make an online, automated permitting platform for rooftop solar and battery installs available statewide within a year. At time of printing, it was awaiting the governor’s signature.
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Mechanical installation
The U.S. solar industry has experienced unprecedented growth with tax credits spurring new PV deployment. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) extended historic incentives that have energized the market on and off for 20 years and introduced bonus credits to further boost savings on solar PV.
For many, these tax credits widened the door for entry to owning a solar project. Then, the Trump Administration devised and signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1), which has axed virtually all solar incentives championed by the IRA. The smallest segment of the market will be the first without them.
Per HR1, the residential investment tax credit (25D) will expire at the end of 2025. Both residential solar and standalone storage projects must be installed by December 31, 2025, to receive the 30% tax credit. However, third party-owned residential PV projects — with leases or power purchase agreements — have a longer runway into 2026.
Third-party ownership isn’t the standard for residential solar, and some states don’t even have policies enabling these PPAs. Many residential installers are independent, regional companies building solar projects to be owned by homeowners.
These credits sunsetting at year’s end threaten the extra momentum residential solar has enjoyed since late 2022 when the IRA was passed. Despite that, contractors in the game long enough know that this isn’t the first time solar subsidies have disappeared.
“There's going to be solar out there without the tax credit. There was solar being installed before the tax credit,” said Aron Cromwell, CEO of Cromwell Solar, a Kansas-based contractor in business since 1982.
How installers adapt to these market shifts will ultimately determine who remains in business post-IRA.
Market realities
Cromwell Solar originally offered indoor environmental remediation services like asbestos removal and eventually got into solar installation. The company has installed solar in Kansas (which is 50th in the nation for total installed solar capacity, according to Solar Energy Industries Association rankings) since the technology cost $12/W. Cromwell Solar was able to boost installation from utility rebates in neighboring states.
One of those was the Missouri Clean Energy Act, which was introduced by a former Cromwell Solar employee and passed into law in 2008. It enacted a renewable energy standard in the state requiring utilities to source 15% of their electricity supply from renewables. Solar
projects below 25 kW could receive a rebate of up to $2/W.
Then one day in 2013, it was gone.
“It was an absolute bloodbath in the industry. There was no warning. There was no off-ramp,” Cromwell said. “It was overnight, and it was actually because the utility calculated their cap wrong and they had to undo it.”
While the ITC is making an abrupt exit in the residential solar market come 2026, customers are clamoring to take advantage of the federal tax credit while it’s still active. This demand, while likely temporary, is still new business in the short-term.
“At first, I was scratching my head like, ‘Why? Why is this happening?’ But now, as I rethink it, it really, on the residential
side, was a huge jumpstart to sales,” said Melissa Sims, managing member with Ecological Systems, a New Jersey solar contractor founded in 1985. “We don't have a lot of time but … since the Fourth of July, our requests have come in probably three- to four-times what is the normal volume.”
Electricity prices are increasing from inflation, upgrading outdated grid infrastructure, the addition of new data centers and the country’s reprioritization of fossil fuel energy sources in HR1.
“I’ve been praying for the day that the cost of electricity is high enough and the cost of our materials, our installations, are low enough that we don't need any incentives,” Cromwell said. “Because I've watched over and over the number of
Residential solar will be the first market to lose vital incentives from the IRA. Solar-Fit
solar companies that just balloon and then pop. Then it happens all over again on a cycle. I want all the incentives that we can get for the industry. It's good for us. But I, at the same time, just wish we could live without them.”
SERVICE LEADERS
the residential market was left with many abandoned solar projects.
TOP 9
Adjacent services
Sales Partners
Once the dust has settled and the subsidies have ended, the demand for new solar installations may not be as high, but demand for maintenance on existing installs will continue to grow.
The effects of HR1 were felt before it even passed, with manufacturers and high-profile solar installation companies like Sunnova filing for bankruptcy. Before then, there was a wave of closures and slowdown in private solar financing from rising interest rates. Even prior to President Donald Trump’s second term,
If companies cannot survive without these subsidies, more home arrays will likely be left without their original installers. Customers will need someone to maintain these systems and reliable solar contractors have the chance to assist.
“There's a heck of a lot of solar panels out there,” Cromwell said. “Maintenance is a whole different sort of market, different sort of business, but it’s related, and a lot of folks [in solar] have those skills.”
The work isn’t stagnant, either. When maintaining or reinstalling systems, there’s an opportunity to update them with new PV modules or energy storage.
While they won’t be as affordable without the subsidies, solar and energy storage technologies reportedly cost their
lowest in 2024. Energy storage adoption has increased alongside solar through these waning subsidies, and it makes sense in states like California that have altered net-metering compensation based on time-of-use rates. Energy storage has been especially valuable in regions of the country that have been hit the hardest by Florida since 1975. “Most of the systems
to view the full lists of contractors for each market, service and state on our website.
Operations
With the right experience, it’s possible to offer general electrician services in addition to PV. Roofs often need replaced or repaired when commissioning solar too.
“We have no control over the political arena,” Gallagher said. “We either adjust, or we vanish.”
Additional resources and operational strategies
Residential solar installers have a chance to assess their businesses before an inevitable market shift in 2026. Focusing on aspects of operations like company overhead, relationships with vendors, related trades and customers and expansion opportunities can mean the difference between shuttering and staying on the roof.
“Because we've been in a marginal solar market for so long, we've had to be very nimble,” Cromwell said. “We have a large geographical reach. We do commercial, we do residential, we do institutional. We'll do batteries, generators … It is important.”
To stay informed on the latest federal and regional solar policy shifts, contractors should stay in touch with national, state and local industry groups.
These groups help to shape policy that bolsters the market and petition against proposals that threaten it. Sims with Ecological Systems serves as an at-large board director for the Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Industries Association.
“You don’t have to be on the board to do that. Anybody can do that,” she said. “Having that support from other companies, having lobbyists, having people reading the legislation who are understanding it, because that's another tricky part — when you have to read these 1,000-page documents, and they don't read that easy. They're written by lawyers, written by scholars, not written by a layperson.”
Just because federal solar subsidies are waning, doesn’t mean regional state and utility credits are off the table. By focusing on regional solar policy efforts, considering expanded service offerings and assessing business operations, contractors can persevere through this challenging time.
“I've always said that when you tighten your belt, it makes your shoulders look bigger,” Gallagher said. “Stay lean, stay energized. Have a positive attitude. Just figure out a way to pivot — to turn that lemon into lemonade.” SPW
“We have no control
arena. We either adjust, or we vanish.”
BILL GALLAGHER
how secured solar PV to the roof and vertical façade of this unique metal building
Photo courtesy of Namaste Solar
HR1 FAST FACTS:
Big changes coming to solar incentives in the U.S.
The solar incentives that led to explosive growth under the IRA are phasing out after President Donald Trump signed his keystone budget bill, HR1. Solar Power World editors talked to tax and law experts to help clear up confusion around the changes ahead in three main incentive categories — residential, large-scale and manufacturing.
RESIDENTIAL
SOLAR INCENTIVE CHANGES
• Requires installations to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025, to receive 30% 25D ITC.
• Ends the residential solar and standalone storage ITC after Dec. 31, 2025, with no phasedown.
• Projects may not necessarily need to be interconnected to the grid by Dec. 31 to collect the credit.
• Unused residential ITC credits can be carried forward into future tax years beyond 2025 if applicable.
• Third-party-owned residential solar leasing companies can still collect 48E ITC for longer term.
EXPERT INSIGHTS FROM CHRISTOPHER MCLOON, TAX LAWYER AT LAW FIRM COZEN O’CONNOR.
SPW: The language in HR1 terminates the residential ITC for “expenditures made” after Dec. 31, 2025. What does this term mean?
McLoon: IRS guidance on this question states that “expenditures made” means expenditures paid or incurred for property installed. Expenditures are treated as “made” when the property is installed, not before. Accordingly, HR1 amends the residential clean energy credit such that it will cease to apply to any “qualified solar electric property” that is installed after Dec. 31, 2025, regardless of when the expenditures were paid or incurred.
Is there some leeway in that the law doesn’t specify that an installation requires a PTO letter by Dec. 31, 2025, to qualify, which could allow for some projects to be installed by the deadline, but interconnect later if the queue is full?
Yes. The law states that the credit is available for expenditures made for property that is “placed in service.” The term “placed in service” means to be in a
KELLY PICKEREL, KELSEY MISBRENER, BILLY LUDT • SOLAR POWER WORLD EDITORIAL
SPW: Has safe harbor been affected by HR1? Kho: The current safe harbor provisions — including those for domestic content — remain in effect for projects that begin construction before the effective date of the HR1 changes.
Do bonus adders still exist through the end of the ITC?
Yes, the bonus adders for the ITC, including the domestic content, energy community and low-income community bonus credits, still exist and are available through the end of the ITC period under HR1. There is no indication that these bonus adders have been repealed or sunset before the end of the ITC period.
Where does the domestic solar industry stand in the foreign entity of concern (FEOC) situation?
HR1 imposes strict prohibitions on the use of components or materials from prohibited foreign entities — including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran — for projects seeking federal tax credits under Secs. 45Y and 48E. Solar and other clean energy projects that include panels, inverters or other components manufactured, assembled or containing critical minerals from these entities are ineligible for credits if construction begins after Dec. 31, 2025. The act requires taxpayers to obtain and retain supplier certifications and comply with new recordkeeping and reporting requirements, but it does not mandate a universal “FEOC-free supply chain” certification for all manufacturers. These new rules represent a significant tightening of eligibility
and are expected to have a substantial impact on sourcing, supply chains and credit eligibility for the U.S. solar industry.
How has this affected direct pay and transferability?
HR1 did not repeal or materially change the direct pay or transferability provisions for the ITC as they apply to nonresidential solar projects. Non-residential solar project owners can still utilize direct pay if they are an “applicable entity” (such as a tax-exempt organization or government entity) or transfer the ITC to an unrelated taxpayer for cash, as established by the IRA.
SOLAR MANUFACTURING
CREDIT CHANGES
• New FEOC requirements restrict companies that are more than 50% owned by Chinese stakeholders (government, companies or citizens) from collecting 45X incentives starting in 2026.
• Solar manufacturers cannot collect 45X if more than 50% of component parts come from an FEOC in 2026. The threshold decreases each year until it reaches 15% in 2030.
• Storage manufacturers cannot collect 45X if more than 60% of component parts come from an FEOC in 2026. The threshold decreases each year until it reaches 15% in 2030.
SPW: Was anything changed with 45X in HR1 that affects solar and storage components?
Moore: FEOC was a significant change. With FEOC, you have the taxpayer and then you have the component. There are different restrictions depending on which you are. The taxpayer restrictions are the specified foreign entity
restrictions that are based on country, but it also gets into the ownership structure of the company. If you’re 51% Chineseowned and you’re not a dual-citizen of the United States, that puts you into that specified foreign entity bucket. If you’re that, you’re cut off starting in 2026 from receiving the 45X tax credit.
Then for the material assistance provision, that’s based on a couple variables and it changes over time. It’s complicated. What it boils down to is the ability to be confident in knowing your supply chain and knowing your suppliers.
Do you think the FEOC rules make it more difficult for products to be considered American? For example, if a solar panel uses a wafer with even a small Chinese component, does it negate the whole product?
I don’t think it’s that extreme. The House language was that scenario, but the Senate moved away. The reason they went to this equation was to give additional flexibility to American manufacturers. I don’t think there’s an American manufacturer that doesn’t have something
in their supply chain from China. Those were the conversations on Capitol Hill — FEOC is fine to put in the bill, but we have to do it in such a way that we can actually comply, because there’s going to be a widget in there that’s coming from China, and that’s true for everyone.
You can imagine the 45X tax credit may simply dry up. If it’s impossible to meet the thresholds that are set by the government, then that would advantage Chinese manufacturers. They already have a price point advantage. So this could backfire depending on the implementation.
Did HR1 confirm that manufacturers can “stack” incentives? For example, if a solar panel company makes the wafers and cells in the same facility, can that company get credits for both products?
Credit stacking is generally allowed if the primary qualifying component and the secondary component incorporating it are produced at the same facility, and if at least 65% of the secondary component’s direct costs are from
U.S.-sourced primary components. You can still stack, but there are additional qualifications.
With solar projects losing the ITC sooner and the domestic content bonus credit that comes with it, do you see future solar projects being less incentivized to use domestic product?
Treasury has an opportunity to issue regulations in a workable way to mitigate that scenario. There’s a price point, but there are other reasons that you would buy American — maybe national security. There have been concerns raised around utility-scale inverters coming from China with inappropriate equipment. If the price point is close, maybe a buyer would go with an American company.
Right now, a Chinese company has such a competitive advantage. They’re going to win on price alone. But if 45X is still there, and as long as FEOC can be complied with, American companies are going to be able to take advantage of that and win based on price, regardless of the domestic content adder. SPW
decade, rapid shutdown of solar arrays
Inverter Technology
The magic of solar panels — that they generate energy simply using rays from the sun — also makes them tricky to turn off when things go wrong.
When firefighters arrive to battle a blaze at a home without solar panels, they can shut off the main power and rest assured there is no dangerous voltage in the home. When a rooftop solar array is involved, it's a different story.
"Let's face it, you look at a PV panel, there's no off button. There's no switch to turn it off. The moment you take it out of the box and expose it to any light source sufficient enough to start generating power, it's up, and that's why the code requires several disconnects," said Dean Austin, senior electrical content specialist at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The requirement for “rapid shutdown” of a solar array was established in the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) by the NFPA with the goal of protecting firefighters from high DC voltage in house fires with rooftop solar. The concept was introduced by the National Electrical Contractors Association, solar installers and inverter manufacturers via public input to the NFPA, Austin said. The NFPA then created a task group of firefighters and solar stakeholders to determine fire safety design requirements.
The resulting module-level rapid shutdown requirements under NEC 690.12 added new design constraints to residential and commercial rooftop solar projects, requiring a switch that reduces the voltage of each panel within 30 seconds. Along with rapid shutdown devices (RSDs), microinverters can also satisfy the requirements, since they convert the high-voltage DC power to lower AC power at the panel-level.
A few years later, the NEC was further updated to allow UL 3741-compliant PV hazard control systems to satisfy rooftop fire safety requirements too. For this method, solar components are tested together to ensure they're not dangerous to a first responder in full gear. Approved products could then be used in place
Inverter Technology
of RSDs and other module-level power electronics (MLPE), but the string inverters are required to be installed no more than 12 in. from the array. This is usually an easy option for commercial projects but not residential rooftops. That leaves rapid shutdown as the main option for the residential market.
RSD troubles
While the goal of rapid shutdown is important, it's not without issues. Requirements to install more power electronics in tough rooftop conditions, along with more of one particularly failure-prone component, have frustrated some residential installers and engineering companies. A few have even questioned if they're actually making systems safer — or the opposite.
"On the surface, rapid shutdown sounds like a good idea. It's not a bad thing to get the DC voltage down very quickly to a low number. But the problem
Tigo Energy’s TS4-A-F rapid shutdown device.
is in the implementation. It's kind of a race to the bottom with manufacturers of rapid shutdown units, and to trust really any electronics to last for 25 or 30 years and be perfect is asking a lot when it's outdoors, underneath very hot solar panels," said Peter Greenberg, owner of Oregon solar installer Energy Wise Services, and a former firefighter and paramedic.
Greenberg said he has installed numerous RSD brands that have overheated, melted or even caught fire on projects, but it's still difficult to point to a cause of the failures.
"A big problem is, if there is a fire, nobody talks about it. People get insurance settlements, they sign NDAs and nobody talks," he said. "I've talked to different committees and they say, 'Well, show us. Show us proof that these things aren't good.' There is no proof.”
Connector conundrum
One known issue on solar projects that is exacerbated by RSDs is connector failures. In a study focused on inspections of 5 GW of commercial and utility-scale projects, engineering firm HelioVolta found 83% suffered from at least one connector-related issue.
“It’s absurd that one of the cheapest components in a PV system is responsible for the industry’s most notorious failures,” said David Penalva, CEO of HelioVolta, of the study. “We’re talking about a dollar’s worth of plastic and metal putting multimillion-dollar assets — and people — at risk. It’s unacceptable.”
There are more than 200 connector brands on the market for joining module strings and MLPE, but NEC restricts cross-mating of different brands. When connectors don't match, installers need to use jumpers, which are cable extensions that match with cable brand A on one side and B on the other. Every connection adds more potential failure points to a project.
"It's already complicated if you have components that are not matching, but when you add the MLPE, everything gets exponential," said David Penalva, co-founder of HelioVolta. "Now you're dealing not only with the module connectors, but now the MLPE connectors, and if they don't match, you have to now add the third one, which is the jumper. And we've been having a lot of issues with jumpers."
The sheer number of different connector options increases the possibility of installation error. Expecting installers
to keep up with 200+ user manuals is not realistic, Penalva said. There are plenty of reputable brands that installers know well, but also many other Chinesemanufactured non-UL-listed connectors that don't have any documentation. Regardless of brand reliability, any number of connectors involved increases potential failure points on a project.
HelioVolta published a risk analysis in its latest "PV Connectors: The State of the Field" report that shows projects using module-to-MLPE jumpers have the highest risk, largely due to the sheer number of connectors on the project. Penalva said HelioVolta has been involved in several fires associated with MLPE.
"Sometimes developers or asset owners don't realize how much more risk they are taking by making a decision on the system configuration," Penalva said.
Firefighter perspective
Retired firefighter-captain for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and early solar DIYer Richard Birt said in his early 2000s off-grid home, he had to hardwire electrical boxes on the back of each panel. The industry has come a long way since then but still has much room for improvement.
An MLPE device that melted on a project. HelioVolta
A melted connector. HelioVolta
Inverter Technology
Tigo’s RSS Transmitter with Pure Signal Technology.
"This plug-and-play of these MC4 connectors is brilliant. The trouble is, that little plastic connector is under pressure constantly because of weather, temperature and high voltage. To me, high voltage is like high pressure in a hose," he said.
Birt retired from firefighting in 2020 to focus on Solar And Fire Education (S.A.F.E.), a free program where he travels the world teaching firefighters how to mitigate fire incidents involving solar + storage systems. He too has seen melteddown MLPE in the field.
"I have fire investigators send me pictures of optimizers with a big hole melted through them, and the only
[reason] there's a big hole in an optimizer melted right through on a roof is because there were 600+ volts going through the optimizer," Birt said.
If he had his way, every residential system would use microinverters that convert the DC power to much lower AC voltage at the panel level.
"The critical thing is that MC4 connector is at low pressure [in a microinverter]. It's 70 VDC. If it arcs, there isn't enough juice to make it burn," Birt said. "That microinverter shuts down immediately if there's any kind of arc."
RSD safety efforts
After seeing the studies showing the high
failure rates of connectors, especially nonUL-listed options, MLPE manufacturer Tigo Energy switched to 100% Stäubli MC4 connectors. The company's warranty is now voided if installers use anything else.
As far as MLPE reliability, Tigo stands by its products and points to even more advanced fire protection efforts. While the NEC only requires manual rapid shutdown, Tigo and other RSD manufacturers are producing devices that shut down automatically when they sense an error.
Gal Bauer, senior director of validation, growth and product management at Tigo, recalls getting a call from a customer that a Tigo solar system must be broken,
because it wasn't generating any power. When Tigo representatives got to the site, they found a fallen tree branch had damaged a few modules atop the metal roof, and the rapid shutdown device prevented the system from turning back on in dangerous conditions.
"The tree could've caught fire, the electrical, the conduits with the high DC voltage touching the metal roof could have gotten the whole place electrocuted — totally dangerous. So is rapid shutdown making systems safer? In my opinion, absolutely, yes," Bauer said.
In a quest to keep improving the product, Tigo has also worked to eliminate "crosstalk" issues with its Pure Signal Technology — aiming to cut back on signal interference from the many MLPE units overlapping while communicating over powerlines and erroneously shutting down systems.
Even with Pure Signal Technology, Tigo said installers still need to ensure they're installing systems according to the guidelines.
"It still doesn't mean that installer shouldn't follow good, sound practices. It's like, go back to the analogy of cars, just because you have anti-lock brakes and air bags doesn't mean you should drive crazy, but if you do follow the practices and have Pure Signal, it's less prone to a little bit of human error," said JD Dillon, chief marketing and customer experience officer at Tigo.
Although the requirements have been in place for years now, fire safety requirements are still causing growing pains for the industry. More stringent industry standards for connectors, continuous improvements on rapid shutdown products and stronger installer training on RSDs could be a start to removing some of the risks hanging over residential rooftops. SPW
A thermal camera reveals a hot MLPE. HelioVolta
Why Safe, Fault-Rated Cable Management Matters for Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems
BY SCOTT RAND • CEO AND CO-FOUNDER • AFFORDABLE WIRE MANAGEMENT
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in utility-scale power plants are rapidly gaining momentum in the U.S.—leaping from virtually no capacity in 2020 to nearly 30 gigawatts at the mid-point of 2025. The future looks to be equally promising, as the newly enacted budget bill provides ‘an unlimited runway with respect to storage, at least through 2032’. In fact, the US Energy Information Administration expects 18.2 GW of utility-scale battery storage resources to come online, which is 29% of anticipated capacity additions, second only to solar with 32.5 GW of anticipated new capacity.
Solar-plus-storage applications are a winning combination for several reasons. Battery storage contributes to grid firming by storing excess energy when production is high and releasing it when production drops or demand spikes. Storage also delivers much needed backup power during outages - particularly in areas prone to natural disasters. Moreover, utility-scale BESS can quickly inject or absorb power
to stabilize grid frequency and voltage, making solar a more usable and efficient source of power.
In most utility-scale renewable energy projects, voltages range from 800V to 35kV. While much of the infrastructure is built with metal, some systems—including cable management—still rely on plastic or composite components. In BESS applications, cable management has often been overlooked, with many systems using plastic parts or bundling methods that degrade over time and fail under mechanical stress.
The Case for IEC 61914-Compliant Cable Management
In BESS systems, electrical faults can generate extreme electromagnetic forces capable of violently displacing or damaging conductors. This makes it critical to use cleats and supports that conform to IEC 61914, the international standard for mechanical restraint of cables. Properly engineered systems maintain cable position
and integrity through short-circuit events and throughout the asset’s lifespan.
Plastic-based cable management does not meet this threshold. These materials deteriorate under UV exposure, thermal cycling, and aging, leading to failures that compromise safety and reliability.
In contrast, metal-based systems that conform to IEC 61914:
• Maintain secure conductor positioning during high-magnitude fault events.
• Resist mechanical fatigue from vibration, expansion, and contraction.
• Provide durable, long-lasting performance in harsh environments.
Failing to meet IEC 61914 puts the entire BESS at risk of catastrophic cable and accessory failure. Robust, code-compliant cleating and support infrastructure is not just a best practice— it’s essential for long-term safety, reduced O&M costs, and uninterrupted system performance over the asset’s 20+ year life.
Above-Ground vs. Below-Ground: The Case for Elevated Cable Management
One of the most impactful decisions in any utility-scale project is how to route power and control cables. Traditional below-ground trenching has long been the default approach, but it comes with costly trade-offs:
• Trenching is disruptive to the site, requires extensive excavation, and slows construction timelines.
• Maintenance challenges are substantial. If a cable needs replacement that is underground, operators may need to excavate large areas, increasing downtime and repair costs.
• Trenching is more expensive, with higher risk to the installer.
An above-ground solution reduces or eliminates trenching altogether, providing a safe, efficient, and trenchfree routing for cables within the BESS yard. Above-ground pathways also help minimize the total PVC & conduit used on-site, reducing both material costs and environmental impact. This translates into easy visual inspections, quicker repairs, and faster project installation.
Understanding BESS Layouts: Integrated DC vs. Distributed DC Different BESS manufacturers present unique cable management challenges Integrated DC designs, such as Fluence Smartstack or Tesla Megapack, use a layout where large volumes of cables must be routed from the BESS Containers to the transformer (MVT). These designs are typically pre-integrated and delivered as large modular units. However, the site, ground conditions, and placement differ from project to project.
Given these variables, field-adjustable solutions are critical, as they can accommodate on-the-fly adjustments, reducing rework and installation time. Fixed raceways can often create misalignment issues.
In addition, if deploying a raceway, having the raceway that can be platformrated for worker access adds safety and operational value. All BESS and MVT units require periodic maintenance, inspections, and sometimes emergency
interventions. If the raceways are structurally rated as platforms, workers can safely walk or stand on them without the need for temporary scaffolding or additional access structures.
In all, a raceway and cleating system as described above will simplify cable routing, reduce installation time and improve reliability. Further, this type of support system protects cables, minimizing the risk of damage and enabling power plant longevity and energy yield.
Other BESS platforms, such as Fluence Gridstack Pro, Sungrow PowerTitan, Powin Pod, and SolBank 3.0, have a more distributed layout that requires alternative cable routing options. A durable, all-metal cleat and foundation system is the solution here, to simplify and speed construction for EPCs and last the lifetime of any stand-alone storage or hybrid renewables power plant.
A Push Toward Safer Industry Practices
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) sets the standards for securing cables in electrical installations, ensuring cable cleats provide proper retention, support, and resistance to electro-mechanical forces. IEC 61914 is the industry’s most rigorous specifications for cable cleats used in electrical installations. Subpar or under-specified BESS cable management components can pose serious reliability risks.
As the use of BESS in utility-scale plants continues to scale, EPCs have an opportunity to select components that are aligned with modern power plant designs. BESS cable management should deliver long-term reliability, safety, and maintainability. All-metal solutions that meet rigorous standards should become the baseline, not the exception.
In conclusion, above-ground, IEC compliant, all-metal solutions represent a safer, smarter path forward for utilityscale BESS and hybrid projects. They minimize operational risks, lower material costs, and reduce O+M expenditures. From a broader perspective, durable, all-metal BESS cable management contributes to long-term value while accelerating the transition to clean, flexible energy systems. SPW
SCOTT RAND CEO AND CO-FOUNDER AFFORDABLE WIRE MANAGEMENT
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Rand is Chief Executive Officer and a founding member of Affordable Wire Management. Experienced in technology commercialization, financial management, and market-share expansion, Scott is an accomplished clean energy leader. He possesses deep domain expertise in the deployment of multi-gigawatt, utilityscale solar both domestically and abroad. Today, he brings his successful track record in building high-growth clean energy companies to his role at AWM. As CEO, he is focused on the company’s growth strategy, ensuring strong financial performance, and realizing the company’s mission to deliver value, innovation and engineering excellence to EPCs nationwide. Prior to co-founding AWM, he served in leadership and product commercialization roles at Merit SI, Merit Controls, and First Solar. Affordable Wire Management (AWM) recently announced Strata, which is engineered for today’s market-leading Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to manage power and control cables. AWM’s Strata for Fluence Gridstack Pro, Tesla Megapack, Sungrow PowerTitan 2.0, Powin Pod, EPC Power M System, Nidec Conversion Battery Energy Storage Solutions, SolBank 3.0 and LG Energy Storage Systems (ESS) offers a tailored fit for modern energy infrastructure.
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Kelly Pickerel • Editor in Chief
US perovskite startups make moves into tandem panel manufacturing
During the opening ceremony of this year’s SNEC PV+ conference in China, Trinasolar’s chairman and general manager Jifan Gao said that the ongoing debate on which silicon technology is best — TOPCon, back-contact or HJT — is beside the point when the real future of the solar panel market is tandem perovskite designs. Perovskites are a thin-film material that absorb more of the light spectrum and are highly efficient. When combined with a silicon solar cell, perovskites offer a low-cost, scalable option to boost solar output.
Even the best silicon-only solar cells have likely reached their efficiency limits, but when paired with thin-film perovskite, silicon module efficiencies can exceed 30%. Trinasolar is pioneering perovskitesilicon tandem designs and recently hit a record-setting 30.6% efficiency in the lab.
The company has also been breaking its own record every few months on full-sized perovskite-silicon modules, recently exceeding an 840-W output and 27.1% efficiency.
China is positioning itself to dominate another segment in solar with perovskites.
Just as the first silicon cell was birthed in the United States before taking off through Chinese R&D, advancements in solar perovskites have become a global effort with commercialization led by Chinese powerhouses like Trinasolar. That doesn’t mean solar perovskite development has been lost to China, though.
“We have a unique historical moment to reset the manufacturing paradigm internationally. One thing that perovskites enable is domestic production — domestic with a capital ‘D,’” said Scott Graybeal, CEO of southern California solar
perovskite company Caelux. “It could be anywhere in the world. You have a given market, and it’s possible for you to do perovskite production there. Perovskites give us an opportunity to reset the supply chain.”
That’s because any way you paint it, coat it or embed it — to which there are dozens of perovskite startups all seemingly working in different application processes — thin-film perovskites work with any silicon solar cell to create a new, more powerful solar product. When the entire world is looking for more affordable energy sources, every unique perovskite-silicon tandem solar panel will have a home.
Two California startups may be part of the U.S. perovskite family, but their final products put them at opposite ends of the spectrum. Their individual successes
R&D on Tandem PV’s perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell. Tandem PV
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will allow the United States to make its own perovskite-silicon tandem headlines and boost domestic solar production at a perilous time in the industry.
Tandem PV is going for the full package
The first peer-reviewed studies on perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels were published in the mid-2010s by Colin Bailie, then a doctoral candidate at Stanford University. He later founded Tandem PV, a perovskite-focused company in San Jose, California, that is working on a full perovskite-silicon tandem solar panel. After 10 years of R&D and $50 million raised, Tandem PV CEO Scott Wharton said the company plans to have tandem solar panels ready for utility-scale customers in 2026.
“A lot of our competitors are just building a cell or putting perovskite on the cell. Our strategy is different — we’re building the full tandem panel,” he said. “We’ve been working directly with utilityscale developers. A few have invested in us already, and we have incredible feedback. They’re saying, ‘If I get a 28% [efficient] panel from you guys and it’s made in the U.S., why wouldn’t I want it?’ The race is on to fulfill that promise.”
Instead of depositing thin-film perovskite directly on a silicon solar cell, Tandem PV stacks a perovskitelayer between silicon-contacts. The mechanically stacked tandem cell has reached 28% efficiency, the company claims, with expectations to exceed 30% by year’s end. The company’s current R&D tools allow Tandem PV to produce a prototype the size of a tablet. Recent investments and a $4 million grant from the California Energy Commission will enable a demonstration factory and larger panels.
“We’ve ordered all new tools. We’ve got the factory lined up to build out a full-scale panel,” Wharton said. “Our strategy is to do a drop-in replacement, so the same size, same electronics and glass, same encapsulants, just 30% better.”
Wharton said project developers are comfortable with the idea of buying panels directly from Tandem PV because there’s no risk to solar technology in general — developers know how solar panels work,
Various testing (top) is performed on Tandem PV’s tablet-sized perovskite-silicon tandem panel prototype (bottom). Tandem PV
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and here’s a company offering a betterperforming version.
“We’ve gotten a lot of success on the product side with efficiency and durability. But the real proof is, will the customer buy it? Will they deploy it? There are a lot of announcements about lab [results], but who cares?” he said. “The main thing we’re focused on right now is not setting the world record. But just, can we take a panel that is smaller size and make it bigger? Can we make those efficiency and durability performance levels? Can we replicate it so every panel has it? We’re in the middle of doing that. That’s the risk that we have, but we’re well on the path. Why else would people give us this $50 million to do it?”
Caelux plans to work with silicon panel manufacturers
Just outside Los Angeles, one U.S. company has shipped its first commercial order of perovskite-coated glass to an unnamed solar panel manufacturer for use in an upcoming domestic project. Caelux used $24 million in funding to outfit a perovskite-coated glass factory that within two years delivered the product it has nicknamed Active Glass.
“We produce this device that’s used to create a hybrid, tandem module. We needed a name for the sheet of glass that we deposit our stack on,” Graybeal said. “It’s active glass. It does something more than just [be transparent]. We take light and produce electrons.”
Caelux’s perovskite-coated glass will act as a traditional silicon solar panel’s front glass, which can be dropped into an existing panel manufacturer’s assembly line. The boosted glass only needs a few pieces of pre-installed charge collection tape attached at the bussing station.
“We didn’t want to make it hard for the module manufacturer, because those lines run full-out,” Graybeal said. “One of our early taglines was ‘solar simplified.’ We work with customers regardless of cell type. They give us a voltage specification and junction box layout. We take that information and that informs where we put our cell tape that becomes the connection. We’ve found that’s the best way to do it — to be a partner with your customer.”
Caelux’s “Active Glass” perovskitecoated glass, which will be used as a silicon solar panel’s front glass.
Caelux
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Instead of producing a perovskitesilicon tandem solar panel outright, Caelux has chosen to focus only on the perovskite element. The company claims to enable up to 6% efficiency improvement, but the rest is dependent on the base silicon product. Caelux’s first module partner wasn’t named, but India’s Reliance New Energy was an early investor.
“Partnering with these big module players is super helpful, because they have the resources and can give you feedback,” Graybeal said. “We're here to ensure that our downstream customers can generate more energy harvest, especially given the headwinds that have been thrown in front of them. I think optimizing domestic content and
optimizing production in the field is going to be really important.”
The rollback of incentives in the U.S. solar market might be an opportunity for perovskite companies like Caelux, Graybeal said.
“The implications associated with the ITC will have an impairment on the market size. Let’s say the U.S. market cuts in half and goes from 50 GW to 25 GW — that’s still huge for us. That’s still massive,” he said. “I think we have a technology that’s going to enable developers to better leverage these fewer projects but with better performing projects. We reduce the install costs by about 14% and boost the cash flows for a project by 45% in the United States. These are all healthy things to have in a
Caelux is working on more orders and intends to have a more formal product launch later this year. While the company is glad to be one of the first perovskite startups in the United States to come to market, Graybeal said the opportunities for perovskites are exciting across the board.
“When we get together at tradeshows, there’s a little perovskite knot of people who tend to find each other. We’re all cheering for one another ultimately,” he said. “I can see, longer-term, a wholesale transition of the market to perovskite-type thin-film technologies. We may be able to look at these technologies on par with crystalline silicon at some point.” SPW
less subsidized environment.”
Tandem PV’s perovskitesilicon tandem solar cell. Tandem PV
Mounting Technology
Billy Ludt • Senior Editor
Sometimes ground-mounted solar makes more sense for homeowners
Residential solar projects tend to be built on rooftops by default, as homeowners always have a roof but might not have yard space for an array. When there is enough space outside of the home for solar, there are advantages for installation and upkeep of the PV array, and, in some cases, it makes more economic sense.
Taylor Mills runs Advancing Solar Solutions, a PV contractor based in Ripley, West Virginia, and is that rare residential installer doing more work on the ground than the roof. He estimates that 65% of his business comes from groundmounted solar projects, and part of that is owed to working in rural areas in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio where there is often ample land for this type of construction.
“I will never have someone call me and say, ‘Hey, my roof's leaking, and I think it's because of the solar panels you put on.’ I'll never have to field that phone call with a ground-mount,” Mills said.
While this isn’t typically the case, Advancing Solar Solutions installs ground-mounted solar arrays that cost less than rooftop projects. Mills shared an example quote for a solar project that pitched both a rooftop and ground array for a single client where the latter was more than $3,000 cheaper. The cost difference mostly comes from Mills’ preference to use Enphase microinverters on rooftop projects to meet rapid shutdown requirements and offer clients module-level monitoring. However, some cost-saving benefits extend beyond component choices.
Roof space can be limited compared to a yard. Where a rooftop array might cover most of a home’s energy need, depending on the space available, a ground-mount array can be sized to produce more than 100% of it, feeding more electricity to the grid with solar, yielding higher net-metering compensation and a shorter payback period on the system.
Hilary Fiene, chief office manager at Stateline Solar, said residential ground-mount and rooftop arrays have comparative prices. Stateline Solar serves clients in both rural communities and towns, and about half of the company’s residential solar output is ground-mounted.
“The country folks have the opportunity to do roof vs. ground, whereas the people who live in town typically have to do a roof-mount,” Fiene said. “Most of the towns’ permitting processes just don't allow for groundmounts. But since we have a huge number of people that live in the country in our area, it gives us a lot more opportunity to do the ground-mounts.”
Compared to a rooftop project, the racking structure for ground-mounts costs more. These systems use steel supports that need to be pile-driven into the ground, attached to concrete footers or held in place by non-penetrating, heavy ballast blocks. Then steel racking
Ground-mount solar arrays can power a residential customer’s home without worry about roof size. Advancing Solar Solutions
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is attached to these supports to hold the solar modules. This process requires specialized heavy equipment, unlike the hand tools necessary for mounting on rooftops.
“However, we consider that we keep our workers safer because they don't have the risk,” Mills said. “Yeah, they can fall in a trench, but they can't fall off a roof.”
Working on the ground, installers don’t need to worry about voiding a roof warranty, but should consider what’s beneath the soil — rock, electrical or plumbing lines.
Post-installation, ground-mounts provide simpler access to certain components than rooftop arrays. Where a service technician on a rooftop job will have to detach and lift modules to get beneath the array, accessing under-panel components on ground mounts is just a matter of getting under the array. At a company-level, that translates to fewer truck rolls and less time spent on an array for maintenance, Mills said.
“A lot of our work actually is uninstalling and reinstalling solar systems so that roofing can be done, and with a ground-mount, you never have to worry
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about that,” he said. “We'll often charge someone between $5,000 to $7,000 to remove a system and then reinstall it, in addition to them getting a new roof.”
Homeowners can also be more engaged with groundmounted projects without climbing onto their roof. Although they may need to landscape around the project, they can also easily clean dirty panels at the ground-level. Certain types of ground solar racking, like pole mounts, can be manually adjusted for better energy yields as the sun’s path changes throughout the year.
Ground-mounted solar won’t work for every homeowner. Sometimes the roof is the only option. But if there’s room for some modules on the ground, it can be built outside the pitch and perimeter of a roof line and still meet a home’s energy needs.
“Each company is different, they cater to a different audience, but I think it's important to allow the customer to be fully educated — if they have the option to do roof or ground for their home, if they're not limited by a city or village permitting requirements,” Fiene said. “I see a lot
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Kelly Pickerel • Editor in Chief
The California Flats solar + storage project featuring 374 MW of solar and 240 MWh of energy storage. Arevon
Energy storage was spared by HR1, but can
it thrive alone?
For years, the energy storage market in the United States existed on speculation. There was plenty of discussion on the technology’s ability to improve the electrical grid but very little followthrough. The mood started to shift in the 2020s. Each quarter has a new recordbreaking storage installation headline. Grid-scale storage is getting bigger and safer, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are finding homes across the country.
While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) hammered renewable energy incentives, energy storage emerged unscathed. Storage still has access to the full investment tax credit (ITC) through 2033, whereas solar and wind projects basically have one year to start construction to access any incentives. Energy storage projects with American batteries and components can also still receive the domestic content bonus,
and manufacturers may still qualify for the advanced manufacturing production credit (45X) when making batteries in U.S. factories. Not only is the federal government still encouraging energy storage deployment, but it’s also aiding domestic supply.
Finally, energy storage seems to be a real part of the U.S. energy conversation.
But while HR1 isn’t terrible for the battery market, the timing of some of its restrictive clauses could stall progress and discourage further developments in domestic battery manufacturing. Project developers and manufacturers have mixed feelings about the years ahead.
Solar + storage will keep being constructed
Developer and project owner Arevon Energy has 4.7 GW of solar and energy storage projects operating across the country, 1.5 GW under construction
right now and another 10 GW in the development pipeline. Arevon CEO Kevin Smith has been in the energy industry for almost 40 years and said the energy storage market has been an exciting place to set up camp.
“Finally, the market was catching up. Ten years ago, people talked a lot about energy storage, but there weren’t a lot of projects because it didn’t make financial sense,” he said. “Pricing has come down substantially on energy storage, and the need has increased. It’s really hard to get projects — whether it’s solar or wind or natural gas — into urban settings. In some cases, energy storage is a better solution than building generation.”
Arevon recently completed a $300 million storage-only project located a quarter mile from the coast of San Diego Bay. The 200-MW/400-MWh Peregrine Energy Storage Project makes the electrical grid in a dense,
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urban neighborhood more resilient, storing power during high generation periods and doling it out when there’s high demand. With energy demand only growing across the United States due to data center growth and overall electrification, Smith said Arevon expects to stay as busy as ever. Regardless of incentives, renewable energy and storage projects are cheaper and quicker to build than fossil fuels, and more energy is needed on the grid, fast.
“Wind, solar and storage were like 90% of new generation last year because those projects are more cost-effective, easier to get to market, have quicker development times, quicker construction times,” he said. “For the next five or more years, we’re going to have renewables and battery storage.”
Since batteries are power holders/movers and not generators, Smith said he doesn’t expect to see a rise in storage-only projects just because they still have the ITC. They’ll still be paired with solar projects, and perhaps more so now to help projects still pencil with the remaining storage tax credits.
Brad Thompson, partner at law firm Duane Morris, said he expects to see more storage added to existing solar projects too.
“[Utilities will have] a renewed focus on areas that may have had large-scale solar deployment but have not yet paired with BESS projects,” he said. “An area that is known for load congestion with a high concentration of renewables will be prime real estate for BESS developers to seek interconnection approvals from utility operators to further deploy BESS. The continued incentives for BESS projects will fuel additional deployment of battery storage solutions.”
Ultimately, utilities will determine if the solar and storage markets will continue to grow in the next few years in this changing federal policy landscape.
The 200-MW/400-MWh Peregrine Energy Storage Project on San Diego Bay. Arevon
The FranklinWH System
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“They’re going to buy storage when they need storage,” Smith said. “If we’re truly going to keep pace with China on data center installations and other manufacturing activities, we’re going to have to build more power generation and, with that, more battery storage. Despite the changes, we still think the renewable energy markets will continue to grow. You will see some installations canceled that can’t deal with volatility. You will see some investors exit. You will see fewer projects getting built that would otherwise get built, but you’re still going to see lots of construction activity.”
Some American batteries will materialize, but probably not enough The new foreign entity of concern (FEOC) clause in HR1 throws a wrench into plans for both installation and manufacturing of storage technologies. Solar and storage projects are unable to qualify for the ITC
LG Energy Solution opened its 17-GWh ESS manufacturing site in Holland, Michigan, earlier this year. LGES
if they use products from China, nor are U.S. manufacturers able to collect the 45X credit if they use a certain percentage of components from China in their domestic products. Both the solar and storage markets will have a hard time avoiding components from China, which dominates both supply chains.
The IRA was helping the grid-scale storage market establish its domestic supply chain. A few more years of uninterrupted progress could have made all the difference. New FEOC rules go into effect in 2026, and many U.S. battery manufacturing hopefuls might not make the deadline.
“Tesla is a big supplier. They have U.S. manufacturing, but they’re bringing in a fair amount of the subcomponents from China,” Smith said. “In a couple years, the manufacturing of batteries would be well advanced. This is going to end up shortcircuiting a lot of that manufacturing.”
A few domestic manufacturing outfits are better off than others. LG Energy Solution (LGES) opened a 17-GWh LFP battery cell manufacturing plant in Michigan earlier this summer. The site previously made battery components for EVs, but the Korean company invested $1.4 billion to swap manufacturing to the BESS market.
“ESS was the ugly duckling for some time for LG,” said Jaehong Park, CEO of LG Energy Solution Vertech, the stationary storage arm of LGES. “The financial performance of ESS in the past was difficult,” and EV was a much larger financial driver for the company. But now LGES sees more growth for stand-alone batteries and is building more assembly sites across the United States.
A handful of other battery manufacturers are also operating in the United States, including Hithium and its 10-GWh LFP battery assembly plant in Texas, and AESC with its estimated 3-GWh LFP cell plant in Tennessee. Canadian Solar subsidiary e-STORAGE is building a 3-GWh LFP cell and module plant in Kentucky, but it’s not yet complete. Still others have announced plans to retool EV battery factories to BESS production, but the FEOC rules will affect whether these projects reach the finish line.
The latest “ESS Supply, Technology and Policy Report” from Clean Energy Associates found that nearly 21 GWh of planned energy storage cell manufacturing
Cathode-coated foil on its way to be layered into battery cells. LGES
LFP cell production lines for stand-alone energy storage systems. LGES
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capacity has been canceled in 2025 due to financing issues and policy uncertainty — and this was before FEOC rules were put in place.
“The industry was making very strong strides,” Smith said. “Two years from now, I think we would have been well into that manufacturing and a lot of those subcomponents would be from U.S. sources or at least non-FEOC sources. When the FEOC rules kick in in January 2026, it’s going to cause a lot of volatility in the market. It will cause lost jobs, because there will be some manufacturing facilities that had been approved for construction, and the manufacturing sector still depends on [Chinese] equipment. The timing is bad.”
Storage incentives may have been preserved in HR1, but it’s still uncertain whether other legislative hurdles will harm this market too. SPW
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Inside the LG Energy Solution battery manufacturing site in Michigan. LGES
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2025 Exhibitor Preview
The solar industry is converging on Las Vegas yet again as the current semi-permanent home of RE+. Spread across two huge facilities — the Venetian Expo Center and Caeser’s Forum — solar and storage companies from startups to industry veterans will be on display September 8-11.
To help plan your time at the show or fill you in if you can’t make it, flip through the following pages for an exhibitor preview from prominent companies. And stay tuned to solarpowerworldonline.com for editor’s insights from the floor that week.
AFFORDABLE WIRE MANAGEMENT
Customized Solutions for UtilityScale Solar and BESS Projects
BOOTH F20021
Visit AWM at RE+ to learn how our Cable Management Systems (CMS) are tailored for utility-scale solar projects, and how our Strata suite delivers a scalable pathway for managing BESS cables. Our durable CMS and Strata offerings are adaptable to all conditions and designed to last the power plant’s lifespan.
AMERICAN WIRE GROUP AMPT
Empowering a Better World with AWG
BOOTH V8502
At RE+, AWG will showcase cutting-edge wire and cable solutions through live demos and insightful PowerTalks. Join us for engaging sessions, enjoy complimentary espresso at our on-site espresso bar, and connect during our lively happy hour. Discover how AWG is empowering a better world!
String Optimizers
BOOTH V8549
Ampt String Optimizers are DC/DC converters that are used in DC-coupled PV+storage power plants to lower cost and improve performance over ACcoupled systems while meeting the most advanced grid requirements in both grid-following and gridforming applications. Visit us to learn why Ampt was named SEPA’s 2025 Energy Storage Power Player of the Year.
APA SOLAR RACKING
A-Frame Universal Tracker Interface
BOOTH V10077
Experience the A-Frame Universal Tracker Interface: in-field adjustable, precisely aligned and ideal for highfrost areas. Built in the USA, it’s fully compatible with all leading trackers and ready for your site. Explore it firsthand at Booth V10077 at RE+.
BASF STATIONARY ENERGY STORAGE
NAS Battery Model L24
BOOTH V2094
Sodium-sulfur NAS Batteries, distributed by BASF Stationary Energy Storage, are designed for allclimate stationary long-duration energy storage, from commercial to utility-scale MWh. The latest NAS Battery Model L24 includes: a lifetime of 20 years; a capacity degradation below 1% p.a.; 6+ hour discharge capability; enhanced safety; and earth-abundant materials.
ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES
ARRAY DuraTrack Hail XP
BOOTH V9233
ARRAY DuraTrack Hail XP combines the reliability of DuraTrack with SmarTrack Hail Alert Response, offering premier hail protection. With a 77° stow angle and reliable AC motors, Hail XP helps defend solar sites against hail over 3-in. in diameter — offering greater system reliability, high power density and zero scheduled maintenance.
BILA SOLAR
AA-Series 530-550 Watt Dual Glass Module
BOOTH F16045
Bila Solar will be showcasing its new 550-W dualglass, aluminum frame PV modules — now in production at its 157,000 ft2 Indianapolis factory. Featuring high-efficiency, U.S.-made cells, the modules are designed for ground-mount and carport applications, qualify for the 10% domestic content ITC bonus and meet BABA requirements.
JJoin oin UUs! s!
AT THE VENETIAN LEVEL 2
BOOTH # V8727
COME SEE NANORACK
UNLIKE ANY OTHER RAILLESS SYSTEM -
LOWEST MATERIAL COST - FASTEST
SNAP A LINE AT FRONT EDGE OF NO OTHER MEASURING REQUIRED.
MOST INSTALLATION WORK DONE ON THE GROUND - INCLUDING WIRE
BOVIET SOLAR
Boviet Solar USA
Manufacturing – Greenville, NC
BOOTH V9857
Discover Boviet Solar’s USA-made Gamma Series Monofacial and Vega Series Bifacial PV modules, engineered for high performance, reliability and durability. Manufactured in Greenville, North Carolina, using advanced p-type and n-type cell technology, these modules are ideal for utility, commercial and residential solar projects. Bankable. Compliant. Made in America.
BUILT ROBOTICS
AI-Powered Tools for Solar Construction
Experience the future of solar construction with AIpowered autonomous robots from Built Robotics. Visit our booth to speak directly with product and engineering experts, watch videos of our robots in action and learn how our autonomous piling, trenching and material handling solutions are helping deliver utility-scale solar safer, faster and cheaper.
BRIGGS & STRATTON
Briggs & Stratton
Battery Inverter Integrations
The Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI 6.6 home battery was designed by installers, for installers. In addition to SolArk, Solis, Megarevo and Growatt inverters, the battery now has full closed-loop integration with EG4 inverters. The inverter-agnostic approach allows installers the flexibility to use the inverter of their choice.
SOLAR
Meet the Leader in AboveGround Cable Management
CAB Solar offers award-winning, above-ground cable management solutions that deliver safe, strong and durable support. Its patented products and value engineering services provide cost-effective, reliable, customized cable management solutions. CAB Solar has recently introduced the 3D Agrivoltaics Locking Hanger Solution, designed to integrate livestock with your solar projects.
CAB
BOOTH V12692
BOOTH V9343
BOOTH V7913
MADE IN THE USA
Creating a sustainable future.
RELIABLE, TRUSTED, LONG-TERM INDUSTRY PARTNER
Boviet Solar combines over a decade of business stability, financial bankability, and technological expertise with manufacturing excellence and sustainable practices, offering top-performing solar modules and dependable solar energy systems you can trust, backed by traceable supply chains and international trade confidence.
As the No. 1 market leader in 3-phase string inverters, CPS America will proudly showcase the industry’s latest innovations in solar and storage. Our success is rooted in providing excellent service and delivering reliable solutions. Partner with a proven winner and stack the deck in your favor. Bet on us!
CREATE ENERGY
Create is Reimagining Renewables
BOOTH V9607
Headquartered in Portland, Tennessee, Create Energy is a U.S.-based renewable energy company founded by visionary CEO and president Dean Solon. We’re here to disrupt the clean-tech industry and set the foundation for U.S.-based renewable energy manufacturing. Our engineering and R&D teams are driving innovation across solar, BESS and eMobility with bold ideas and cutting-edge solutions.
EMTEL ENERGY USA
Solid State Graphene Long Duration Energy Storage
F17225
Emtel Energy USA delivers supercapacitor-based electrostatic long-duration energy storage (ELDES) that’s safe, efficient and sustainable. Its hybridgraphene systems offer rapid response and scalability with negligible degradation, with solutions for residential, commercial and utility-scale applications. As Emtel accelerates U.S. manufacturing, the company is redefining storage for a smarter, post-lithium future.
BOOTH
S_ BASE
COMPACTFLAT
THE R_EVOLUTIONARY QUICK-CLICK MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL FLAT ROOF SOLAR PROJECT.
ENERGY TOOLBASE
Explore ETB’s Latest Products, Experience a Live Demo and Connect with the Team
BOOTH V8935
Energy Toolbase is excited to see you at RE+. Exhibiting at Booth V8935, we will be demoing our newest demand response program modeling capabilities in ETB Developer and showcasing our robust energy storage optimization through ETB Controller and ETB Monitor. Come see our entire product suite in action during our happy hours on Sept. 9 and 10 starting at 5 p.m. Drinks on us!
ES FOUNDRY
Monocrystalline Bifacial PERC Solar Cells — Made in the USA
BOOTH V1295
ES Foundry’s high-efficiency, American-made PERC solar cells (22.8-23.6%) offer zero FEOC ties, strong low-light performance and long-term reliability. Manufactured in South Carolina, they reduce import risk, unlock domestic content incentives and support surety in supply chain — giving developers, investors and asset owners confidence to build amid shifting policy landscapes.
ENPHASE ENERGY
4th-Generation Enphase Energy System
BOOTH F17702
Come see the new 4th-generation Enphase Energy System, including the IQ Battery 10C, IQ Meter Collar and IQ Combiner 6. The best just got better. Smaller footprint. More features. Easier installation. Same unmatched reliability. The system will be on full display and functioning for demos with the Enphase Training Van.
October 27-29, 2025 | Austin, TX
Join the only industry-led, grid-scale energy storage event in the U.S.
Scan the QR code to learn more and register using the code RECHARGE10 for 10% off your ticket! Discount expires at 11:59 PM ET on September 26.
FORTRESS POWER
eBoost Scalable Energy Storage System
Fortress Power returns to RE+ with ITC-eligible storage solutions, the powerful new eBoost ESS and a robust C&I team ready to support your next project. Visit us to explore our complete energy storage lineup — designed for performance, flexibility and long-term reliability.
HYCLEANER AMERICA
Future of Cleaning Technology
hyCLEANER America robots represent the future of cleaning technology. Their innovative design and advanced capabilities position them as leaders in the industry, promising efficiency and effectiveness in maintaining cleanliness across various environments. As the demand for automated solutions grows, these robots are set to revolutionize the way we approach cleaning tasks, making them an essential tool for both commercial and residential spaces.
HOYMILES POWER
ELECTRONICS
Explore Hoymiles’ Latest Solar and Storage Solutions
At Hoymiles’ booth, you’ll find its single-phase microinverter HMS and three-phase HMT for optimal yields; flexible AC-coupled and hybrid storage solutions to keep the home connected; the latest HMID meter-ready panel for seamless whole-home backup and smart energy management and the LB10D battery for improved safety and user experience.
IDEEMATEC
Utility-Scale Solar Tracker With Enhanced Stow Protection, Streamlined Assembly
Ideematec’s latest utility-scale tracker introduces -70° Thor Stow protection, Fastlock rivet mounting for rapid installation and compatibility with WAAREE modules. Designed with the L:TEC 1P configuration, this upgraded system delivers high-performance tracking with proven durability and simplified logistics for large-scale solar projects.
BOOTH V6436
BOOTH V2229
BOOTH V6444
BOOTH V9835
Rooftop Racking Systems
Upgrade Your Roof with Top·Rack™ Streamline Your Solar Projects. Maximize Your Profits. At Top Rack Technology, we design and manufacture cutting-edge solar racking systems that help contractors save time and money--- while ensuring long-term reliability.
• Lightweight and easy to carry, reducing installation risk.
• Adjustable base height accommodates uneven roof.
• No need to locate truss - install anywhere on the roof.
Rail System(TRT™-02 and TRT™-03):
• Innovative base design with pre-assembled screw enables fast installation, reducing labor and improving rooftop safety.
• Rotatable mid-clamp and wire-manageable rail and streamline installation and enhance convenience.
• Quick-connectors ensure faster and more efficient assembly.
• Easily supports complex configurations with minimal hassle.
Let’s build your growth plan—smart,
and
2025 EXHIBITOR
IMO AUTOMATION
PV & Energy Storage System Disconnects & Initiators
BOOTH V13016
As energy storage systems become incorporated into projects more and more, it’s important that they be safe and code-compliant. Come see and discuss with us your needs. We will be showcasing our UL508/ UL508i-rated disconnects and initiators for AC- or DC-based systems.
IRONRIDGE
Commercial Racking Systems
BOOTH V13514
Our commercial racking systems support a wide range of flat and pitched solar projects. Designed for strength, flexibility and ease of installation, our USA-made components work with various roof types to meet the demands of any commercial solar installation.
INGETEAM
5.4-MVA Power Station with Grid Forming and Electroluminescence Capabilities
Ingeteam’s new 5.4-MVA Power Station is a compact, customizable solution that integrates all the devices required for a multimegawatt system. Grid-forming capability is built directly into the inverter’s firmware and electroluminescence functionality allows for inspections without the need for additional power sources, improving a project’s LCOE.
KISTERS NORTH AMERICA
HailSens Now
Is your solar site really hail-ready? HailSens Now delivers 90-minute warnings — powered by radar, proprietary algorithms and updates every six minutes. With 9x the spatial and 10x the temporal resolution of public models, plus seamless SCADA integration, it’s the intel you need to act fast.
MISSION SOLAR ENERGY
Cut install headaches and boost ROI with the MSX10 435W. Rugged n-type power, 6.2% domestic content and 30-year performance. Ideal for rooftops. Ask about our full lineup, including new C&I modules.
M18 FUEL Covered Conductor Cable Stripper Kit with Adjustable Bushings
The M18 FUEL Covered Conductor Cable Stripper with Adjustable Bushings is the industry's first cordless tool optimized for end-stripping insulation on aerial, 600-V secondary and mediumvoltage cables, offering an unmatched cable stripping experience.
NRG SYSTEMS MILWAUKEE TOOL
435W See NRG Systems in Action: Better Energy by Every Measure
NRG Systems’ turnkey resource measurement solutions provide the bankable data needed for successful wind and solar project development. Visit us at RE+ to explore our LOGR | Met Data Logger, Flare Solar Solutions, comprehensive field and data services and more. Trusted worldwide, we enable efficient projects through reliable, user-friendly measurement solutions.
MSX10
BOOTH V4036
BOOTH V8645
BOOTH V8743
BOOTH V3890
REC brings almost three decades of manufacturing excellence back to the C&I segment. With an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, REC panels are the trusted choice to boost energy production and optimize ROI for your installations.
REC ALPHA PRO M SERIES
OPENSOLAR
The New Era of OpenSolar
BOOTH F15308
Get a sneak peek at the new OpenSolar 3.0, with AIpowered design tools, a cutting-edge sales experience and more. Plus, see a U.S. market first in partnership with SUNRGY, making bill of materials and equipment ordering effortless. Stop by for an early look before the launch on Sept. 18.
PEGASUS
Domestic Content SkipRail
BOOTH V7712
Get SkipRail savings and bonus tax credit. Only with Pegasus: New domestic content SkipRail clamp contributes to bonus tax credit and eliminates entire rows of rail, roof penetrations and mounts. Save 25% on rail (less aluminum!) and 15% of roof penetrations and mounts. Save faster on domestic content with SkipRail!
ORIGAMI SOLAR
Black Steel Residential Solar Module Frame
BOOTH V14131
Origami’s new black steel residential solar module frame utilizes an advanced, inline painting process compatible with the company’s rapid roll-formed frame production throughput, adding further durability to the frame’s anti-corrosion coating. Origami steel frames are rigorously tested, offering superior strength and one- to two-day domestic delivery.
QUICKBOLT
The
QuickPATCH
V9941
See the QuickPATCH in action at RE+. The QuickPATCH is a patent-pending solution for fast, reliable roof hole repair. This 4-in. by 5-in. butylbacked steel patch provides an easy-to-use, longlasting and consistent seal for roof holes caused by weather, wear or the installation/removal of solar arrays, satellite dishes and safety anchors.
BOOTH
NAVIGATING SUPPLY CHAIN BOTTLENECKS IN THE COMMERCIAL PV MARKET
The U.S. solar industry is very familiar with addressing market uncertainties. Recent updates to federal solar incentives have sent certain segments of the market into a spiral, while some state policymakers have approved legislation supporting PV growth within their states. James Mason, VP of renewable energy for ABC Supply, a national roofing and solar equipment supplier, has returned to Solar Spotlight to talk about both challenges and opportunities in a rapidly shifting domestic solar market.
ABC Supply works with solar contractors and delivers both roofing and solar products directly to the roof in certain markets, and offers ground delivery across all markets. To gain some valuable perspective from someone working directly with both the companies making solar products and the people installing them, listen to this episode of Solar Spotlight on your preferred podcast service or scan the provided QR code. SPW
View the new S48-100LFP STACK-LV 100Ah LiFePO4 lithium battery at RE+. Designed for 48-V system integration and up to 40-kWh energy storage in a modular, stackable format, this new model features dual M8 threaded terminals and included busbars for easy connection, RS485 & CAN inverter connectivity, as well as side-mounted secondary breaker protection.
Facet Mount
Crafted from high-pressure cast aluminum and tested to ASTM E2140 (Static Water Penetration), Facet Mount redefines membrane roof mounting. With 16 potential attachment points to meet highly engineered specifications, it offers flexible equipment mounting. It delivers up to 6,750 lbs shear and 12,750 lbs uplift resistance, with the lowest point loading in its class.
SEG HJT SIERRA N Series
SEG’s new HJT SIERRA N module features n-type silicon, dual-sided thin films and TCO layers for a high-efficiency heterojunction structure. It delivers superior performance: up to 740 W, 23.82% efficiency, high bifaciality, low degradation and strong low-light response. Come and visit Booth V11259 for our official debut!
S-5!
SEG SOLAR
BOOTH V9681
BOOTH V11259
BOOTH V10113
Silfab Commercial NTC bifacial panels are manufactured in the USA utilizing next-generation n-type solar cells, delivering higher efficiency and longevity, maximizing energy production and reducing degradation over time. American-owned innovation coupled with a traceable supply chain means Tier 1 quality and reliability you can trust for your projects.
25 Years Strong: SMA Powers What’s Next
BOOTH V9713
At RE+ 2025, SMA America will unveil its most comprehensive portfolio yet, including new utilityscale storage, commercial inverters and integrated home energy systems. The showcase highlights innovation across all segments, celebrates SMA’s 25th anniversary and reinforces its leadership in building a smarter, more flexible clean energy future.
BOOTH V3868
Meet the SiteCapture team to learn how leading solar companies like Freedom Forever, Powur and Blue Raven save thousands per project with SiteCapture's jobsite documentation and field ops platform.
Grid-Tied String and Energy Storage Inverters
V7919
Solis is upping the ante in Las Vegas for RE+. From new hybrids to showcasing its full residential, commercial and utility-scale inverter portfolio, visitors can expect to see innovations and advancements that can significantly reduce their investment, keeping industry momentum alive while leading with performance quality homeowners and businesses expect.
BOOTH
SUNGROW USA
FastRack 510-6dg
BOOTH V2054
Sungrow Showcases Next-Gen PV and Energy Storage Solutions SOLLEGA
Sollega’s FastRack 510-6dg is a simple, one-piece, modular mounting solution offering 5°, 6° and 10° tilts. It’s universally compatible with all framed modules, UL 3741-compliant, roof-friendly and made in the USA. with UV-rated, recyclable materials. Offers ballast, anchor or hybrid installs and ships pre-assembled with engineering services available.
and automatic module alignment — no complex measurements needed. UL 2703 and 3741 certified, NanoRack also delivers clean wire management and a sleek, professional finish.
BOOTH V9451
Visit Sungrow at RE+ to explore our next-generation PV and energy storage systems — engineered for safety, reliability and scalability. Backed by a proven global track record, our high-performance solutions are bankable, widely available in the U.S. and ready to power your next commercial or utility-scale project.
The World’s First Solar Robotics Platform
See the latest robot used for robotic panel laying, materials movement and vegetation cutting. Swap Robotics is the world's first utility-scale solar robotics platform.
SWAP ROBOTICS
BOOTH V10723
TERABASE ENERGY
Solar Technology for the Terawatt Era
BOOTH V13617
Terabase provides solutions to accelerate the development and reduce costs of utility-scale solar projects. Products include PlantPredict (energy modeling and design software), Construct (AI-powered construction management and QC software), Terafab (install automation), PV+BESS SCADA, EMS, power plant controls and MET stations.
TIGO ENERGY
Installer-Driven Enhancements to the Energy Intelligence Platform for Commissioning
V13006
Energy Intelligence from Tigo is an all-in-one solar commissioning and monitoring platform that now features faster site setup via bulk scanning and equipment auto-detection. Installers can remotely access and manage connected components, monitor performance across multiple sites and minimize downtime with automated alerts; saving time, reducing costs and boosting efficiency.
New Modules and New Podcast
V9071
Trinasolar will showcase the new Vertex N 2,000V solar panel and the Vertex N Shield Module, which features 25% thicker glass and 2.5x greater resistance to energy impact. Join Trinasolar for four live recordings of the new video podcast, Trina Talks, where the human side of renewable energy will be highlighted through light-hearted and friendly conversations.
TRINASOLAR
BOOTH
BOOTH
TWAICE Analytics
BOOTH F17807
Battery storage has 10 to 100x more data than PV systems — luckily, TWAICE Analytics does the heavy-lifting, so your team can focus on running operations, not data overload. With the right analytics, solar operators can add storage and master the BESS learning curve. Build your solar + storage expertise with TWAICE.
UNIRAC
Butyl Mounts for Adjustable
Install faster with Unirac’s Butyl Mounts for Tilt Legs — adjustable, ballast-free and compatible with both NXT UMOUNT and SolarMount. Featuring pre-applied butyl for a watertight seal, they offer flexible tilt (10°-30°) and are available in two sizes, 12-in. and 30-in. Unirac’s butyl features UL 2703A compliance, providing a clean, secure and versatile solution.
WEIDMULLER USA
Reliable PV Connectors
Weidmuller USA unveils reliable PV Connectors for solar applications at RE+. As robust crimp connectors up to 1,500 V, these UL-approved PV Connectors are compatible with Weidmuller’s PV-DC Combiner Boxes. Designed with anti-tampering protection, WM4 C PV Connectors provide a durable solution for all PV field and PV box connections.
YASKAWA SOLECTRIA SOLAR
XGI 1500-1MW Series Inverters
Yaskawa Solectria’s XGI 1500-1MW Series inverters offer U.S.-designed, utility-scale performance with storage-ready features, PID-free operation and flexible modular scalability. Factory-assembled MegaSkids combine three to five inverters for 40 configurations from 2.25 to 5 MW, with seamless integration of DC- or AC-coupled storage — built on proven Solectria technology for reliable, future-ready solar power systems.
COMPACTFLAT S_BASE, the revolutionary quick-click PV mounting system for flat roof applications
S_Base has been developed for all flat roofs, even with uneven surfaces and soft insulations. The unique design offers maximum assembly speed and transportation and staging benefits with fewer system components. Since it clamps on the long side, PV module sizes of up to 8 feet (2.500 mm) can be mounted.
Integrated ballast platform
The S_BASE system can be installed facing the south at 5 or 10 degrees. It is an evolution of AEROCOMPACT´s established bracket-based system COMPACTFLAT S. “For the S_BASE system, we have newly developed a lightweight base plate with an integrated ballast-carrier. The brackets are easily ‘clicked-in’ directly into place,” explains Group CTO Christian Ganahl.
Allied Moulded is a trusted source for highperformance enclosures proudly made in the USA. Built to withstand the harshest environments, their fiberglass enclosures offer superior corrosion resistance and long-term durability—ideal for demanding applications like solar, wastewater, telecom, and mining. Featuring exclusive Ultraguard® technology, they also provide enhanced UV protection for outdoor use. For those applications where corrosion isn’t a major concern, Allied Moulded’s polycarbonate enclosures deliver a costeffective alternative with excellent impact resistance and lightweight versatility, perfect for automation, instrumentation, and electronics. With an F1 UV rating, they’re well-suited for both indoor and outdoor NEMA 4X applications. When reliability matters, Allied Moulded enclosures are engineered to last.
American Made to Last Allied Moulded Products
222 North Union St Bryan, OH 43506 1-800-722-2679 alliedmoulded.com
Powering the Future of Solar: AI, Automation, and Robust Financing Options
See how Aurora is supporting the evolution of the solar industry. The booth will feature their latest developments in AI, automation, and TPO financing to help solar professionals cut soft costs and make their projects simpler and more efficient. More than 7,000 of the industry's top organizations rely on Aurora Solar, with over 20 million projects designed within the cloud-based platform, globally. The San Francisco-based company was: ranked on Inc’s 2024 Fast 5000, TIME’s 2025 Top U.S. GreenTech Companies and the 2025 Top World Greentech Companies 2025; listed on the 2024 Deloitte Fast 500; named to Solar Power World’s 2024 Top Solar Software & Monitoring Products; and, the only climate tech business named to the 2022 Forbes AI 50. Aurora is helping our customers reshape solar. Visit Booth V9131 at RE+ and find out more about what we’re building together.
Empowering a Better world with AWG!
American Wire Group (AWG) is a leading provider of wire and cable, hardware, equipment and accessories for the solar, wind, battery energy storage, power utility, industrial, and data center markets. With decades of experience, we deliver high-performance products backed by engineering expertise, exceptional service, and dependable, on-time solutions. Our value-added offerings include custom cutto-lengths, paralleling, reel recycling, and cable management services designed to streamline installation and reduce waste. Our team specializes in supply chain optimization, emergency response services, and project-specific support to meet the demands of complex infrastructure. We are proud to be Empowering A Better World as a trusted partner to the industries powering our future.
153 Kearny St, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94108 aurorasolar.com
Going Solar Has Never Been Easier with Baja Carports
Baja provides expert design, engineering, and installation of durable steel structures, including solar carports, RV and boat canopies, and solarready structures. Serving clients nationwide, we custom-engineer each project to meet specific needs and environmental challenges.
Our structures are built to last, capable of withstanding extreme weather with ratings for up to a 175-mph wind load and a 90 lbs. snow load. We use a variety of high-quality steel, from cold-formed light gauge G90 steel to hot-rolled wide-flange steel, ensuring the right material for every project.
From start to finish, our in-house team of engineers, project managers, and certified installers guarantees a smooth process. You can rely on Baja for highperformance, custom-built structures tailored precisely to your needs.
Made in USA TopPerforming PV Modules
Boviet Solar proudly introduces our USA-made Gamma Series™ Monofacial and Vega Series™ Bifacial PV modules, engineered with advanced P-Type and N-Type solar cell technology for superior power output, efficiency, and reliability. Manufactured in Greenville, North Carolina, these high-performance modules are ideal for utility, commercial, and residential applications seeking domestic content, bankability, and longterm durability. Designed to meet the highest quality standards, our PV modules deliver consistent energy performance even in the most challenging environments. With a strong commitment to U.S. manufacturing, compliance, and innovation, Boviet Solar is powering America’s clean energy future one project at a time.
Meet the Leader in AboveGround Cable Management
CAB® Solar is an award-winning, above-ground cable management solutions provider that delivers safe, strong, and durable support for various wiring needs. Their patented products and value engineering services provide cost-effective, reliable, customized cable management solutions.
CAB® Solar has recently introduced the 3D Agrivoltaics Locking Hanger Solution, designed to integrate livestock with your solar project. The solution features a patent-protected, enhanced three-dimensional locking arm that securely holds cables within a hanger while withstanding potential impacts from livestock.
CAB® Solar Agrivoltaics Solutions create a dualpurpose environment where livestock can graze and control the grass while land owners reduce O&M time and costs.
CAB® Solar products are manufactured by the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped, employing and providing services to individuals with disabilities.
Our 250kW 600V string inverter represents a new era of efficiency and reliability for our customers! CPS America has developed an Enhanced DC safety feature for our 250kW 600V string inverters, enabling short-circuit detection and automatic disconnection of the PV input current to prevent potential damage. The Enhanced DC safety system monitors connected DC source circuits and internal inverter circuits for greater reliability and enhanced protection. With unmatched performance and serviceability, the 250kW 600V comes with centralized and distributed wire box options. Both wire boxes are separable and fully integrated with AC and DC disconnect switches, each coming with their own benefits. Contact our hotline at 855.584.7168 or visit www. chintpowersystems.com to learn more!
175 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931 USA www.cabsolar.com
Our premium Full Black 410–415 Watt solar modules deliver 21.25% efficiency with a Zero Gap Cell Layout for maximum output and sleek aesthetics. With up to 16.7% U.S. local content and no FEOC risk, they qualify for full tax credit incentives without supply chain concerns. Backed by over $100 million in U.S. investment, our warranties are real and secure. Built to withstand the highest wind and snow loads in the industry, these modules ensure long-term performance and reliability. Crafted from top-grade materials, they offer exceptional durability, efficiency, and quality—perfect for installers and homeowners seeking maximum value and peace of mind.
Generac PWRmicro Microinverter
Generac PWRmicro microinverter offers a higher energy yield, commissioning time, and warranty than the market leader, from a brand customers know and trust. PWRmicro has more power output* than leading microinverters, reduces clipping, and has individually optimized DC inputs that maximize energy and increase savings. Experience faster commissioning than the market leader with Generac Field Pro. Field Pro allows you to leverage grid power to commission at night. Instant MI discovery and automatically scheduled overnight firmware updates drastically reduce commissioning times, and the latest device firmware is stored directly on Field Pro eliminating on-site internet downloads. Troubleshooting is easy with live device data and system self-test. This is all backed by the best microinverter warranty in the market.
*Comparison based on maximum power output of PWRmicro versus all residential Enphase IQ8 micro inverters.
W29290
States
Combining the convenience of zip ties with the strength and durability of steel banding, Power-Tie has been specially designed for utility-scale solar farms. Like zip ties, Power-Tie can be installed by hand with no tools and no training, making it very accessible and versatile to installers on-site. Engineered for lasting performance, Power-Tie is made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials including 316 stainless steel wire, ceramic gripping rollers, hard-wearing zinc housing, and a UVstabilized HDPE strap. This ensures PowerTie will only need replacing once over a 40-year project. Providing complete peace of mind to EPCs and contractors, Power-Tie comes with an unrivalled 20-year warranty, meaning drastically fewer replacements and significant cost savings.
Electrical Integration by New Era Electric
New Era Electric served as the electrical and solar contractor for the Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) facility in Southern California, delivering a fully integrated clean energy solution. The scope included the installation of a 500 kW solar PV system (rooftop and carport-mounted), a 350 kW/700 kWh battery energy storage system, and a 450 kW natural gas generator, all designed to operate in seamless coordination. The project was developed by Scale Microgrids to enhance energy resilience, reduce emissions, and support long-term operational reliability. New Era’s work ensured the precise integration of all energy components, resulting in a high-performing microgrid tailored to the needs of a mission-critical logistics facility.
One-In-Portrait (1P) solutions support a wide range of solar projects [utility scale, distributed generation (DG), & C&I markets]. Manufactured and factory preassembled in the USA at one of OMCO Solar’s 5 US plants (AZ, IN, AL, OH), OMCO makes all structural components with domestic steel and now can offer a 100% domestic tracker.
OMCO Origin® Factory-Direct Trackers include universal module mounts with options for all commercially available modules, labor-saving bearings with 6 adjustable ways to compensate for posts and terrain issues, and foundation solutions for every terrain including OMCO C Piles.
Shop DC Combiner Boxes from Titan WNC
Need a DC Combiner box for your PV System? OneMonroe Titan has solutions for your commercial and utility-scale projects! Our DC combiner boxes, from Weidmuller, offer users the possibility to integrate overcurrent and overvoltage protection, as well as string monitoring solutions (I,V, T and SPD and switch isolator status) for PV systems using central inverters with PV panels in trackers and fix tilt systems.
W. Watkins St. Phoenix, AZ 85043 omcosolar.com
From Port to Project Site, We Deliver Certainty
One Source Freight Solutions is the logistics partner behind some of the largest renewable energy builds in the U.S. With 27 years of experience and a national footprint, we provide tailored, end-toend logistics solutions that protect your schedule, budget, and project performance.
Services include:
• Truckload, drayage, and transloading
• Indoor/outdoor storage with humidity and temperature monitoring
• Safe harbor storage and documentation support
• Serialized tracking and mobile data capture
• Synchronized job site deliveries aligned with build schedules
We don’t just move freight. We bring control, visibility, and confidence to complex logistics.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
PaigeX™: Copper-toAluminum Transition Cable for Utility-Scale Solar Applications
PaigeX™ by Paige Renewable Energy redefines solar cable solutions with its innovative pre-terminated system, specifically designed for utility-scale solar applications. This solution enables hassle-free copper-to-aluminum transitions, delivering up to 35% cable cost savings while preserving copper connectivity where it matters most—at the equipment level. With UL-9703 certification, IP68rated inline transitions, and customizable configurations, PaigeX™ ensures faster installs, reliable connections, and long-term durability in harsh outdoor environments. Now transitioning from copper to aluminum cable is not only possible—but practical. Lower cable costs. Maintain copper connections. Power with confidence. Discover seamless power at RE+ Booth # F15525 Caesars Forum.
Paige Renewable Energy
333 Fayetteville Street Suite 1400
Raleigh, NC 27601
paigerenewableenergy.com/paige-x
REC Alpha Pure-RX
REC’s most powerful residential solar panel, the REC Alpha Pure-RX hits the sweet spot between high power and practical handling, in an elegant full-black design.
Reaching 460 W in a compact form factor, it boasts an impressive power density of 21 W/ ft2, with 22.6% panel efficiency. The REC Alpha Pure-RX is manufactured exclusively at an integrated state-of-the-art facility in Singapore.
735 Tank Farm Rd Ste 130 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 recgroup.com
Safety and Efficiency Combined: Discover the PVKIT Rail-Less Solar Mount
Enhance your metal roof solar installations with the PVKIT rail-less mount, now UL 3741 certified! With rigorous testing behind it, the PVKIT DirectAttach™ solar mount offers both costeffectiveness and peace of mind for EPCs and installers.
“As firefighter safety becomes a growing concern with the proliferation of rooftop solar systems, UL 3741 compliance is becoming an increasingly required standard. Our customers asked, and we listened. We pursued this certification to support safer metal rooftops and reliable solar integration.”
—Ricardo Barroso, S-5! R&D Director. Stop by booth V9681 on Level 2 at RE+ to explore S-5!’s solar mounting solutions! S-5! go.s-5.com/pvkit
We’re excited to return to RE+ 25, North America’s largest clean energy show, September 8th–11th in Las Vegas. Stop by Booth #V13101 on Level 2 of the Venetian, where we’ll be showcasing our racking systems and unveiling SMLLC’s brand-new Solar Design Tool! This intuitive program was built to help you plan projects, estimate panel efficiency, optimize performance, and so much more. Let’s talk industry trends, future partnerships, and what’s ahead with the latest solar incentives. Be sure to stop by and grab some merch, a new brochure, and jump onto the interactive design tool set up in our booth. We’ll see you there!
Meet Sungrow’s PowerStack 255CS: Modular, safe energy storage for industry
Engineered for demanding commercial and industrial applications, Sungrow’s new PowerStack 255CS offers C&I customers world-class performance with safety and flexibility.
Each module provides 125kW/255 kWh of smart battery energy storage. Units stack for scalable capacity, so it’s easy to expand seamlessly as your business grows.
Industry-leading liquid cooling and thermal management operate safely and efficiently — even in harsh environments.
Multi-stage fire detection and protection, with UL 9540 and NFPA certifications, ensure local compliance and offer peace of mind.
Solar Mounts LLC is “All In” for RE+ Vegas! PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
With round-trip efficiency over 90%, you’ll benefit from peak shaving, demand response, and power stabilization to lower energy costs and keep your operation running smoothly.
The Sungrow PowerStack 255CS streamlines installation and integration, so you stay ahead in today’s dynamic energy landscape.
www.solarmounts.com
NanoRack™
3 Hour Install – Start to Finish
What it is:
Meet NanoRack™ — SunModo’s patented, rail-free solar mounting system that installs in record time. Built for speed, strength, and style, NanoRack turns rooftop installs into a smooth, streamlined process.
How it works:
Build it on the ground, not on the roof. Snap a line for your first row, position, and secure with deck screws. Add rows in seconds with our patented self-bonding hook-and-loop connection — modules lock in perfect alignment, no fiddling required. Finish with a sleek optional skirt for a clean, highend look front and center… or all the way around.
Why it’s the best:
UL-2703 certified. Hurricane-zone tough. Lightning-fast installs. Fewer parts. Zero headaches. NanoRack doesn’t just mount solar — it changes the game.
Unveiling our NEW TerraTrak 1P Driven Piles Optimized Tracker
Known in the industry for reliable performance in the most unreliable conditions, Terrasmart’s new TerraTrak 1P tracker is now optimized for driven piles.
Our pile-optimized tracker is ideal for soft, flat sites with low refusal risk, allowing you to take advantage of any PV opportunity—with the same Terrasmart commitment you know and trust.
Backed by unmatched project experience—over 16 years and 25 GW of projects—we’ve streamlined our design and applied the smart, built-in adjustability found in our ground screw system for faster and easier system execution across all your projects.
Additionally, hear from our experts on:
• Foundations for any site no matter how challenging
• Fixed tilt and tracker solutions for any topography, terrain, or weather
• eBOS designed for value and speed
• Canopy systems for surface lots or garages
• Project feasibility software that increases IRR
• Turnkey installation optimized for speed
Rooftop Racking Systems
At Top Rack Technology, we design and manufacture cutting-edge solar racking systems that help contractors save time and money—while ensuring long-term reliability.
Rail-less System (TRT ™ -01):
• Sleek, modern design – no rails required
• Adjustable base height accommodates uneven roof
• No need to locate truss - install anywhere on the roof
• All Screws come with it
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
True:SCADA™ – Next Generation Control
Built for the demands of utilityscale PV+BESS resources, True:SCADA™ delivers telemetry and control required to meet precise operating targets, optimize performance, and maximize revenue. True:SCADA™ is engineered for high-availability, speed, security, scalability, and reliable data acquisition. Trained integrators leverage templates to minimize configuration time while maintaining consistency throughout your portfolio.
Rail System (TRT ™ -02 and TRT ™ -03):
• Pre-assembled screw
• Sharable parts between systems.
• Quick-connectors ensure faster and more efficient assembly.
Nationwide carrier network supporting truckload, drayage, and transloading needs.
Indoor and outdoor storage with humidity and temperature control.
Dashboards detailing inventory, deliveries, and KPI data for more informed decision-making.
Serialized storage tracking in support of ITC requirements. Material flow timed to site readiness to reduce
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Yaskawa Solectria Solar has delivered quality and innovation to our customers for 20 years, advancing the way they bring reliable and efficient solar power to communities across the United States.
We are the largest U.S.-based inverter manufacturer with design and engineering offices in Lawrence, MA and world-class production facilities in Buffalo Grove, IL and Franklin, WI.
American-made Solectria XGI 1500 PowerRacks are the most robust, scalable building-block for state-of-the-art multi-MW solar plants.
PowerRack sizes range from 4
utility-scale inverters, premounted on a robust, structural-steel rack.
LAS VEGAS, NV
YOUR NEXT POWER MOVE STARTS HERE.
THE SAFEST BET IN CLEAN ENERGY.
In Vegas, the stakes are high. Your hardware strategy shouldn’t be a gamble. Create is all in—delivering solar, storage, and EV charging for utility-scale, commercial, and residential projects.
Visit us at RE+ Las Vegas and double down on a brighter energy future.
