On July 1, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the budget reconciliation bill with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The final version removed a new 50% excise tax on solar projects using components associated with China, according to Politico. Politico also reports that the final version allows utility-scale solar and wind… The post Senate passes budget bill without solar excise tax appeared first on Solar Power World.

Nestled in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina, Deal Orchards, a third-generation family-owned fruit farm, understands the value of creating a more sustainable future. That’s why, in 2024 it enrolled a portion of it stone fruit and apple acreage in the EcoCertified program, a rigorous, science-based method of commercial tree fruit production focused… The post NC orchard installs solar to meet 75% of on-site energy needs appeared first on Solar Power World.

GameChange Solar, a solar tracker and fixed-tilt racking systems supplier, has debuted its next generation of Genius Tracker TF, its terrain-following solar tracker. Genius Tracker TF now features slope adaptability of up to 1.7° between posts. This upgrade lets solar developers approach more project sites with difficult topography and reduce grading costs and environmental impacts.… The post GameChange Solar updates Genius Tracker for uneven project sites appeared first on Solar Power World.

The New Jersey State Senate unanimously passed smart solar permitting legislation (S4100) on June 30 by a 39-0 vote. The bill will expedite the approval process for residential solar and battery systems, delivering more solar installations and energy bill savings for families across the state. This legislation would require the Department of Community Affairs (DCA)… The post NJ Senate unanimously passes instant online residential solar permitting legislation appeared first on Solar Power World.

With an overwhelming bipartisan majority in both chambers, the Oregon Legislature voted to make the state a leader in energy resilience with a first-in-the-nation strategy to create a regulatory framework for building microgrids. Microgrids are local, self-contained energy systems designed to operate independently of the larger power grid (known as ‘islanding’), or in coordination with… The post Oregon legislature passes bill paving way for community-owned microgrids appeared first on Solar Power World.

Firetrace International and FirePro Systems are partnering to launch FirePro’s condensed aerosol fire suppression technology in the United States. FirePro products are now available through select Firetrace distributors across the United States. This includes the proprietary FirePro aerosol-forming compound. This non-pressurized, total-flooding aerosol fire suppression technology is already certified, listed and trusted globally in high-risk… The post Firetrace to distribute condensed aerosol fire suppression tech for BESS in US appeared first on Solar Power World.

On June 27, Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill that allows the Maine Public Utilities Commission to change community solar net-metering rates “as needed.” LD 1777 also says the tariff rate may not exceed 1.5 times the average of the tariff rates set by other states in the region for a similar distributed generation… The post New law allows Maine utilities commission to retroactively change community solar net-metering rates appeared first on Solar Power World.

Michigan conservatives introduce MAGA Solar bill Lansing, Michigan A new Republican-backed bill in Michigan would establish a community solar program in the state for the first time, using a name appealing to the party’s furthest right wing. The “Maximizing American Grid Affordability (MAGA) Solar Act” is “a policy designed to strengthen grid reliability, slash energy… The post The Solar Policy Scoop: July 2025 appeared first on Solar Power World.

A Georgia-based fire safety company has introduced a unique fire suppression system for lithium battery setups. ELSA from Carver Fire is the first fire suppression system that uses dry ice (solid CO₂) to deliver fast, clean, and effective cooling — designed specifically to contain and control lithium battery fires. Carver Fire says that ELSA is currently… The post Dry ice can be used to suppress lithium battery fires appeared first on Solar Power World.

The U.S. Senate unveiled its updates to the reconciliation bill late Friday night, and in many aspects it was worse for the solar industry than before. The Senate should begin voting on the bill today, and then everyone can better understand the damage. “This reconciliation bill proposal isn’t just misguided — it’s a direct attack… The post Senate to vote soon on reconciliation bill that guts solar industry appeared first on Solar Power World.

After filing similar bankruptcy documents in Europe earlier this month, Meyer Burger has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. The company estimates its assets between $100 million and $500 million, and its liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion. Meyer Burger lists its largest creditor with unsecured claims as U.S. Customs… The post Meyer Burger starts bankruptcy process in the United States appeared first on Solar Power World.

The Ohio Power Siting Board approved the 120-MW Frasier Solar project sited in Knox County, Ohio, on Thursday. “Today’s approval of the Frasier Solar project is a transformative moment for Knox County and for Ohio’s clean energy future. The Ohio Power Siting Board’s decision comes at a time of increasing demand on the grid and… The post 120-MW agrivoltaic solar project in Ohio approved for construction appeared first on Solar Power World.