On February 20, 2025, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the settlement agreement for Xcel Energy’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The settlement represents an important evolution in Xcel’s clean energy transition strategy, emphasizing distributed renewable energy, battery storage and customer savings and participation. The settlement and the commission’s decision include critical agreements that will… The post Renewable energy advocates achieve small wins in Xcel Energy’s 2024 IRP appeared first on Solar Power World.

Solis announced its partnership with Derapi, a cloud-based API platform for Distributed Energy Resources. This partnership is intended to better enable Solis solar energy storage customers to participate in and take advantage of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs across the United States and Canada. “The distributed energy landscape is ripe for innovation,” said James Qiao,… The post Solis partners with Derapi to help energy storage customers enroll in VPPs appeared first on Solar Power World.

OCI Energy and Arava Power have entered into their second agreement — forming a joint venture to develop Project SunRoper, a 260-MWAC solar farm in Wharton County, Texas. Located approximately 60 miles southwest of downtown Houston, the project will provide critical clean energy capacity to one of the highest electricity demand areas in Texas and… The post OCI Energy, Arava Power form joint venture to develop 260-MW solar project appeared first on Solar Power World.

SolarBank has announced it is partnering with Viridi, producer of fail-safe battery energy storage systems (BESS), on the development of a combined 3.06-MWDC ground-mount community solar project and 1.2-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Buffalo, New York. The project is being constructed on a closed landfill site, transforming previously unusable land into a productive… The post SolarBank and Viridi partner on 3-MW community solar + storage project on closed landfill appeared first on Solar Power World.

Yotta Energy will unveil its new Yotta Block product at Intersolar North America next week. The next-generation of its SolarLEAF panel-level battery is engineered to replace a standard ballast block behind solar modules, eliminating the need for dedicated battery space. “Yotta Block is a game-changer for commercial solar storage,” said Jordan Harris, CEO of Yotta… The post Yotta Energy’s new panel-level battery acts as ballast block on commercial rooftop installs appeared first on Solar Power World.

On February 19, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announced the publication of its Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Power Export Permitting Standard, defining the technical parameters to allow electric vehicle owners to utilize their vehicles as mobile energy storage units and sell excess energy back to the grid. The standard outlines characteristics for equipment to… The post NEMA publishes standard for EV owners to export power back to grid appeared first on Solar Power World.

The United States community solar market installed a record-breaking 1.7 GWDC of capacity in 2024, a 35% increase from 2023, according to a new report released by Wood Mackenzie in collaboration with the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). However, with policy uncertainty at both national and state levels, long-term growth hangs in the balance.… The post Community solar installations increased by 35% in 2024 appeared first on Solar Power World.

Affordable Solar announced the groundbreaking and construction of New Mexico’s first-ever community solar project, marking a significant milestone in the state’s transition to clean energy and community-driven sustainability. The 5-MWAC Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project, located in Valencia County, expands access to renewable energy for New Mexicans and reinforces the commitment to environmental and… The post Affordable Solar breaks ground on New Mexico’s first community solar project appeared first on Solar Power World.

EDP Renewables North America has launched its Ragsdale Solar Park in Madison Country, Mississippi. The 100 MW project, which became operational in late 2024, will provide power to Entergy Mississippi’s transmission system. Amazon has contracted for the full energy off-take of the system through a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Development of Ragsdale started in… The post Amazon signs PPA for full capacity of 100-MW Mississippi solar project appeared first on Solar Power World.

Three years after first unveiling a nailable solar shingle to the market, GAF Energy today launches its second evolution of the Timberline Solar product. Timberline Solar ES 2 delivers 23% more power than its predecessor — 57 W per shingle. “Timberline Solar ES 2 represents everything we’ve learned about solar roofing, enhanced by extensive feedback from… The post GAF Energy launches more powerful Timberline Solar shingle appeared first on Solar Power World.

UbiQD, a player in quantum dot technology and manufacturing from New Mexico, announced it will acquire perovskites startup BlueDot Photonics. The deal enables UbiQD to secure exclusive rights to BlueDot’s intellectual property, which was originally developed at the University of Washington. UbiQD will use BlueDot’s doped perovskite materials to enhance silicon solar panel efficiency and… The post US players in quantum dot technology, perovskites join to advance solar designs appeared first on Solar Power World.

Scanifly, a PV design and field operations software provider, has integrated with Unirac, a North American producer of solar mounting and racking solutions. The partnership connects Scanifly’s site survey and design platform directly to Unirac’s plan set portal, creating an automated workflow. “Solar contractors spend too much time moving data between different software tools,” said… The post Scanifly aerial imaging integrates with Unirac U-Builder design platform appeared first on Solar Power World.