Author: solarenergy
By Martin McConnell June 18, 2026 Aypa power and the Salt River Project (SRP) nonprofit says its Fronton Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) unit has reached power in Arizona. The 250 MW/1 GWh BESS system, located in Mesa’s Elliot Road Technology Corridor, is one of the largest in the Grand Canyon State. The unit has enough energy capacity to power up to 56,250 homes in the Salt River Valley, and is prepared for sustained load growth as the Phoenix metropolitan area remains one of the fastest growing population centers in the US. “The addition of new battery energy storage resources…
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) found that solar energy takes up just 0.07% of U.S. farmland. an interactive map the organization published today. The new tool comes amid Farm Bill negotiations in Congress and increasing misinformation and targeted research surrounding solar energy development and agricultural land use. The map shows that solar energy takes up a small portion of U.S. farmland, especially compared to suburban sprawl and recreational use. Across the country, many solar projects support dual-use agricultural practices such as grazing and pollinator habitats. “America depends on our lands to grow our food, build our communities and power…
APsystems will showcase its full portfolio of energy storage solutions at the 2026 edition of Intersolar Europe in Munich, highlighting a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support evolving energy needs for micro-site (DIY), residential and C&I applications.Building on its leadership in microinverter technology, the company continues to expand its integrated solar and storage offering, delivering complete solutions that combine hardware, intelligent energy management and system-level integration across applications.For DIY and micro-site applications, plug-and-play solutions will be on display, including the Lake 6 AC-coupled energy storage system, a compact 6 kWh product designed for solar energy on balconies. With a tool-free installation,…
Iran is working on deploying 15 GW of small-scale solar power plants. According to reports published by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) has submitted a proposal to the government for a program that aims to rapidly deploy 15 GW of small-scale power plants in the domestic, commercial and agricultural solar energy sectors. SATBA CEO Mohsen Tarztalab told the news agency that both domestic production and imports of equipment should be pursued to enable the rapid installation of small solar systems. He also said a proposal has been submitted to the government…
By Martin McConnell June 18, 2026 The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released a new interactive map detailing the location of solar energy (or lack thereof) on major U.S. agricultural lands. The new mapping program comes at a crucial time, as Farm Bill negotiations in the U.S. Congress have led to more research than ever on agricultural solar energy projects. According to SEIA, the map shows that solar energy takes up a “remarkably small” percentage of U.S. farmland, about 0.07% of the country’s farmland. SEIA president and CEO Tim Pawlenty, who took over from interim president Darren Van’t Hof…
A Welsh energy organisation, Egni Cydweithredol Cyfyngedig (Egni Co-op), has secured a £1.4m investment to deliver 2MW of new rooftop solar.The investment will support the construction and commissioning of rooftop solar PV installations, including on schools and public buildings. It comes from the Welsh Government-backed Local Energy Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, which provides development and capital finance to community-led, low-carbon and renewable energy projects.Approximately 65% of the energy generated by the installations will be consumed directly on site. This will reduce the energy costs of the public buildings in which the solar panels are installed.The contractors…
After years of fighting in court, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Vote Solar, overturning the Arizona Corporation Commission’s (ACC) approval of discriminatory charges for Arizona Public Service (APS) customers who have rooftop solar panels. In its decision, the Arizona Court of Appeals struck down the solar energy charges, finding that they were imposed unfairly and violated the requirements of due process. APS, a regulated utility that powers 1.4 million homes and businesses in Arizona, has created solar rates in the 2022 tariff for the first time, and they currently amount to about $2 to $3 in…
By Martin McConnell June 16, 2026 Energy transition company Alluvial force has announced the completion and commercial operation of Boot Hill Solar, a 150 MWac solar project located in Ford County, just west of central Kansas. With an installed solar capacity of 471 MW in the first quarter of 2026, Kansas currently ranks 41st in the rankings. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) Solar state by state rankings. Now online, Boot Hill Solar will be one of the largest projects in the Sunflower State, behind the 189 MW Pixley Solar Energy Center. As part of a long-term power purchase agreement, the…
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on the 1994 Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations (PSSR) to enable more UK homes to use plug-in solar panels.The consultation runs until June 30 and was announced alongside news that a number of leading UK retailers – including Amazon, B&Q, Currys and Lidl – had expressed their support for the government’s plans to amend the law to facilitate the deployment of plug-in solar panels.“This is a fantastic opportunity to make renewable energy more accessible to people across Britain,” said John Boumphrey, country manager for Amazon UK…
UK-based Frontier Power has acquired two long-term energy storage projects (LDES) currently under development in Scotland from Apatura Energy.The projects are the 200 MW/1,600 MWh Ayr battery energy storage system (BESS) and the 150 MW/1,200 MWh Busby BESS, located in Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire respectively. The projects will use the Z3 technology platform developed by New Jersey-based Eos Energy Enterprises, which develops hybrid zinc cathode batteries.While the company reported back-to-back quarters of losses in its most recent financial results, CEO Joe Mastrangelo described the 2025 financial results as a “structural turning point” ahead of his work going forward. Eos signed…