The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Illuminate USA, the largest single-site solar panel manufacturer in North America, has signed a five-year agreement with SOLARCYCLE to purchase domestically manufactured solar glass. The glass will support the production of 3 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels each year at Illuminate USA’s advanced manufacturing facility based in Pataskala, Ohio. This multi-year commitment makes Illuminate USA the largest customer for SOLARCYCLE’s future solar glass factory in Cedartown, Georgia.  

SOLARCYCLE, a technology-based solar panel recycler and materials company, will produce glass using recycled materials from retired solar panels, further strengthening the circular economy for clean energy manufacturing.  

“This agreement is a meaningful signal to the market about the future of solar manufacturing in the U.S.,” said Suvi Sharma, chief executive officer and co-founder of SOLARCYCLE. “Despite some challenging policy headwinds, there is still significant market demand for high-quality, domestically manufactured materials that support U.S. solar manufacturing. We are proud to welcome Illuminate USA as our anchor customer for the first-of-its-kind American solar glass factory.” 

Illuminate USA assembles ready-to-install bifacial solar panels for a wide range of commercial applications. Bifacial solar panels use glass on both sides to increase energy output.  

“We are committed to producing high-quality panels to meet growing demand in the American solar market. That commitment starts with the materials we use,” said Frank Zhu, chief executive officer of Illuminate USA. “High-performance solar glass is essential to enhancing panel efficiency, which makes our partnership with SOLARCYCLE especially meaningful. They share our commitment to quality, sustainability, and building a strong, domestic solar supply chain that creates rewarding careers for Americans.” 

With this announcement, SOLARCYCLE’s solar glass production capacity is almost entirely committed in long-term agreements. The facility is shovel ready, and the company is now working to finalize the remaining investment necessary to begin construction. The company targets early 2028 for initial deliveries of solar glass.  

Once complete, SOLARCYCLE’s solar glass factory in Cedartown is expected to be the first to produce specialized glass for crystalline-silicon solar panels in the United States, and the first in the world to use recycled glass cullet from end-of-life solar panels as a key input.  

Illuminate USA | www.illuminateusa.com

SOLARCYCLE | https://www.solarcycle.us/

ZAPI GROUP, a global leader in electrification, announced the successful acquisition of the majority of Stercom Power Solutions, a pioneer in intelligent charging and energy storage systems based in Germany. The strategic acquisition enhances ZAPI GROUP’s charging solutions portfolio and technical capabilities while also extending its market reach in key growth sectors such as high voltage on-board charging and energy storage systems.

Stercom Power Solutions contributes pioneering technologies in energy storage and charging systems for e-mobility and industrial energy systems. This expansion in capabilities reinforces ZAPI GROUP’s position as an industry leader in electric drive and industrial automation solutions that will accelerate innovation and deliver more comprehensive solutions to the market.

"The acquisition of Stercom Power Solutions represents an important milestone in our growth strategy and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to expanding our capabilities to better serve our customers," said Mr. Giannino Zanichelli, founder and owner of ZAPI GROUP. "This acquisition strengthens ZAPI GROUP's ability to deliver next-generation charging solutions as demand accelerates for advanced technologies in electric drive applications. The addition of this company’s innovative product portfolio and talented team will help drive continued growth and market leadership.”

ZAPI GROUP is committed to a seamless integration for Stercom Power Solutions, ensuring continuity for their customers. As part of this process, Stercom Power Solutions will continue to operate as an independent entity in Bavaria, Germany, closely aligned with the rest of the ZAPI GROUP companies.

ZAPI GROUP | www.zapigroup.com

Stercom Power Solutions | www.stercom.de/en

Forth’s “Charge at Home” program has just launched a new initiative to support the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in multifamily communities. Now through September 2025, Charge at Home will offer free consultations for developers, property managers, and HOAs to expand access to resources and educate stakeholders that are future-proofing their investments.  

This new initiative promotes EV charging guidance for properties, with experts providing details about charging level options, retrofitting, load management, and best user experience for residents. In a competitive rental market, providing EV charging stations is both a convenience and a strategic advantage for owners. Results from recent Charge at Home case studies show this is a compelling amenity to support attracting and retaining residents, but it requires minimal efforts from the onsite teams to strategize and implement – creating a significant value add for properties. 

Whether you’re exploring your first EV charging project or looking to expand an existing system, Charge at Home’s free consultation offers insight to build resident friendly solutions.  

To schedule your consultation, click here. 

Charge at Home | https://chargeathome.org/  

Forth | https://forthmobility.org/

Anya Schoolman, Executive Director of Solar United Neighbors, released the following statement:

The sun shines everywhere and everyone should be able to benefit from its rays. The move by the EPA to illegally cancel $7 billion in funding to lower energy bills harms families struggling with rising energy costs and will cost us good local jobs. Congress must step in to protect Americans from this reckless decision as well as protect its Constitutionally-mandated right to control the federal budget.

In the spring of 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits.

This announcement couldn’t come at a worse time. Half of low- and moderate-income households reduced or went without food or medicine in order to pay their energy bills last year. Solar for All provides a lasting solution to the skyrocketing energy bills. It will slash household electricity costs by 20 percent, lowering electricity bills for each household that benefits from this program by $400 each year.

This illegal action to take funds from Solar for All will make families poorer, local businesses less profitable, and cost good jobs. Solar United Neighbors will fight to ensure this funding is restored and continue our work to build a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone.

Solar United Neighbors | solarunitedneighbors.org

In a powerful display of community and clean energy progress, the City of Hartford, Connecticut Green Bank, and PosiGen hosted a "Solar for All Hartford: Solar Celebration" at a local PosiGen customer's home on Blue Hills Avenue. The event celebrated the successful Solar for All Hartford initiative, launched in 2018, which aims to help Hartford homeowners save money on energy costs through the installation of solar energy and battery storage systems.

Along with the city's support, PosiGen and Connecticut Green Bank designed the Solar for All Hartford program to make solar energy and battery storage accessible and affordable to all homeowners, regardless of income level. Since its inception, more than 350 Hartford residents have made the switch to solar energy. In addition to rooftop solar, the program now includes battery storage, an important new component of PosiGen's proven model. This enhancement gives homeowners greater energy resilience, helping them keep the lights on and meet critical needs.

The celebration featured a speaking program that included remarks from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, City of Hartford officials, and Connecticut Green Bank and PosiGen leadership, as well as customers who shared their personal experiences about the benefits of going solar.

"Bolstering energy efficiency, lowering electricity costs, and delivering reliable energy are just a few of the reasons solar is critical to our state's clean energy future," said Senator Blumenthal. "I applaud Solar for All's efforts to make solar more affordable and accessible for all Hartford families."

"The Solar for All Hartford campaign demonstrates how a unified partnership, grounded in shared vision and moral commitment, can transform community well-being," said City of Hartford Director of Sustainability Cecelia Drayton. "By engaging residents meaningfully, the campaign has paved the way for equitable access to solar energy for everyone."

"While the key environmental and economic impacts can be measured with data, hearing residents talk about using the cost savings from solar to pay other bills or how battery storage prevents the loss of expensive, life-saving medicines during a power outage reminds us why this work is so important," said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank.

"PosiGen is grateful for our long-term partnerships with the city of Hartford and Connecticut Green Bank that have helped make our "Solar for All" mission a reality in Connecticut," said PosiGen VP of Public Policy Kyle Wallace. "The affordable rooftop solar and batteries we provide families in Hartford and across the state increase energy affordability, enhance reliability, and are a critical part of Connecticut's clean energy future."

"I no longer have to worry about skyrocketing summer bills," said Hartford resident Dr. Kaydian R.

"It's very worth it," said Hartford resident Yahaira A. "I'm so glad I did it because the savings have just been through the roof."

With hundreds of families already seeing the benefits of solar energy, Solar for All Hartford is proving that smart energy solutions can also be fair, inclusive, and life-changing. The future is bright for homeowners ready to power up and save.

Posigen | posigen.com/solar-for-all-hartford

Connecticut Green Bank | www.ctgreenbank.com

The American Council on Renewable Energy released a new issue brief on IRS “safe harbor” provisions and how they work in tandem with private market forces to ensure the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of federal energy tax credits.

For the clean energy infrastructure that’s required to meet rising electricity demand from AI, cloud computing, and other economic and national security imperatives, safe harbor rules provide clarity, reduce burdens, and foster confidence in project development. Ultimately, IRS safe harbor provisions act as guardrails—ensuring only projects with meaningful and ongoing development qualify.

Click here to download the report and one-pager.

American Council on Renewable Energy | https://acore.org/

The oceangoing vessel Asian Spirit arrived at the Duluth Seaway Port Authority’s Clure Public Marine Terminal with 39 wind turbine blades, completing a project that involved six voyages and more than 100,000 freight tons of wind energy cargo in 2025. Her shipments contributed to a milestone summer—the 20th anniversary of wind energy cargo deliveries at North America’s farthest-inland seaport.

The very first shipment arrived in April 2005, after years of development efforts by Lake Superior Warehousing and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority—a working partnership known as Duluth Cargo Connect. Since that first shipment, Duluth has welcomed more than 2.6 million freight tons of wind energy cargo, establishing itself as the leading midcontinent logistics hub for renewable energy components. 

• In 2011, cumulative wind energy cargo shipments surpassed 1 million freight tons at the Clure Public Marine Terminal. 

• In 2020, Duluth Cargo Connect handled a single-season record 525,000 freight tons of wind energy cargo. It arrived aboard 30 ships from eight countries on four continents. 

• In 2024, Duluth Cargo Connect discharged the port’s longest blades ever: 260 feet in length. 

• After arriving in Duluth on ships, via the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, energy cargoes complete the final leg of their journey via truck or rail, a process expedited by Duluth’s award-winning road and rail clearances, plus crucial partnerships with MnDOT, WisDOT, the City of Duluth, St. Louis County, and state law enforcement agencies. o Today’s shipment of wind energy cargo is destined for North Dakota, where the blades will repower previously installed turbines. 

• The port’s history of handling energy cargo spans more than 150 years, starting with coal shipments in the 1870s and continuing today with inbound and outbound sailings of bulk and breakbulk cargoes—from conventional fuels to renewable energy components. 

Port of Duluth | https://duluthport.com/