The Solar Product Registry Set to Boost Solar Deployment

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced the expansion of the EcoCare service plan to provide new levels of customer support with EcoCare Advanced+. The most comprehensive service tier in the EcoCare portfolio, EcoCare Advanced+ for Electrical Distribution introduces true condition-based maintenance capabilities, including 24/7 remote monitoring, AI-driven insights, and proactive service.

EcoCare Advanced+ for Electrical Distribution allows subscribers to move from more reactive to proactive maintenance strategies, supporting safer, more efficient, and sustainable operations. Maintenance strategies can now be tailored to the specific needs of the subscriber's operation, optimizing equipment lifecycles to increase uptime and extend asset lifespan, while reducing their overall maintenance costs.

"This enhanced tier builds on the foundation of EcoCare and reflects our broader strategy of how we unlock the full potential of our customers' electrical infrastructure – in a way only Schneider Electric can," said Jerome Soltani, Senior Vice President, Services, Schneider Electric. "EcoCare Advanced+ for Electrical Distribution represents the future of customer support. It is a clear example of how we continue to deliver on our promise of empowering businesses to operate smarter, safer, and more sustainably."

EcoCare offers next-level support for electrical distribution equipment by providing priority access to services experts, on-site or remotely, combined with advanced analytics and AI, starting from the very first day of installation of low and medium voltage assets. The result is improved electrical distribution equipment's performance, safety, reduced downtime, and optimized maintenance strategy.

EcoCare Advanced+ for Electrical Distribution offers a distinctive level of service, emphasizing expedited, priority access to service experts and benefits:

• Predictive & Condition-Based Maintenance: Customer Success Team collaborates with each member to devise a tailored success plan and diligently monitors its progress.
• 24/7 Remote Monitoring and Fault Detection: A remote team of experts from the Connected Services Hub supervises electrical asset health status, based on predictive analytics and AI.
• Priority Support and Accelerated Issue Resolution: A dedicated Service Level Agreement and upgrade options, ensuring prompt on-site intervention by a highly skilled services team in the event of emergencies.
• Direct Access to Schneider Electric Experts: Access to advanced technical support experts during business hours via a hotline or chat.
• Compliance and Audit Readiness: Support to help protect employees, comply with regulations, and optimize operations.
• Included Labor and Parts Coverage: Financial benefits, including spare parts, labor, and travel for on-site intervention, all included.
• Extended Warranty: Extension of the standard manufacturer's warranty.

EcoCare offers a range of support levels and features 

The EcoCare service plan from Schneider Electric offers three distinct membership levels to meet the needs of our growing subscription base, allowing members to optimize their support as their operations become more complex:

• EcoCare Essential: Access to resources and experts to help resolve issues faster and improve the resiliency and efficiency of business and operations.
• EcoCare Advanced: Exclusive access to additional support features, including consultancy from experts and advanced analytics, to optimize operations.
• EcoCare Advanced+ for Electrical Distribution: The most comprehensive service tier designed to maximize the long-term value of our customers' electrical distribution systems.

Schneider Electric | https://www.se.com/us/en/work/services/assets-and-systems-services/ecocare

Hitachi America, Ltd. ("Hitachi America"), announced a series of significant investments and strategic initiatives across the United States, reinforcing its long-term commitment to driving innovation, strengthening critical infrastructure and creating high-value jobs. These milestones, all unveiled in September, span advanced manufacturing, power grid infrastructure, and digital solutions, which are tangible proof of Hitachi's strategy to leverage its global expertise to solve local challenges and contribute directly to U.S. economic growth. 

"These investments represent True One Hitachi, bringing together the Group's vast combined expertise aligned to a shared vision," said Toshiaki Tokunaga, President & CEO of Hitachi, Ltd. "With digital technologies at the core of our business, we are delivering comprehensive solutions that solve significant societal problems. By investing in the United States, we are strengthening local economies while accelerating innovation."

Reinforcing the company's commitment to the American economy through long-term investment and job creation, these initiatives are central to Hitachi's global vision and its "Inspire 2027" management plan. This strategy envisions a harmonized society where environment, well-being, and economic growth coexist in balance. By leveraging its advanced solutions and domain expertise in energy, mobility, industrial, and digital sectors—Hitachi is committed to building a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future while addressing some of society's most pressing challenges.

"Incorporated in the U.S. since 1959, Hitachi has been contributing to the economic, cultural, and innovation fabric in the U.S. while growing our business in the region," said Shashank Samant, Executive Chairman of Hitachi Americas. "We are thrilled about our shared success, and we are committed to building on this momentum in the U.S., working hand-in-hand with our public and private sector partners and clients — to build a more prosperous, sustainable future together."

"Hitachi was founded on the principle of contributing to society through technology, and our growing presence in the United States is a modern expression of that core mission," said Yasuhiro Takeuchi, CEO of Hitachi Americas. "The U.S. is one of our most important markets, not just for its size, but for its spirit of innovation. By investing in local manufacturing and empowering a skilled American workforce, we are building the future of energy, mobility and industry, ultimately improving everyday lives."

This commitment is demonstrated by a series of significant announcements and milestones this week:

• Digital Railcar Factory in Maryland: Hitachi Rail's 'lighthouse' digital factory officially opened on Monday, Sept. 8th in Hagerstown, Maryland. The $100 million site incorporates more than $30 million in digital enhancements and operates as a carbon-neutral factory. It can produce up to 20 railcars per month and is set to deliver next-generation fleets for metros that serve the Washington D.C. area, Baltimore and Philadelphia. As a flagship for Hitachi's global digital manufacturing strategy, it includes Lumada-powered AI and smart manufacturing. The plant features an immersive digital customer experience center, where visitors can see examples of Hitachi's digital mobility solutions – including HMAX – that are benefiting customers around the world. The factory is creating up to 460 direct jobs and supporting over 1,300 in total, generating an estimated $350 millionin annual economic impact for the region.
• As an example of the One Hitachi approach to the factory's development, the site features Flexware Innovation's LIFT intralogistics software. Developed in partnership with Hitachi owned GlobalLogic, this technology has been deployed in the factory to optimize material flow and advance digital transformation. In addition, GlobalLogic has also partnered with Ericsson to design and deploy a state-of-the-art private 5G networkwithin the factory, establishing the Hagerstown plant as a benchmark for the future of smart, digital-first rail production.
   
• Powering America's Energy Future: Hitachi Energy announced a historic $1 billion USD investment to expand U.S. manufacturing of critical electrical grid infrastructure. This includes a $457 million power transformer facility in South Boston, Virginia—the largest of its kind in the nation—alongside expansions of existing facilities nationwide. As part of this investment, Hitachi Energy is also committing $106 million to expanding its transformer components facility in Alamo, Tennessee, $22.5 million to expand and modernize its dry-type transformer operations in Southwest Virginia, and $70 million to bolstering its high-voltage components manufacturing footprint in and around Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Collectively, these projects will create thousands of high-paying jobs, including nearly 950 jobs in Virginia, 100 new positions in Tennessee and 100 more in Pennsylvania. This investment is integral to bolstering the resilience of the U.S. electrical grid and ensuring reliable access to the transformers and critical high-voltage equipment required to support AI data centers, renewable energy, and industrial growth.
   
• New Automation Headquarters: JR Automation, a Hitachi Group company and global leader in advanced automation, announced plans for a $72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan. Breaking ground on September 17, the 286,000-square-foot facility will bring together 350 employees into a modern, state-of-the-art campus designed for collaboration, customer demonstrations, and global innovation. The new HQ will also serve as a hub for Hitachi's Integrated Industry Automation, harnessing digital twin technology, edge computing, and AI to deliver next-generation intelligent manufacturing ecosystems.
   
• Charting 'New Horizons': Hitachi recently hosted its annual Hitachi Inspire Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C. under the theme "New Horizons". With over 120 delegates in attendance from 95 unique global brands, the event was designed to engage senior leaders from across major industries in dialogue about business, technology, and talent strategies in the AI era. The summit featured presentations and insights from experts and thought leaders, collectively exploring the future of energy, mobility and industrial transformation. Alongside the summit, Hitachi's Innovation Expo showcased over 45 groundbreaking R&D and business unit demonstrations — from AI vision and sustainable energy to digital manufacturing and smart mobility — highlighting Hitachi's leadership in transforming innovative ideas into impactful solutions that address global challenges and drive industry forward.

Hitachi America | https://www.hitachi.us/

Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world's leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, opened U.S. pre-orders for its next-generation electric vehicle (EV) charger, the IQ EV Charger 2. The new smart charger is designed to work seamlessly with Enphase solar and battery systems or as a powerful standalone charger. With advanced energy management features, the charger can support increased solar self-consumption, lower energy costs, and offer a smart, efficient EV charging experience.

The key features for the IQ EV Charger 2 include:

• Solar-optimized charging: The charger intelligently prioritizes surplus solar energy, checking for available power every 30 seconds and adjusting the charging rate in 1 ampere increments. This ensures your EV runs on clean energy more often, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering electricity bills.
• Built-in intelligence and safety: Smart capabilities include access control via RFID technology and UL 3141 certified dynamic load balancing, which adjusts charging rates to avoid costly main panel upgrades.
• Flexible and powerful: The charger supports fast charging for both residential and commercial applications. For homes, it provides up to 19.2 kW of power at 240 V, while commercial settings can leverage up to 22.1 kW at 277 V using NACS connector. It is compatible with virtually every EV sold in North America.
• Future-ready bidirectional Charging: Equipped with ISO 15118-20 compliant hardware and software, the IQ EV Charger 2 is prepared to support future AC bidirectional charging. While availability depends on EV compatibility, standards, and regional certifications, this feature is built to enable vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration.

“The IQ EV Charger 2 gives homeowners a smarter, more flexible way to manage EV charging,” said Jayant Somani, senior vice president and general manager of the digital business unit at Enphase Energy. “Whether it’s pairing with solar for green charging or optimizing for the lowest electricity rates, this charger puts customers in control of their energy.”

Built for durability, the UL-certified enclosure is designed to withstand everything from harsh winters to hot summers. It comes in a sleek black design that blends premium aesthetics with rugged performance, making it as stylish as it is reliable. For businesses, the charger integrates with charge point operators and energy management service providers through OCPP and local Modbus. The IQ EV Charger 2 comes with a five-year limited warranty and 24/7 customer support.

Enphase is showcasing the IQ EV Charger 2 at RE+ 2025, taking place September 8 - 11, 2025, at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees can see the product and meet with the Enphase team at Booth F17702 inside Caesars Forum.

Earlier this year, Enphase launched the IQ EV Charger 2 across 14 European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. U.S. customers can place pre-orders starting today, with production shipments expected to begin by November 2025.

Enphase Energy | https://investor.enphase.com

LF Energy, the open source foundation accelerating the energy transition, welcomes five new members from leading technology and energy companies. New general members include EcoFlow, Hitachi, and Red Hat and associate members include INESC TEC and Energy IoT Open Source. The Foundation also experienced a wave of momentum; including a major security audit for PowSyBl, an updated report on the impact of open source on vertical industries including energy, and new feature releases across several open source LF Energy projects. Together, these developments reflect a deepening of LF Energy’s role in delivering secure, interoperable and globally recognized open source infrastructure for the energy sector. 

“The momentum we are seeing at LF Energy underscores the important role for open technical collaboration to play in the digital energy transition. With new members joining, critical security audits completed, and increasing contributions to open source projects, our community is proving that collaboration can deliver the secure, interoperable, and innovative digital infrastructure the energy sector urgently needs. Together, we are building the digital infrastructure to deliver affordable, safe, reliable and clean energy.” – Alex Thornton, Executive Director, LF Energy

Strengthening the Foundation: PowSyBl Security Audit
LF Energy published a comprehensive security audit for PowSyBl, conducted by Ada Logics and coordinated by OSTIF (Open Source Technology Improvement Fund), reinforcing the project's suitability for real-world deployment. Over a five-week period (March-April 2025), the audit included threat modeling, manual review of 13 repositories, and integration of over 50 API fuzz tests into Google’s OSS-Fuzz. Nine issues were identified and resolved, such as: three of moderate severity (including Polynomial ReDoS, XXE/SSRF, and insecure deserialization) and six low-severity validation and error-handling concerns – enhancing PowSyBl’s resilience. Ongoing security testing is now in place through OSS-Fuzz integration.

Updated Report Explores Impact of Open Source on Vertical Industries Including Energy
“Software-Defined Vertical Industries: Transformation Through Open Source”, sponsored by LF Energy and LF Networking, analyzes how vertical industries have become increasingly software-defined thanks to open source technologies. The report serves as a guide for how industries – including energy – that are still in the early stages of digital transformation can accelerate their progress and increase innovation by adopting and contributing to open source.

Project Updates and Feature Releases

• EVerest added important new capabilities that make the open source EV charging software stack more robust, accessible, and production-ready thanks to a large code contribution from LF Energy member Pionix. The code was previously part of Pionix’s EVerest-based proprietary solution, Basecamp, and includes pre-certified drivers to support a wider range of devices. It additionally adds ready-made development tools, Yocto layers, over-the-air update mechanisms, and advanced security features such as TPM 2.0 support and X.509-signed updates. These additions help developers reduce integration work, accelerate time-to-market, and maintain strong security assurances.
   
• OpenSynth is expanding beyond demand data, now including RTE7000. The first candidate of the detailed topology dataset covered the French transmission grid to enable a richer system modeling, synthetic data generation, and AI innovation across energy sectors. Future data drops are planned.
   
• Battery Data Alliance released the largest open source dataset to date formatted in the Battery Data Format. Generated from an autonomous robotic battery materials research platform, this landmark dataset delivers a new benchmark for high-quality, machine-readable battery data and global research collaboration.
   
• OperatorFabric v4.8.0 offers enhanced custom screen functionality, including selectable text, horizontal scrolling, improved error handling, date-range pickers, multiselect enhancements, and notification configuration improvements. The release also includes UI and backend dependency updates.
   
• FlexMeasures v0.27 introduces multi‑asset scheduling which allows simultaneous optimization of multiple flexible devices and two‑factor authentication (2FA), reinforcing both functionality and platform security. Additional updates include data uploads, user management via UI, and role-based editing.
   
• Power Grid Model v1.12.0 brings support for current sensors in state estimation, full observability checks for radial grids, bug fixes, performance boosts, enhanced documentation, along with a note that macOS versions earlier than 13.4 are no longer supported.
   
• PowSyBl Dependencies v2025.1.0 concludes the latest release train with improvements in load flow accuracy, sensitivity analysis, dynamic modeling, and security margins. The release also includes fixes resolving all vulnerabilities identified in the recent audit.

Upcoming LF Energy Events

LF Energy Summit North America takes place October 3 in Montreal, providing opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Additionally, LF Energy is partnering with the TODO Group to co-host OSPOlogy Live Lyon from November 5-6, advancing discussions on open source program office strategies across industries.

Supporting Quotes

“Joining LF Energy allows us to bring EcoFlow’s advanced energy solutions to the open-source community, sharing technologies that make energy independence achievable for every household,” said Edison Tuo, Director of AIoT at EcoFlow. “Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the development of scalable, decarbonized energy systems and continue our mission to power a new world.”

“We are excited to collaborate with LF Energy to advance secure AI capabilities and OSPO best practices in the energy sector while fostering synergies with other LF initiatives such as CNCF and the TODO Group,” said Yuichi Nakamura, Head of OSPO, Hitachi, Ltd.

"Red Hat is proud to join LF Energy to accelerate the modernization of the world's power grids through open source innovation,” said Kelly Switt, Head of Industrial Business Red Hat. “We believe the challenges of decarbonization and grid stability require a collaborative, open approach to technology, and we are committed to bringing our expertise to the forefront of this effort."

“Open source is core for INESC TEC’s mission to accelerate research and innovation in sustainable energy systems,” said Alexandre Lucas of INESC TEC. “We actively contribute software that enables researchers, operators, and industry to experiment, prototype, and deploy digital solutions with trust and transparency. At INESC TEC we believe that open source research shortens the time between development and practical application, creates adoption volume, reduce reliance on proprietary solutions, while at the same time we mature a collective vision with our partners. Joining LF Energy strengthens our commitment to building secure, interoperable, and community-driven tools that power the energy transition worldwide.”

"Energy IoT is excited to partner with LF Energy, as this collaboration directly accelerates our mission to deliver scalable, resilient, and equitable microgrid solutions,” said Arila Barnes, Founder & CEO of Energy IoT Open Source. “We bridge what LF Energy and others like enAccess offer in this space to bring hands-on experience and continuity to the local communities via LFX Mentorships and Open Source labs."

LF Energy | https://www.lfenergy.org

The Linux Foundation | linuxfoundation.org

RTS Wind Group, a leading global service provider in onshore and offshore wind energy, has appointed Phil Heathcock as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based at the Group’s UK headquarters in Middlesbrough, Heathcock will oversee RTS Wind Group’s global financial organisation; supporting the company's continued international expansion. Heathcock brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience across industries including engineering and infrastructure, alongside 15 years within the renewable energy sector. He has a proven track record of guiding organisations through periods of rapid expansion and transformation, successfully managing complex international operations and delivering strong financial performance.

Phil Heathcock commented: “I am thrilled to join RTS Wind Group at such an exciting time in its growth journey. The potential in both onshore and offshore wind is enormous, and I look forward to working with our brilliant teams around the world to drive sustainable expansion and deliver ever‑greater value for our clients and stakeholders.” 

RTS Wind Group provides full turnkey solutions for the onshore and offshore wind industry covering operations and maintenance, blade inspection and repair, installation, training and a suite of high voltage services. These services are supported through its 24/7 global control centres.

Operating in 44 countries across five continents, RTS Wind Group partners with leading renewable energy developers and OEMs to deliver safe, reliable and efficient solutions that accelerate the shift to clean energy worldwide.

RTS | www.rts-wind.com 

Norvento TECHnPower, the technology brand of Norvento, a Galician company with more than 40 years of experience across the entire renewable energy value chain, is presenting nXL, its new range of high-power bidirectional converters designed for large-scale applications.

The nXL family of equipment represents a cutting-edge technological leap forward, offering the highest power and the most compact range of converters worldwide in the renewable and industrial sectors, reaching 622 kVA/mÑ and providing up to 9MVA in 20 feet, including MV cell and power transformer.

These innovative converters, designed and manufactured by Norvento TECHnPower in Spain, can operate both in grid-connected (on-grid) systems and in isolated (off-grid) environments, and switch seamlessly between different operating modes: voltage and frequency support through gridforming and black start. Their compact design, high efficiency and adaptability make the nXL family of converters the ideal choice for large scale projects seeking to optimise the use of renewable energy and energy storage.

Multipurpose vocation

The nXL range has been designed as a multipurpose solution to facilitate the integration of different energy technologies. With the ability to be assembled on a 20-foot skid and it is compatible with solar photovoltaic plants, battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen electrolysers, port infrastructure applications (OPS) or railway catenaries, as well as systems requiring grid control via STATCOM or active filters.

Its technical features include ultra-low harmonic content (THDi <1%), a DC/AC ratio of up to 200% without modification and an innovative sealed cooling system designed entirely by Norvento TECHnPower and unique in the market, resistant to any adversity. This system combines liquid cooling for the main components of the converter with internal cold air recirculation, without air exchange with the outside, ensuring stable operation even in extreme climates. Thanks to this design, an IP65 protection rating is achieved throughout the converter system, protecting key components and keeping the interior isolated from adverse environmental conditions.

The nXL family also incorporates advanced control and predictive maintenance algorithms based on artificial intelligence. Furthermore, by eliminating all air filters, the new units require minimal maintenance and repair.

Ideal for data centres and extreme environments

One of the sectors where this technology is particularly relevant is data centres, where energy continuity and stability are critical. Norvento TECHnPower's nXL converters offer a secure and adaptable energy source, with direct integration with batteries to cover demand peaks or possible outages, ensuring a continuous energy supply.

Furthermore, thanks to its sealed cooling system, the nXL family of converters is suitable for desert areas, highly corrosive areas near the sea or with extreme temperatures, and even areas with conductive particles in the air, such as mines and volcanic regions.

New brand, new challenges

The launch of the nXL range marks the beginning of a new era, highlighted by the launch of Norvento TECHnPower, Norvento's new technology brand, which also represents a significant technological advancement in equipment designed for large-scale applications. Norvento TECHnPower brings together the most advanced solutions for energy generation, intelligent management
and storage. This brand was created with a clear vision: to accelerate decarbonisation providing an exclusive, certified, and flexible technology for a renewable energy model.

Norvento TECHnPower represents a natural evolution in Norvento's trajectory, consolidating its more than 40 years in the renewable energy sector and a team with more than 20 years of experience in power electronics, while adapting to the new needs of the market. With this initiative, Norvento is not only supporting the energy transition, but also driving it forward, offering cutting-edge solutions to move towards a cleaner, more efficient and autonomous system.

The nXL converter family will be manufactured at neFO, the pioneering selfsufficient, carbon-neutral factory that Norvento is building in Lugo. Once operational, this facility will produce all Norvento TECHnPower equipment and serve as a practical demonstration of Norvento's sustainability principles. It is estimated that this plant will prevent an annual emission of 187,000 tonnes of CO₂.

“At Norvento, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new nXL converter family, an achievement that brings together all the knowledge and expertise of Norvento, which has over 40 years of experience in the industry and 15 years as a manufacturer. With the nXL range, we have developed a family of bidirectional converters that combine the highest power density on the market with multipurpose capability. These devices can operate in both networks and isolated environments, and switch seamlessly between different operating modes, allowing them to adapt to a wide variety of applications: from photovoltaic plants and BESS systems to hydrogen electrolysers, data centres and port infrastructure. All this with a compact, resistant design suitable for extreme environments, designed and manufactured entirely in Spain," said Álvar Mayor Miguel, Innovation Director at Norvento TECHnPower.

Norvento | https://www.norvento.com/en/power-converters-nxl/

Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) (OTCQB: SUNXF) (FSE: 6330) announced that it secured approximately $1 million in new signed customer contracts during August 2025, increasing the Company's total signed contract backlog to approximately $3.5 million as of September 1, 2025.

The August additions reflect sustained demand for rooftop solar and battery energy storage solutions across Stardust Solar's North American footprint of 97 territories. The Company's training-driven operating model and standardized project execution continue to support efficient market expansion and customer adoption.

"Adding $1 million to our signed solar project backlog in a single month highlights the strong and sustained demand we are seeing from both homeowners and small businesses," said Mark Tadros, Founder & Chief Executive Officer. "The combination of residential, commercial, and storage projects secured in August reflects broad-based momentum. With installation calendars filling and crews scheduled, we believe we are well positioned for a strong finish to the third quarter and continued progress into the fourth."

The August additions comprise a diverse mix of signed customer contracts that are scheduled primarily for completion during the second half of 2025, with timing influenced by permitting and utility interconnection. The Company's centralized engineering resources, standardized plan sets, and project management support continue to deliver consistent quality and throughput for residential and commercial projects, while rising storage attachment rates are increasing both average project value and customer resilience.

For clarity, the Company defines solar project backlog as the aggregate value of signed customer contracts across company-owned and franchised operations that have not yet been recognized as revenue. This operational measure is intended to provide investors with visibility into near-term installation activity. It is not a measure of revenue or earnings, and conversion is dependent on factors such as municipal permitting, utility interconnection timelines, supply chain logistics, and customer scheduling.

Management expects to convert a meaningful portion of both August additions and previously signed work by quarter end, while maintaining disciplined pricing and scheduling practices to support customer experience and cash flow. The Company will continue to expand its market reach through franchise development, installer and sales training, and targeted local marketing across solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging solutions.

Stardust Solar | www.stardustsolar.com