The Hidden Risk in Your Battery Storage System: Why cable cleats belong in every BESS specification

Janta Power, a leading developer of patented three-dimensional solar tower energy systems, announced a milestone for rapidly deployable infrastructure in support of one of the world’s largest sporting events. At Fan Festival sites in Dallas and Houston, Janta’s innovative solar towers generated power quietly and concurrently, demonstrating a new model for energy installations that simplify sourcing logistics and align with compressed operational timelines.

The Dallas installation at Fair Park consists of four JP5K solar towers with integrated 28 kWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) and served as a temporary power source for the duration of the Fan Festival. The East Downtown Houston tower and associated BESS served the Fan Festival and will remain as a permanent fixture, purchased to benefit the community and provide power for public amenities over a 25-year life span.

Both tower systems were deployed and fully operational within days, generating up to 275 KWh per day to support event infrastructure for thousands of visitors throughout the Fan Festivals. In addition, the towers feature a small footprint and visually appealing, fully functional body panels with graphic designs representing the energetic spirit of the host cities.

"The World Cup is more than a sporting event – it's a proving ground for the future of energy infrastructure," said Mohammed Njie, Founder and CEO of Janta Power. "By providing clean, quiet power in days instead of months, we're demonstrating that renewable energy can be delivered where it's needed most, without sacrificing speed, reliability, or performance. Whether it's powering a global event, an AI data center, an airport, or a community, our mission is the same: to make clean, affordable, and reliable energy quickly available wherever people need it.”

“Reliable power is a constant logistical consideration across festivals and large-scale events, so solutions that simplify deployment can have a real operational impact,” said Skye Fabrizio, Sustainability Manager at C3 Presents. “Janta’s towers were installed quickly, required minimal space compared to standard solar installations, and provided quiet, reliable power directly on-site. After seeing the technology in action, I see meaningful potential for its use across a much wider range of live events and temporary installations."

Janta’s vertical solar towers are designed to generate approximately 50% more energy than traditional flat-panel systems while using one-third of the land area, overcoming energy-density and siting constraints that limit conventional solar. Each tower’s stacked vertical design and integrated tracking system capture both low-angle morning and evening light, producing a dual-peak power curve that better aligns with real energy demand.

The Fan Festival installations build on Janta’s growing commercial applications. Pilot programs are underway with major global airports, including Munich International Airport, Aena (operator of over 70 airports worldwide), and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), as part of the Airports for Innovation (A4I) initiative. The momentum reflects a broader shift already under way: as power-hungry industries from AI to telecommunications race to secure more capacity, the ability to stand up clean, quiet power sources on limited square footage is a competitive advantage.

Janta Power | www.jantaus.com

Factorial Energy Inc. (Nasdaq: FAC) ("Factorial"), a leading American solid-state battery innovator, announced its first commercial drone battery order. The order marks Factorial’s entry into commercial aerospace applications.

The order marks Factorial’s first commercial order in the aerospace sector and follows successful battery integration and drone flight testing. Factorial will supply high-energy-density lithium-metal cells for integration into battery packs by a U.S.-based pack integrator, creating a battery cell and pack supply chain designed to support demanding drone applications.

Factorial provides a foundation built to scale across the full breadth of physical AI — drones, autonomous aviation, space, defense, and robotics — and to power a generation of autonomous machines that must carry both their own intelligence and their own energy.

Unlike artificial intelligence operating inside centralized data centers, physical AI is embedded in machines that operate in the real world. Drones, autonomous aircraft, mobile robots, spacecraft, defense platforms, and other intelligent systems must carry both their own computing capability and their own energy. These applications require more than batteries that simply store energy: they require systems that deliver high power, manage heat, operate safely near people and sensitive electronics, and maintain reliability under demanding environmental and mission conditions.

“We are thrilled about this commercial order from the aerospace sector, on the heels of our successful integration and drone flight test that demonstrated a more than 30% increase in flight range,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial. “It’s a validation that the same rigorous qualification standards behind last year’s 1,200 km record drive and our first vehicle production program now extend into an entirely new field. In only six months, we designed a new product, built integration partnerships on three continents, completed flight testing, and secured a first purchase order. That is the strategy working as designed. We are committed to building the foundational energy layer that will underpin the next era of mobility and artificial intelligence. Humanity deserves better batteries, and delivering them is our mission.”

As batteries become critical infrastructure for autonomous and intelligent systems over the next decade, Factorial is positioning its technology to serve a broad and rapidly expanding marketplace. According to a March 2026 report by the strategy consulting business unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the global Physical AI market is projected to reach approximately €430 billion by 2030, with significant upside potential as systems that operate in the real, physical world continue to scale and mature.

Factorial Energy | www.factorialenergy.com

CS PowerTech Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) and the largest silicon PV solar manufacturer in the U.S., today announced the official opening of the first phase of its flagship PV cell manufacturing facility at the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The Jeffersonville PVCells facility is a cornerstone of CS PowerTech's U.S. manufacturing platform, reshoring critical advanced manufacturing, strengthening U.S. supply-chain resilience, and supporting America's energy security.

Jeffersonville PVCells is the first American PV cell facility designed to produce industry-leading heterojunction (HJT) bifacial N-type solar cells. Together with CS PowerTech's module manufacturing plant in Mesquite, Texas, the Jeffersonville facility creates a more localized, vertically integrated supply chain to serve its customers and to strengthen critical U.S. energy infrastructure.

At full capacity, the facility is expected to produce more than 6 GWp annually, support more than 1,200 skilled manufacturing, engineering, and technical jobs in Southern Indiana, and represent nearly $1 billion in local investment.

Rusty Schmit, President of CS PowerTech Inc., said, "Jeffersonville is a cornerstone of our strategy to build one of North America's most advanced energy manufacturing supply chains. This facility will produce next-generation HJT solar cells, support domestic manufacturing, and ultimately strengthen grid reliability as our customers deploy the products. We are proud to invest in Indiana's workforce and work with regional partners to build a long-term center of excellence for solar technology and advanced manufacturing."

Colin Parkin, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc., added, "The Jeffersonville facility demonstrates our commitment to scaling one of the world's most advanced solar cell technologies in the United States. HJT technology is critical for the next generation of high-efficiency, high-performance solar modules, and this plant gives CS PowerTech the ability to deliver leading technology, improved energy yield, and long-term value for customers while strengthening domestic advanced manufacturing."

Governor Mike Braun, stated, "CS PowerTech's investment strengthens Indiana's position in advanced manufacturing, creates good-paying jobs for Hoosiers in the area, and reinforces our role in building the technologies that will continue to power America's future."

Indiana State Senator Chris Garten, stated, "CS PowerTech's investment in Jeffersonville is a major win for Southern Indiana. This facility will create over a thousand high-quality jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base, and help position our region as a leader in the technologies that will power America's future."

Indiana State House Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, said, "Indiana's manufacturing workforce is second to none. We welcome CS PowerTech's investment at River Ridge and are excited to launch Southern Indiana into the lead for advanced energy manufacturing and technology."

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, stated, "CS PowerTech is an important part of Jeffersonville's growth story. This investment reflects the strength of our workforce and our city's position as a premier destination for advanced manufacturing."

Marc Hildenbrand, Executive Director of the River Ridge Development Authority, said, "CS PowerTech's investment validates River Ridge's long-term vision as a destination for transformational growth. This facility shows how infrastructure, talent, and strong public-private partnerships can attract world-class advanced manufacturing to Southern Indiana."

The Jeffersonville facility will ramp production to full capacity for phase one over the next few months and CS PowerTech expects to begin work on phase two expansion before the end of the year.

Canadian Solar | www.canadiansolar.com

New data just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign, reveal growth of more than 10% in electrical generation by renewable energy sources in the first five months of 2026. Moreover, solar, wind, and battery storage are projected to add about 83.0 gigawatts (GW) of new generating capacity in the U.S. by May 31, 2027 while total fossil fuel and nuclear power capacity will fall by almost 4.7-GW.

Electrical generation by renewables sources grew over 10% and was more than 30% of the U.S. total in the first five months of 2026.

According to the EIA’s latest “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through May 31, 2026), renewably-generated electricity during the first five months of 2026 was 10.1% greater than in the same period of 2025. The growth was led by utility-scale (i.e., >1 megawatt (MW)) solar (up 21.6%), small-scale solar (i.e., <1-MW) (up 12.8%), hydropower (up 10.8%), and wind (up 4.8%). [1]

By comparison, the electrical output of the nation’s nuclear power and natural gas plants experienced much slower growth – just 1.3% and 2.5% respectively. Electricity produced by U.S. coal facilities fell by 10.9%.

The combination of just wind and solar, including small-scale solar, provided over 22.2% of domestic electrical production.

During the first five months of this year, wind and solar combined produced 57% more electricity than the nation’s coal plants and 26% more than its nuclear reactors. In May alone, solar-generated electricity was greater than that of either coal or wind. [2

The mix of all renewables, including biomass and geothermal, accounted for 30.3% of total U.S. electrical generation during the first five months of 2026 – up from 28.2% a year earlier.

Over the past year, renewable energy capacity increased by almost 45,000-MW.

Between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, the installed capacity of utility-scale solar increased by 27,995.1-MW while that of small-scale solar and wind grew by 6,664.3-MW and 10,252.6-MW respectively. The combined capacity of all renewable energy sources - including hydropower, biomass, and geothermal - expanded by 44,711.8-MW.

In addition, utility-scale battery energy storage capacity increased by 16,551.8-MW. [3]

By comparison, coal capacity fell by 2,235.6-MW as nuclear dropped by 27.6-MW. However, natural gas capacity rose by 6,289.0-MW.

Utility-scale renewable energy to add 54-GW of new capacity in the coming year.

As of May 31, 2026, renewable energy’s share of total U.S. utility-scale (i.e., >1-megawatt (MW)) generating capacity was 34.1%. EIA projects this to grow to 37.0% by May 31, 2027. Utility-scale solar will add 43,971.9-MW thereby expanding its share from 13.1% to16.1% while wind will grow by 9,414.4-MW (including 3,355.0-MW of offshore wind), increasing from 13.4% to 13.6%. The mix of other renewables (i.e., hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) will add 284.2-MW.  

The combined net capacity growth of all utility-scale renewable energy sources for the 12-month period (53,666.0-MW) is 41% more than that added during the previous 12 months (38,047.5-MW).

Meanwhile, EIA projects no new generating capacity by nuclear power and a net decline of 4,685.0-MW in fossil fuel capacity. [4]

With the inclusion of new small-scale solar, renewables’ capacity is likely to surpass natural gas by spring 2027 – or sooner.

The figures cited above do not include small-scale solar. [5] The estimated capacity of small-scale solar systems grew by 6,664.3-MW during the last year, bringing its total to 62,088.6-MW. EIA does not provide a forecast for the next 12 months for small-scale solar capacity growth but the SUN DAY Campaign assumes it will roughly equal that of the past year (i.e., an additional 6,000-MW or more). [6]

If small-scale solar does increase by approximately 6,000-MW by June 1, 2027, it will bring renewable energy’s installed capacity up to about 542,096.3-MW. By comparison, natural gas’ generating capacity would total 514,845.1-MW.

Solar power’s share alone would be more than one-fifth (20.3%) of total U.S. capacity.  

Battery energy storage is projected to increase by almost 48% by next June:

EIA foresees battery energy storage adding another 23,241.1-MW by June 1, 2027 – an increase of almost 48%, bringing the total up to 72,002.0-MW.

Thus, the combination of utility-scale renewable energy sources and battery energy storage will provide 76,907.1-MW of new clean energy capacity by late-spring 2027. With the inclusion of small-scale solar, that figure could rise close to, or above, 83,000-MW.

"Notwithstanding all the roadblocks erected by the Trump Administration, the growth of solar, wind, and battery storage is actually accelerating," noted the SUN DAY Campaign's executive director Ken Bossong. “proving once again that one cannot stop an idea whose time has come.”

EIA released its latest “Electric Power Monthly” report on July 23, 2026. The full report can be found at: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly

For the data cited in this release, see:

Table ES1.A (“Total Electric Power Industry Summary Statistics, 2026 and 2025”);

Table ES1.B (“Total Electric Power Industry Summary Statistics, Year-to-Date 2026 and 2025”);

Table 1.1.A (“Net Generation from Renewable Sources”); and

Table 6.1 (“Electric Generating Summer Capacity Changes (MW), April 2026 to May 2026”).

Notes:   

[1] In January-May 2026, wind produced 226,653 gigawatt-hours (GWh) - 12.5% of total U.S. electrical generation - while utility-scale and small-scale solar combined produced 177,786-GWh (9.8%), hydropower produced 122,525-GWh (6.7%), biomass produced 18,243-GWh (1.0%), and geothermal produced 6,515-GWh (0.36%).

[2] In January-May 2026, the mix of wind and solar, including small-scale solar, produced 404,439-GWh while nuclear power generated 320,105-GWh and coal provided 257,389-GWh. In May 2026 alone, utility-scale and small-scale solar generated 47,147-GWh. Coal generated 45,119-GWh while wind generated 41,157-GWh. Solar and wind combined generated 88,304-GWh. Nuclear power generated 65,001-GWh.

[3] EIA presents its capacity data as “summer capacity” defined as the maximum output that generating equipment can supply to system load at the time of summer peak demand. See Table 6.1 in the “Electric Power Monthly” report.

[4] Capacity factors for fossil fuels and nuclear power are generally higher than for solar and wind. For 2025, EIA reported capacity factors of 48.7%, 58.4%, and 91.0% for coal, natural gas, and nuclear power respectively. By comparison, the capacity factors for wind and utility-scale PV were 34.2% and 24.4% respectively. See Tables 6.07.A and 6.07.B. Capacity factors for small-scale solar systems (10%-25%.) are usually lower than for utility-scale solar.

[5] In its “Electric Power Monthly” report, EIA refers to small-scale or distributed solar as “Estimated Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic.” Unless otherwise indicated, all calculations presented in this release include electrical generation by small-scale solar which EIA estimates to have totaled 41,973-GWh in January-May 2026. Utility-scale solar totaled 135,813-GWh for the same period.

[6] Between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, estimated small-scale solar accounted for 6,664.3-MW in new capacity additions. The SUN DAY Campaign is therefore assuming that at least 6,000-MW in new small-scale solar capacity will be added during the coming 12 months.

U.S. Energy Information Administration | https://www.eia.gov/

Following successful pilot projects, Bachmann electronic has moved its CMScore condition monitoring system into series production. The system was designed for condition-based maintenance of the drivetrain in wind turbines and is suitable for new installations as well as for retrofitting existing turbines and replacing failed legacy systems.

For data acquisition, CMScore uses piezoelectric IEPE sensors with sampling rates of up to 25.6 kHz, allowing it to capture measurements from slow-rotating drivetrain components. The compact hardware features eight IEPE channels, two speed inputs and two analog inputs. It runs on 24 VDC, draws less than 10 W, weighs about 2.6 kg and measures 30 × 20 × 8 cm. The system transmits the recorded data to the server-based WebLog Suite, where it is analyzed and automatically converted into alarms and reports. This connection also allows mixed turbine fleets with different monitoring systems to be analyzed centrally and monitored consistently.

With CMScore, Bachmann electronic is launching a new, affordable entry-level solution for condition monitoring in the wind industry.
                                                                        Image: Bachmann electronic

For operators, the benefit lies primarily in the combination of low effort and early detection of damage. Existing IEPE sensors can be integrated, which reduces procurement and installation costs and simplifies retrofit projects. The compact design and straightforward installation shorten downtime during assembly. Precise data acquisition forms the basis for predictive maintenance, enabling damage to drivetrain components to be detected early and unplanned downtime to be reduced. Bachmann states the payback period as one to three years; afterward, the hardware can be reused in other turbines.

Bachmann also offers a Remote Monitoring Service that handles condition monitoring in accordance with DNV-certified processes and draws on measurement data from more than 10,000 turbines. This gives operators a scalable solution to support the availability and operational reliability of their turbines.

CMScore is part of a comprehensive product family from Bachmann for condition monitoring in the wind market. The WebLog Suite plays a central role in this by consolidating, standardizing, and processing data from Bachmann systems and third-party providers.                                                          Image: Bachmann electronic

Bachmann also offers a Remote Monitoring Service that handles condition monitoring in accordance with DNV-certified processes and draws on measurement data from more than 10,000 turbines. This gives operators a scalable solution to support the availability and operational reliability of their turbines.

Bachmann electronic | https://www.bachmann.info/

Weidmuller USA, a leading provider of smart industrial connectivity and automation products and solutions headquartered in Richmond, Va., announces the release of significant findings from a national survey of 400 engineers in North America to understand how they design PCBs, evaluate components and use emerging tools such as AI in their workflow. 

The study revealed that nearly 8 in 10 respondents placed the highest value on a product’s reliability when selecting components for PCB designs. Component performance also topped the list of reasons why the engineers would make a product switch.

According to the survey, conducted between April-May 2026 by global research and intelligence firm EETech Research, more than 9 in 10 engineers have used AI-based tools in their PCB design workflow. The majority of respondents – 75% – viewed AI tools as a productivity and acceleration layer within existing workflows for increased efficiency and faster design iteration.

The responding engineers also provided insights on their decision-making during the PCB design process, with almost half saying that component selections for a new PCB design are finalized during the early concept phase or in the schematic design phase.

Some key findings from this new survey include:

• An overwhelming majority – 79% – of respondents said “high reliability and durability” are the most important features for device connectivity, compared to only 22% saying price is most important in their decision-making
• Top factors for trying a new product or component in the past 2-3 years are better performance, cost savings and improved reliability
• 43% of respondents said most component selections for a new PCB design are finalized either in the early concept/architecture phase or in the schematic design phase, and 26% said component selection is usually iterative across multiple stages
• 91% have used AI-based tools in their PCB design workflow, with faster design iterations being seen currently as the primary value of AI. 
• When asked what they “wish existed” in AI tools, the study requested write-in answers which reveal that engineers see real and persistent gaps in the promise and reality of AI for PCB design, including lack of real-time error detection and fully autonomous text to the PCB board

“This new research reinforces the importance that engineers place on improvement in performance, reliability, workflow efficiency and supply resilience, especially when these benefits are integrated directly into the PCB design process,” said John Froustet, Senior Director, Product Portfolio Management at Weidmuller USA. “While AI tools are increasingly looked to for speed and accuracy, many questions around data security and accuracy of results still linger.”

View the PCB Design Tools and Component Selection Survey.

Survey Methodology: EETech Research conducted a geo-targeted study of 400 engineers in North America. Data was collected via web survey during April-May 2026. Respondents were asked to complete an anonymous 28-question survey. The survey was commissioned by Weidmuller USA.

Weidmuller USA | www.weidmuller.com

EETech | www.eetech.com

Altus Power, a leading commercial-scale power company, announced the acquisition of five community solar projects from New Leaf Energy, currently under development in Virginia. The 32 MW portfolio will participate in Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) shared solar program and is expected to deliver the benefits of clean power to approximately 5,000 homes.

The ground-mounted projects expand Altus Power’s community solar footprint into Virginia and will deliver direct savings to eligible households and enterprises through solar bill credits, at a time when power prices continue to rise.

"Virginia has made a clear commitment to protecting ratepayers from rising electricity costs through the expansion of clean, incremental power and this program is a key part of that vision,” said Abhi Parmar, Chief Investment Officer, Altus Power. “We're excited to be partnering with New Leaf Energy to help bring it to life, combining our strengths to successfully navigate a new market and deliver real savings to households and businesses across the state."

This transaction marked the first collaboration between Altus Power and New Leaf Energy, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to community solar in emerging markets and delivering projects that benefit both local communities and the broader clean energy transition.

“This partnership demonstrates how quickly community solar can scale when strong development and execution come together,” said Kate Vann, Senior Director and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, New Leaf Energy. “Our team is proud to have partnered with Altus Power on the development of these projects and expand clean, affordable energy for communities across the Commonwealth.”

These projects will operate under APCo’s shared solar program, underscoring Altus Power’s ability to navigate new regulatory frameworks and deliver results in evolving markets.

“We’re proud to help establish and shape a new shared solar program that puts affordability front and center for customers,” said Skylar Werde, Head of Community Solar, Altus Power. “This is about unlocking new pathways: working alongside partners to open new markets, expand access to community solar and ensure more households and businesses can benefit from locally generated, lower cost clean energy. It’s a clear reflection of our commitment to scaling this model nationwide.”

Altus Power | https://www.altuspower.com/community-solar