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The solar industry has spent the last decade relentlessly driving down cost. Module prices fell. Installation efficiencies improved. Supply chains have globalized. In many ways, the playbook worked. But as development pushes into more challenging terrain: rocky soils, variable geotechnical conditions, and remote locations, that same cost-first mindset is beginning to show its limits. Developers now routinely confront conditions earl....
As the clean energy industry continues its rapid expansion, utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are being deployed in increasingly challenging environments. From extreme desert heat in the Southwest to hurricane-prone regions along the Gulf Coast, today’s projects are operating in conditions that test both infrastructure and human performance. Extreme weather is no longer an exception — it is the operating environmen....
Energy Storage
Schaltbau North America
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Jeremy Sheldon
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Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) is set to develop a comprehensive solar, battery energy storage, microgrid, and electric vehicle (EV) fleet charging project to meet the District’s intersecting energy, transportation, and resilience needs with clean, renewable, lower-cost electricity. To develop the project, PUSD has partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale renewable energy solutions, as well as The Mobility House (TMH), an independent charge management provider. The project is being funded in part via a U.S. EPA Clean School Bus (CSB) Program grant, which the District secured with support from CALSTART, a nonprofit organization that connects businesses, government agencies, and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of clean transportation technologies.
The PUSD Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid will include a 763 kW solar array mounted on existing shade structures at the District’s north and south parking lots, along with a 408 kW / 1632 kWh battery storage system to store solar energy, provide resiliency, and discharge power to shave peak demand. A microgrid controller will enable the facility to disconnect from Southern California Edison’s electrical grid when needed, drawing power directly from the District’s on-site solar energy and battery storage assets.
The solar-plus-storage system will support 35 DC fast charger ports to serve the District’s planned fleet of electric school buses. These fast chargers will be connected to The Mobility House’s charge management system, ChargePilot®, which will enable the fleet to draw power directly from PUSD’s on-site energy systems in tandem with grid electricity. The EV charging infrastructure will also include eight charging ports in the north parking lot that will serve the District’s “white fleet.” Two of the eight chargers will feature bi-directional charging capability, which enables an EV to function as a “battery on wheels,” storing and discharging power back to the grid with vehicle-to-grid services (V2G). V2G technology will help the District support grid resilience, offset energy expenses, and extend an additional clean energy resource to students, staff, and the broader community.
Both V2G and microgrid technologies are integral to Porterville’s resiliency strategy, which includes protecting the broader community in the event of emergencies and power outages, such as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
“We are excited to advance this important infrastructure project, which supports the District’s long-term goals for sustainability, energy resiliency, and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said Brad Rohrbach, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Porterville Unified School District. “This project represents a significant investment in our students, schools, and community, while helping position the District for a more efficient and sustainable future. We are grateful to CALSTART for their critical support in helping the District secure this grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We also appreciate the partnership and expertise provided by ForeFront Power and The Mobility House.”
Upgrading the District Fleet, A Community Lifeline
Located in Tulare County in California’s Central Valley, the Porterville region experiences some of the nation’s worst air quality, which disproportionately affects student respiratory health. PUSD serves more than 14,000 TK–12 students across 22 campuses, 88.9% of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged households, making the District’s transportation fleet a critical lifeline for many students who rely on school buses for access to education and extracurricular activities. In response to these conditions and rising energy costs, the District launched its PUSD Energy & Sustainability Program in 2019, aiming to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions by 80% by 2030, and is pursuing this EV infrastructure project as a key pillar of the program.
Once complete, the 1,171‑kW solar, battery storage, and microgrid system is expected to produce nearly 1,425,000 kWh of clean, renewable electricity annually. This onsite generation, combined with smart dispatch of the battery and V2G resources, is designed to offset approximately 80% of the District facilities’ electricity consumption—including the anticipated annual SCE utility bill for electric bus charging—and avoid an estimated 21,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions over the 30‑year project lifecycle. The District’s plan to transition all school buses to electric by 2035 will save an additional 15,000 metric tons in avoided CO₂ emissions from reduced tailpipe pollution, bringing their total expected CO₂ emissions reduction over the same 30-year period to approximately 37,000 metric tons. This is equivalent to the GHG emissions from over 3.6 million gallons of diesel fuel burned.
Public-Private Partnership Enables Long-Term Budget Certainty and Savings on Electricity and Fuel
Designed, engineered, and developed by ForeFront Power, the future project is designed for an expected lifetime of 30 years. During this period, PUSD will partner with ForeFront Power for ongoing Asset Management services. This project will provide PUSD with budget certainty while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to power its fleet. The transition to electric buses will lower fuel and maintenance costs and provide long-term savings over the project’s lifetime, protecting PUSD’s budget from increasing diesel and utility rates.
“We applaud Porterville USD for pursuing this innovative project for zero-emission infrastructure,” said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO at ForeFront Power. “When complete, this clean energy portfolio will serve as a national model for how vulnerable communities can mitigate rising energy and fuel costs, improve public health, meet ambitious climate goals, and protect themselves from climate emergencies.”
"We are glad to be a part of such an innovative and ambitious project to benefit the school district and community of Porterville,” said Greg Hintler, CEO of The Mobility House North America. “Clean energy technologies such as solar microgrids, electric school buses, and V2G have enormous potential to provide clean and affordable energy and transportation solutions for school districts and communities across the country.”
U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Delivers for Porterville
The upcoming project is anchored by a major federal investment through the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Porterville Unified School District has secured federal grant funding to replace diesel buses with zero‑emission buses and install fast charging and clean energy infrastructure. As part of this award, the EPA funds Porterville USD directly, and CALSTART serves as the District’s technical and project management partner—handling implementation support, monitoring and reporting, workforce and community programs, and positioning the District for future federal and state grant opportunities. PUSD has also pursued other funding opportunities including California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission’s Zero Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) incentive project.
“PUSD’s commitment to decarbonize their fleet is transformational for the San Joaquin Valley, for the broader Porterville community, and for school districts that are navigating similar transitions. Funding programs that reduce capital costs are critical to make these school electrification projects possible.” said Valerie Thorsen, P.E., Regional Director at CALSTART. “PUSD is not only transitioning their fleet, but they have also provided EV internships in partnership with Climate Action Pathways for Schools and are actively enabling clean energy jobs through their Academy of Energy and Resource Occupations (AERO) Pathways Program.”
Procurement Assisted by Joint Power Authority SPURR and the PAVE Program
PUSD procured its Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid by leveraging the Procurement Assistance for Vehicle Electrification (“PAVE”) Program. The PAVE Program is managed by SPURR, a joint powers authority dedicated to helping the California public sector control and reduce utility expenses. PAVE is designed to help public agencies streamline the procurement process for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure through an easy infrastructure roadmap and a single source for planning, installation, and management of complicated multi-phase EV charging infrastructure projects. Through PAVE’s integrated RFP process, the District selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its EV charging infrastructure project, and The Mobility House (TMH) as its charge management technology provider.
Advancing PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) Student Initiative
This upcoming project will also advance PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) initiative by linking classroom learning, career pathways, and real-world clean energy infrastructure. Through CAPS-aligned project-based units, energy audits, and analysis of the District’s solar, energy storage, and EV charging systems, students will use the campus as a living lab to build skills in renewable energy, sustainability, and conservation. Porterville USD, ForeFront Power, CALSTART, and The Mobility House have also developed a community outreach program to educate local residents on the clean transportation and air quality benefits of the microgrid and EV transportation infrastructure, along with hands-on CAPS internships that provide experience in zero-emission fleet operations while advancing district climate and sustainability goals.
Porterville Unified School District | https://www.portervilleschools.org/
ForeFront Power | www.forefrontpower.com
The Mobility House | https://www.mobilityhouse.com/usa_en/
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that New York State has installed 8 gigawatts (GW) of distributed solar, putting the state ahead of schedule for its goal of reaching 10 GW by 2030. The milestone has generated approximately $12.2 billion in private investment and supported more than 16,000 jobs statewide. The 8 GW of distributed solar, supported by community solar and the state’s NY-Sun Program, is enough to power more than 1.3 million homes and businesses across the state. More than 276,000 projects are currently operating, with another 2.7 GW in development.
New York holds 35% of the nation’s community solar capacity, making it the top community solar market in the country.
“New York continues to set the bar high as we mark another milestone for solar within our communities across the state,” said Governor Kathy Hochul, in a statement. “This is low-cost, reliable clean energy that is delivering cost savings for families and businesses while expanding the availability of renewable energy which benefits our environment, our economy and contributes to New York’s diverse energy resource mix.”
After achieving its original 6 GW target a year ahead of schedule in 2024, New York installed a record-breaking 1.28 GW of solar in 2025 alone. Last summer, solar generation helped save New Yorkers an estimated $90 million by lowering demand on the grid during peak periods.
On June 3, 2026, New York set a new solar generation record when solar supplied approximately 29% of statewide electricity demand during the noon hour.
New York’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget includes $200 million to further expand the state’s solar programs and continue improving energy affordability for all residents.
Read more here.
Office of Governor of NY | https://www.governor.ny.gov/
Stardust Solar Energy Inc. (TSXV: SUN) (OTCQB: SUNXF) (FSE: 6330) ("Stardust Solar" or the "Company"), a leading North American renewable energy company and franchisor, announces the launch of a new franchise serving the Kitchener-Waterloo region of Ontario, led by Master Electricians Corey Hakkers and Dallas Roth.
Corey Hakkers and Dallas Roth are the co-founders and owners of ROHR Electric, a well-established electrical contracting company serving residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers throughout the Waterloo Region and surrounding communities. The combination of their electrical expertise and Stardust Solar's proven solar platform positions the new franchise to capitalize on growing demand for solar energy solutions in one of Canada's most dynamic economic regions.
"We are excited to welcome Corey and Dallas to the Stardust Solar family," said Mark Tadros, Founder and CEO of Stardust Solar. "Their strong reputation, technical expertise, and deep roots within the Kitchener-Waterloo business community make them an ideal fit for our growing franchise network. "As demand for energy independence and commercial solar solutions continues to grow, Corey and Dallas bring the expertise, reputation, and local market knowledge needed to serve the region effectively."
Founded in 2017, ROHR Electric was built on a commitment to quality workmanship, safety, reliability, and long-term customer relationships. Both Corey and Dallas are Master Electricians who have successfully grown the business while serving a diverse range of residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial clients throughout Southwestern Ontario.
"Joining Stardust Solar is a natural extension of what we already do," said Corey Hakkers, Co-Owner of the new Stardust Solar Kitchener-Waterloo franchise. "Our customers are increasingly interested in reducing energy costs and gaining greater control over their energy future. By combining ROHR Electric's electrical expertise with Stardust Solar's training, systems, and renewable energy platform, we can deliver a complete solution that helps homeowners and businesses achieve their energy goals."
"The solar industry continues to present significant opportunities, particularly as electricity costs rise and more organizations look for sustainable energy solutions," added Dallas Roth, Co-Owner of the franchise. "We are excited to bring Stardust Solar's offerings to the Kitchener-Waterloo market and help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the region while continuing to provide the high-quality service our customers have come to expect."
The new franchise will provide residential and commercial solar solutions, battery storage systems, EV charging infrastructure, and related renewable energy services throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding communities. The addition of Kitchener-Waterloo further strengthens Stardust Solar's growing North American franchise network as the Company continues executing its strategy of expanding through experienced local operators while generating recurring royalty revenue and supporting the transition to clean energy.
Stardust Solar Energy | www.stardustsolar.com
UNIGRID Inc., the ultra-safe sodium-ion battery company, announced the first deliveries of its first-generation sodium-ion residential energy storage systems (RESS), Na+Casa. The initial units have been installed in homes across Europe, with U.S. residential installations expected by the end of 2026, pending completion of additional compliance requirements for sodium-ion batteries in North America. This marks a major step in bringing safe, reliable, affordable, and lithium-free battery storage to both the European and U.S. residential markets.
Today, battery adoption rates are climbing, and more homeowners are choosing solar-plus-storage systems for backup power and greater energy independence. Designed for a 25-year operational lifespan, UNIGRID’s advanced sodium-ion technology gives a safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting option for backup power, solar self-consumption, and long-term energy resilience that matches the durability of solar installations. Engineered for compatibility with most existing hybrid inverters, Na+Casa is designed to reduce the cost and complexity of residential solar retrofits.
Built on UNIGRID’s proprietary NCO sodium-ion chemistry, the battery also supports a broader shift toward more resilient energy storage supply chains by reducing dependence on cobalt, nickel, and volatile lithium markets in favor of abundant, responsibly sourced sodium. Na+Casa is rated at 9.25kWh capacity and is already priced competitively with lithium-ion systems today.
“As residential energy bills rise — especially during extreme weather events such as the record heatwave we are seeing around the world — homeowners need storage that is safe, reliable, and financially sound,” said Darren H. S. Tan, CEO and co-founder of UNIGRID. “With Na+Casa, UNIGRID is moving NCO sodium-ion from just a promising technology to a tangible residential storage product, giving installers and integrators a lucrative alternative to lithium-ion.”
UNIGRID’s Na+Casa is designed to give installers and integrators the option for:
UNIGRID | https://unigridbattery.com/
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) announced it has closed a loan up to $3.26 billion to AEP Texas to lower electricity costs and strengthen and modernize the Texas grid. Thanks to President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the investment will save more than one million Texas households and businesses approximately $685 million in electricity costs over the next 30 years, improve grid reliability, create thousands of jobs, and help ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
“President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act is driving investments that strengthen America’s energy infrastructure while lowering costs for hardworking families,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “This investment will modernize Texas’ electric grid, support the energy needed for AI, advanced manufacturing, the Permian Basin, and help keep electricity costs down for Texans.”
In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, the loan will finance approximately 100 transmission projects across Texas, including rebuilding or reconductoring existing transmission lines, and constructing new transmission infrastructure spanning roughly 2,800 miles.
These projects will double the power-carrying capacity of upgraded transmission infrastructure, reduce power interruptions, and connect new sources of reliable baseload generation to the grid. By expanding transmission capacity, the projects will help meet rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers, advanced manufacturing, and oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin.
This loan marks the Trump Administration’s third concurrent conditional commitment and financial close, and the third utility financing completed through the Energy Dominance Financing Program.
Under President Trump’s leadership, EDF is committed to financing American energy and manufacturing projects that meaningfully contribute to U.S. energy security, grid reliability, and lowering costs for all Americans. EDF empowers the private sector to invest in the future, win the AI race, strengthen American industry, and restore American Energy Dominance.
Foss & Company, an established tax credit syndicator, announced the closing of an approximately $30 million Section 48 tax equity investment, a state-of-the-art microgrid system located in Montgomery County, MD. The transaction marks Foss & Company's first partnership with AlphaStruxure and represents the firm's entry into the microgrid sector.
This project will finance an advanced energy system integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) generation with battery energy storage, purpose-built to power a transit facility and support an electric bus fleet. It is expected to achieve commercial operations in August 2026 and is projected to generate more than 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, enough to meaningfully reduce the facility's reliance on the traditional grid while lowering its carbon footprint.
"We are thrilled to close this investment alongside AlphaStruxure and to expand Foss & Company's portfolio into microgrid technology," said Bryen Alperin, partner and managing director, Foss & Company. "Project Orchid exemplifies the kind of innovative, high-impact clean energy infrastructure we seek to support, delivering resilient, sustainable power to critical public transit operations while aiming to generate strong returns for our investors."
AlphaStruxure, a leading developer of microgrid solutions, brings deep expertise in designing and delivering integrated energy systems for complex facilities. This inaugural transaction establishes a strong foundation for a continued partnership between AlphaStruxure and Foss & Company.
"We're excited to close this transaction with Foss & Company," said Troy Patton, general manager, AlphaStruxure. " We look forward to delivering a best-in-class microgrid solution that will serve Montgomery County's transit operations for decades to come."
The Section 48 Investment Tax Credit (ITC) supports the deployment of clean energy technologies including solar and energy storage, providing a critical financing mechanism for projects like this that advance the decarbonization of public infrastructure.
Foss & Company | www.fossandco.com
AlphaStruxure | https://alphastruxure.com/
TruGrid, a leading engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) provider for utility-scale battery energy storage and solar projects, has released a new article examining why procurement has become one of the most important drivers of project success in today's evolving clean energy market.
The article, Why Procurement Is No Longer Just About Price & How It Impacts Bankability, explores how procurement has evolved beyond simply purchasing equipment at the lowest cost. As tariffs, foreign entity of concern (FEOC) requirements, domestic content incentives, and supply chain constraints continue to reshape the industry, procurement decisions now directly influence financing, project schedules, compliance, and long-term project risk.
The article highlights:
"Every sourcing decision affects financing, compliance, scheduling, and overall project risk," said TJ Smith, Vice President of Procurement at TruGrid. "Developers who engage procurement early have more flexibility, greater visibility into market conditions, and ultimately position their projects for stronger financial outcomes."
The article also examines current market conditions affecting utility-scale battery energy storage projects, including extended lead times for transformers, switchgear, and other critical electrical equipment, while highlighting the expected expansion of domestic manufacturing capacity over the coming years.
TruGrid | https://trugridpower.com/
Alternative Energies Jul 06, 2026
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