Looking Ahead to 2026

Bay Area drivers are taking the fast lane to cleaner air with bridges powered by clean energy. Caltrans has taken a major step toward meeting California’s climate goals by enrolling several of its Bay Area bridges into MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable electricity service: the Richmond-San Rafael, Antioch, Benicia–Martinez, and Carquinez bridges.

The transition supports Caltrans’ mandate under SB 1020, the Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022 which requires all state agencies to procure 100% clean electricity by 2035. By 2020, Caltrans achieved a 29% reduction in emissions compared to its 2010 baseline, driven by a combination of clean energy procurement, onsite renewable energy development, and energy efficiency initiatives. 

Caltrans District 4 joins nearly 40,000 Deep Green customer accounts that receive locally controlled 100% renewable electricity. Businesses and residents in Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties have the option to stay with MCE’s default 60% renewable Light Green option, opt up to MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable, or return to PG&E’s 23% renewable service. 

Half of the premium paid toward Deep Green service is invested locally into community-based climate action programs. Since launching in 2010, MCE has reinvested over $400 million into initiatives to help residents and businesses save money, reduce energy use, and go electric. 

MCE | mcecleanenergy.org/opt-up.

Boviet Solar Technology Co., Ltd. (“Boviet Solar” or the “Company”), a leading solar energy technology company specializing in advanced monocrystalline PV cells and premium Vega Series™ and Gamma Series PV modules, reaffirmed its continued commitment to the global solar industry following recent public disclosures by its parent company regarding a strategic review of its solar business portfolio.

Boviet Solar issued the following statement from the Chairman’s Office:

“Our U.S. manufacturing activities reflect a deliberate, long-term commitment to the American solar market. We are investing in real capacity, real jobs, and real infrastructure because we believe in the future of U.S. solar manufacturing and in supporting our customers with dependable, domestic supply.”

Founded in Vietnam in 2013, Boviet Solar has operated as a global solar technology company for more than a decade. In 2016, the Company became part of Ningbo Boway Alloy Material Co., Ltd., a diversified technology company with operations spanning alloy materials, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.

Over the past several years, Boviet Solar has expanded its global manufacturing footprint and strengthened its position in the U.S. market. The Company currently operates silicon solar cell and photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, as well as a 3-gigawatt (GW) PV module assembly facility in Greenville, North Carolina. An adjacent solar cell manufacturing facility in North Carolina is under development, with the building shell completed and interior work initiated in late 2025.

As disclosed by Boway Alloy in recent filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the parent company is evaluating strategic alternatives for its solar business as part of a broader portfolio realignment. These disclosures reference ongoing trade and policy challenges, including U.S. tariff measures affecting certain imports and changes to U.S. subsidy eligibility, which have influenced parent-level capital allocation considerations.

Boviet Solar emphasizes that these shareholder-level considerations do not change the Company’s day-to-day operations, manufacturing activities, customer commitments, or market focus. Boviet Solar remains fully operational and continues to serve the U.S. utility-scale solar market with reliable, bankable PV module solutions.

The Company continues to operate in accordance with established quality systems, third-party assessments, and international industry standards. Manufacturing operations, workforce activities, customer programs, and warranty obligations remain fully active and unchanged.

Boviet Solar also notes that appropriate ownership alignment can support continued access to capital for manufacturing investment, workforce development, quality systems, and supply-chain oversight, while reinforcing transparency, traceability, and ESG-related expectations that are increasingly relevant across the solar industry. These factors collectively contribute to long-term operational stability and continuity for customers relying on dependable supply and warranty support over the life of their projects.

Boviet Solar remains committed to transparent communication with customers, partners, employees, and other stakeholders and will provide updates as appropriate and in line with regulatory requirements and contractual obligations.

Boviet Solar | www.bovietsolar.com

Virtual Peaker, a leading virtual power plant software company, announced it will partner with the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) to host an upcoming AESP Academy webinar, Using DERs and AI to Build a Resilient Customer-Centric Grid, on February 11, 2026, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET. Register here. 

The webinar will feature Jeffrey Quigley, Senior Vice President of Client Solutions at Virtual Peaker, and Doug Middleton, VPP Business Development at Tesla, exploring how utilities can leverage distributed energy resources (DERs) and artificial intelligence to improve grid reliability, manage rising demand driven by AI data centers, and mitigate customer cost impacts.

The session will examine how next-generation grid-edge distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) provide the visibility, control, and intelligence needed to transform DERs from operational complexity into strategic grid assets. Speakers will also discuss why strong OEM partnerships are critical to scaling demand flexibility programs and ensuring long-term success.

Key topics include:
--How grid-edge DERMS enable utilities to orchestrate behind-the-meter assets for reliability, peak reduction, and infrastructure deferral
--The role of OEM partnerships in simplifying integrations and accelerating program deployment
--Real-world examples of utilities using DERMS to improve operations and customer satisfaction

Webinar Details
Using DERs and AI to Build a Resilient Customer-Centric Grid
February 11, 2026
1:00–2:00 p.m. ET
Hosted by AESP Academy 

Speakers
--Jeffrey Quigley, Sr. VP of Client Solutions, Virtual Peaker
--Doug Middleton, VPP Business Development, Tesla

Virtual Peaker | www.virtual-peaker.com 

Association of Energy Services Professionals | www.aesp.org/about

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, released its report Oil & Gas Decarbonization in the Gulf Region, which looks at how Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are cutting the emissions intensity of their core oil and gas production while continuing to play a central role in global energy supply.

The report is the second in DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2026 series on the Middle East, examining the twin strategies shaping the region’s energy future: selective decarbonization and structural diversification.

The full report is available at https://www.dnv.com/energy-transition-outlook/oil-and-gas-decarbonization-in-the-gulf-region/

Since 2005, the GCC has produced nearly 18% of global oil and gas, a share expected to increase as investment continues in low-cost, advantaged resources. As global energy demand increasingly shifts toward Asia, the region’s location and cost competitiveness strengthen its position as a preferred supplier. At the same time, decarbonization measures are becoming an integral part of long-term competitiveness

“The global energy transition will not progress at the same pace across regions, nor will it follow a single pathway,” said Brice Le Gallo, Vice-president & regional director for Southern Europe, MEA & LATAM, Energy Systems at DNV. “In the Middle-East, oil and gas remain central to economic stability and global energy security. The key challenge is to reduce their emissions footprint while accelerating investment in the technologies needed for a lower-carbon energy system.”

Oil and gas production in the GCC continues to expand, alongside a stronger focus on reducing operational emissions. Electrification of assets is being used to cut Scope 2 emissions from pumps, compressors, and offshore facilities, through grid connections, renewable power, and hybrid solutions. These efforts are supported by energy-efficiency measures and the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to optimize drilling, reservoir management, and asset operations, reducing energy intensity and emissions per barrel produced.

Methane reduction remains one of the most immediate and cost-effective options for lowering emissions. Across the GCC, routine flaring is planned to be phased out by 2030 and leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes are increasingly standard. National oil companies are also aligning with international methane initiatives, enabling continued production growth while reducing methane intensity in line with national net-zero targets.

GCC countries are realigning domestic energy systems to reduce oil and gas use at home and free up volumes for export and low-carbon fuel production. Growth in renewables, electrification of transport and buildings, and efficiency gains are driving this shift. Investment in downstream industries, petrochemicals, and low-carbon fuels is also changing export profiles, moving beyond crude oil toward higher-value and lower-carbon energy products.

Hydrogen and ammonia feature in DNV’s forecast as viable long-term export options. With access to low-cost natural gas, strong solar resources, and established industrial and export infrastructure, the region is well placed to scale both low-carbon hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture) and renewable hydrogen produced through electrolysis. By 2060, the Middle-East and North Africa region is projected to produce around 19 million tonnes of hydrogen and 13 million tonnes of ammonia per year, exporting about 50% mainly toward Europe and advanced Asian economies.

“Hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture are becoming core elements of the GCC’s energy export model,” said Jan Zschommler, Market Area Manager for the Middle East, Energy Systems at DNV. “As emissions requirements tighten, access to international markets will increasingly depend on carbon intensity. Integrating hydrogen production with renewable power, carbon capture, and existing industrial clusters allows the region to remain competitive while meeting these requirements.”

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) supports much of this transition. More than 98% of CCUS projects planned or operating in the Middle East and North Africa are located in the GCC, led by national oil companies. In January 2026, the UAE's Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs has introduced Carbon Capture Policy as a further commitment to meeting their carbon reduction targets. Captured CO₂ volumes (including CO₂ removal) are expected to reach around 250 million tonnes per year by 2060, equivalent to roughly 8% of regional energy-related and industrial emissions. 

Carbon dioxide removal will also increase. By 2060, bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) and direct air capture (DAC) combined are expected to remove around 81 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, helping to offset emissions from sectors that are more difficult to decarbonize. 

DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2026 Oil and gas decarbonization in the Gulf region report describes a transition shaped by sequencing, with reductions in emissions intensity occurring alongside continued hydrocarbon production and investment across renewables, electrification, hydrogen, methane abatement, digitalization, and carbon capture. This perspective is consistent with findings from DNV’s 2025 Energy Industry Insights survey, which identifies the Middle East as the world’s most optimistic energy region, citing expectations of revenue growth, rapid solar expansion, and continued gas development.. 

Read together, the Outlook and the survey present a picture of a region approaching the energy transition from a position of confidence and capital strength, balancing decarbonization efforts with ongoing energy system development.

DNV | https://www.dnv.com/

Fix Mold Miami, a state-certified indoor environmental services and mold removal company, announced a strategic partnership with Solar Air Flow to introduce solar-powered attic ventilation systems designed to address one of Florida’s most persistent contributors to mold growth: trapped attic heat and humidity.

FixMold delivers mold remediation services across Miami and surrounding communities, including Coral Gables, Fisher Island, Coconut Grove, Cocoplum, Star Island, Indian Creek Island, Bal Harbour, and Surfside, among others.

The initiative was developed under the guidance of Abe Katz, a longtime industry professional whose career spans over a decade managing large-scale mold remediation operations throughout New York and Florida. Katz’s involvement brings a level of operational validation rarely seen in preventive technology rollouts within the mold industry.

Solar-Powered Attic Ventilation for Better Indoor Air Quality and Reduced HVAC Strain

After evaluating multiple technologies, Katz partnered with Solar Air Flow, a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in solar-powered ventilation systems. The systems continuously exhaust hot, humid air from attics using solar energy, lowering attic temperatures and reducing moisture migration into living spaces. Because they run on solar power, they operate during daylight hours without increasing household electricity usage.

For homeowners and property managers in Indian Creek Island, Cocoplum, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour, Surfside, and nearby neighborhoods, that means improved indoor air quality, less strain on HVAC systems, and fewer repeat calls for professional duct work from an air duct cleaning company. Paired with professional remediation and lab-backed testing, solar attic ventilation reduces the conditions that allow mold to return.

Mold Remediation & Solar Air Flow Partnership Backed by Proven Industry Leadership

Abe Katz is the operational lead for FixMold’s Solar Air Flow partnership, guiding technology selection, field testing, and integration with existing mold remediation services. Before joining Fix Mold, Katz managed day-to-day operations for both Miami Mold Specialist and Five Borough Mold Specialist, overseeing teams of 35+ technicians and supervising tens of thousands of remediation jobs. He also spent more than ten years teaching certification classes and training technicians in containment and prevention.

Katz’s role in the Solar Air Flow collaboration is practical and hands-on, focusing on leading pilot installations and real-world testing across South Florida properties. He is responsible for validating performance through pre- and post-installation lab testing coordinated with Fix Mold’s mold testing company in Miami, defining installation and maintenance protocols suitable for marine, luxury, and older construction types, and training local crews and partner installers on system placement, airflow validation, and integration with HVAC remediation plans. In parallel, he ensures the solution aligns with FixMold’s prevention-first approach, allowing attic ventilation to complement remediation, HVAC cleaning, and long-term moisture control.

Certified Mold Remediation and Testing Professionals

Fix Mold Miami also operates as a trusted Mold Testing Company in Miami, providing lab-backed testing before and after remediation to validate reductions in airborne moisture and environmental contaminants. This verification process supports accurate documentation for homeowners, property managers, and real estate professionals.

All remediation and testing services are performed by technicians trained and certified through nationally recognized organizations, including:

- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
- National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI)
- Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA)
- National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP)
- National Association of Environmental Mold Remediators and Inspectors (NAERMC)

Fix Mold | www.fixmold.com

Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: “TYGO”) (“Tigo” or “Company”), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, announced the successful certification of the Tigo EI Residential solar-plus-storage solution with Romanian distribution system operators, further expanding market reach of Tigo products across Europe. Following the successful completion of their respective grid-compliance and certification procedures with Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania (DEER), Distribuție Oltenia, and Rețele Electrice, single-phase and three-phase configurations of the EI Residential solution are now fully listed and approved for use in the Romanian market.

With 2026 expected to be another strong year for solar growth nationally, the Tigo EI Residential system becomes an important addition to the list of options for installers deploying advanced solar-plus-storage systems in Romania. In line with its National Energy and Climate Plan, Romania added approximately 2.2GW of new solar capacity in 2025, with total installed solar capacity projected to exceed 10GW by 2030.

“Romania is entering a new phase of solar growth, where residential storage and grid compatibility are becoming increasingly critical,” said Mirko Bindi, Senior VP of Sales EMEA & MD Europe at Tigo Energy. “By working closely with distribution system operators, we ensure that our solutions support grid stability while enabling the continued expansion of rooftop solar through a fully integrated energy ecosystem.”

The Tigo EI Residential Solar Solution consists of Tigo TS4 Flex MLPE products, a line of single-phase and three-phase hybrid inverters, modular DC-coupled energy storage components, and the Tigo EI Link, the communications hub and central connection point for all grid, inverter, solar, and home loads with full backup capability. With commissioning times typically less than 10 minutes, installers can quickly activate the system, and, through module-level monitoring, the Tigo Energy Intelligence software processes energy data from the EI Residential System. Installers can monitor and manage their fleet of customer systems with a few mouse clicks. Tigo customers also benefit from industry-leading warranties and a skilled, multilingual support team to help ensure that installers are never on their own with Tigo products. The introduction to the Romanian home energy market follows its previous introductions in countries across Europe, such as Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Installers and system designers in Romania can learn more about the EI Residential ecosystem through technical documentation and application notes, as well as the Tigo Academy, which offers training courses on Tigo storage and energy management solutions. Installers deploying the Tigo EI Residential solution for the first time are invited to join the Green Glove program, which provides a professional system design review, puts technical experts on standby during installation, and provides a direct feedback loop between the installer and Tigo.

Tigo Energy | www.tigoenergy.com

R2 Recycling – Canton announced the launch of its new dedicated commercial pickup service for solar panel recycling, providing businesses, solar contractors, property managers, and institutions in the Canton area with a streamlined way to manage end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) equipment responsibly. As solar adoption continues to expand across Massachusetts, more organizations are facing the challenge of what to do with damaged, outdated, or decommissioned PV modules. R2 Recycling – Canton’s new pickup program is designed to simplify solar panel removal logistics while helping customers support sustainability goals and maintain jobsite and facility safety.

“Solar equipment shouldn’t become a storage problem or a disposal risk,” said a spokesperson for R2 Recycling – Canton. “Our new dedicated commercial pickup service makes it easy for Canton-area organizations to schedule reliable collections for end-of-life solar panels and keep projects moving while ensuring responsible recycling.”

Built for Commercial Solar Projects, Facilities, and Contractors

R2 Recycling – Canton’s commercial solar recycling pickup service is designed for:

• Solar installers and EPCs managing project replacements and warranty returns
• Commercial property owners and facility managers with rooftop or ground-mount arrays
• Manufacturers and distributors handling damaged or surplus inventory
• Municipal agencies, schools, and institutions decommissioning older PV systems
• Construction and demolition (C&D) teams coordinating site cleanouts
• Pickups can support both planned decommissions and time-sensitive removals, helping organizations avoid unnecessary storage, reduce handling risks, and keep work areas organized.

Materials Accepted for Solar Recycling Pickups

R2 Recycling – Canton coordinates commercial pickups for common solar-related materials, including:

• Solar panels / PV modules (damaged, decommissioned, outdated)
• PV-related electronics and balance-of-system components (as applicable)
• Solar inverters, combiner boxes, disconnects, and wiring (project-dependent)
• Palletized solar equipment from warehouses, job sites, or facility storage areas
• (Eligible materials may vary by condition and project requirements.)

Supporting Compliance and Sustainability Objectives

Improper disposal of solar panels can create environmental and regulatory concerns. R2 Recycling – Canton’s dedicated pickup service helps customers reduce disposal risk by ensuring end-of-life PV modules are handled through a responsible recycling process. By recovering materials and diverting equipment from landfills, the program also supports ESG reporting and long-term sustainability planning.

How to Schedule a Commercial Solar Panel Recycling Pickup

Businesses and contractors in the Canton area can contact R2 Recycling – Canton to schedule a pickup, review logistics, and coordinate volumes, palletization requirements, and access details. The program is built to serve commercial and institutional generators seeking reliable solar panel recycling solutions.

Recycling | https://www.r2-recycling.com/