Protect Your Yield

MCE CEO Dawn Weisz’s last day with the agency was Wednesday, June 17. The Board will begin recruitment for a new CEO. Additional information about the process will be provided at a later date. Vicken Kasarjian, MCE’s Chief Operating Officer since 2018, will continue to serve as Acting CEO.

MCE remains committed to its mission to reduce electricity-related greenhouse gas emissions while providing equitable community benefits and cost-competitive clean energy services to customers across its service area. The Board of Directors is confident in the agency’s ability to seamlessly continue operations during this transition.

No further comment on the matter will be provided by MCE staff or members of the Board at this time.

MCE | https://mcecleanenergy.org/

With the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC) set to mandate Type II safety helmets with integrated four-point chin straps on all member job sites effective July 1, 2026, North American safety helmet innovator STUDSON announced its readiness. The STUDSON SHK-1 Full Brim Dual Cert Type II safety helmet is certified under both ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 and CSA Z94.1, providing Canadian construction firms, subcontractors, and site visitors with a proven compliant solution ahead of the effective date.

The CCSC mandate, announced earlier this year, requires all workers, subs, and visitors at member job sites to wear Type II helmets with chin straps to keep headgear securely in place in the event of a fall or impact, starting July 1. The rule represents one of the most significant shifts in Canadian construction head protection in decades and will drastically improve jobsite safety and help prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

“We designed our Type II dual certified safety helmets to offer significantly improved head protection for industrial athletes across North America,” said Ryan Barnes, CEO, STUDSON. “The industry has been moving toward greater head and face protection for years, thanks to improved technology and greater awareness about protecting the most important asset: the brain. Our helmets are already on job sites across North America, and Canadian organizations can purchase from STUDSON today  to meet the July 1 deadline.”

Built for Industrial Athletes in Canada and The United States

STUDSON’s SHK-1 Full Brim Dual Cert helmet meets both the highest U.S. and Canadian standards, making it a unique option that seamlessly serves workers on cross-border projects or contractors in both the U.S. and Canada. The integrated four-point chin trap system meets the CCSC’s new requirement and delivers the performance required for Type II classification and beyond.

Canadian Workers Already Counting on STUDSON

Emil Anderson, amongst other large General Contractors in Canada, already trusts STUDSON for Type II head protection.

“We made the switch to STUDSON Type II helmets last year, and the crew took to them immediately,” said Steve Howe, vice president, health and safety, Emil Anderson. “We have seen firsthand the benefits of transitioning away from traditional hard hats to STUDSON Type II safety helmets. The fit is comfortable, the chin strap stays in place, and knowing they are certified on both sides of the border simplifies procurement. We encourage others in the industry to make the switch if they have not done so already.”  

Canadian construction firms looking to bring their sites into compliance ahead of the July 1 deadline can order STUDSON dual-certified Type II safety helmets at www.studson.com and from distributors and resellers nationwide. STUDSON’s team is available to assist with bulk orders, site assessment, and CCSC compliance guidance.

STUDSON | www.studson.com

Canadian Construction Safety Council | https://canadianconstructionsafetycouncil.com/

Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company, announced that it began production shipments of its IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverter, the company's most powerful microinverter currently available across the United States. Built with advanced gallium nitride (GaN) technology, the IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverter supports high-wattage solar panels up to 770 W and connects directly to three-phase 480Y/277 V (wye) grid configurations without requiring external transformers.

Safe harbor orders for IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverters remain open and should be placed before July 4, 2026, to help customers secure equipment ahead of upcoming federal tax credit deadlines. Safe harbor orders placed before the deadline are expected to ship soon after, allowing customers to lock in eligibility while finalizing project designs. Tax credit eligibility varies based on applicable legal requirements and individual project details.

IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverters support 18 A of continuous DC current, deliver up to 548 VA of continuous output power, and are designed for high-wattage solar panels up to 770 W. This helps optimize the DC/AC ratio and may increase energy production from each module, making IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverters ideal for commercial projects using 600 W to 770 W panels. Advanced GaN technology enables high performance and cooler operation under normal operating conditions, and an industry-leading CEC weighted efficiency of 97.5%.

"Module wattages keep climbing, and the IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverter is built for exactly where the industry is headed," said Eric Edler, project manager at Eland Electric Corporation. "With 548 VA of output and support for panels up to 770 W, we can plan high-density commercial rooftops with fewer compromises. Now that the product is shipping, we're ready to put it to work."

"At Detail Solar, we service multiple large commercial arrays," said Paul Zimmer Sr., founder and owner of Detail Solar LLC. "The most exciting thing to me about the IQ9S-3P Microinverter is that we are going to get the reliability of Enphase microinverters in 480 V commercial systems. Commercial central inverters fail regularly, causing downtime for large portions of the array, whereas Enphase microinverters just work. And if one does fail, it's only one panel down."

Detail Solar recently utilized IQ9N-3P Commercial Microinverters to repower a commercial solar array at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. The first phase retrofitted 30 kW of the university's 988 kW system, replacing aging string inverters with Enphase panel-level architecture to help restore energy production and improve long-term reliability. Read about the case study on the Enphase website.

IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverters are designed to meet rigorous grid compliance standards, including UL 1741-SB and IEEE 1547-2018. They include rapid shutdown, phase balancing, voltage and frequency ride-through, and loss-of-phase detection to support grid safety and system reliability. Enphase microinverter systems convert DC to AC at each panel, eliminating long high-voltage DC runs used in traditional string inverter designs and delivering a safer, all-AC architecture on the roof. Enphase microinverters help increase energy production in shaded or uneven roof conditions and provide per-panel monitoring through the Enphase® App.

IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverters that are manufactured in U.S. facilities with domestic content may qualify as “FEOC compliant” (see Enphase website for details on “FEOC compliant” products) and may help certain eligible projects qualify for domestic content bonus tax credits, subject to project-specific requirements and applicable laws. The products also comply with Buy America Act standards for federal direct procurement contracts.

Enphase IQ9 Commercial Microinverters connect to the IQ® Gateway Commercial Pro, the communication and control hub for Enphase commercial systems. The gateway enables real-time monitoring, energy management, remote firmware updates, export limiting, and other advanced grid features, subject to system configuration and operating conditions. It also offers flexible connectivity and setup through the Enphase® Installer App.

"The IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverter extends Enphase's panel-level architecture to higher-power 480 V commercial projects," said Aaron Gordon, senior vice president and general manager of the systems business unit at Enphase Energy. "By manufacturing this product in the United States and shipping it ahead of key safe harbor deadlines, we expect it may help customers build more efficiently, address federal sourcing requirements, and move forward with greater confidence, depending on project conditions."

The IQ9S-3P Commercial Microinverter is backed by an industry-leading 25-year limited warranty, while the IQ Gateway Commercial Pro comes with a 15-year limited warranty. Certain Enphase products may qualify as FEOC compliant under IRS Notice 2025-08. Customers should consult their legal and tax advisors to confirm eligibility.

Enphase Energy | https://enphase.com/

Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced that its subsidiary, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) has completed upgrades to nearly 13 miles of transmission lines in Allegany and Steuben Counties. The Line 932 project began last September and was completed in May, three months ahead of schedule thanks to NYSEG crews, including 13 lineworkers from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 10. The project was also completed under the original budget estimates and saved New York ratepayers more than $2 million.

“Completing this major transmission project ahead of schedule and under budget reflects Avangrid’s continued focus on delivering smart, efficient investments that strengthen the grid while providing real value to our customers across New York,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “Investments like these are essential to building a more reliable and affordable energy system that enables New York’s economic development.”

NYSEG replaced 58 aging structures along 12.8 miles of line. These replacements improve the transmission system’s reliability and resiliency. The replacements also allow NYSEG to move forward with its plan to add a power flow control device near the Bennett Substation in Hornell to help regulate voltage more effectively. The project will help increase capacity and reliability of the local transmission system and allows existing and future generation facilities to connect to the grid.

The Line 932 project also provided lineworker apprentices with the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience in climbing structures.

“This project showcases the best qualities of union labor,” said Roman Cefali, business manager of IBEW Local 10. “Our journeymen bring an unmatched expertise, while apprentices gain hands-on experience that will help shape their careers. NYSEG’s Line 932 project is the perfect example of building critical infrastructure that powers our region’s future while also investing in the next generation of lineworkers.”

Line 932 is the first major project to be completed within NYSEG’s Powering New York program, an initiative designed to increase grid reliability and capacity and to support New York State’s energy goals. Several more projects are planned. All told, the program includes improvements to 25 substations and 420 miles of high-voltage lines. Approval of those projects is currently under consideration by the NY Public Service Commission and will help ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable power to customers.

Avangrid | http://www.avangrid.com

During the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2026, Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, announced an agreement with AMEA Power, one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in the region, for the Amunet II 500MW wind project in Egypt. The announcement follows the successful commissioning of AMEA Power's 500MW Wind Power Plant in Ras Ghareb, Egypt, in June 2025. As the largest wind farm in Africa, the project demonstrated AMEA Power's ability to successfully develop and commission utility-scale renewable energy projects at pace and scale.

Delivered in collaboration with Envision Energy, it reinforced investor confidence in the bankability and scalability of large-scale renewable energy developments while establishing a strong foundation for continued collaboration between the two companies.

Amunet II is AMEA Power's second utility-scale wind project in Egypt. Upon completion, the company's combined wind power capacity in the country will reach 1GW, supporting Egypt's renewable energy ambitions and accelerating its transition towards a cleaner, and more diversified energy mix.

"From Amunet I to Amunet II, our partnership with AMEA Power has evolved into a strategic collaboration built on trust, innovation and long-term value creation," said Kane Xu, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy. "The project demonstrates the scalability of our partnership model and the value of global collaboration in advancing the energy transition. Today, Egypt is increasingly playing a key role in the global energy transition. Envision will continue to leverage our leading technologies and global execution capabilities to deliver reliable and efficient clean energy solutions across Egypt and the wider MENA region, supporting a more sustainable energy future."

"The successful delivery of our 500MW wind project in Ras Ghareb, Egypt, demonstrated what can be achieved when strong partners share a common vision and commitment to execution. The Amunet II project marks the next phase of our collaboration with Envision Energy and reflects our continued confidence in Egypt's renewable energy sector. Together, these projects will bring our wind portfolio in Egypt to 1GW, supporting the country's energy transition while creating lasting economic and social value," said Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power.

Envision Energy | https://www.envision-group.com/

Origis Energy, one of America's leading renewable energy platforms, announced the closing of a $900 million Corporate Facility (the "Facility"), comprising $650 million of funded credit facilities and a $250 million Letter of Credit ("LC") Facility. The Facility provides Origis with substantial liquidity to accelerate its near-term project pipeline and support its growth strategy of bringing cost-effective, reliable, and customer-centered energy projects online.

First Citizens Bank, ING Capital LLC, Natixis, and Santander served as Joint Bookrunners and Coordinating Lead Arrangers. EIG structured and acted as sole purchaser of notes issued as part of the transaction. First Citizens Bank is serving as Administrative Agent and HSBC as Collateral Agent and Coordinating Lead Arranger. Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, and MUFG are serving as Coordinating Lead Arrangers, Regions Capital Markets as Joint Lead Arranger, and Celtic Bank and TD Bank as participating lenders in the Facility. Latham & Watkins and Milbank served as Borrower's and Lenders' Counsels, respectively.

Proceeds from the Facility will be deployed to progress the development of more than 5 GW of highly advanced projects across Origis' portfolio, in addition to supporting the continued development of its total 20 GW+ pipeline. The sector continues to experience unprecedented electricity demand growth from AI innovation, manufacturing, and electrification, and Origis remains exceptionally well-positioned to deliver cost-effective solar and battery storage solutions to its utility and commercial customers.

"This facility marks a defining moment in Origis' transformation into a leading developer-owner-operator of solar and storage infrastructure. It reflects the operational and financial milestones our team has delivered over the past 24 months — including quadrupling our operating capacity — and the world-class group of financial institutions in this syndicate is a testament to the scale and execution we've achieved. This capital positions us to go further, advancing more than 5 GW of highly advanced pipeline while continuing to develop our broader portfolio. The confidence shown by all our financial partners is a strong endorsement of our strategy and our people, and we are grateful for their partnership."
— Alice Heathcote, Chief Financial Officer, Origis Energy

First Citizens Bank (Administrative Agent; Joint Bookrunner and Coordinating Lead Arranger):
"Origis' transformation into a leading developer-owner-operator in a short period of time has been impressive. We are excited to have played a leading role in the evolution and expansion of this financing and look forward to continuing to support Origis as it pursues its next chapter of growth."
— Mike Lorusso, Group Head of Energy Finance, First Citizens Bank

ING Capital LLC (Green Loan Structuring Agent; Joint Bookrunner and Coordinating Lead Arranger):
"Origis Energy has built a highly regarded platform with a demonstrated ability to originate, develop and execute complex projects at scale. This facility underscores both the strength and depth of their management team, as well as continued market confidence in their strategic ambitions. ING is proud to support Origis as they continue to grow and advance reliable, cost-effective energy solutions."
— Edmund Wong, Director, ING Capital, LLC

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Green Loan Structuring Agent; Joint Bookrunner and Coordinating Lead Arranger):
"The successful close of this financing highlights the market's strong confidence in Origis' platform and its critical role in our energy future. This was a complex transaction that required immense effort and seamless collaboration from everyone involved, and we want to extend our sincere gratitude to both the exceptional team at Origis and the supportive bank group. Congratulations to Origis on achieving this pivotal milestone."
— Jim Kaiser, Head of Infrastructure and Energy Finance North America, Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking

Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Green Loan Structuring Agent; Joint Bookrunner and Coordinating Lead Arranger):
"Having supported Origis across numerous financings over the past several years, we have witnessed firsthand the company's evolution into a scaled and well-established renewable energy platform in the U.S. This facility reflects the strength of Origis' operating portfolio and development pipeline and provides a flexible solution for future capital needed to advance projects across its platform. We are proud to continue our partnership with Origis as it enters this next phase of growth."
— Andrew Platt, Head of Energy Structured Finance & Advisory US, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking

EIG Credit Management:
"We are pleased to partner with Origis Energy and the broader lending group to provide a structured financing solution for its near-term pipeline. This transaction highlights EIG's ability to deliver long-term debt capital alongside commercial banks, with a structure designed to align funded capital with the company's evolving capital requirements."
— Shalin Parikh, Head of Energy Transition, Americas, EIG Credit Management

Origis Energy | www.origisenergy.com

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has partnered with industrial services provider Bilfinger to develop the control system for a first-of-its-kind floating power and control demonstrator of a Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI) buoy. The project deploys Schneider Electric’s open, software-defined EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert (EAE) platform to enable fully autonomous operations in one of the world's most punishing offshore environments. 

Bilfinger was appointed by Buoyant Production Technologies (BPT), a subsidiary of Crondall Energy, to design a scalable and repeatable solution capable of supporting autonomous operations at remote and marginal offshore platforms. The objective was to create a system in which a renewable energy microgrid provides reliable power for mission critical, subsea tie-back systems. 

Built on open, software-defined automation (SDA), the resulting NUI demonstrator buoy is a compact, autonomous offshore platform located in the North Sea. It generates its own renewable energy and manages subsea control locally, removing the need for onsite personnel or a connection to a distant platform and lowering emissions as a result. Since deployment in late 2025, it has met every success criteria, completing 1,000 hours of fully autonomous operation without incident and achieving technology qualification within the targeted 10-month target. 

The use of open, software-defined automation supports a flexible, future-ready approach by eliminating vendor lock-in and decoupling applications from hardware. This enables the integration of best-in-class technologies never previously combined in a single offshore system. The solution presents a compelling alternative to conventional subsea tie-back infrastructure, which is increasingly under strain as operators expand into more remote and deepwater locations. 

“Traditional automation architectures make customization very difficult, especially for first-of-its-kind projects,” said Steven Parkinson, Automation, Production and Service Director, Bilfinger UK. “This approach simplified integration between renewable power generation, remote operation, and autonomous control, while overcoming the long lead times, high capital costs, and limited flexibility associated with traditional infrastructure.”  

“This project proves a new operating model for offshore assets and supports our mission to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries,” said Devan Pillay, President of Heavy Industries at Schneider Electric. “Our close collaboration with Bilfinger and the adoption of open, software-defined automation were critical to a successful and timely delivery. The real opportunity now lies in replicating and scaling this approach across future assets to enable a lower-carbon offshore industry.” 

The buoy’s integrated control and power scheme includes Schneider Electric’s Modicon M580 dPAC controller for core process control and I/O integration, alongside a renewable energy microgrid controller to coordinate wind, solar PV, battery storage and diesel generation. The solution is supported by SCADA servers running AVEVA™ InTouch and AVEVA PI for visualization, data management, and analytics.  

High-availability communications are enabled via 5G and Starlink, while onboard safety systems cover fire, gas, and smoke detection. The entire system is underpinned by a layered, built-in cybersecurity framework. 

Bilfinger, a Schneider Electric Alliance System Integrator Partner, progressed from contract award to technology qualification in just 10 months and was named Schneider Electric’s UK EAE Partner of the Year 2025. The Schneider Electric Alliance Programme for System Integrators brings together partners to support collaboration and the delivery of industrial automation and digital solutions.  

Schneider Electric | https://www.se.com/ww/en/