Neglected PV Maintenance Fuels Fire Risk

Got Electric, a leading electrical and solar contractor serving Maryland and Virginia, announced that Jeff Gilbert has joined the company as Solar Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager, reinforcing Got Electric's commitment to expanding and professionalizing solar O&M services across the Mid-Atlantic region.

With more than three decades of renewable energy experience, Gilbert's expertise spans system design, inspection, installation, and workforce training. His career includes co-founding Chesapeake Solar, one of the Mid-Atlantic's earliest and most successful solar firms, and later launching Azimuth Solar, a consultancy focused on inspection, training, and technical advisory services. Gilbert is also NABCEP-certified, a credential widely recognized as the gold standard in solar installation and maintenance.

"Bringing Jeff on board is an important step for Got Electric as we continue to grow our commercial solar O&M services," said Grant Gotlinger, President of Got Electric. "His background and technical know-how strengthen our ability to deliver reliable, technician-led solutions for our clients. The recognition we have received in Solar Power World's 2025 rankings reflects that same commitment to expertise and service, and Jeff's role will help us build on that momentum across the Mid-Atlantic."

As the solar industry matures, operations and maintenance have emerged as one of its most critical yet underserved segments. The Mid-Atlantic region alone has thousands of commercial and utility-scale systems that require regular performance monitoring, diagnostics, and repair to ensure uptime and financial returns for system owners. "The biggest challenge is also the biggest opportunity," said Jeff Gilbert. "The Mid-Atlantic has a rapidly growing number of commercial and industrial solar systems. Every minute offline means lost revenue for the owners. Got Electric can make a real impact by being the company with boots on the ground—restoring systems quickly and helping clients maximize the value of their solar investments."

Got Electric's solar O&M division specializes in technician-led diagnostics, affordable service plans, transparent pricing, and deep licensing coverage across Maryland and Virginia. With Gilbert at the helm, the company plans to expand these offerings, strengthening relationships with commercial property owners, developers, and asset managers seeking reliable long-term service partnerships.

Gilbert's addition also aligns with Got Electric's ongoing investment in workforce development and technical training. His background as an educator and conference speaker on the National Electrical Code and solar system design complements Got Electric's culture of continuous learning and hands-on expertise.

For me, it is energizing to join a company that values both technical excellence and business growth," Gilbert added. "Got Electric already has the reputation and talent—it is about scaling that success to meet the region's growing demand for solar maintenance and performance services."

Got Electric |www.gotelectric.net 

PowerBank Corporation (Nasdaq: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: 103) ("PowerBank" or the "Company"), a leader in North American energy infrastructure development and asset ownership, is pleased to announce that it has executed a lease agreement on a 1.76 MW DC ground-mount solar power project known as the NY-Hemlock Hill project (the "Project"), in Upstate New York. The Project is expected to be eligible for incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ("NYSERDA") NY-Sun Program.

The Company is in the process of submitting the interconnection application and has initiated the preliminary screening analysis as part of the initial interconnection steps. Assuming receipt of interconnection approval, the Company will work to complete the permitting process and secure the necessary financing for the construction of the Project.

Once completed, the Project will be operated as a community solar project. Community solar is a group of solar panels with access to the local electricity grid. Once the panels are turned on and generating electricity, clean energy from the site feeds into the local power grid. Depending on the size and number of panels the project has, dozens or even hundreds of renters and homeowners can save money from the electricity that is generated by the project. By subscribing to a project, a homeowner earns credits on their electric bill every month from their portion of the solar that's generated by the project, accessing the benefits of solar without installing panels on their home. This allows homeowners to realize a reduced cost per kW/hour from the power they consume versus standard utility rates.

PowerBank's proven expertise, with over 100 MW of completed projects and a development pipeline exceeding 1 GW, underpins the project's execution. Strategic partnerships and institutional-grade development capabilities position PowerBank to deliver reliable, high-impact renewable energy solutions.

The Hemlock Hill Project will help advance New York's ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of 6 GW of solar capacity by 2025. As a national leader in community solar, New York accounts for nearly one-third of the United States' 6.2 GW of installed solar capacity, and PowerBank is honored to help contribute to this transformative milestone.

PowerBank Corporation | www.powerbankcorp.com

Got Electric, LLC, a leading Maryland-based electrical and solar contractor, has donated 127 surplus solar panels to Habitat for Humanity Virginia through its partnership with GiveSolar. The panels, already delivered to Athens, Georgia, will be installed on the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This initiative will reduce operating costs for the ReStore, allowing Habitat to direct more resources toward its mission of building affordable housing for families in need.

The collaboration grew from a simple conversation between Got Electric's Andy Hershberger and GiveSolar's Director, Jeff Heie. Recognizing the opportunity to repurpose surplus equipment, Hershberger coordinated the donation to advance renewable energy access while helping reduce inventory.

"We are honored to support Habitat for Humanity Virginia and GiveSolar in their mission to bring affordable housing and renewable energy together," said Andy Hershberger, Director of Virginia Operations of Got Electric, LLC. "By donating these solar panels, we're not only reducing waste but also helping Habitat lower their energy expenses so more funds can go directly toward building homes for families who need them most."

"This donation is a great example of how surplus solar equipment can be redirected to make a real difference in local communities," said Jeff Heie, Director of GiveSolar. "With support from companies like Got Electric, Habitat for Humanity can expand its impact—providing both affordable housing and the benefits of clean, renewable energy."

The donated panels were delivered by Estes Express Lines and unloaded with the help of volunteers and equipment at the Athens ReStore. The partnership between Got Electric, GiveSolar, and Habitat for Humanity underscores the power of collaboration in advancing sustainability and community impact.

Got Electric | gotelectric.net

Rondo Energy announced the start of commercial operation of the world's largest industrial heat battery. A 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) has entered daily automatic operation, powered exclusively by an on-site PV solar array and delivering continuous high-pressure industrial heat and steam to a Holmes Western Oil Corporation facility in California. The unit sets new records for the industrial heat battery industry in capacity, round-trip efficiency, and power supply. This 100 MWh unit delivers a volume of heat equivalent to 10,000 home heating systems.

During the day, off-grid solar PV charges the heat battery and the RHB delivers heat 24-hours a day. After 10 weeks of operation, the project has achieved all milestones for daily automatic operation, performance, efficiency, and reliability proving out Rondo's unique design, which boasts storage temperatures over 1000°C and round-trip efficiency above 97%.

"The Rondo Heat Battery is now proven at industrial scale," said Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy. "We are already developing and operating heat batteries across four continents and five industries. Our customers are improving their competitiveness and slashing their carbon emissions at the same time."

This Rondo Heat Battery is directly delivering steam alongside gas-fired boilers without changes to the facility. This project was delivered with zero lost-time injuries and is fully meeting all customer contract specifications. By replacing gas consumption with the fixed cost of on-site solar power, the project reduces energy cost volatility, as well as reducing regulatory and carbon market exposure. The lower carbon intensity of the customer's fuel products strengthens competitiveness in low-carbon markets.

Decarbonizing Industry at Scale

Industrial heat makes up 25% of global final energy use, and industries from chemicals to cement rely on high-temperature heat. Rondo's technology provides a simple and safe way for manufacturers to reduce costs and slash scope 1 emissions today.

Unlike heat pumps or electric boilers that need constant power, the Rondo Heat Battery charges using only the six lowest-cost hours of electricity per day — whether from off-grid solar or from the grid. Intermittent and low-cost hours of electricity are becoming available in electricity systems around the world, thanks to the deployment of solar & wind.

"The commercialization of the heat battery represents yet another global inflection point for solar & wind power, said Andy Lubershane, Partner at Energy Impact Partners. "Just as electric vehicles opened up the transport market to renewable electricity, heat batteries will open up an even larger new market, industrial heat, which accounts for roughly a quarter of global energy consumption. We're thrilled that Rondo is leading the way."

Simple, Proven, Safe

The Rondo Heat Battery's storage medium uses only brick and wire — abundant, proven materials that can't catch fire, explode, or cause toxic leaks. Heat batteries replace or drop in alongside industry-standard boilers and seamlessly integrate into existing steam flanges, delivering steam at any conditions at 100+ bar (1450+ PSI). Because it produces no emissions, the Rondo Heat Battery requires no air permits, easing deployment.

Global Scale, Ready Now

Rondo is already developing and operating projects across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with deployments underway for chemicals, biofuels, food & beverage, and cement. The company's technology scales quickly, requiring no scarce minerals and using only proven industrial components.

With the 100 MWh Rondo Heat Battery now online, Rondo is demonstrating the future of industrial heat, power, and cogeneration — renewable, reliable, and cost-competitive.

Rondo Energy | https://www.rondo.com/

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) closed a loan guarantee to strengthen grid reliability and ensure lower electricity costs across the midwestern region of the United States.

In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, the $1.6 billion loan guarantee to a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP) will reconductor and rebuild around 5,000 miles of transmission lines across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and enhance grid reliability and capacity in rapidly growing areas.

“Thanks to President Trump and the Working Families Tax Cut, the Energy Department is ensuring the American people will have access to affordable, reliable and secure energy for decades to come,” said U.S. Secretary Wright. “The President has been clear: America must reverse course from the energy subtraction agenda of past administrations and strengthen our electrical grid. This loan guarantee will not only help modernize the grid and expand transmission capacity but will help position the United States to win the AI race and grow our manufacturing base.”   

The loan guarantee, which was carefully evaluated under the new LPO guidance directed by Secretary Wright, delivers on the Trump administration’s promise to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars and unleash American energy dominance.  

The AEP financial close is also the first closed loan guarantee under the Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) Program created by the Working Families Tax Cut, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. President Trump signed the legislation into law earlier this year. All electric utilities receiving an EDF loan must provide assurance to DOE that financial benefits from the financing will be passed on to the customers of that utility.

DOE remains committed to using all tools at its disposal, including the LPO, to deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy for the American people.

Department of Energy | https://www.energy.gov/

BW ESS, a global developer, owner and operator of large-scale energy storage systems has appointed two European energy infrastructure leaders to its Board of Directors as it continues to deliver a pipeline of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage (BESS) projects spanning six global markets. 

Stefano Venier is the former CEO of SNAM, Italy’s gas transmission system operator (TSO), and Hera, one of Italy’s major utility companies. His deep understanding of the European and Italian energy markets and extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure and system integration will be valuable as BW ESS expands its activities.  

BW ESS has surpassed the milestone of 1GWh of contracted revenues in the Italian market, following contract wins for its Cerignola BESS project (95.55MW / 706MWh) in the inaugural MACSE auction, and Chignolo BESS (107MW / 440MWh) in the capacity market auction. These projects form part of a 14-project (2.8GW) pipeline under development in Italy, spanning the north and south of the country.  

Dr. Georg Müller previously served as CEO of MVV Energie, one of Germany’s largest integrated energy utilities. He has substantial experience in the transformation of energy systems and the need for the appropriate market frameworks, which he also used in the context of his involvement on the Board of the German Energy and Water Association (BDEW). His insights into the German energy landscape will provide valuable direction for BW ESS’ expanding presence in the market. 

In Germany, BW ESS has a total pipeline of 2.4GW in various phases of development covering the north and south of Germany. BW ESS expects to begin delivering its first BESS project in Germany during the first half of 2026.  

“Stefano and Georg bring significant energy infrastructure experience to our Board. Their combined expertise will add strategic depth to BW ESS as we advance our mission of unlocking sustainable energy storage systems across Europe and beyond. Italy and Germany have become core markets for BW ESS, where our goal is to provide enhanced grid resilience and lower energy costs for consumers,” said Erik Strømsø, CEO of BW ESS. 

“Global BESS is reaching a watershed moment as the asset class is establishing itself as an integral part of our modern energy systems. At BW ESS we continue to leverage our global experience and expertise to unlock the value of energy storage.” 

Stefano and Georg join existing board members Andreas Sohmen-Pao (Chairman) and Christian Clausen in providing strategic direction to the executive team.  

These board-level appointments come during a period of sustained growth for the BW ESS team, as the company’s project pipeline matures across the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Australia.  

BW ESS | https://bw-ess.com/ 

A new tool which standardizes data across renewable energy assets, greatly enhancing the industry’s ability to manage diverse portfolios, has been launched by GreenPowerMonitor (GPM), a DNV company and a global leader in renewable asset monitoring.

Energy Data Tagger solves issues arising through inconsistent SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) data, which is used to monitor, control and optimise renewable assets, by converting it into actionable insights.

Renewable energy plants generate thousands of data points every second, but these are largely labelled differently across manufacturers, which greatly limits automation and analytics. Consequently, without organized data, no insights on assets can be gained.

Energy Data Tagger solves this by delivering consistent, machine-readable signal naming that turns messy data into a standardized language for renewables. Trained on over one million signals from renewable assets (solar, wind, battery) monitored by GPM, Energy Data Tagger has now matured into a market-ready digital product.

It is the first software of its kind which operates as a standalone, standard driven tool rather than as part of a broader asset management system. The tool automatically classifies signals and asset names using Natural Language Processing (NLP), a form of AI which learns and improves over time. Using the vast training dataset, its tagging accuracy improves as it processes new data.

Juan Carlos Arévalo, Executive Vice President Green Power Monitoring & Solutions said, “The ability to standardize and analyze vast volumes of SCADA data is mission critical to the global scaling of clean energy systems and represents a major leap forward in technical innovation.

“Until now, inconsistent signal naming across manufacturers and sites has blocked automation, analytics and portfolio-wide insights. Energy Data Tagger resolves that bottleneck by automatically translating disorganized data into structured, machine-readable formats.

“Built on standards IEC 81346 and RDS-PS and trained on over one million signals from renewable energy projects, the tool is designed to serve multinational portfolios and diverse asset types. As countries race to meet climate goals, tools like Energy Data Tagger help make clean energy not just possible, but powerful.”

Giuseppe Ferraro, Director of Innovation at GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company added: “Over the course of the last year, Energy Data Tagger has evolved to become a crucial tool in the global energy transition.

“This trusted technology supports the push for digitalization and decarbonization by improving data quality across portfolios, something that the renewables sector has long struggled with but is now well poised to overcome. Many say that data is the new currency, I would argue that taxonomized data is the new digital superpower.”

Energy Data Tagger merges a robust taxonomy with AI-driven classification across solar, wind, and battery systems, transforming fragmented data into actionable clarity.

It offers:

• Automatic naming that enables consistent and efficient labeling of hundreds of incoming data signals, either fully or semi-automatically.

• Effective data analysis to allow real-time monitoring and deeper data analysis. It also enables integration and comparison of site data for holistic portfolio insights.

GreenPowerMonitor | https://www.greenpowermonitor.com/