| From: Eric | 6/12/2025 7:58:23 PM | | | | | | Midwest utility-scale solar advances on three milestone announcements
Earthrise Energy, Redeux Energy Partners, and Geronimo Power announced project finance deals, portfolio investment, and the commercial operations of two projects, respectively.
June 12, 2025 Ryan Kennedy
The Yellowbud Solar project developed by Geronimo Power.
Image: Geronimo Power
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Large-scale solar projects are advancing in the Midwest and beyond. Developers and independent power producers are securing project financing and acquiring portfolios, showing strong investor confidence in the industry despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
Earlier this week, pv magazine USA reported three deals exceeding $1 billion in project finance. Another set of deals were announced today, with much of the investment occurring in the U.S. Midwest.
First, Earthrise Energy announced it secured a $630 million tax equity and debt financing for its 270 MW Gibson City Solar project in the MISO power market. The deal is comprised of a construction-to-term loan, a tax equity bridge loan, and a letter of credit facility.
The project is among the first solar project financings to use the Illinois Power Agency’s indexed renewable energy credit offtake contract.
BBVA, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Nord/LB served as coordinating lead arrangers and bookrunners for the debt financing, and a “Fortune 500 telecommunications company” provided the tax equity commitment.
Gibson City Solar shares a point of interconnection with Earthrise’s existing thermal power plant and makes use of surplus interconnection service. Earthrise began acquiring portfolios of natural gas peaking power plants in 2021 and is currently developing and constructing adjacent solar capacity across all sites. These projects leverage the existing interconnection rights held by the peaking plants, enabling the company to advance solar projects more quickly.
The project, located in Illinois, is expected to reach commercial operations in 2026.
Next, Redeux Energy Partners announced the close of a $30 million revolving letter of credit facility with Macquarie Group, which served as sole issuer and administrative agent for the deal. The funding is expected to allow Redeux to finance development expenses related to interconnection and power purchase agreement obligations for its utility-scale project pipeline.
The company has a 7 GW solar, 12 GWh battery energy storage project pipeline spanning ERCOT, MISO, CAISO, SERC and WECC energy markets.
FERC Order 2023 has led to rising interconnection costs in many markets. The financing is expected to help Redeux advance projects further through the development lifecycle, derisking projects for its independent power producer (IPP) partners. To date, Redeux has sold nearly 700 MW of utility-scale solar and hybrid project capacity to IPPs.
The company said it is actively marketing a mid-stage portfolio comprised of 1.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GWh of battery energy storage projects in MISO, ERCOT and SERC markets.
In a third announcement, Geronimo Power said it began operations on two utility-scale solar projects in Ohio. The Ross solar project adds 120 MW to the grid, while the Fayette project adds 47.5 MW.
Together the two projects are expected to contribute $29.5 million in new tax revenues for local counties, emergency services, school districts and educational programs. The projects will also lead to an estimated 4.5 million metric tons of avoided carbon emissions over the first 20 years of operation, said the company.
The company also announced it has begun construction of two other solar projects in Ohio, the Sycamore Creek Solar and Dodson Creek Solar projects. Along with its recently completed Yellowbud Solar project, the five solar facilities are expected to add 675 MW of capacity once operational.
“The addition of Ross and Fayette to our Ohio operating portfolio brings our collective projected economic impact to more than $160 million across the Buckeye state,” said Blake Nixon, president and chief executive officer of Geronimo Power.
Watch a construction timelapse of the Ross project below:
Ross County Solar Construction Timelapse
Geronimo Power
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| From: Eric | 6/12/2025 8:45:21 PM | | | | | | Midwest solar industry seeks broader support
Intersolar and Energy Storage North America held its first Midwest show June 9 to June 11, where solar leaders discussed the success and lessons learned from this year’s legislative session, among other topics affecting the solar industry.
June 12, 2025 Rachel Metea
Tom Bullock, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Ohio speaks at a session about Ohio at the 2025 Midwest Solar Expo.
Image: pv magazine USA
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Midwest Solar Expo held its first conference in Chicago June 9 to June 11 since it was acquired by Intersolar and Energy Storage North America last year, marking Intersolar’s expansion into the Midwest.
This year’s event included 67 exhibitors, a slight bump from the reported number in previous years, and an estimated 900 people were expected to attend the event.
Beckie Kier, Intersolar and Energy Storage North American event director, told pv magazine USA their goal for year one is to support the regional market. “As that evolves,” she said, “we will evolve the conference program and then in supporting the strong exhibit hall to provide the solutions that the attendees need.”
The Midwest Solar Expo sheds light on the innovation occurring in the Midwest, but Candace Letizia, marketing director for Intersolar and Energy Storage North America, noted the “innovation extends beyond the technology that the industry is driving forward and also into the innovation that’s occurring within the workforce,” she said, and noted that the year’s Host Sponsor was labor group Powering Chicago, a partnership group between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) of Chicago and Cook County.
As this year was Intersolar’s first regional show in the Midwest, Letizia said there were two things she learned that make Midwest Expo different from her experience in other markets.
“The first,” she noted, “is that this ‘Midwestern hospitality’ is so true. What a great spirit this show has had,” Letizia said. “The atmosphere here has just been very collaborative and very approachable, which I find very refreshing as a northeasterner.”
Letizia said the other notable difference with the Midwest Expo is the demographic and range of professionals among its participants. The involvement from labor and union groups, she noted, is something she hasn’t seen as much of at other Intersolar shows.
Attendees extended from beyond Midwestern states, with people traveling from states such as Georgia, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. Frank Crandall, account representative for the Midwest and Canada at Enphase, told pv magazine USA that many of the sales reps attended the show because Midwestern states are in their sales territory.
The sessions included state policy recaps from this year’s legislative session. A theme emerged across these sessions when panelists discussed bills that were and were not successful, with panelists often discussing the involvement of groups outside solar and environmental groups as either something they had for successful legislation, or something they wish they had had for those that did not pass.
For example, Illinois recently failed to pass a powerful omnibus energy package that would have created a Storage for All program, a Solar Bill of Rights, virtual power plant programs and more. Championed by environmental justice advocates, the package evolved from the two past omnibus energy bills that helped catapult Illinois to the successful solar market it is today.
“I know a lot of people are probably wondering why it didn’t pass,” Kavi Chintham, Vote Solar’s Illinois campaigns manager, said during the Illinois session, which outlined what the omnibus would have achieved. “We need everyone to really be out there pushing for this omnibus package in the next session. Whatever session this comes up in again, whether it be the veto session or the spring — whenever — it can’t just be advocates.”
“It can’t just be industry, it can’t just be agencies,” Chintham said. “It really has to be everyone coming together and pushing for this because we understand the impacts on ratepayers and on companies that the that the RTO tightening has, that things like data centers coming into the state, those kind of impacts have. We understand that innately because we’re working on that every day, but legislators don’t necessarily understand that.”
“Sometimes they need to hear from a variety of people with different backgrounds in order to really understand the urgency of that,” she said.
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 11:41:06 AM | | | | | | Canada’s largest off-grid solar project breaks ground
The Anahim Lake Solar Farm in British Columbia, Canada, will provide the Ulkatcho First Nation with renewable energy, reducing the remote community’s use of diesel for electricity generation by almost two-thirds.
June 13, 2025 Patrick Jowett
British Columbia, Canada
Image: Hunter Reilly, Unsplash
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Work is underway on Canada’s largest off-grid solar project to date.
The 3.8 MW Anahim Lake Solar Farm project will be built near Anahim Lake in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province. A groundbreaking ceremony took place earlier this week.
The project will provide the Ulkatcho First Nation, a First Nations government within the province, with renewable energy, reducing the remote community’s use of diesel for electricity generation, which it is currently entirely reliant on, by 64%.
Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said it is currently Canada’s largest off-grid solar project. “This is what purposeful, community-led action looks like,” he added. “The Anahim Lake Solar Farm is a positive step toward reducing emissions, strengthening local economies and fostering economic reconciliation.”
The solar farm, first announced last year, will be built and owned entirely by Ulkatch Energy Corporation. Project works will also encompass the construction of new roads and access paths, as well as investments in fire management and security.
Local electric utility BC Hydro signed its first ever community electricity purchase agreement with Ulkatch Energy Corporation in April 2024. The agreement will see the utility purchase the solar energy generated at the farm for the next 20 years.
BC Hydro has also committed to upgrading the Anahim Lake station microgrid. The upgrade will encompass the installation of a battery energy storage system and a microgrid control system, transitioning operations from analog to digital. A statement from the company adds that this upgrade will reduce diesel dependency, significantly cut carbon emissions and improve service reliability.
Earlier this week, the government of Canada announced a further CAN 4.9 million ($3.6 million) investment in the project, taking its total commitment to nearly CAN 17 million.
Total investment surpasses CAN 20 million, thanks to additional funds from the British Columbia government and the Ulkatcho First Nation, as well as from the federal and provincial government-funded Community Energy Diesel Reduction program and BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative.
Canada installed 314 MW of solar in 2024, bringing its cumulative installed PV capacity to more than 5 GW.
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 11:42:31 AM | | | | | | Panama to include storage in energy auctions
In an exclusive interview with pv magazine, Panamanian Energy Secretary Juan Manuel Urriola said the government will open the electricity market to private investment and revise regulations to enable energy storage. Urriola also emphasized the importance of long-term planning and transparent bidding to attract developers.
June 13, 2025 Luis Ini
Panamanian Energy Secretary Juan Manuel Urriola
Image: National Energy Secretariat
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From pv magazine LatAm
Panama has no specific targets for installed PV capacity, said Panamanian Energy Secretary Juan Manuel Urriola.
“Our energy goals are comprehensive and aim to meet demand in a safe, reliable, and competitive manner,” he told pv magazine, noting that the country aims for at least 20% of national consumption to come from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030. The goal rises to a 70% share of renewables in the electricity mix by 2050.
Urriola said the National Energy Secretariat supports private investment in new solar parks through regulatory instruments and tax benefits. He pointed to Law 45 of 2004, which exempts tariffs for solar equipment and provides income tax benefits, and Law 37 of 2013, amended in 2023, which allows accelerated depreciation and tax credits of up to 5% of the investment value.
“We greatly respect the contractual freedom that exists with investors coming to Panama through tenders, contracts, or concessions,” he said. “The rules of the game for them must be clear and with certainty that there is a rule of law.”
The secretary said Panama plans to promote distributed PV systems, especially in rural or remote areas.
“These projects are part of the National Electrification Plan and include individual solutions and minigrids to expand energy access in isolated communities,” he said.
He added that solar generation has grown steadily in recent years. Planning for grid expansion is handled by the Electric Transmission Company (ETESA), which reviews the plan annually to ensure new generation capacity is integrated effectively.
Panama is preparing new short- and long-term tenders for capacity and energy procurement. Studies are underway to determine the reserved quota for solar energy in future auctions.
“The predictability in the tender calendar responds to the demands of investors and distribution companies,” Urriola said. On energy storage, he said it will not be mandatory in auctions but may be included if technically and economically viable. “Storage will help improve the quality of service and provide complementary services in the transmission and distribution network.”
Urriola also noted that minigrids in isolated regions currently combine solar, thermal generation, and batteries to deliver sustainable energy to communities without grid access.
He said Panama’s regulatory framework allows renewable projects to connect and operate without major barriers. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.
“Improvements in the sector must be self-financed through long-term investments,” he said, adding that Panama seeks international cooperation to expand energy access in remote areas through individual solar systems and minigrids.
Panama deployed 143.4 MW of new solar in 2024, increasing its total installed PV capacity to 695.55 MW by year-end.
Total installed capacity in Panama reached 5,045.09 MW in 2024, including 2,165.97 MW from thermal power (42.93%), 1,847.57 MW from hydropower (36.62%), 336 MW from wind (6.66%), and the newly added PV capacity
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 11:45:01 AM | | | | | | Largest battery storage project wins fast-track approval in California
The Darden Clean Energy Project, paired with 1.1 GW of solar, will provide enough electricity to power 850,000 homes for four hours.
June 13, 2025 Anne Fischer
An Intersect Power solar-plus-storage facility.
Image: Intersect Power
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The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved the Darden Clean Energy Project, the first to be fast tracked under its Opt-In Certification program.
The CES said that this battery storage project is destined to be the largest in world. A 4,600 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) will be paired with a solar installation of 300 million solar modules providing 1.1 GW of solar, it will generate enough electricity to power 850,000 homes for four hours.
The Darden project, which is owned by IP Darden I, LLC, a subsidiary of Intersect Power, will connect to the PG&E grid and be located on 9,500 acres of land in western Fresno County that the CEC said is no longer able to support agricultural production.
The CEC’s Opt-In Certification Program that was authorized by Assembly Bill 205, passed in 2022, requires the CEC to review applications 30 days of the submission and make a determination of completeness. The CEC then has 270 days to complete the environmental review. This program was developed with a goal of achieving California’s mandate that all retail electric sales come from renewable energy and zero-carbon resources by 2045.
“The transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 requires bold, utility-scale projects like Darden,” said CEC chair David Hochschild. “This project is significant not only for its size but its cutting-edge design and safety measures.”
Projects seeking approval through the Opt-In Certification program must pay prevailing wages and provide community and economic benefits. The Darden project is expected to employ more than 2,000 people during the construction period, which will last from 1.5 to 3 years. In addition, owners of the project have committed to $2 million in community investments over the next decade starting with a $320,000 commitment to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, a non-profit supporting crime victims, family wellness, and civic engagement in rural communities.
“Today’s clean energy projects must do more than just deliver megawatts. They should create value in the communities where they’re built,” said CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo. “This project exemplifies a community-focused approach that advances the state’s energy goals while creating benefits for local workers and residents.”
According to the CEC, California leads the nation in battery storage, with more than 200 utility-scale battery energy storage systems and more than 250,000 commercial and residential systems statewide. Battery storage helps stabilize the grid by storing excess energy produced during peak production periods and discharging it when demand is high or generation drops, such as in the evening or in the event of a power outage. However, battery fires are a concern, such as the one in January at the Vistra Energy lithium battery plant in Moss Landing.
With battery safety in mind, Governor Newsom initiated an effort in 2024 to update the California Fire Code with specific fire safety requirements for stationary lithium-ion battery storage systems, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s approval of new safety.
In addition, shortly after the fire, the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act (AB 303) was presented to the legislature. The bill proposes significant restrictions on BESS developments, including:- Prohibiting BESS facilities of 200MWh or greater within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors
- Restricting development on environmentally sensitive sites
- Repealing 2022 permitting reforms that had expedited state approvals for these facilities under California’s climate change initiatives
While the Moss Landing fire was a wake-up call, the Wood Mackenzie Q1 2024 and 2023 Year in Review found that roughly 7.9 GW of grid-scale energy storage was installed in the United States in 2023. Reported to be a 98% increase over the total installed capacity in 2022, this indicates that, while the number of incidents roughly stayed constant, the number of installed units vastly increased, lowering the failure rate of these systems.
“California is moving faster than ever before to build the clean energy we need – now with the world’s largest solar and battery project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “With a record amount of clean energy capacity added last year, we’re creating jobs and supporting local communities – all while building a cleaner, more reliable power grid.”
San Francisco-based Intersect Power, a solar-plus-storage specialist, reports it currently a base portfolio of 2.2 GW of operating solar and 2.4 GWh of battery storage in operation or construction, representing ~$4B of capital investments. Intersect expects to break ground on an additional 4 GW of solar PV and 10 GWh of battery storage, representing ~$9B of assets in 2025
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 2:32:56 PM | | | | | | U.S. battery storage market booming with 60% annual growth
The rapid expansion is partially due to falling manufacturing costs, a trend that is expected to continue over the next five to seven years, said Rystad Energy.
June 13, 2025 Ryan Kennedy
An energy storage project at Monolith Substation, Tehachapi, CA.
Image: Sandia National Laboratories
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The battery energy storage system market is growing rapidly, breezing past ongoing federal policy headwinds.
A report from Rystad Energy said energy storage installations increased from about 6 GW in 2023 to 10 GW in 2024, growing over 60% year-over-year. The growth is due partially to falling battery manufacturing costs, a trend that Rystad expects to continue over the next five to seven years. The group estimates installations will grow to 16 GW per year by early 2026.
“As energy demand rises in the US due to increased electrification, grid resilience will continue to be critical, with batteries playing a key role in meeting this need, along with both traditional and renewable energy sources,” said Artem Abramov, head of new energies, Rystad Energy.
Texas was the largest installer of energy storage, adding about 4 GW per annum in 2024, said the report. Looking ahead, Rystad said planned inventory is a strong indicator of actual capacity additions. Texas’ planned inventory for battery installations has increased from 5 GW to more than 7 GW over the last 12 months, suggesting further growth this year.
Outside of Texas, planned energy storage inventories are experiencing a boom. Led by Arizona, inventories grew from 3 GW in the second quarter of 2024 to 7 GW currently. The actual installation rate currently stands at about 3 GW, in-line with the year-ago planned inventory, said Rystad.
 Image: Rystad Energy
“While some construction delays are expected, there is no doubt that these emerging markets will drive most of the growth in the second half of this year and first half of next year, and even beyond,” said the report.
California
Batteries are playing an increased role during peak power demand periods in mature markets. During peak demand events, the batteries “extend” solar generation curves into evening hours. Over the past three months, batteries have met 13% of California Independent System Operator (CAISO) demand during battery discharge hours. The 90-day average peak hour contribution from batteries currently stands at 26%, adding 10 percentage points over the last 12 months.
Rystad noted that renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hydropower, have increased their average annual grid contribution in CAISO from less than 30% in 2021 to more than 40% over the last 12 months. Renewable energy contributions are peaking in the spring, meeting more than 65% of daily demand, but winter dips in contributions remain low, contributing only 20% to 25% of demand. This has lessened CAISO’s dependency on energy imports, reducing from about 27% to 16% over the last four years.
As both solar and battery installed capacity grow in California, Rystad said it is important to consider what power system challenges are being met by batteries, and what challenges batteries cannot realistically help with.
“Whether it is theoretically possible to have all renewable plus BESS systems in CAISO and what kind of overbuild – and economic implications for project developers and end consumers – will be associated with it remains to be seen,” said Abramov.
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 2:34:44 PM | | | | | | DESRI begins construction on 205 MW solar, 1,000 MWh storage project in Arizona
The Buckeye, Ariz. project is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes per year.
June 13, 2025 Ryan Kennedy
A DESRI solar project in Utah.
Image: DESRI
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DESRI announced the Catclaw Solar and Storage project in Buckeye, Ariz. has received financial notice to proceed and begin construction. The project was acquired from Avantus in 2024.
Catclaw Solar and Storage is a 205 MW solar, 250 MW, 1,000 MWh battery energy storage project located in Buckeye, Ariz., servicing the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is expected to commence commercial operations in 2026.
DESRI currently owns 131 MW of operating renewable energy assets and 160 MW of solar assets under construction in Arizona. The Catclaw project represents its first project with the state’s largest utility Arizona Public Service.
“Given skyrocketing demand for new energy and capacity resources across the state, our team is happy to pair reliable and cost-effective resources with this need,” said Bob Schoenherr, chief strategy officer, DESRI.
The project has secured a 20-year power purchase agreement with APS and is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 40,000 homes each year.
“Catclaw will help power Arizona’s growing energy needs with clean, reliable electricity—especially during times of peak demand,” said Cliff Graham, chief executive officer of Avantus.
RES will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, with EPC Services Company as the high-voltage EPC service provider. Tesla will provide battery storage equipment for the project. Invenergy Services will provide ongoing operations and maintenance services once the facility is operational.
Financing for the construction of the Project was provided by BNP Paribas and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (NORD/LB) as coordinating lead arrangers; Korea Development Bank, Bank of China and Westpac Banking Corporation as joint lead arrangers; Comerica Bank as mandated lead arranger; Flagstar Bank as senior managing agent; and Crédit Industriel et Commercial as participant. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas acted as the administrative agent.
DESRI develops, acquires, owns and operates long-term contracted renewable energy projects across the United States. Its portfolio of contracted, operating, and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes 70 solar and wind projects representing more than 9 GW of capacity.
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 3:08:38 PM | | | | | | Australia’s large scale energy transition likened to Suez Canal
Siemens Energy Australia Managing Director Sam Morillon likens the energy transition of Australia to having the spirit of Suez, an ambitious, globally significant 19th century canal building project, and sees potential for a nationwide master grid at scale here, that includes Western Australia.
June 13, 2025 Ev Foley
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Siemens Energy Australia Managing Director Sam Morillon likens the energy transition of Australia to having the spirit of Suez, an ambitious, globally significant 19th century canal building project, and sees the potential for a nationwide master grid at scale here, that includes Western Australia.
Most recently, Siemens Energy announced seven of its grid stabilising synchronous condensers (SynCons) were on order for installation in the New South Wales (NSW) Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWO REZ) $3.2 billion (USD 2 billion) Transmission Project.
Promising decades of grid stability and contributing to the elimination of nearly 10 million tons of CO2 emissions annually by 2031, the SynCons will support the growth of renewable energy generation projects in the CWO REZ.
The SynCons have been a global effort by engineering teams in Germany and Singapore, with project developer ACEREZ, an energy consortium of Spanish developers ACCIONA and COBRA, and NSW distribution network service provider (DNSP) Endeavour Energy.
Seven Siemens Energy synchronous condensers will be utilised on the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone Transmission Project. Image: Siemens Energy
Morillon told pv magazine the CWO REz project but more broadly, Australia’s energy transition is similar to the building of Suez by European nations, with Egypt and Turkiye, which at the time, was the largest project ever built on Earth.
“This raises the questions about, ‘what is big?’,” Morillon said.
“When it comes to energy transition in Australia, we need to think super big. We need to have the ambition for reshaping the future of the energy landscape with massive projects able to provide impact, definitely, for people, but as well for the surrounding countries.”
Morillon added that progressively in the future energy landscape, the power of Australia will be seen and measured, because everything needed for a successful energy transition is here.
“So, the grid development we see right now between Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia (SA), is a first step. What Australia is achieving is massive, it’s amazing, it’s a great success. The CWO REZ with more than 7 GW is a demonstration of what’s possible and is a massive investment as well in the grid, and it’s a REZ that is super big, in terms of size; it could be a country in Europe.”
Morillon believes there should be a discussion about how to connect Western Australia because it would add at least three hours of time zone and create an impact on the grid and the green electrons needed.
“It also means we need to look at how we expand the grid as we call in Europe, to a master grid, which connects as many countries as we can together, to share the pain of decarbonisation and reach commitments to reach Net Zero by 2050.”
Morillon explained the grid in the United Kingdom (UK) can be supported by Italy, and Germany can support France and other countries.
“Progressively, in Australia we will see these type of connections. Right now, the development we have between NSW, Victoria, South Australia (SA) and Queensland, are definitely going in the right direction,” Morillon said.
“Australia is a continent of 26 million people, so by fact, when we are starting a project that is large scale, and we have to think big. What we have in front of us – to switch from coal to renewables and to achieve this decarbonisation, which is mandatory – means massive investment in renewables.”
“The topic of global emissions too, is really close to my heart, and we need to do something – especially in Australia, where close to 50% of electricity still comes out of coal – we absolutely need to have an impact to perfectly protect our future generations.”
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| From: Eric | 6/13/2025 3:31:29 PM | | | | | | Policy
EcoFlow reports storage surge as Germany reaches 1 million balcony power systems registered
EcoFlow reveals just how much storage is being added into the plug-in balcony solar system ecosystem in Germany. ESS News spoke with Arne Herkelmann, regional product manager at EcoFlow, about the milestone, the critical data shaping the market, and the hurdles that remain in Germany and wider Europe.
By
Tristan Rayner
Jun 13, 2025
Distributed
Policy
Products
Products & Services
Image: EcoFlow
Germany is set to achieve a significant milestone this month with the registration of the millionth plug-in balcony solar system, also known as a “Balkonkraftwerk,” in the country. The achievement underscores the rapid maturation of the plug-and-play solar market, which began with solar kits for balconies, often featuring inexpensive modules and microinverters. However, the movement is expanding far beyond the balcony, with a range of mature solutions.
For EcoFlow, its efforts to support the balcony solar system ecosystem with more high-performance options, along with storage, have shaped the market as well.
“We are in exponential growth and we are increasing the speed rapidly,” Arne Herkelmann, regional product manager at EcoFlow, told ESS News. He notes the market is rapidly moving beyond its initial balcony-limited ideas. “If we look back one or two years, the majority of people who had such units were DIY-ers, solar geeks, and people who liked to tinker. Now what we’re seeing is that it’s becoming much, much more mainstream… It’s not a DIY solution anymore.”
Official statistics on balcony solar systems often don’t match actual sales figures. According to the available official data, 975,582 plug-in solar devices were recorded. However, public registration data is usually delayed by days to weeks after installation registrations are filed, indicating that the million mark has likely already been surpassed.
Additionally, several sources, including the consultancy EmpowerSource, estimated that millions of units remained unregistered at the time due to bureaucratic obstacles. Registrations increased, however, when state government subsidies were provided for balcony solar to support uptake.
A surprising insight from EcoFlow’s data is where these systems are being installed. “The funny thing is that we see in our own numbers is that a lot of the buyers of these systems are not living in an apartment,” Herkelmann reveals. “It’s an impressive number of the overall sales that’s going to people that have houses, where homeowners are using the easy-to-install systems for gardens, terraces, and even rooftops.”
“Now that solar roofs have long been standard in residential areas, the solar boom on balconies is now increasingly shaping the image of inner cities. Ever broader sections of the population are benefiting from the solar energy transition,” says Carsten Körnig, managing director of the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), told pv magazine Germany this week.
Storage booms through pricing, performance benefits
One driver of more mainstream take-up is the integration of battery storage. Exclusive data from EcoFlow’s own sales, shared with ESS News, revealed that the share of its balcony solar systems sold with storage has doubled from 20% in 2023 to 40% in 2025 in Germany. This is partly driven by falling costs for storage, but also a growing consumer desire to maximize self-consumption, and avoid limitations of grid feed-in rules which cap feed-in power at 800 W in the country.
EcoFlow’s new modular battery STREAM balcony power system is designed to address the 800 W limitation by moving beyond simple grid feed-in, using coordinated and distributed storage to supply local appliances directly.
“The whole idea is that people should use the power sockets on the back of the STREAM devices and then place them next to their appliances,” Herkelmann explains. This decentralized approach allows the system to directly power high-consumption devices. While the system charges from the solar panels and feeds up to 800W to the grid, its true advantage is in direct power delivery. “The inverter of the STREAM unit, from the battery, can output up to 1,200 watts, but we can bypass up to 2,300 watts… with that, you can power a washer, a dryer, fridge, whatever you want.” This bypass feature enables even large appliances to be powered without draining the battery, utilizing a combination of battery and grid power. Furthermore, users can connect two STREAM units in parallel to get the full 2,300 watts directly from the batteries.
The demand for such flexible storage options is also boosting sales of standalone batteries for existing balcony solar owners, such as the new AC Pro battery that is compatible with any microinverter on the market. That presents the chance to retrofit storage into an existing system.
“We are selling the AC Pro, which is a pure storage option, very, very well… there’s a big demand for people adding storage to their existing systems,” Herkelmann says. He sees this as a major industry shift: “We do believe AC-coupled storage is becoming a massive trend because you can just place it anywhere in your house. You don’t have to change a single cable.”
EcoFlow’s new STREAM series offers integrated, distributed storage to make the most of solar generation. Image: ESS News
Regulation hurdles, and France next
Despite the rapid growth, hurdles remain. Herkelmann points to regulatory uncertainty where political will has outpaced technical standardization. While Germany’s “Solarpaket I” legislation officially raised the feed-in limit for plug-in balcony solar inverters to 800 watts, the corresponding German Association of Electrical and Electronic Devices or VDE technical standard has lagged, creating frustration. “The VDE and others want to finish it for years now and yet it’s still in draft… a lot of people are waiting for a clear definition of what can be done,” Herkelmann says, highlighting the gap between what is legally permitted and the final technical rulebook from the VDE.
Furthermore, official advice has been slow to catch up with market realities, even in Germany. “If you look at the Bundesumweltamt [Ministry of Environment], they are still recommending people not to buy storage for Balkonkraftwerk,” he says. “The problem is that these articles are dated. This recommendation was written when a kilowatt hour of storage was 1,000 euros. And now one kilowatt-hour of storage is roughly 300-400 euros. It’s a completely different game.”
Looking ahead, and outside of Germany, EcoFlow sees strong potential in other European countries, along with the US, where it has also launched a balcony solar system. as well not just in Germany—where an estimated 20 million households could install a system—but across Europe.
EcoFlow told ESS News that France currently ranks as the second-largest balcony solar market behind Germany, indicating that the chance for the plug-and-play solar revolution could be more widespread with regulations.
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| From: Eric | 6/14/2025 3:28:15 PM | | | | | | For rooftop, community solar, ‘we’re all for it,’ ComEd says
Electric utility ComEd and its parent company Exelon spoke in a keynote session at the Midwest Solar Expo about why, as utilities, they want growth in the community solar and rooftop solar markets.
June 13, 2025 Rachel Metea
Image: Daniel Gillaspia, CC BY 2.0
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Utilities are not known for their support in distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop and community solar. However, Chicago-based utility Exelon and its subsidiary, ComEd, were keynote speakers at the Midwest Solar Expo in Chicago June 9 to June 11.
Calling community solar “a game-changer” in Illinois, Melissa Washington, ComEd senior vice president of customer operations and chief customer officer, said the utility views its role as an enabler for growth. This is largely because, as she pointed out, ComEd does not own generation (utilities are forbidden to by law in Illinois), like many of its utility peers in other states.
Keynote speakers Sunny Elebua (left) and Melissa Washington (right) discuss sustainability at the Midwest Solar Expo June 11, 2025. Image: pv magazine USA
In this session alone, utilities actively fought against community solar legislation in states such as Ohio, Connecticut, Montana, Iowa and Missouri, bills that garnered dozens, if not hundreds, of testimony in support, while the utility was among the few to oppose. Utilities also lobbied against net-metering in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine, to name a few.
Without the ability to own generation, the utilities don’t have these same motivations. Sunny Elebua, senior vice president of chief strategy and sustainability officer at Exelon, said, “we don’t really pick and choose. We do what’s best for our customers.”
Both Washington and Elebua said this has enabled them to be more equitable, providing access to the energy transition to those who can’t afford rooftop solar.
But secondly, Elebua said, “it helps with affordability. Part of the challenge we have today is this demand-supply mismatch,” he said. With solar, he said, you can help reduce volatility.
To Elebua, new opportunities come from the ability to make investments in enabling the grid to absorb excess energy.
“Community solar projects, if done correctly and sized appropriately, do not have to go through the interconnection queue challenges,” he said. “If you manage it at the distribution level, you can actually expedite it.”
“And more importantly,” he added, “as we begin to think about this resource adequacy challenge, it’s critical to understand that the demand-side management and the opportunity to put DERs on the system actually helps address that problem,” Elebua added. “It helps significantly with rooftop solar. It helps with community solar. It helps with all forms of generation that actually help on the demand side management.”
“So, we’re all for it,” he said.
Washington added that from even an operational perspective, as a utility, ComEd is required to ensure it provides reliable service. “What we also add to that mix is not just reliable, but resilient, and that’s another attribute that renewable energy provides,” she said. “So, you know, we really do look at it as an all-of-the-above opportunity.”
“We know clean energy projects are there. We want them. We want them connected fast, today, yesterday,” Washington said.
Toward the end of the session, Mike Carberry, outreach director for solar advocacy group Bright Future Iowa, and former elected official, stood up from the audience and said, “Ten years ago, when [Iowa] was a blue state, we had mandatory interconnect. We had all wonderful things for distributed generation and, of course, the investor-owned utilities weren’t happy about it, but they did it,” he said. “When we became a red state, they tried to dismantle everything for [distributed generation].”
Across his 25 years in renewable energy and politics, Carberry said he’s learned “utilities weren’t in the business of making power, unless it was political power,” he said, “and because energy efficiency and distributed generation takes money out of their pocket, they really didn’t want to do it at all.”
Carberry noted that while Exelon and ComEd talk “very nicely” about distributed generation, the two utilities represent mostly blue states. He asked the panelists, “What is your advice to us? To our investor-owned utilities for red states, what should we be asking them to do?”
Across the audience, people gasped. It was the question of the hour, if not the session.
Washington’s advice, she said, is to figure out how to take into consideration the goals of each side. “One goal is ‘how do you drive for these sustainability efforts?’,” she said, “and then on the utility side, they would be very concerned with ‘how can we continue to have consistency of service if you don’t have the ability to invest?’”
“At the end of the day, even with distributed generation and even with everything that we’ve been talking about that we support, there still needs to be stability and reliability in what’s being done,” Washington said.
Under the state’s policy, Illinois utilities spread out investments so that customers are not hit with the investment in one year and the utility has the stability to continue to invest, Washington said. “We’ve done lots of benchmarking and we have found that those that have the most successful programs are figuring out how to match those two things.”
When doing this, Elebua said to try to eliminate the risk for the utility as well. “Energy efficiency means somebody needs to use less power,” Elebua said, but that means they get less money. “But if you decouple both, I can make it an incentive for me to help someone use less it power, but it doesn’t affect my ability to recover my investments,” he said. If you do this, he said, “then both sides will win.”
Among several other endeavors, Washington noted ComEd’s hosting capacity map, which provide greater transparency into whether a distribution grid can host additional DERs. They can also identify where DERs can alleviate or aggravate grid constraints. According to the Department of Energy, 58 utilities and state agencies had published maps in 26 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico as of May 2024.
ComEd serves about 3.8 million customers in the Northeastern Chicagoland area. According to ComEd, The electric service total bill rate per kWh of an average ComEd residential customer was 22% below the average residential rate of the top 10 U.S. metropolitan areas.
ComEd hit its personal record last year in adding 356 MW of DERs to the grid. According to the utility, more than 1 GW of DER capacity is interconnected to ComEd’s grid. The utility also said it provided a record $71.6 million in distributed generation rebates to help offset the out-of-pocket costs related to adding new solar energy in residential, commercial and community solar settings. The utility powers all its buildings with clean energy that it either purchases from Constellation or generates from rooftop solar.
To be clear, ComEd does not have an entirely clean slate when it comes from corruption and energy legislation. In 2023, a federal jury found four former ComEd officials including the CEO, known as the “ ComEd Four” guilty of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan as part of the utility’s efforts to get legislation passed. Madigan is set to be sentenced Friday. ComEd also faced scrutiny for launching large public relations stunts to help clean up its image, all of which it passed the costs of onto ratepayers.
Illinois and Minnesota are currently the only two Midwestern states with community solar. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Minnesota had 160.7 W per person of community solar, with 931 MWac total capacity as of Q1 2025, while Illinois had 30.9 W per person, with 393 MWac of total capacity. Nationwide, Maine leads other states per capita, with 666.5 W per person.
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