01/03/2026-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
USA News
Gibraltar is selling Terrasmart’s eBOS branch to GameChange Solar
Gibraltar Industries is selling Terrasmart’s electrical balance-of-systems (eBOS) division to a subsidiary of GameChange Energy Technologies for $70 million as part of a broader plan to divest its renewables businesses and reduce debt.
The eBOS unit, known for prefabricated electrical infrastructure solutions for utility-scale solar, will augment GameChange’s module-to-grid offerings and support solar customers with integrated systems. Terrasmart’s manufacturing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will continue operations under GameChange, which aims to expand its end-to-end capabilities. Gibraltar also plans to sell its racking and foundations business.
MacLean-Fogg acquires OMCO’s solar and roll forming businesses
MacLean-Fogg, a family-owned U.S. industrial manufacturer, has acquired OMCO’s solar racking, single-axis tracker, and roll forming businesses to expand its engineered solutions portfolio.
OMCO Solar will remain an independent brand with its leadership intact, leveraging MacLean-Fogg’s resources for growth. OMCO’s products serve commercial and utility-scale markets and include fixed-tilt racking and advanced Star Tracker Control Systems. The acquisition strengthens U.S. manufacturing capabilities across multiple facilities, and both companies highlight cultural alignment and customer focus as drivers for continued success in the renewable energy sector.
Bridging the valley from pre-construction to COD through smart solar design A Solar Power World article highlights how advanced design tools and smart engineering can help solar projects navigate the challenging “valley” between pre-construction and commercial operation (COD). Leveraging software that enhances accuracy and accelerates planning, developers mitigate risks such as delays, budget overruns, and constructability issues.
Smart design enables better site layout, structural modeling, and performance forecasting, improving coordination among engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) teams. By integrating detailed digital planning early, projects can reduce uncertainties and streamline execution—crucial for meeting COD targets in today’s competitive utility-scale solar market.
Origis completes 500 MW Swift Air Solar project in Texas
Origis Energy successfully commissioned three Swift Air Solar facilities totaling 500 MW-dc in Ector County, Texas, developed to support Occidental’s operations, including its STRATOS Direct Air Capture facility. Delivered in three phases with over $650 million in infrastructure investment, the project demonstrates Origis’s execution and development capabilities. The solar power generated will help meet growing energy demand while advancing decarbonization efforts in the Permian Basin. Partnering with Occidental, Origis underscored the importance of large-scale renewable capacity to bolster regional industrial energy needs and climate objectives.
Soleil Renewable Advances California Solar-Storage Hybrid Project
Soleil Renewable Energy, part of Younan Company, has moved its major solar-plus-storage initiative in California’s Kern County into the execution phase. The flagship project plans to develop an 800 MWdc (700 MWac) solar park paired with a 460 MW battery energy storage system across 3,200 acres, capable of generating around 1.9-2 TWh of electricity annually. The hybrid plant aims to supply clean power during daytime and peak evening hours. The developer is now advancing key milestones, including selecting an EPC contractor and battery integrator, with construction readiness expected within 18 months and commercial operations targeted by mid-2028.
Germany News
Zelestra Reports Progress on 27.5-MW Solar Project in Germany
Zelestra has reported construction progress at its 27.5 MWdc Klevenow solar project in Germany’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region, with commercial operations expected before Q3 2026.
The installation is on track, with most ground-mount posts in place, about half of the low-voltage cabling laid, and the high-voltage transformer installed. Solar modules are due on site soon. Once completed, the plant should produce roughly 28.7 GWh annually to serve commercial and industrial demand in the Pomeranian Triangle area. Zelestra is also planning a 30 MWh battery energy storage system to hybridise the site and enhance grid support.
Vattenfall combines wind and solar with an innovative grid connection concept
Swedish energy company Vattenfall is building a hybrid wind-and-solar power plant in Germany’s Südeifel region that connects both technologies to the grid through a single point, simplifying infrastructure and reducing costs. The facility comprises four wind turbines totaling 17 MW and a 7.6 MW photovoltaic installation.
Instead of a separate solar grid hookup, the PV system is treated technically as another “turbine,” integrating into the wind park’s existing connection with grid operator Westnetz. Vattenfall says the combined generation profiles help ease grid stress, increase utilization efficiency and cut connection expenses compared with stand-alone plants, marking this the company’s first hybrid project in Germany.
Germany needs up to 600 GWh of energy storage by 2045
Germany must massively expand its battery storage capacity to between 500 GWh and 600 GWh by 2045—up from roughly 22 GWh today—to support the country’s deepening energy transition, according to investment firm CAV Partners. This substantial increase is necessary for balancing the grid as more wind and solar generation adds variability to supply. Achieving such storage growth will play a critical role in maintaining stability in a system increasingly dependent on renewables and will require stronger capital deployment and supportive policies to attract investment at scale.
E.ON expands investment plan amid rising infrastructure needs
German utility E.ON SE has increased its long-term investment plan to about €48 billion ($56 billion) for 2026-2030 to address growing energy system infrastructure demands.
Focused on modernizing and strengthening grid capacity, the expanded plan exceeds the company’s previous commitments and allocates roughly €40 billion toward energy networks, reflecting the need to integrate expanding renewables, electrification and digitalization. E.ON’s strategic shift responds to rising connection requests from storage projects, data centers and distributed generation, highlighting grid investment as central to Europe’s transition to a more flexible and resilient electricity system.
Peoples Move
Rob Cain Appointed Chief Technology Officer at Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy has named Rob Cain as senior vice president and chief technology officer, effective immediately. Cain will lead the company’s Technology and Security Services organization, overseeing IT strategy, cybersecurity, digital transformation and grid modernization initiatives. He succeeds Tim Peterson, who has left the company to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.
In his new role, Cain will focus on strengthening system reliability, enhancing cybersecurity resilience and advancing technology solutions that support clean energy integration. His leadership comes at a pivotal time as utilities modernize infrastructure, expand renewable energy portfolios and manage increasing data and security demands across operations and customer platforms.
Michael Olsen Appointed to Oversee Renewable Energy Development on Federal Lands
The U.S. Department of the Interior has appointed renewable energy veteran Michael Olsen to help oversee federal land use management.
Bringing experience across both traditional fossil fuels and clean energy sectors, Olsen is expected to play a key role in accelerating permitting and development of utility-scale solar and wind projects on public lands. His appointment signals continued federal focus on expanding renewable energy capacity while balancing environmental stewardship and responsible land management. By streamlining processes and leveraging his cross-sector expertise, Olsen will support efforts to scale clean energy deployment and strengthen domestic energy infrastructure nationwide.
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