11/01/2026-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- Jan 10
- 6 min read
USA NEWS
SOLON Energizes Arizona’s Largest Behind-the-Meter Solar Project
SOLON Corporation completed an 8.75 MW behind-the-meter solar installation at Tucson Water’s Central Avra Valley Storage & Recovery Project, marking Arizona’s largest project of its kind.
The 1.16-million-sq-ft array with 16,275 modules on single-axis trackers began generating clean energy in August 2025. Over its 28-year operational life, it’s projected to produce ~514 GWh and save Tucson an estimated $3.37 million in energy costs—all at no upfront cost to the city. This project reinforces the long-standing partnership between SOLON and Tucson, advancing local sustainability goals and reducing reliance on traditional grid power.
Terra-Gen Boots Up 515 MWh of Energy Storage in Southern California
Terra-Gen has brought commercial operations online at the Lockhart CL I & II battery energy storage project in San Bernardino County, California, adding 128.7 MW (515 MWh) of battery capacity co-located with existing solar infrastructure.
The lithium-ion system, under long-term resource adequacy contracts, enhances grid reliability by storing and dispatching renewable power, enough to potentially support 128,000 homes for four hours. Construction generated over 115 jobs and leveraged shared infrastructure to streamline integration. The project reflects broader trends toward pairing storage with renewables to meet California’s ambitious clean energy goals and enhance system resilience.
Community Solar + Storage Project Comes Online in Illinois
A first-of-its-kind Illinois project combining community solar with battery storage has gone operational in Ameren Illinois territory. The 6.9 MW Beard Solar array in Beardstown includes an 11.9 MWh energy storage system developed by Equity Solar Illinois with US Solar and Eneon-ES.
This integrated facility enables local subscribers—such as small businesses—to benefit from reduced energy costs while improving grid resiliency through dispatchable power. The project also provides tax revenue to local entities like Beardstown schools. Its launch represents a meaningful step toward community-focused clean energy deployment and modernized grid services.
250 MW Solar Project Online in Michigan
Consumers Energy’s Muskegon Solar facility, Michigan’s largest to date at 250 MW, has begun operations at the Muskegon Resource Recovery Center. Spanning roughly 1,900 acres, the utility-scale array will generate electricity for approximately 40,000 homes and businesses.
The project’s construction supported more than 200 jobs and expands Consumers Energy’s renewable footprint amid broader state decarbonization efforts. It surpasses the company’s previous solar projects and aligns with its vision of a reliable, cost-effective clean energy future. As part of a diversified energy strategy, Muskegon Solar demonstrates continued investment in utility-scale solar deployment.
Nofar USA Expected to Acquire Pine Gate Renewables’ 979 MW Solar Portfolio
Nofar USA, a U.S. subsidiary of global IPP Nofar Energy, has emerged as the successful bidder to acquire a 979 MW utility-scale solar portfolio from Pine Gate Renewables under Chapter 11 proceedings, subject to U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
The acquisition spans nine projects across Alabama, the Carolinas, and Texas, comprising ~650 MW operational, 100 MW under advanced construction, and 225 MW in earlier stages. The ~$285 million deal includes assumption of ~$260 million in project debt and adds to Nofar’s growing U.S. solar and storage footprint, reinforcing its development platform across multiple markets.
🌎 CTVC: Our New Year’s Resolutions
CTVC’s January newsletter lays out five key climate tech resolutions for 2026, urging the sector to evolve with shifting market realities. The first calls for recognizing that rapid energy demand—not just decarbonization—is now driving investment. The authors emphasize respecting grid interconnection constraints, building businesses on fundamentals over hype, and designing exit strategies aligned with current M&A trends rather than IPO dreams. They also advocate embracing climate adaptation alongside mitigation. The newsletter highlights major deals, including Kraken’s spin-out and Google’s acquisition of Intersect Power, signaling deeper integration of energy infrastructure and software.
GERMANY NEWS
German Solar Sector Warns of Slowing Expansion
Germany’s solar industry is sounding the alarm over a notable slowdown in photovoltaic (PV) deployment growth. According to the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), new rooftop and private PV installations fell significantly in 2025, with residential PV growth declining about 25 % compared to previous years.
Industry advocates warn that this dip could hinder progress toward national clean energy targets and reduce the pace of decarbonisation. The slowdown is attributed to a combination of market saturation in some segments, bureaucratic hurdles, and grid connection bottlenecks. Stakeholders are urging policy reforms and incentives to reignite momentum in solar deployment and storage integration.
N2OFF Advances German Solar Portfolio Through Partnership with Solterra
N2OFF, Inc. has advanced its German solar and storage project portfolio through a strategic collaboration with Solterra Renewable Energy Ltd. The partnership aims to reduce permitting and regulatory risks while improving development economics for N2OFF’s flagship project.
This includes $340,000 in advance funding to Solterra and anticipated value creation of approximately $1.7 million through optimized development fee structures. The German project is moving toward final permitting, with approval expected in the third quarter of 2026, and the public consultation phase progressing without notable objections. This collaboration enhances N2OFF’s capital efficiency and positions its European renewable assets for future monetisation.
Hydro Rein Sells Energy Solutions Unit to Global Green Asset Management
Hydro Rein has sold its Energy Solutions division—specialising in behind-the-meter solar and battery solutions—to Norway-based Global Green Asset Management. The transaction enables Energy Solutions to operate as an independent entity with continued operational support and retention of key personnel.
Hydro Rein will now focus on larger utility-scale renewable developments and strategic acquisitions, while the new owners look to expand small-scale energy optimisation offerings for industrial customers across Sweden, Germany, and Canada. The deal supports a clearer strategic focus for both companies and gives Energy Solutions a platform for growth under Global Green’s industrial transition strategy.
Iberdrola Solar Plant Powers Salzgitter Green Steel
Iberdrola Germany has completed a 65 MWp solar plant in Saxony-Anhalt to supply renewable power to Salzgitter AG’s green steel production. The photovoltaic facility spans roughly 45 hectares and includes more than 92,000 solar modules.
Under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA), the project will supply approximately 900 GWh of clean electricity over the contract period, helping decarbonise energy-intensive steelmaking processes and reducing annual CO₂ emissions by over 23,000 tonnes. With annual generation around 60 GWh—enough to power over 20,000 households—the project illustrates the increasing role of dedicated renewable supply in industrial electrification strategies.
PEOPLES MOVE
Diana Palazzi Mery – Senior Vice President at SOLV Energy
Diana Palazzi Mery serves as Senior Vice President at SOLV Energy, a North American renewable energy services provider focused on utility-scale solar, energy storage, and high-voltage projects.
In her executive role, she contributes to strategic leadership and operational oversight within the company’s financial and corporate functions. SOLV Energy is part of Conti Group and delivers EPC and O&M services across large-scale solar and storage markets. Palazzi Mery’s position reflects her senior status within a growing clean energy firm dedicated to delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions across the U.S. and Canada.
Cade Rowley – President & Chief Executive Officer at Sundt Construction
Cade Rowley is President and CEO of Sundt Construction, Inc., a major U.S. general contractor with extensive experience in transportation, industrial, building, and renewable infrastructure projects. A long-time company leader, Rowley joined Sundt in 1998 and advanced through engineering, operations, and executive roles before assuming the top leadership position. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded nationally and strengthened key business units, including industrial and infrastructure sectors. He emphasizes strategic growth, operational excellence, and diversified project delivery across more than two dozen states.
HEP Global Appoints Martin Vogt as Chief Project Officer
HEP Global GmbH has expanded its executive leadership by appointing Martin Vogt (43) as Chief Project Officer (CPO), effective January 1, 2026. Previously serving as Global Head of Project Development since early 2024, Vogt will now lead the strategic advancement of the company’s global project development efforts, reflecting HEP’s emphasis on project excellence for future growth. The newly created CPO role highlights the importance of project development within the solar specialist’s business strategy. HEP’s management team now comprises CEO Christian Hamann, CFO Thomas Tschirf, COO Georg von Eichendorff Strachwitz, and CPO Martin Vogt.
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