11/10/2026-Solar & BESS Investment News & People's Move
USA NEWS
Solar + storage construction starts on Project Sterling in Arizona
Project Sterling, a major solar-plus-storage development in Mohave County, Arizona, has entered construction. ContourGlobal is developing the project with 509 MW of solar capacity and 1.4 GWh of battery storage, with Tesla having signed a power purchase agreement for the generated electricity.
Construction will include civil works, road building and site logistics, with more than 760,000 solar modules and 300+ battery containers planned. A new 5.2-mile Polaris Road will provide access from historic Route 66 to the site. The project highlights the growing scale of integrated solar and BESS infrastructure in the U.S. Southwest.
900-MW portion of Indiana’s Mammoth solar project coming online
Three phases of Doral Renewables’ Mammoth Solar Project in Pulaski County, Indiana, are preparing to enter commercial operation, adding a combined 900 MWAC of capacity. Mammoth South, Mammoth Central I and Mammoth Central II form part of the broader 1.3-GW Mammoth Solar complex, positioning it among the largest operational solar projects in the U.S. The three phases were constructed over 18 months and employed approximately 1,800 workers at peak activity, demonstrating the substantial workforce requirements of utility-scale projects. Doral is also exploring agrivoltaic applications, including specialty crops and livestock grazing, creating opportunities for dual-use solar development.
Cedar Creek completes 5-MW solar project near closed Minnesota landfill
Cedar Creek Energy has completed the 5.046-MW Ramsey II Renewable Station near the Anoka-Ramsey Closed Landfill in Minnesota. The company designed, procured and constructed the project for owner Kearsarge Energy, with Connexus Energy purchasing the electricity through a 30-year PPA.
Construction began in March and finished within six months without any recordable safety incidents. The project uses approximately 8,700 bifacial solar panels and terrain-following single-axis trackers, reducing the need for extensive grading on the uneven site. The project demonstrates how previously constrained or underutilized landfill-adjacent land can be repurposed for renewable energy generation.
NC foodbank goes solar to protect funding for community support
North Carolina-based MANNA FoodBank has completed a 514-kW rooftop solar system at its office and warehouse facility in Mills River. Installed by Pisgah Energy using SEG panels and SolarEdge inverters, the system is expected to generate more than 643,000 kWh annually.
By lowering electricity expenses, the nonprofit expects to redirect more resources toward its core mission of sourcing and distributing food across Western North Carolina. The project also received support through a $55,000 racking donation from Enstall, a $200,000 BuildUS grant and federal direct-pay incentives. MANNA estimates the project will achieve a 4.5-year investment payback.
Missouri utility solar project will occupy former strip mine land
Clearway Energy Group has begun construction of the 650-MW Swan Energy Center in northwestern Bates County, Missouri. The utility-scale solar facility is being developed on portions of former strip-mined land and represents Clearway’s first project in Missouri.
Blattner Energy is partnering on construction, which is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs at peak activity, along with long-term technician positions once the facility enters operation. The project is backed by a 20-year PPA and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2028. Clearway is also investing in local infrastructure, emergency services and community development while using American-made solar equipment.
Europe News
Europe’s solar boom set for two-year slowdown after record growth
Europe’s solar market is expected to experience a temporary slowdown following several years of record growth. New installations are projected to decline during 2026 and 2027, before returning to growth as the energy sector increasingly integrates batteries, EV charging, heat pumps and AI-driven energy-management systems.
The slowdown reflects market maturity, grid constraints and the growing need to shift from standalone solar toward flexible, integrated energy solutions. Despite weaker near-term installations, solar remains central to Europe’s energy transition. The industry is expected to evolve toward solar-plus-storage, smart grids and electrification, creating opportunities beyond traditional PV deployment.
Thousands of European wind and solar systems exposed online
Thousands of wind and solar power systems across Europe have been found exposed to the public internet, creating potential cybersecurity risks for critical energy infrastructure. Dutch researchers identified 8,547 vulnerable systems across 35 European countries, including administrative, login and operational interfaces. Around 181 sites could potentially allow full operational control, such as switching equipment on or off.
Spain, Greece and Germany recorded particularly high numbers of exposed systems. Researchers warned that attackers could map vulnerable infrastructure quickly and potentially disrupt renewable generation. The findings highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity, secure remote access and digital infrastructure protection as Europe becomes increasingly dependent on renewable energy.
Solar-plus-storage jobs in Europe expected to decline by 2030
Europe’s solar employment market is approaching a peak, with total jobs projected to decline by around 12% by 2030, from approximately 874,000 to 766,000 under the medium scenario. The expected reduction is largely linked to slower deployment and improving productivity.
Deployment-related employment could fall by 22%, while operations and maintenance roles are expected to grow, reaching around 109,000 positions. Decommissioning and recycling jobs are also forecast to increase significantly. Manufacturing employment could expand if planned European factories are delivered. The outlook suggests a shift from installation-focused employment toward O&M, recycling, storage and higher-skilled energy-system roles.
MaxSolar and e2m agree hybrid PPA for solar park and battery in Germany
German renewable developer MaxSolar and energy-management company e2m have agreed a hybrid power purchase agreement covering a 45-MW solar park and a 20-MW/40-MWh battery storage system in Germany. The agreement is notable because it provides revenue protection for the battery alongside the solar generation, representing what MaxSolar describes as Germany’s first hybrid PPA of this type.
The arrangement demonstrates how battery storage is increasingly being integrated directly into renewable projects to improve market participation and revenue stability. Hybrid PPAs could become more important as Germany’s solar market matures and developers seek alternatives to traditional standalone solar project business models.
Peoples Move
Sena Oran – Director of Construction Operations, Commercial Solar Guy
Sena Oran has taken on the role of Director of Construction Operations at Commercial Solar Guy, strengthening the company’s construction leadership as it continues to support commercial solar projects. In this position, Oran is expected to oversee construction operations, project execution, field activities and coordination across project teams and contractors.
The appointment highlights the growing importance of experienced construction leadership within the commercial and industrial solar sector. With solar developers and contractors increasingly focused on improving execution, safety, schedules and project quality, construction operations leaders such as Oran play a key role in delivering projects efficiently while supporting continued growth in the U.S. commercial solar market.
Luke Rygg – Senior Vice President, Operations, BUILD Renewables
Luke Rygg has joined BUILD Renewables as Senior Vice President of Operations, taking on a senior leadership position focused on operational performance and project delivery. The appointment adds experienced leadership to BUILD Renewables as the company continues developing its presence in the renewable energy sector.
In his new role, Rygg is expected to provide strategic oversight of operations, project execution, teams and business performance. Senior operations appointments are increasingly important as renewable companies manage larger project portfolios and increasingly complex construction and delivery requirements. Rygg’s move reflects the continued expansion of renewable-energy businesses and the industry's demand for experienced leaders capable of scaling operations while maintaining project quality and execution standards.
Joe Meiltoft – President, Aquila Energy, LLC
Joe Meiltoft has taken on the position of President at Aquila Energy, LLC, assuming senior executive responsibility for the company’s strategic direction and business operations. As President, Meiltoft will be positioned to oversee growth initiatives, operational priorities, commercial activities and the company’s broader energy strategy.
Leadership changes at the executive level can play an important role in shaping renewable and energy companies’ development strategies as market conditions continue to evolve. Meiltoft’s appointment comes amid increasing opportunities across renewable energy, power infrastructure and energy services. His new role is expected to support Aquila Energy’s continued growth while strengthening its leadership and positioning within the evolving U.S. energy market.
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