13/09/2026-Solar & BESS Investment News & People's Move
USA News
U.S. Solar Industry Delivers 11.4 GW in Q2 2026
The U.S. solar industry installed 11.4 GW of new capacity in Q2 2026, making it a strong quarter for deployment, although growth remains constrained by policy, supply-chain and market challenges.
The quarter benefited from projects moving forward ahead of changes to federal solar incentives, contributing to a significant installation surge. However, developers continue to face uncertainty around project economics, permitting, interconnection and policy support. The results highlight continued demand for solar, particularly at utility scale, but also indicate that future growth may be less predictable as developers adapt to changing federal incentives and market conditions.
Catalyst Power Provides $15M for Small CHP-Solar Projects
Catalyst Power has provided $15 million in financing to support small combined heat and power (CHP) and solar projects in the United States. The investment reflects growing interest in distributed energy solutions that combine on-site generation with energy efficiency and reliability.
CHP can provide customers with dependable power and useful thermal energy, while solar can reduce reliance on grid electricity and lower emissions. Financing such projects can help commercial and industrial customers overcome upfront capital barriers and accelerate deployment. The transaction also demonstrates increasing investor interest in smaller, behind-the-meter energy projects as businesses seek more resilient and cost-effective energy strategies.
Energy Storage Is Cheap to Build, but Expensive to Run
Battery energy storage hardware is becoming significantly cheaper, but capital cost alone does not determine project economics. The article highlights how levelized cost of storage (LCOS) can vary substantially depending on project life, financing costs, utilization, round-trip efficiency, degradation and operating expenses.
Two projects with identical capital costs can therefore have dramatically different lifetime economics. One example shows LCOS rising from $206/MWh to $285/MWh, a 38% difference, based solely on operational and financial assumptions. For developers and buyers, the key takeaway is that storage procurement should consider lifetime performance, warranties, augmentation, financing and operating costs—not simply the lowest upfront $/kWh price.
GameChange Energy Responds to Nextpower Lawsuit
GameChange Energy has responded to a lawsuit from Nextpower with its own legal action, escalating a dispute involving solar technology and alleged patent infringement. GameChange and its solar subsidiary are seeking monetary damages and additional information concerning sales associated with the disputed technology.
The case highlights the growing importance of intellectual-property protection within the rapidly expanding solar equipment market, particularly as manufacturers compete over mounting and tracking technologies. Legal disputes such as this can have implications for manufacturers, suppliers and project developers if particular products become subject to litigation, licensing requirements or potential restrictions. The outcome could therefore influence competition and technology adoption across the solar supply chain.
West Virginia Solar Project to Combine Lithium BESS and Zinc Storage
A new solar project in West Virginia is set to combine conventional lithium-ion battery energy storage with zinc-based long-duration energy storage. The hybrid approach demonstrates how different storage technologies can potentially complement each other: lithium batteries are well suited to fast-response, shorter-duration applications, while zinc systems can provide longer-duration energy storage.
Combining the technologies with solar could improve the project's ability to shift renewable generation and provide grid support beyond periods of sunlight. The project also illustrates growing interest in diversifying energy-storage technologies rather than relying exclusively on lithium-ion systems, particularly as developers look for longer-duration solutions for renewable-heavy electricity systems.
Europe News
Enerparc Files for Insolvency
German solar park owner and developer Enerparc has filed for insolvency, creating uncertainty around one of Europe’s major independent solar-park operators. The Hamburg-based company has around 5.5 GW of installed solar capacity across more than 500 parks and employs approximately 380 people.
Its business spans solar project development, construction, operations, electricity marketing, storage and substations. A preliminary insolvency administrator has been appointed and is working with management, advisers and financiers to stabilize operations. The company’s business is expected to continue for now while restructuring options are assessed. Potential insolvency filings by related companies are also being monitored.
Europe’s Solar Generation Reaches Record Share
Solar power is reaching unprecedented levels in Europe in 2026, strengthening its role in the region’s electricity system and energy-security strategy. Solar generation has achieved record shares of European electricity production, supported by continued PV deployment and strong summer output.
The growth is particularly important as Europe seeks to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and improve resilience against energy-price volatility. However, rapid solar growth also increases the need for grid upgrades, storage and flexible demand to manage periods of high renewable generation. Europe’s accelerating solar adoption demonstrates that PV is becoming not only a climate solution but also an increasingly important component of energy security.
Qualitas Energy has agreed to acquire Cero Generation’s 5.8 GW European portfolio
Europe’s solar market continues to attract significant investment, with several major projects and transactions announced. Qualitas Energy has agreed to acquire Cero Generation’s 5.8 GW European portfolio from Macquarie, covering solar PV and battery-storage projects across the UK, Italy and Spain.
More than 2 GW is operational, under construction or ready-to-build, while 3.8 GW remains in development. In Sweden, Smartports secured SEK 25 million to deploy 49 energy hubs combining solar, batteries and EV charging. Meanwhile, construction began on a 10.42 MW solar farm at London Luton Airport, and Renewco received approval for a 25 MW solar project in Scotland
EU Deploys 33.8 GW of Solar in H1 2026
The European Union added 33.8 GW of solar PV capacity during the first half of 2026, demonstrating continued strong momentum in the region’s energy transition. The deployment reflects sustained demand for solar as EU countries work to strengthen energy security, reduce fossil-fuel dependence and increase renewable generation. The scale of installations also reinforces solar’s growing importance within Europe’s electricity mix.
However, rapid capacity growth is putting greater pressure on transmission and distribution networks, making grid investment and energy storage increasingly important. As solar penetration rises, European markets will need greater flexibility to manage periods of excess generation and maintain system stability while continuing to accelerate renewable deployment.
Peoples Move
Ryan Ault – Senior Vice President, K&A Power
Ryan Ault is serving as Senior Vice President at K&A Power, bringing extensive experience in electrical engineering, project management and power-sector infrastructure. His background includes working with utility and industrial customers across the U.S. and Canada, along with leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Ault’s experience spans technical engineering, project delivery and utility infrastructure, making him well positioned to support complex power projects. K&A Power provides engineering and professional services across transmission, distribution and generation. His senior leadership role comes at a time when investment in grid infrastructure, renewable generation and power delivery is increasing, creating greater demand for experienced engineering and project-management professionals.
Jennifer Steck (Jackson) – Senior Director of Commercial Operations, Nextpower
Jennifer Steck (Jackson) is Senior Director of Commercial Operations at Nextpower, bringing experience across the energy and clean-technology sectors. Her professional background includes exposure to power generation, battery energy storage and other emerging energy technologies.
At Nextpower, she supports commercial operations as the company expands its technology portfolio beyond solar tracking. Nextpower is developing solutions across solar, battery energy storage, power-conversion systems and broader power infrastructure. Steck’s experience in commercial operations and energy storage positions her well to support the company’s growth strategy. Her move is particularly relevant as Nextpower increases its presence across the rapidly growing solar-plus-storage and utility-scale energy markets.
Cody Kinnison – Executive Vice President, Helix Electric
Cody Kinnison has been promoted to Executive Vice President at Helix Electric, following his previous leadership role as Vice President of Operations. Kinnison brings more than three decades of experience in the electrical contracting industry, having progressed from apprentice and journeyman electrician positions into senior executive leadership.
In his new role, he will contribute to strategic operations, business growth and project delivery across Helix Electric’s operations. His extensive field experience combined with executive-level operational knowledge provides strong expertise for complex electrical projects. Helix Electric specializes in large-scale electrical contracting and design-build projects, making Kinnison’s promotion an important step in strengthening the company’s senior leadership and operational capabilities.
Troy Clark – Project Executive, S+B James Construction
Troy Clark has joined S+B James Construction as Project Executive, bringing more than 30 years of construction leadership experience. His background includes managing complex projects across healthcare, life sciences, education, civic, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use sectors. In his new position, Clark will support project execution, preconstruction, design coordination, constructability and client relationships.
His extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary construction projects strengthens S+B James’ project leadership capabilities, particularly in complex commercial and institutional developments. The company operates as a full-service design and construction firm, providing services from preconstruction through completion. Clark’s appointment supports S+B James’ continued expansion and provides additional senior-level expertise for major construction projects.
Michael McManus – Chief Strategy Officer, Nextpower Energy Storage
Michael McManus is serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Nextpower Energy Storage, where he is involved in the company’s strategic expansion across battery energy storage and broader power infrastructure. Nextpower is expanding beyond its established solar-tracking business into areas including BESS, power-conversion systems, digital technologies and critical power infrastructure.
McManus’ role is focused on supporting this strategic diversification and positioning the company for growth in emerging energy markets. The expansion comes as demand increases for utility-scale storage and reliable power solutions supporting renewable generation and large electricity users. His senior strategy position is therefore significant to Nextpower’s efforts to build a broader clean-energy and power-infrastructure platform.
Frank Rodriguez – Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Nextpower
Frank Rodriguez is serving as Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at Nextpower, supporting the company’s commercial growth and market expansion. His role comes as Nextpower broadens its business beyond solar tracking into a wider clean-energy technology platform.
The company is developing solutions involving solar, battery energy storage, power-conversion systems and other power infrastructure technologies. Rodriguez’s commercial leadership will be important as Nextpower expands relationships with utilities, independent power producers, developers and large energy customers. His appointment reflects the increasing importance of experienced commercial executives as solar manufacturers and technology providers diversify into energy storage and integrated power solutions across the rapidly evolving U.S. energy market.
Taylore Bruce – Project Executive, S+B James Construction
Taylore Bruce has joined S+B James Construction as Project Executive, bringing more than 20 years of construction-industry experience. Her background includes leadership on complex K-14, public-sector and community-focused projects, with expertise covering DSA processes, design-build, lease-leaseback, preconstruction, project closeout and client relationship management.
Her experience is particularly relevant to California’s education and public construction markets, where regulatory requirements and stakeholder coordination are critical. As Project Executive, Bruce will provide senior project leadership and support S+B James’ regional operations. Her appointment strengthens the company’s leadership capabilities in Southern California and adds significant expertise in education, public-sector and complex institutional construction projects.
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