15/03/2026-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
USA News
Michigan airport completes 1st phase of solar carport project
MBS International Airport in Freeland, Michigan, has completed the first phase of a solar carport installation designed to provide clean energy and covered parking for travelers. The 342-kW solar canopy system, developed by energy solutions provider Veregy, spans nearly 200 parking spaces and became operational in February 2026. The project includes lighting features, bird deterrents, and future electric vehicle charging infrastructure. When fully completed, the second phase will add additional solar canopies and ground-mounted solar capacity. The initiative supports the airport’s sustainability goals and helped it earn recognition as the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Commercial Airport of the Year.
Strata Clean Energy signs 1-GW FTC Solar tracker supply agreement
Strata Clean Energy has signed a five-year agreement with FTC Solar for the supply of 1 GW of solar tracker systems for upcoming U.S. solar projects. The deal expands an earlier 500-MW agreement signed in 2024 and reflects the companies’ ongoing partnership in utility-scale solar development.
FTC Solar will provide its Voyager 2P tracker technology, designed to improve installation efficiency and energy generation. The first project under the new agreement is expected to begin construction in 2027. The expanded partnership aims to support Strata’s growing solar pipeline while helping FTC Solar strengthen its domestic manufacturing and supply capabilities.
U.S. solar market review – SEIA and Wood Mackenzie (2025 year in review)
The U.S. solar industry continued strong growth in 2025, according to the annual market review released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie. The report highlights increasing solar installations across utility-scale, residential, and commercial sectors, driven by federal incentives and strong demand for clean energy. Utility-scale solar remained the largest contributor to new capacity additions, while energy storage integration also expanded rapidly. Despite supply chain and policy challenges, the industry maintained steady expansion. The report forecasts continued growth through the late 2020s as tax incentives, domestic manufacturing, and grid modernization initiatives support further deployment.
Avangrid completes mechanical installation of 166-MW Tower Solar project
Avangrid has completed the mechanical installation phase of the 166-MW Tower Solar project located in Oregon. The milestone marks the successful placement of solar modules, mounting systems, and related equipment across the project site.
The facility is expected to generate renewable electricity for thousands of homes once fully operational. Tower Solar forms part of Avangrid’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio in the United States. The project also contributes to local economic development through construction jobs and regional investment while helping the state move closer to its clean energy and emissions reduction goals.
Creekstone Energy secures 13,000-acre lease for 1-GW solar project in Utah
Creekstone Energy has secured a large land lease of approximately 13,000 acres in Utah to develop a proposed 1-GW utility-scale solar project. The project is still in early development stages and will require permitting, environmental review, and grid interconnection approvals before construction begins.
If completed, the project would represent one of the larger solar developments in the region and contribute significant renewable capacity to the western U.S. power grid. Large-scale land agreements like this highlight the continued expansion of solar development pipelines as companies prepare projects to meet growing clean energy demand.
Germany News
ABO Energy and Field Commission 16-MW Battery Storage Facility in Germany
ABO Energy and Field have commissioned a 16-MW/33-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Waldkappel, Hesse, Germany. The project can store enough electricity to power around 10,000 two-person households for one night, supporting grid stability and renewable integration.
ABO Energy originally developed the project and sold it to Field in 2025 before construction began. The facility is the developer’s fourth stand-alone storage project in Germany and the first capable of delivering full output for more than two hours. The commissioning also marks Field’s first energy storage asset in Germany, forming the foundation for its planned German portfolio of grid-connected flexibility projects.
Volkswagen Commissions First 20-MW/40-MWh Battery Storage Project in Germany
The Volkswagen Group has commissioned its first large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Salzgitter, Germany, marking the company’s entry into the stationary energy storage market. The project, developed by its energy subsidiary Elli (Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH), has a capacity of 20 MW and 40 MWh and is connected to the power grid.
The facility, known as the Elli PowerCenter, will store surplus electricity and release it when demand rises, supporting grid stability and renewable integration. The project also enables energy trading on the European Power Exchange (EPEX SPOT), reflecting Volkswagen’s strategy to expand from an automotive manufacturer into an integrated energy and technology company.
Nuveen fund acquires 70.4-MW German solar park from Trianel
A fund managed by Nuveen Infrastructure has acquired a 70.4-MWp solar park in Germany from energy company Trianel. The project represents another investment in Europe’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector. The solar park will contribute clean electricity to the German grid and support the country’s efforts to accelerate its energy transition. For Nuveen, the acquisition strengthens its renewable energy portfolio and long-term infrastructure investment strategy. The deal also highlights continued investor interest in operational solar assets across Europe as institutional investors seek stable, sustainable energy investments.
Peoples Move
Brief: Christian D. – Director of Construction, Aypa Power
Christian D. serves as the Director of Construction at Aypa Power, where he oversees the execution and delivery of large-scale battery energy storage and hybrid renewable projects. In this role, he manages construction planning, contractor coordination, project scheduling, and safety compliance across multiple utility-scale developments.
His work supports the company’s rapidly expanding pipeline of battery storage projects, ensuring they are delivered efficiently from construction through commissioning. Aypa Power develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects across North America, with more than 20 GW of projects in development and numerous projects in operation or construction.
Eaton Appoints David Foster as Executive Vice President and CFO
Power management company Eaton has appointed David Foster as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective March 2, 2026. He succeeds Olivier Leonetti in the role. Foster will lead Eaton’s global financial strategy, supporting the company’s continued expansion across electrification, grid modernization, and renewable energy infrastructure.
His responsibilities include overseeing financial operations, capital allocation, and long-term growth initiatives. Eaton has been increasing investments in sectors such as energy storage, grid resilience, and solar infrastructure, and Foster’s leadership will help guide financial planning as the company scales its solutions for the evolving global energy transition.
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