18/01/2026-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
USA NEWS
Kohl’s expands rooftop solar portfolio with multi-state rollout
Verogy has kicked off a multi-state rooftop solar deployment for Kohl’s, installing more than 9,100 panels across seven store locations in California, Delaware, Illinois and Ohio. Once complete, the installations will generate enough clean energy to power over 600 homes annually.
This project continues a longstanding renewable partnership between Verogy and Kohl’s, following earlier rooftop systems delivered in Arizona. The initiative underscores Kohl’s commitment to corporate sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint and increasing on-site renewable energy capacity. The rollout reflects broader retail interest in decarbonization via behind-the-meter solar investments.
75-MW Whistling Duck Solar Energy Center goes live in Florida
The 75-megawatt Whistling Duck Solar Energy Center in Levy County, Florida, has reached commercial operation, delivering solar power to four participating municipal utilities under the Florida Municipal Power Agency.
Built by Origis Energy, the project completes Phase II of the FMPA’s 300-MW municipal solar initiative. Communities receiving power include Homestead, Key West, Lake Worth Beach and Winter Park, which already began taking energy from a Phase II sister project. The facility enhances local clean energy infrastructure and supports FMPA’s goals of providing efficient, stable renewables to member utilities. It follows the successful Rice Creek Solar Energy Center, also part of the agency’s solar rollout.
Illinois community solar arrays power Coach and Kate Spade stores
Pivot Energy has completed three Illinois community solar projects totaling 13.475 MWAC to supply renewable energy in support of Tapestry, the parent company of Coach and Kate Spade. Under a 15-year arrangement, Tapestry is purchasing renewable energy credits equivalent to the solar output, helping the company reach 100 % renewable electricity across its retail stores, offices, and distribution centers globally.
The projects, located in Peoria, Dover and Ottawa, are part of a broader five-site portfolio, with more expected online by 2030. Pivot will also contribute to workforce training and local community initiatives as the full program develops.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive installs 204-kW solar system
Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) has installed a 204-kilowatt rooftop solar array at its Lafayette manufacturing plant, reinforcing its sustainability leadership and operational efficiency. Installed by Emergent Solar Energy, this system expands SIA’s use of renewable energy across its campus, supporting ongoing environmental goals like lower emissions and cost containment.
SIA’s Indiana facility already boasts zero-landfill status, and the new solar project feeds clean electricity into the plant’s expanded operations while demonstrating the integration of renewables into large-scale industrial settings. Emergent’s design and construction had to be carefully coordinated with active manufacturing to ensure operational continuity.
OnPeak Power and Ashtrom end U.S. solar partnership
Utility-scale solar developers OnPeak Power and Ashtrom Renewable Energy have mutually agreed to conclude their U.S. development partnership, which began in 2021 and encompassed six solar projects totaling approximately 1.4 GWAC.
The decision reflects each company’s desire to pursue strategic priorities independently. OnPeak specializes in solar origination and infrastructure, while Ashtrom continues to develop, finance and operate renewable power projects globally. Both firms reaffirmed their commitments to advancing clean energy solutions and community benefits despite the end of their collaboration, highlighting ongoing confidence in large-scale solar deployment across the United States.
Aspen Power secures $200M to grow U.S. solar and storage portfolio
Aspen Power has raised a $200 million strategic capital commitment from Deutsche Bank to accelerate expansion of its U.S. distributed solar and energy storage portfolio.
The financing, backed by Carlyle, strengthens Aspen’s capacity to develop and deploy community solar, commercial and industrial rooftop projects, and small utility-scale sites with co-located storage. Aspen Power plans to use the funds to support vendor partnerships, project execution and pipeline growth in response to rising demand for distributed clean energy infrastructure. This investment marks a significant milestone in Aspen’s national scaling strategy and underscores investor confidence in distributed renewable energy markets.
Germany News
Germany urges faster energy storage growth, solar association says
The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) warns that battery storage expansion must accelerate to support the nation’s renewable energy goals. Although Germany added nearly 600,000 new stationary battery systems in 2025 — raising total capacity to roughly 25 GWh across about 2.4 million systems — this growth is insufficient for a fully decarbonised grid.
BSW-Solar calls for regulatory improvements and targets that could increase installed energy storage to 100 GWh by 2030 to better balance solar output and grid needs. Large-scale storage installations doubled in 2025, but further policy support is needed to sustain momentum.
SUNOTEC pushes ahead with Germany’s largest hybrid solar-storage plant
SUNOTEC has achieved a key milestone on the Hybrid Power Plant Zerbst, set to be Germany’s largest solar-battery facility under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). Developed with Statkraft, the project combines 46.4 MWp of solar PV and a 57 MWh battery energy storage system on a 41-hectare former gravel pit, delivering nearly 50 GWh annually and enhancing grid flexibility.
SUNOTEC’s integrated delivery model covers planning, engineering, construction and long-term operations, reducing project complexity. The hybrid plant will provide dispatchable renewable energy, support grid stability and demonstrate scalable hybrid solutions for Germany’s energy transition.
Milvio sells 80 MW solar-plus-storage project in Germany
Milvio has sold its 80 MW solar plus storage project in Germany to a strategic buyer, marking a significant transaction in the country’s renewable energy market. The development includes both photovoltaic generation capacity and integrated battery storage, highlighting investor interest in combined solar-storage assets amid rising demand for flexible clean power solutions.
This sale reflects growing confidence in projects that can deliver renewable energy while offering grid balancing services. The transaction underscores the evolving landscape of German renewables, where asset monetisation and storage integration are increasingly central to achieving energy security and decarbonisation objectives.
Peoples Move
Megan Claire Routbort – VP, Head of Project Development, Solar Landscape
Megan Claire Routbort serves as Vice President and Head of Project Development at Solar Landscape, where she leads the development strategy for large-scale community and distributed solar projects across the U.S. She brings deep experience in site origination, permitting, interconnection, and project execution, helping accelerate Solar Landscape’s nationwide portfolio.
In her role, Megan works closely with utilities, landowners, and internal teams to move projects from early-stage development through construction readiness, supporting the company’s mission to expand access to clean, locally generated solar energy.
Nathon James – Director of Projects (Solar), RES
Nathon James is Director of Projects – Solar at RES, overseeing the delivery of utility-scale and large commercial solar projects across the United States. He is responsible for project execution, construction oversight, and coordination between engineering, procurement, and on-site teams.
With a strong background in renewable energy project management, Nathon plays a key role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget, supporting RES’s growing solar and hybrid renewables portfolio in the U.S. market.
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