Over 16,000 Sunrun customers will supply the grid during peak electricity demand events.

Also on the rise: Tigo introduces power electronics supporting solar modules up to 800 W. More solar coming to Illinois. And more.

In two separate announcements, a total of 285 MW of solar is beginning construction in Illinois in both a utility scale project and a community solar portfolio.

Despite this growth, fossil fuels dominate U.S. electricity. A 3% increase in total electricity generation across the U.S. is expected to be served primarily with solar, said a report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Adena Power is developing an energy storage solution using sodium batteries and domestically-sourced raw materials.

The company says the technology’s better cycle times and potential lower costs would benefit grid storage and EV sectors.

The Office of the President has turned its focus to solar panels, announcing the removal of the bifacial solar panel Section 301 tariff exclusion and addressing issues of stockpiling during trade cases, alongside promoting the nation’s manufacturing base.

Also on the rise: Solar and wind powered boat’s final voyage across the sea. Active Surfaces raises $5.6 million to develop ‘solar 2.0’. And more.

Active Surfaces is developing lightweight, flexible solar panels that can be integrated into virtually any surface and manufactured using a printed, roll-to-roll process.

Also on the rise: Quino Energy ramps up production of its organic flow battery formulation. Sinovoltaics publishes energy storage manufacturer financial stability ranking. And more.

Quilt unveiled a residential heat pump with a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 4 and noise levels of 27 dBA to 47 dBA. The startup recently raised $35.9 million from a group of investors.

Intensified trade measures against China via increasing tariffs on imported solar and battery cells represents a significant policy step, however, the impact is clouded by global manufacturing shifts, price decreases and looming Commerce Department trade complaints.

Also on the rise: Midea unveils outdoor residential heat pump. Catalyze secures $100 million to support 79 MW New York solar portfolio. And more.

The funding comes from NY Green Bank, which is requiring that a significant percentage of solar project subscribers benefit disadvantaged communities.

Job moves in solar, storage, cleantech, utilities and energy transition finance.

The ruling, which is being praised by industry groups, is the first time in more than a decade that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has addressed regional transmission policy as well as the need for long-term transmission planning.

Researchers in Canada are testing the use of reflective surfaces to boost electricity production in bifacial solar panels.

The Chinese module manufacturer said the new efficiency record was confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH).

The Solar Energy Technologies Office has launched a dual initiative to propel upstream advancements in a collection of solar cell types, and to reduce the emissions of solar-grade polysilicon under 1 kg CO2 per kg.

Eight of the ten transmission corridors proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy would facilitate transmission between grid regions; one would expand transmission within the Mid-Atlantic’s PJM grid region; and one would expand transmission in the Northern Plains.