The Solar Energy Industries Association, the nonprofit trade association of the US solar industry, just flagged a proposed change to the 2024 International Building Code by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that would do more harm than good to the US solar industry.
Bureacratic overreach on solar
Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the SEIA, published a blog yesterday that draws attention to the potential damage this misguided code change would inflict on solar, battery storage, and wind. She writes:
This misguided proposal by FEMA would raise the structural “risk category” for ground-mounted solar installations, energy storage systems, and wind turbines to the highest level possible, on par with requirements for hospitals and fire stations.
Ross Hopper argues that the current codes ain’t broke, so don’t fix them:
This is a gross overreach. There is no extended record of irreparable damage to solar arrays from higher seismic, wind or snow loads, and there is no justification for these overly burdensome codes.
There are already strict requirements in place that make solar panels sufficiently resilient against high winds and snow loads. Ross Hopper cites the resilience of Florida’s Babcock Ranch development, a “solar-powered town” 12 miles outside of Fort Myers that kept its power, internet, and water supply despite the devastating Hurricane Ian passing over it. CNN writes:
“We have proof of the case now because [the hurricane] came right over us,” Nancy Chorpenning, a 68-year-old Babcock Ranch resident, told CNN. “We have water, electricity, internet — and we may be the only people in Southwest Florida who are that fortunate.”
The proposed code changes would result in unnecessary increased costs for solar projects, as developers would need to procure more materials such as steel, concrete, and higher rated solar PV modules to comply with stricter new requirements. The SEIA fears that this would make solar growth cost prohibitive:
This much is certain: The proposed code change is unworkable. In its current form, S76-22 would cause a drastic spike in construction costs, forcing the cancellation of dozens of gigawatts of clean energy projects that support thousands of jobs and that the United States is relying on to boost grid resiliency.
As for wind power, the SEIA points out in its fact sheet that S76-22’s “unneeded load increases constrain the size & height of wind turbines, reducing power output.”
Proponents of S76-22 believe that applying higher seismic, wind, and snow loads to structural calculations would lead to greater grid reliability.
But grid reliability is under the scope of influence of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the SEIA says those two agencies weren’t even consulted about FEMA’s code change proposals.
So, the SEIA has opted for political diplomacy: It’s calling for compromise solutions that would allow solar projects to be designated as Risk Category 2:
While it still increases the structural requirements for solar facilities, this framework takes a reasonable approach and will help ensure more projects get built.
Electrek’s Take
I met up with a solar industry executive on September 8 for coffee here in Vermont. They were headed to FERC’s “New England Winter Gas-Electric Forum” in Burlington and said that no clean energy industry representatives were included on the panel.
I found that extremely surprising, seeing how the Biden administration is pushing hard for the move to electrification, and FERC is a federal government agency. The executive explained that government agencies can sometimes lag behind in getting on the bandwagon on newly implemented initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act.
That situation seems to be the case here with the stricter FEMA building code proposal. It falls into the “well intended, poorly executed” category, and SEIA is right: It needs to either be amended or scrapped. The United States can’t afford to lose momentum under any circumstances in its move to clean energy.
Photo: US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh at First Solar
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Solar and storage prices are about to rise after a year and a half of record lows, according to new data from Wood Mackenzie. Equipment procurement costs for solar and energy storage will jump around 9% starting in Q4 2025, marking the end of the bargain pricing developers have enjoyed for the last 18 months. That’s because China is changing the rules.
Why solar +storage prices are going up
Wood Mackenzie points to three major drivers behind the coming spike:
Polysilicon consolidation. China’s polysilicon production exploded between 2022 and 2024, creating a glut and pushing prices to unsustainable lows. But new government guidelines are now forcing producers to slow down, cutting utilization rates to 55-70%. As a result, polysilicon prices surged 48% in September 2025 alone.
Production cuts across the value chain. Solar module makers are also reducing operating rates, with major producers running at just 55-60% capacity by mid-2025. Outdated PERC cell lines are being phased out, further shrinking available capacity.
The end of China’s export tax rebate. Starting in Q4 2025, China will scrap its 13% VAT export rebate on solar modules and storage systems. This fiscal change will ripple through global pricing since China supplies over 80% of the world’s solar modules and 90% of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs.
That policy shift means developers worldwide will face higher costs. In the US, storage and solar projects relying on Chinese equipment will likely see about a 9% cost increase in Q4. Analysts expect inverters to lose their export rebate soon, too, adding more upward pressure.
From price war to market correction
For the past year and a half, Chinese manufacturers have been selling solar modules and storage systems at rock-bottom prices, trying to move oversupply even while posting losses. Modules hit record lows of $0.07-$0.09 per watt in 2024 and early 2025. But with government intervention, that price war is ending.
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“This is about to change,” said Yana Hryshko, senior research analyst and head of Global Solar Supply Chain at Wood Mackenzie. “The Chinese government has intervened to stabilize the market, and developers globally will have to adjust their procurement expectations accordingly.”
Wood Mac says the shift represents a “structural correction” toward sustainable margins, not just a temporary market adjustment. “This shift will ultimately benefit the industry’s long-term health,” said Hryshko. Manufacturers will finally have room to reinvest and innovate, but developers will need to revisit budgets and renegotiate supply deals for production scheduled after November 2025.
Bottom line is, ultra-cheap solar and storage gear is on its way out. The next phase of the energy transition will likely come with higher but more sustainable prices.
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Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat vehicles will remain eligible for the credit after the deadline expires. Stellantis confirmed it will replicate the offer for EV and PHEV models.
Stellantis extends credit for Jeep EV and PHEV models
Stellantis is looking for a comeback in the US. The company sold 324,825 vehicles under the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Fiat brands in the US in the third quarter, notching its highest monthly market share in 15 months.
Although it currently offers only a few all-electric vehicles, including the Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona EV, Stellantis also provides a range of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
Through July, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe remained the best-selling PHEV in the US. Stellantis doesn’t provide a breakdown of Wrangler sales by model, but total sales rose 18% in the third quarter to nearly 45,000 units.
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Through September, Stellantis has sold over 128,000 Wranglers. Jeep also offers the Grand Cherokee 4xe, another PHEV. The Wagoneer S, Jeep’s first all-electric SUV, racked up 4,163 in sales in the third quarter, bringing its yearly total to 10,426.
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited (Source: Stellantis)
To compensate for the loss of the federal tax credit, Stellantis will honor it for EVs and PHEVs. The offer is good on the lease or purchase of a new EV or PHEV, but there’s a catch.
The deal is only for vehicles currently in the dealer’s inventory, meaning it could run out at any point, if it hasn’t already.
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited interior (Source: Stellantis)
Jeep isn’t the only brand, Stellantis is extending the credit to all PHEV and EV models. Dodge offers the electric Charger Daytona BEV and Hornet R/T PHEV. Chrysler only sells one vehicle, the Pacifica minivan, but it is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And don’t forget the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the luxury brand’s first PHEV.
All will still be eligible for the credit while inventory lasts. Stellantis follows other automakers, including Ford, GM, and Hyundai, which will continue to offer the EV tax credit beyond the deadline.
Interested in checking one out for yourself? You can use our links below to see what’s available in your area.
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Wallbox’s Supernova DC fast chargers will power a major new EV charging network across Western Canada.
Public charging network operator SureCharge Corp is rolling out up to 24 high-speed public charging sites with 96 Wallbox Supernova 180 kW DC fast chargers across Alberta and British Columbia. The new network will fill critical charging gaps along key travel corridors, linking northern, central, and southern Alberta with British Columbia.
The initiative is backed by over $4.7 million from the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and $400,000 from the Government of British Columbia. SureCharge is leading the project, with SureTek Electric & Technologies, a certified Wallbox partner, handling installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
Each site will feature Wallbox’s 180 kW Supernova fast chargers. The Supernova line aims to keep costs low for operators while ensuring drivers have consistent access to high-speed charging.
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SureCharge says the project will connect communities in Western Canada that have never had access to fast chargers. “From the northern stretches of British Columbia to the southern reaches of Alberta, we’re enabling a fast-charging corridor that connects communities across the region,” said Michael Palarchio, SureCharge’s vice-president. “By building a network that’s owned, installed, and maintained by Western Canadians, we’re creating a locally powered solution that works for the people who live, work, and travel here.”
Canadian officials say the project will help ease range anxiety and encourage more people to drive EVs. “With this funding, Canadians traveling on Alberta and British Columbia highways will have access to more EV chargers where they need them most,” said Tim Hodgson, Canada’s minister of energy and natural resources. “These chargers give peace of mind to current EV drivers and help address charging anxiety for those considering an EV purchase.”
The first sites will go live by late 2025 in Red Deer, Lacombe, and Enoch Cree Nation, followed by rapid expansion into Whitecourt, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Fort St. John, Fernie, Edson, and other towns, including Grand Cache, Hinton, Rocky Mountain House, Valleyview, and Diamond Valley.
The project is part of a larger plan to create a long-term, regionwide charging network in partnership with retail, hospitality, and convenience brands committed to sustainable transportation.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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