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US solar panel recycling
Photo: SOLARCYCLE

Solar panels made in the US’s largest silicon-based solar panel factory will now be recycled, thanks to a new partnership.

The newly announced solar panel recycling agreement between Qcells and SOLARCYCLE is a first-of-its-kind partnership between a large solar panel maker and an advanced solar recycler in the US.

Recycled materials from Qcells’ panels, such as aluminum, silver, copper, silicon, and low-iron glass, will be reused in the domestic supply chain to manufacture the next generation of clean energy products. SOLARCYCLE says its patented solar panel recycling technology extracts more than 95% of the value in a module. That’s at the high-achieving end of the current solar recycling industry standard – the US’s largest solar company, First Solar, says it can recover 90% of the value.

At 8.4 gigawatts (GW) of production capacity expected to be reached this year and 4,000 jobs created, Qcells’ facility in Dalton, Georgia, is the US’s largest silicon-based solar panel factory. It was also the first solar panel factory to be built since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

In January 2023, the Seoul-headquartered company announced it would invest more than $2.5 billion to build the US’s first complete solar supply chain in Georgia – the largest-ever investment in clean energy manufacturing in the US to date. That included expanding the Dalton solar factory and building a fully integrated solar supply chain factory in Cartersville, Georgia, that will manufacture solar ingots, wafers, cells, and finished panels.

Suvi Sharma, SOLARCYCLE’s CEO and cofounder, said, “When you look at the footprint of Qcells panels in commercial and residential solar across America, the impact of today’s partnership announcement is quite significant.”

SOLARCYCLE currently operates recycling facilities in Odessa, Texas, and Mesa, Arizona, and has inked long-term partnerships with more than 40 of the US’s largest solar energy companies.

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. 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. They have 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 Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*

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EcoFlow EcoCredits May Madness takes up to 57% off units + extra savings & rewards, Hiboy Father’s Day EV sale, Greenworks, more

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3 hours ago

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May 29, 2025

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EcoFlow EcoCredits May Madness takes up to 57% off units + extra savings & rewards, Hiboy Father's Day EV sale, Greenworks, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is EcoFlow’s two-day-only EcoCredits May Madness Sale, offering up to 57% off power stations and accessories in initial discounts alongside extra savings, and plenty of EcoCredit rewards to take advantage of. Beating out the brand’s 2025 sales so far is the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Solar Generator bundle with a 220W panel down at a $699 low, among several other offers. There’s also Hiboy’s newly launched Father’s Day Sale with up to 55% savings on EVs, like the 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike down at $900. We have two Greenworks sales for your outdoor cleaning and lawn care needs, with up to 29% being taken off new and legacy electric pressure washers starting from $82, while the 40V 21-inch Cordless Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower comes with a 5.0Ah battery for a $360 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $300 off deal on Anker’s eufy E15 and E18 robot mowers, extended SOLIX and Aventon savings from Monday’s holiday, and more – and don’t forget to browse our Memorial Day EV hub for the hangover savings while they last.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

With its official Memorial Day Sale having ended, EcoFlow is having its Monthly Madness promotions for members (free to sign up) that include up to 57% in initial discounts, as well as extra savings on orders over $3,000, and plenty of EcoCredit earning and reward options for even more savings (more on these below). Among the lineup, we’re seeing the biggest discount (as well as returning Black Friday pricing) on the DELTA 2 Solar Generator bundle with a 220W panel for $699 shipped, which also scores you 3x or 2x EcoCredits, depending on your member level. This package normally fetches $1,648 at full price, which we’ve been seeing come as low as $749 in 2025 sales until today. You’ll be getting $949 in savings here for today and tomorrow at the lowest price we have tracked, making it a great option to kick start your solar backup setup or expand with a more humble model for temporary trips away from home.

Let’s go over the special two-day promotions that we’re seeing during EcoFlow’s EcoCredits May Madness event. First, the obvious reason these events are so great for opportunists – that purchases will score 2x EcoCredits for standard members, while Plus members earn 3x EcoCredits with their orders. For clarification, memberships are free, and you’ll gain the Plus status after accumulating at least 6,000 EcoCredits. Next, there’s the Lucky Spin wheel that you can trade EcoCredits to play twice a day for various rewards alongside the usual EcoCredit redemption options you’ll find at the bottom of the landing page. Lastly, members will be getting an automatically added extra 5% savings on any orders over $3,000.

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EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station is a great choice for traveling companions from the brand’s many options, especially for weekend camping and road trips to keep essential devices and small appliances up and running – plus, the solar panel helps to ensure it can keep doing so should the journeys be extended. It starts with a personable 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can have two expansion batteries added to expand up to 3,072Wh. There are 15 versatile ports for plenty of connection options, with the unit delivering a steady 1,800W of power that can surge as high as 2,200W when needed.

The increased power output, as well as charging times, are increased from the brand’s X-Boost tech that is present here, giving you an 80% battery in just 50 minutes when plugged into a wall outlet, or you can wait a little longer at 80 minutes for a full battery. You’ll be able to take full advantage of the sun’s rays to recharge in nature with the included panel, while the station can go further, as it sports a max 500W input. There’s also the option to connect it to your car’s auxiliary port or utilize its max 1,100W of DC input. It’s rated for 3,000+ life cycles, giving you over eight years of everyday use, or it’s well suited to hold a charge for months on end in case of emergencies, which will see it last for a much longer timeframe.

***Note. The prices on individual models over $3,000 have had the extra 5% savings factored in below, with the discount being automatically applied in your cart, but don’t forget that savings can increase when buying multiple units together too.

EcoFlow’s best EcoCredits May Madness backup power deals:

EcoFlow’s EcoCredits May Madness solar accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s EcoCredits May Madness other accessory deals:

You can check out the full lineup of EcoFlow’s EcoCredits May Madness Sale deals on the landing page here.

Hiboy P7 commuter e-bike

Get Dad a fun ride through summer with Hiboy’s P7 Commuter e-bike at $900 in Father’s Day savings

Hiboy has kicked off its Father’s Day EV Sale through June 15, which is taking up to 55% off the brand’s e-bikes and e-scooters. Among the lineup of fun rides for Dad, there’s the budget-friendly 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike that is down at $899.99 shipped. This model normally goes for $1,700 at full price, which we’ve been seeing brought down as low as $900 in 2025, beaten out only by the $850 and $800 rates we last saw during Black Friday and Christmas sales. You can jump on your own here at the third-lowest price we have tracked, with its gray colorway matching in price at Amazon.

Hiboy’s P7 Commuter e-bike makes a great model for first-time e-riders, while also being a great budget-friendly option for riders looking to save. Equipped with a 500W brushless rear-hub motor (800W peak) and powered by a removable IPX5-rated waterproof 14.5Ah battery, you’ll be cruising around at up to 25 MPH speeds, with three riding modes for various travel ranges. You can move off pure manual pedaling while in the standard mode, with the power-assist mode giving you the greatest 68-mile travel distance with PAS support and the pure electric mode lets you zoom around without any effort for up to 37 miles.

And of course, for the price, there are some notable features, like the 2.2-inch mountain tires (so you’re covered if your commute goes off the pavement), as well as power-off front/rear disc brakes, an IPX4 water-resistant frame rating, and more. The LCD screen gives you the usual real-time performance data and setting adjustments alongside being a personal coach, with it pushing you to do better than your previous outings’ best results, if you’re one who wants to also be staying in peak shape.

You can browse the full lineup of Hiboy’s Father’s Day EV Sale in our original coverage here. You’ll also find a ton of ongoing Memorial Day savings across e-scooters and e-bikes from all our favorite brands in our Memorial Day EV hub – with a few flash sales having ended, while others are ending in the coming days and some are running through the first week of June.

greenworks 13A 2,100 PSI compact electric pressure washer

Save up to 29% on these new and legacy Greenworks electric pressure washers at return lows from $82

Amazon is now offering some significant savings and plenty of low prices across its electric pressure washers – including new and legacy models. Among them, we spotted the newer 13A 2,100 PSI Compact Electric Pressure Washer down at $159.92 shipped. This is one of several new models that hit the market back in January, with four previous discounts on the books bringing costs down from its usual $200 MSRP to this same low price. You’re looking at a 20% markdown here today, which cuts $40 off the tag at the best price we have tracked, with the savings matching direct from Greenworks’ website too.

Picking up this newer Greenworks model provides you with some ample cleaning power within a more compact casing, with it able to reach up to 2,100 PSI to clear away muck and debris on your driveway, walkways, patio furniture, the sides of your house, and more. It reaches a max 1.2 GPM flow rate, starts up with the push of a button, comes with four quick-changing nozzles (25 degree, 40 degree, soap, and turbo), and even a soap applicator that attaches to the wand – all neatly storable on the unit. Its compact form allows for easy carrying with one hand, and stores away without taking up much space.

Greenworks’ best electric pressure washer deals:

greenworks 40V 21-inch cordless electric self-propelled lawn mower

Get a 5.0Ah battery with this 4-in-1 Greenworks 40V 21-inch cordless electric self-propelled mower at a $360 low

Amazon is now offering the Greenworks 40V 21-inch Cordless Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with a 5.0Ah battery down at $359.99 shipped. This newer model would normally cost you $450 at full price, which we’ve seen two previous discounts in 2025 take down to the same low rate that’s coming back around here today. This is a 20% markdown that cuts $90 off the tag for another chance at the best price we have tracked.

Greenworks is well known for being both a budget-friendly brand that is great for first-time electric buyers, as well as a reliable means to replace noisy gas guzzlers, and this 40V 21-inch self-propelled mower certainly fits the bill. It sports one of the brand’s brushless motors that provide more efficient and longer-lasting performance, with the included 5.0Ah battery giving you 40 minutes of continuous runtime to tackle up to 1/3 of an acre worth of mowing. Along with the self-propulsion and push-button start, you’ll also have a more rounded out experience with the seven cutting height levels, EZ fold handles to save space, LED headlights, and the 4-in-1 functionality for mulching, bagging, side discharging, or you can switch it to turbo mode for leaf pickup duties.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Meet the $7,000 mini EV that’s taking Japan by storm

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3 hours ago

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May 29, 2025

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Meet the ,000 mini EV that's taking Japan by storm

$7,000-mini-EV-Japan

It’s not a Toyota, Nissan, or a Honda, but this new mini EV is already a sensation. The mibot mini EV costs just ¥1 million ($7,000), or about half the price of Nissan’s Sakura, the top-selling EV in Japan.

Can the $7,000 mini EV jumpstart sales in Japan?

Japanese startup, KG Motors, is charging up Japan’s electric vehicle market with small, affordable “mobility robots.”

The company is preparing to launch a small, single-seat EV dubbed “mibot.” At just 2,490 mm (98″) long, the tiny electric car is about the size of a golf cart, but it’s perfect for getting around the city.

With its small, lightweight design and low maintenance costs, KG says the mibot is perfect for daily commutes. It offers a range of up to 100 km (62 miles) and a maximum speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).

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Although it may not seem like much with most new EVs nowadays launching with at least 300 miles (483 km) range, the mibot is designed for Japan’s tight city streets. KG Motors is out to prove that bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to travel.

$7,000-mini-EV
KG Motors “mibot” mini EV (Source: KG Motors)

The company’s CEO and founder, Kazunari Kusunoki, said (via Bloomberg), “Seeing so many big cars traveling Japan’s narrow streets – that’s where this all began for me.”

After opening reservations last fall in Japan, the mini EV secured over 1,000 applications in its first month. As of May, the company has received 2,250 orders, which is more than half of the 3,300 units it plans to deliver by March 2027.

,000-mini-EV
,000-mini-EV

At that, KG Motors would sell more EVs in Japan than the roughly 2,000 Toyota sold in 2024. After entering the market in just 2023, China’s BYD sold over 2,200 vehicles in Japan last year.

It’s no secret that Japanese car brands, including Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, have been among the biggest laggards in the shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Nissan-Sakura-mini-EV
Nissan Sakura mini EV (Source: Nissan)

“Toyota said EVs aren’t the only solution and, because it’s Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,” Kusunoki explained. Because Toyota said so, “A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won’t become popular.” KG Motors is out to change that with the mibot mini EV.

The tiny cars, or “kei cars,” are the most popular segment in Japan, accounting for over half of all vehicles. Nissan’s Sakura was the best-selling EV in Japan last year, with 22,926 units sold.

The Sakura starts at ¥2.5 million ($17,000). When the mibot arrives early next year, it will start at ¥1 million ($7,000) before taxes.

According to Kusunoki, production is scheduled to begin in October, and the first batch of 300 mibot models is expected to be delivered in Japan by March 2026. The other 3,000 will be shipped internationally.

The company expects to take a loss on the first batch, but should turn a profit on the second. Following that, KG Motors plans to build around 10,000 mini EVs annually.

Electrek’s Take

Can the mibot spark EV sales in Japan? At just $7,000, the mini EV is already creating a buzz. Meanwhile, BYD and others are looking to take advantage of Japan’s slow transition.

BYD is developing its first mini EV (here’s a sneak peek) that’s already expected to be “a huge threat” for Nissan, Honda, and Toyota in Japan. It will start at around ¥2.5 million ($17,000) when it launches in the second half of 2026, or about the same price as the Nissan Sakura.

At least one Suzuki dealer is already sounding the alarm (via Nikkei), claiming that “Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan.”

BYD sells four electric cars in Japan, including the Atto 3 SUV, Dolphin, and Seal. Last month, the company launched the new Sealion 7 midsize electric SUV, starting at 4.95 million yen ($34,500).

When the mibot and BYD’s electric kei car arrive, it will be interesting to see how they will impact EV sales in Japan. It might even turn up the pressure on Toyota and other Japanese brands to keep pace.

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The 2025 Honda Prologue EV just got $16,500 cheaper to buy or lease

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3 hours ago

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May 29, 2025

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The 2025 Honda Prologue EV just got ,500 cheaper to buy or lease

2025-Honda-Prologue-EV

Thinking about driving a 2025 Honda Prologue EV? You’re in luck – CarsDirect says you could score up to $16,500 off, plus 0.99% financing.

Honda just sweetened the deal on its 2025 Prologue electric SUV, and it might be the best lease yet.

As of May 23, the 2025 Honda Prologue EV has an extra $2,000 in HFS Lease/Finance Cash. (HFS stands for Honda Financial Services, and this rebate is only available if you finance or lease through Honda.) That stacks on top of a bunch of other savings already on the table.

Honda was already offering $3,500 in Lease/Finance Cash across the US, plus another $1,000 in what they call “Lease/Finance Loyalty/Conquest” money if you’re coming out of a current Honda or competitor lease. And like most EVs, Prologue leases are eligible for the $7,500 EV lease credit. If you’re buying instead of leasing, you may qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

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In zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) states like California, Honda is throwing in another $2,500 in Lease/Finance Cash. On top of all that, buyers can access 0.99% financing for up to 60 months. All in, that’s $16,500 in potential savings if you’re leasing – or the same if you’re buying and qualify for the tax credit, plus low-interest financing based on offers through July 7.

Honda-Prologue-more-affordable
2025 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

Here’s where it gets interesting: On Honda’s website, a 2025 Prologue EX with an MSRP of $51,850 (destination included) is listed at just $259/month for 36 months in California, with $3,999 due at signing. That includes the $1,000 conquest cash incentive based on 10,000 miles per year. That comes to $370/month before taxes.

That’s currently the best lease Honda’s offered on the 2025 Prologue, and it actually undercuts the lease cost of the 2025 HR-V, Honda’s smallest SUV. The HR-V LX is going for $289/month with $3,299 down or $381 per month. The Prologue also beats the CR-V Hybrid Sport, which leases for $369/month with $4,199 down ($486/month effective).

In short, the Prologue isn’t just a better deal than before – it’s one of Honda’s best lease values right now. That’s a major turnaround from March, when the Prologue lease was kind of a dud.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the 2025 Honda Prologue EV in stock. –trusted affiliate link

Read more: Cox: EVs are America’s future, but policy will set the pace

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to 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. They have 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 you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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