What’s new:
Solar Power World just launched a new series, Projects of Impact, in which they interview the owners and installers of the highest-impact solar projects across the country.
Exact Solar is proud to announce that the first project highlighted was our Habitat for Humanity project in Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia.
* The Build: The project added solar to five newly constructed rowhomes, totaling 17.6 kW of solar capacity between them. After construction was completed, the first-time homebuyers moved into their energy-efficient, low-cost homes.
* The Funding: The installations were made possible by an anonymous donor who specifically requested that their contribution be used to add solar to Habitat for Humanity homes.
* The Team: The project was a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity, Solarize Philly, and Exact Solar, with the homeowners themselves contributing “sweat equity” alongside the crews to build their homes.
Why it matters:
* Energy Bill Savings for Low-Income Households: Each household will save over $40,000 in electricity costs over the life of the system, more than $1,000 a year that can be redirected to essentials like food and healthcare rather than ever-rising bills.
* Energy Equity: By pairing solar with ENERGY STAR-certified construction, these homes protect low-income residents against future utility rate hikes.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Recently Re-Named) Lays Off More Staff
What’s new:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which was recently renamed the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), has laid off 134 employees, marking the second major workforce reduction in less than a year.
* Second Wave: This follows a previous layoff of 114 employees in May 2025.
* Identity Shift: The cuts come just weeks after the Trump administration scrubbed “renewable energy” from the lab’s name, rebranding it to NLR in December 2025.
* The Reason: A lab spokesperson attributed the latest layoffs to “projected funding levels” and a need to align with “new priorities” under the current Department of Energy (DOE).
Why it matters:
* Strategic Pivot: The move underscores the Trump DOE’s shift away from decarbonization. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who calls himself a “climate realist,” has overseen both the rebranding and the downsizing of the lab’s renewable-focused missions.
* Budget Cuts: The lab’s primary funding source, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, was recently hit with a 10% budget cut (though it avoided a proposed 75% slash).
* Impact on Deployment: The cuts are affecting staff who worked on practical deployment, such as helping farmers and small businesses transition to clean energy, signaling a retreat from federal support for renewable adoption.
What they’re saying:
“These actions were taken to adjust to existing and projected funding levels and alignment with DOE priorities.”
— David Glickson, NLR Spokesperson.
SOLV Energy IPO’s to $6B Nasdaq debut
What’s new:
SOLV Energy shares surged 20% in their public debut on Feb. 11, valuing the solar and storage contractor at nearly $6 billion.
* The Numbers: The company raised $512.5 million by selling 20.5 million shares at $25, but opened trading at $30.
* The Strategy: CEO George Hershman confirmed the proceeds will be used to pay off a term loan, allowing SOLV to exit the IPO completely debt-free.
* Their Pipeline: The company boasts an $8 billion backlog of engineering and construction contracts, providing clear revenue visibility for the next 24 to 36 months.
Why it matters:
* Market Rebound: The successful listing suggests that Federal Reserve rate cuts are finally reopening the IPO window for capital-intensive climate firms, even amid political volatility in Washington.
* Safe Harbor: Investors are gravitating toward “infrastructure enablers” (construction and maintenance) and view SOLV’s service-based model as a safer bet against fluctuating power prices.
What they’re saying:
“It gives us a lot of visibility into the next 24 to 36 months... and it gives us a lot of certainty of how the business will perform moving forward.”
— George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy.
Sources:
Anonymous donor helps Philadelphia Habitat for Humanity homes go solar
National Lab of the Rockies, formerly NREL, lays off more than 130 employees
National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly NREL) lays off 134 people
SOLV Energy fetches $6 billion valuation in strong Nasdaq debut | Reuters
