EnergySage Reports Busiest Month Ever
What’s new
The solar lead generation platform EnergySage says July was their busiest month since their founding in 2009. Homeowners working with installers on their site jumped 205% from last year, and questions from shoppers through the platform hit an all-time high.
Why it matters
The rush started after Congress passed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” declaring that solar energy systems must be installed by Dec. 31, 2025, to get a 30% tax credit on their total solar project cost, an incentive passed into law under the Biden Administration.
We’ve experienced this rush firsthand at Exact Solar, especially since many homeowners in our region saw record power cost increases in June.
Installers’ calendars are filling up: 35% expect to stop taking new customers before Oct. 1, and 9% say they’re already full for 2025.
EnergySage expects solar sign-ups to slow in January when the credit ends, then pick up again in the second half of 2026.
New Altitude Record Set for Solar-Powered Plane
What’s New
A Swiss pilot, Raphaël Domjan, flew a solar-powered airplane called SolarStratos up to 31,237 feet, breaking the old record of 30,298 feet that was set in 2010.
The flight lasted a little over five hours, and he even flew near a regular passenger jet. Their team sent the flight data to officials to confirm the new record.
Why it matters
These flights have repeatedly proven that planes can fly at the cruising altitude of passenger jets, without gasoline.
The team’s next goals are 10,000 meters (about 33,000 feet) and then the edge of the stratosphere.
EPA Officially Cancels Solar for All
What’s new
The EPA officially ended its $7 billion “Solar for All” program. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on X that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (which included Solar for All ) was eliminated.
Why it matters
The program gave money to 60 groups to help about 900,000 low-income households add rooftop or community solar and lower electric bills.
With the program canceled, several pending projects designed to reduce the energy bills of low-income communities are now at risk.
Sources
EnergySage sees massive spike in home solar interest with ITC set to expire
Politics EPA terminates $7 billion Solar for All program
SolarStratos: Solar-powered plane smashes altitude record held for 15 years by Solar Impulse
