California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 868 (SB 868), known as the Plug and Play Solar Act. It has now become the 10th US state to legalize plug-in solar or balcony solar systems under the legislation, which will take effect in 2027, according to Environmental Working Group (EWG). It will allow residents to install small plug-in solar systems without obtaining prior utility approval or an interconnection agreement. The exemption from utility interconnection requirements will expire on January 1, 2030. The legislation, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, covers portable solar PV devices with a maximum output of 1,200 W that connect to buildings through standard electrical outlets. The law is expected to expand access to solar energy for homeowners, renters and apartment residents who cannot install conventional rooftop systems. California joins the states of Utah, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New Jersey that have also enacted plug-in solar laws (see New Jersey Becomes Ninth US State To Legalize Plug-In Solar). Newsom also signed AB 864 to ease regulations for recycling end-of-life solar panels. 
US solar PV manufacturer First Solar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against JA Solar and its US subsidiary, American Panel Solutions LLC. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for Delaware, alleges infringement of First Solar’s US Patent No. 9,130,074. The patent covers manufacturing methods for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) crystalline silicon solar cells. The legal action names four JA Solar entities, namely JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd., JA Solar International, Ltd., JA Solar Vietnam Co., Ltd. and JA Solar Industrial Corp, along with AMPS as defendants. Recently, First Solar said it intends to withdraw its Section 337 complaint while continuing to pursue existing TOPCon patent lawsuits against Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar, T1 Energy and Trina Solar in the US District Court (see First Solar To Withdraw Section 337 TOPCon Patent Case).
Virtus Solis Technologies, a US-based developer of space-based solar power systems, has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Brae Systems. The latter is a developer of subsea data centers. Under the agreement, Virtus Solis will initially supply 100 MW of continuous orbital baseload solar power. The electricity will be transmitted to a receiving station in Illinois to power Brae’s data centers. The contract includes an option to increase capacity to 250 MW within three years of initial commercial operations. The companies expect the system to provide up to 2.19 million MWh of electricity annually at full capacity.
Fairtide Commits $800 Million to Maxwell Power
Maxwell Power, a US-based provider of residential and small commercial solar and battery storage systems, has secured an additional $800 million investment commitment from Fairtide Partners. Maxwell will use the proceeds to purchase solar and battery storage projects across the US. It will also help Maxwell expand its services into new markets. The latest commitment brings Fairtide’s total investment commitment to $1.8 billion for projects developed by Maxwell, following earlier commitments of $250 million in 2024 and $750 million in June 2026.
Lydian Energy Secures $300 Million Credit Facility
Lydian Energy, a US-based renewable energy and battery storage developer, has secured a $300 million credit facility from infrastructure asset manager Infranity. The financing will support the development, construction and operation of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects across the US. Lydian has a 6 GW portfolio of operating, construction-ready and development-stage projects.
ContourGlobal Completes 257 MW Solar Project
International energy producer ContourGlobal has completed the 257 MW Black Hollow Sun solar project near Severance, Colorado. Deployed for Platte River Power Authority, the project comprises two phases, with the second phase entering commercial operation in September 2026, four months ahead of schedule. It is expected to generate around 608 GWh of electricity annually. ContourGlobal developed and owns the project, while Platte River is the offtaker for clean electricity generated.
TaiyangNews 2024

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