Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements from Hoymiles, Cypress Creek, Google, Lockhart Solar, among others.
Hoymiles Launches UL 3700-Compliant HiFlow Pro Microinverter
Hoymiles has launched HiFlow Pro in the US, described as the 1st DIY solar microinverter compliant with the UL 3700 standard for plug-in photovoltaic systems. Designed for balconies and compact rooftops, the system delivers 99.8 percent static and 99.5 percent dynamic MPPT efficiency. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enable plug-and-play commissioning in less than 60 seconds. HiFlow Pro features a Type 6 enclosure, operates from -40°C to +65°C and is backed by 250,000 hours of reliability testing. The system supports parallel operation of 4 microinverters installed in separate sockets, enabling expansion to 1,200 W of total output. The launch aims to make residential solar safer, simpler and more accessible for US homeowners and renters.
Cypress Creek and Google Break Ground on 2.5 GW Solar Project
Cypress Creek Energy and Google have broken ground on the Steel River Energy Center in Arkansas, described as America’s largest solar project to date. The first 2 phases will deliver 1.6 GWdc of solar generation and 1.9 GWh of battery storage, while the full 3-phase project will reach 2.5 GWdc of solar and 2.9 GWh of storage by 2029. The facility could power more than 315,000 Arkansas homes annually and support 700 construction jobs per phase. Google has secured energy from the first 2 phases under a power purchase agreement. The project will use more than 400,000 locally manufactured steel piles and is expected to generate around USD 300 million (EUR 262.2 million) in local tax revenue over its lifespan.
Lockhart Solar Complex Expands Beyond 530 MW
Terra-Gen’s 80-MW Lockhart Solar PV IV project has reached commercial operations in San Bernardino County, California, supplying electricity for approximately 40,000 homes and businesses annually. The final phase expands the 4-phase Lockhart Solar and Storage complex to 365 MW of solar generation and 173.7 MW of battery storage, exceeding 530 MW of total capacity and serving more than 350,000 homes and businesses. Construction created over 220 jobs at peak and recorded more than 122,000 work hours with no lost-time incidents. Spanning approximately 4,000 acres, the facility includes nearly 1 million solar modules and 248 battery enclosures. Terra-Gen also has more than 15 GW of projects in its development pipeline.
FranklinWH Joins 2 Texas Virtual Power Plant Programs
FranklinWH Energy Storage has been selected for 2 Texas virtual power plant programs operated by Austin Energy and Entergy Texas. Around 60 percent of new residential solar installations in Texas are now paired with battery storage. Austin Energy customers can receive a USD 500 upfront incentive and average annual payments exceeding USD 300, earning USD 75 per kW of average output. The pilot is limited to 1,500 systems and targets 78 MW of demand response capacity by 2027 and 270 MW by 2035. Entergy Texas customers can earn up to USD 325 annually. Both programs use automated battery dispatch through the FranklinWH App. FranklinWH now participates in 25 VPPs nationwide, expanding residential batteries as reliable grid resources.
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