Solarplaza Webinar | Securing US solar & storage projects before and beyond 2026

Solarplaza Webinar | Securing US solar & storage projects before and beyond 2026

by Solarplaza

Applied Sciences & Engineering Economics & Finance KNBEnergy industries and utilitiesKNBTAlternative and renewable energy industries
🎙 Solarplaza 👥 3K 📅 September 3, 2025 ⏱ 44 min 👁 51 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-17
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

physical work testsafe harbortax equityUFLPAenergy arbitrage

Summary

This Solarplaza webinar brings together four experts to discuss the critical challenges and strategies for securing solar and storage projects in the US before and beyond 2026. The panel covers the immediate impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, focusing on the new rules for starting construction to qualify for tax credits. Key topics include the shift from the 5% safe harbor to the physical work test for solar and wind, documentation best practices, and the importance of overlapping workstreams. The discussion also addresses the upcoming prohibited foreign entity rules, supply chain scrutiny under UFLPA, and the addition of lithium to the high-priority list. For the post-2026 period, the panel explores the evolving business model for energy storage, moving from ancillary services to energy arbitrage and voluntary offtake, and the challenges of bringing non-lithium technologies to market due to roundtrip efficiency barriers. The webinar concludes with an audience Q&A covering topics such as revenue stacking, hedge funds in offtake contracts, and the impact of tariffs and manufacturing incentives.

169 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The webinar provides valuable, actionable information for industry professionals, particularly developers and investors. The panelists offer practical advice on navigating complex tax credit rules, such as the importance of documenting physical work and the benefits of overlapping workstreams. The discussion on the shift from safe harbor to physical work test is well-argued, with Jenny Speck providing clear explanations of the regulatory changes and their implications. The panel also offers insightful perspectives on the future of energy storage, with Emma Konet highlighting the challenges of roundtrip efficiency and the need for diversified revenue streams. The argumentation is solid, grounded in the panelists’ extensive experience, though it is primarily opinion-based rather than data-driven.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The webinar demonstrates a high level of scientific rigor in its analysis of regulatory and market developments. The panelists cite specific IRS guidance, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and UFLPA enforcement, showing a strong command of the subject matter. However, the discussion relies on expert opinion rather than peer-reviewed sources, which limits its scientific rigor. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on securing projects before and beyond 2026. The webinar is well-structured, with clear sections on tax credit timelines, business model shifts, and audience Q&A. No comments were provided for analysis.

219 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the webinar's focus on securing solar and storage projects before and beyond 2026, covering compliance, trade risks, and revenue strategies.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

Panel of recognized industry experts (tax, finance, technology) providing practical insights on regulatory and market changes. Information is current and specific, but lacks peer-reviewed sources and is based on expert opinion rather than original research.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • IRS Notice 2025-XX (placeholder) — The webinar references IRS guidance on the physical work test and safe harbor changes, but no specific URL is provided.

Contribution & Novelties

The webinar offers a timely and comprehensive overview of the regulatory and market shifts affecting US solar and storage projects, particularly the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the new IRS guidance. It provides practical insights from industry experts on how to navigate the physical work test, manage supply chain risks, and adapt business models for the post-2026 era. The discussion on the addition of lithium to the UFLPA high-priority list is particularly novel and relevant.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 — Background on the original legislation that shaped the tax credits discussed.
  • UFLPA Strategy — Official information on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, relevant to supply chain compliance.
  • Energy Storage Grand Challenge — U.S. Department of Energy initiative on energy storage, relevant to the technology barriers discussed.

137 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity of information and technical level, reflecting the depth of regulatory and market analysis. The quality of information and global reliability are slightly lower, consistent with the expert-opinion nature of the content. The overall profile indicates a technically rich but not fully peer-reviewed source.

Reliability 7/10