The holiday season is here, and Madison is thriving in our most exciting time of the year. This month, we celebrated two ribbon cuttings for projects that are now energizing customers and communities. At the Verge conference, diversity took center stage, while GSREIA discussions advanced renewable energy policies in Louisiana and Mississippi. Meanwhile, Movember has brought camaraderie, mental health awareness, and some impressive mustaches to the team.
This month, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for two sites in Bakersfield, California. Spanning 57.85 acres, this dual-use solar and groundwater recharge project generates an impressive 15,057 MWh annually. This success showcases the power of seamless collaboration between North Kern Water Storage District, White Pine Renewables, Summit Energy, and Madison. Together, we’re setting new benchmarks for integrated energy and water management initiatives.
New rules enabling non-profits and public entities to access clean energy tax credits, along with advances in a real-time electricity market for Western states, are transforming the energy landscape—discover what these changes mean for the future.
The IRS has finalized rules under the Inflation Reduction Act, enabling non-profits and public entities to access clean energy tax credits through direct pay.
Progress is being made toward a real-time electricity market in the Western U.S., paving the way for states to better share power resources.
November marks movement in clean energy in California, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Voters approved a $10 billion bond for infrastructure projects, funding offshore wind, transmission upgrades, and long-duration energy storage to cut carbon emissions.
Legislators approved a comprehensive climate and energy bill aimed at streamlining and accelerating the permitting process, making it easier to advance clean energy projects efficiently.
Element Energy has developed a grid-scale energy storage system using batteries recycled from electric vehicles, making it the largest second-life grid battery installation in the U.S.
Madison’s CEO, Richard Walsh, explores the rapidly evolving energy landscape in his latest article published on Forbes. As he highlights, the shift from abundant, inexpensive energy is redefining how businesses must approach strategy. With challenges like extreme weather, an aging grid, AI-driven energy demand, and global uncertainties, this "new normal" presents both risks and opportunities. Richard’s article offers valuable insights for CEOs, boards, and investors looking to stay ahead in this dynamic environment. Read more to dive into his expert perspective.
Juliana Harless, Madison's Southeast Market Lead, took the spotlight at Infocast Southeast as a featured panelist, sharing her optimistic perspective on the Southeast’s dynamic and rapidly evolving energy landscape. Key topics included Mississippi’s plan to quadruple renewables, North Carolina’s efforts to replace retiring coal plants, and Louisiana’s progress on solar-friendly policies like sleeved PPAs and community solar projects—signaling exciting opportunities ahead for the industry.
From classrooms to mustaches, Madison has been on a roll! Sanjeev Udhnani led the team in packing a 26-foot truck to the brim and donating office furniture to a local school that hadn’t seen a refresh in 23 years. It’s not every day you get to declutter and make a difference for students—talk about a win-win!
Meanwhile, Movember brought out our competitive and charitable sides as we raised funds for men’s health initiatives. From epic mustaches to pushup challenges, our team showed up strong. Shoutout to Tucker Valtin for crushing 100+ miles and Mike Fahey for braving icy waters in a cold plunge. Whether it was fitness feats, fuzzy upper lips, or funds raised, Madison turned November into a month to remember!
The Madison team has been making its presence felt at key industry events. At VERGE 24 in San Jose, Crystal Williams and Katie Mancini joined a diverse crowd to explore cutting-edge solutions for decarbonization. With groups like Black@Verge and Women@Verge fostering equity, the event underscored inclusion and the role of executive leadership in systemic change. Discussions on Scope 3 emissions and AI/data centers aligned with the challenges posed by new CA/EU reporting requirements, while the CEBA partnership brought a vital customer-focused perspective.
Simultaneously, at the RE Tax Credits Conference in Washington, D.C., Kinga Cichowska, Ian Smith, Angelica De La Vega, Nick DiFerdinando, and Mohammed Rayan Hossain tackled the game-changing ITC and PTC transferability rules reshaping tax equity models. With insurance emerging as a key tool for risk management, these developments signal a new era in renewable energy finance. Both events showcased the power of showing up, learning, and partnering to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Madison recently celebrated the completion of a rooftop solar project at Kingspan Insulation’s Winchester, VA facility. Spanning 82,000 square feet, this system will generate 1.677 GWh annually, helping Kingspan achieve its goal of 100% onsite solar by 2030 while offsetting 1,172 metric tons of CO₂ each year. This collaboration sets a new standard for sustainable manufacturing.
Jennifer Brown
Diversity and inclusion expert Jennifer Brown offers a practical guide to fostering inclusivity at work, emphasizing that inclusive environments unlock human potential, driving engagement, performance, and profits. Despite increasing diversity, many employees still feel unable to fully express themselves at work. Brown addresses this by introducing the Inclusive Leader Continuum, outlining four key stages of leadership development: unaware, aware, active, and advocate.
With insights drawn from her extensive experience, she provides actionable steps for individuals at all levels—whether a CEO or entry-level employee—to drive meaningful change and create a culture of belonging. This book serves as a roadmap for understanding your role, enhancing self-awareness, and building a workplace where everyone's talents are valued and thrive.
Sarah Hall is redefining stained glass art with cutting-edge photovoltaic technology, turning traditional beauty into a powerhouse of sustainability. Her works, like Lux Gloria at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, are a breathtaking fusion of vibrant glass panels and solar cells that generate clean energy. Hall's art doesn’t just dazzle with color and light—it actively contributes to a greener future, proving that beauty and innovation can truly illuminate the world.