If you’ve found yourself saying, “Is it really December already?” — you’re not alone.
Across the solar industry, 2025 stretched us, challenged us and kept us on our toes. Most of us are wrapping up the year feeling proud of what we pushed through and more than ready for a long weekend.
Policy shifted, FEOC guidance settled in, litigation got loud and supply chains stayed unpredictable.
And yet … here we all are. Still moving projects forward. Still solving problems. Still showing up for one another even when the coffee ran out and patience ran thin. Still building the future of U.S. clean energy together.
Before we exhale and recharge for 2026, here’s a lighter look back at the things worth celebrating — for all of us in this industry, not just inside ES Foundry.
#10 — We Made It Through a Year of Plot Twists
2025 kept everyone guessing — developers, module makers, investors, manufacturers and policymakers. Through the pivots and the uncertainty, the industry kept showing up and pushing ahead anyway. Some days that alone felt like an Olympic sport. But the collective resilience mattered.
#9 — Real U.S. Cell Capacity Came Online
Across the market, manufacturers announced plans — but only a few brought real, commercial-scale production online. It was a year where actual capacity, not future press releases, kept projects alive.
Everyone who helped build and buy U.S.-made cells this year played a role in advancing domestic manufacturing — even while juggling inboxes that never stopped filling.
#8 — Shipments That Kept Projects Moving
One of the best parts of 2025 was seeing steady flows of U.S.-made cells head to developers and module partners. Those deliveries helped keep timelines intact, supported domestic-content strategies and gave teams something increasingly rare this year: clarity.
None of that happens without close coordination and trust across the industry — and we’re grateful for every partner who kept projects advancing even on the days when the calendar felt like a practical joke.
#7 — Stability Became a Shared Priority
This year reminded all of us how vital predictability is. Developers needed it, financiers demanded it and manufacturers stepped up to provide it — with more clarity of pricing, more precise terms and clearer pathways to 2032.
A steadier footing benefits the entire market, especially when the rest of the world feels like it’s spinning a little fast.
#6 — FEOC Compliance Became Less Mystifying
Across the ecosystem, people dug in, learned the rules, asked the hard questions and figured out how to do things the right way.
Whether you were building, buying, advising or structuring deals — you helped make compliance achievable instead of intimidating. Not glamorous work, but absolutely essential — and absolutely appreciated.
#5 — Local Communities Benefited from U.S. Manufacturing
This year brought new jobs, new training programs and new optimism to regions investing in solar manufacturing — including Greenwood, S.C. The momentum wasn’t just good for companies; it was good for communities.
And that’s something the entire industry can feel proud of — even if most of us are too tired to celebrate properly until January.
#4 — Collaboration Got Projects Unstuck
One of the bright spots of 2025? Teams across the industry are talking more, sharing more and solving more problems together.
Developers, suppliers, contractors, EPCs and manufacturers found new ways to keep timelines moving — proof that collective effort — even on the busiest days — can still move projects forward.
#3 — Partnerships Made Real Progress Possible
Smooth transactions, transparent conversations and grounded expectations helped everyone this year.
If your team asked good questions, worked through complexities or simply stayed flexible — even when patience was in short supply — you were part of the progress.
#2 — Proven Tech Still Carried the Year
PERC cells quietly did what they’ve always done: deliver performance, reliability and bankability without drama. In a year full of moving parts and shifting expectations, there was something comforting about technology that simply worked.
And with domestic-content incentives now tied to availability rather than buzzwords, proven technology kept projects on track while next-gen innovations continue to develop.
#1 — The People (All of You) Made 2025 Work
Our factory teams led the way this year — operators who ran the lines with precision, quality teams who caught every detail, support staff who kept everything moving and process engineers who solved problems long before most people finished their first cup of coffee.
And they were joined by developers, policy experts, financiers and manufacturers across the industry who kept momentum alive even on the toughest days.
This year worked because people showed up, stayed committed and pushed forward together. Everyone who kept things moving — with collaboration, patience and a sense of purpose — deserves a moment of pride heading into the new year.
Looking Ahead: Recharge, Regroup and Build Momentum for 2026
End of December is the deep breath we’ve all earned.
2026 brings another chance to accelerate domestic manufacturing, strengthen supply chains and build more certainty into the market.
ES Foundry enters the year focused on being the kind of partner the industry can rely on:
- U.S.-made, FEOC-compliant crystalline solar cells available now
- Scalable, American production you can plan around
- A mindset centered on collaboration
Whatever 2026 brings, we’re ready to navigate it with you — transparently, collaboratively and with the same sense of purpose that carried all of us through 2025.
Here’s to an exciting, steadier, calmer and more productive year ahead.
Thanks for being part of this journey. Even with a bit of policy fatigue in the air, we’re grateful, we’re in this together and we’re looking ahead to 2026 with real optimism!