Author

Ben-Zientara_USA-Freelancer-scaled

Ben-Zientara_USA-Freelancer-scaled

Ben Zientara

Ben Zientara is a journalist, writer, and policy analyst in the solar industry, where he has worked since 2014. Currently the Associate Editor of pv magazine USA, his written work has informed a broad variety of audiences, teaching homeowners about the state policy and incentives that enable their dreams of going solar and keeping industry professionals up to date on the latest news about solar technology, finance, legislation, and regulatory policy.

In addition to his written work, Ben has hosted informational videos for the SolarReviews online platform and addressed audiences of industry professionals at multiple NABCEP CE conferences. His solar policy analysis work has been covered by both clean energy trade publications and national media outlets like Fast Company, NPR, Politifact, and the New York Times, and is currently included in the annual Community Power Scorecard from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

[email protected]

Articles written by Ben Zientara

Markets & Policy

U.S. government finalizes trade duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued final dumping and subsidy duty rates on solar imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, setting combined margins as high as 234% for India, 178% for Indonesia, and 103% for Laos.

Ryan Kennedy, Ben Zientara

Sep 14, 2026

Technology & Products

Unigrid unveils sodium-ion residential energy storage systems Unigrid has launched Na+Casa, a sodium-ion residential energy storage system using its proprietary NaCrO₂ cathode technology, claiming a 10,000-cycle lifespan, wide temperature tolerance, and improved safety compared with lithium-ion batteries. The 9.25 kWh wall-mountable system has begun initial European installations, with US launch planned for 2026.

Ben Zientara

Jul 09, 2026

Technology & Products

Trump administration reportedly drafting ban on Chinese solar inverters The ban, which sources say is being drafted by the Federal Communications Commission, may take effect as early as this year, and follows actions in Europe to restrict funding for projects that use inverters from “high-risk” suppliers.

Ben Zientara

Jul 01, 2026

Applications & Installations

US adds 6.4 GW of utility-scale solar, wind, storage in Q1 Report from the American Clean Power Association finds told clean power capacity in the U.S. hit 370 GW in Q1, enough to power 80 million homes, while the pipeline for new projects grew 6% over the previous year.

Ben Zientara

Jun 05, 2026

Technology & Products

Tandem PV announces 30.4% efficient perovskite/silicon demonstration module The 100 cm² mini-module, featuring the company’s proprietary 4-terminal perovskite glass layer atop a high-efficiency Maxeon IBC silicon solar cell, is now in third-party certification. Company CEO Scott Wharton says the breakthrough paves the way for full-size modules that hit 28% efficiency later this year, aimed at the utility-scale market.

Ben Zientara

Jun 02, 2026

Technology & Products

Intertek forecasts higher US solar module prices through 2027 Intertek CEA says tariffs tied to a Section 232 polysilicon probe could push US solar module prices higher through 2027 despite growing domestic manufacturing capacity.

Ben Zientara

Mar 17, 2026

Technology & Products

Qcells resumes US solar panel production after customs furlough Qcells says it has resumed solar panel production at its Georgia manufacturing facilities after US Customs and Border Protection released seven solar cell shipments from South Korea that had been held under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), forcing a furlough of 1,000 workers and temporarily halting output at the second-largest module factory in the United States.

Ben Zientara

Mar 09, 2026