DWEA Bulletin
January 11, 2026
Bulletins, News — by Eileen Mullin

January-February 2026 Bulletin

DWEA Bulletin

DW26 Program & Speaker Lineup
Early Bird ticket rates end January 15!
Hotel room block already 90% sold!

This year’s annual DWEA business conference features thought-provoking, motivational speakers and dedicated attendees focusing on energy security, prosperity, American jobs and domestic manufacturing, integrating with microgrids and storage, and how DW can play a growing role in utilities’ innovative efforts for resilience and widespread electrification.

DW26 will be held Mon-Weds February 23-25, 2026, again at the enjoyable Residence Inn Capital View hotel in Arlington, VA. DWEA’s Lobby Day teams will join forces with veteran industry advocates to “hike the Hill” that Weds promoting the full potential for American on-site power. For a discounted $169/night hotel reservation, make your reservation TODAY, our block is nearly sold out!

Session topics will include:

  • DWEA Leadership Panel: State of the Industry
  • Innovations in DW: Business Models
  • Transformation into New Opportunities for DW
  • Upcoming DW-to-Everything Projects: Scaling up with Microgrids & Hybrid Systems
  • Introducing New Partners & Members: Lightning Round
  • Charging Ahead: DWEA Federal Policy Agenda
  • Looking Forward: DWEA Leaders in Action
  • Updated Tax Provisions in OBBB: New Guidance on FEOC, Safe Harbors
  • Case Studies of Distributed Wind Projects; Expanding DW Markets
  • REpowering Schools DW Student Project Intros; Windustry 2026 Community Wind Awards

Our annual conference is the one time each year the DW business sector is showcased to industry game-changers, influential policymakers, and clean energy visionaries. Join decision-makers shaping our energy future while networking with national and international experts at the forefront of America’s on-site energy boom. DW26 agenda updates are posted here; presentations from DW25 are here.

2025 Competitiveness Improvement Project selections announced

Competitiveness Improvement ProjectCongratulations to the five manufacturers selected to receive 2025 CIP awards! Negotiations are currently underway for six new CIP projects:

  • Bergey Windpower (Norman, OK) will develop and certify the new Excel 75 wind turbine over three project phases, taking the simplified architecture and advanced component technology of the Bergey Excel 15 turbine to create a larger, 75-kW turbine that meets greater energy needs of many farm and agricultural customers.
  • Matric Limited (Coraopolis, PA) will address the industry’s need for cost-effective, listed, and reliable power converters and inverters for wind turbines ranging from 15 kW to 95 kW. By applying value-engineering skills to manufacturing processes, Matric will improve efficiency and reduce by 20% costs to produce the Windurance series of UL-listed inverters and power converters. This award builds on previous CIP subcontracts and leverages Matric’s strong manufacturing relationship with Windurance.
  • NPS Solutions (Darien, CT) will complete ANSI/ACP 101-1 wind turbine certification on the NPS 100C-27 wind turbine platform, expanding market access in areas with low to moderate wind resources. This award builds on past NPS awards focused on component improvement, design evaluation, blade testing, inverter listing, and certification of the NPS 100C-24.
  • Wetzel Wind Energy Services (Onalaska, TX) will develop a new 2-meter blade for the Skystream 2.4-kW turbine, which will enable the existing 2.4-kW Skystream 3.7 turbine to convert into a 3.3-kW Skystream 4.2 turbine. As the original Skystream blade tooling no longer exists, the new blade design could also retrofit existing turbines and would provide an alternative, lower-cost approach to manufacturing the blade and resuming blade production.
  • XFlow Energy (Seattle, WA) has been selected for two 2025 CIP awards. XFlow’s first award is to manufacture, install, test, and certify or list a production prototype vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) over three project phases. Building on past CIP efforts and lessons learned, XFlow’s goal is to produce a VAWT with the lowest cost of energy for its size class (15 cents per kWh, compared to a baseline of 26 cents per kWh). XFlow’s second CIP award is to advance the commercial readiness of XFlow’s power conversion and control system over the course of a three-phase project that includes component innovation, prototype installation and testing, and inverter listing. This award addresses the industry’s lack of UL 1741-SB listed power conversion system options for distributed wind energy and could impact numerous manufacturers of turbines ranging from 5 kW to 150 kW.

Opportunities for Novel Approaches Research under Northeast Sustainable Ag Grants

The Northeast SARE Research for Novel Approaches grant program offers funds for “proof of concept” applied research projects designed to confirm the benefits and/or feasibility of new practices and approaches—i.e., Novel Approaches—in agriculture.

Research for Novel Approaches Grant projects require an explicit connection to the needs and interests of farmers in the Northeast. All proposals must include documented interest among farmers and service providers in utilizing or promoting the novel approach should it be proven beneficial and feasible.

While no cap is set on total grant requests, requests typically fall between $30k and $200k. A total of $1.3 million is allocated to fund projects this cycle: 2026 Research and Education, Novel Approaches, Professional Development – Due 5 p.m. EST, February 2, 2026. More information is available here.

Question and Answer Sessions: Large Grant Programs

Northeast SARE staff will host Q&A sessions on its four large grant programs: Farming Community, Professional Development, Research & Education, and Research for Novel Approaches. Register here: northeast.sare.org/LargeGrantQA where all session recording and questions will be posted.

Member News

Sonsight Wind’s Small Turbine Progresses Towards Certification

Sonsight Wind (Loganville, GA) has applied for certification from the SWCC for its 3.5 kW wind turbine (the SS3) and will begin certification testing in January 2026 to ACP101-1 standards, marking a key milestone in its commercialization pathway.

The SS3 is built around the patented Sonsight generator design which utilizes a segmented stator to allow more power at the lower RPM’s required by the oversize rotor. The 4.4m diameter rotor allows for more energy generation at moderate wind speed sites. Additionally, the higher torques facilitated by the design allow generator induced stall for primary overspeed control.

Facilitated by its relatively low mass and thrust, the SS3 bolts directly to a Skystream tower on which it has been tested throughout its development. The picture shows the SS3 at the test site in Beech Mountain, NC. The high turbulence at the mountain ridge location does affect performance, but it also provides opportunity for the documented power performance to provide a baseline for typical real-world deployment.

“Certification is a critical gate for market access,” noted Sonsight Wind CEO Devon Rocky McIntosh. “For us, it has been a long road getting here and it’s gratifying to be progressing through this process. We’ve designed the SS3 with versatility, reliability, and ease of deployment in mind—especially for distributed applications where simplicity and resilience matter most.”

Sonsight anticipates completing certification and UL listing by June 2026 with pilot installations and early commercial rollouts to follow. The company is actively preparing for this next phase.

New AgWind Case Study: Erickson Farms

Erickson Farms case study PDFThe latest AgWind case study showcases how a Nebraskan farm owner was able to leverage distributed wind to cut energy costs and strengthen farm resilience.

Erickson Farms, a grain operation located near Funk, Nebraska, took a bold step toward sustainable energy and cost control in April 2024 when owner Erick Erickson commissioned a Bergey Excel 15 wind turbine. Installed on a 100-foot tilt-up tower, the 15 kW turbine is a visible symbol of the farm’s commitment to energy independence and financial resiliency.

Facing electricity costs on the rise, Erickson leveraged federal and USDA incentives to make distributed wind a reality for his business. The turbine’s expected output of 30,000 kWh annually covers most of the farm’s essential power use, but the system has already exceeded projections—generating 38,000 kWh in its first 15 months. With retail net metering available through Southern Public Power District and the local electricity rate near 12 cents per kWh, Erickson’s realized energy savings have topped $4,000 per year, putting the project far ahead of its payback schedule.

The financial pathway for the installation is notable: Erickson paid $109,500 upfront but was able to access a 50% USDA REAP grant and a 40% federal tax credit. Accelerated depreciation under Section 179 further reduced the net out-of-pocket cost to well under $11,000—transforming an ambitious investment into a remarkably fast return.

Maintenance costs average $400 each year. The turbine’s strong results offer more than just a financial win. The project demonstrates that wind energy can be a practical, replicable solution for agricultural businesses grappling with volatile energy markets, and sets an example for neighboring ag producers in rural Nebraska. Erickson’s experience highlights the transformative impact of well-structured incentive programs and showcases how DW can empower farmers to control their future energy costs.

Members, please submit more photos and other info for additional case studies through this form or to dwea@agwindenergy.org

AgWind Advances

AgWind✅ Opt in to AgWind outreach: We encourage landowners to enter their site info for screening & engagement here

✅ Additional Resources: 

Join DWEA’s AgWind Team for our Monthly Open Office hours available from 11-Noon Pacific / 2-3 pm ET on the 3rd Friday of every month. Register for Jan/Feb here!

Other DW Industry News

REpowering Schools Outlines 2026 Plans

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the renewable energy workforce by connecting educators, students, industry leaders, and government partners, REpowering Schools (REpS) hosts monthly Student Network calls throughout the 2026 spring, summer, and fall academic semesters, held on Wednesdays. These sessions connect students with peers and introduce them to firms across the renewable energy sector. The next REpS monthly Zoom at 2 pm ET Jan. 21, 2026, will feature Tyler Gleason, Interconnection and Engineering Lead at EDP Renewables North America. Register for this and future College Student Network Zooms on the REpS website Programs page.

REpS offers a range of opportunities for colleges and universities, along with meaningful avenues for industry engagement. Central to this work are conference experiences and student symposia, designed to expose students to real-world industry leaders and career possibilities. REpS is excited to return with student cohorts to Distributed Wind 2026 in Arlington, Virginia; ASES Solar 2026 in Austin, Texas; and RE+ 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To participate, visit the Conference Experiences & Student Symposium section of the REpS website.

REpS is also launching an Energy Academy featuring learning opportunities for college students and faculty on timely industry-relevant topics. In February 2026, REpS will co-host with AES a short webinar series on Community Engagement, and in the summer REpS will host a Google Solar Scholars short-course on solar siting challenges in Virginia. To learn more about these opportunities and sign up to participate, visit the Energy Academy section of the REpS website.

In addition, REpS is deeply committed to connecting employers with emerging talent. REpS actively encourages organizations to submit job postings to share with the network, supporting both job seekers and employers as they build the future renewable energy workforce. REpS is developing a new career assistance program, REpowering Careers, in 2026 to enhance connections between employers and college students.

Through collaboration with schools, colleges, universities, and the renewable energy industry—and in coordination with national and state initiatives—REpS supports programming that trains, engages, and sustains a diverse next generation of energy professionals. REpS supports, recognizes, and bridges the renewable energy industry with educators and academic institutions seeking to expand energy education and introduce college students to meaningful career pathways. By educating college students and their communities about renewable energy, REpS grows the pool of qualified talent while empowering informed energy decision-making.

To learn more or get involved, visit repoweringschools.org or contact a href=”mailto:info@repoweringschools.org.

NREL Renamed National Lab of the Rockies

The U.S. Department of Energy renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) on December 1, 2025. “For decades, this laboratory and its scientific capabilities have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible and delivered impact to the nation,” said Jud Virden, laboratory director of the National Laboratory of the Rockies, in a statement. “This new name embraces a broader applied energy mission entrusted to us by the Department of Energy to deliver a more affordable and secure energy future for all.”

DW Events Calendar

DWEA Member Meetings:

  • Jan 13: Midsize Committee Meeting
  • Jan 14 & Feb 11: DW Communications Meetings: Profiles and OK/ME Case Studies
  • Jan 16 & Feb 20: AgWind/REAP Open Office Hours
  • Jan 15 & Feb 19: Service Providers/Installers Meeting
  • Jan 15 & Feb 19: Federal Policy Updates
  • Jan 20: Permitting and Zoning Workgroup
  • Jan 28: State Workgroups Check-In
  • Feb 22: DWEA Board dinner

DWEA Member Meetings:

For Zoom links, calendar items, and to sign up for DWEA member work groups, contact heather@distributedwind.org

DWEA Members are encouraged to submit news about new products, services, and projects, including photos, to the DWEA newsletter editor at dweacomm@gmail.com

The deadline for our next Bimonthly Bulletin for January 2026 is Dec. 15, 2025.

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