President’s Message
Over the past few months DWEA has been working on possible legislation that would extend the Investment Tax Credit (ITC, Sec. 48) and the domestic manufacturing credit (Sec. 45X) for distributed wind. Both are scheduled to expire at the end of 2027. On the ITC extension, we are asking for the same extension, to 2030, that large companies could receive if they met the IRS’s “safe harbor” requirements by July 4, 2026.
Our argument is that farmers and rural small businesses installing turbines up to 1 MW should get the same treatment as large corporations even though they don’t have the capabilities and resources to meet the IRS requirements. On the 45X credit we’re asking that distributed wind turbines up to 150 kW (a definition included in the OBBBA) be given the same “runway” as solar and an increased credit that accounts for wind turbine economies of scale. Finally, we are requesting that the OBBBA’s prohibition on small wind leasing be reversed. The bill did not prohibit solar leasing.
DWEA has circulated a bill request to friendly House and Senate offices. So far, no commitments but we are optimistic that we will be able to find legislative champions. We wouldn’t expect a distributed wind bill to be passed. It’s too narrowly focused. But these “marker bills” often find their provisions incorporated into larger bills that do get passed and that’s our ultimate goal.
You will hear more about this effort in the weeks and months to come.
Member News
Puerto Rico Wind & Hybrid Renewable Energy Symposium 2026
Daki Green Energy is organizing the Puerto Rico Wind & Hybrid Renewable Energy Symposium 2026, bringing together project developers, technology providers, policymakers, and facility operators from across Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean. The event will spotlight how distributed wind, solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hybrid microgrids are reshaping energy resilience and reliability while reducing operating costs for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and municipal facilities. To learn more and register see: www.dakigepr.com
Bergey Windpower Receives UL 6142 Certification for its Excel 15 Turbine
In May BWC received certification for its Excel 15 turbine to the Standard for Safety, Small Wind Turbine Systems, UL 6142, which covers electrical safety. The National Electric Code (NEC) now requires that wind turbines be “listed” and that means certified to UL 6142 (small turbines) or UL 6141 (large turbines). Building code officials will look for this listing label and if not found they will require an expensive “field examination” before issuing a permit. This is different from the turbine certification required by the IRS, either AWEA 9.1 or ACP-101.
BWC’s UL 6142 certification was issued by QPS Evaluation Services of Toronto, Canada. It is believed to be the first UL 6142 certification issued for a small wind turbine. “This certification will make it easier for our customers to get their permits and, in some cases, to qualify for incentives,” noted Mike Bergey, BWC’s President and CEO.
DW Sector News
NLR Previews Next Round of Distributed Wind CIP Funding
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) has released a pre‑solicitation notice signaling its intent to issue a full and open 2026 Request for Proposals for the Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP), DOE’s flagship R&D program for small and medium distributed wind manufacturers.
CIP provides cost‑shared, firm fixed‑price subcontracts and intensive technical assistance to American companies to optimize turbine and power electronics designs, advance manufacturing, complete certification testing, and commercialize and field‑validate new and improved distributed wind technologies. The forthcoming RFP is expected to open in August 2026, with a 30-day response period and anticipated performance periods beginning in spring 2027. As in the past the awards will require price participation (cost share), U.S. incorporation, demonstrated team capabilities, and work performed in the U.S. or its territories (unless otherwise justified).
For DWEA members, this notice is an early signal to line up project concepts, partners, and cost share for the next round of CIP funding, which historically has directed the majority of awards to DWEA member companies and has been central to making distributed wind more cost‑competitive, reliable, and interoperable with other distributed energy resources.
DWEA members developing new turbines, controls, power electronics, or advanced manufacturing approaches—or seeking to complete standards‑based certification and field validation—should watch the SAM.gov page for the official RFP posting and use this lead time to refine scopes, assemble teams, and prepare the financial and technical documentation required for competitive proposals.
DWEA–Sandia Webinar Series Continues: Next topic on Hybrid Micro Designs
Sandia National Laboratories and DWEA are partnering on a webinar series designed to advance the technical foundations of distributed wind and hybrid systems. Building on the May 2026 session on Interconnection Standards and the June 2026 deep dive into AI-driven Power Management Controls, the series brings together national lab expertise and industry perspectives to address real-world challenges in distributed wind grid integration, controls, and certification.
The next webinar in this ongoing collaboration, tentatively scheduled for August, will focus on “Wind Hybrid Micro Designs,” exploring how distributed wind can be effectively combined with solar, storage, and advanced controls in microgrids and hybrid configurations. This upcoming session will highlight design considerations, performance optimization, and lessons learned from Sandia’s research, continuing the series’ emphasis on practical solutions for developers, utilities, and technology providers working at the cutting edge of distributed wind.
Sign up here to get updates on future DWEA webinars and related news
Lawyers for Good Government brief on new “Prohibited Foreign Entity” rules
Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) has issued a new guidance brief on “Prohibited Foreign Entity” (PFE) restrictions that now apply to key clean energy tax credits, including the new clean electricity ITC (Section 48E) and PTC (Section 45Y).
The brief explains how ties to certain “covered nations” can disqualify entities from claiming these credits, and highlights rules that can deny or recapture credits based on contracts giving foreign counterparties “effective control.” It also outlines new material‑sourcing limits for projects beginning construction after 2025, along with interim safe harbors that rely on IRS Notice 2025‑08 and supplier certifications. Read more: https://l4gg.docsend.com/view/e3qbiebmyptnjjxc
USDA Rural Development’s New Eligibility Lookup Tool
USDA Rural Development has launched a new online Eligibility Lookup Tool that lets users quickly check location-based eligibility across multiple programs—including Community Facilities, Electric, OneRD Guarantee, Rural Business and Cooperative Services, and Water and Environmental Program—through a single mapping interface. By centralizing eligibility checks and leveraging modern geospatial technology, the tool streamlines staff workload and improves engagement with rural communities while maintaining consistency with existing eligibility data sources.
Check out the new USDA eligibility tool here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3c2f6c9581bb4f06a4ab68df8f34b0be
PNNL commences annual DW data collection
The Pacific Northwest National Lab is welcoming distributed wind project installation, sales, incentive, and generation data reflective of the year 2025 to support the annual Distributed Wind Energy Technology Data Update.
The Data Update provides a comprehensive overview of the distributed wind market and helps to guide future investments, market opportunities, and research and development needs. Please check your inboxes for PNNL’s annual data request email or check out their quick and easy online form to report 2025 installations. Thank you!
DW Events Calendar
DWEA Member Meetings:
- Sep 15: Midsize Committee Meeting
- Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15: Federal Policy Updates
- Sep 9, Oct 14: DW Communications Meetings: Profiles and Case Studies
For Zoom links, calendar items, and to sign up for DWEA member work groups, contact heather@distributedwind.org
AgWind Advances
✅ Opt in to AgWind outreach: We encourage landowners to enter site info here.
✅ Additional Resources:
- AgWind Tool – request login from: help@agwindenergy.org
- AgWind User Guide | Site Evaluation form
- Webinar Recordings: Access AgWind Assistance
- USDA State Energy Coordinators
- USDA REAP Program Information (Currently only accepting guaranteed loan applications)
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.
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 submission deadline for our Fall 2026 Bulletin is Sept 15, 2026
To add employees or colleagues to DWEA’s distribution list, subscribe them here