Chris Crowell

The craft beer category isn't as molten hot as it once was, but mid-scale chain restaurants are in the tar pits.

The buildout of the U.S. solar module supply chain is coming along slowly, but surely. Solar cells are the most crucial component to onshore from a domestic content perspective, but a 100% U.S.-made solar module is not complete without a frame – and Origami Solar is one step closer to pumping out U.S.-made steel module frames in 2025.

The solar module pricing pendulum continues to swing. Back in Q2, solar module marketplace Anza reported that the AD/CVD tariff petition on Southeast Asia (SEA) module imports, and the removal of the Section 201 tariff exemption for bifacial modules, drove price increase in Q2. Cut to Anza’s Q4 Pricing Insights Report and there is now an oversupply of non-domestic modules – imported in high volumes ahead of the new AD/CVD duties – which has resulted in lower prices. Meanwhile, prices for U.S.-manufactured solar modules are diverging based on solar cell supply.

As a warm-up act for the next administration, the Biden administration is doubling the Section 301 tariffs on solar wafers and polysilicon imported from China. These are key inputs for any solar module manufacturing supply chain, and China is the global leader in those categories. The rates for solar wafers and polysilicon will increase to 50 percent. These tariff increases will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Solar module manufacturing in the United States will get another shot in the arm later in 2025 from new entrant NuVision Solar. This American-owned operation based in West Palm Beach Florida will be producing both solar cells (heterojunction) and modules, which is crucial for earning the domestic content tax credit adder

Back in 2022, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. leadership told CBB they wanted prioritize on-premise sales and taproom expansion vs. high production volumes and wide distribution.

Lakewood Brewing sold special 6 liter Methuselah bottles of Bourbon Barrel Temptress signed by founder Wim Bens for $300 -- and sold out!

In the United Kingdom, the decreased interest in alcohol is continuing during the Christmas season, which is particularly noteworthy.

Solar panel recycling is a volume game, and establishing consistent flows to dedicated recyclers is crucial. So, kudos to solar contractor and O&M company STG Solar for inking a strategic partnership for “project lifetime solar panel recycling services” with a dedicated solar panel recycler. The partnership establishes a streamlined solar recycling process for STG Solar during all lifetime phases, including construction and operation, as well as repowering of future systems and 1.9 GWs of existing projects.