FTI and BioStar Renewables Collaborate to Support Clean Energy Infrastructure Nationwide
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Faith Technologies Incorporated™ (FTI), a national leader in engineering, construction, manufacturing and clean energy is working with BioStar Renewables to support the development and delivery of clean energy infrastructure projects across the United States.
The collaboration brings FTI’s capabilities in engineering, manufacturing and electrical infrastructure together with BioStar’s experience in developing, financing and operating energy projects. The result is greater support for the deployment of solar, battery storage and next-generation energy systems for customers seeking reliable, scalable solutions.
Practical, Scalable Energy
Demand for resilient, affordable renewable energy continues to grow as organizations look to strengthen operations, manage long-term energy costs and meet sustainability goals. In 2025, U.S. electricity demand rose by about 3.1% — one of the largest annual increases in recent years. Solar generation also increased about 27% over 2024 and met roughly 61% of the nation’s electricity demand growth, which shows the increasing role of renewable resources in meeting overall energy needs. Customers want solutions they can trust with systems that perform reliably, reduce long-term operating costs and support sustainability commitments without adding complexity.
“FTI and BioStar share a commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Charlie Fredrickson, executive vice president with FTI. “That alignment helps customers move forward with confidence as they invest in renewable energy infrastructure built to perform over the long term.”
“Our relationship with FTI is about making clean energy more accessible and more achievable for the customers that need it most, especially in a market that is demanding speed and reliability,” said Bill Love, CEO, BioStar Renewables. “By uniting our teams, we’re able to deliver projects that are thoughtful in design, efficient to build and dependable for decades.”
Love added, “My relationship with FTI spans more than three decades, and when choosing a long-term partner to complement our origination and development business, FTI was the obvious choice. In a market that is demanding speed, creativity, and reliability, we knew that FTI’s reputation, capabilities and ethics were well suited for a long-term partnership.”
Experience and Vision
The partnership is strengthened by a proven history of collaboration and shared values. FTI and BioStar have worked together on multiple clean energy projects, including a solar and energy storage microgrid currently under construction for MasterCard’s data center in O’Fallon, Mo. This collaboration is further supported by deep electrical expertise rooted in Bill Love’s founding of SKC Electric and its later integration into FTI, bringing complementary skillsets and aligned values that enhance the value proposition for customers.
Through this collaboration, customers benefit from coordinated expertise across key areas, including:
- Engineering, procurement and construction of distributed energy microgrids and battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- Electrical infrastructure design and installation, including EV charging and fleet adoption support
- Project financing and long-term ownership models that foster long-term relationships with customers
- Ongoing performance monitoring, maintenance and optimization ensuring that assets perform maximally for the entirety of their useful life
- Support in achieving decarbonization, resilience and sustainability goals amid tight timelines
This vertically integrated approach helps reduce complexity, streamline delivery and ensure systems are designed with both performance and practicality in mind.
From Fortune 500 campuses to municipalities and school districts, customers are seeking dependable clean energy solutions that strengthen their operations. FTI and BioStar are currently supporting clean energy projects across the country to meet that growing demand.
For more information on FTI and its services, visit faithtechinc.com.
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About BioStar Renewables
BioStar Renewables is a national leader in clean energy development, EPC services and long-term asset operations. We help organizations reduce energy costs, improve resilience and meet sustainability goals through practical, high-performance renewable energy solutions. Learn more at BioStarRenewables.com.
Infocast’s Projects & Money Conference Signals Confidence in Solar and Storage Industry
January 26, 2026—Discussions at Infocast’s recent Projects & Money Conference highlighted a growing sense of confidence across the solar and energy storage markets, signaling a continued shift toward a more mature, fundamentals-driven industry.
Across panels and conversations, industry leaders emphasized disciplined development, thoughtful capital deployment, and long-term value creation as key priorities — reflecting an evolution beyond reliance on incentives alone. While policy support remains an important accelerator, many attendees noted that solar’s competitiveness increasingly stands on its own.
Recent analyses underscore this shift. Independent studies from organizations such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Lazard show that unsubsidized utility-scale solar is now among the most cost-effective sources of new electricity generation, with levelized costs that often undercut conventional fossil fuel alternatives. In addition to cost advantages, solar’s relatively short development and construction timelines allow projects to move from planning to operation in months rather than years, providing a meaningful advantage in today’s capacity-constrained market.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) were also a prominent focus throughout the conference. As storage deployment continues to scale, its role in enhancing grid reliability and flexibility is becoming increasingly central to project development strategies. According to forecasts from Ascend Analytics, more than 30 U.S. states are expected to show strong market conditions for BESS over the next five years, reflecting growing demand for solutions that balance renewable generation and support grid stability.
The pairing of solar and storage is helping address longstanding concerns around intermittency and reliability. By storing excess daytime generation for use during peak demand periods, providing backup power during outages, and smoothing fluctuations in output, solar-plus-storage projects are increasingly viewed as comprehensive energy solutions rather than standalone generation assets.
Attendees at the Projects & Money Conference noted that this convergence of cost competitiveness, speed to market, and reliability marks a defining moment for the sector. As the energy transition enters its next chapter, the industry’s focus is shifting toward execution, risk management, and long-term planning — hallmarks of a maturing infrastructure market.
With continued collaboration among developers, investors, utilities, and policymakers, solar and energy storage are poised to play a central role in meeting future electricity demand while supporting broader decarbonization goals.
At BioStar Renewables, we’re encouraged by the conversations coming out of Infocast’s Projects & Money Conference, which reinforced what we’re seeing across our own development and financing efforts: solar and energy storage have entered a more mature, fundamentals-driven phase. The emphasis on disciplined capital deployment, execution certainty, and long-term value closely aligns with how we approach project development.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue the conversation at Infocast’s upcoming Solar + Wind Finance & Investment Conference in Phoenix, AZ, March 15 – 18. As developers, investors, and capital providers dig deeper into how renewable projects are financed and scaled, we see these discussions as critical to advancing bankable, resilient clean energy infrastructure nationwide.
Did You Know Solar Power Generation Doesn’t Stop For Snow
How Solar Keeps Performing During Winter and Snowfall
Winter weather is often misunderstood as a barrier to solar performance. In reality, modern solar systems are engineered to operate in cold climates, through snow events, and across seasonal extremes. Advances in tracking technology, system design, and controls have significantly improved winter reliability—making solar a dependable year-round energy asset.
Cold Weather Isn’t the Problem—Design Is the Difference
Solar panels are not harmed by cold temperatures. In fact, photovoltaic modules often operate more efficiently in colder conditions than in extreme heat. The primary winter challenge is snow accumulation, which can temporarily block sunlight if not properly managed.
This is where thoughtful system design and modern technology make the difference.
How Tracking Technology Helps Solar Perform in Snow
Many commercial and institutional solar projects now use single-axis tracking systems, which allow panels to rotate throughout the day to follow the sun. Beyond increasing annual energy production, these systems offer a major winter advantage: automated snow shedding.
When snowfall is detected or forecasted, tracking systems can move panels into an extreme tilt position. This steep angle allows gravity to clear snow from the panel surface, often restoring production more quickly than fixed-tilt systems. Once conditions improve, the system automatically returns to its normal operating position—without manual intervention.
Real-World Example: Westtown School, Pennsylvania
This winter, Westtown, Pennsylvania received approximately 8 inches of snowfall over a single weekend. At the Westtown School solar project, the site’s tracking system automatically adjusted the panels into an extreme tilt position, allowing snow to shed efficiently and minimizing production downtime.
Rather than waiting for manual clearing or prolonged melting, the system responded autonomously to weather conditions. This is a practical example of how modern solar infrastructure is designed to perform in real-world environments—not just ideal ones.
How Far Solar Technology Has Come
Earlier generations of solar relied heavily on fixed-tilt racking, which performed well in moderate climates but could struggle in regions with regular snowfall. Today’s systems integrate:
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Advanced tracking hardware with weather-responsive controls
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Improved module surfaces that reduce snow adhesion
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Real-time monitoring platforms that identify performance impacts quickly
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Mechanical components engineered for freeze-thaw durability
These advancements have shifted solar from a seasonal energy solution to a reliable, year-round asset.
Where the Technology Is Going
Solar technology continues to evolve with a focus on automation, resilience, and predictability. Future developments are expected to include:
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AI-driven controls that anticipate weather events and optimize panel positioning
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Expanded use of bifacial modules that benefit from snow-reflected light
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Deeper integration with energy storage to smooth winter variability
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Continued improvements in materials designed for long-term cold-climate performance
Each step forward increases confidence in solar’s ability to support critical operations in all seasons.
Why Winter Performance Matters
For businesses, institutions, and municipalities, winter energy demand often aligns with peak operational requirements. Reliable energy production during these months reduces risk and supports long-term planning.
Solar systems designed to perform in winter offer:
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More consistent annual energy output
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Reduced operational uncertainty
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Improved long-term ROI
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Stronger energy resilience strategies
Winter performance isn’t a secondary benefit—it’s a key measure of system quality.
Solar Is Built for All Seasons
Snowfall doesn’t stop solar from working. With intelligent tracking, modern controls, and resilient design, solar continues delivering value throughout winter conditions.
Projects like Westtown School demonstrate that today’s solar infrastructure is built not just to generate energy—but to perform reliably, season after season.
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Westtown School Solar Project Fact Sheet
The Westtown School solar project features a 2.013MW system delivering more than 3 million kWh of clean energy each year. Designed to offset approximately 90% of the school’s electricity use, this system significantly reduces environmental impact—equivalent to removing 275 gas-powered vehicles from the road and powering 159 homes annually.
Learn more about this project here.
Hallmark Solar Project Fact Sheet
Hallmark’s 979 kW solar installation produces over 1.3 million kWh annually, helping reduce electricity demand by roughly 10%. This project delivers meaningful sustainability benefits, including a reduction of 39 metric tons of CO2 each year and environmental savings equal to 4,430 gallons of gasoline.
Learn more about this project here.
Seaboard Energy Solar Project Fact Sheet
Seaboard Energy’s 15MW solar project located in Hugoton, KS produces over 30 million kWh annually, delivering major environmental and economic value. With an impact equal to displacing 21,000 metric tons of CO2 every year, this system generates enough clean energy to power roughly 3,000 homes and offset more than 3.3 million gallons of gasoline.
Learn more about this project here.
City of Norman, OK Solar Project Fact Sheet
This 2.27MW solar installation in Norman, Oklahoma generates more than 3.4 million kWh per year, lowering the city’s utility-supplied electricity needs by approximately 30%. The project provides substantial carbon reductions—equivalent to 2,484 metric tons of CO2—and energy savings comparable to the electricity use of 439 homes.
Learn more about this project here.
2 MW Solar Project at Pennsylvania’s Westtown School is Expected to Start Generating Powering Any Day!
October 1, 2025
From a first-of-its-kind approval under Westtown Township’s new solar ordinance to a nearly energized 2 MW array, BioStar Renewables’ featured project at Westtown School is officially in the home stretch. Mechanical installation and electrical integration are substantially complete, and initial power generation is expected next week, marking a major milestone for the campus and community.
What’s happened since groundbreaking
Over the past several months, the project team advanced construction while honoring the commitments made during approvals—maintaining low visual impact with robust landscape screening, meeting stringent stormwater requirements, and validating glare mitigation measures. Close collaboration with township officials, neighbors, and school leadership continued throughout to keep the project aligned with community expectations and the school’s sustainability goals.
Technology snapshot (from the project fact sheet)
- System size: 2.013 MWdc / 1.5 MWac
- Expected annual energy: >3,000,000 kWh, offsetting ~90% of campus electricity use
- Module tech: 550W bifacial panels on single-axis trackers to boost production
- Stringing & voltage: 27 modules per string at 1500 Vdc
- Power electronics: 125 kWac inverters operating at 600 Vac, tied into site switchgear and stepped to 4,160 V at the point of interconnection
- Annual impact equivalents:
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- moving 275 gasoline vehicles from the road
- offsetting 159 homes’ annual energy use,
- 417 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled
These details come directly from the Westtown School Solar Fact Sheet.
Why it matters
- Fast, tangible decarbonization: >3 million kWh per year of clean electricity is a step-change for Westtown’s footprint and a model for suburban campuses.
- Regulatory first: This is the first large-scale solar field approved under the Township’s ordinance limiting solar fields to 10 acres, demonstrating a clear, replicable path for future community-scale projects.
- Educational value: The array will serve as a living lab for students and faculty, with visible clean-energy infrastructure and real-world performance data.
What’s next
- Energization & commissioning: Initial power generation is slated a couple weeks out, followed by performance testing, utility witness/acceptance, and permission to operate (PTO).
- Monitoring & optimization: After PTO, BioStar will monitor output, fine-tune tracker settings, and verify that production tracks the modeled >3,000,000 kWh/year.
- Campus & community updates: We’ll share first-week production highlights, drone imagery, and curriculum tie-ins once the system is online.
Thank you to our partners
This milestone reflects deep collaboration with the Westtown School leadership and community stakeholders, Westtown Township officials, and the engineering team at Bohler, whose local expertise helped navigate approvals and site-specific design challenges.
Stay tuned for the official “power on” update— Westtown’s clean-energy future is just about to go live!
BioStar Partners With Seaboard Energy To Power Renewable Diesel Plant in Hugoton, KS
April 4, 2025
BioStar Renewables is proud to have partnered with Seaboard Energy, LLC to develop and construct a behind-the-meter solar array that is producing renewable electricity for the Seaboard’s renewable diesel plant in Hugoton, KS.
The 15 MW solar array is located at the Seaboard plant 2.5 miles west of Hugoton city-center and consists of more than 27,000 solar panels. The project is capable of producing more than 30 million kWh of electricity each year, reducing the reliance on the local utility, with the potential of displacing more than 21,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, the equivalent of providing nearly 3,000 homes with electricity or 3.3 million gallons of gasoline consumed for an entire year.
BioStar developed, provided engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the project, and successfully delivered a project that supports Seaboard’s commitment to clean energy.
To learn more about this project check out the Solar Fact Sheet here.
If you have specific questions about this project or any of our other renewable energy projects, contact David Smart.
BioStar’s ITC Guide to the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
Aug 20, 2025
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law—an historic piece of legislation that is reshaping America’s clean energy future. With sweeping changes to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), domestic manufacturing incentives, and battery energy storage eligibility, the bill represents both a massive opportunity and a pressing deadline for businesses and industries across the country.
For companies considering solar or storage investments, the time to act is now. BioStar Renewables, a national leader in solar development, compliance, and project financing, has released a guide to help businesses navigate the complexity of the new law and maximize their returns.
OBBB: A Game Changer for Clean Energy
The OBBB accelerates the ITC phase-out, reshaping the economics of commercial solar. Among its key provisions:
- ITC Available Through 2027: Projects beginning construction by July 4, 2026, remain eligible, but must be completed by December 31, 2027.
- No ITC Beyond 2027: Projects that miss these deadlines lose ITC eligibility entirely.
“This law sets a ticking clock on tax credit eligibility,” says BioStar’s ITC experts. “Businesses that don’t move quickly risk losing out on millions in incentives.”
IRS Guidance: Physical Work Matters
The IRS clarified its rules in Notice 2025-42 (issued August 15, 2025). To qualify, projects must begin “physical work of a significant nature”—not just permitting or feasibility studies. Examples include installing racking systems or manufacturing custom transformers for a project.
Importantly, the safe harbor provision based on 5% spending has been eliminated for projects over 1.5 MW, meaning developers must show real construction activity to lock in tax credits.
Financial Impacts: Opportunities and Risks
The OBBB changes the economics of solar and storage in several ways:
- 100% Bonus Depreciation
- Eligible projects can deduct their full cost in year one—replacing the traditional 5-year depreciation schedule.
- Domestic Manufacturing & FEOC Restrictions
- Beginning January 1, 2026, projects using equipment from “Foreign Entities of Concern” (e.g., Chinese components) risk losing ITC eligibility altogether.
- Compliance will tighten annually, with domestic content requirements rising to 60% by 2029.
- This shift is already driving 10–40% equipment price increases as developers rush to source pre-FEOC materials.
- Battery Energy Storage (BESS) Advantage
- BESS projects remain ITC-eligible through 2033. With wholesale electricity prices projected to spike, storage-plus-solar is positioned as a high-return strategy.
The Safe Harbor Advantage
Projects that secure equipment or start construction by July 4, 2026 can lock in ITC benefits under current rules. For example, a $1 million commercial solar system can save hundreds of thousands in tax incentives and depreciation when safe-harbored on time.
Why BioStar?
Navigating the OBBB requires expertise and timing. BioStar Renewables offers:
- Innovative Financing: PPAs, leases, and loans with no upfront costs.
- Proven Track Record: Over a decade guiding projects through ITC compliance.
- Nationwide Reach: Backed by Faith Technologies Inc. (3,000+ employees).
- Strategic Action Plan: Secure domestic content, safe harbor projects by July 4, 2026, and capture the 10% domestic content ITC adder.
Act Now
The OBBB has rewritten the rules of solar and storage development, creating an unprecedented but time-limited opportunity. BioStar Renewables is ready to help businesses act quickly, avoid rising costs, and capture the full spectrum of available incentives.
Download BioStar’s ITC Guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill here.