2026: A Year of Reset, Repowering, and Global Safety Alignment

In pv magazine USA's recent article titled "2026 is set to be a year of reset, repowering, and resilient growth", JD Dillon, Tigo Energy’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, highlights three key trends that will shape where the solar industry heads next: a breakout year for repowering, the rise of the U.S. solar “middle market”, and the expanding influence of global safety requirements. Together, these trends point to long-term success for companies delivering Total Quality Solar (TQS) - a commitment to reliability, transparency, and customer-first performance at every step.

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1. Repowering Will Become a Key Market Driver

With a growing number of PV systems reaching the age where upgrades are needed, JD points to repowering as one of the most important emerging opportunities in solar. Outdated components, reduced system output, and “orphaned” systems are key drivers, creating increased demand for service-driven companies that can restore performance.

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2. Mid-Sized Installers Will Gain Momentum

JD predicts that mid-sized solar companies, operating in fewer than three states or roughly five cities, will be the sector’s growth engine in 2026. These installers maintain strong customer relationships and efficiency in their local communities, positioning them well as quality becomes increasingly important in the market.

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3. Global Safety Rules Will Reshape Installation Standards

Rapid shutdown requirements take effect in new international markets starting January 1, 2026. As more regions adopt safety standards modeled after U.S. code, installers will need to adjust processes to avoid costly redesigns, rework, or noncompliant systems. Technologies like reliable, widely available module-level power electronics (MLPE) can help simplify safety compliance worldwide.

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Check out the full article on pv magazine USA for a deeper look at what’s ahead for the solar industry in 2026.