The Energy Central Community isn't made but me or the team behind the scenes, it's made by you: the community members who every day take the time to share interesting links, write original content, and share your thoughts and questions in the comments.
In that spirit, the turning of the calendar to a new month means it's time to recognize those of you who did the most these past few weeks to drive the conversation. That's right, it's my pleasure to announce our Monthly Top Contributors for November 2025!
Each month, we recognize three standout community members who helped spark conversation, contributed actively, or jumped in as new members with a bang. These top contributors will be in three categories: Grid Builder of the Month, Power User of the Month, and Rising Star of the Month.
Here are your November 2025 Top Contributors:
Grid Builder of the Month: Ken Bossong
For starting the conversation that generated the most engagement across the Energy Central platform.
Post: Year-to-Date, Solar Has Been the Largest Source of New U.S. Electrical Generating Capacity Every Month for the Past Two Years. Solar & Wind Were 88% of New U.S. Electrical Capacity as Each Outpaced Natural Gas. (13 total comments)
Notable Comments:
Joe Deely: Are you saying we should discount solar capacity additions as compared to gas?
More gas capacity does not necessarily translate into more gas generation. So far in 2025 gas generation is down 53 TWh vs 2024.
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_1_07_b
Meanwhile, solar generation is up 61 TWh YTD. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=table_1_17_b
Is gas really baseload, or like battery storage, is it just a backup for solar?
Michael Keller: Capacity does not equal generation. Green energy inherently has a low capacity factor, generally around 30 percent.
Gas is reliable and able to fill base load and peaking needs. Green energy cannot meet base load needs but can meet some peaking needs.
Gas power plants generally operate down to about 60 percent load. Below that level, fuel needs rise significantly.
Power User of the Month: Tony Paradiso
For driving community discussion with the most thoughtful and active commenting this month.
Total Comments: 15
Notable Comments:
On This Remains the Most Alarming Cleantech Stories of the Year: "China can definitely hack the inverters. Whether sufficient hardware and/or software based methods can be deployed to block that access is the question. If not, we would be wise to stop installing Chinese inverters."
On Even the UN has raised the white flag: "As humans we have an obligation to ensure that the planet remains livable for future generations. As a 70-year old with no children, I am one of those people that won't be impacted by climate change in any appreciable way. Yet, that doesn't stop me from trying to help move the cause forward."
On The Geothermal Landscape May Soon Erupt: "Good point. Although I heard on CNBC today a guy from NERC who said one of the issues with the last big winter storms is that it got so cold that heat pumps stopped working causing people to have to quickly pivot to inefficient electric heat. I hadn't heard that before."
Rising Star of the Month: Nate Twardock
For jumping into the Energy Central community as a new member and making an immediate impact through valuable contributions.
Member since: November 3, 2025
Highlights: Nate joined just this month but did so by hitting the ground running by filling in our community on what he saw and heard at the recent DERVOS 2025 event. We're looking forward to more boots on the grounds insights from Nate!
Reflections and Takeaways from DERVOS 2025
Starting now, the winners will enjoy a special badge on their Energy Central profile for the next month recognizing their selection.
Maybe next month, you’ll be a top contributor! Need more motivation? We’re raffling off a special prize at the end of the year, and only top contributors will be entered to win.
So keep posting, commenting, and connecting!
Next recognition coming the first week of January