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News•Feb 25, 2026
Switzerland Streamlines Construction of Large-Scale Solar Plants
Switzerland's Federal Council will enact a draft law on April 1, 2026 to accelerate permitting for large‑scale solar, wind and hydropower projects. The legislation centralizes cantonal approvals into a single procedure and limits appeals to superior cantonal courts. It also streamlines grid‑expansion planning, while feed‑in tariff provisions are deferred. Photovoltaics generated 5.96 TWh in 2024, representing 10.36% of national electricity consumption, with cumulative capacity reaching 8.17 GW.
By pv magazine
News•Feb 25, 2026
AlphaESS Releases Containerized C&I Storage System
AlphaESS has launched the Aster TB250/TB500, a containerized battery energy storage system aimed at Europe’s commercial and industrial market. The unit fits in a standard 20‑foot container and delivers 250‑500 kW of power with 705‑1,410 kWh of energy. It is compatible with...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 25, 2026
JinkoSolar Achieves Record-Breaking 26.66% Efficiency for TOPCon Solar Cell Based on M10-Size Wafer
JinkoSolar announced a 26.6% power conversion efficiency for an industrial‑scale TOPCon solar cell built on an M10‑size wafer, setting a new world record for this technology class. The result, validated by an independent Chinese third‑party, stems from a dual‑side electrical...
By pv magazine
Deals•Feb 25, 2026
Tongwei to Acquire Qinghai Lihao in Share-and-Cash Deal
Shanghai-listed polysilicon producer Tongwei announced plans to acquire 100% of Qinghai Lihao via a share-and-cash transaction, signing an intention agreement with the target’s owners. The deal, still at a preliminary stage, was disclosed in a trading suspension notice dated Feb....
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News•Feb 24, 2026
‘Garbage in, Garbage Out’ – Solar Industry Debates Reality of AI
The Solar Quality Summit in Barcelona highlighted AI’s ability to accelerate photovoltaic project planning, construction, and operations, but stressed that its value hinges on high‑quality data. Attendees warned that “garbage in, garbage out” can magnify mistakes, making validation and human...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 24, 2026
Sodium-Ion Batteries Key to EU Competitive Edge, Says EESC President
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is pushing sodium‑ion batteries to the forefront of the EU’s industrial strategy, urging the next 2028‑2034 Multi‑Annual Financial Framework to allocate dedicated funding. EESC President Séamus Boland argues that sodium‑ion technology offers a...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 24, 2026
When Hail Hits PV: New Research Maps Damage, Testing, and Mitigation
A new European‑led review maps how large hail damages photovoltaic (PV) modules, summarising laboratory tests, simulations and field studies across Europe and the United States. The paper cites 9,882 hail events in Europe in 2023, a €6 billion loss in northern...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
Fox ESS Releases Hybrid Inverters for Commercial PV
Fox ESS has launched the H3‑Pro series, a line of five three‑phase hybrid inverters targeting commercial photovoltaic installations. The models handle 30‑50 kW PV input and 15‑30 kW AC output, support up to 200% PV oversizing, and can be paired with two CQ6...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
High-Temp Sodium-Zinc Batteries Reveal Causes of Rapid Capacity Loss
Researchers at Germany's Helmholtz‑Zentrum Dresden‑Rossendorf used operando X‑ray radiography to watch sodium‑zinc molten‑salt batteries function at 600 °C, uncovering hidden aging mechanisms. The imaging revealed liquid‑metal movement, dendrite formation, and electrolyte breakdown that together drive rapid capacity loss. Although the chemistry...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
The Redefined Role of Steel in Solar Energy Projects
Solar installations are scaling up, prompting steel to shift from a simple commodity to a strategic engineering component. Project developers now demand steel that meets strict quality, traceability, and performance standards over 25‑year service lives. Integrated production models—combining high‑volume manufacturing,...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
Morocco Sets Net‑metering Tariffs for High, Medium‑voltage Systems
Morocco’s electricity regulator ANRE announced net‑metering tariffs for high, medium and extra‑high voltage solar plants effective 1 March 2026‑28 February 2027. Plant owners will receive MAD 0.21/kWh during peak hours and MAD 0.18/kWh off‑peak, with the low‑voltage residential rate to be set later. The regime permits...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 23, 2026
Cleaver-Brooks Unvelis Air-to-Water Heat Pump for Hydronic Heating
Cleaver-Brooks has introduced the ClearAir air‑to‑water heat pump, targeting hydronic heating across residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The unit delivers up to 103 kW of thermal output and can heat water to 80 °C, eliminating the need for distribution upgrades. It features...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 20, 2026
The Hydrogen Stream: Dutch Agribusiness Installs 1 MW Electrolyzer
Dutch tulip nursery Rainbow Colors has become the first agricultural firm to commission a 1 MW solid‑oxide electrolyzer for on‑site hydrogen generation, integrated with a solar array and battery storage. The system, built with Denmark’s Dynelectro and Ekinetix, can produce hydrogen...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 20, 2026
China Wafer Prices Fall for Fourth Week as Discounting Deepens Under Inventory Pressure
Chinese photovoltaic wafer prices fell for a fourth consecutive week, with n‑type M10 wafers dropping 2.38% to $0.164 per piece and n‑type G12 falling 4.98% to $0.191. Operating rates at major wafer producers have slipped below 50%, while inventory levels...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 20, 2026
Sunoyster Offers Lightweight 440 W Glass-Covered TOPCon PV Panel
German solar tracker developer Sunoyster Systems has launched the G440, a 440‑watt TOPCon photovoltaic module that weighs just 12 kg and features a 2 mm tempered‑glass cover. The panel delivers 22.2 % efficiency using 108 half‑cut monocrystalline cells and can be glued directly...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 18, 2026
Luxembourg Launches New Tender for C&I Solar
Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy has opened a €3 million tender to fund commercial and industrial solar projects between 30 kW and 200 kW. Applications are accepted until April 17 and are split into three lots covering rooftop, façade and car‑port installations. Projects that...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 18, 2026
Long-Term Trade-Offs of Agrivoltaics on Pear Farming
A four‑year study in Victoria, Australia examined overhead solar panels in a blush‑pear orchard. The agrivoltaic systems cut sunburn and hail damage and boosted energy output, especially with a 5° west tilt that produced about 10% more electricity. However, shading...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 17, 2026
Octopus Energy Invests $1 Billion in California Clean Technology
Octopus Energy Generation is committing nearly $1 billion to clean‑technology projects in California’s Bay Area, including the acquisition of a solar‑plus‑battery installation slated to be online by July. The investment forms part of a broader $2 billion U.S. energy‑transition plan the company...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 17, 2026
Guatemala PEG-5 Tender Draws 51 Bidders for 4.7 GW of Capacity
Guatemala’s Generation Expansion Plan 5 (PEG‑5) tender attracted 51 bidders submitting nearly 4.7 GW of capacity, more than three times the 1.4 GW the government sought. About 2 GW of the offers are solar, including hybrid projects with storage, while roughly 700 MW are natural‑gas‑fired...
By pv magazine
Deals•Feb 17, 2026
Octopus Energy to Acquire California Solar and Storage Project in $1bn Investment
Octopus Energy announced a near‑$1 billion investment in California, acquiring a solar and battery project slated to be operational by July. The move expands Octopus’s US clean‑tech portfolio and supports its broader $2 billion US energy transition plan.
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News•Feb 16, 2026
Silver-Saving Efforts Ramping up in Solar Industry, Says Heraeus
Rising silver prices, now 187 % above early‑2025 levels, are pressuring solar manufacturers as silver paste can account for up to 30 % of cell costs. Heraeus forecasts a decline in photovoltaic silver demand despite stable global installations, citing ongoing substitution efforts....
By pv magazine
News•Feb 16, 2026
Key Takeaways From Solaire Expo Maroc
The 14th Solaire Expo Maroc in Casablanca highlighted Morocco’s push toward an integrated renewable ecosystem, featuring electric‑vehicle pavilions and a strong Chinese presence in solar equipment. Local distributors reported a dynamic market with rising prices after China ended VAT rebates,...
By pv magazine
News•Feb 16, 2026
French Startup Launches ‘Universal’ Home Energy Management System
French startup PvPilot has launched a fourth‑generation home energy management system (HEMS) that claims universal compatibility with all major solar inverters, batteries and EV chargers. The solution, delivered via a USB‑connected relay device, measures real‑time generation and demand to orchestrate...
By pv magazine
Deals•Feb 13, 2026
660 MWh Solar-Storage Project Secures Financing in South Africa
A private 660 MWh solar-storage project in South Africa has closed its financing, securing funding to advance the development of the renewable energy installation. The deal, announced on February 13, 2026, marks a significant step in expanding the country's clean...
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