Japanese Firm GBP Launches Fencing for Solar and BESS Sites
Japanese clean‑energy firm GBP K.K. has introduced customizable perimeter fencing for grid‑scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems. The fences use modular high‑carbon steel mesh with optional barbed or blade wire, mounted on galvanized, polyester‑coated steel posts to withstand harsh terrain and UV exposure. GBP also offers the H‑3000 ES/SP acoustic panel, delivering over 20 dB noise reduction for BESS sites near residential areas. The solution includes noise analysis, design optimisation, installation and post‑operation monitoring.
Thermochromic Bifacial PV Glazing System for Reducing Building Cooling Loads
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have created a thermochromic bifacial photovoltaic (TC‑BiPV) glazing system that combines a hydrogel‑based thermochromic layer with bifacial solar cells. The hydrogel switches from transparent to translucent as temperature rises, reflecting light toward the...
US Wafer Origin Rules Put Solar Domestic Content Bonus at Risk
The U.S. Treasury and IRS have issued guidance that could strip the 10% domestic‑content bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act from solar cells that rely on imported silicon wafers, even if the wafers are later coated domestically. The rule hinges...
Japan Publishes New Guidelines for Flexible Solar Cell Installations
Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has issued new design and construction guidelines for flexible photovoltaic (PV) and perovskite solar installations, focusing on structural load, frameless mounting and flammability. The standards target low‑load rooftops and building walls...
India’s PV Module Manufacturing Capacity Tops 210 GW
India added 119 GW of solar module capacity and over 9 GW of cell capacity in 2025, pushing cumulative module capacity to roughly 210 GW and cell capacity to 27 GW, according to Mercom India. The surge was driven by robust utility‑scale pipelines, the...
Solar-to-X Could Redefine Iran’s Energy Future
Iran could pivot from oil‑centric growth to a solar‑led energy system by 2050, with solar PV providing over 80% of installed capacity and 93% of electricity generation. The study projects a 1.66 TW installed power base, 3,200 TWh of renewable electricity, and...
China’s New Five-Year Plan Deepens Shift Toward Focus on Renewables System
China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) places clean electricity at the heart of its economic strategy, shifting focus from merely adding wind and solar capacity to building an integrated “new energy system.” The plan calls for incremental clean power to meet...
UAE Installs Around 1 GW of Solar in 2025
The UAE installed roughly 1 GW of solar power in 2025, lifting cumulative capacity from 5.7 GW to about 6.7 GW. GlobalData projects an additional 2.4 GW will be added in 2026, taking the total to 9.4 GW, and forecasts a compound annual growth rate...
Dutch Startup Plans Roll-to-Roll Factory for Perovskite Solar Cells
Dutch research institute TNO has spun off Perovion Technologies to industrialise lightweight, flexible perovskite solar cells. The company aims to construct the first roll‑to‑roll perovskite manufacturing line in the Netherlands by 2030, targeting applications where glass panels are impractical. A...
Arctech Presents Dry Cleaning Robot Weighing Just 38 Kg
Chinese firm Arctech Solar has launched the Star Shine I, a 38 kg autonomous dry‑cleaning robot for utility‑scale photovoltaic plants. The robot can travel 10‑18 m per minute, covering up to 3 km round‑trip (9 km one‑way) and achieves more than 99.5 % cleaning efficiency....
Ciemat Unveils Large-Area Multispectral Solar Simulator for PV Module Testing
CIEMAT has launched a large‑area multispectral solar simulator designed for precise electrical characterization of full‑size photovoltaic modules. The system delivers better than 0.4% spatial irradiance uniformity, 500 ms LED illumination pulses and dynamic I‑V acquisition, enabling single‑pulse testing of high‑capacitance modules....
Is Switzerland Going Back Contact?
Back‑contact (BC) solar modules from Aiko Solar and Longi captured over 50% of Switzerland's rooftop PV market in 2025, driven by a premium on module efficiency rather than price. The report notes a gradual decline in the AC/DC ratio to...
Pii Energy Unveils Plug-In 1.2 kW Solar, 2 kWh Home System
Pii Energy has introduced the Edge 2000, a plug‑in solar‑plus‑storage kit aimed at renters and apartment dwellers. The system pairs 1.2 kW of photovoltaic panels with a 2 kWh battery, ten smart outlets, and a Raspberry Pi‑driven controller. Priced at roughly $2,400, it...
Ukraine Prioritizes Solar-Plus-Storage in Renewables Auctions
Ukraine enacted Law No. 4777-IX, overhauling 15 energy‑market statutes and creating a dedicated solar‑plus‑storage auction track. The new framework extends renewable support to 2034, mandates a minimum 10% quota for solar‑plus‑storage, and sets a €0.12/kWh price ceiling. It also eases...
The Hydrogen Stream: Atome Secures $420 Million Debt for Paraguay Plant
Atome secured a $420 million debt package to fund a $650 million low‑carbon fertilizer plant in Paraguay, targeting 260,000 tonnes of output per year and marking one of the first industrial‑scale green‑hydrogen fertilizer projects outside the EU. Meanwhile, Asahi Kasei began installing a 1 MW...
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Wafer Prices Fall on Weak Demand
The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association reported that polysilicon and wafer prices fell sharply this week, with n‑type re‑feed and dense polysilicon down about 6.4% to CNY 45,200 per tonne. Wafer prices slipped as well, with G10L at CNY 1.03, G12R at...
Sigenergy Unveils 166 kW Inverter for C&I Solar
Chinese solar equipment maker Sigenergy has introduced a 166 kW IP66‑rated inverter aimed at commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects. The unit features nine MPPT trackers, a peak efficiency of 98.7%, and flexible three‑phase AC outputs up to 480 V, while tolerating...
Bahrain Reveals Qualified Bidders for 100 MW BAJ Solar IPP Project
Bahrain’s Electricity and Water Authority has shortlisted Saudi‑based ACWA Power and UAE‑based Yellow Door Energy to develop a 100 MW solar plant in Bilaj Al Jazayer under a build‑own‑operate public‑private partnership. The project targets commercial operation by 30 September 2027 and forms part...
Increased Spacing Between Solar Module Rows Boosts Agrivoltaics Viability
U.S. researchers at Colorado University introduced an economic framework that evaluates how wider spacing between solar photovoltaic (PV) rows can make agrivoltaic systems viable for large‑scale, mechanized farming. Simulations on a 160‑acre Colorado site across potatoes, onions, sugar beets and...
Japan Establishes National Benchmarks for Agrivoltaics as Sites Expand
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has introduced national benchmarks for agrivoltaics after 24% of projects reported reduced crop yields in fiscal 2023. By the end of FY2023, 6,137 sites covering 1,361.6 hectares were approved, prompting tighter oversight. New...
Vikram Solar’s PowerHive Unit Launches VION Lithium Batteries in India
PowerHive, the energy‑storage arm of Vikram Solar, has introduced the VION lithium‑battery portfolio for residential backup, e‑rickshaws and distributed energy projects. The launch includes five commercial products spanning inverter batteries, integrated inverter‑battery kits, and dedicated e‑rickshaw packs. By moving beyond...
GoodWe Introduces Low-Noise All-in-One Storage System for Rooftop PV
GoodWe has launched a three‑phase all‑in‑one energy storage system for rooftop PV, integrating inverter, battery and AI‑driven energy management in a single unit. The system operates at a whisper‑quiet 30 dB, earning TÜV Rheinland’s world‑first Grade A low‑noise certification, and can reduce...
Heat Pumps Are Transforming Domestic Hot Water Production – How to Avoid Hygiene Risks?
Heat pumps are rapidly becoming the preferred method for domestic hot water (DHW) production across Europe, driven by decarbonisation goals and the rise of rooftop photovoltaics. Their low‑temperature operation (45‑55 °C) maximises efficiency but overlaps the growth window of Legionella pneumophila,...
Toshiba Rolls Out AI-Powered Solar Plant Portfolio Management Platform
Toshiba has launched EneTogo, an AI‑driven PV management platform within its Spinex for Energy suite, enabling real‑time monitoring and O&M of distributed solar plants. The system automatically calculates capacity factor, performance ratio, and lost generation while detecting zero‑output faults using...
Research Shows Conventional Solar Arrays Can Support Livestock Grazing
A new study by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry, based on research from the University of Göttingen and the University of Cologne, examined five German solar parks over 18 months. It found that vegetation growing under and between...
Russia Adds Around 100 MW of Solar in 2025
Russia added roughly 100 MW of solar in 2025, bringing total installed capacity to about 3.1 GW. The increase follows the government’s capacity‑supply agreement framework that guarantees long‑term payments for utility‑scale projects. GlobalData forecasts annual additions of around 200 MW, pushing cumulative solar...
India Launches Tender for 1 GW Round-the-Clock Renewable Power
Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has opened a tender for 1 GW of round‑the‑clock renewable power projects, mandating integrated energy‑storage systems. The projects will follow a build‑own‑operate (BOO) model and attract 25‑year power purchase agreements with Indian distribution companies. Bidders...
New Simulation Platform Lets Energy Operators Train Against Realistic Cyberattacks
German Fraunhofer FKIE researchers unveiled PowerRange, a virtual cyber‑range that lets power‑grid operators test defenses against realistic attacks. The platform models both traditional centralized networks and renewable‑heavy, decentralized grids, integrating IT, OT and control‑room environments. It supports multi‑stage scenarios—reconnaissance, lateral...
Waaree Solar Americas Invests $30 Million in Omani Polysilicon Supplier
Waaree Solar Americas is committing roughly $30 million to United Solar Holdings by purchasing 5.37 million Series B preferred shares. The deal locks in a long‑term source of fully traceable polysilicon from United Solar’s newly operational plant in Oman. The Omani facility is...
Transparent Superhydrophobic Self-Cleaning Coating Increases Solar Cell Efficiency by 4.75%
Researchers have created a transparent, PFAS‑free dual‑layer sol‑gel coating that renders solar panels superhydrophobic while preserving high light transmission. Laboratory tests showed the coating raises photovoltaic efficiency from 13.90 % to 14.56 %, a 0.66‑point gain, and demonstrates strong abrasion, chemical and...
NanoMalaysia Unveils Sodium-Ion Prototype Surpassing 300 Wh/Kg
NanoMalaysia Berhad unveiled a sodium‑ion battery prototype that delivers over 300 Wh/kg, placing it among the world’s most advanced sodium‑ion systems. Developed under the NanoMalaysia Energy Storage Technology Initiative in partnership with International Battery Centre Sdn Bhd, the prototype demonstrates performance...
Wales First Part of UK to Mandate Solar Panels on New Buildings
Wales will become the first UK region to require solar panels on new domestic and commercial buildings, with the rule taking effect on 4 March 2027. The updated building regulations mandate a "system for renewable electricity generation," which industry analysts say will...
Hizenergy Launches Four-Product C&I Storage Lineup with 300 kW PCS
Hizenergy has unveiled a four‑product commercial‑and‑industrial (C&I) energy storage portfolio, highlighted by a 300 kW low‑voltage PCS that plugs directly into 400 V distribution networks. The lineup also includes a 460 kW PCS and two storage systems delivering 627 kWh and 1,172 kWh respectively. By...
Netherlands Hits Record Electricity Production and Exports in 2025
The Netherlands set a new electricity production record in 2025, generating 132 billion kWh – a 10% increase over 2024. Renewables accounted for 49% of output, driven by a 17% jump in solar generation and the first full year of offshore wind...
Japan’s 27th Solar Auction Concludes with Average Final Price of $0.029/kWh
Japan’s Green Investment Promotion Organization wrapped up its 27th utility‑scale solar auction, allocating 79 MW at an average price of JPY 4.61/kWh ($0.029). The auction saw a zero‑yen bid for a 400 kW project and a highest bid of JPY 6.49/kWh, well below the...
‘Battery Atlas 2026’ Maps Europe’s Cell, Pack and Battery Manufacturers
The third edition of the Battery Atlas 2026, released by RWTH Aachen University, maps Europe’s entire lithium‑ion battery value chain. While more than 2,000 GWh of cell capacity was announced in 2023, the realistic outlook for early 2026 is about 1,190 GWh,...
Midsummer Secures Second Order for CIGS Production Line Equipment
Swedish thin‑film specialist Midsummer landed its biggest contract to date, a SEK 236 million deal for a complete DUO CIGS solar‑cell production line. The order follows a May 2025 SEK 143 million purchase for a 15 MW turnkey line from the same undisclosed Swedish defense...
Small 24/7 Clean Power Commitments Could Cut Costs for Long-Duration Storage
Researchers at TU Berlin and Princeton demonstrate that early 24/7 carbon‑free electricity commitments can dramatically lower the cost of emerging clean‑energy technologies such as iron‑air batteries and Allam‑cycle generators, creating a virtuous learning loop. Their model shows that commitments equivalent...
Thermocold Debuts Air-to-Water Heat Pump for Commercial Buildings
Thermocold has launched the AWA HP SEA/XEA, an air‑to‑water heat‑pump series for commercial buildings. The line spans 124‑644 kW heating and 128‑632 kW cooling capacities, delivers a COP of 3.05‑3.49, and can operate at outdoor temperatures as low as –15 °C. Units are...
Hinen Releases Residential Off-Grid Inverter
Hinen has launched the N3300S, a 3 kW residential off‑grid inverter that merges a pure‑sine‑wave inverter with an integrated MPPT solar charge controller. The unit is offered in 2.4 kW, 3.0 kW and 3.3 kW variants and can deliver up to 6 kVA surge power...
Jackery Introduces SolarVault 3 Series of Residential Solar Storage Solutions in the Netherlands
Jackery unveiled its SolarVault 3 series of residential solar storage solutions in the Netherlands, offering three models tailored for apartments, larger homes, and existing PV installations. The S3 Pro and S3 Pro Max deliver up to 4000 W solar input with...
Key Takeaways From Italy’s Key Energy Trade Show
The Energy Transition Expo in Rimini attracted 1,065 exhibitors and 530 buyers, marking a 10% rise in overall attendance and a 9% increase in foreign visitors. The show highlighted energy‑as‑a‑service models and a surge of interest in agrivoltaic projects, with...
Growing Pains: Grid Congestion as a Renewables Bottleneck
Grid congestion in the U.S. is becoming a major bottleneck for renewable energy projects, limiting revenue for IPPs and C&I owners even when assets are fully built and financed. The article highlights that while utilities focus on technical solutions, the...
Energy Storage Inspection 2026: Fox ESS, SMA, SAX Power, Kostal and BYD Impress with High Efficiency
The Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) and spin‑off Aquu released the 2026 Energy Storage Inspection results, testing twelve 5 kW and 10 kW photovoltaic storage systems. Fox ESS topped the 10 kW DC category with a record 97 % System Performance Index...
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Longi Tops 800 MW Hexi Solar Module Tender
Longi’s subsidiary Longi Solar Technology secured the top spot in an 800 MW PV module tender for Gansu’s Hexi new energy base, offering a bid of CNY 0.754 ($0.104)/W and committing to delivery by June 2026. Canadian Solar announced that its 2 GW heterojunction...
Freight Costs Increase Following Military Strikes in the Middle East
Freight rates from the Far East to the U.S. and Europe rose sharply after recent military strikes in the Middle East, according to Xeneta data. Spot prices jumped about 10% on West Coast routes and 9% on East Coast routes,...
Solis Launches New Residential Storage System Portfolio
Chinese inverter maker Solis has introduced the SolisStorage residential battery portfolio, adding three product lines—IntelliHome, FlexHome and FlexAIO—to its lineup. All units use lithium‑iron‑phosphate chemistry, support a 90% depth of discharge, and are rated for up to 8,000 cycles with...
TCL Sunpower Presents Shingle TOPCon Solar Panels for Rooftop PV
TCL Sunpower has launched two new shingled‑module TOPCon series for rooftop solar, expanding its P Class portfolio. The residential RES Black line offers 465‑475 W modules with up to 23.8% efficiency, while the commercial COM series delivers 580‑600 W and up to...
Trina Solar Unveils 485 W TOPCon PV Panel with 24.3% Efficiency
Trina Solar unveiled its third‑generation Vertex S+ G3 dual‑glass TOPCon modules at the Key Energy trade show in Rimini, delivering up to 485 W power and a record 24.3% conversion efficiency. The five variants span 465‑495 W, feature a –0.26% /°C temperature coefficient,...
Germany’s Texxecure Launches Standardized Quality Rating for PV Systems
Germany’s Texxecure Rating Foundation has launched a standardized quality rating for photovoltaic (PV) systems that grades modules, inverters and whole projects on a AAA‑to‑D scale. The two‑step process combines a document review with an on‑site inspection, producing a single risk...