Soiling-related losses are among the most serious threats to PV performance. Accurate modelling of soiling has therefore become crucial in ensuring the long-term bankability of solar assets, write Tomas Cebecauer and Vicente Lara-Fanego.
In the photovoltaic (PV) dictionary, soiling is the accumulation of dust, pollen, pollution, and other particles on the surface of PV modules. As one of the local environmental factors (together with snow, albedo, wind gusts, hail, UV, corrosion, …), soiling-related losses are among the gravest yet often overlooked threats to PV performance.
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Global estimates suggest that soiling losses reduce annual PV generation by 3-5% on average, and in extreme climates, they can exceed 30%. These losses have enormous economic consequences – it’s estimated that soiling losses cost the solar industry €4-7 billion (US$4.6-8 billion) [1]. At a time when the PV industry is under pressure to deliver truly accurate and bankable outcomes, accurate modelling of soiling losses has become critical.
Soiling reduces the incoming solar radiation that reaches PV cells. This effect is quantified by soiling ratio (SR) – the ratio between actual irradiance on the soiled solar module surface and the reference case of a clean module. To put it simply, actual versus clean output. The inverse, the soiling loss (SL), directly translates into reduced energy yield.
The magnitude of losses due to soiling depends not only on the concentration of soiling particles, but also on the tilt angle of a module, surface characteristics, rainfall frequency and intensity, and cleaning interventions, whether natural or technical.
What makes soiling particularly challenging is its variability across space and time. Soiling-related losses can differ significantly by region, from just a few percent per year in temperate climate, to becoming the dominant source of performance loss in arid, dusty or polluted environments.
These effects also fluctuate seasonally, influenced by changing rates of particle accumulation and by cleaning events driven by local weather and atmospheric conditions. This variability necessitates accurate modelling that extends beyond empirical loss assumptions.
Soiling ratio, SR, compares the energy production of a PV module under polluted conditions (Epv-soiled) to its production under clean conditions (Epv-clean). The formula for SR is therefore defined as SR=Epv soiled/Epv-clean. The soiling ratio (SR) value ranges from 0 (complete obstruction by soiling) to 1 (perfectly clean PV module).
The relationship between SR and transmission loss (TL) is often assumed to be linear: TL=1-SR, which is customarily expressed in percentage as the soiling loss: SL=100·TL. This accounts for the reduction in solar energy received by PV cells after passing through the module’s glass. Given that uncertainties in model inputs can exceed the effects of nonlinearity between SR and TL, this assumption is practical for assessing soiling-related losses.
An accurate account of potential soiling losses is one of the prerequisites for accurate, not overly optimistic PV simulation; otherwise, it can lead to financial losses.
Simulating PV performance via Solargis Evaluate platform now allows for automatic simulation of soiling losses using the in-house developed Solargis soiling loss model.
The Solargis soiling loss model (Figure 1) is based on research by Coello and Boyle [2] and consists of two main components:
Accumulation of particles: The model calculates the mass (m) of suspended particles deposited on PV] surfaces, considering both natural and scheduled cleaning events. The formula used is: m=∫(v2.5C2.5+v10-2.5C10-2.5)cosβdt
Soiling ratio calculation: Once the accumulated mass (m) is determined, an empirical relationship estimates the soiling ratio: SR=1-0.3437erf(0.17m0.8473)
The Solargis methodology integrates multiple datasets describing particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), meteorological parameters and site-specific PV system characteristics. It integrates data from two leading sources:

The model accounts for deposition rates of airborne particles, the cleaning efficiency of rainfall events, wind speed, humidity and temperature, while also reflecting the influence of PV module tilt, mounting configuration, and scheduled cleaning events.
By modelling the particle deposition mass over time, Solargis estimates how quickly PV modules accumulate soiling and calculates the corresponding soiling ratio. Cleaning events, whether induced by rainfall or by technical intervention, reset the accumulation curve and are explicitly factored into the simulation.
This dynamic representation captures both the accumulation and mitigation processes that determine soiling behaviour in real operating conditions.
Scientific credibility in soiling modelling relies on validation. Solargis validated its soiling model against high-quality ground measurements from 39 dedicated soiling stations in various geographies worldwide, where soiling accumulation is observed with controlled cleaning intervals and calibrated instruments. These validations confirm that the model reliably reproduces observed soiling dynamics across diverse climates.
In addition to local validation, Solargis has developed global soiling maps, illustrating the spatial distribution and seasonal variability of soiling losses. These maps provide developers with a first-order estimate of soiling risk during site selection and feasibility studies, while detailed simulations can refine the analysis for specific projects (Figure 5).
We’ve also recently launched Solarmaps—an interactive platform where you can explore monthly solar maps and assess the impact of weather and environmental conditions, including soiling, on your PV performance.
Soiling is not merely an environmental phenomenon; it’s also a source of significant financial uncertainty. In many PV simulations, soiling contributes 5–10% of the overall uncertainty budget, and in extreme environments, this figure can be higher. When propagated through a project’s energy yield assessment, these uncertainties directly affect performance guarantees, OPEX planning and, ultimately, financial risk.
With the integration of soiling modelling into Solargis Evaluate, these uncertainties can now be systematically reduced. Evaluate simulates long-term time series at sub-hourly resolution and incorporates soiling losses directly into the energy yield chain.
Instead of guessing a fixed annual loss percentage, Evaluate users can model site-specific soiling profiles, compare scenarios with different cleaning schedules and assess their impact on PV power production output (PVOUT). This provides a far more realistic representation of project performance, helping operators optimise maintenance strategies and avoid costly surprises.
The PV sector can no longer afford to treat soiling as a marginal or secondary issue. Its impact is measurable, material and, if not properly addressed, capable of undermining project economics. By embedding soiling into physics-based models and linking it directly to PV performance simulations, Solargis provides developers and investors with the tools they need to quantify risk, optimise maintenance and improve long-term project resilience.
The message is clear: in order to design PV systems that perform reliably under real-world conditions, PV module soiling must be modelled with the same scientific rigour as solar radiation, temperature or shading.
[1] IEA PVPS Task 13, 2022, ‘Soiling losses – impact on the performance of photovoltaic power plants’
[2] Coello, M. & Boyle, L., 2019, “Simple model for predicting time series soiling of photovoltaic panels”, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Volume 9, Issue 5
Vicente Lara-Fanego holds a degree in physical sciences, an M.Sc. in geophysics and meteorology from the University of Granada, and a PhD in physics from the University of Jaen, Spain. With over 18 years of experience in the solar industry, he joined Solargis in 2017, focusing on meteorological and solar modelling, particularly on albedo and soiling. He has authored over 20 scientific publications.
Tomas Cebecauer holds a PhD in cartography and geoinformatics from the Institute of Geography, Slovak Academy of Sciences. After contributing to the development of the PVGIS portal at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Italy, he became CTO and co-founder of Solargis. Since 2010, he has led the development of Solargis’ global solar resource database and simulation solutions for photovoltaic systems.

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Ireland: The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the development of four large-scale solar projects in Ireland with a $115 M (€100 M) project finance loan to Dolmen Solar Ltd, part of Power Capital Renewable Energy. The wider $300 M (€260 M) investment will deliver a combined capacity of 395 MWp.
The projects will increase renewable electricity generation, strengthen energy security and contribute to Ireland’s and the EU’s 2030 climate targets. They also form part of the EIB’s REPowerEU efforts to speed up the clean energy transition.
Located in Clare, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford, the solar farms are expected to produce around 367 GWh of electricity each year – enough to supply nearly 80,000 homes – while cutting approximately 114,000 t of CO₂ emissions annually.
This marks Ireland’s first fully non-recourse solar project financing, combining EIB backing with commercial lending from Danske Bank. The EIB loan represents around 43 % of the project’s senior debt.
Construction is set to begin in the coming months, creating 136 jobs and supporting local contractors. The portfolio includes four ground-mounted solar farms, with completion expected between 2027 and 2028.
The electricity generated will be sold into the wholesale market and supported under Ireland’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme for over 16 years.
Overall, the initiative represents one of the country’s largest solar investments to date and supports Ireland’s target of achieving 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
Source: EIB Group
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According to a report by pv magazine, Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization has released new design and construction guidelines for photovoltaic systems using flexible solar cells. The guidelines cover technologies including perovskite, chalcopyrite, and thin crystalline silicon.
The publication addresses structural load design, frameless mounting methods, and flammability considerations for systems mounted on buildings. NEDO developed the guidelines with input from several national institutes and an industry association. The move responds to a scarcity of suitable sites for conventional solar installations across Japan, which already has high solar capacity per land area.
Flexible and lightweight cells are intended for use on low-load rooftops and building walls where traditional panels are not viable. Past damage from severe weather events has raised community concerns about solar equipment safety, which the guidelines aim to help mitigate. The guidelines are presented as a consolidated reference for project developers and designers as commercial deployment of these technologies advances.
The guidelines apply only to building-mounted systems and explicitly exclude livestock facilities, horticultural structures, and indoor installations. Evaluations for wind and snow load structural safety, along with certain electrical safety tests, have not been finalized. A revised edition of the guidelines is anticipated by the end of fiscal year 2027.
This initiative follows Japan’s Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, which emphasized maximum renewable energy deployment while managing land-use and community constraints. The country has set a target for perovskite solar capacity by 2040. In the previous year, the Ministry of the Environment opened subsidy applications for programs promoting early perovskite deployment, with criteria including specific load capacities and battery integration.
Also in the previous year, NEDO launched a multi-year research and development program under the Green Innovation Fund to advance mass production technologies for tandem perovskite solar cells. In mid-2025, a one-year grid-connected trial of chalcopyrite solar panels began on an industrial building. The company behind the modules has secured funding for a planned manufacturing facility and is separately developing tandem cell technology.
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In a new monthly column for pv magazine, the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) reveals that Sweden, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark are the leading countries for per capita solar and wind generation capacity. Furthermore, it explains that global solar capacity has been doubling every 3 years, and wind every 6 years, whereas fossil and nuclear capacity and generation have been almost static in recent years.
Image: Ivana Cajina/Unsplash
The leading countries for per capita solar and wind generation capacity (W/person) are Sweden, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, according to the latest IRENA data. Apart from Australia, all the leading countries are in Europe.
Combined global per capita solar and wind capacity is more than double hydro capacity, and seven times larger than nuclear capacity.
Image: ISES
The leading countries for speed of deployment of solar and wind (new Watts per person per year averaged over 2022-24) are Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Netherlands, Australia and Austria (Figure 2). Most of the leading countries are in Europe, along with Australia, Qatar, China and Chile.
Solar PV capacity has been growing faster than all other electricity generation technologies combined since 2022. Since 2010, when it started publishing the World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency has vastly underestimated the growth of solar and other renewable energy technologies.
Also included in Figure 2 are global per capita deployment speeds for gas, coal, hydro and nuclear (net new Watts per person per year averaged over 2022-24). Compared with solar and wind, the construction of new fossil and nuclear power stations are cottage industries. Low deployment rates make it more difficult to access finance, skill and supply chains.
Combined solar and wind capacity is being deployed 6 times faster than the combined capacity deployment speed of everything else (fossil, hydro, nuclear and other). This points very strongly to solar and wind domination of future energy systems – they are being deployed rapidly today and will dominate generation in the future as existing power stations retire.
Global solar capacity has been doubling every 3 years, and wind every 6 years, whereas fossil and nuclear capacity and generation have been almost static in recent years. Solar and wind are essentially meeting all the growth in global electricity demand caused by rising population, rising affluence, and electrification of transport, heating and industry.
In 2024, nearly 700 GW of new solar & wind was deployed worldwide. Brazil is a newcomer to the solar PV deployment scene since enacting net metering legislation in 2012, which unlocked the residential rooftop PV market. Brazil is installing rooftop PV at an average of nearly 1 GW per month. This compares with an average of 2 GW per year of net new nuclear capacity over the past decade for the whole world. The global energy market is speaking clearly: nuclear has failed in the global energy marketplace.
The three leading countries share borders with Russia or Belarus. Is this recognition of the security and resilience advantages of deploying millions of solar panels and thousands of wind turbines compared with a few large fossil and nuclear power stations?

The leading countries for annual per capita solar and wind generation (MWh per person in 2024) are Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia and the Netherlands (Figure 3). Sweden and Australia are the champion countries for per capita wind and solar generation respectively.
The top ten countries are in Europe, except for Australia. European countries can share electricity across borders to smooth out variable solar & wind. Australia is physically isolated and must go it alone. Australia is demonstrating that this is straightforward at low cost.
Also shown in Figure 3 is per capita annual generation from hydro and nuclear. Combined solar and wind generation has passed hydro generation and will reach double nuclear generation in 2025. At current growth rates, combined solar and generation will pass combined coal and gas generation in 2032.

 
Authors: Prof. Ricardo Rüther (UFSC), Prof. Andrew Blakers (ANU)
Andrew.blakers@anu.edu.au
rruther@gmail.com
ISES, the International Solar Energy Society is a UN-accredited membership NGO founded in 1954 working towards a world with 100% renewable energy for all, used efficiently and wisely.
 
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The LEGO Group unveils plans for on-site solar park, marks significant progress at its U.S. factory  WebWire
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US Probing Waaree for Evading Solar Tariff Duties  Bloomberg.com
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France headquartered EDF power solutions Ireland is set to begin construction of the c.80 MW Taduff Solar Park in County Roscommon later this month. The project is located approximately 6 km southwest of Athlone and is expected to be operational by Spring 2028. Once completed, the solar farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power around 20,000 homes. The project will contribute to Ireland’s 2030 climate targets and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A Community Benefit Fund of approximately €180,000 per year will be established for 15 years to support local initiatives. EDF currently operates three solar farms in Wexford and Kilkenny, where nearly €100,000 has already been distributed to community projects since 2023. The company is coordinating with Roscommon County Council and stakeholders to ensure smooth project delivery.

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New data released by the Australian Energy Market Operator details the growing reach of clean energy technologies with renewables, including grid-scale and rooftop solar providing 43% of the supply mix in the nation’s main grid during the first three months of the year.
Image: European Energy
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO’s) latest Quarterly Energy Dynamics report shows renewables made up 43% of the supply mix in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in the first quarter of 2025, a 4% increase on the same period last year and a new high for a March quarter.
The contribution of renewables to the NEM supply mix for the first three months of the year reached a peak on 27 January, climbing to 72.4% of total generation, just 3.2% below the current record for peak renewable contribution which occurred in the final quarter of 2024.
AEMO Executive General Manager Policy and Corporate Affairs Violette Mouchaileh said steady growth in grid-scale solar and wind capacity and a growing fleet of big batteries is driving the increased renewable market share.
During the first quarter, 500 MW of plant across five projects progressed through commissioning to reach full output. These include the 150 MW Gangarri and 40 MW Kingaroy solar farms in Queensland, the 200 MW Blyth battery energy storage system in South Australia, and the 46 MW Mokoan Solar Farm and 56 MW Crookwell 3 Wind Farm in Victoria.
Image: AEMO
The introduction of the new solar farms saw grid-scale solar generation reach a new all-time high during the first quarter, increasing 10% year-on-year to average 2,386 MW for the three months to March.
Rooftop solar average output grew 16%, achieving a record first quarter high of 3,782 MW thanks to increases “in both solar irradiance and the installed capacity of distributed PV.”
Battery generation output also reached a new high in the first quarter, increasing 86% to 98 MW when averaged across all hours but concentrated strongly in the evening peak period.
Wind generation rose 18% to average 3,517 MW this quarter. Conversely, output from black and brown coal decreased by 3.2% to 10,269 MW, and 6.7% to 3,429 MW respectively. Gas generation decreased 8.3% to average 941 MW.
Underlying demand reached a new Q1 record of 25,162 MW in the first three months of 2025, however minimum operational demand records also occurred during the period, with all-time new lows in Victoria (1,504 MW) and NSW (2,718 MW).
Image: AEMO
“These minimum demand records were largely attributable to growth in rooftop solar,” Mouchaileh said.
“The impact of the transitioning electricity system was also seen, with a 5.1% decline in total emissions, due to the combination of lower coal and gas-fired generation and higher renewable output.”
Mouchaileh said Western Australia’s Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) experienced similar trends to the NEM with record renewable and battery contributions.
Renewable averaged 41.6% of the WEM supply mix in the first quarter of 2025, a 2.5% increase on the same period last year and a new high for a March quarter.
Underpinning the renewable contributions was a 261% increase (25.6 MW) in battery generation to comprise 1.3% of the supply mix.
Rooftop solar generation continued to grow, with its share of the mix expanding to 20.5%, up from 19.3% during the same period last year.
Alongside this, output from coal-fired generators fell 4.6%.
“The higher renewable and battery generation combined with lower coal-fired power output resulted in a Q1 record low in emissions intensity, which was 5.7% below the same period last year,” Mouchaileh said. “This reflects the impacts of the transition underway within Western Australia’s main power grid.”
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TOKYO, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The premier solar event, PV EXPO 2026, concluded today at Tokyo Big Sight. BILIGHT, a global leader in flexible perovskite technology, delivered a standout performance with its “AI-Powered” product series. By showcasing a comprehensive strategy that merges space-grade photovoltaics (PV) with intelligent applications, the company secured significant partnership agreements and established a new industry benchmark for smart perovskite deployment.

BILIGHT Perovskite Empowers AI, Ushering in a New Era of Full-Scene Commercialization

Throughout the three-day exhibition, the BILIGHT booth attracted over a thousand visitors, including global merchants, media, and industry experts. The centerpiece was the global debut of the “Solar Wing”-a space-grade perovskite PV product that breaks the rigid and heavy limitations of traditional crystalline silicon.
The “Solar Wing” features real-time sun tracking and adaptive power regulation, ensuring stable and efficient power generation even in extreme environments, such as high-altitude platforms or irregular urban structures. Its ultra-thin, flexible design allows it to adapt seamlessly to complex surfaces, positioning it as an ideal energy solution for the AI era.
Smart Scenarios: Flexible PV Curtains Powering Modern LifeBILIGHT also demonstrated its commitment to civil applications with its flexible rollable PV curtains. This innovation integrates high-performance perovskite cells with AI-driven smart home systems. Beyond shading and insulation, the curtains autonomously convert solar energy into electricity to power smart devices and AI terminals directly. This “plug-and-play” solution sparked intensive discussions with architectural developers and AI hardware manufacturers regarding the commercialization of “PV + AI” in residential settings.
Accelerating the Vision: Capital and Industry Recognition
The company's technical prowess and AI-centric ecosystem earned strong validation from international investors. Analysts noted that BILIGHT's ability to bridge space technology with civil distribution addresses the core pain points of perovskite commercialization.
As the expo concludes, BILIGHT is accelerating its mission to “Power AI” with clean energy. Through continuous innovation, the company aims to make sustainable power more intelligent and accessible, ensuring it serves as the foundational drive for the intelligent era across all scenarios.

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NewsNews | Mar 19, 2026
sromig@steamboatpilot.com
An industrial-scale solar array and battery energy storage project in Routt County, planned by a Texas-based energy developer, is moving through the county planning process with a public hearing tentatively planned for this summer.
The project proposed by RWE Americas, based in Austin, Texas, would be located approximately 1 mile south of Hayden town limits. Evan Weaver, RWE senior manager for utility scale development, said groundbreaking is planned for spring 2028, and power production at the project, dubbed Sleeping Giant Solar, would begin in late 2029.
When completed, the 215-megawatt solar array could power approximately 40,000 homes, and the 125 MW battery energy storage system could provide 4 hours of power for use at night or during low solar production periods to power approximately 22,000 homes, Weaver explained.
“The storage also works to manage intermittency while promoting grid stability by reducing energy needs from other sources at peak demand,” Weaver noted.
The proposed site is located on a mix of private land and land managed by the Colorado State Land Board that includes the interconnection facilities along the 230kV Hayden-Craig transmission line, Weaver said.
“Of the many reasons that the project is sited in Routt County, one is to be competitive for the (Xcel Energy) Just Transition Solicitation and in line with Colorado Office of Just Transition goals,” Weaver said. “Both the OJT and JTS and the master plans of the county and the town of Hayden favor large-scale renewables in this area.”
Weaver explained the design of Sleeping Giant Solar places the panels low enough to the ground that when combined with the rolling topography of the surrounding landscape, “it is not expected to pose a glint or glare hazard to aviation.”
The solar array would be broken into multiple fenced sections to allow for wildlife corridors through the site, something Weaver said was unique in the industry. The developers also intend to purchase a conservation easement on private land in Routt County that is close to the size of the array and the land impacted, Weaver said.
“As part of our wildlife mitigation plan, we have entered into a letter of intent with Colorado Open Lands to secure a conversation easement in Routt County that achieves significant mitigation of the project’s impacts,” Weaver said.
Early infrastructure work at the site would include the installation of an underground water tank to assist the West Routt Fire Protection District if necessary, Weaver said.
Although the Routt County location would be the company’s first project in Colorado, RWE has an asset base of more than 10 gigawatts of operating wind, solar and battery projects located across the U.S., according to the RWE website.
The total area of the proposed Sleeping Giant project is 3,030 acres, all currently under lease agreement or purchase option, Weaver said, and the total proposed fenced parcels of the project is approximately 1,534 acres, situated in disconnected blocks to allow for wildlife movement.
The size of the proposed solar array south of Hayden would make the development the largest solar array in Northwest Colorado, larger than the existing Axial Basin Solar array that began operating on Oct. 25 and is owned by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in southeast Moffat County.
The Axial Basin array is a 145-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant located near the former Colowyo Mine on Colorado Highway 13 and designed to meet the needs of an estimated 40,000 homes, said Mark Stutz, Tri-State public relations specialist. Axial Basin includes 769 acres of solar panels and equipment within a 1,212-acre fenced in area.
Routt County Assistant Planning Director Alan Goldich said the proposed Sleeping Giant solar and battery storage project currently is under review by the county and outside consultants. Goldich said the developer continues to work with the planning department to address comments and requests.
“The public comment period is currently open, and we will be accepting comments up to, and through, the public hearing process,” Goldich said.
Goldich said the proposal will be regulated under the county’s updated Unified Development Code standards for utility scale solar projects. Those standards “are pretty robust and cover county roads, visual impacts, stormwater, erosion, vegetation, wildlife, emergency response, ag lands, decommissioning and reclamation, community benefits, and everything in between,” Goldich said.
Weaver said the developers would endeavor to employ some local contractors during construction, and the final completed project would employ up to six workers.
“Because of the number of specializations, many of the approximately 275 construction jobs created by the project would be workers that would temporarily stay in the county during construction,” Weaver explained.
Weaver said the project would “generate taxes that help offset the tax revenue losses from the Hayden Station closure.” The RWE senior manager said the company has “worked closely” to incorporate feedback on a number of mitigation items recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which provided a detailed input letter to the Routt County Planning Department on Dec. 22.
To reach Suzie Romig, call 970-871-4205 or email sromig@SteamboatPilot.com.
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Somerset, N.Y. (WBEN) – On the surface, some may wonder why a tiny, rural town would oppose a proposed $277 million private sector-backed project that would help add new dollars to its tax base.
But, in the case of Somerset, that is exactly the case.
At issue is a proposed 125mw solar farm – planned for 1,200 acres of land that was once part of the Kintigh Power Plant complex on Lake Road (Route 18).
Developer AES Corp. will be investing nearly $277 million in the project – making it one of the largest private sector investments in Somerset’s history.
The project would create 98 construction jobs and, even with a tax break package approved March 18 by the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, Somerset would see during the next 20 years the land generate more than $6.5 million in new property tax dollars as opposed to $1.47 million if the property remains undeveloped farm land.
Those are all the pluses.
But, environmental concerns and the loss of farm land has Somerset town officials, residents and, even the Niagara County IDA directors raising concerns about the project.
“It seems like to save the environment, you are actually hurting the environment,” said Betty Wolanyk, who lives just across Lake Road from the project site.
The wrath generated by the Somerset Solar project is a snapshot of how communities are wrestling with New York’s push to be more environmentally friendly and less reliant on traditional fossil fuel sources.
“We are going to regret losing that much farm land,” Wolanyk said.
The reality is, according to Mark Gabriele, NCIDA counsel and Andrea Klyczek, agency executive director, under New York state Executive Order 94-C, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting can supercede any local laws and push the project through.
The supeceding authority is a byproduct of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) that was created by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo with goals of reducing, statewide, greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
“New York has taken away all the local jurisdiction,” Gabriele said.
Even Gov. Kathy Hochul, in Buffalo on March 16, said New York “needs a longer runway” in dealing with CLCPA mandates.
Both Klyczek and Gabriele said the only reason why the IDA directors, reluctantly, approved the tax breaks was to guarantee some level of cost certainty for Somerset.
Without the iron clad incentive package, Somerset would have been dealing with varying levels of property tax dollars related to the project.
“We are just trying to stabilize their (Somerset’s) tax certainty for the next 20 years,” Gabriele said.
As for the project, Klyczek said she felt she had no choice or options because of 94-C but to advance the solar farm development.
“The project was going to happen, no matter what,” Klyczek said.
The solar farm will generate enough green energy to fuel 25,000 homes.
Construction is slated to start this summer, and, will be completed in phases during the next few years.

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India is set to boost its solar manufacturing. From June 2028, clean energy firms must use locally made solar ingots and wafers. This move aims to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. India is investing heavily in domestic solar production. The country is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power by 2030. This policy supports the entire solar panel manufacturing chain.

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India reaches 210 GW solar module manufacturing capacity – Mercom  Renewables Now
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https://arab.news/6dmvp
JEDDAH: A distinguished researcher from the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah has been awarded a gold medal at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions for her groundbreaking work on renewable energy technologies.
Dr. Basma El Zein’s innovation, which relates to solar cells, has been registered as a patent and received recognition from the World Intellectual Property Organization, a UN agency.
The award reflects the university’s commitment to advanced research and strengthens its position in international scientific forums, highlighting its growing role in supporting research in technological fields.
It builds on the university’s record of success and participation in local and global scientific forums and reaffirms its dedication to supporting applied scientific research, fostering technology transfer and encouraging entrepreneurship.
These efforts contribute to transforming research findings into solutions that align with global trends in innovation and technology.
 

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The company’s module manufacturing capacity has grown to 5.6 GW
March 18, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
Mumbai-based solar components manufacturer RenewSys has commissioned a 3 GW solar module manufacturing facility at IndoSpace Industrial Park in Khopoli, Maharashtra.
The facility has been designed to support high-volume module production, featuring AI-enabled automated production lines, advanced quality control systems, and logistics integration, with scope for future scalability. The facility spans over 700,000 square feet.
With the commissioning of this facility, RenewSys’ total solar module manufacturing capacity has increased to 5.6 GW.
The company has been expanding its integrated manufacturing capabilities, including solar modules, encapsulants, and backsheets, while a high-efficiency solar cell line with a capacity of 4.5 GW is being installed and is targeted for FY 2026–27.
Last May, RenewSys announced a significant expansion of its encapsulant manufacturing capacity by adding eight new production lines at its Khopoli facility.
Avinash Hiranandani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director at RenewSys India, said the addition of technology-led manufacturing capacity will support the delivery of high-performance solar solutions at scale while maintaining a focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability.
RenewSys also outlined its sustainability measures across its operations, including 640 kW of solar energy generation for captive consumption, comprising 350 kW of ground-mounted systems and 290 kW of rooftop installations.
RenewSys increased its module manufacturing capacity authorized by the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers by 2,268 MW, according to the latest update issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
In December 2025, RenewSys signed an agreement to supply 300 MW of polyolefin encapsulants to the Chhattisgarh-based solar solutions company ICON Solaren Power Technologies to support large-scale solar module production. Polyolefin elastomer encapsulant films ensure strong adhesion between solar cell layers, maintain electrical insulation, and enable long-term durability under varied operating conditions.
In the same month, the company signed a 1.1 GW supply agreement with Kosol Energie for its polyolefin elastomer encapsulants.
Meghana Prasad
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© 2026 by Mercom Capital Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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FLASH: China PV cell output dips 7….  Mysteel
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The neighbor everyone wishes they had — Tired of constant blackouts, he turned his home into an ‘energy hub’ that powers the entire neighborhood  Energies Media
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A new study analyzing long-term performance data from more than one million photovoltaic installations in Germany indicates these systems are aging more slowly than many industry assumptions had suggested. According to research published in Energy Economics and reported by pv magazine, the analysis of 16 years of operational data reveals an average annual degradation rate between 0.52% and 0.61%.
The scale of the research, which tracked 1.25 million systems, allowed for a detailed assessment of factors influencing performance over time. Environmental conditions were found to significantly affect output, with extreme heat, frost, and air pollution having measurable impacts. The study noted that decreasing air pollution in Germany has contributed to higher energy yields in recent years, an effect distinguishable from climate variability and aging.
Findings also indicated that system size correlates with degradation rates, with larger installations tending to lose efficiency faster than smaller ones. This suggests utility-scale solar projects require distinct reliability and maintenance strategies compared to residential rooftop systems. The slower degradation rate improves long-term project economics, reducing the levelized cost of electricity compared to calculations based on earlier assumptions.
The research methodology involved calculating performance ratios according to international standards, using production data from transmission system operators and detailed solar irradiance information. Regression analysis isolated the average annual efficiency loss while accounting for variables including hot days, frost days, and pollution. The study concluded that the results support the long-term reliability and financial viability of photovoltaic technology.
This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in Germany, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in Germany.
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for Germany. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Germany. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in Germany.
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of solar cells and light-emitting diodes dynamics in Germany.
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Germany.
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.
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Indian PV encapsulant and backsheet manufacturer RenewSys has commissioned a 3GW solar module manufacturing facility in Raigad, Maharashtra. 
According to the company, the AI-powered, fully automated facility spans 16 acres and increases its total manufacturing capacity to 5.6GW. The plant will reportedly produce tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules, although the company did not respond to PV Tech’s request for confirmation. 
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The facility is located at the IndoSpace Industrial Park in Khopoli, Khalapur, approximately 79km south-east of the company’s Mumbai headquarters, which the firm said would support improved supply chain efficiency.
“The inauguration of our 3GW facility marks a major milestone in RenewSys’ expansion strategy. As India accelerates its renewable energy transition, technology-led manufacturing capability becomes increasingly important,” said Avinash Hiranandani, managing director, RenewSys. 
RenewSys, the renewable energy arm of ENPEE Group, operates manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad, Patalganga and Bengaluru. The company has a production capacity of 24GW for solar encapsulants and 4GW for backsheets, while a 4.5GW solar cell line is currently under construction. 
RenewSys recently signed a module supply agreement with French utility Engie for 125MWp of TOPCon solar PV modules, with deliveries scheduled between February and April 2026 for deployment at a project in Bikaner. 
Under the agreement, RenewSys will supply its 132X G12R TOPCon glass-to-glass modules, designed for high efficiency and strong performance in high-temperature conditions. The modules feature a low temperature coefficient, reducing power loss at elevated temperatures and supporting stable generation over the project lifecycle.

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Naturgy to commission 100 MWp of Andalusia solar farms before summer  Renewables Now
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by Laura Varley
19 Mar 2026
Solar farm. Image: Power Capital Renewable Energy
A €260m investment will boost clean electricity generation, reduce reliance on imported energy and support the delivery of 2030 climate targets
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will support the construction and operation of four new utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects across Ireland via a €260m investment, which includes a €100m project finance loan to Dolmen Solar Ltd, a holding company of Power Capital Renewable Energy.
As part of the investment, four new solar power initiatives will be developed in Clare, Wicklow, Wexford and Tipperary, generating around 367 GWh of clean electricity per annum, which is the equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly 79,900 households. The funding is also expected to create new jobs for professionals in construction, civil works, grid connections and maintenance services.
The scheme is among the largest single solar investments financed in Ireland to date and could contribute significantly to Ireland’s target of 80pc renewable electricity by 2030, as well as see out the national ambition for roughly 8 GW of installed solar capacity under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
The four locations are the Ballinaclough Solar Farm in Wicklow and is a 15.5 MWp solar farm, with construction expected to start in March 2026. Tullabeg Solar Farm is the Wexford location and is the largest scheme in the portfolio. It is a 181.6 MWp plant and construction is planned from April. 
In Tipperary, the plan will utilise the Barnaleen Cauteen Solar Farm, a 98 MWp site where construction is expected to begin in March. Lastly, there is the Manusmore Solar Farm, a planned 99.5 MWp site near Ennis, Clare where construction is also expected to commence in March. Work on some of the projects will run into 2028. 
Commenting on the investment the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD, said, “Ireland is sometimes seen as an unlikely home for solar power, but projects like this show how quickly that perception is changing and how strong the investor appetite now is for Irish renewables.
“This is a very welcome €260 million investment, spread across Clare, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford, which will boost clean electricity generation right across the country, reduce our reliance on imported energy and support delivery of our 2030 climate targets. The European Investment Bank is playing a key role as a long‑term partner for Ireland’s energy transition.”
The EIB vice-president Ioannis Tsakiris added, “By backing Ireland’s first solar project financed on a pure project finance basis, the EIB is helping to unlock almost 400 MW of new renewable capacity that will strengthen Ireland’s energy security and cut greenhouse gas emissions.”
In February of this year, SunArc, a renewable energy company based in Carlow, announced plans to create up to 50 new jobs as a result of a €20m investment into the organisation. The company offers a ‘solar-as-a-service’ model which it said is a significant step towards accelerating Ireland’s transition to clean energy.
SunArc has stated that the solar-as-a-service model will enable businesses to access solar power and energy independence with no upfront costs, removing what it believes to be one of the biggest barriers to solar power adoption.
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Laura Varley is the Careers editor for Silicon Republic
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Solar power has long been associated with rooftops, sunlight, and wide-open skies. Yet, much of modern life happens indoors, under office lights, kitchen lamps, and the soft glow of our homes. As our world fills with small electronic devices that quietly work in the background, the question is: ‘Can solar energy work indoors too?’
The answer is yes of course, and it may lie in a relatively simple and little-known Earth-abundant material called antimony sulfide (Sb2S3).
Modern life is filled with small devices that need constant power: smart sensors that monitor air quality, wearable health devices, electronic labels, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems embedded in homes and workplaces. These devices consume very little energy, but they rely heavily on batteries.

Replacing and disposing of batteries is inconvenient, costly, and environmentally harmful. Indoor solar cells offer a compelling alternative: devices that power themselves using the light already around them.
Indoor photovoltaics – in simple terms, ‘the conversion of artificial light into electricity’ – have become one of the most active and popular areas in solar research. Unlike outdoor solar panels, indoor solar cells don’t need to generate large amounts of power. Instead, they must work efficiently under low-power lighting.
Sb2S3-based indoor solar cells could help make this vision practical, enabling electronics that operate continuously without battery replacement.
This is where Sb2S3 has begun to stand out. Recent research shows that it is very well suited to harvest indoor light sources such as LEDs and fluorescent lamps. At a time when scientists are searching for practical materials for indoor energy harvesting, Sb2S3 is emerging as a promising candidate.
What makes Sb2S3 particularly compelling is its unique nature, being environmentally friendly, Earth abundant, and intrinsically stable. Unlike CdTe or lead-based perovskites, Sb2S3 avoids toxic or scarce elements, making it a sustainable alternative for large-scale photovoltaics. With a bandgap of ~1.7–1.8 eV and a high absorption coefficient (~10⁵ cm^-1), it is especially well suited for indoor photovoltaic applications, where conventional silicon devices suffer significant efficiency losses. While its current outdoor efficiency (~8.3%) remains below that of crystalline silicon (~26%), Sb2S3 demonstrates remarkable performance under low-intensity illumination and offers great stability compared to perovskite absorbers. These attributes position Sb2S3 as a promising candidate for indoor energy harvesting and IoT applications.
Behind this technology lies careful laboratory work. Research does not begin with finished products, but with simple glass substrates and thin layers of material applied step by step. Scientists adjust conditions, refine processing steps, and test how small changes affect performance.

Through controlled heating and precise layering, Sb2S3 is transformed from a raw material into a functional component capable of converting indoor light into electricity.
What makes this story especially exciting is its freshness. The use of Sb2S3 for indoor solar applications is still emerging, and researchers are only beginning to uncover its full potential. Over the past decade, device efficiencies have steadily improved from below 3% in early architectures to over 8% in optimised thin-film structures under standard illumination, with even higher relative performance reported under indoor lighting conditions. Beyond efficiency gains, new features are expanding its appeal. Semi-transparent Sb2S3 devices are being explored for smart windows and building-integrated photovoltaics. Promisingly, each experiment adds another piece to the puzzle, steadily opening doors to better designs and broader real-world adoption.

Sb2S3 is powering the future! As buildings become smarter and devices more connected, indoor solar cells could become an unseen but essential part of our environment. And somewhere behind that quiet power source will be a simple material, refined in the lab, now working silently under indoor light.
Part of that future is taking shape today in our laboratory, where we are uncovering new ways to unlock the full potential of this material. Curious to learn more? You can explore the full scientific study behind this work in our recently published paper.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952509. The research has also received funding from the Estonian Research Council Project PRG2676.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 25th edition of our quarterly publication.
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India plans mandatory use of locally made solar ingots and wafers from 2028  Firstpost
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WASHINGTON — A pair of astronauts aboard the International Space Station stepped out into the void Wednesday, exiting the station for a spacewalk to conduct upgrades on a solar panel array. 
Jessica Meir and Chris Williams took part in the approximately seven-hour and two-minute spacewalk, wrapping up at 3:54 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. 
It was Meir’s fourth spacewalk and the first for Williams. 
According to the space agency, the pair completed their primary objectives, including installing a solar array modification kit to upgrade one of the solar arrays that power the space station. 
Meir is a returning astronaut who rejoined the ISS crew last month after a health concern among the previous crew led to an unexpected and early return to Earth for four astronauts. Williams was the only American, along with two Russian astronauts, to keep the station running with a skeleton crew. 
January’s medical evacuation was NASA’s first in 65 years of human spaceflight. One of four astronauts launched by SpaceX last summer suffered what officials described as a serious health issue, prompting their hasty return. 
With only three people aboard, NASA was forced to pause spacewalks and revise research plans. Now, with Meir and another three astronauts back after hitching a ride aboard a SpaceX capsule, missions outside the station can resume. 
Williams is a physicist focusing on deep-space telescopes aimed at discovering the origins of the universe. He blasted off to the ISS on Nov. 27, 2025, and is midway through his debut eight-month mission in space. 
 Meir returned to space after a 205-day trip aboard the ISS in 2019-2020. During her first station visit, Meir made history when she took part in the first all-female spacewalk.
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WASHINGTON — A pair of astronauts aboard the International Space Station stepped out into the void Wednesday, exiting the station for a spacewalk to conduct upgrades on a solar panel array. 
Jessica Meir and Chris Williams took part in the approximately seven-hour and two-minute spacewalk, wrapping up at 3:54 p.m. EDT, according to NASA. 
It was Meir’s fourth spacewalk and the first for Williams. 
According to the space agency, the pair completed their primary objectives, including installing a solar array modification kit to upgrade one of the solar arrays that power the space station. 
Meir is a returning astronaut who rejoined the ISS crew last month after a health concern among the previous crew led to an unexpected and early return to Earth for four astronauts. Williams was the only American, along with two Russian astronauts, to keep the station running with a skeleton crew. 
January’s medical evacuation was NASA’s first in 65 years of human spaceflight. One of four astronauts launched by SpaceX last summer suffered what officials described as a serious health issue, prompting their hasty return. 
With only three people aboard, NASA was forced to pause spacewalks and revise research plans. Now, with Meir and another three astronauts back after hitching a ride aboard a SpaceX capsule, missions outside the station can resume. 
Williams is a physicist focusing on deep-space telescopes aimed at discovering the origins of the universe. He blasted off to the ISS on Nov. 27, 2025, and is midway through his debut eight-month mission in space. 
 Meir returned to space after a 205-day trip aboard the ISS in 2019-2020. During her first station visit, Meir made history when she took part in the first all-female spacewalk.
To stream 12News on your phone, you need the 12News app.
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Plans to speed up delivery of windfarms, solar parks and tidal power schemes have been set out as part of a new deal between the renewable energy industry and the Welsh government.
It follows warnings from the sector that Wales was "behind the rest of the UK" in getting new projects built.
Ministers have said the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East on oil and gas prices makes achieving "energy independence" more important.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales said large turbines and fields of solar panels must not be forced on communities, urging the government to focus on schemes out at sea.
Wales generated enough renewable power to meet 54% of the country's electricity use in 2024, according to latest figures, with ministers wanting to reach 100% by 2035.
The Labour run-government in Cardiff Bay called its new sector deal a "strategic partnership" with the industry "accelerating renewable deployment across onshore and offshore, wind, solar, marine and hydro".
There are 78 commitments – from streamlining the planning process to training up workers able to build and operate new schemes.
It said that developers and community organisations had been involved in the work, ensuring that local communities would "reap the benefits" from projects in their areas.
The announcement was made on Anglesey (Ynys Môn), at the headquarters of an innovative tidal energy project.
Owned and managed by social enterprise Menter Môn and backed by Welsh government funding, Morlais provides the infrastructure and grid connection for developers to install and trial underwater turbines.
It is currently the largest scheme of its kind throughout Europe.
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said Wales could be "a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth".
"The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence," she said.
"Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for the future delivery of renewable energy – to the benefit of our economy, environment and energy security."
Industry leaders welcomed the announcement with Renewable UK Cymru saying it would help unlock a "£10bn opportunity for Welsh businesses", 8,000 jobs and £183m in community benefits.
In a report outlining its asks of the parties ahead of May's Senedd election, the organisation had warned Wales was failing to capitalise on its "world-class natural resources".
"Over the last decade Scotland has secured more than £18bn in new investment support for clean energy, while Wales has attracted less then £1bn," it said.
Rising electricity demand to support the switch to electric vehicles, heat pumps, data centres and AI-driven industries meant without "a major increase in clean power generation, Wales risks higher bills, weaker energy security and falling further behind economically".
Chair of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales on Anglesey, Jonathan Dean, said ministers were "tripping themselves up big time" by pushing for more onshore wind and solar power.
"We're not saying don't build anything onshore. If communities want it, great, but there's no pressing need for it," he said, claiming Wales could meet its renewable energy targets via large offshore schemes at sea.
"People don't want a huge windfarm towering over their village," he said, predicting the issue would be high on the agenda in the upcoming election campaign.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said the government's "so-called 'sector deal' raises more questions than it answers".
"There is no clear plan for how we build the workforce needed, with no detail on training, skills or apprenticeships to deliver the green jobs Wales needs," she said.
"Ministers also promise benefits for communities, but without minimum standards or enforcement, there is no guarantee local people will see the rewards."
Wales Green Party Leader, Anthony Slaughter, said: "With Green support surging, other parties are desperately playing catch up.
"These headline targets are lifted straight from the Welsh Green manifesto – a clear sign of our growing appeal just six weeks before the Senedd elections.
"They're only doing this under pressure – Greens genuinely believe renewables will deliver, both for the climate and in reducing people's energy bills."
Plaid Cymru's energy spokesman Luke Fletcher said: "In our first 100 days in government, we would build new partnerships between government and key stakeholders and develop Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru into a single, consolidated energy company to develop renewables and to help reduce energy bills".
Reform UK Wales's manifesto includes a ban on new onshore wind farms and solar farms saying the country had "reached saturation point with unreliable, weather-dependent renewables that blight the Welsh countryside".
A spokesperson said the party had also "announced plans to bring down energy bills by taking on green subsidies that have been piling misery on households".
The Welsh Conservatives spokesperson for energy, Samuel Kurtz, said renewables "will play a role in our future energy mix, alongside reliable sources such as oil, gas and nuclear".
"The priority must be ensuring that these projects deliver tangible outcomes: skilled jobs, investment and clear benefits for local communities," he said.
The party was "committed to supporting the growth of marine energy, including floating offshore wind, while also advancing nuclear opportunities at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd," he added.
BBC Wales Your Voice Live: Ask the Leader wants you to be in the audience and put your questions to the leaders of Wales' parties.
Click here to put your questions to the leaders of the Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats in Haverfordwest on 8 April.
Click here to put your questions to the leaders of Welsh Labour, Reform UK and the Wales Green Party in Llandudno on 15 April.
George Mckinty says he became concerned as he also suffered from vision problems in one eye.
More than half of female runners in the UK have experienced harassment or abuse, research shows.
A review of the front page stories from the daily and weekly newspapers in Wales.
Daniel Andreas San Diego is due to be extradited to the USA to face terror-related charges.
A total of 21 people were treated over two days
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Even our most power-hungry industries can benefit greatly from renewable energy if it is used wisely. 
In fact, researchers from the Australian National University and the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre found that steel, cement, and other polluting manufacturing processes can operate with 24/7 renewable power with the right plan. 
The results could include lower electricity costs at the energy-intensive plants and less air pollution.  
“Our modelling shows that the next advance in industrial decarbonization will come from smarter use of renewable technologies,” study lead author Bin Lu said. 
Most solar panels on the market have efficiency rates — the amount of sunlight converted to electricity — above 22%, EnergySage reported. EnergySage is a trusted resource that’s part of The Cool Down’s Solar Explorer network, helping homeowners to find the right rooftop system to lower their energy bills and reduce household pollution. 
ANU outlined some clear wins that battery-stored solar power can deliver to production sites. 
Air pollution could be cut by between 35% and a massive 87%, and electricity costs could drop by 23% to 42%. Interacting with the grid would realize more savings, and building systems that can adjust energy consumption to account for supply fluctuations “could further reduce electricity costs to less than one-third of natural gas power.” 
The World Economic Forum observed that cement production accounts for 8% of the planet’s heat-trapping air pollution, while Arizona State University observed that steel manufacturing is responsible for 7%.
Higher temperatures increase the length and severity of extreme weather, like heat waves that cause changes in livestock behavior and deadly storms that can destroy homes and livelihoods. 
Solar has already been deployed by large tech companies, such as Meta, to help offset massive computing power needs. Meanwhile, batteries are being integrated into production facilities elsewhere to energize operations. 
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Understanding the options and technology is paramount to developing the right energy-saving strategy. At ANU, the study is part of efforts to help lower pollution from key production sectors by 2050. 
“This system-level approach can help make 24/7 green electricity a reality for Australian industry,” Lu said. 
HILT Cooperative Research Centre CEO Jenny Selway echoed support for the research’s ability to aid the transition. 
“Heavy industries are vital to Australia’s economy,” Selway said in the statement. “Through collaborations like this, we’re building the knowledge base that helps industries invest confidently in renewable energy and decarbonization.” 
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.
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Financial Journalist
Envusa Energy, a joint venture between Anglo American and EDF Power Solutions, has brought its Mooi Plaats solar PV project in the Northern Cape to commercial operation, supplying renewable electricity to Kumba Iron Ore, Valterra Platinum and De Beers under long‑term offtake agreements.
The plant adds 240MW of capacity to the grid and is the first operational project in a wider pipeline supporting Anglo American-linked operations. It forms part of the Koruson 2 programme, which is a 520MW portfolio of wind and solar projects.
Envusa has indicated that it plans to expand its portfolio to 3GW-5GW of wind, solar and battery storage across multiple sites, which will supply industrial users in sectors such as mining, steel and cement.
The commissioning of Mooi Plaats occurs amid a broader increase in renewable energy deployment by mining and industrial companies in South Africa. Several major miners and industrial players have developed or contracted large-scale renewable projects in recent years. Sibanye‑Stillwater has secured wind and solar capacity under wheeling agreements with independent power producers to supply its South African operations. Richards Bay Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, has signed multiple renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) to supply its operations, and Exxaro Resources has developed solar capacity feeding its Grootegeluk coal mine under long-term agreements.
Sasol and Air Liquide have entered into long-term agreements with independent power producer Sola Group for a hybrid solar and battery project to supply electricity to industrial operations. Glencore South Africa entered into a 20‑year renewable energy supply agreement with Discovery Green, which will provide renewable power to several of Glencore’s coal mining operations, including Goedgevonden, Tweefontein and iMpunzi, starting in 2027.
These developments highlight a broader trend in South Africa’s electricity market, with industrial users increasingly supplementing Eskom-supplied power with privately sourced renewable energy, either through direct generation, wheeling arrangements or long-term PPAs, even as the utility’s own generation performance stabilises.
Anglo American chief projects and development officer Alison Atkinson said the project contributes to early tariff relief and supports the development of local economic opportunities.
According to Envusa, the project has created more than 1,300 project-related jobs and invested R20m in local socio-economic development projects.
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Independent power producer (IPP) Origis Energy has commenced operations at its 210MWdc utility-scale solar project in Knox County, Indiana. 
The Wheatland solar project is backed by a long-term, 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with public utility company CenterPoint Energy. 
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“At Origis Energy, we take pride in delivering high-quality projects safely, on schedule, and in close partnership with our customers,” said David Groleau, senior vice president of origination at Origis Energy.  
“Reaching commercial operations at Wheatland reflects the strength of our development and execution platform and our continued commitment to providing reliable, cost-effective energy solutions for utilities and the communities they serve.” 
In June 2025, Origis secured a dedicated financing package from Japanese banking giant MUFG to support the development of the project. The facility had previously been funded through a separate financing arrangement led by investment bank JP Morgan. Once fully operational, the Wheatland solar project is expected to generate more than 360 local jobs, the firm said. 
As of March 2026, Origis surpassed 2.3GW of owned and operating solar and battery storage capacity across 13 projects spanning six states in the US. The company’s development pipeline exceeds 20GW. Additionally, Origis is actively pursuing further expansion, targeting 3GW of operating capacity by the end of 2026. 
The Wheatland solar project marks Origis’ first utility-scale solar installation in Indiana. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the state has a total solar capacity of 6.5GW. Looking ahead, Indiana’s solar market is projected to add about 12.3GW of solar capacity over the next five years.

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Cuba might not be the first country people think of when it comes to renewable energy and solar power. Instead, news about solar energy often focuses on countries like China, thanks to the sheer scale of its solar-focused megaprojects. In fact, the domination of large countries in matters relating to solar power often obscures achievements made by smaller countries. Take Cuba as an example. This country is making major strides when it comes to developing renewable energy — and China is playing a big role in the process.
Cuba received global attention in February 2026 when the country announced that it generated more than 800MW of solar power one afternoon. The very next day, Cuba broke its own record with 900MW. This prompted a celebratory tweet from the country’s Ministry of Energy and Mines. These numbers came shortly after Cuba invested in its solar capacity in 2025, marking a major shift in the country’s energy policy. In fact, in 2025 alone, the share of solar power in the country’s total energy generation jumped from a meager 5.8% in January 2025 to a respectable 20% by the same time the following year.
For a long time, Cuba has been heavily dependent on expensive imported fossil fuels to fulfill its energy needs in part due to prolonged U.S.-imposed sanctions. In recent years, however, China has stepped in to help create dozens of new solar parks across the country. Cuba aims to ultimately construct 92 parks with the help of China by 2028.
There is no denying that Cuba is making rapid progress in terms of solar power generation. However, the fact that this source is available only during daylight hours makes things a little tricky. In Cuba, the demand for power peaks between about 7 and 8 p.m., which is past sunset. Unless the country has a robust battery storage capacity, all this solar-generated power during the day will have nowhere to go. To help with this problem, China is also exporting batteries to Cuba.
Besides helping Cuba increase its solar power generation, China is also playing a key role in installing standalone solar power kits, somewhat similar to the ones recommended by SlashGear. Unlike the ones in our list, the kits supplied by China are designed for homes and institutions that are not yet connected to the national electrical grid. More than 10,000 such individual kits — which are good enough to power a small home and run basic things like refrigerators, fans, and TVs — have already been installed across the country. While it may not sound like much, access to these systems could be life-altering to thousands of people across Cuba.
China’s contribution to Cuba isn’t just restricted to solar energy programs. The country is interested in harnessing Cuba’s wind energy potential and is also investing in that space. So far, wind farms set up in various parts of Cuba by Chinese firms have already prevented several tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the air.

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The Environmental Action Community of WNC invites supporters and the public to its New Solar Financing for Organizations and Residents from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the First United Methodist Church gymnasium located at 566 S. Haywood St. in Waynesville.
The event will feature an informative program on FUMC’s solar energy plan and new financing options to make solar affordable for everyone. There will also be resource tables and light refreshments.
The answers to most solar power questions can be found at this presentation. Come listen to and talk with the experts.
Two Days of Mountain Culture, Craft, Food, and Live Music – With Exciting New Experiences for 2026
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — The mountains are calling, and the Appalachian True Heritage Festival is answering. Organizers are proud to announce the return of this beloved celebration to the heart of Downtown Waynesville, gathering community members, cultural bearers, artisans, musicians, and storytellers for a two-day immersion in the rich history and living traditions of Western North Carolina. 
I’ll admit that I am not always the best about using our freezer to its full advantage; but here are some things I do like to keep in the freezer. 
• Cheese pizza — I like to look for sales on good quality cheese pizzas and keep a couple on hand for those nights when we don’t feel like cooking or eating out.  I can quickly top a cheese pizza with vegetables like sliced tomatoes, spinach or even zucchini slices or fresh arugula (once out of the oven).
Ready to take control of your wellness? MountainWise offers the North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program to help you get ahead of type 2 diabetes. 
Prediabetes is when your blood sugar is elevated over what is considered normal, but as yet, not high enough to be a diagnosis of diabetes. A HbA1C (glycated hemoglobin) test will indicate Prediabetes if the result is between 5.7 % and 6.4 % (equates to average blood sugars of 117mg/dl-137mg/dl).
Even before a blood test, you may notice some issues which may indicate prediabetes: 
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New Haven Independent
It's Your Town. Read All About It.
The city is working with a clean energy company to install a solar canopy on the Bowen Field parking lot — a project that has renewed neighbors’ calls to address noise, litter, and partying in the area.
Plans for a solar carport were discussed during Tuesday’s meeting of the Whalley, Edgewood, and Beaver Hills Community Management Team (WEBCMT) at 332 Whalley Ave., the location of a local police substation.
In the last year, the city has seen new solar arrays pop up on a public landfill and two schools. Both were installed by solar developer Greenskies Clean Energy, which the city also chose for the Bowen Field project.
A canopy at 175 Crescent St. would generate an estimated 852,900 kilowatt-hours of electricity, powering more than 80 homes for a year, according to Greenskies’ site plan.
In addition to the Bowen Field project, Ryan Linares, a vice president at Greenskies, said the company is working to install new solar canopies on the parking lots at the Alling Memorial Golf Course, East Shore Park, Clemente Leadership Academy, and Hill Regional Career High School.
All of these solar developments have been led by Steve Winter, executive director of the city’s Office of Climate and Sustainability and a state representative for parts of New Haven and Hamden.
On Tuesday, Winter presented the Bowen Field project to attendees of the evening’s WEBCMT meeting.
For this project, Winter said the city is leasing the Bowen Field parking lot to Greenskies. The company will pay around $34,000 to the city annually, though rent will vary depending on the ultimate size of the solar array.
In exchange, Greenskies can sell the power they generate to United Illuminating (UI), which may then deploy the electricity on their grid. Greenskies would own all of the solar equipment and be responsible for maintaining it. The company would also fund the planting of new trees to replace the 11 that will be cut down for the installation of a solar canopy.
Greenskies and the city have already agreed to a lease for Bowen Field, said Linares. The company’s next step is soliciting approvals from the city’s planning and zoning departments. He estimates that it will take another eight months before installation can begin.
Amid the excitement for a new solar canopy, neighbors raised their existing concerns with the Bowen Field parking lot.
“There is ongoing partying at the parking lot near from Hillhouse [High School],” said Nan Bartow, a lead volunteer for Friends of Beaver Pond Park. “Some people that are partying are responsible, but others are not. They leave litter.”
“A lot of [the partying] happens during the daytime,” said Rebecca Cramer, chair of the WEBCMT. Addressing the issue is critical because children play on Bowen Field, she said.
Beaver Hills Alder Gary Hogan, whose ward stops a few feet short of Bowen Field, agreed that the parking lot attracts revelers. While one neighbor suggested locking the gates to keep people out, Hogan said the field hosts events through the late evening, so the parking lots needs to be accessible at night.
Cramer suggested a meeting with community leaders and city staff, including officers from the New Haven Police Department, to find solutions to the lot’s noise and litter problems.
In the end, concerns about the parking lot did not lead neighbors to oppose the solar array.
“I don’t think the parking canopy will have a big impact on whether people decide to go and hang out there,” Winter told the Independent. One reason is because lights will be installed on the underside of the panels, preserving brightness and visibility in the area.
Even so, Winter said he and Linares are committed to being good stewards of the property and are eager to work with the city on addressing the lot’s ongoing issues.

5 Comments
It is absolutely wild that the partying in the parking lot is allowed. It is a SCHOOL parking lot and I see people drinking and partying in the lot from sun up to late in the night. I am talking about coolers of booze, camping chairs, canopies, music, and food. The city and the PD have known about it for years and have done nothing. Whenever they are asked about it, the parks say it is a PD problem and the PD says its a BOE problem and so on and so on. I am not against the solar panels but giving the partiers shade and rain cover is only going to increase the problem.
Also: The plan for this solar array is in its last stages and it is only now that they have come to the community to talk about it and get “approval” Instead of being able to fully hear the community concerns about lighting, tree removal from the park, and impacts on use we have to spend our time reminding the city that it is a parking lot where lots of illegal activity happens on SCHOOL PROPERTY with impunity.
FYI here is an article from almost a decade ago about an overdose that happened in the lot where other revelers had this to say “You have to look out for your fellow man,” said one of the men in the lawn chairs. “But I’m not here to look out. I’m here to enjoy myself.”
All of the men sitting in the lot said they did not become aware of the overdose until police arrived. https://www.newhavenindependent.org/2016/06/23/heroin_overdose/
They’ll have lights to part with; touching. It’s laughable that these solar panels will power 80 homes. Which homes? Oh right, they’ll sell the power to the grid giant UI who will not lower the rates one iota for anybody. The same can be said for the boondoggle of Revolution Wind which is supposed to power a couple hundred thousand homes in CT and RI. lol. No homes have been identified and one presumes it is the same pitch as Greenskies. So the power they generate will disappear into the black hole of the grid. Is there any accountability for these numbers or do the zealots just pull this out as a WAG?
At least the city will be collecting rent of $34,000 a year. Even though I think it would be a smarter move for the city to buy the panels and just have like a service contract with Greenskies to maintain them. In the long run the city would make more than the 34,000 a year. I’m sure Greenskies will be making double or more of that rent from selling it to UI.
Notes, the phrase “80 homes” is shorthand for the amount of power this system produces. Saying the system will produce an average of 1,600 kilowatt-hours per month is meaningless to most people who are not electrical engineers.
Where the power will go physically will vary from moment to moment. Electrons don’t read contracts, they follow the path of least resistance.
More revenue, more solar, more shade, more attention at the parking lot, sounds like a win win win win. Thanks City of New Haven!
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RenewSys India has inaugurated a 3 GW AI-powered, fully automated solar module manufacturing facility at IndoSpace Industrial Park, Khopoli, Maharashtra, increasing its total module capacity to 5.6 GW.
March 18, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

EVs Emerging as High-Yield Financial Assets for Businesses: Bharat Bala, Builder & CEO, AMP.EV

Technology & Grid Modernisation Key to Reliable Power Supply, Says Lokesh Chandra, CMD, MSEDCL

India Has Potential to Add 10 GW of Agri-Voltaic Capacity in Five Years: Manish Khare

Industry is Shifting from Standalone Solar to Integrated Energy Solutions: MD, Truzon Solar

India Must Develop A Robust Testing and Certification Ecosystem for BESS: Ekta Kabra, Geon

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The utility-scale Plaine Ayémé solar-storage IPP has reached financial close, after developer Solen agreed loans with Afrigreen and BGFIBank.
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Stellar PV is AUD 4.7 million ($3.07 million) closer to bringing advanced solar manufacturing back to Australia with new funds for a feasibility study of a 2 GW low-emissions polysilicon ingot pulling and wafer facility near Townsville, Queensland.
Image: Stellar PV
From pv magazine Australia
Ingot and wafer manufacturer Stellar PV is closer to bringing advanced solar manufacturing back to Australia with the help of a AUD 4.7 million Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) fund to conduct a feasibility study for a 2 GW low-emissions polysilicon ingot pulling and wafering facility near Townsville, Queensland.
Stellar PV Chief Executive Officer Louise Hurll told pv magazine the project is planned for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct near Townsville.
“This location has been strategically chosen as there is work underway on a potential polysilicon site nearby, which could create an integrated value chain, from quartz mining through to wafer production, all in one area,” Hurll said. “Additionally, Townsville is located in Queensland, known as our ‘Sunshine State,’ and around us there is abundant solar energy resources, which will be critical for producing solar ingots with a low carbon footprint.”
The funds allocated to Stellar are part of the federal government’s AUD 1 billion Solar Sunshot program, that seeks to commercialize solar innovations and enhance supply chains.
ARENA’s recent AUD 45.5 million funding round drawn from SunShot’s $50 million Round 1B for feasability and engineering studies, issued AUD 35.5 million to Tindo Solar and AUD 11 million shared between Solquartz, Energus and Stellar PV.
Stellar PV’s aim is to produce high purity silicon ingots and wafers on home soil to support a cleaner and more secure global energy future while strengthening supply chain resilience and diversity in the solar industry, but the process is not without its challenges.
“As the first project of its kind in Australia, one of the key challenges is the longer timeline and complexity involved in getting such facilities fully commissioned compared to established operations in Asia,” Hurll said. “However, we are fortunate to have several team members with decades of experience which positions us well to overcome these challenges.”
The Townsville facility will process polysilicon to produce silion ingots using the Czochralski method then convert the ingots to silicon wafers using a wire sawing process.
“The Czochralski (CZ) method is the most widely used and advanced technology globally for producing high-purity silicon ingots for solar cells,” Hurll said. “It enables excellent crystal quality and uniformity, translating into better performance and is why it is our preferred method.”
The feasibility study will cover technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental impact, workforce development strategies, engineering work and community engagement.
To align with the Round 1B objectives, Stellar PV will potentially provide a pathway to the development and operation of a sustainable and commercial scale solar manufacturing facility and provide a pathway towards domestic supply of ingots and wafers.
“We are delighted to have the support of ARENA through this $4.7 million feasibility study grant. It is a strong signal of confidence in the role domestic manufacturing can play in advancing Australia’s renewable energy ambitions,” said Hurll.
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The Indian government has proposed that all clean energy companies use domestically produced solar ingots and wafers from June 2028. The move is aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on Chinese imports. This comes as part of a broader plan to ensure that all components in the solar panel manufacturing process are sourced locally.
Industry response
Leading Indian companies such as Waaree Energies, Tata Power, and Indosol Solar have already proposed massive investments to ramp up their renewable manufacturing capacity. This is in line with India’s ambitious target of doubling its non-fossil fuel-based power capacity to 500GW by 2030. The government has also made it mandatory for state-run projects to use locally assembled solar panels, although certain components such as cells, wafers, ingots, and polysilicon can still be imported.
Import reliance
Currently, India relies solely on China for its imports of cells, ingots, wafers and polysilicon for solar panels. However, the country has also mandated the use of domestically produced solar cells from June 2026. This is part of a larger effort to reduce import dependency and promote self-sufficiency in the renewable energy sector.
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Renewable Energy Synergy – OpEd  Eurasia Review
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European Consumers Seek Out Solar, EVs as Energy Prices Surge  Bloomberg.com
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Thursday, March 19, 2026
Trinasolar is the latest solar player to plan a robot trial in Australia, with the manufacturer looking at securing a green grant for its ‘Trinabot’.
The Trinabot is a solar panel installation robot, similar to other machines already tested in Australia such as Luminous’ Lumi and Leapting’s Litian robots.
It’s part of an initiative to help developers reduce their whole-of-system cost, says Trinasolar ANZ and Pakistan group director Edison Zhou.
“We want to bring new technology, high efficiency panels, the Elementa 3 which is our new [utility scale] battery, and the installation robot… to help developers not just reduce the manufacturing cost, but also the total system cost,” Zhou told Renew Economy at the All Energy conference in October. 
He says the Trinabot is already being used across “so many” projects in China, and they are now working with a contractor to apply for grant funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to run a local pilot. 
Luminous panel installer robot at the Goorambat solar project. Image: Engie
ARENA is keen to fund these kinds of trials as part of a push to bring down the cost of large scale solar to below $20 a megawatt hour. 
This week it promised $45 million to Fortescue alone to test up to 10 different novel solar technologies on projects in the Pilbara. 
Other funded technologies are automated, or semi-automated pile driving rigs such as Nextracker is testing at several solar projects in Australia, again thanks to an ARENA grant. 
These kinds of technologies will become increasingly important from this year onwards, as it looks like the ongoing collapse in solar panel prices is over and the cost of modules tipped to edge up from now. 
Leapting says its solar panel installer can do the work of up to four humans, while Trinasolar’s Andrew Percival says theirs can improve the economic value of a project by a third. 
“It changes the efficiency level and improves the economic value of a project by potentially up to 30 per cent, it just depends on the project, site and location. The idea is that we’re not trying to change how much labour is involved, but streamline the labour, so you’re getting better cost outcomes,” he told Renew Economy.
“As modules become more efficient, we’re trying to keep the size and the format the same. We’re also trying to allow developers and EPCs to be more efficient with their project delivery. 
“If we can give them that efficiency through value adds… this is a real value point of difference.”
Reducing the number of people needed on site as solar equipment is installed is the unspoken, carefully hedged motivation for all of these projects.
It’s partly because labour is expensive in Australia, but also because there aren’t that many people available to do the work. 
Labour shortages combined with remote or, as in the Pilbara, harsh environmental conditions are making robotic aids increasingly useful for contractors as a way to build very large scale solar projects faster.
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Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.
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A major manufacturer has taken a big step towards its goal of running on 100 per cent renewable energy.
TMD Friction, a global leader in braking technology, has installed 1,468 solar panels on the roof of its factory in Hartlepool.
The panels cover nearly 3,000 square metres and are expected to generate 590,000 kWh of electricity each year – about six per cent of the site’s total energy use.
The installation forms part of the company’s wider environmental strategy, with a target of switching all facilities to renewable power by 2030.
At its production site in Hartlepool, UK, TMD Friction installed 1,468 solar panels across 2,933m² of roof space. The project is predicted to generate approximately 590,000 kWh of electricity annually, covering around 6 per cent of the site’s total (Image: Supplied)
Andrew Turner, vice president of PC Europe at TMD Friction, said the project will help meet immediate energy needs and drive long-term change.
Mr Turner said: "The solar installation represents a meaningful and tangible commitment to our Sustainability Roadmap 2040.
"At Hartlepool, we’re not just generating cleaner energy, we’re embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our manufacturing operations.
"The ability to monitor each panel in real time means we can ensure we are getting the maximum benefit from the investment, and that’s the kind of precision and accountability we bring to everything we do."
The panels are expected to reduce the site’s carbon footprint by around 150 tonnes per year.
TMD Friction partnered with Geo-Green Power to deliver the installation, which is also equipped with SolarEdge monitoring software to track the performance of each panel in real time.
The Hartlepool project adds to the company’s growing list of renewable energy investments across its global operations.
At its 23,000 square metre facility in Caransebes, Romania, TMD Friction recently completed one of its largest solar schemes to date.
A total of 3,236 solar panels were installed as part of a self-funded project delivered in partnership with Servelect.
The Romanian system will generate 2,580,000 kWh of electricity each year – meeting 14 per cent of the site’s energy needs – and cut carbon emissions by 470 tonnes annually.
Mr Turner said: "The scale of this installation reflects our dedication to sustainability and investment in our company’s future.
"With 470 tonnes of CO₂ saved every year, the impact is real and measurable, moving us closer to our 2030 renewable energy target."
Together, the Hartlepool and Caransebes projects will save a combined 620 tonnes of emissions each year.
The company has also installed solar panels at its plant in Valencia, Spain, and has a long-term partnership with Iberdrola to supply renewable power to its German sites.
In 2025, nearly half of the group’s energy came from green sources.
Across its global network, TMD Friction continues to invest in energy management software to monitor usage data, improve efficiency, and ensure transparent reporting of energy costs by source.
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TOKYO, March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On March 17, 2026, the PV EXPO 2026, the leading PV Expo in Japan, kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center in Tokyo, Japan. TCL Solar showcased its core product offering, featuring the BC module, T5 Pro multi-cut module, and lightweight module. The company’s extensive product portfolio and advanced technologies gained widespread attention from industry professional and visitors alike.

TCL Solar showcased its core product offering at PV EXPO 2026 in Japan.
The development of the photovoltaic industry is largely driven by technological innovation. TCL Solar is at the forefront of this by adopting with TOPCon multi-cut and BC technologies. TCL Solar’s innovation is exemplified by its latest TOPCon module, the T5 Pro high‑efficiency multi‑cut module. Designed to deliver industry‑leading performance, reliability, and aesthetics, the module features a triple‑cut, overlapping cell architecture that increases efficiency by 0.5% compared with conventional TOPCon half‑cut modules. Its advanced circuit architecture has earned TÜV Rheinland Shading Resistance Certification, with testing showing the T5 Pro generates 15% more power under equivalent shading conditions compared to standard TOPCon half‑cut modules. In addition, its low‑current temperature control technology reduces hot‑spot temperatures by up to 45°C, significantly minimizing fire risk.
The BC module with its no busbar design and no front metal lines present a more visually appealing aesthetic. Its cell-level bypass diode technology allows intelligent shade management. Which achieves 20W+ higher power output than traditional TOPCon modules, offers superior hotspot resistance, and features a low power degradation rate of just 0.35%, making it perfectly suited for Japan’s unique market requirements, which include limited land availability, and a high demand for aesthetics and safety (has a lower operating temperature and better shade management, which reduces the risks of hotspots).
The brand-new lightweight module weighs only 5.4 kg/m², offers a 3-6% increase in energy generation compared to conventional modules, making it ideal for sensitive load-bearing scenarios such as wooden rooftops.
Central to this success is significant and ongoing investment in research and development. TCL Solar now holds more than 4,600 proprietary patents dedicated exclusively to solar technologies. The company has also pioneered advanced manufacturing, including the launch of the industry’s first 4.0 silicon wafer factory in 2020, delivering an annual capacity of 25GW and setting new benchmarks for efficiency and scale.
More notably, TCL Solar has successfully passed the rigorous 65mm hail impact test conducted by TÜV Rheinland, exceeding the standard requirements of IEC 61215. The stringent test validates the outstanding durability and stability of TCL Solar modules, which retain intact appearance and stable performance even under extreme weather conditions. The authoritative certification further demonstrates TCL Solar’s commitment to product reliability and long-term performance, strengthening our position in high-standard markets such as Japan.
TCL Solar’s showcase at PV EXPO 2026 underscores its strategic focus on the premium Japanese market, as well as its commitment to driving the global energy transition through extensive technologies. Staying committed to innovation and sustainable development; TCL Solar will capitalize on opportunities arising from the global low‑carbon and digital transformation. By fostering new growth drivers and collaborating with partners across industries, the company will continue pursuing high‑quality development and building a more sustainable future for all.
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India’s solar module exports to the United States have witnessed a sharp decline following tariff actions imposed by the Trump administration.
According to a Climate Risk Horizons report, Tariff Wars: A Strategic Opportunity For Indian Solar, solar exports declined by approximately 35 per cent after tariffs were introduced in August 2025. Export values fell from USD 134 million in August to about USD 80 million in September, reflecting immediate market disruption.

The US, which accounted for nearly 95 percent of India’s solar module exports despite representing only about 7 percent of its total imports, has historically been India’s dominant export destination. This concentration risk has now translated into volatility for Indian manufacturers.
The imposition and subsequent escalation of tariffs have significantly impacted pricing dynamics. Tariffs increased from around 14 percent pre-2025 to 50 percent by August 2025, and later surged to 126 percent in February 2026.

As illustrated in the pricing trend in the report, module prices for Indian exports to the US rose from approximately INR 25,000 per kWp to nearly INR 49,500 per kWp due to tariff pressures.
This sharp increase has reduced the competitiveness of Indian modules in the US market, leading to a steep decline in demand.
Indian manufacturers have historically relied on exports to developed markets due to higher profitability. Modules exported to the US offered margins estimated to be 40 percent to 60 percent higher than those sold domestically.
While domestic module prices averaged around INR 15,000 per kWp, export prices in the US reached nearly INR 25,000 per kWp before tariff escalation.
This margin differential explains the industry’s heavy export orientation, which is now being challenged by geopolitical trade actions.
India’s solar manufacturing capacity has undergone a rapid increase in recent years. The country added approximately 81 GW of manufacturing capacity in 2025 alone, taking total capacity to around 144 GW.
By 2030, module capacity is expected to reach 160 GW, while cell capacity could grow to 120 GW. However, upstream segments such as wafers and polysilicon remain underdeveloped, with capacities below 3 GW currently.
This imbalance highlights a critical gap in India’s solar value chain.
The report emphasises the need for Indian manufacturers to diversify export markets beyond the US. Regions such as the European Union present potential opportunities, particularly as Europe seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese imports, which currently account for about 98 percent of its solar panel supply.
Some Indian companies have also begun setting up manufacturing bases in the US to mitigate tariff risks. For instance, Waaree has already established a 1.6 GW facility in the US and plans further expansion.
The report identifies domestic solar deployment as a key strategy to absorb excess manufacturing capacity and reduce export dependency.
India needs to install around 50 GW of renewable energy annually to meet its 2030 targets. In 2025, the country installed approximately 35 GW of solar and 6 GW of wind capacity, indicating strong growth momentum.
However, more than 40 GW of projects remain stalled due to unsigned power sale agreements, highlighting execution challenges that need urgent resolution.
Policy measures such as reducing GST on solar panels from 12 percent to 5 percent are expected to improve project economics and accelerate deployment.
Heavy industries present a significant untapped source of renewable energy demand. Under existing regulations, these sectors are required to source around 30 percent of their electricity from renewable sources.
If leading industrial players meet their renewable purchase obligations, it could generate approximately 19 billion units of annual demand. Full decarbonisation of their electricity consumption could increase this to 89 billion units, requiring an additional 10 GW to 50 GW of renewable capacity.
Despite strong module manufacturing capacity, India remains heavily dependent on imports for upstream components such as wafers, ingots, and polysilicon.

China dominates more than 90 percent of these segments globally. The report suggests that without significant investments in upstream manufacturing before 2028, India’s solar ambitions could face constraints.
Expanding domestic demand could incentivise investments in these segments and support vertical integration.
Scaling up renewable energy deployment could also reduce India’s reliance on coal imports.
India imported about 30 percent of its coal requirement for electricity generation in 2023–24, costing approximately USD 21 billion. A reduction in coal demand has already demonstrated significant forex savings, with INR 60,682 crore saved in FY 2024–25 following an 8 percent drop in thermal coal demand.
The report estimates that an additional 236 GW of renewable capacity would be required to eliminate thermal coal imports.
We are India’s leading B2B media house, reporting full-time on solar energy, wind, battery storage, solar inverters, and electric vehicle (EV)
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New Delhi, Mar 18 (KNN) The government is undertaking multiple measures to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing and boost exports, Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy and Power Shripad Yesso Naik informed the Rajya Sabha.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) does not maintain a centralised database on the number of MSMEs engaged specifically in solar component manufacturing on a state-wise basis. 
However, it maintains the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), which provides details of solar PV module and cell manufacturers along with their capacities.
The minister noted that strong domestic demand for solar PV cells and modules continues to encourage participation from companies, including MSMEs, in the sector.
According to data from the Department of Commerce, India’s exports of solar PV cells and modules increased from USD 885 million during April–December 2024 to around USD 994 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
To support the sector, the government is implementing several initiatives. These include the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules with an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore, under which manufacturing capacity of over 48,000 MW has been awarded.
Domestic manufacturing is also being promoted through Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) provisions under schemes such as PM-KUSUM, CPSU Scheme Phase-II and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, mandating use of locally produced solar cells and modules where subsidies are provided.
In addition, the government has imposed Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on imports of solar PV cells and modules, while offering duty exemptions on select capital goods required for domestic manufacturing.
The government is also engaging with partner countries to promote solar supply chains and explore export opportunities for Indian manufacturers through bilateral discussions and trade agreements.
These measures are aimed at enhancing domestic capacity, reducing import dependence and positioning India as a key player in the global solar manufacturing ecosystem.
(KNN Bureau)
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$2.9 billion gas plant proposed in Arkansas
Stardust Power moves closer to construction
March 18, 2026

The U.S. used 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs to attack Iranian missile sites in the Strait of Hormuz. At present, following Iranian threats to target ships, many vessels are avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for the global energy market, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.
** On Wednesday, Iranian state-run media reported an attack on facilities associated with its offshore South Pars natural gas field. It didn’t elaborate and it wasn’t clear if Israel or the United States had carried out the attack, though the U.S. has been operating primarily in southern Iran.
** In Iran, the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex was hit by a projectile the night before but there were no injuries and the plant suffered no damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency said after receiving a report from Tehran.
** Crude prices remained above $100 a barrel on Wednesday morning but eased from previous highs after Iraq signed a deal with Turkey to resume oil exports via its territory. Iraq has reportedly reached an agreement with Turkey to restart oil exports through its territory, having also agreed with Kurdistan to pump crude through a pipeline in the region.
** The Trump administration approves BP’s $5 billion ultra-deepwater oil drilling project off the coast of Louisiana despite opposition from environmentalists and Democrats.
** The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that Texas led the U.S. last year by installing 11 GW of solar power — more than twice the amount installed by any other state.
** General Motors and battery company LG Energy Solution recall 700 workers who were previously laid off due to sluggish EV sales as they work to redevelop a Tennessee EV battery plant to make grid-scale batteries.
** The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a settlement agreement with TotalEnergies that would pay the company $928 million to cancel its two offshore wind leases in federal waters, including one off North Carolina.
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India plans deeper solar supply chain localisation to cut reliance on China
India proposes local solar ingots, wafers use from June 2028 onward.
Move aims to cut China dependence across entire solar manufacturing chain.
Limited capacity, higher costs may impact installations in short term.
India is proposing that clean energy firms use only locally made solar ​ingots and wafers from June 2028, ‌the country’s renewable energy ministry said on March 18, in a move aimed at curbing ​Chinese imports.
With this, the South Asian ​country is looking to ensure the usage of ⁠domestically made components across the entire ​solar panel manufacturing chain.
2 March 2026
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India currently has a ​manufacturing capacity of about 2 gigawatt (GW) for ingots and wafers.

BY Outlook Business Desk
Companies including Waaree Energies and Indosol Solar, ​have proposed billions of rupees of ​investments to build renewable manufacturing capacity as India ‌aims ⁠to double its non-fossil fuel-based power capacity to 500 GW by 203
The government has already mandated the usage of locally assembled ​solar panels ​in state-run projects ⁠even though components like cells, wafers, ingots and polysilicon could ​be imported.
India currently relies entirely on ​China ⁠for its imports of cells, ingots, wafers and poly silicon for solar panels.
The ⁠country ​has also directed the ​use of domestically made solar cells from June 2026.

BY PTI
India’s proposal to mandate locally made solar ingots and wafers by 2028 signals a deeper push for supply chain self-reliance and reduced dependence on China, which currently dominates global solar manufacturing, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The IEA report further stated that costs in China are 10% lower than in India, 20% lower than in the United States, and 35% lower than in Europe. Large variations in energy, labour, investment and overhead costs explain these differences. Still, in the absence of financial incentives and manufacturing support, the bankability of manufacturing projects outside of panel assembly remains limited outside of China and few countries in Southeast Asia.
By extending localisation across the full value chain, the move could strengthen domestic manufacturing, improve energy security and create jobs, experts told Reuters.
However, analysts caution that limited domestic capacity and higher production costs may raise project expenses in the short term, potentially slowing installations. Rising commodity prices have increased the cost of producing solar PV modules, wind turbines and biofuels worldwide. This situation has short-term implications for equipment manufacturers, project developers and policy makers, stated another IEA report published in December 2021.
According to Bloomberg, over time, increased investments and policy support could help scale up capacity and bring costs down, aligning with India’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target.
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News Brief
Arun Dhital
Mar 18, 2026 | Updated 02:39 PM GMT+5:30
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India’s renewable energy ministry has announced a proposal requiring clean energy companies to source solar ingots and wafers exclusively from domestic manufacturers starting June 2028, as part of a broader push to reduce reliance on Chinese imports across the solar supply chain, the Business Line reported.
The move is part of New Delhi’s wider effort to build self-sufficiency in solar panel manufacturing, covering every link in the production chain from polysilicon to finished panels.
At present, India depends entirely on China for its supply of solar cells, ingots, wafers and polysilicon.
The country’s current domestic manufacturing capacity for ingots and wafers stands at approximately 2 gigawatts.
To bridge the gap between current output and future demand, major industry players, including Waaree Energies, Tata Power and Indosol Solar have committed billions of rupees towards expanding renewable manufacturing infrastructure.
The proposal comes as India pursues an ambitious target of doubling its non-fossil fuel power capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
The government has already taken incremental steps in this direction. State-run projects have been directed to use domestically assembled solar panels, though key upstream components such as cells, wafers, ingots and polysilicon were still permitted to be imported. Separately, a mandate requiring the use of locally produced solar cells is set to take effect from June 2026, making the 2028 deadline for ingots and wafers the next logical step in the localisation roadmap.
Together, these measures signal a systematic effort by New Delhi to insulate the country’s clean energy ambitions from external supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly those tied to a single source country.
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The Mooi Plaats Solar PV Project officially entered commercial operation. Situated near Noupoort on the border of the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, the facility is now the largest single site solar power plant in the country.
The project forms part of the Koruson 2 cluster, a major renewable energy development led by Envusa Energy, a joint venture between Anglo American and EDF Renewables. It represents the first large scale delivery under Envusa’s broader strategy to build a 3 GW to 5 GW clean energy portfolio by 2030.
With a nameplate capacity of 240 MW and a DC capacity of 283.1 MW, the solar plant is equipped with 416,324  bifacial photovoltaic modules. These are mounted on a single axis tracker system and supported by 943 string inverters, enabling optimised energy generation across varying solar conditions.
Related news: Powered by LONGi HPBC 2.0 cell technology, redefining a new era of photovoltaic value – the HiMO X10
The facility is expected to generate approximately 360 million kWh of renewable electricity annually. This output will be supplied to Anglo American’s South African operations under long term off-taker agreement spanning 20 years. Key beneficiaries include Anglo American Platinum, Kumba Iron Ore and De Beers, supporting energy intensive mining activities with cleaner power.
The ownership structure also reflects South Africa’s transformation objectives. Local black owned independent power producer, Pele Green Energy, holds a 20% equity stake in the project, alongside a community trust designed to ensure local economic participation and long term financial benefits for surrounding communities.
As Envusa Energy advances its renewable pipeline, the successful commissioning of Mooi Plaats sets a strong precedent for future large scale clean energy developments aimed at powering the mining sector and accelerating South Africa’s energy transition.
LONGi’s high quality solar panels are available through an extensive distributor network in Africa. Link to the LONGi distributor list: LONGi Distributors List – Africa
Author: Bryan Groenendaal

 






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An aerial image shows arrays of PV panels supporting the power use of a village in Suichuan county, Jiangxi province, on Feb 23.
Solar power is set to serve as a transformative engine for China's vast rural regions, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution to local energy needs while bolstering the nation's broader push toward carbon neutrality, according to national legislators and industry experts.
The rapid deployment of photovoltaic systems in the countryside is no longer merely a supplemental energy source but a strategic pillar for rural vitalization, said Zhong Baoshen, chairman and general manager of Longi Green Energy Technology Co, who is also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress.
Zhong said: "Solar energy, which boasts zero fuel costs and minimal maintenance requirements, is already delivering substantial economic relief to rural households across China.
"By replacing inefficient traditional fuels, PV technology is effectively lowering living costs and creating new revenue streams for farming communities."
This shift aligns with the latest directives from the National Energy Administration.
During its first rural vitalization leadership group meeting of this year earlier this month, the NEA emphasized that advancing the energy revolution in rural areas is a top priority.
The administration has pledged to scale up rural wind and solar development while enhancing the comprehensive carrying capacity of rural power grids to ensure that energy development directly benefits village collectives and resident income.
Despite this progress, structural challenges remain in the "last lag" of the energy transition.
In his proposals this year, Zhong pointed out that many rural grids are currently hitting their capacity limits, leading to restricted access for new solar installations in certain regions.
Furthermore, a lack of price-risk management tools for farmers has also threatened the long-term stability of the sector, he said.
To bridge these gaps, Zhong suggested integrating rural grid expansion and modernization into the national infrastructure priority list. He advocated for the development of green inclusive finance and specialized insurance products to stabilize income expectations for households in an increasingly marketized power landscape.
Beyond the countryside, the solar industry is facing a crisis of involution, or cutthroat competition.
With domestic capacity reaching approximately 1,400 gigawatts against a global demand of roughly 700 GW, the market has slipped into a spiral of low-price, low-quality competition that stifles innovation, he said.
China aims to eliminate the value-added tax export rebate for photovoltaic products starting on April 1.
While the cancellation is expected to further increase export costs in the short term and compress profit margins, the move serves as a timely intervention to break the current deadlock of intense domestic competition.
Since 2024, the solar industry has seen fierce price wars at home that have depressed export prices, eroding profits and leading to anti-subsidy investigations abroad.
The withdrawal of continuous tax dividends, according to Liu Yiyang, executive secretary-general of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, will help rationalize export prices.
The move will inhibit the overly rapid decline in export prices in the long run while alleviating the country's fiscal burden, he said.
Zhong called for a categorical approach to management, including raising national mandatory safety and fire-resistance standards to weed out inferior products.
He also proposed a rating system to monitor the financial health of solar enterprises, including asset-liability ratios, to prevent disorderly expansion and encourage healthy mergers.
Zhong also pointed out that expanding the use of green hydrogen, ammonia and ethanol will be crucial for China to achieve deep cuts in carbon emissions while ensuring domestic energy security.
While the future growth of power generation will mainly come from nonfossil resources, the sector is currently plagued by high costs and a lack of domestic application scenarios, he said.
Zhong's proposals include establishing mandatory green fuel usage ratios for the petrochemical and metallurgical industries, alongside the introduction of green fuel quotas in the shipping industry.
To make these fuels competitive, he recommended integrating certified carbon reductions into the China Certified Emission Reduction scheme for national market trading.
"Only by prioritizing high standards and systemic coordination can we ensure that China's energy standing remains unyielding amid global shifts," he said.
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn

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