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Indian solar manufacturer Premier Energies has unveiled a new zero busbar (0BB) tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell, a “first” in India, according to the company. This new 0BB solar cell represents a shift from the traditional 10BB and 16BB architectures usually used by manufacturers. Get Premium Subscription Removing the busbars eliminates the need for silver busbars with ultra-fine silver lines to collect current. Many solar manufacturers have been shifting to 0BB structures over the past couple of years, in a move to reduce the consumption of silver. Although the trend began with heterojunction technology (HJT), it has also been applied to TOPCon cells, such as in Premier Energies’ case. The trend has spread to other products, such as tandem metallisation applications, as was mentioned last year (Premium subscription) by Markus Fischer, vice president of R&D operations at solar manufacturer Qcells and co-chairman of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV). “Zero Busbar is not an incremental upgrade, it is a redesign of solar cell engineering,” said Sudhir Reddy, chief strategy officer at Premier Energies. “By lowering silver usage while enhancing efficiency and durability, we are strengthening both performance economics and sustainability in solar manufacturing.” The 0BB structure also helps improve mechanical flexibility, lower cell interconnection stress and improve resistance to micro-cracks. This latest technological development from the Indian manufacturer comes only weeks after the company increased its annual nameplate solar cell capacity from 3.2GW to 3.6GW with the commissioning of a new 400MW cell processing manufacturing plant in the central state of Telangana. Chandra Mauli Kumar, chief production officer at Premier Energies, added: “Scaling 0BB demanded significant manufacturing precision and process innovation. Our integrated capabilities enable us to deliver enhanced crack tolerance, reduced interconnection stress and consistent performance in extreme temperatures.”
Partly cloudy skies. Low 22F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Partly cloudy skies. Low 22F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Updated: February 26, 2026 @ 3:49 pm
CLARION – Plans for a 3-megawatt solar energy facility at a former lumberyard in Clarion County advanced last week. Developers shared project details with the Clarion County Planning Commission and answered questions about environmental impacts, setbacks and long-term decommissioning. The proposed local solar farm, Witty Midnight Salamander, LLC and TLS Holdco, LLC, is located in Knox Township. Green Key Solar and its project team, Lumberyard Solar, presented a preliminary land development plan at a county meeting on Feb. 18. The plan features a fixed-tilt solar array covering about 15 acres of a 36-acre property. The project will use about 7,000 solar panels set in fixed rows facing south at a 20- to 25-degree angle. The panels will be 3 to 9.5 feet above the ground, allowing vegetation to be maintained with regular mowing equipment. Developers said the layout avoids wetlands and limits grading by using existing gravel drives left from the site’s previous use as a mulch processing and lumber yard. According to the project engineer, only a small amount of new gravel will be added to build an emergency vehicle turnaround that meets International Fire Code standards. One part of the access road will narrow to 11 feet to avoid wetlands, while the rest of the roads meet standard widths. The two ponds on the property will not be disturbed. Project designers said the solar array was planned to avoid wetlands and steep slopes that would need grading. Engineers said the project will improve stormwater conditions compared to the current site. Much of the compacted gravel will be replaced with vegetation, reducing runoff and helping water soak into the ground. The project will use driven pile foundations, which are steel beams set about nine feet into the ground, instead of concrete footers. This approach will minimize soil disturbance. Erosion and sediment controls will include reinforced silt fencing, erosion control blankets, and a stabilized construction entrance. The Clarion County Conservation District recently approved the project’s erosion and sediment control plan following a minor layout change. The only remaining zoning change is the southern property setback. Developers said the site is limited by wetlands, ponds, steep slopes, and mature trees. Project representatives said placing panels closer to the southern boundary, where there are no homes within about 1,250 feet, would reduce visual impacts for neighbors to the north. They also said this change would keep existing buildings and wooded areas as buffers. According to the developer, the nearest panels will be about 55 feet from the southern property line, which exceeds the township’s minimum commercial setback requirement. Planning commission members and attendees asked who would be responsible for removing the solar facility if the project were to stop operating in the future. Developers explained that the lease agreement includes required decommissioning terms. Lumberyard Solar must remove all equipment and restore the site upon completion of the project. The company will also post a bond equal to 110 percent of the estimated removal cost, with the amount reviewed and updated over time. Developers said the bond will make sure funds are available even if the project owner is no longer in business. They added that the value of salvaged panels and equipment should help cover removal costs. If the project is approved as planned, developers expect construction to start in early 2027. Building the facility will take four to six months, depending on electrical and connection work. The facility will connect to the grid on-site using an existing utility transmission corridor and is approved to generate 3 megawatts of alternating current power. County officials said the plan is still under review and tabled the issue. Final decisions will be made once technical corrections are completed and the requested setback change is addressed, which is expected to happen at the March meeting. Solar Field Planned for Knox Borough Another solar project was proposed for Knox Borough. The Fort Knox, LLC (Modern Living Solutions) project would install about 636 solar panels on 1.4 acres at the former Knox glass plant site, near an existing factory, according to details shared last week. The panels will be set up near an existing stormwater pond and surrounded by chain-link fencing. The solar array will have a small footprint, with posts driven into the ground, creating less than 5,000 square feet of new impervious surface. The electricity from the panels will be sent to the factory through an underground utility line. The project is meant to power the Modern Living Solutions facility and has been reviewed alongside earlier approved stormwater management plans. Project representatives said stormwater impacts will be minimal, and the contractor will provide an erosion and sediment control plan during construction. A decommissioning plan has been prepared for the owner and operator and is expected to be signed by the landowner. The estimated decommissioning cost approaches $1 million. Officials said this project is much smaller than the proposed Knox Township proposal, covering only 1.4 acres compared to others that span dozens of acres. No zoning changes or variances are needed. County Engineer Kevin Reichard called the proposal well-designed and said it seems to meet all requirements. The project received unanimous preliminary approval. [Additional items from the meeting can be found in our online article.] Other Business Beyond solar energy, the commission addressed several land development renewals. • Redbank LLC — The project was originally approved in March 2021, and includes a 2,000-square-foot storage rental unit building and a 2,970-square-foot parking lot area. Township officials said the approval included a five-year construction window that will expire in March. No construction has taken place since the original approval. Reichard said the property has been sold and that the new owner wants to continue the same development plan under the Redbank LLC name. Township staff said the proposal is identical to the earlier approved plan, with no changes to the design, setbacks, or site layout. Reichard said that all previous reviews and approvals remain valid. Letters from agencies, including Hawthorn Borough, show no objections to the project and no concerns about stormwater management. With no questions from commission members, the board unanimously granted preliminary approval. The development can now move forward under the original conditions set nearly five years ago. • Priority First Credit Union — Final approval was granted for a new 2,061-square-foot credit union building that replaces the previous structure on the same site. The new building was built after the original credit union was demolished. The facility has two entrances. Township officials said the building was finished according to the approved plans. A certificate of occupancy dated October 21, 2025, was submitted to confirm the project’s completion and compliance. • Final Approval for Crematory Building — The commission also gave final approval to a project from Fredrick and Susan L. Goble for a 1,656-square-foot crematory building near the state police barracks at Trinity Point. Township officials said a certificate of occupancy has been submitted, confirming the building was completed as planned. With no questions from commission members, the board granted final approval. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on! The Leader-Vindicator mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Leader-Vindicator on your mobile device just as it appears in print.
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Whatever decision the U.S. Department of Commerce makes on polysilicon imports, some market segments are in for a bumpy ride in 2026 as the expiration of tax credits and other policy levers change the trading environment faced by residential installers and others. Jesse Pichel and Lev Seleznov of Roth Capital assess what lies ahead for U.S. solar. Image: Roth Capital From pv magazine 2/26 The U.S. solar market is entering a period of adjustment driven by policy uncertainty, the expiration of residential tax incentives, and changes in customer financing structures. Based on recent discussions with contacts in Washington, DC, residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) market participants, and installer surveys, visibility remains limited, but several directional themes are becoming clearer. Recent checks indicate that there is no clear consensus on the timing of potential Section 232 action related to polysilicon imports. Several contacts believe the Department of Commerce is unlikely to issue a ruling before the upcoming US-China leadership meeting in April, with some suggesting May as a more realistic window. That view appears to be informed by a belief that the administration is avoiding additional trade friction ahead of the meeting. Views are not uniform. Other informed observers said external political developments could lead to an earlier decision, particularly if a Supreme Court ruling constrains tariff authority under IEEPA, prompting a more immediate response. Importantly, contacts consistently emphasized that visibility into the final structure remains low, with no clear indication yet whether tariffs, quotas, or another mechanism will be pursued. Policy-related uncertainty around sourcing, pricing, and supply chains is likely to persist through at least the first half of 2026. Residential headwinds Residential solar participants indicate 2026 is expected to be a down year for the segment, although the scale of installation decline is still debated. Several noted it is still early, with better visibility expected later in the first quarter or early in the second quarter. There is also disagreement on the quarterly profile. Some installers expect the first quarter of 2026 to be difficult, with potential stabilization or recovery in the second half of the year. Others believe the slowdown is already underway and that expectations for strength carrying from late 2025 into early 2026 may be overly optimistic. Market participants in California and the Northeast report more stable conditions, but those serving other regions describe sharper deterioration. Most expect some degree of recovery in 2027, though they generally describe it as modest growth off a weaker 2026 base rather than a strong rebound. C&I stability Compared to residential, the C&I segment is viewed as more stable, though not immune to pressure. Industry participants generally expect C&I demand in 2026 to range from flat to modestly down. Timing effects related to safe harboring are expected to play an important role. Some anticipate shipments will be pulled forward in early 2026, tied to projects safe harbored in late 2025. This could be followed by another wave later in the year as additional projects are positioned to preserve tax credit eligibility. As a result, C&I demand may appear uneven over the course of the year rather than consistently strong. With the residential investment tax credit under Section 25D no longer available, installers and financiers are increasingly focused on prepaid structures as an alternative. That said, there remains confusion in the market around product definitions. Not all prepaid offerings are leases. Some providers offer prepaid power purchase agreements that have been in the market for several years and are supported by institutional capital. These products are generally viewed as well understood and operationally proven, and are now receiving increased attention as installers look to offset lost 25D driven volume. Market signals Other recent checks point to continued pressure in residential. Some hardware providers appear to have been removed from third-party ownership approved vendor lists, which could further constrain installer options. Service providers for residential and smaller C&I markets report demand softness tied directly to the expiration of consumer tax incentives. Visibility remains limited, particularly around Section 232 and residential demand trajectories, and views across the industry remain mixed. What is clear is that the removal of 25D is having a meaningful impact on residential solar, accelerating the industry’s reliance on alternative financing structures. While 2026 is widely expected to be challenging for residential installations, most participants still anticipate stabilization and modest growth in 2027, assuming policy conditions do not deteriorate further. Jesse Pichel and Lev Seleznov The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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The new SALT 110 battery storage system from the Vienna-based company has a usable capacity of up to 110 kWh. The storage system is reportedly capable of 6,000 charge cycles at a depth of discharge of 95%. Image: Salzström, Jürgen Hellensohn From ESS News Salzstrom has unveiled a sodium-ion energy storage system for use in commercial applications. Salzstrom had previously launched a residential photovoltaic storage system based on its sodium-ion technology. The market response to that system significantly exceeded Salzstrom’s expectations. Even before the market launch of its new battery storage system, the company reported strong interest from commercial and industrial customers. The SALT 110 storage system has a power output of 100 kVA and a usable storage capacity of up to 110 kWh. The cell chemistry used is based on sodium iron phosphate (NFPP), according to Salzstrom. The battery efficiency is stated as 95%. The storage system is suitable for use in temperatures between -25 C and 55 C Its dimensions are 1,000 mm x 1,460 mm x 2,450 mm, and it weighs 2,400 kg. Salzstrom specifies the product’s output voltage as 400 V at 50 hertz. The device has certifications according to EN IEC 62619, VDE 4105, and EN 50549, among others. The storage system is reportedly capable of 6,000 charge cycles at a depth of discharge of 95%. Salzstrom said it developed the compact commercial energy storage system SALT 110 for applications in confined spaces, such as data centers or industrial buildings with limited room. Viewings of the storage system are now possible by prior appointment at Salzstrom’s facilities. The first customer installations in Germany and Austria are scheduled to begin in early March. “Customer interest is overwhelming. Many companies are specifically looking for alternatives to lithium – whether for sustainability reasons or due to safety considerations. With the ‘SALT 110’, we are offering the first market-ready cabinet solution for the commercial segment in Europe,” explains Jürgen Ellensohn, co-founder and CSO/CMO responsible for sales and marketing. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Sandra Enkhardt Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Residential consumers drove 76% of India’s rooftop solar growth last year under the PM Surya Ghar program, pushing total capacity to 20.8 GW. Image: Oorjan Cleantech From pv magazine India India installed 7.1 GW of rooftop solar capacity in 2025, up 122% from 3.2 GW in 2024, according to Mercom India Research’s Q4 & Annual 2025 India Rooftop Solar Market Report. The residential sector accounted for nearly 76% of capacity additions, largely supported by the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana program. Industrial, commercial, and government segments contributed 18%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. Installations under the capital expenditure (capex) model represented 85% of the year’s total, while operational expenditure or renewable energy service company (opex/resco) installations made up 15%. “Rooftop solar reached an all-time high of 7.1 GW in 2025, more than doubling year over year, driven largely by the PM Surya Ghar program,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. “Strong residential adoption, streamlined subsidy disbursals, and digital approvals accelerated deployment across states.” Mercom forecasts further growth in 2026 led by residential systems, supported by steady industrial and commercial demand. Rising module costs and stricter compliance under ALMM List-II could increase system prices, Prabhu said. Maharashtra and Gujarat led state-level capacity additions, each accounting for 16% of 2025 growth, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 15%. At year-end, India’s cumulative rooftop solar capacity reached 20.8 GW, with Gujarat contributing almost 25%, Maharashtra 15%, and Uttar Pradesh 8%. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Uma Gupta Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Australian renewable energy developer Edify Energy has submitted an 80MW solar-plus-storage project in New South Wales to the Australian government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Peninsula Solar Farm, which received approval from the New South Wales government last year, will feature an integrated 80MW/160MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The proposal also includes the construction of a 132kV substation. Get Premium Subscription Around 192,000 solar PV modules will be mounted on single-axis-tracking structures. These will be interconnected to form solar arrays with a generation capacity of either 4MW or 8MW. Edify confirmed that the battery system will likely be lithium-ion. It is located southeast of Forbes in the Central West Orana region, 374km west of the state capital, Sydney. It will be situated in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and leverage the network infrastructure being built to connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM). The capacity of this REZ increased at the start of the year, enabling 7.7GW of projects to connect. The AU$195 million (US$122 million) project is estimated to take around 16 months to complete. This will be split into two months of site mobilisation, five and a half months of site setup, two and a half months of solar PV module and battery construction, and six months of substation construction. Once complete, the solar-plus-storage site will have an operational lifespan of 30 years or more and sit across 235 hectares of land predominantly used for grazing and crops. After a year of operation, Edify intends to introduce agrivoltaics (agriPV) and invite around 1,000 merino sheep to graze at the surrounding site boundary, similar to Edify’s plans at the 250MW Muskerry Solar Power Station in Victoria. At the end of its operational lifespan, the site will be decommissioned. The submission of the Peninsula solar PV plant to the EPBC Act comes days after the developer submitted plans for a 100MW solar-plus-storage project, called Burroway Solar Farm, to the EPBC Act. The project is also being proposed for the Central-West Orana REZ and will be located 27km west of Dubbo. It will be located around 200km north of the Peninsula solar PV plant. Construction on the Burroway project is expected to take approximately 18 months and commence in the 2026/27 financial year. The peak construction period will be over six to nine months to allow for the gradual development and commissioning of the facility. Construction will be undertaken in four stages. The EPBC Act, administrated by the Federal government, aims to protect nationally threatened species and ecological communities under the Act. This must be accepted before being granted permission to develop a project.
July—December 2025 Our Rooftop solar and storage report, July to December 2025 shows a record 183,245 batteries were sold in Australia in the second half of 2025 alone. This figure is more than the previous four years combined.
Sharing energy with the grid through virtual power plants (VPPs) can bring down electricity costs for everyone and earn battery owners’ additional savings of $106 per quarter without sacrificing energy independence. That’s why it’s critical industry and governments work together to raise greater consumer awareness of the many benefits of VPPs.
Authorised by J. Trad, Clean Energy Council, Melbourne
The MOU is evidence of Zeo’s continuing steps to expand its business model by applying long-duration energy solutions to the large and growing market for energy to power cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data centers. The Company’s strategic entrance into this market follows Zeo’s August 2025 acquisition of Heliogen, Inc. that provided Zeo with long-duration energy generation and storage expertise and capabilities. As part of this initiative, Zeo is working on several other commercial long-duration energy storage projects that are in the planning and evaluation phase. Creekstone Gigasite Creekstone plans to provide over 300MW of gas-powered energy to data center clients at the Gigasite in the first half of 2027. Creekstone broke ground on the Gigasite in December 2025. As part of the Gigasite’s early development, Creekstone has announced it will provide Blue Sky AI Inc., an AI infrastructure provider, with up to 50 megawatts of power. Creekstone plans to expand the Gigasite’s power production to multiple gigawatts, to include power from Zeo’s energy solutions designed to provide reliable, dispatchable electricity through solar power firmed with long-duration storage. Activities under the MOU Under the MOU, Zeo has begun a pre-feasibility study to determine the most energy-efficient and cost-efficient solar power and energy storage solutions for the Gigasite. Zeo’s experienced engineering team is applying its expertise in thermal and chemical storage to design a solution to create firm baseload power from the intermittent power product by solar panels. The MOU also anticipates the possibility of Zeo obtaining project financing for the solar and storage solution aspect of the project, as well as Zeo providing engineering services for the project, including Front-End Loading (“FEL”) and Front-End Engineering Design (“FEED”) studies and project management. The MOU is non-binding and establishes a framework for collaboration and development without obligating either party to pursue a specific project until a definitive agreement is signed. Tim Bridgewater, CEO of Zeo, said, “Since our acquisition of Heliogen, we have been actively seeking to apply our long-duration storage expertise to the unprecedented power demand in the data center space. Our MOU with Creekstone is a milestone in this effort, and we are in discussions with several other projects that we believe can benefit from our clean baseload power solutions. We expect our ability to access the public capital markets to provide project financing could give us a competitive edge in our business development efforts.” Ray Conley, CEO of Creekstone Energy, added, “AI workloads are driving unprecedented demand for power. At Creekstone, we plan to deliver over 600MW of baseload power to our Gigasite customers in 2027 in Phase 1 of our project. Our collaboration with Zeo reflects the market urgency of using all available energy sources to rapidly provide baseload power.”
Home > Mains Article > Solar Panels US Duties on Indian Solar Panels may disrupt exports, intensify domestic pricing pressure, and affect India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing capacity. By Vajiram Mains Team – Feb 26, 2026, 11:07 IST Source:IE | HT Last updated on February, 2026 → UPSC Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in. → UPSC IFoS Notification 2026 is now out on the official website at upsconline.nic.in. → UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released. → UPSC Final Result 2025 is expected to be released in the first week of March 2026. → Check out the latestUPSC Syllabus2026 here. → Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Interview Guidance Programme for expert help to crack your final UPSC stage. → UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now out. → UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026. → The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview. → Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis. → Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback. → Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors. → Check UPSC Marksheet 2024 Here. → UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper. → Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India Q1. What duty has the U.S. imposed on Indian solar imports?+ Ans. The U.S. has imposed a preliminary countervailing duty of 126% on solar imports from India. Q2. Why did the U.S. impose these duties?+ Ans. The duties were imposed following an investigation into alleged unfair subsidies provided to Indian manufacturers. Q3. How much solar manufacturing capacity does India currently have?+ Ans. India’s solar module manufacturing capacity exceeds 140 GW per annum. Q4. Why are domestic pricing pressures a concern?+ Ans. Redirected export volumes may flood the domestic market, which already has excess capacity relative to installations. Q5. What broader trend does this decision reflect?+ Ans. It reflects the growing use of trade remedy measures in strategic sectors such as renewable energy. Tags: mains articlessolar panelsupsc current affairsupsc mains current affairs Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) HPV Vaccination Drive C. Rajagopalachari
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A coalition of Australian climate groups, unions and renewable energy organisations has issued a stark warning to the data centre industry: provide your own firmed renewable energy sources or face inevitable community opposition. The joint statement, coordinated by the Carbon Zero Initiative, establishes eight public interest principles that new data centres must meet to earn social licence in Australia’s rapidly expanding digital economy. Get Premium Subscription Signatories include the Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF-Australia, the Electrical Trades Union, the Clean Energy Council, the Smart Energy Council, and the Nature Conservation Council NSW, among others. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) projects data centre electricity demand will surge from 3TWh today to as much as 30TWh by 2035 – equivalent to adding another manufacturing sector to the grid. Without proper planning, this growth threatens to push up retail power prices, increase climate pollution and strain electricity grids already under pressure from the renewable energy transition. Tim Buckley, director of Climate Energy Finance and a signatory to the statement, emphasised the urgency of the situation in a LinkedIn post. “Without effective planning to enable new renewable energy, the surge in demand will push up retail power prices, significantly increasing climate pollution, slowing the transition to renewables, the realisation of a Future Made in Australia, and straining electricity grids and scarce water resources,” Buckley wrote. The coalition’s first and most critical principle demands that data centres be “powered by 100% additional renewable energy.” This requirement goes beyond purchasing renewable energy certificates from existing projects. Instead, new facilities must be matched with additional renewable energy generation or curtailed generation equivalent to at least 100% of their electricity demand from the day facilities open. The principle aims to ensure data centres expand Australia’s renewable energy supply rather than competing for existing clean power. This approach aligns with global trends in the sector. Readers of PV Tech are likely aware that the growth of data centres and AI will transform the global energy sector, driving a surge in energy demand over the next decade. According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand from data centres is set to more than double by 2030 to 945TWh annually, driven by AI-optimised data centres, which are set to more than quadruple in the same period. Major technology companies are already responding to these pressures in Australia. Amazon’s AU$20 billion (US$14 billion) investment in Australian data centres powered by solar PV represents one of the largest commitments to renewable-powered digital infrastructure in the region. The investment demonstrates how hyperscale operators are increasingly linking data centre expansion with clean energy development. The coalition’s principles acknowledge that perceived AI demand is a key driver of data centre growth and must be managed consistently with Australia’s climate, water and energy goals. Amazon is not the only tech giant seeking to power its data centres in Australia with renewable energy. Last year, Microsoft penned a 15-year power purchase agreement with developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Australia for a 353MW solar PV power plant in New South Wales. FRV Australia’s 353MW New South Wales PV plant with Microsoft data centre PPA was set to power Microsoft-owned data centres in the state. The coalition’s second principle requires data centres to “strengthen grid stability” through demand response, storage deployment and grid-support services. This includes providing firming capacity, controllable load and participation in contingency services. The principle recognises that data centres, if properly managed, could become valuable grid assets rather than simply additional demand. Carbon Zero Initiative research suggests co-locating data centres within Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) could address multiple challenges simultaneously. By building facilities close to solar, wind and storage projects, operators could cut grid congestion, anchor new renewable energy projects with long-term offtake certainty, and deliver regional jobs where needed most. This approach would transform REZs into what the organisation terms “Digital Energy Zones.” The coalition’s remaining principles address broader sustainability concerns. Data centres must be appropriately sited to minimise impacts on nature and land use, following smart siting principles that avoid high-value biodiversity areas and prioritise already-cleared or industrial land. Facilities must also meet best-practice standards for energy efficiency and water use, with benchmarks including NABERS and Green Building Council of Australia five- to six-star ratings. Water usage is a particular concern, with the coalition calling for highly efficient cooling systems and closed-loop systems in areas where potable water resources are stressed. The principle reflects growing awareness that data centres’ water consumption for cooling can strain local resources, particularly in regions already facing water scarcity. Transparency requirements form another key element, with the coalition demanding that data centres over 1MW report hourly energy mix, water use, annual emissions and cooling methods to a public database. This should differentiate between AI-intensive and non-AI workloads, given their markedly different energy, water and emissions profiles. The social licence principle acknowledges that public acceptance depends on demonstrable community benefits. Data centre proponents must engage meaningfully with communities and commit to local benefit-sharing arrangements. The coalition suggests applying mechanisms from the Capacity Investment Scheme and Future Made in Australia frameworks to ensure fast-tracked approvals are conditional on binding social licence commitments. The final principle addresses workforce development, requiring data centres to contribute to training through apprenticeships, traineeships, and accredited programs that address critical skill shortages across the construction, maintenance, and operations phases. The stakes are considerable. Carbon Zero Initiative research indicates that, without proper planning, Australia faces an 11 TWh clean energy shortfall by 2030, likely to be made up by coal generation, prolonging fossil fuel use. The organisation warns that data centres could add 10-15% to Australia’s total electricity demand by 2030, equivalent to the entire manufacturing sector. However, the coalition argues that, handled wisely, this new demand could become a powerful driver for renewable energy investment. Data centres could anchor new solar, wind and battery projects, financing firming capacity and supporting regional economic development. The difference between these outcomes, the coalition suggests, is not technical but political – requiring coordinated policy action to ensure Australia’s data centre boom supports rather than undermines the clean energy transition. The Energy Storage Summit Australia 2026 will be returning to Sydney on 18-19 March. It features keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as the Capacity Investment Scheme, long-duration energy storage, and BESS revenue streams. ESN Premium subscribers receive an exclusive discount on ticket prices. To secure your tickets and learn more about the event, please visit the official website.
Nearly 300 exhibitors from 11 countries will gather at Targi Kielce on 4–5 March, reflecting Poland’s progression from rapid solar expansion to a more coordinated systems approach. After years of rapid photovoltaic expansion, Poland’s solar sector is entering a phase of consolidation. Attention is shifting towards system integration, storage and grid stability as the market adapts to new technical and regulatory conditions. Commercial and industrial projects are gaining traction, alongside a stronger focus on self-consumption and energy management. ENEX reflects this transition, positioning itself as a key platform for a more mature, solutions-oriented market. A photovoltaic system rarely operates in isolation. It forms part of broader solutions that include storage, heat pumps, energy management and EV charging. Quality standards are rising, alongside stricter expectations around installation safety and supply security. The market focus is shifting from rapid capacity growth towards efficiency, system integration and subsidy-independent profitability. Poland – R.Power, Axpo agree 150 MW BESS optimisation Next-generation PV modules introduce higher performance benchmarks. N-type cell technology now delivers outputs above 700 W and efficiencies of up to 24.1 percent, combined with high bifaciality and low degradation rates. PV carports increasingly combine weather protection with on-site generation for municipalities and commercial users. Energy storage is becoming standard, with scalable LiFePO₄-based systems suited to both residential and industrial applications. Hybrid inverters further support self-consumption and backup power supply. Maximising solar financial performance in Central and Eastern Europe Real-time energy management systems coordinate multiple generation sources and respond to market price signals to optimise cost control. Heat pumps using natural refrigerants deliver improved seasonal efficiency and integrate directly with PV systems, maintaining performance even at low temperatures. Overcurrent and surge protection solutions cover both AC and DC sides, while advanced cable management tools enhance installation efficiency and site safety. All of these solutions will be on display in Kielce. Conferences including HeatPumpForum and Solar+Forum will address regulation, installation quality, solar park development and storage integration. ENEX 2026 brings together industry associations, experts and government agencies, positioning the event not only as a technology showcase but also as a networking platform and forum for dialogue on the development of solar markets in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe. (mg) More onENEX 2026 With the subscription to this newsletter, I agree to be informed about interesting publishing and online offers of Alfons W. Gentner Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. I can revoke this agreement and unsubscribe at any time. Further information on the handling of data can also be found in our privacy policy. You’re looking for something else? Then read one of our other pv europe newsletters! – special newsletter for investors (monthly) – special newsletter PV for farmers (monthly)
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In a groundbreaking advancement for photovoltaic technology, a multidisciplinary team led by researchers at the University of Stuttgart has engineered perovskite solar cells with significantly enhanced environmental resilience and efficiency. The results, soon to be detailed in Nature Energy, unveil innovative material strategies that could propel perovskite-based photovoltaics closer to widespread commercial application by overcoming persistent stability challenges under variable and harsh conditions. This development represents a critical leap for perovskites, which have long been celebrated for their high power conversion efficiencies and cost-effective fabrication but hampered by insufficient durability. Perovskite solar cells, distinguished by their crystalline structure, have captivated the solar research community due to their remarkable efficiency coupled with low-cost processing compared to traditional silicon photovoltaic technology. Nonetheless, they have struggled to maintain stable operation when exposed to light, thermal fluctuations, moisture, and mechanical stress. These external factors contribute to degradation pathways that limit the operational lifetime—a major bottleneck for commercialization. The Stuttgart-led researchers have tackled this issue through meticulous refinement of the perovskite material’s composition and microstructural engineering to fortify the solar cells against diverse environmental stressors without sacrificing performance. Central to their approach is the use of triple-cation perovskite formulations, combining methylammonium, formamidinium, and cesium ions. This triad strikes an optimal balance by synergistically enhancing the material’s intrinsic stability and efficiency. Triple-cation perovskites, first systematically characterized by this group in 2016, harness the potential of precise compositional tuning to optimize optoelectronic properties, improve crystallization processes, and reduce defect densities. Their unique ability to be “tuned” by adjusting elemental ratios enables researchers to delicately balance the perovskite’s structural and electronic dynamics. However, even with triple-cation architectures providing a stable baseline, the researchers identified grain boundaries—the interfaces between microscopic crystalline domains—as critical weak points vulnerable to mechanical and environmental degradation. These boundaries, analogous to the joints in pavement, must endure significant physical and chemical stress during operation. Crucially, failure at these grain boundaries compromises the entire solar cell’s structural integrity and efficiency. Recognizing this, the team innovatively introduced photoswitchable molecules specially engineered to infiltrate and fortify these grain boundary regions. These photoswitchable molecules possess dynamic isomerization capabilities: they change shape upon exposure to light, enabling them to act as an adaptive buffer within the perovskite microstructure. By modulating their configuration responsively, these molecular agents absorb and dissipate mechanical tension induced by thermal cycling and illumination variations. This dynamic behavior mitigates the propagation of material defects that would otherwise accumulate and degrade device performance. The light-activated molecular modulation effectively enables the grain boundaries to self-adapt in situ, bolstering the overall durability of the solar cells under realistic, fluctuating environmental conditions. To rigorously evaluate their stabilized perovskite solar cells, the team subjected samples to demanding laboratory simulations replicating the rigorous stresses encountered outdoors. These tests included prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure at elevated temperatures (65 degrees Celsius), as well as extensive thermal cycling from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius over hundreds of iterations. Under these punishing stress scenarios, the perovskite devices incorporating photoswitchable molecules retained more than 95% of their initial photovoltaic efficiency. Strikingly, the cells achieved a power conversion efficiency of approximately 27%, a performance metric competitive with the latest silicon-based modules. The synergy of enhanced operational stability combined with sustained high efficiency positions this novel material design as a promising candidate for scalable solar technologies. By extending the lifespan of perovskite solar cells while maintaining exceptional power output, it addresses two of the field’s most critical hurdles simultaneously. Such resilience ensures more reliable electricity generation over time, thus improving economic viability and accelerating the potential deployment of perovskite photovoltaics in real-world energy infrastructures. Beyond stability, the work exemplifies how molecular engineering intertwined with materials science can unlock new frontiers for perovskite photovoltaics. The insight that grain boundary fortification via smart, photosensitive molecules can dynamically regulate mechanical stresses opens avenues for further functionalization strategies. It invites exploration of other stimuli-responsive molecules that might confer additional adaptive protections under diverse operational challenges, such as humidity and mechanical impact. Moreover, this research underscores the importance of international collaboration, combining theoretical insights and experimental craftsmanship from teams across Germany, China, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. Together, they have charted a path from fundamental understanding of perovskite chemistry to pragmatic solutions designed explicitly for end-use environments. Such comprehensive efforts are vital as emerging solar materials progress from laboratory curiosities into market-ready technologies. Importantly, these findings have broader implications for the sustainable energy landscape amid ongoing climate imperatives. Affordable and high-performance solar cells capable of robust deployment in diverse climates can catalyze the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable electricity. The adaptability designed into this perovskite chemistry could allow installations in regions with fluctuating temperatures and variable solar radiation, expanding the geographical reach of solar energy solutions. While silicon photovoltaics currently dominate the commercial market owing to their proven longevity and mature fabrication infrastructure, perovskite solar cells have the distinct advantage of versatile fabrication processes, including solution-based printing and lightweight flexible substrates. This attribute could enable novel applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics, portable power sources, and tandem solar modules that surpass silicon-only efficiency limits. The durability improvements presented here significantly narrow the gap limiting these opportunities. Looking ahead, continued research is essential to translate these laboratory achievements into modules and systems ready for real-world deployment. Scaling synthesis of photoswitchable molecular additives and integrating them into manufacturing workflows will be critical steps. Additionally, long-term field testing under natural weather conditions will validate operational stability predictions. Future work might also explore combining this molecular approach with advanced encapsulation techniques to create comprehensive multi-barrier protective solutions. In sum, the University of Stuttgart-led team’s pioneering approach advances perovskite solar cell technology by ingeniously manipulating molecular interactions at grain boundaries to yield unprecedented resilience against environmental assaults. This research presents a compelling vision for next-generation photovoltaics that seamlessly blend high efficiency, durability, and manufacturability. As these solar materials evolve, they promise to play a transformative role in delivering abundant, affordable clean energy worldwide. Subject of Research: Not applicable Article Title: Photoswitchable isomers to improve grain boundary resilience and perovskite solar cells stability under light cycling News Publication Date: 25-Feb-2026 Web References: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-01993-z References: Zhang, Z., Zhu, R., Li, G. et al. Photoswitchable isomers to improve grain boundary resilience and perovskite solar cells stability under light cycling. Nat Energy (2026). Image Credits: Weiwei Zuo Keywords Perovskite solar cells, photovoltaic efficiency, environmental stability, triple-cation perovskites, photoswitchable molecules, grain boundaries, molecular engineering, light cycling, thermal cycling, photovoltaic durability, energy materials, sustainable energy technology Tags: commercial viability of perovskite solar cellsenhancing perovskite durabilityhigh efficiency low-cost solar cellsinnovative material strategies for solar cellsmoisture and thermal resistance perovskitesovercoming perovskite degradation pathwaysperovskite material microstructural engineeringperovskite solar cells environmental stabilityphotovoltaic technology advancementsstability challenges in perovskite photovoltaicstriple-cation perovskite formulationsUniversity of Stuttgart solar research We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website. 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We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies. Industry association SolarPower Europe has published a pair of reports intended to establish stronger best practices for large-scale hybrid projects that combine photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems. According to the source, the documents are designed to offer a framework for due diligence, risk management, and engineering standards to protect technical, financial, and operational performance before a project reaches commercial operation. The first report provides recommendations spanning the entire project lifecycle. These include feasibility studies, supply chain management, financing, construction, commissioning, and eventual decommissioning. The guidelines advocate for independent technical reviews at every phase and suggest involving qualified advisers early in development to ensure long-term bankability and system reliability. In a simultaneous release, the association issued an updated third version of its engineering, procurement, and construction guidelines. This revision places a greater emphasis on the integration of solar generation with storage and on improving coordination across engineering, procurement, construction, and operational teams. The updated guidance also incorporates strengthened criteria concerning biodiversity, waste planning, cybersecurity, and broader risk management factors. Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business A Quick Overview of Market Performance Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry The Largest Import Supplying Countries The Largest Destinations for Exports The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
JinkoSolar has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 26.6 percent for an industrial scale TOPCon solar cell built on an M10 size wafer, setting a new world record for this class of technology. The result was certified by an independent testing organisation in China and marks a significant milestone for industrial scale n type tunnel oxide passivating contact cell development. The device was developed in collaboration with researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with scientists from Soochow University and Jiliang University. The findings were detailed in the journal Nature Energy. The research team used an M10 wafer with an effective area of 313.3 square centimetres, aligning the demonstration with modern industrial production standards rather than laboratory scale formats. On the front side of the cell, the team combined high sheet resistance boron emitters with optimised grid designs to enhance surface passivation and reduce carrier transport losses. On the rear side, researchers introduced a double layer tunnel oxide and polysilicon structure designed to mitigate metallisation induced degradation. According to the team, the structure incorporates a highly crystalline inner polysilicon layer and an outer barrier layer that prevents silver diffusion from the electrodes into the silicon substrate. This configuration ensures strong interfacial passivation and long term device stability. Under standard illumination conditions, the solar cell delivered an open circuit voltage of 744.6 millivolts and a fill factor of 85.57 percent, resulting in the certified 26.6 percent efficiency. By thinning the rear polysilicon layer, researchers increased bifaciality to 88.3 percent, further enhancing potential energy yield in real world applications. Lead author Jichun Ye stated that the device has reached 83.8 percent of the theoretical efficiency limit, outperforming conventional TOPCon architectures currently deployed at scale. Continued gains in industrial cell efficiency are expected to translate into lower levelised cost of electricity, improved land use efficiency and stronger returns on utility scale and commercial photovoltaic investments. Author: Bryan Groenendaal
MUMBAI – The growing trade partnership between India and the United States in the renewable energy sector faced a major disruption on February 25, as the US Commerce Department imposed preliminary countervailing duties of 125.87 percent on solar cell and panel imports from India. This decision followed a petition filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes major US players like First Solar and Hanwha Qcells. The group alleges that Indian exporters benefit from unfair subsidies that allow them to undercut domestic American manufacturing. The scale of this trade is significant for both nations. In 2025, solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos were valued at approximately 4.5 billion dollars, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all US solar imports. While the White House recently implemented a temporary 10 percent tariff on Indian goods, this new Commerce Department ruling represents a far more aggressive protectionist stance. The Trump administration has signaled that additional tariff authorities could be invoked in the coming weeks to further shield American industry. The situation for Indian solar exporters could worsen in March. The Commerce Department is currently investigating whether these countries have also sold products in the US below production costs. If that determination is affirmative, additional anti-dumping duties will be stacked on top of the current 125.87 percent rate. This focus on India is particularly sharp, as its subsidy rate was fixed significantly higher than those for Indonesia at 104.38 percent and Laos at 80.67 percent. The news triggered an immediate reaction across India’s renewable energy sector. Major manufacturers saw their shares decline as the market adjusted to the potential loss of access to the lucrative US market. Waaree Energies dropped as much as 14.6 percent, hitting the lower circuit during early trade. Other industry players, including Premier Energies, Vikram Solar, and Waaree Renewable Technologies, also saw notable declines as the industry braced for a period of heightened trade tension between Washington and New Delhi. (IANS)
STREAMING STREAMING WCSJ Photo WCSJ Photo A new solar farm could be constructed in the Village of Minooka. The Minooka Village Board on Tuesday held a public hearing for the project. Village Administrator Dan Duffy explained details about the project and said the public hearing will continue until next month as well. “Recommended one energy solar project to the board tonight. Again, this is just a public hearing, so we’ll give a summary then open up for public comment, questions from the board, and this will be continued until next month where you’ll actually be considering the, approval of the pre annexation agreement, the, map amendments and zoning to agricultural, and then lastly, the conditional permitted use for the solar farm. So tonight again is just the public hearing. One Energy proposes a commercial two megawatt fixed array solar facility on approximately eleven acres, although the site that they are renting is twenty one acres. So, just a little over half of what is proposed because of the wetlands to the north. The site is located at the northeast corner of West Shepley Road in I-eighty. Again, on the exhibit you see eighty to the west there, Shelby to the south and blue represents the flood plain.” He said One Solar will be required to follow certain conditions. “We have payments in lieu of tap-ons, for water and sewer throughout the, last few months, and throughout the year, actually. Considering annexation for solar farms, the board has instructed staff to collect tap on fees. In other words, if residential were to go in here, this site would produce water tap on and sewer tap on fees for, Lake Michigan water. So, there’s a dollar amount of a hundred twenty thousand that’ll be donated or given from the company to the village for the, payment in lieu. There’s also a park contribution. Again, the trustees have instructed staff for each annexation of a solar farm that the, solar farms contribute towards our parks. There’s a flat ninety thousand dollar contribution there. Last couple items are screening along Shepley Road and also on the east side where there’s residential, so additional screening is required there. There’s a mowing management program, roughly since this is in the rural area, it will still follow a agricultural five times per year during the growing season, mowing schedule.” He also provided details about taxes generated from the project. “Currently, taxes on this property, on the twenty one acres is about five eighty seven dollars per year is what it produces. We’re usually around eight percent of that, so we get about forty seven dollars. Once built, the, the one energy estimates that the, the project will produce roughly sixteen thousand per year and that equates to about twelve eighty dollars for us if we look at our eight percent. And then lastly, the, wiring was required to be buried although in between the connections of each panel, it’s actually going to be, buried in between the actual arrays itself. So it will be buried. And most importantly, I want to point this out that they were one energy was able to work with ComEd to actually limit the amount of poles, being required by this and also bury the connection to the pole. Something that we’ve been asking for is the village for a long time, but they are able to achieve. So that’s good news there.” A representative from One Energy Solar was at the meeting to answer a few questions. A final vote will come at the next meeting. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on! Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks. We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
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Milwaukee Community Journal By MKE Community JournalLeave a Comment Solar technology has come a long way over the decades and has made energy consumption cleaner across the world. Other solar energy advancements include a higher degree of both effeciency and affordability. According to Big Think, the sun emits the energy equivalent of a whopping 4 million tons of matter, so it only makes sense to harness this power. The latest solar tech has given us the ability to fine-tune the use of the sun’s energy to our advantage. What’s great is that this technology is accessible to big corporations, average households, and everyone in between. Perovskite solar cells are one of the most promising solar power innovations that have come about in recent years. Perovskites differ from traditional silicon cells because they’re possible to manufacture using lower-cost processes. What’s more, you can layer them onto pre-existing panels to create what’s called “tandem cells.” Tandem tech combines the best of both worlds, including silicon and perovskite layers. Doing this makes it easier than ever to capture more of the solar spectrum. This leads to an increase in efficiency potential across the board. Demonstrations already show the record-breaking efficiency levels that have come about from this technology. It’s only a matter of time before commercialization efforts find their way into people’s homes and businesses worldwide. Bifacial panels get their name from their ability to create electricity from both sides. They do this by capturing reflected sunlight from other surfaces. Examples include the following: What makes them especially attractive as an energy solution is that they yield a greater amount of power per panel. Their future in both commercial and utility-scale installations isn’t far off. Best of all, improved durability and enhanced frame design have also made bifacial modules more practical in different types of climates. This concept may sound like something pulled straight out of a science fiction novel, but the technology is actually within our grasp. It would involve floating solar arrays installed on reservoirs and industrial bodies of water. Doing this can help reduce land use and other issues while also improving the panels’ performance. What’s neat is that water is a natural way to cool down the panels as they inevitably heat up. As such, this increases the general efficiency compared to ground-based panel systems. Efficiency improvements are one of the main reasons why the industry has grown as fast as it has. Older panels, from some 15 to 20 years ago, for instance, work at 15% effeciency at most. Compare that to modern monocrystalline panels, which can reach or even exceed 20% effeciency, especially the higher-quality options. Aside from the amazing advancement in panel materials, renewable energy solutions are now better than ever because of smart inverters and AI-driven monitoring systems. Aspects like these go a long way toward optimizing the panel’s real-time electricity production. Homeowners can track output with ease by using their mobile apps. Grid operators can more effectively balance distributed systems as well. Don’t forget about digital integration, either. It allows solar arrays to act as part of an intelligent energy ecosystem rather than just separate equipment. Savvy homeowners often compare solar shingles vs. solar panels before deciding on their systems. Traditional panels go on top of the house’s roof and offer both high efficiency backed by a long track record of solid performance. The main difference between them and solar shingles is that the shingles become part of the roof’s structure and have a sleeker aesthetic. When making a final choice, you’ll want to consider the following: Keep in mind that ongoing solar energy advancements will continue improve on both of these options. It gives homeowners more flexibility than ever before. The exact answer to this question depends on all kinds of factors. The quality of the panels, the climate you live in, and more can affect the expiration date. On the whole, you can expect your solar panels to last for several decades, give or take. One of the best ways to get the most out of them is by staying on top of maintenance. Just like with any piece of sophisticated tech, solar panels need to be regularly checked, cleaned, and more. Since this technology has only gotten cheaper and more effective, it’s never been a better time to make the investment. Plus, some state governments offer incentives that can sweeten the deal further. If you’re tired of your energy bill climbing each year, then it’s probably time to make the switch and enjoy the solar gift that keeps on giving. It’s a myth that could cause solar panels to stop working. However, it should be noted that the panels work at a lower capacity. In these cases, you can always supplement the energy from solar panels with traditional sources. It’s worth emphasizing that the latest solar panel technology is capable of getting more out of diffuse sunlight when direct sunlight is in short supply. You also have the option of battery storage, which can hold on to the power captured earlier, when the sky was clearer. It’s clear that solar technology has come a long way since it was first introduced, so imagine how much farther it’ll advance in the near and distant future. The sooner you invest in this technology, the greater your pay-off will be. As a homeowner, it only makes sense to join the future of clean energy technology and enjoy the sun’s amazing power. 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Climate Fund Managers is a climate-focused blended finance investment manager operating in emerging markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Erco Energía is a Colombian renewable energy developer. Organización Terpel S.A. is a leading Colombian energy distribution and retail company. Pétalo del Norte de Santander I is a 26.4 MWp solar PV facility, located in Norte de Santander in the municipality of La Esperanza. The solar farm generates more than 45 GWh of clean energy annually, avoiding an estimated 13,276 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year and serving approximately 32,600 people. It was developed by Erco Energía and Climate Fund Managers and began dispatching electricity in August 2025. Climate Fund Managers invested approximately $18 million in development and construction capital through Climate Investor One, its EU-supported renewable energy infrastructure fund. Pétalo del Norte de Santander I was Climate Fund Managers’ first project to reach operational status in Latin America, and this transaction represents the firm’s first exit in the region. The project created 270 jobs, 64 percent of which were filled by local workers, with women representing 30 percent of the workforce. Approximately $125,000 was invested in community development initiatives, benefiting an estimated 2,400 people in neighbouring communities. “We are proud to have invested in Pétalo del Norte de Santander I from its development stages” said Juan Paez, Head of Latin America at Climate Fund Managers. “Working alongside our partners, we are proud to have delivered a high-quality renewable energy asset that not only fully complies with IFC guidelines but has contributed significantly to improving the living standards of local communities. While we will remain in the area to continue our investment in Project Pradera, we are pleased to see that Pétalo will enter its next phase under Organización Terpel’s ownership.” For additional information: Climate Fund Managers Erco Energía Organización Terpel S.A.
Otovo provides tips for solar customers to avoid getting caught with a dead battery or snow-covered panels when the next winter storm hits the grid. Image: 1010 Climate Action, Wikimedia Commons Otovo, a Houston-based home energy provider, has released a comprehensive technical checklist designed to prevent “stranded performance” as homeowners face the dual threats of heavy snow loads and increased grid volatility. “Winter is the ultimate stress test for the energy transition,” says John Berger, CEO of Otovo. By leveraging its AI-driven Endurance platform, Otovo is attempting to institutionalize “proactive maintenance,” shifting from the reactive “break-fix” culture that has historically left solar customers in the cold during extreme weather events like the 2021 Texas freeze. Solar panel systems Before Winter: During Winter: Post-Winter: Battery storage systems Before Winter: During Winter: Backup generators Before Winter: During Winter: Otovo is a “personal concierge” for home energy operations. The company manages solar, storage, and other home energy assets through an AI platform called Endurance. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Ryan Kennedy Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Developers are forecast to add a record 43.4GW of new utility-scale solar PV capacity to the US power system in 2026, a 60% year-on-year increase over 2025 and more than 12GW above 2024, the current record for capacity additions. This is the latest prediction made by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) as part of its monthly review of the US energy sector. The EIA expects a total of 86GW of new power generation capacity to come online in 2026, itself a record, and of which solar will account for 51%, the most of any technology type. This is followed by battery energy storage systems (BESS) with 28% (equivalent to 24.3GW), wind with 14% (11.8GW) and natural gas with 7% (6.3GW). Get Premium Subscription Should these forecasts be realised, 2026 will be a rebound year for US solar. Between 2024 and 2025, the US’ annual solar capacity additions dropped, from a record 30.8GW to 27.2GW, and ultimately fell short of the 32.5GW of capacity that the EIA expected to be added. Much of this slowdown has been attributed to the uncertain, or even hostile, policy environment regarding new renewable energy projects introduced during the second Trump administration, with the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) estimating that “billions of dollars” of private investment in US renewables had been threatened by the policy uncertainty. With the business case for new solar developments much less certain in 2025 than during the years of the Biden administration and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), this translated to fewer projects coming online in 2025. However, the EIA’s forecasts for 2026 remain optimistic, expecting solar to account for more than half of new utility-scale energy generation capacity, as it expected in 2025. The association forecasts Texas to dominate new capacity additions, with 40% of new solar capacity to be located in the state, including Solar Proponent’s 837MW Tehuacana Creek 1 project, the largest in the country that is expected to come online in 2026. California, meanwhile is expected to add just 6% of the new solar capacity in the coming year, meaning the gap between the US’ two largest solar sectors, by operational capacity, will grow even thinner; according to figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), California’s 54,304MW operational capacity – across all segments including residential solar, C&I and community solar – in the third quarter of 2025 was just a shade above the 48,272MW in operation in Texas. The Tehuacana Creek 1 project is also set to be co-located with a 418MW BESS, and reflects the growing appetite for storage additions in the US renewable energy space. The EIA expects a record of 24GW of utility-scale storage to be added this year, up from the 15GW added in 2025, which is a record; the fact that battery storage additions are expected to increase year-on-year, and were not hampered by the policy uncertainty of 2025 in the way that solar was, suggests that ensuring grid security has become one of the priorities for the US energy sector. As is the case with the solar sector, Texas is expected to be home to the majority of this new capacity, with 53% of new BESS projects expected to come online in the state. This includes three of the largest four projects expected to begin operation in the country—the 631MW Lunis Creek project, the 600MW Clear Fork Creek project and the aforementioned 418MW Tehuacana Creek 1 project—with two of these projects, Clear Fork Creek and Tehuacana Creek 1, including solar and storage elements. However, the co-location of solar and storage is not a silver bullet for energy supply and grid security issues. Speakers at this year’s Energy Storage Summit, held in London this week by PV Tech publisher Solar Media, described the addition of batteries to a solar project as an “overhyped” solution in Europe. You can read all of our coverage from the event, including a rolling blog of each of the day’s top stories, on our sister site, Energy-Storage.news.
A semi-truck fire destroyed a rig loaded with solar panels along Interstate 20 in Kaufman County on Wednesday night. The truck was carrying44,000 pounds of solar panels when its cab became fully engulfed in flames in the westbound lanes near the FM 429 exit. Elmo volunteer firefighters responded just before 8 p.m., with crews from the College Mound Volunteer Fire Department arriving soon after as the blaze spread to a third of the trailer. Intense heat melted the truck’s fuel tanks, spilling 200 gallons of burning diesel across the roadway. Firefighters from both departments worked for about one hour to extinguish the fire. No injuries occurred. The driver had refueled with 200 gallons of diesel roughly 30 minutes earlier. He reported hearing a “loud pop,” saw smoke, and pulled over. He exited safely as flames overtook the cab’s undercarriage. The Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze. Articles like this one are available completely free, 365 days a year. Your support ensures Dallas Express remains an alternative to legacy media — independent, fearless, and paywall-free. Keep us going strong with just $5.
US engineering and manufacturing company MacLean-Fogg has acquired solar PV tracker and fixed-tilt solutions manufacturer OMCO Solar. OMCO Solar will continue to operate independently within the MacLean-Fogg family and will retain its current leadership team. Get Premium Subscription “We are excited about this opportunity to take OMCO Solar to the next level, now with the backing of a great partner in MacLean-Fogg. We look forward to growing our team and adding even more value to our customers,” said Eric Goodwin, OMCO Solar Vice President of Business Development. OMCO currently has five manufacturing plants across Arizona, Alabama, Ohio and Indiana, according to its website. The acquisition underscores a commitment from the two companies to strengthen US manufacturing and both companies aim to keep investing in advanced manufacturing and engineering talent. MacLean-Fogg’s acquisition of a US-based tracker manufacturer also shows how the tracker industry has been growing in the past few years, with other companies either expanding their reach, such as NextPower (formerly known as Nextracker), GameChange or Array Technologies, or being acquired, such as OMCO Solar. PV Tech Premium recently explored how several US tracker companies have been shifting towards becoming integrated solutions providers.
US imposes up to 126 percent countervailing duties on Indian solar imports, citing government subsidies that threaten domestic manufacturers. February 26, 2026. By EI News Network The US Commerce Department has announced steep countervailing duties on solar cells and modules imported from India, Indonesia, and Laos, citing unfair government subsidies that allegedly undercut American manufacturers. According to the department’s preliminary findings, subsidy rates have been set at 125.87 percent for India, 104.38 percent for Indonesia, and 80.67 percent for Laos. The decision follows a petition filed last year by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, a coalition of US solar producers. Trade data shows imports from the three countries were worth about USD 4.5 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total US solar imports. The coalition includes Hanwha Qcells, First Solar, and Mission Solar, which argue that subsidised imports threaten billions of dollars in planned domestic manufacturing investments. This marks the first of two key determinations in the case. The Commerce Department is expected to issue a second ruling next month on whether exporters sold products in the US at prices below production costs (anti-dumping). Company-specific duties were also announced. India’s Mundra Solar faces a rate of 125.87 percent, Indonesia’s PT Blue Sky Solar 143.3 percent, and PT REC Solar Energy 85.99 percent, while SolarSpace Technology Sole Co and Vietnam Sunergy Joint Stock Company in Laos were assigned 80.67 percent each. The move is expected to further reshape global solar supply chains, following earlier US tariffs that sharply reduced imports from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Advanced Technology Adoption is Central to Emmvee’s Growth Strategy: Suhas Donthi Lithium Battery Testing and Semiconductor Labs Infra to Drive Next Phase of Growth: Dibakar Roy Sunil Wankhede Says Low-Carbon Materials from Alleima India Can Support India’s Climate Goals Zenergize's Navneet Daga Explains How Company Achieved 80% Localisation in DC Fast Charging Fast-Responding Gas Engines & Batteries Key to Balancing Renewable Power: Venkatesh R, Wärtsilä
After the US Department of Commerce announced preliminary countervailing duties on Indian PV producers yesterday, several were quick to issue statements downplaying the significance of the move. But the sharp initial fall in share price seen by a few of the big Indian players – notably Vikram, Waaree and Premier Energies – on the back of the duties was illustrative of the importance of the US to India’s rapidly growing base of PV producers, as rival Chinese producers have increasingly found themselves shut out of this lucrative market. The countervailing duties announced yesterday saw suppliers from India, Indonesia and Laos respectively hit with general tariffs of 125.87%, 104.38% and 80.67%. The duties are only preliminary and constitute the first part of a wider investigation that is also probing claims of dumping. Preliminary anti-dumping duties (ADD) are expected as early as next week. Get Premium Subscription “The latest duties likely shut Indian manufacturers out of the US market, while lower production costs in Indonesia and Laos could keep sourcing viable,” said Matthew Hales, a research associate at BloombergNEF specialising in trade policy. “But higher duties loom, as a preliminary anti-dumping duty (ADD) is expected before 2 March 2026. And the situation for exporters is expected to go from bad to worse – BNEF expects the final AD/CVD rates due later in the year to be significantly higher than preliminary levies, as was the case in the last investigation on Southeast Asian solar producers.” In the short term, Hales said the duties on the three countries’ PV producers would have a minimal impact on US deployment, as developers managed to stockpile 76GW of equipment in 2025. Eventually, once these stockpiles are used up, Hales said developers may opt to stomach the tariffs on goods from producers they believe comply with the new foreign entity-of-concern (FEOC) tax credit qualification rules. For the suppliers themselves, the impact is open to debate. Moustafa Ramadan, head of PV Tech Research, said that although Indian manufacturers had been targeting the US end market for some time, a fact that prompted the petition and investigation in the first place, strong domestic demand will help cushion the blow. “We do not see these duties affecting the Indian trend of exponential growth, as most manufacturing in the country is clearly driven by domestic consumption,” he said. Aaron Hall, president of solar and storage supply chain platform Anza, said that while the CVD and anticipated AD duties had effectively made the US commercially unviable for producers in the target countries, it was not unexpected. “While the determination is new, the outcome was largely anticipated, and most suppliers have already pivoted their cell sourcing to other countries in Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, as well as parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Imports from these three countries had already declined significantly ahead of the preliminary ruling.”
Hall said he expected manufacturers to continue evaluating relocation of cell production and equipment to jurisdictions with lower or no trade exposure. “That dynamic has characterised much of the AD/CVD cycle over the past several years,” he said. “Indian manufacturers in particular have increasingly focused on their domestic market. Given that their primary path to serving the US market would be through third-party OEM cell providers, the additional duties further erode their competitiveness by increasing input costs and reducing supply chain control.
“Modules using Indonesian cells represented the majority of recent imports among the three countries, making Indonesia the most materially affected in volume terms. That said, many larger players had already begun adjusting their manufacturing footprints in anticipation of these outcomes,” Hall added. The latest round in the seemingly never-ending cycle of AD/CVD actions by the US, of course, begs the question of where might next be in its crosshairs. Turkey and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa region, for example, are growing in significance as PV manufacturing destinations and would undoubtedly stand to benefit from any supply vacuum in the US market created by this latest AD/CVD action. But how long before they or any others become caught in the solar tariff net? “In the long run, the US game of tariff whack-a-mole – imposing prohibitive duties on each new solar import source – may leave few cost-competitive sourcing options,” BloombergNEF’s Matthew Hales said. “Malaysia, Laos and Turkey all face low enough tariffs to keep import costs manageable for now – unless targeted by new AD/CVD investigations. But, in the last week, tariffs on solar equipment have swung sharply three times. That volatility may prove enough of a headache for developers to tilt procurement decisions toward higher-cost US-made solar modules.” Ultimately, the question of which country is next in line for AD/CVD action may become academic, pending the outcome of the potentially much more consequential Section 232 polysilicon investigation. This was instigated last year to consider the national security implications of imported polysilicon and its derivatives, such as wafers and cells. A Department of Commerce deliberation on Section 232 could eliminate the need for any future solar AD/CVD investigation, as it could have a far wider reach across the supply chain and geography. When the investigation was launched, it was suggested that Commerce could, or should, impose tariffs on the entire PV supply chain, not just polysilicon. Furthermore, these tariffs could be set at a global level, rather than targeting only China or any other individual country. Addressing this, Hall said: “As for potential future AD/CVD cases, the recently announced Section 232 polysilicon and derivative products action is widely viewed as an attempt to address the broader ‘whack-a-mole’ dynamic that has characterised trade enforcement in solar. Given the increasing number of manufacturing jurisdictions and the evidentiary requirements needed to demonstrate material injury, additional country-specific cases may be more complex and slower to materialise, if they emerge at all.” Additional reporting by Jonathan Touriño Jacobo.
Mumbai, 26th February 2026: Saatvik Green Energy Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing fully integrated renewable energy company listed on the BSE & NSE, today announced that it has received and accepted an order aggregating to Rs 87.10 crores from a renowned Independent Power Producer (IPP)/EPC player for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The order is scheduled to be executed by March 2026.
This significant order win reinforces sustained demand for Saatvik’s high-quality solar modules and further strengthens the Company’s growing footprint among leading IPP and EPC players in India’s expanding renewable energy sector. The development underscores continued customer confidence in Saatvik’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, product reliability, and timely execution track record.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Green Energy Limited, said, “This new order further validates the strength of our customer relationships and the confidence placed in Saatvik’s manufacturing quality and execution capabilities. As demand for reliable, domestically manufactured solar modules continues to grow, we remain committed to scaling our operations responsibly, deepening backward integration, and supporting India’s clean energy and self-reliance goals through dependable, high-performance solar solutions.”
This order further strengthens Saatvik Green Energy’s robust and rapidly expanding order pipeline and reinforces its proven, consistent and high-quality execution track record in recent months. The Company has delivered a series of notable and strategically important wins, including a recently secured ?44.10 crore solar PV module supply order, ?9.63 crore and ?10.15 crore solar module supply orders, a ?13.80 crore solar PV module supply order, a ?20.84 crore turnkey solar EPC order secured by its subsidiary Saatvik Cleantech EPC Private Limited, and a landmark ?486 crore solar module order, collectively underscoring Saatvik’s strong market traction and growing leadership in the domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.
On the manufacturing front, Saatvik recently commissioned a 2 GW in-house EPE film manufacturing facility, strengthening vertical integration and advancing its position as a Make in India leader.
Last updated on February, 2026 
February 20, 2026
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