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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Metal Evaporation Boat market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The global Metal Evaporation Boat market is projected to experience a significant expansion from 2026 to 2035, underpinned by the relentless growth of high-tech manufacturing sectors that rely on physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes. These specialized crucibles, fabricated from refractory metals like tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium, are critical consumables for depositing thin films in semiconductors, display panels, and photovoltaic cells. Market growth is fundamentally driven by the global push for electrification, digitalization, and renewable energy, which translates into sustained capital investment in new fabrication facilities (fabs) and coating lines. However, the market is bifurcated: a high-volume, cost-sensitive segment for standard replacement parts competes with a premium, performance-driven segment where technical specifications on purity, thermal stability, and longevity command substantial price premiums. The forecast period will see increasing competition from Asian manufacturers in standard segments, while established Western and Japanese players focus on material science innovation and integrated service solutions to defend margins. Supply chain resilience for critical raw materials and the ability to meet evolving technical specifications for next-generation chips and displays will be key differentiators.
The baseline scenario for the Metal Evaporation Boat market through 2035 is one of steady, technology-driven growth, tempered by cyclicality in key end-use industries and ongoing cost pressures. The market’s fundamental driver is the installed base of PVD equipment, which continues to expand globally, particularly in Asia-Pacific. Each piece of equipment requires a continuous, predictable supply of evaporation boats as consumables, creating a stable replacement market alongside demand from new capacity. Growth will be primarily volume-led, with moderate price increases for advanced materials partially offsetting cost competition in standardized products. The market is not commoditized uniformly; performance parameters such as evaporation rate consistency, minimal particle generation, and resistance to thermal shock become critically valuable in advanced semiconductor nodes and high-end optical coatings, protecting margins for innovators. The baseline assumes no major technological disruption that completely replaces resistive thermal evaporation with alternative deposition methods at scale within the forecast period. However, the threat of such substitution incentivizes ongoing R&D into longer-life and higher-performance boats. Geopolitical factors influencing the supply of refractory metals and trade policies affecting high-tech manufacturing will introduce volatility, but the entrenched nature of PVD technology across multiple industries provides a robust floor for demand.
Semiconductor manufacturing represents the most technically demanding and high-value segment for metal evaporation boats. Demand is directly tied to global wafer fab equipment (WFE) spending and the transition to more advanced process nodes (e.g., below 7nm, 3nm). Each new node often requires new material sets and more precise deposition control, driving the need for evaporation boats with superior purity, thermal uniformity, and reduced particle contamination. Through 2035, demand will be fueled by the construction of new fabs, particularly for leading-edge logic and memory. The shift towards advanced packaging (e.g., 3D-IC, chiplets) also utilizes PVD for metallization layers, adding another demand stream. Key indicators to watch are quarterly WFE reports, semiconductor capital expenditure announcements from major foundries and IDMs, and the ramp schedules of new fabrication facilities. The demand story is one of relentless technological advancement, where boat performance directly impacts yield and cost-per-die, making reliability and specification compliance non-negotiable. Current trend: Strong Growth.
Major trends: Transition to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and associated new material requirements for interconnects, Growth of 3D NAND memory stacks, increasing the number of thin film deposition steps per wafer, Expansion of compound semiconductor (GaN, SiC) manufacturing for power electronics and RF applications, Increased focus on supply chain security and dual sourcing for critical fab consumables, and R&D into new barrier and seed layer materials for next-generation interconnects.
Representative participants: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Samsung Electronics, Intel Corporation, SK Hynix, Micron Technology, and GlobalFoundries.
This sector utilizes evaporation boats primarily in the production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays and for various functional layers in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The demand mechanism is volume-driven, linked to the square-meter capacity of display panel production lines. The growth of OLED technology in smartphones, TVs, and emerging flexible/wearable devices is a primary driver, as OLED fabrication relies heavily on vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) for depositing organic emitters and metal electrodes. Through 2035, expansion will be supported by new Gen 8.6 and Gen 10.5 OLED fab investments. However, the adoption of inkjet printing for some OLED layers and competition from microLED technology pose long-term questions. Demand indicators include quarterly display panel shipment data, capital expenditure plans of major panel makers like BOE and LG Display, and the penetration rate of OLED in various device categories. The trend is towards larger substrate sizes and higher throughput, requiring boats that can handle larger material charges and provide consistent evaporation over longer cycles. Current trend: Moderate Growth.
Major trends: Capacity expansion for medium and large-size OLED panels for TVs and IT devices, Development of more efficient and stable blue OLED emitters, influencing source material and boat requirements, Adoption of hybrid OLED structures combining evaporation and solution processing, Increasing demand for transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) and barrier films for displays, and Cost reduction pressures driving efficiency improvements in material utilization (e.g., linear sources).
Representative participants: Samsung Display, LG Display, BOE Technology Group, CSOT, Visionox, and Japan Display Inc.
In photovoltaics, metal evaporation boats are used to deposit back-contact electrodes (typically aluminum) in traditional silicon solar cells and for critical layers in thin-film (CIGS, CdTe) and emerging perovskite solar cells. Demand is fundamentally linked to global annual photovoltaic installation targets, which are being revised upwards due to the global energy transition. The dominant silicon-based technology provides a steady, high-volume demand stream for aluminum evaporation. More significantly, the anticipated commercialization and scaling of perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cells through 2035 could create a new, high-growth demand segment. These technologies require precise deposition of multiple delicate layers, including metal electrodes and charge transport layers, often via thermal evaporation. Key demand-side indicators are global PV installation forecasts, manufacturing capacity announcements for next-generation solar technologies, and government renewable energy targets and subsidies. The demand story is one of volume growth in established applications coupled with potential step-change growth from new technological adoption. Current trend: Robust Growth.
Major trends: Massive scaling of silicon solar manufacturing capacity, particularly in Southeast Asia and the U.S, R&D and pilot-line scaling of perovskite and perovskite-silicon tandem cell production, Increased efficiency targets driving adoption of more complex cell architectures requiring precise metallization, Focus on reducing silver consumption in cells, potentially altering electrode material choices, and Growth of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), which often uses thin-film technologies.
Representative participants: LONGi Green Energy Technology, JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, First Solar, Hanwha Qcells, and Canadian Solar.
This diverse sector encompasses the deposition of optical thin films for lenses, mirrors, sensors, and consumer electronics (e.g., anti-reflective, filter, beam-splitter coatings) and the application of wear-resistant coatings (e.g., TiN, CrN) on cutting tools, molds, and automotive components. Demand is driven by the growth of optical systems in consumer devices (smartphone cameras, LiDAR), industrial automation, and defense, as well as the perpetual need to extend tool life in manufacturing. The mechanism is a mix of replacement demand from existing coating systems and new demand from capacity additions. Through 2035, trends like autonomous vehicles (requiring more sensors) and Industry 4.0 (demanding more durable tools) will support growth. Demand indicators are less concentrated but can be tracked through industrial production indices, automotive production volumes, and shipments of consumer electronics with advanced camera systems. The segment values consistency and reliability, with a growing niche for high-performance boats used in demanding applications like extreme ultraviolet (EUV) optics. Current trend: Steady Growth.
Major trends: Proliferation of multi-camera systems in smartphones and automotive ADAS sensors, Increased use of PVD coatings for decorative and functional finishes on consumer electronics, Demand for harder, more temperature-resistant tool coatings for machining advanced alloys and composites, Growth of the aerospace & defense sector, requiring durable coatings for critical components, and Miniaturization of optical devices requiring more precise and uniform thin films.
Representative participants: Zeiss Group, II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp.), Materion Corporation, CemeCon AG, IHI Ionbond AG, and OC Oerlikon Corporation AG.
This segment includes demand from academic institutions, government labs, and corporate R&D centers, as well as niche industrial applications outside the major categories. R&D activity is a leading indicator for future mass-production technologies. Labs use evaporation boats for prototyping new materials, testing deposition processes, and small-batch production of specialized components. Demand is relatively small in volume but high in value and diversity, often requiring custom boat geometries or ultra-high-purity materials. Through 2035, this segment will remain a vital innovation feeder for the broader market. Key demand drivers are public and private R&D funding levels in areas like quantum computing, advanced batteries, and novel semiconductor materials. While not cyclical in the same way as industrial production, it can be influenced by research budget cycles. This segment also serves as a testbed for next-generation boat materials and designs before they are qualified for high-volume manufacturing. Current trend: Stable.
Major trends: R&D into quantum materials and devices requiring ultra-clean deposition environments, Development of solid-state batteries, exploring thin-film electrolyte deposition, Exploration of 2D materials (e.g., graphene, MXenes) and their integration via PVD, Prototyping of flexible and stretchable electronics, and Research on novel thermoelectric and photovoltaic materials.
Representative participants: Various National Laboratories (e.g., IMEC, Fraunhofer), Leading Research Universities, and Corporate R&D centers of major technology firms.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Asia-Pacific is the undisputed production and consumption hub, home to the majority of global semiconductor fabs, display panel makers, and solar cell manufacturers. China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan account for the bulk of demand. Growth will be driven by continued capacity expansion in these countries, particularly for advanced semiconductors and large-format displays. Southeast Asia is also emerging as a significant manufacturing location, further cementing the region’s dominance. Local boat manufacturers are increasingly competitive in standard segments. Direction: Consolidating Dominance.
Driven by substantial government incentives (CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act), North America is experiencing a resurgence in semiconductor and clean-tech manufacturing investment. New fab construction in the U.S. will drive demand for high-performance evaporation boats. The region remains a stronghold for R&D and the headquarters of many leading equipment and materials companies, sustaining demand for premium and specialized products. Reliance on imports for standard boats will continue, but domestic production of advanced types may grow. Direction: Resurgent Growth.
Europe maintains a strong position in high-value niches, including specialty optics, automotive coatings, and advanced semiconductor research (e.g., at IMEC). Demand is stable, supported by a robust industrial base for precision engineering and automotive manufacturing. The region’s focus on sustainability and the Green Deal may spur demand related to solar and energy-efficient coating technologies. European boat manufacturers compete primarily on quality, technical expertise, and material science innovation rather than price. Direction: Stable, Innovation-Focused.
The market in Latin America is small but developing, primarily driven by maintenance and replacement demand in existing industrial facilities and some growth in local solar panel manufacturing. The region is largely import-dependent for evaporation boats. Growth potential is tied to broader industrialization trends and foreign direct investment in manufacturing, but it is not expected to become a major demand center within the forecast period. Direction: Modest Growth.
MEA represents an emerging market with minimal local production. Demand is almost entirely import-based, stemming from maintenance in the oil & gas sector (for hardened tool coatings), nascent electronics assembly, and growing investments in solar energy infrastructure. While starting from a very low base, growth rates could be relatively high due to economic diversification efforts in the Gulf states, though the absolute market size will remain small globally. Direction: Emerging.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 5.8% compound annual growth rate for the global metal evaporation boat market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 178 by 2035 (2025=100).
Note: indexed curves are used to compare medium-term scenario trajectories when full absolute volumes are not publicly disclosed.
For full methodological details and benchmark tables, see the latest IndexBox Metal Evaporation Boat market report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Metal Evaporation Boat market in the World, including market size, structure, key trends, and forecast. The study highlights demand drivers, supply constraints, and competitive dynamics across the value chain.
The analysis is designed for manufacturers, distributors, investors, and advisors who require a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers metal evaporation boats, which are crucible-like containers used in physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to hold and evaporate source materials under high vacuum and temperature. The analysis encompasses boats manufactured from various refractory metals and composites, including tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium, as well as coated and multi-layer variants designed for specific thermal and chemical properties. The scope includes their role across the value chain from raw material processing to end-use in high-tech manufacturing.
Metal evaporation boats are primarily classified under Harmonized System (HS) codes for unwrought refractory metals and articles thereof, as they are fabricated components made from specific metal powders or forms. The relevant codes capture the base metals—tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium—in various forms, including powders and wrought products, which are the essential materials for boat manufacturing. This classification framework aligns with the trade and production data for both the raw materials and the finished fabricated articles.
World
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.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint, Trade and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
Where Growth and Supply Concentrate
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
Detailed View of the Most Important National Markets
How the Report Was Built
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Diverse advanced materials portfolio
Specialty ceramics and carbon products
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Specialty materials and coatings
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Advanced ceramic components
Ceramics and electronics components
Carbon and ceramic materials
Graphite and carbon products
Graphite and composite materials
Graphite and electrical specialties
Isotropic graphite products
Carbon and ceramic composites
Graphite electrode producer
Chinese ceramics and boats producer
Chinese producer of evaporation materials
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Knox County Commissioners have voted to increase the required distance between solar farms and neighboring homes from 200 to 300 feet, but some local farmers say it’s still not enough to protect their land. More than 800 people have signed a petition asking for even larger setbacks as the community discusses future changes to solar rules.
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New global model reveals hidden UV risk for next-generation solar panels  Technology Org
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Big Oregon solar project aims for faster permitting under new law  The Business Journals
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As energy prices continue to soar, more than 4.3 million Aussies have added solar panels to their homes to bring down their power bills.
But at $5,000 to $10,000 for a basic system, the investment isn't small, and so households rightfully expect quality solar panels to last at least 20 years.
But for millions of Australians, that period will be much shorter, particularly if they’ve purchased newer models.
Some could see their panels expire in just 10 years, particularly in regions further north.
The problem is being caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, something Aussies are familiar with, as it causes 95 per cent of skin cancers.
New research by the University of NSW has found this light isn't just harming our bodies, it's degrading the solar panels on our homes as well.
The author of the new study, Dr Shukla Poddar, told Yahoo News that some are burning out seven to 10 years faster than expected.
“Maybe we are getting five per cent more energy, but it’s also reducing the longevity of the module, because UV is harmful,” she said.
Dr Poddar's research is increasingly finding that Australia's harsh environment is having a bigger impact on panels than manufacturers predict during lab testing.
Her 2024 research revealed that solar panels decayed faster around Sydney, Brisbane and Perth than in more temperate Melbourne, Hobart, and Adelaide.
In those cases, the problems included moisture, heat, and sunlight.
The problem with UV has emerged over the last seven years, with the rollout of fancy new Heterojunction (HJT) and TOPCon modules, also known as N-Type panels.
Dr Poddar predicts that newer models, which are predicted to be 35 per cent more efficient, will also have the same problem.
The issue is particularly bad in arid outback areas like Alice Springs, but the issue extends beyond Australia, with Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of China, India, the southern United States, and the Atacama Desert in northern Chile also badly affected.
As climate change worsens in these regions, the problem will continue to escalate.
To extend the life of solar systems, the modules will need to be redesigned. And this means testing them in arid and semi-arid environments, not just the standard 25 degrees over 60 days.
In the short term, some solar farms in harsh environments have been trialling UV blockers to reduce exposure, but more research is needed to determine whether they are blocking other types of light.
Dr Poddar believes another way to prolong the life of panels that are susceptible to UV is better tracking systems, which steer them away from the sun, rather than towards it, during the hottest days.
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The research found single-axis tracking systems, which are designed to follow the sun, had higher exposure than those that are fixed in one position.
“There’s a lot of scope for improvement, and we just want to make sure in the next five to 10 years, we’re in a better place,” she said.
The new research was published in the IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
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For many years, the US state of California has been at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and setting the tone for many other states. However, in recent years, the implementation of several policies has created setbacks for the solar PV industry in that state, particularly for the rooftop solar and community solar segments.
At first glance, it might not seem as if the rooftop solar industry has been affected by a setback. Looking at the bigger picture, 2025 figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) show that California still ranks among the leading states in terms of residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) solar installations.
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Except there is a big caveat: the installations in these two segments are still under the legacy Net Energy Metering 2 (NEM2.0) and not the newer version in force since 2023, NEM3.0, also known as the Net Billing Tariff (NBT).
“What you see in the monthly and annual installation numbers on the distributed generation side in 2024 and 2025 is actually NEM2.0 contracts still being built out,” explains Bernadette Del Chiaro, senior vice president for California at Environmental Working Group.
Del Chiaro adds that installation figures for the past couple of years for distributed generation in California look better than they actually are, and that the impact will be more noticeable in 2026. Naman Trivedi, group CEO at solar marketplace EnergySage, adds that 2026 will likely be a tough year for installers.
“There’s kind of an inflated number [for 2024 and 2025], and 2026 as a result, is probably going to be a really bad year, because you’ve got the tax credit going away and they’ve pretty much now built out the backlog of NEM2.0 contracts,” says Del Chiaro.
Sachu Constantine, executive director at leading advocacy body Vote Solar, adds that California’s residential market has significantly slowed down compared to other markets.
“We are seeing big upticks in markets that have enabling policy, that have looked at rooftop solar as a path forward. You’ve seen other states with relatively strong growth in their markets, but California remains a huge market, if not the biggest market. It’s just unfortunate to see it reduced by so much right now,” explains Constantine.
And if that slower pace of rooftop installation in the solar industry in California in itself was not enough bad news, it recently received another setback with the Court of Appeals’ decision last month. The California Court of Appeals upheld, for a second time, the current tariff programme under NBT, despite the Supreme Court agreeing with the environmental groups opposed to it.
Trivedi explains that this setback means that the current compensation structure – which was contested by three environmental groups – stays in place and “signals to California homeowners who were holding out for a potential change that change may not be coming”.
The lawsuit was brought forward back in 2023 by the Environmental Working Group, The Center for Biological Diversity and The Protect our Communities Foundation and argued that NBT was inconsistent with section 2827.1, which identifies several key objectives that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) must ensure in developing the new tariff programme.
“They agreed with us that the lower court got it wrong. But as is usually the case with the Supreme Court of California, they don’t get into the weeds on the policy debate. They’re interested in the precedent. They ruled with us on the standard of review for how the courts oversee the PUC.
“The problem is that it sent us back to the exact same court that disagreed with us the first time, in fact, the same three judges on the panel,” explains Del Chiaro, adding that they are still considering appealing the decision to California’s Supreme Court.
If the Supreme Court decides to take on the appeal for a second time, that would mean that it will have to take on the substance of the issue once and for all, says Del Chiaro.
Even though the lawsuit is centred on problems related to California’s net metering scheme, Del Chiaro says it goes beyond that and is at the heart of who oversees energy regulation in California.
“It’s of huge significance, above and beyond net metering. I’m not trying to diminish net metering, and I care about that a lot. But if you’re the Supreme Court, this will affect all PUC decisions. It’s one of the most powerful state agencies, and right now, they largely operate with impunity,” explains Del Chiaro, adding: “It is so important what we’re fighting for here. It’s just the very heartbeat of energy regulation in California, which is a huge, important issue.”
As mentioned earlier, California has long been a positive trendsetter in the US for clean energy, and what happens in that state often leads others to follow suit. However, depending on the final outcome of this lawsuit and whether the Supreme Court takes the appeal, it could set a precedent, either positive or negative, for other states.
“Almost every other state has the exact same setup and the same dynamics, the same power struggle, and where California goes, typically, not always, but so go other states.
“It’s not quite precedent, because other states will have their own precedent, their own courts, but it will set an example. It’ll embolden PUCs and other states to just keep running roughshod over the law, or it will yank their chain. If we win, other PUCs will suddenly be more cautious,” says Del Chiaro.
But no matter the outcome of that lawsuit, the fact that EWG and other organisations went up against the PUC could still open the door for other states or other companies to do the same in the future.
“Prior to us taking this net metering decision to court, nobody sued the PUC like rarely, rarely, rarely, rarely. And there was this logic in California, and I’m sure in every other state, that because the PUC is a constitutionally created state agency, they weren’t just created by the legislature, but they were created in the Constitution, enshrined in the state constitution, that gives them special status. And they therefore are above the legislature, and that’s just not true,” explains Del Chiaro.
She adds that an “inordinate number of cases” against the PUC have been brought to the Court of Appeals since August and that will embolden the public to change their viewpoints on whether they can or cannot go against the PUC on its decisions. Not only in California but in other states, too.
Bringing it back to the impact on rooftop solar, the negative impacts resulting from California decisions have already been seen in the past. For example, as Constantine points out, when the state moved “to curtail the growth of rooftop solar and commercial solar, other states moved that way too by shrinking their net metering tariffs or installing caps. And quite frankly, that is moving us in the wrong direction as a country.”
However, Constantine adds that conceptually, NBT is not the problem and keeping the ruling in place prevents many possibilities in the future. “It’s just that it was so drastic, and that makes it more difficult to go solar; it sort of suppresses that deployment.”
Constantine mentions that one of the ways to help boost the growth of rooftop solar could be through virtual power plant (VPP) programmes, such as the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) programme that is run by the California Energy Commission.
In essence, the DSGS programme helps support VPPs through guidelines that set which resources qualify for it.
However, in a similar negative fate as with the net metering programme, funding for DSGS is scarce at the moment and its fate is pending.
“There’s a bill right now to try to push all existing and new funding into a PUC-run programme that the investor-owned utilities implement. But that programme has produced scant megawatts for enormous cost. It is nowhere near as cost-effective as the DSGS programme, and it’s a question as to whether it can be effective,” explains Constantine. The PUC programme Constantine refers to is the Emergency Load Reduction Program.
Despite that, Constantine explains the importance of VPPs in a grid where the load will grow in the coming years, driven by the increased demand from data centres, AI and the electrification of vehicles and homes too.
“The question that we have to ask ourselves is, how can we do it in the most cost-effective, least cost [way] and those two things are not necessarily synonymous. You can have a very cost-effective, but very expensive programme, and we’d like to find the optimal path forward, and we know that eventually we’re going to have to build more bulk power. We’re going to have to improve our transmission lines, and we’re going to need these large sources of clean energy ready out there. But we also know it’s going to take ten years,” says Constantine.
In the short term, Constantine says the solution comes through using VPPs instead of restarting coal plants or building gas peaker plants to supply data centres. Constantine mentions the possibility of subsidising low-income communities and other residential and small businesses to install solar and storage, which could both help reduce their personal bills and provide resources to the grid.
“That’s the vision we have for the next five years or so: build more of that VPP capacity as much as possible,” says Constantine.
And when one mentions VPP, energy storage also enters into the discussion, and for EnergySage’s Naman Trivedi, batteries are one of the biggest stories in home energy at the moment.
“The value of a home battery has changed—it’s not just backup power anymore. Virtual power plant programmes are paying homeowners to let utilities draw on their stored energy during peak demand, turning a battery into an income-generating asset,” Trivedi says.
“Our marketplace data shows that homeowners want storage for three distinct reasons: bill savings, self-supply, and backup power, in almost equal measure. That’s a meaningful signal.”
Another development that could help kickstart interest in rooftop solar, particularly on the residential side, is plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar. A new legislation (SB 868) is currently in the works in California and would make balcony solar a reality in one of the leading solar PV states in the US.
“Balcony solar is opening people’s minds again, and it’s breaking this negative perspective attached to net metering that is inaccurate, but it has stuck. And net metering has become kind of a dirty word. What I’m enjoying about balcony solar is that it feels like, once again, it’s unleashing the excitement. And people are excited about solar again,” explains Del Chiaro.
She adds that plug-in solar is in itself not different from rooftop solar from a public policy point of view or from a management perspective of people’s energy supply. And even though balcony solar is unlikely going to replace the importance of the rooftop solar market, Del Chiaro says that this could help attract people’s interest in solar PV and interact with the technology and become a starting point for people to then consider adding rooftop solar.
“The silver lining in all of this, at the end of the day, is that Californians are still very pro solar. They’re very pro-tech solutions that work for them. They’re very open to new technologies. That is still the core of this state,” concludes Del Chiaro.

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US-based climate insurer kWh Analytics subsidiary, Solar Energy Insurance Services, has launched a data-sharing initiative that rewards renewable energy assets for efforts in extreme weather mitigation. 
According to the firm, the programme initially targets better capture and transmission of project-level resilience data to insurers. Advances in tracker tech like 70-degree+ stowing, automated stow procedures, and expanded historical stow data offer insurers clearer insight into asset design and operation ahead of severe weather.  
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kWh Analytics will leverage solar project data to enhance its risk models, boosting resilience beyond what standard insurance submissions capture. 
Solar PV solutions provider Nextpower will be the first to join kWh Analytics’ data-sharing programme through its NX Horizon system. Enrolled developers will provide insurers with real-time and historical hail stow data, enabling a more dynamic, evidence-driven view of project risk. 
“Extreme weather continues to be a significant driver of loss for utility-scale solar, and the industry is rapidly advancing how those risks are managed,” said Jason Kaminsky, CEO of kWh Analytics.  
“By incorporating real-world data, including stow performance from Nextpower tracking systems, we can tie insurance structures more closely to demonstrated resiliency, encouraging investments that protect assets and strengthen the long-term bankability of solar projects.” 
The programme highlights the significance of tracker systems and site design in protecting projects from wind, hail, and flooding. As extreme weather rises in the US, the initiative seeks to tie insurance pricing to engineering and operational measures that reduce losses and enhance asset durability. 
In the kWh Analytics Solar Risk Assessment 2024, a Longroad Energy and Nextpower published a case study showing proactive 75-degree stowing could have cut damage probability in a 2022 event by 87% versus 60-degree stows. 
kWh Analytics was recently acquired by specialty insurer Beazley and integrated into its Marine, Accident & Political Risks team. The deal aimed at strengthening Beazley’s modelling, underwriting, and risk management for renewable energy portfolios. 

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Australia’s utility-scale solar PV and wind assets generated a combined 4.7TWh in March 2026, representing a 2% increase from the 4.6TWh recorded in the same month last year, according to data from Rystad Energy senior analyst David Dixon.
The modest growth follows February’s more robust 11% year-on-year increase, which saw combined generation reach 5TWh, suggesting a seasonal moderation as Australia transitions from summer into autumn.
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The March figures reveal a geographic divergence in performance, with Queensland and Western Australia dominating the top-performer rankings, while the southern states experienced notably subdued conditions.
For utility-scale solar PV, the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, were concentrated entirely in Queensland and Western Australia.
Hana Financial Investment’s Columboola solar PV power plant led the rankings with an AC capacity factor of 32.4%, followed by Neoen’s Western Downs at 32.2% and ENEOS Group and Sojitz Corporation’s Edenvale at 31.8%.
These capacity factors represent a significant decline from February’s leaders, when Sun Energy’s Merredin Solar Farm achieved an AC capacity factor of 41.2%, showcasing the seasonal reduction in solar irradiance as summer wanes.
The geographic concentration of top performers stands in stark contrast to the distributed performance seen across multiple states in February, when utility-scale solar assets demonstrated strong results across New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
Queensland emerged as the standout state for combined utility solar and wind generation, delivering 1,300GWh comprising 676GWh from utility PV and 624GWh from wind.
You can find out more about solar PV generation across the NEM in our latest NEM Data Spotlight for March 2026 (Premium access).
The top-performing wind assets were also concentrated in Queensland and Western Australia, with Potentia Energy and Synergy’s Warradarge Wind Farm leading at 56.7% capacity factor.
Potentia Energy’s Flat Rocks Wind Farm followed with 48.8%, while Rest’s Collgar Wind Farm rounded out the top three at 48.3%.
These figures contrast sharply with February’s performance, when Warradarge achieved a 60.5% capacity factor, reflecting seasonal variations in the wind resource.
Queensland achieved a historic milestone in March, recording its highest wind generation and becoming the second-highest wind-generating state on a monthly basis for the first time.
Southern states experienced particularly challenging wind conditions during March, with capacity factors below 24% in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
Victoria recorded an especially poor result, with a capacity factor of just 18.6%, marking the third-lowest month since 2011.
Beyond generation performance, March witnessed several significant developments signalling the ongoing transformation of Australia’s electricity sector.
NEM gas generation continued its year-on-year decline, reaching approximately 540GWh compared to 631GWh in March 2025, as utility batteries and renewables continue entering the market.
Utility battery storage capacity now stands at 8.9GW at various stages of commissioning or operation, with battery systems now consistently dispatching more energy than the open-cycle gas turbine fleet, Dixon noted.
The displacement of gas generation by battery storage and renewables is expected to intensify during winter months, when batteries can charge during the day from coal and renewable energy to displace gas during evening peaks.
Operational demand remained relatively subdued in March at approximately 20.7GW, with only March 2020 and 2021 recording lower figures since 2011.
The March performance data arrives as Australia’s renewable energy sector continues navigating the transition from standalone solar installations to hybrid configurations incorporating battery storage, a shift driven by both grid integration requirements and the economic imperative to maximise asset utilisation amid growing curtailment challenges.

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By the People, for the People
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New panels will generate over 1,700 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, powering half the courthouse’s needs.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:55pm
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Cook County has completed a major solar power installation at the Skokie Courthouse, creating the largest solar array in the county. The new panels will generate over 1,700 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, meeting half the courthouse’s annual power needs and the equivalent of powering 150 homes.
This project is a significant step forward in Cook County’s ambitious clean energy goals, which aim to power all county facilities with 100% renewable electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. The Skokie solar array is part of a broader county-wide initiative to install solar panels at 17 additional locations.
The solar panels have been installed on the Skokie Courthouse building and its parking garage. County officials estimate the new system will generate enough electricity to account for half of the courthouse’s annual power usage.
Cook County Board President, who announced the completion of the Skokie solar project.
The local government entity that owns and operates the Skokie Courthouse and is leading the county-wide solar energy initiative.
“We set ambitious goals to combat climate change, and we are achieving them. These solar installations allow us to generate clean energy on-site, reduce pollution, lower operating costs, and move closer to our goal of powering County facilities with 100% renewable electricity.”
— Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President
Cook County plans to install solar panels at 17 additional locations as part of its broader clean energy initiative, with the goal of reaching 100% renewable electricity for all county-owned and operated facilities by 2030.
This solar project at the Skokie Courthouse demonstrates Cook County’s commitment to transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources and reducing its environmental impact. The scale of this installation highlights the county’s leadership in sustainable infrastructure and its progress towards ambitious climate goals.
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Trump Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticized the Biden administration for restricting reliable energy and wasting "trillions" on "The Katie Miller Podcast."
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Biden administration was driving energy systems “into a ditch” through massive subsidies to unreliable sources like solar power and draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Wright appeared with his wife, Liz, on “The Katie Miller Podcast” Tuesday, where he criticized former President Joe Biden’s energy policies for having a profound effect on the rest of the country.
“If you get energy wrong, you destroy your society,” Wright said.
TRUMP ADMIN OFFICIAL SAYS THERE’S A ‘VERY GOOD CHANCE’ GAS PRICES WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL BY SUMMER
Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticized the Biden administration’s energy policies on “The Katie Miller Podcast.” (Ana Lopez/Getty Images)
“Another reason I think President Trump won, you know, the Biden administration literally wanted to drive our energy system into the ditch,” he added. “Just outrageous. We, fortunately, pivoted before too much deep damage. But we’ve wasted trillions of dollars. We need to repair the energy infrastructure in the Gulf. If the damage grows, it just means energy prices are going to be higher for longer after it.”
Wright also dismissed concerns about falling behind major countries like China regarding sources like solar power, pointing out that losing all solar power “wouldn’t even be a hiccup” for the country.
“If you wiped all the solar panels off the planet tomorrow, no one would notice. We were losing 10% of sort of global oil production today. It is a massive crisis. If all of the solar was zeroed out tomorrow, the world would lose 1.2% of energy,” Wright said.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TOP ‘SCIENTIFIC PRIORITY IS AI,’ ENERGY SECRETARY SAYS
Wright criticized President Biden’s subsidies to several unreliable energy sources like solar power. (Getty Images)
He emphasized that while he is generally “pro-solar,” having worked in the solar industry, he was against subsidies to less reliable sources that drive up electricity prices. Wright instead suggested that nuclear power has a “very bright future” despite being “unfairly maligned” by climate activists.
“It’s so much easier to sell fear than to sell reassurance,” Wright said. “You know, that’s the asymmetry in politics and activism… But the environmental industry really has become sort of a fear-selling industry. And boy, you can raise billions of dollars to scare people about things like nuclear power or climate change, where there’s like a kernel of something there, but they’re just wildly exaggerated. And unfortunately, it’s been effective.”
He further criticized the Biden administration for draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices and “do well” during the 2022 midterm elections while praising the Trump administration’s efforts to replenish it.
THREE MILE ISLAND NUCLEAR PLANT MAKES COMEBACK WITH $1B IN FEDERAL BACKING TO MEET INCREASING ENERGY DEMANDS
Wright criticized climate activists for attacking nuclear power despite it being a reliable energy source.  (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
“At the end of next year, we’ll have more oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve than we did when President Trump took office, meaningfully more oil than when he took office,” Wright said.
Biden’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Wright has been critical of the Biden administration since he began his position as President Donald Trump’s energy secretary last year. In May, he claimed that the Biden administration “strangled” the state of Alaska with more regulations than North Korea, Iran and Venezuela combined. 
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“Alaska, a state that has had more sanctions, more restrictions on production of oil and gas in Alaska than everything we did to Iran and Venezuela and North Korea if they produced any combined,” he said. “You know, the last administration just strangled Alaska. This awesome state of immense natural resources.”
Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.
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Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) is India's leading investment magazine, dedicated to offering deep insights and expert analyses on the stock market.
RDB Infrastructure wins 36-acre land allotment in Nava Raipur for solar cell manufacturing project on a 90-year lease basis
On Wednesday, Indian markets opened on a strong note, with the Nifty 50 rising 3.73 per cent to 23,986.05. Amid this, RDB Infrastructure and Power share price was trading at Rs 34.48, up 4.99 per cent from the previous close of Rs 32.84, following the company’s latest project development.
RDB Infra Secures Land for Solar Cell Manufacturing Project
RDB Infrastructure and Power Limited has received a Notice of Award from Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran for the allotment of an industrial plot to develop a solar cell manufacturing and processing project in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The company, in consortium with M/s Samvik Power Private Limited, has been allotted Industrial Plot LII/IND/PCD/1 at Nava Raipur, covering an area of approximately 36.45 acres (around 1,47,531 square metres). The land has been allotted at a premium rate of Rs 2,501 per square metre, taking the total land premium to approximately Rs 36.89 crore.
The plot will be held on a 90-year leasehold basis, with the lease agreement to be executed within 90 days from the date of the award. Lease rentals will be subject to revision every 30 years. The company clarified that the awarding entity is a domestic body and that there is no promoter or group company interest involved in the transaction.
About RDB Infrastructure and Power 
RDB Infrastructure and Power Limited, formerly known as RDB Realty & Infrastructure Limited, is an India-based company engaged in infrastructure development, Real Estate, and power-related projects. The company focuses on executing residential, commercial, and industrial projects, while also exploring opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
With its latest solar manufacturing initiative, the company aims to expand its presence in the clean energy space and align with India’s growing focus on renewable energy and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The stock's 52-week range is Rs 31.58 and Rs 86.77. One-year stock return was down 43.26 per cent, while two- and three-year returns were 159.40 per cent and 714.48 per cent respectively.
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This Jewellery Company Reduces Debt by Rs 123 Crore in Q4 FY26; Share Price Jumps 3.49%
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Overnight Digest: Stocks to Watch on April 09, 2026
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By the People, for the People
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Baldwin County Commission approves referendum on zoning after community opposition to proposed 2,000-acre solar project
Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:06pm
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Residents of the unincorporated community of Stockton, Alabama have gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on zoning, driven by opposition to a proposed $350 million, 2,000-acre solar farm project by Nashville-based Silicon Ranch. The Baldwin County Commission has approved the zoning referendum, which will likely take place on June 30, as the Alabama Legislature also considers a moratorium on new solar developments in the region.
The Stockton zoning vote represents a rare instance of an unincorporated Alabama community seeking to exert more local control over land use decisions, in response to concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale solar projects. The outcome could set a precedent for how counties in Alabama balance property rights with community interests when it comes to renewable energy development.
After learning of Silicon Ranch’s plans for a massive solar farm near Stockton, residents quickly gathered over 170 signatures – far exceeding the 124 required – to petition for a zoning referendum. The Baldwin County Commission has now certified the referendum, which will likely take place on June 30. Meanwhile, the Alabama Legislature is considering a bill that could impose a one-year moratorium on new solar farm developments, primarily targeting Baldwin and Mobile counties. The county has also rescinded a previous contract with an engineering firm over concerns about ties to the solar industry.
The owner of the Stagecoach Café in Stockton, who has overheard community discussions about the proposed solar farm.
A Baldwin County Commissioner who represents the rural northern areas of the county, including Stockton.
A representative of the citizens group opposed to the solar farm project, citing concerns about runoff and damage to nearby wildlife habitats.
The Baldwin County Engineer, who says the county will rely on standard protocols and oversight from state and federal environmental agencies for any solar farm applications.
A Nashville-based company proposing to build a $350 million, 2,000-acre solar farm near Stockton.
“It will be mixed. There are those who say, ‘no zoning. Someone will be telling us what to do with our land.’”
— Joyce Overstreet, Owner, Stagecoach Café
“It’s a citizen driven process. The citizens of that community came together and did what they had to do to get the zoning in the referendum.”
— Jeb Ball, Baldwin County Commissioner
“That is a huge relief.”
— Meagan Fowler, Citizens group representative
“There were rumors that there may be ties to solar industry. However, with a firm that large, they do have knowledge of large-scale solar projects which is why we wanted to bring someone on with that experience. But we don’t need them right now. We have not received an application.”
— Frank Lundy, Baldwin County Engineer
“I want the people who are listening to be careful what you ask for. Once it gets zoned, it’s a double edge sword.”
— Matt McKenzie, Baldwin County Commissioner
The Alabama Senate has approved a bill that could impose a one-year moratorium on new solar farm developments, primarily targeting Baldwin and Mobile counties. The bill now moves to the Alabama House for further consideration before the end of the legislative session.
The Stockton zoning referendum highlights the growing tension between renewable energy development and local community concerns in Alabama, where property rights are strongly protected. The outcome could set an important precedent for how counties balance these competing interests going forward.
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Top Stories Of The Day: MNRE Centralizes RE Bidding; Kosol Executes Solar Airlift  SolarQuarter
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Australia’s rooftop solar market has surged 19% in the past month with the latest data revealing a record 341 MW of small-scale rooftop PV capacity was registered across the country in March as consumers also raced to install battery energy storage systems.
Image: SunWiz
The latest monthly update from solar and energy storage market analyst SunWiz shows the national small-scale PV market (0-100 kW) rocketed to a record monthly high with 341 MW of new capacity installed across Australia in March 2026, an almost 20% increase on the previous month.
SunWiz Managing Director Warwick Johnston said the result puts the market 16% ahead of the same point in 2025 and suggests that 2026 could be a standout year for Australia’s Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) sector.
“Up until now, we have never had to report on PV volumes as high as 341 MW,” he said, adding that “as of now, 2026 is ahead of previous years and is looking even stronger than 2021, which also performed well up to the third month of that year.”
Johnston pointed to the success of the federal government’s $7.2 billion (USD 5.1 billion) Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) as a key driver for the record rooftop solar monthly volume.
In the nine months since the launch of the program, which provides rebates for energy storage systems (ESS) installed alongside new or existing rooftop solar systems, it has helped deliver 300,000 batteries.
“By turbocharging battery uptake, it’s pulling larger solar systems along with it, since bigger batteries demand bigger panels, sending average system sizes and total registered capacity to all-time highs,” Johnston said.
Image: SunWiz
The surge in small-scale solar was spread across the country with volumes growing substantially in all states. Northern Territory led the charge with a month-on-month growth rate of 43% while New South Wales (NSW) delivered a 32% increase.
Almost all market segments increased over the past month with those up to 50 kW posting growth of more than 20%. Segments in the 50–75 kW range increased by 8% while the 75–100 kW bracket was the sole outlier, contracting by about 6%.
While small-scale solar registrations surged, so too did Australia’s small-scale battery market as consumers raced to take full advantage of the CHBP ahead of confirmed changes to the program.
Image: SunWiz
SunWiz data shows almost 1.6 GWh of small-scale energy storage capacity was installed across the country in March 2026, a 35% increase on the previous month and a record high for monthly capacity registered.
“There were months when we thought we might have reached the limit on battery volume registration, but it seems this is not the case,” Johnston said.
“The race to beat the 1 May CBHP subsidy cut sent the market into a frenzy. Installers and homeowners alike scrambled to lock in maximum value.”
Changes to the CHBP are set to take effect from 1 May 2026 with the rebate to switch from a flat ‘per kWh’ discount to a tiered rate system according to battery size. The federal government says this will maintain a discount of about 30% across small, medium and large batteries.
Johnston said the urgency to make the most of the rebate program was obvious with average battery size hitting a record 40 kWh, as “buyers went big while the going was good.”
Image: SunWiz
“There has been a continuous increase in battery size approaching the 50 kWh upper limit registered under the STC battery scheme,” Johnston said, pointing out that the skew towards bigger systems intensified further in March.”
“Most batteries are still being registered at the top end of the range, between 40 and 50 kWh, making for a top-heavy field,” he said. “From the 40–50 kWh segment downward, it’s a staircase descent in both share and growth.”
Every state posted capacity gains, with NSW the standout with more than 600 MWh of battery volume registered in March, a 44% surge of the previous month and a new state-level record.
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Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE claim to have reduced the silver content of TOPCon solar cells tenfold.
In a statement today, the institute said its researchers had reduced the silver consumption of a TOPCon cell from its typical 10-12 milligrams per watt peak to 1.1 milligrams per watt peak.
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Compared to PERC solar cells, TOPCon solar cells consume more silver, and with global silver prices having increased dramatically in recent months, PV manufacturers are under pressure to reduce silver consumption. Silver was recently identified as the biggest single cost component in PV modules.
Copper is widely regarded as a cheaper alternative, but its use in TOPCon metallisation is only at the testing phase. Screen-printing with pure copper or hybrid silver-copper pastes is one method to reduce silver consumption in cell metallisation, but this is difficult to achieve with TOPCon, so research is instead focused on electroplating as an alternative low-silver metallisation process for TOPCon.
In the trial, the researchers tested an electroplating-based inline metallisation process on pilot systems developed by wet-processing specialist RENA Technologies. The research team produces M10-sized TOPCon solar cells with an efficiency of 24% by combining ultrashort UV laser structuring with the electrochemical deposition of nickel, copper and silver.
Fraunhofer said electroplated copper contacts could eventually almost completely replace the silver content of TOPCon solar cells. Nickel serves as a diffusion barrier against copper migration into the cell, copper handles the electrical conduction and a minimal amount of silver remains as oxidation protection.
The researchers said the trial demonstrated that electroplating metallisation is technically feasible at an industrial scale. They metallised several batches of M10 TOPCon solar cells on the electroplating system, and the efficiencies achieved matched those of the reference solar cells, whose silver contacts were applied using the conventional screen-printing process.
To verify compliance with low contact resistance and high fill factors, they demonstrated a fill factor of 82.1 ± 0.3% for a batch of 186 TOPCon solar cells. The solar modules manufactured with the trial solar cells also demonstrated good stability in degradation tests according to IEC61215, Fraunhofer said.
“So-called nickel/copper electroplating could be firmly established in the photovoltaic market within two to three years,” said Sven Kluska, group leader for electrochemical processes at Fraunhofer ISE. “It would offer many advantages for solar cell manufacturers, even if they have to integrate electroplating equipment into their production process as an initial investment.”
Florian Clement, head of the Metallisation and Structuring Technologies Department at Fraunhofer ISE, added that electroplating could also mean less dependence on China than is currently the case with the silver pastes and screen-printing metallisation processes commonly used today.
“Equipment and chemicals for copper electroplating come from European and American manufacturers; there is a global market for raw copper, without a concentration on Chinese suppliers. At the same time, we at Fraunhofer ISE are working intensively to establish European, resilient supply chains for copper-based screen-printing metallisation.”

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SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, partnered with the Swiss rowing solar power team 44west ahead of the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic to independently test and verify the reliability of the solar photovoltaic (PV) system powering the vessel during its 4,800 km unsupported ocean crossing. 
With no backup energy source onboard, the team’s ability to navigate, communicate and run essential equipment depended entirely on consistent solar output.
Across 31 days between La Gomera and Antigua, the team faced conditions that can severely impact solar performance. Salt spray, high humidity, UV exposure, constant mechanical stress and sharp temperature swings all posed risks to panel durability and electrical safety. Even minor degradation could have disrupted critical systems, prompting 44west to engage SGS to confirm whether the PV system could operate reliably throughout the crossing.
SGS performed a comprehensive testing program aligned with IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards. Visual inspections identified defects that could allow corrosion or moisture ingress, while insulation resistance testing ensured electrical isolation to reduce seawater‑related hazards. Wet leakage current testing confirmed safe operation under saturated conditions.
Performance testing under standard test conditions verified maximum power output and efficiency. Environmental simulations reproduced the expected marine stresses, including salt-mist corrosion, sand abrasion, outdoor exposure and humidity-freeze cycling. These tests validated the system’s ability to maintain energy production despite continuous environmental pressures.
Results confirmed that the PV panels remained structurally sound, electrically safe and stable in output. During the crossing, they consistently delivered 1.2-1.5 kilowatt‑hours per day, enough to power navigation, desalination and satellite communications. In one instance, the system enabled a satellite phone call home after days of rough weather, demonstrating how dependable renewable energy directly supported the crew’s well‑being.
By validating system performance before departure, SGS helped the 44west crew manage energy confidently throughout the race. Instead of operating on uncertain assumptions, the team could make informed decisions about equipment use, allowing them to focus fully on performance and safety.
As solar technology is deployed in increasingly challenging environments, from offshore locations to remote and high-altitude installations, independent testing is essential to confirm durability and performance. The collaboration with 44west shows how trusted verification can turn solar PV systems into dependable power sources capable of supporting critical operations in real-world extreme conditions.
Through its global laboratory network and renewable energy expertise, SGS provides environmental durability testing, performance benchmarking, corrosion assessment and lifecycle assurance services. These solutions help ensure solar technologies perform reliably wherever they are used, from demanding expeditions to large‑scale energy infrastructure.
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STOCKTON, Ala. (WALA) – North Baldwin residents fighting a large-scale solar farm got a new tool Tuesday when the Baldwin County Commission passed a resolution requiring a special referendum to establish zoning in Planning District 3.
The move comes as opposition grows to Silicon Ranch’s planned Stockton solar site near Stockton.
Meagan Fowler with Stop Solar in Baldwin and Friends of the Tensaw River said the momentum has been significant.
“Everything has moved along as fast as you possibly can,” Fowler said. “I mean, we were given a hundred and eighty days to get our signatures for the petition and we had that in twenty-four hours.”
Fowler said thousands of people have joined the Stop Solar in Baldwin Facebook group.
“This is a very meaningful step for our community and moves us in the right direction,” she said. “We have very little tools at hand to be able to fight something like this with such powerful companies, but this is something that we can do and I’m so grateful our commissioners have listened. They understand the seriousness of this, and timing is of utmost importance.”
How the referendum process works
The Probate Court has 90 days to schedule an election. If voters say no, things stay as they are. A yes vote triggers a 180-day moratorium on any development within Planning District 3 while residents form a committee and work out zoning guidelines.
But even that may not prevent Silicon Ranch from proceeding.
Jay Dickson, Baldwin County planning and zoning director, said projects that apply before the referendum vote will be grandfathered in.
“What that means is that all projects that apply after that fact will have to wait a hundred and eighty days until the zoning maps and local provisions are developed to be able to proceed forward with their project,” Dickson said. “However, if there’s any applications for major projects that come in prior to the referendum vote, they will be grandfathered in and be allowed to continue on their path under the old rules.”
Fowler said she is aware of that possibility but remains hopeful citizens will be able to have input. The county has not received any building applications from Silicon Ranch.
“We’re upset with a lot of folks,” Fowler said. “I mean, you’ve got the landowners, the investors, the PSC…just the whole system, the way it was created to where folks who live in unzoned, unincorporated areas have no input or notice.”
Similar pushes for zoning referendums are underway in neighboring planning districts.
Silicon Ranch said it will respond to the resolution Wednesday. The company will hold a public meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.

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This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 30, 2026 – April 5, 2026
THE recent rise in solar panel prices, triggered by China’s removal of export tax rebates, has drawn renewed scrutiny over cost pressures faced by engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractors, most of which have little control over the price of their largest cost component.
Solar modules typically account for the bulk of project construction costs, effectively rendering contractors largely price takers in the global supply chain.
Nevertheless, Samaiden Group Bhd ­(KL:SAMAIDEN) managing director Datuk Chow Pui Hee says the EPCC contractor has already procured all the solar panels required for its current order book of RM600 million, providing earnings visibility for about two years.
She tells The Edge in an interview that the company is banking on its renewable energy (RE) assets to provide more stable earnings once they become operational in about 20 months.
Of the orders in hand, 75% are from large-scale solar (LSS) projects, 20% from commercial and industrial (C&I) clients, and the remainder from other segments.
So far, a third of the panels have been shipped, with the rest scheduled for delivery by April, hedging it against future price increases. Storage costs are negligible, as panels are shipped directly to project sites.
“Although short-term financing costs may rise, overall costs remain well within budget,” Chow says.
While EPCC remains Samaiden’s primary revenue driver, the company is gradually building a portfolio of RE assets to generate recurring income. Its effective ownership portfolio stands at roughly 202mw, with the majority expected to be operational by 2028.
Two utility-scale solar farms form the backbone of this strategy: a wholly owned 99.9mw project in Kelantan and a co-developed 99.9mw project in Johor, in which Samaiden holds a 70% stake. Together, they have nearly 170mw in effective capacity.
Both projects are under 21-year power purchase agreements with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) and are expected to be completed by October 2027, with full financial contribution likely to be reflected in the financial year ending June 30, 2028 (FY2028).
The remainder of Samaiden’s RE assets are smaller projects under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) as well as ventures in biogas and biomass. Chow expects renewable assets to contribute between 10% and 15% of its revenue by FY2028.
Asked about the potential revenue from an LSS farm, Chow explains that a 100mw solar farm can generate more than RM30 million in annual revenue and has a net profit margin of 20%. Cost items include depreciation, financing interest, land rental and equipment maintenance.
On top of recurring earnings, the group’s net profit margin — which ranged between 5.7% and 7.9% over the past four years — is expected to improve as the solar farms become operational.
With regard to its recent RM45.5 million acquisition of a 185.57ha parcel in Teluk Intan, Perak, Chow says part of the land will be leased for solar farm development. The developer has already awarded RM290 million worth of EPCC jobs to Samaiden and the remaining land will be reserved for future projects.
The issue of rising solar module prices became more pronounced after China’s policy shift earlier this year. On Jan 9, the world’s second-largest economy announced the removal of a 9% value-added tax (VAT) export rebate for solar photovoltaic products, effective from April 1. The rebate has long been viewed as an indirect subsidy to support Chinese manufacturers.
Solar module prices, which fell to historic lows of seven to nine US cents per watt between 2024 and early 2025, have climbed to roughly 13 US cents per watt currently.
The development has unsettled solar EPCC-linked stocks, which had benefited from strong order books and favourable RE policies. Shares in these companies have fallen between 20% and 30% since the start of the year, with Samaiden declining 30% during this period.
In anticipation of the shift, Chow says, the company had included in its contracts clauses specifying that any price increases tied to the VAT rebate removal be borne by its clients. This move underscores the company’s emphasis on risk management and transparency, she adds.
While Samaiden aims to grow RE asset contribution to 50% over the long term, Chow emphasises that its core business remains EPCC services, allowing it to avoid aggressive competition with developers for project ownership.
“In Malaysia, developer projects are not our main priority. If we compete directly using our EPCC cost structure, we would likely win, but it would damage our relationships with customers,” she says.
Instead, Samaiden typically participates in projects as both contractor and minority investor, as it can then benefit from asset ownership while maintaining a strong partnership with developers. This approach ensures long-term industry relationships and repeat mandates.
Another way Samaiden sets itself apart is through its engineering capability and involvement in project financing. Developers often rely on EPCC contractors not only for construction but also for technical support when securing loans. Banks typically require detailed engineering assessments — including system design, energy-yield forecasts and construction schedules — before approving financing. According to Chow, many developers lack in-house teams capable of providing these details.
As a result, Samaiden frequently prepares documentation and participates in discussions with lenders. “When developers apply for financing, the banks ask many technical questions. We help explain the engineering aspects of the project,” she says, noting that this role strengthens the company’s position as a strategic partner rather than as a mere contractor.
At the same time, the company emphasises value engineering to optimise project economics. Design decisions — from panel layout and land utilisation to equipment selection — can significantly affect costs and energy output.
“With tariffs getting lower, you cannot rely on higher prices to protect margins. You need to optimise the engineering,” says Chow.
While some RE companies partner with private equity investors to fund their expansion, Samaiden prefers working with industry partners. Solar projects typically generate single-digit returns, which may not meet the expectations of private equity funds seeking double-digit yields.
“When private equity investors ask for double-digit returns, it becomes very difficult,” Chow says, explaining that the company opts instead to collaborate with developers, landowners and companies that can provide synergistic benefits to the projects.
As at end-2025, Samaiden was in a net cash position of about RM102 million, with access to a RM1.5 billion sukuk programme, of which only RM113 million has been utilised.
Chow says the company’s balance sheet is strong and the available funding enables it to invest in renewable assets while continuing to undertake EPCC projects.
Over the next few years, Samaiden, which has a workforce of around 150, will focus on strengthening internal systems to manage multiple projects simultaneously, instead of significantly expanding its headcount.
Since the introduction of the feed-in tariff programme in 2012, Malaysia’s solar industry has experienced several boom-and-bust cycles. The policy initially attracted hundreds of service providers, but many smaller players eventually exited the market. Demand surged again after improvements to the net energy metering framework in 2019 and incentives for residential installations.
Chow believes the sector is now entering another consolidation phase, owing to the slowdown in residential demand as well as the weakened rooftop installation market for commercial and industrial customers arising from policy changes that have lengthened investment returns, such as standby capacity charges and battery installations.
Unlike earlier frameworks that imposed quotas and created urgency, the current structure encourages a wait-and-see approach. As a result, smaller installers that expanded aggressively during the boom years are facing declining demand.
Nevertheless, Chow says Samaiden remains shielded, given its pipeline of LSS projects and secured panel supply.
Looking ahead, she expects solar projects in Malaysia to become larger and more complex, particularly if government tenders incorporate battery energy storage systems.
“[Compared to the current size of 100mw,] the next projects could reach 500mw, and with battery integration, their value would easily run into billions,” Chow says.
Such projects will demand stronger balance sheets, experienced contractors and more sophisticated financing structures. “With larger projects, costs are higher. But as long as we have the balance sheet and the right partners, we can continue to participate,” she adds.
On the financial front, Samaiden is set to deliver its fourth straight year of revenue and net profit growth. For the first half ended Dec 31, 2025 (1HFY2026), its net profit nearly doubled to RM15.23 million from a year ago, while revenue climbed 47% to RM191 million from RM129.43 million.
Over the past three years, the company has consistently expanded both its top and bottom lines. Net profit rose from RM10.1 million on revenue of RM171 million in FY2023, to RM16 million on RM227 million in FY2024, and further to RM20.2 million on RM354 million in FY2025.
All six analysts covering Samaiden have “buy” calls, with target prices ranging from Affin Hwang Investment Bank’s RM1.50 to TA Securities’ RM1.96. The average target price is RM1.72, implying an upside potential of 65.4% based on last Wednesday’s closing price of RM1.04 that valued the company at RM523.5 million. 
Kenanga Research, which has Samaiden as its top solar sector pick, expects the company’s market share to rise from 5% to 12%, supported by near-term order book replenishment from LSS5+, for which about half of capacity remains unallocated.
“Given its established track record in ground-mounted solar EPCC projects, we believe Samaiden remains well positioned to scale its LSS5+ market share towards 12%, supported by a strong balance sheet and about RM1.39 billion in unutilised sukuk facilities, providing tender headroom of more than 300mw,” the research house said in a Feb 26 note.
According to AskEdge data, Samaiden is trading at a price-earnings ratio of 17.6 times, lower than peers such as Solarvest Holdings Bhd (KL:SLVEST) at 25.6 times, Pekat Group Bhd (KL:PEKAT) at 21.7 times, Northern Solar Holdings Bhd (KL:NORTHERN) at 19.7 times and Sunview Group Bhd (KL:SUNVIEW) at 43.7 times.
 
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An international study found that the specific power of commercial silicon solar modules increased from 8.5 W/kg in the early 2000s to 23.6 W/kg today, driven by advances in module design, bifaciality, and temperature management. The researchers highlighted that glass and framing dominate module weight, and considering operating conditions like nominal operating cell temperature and rear-side illumination is essential for accurate PV system design.
Performance and physical parameter distributions of commercial crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules
Image: UNSW, Cell Reports Physical Science, CC BY 4.0
An international research team has found that the specific power of commercial silicon solar modules increased from around 8.5 W/kg In the early 2000s to 23.6 W/kg today.
The specific power of a PV module measures how much electrical power the module produces per unit of weigh. This metric can also be expressed in W/m2 and helps compare the efficiency of different solar panels regardless of their size or weight. It is especially important in space applications or portable solar panels, where weight matters more than area.
Their analysis also indicated that aluminum frames constitute 6%–19% of module weight, while encapsulants account for 2%–15%. Other components, including cells, junction boxes, backsheets, and interconnections, collectively contribute 8%–16% of the total weight. The researchers noted that while thinner glass or lighter frames can enhance specific power, such modifications may compromise mechanical reliability. Overall, they concluded that glass and framing are the principal factors governing module weight, efficiency, and handling challenges.
Their findings are available in the paper “Increasing specific power and the emergence of new markets for crystalline silicon photovoltaics,” published in Cell Reports Physical Science. The research group comprised scientists from the University of South New Wales (UNSW)  and the Newcastle Energy Centre in Australia, the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil, the US Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. 
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Once operational, the plant is expected to generate around 256GWh of renewable electricity each year.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Société Générale have finalised a €153m ($176.9m) financing deal for the Sand Solar Project, a 137MW-photovoltaic (PV) plant in Monreale and Gibellina, Sicily.
This investment enhances EIB’s renewable energy efforts under the REPowerEU initiative and supports Italy’s national energy and climate plan for 2030.
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The EIB will contribute up to €70m, while Société Générale will provide up to €83.34m.
Once operational, the plant is expected to generate around 256GW-hours (GWh) of renewable electricity each year, enough to power nearly 100,000 households.
This output will also reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 85,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) compared with fossil fuel generation.
Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with operations expected to start by mid-2027.
EIB vice-president Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “Accelerating the production of renewable energy is essential to reduce emissions, strengthen Europe’s energy security and ensure a resilient and competitive economy.
“With this new investment in Sicily, the EIB is supporting Italy’s green transition while contributing to regional development and to the European Union’s REPowerEU objectives.
“Sand Solar demonstrates how the EIB’s stable, long-term financing can accelerate high-impact clean energy projects and attract private investment.”
Operated by Peridot Solar, a FitzWalter Capital company with a focus on PV projects and energy storage in Europe, the Sand Solar Project aims to foster economic development and social cohesion in Sicily.
FWC Solar (HOLDCO) Italy II, an entity led by Peridot, will receive the EIB’s loan to facilitate this investment.
The plant is set to be constructed as part of a project that is fully permitted and ready for development, featuring a 5km underground 30kV line to a new 30/220kV substation currently in progress.
Peridot Solar CEO Javier Rubio said: “We are proud to collaborate with the EIB and Société Générale on the development of Sand Solar, a 137MW photovoltaic plant which, supported by a solid long-term financing structure, will increase renewable energy production in Sicily.
“The project will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, while further strengthening Peridot Solar’s role as a key partner in Italy’s energy transition.”
Advisors for the transaction include Dentons as the legal advisor to Société Générale and the EIB, BonelliErede for the EIB and ADVANT Nctm for Peridot.
EOS Consulting is serving as the technical advisor and Marsh as the insurance advisor, with KPMG auditing the financial model.
Arcus Financial Advisors is providing financial advice to Peridot, with Trotter Studio Associato handling tax and accounting advice for Peridot.
In December 2025, the EIB approved a €350m loan to the Západoslovenská energetika Group to fund a multi-year investment programme to modernise Slovakia’s electricity distribution networks, including those in the Bratislava region.
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Australia to boost domestic solar panel production, and other top energy stories  weforum.org
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Rooftop solar provides 107.5% of grid demand in South Australia  pv-tech.org
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Invesco Solar ETF Powers a New Era for Green Energy Investments  barrons.com
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Ennogie reduces deficit, reports double-digit revenue growth  EnergyWatch
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Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) achieved a new record high for solar PV and wind generation at 12,463MW.
The record, announced by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), was set at 10:30am on 23 June 2025 and surpasses the previous record, which sat at 12,133MW and was set in December 2024.
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The record has been achieved in part due to the rising number of utility-scale solar PV and wind generation projects connected to the NEM.
However, it would be unfair not to mention that wind did the majority of the heavy lifting, setting a record high generation record of 9,472MW on the NEM at 22:30 on the same day.
According to Open Electricity, formerly known as OpenNEM, which aims to make NEM and Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) data more accessible to a broader audience, at 10:30am on 23 June, utility-scale solar PV roughly generated 4,665MW, with the rest being taken up by wind.
Solar PV has been following its usual seasonal duck curve, with Australia transitioning into its colder autumnal and winter seasons. PV Tech Premium subscribers can follow the NEM’s monthly trends via our NEM data spotlight series.
In May 2025, utility-scale and rooftop solar PV dipped by 579GWh month-on-month in the NEM to a combined total of 2,861GWh. Despite this drop, this was still a year-on-year increase in May 2024, seeing Australia’s fleet generate 2,486GWh in the NEM.
December 2024, the peak of the Australian summer, had the strongest solar PV generation recorded in the NEM in the past 12 months, followed by January.
In other news, earlier this month, PV Tech reported that renewables supplied 100% of South Australia’s electricity demand for 27% of 2024, roughly 99 days, according to data from ElectraNet, a South Australian transmission operator.
According to the organisation, wind and solar energy supplied 100% of the state’s electricity demand for at least part of the day on 299 days of the year in 2024. In addition to this, 74% of South Australian consumption was met through renewable energy output.
For reference, the organisation said South Australia’s current average grid demand is approximately 1,300MW and peak demand is about 3,300MW.

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The world added more than 200GW of new utility-scale solar PV capacity in 2025, marking the second consecutive year that the world exceeded this threshold of new utility-scale solar additions.
This is according to figures published today by Wiki-Solar, which breaks down the addition of new utility-scale capacity—defined as larger than 4MW—by region.
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As has been the case for the last decade, Asia dominated new capacity additions in 2025, adding more than 150GW of new capacity, more than was added globally in 2023, and more than global numbers for 2021 and 2022 combined. By the fourth quarter of 2025, China and India ranked first and third globally for cumulative installed capacity, with 446GW and 109.6GW, respectively.
North and central America and Europe rank second and third, respectively for new capacity additions, as has been the case for several years now. According to Wiki-Solar, the top four countries in cumulative operational capacity at the end of 2025—China, the US, India and Spain—are the same as at the start of 2025, reflecting sustained growth in the world’s leading solar markets. 2025 capacity additions, by region, are shown in the graph below.
There was movement in the country rankings outside of the top four. Japan boasted the seventh-largest operational solar sector at the end of the year, up from the 15^th-largest in the first quarter of the year; while Chile saw its ranking increase from 20^th in Q1 to 10^th in Q4. These countries added 2.3GW and 1.7GW of new capacity in 2025, respectively.
The publication of the utility-scale additions in 2025 echoes similar figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which noted that the world added more than 500GW of new capacity last year; Wiki-Solar’s Philp Wolfe said that he expects solar to be the world’s “primary energy source within 20 years”.
The latest Wiki-Solar figures also confirm a trend identified in December, when the company reported that the world exceeded 1TW of cumulative operational utility-scale capacity for the first time.

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Australian PV solar cell manufacturer Halocell Energy has launched its first perovskite-based product called the Halocell Ambient Modules.
The Halocell Ambient Modules (pictured) are purpose-built for low-light conditions of 500 lux and below. Because of this, Halocell claims these are ideal for homes, offices and industrial settings.
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These will be manufactured at Halocell’s production facility in Wagga Wagga, a city in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
Another key aspect of the solar PV modules is that 98% of the functional materials can be recycled and reclaimed, creating a circular process for decommissioning. This aims to help prevent modules from entering landfills, which will likely become a growing issue, particularly in Australia, in the coming years and decades.
Discussing the modules, the company’s website said they “deliver lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient energy for indoor electronic devices. They provide continuous, reducing reliance on batteries, and are particularly beneficial for IoT devices, smart home gadgets, and other low-power electronics.”
Alongside the launch of Halocell’s first module product series, the organisation has also penned a deal with Sofab Inks to optimise its future PV modules.
Specifically, Halocell will leverage Sofab Inks’ nanoparticle inks, which are designed for charge transport layers in PV. According to the two companies, these inks are engineered to reduce costs, enhance stability, and enable industrial-scale perovskite PV manufacturing. 
Sofab Inks was founded in 2022 as a spinout from the US’ University of Louisville’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research. The organisation recently announced a successful funding milestone of US$1.2 million.
With Sofab Inks set to supply Halocell with its nanoparticle inks, Halocell will continue to formulate and manufacture its exclusive perovskite inks for various applications.  
This becomes the latest partnership Halocell Energy has signed in recent months, with deals with the University of Queensland and First Graphene.
Halocell is one of several Australian solar module manufacturers, another being Tindo Solar, which recently signed a 15MW module supply agreement for projects in Vietnam.
Although solar cell research and development (R&D) in Australia is among the most influential globally – particularly due to the legacy of Professor Martin Green and his team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and their groundbreaking work on Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology in the 1980s – domestic manufacturing capabilities have somewhat lagged behind.
As such, the number of partnerships between Australian universities and major Chinese module manufacturers has risen, coupling Australian solar innovation with China’s industrial prowess. This has been witnessed via the recent collaboration between Australian PV cell technology startup SunDrive Solar and Chinese solar manufacturer Trina Solar.
Brett Hallam, an associate professor and the research director for advanced hydrogenation at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), told PV Tech Premium earlier this year that this is something that could become more numerous in Australia.
“Our best chance of establishing a viable solar industry is in partnership with China,” Hallam noted.
The Australian government has introduced several initiatives to help spur growth in domestic manufacturing. This includes the launch of the Solar ScaleUp Challenge and Solar Sunshot programme.
Launched in March 2024, Sunshot primarily focuses on how components are made, whereas the newly launched Challenge focuses on deployment. As such, the two initiatives aim to bolster Australia’s efforts to become a hub for solar innovation and development.
Richard Petterson, CEO of Tindo, told PV Tech Premium last year that the initiatives could help put Australia on the global map for manufacturing.

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Turkey must deploy around 8GW of new capacity annually to meet its 2035 target of 120GW of installed solar and wind, a new report says.
According to Türkiye Electricity Review 2026 published by energy think tank Ember, solar and wind accounted for 22% of electricity generation in 2025, marking a record high. However, to hit its target the country must triple its installed capacity. 
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The report notes that electricity generation in Turkey has undergone a rapid transformation over the past three years, driven by strong solar growth and record wind installations in 2025. 
Solar installations reached 4.8GW in 2023, with additions remaining close to this level in subsequent years. This has resulted in solar generation doubling from 18.4TWh in 2023 to 37.3TWh in 2025. Solar’s share of electricity generation also rose from 4.7% in 2022 to 10.5% in 2025. 
Combined solar and wind additions reached 6.5GW, remaining below the 8GW annual deployment required to stay on track for 2035 targets. Nevertheless, in 2025 wind and solar surpassed hydropower for the first time to become the primary drivers of renewable energy growth. 
Despite the expansion of renewables, coal remains the largest source of electricity generation in Turkey, accounting for 34% in 2025. Around two-thirds of coal generation relies on imports. According to a 2025 report by Ember, coal accounted for more than one-third of Turkey’s domestic electricity generation in 2024. 
Coal generation declined slightly from 122TWh in 2024 to 121TWh in 2025, and no new coal plants have been commissioned since 2022. However, the report notes that a purchase guarantee for domestic coal plants starting in 2026 could increase utilisation rates and potentially push coal generation to new highs. 
Natural gas has seen a significant decline in share over time, falling from over 40% in the early 2000s and 48% in 2014 to 22% in 2025, as wind and solar capacity expanded. 
Total renewable energy accounted for 43% of Turkish electricity generation in 2025, including hydropower (16%) and other sources such as geothermal and biomass (5%). While this is above the global average, it remains below the EU average of 48%. 
Among Europe’s 24 largest electricity-generating countries, Turkey ranks 15th in wind power,14th in solar and 16th in overall renewables share. 
The country has consistently ranked 16th in recent years and has not placed in the top five since 2004. In solar, Turkey’s 10.5% share places it behind countries such as Hungary (27%), Greece and Spain (22%), and Mediterranean peers such as Portugal and Italy (17%). 
However, among 16 countries in the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia with electricity generation above 25TWh, no country exceeds a 20% share of wind and solar. Turkey leads this group with 22%. 
“In recent years, Turkey has achieved significant growth in wind and solar energy. However, when other renewable sources such as hydropower and geothermal are included, the share of renewables in electricity generation still lags behind European countries. On the other hand, Turkey is by far the regional leader in wind and solar energy among countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus,” Ufuk Alparslan, regional lead, Turkey and the Caucasus, Ember, said. 
According to Ember, the country’s battery project pipeline has reached 33GW. Since 2022, new wind and solar projects are required to install battery capacity equal to their installed generation capacity 
This far exceeds the pipeline in EU countries, where leading markets have 12GW-13GW of combined operational and planned capacity. Moreover, the report notes that Turkey’s battery pipeline corresponds to 83% of its current solar and wind capacity of 40GW, positioning storage as a central component of its energy transition.

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Published daily by the Lowy Institute
India’s new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031 to 2035 set high targets and could reshape trade ties with partners and rivals
On 25 March, India’s cabinet approved the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035, with the objective of reducing emissions intensity by 47% from 2005 levels and increasing the share of non-fossil-fuel-based energy resources in installed electric power capacity to 60% by 2035. According to the government’s estimates, emissions have already been reduced by 35% and the share of non-fossil-fuel-based energy resources is currently 52.57%. New Delhi also plans to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035. The updated NDC commitment, it declared, is “a major milestone” in the country’s journey to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
India has consistently showcased impressive progress in its ambitious NDC commitments, often meeting targets ahead of schedule. For example, the goal of achieving 50% non-fossil-fuel power capacity, initially set for 2030, has already been reached. This achievement lays the groundwork for even more ambitious goals in the future.
The onward journey, however, may be tougher. Take, for instance, the enormous quantity of resources needed to achieve the goals. To meet the NITI Aayog’s goals for 2050, it is estimated that US$5.15 trillion would be required between 2025 and 2050. This cannot be made up by multilateral funding alone, and currently no specific pathways have been identified to generate such resources, apart from the broad vision of private sector involvement. Similarly, there is no clarity on how these targets and their achievements would translate across sectors. India is yet to officially mandate specific, legally binding emission reduction targets for individual sectors – such as, cement, steel, or transport.
The world could witness the birth of a new competitor in the global green technology supply chain.
More important questions, however, are about how India’s march towards net zero impacts its relations with its partner countries. For example, will India’s reduced reliance on fossil fuel, which is still only a long-term goal – change its relations with Australia? At the other end of the spectrum is the China question. How will India’s relations with China – a rival country to say the least – evolve, given Beijing’s domination over green supply chains.
India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods and services valued at A$54.4 billion in the financial year 2024–25. Coal exports, largely high-quality coking coal for steelmaking, from Australia dominates the bilateral trade. However, over the years, India’s import of coking coal from Australia has fallen, in view of India’s policy of diversifying its coking coal imports and increasing domestic production. Compared to financial year 2022, when Australia’s share in India’s coking coal import basket was 78%, it declined to around 60% in 2024. Imports of PCI coals from Australia, too, have fallen sharply by 40% over the same period. The void has been filled by higher shipments from the US, Canada, and particularly Russia. India’s goal of greater energy security and its march towards lesser reliance on fossil fuels could accentuate the decline in the coming years.
However, instead of marking a break in trade relations, the future could present significant economic opportunities around clean energy. For that, both India and Australia will have to reconfigure their trade relations, embracing India’s growing needs for clean energy, critical minerals, and technology. Some of these strategic shifts are already in the making, through the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (INDAUS ECTA) that came into force in 2022.
In the past year, India has flagged China’s dominance in clean energy gear as a potential risk to its low-carbon transition, advocating a more diverse global supply chain and targeted incentives. However, that appears merely aspirational, as India still imports 50% of its solar cells and modules, along with critical battery minerals from China. Although India has rapidly built enough solar-module-making capacity since 2020, it still depends heavily on China for the cells that go into those panels and almost entirely for other upstream products, such as wafers and polysilicon.
As India races to keep its green energy transition on track, a massive growth opportunity for the Chinese green energy technology sector could be created in the short to medium term. However, if India’s self-reliant mission (Atmanirbhar Bharat) succeeds and that reliance on Beijing can be dismantled, the world could witness the birth of a new competitor in the global green technology supply chain. This would not be without fierce competition between India and China, with the latter doing everything possible to hold on to its supremacy.
What may unfold in the coming years is a broad reshaping of India’s trade ties with its partners and rivals. Therefore, the true test may be not just in meeting emission targets but in whether India can build the financial frameworks, domestic industrial capacity, and strategic partnerships needed to make its low-carbon future both credible and sustainable.
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Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Much warmer. High 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..
Partly cloudy skies. Low 52F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 8, 2026 @ 1:04 am
The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity

The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity
Pakistan’s solar power push has cushioned the full impact of the war in the Middle East, analysts said, despite lingering concerns over fuel supplies and rising prices.
A study published last month assessed that the uptake of solar around 2018 helped the country avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year.
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Tax Abatement Agreement tied to solar farm project  Texomashomepage.com
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Wichita County’s $1.2M solar farm to offset taxpayer costs  Texomashomepage.com
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A five-year research initiative is underway in Australia to test the viability of floating solar PV systems on irrigation dams, addressing water conservation needs while generating renewable energy in the agricultural sector.
The AU$13 million (US$8.5 million) project, called ‘Novel Energy and Evaporative Storage Technologies for Irrigators’ (NEESTI), secured AU$6 million in funding under the Federal government’s AU$5 billion Future Drought Fund’s Resilient Landscapes programme.
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Led by economic consultancy AgEcon Australia with support from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), the floating solar initiative aims to address two challenges facing Australian agriculture: water security in an increasingly hot, dry climate and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
Research conducted by the CRDC revealed that nearly 50% of on-farm water storage volume is lost annually to evaporation, highlighting the urgent need for solutions like floating solar systems.
The research suggests that relocating just half of Australia’s current 16.6GW ground-mounted solar capacity to water storages as floating solar installations could conserve 296 gigalitres of water yearly while generating renewable energy.
Floating solar technology offers additional benefits by freeing up valuable land for other critical infrastructure, such as buildings and farming, creating a dual-purpose solution for Australia’s agricultural sector.
AgEcon principal climate analyst and economist, Jon Welsh, said the floating solar project aims to address Australia’s ‘critical trilemma’ of securing water, food and clean energy.
“We know floating solar projects can work, but there are serious challenges, and a critical research gap remains – and that is how to develop a practical and cost-effective solution ready for farm rollout,” Welsh said.
The research programme aims to deliver technical, economic, policy, and legal frameworks to establish a sustainable Australian floating solar PV market specifically designed for cotton growers and other irrigators, Welsh added.
The floating solar research comes at a critical moment as agricultural supply chains face mounting pressure to reduce emissions to meet national and sector-specific targets. The CRDC describes the project as a “win-win” for Australian agriculture.
PV Tech Premium has previously discussed the role of floating solar PV in inland reservoirs in the most recent issue of our downstream journal, PV Tech Power. Specifically, the article examines how the energy yield performance of different system configurations could enable floating PV to fulfil its potential.
It is worth noting that Canopy Power Australia and Ocean Sun, a Norwegian company specialising in floating solar technology, inked a partnership earlier this year to accelerate the deployment of the new generation of floating solar solutions across Australia’s water bodies.
Southeast Asia has emerged as a prime location for deploying floating solar PV systems globally.
Early last year, research firm Rystad Energy predicted Southeast Asia would add around 300MW of new floating solar capacity in the first few months of 2024. SolarDuck and Tokyu Land quickly followed this by constructing the first floating solar project in Japanv.
In August 2024, Malaysian energy company Cypark Resources Berhad commissioned a 100MW hybrid project featuring 35MW of floating solar PV in Merchang, a coastal town in the northeastern state of Terengganu, Malaysia.
According to a report released last year, floating solar also emerged as one of the front-running technologies set to be deployed in Indonesia.
India and China have recently seen two large floating solar PV projects come online, one of which is at the gigawatt-scale. State-owned China Energy Investment Corporation (CHN Energy) completed a 1GW floating solar project, which it claims is the largest and first of its kind in the world
The open-sea floating solar power plant is situated about 8km off the coast of Dongying City, on the eastern coast of China, adjacent to the Bohai Sea.
Floating solar PV is being explored not only in Southeast Asia but also in Europe. Recent coverage from PV Tech last week revealed that German-based energy service provider Q Energy and independent power producer (IPP) Velto Renewables had inaugurated Europe’s largest floating solar PV power plant.
The power plant has a capacity of 74.3MWp and is located in the municipality of Perthes in the Haute-Marne region of France.

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The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity
The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity
Pakistan’s solar power push has cushioned the full impact of the war in the Middle East, analysts said, despite lingering concerns over fuel supplies and rising prices.
A study published last month assessed that the uptake of solar around 2018 helped the country avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year.
At projected market prices, it could save a further $6.3 billion by the end of 2026, said Renewables First and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
In the bustling side streets of Lahore, in northeast Pakistan, shopkeeper Aftab Ahmed, 49, was out shopping for solar panels to install at home to help him cut costs.
“The current fuel situation in our country is such that fuel has gone beyond the reach of the common person,” he told AFP last Friday.
“It has become so expensive that an average person can no longer afford fuel for a motorcycle or a car. Fuel prices are also affecting electricity bills, leading to further increases.
“If we shift towards solar energy, at least some savings can be achieved from one side.”
Hours earlier, the government in Islamabad announced an eye-watering 42.7-percent hike in the price of petrol and 54.9 percent on diesel.
That brought protesters onto the streets, sparked queues at fuel stations, and led the government to announce free state-run public transport for a month.
Rooftop solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply, particularly when temperatures soar.
Nabiya Imran, an energy analyst with Renewables First in the capital Islamabad, said they have also helped ease the burden caused by the disruption to shipping in the Gulf.
“Because people in Pakistan have adopted solar over the past several years, this… is providing a cushioning effect against the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly in the power sector,” she said.
“Had we not adopted solar in the first place to the extent that we have, the impacts in the power sector would be much worse.”
Pakistan’s solar surge does not mean it is immune to the supply shortages that have hit countries across Asia.
Last month, the government introduced austerity measures. The working week for public sector employees was cut to four days and schools were shut.
The Pakistan Super League cricket tournament was also cut from six venues to two, and crowds were banned, to save fuel.
But solar has made working from home more viable and affordable for Pakistanis because it cuts reliance on the grid and imported gas.
Market forces have largely driven the uptake, which the study called “one of the fastest consumer-led energy transitions on record”.
Unlike western economies, Pakistan did not impose tariffs on Chinese solar technology from 2013 until last year. As a result, imports jumped from 1 gigawatt in 2018 to 51 gigawatts early this year.
Oil and gas price rises after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 also forced consumers to look for alternatives, as did hefty increases in domestic energy tariffs.
Between 2022 and 2024, Pakistan saw a 40-percent drop in oil and gas imports, the study said.
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity.
Manzoor Ishtiaq, whose shop in Lahore sells and installs solar panels, believes making the technology affordable for everyone could help.
“There should be a plan that encourages every household to adopt solar energy. This way, both the government and the public will get relief and long-term benefits,” he said.
For Renewables First’s Nabiya Imran, the Gulf crisis has shown the need for less reliance on fossil fuels and energy security using renewable sources.
She noted that Pakistan spent around 11 percent of its GDP on fossil fuel imports including oil, coal and liquefied natural gas in the 2024 fiscal year.
“That is a big chunk of money to be spending for a country like Pakistan, which could be going towards other aspects of development.”
The key now, she added, would be to push take-up of solar battery storage to prevent the use of fossil fuel-powered thermal plants to keep the lights on at peak times. 
Policymakers should also look at the transportation sector to reduce its exposure to global fuel and price shocks and cut emissions through initiatives such as electric vehicles, she added. 
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Breakthrough in Perovskite PV Stability Using Metal Oxide Layers  SolarQuarter
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The last date to submit bids is April 16, 2026
April 7, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) has invited bids for a pre-bid tie-up to set up a ±800 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line package connecting the Barmer-II HVDC terminal in Rajasthan and the South Kalamb HVDC terminal in Maharashtra to evacuate 6 GW of solar power from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Phase-IV.
Bids must be submitted by April 16, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.
The transmission project must be completed within 38 months.
Bidders must have completed the physical construction of one transmission line project of at least 100 km at a minimum of 345kV D/C voltage level in the previous seven years before the bid submission deadline. The project must have included the following works:
Bidders must have had a positive net worth in the last three financial years. They must have had a minimum average annual turnover of ₹2.68 billion (~$29 million) for the best three of the last five financial years.
Bidders must have liquid assets of at least ₹447.6 million (~$5 million), or submit evidence of access to or availability of credit facilities for the same amount.
Recently, POWERGRID invited bids for a transmission line package between Barmer-II and South Kalamb (Part-V) associated with the transmission system for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Ph-IV (6 GW) and the Barmer complex (6 GW solar).
Last month, POWERGRID invited bids to select a consortium partner to set up an interstate transmission (ISTS) project to evacuate 5 GW of power from green hydrogen/green ammonia projects proposed in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam area.
This February, POWERGRID Narela Transmission, a wholly owned subsidiary of POWERGRID, commissioned the final ISTS to evacuate 8.1 GW of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan. The commissioning marked the completion of the infrastructure awarded under national transmission planning for renewable integration, Phase II Part G.
Parth Shukla
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Plentiful sunshine. Turning warmer. High 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..
Clear skies. Low 38F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 8, 2026 @ 8:03 am
The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity

The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity
Pakistan’s solar power push has cushioned the full impact of the war in the Middle East, analysts said, despite lingering concerns over fuel supplies and rising prices.
A study published last month assessed that the uptake of solar around 2018 helped the country avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year.
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Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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Wichita County’s $1.2M solar farm to offset taxpayer costs  Yahoo
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Canadian Solar’s shares have plunged over 49% year-to-date amid weak earnings, yet a $3.6 billion module backlog signals potential recovery. For global investors eyeing renewable energy plays, this could be a patient buy if margins hold. ISIN: CA1366351098
Canadian Solar Inc stock has faced a brutal 2026 so far, dropping more than 49% year-to-date as solar sector headwinds hit hard. You’re probably wondering if this dip creates a buying opportunity or if fundamental issues make it a pass. With a massive $3.6 billion backlog and industry-leading margins on total solutions, the company shows resilience worth watching, even as shares traded around $12 on NASDAQ amid recent 6.7% declines.
As of: 08.04.2026
By Elena Vargas, Senior Stock Analyst: Canadian Solar Inc stands at the crossroads of global solar demand and execution challenges in a volatile renewable energy market.
Official source
Find the latest information on Canadian Solar Inc directly on the company’s official website.
Canadian Solar Inc, listed on NASDAQ under CSIQ with ISIN CA1366351098, develops, manufactures, and sells solar photovoltaic modules, developer-grade solar and energy storage solutions worldwide. You can trade its shares in USD on the NASDAQ exchange. The company operates through two main segments: module sales and CSI Solar, which focuses on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services plus energy storage.
This dual approach gives Canadian Solar a competitive edge, blending hardware with project development. As a global player headquartered in Canada but with major manufacturing in China and operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond, it serves diverse markets. For you as an investor, this broad footprint reduces reliance on any single region, though it exposes the stock to geopolitical tensions.
Recent investor presentations highlight high revenue visibility from a $3.6 billion backlog as of March 2026, expected to convert into revenue this year and beyond. Stable recurring earnings from long-term service agreements (LTSAs) add around $61 million annually, providing a buffer against module price volatility. If you’re building a portfolio for the energy transition, Canadian Solar’s scale positions it well.
Sentiment and reactions
Shares of Canadian Solar have tumbled, closing around $12.11 USD on NASDAQ after a 5.39% drop, with year-to-date losses exceeding 49%. On April 7, 2026, the stock fell 6.7% intraday to as low as $11.94, on volume far below average at 571,672 shares versus the typical 2.8 million. This reflects broader solar industry struggles, including oversupply and softening demand.
Financials underscore the pressure: Q4 2025 earnings showed a loss of $1.66 per share on $1.22 billion revenue, missing estimates, with negative net margins of 1.86% and return on equity at -4.95%. Trading below its 50-day ($17.70) and 200-day ($19.91) moving averages, the market cap sits at about $806 million. For you, these metrics signal caution, but low valuations could attract value hunters.
Despite the slide, the company’s infrastructure fund outperformed power generation forecasts in March 2026, beating expectations even with curtailments. This operational strength contrasts with stock weakness, suggesting the sell-off may overshoot fundamentals. Keep an eye on volume—if it picks up, momentum could shift.
Canadian Solar differentiates through its ‘total solution’ offering, combining high-efficiency modules with EPC and storage. This margin-accretive model drives industry-leading profitability, as noted in recent presentations. You benefit from exposure to both upfront sales and recurring project revenues.
The $3.6 billion backlog provides clear visibility, with modules set for recognition in 2026 onward. LTSAs ensure steady cash flows, critical in a cyclical sector. Globally, demand for solar grows with net-zero goals, positioning Canadian Solar to capture utility-scale projects in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets.
Vertical integration—from silicon to systems—lowers costs and boosts reliability. For international investors, this means diversified revenue: North America drives growth via incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act, while Asia offers scale. If execution holds, these pillars could fuel a rebound.
Solar energy demand surges globally, with renewables projected to dominate new capacity additions. Canadian Solar competes with giants like First Solar and JinkoSolar, holding strong in Tier 1 modules per BloombergNEF rankings. Its e-STORAGE business taps battery boom, complementing panels.
Challenges include module price crashes from Chinese oversupply, compressing margins across the board. Yet, Canadian Solar’s project pipeline and U.S. manufacturing expansions mitigate tariffs. For you in Europe or the U.S., policy support like EU Green Deal and IRA bolsters prospects.
RENIXX index gained 10.7% Q1 2026 against market trends, though Canadian Solar lagged at -42%. This sector resilience highlights long-term tailwinds. Watch technological edges like N-type TOPCon cells for efficiency gains.
Analysts maintain a “Hold” rating on Canadian Solar, blending caution with upside potential. One firm upgraded to “strong-buy” on March 24, 2026, while others like Oppenheimer cut targets from $38 to $19 but kept “outperform”. Consensus target around $17.66 suggests 40%+ upside from current levels.
Out of 13 analysts, one strong buy, three buys, five holds, four sells. Weiss Ratings held “sell (D+)” as of March 27. Freedom Capital’s upgrade cites improving fundamentals. These views reflect earnings misses but backlog strength.
For you, this split means do your homework—bulls see recovery via visibility, bears worry over debt (0.97 ratio) and losses. No single dominant narrative emerges, typical for volatile solar plays. Track updates from these houses for shifts.
Key risks include persistent losses, high debt, and sector oversupply eroding prices. Geopolitical tensions around China manufacturing could spark tariffs, hitting costs. Negative P/E (-4.82) and beta of 1.37 amplify volatility.
Macro factors like interest rates impact project financing. Q1 2026 revenue guidance of $900M-$1.1B sets the bar—beats could spark rallies. For U.S./European investors, subsidy changes or trade policies loom large.
What should you watch? Upcoming earnings, backlog conversion, margin trends, and policy news. If shares stabilize above $12 with volume, it signals bottoming. Diversify—solar’s promising but bumpy.
Read more
Further developments, reports, and context on the stock can be explored quickly through the linked overview pages.
Should you buy Canadian Solar stock now? It’s risky at current lows, but the backlog and solar tailwinds tempt patient investors. If you believe in renewables’ decade-long growth, a small position makes sense—target dips below $12 with stops.
Globally, you’re exposed to upside from energy transition without overconcentration. Hold if owned, watch Q1 results closely. This isn’t a quick flip; it’s for those eyeing 2-3x potential over years.
Balance with diversified renewables exposure. Canadian Solar’s story blends challenges and opportunity—your call depends on risk tolerance.
Disclaimer: Not investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.

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Published daily by the Lowy Institute
India’s new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031 to 2035 set high targets and could reshape trade ties with partners and rivals
On 25 March, India’s cabinet approved the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035, with the objective of reducing emissions intensity by 47% from 2005 levels and increasing the share of non-fossil-fuel-based energy resources in installed electric power capacity to 60% by 2035. According to the government’s estimates, emissions have already been reduced by 35% and the share of non-fossil-fuel-based energy resources is currently 52.57%. New Delhi also plans to create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035. The updated NDC commitment, it declared, is “a major milestone” in the country’s journey to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
India has consistently showcased impressive progress in its ambitious NDC commitments, often meeting targets ahead of schedule. For example, the goal of achieving 50% non-fossil-fuel power capacity, initially set for 2030, has already been reached. This achievement lays the groundwork for even more ambitious goals in the future.
The onward journey, however, may be tougher. Take, for instance, the enormous quantity of resources needed to achieve the goals. To meet the NITI Aayog’s goals for 2050, it is estimated that US$5.15 trillion would be required between 2025 and 2050. This cannot be made up by multilateral funding alone, and currently no specific pathways have been identified to generate such resources, apart from the broad vision of private sector involvement. Similarly, there is no clarity on how these targets and their achievements would translate across sectors. India is yet to officially mandate specific, legally binding emission reduction targets for individual sectors – such as, cement, steel, or transport.
The world could witness the birth of a new competitor in the global green technology supply chain.
More important questions, however, are about how India’s march towards net zero impacts its relations with its partner countries. For example, will India’s reduced reliance on fossil fuel, which is still only a long-term goal – change its relations with Australia? At the other end of the spectrum is the China question. How will India’s relations with China – a rival country to say the least – evolve, given Beijing’s domination over green supply chains.
India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods and services valued at A$54.4 billion in the financial year 2024–25. Coal exports, largely high-quality coking coal for steelmaking, from Australia dominates the bilateral trade. However, over the years, India’s import of coking coal from Australia has fallen, in view of India’s policy of diversifying its coking coal imports and increasing domestic production. Compared to financial year 2022, when Australia’s share in India’s coking coal import basket was 78%, it declined to around 60% in 2024. Imports of PCI coals from Australia, too, have fallen sharply by 40% over the same period. The void has been filled by higher shipments from the US, Canada, and particularly Russia. India’s goal of greater energy security and its march towards lesser reliance on fossil fuels could accentuate the decline in the coming years.
However, instead of marking a break in trade relations, the future could present significant economic opportunities around clean energy. For that, both India and Australia will have to reconfigure their trade relations, embracing India’s growing needs for clean energy, critical minerals, and technology. Some of these strategic shifts are already in the making, through the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (INDAUS ECTA) that came into force in 2022.
In the past year, India has flagged China’s dominance in clean energy gear as a potential risk to its low-carbon transition, advocating a more diverse global supply chain and targeted incentives. However, that appears merely aspirational, as India still imports 50% of its solar cells and modules, along with critical battery minerals from China. Although India has rapidly built enough solar-module-making capacity since 2020, it still depends heavily on China for the cells that go into those panels and almost entirely for other upstream products, such as wafers and polysilicon.
As India races to keep its green energy transition on track, a massive growth opportunity for the Chinese green energy technology sector could be created in the short to medium term. However, if India’s self-reliant mission (Atmanirbhar Bharat) succeeds and that reliance on Beijing can be dismantled, the world could witness the birth of a new competitor in the global green technology supply chain. This would not be without fierce competition between India and China, with the latter doing everything possible to hold on to its supremacy.
What may unfold in the coming years is a broad reshaping of India’s trade ties with its partners and rivals. Therefore, the true test may be not just in meeting emission targets but in whether India can build the financial frameworks, domestic industrial capacity, and strategic partnerships needed to make its low-carbon future both credible and sustainable.
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RDB Infrastructure and Power Limited has secured a 36.45-acre plot in Nava Raipur for a solar cell manufacturing project. Awarded on a 90-year lease for Rs 36.89 crore, this marks a major strategic diversification into the renewable energy sector, aligning with national manufacturing goals. The company's stock gained 4.99% to Rs 34.48, boosted by a wider market rally.
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RDB Infrastructure and Power Limited has secured about 36.45 acres in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, for a solar cell manufacturing and processing facility. The land was awarded on a 90-year lease for a premium of Rs 36.89 crore by Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran. The lease includes rental reviews every 30 years, and final execution is expected within 90 days. This project, developed with M/s Samvik Power Private Limited, marks a significant move into India's growing renewable energy manufacturing sector.
This land acquisition is a strategic diversification for RDB Infrastructure, shifting from its traditional infrastructure and real estate work into advanced clean energy manufacturing. The move supports national goals to boost domestic solar component production and cut import reliance. RDB Infra aims to meet the growing demand for solar energy, fueled by government support and global sustainability targets. While the company has seen strong long-term investor returns, with 2-year gains of 159.40% and 3-year gains of 714.48%, its 1-year return was -43.26%. The stock traded up 4.99% at Rs 34.48, benefiting from a broader market uptrend where the Nifty 50 rose 3.73%.
RDB Infrastructure is entering a competitive Indian solar sector with many established players. Companies such as Tata Power and Adani Green Energy have larger footprints in renewable energy and often command higher market valuations. While RDB Infra's market capitalization may not yet reflect the full potential of a dedicated solar manufacturing operation, investors will closely watch valuation metrics like the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio against peers. Even privately held Waaree Energies shows significant growth, indicating a dynamic but busy market. The 90-year lease secures the land but also requires long-term capital commitment.
Expanding into solar cell manufacturing brings significant execution risks for RDB Infrastructure. Despite strong multi-year returns, the company faced a notable dip in performance last year. Funding the substantial capital needed for a new solar cell plant is a key challenge. Unlike diversified players like Tata Power, RDB Infra's success will largely hinge on the profitability and speed of this new venture. The project requires major upfront investment in equipment and technology. Investors will monitor the company's debt levels and its capacity to manage any new borrowing. The stock's 52-week range of Rs 31.58 to Rs 86.77 shows how sensitive investors are to execution and market shifts.
RDB Infrastructure's entry into solar manufacturing aligns with India's push for renewable energy independence. Favorable government policies supporting domestic production and solar adoption are anticipated to continue. However, the company must navigate intense competition from global and local rivals. Success will depend on strong project execution, efficient supply chains, and cost management. Investor sentiment will likely depend on the project's progress and financial forecasts. The long-term lease offers stability, but RDB Infra's ability to build a profitable manufacturing operation is key.
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8:32 p.m. April 7, 2026
TDEC
Runoff from construction at the solar farm site is making streams muddy, prompting an on-site visit from TDEC in February.
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
Moore County Planning and Zoning Commission members returned Tuesday night to lingering concerns about the Silicon Ranch solar project, pressing for answers regarding buffer distances, unapproved construction access points, road conditions, and unfinished stormwater repairs.
Commissioners said they want a follow-up on whether the required 60-foot buffer is being maintained near an entrance off Five Points Road. P&Z Chairman Dexter Golden said the fence line at that entrance did not appear to leave the full required 60-foot buffer and asked the company to double-check the measurements and report back.
The board raised concerns about construction entrances and exits being used beyond those shown on the original plans. A project representative said Silicon Ranch is working to close those unapproved access points with chain-link barriers and is reinforcing that only the approved construction entrances should remain in use.
Golden pressed for another update on road conditions, saying project traffic continues to raise concerns about damage and wear. The project representative said county officials recently drove the roads with company representatives, identified areas needing immediate attention, and began seeking pricing from paving contractors to move repairs forward.
The board also asked about the status of stormwater repairs. A project representative said only a few items remained open with TDEC, mostly tied to dry-weather conditions needed to complete repairs in several basins after the ice storm. The company said that work was nearly finished, with photos being sent to the inspector to close out the remaining items.
• TDEC Inspection Report Response Photo Exhibit
Before the discussion ended, Golden invited Silicon Ranch or its contractor, LPL Solar, to return with another public update next month or to appear before the Metro Council, with road and compliance questions still hanging over the project.
• Discussed possible future county rules related to wind turbines, with members saying they want to research what protections or limitations Moore County could put in place before any commercial wind proposal arrives.
• Agreed to ask county attorney Bill Rieder to draft a cease-and-desist or stop-work mechanism the county could use when projects move outside what was originally approved. Board members agreed that the county needs a clearer enforcement tool when construction or development no longer complies with permitted plans.
• Approved a two-parcel combination for Andy Best on Hilltop Circle, and minor subdivision requests from Whitney and Tonya Ross and from Brandon and Ashley Ross.
• P&Z keeps Retreat Phase 2 on hold
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WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – Wichita County leaders got several projects moving today at the courthouse’s monthly Commissioners Court meeting, improving energy, law enforcement, and more for the Wichita County area.
Wichita County Judge Jim Johnson said the agenda included a variety of programs in criminal justice, transportation, and more.
The Wichita County Commissioners Court approved a number of agenda items today, including a tax abatement agreement for a new solar farm project located west of Iowa Park and east of Electra, north of 287.
And in other technology developments, the county judge signed Amendment IV today, modifying a service agreement with Global Tel Link Corporation.
“It’s a little confusing because this is not a new project; it’s not a new agreement. It’s one that the court approved back in December, but there needed to be some modifications to that agreement. The public could be informed, and we did a public hearing, and we talked about that modified agreement today,“ Judge Johnson said.
Its main impact is on communication options for inmates in jail. Johnson said a federal law change requires this amendment.
“I think federal law changed and required that amendment to happen, and so basically that’s us getting in line to the federal line change to how those amendments and what funds are used to pay for them, what the costs are. I think there was a federal law change late last year that required that amendment to bring us into compliance,“ Johnson said.
Johnson said today also got the ball rolling on a request for recycled base material from the Texas Department of Transportation, which will be used for road construction projects in Wichita Falls.
“TXDOT has a great program where if they end up with extra materials, counties are able to apply for it. That’s road material we are going to have to use for our road maintenance and construction projects this year. If we can get it for free from TXDOT, that’s obviously a great thing for our taxpayers because the funds that would be spent to do that are going to go to other things or, hopefully, even to tax cuts,“ Johnson said.
Johnson said the court also authorized grant funding for the City of Wichita Falls, set to fund training equipment for the police department.
“We partnered with the city for a long time, but every year our needs change. The Sheriff’s office this year saw a need for that and for the breaching equipment and the training around it, and so that’s what it will be used for,“ Johnson said.
Johnson emphasized that it is exciting for the court to show that Wichita County wants to see economic vitality happen with the beginning of so many projects.
Copyright 2026 KAUZ. All rights reserved.

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The global solar manufacturing landscape is poised for a significant transformation in 2026, marking a rebound in capital expenditure (capex). This resurgence follows dramatic drops in capex during 2024 and 2025, primarily caused by a systemic oversupply of solar modules in the market, particularly in China. The oversupply dampened investment activity across the industry, creating a challenging environment for manufacturers worldwide.  
However, the tide is turning, and a global capex rebound is now expected. After reaching over US$36 billion in 2023, total capex fell to US$22.45 billion in 2024 and then again to US$21.2 billion in 2025. But this year, our data forecasts that capex spending will rise to US$29 billion. Cell capex will increase notably, rising from US$6.4 billion in 2025 to US$9.9 billion in 2026. The figures are revealed in the Q1 edition of PV Tech Research’s ‘‘PV manufacturing and technology quarterly’ report.
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The capex rebound is being driven by three key factors. In the US and India, a significant ramp-up in domestic PV capabilities is offsetting reduced capex spending in China and Southeast Asia. Globally, the focus on upstream segments of the solar supply chain is intensifying, driving increased investment in cell manufacturing. Meanwhile, regions such as the Middle East are becoming key players in the global solar manufacturing landscape, with countries such as Egypt and Oman rapidly building capacity, supported by strategic partnerships and export-oriented production models. 
All of these shifts are being intensified by a growing global movement to diversify supply chains outside of China and strengthen local production. This objective is being driven by domestic incentives in the US and India, and by regulatory changes, such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) and Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) rules in the US, and new requirements under frameworks such as Europe’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). 
Our 2026 forecast is based on a detailed analysis of current spending trends within existing facilities, coupled with projected expenditures for factories that have already commenced construction. By analysing these data points, we aim to provide a balanced outlook that reflects both ongoing operational investments and the anticipated contributions of new developments. 
The United States and India are at the forefront of the global solar capex rebound, driven by distinct yet complementary factors. 
In the US, the solar manufacturing sector is experiencing robust growth, supported by a combination of financial incentives and regulatory measures. The expansion of anti-dumping and countervailing tariffs (AD/CVD) has played a pivotal role in encouraging domestic production. These tariffs, initially introduced to counter unfair trade practices, cover China and several Southeast Asian countries. India, Laos and Indonesia are also under investigation, with preliminary countervailing measures imposed on these countries in February. The antidumping investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, new FEOC rules place further emphasis on local production and reducing reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains. Alongside federal tax credits, these measures have spurred significant interest in building domestic manufacturing capacity. 
The demand for domestically manufactured PV modules is clearly reflected in utilisation rates across the US manufacturing landscape. Utilisation rates across US manufacturing facilities are approaching 80%, which is considered full capacity. This strong demand is expected to absorb any future capacity additions in the short to medium term.  
However, the US still faces supply chain gaps, particularly in upstream segments. Current data reveals that cell capacity covers only 50% of module production, wafer capacity covers just 10% of cell production, and polysilicon capacity accounts for a mere 5% of module production. Addressing these gaps is critical to sustaining the growth of the US solar manufacturing sector. 
Several players are capitalising on these opportunities. For instance, Hemlock (Corning) launched wafer production at the end of 2025, while ES Foundry has tripled its cell capacity. These developments highlight the ongoing shift in capex focus from modules to upstream segments such as cells, wafers and polysilicon. Underpinning this is a shift in regulation, with recent AD/CVD rulings covering cells, FEOC requirements, and the upcoming Section 232 on polysilicon.  
India’s solar manufacturing sector is also witnessing significant growth, driven by government support and competitive market dynamics. The Indian government has been one of the largest drivers of manufacturing growth in the country, specifically through the large government tenders. However, while government support initially set out to provide Indian-manufactured PV modules for the domestic market, we are seeing Indian producers becoming much more competitive on the global stage and pursuing new markets that were historically dominated by China. 
Indian companies such as Waaree have become important players in the US market, while others are exploring opportunities in Europe. The inclusion of India in the list of countries affected by US countervailing and, possibly, anti-dumping measures (depending on the outcome of this part of the ongoing investigation) underscores its growing importance as a manufacturing base and the competitive threat it poses to established players. 
Despite these positive trends, questions remain about the sustainability of India’s capacity expansion. Utilisation rates have generally ranged between 50% and 60%, indicating steady use of added capacity. However, the decline in utilisation rates before 2023 – when the industry was booming – raises concerns about the sustainability of this growth. Bridging the gap between module and cell capacity will be a key determinant of India’s capex outlook. By the end of 2025, module capacity stood at just over 82GW, while cell capacity was at just under 30GW, highlighting the need for further investment in upstream segments. 
Historically, the largest share of solar capex has been allocated to cell manufacturing, primarily driven by technological advancements in this segment. The rebound in cell capex can be attributed to several factors. 
Chief among these is the example of the US and India, where module capacity has grown to such an extent that cell production must now catch up to enable supply chains to become fully localised. Again, measures such as trade tariffs, FEOC rules and other incentives and regulations are providing the carrots and sticks to drive that localisation process, which is now increasingly including the upstream segments.  
Added to this is the fact that cell production is more complex and more costly than module manufacturing, requiring greater capex investment. A key related factor is the technological evolution underway, as many large players transition from tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPcon) to back-contact technology and move towards tandem, driving the need for new investments in cell manufacturing.
Outside the US and India, other regions are benefiting from the global solar capex rebound; we are seeing investments across the board in China, Turkey, Egypt and Oman, with further expansions announced in European capacity.   
The Middle East has emerged as a key player, with Egypt and Oman notably leading the charge. 
Egypt has demonstrated remarkable speed in building solar manufacturing capacity. Elite Solar established a 5GW cell-and-module facility (2GW cells and 3GW modules) within just 14 months of signing contracts. This efficiency has made Egypt an attractive partner for six other PV manufacturers looking to locate capacity in the country.  
Oman has completed a polysilicon facility capable of producing enough material for 40GW of solar panels. Additionally, it hosts a 400MW solar module plant for JA Solar. These developments position Oman as a significant player in the global solar manufacturing landscape. However, many of the facilities opening up in the Middle East aim to export most of their production; it remains to be seen how much of that production will be used in the domestic market. 
On this front, Turkey stands out. Turkey’s solar manufacturing sector is growing organically, driven by domestic demand and proximity to European markets. While its capacity figures are smaller compared to other Middle Eastern countries, Turkey’s strategic location makes it a key player in serving European and US markets. 
The global solar capex rebound in 2026 marks a turning point for the industry, driven by investments in the US and India, alongside emerging opportunities in other regions. The expansion of module and cell manufacturing capacity, coupled with favourable policies and incentives, is reshaping the solar manufacturing landscape. However, challenges remain, including supply chain gaps in the US and questions about the sustainability of India’s capacity expansion. 
As the focus shifts upstream to cells, wafers, and polysilicon, the industry must navigate regulatory changes and technological transitions to sustain growth. Emerging manufacturing hubs like Egypt, Oman and Turkey are playing an increasingly important role, highlighting the global nature of this rebound. 
Looking beyond 2026, our forecasts through 2030 build on current spending patterns and this year’s projections as a baseline. These longer-term outlooks incorporate broader economic trends, such as inflation, shifts in global supply chains and industry growth trajectories, to outline potential growth scenarios and provide a forward-looking perspective on the evolving market. 
By 2030, we anticipate investments outside of China will continue moving upstream, with markets increasingly focusing on wafers and polysilicon as cell manufacturing capacity expands. Governments are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping these priorities with a strategic focus on building domestic supply chains to enhance energy security. Meanwhile, investments in China are expected to grow alongside technological advancements and the next phase of PV cell technology, further solidifying its role as a leader in cutting-edge solar manufacturing. 
The capex rebound highlights how the industry is addressing supply chain gaps, embracing technological advancements, and diversifying production bases and positioning itself to meet the growing demand for clean energy and resilient supply. 
The Q1 edition of the ‘PV manufacturing and technology quarterly’ report, the definitive benchmarking resource for the PV technology value chain, is out now and available here. 

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According to Energy-Storage.news, the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has granted approval for the Dinawan Solar Farm. The project combines an 800-megawatt solar facility with a large battery energy storage system rated at 356 megawatts with a capacity of 1,574 megawatt-hours.
The decision followed an assessment where a two-member panel carried out site inspections, reviewed 43 written submissions, and met with community stakeholders. The application was forwarded to the commission after more than 50 public objections were received during the initial assessment phase by the relevant planning department.
The solar farm will be situated roughly 30 kilometers south of Coleambally and 30 kilometers north of Jerilderie. It constitutes the solar element of the wider Dinawan Energy Hub, which is being developed by a subsidiary of Spark Renewables. Approved infrastructure includes substations, a temporary accommodation camp, and construction compounds.
In its reasoning, the commission stated the project would help improve grid stability and energy security and matches state government goals for shifting to renewable energy. The larger Dinawan Energy Hub is a proposed hybrid wind, solar, and storage initiative with a total capacity of two gigawatts, located on traditional lands of several First Nations groups.
Last year, the project secured a connection agreement for over one gigawatt of capacity within the South West Renewable Energy Zone and was the sole project in that round to include solar photovoltaic technology. Its location places it along the planned route of the EnergyConnect interconnector, a transmission line being developed to increase renewable energy flow between South Australia and New South Wales.
The project is also positioned to support other proposed major interconnectors, reinforcing its potential role in transmitting renewable energy across the national grid. Earlier this year, both the solar and wind components were listed for fast-track approvals as part of a new government authority’s formation, which recently endorsed a portfolio of energy projects.
During the assessment, the panel examined various concerns from local stakeholders about cumulative impacts, traffic, noise, contamination, social effects, emergency planning, and infrastructure. Specific worries from neighboring landholders involved the combined effect of several other renewable energy projects in the area. A local landholder group raised additional issues concerning environmental testing, chemical management, fire risk, and regulatory oversight.
The commission has attached conditions to the approval to reduce negative impacts, though specifics were not detailed. Spark Renewables has pledged a benefits program featuring over 30 commitments, including a community fund, initiatives to advance First Nations workforce participation, and training opportunities. The company also confirmed a direct community funding arrangement with the local council, involving annual payments per megawatt once construction begins.
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The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity

The uptake of solar around 2018 helped Pakistan avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year
Solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to provide uninterrupted power and avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply
The government has introduced austerity measures to deal with energy supply shortages, including cutting the public sector work week to four days
The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 40 million of Pakistan’s more than 240 million people do not have access to electricity
Pakistan’s solar power push has cushioned the full impact of the war in the Middle East, analysts said, despite lingering concerns over fuel supplies and rising prices.
A study published last month assessed that the uptake of solar around 2018 helped the country avoid more than $12 billion in oil and gas imports up to February this year.
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Solar push helps Pakistan temper Gulf energy shock  Caledonian Record
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