Solar Now

Home > ARENAWIRE > Bright future for Australian solar PV research
Australia’s world leading solar photovoltaic (PV) scientists will receive a funding boost of up to $45 million, in the hope it will drive innovation in ultra-low cost solar.
A critical foundation of Australia’s world leading solar PV research and development capacity will receive up to $45 million in ARENA funding.
The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) is being supported to extend operations of their cutting edge solar photovoltaic (PV) research to 2030, it was announced today.
ACAP brings together leading solar research institutes from across Australia, led by the University of NSW (UNSW). Solar technology developed at UNSW is embedded in 90 per cent of the current silicon module panel production worldwide.
The University’s research has supported Australia holding world records for efficiency for 30 of the last 38 years.
ACAP also includes research groups at CSIRO, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney and Monash University.
Since it was established in 2012, ACAP was designed to provide an institutional framework for a coordinated, national approach to solar PV research in Australia. It aims to develop “over the horizon” PV technology to create a pipeline of improved technology for increased performance and ongoing cost reduction.
ACAP has fostered the spin-out of Australian solar startups such as Open Instruments, Solar Vision, Solar Cycle and SunDrive, and partnering with leading Australian solar innovators including 5B, Sun Cable, Bluescope and Raygen.
In 2021 alone:
ACAP was established in December 2012 with a grant of $33.1 million from the Australian Solar Institute (ASI). The management of the ASI and its projects was transferred to ARENA on 1 January 2013.
Almost $84 million of ARENA funding has been allocated to ACAP to date with the objective of supporting cutting-edge, over-the-horizon PV research.
And it has been doing a pretty good job.
Through the work of ACAP and its predecessors, Australia has established a world leading research capability in solar PV, which ACAP seeks to build on.
Solar energy now accounts for more than 15 per cent of Australia’s electricity generation, which has doubled every three years. More than three million Australians have rooftop solar, the most per capita in the world. Large scale solar meanwhile is now among the cheapest forms of new generation.
ACAP’s current program of work is scheduled to end in March 2023. The extra funding is designed to extend their solar PV research to 2030.
This funding boost – which is subject to funding agreement execution – will support the development of the next generation of solar energy technologies and will support ultra-low cost solar needed to get to net zero.
This is aligned with ARENA’s ambitious goal of Solar 30 30 30, which aims to improve PV efficiency to 30 per cent and reduce the cost of solar modules to 30 cents a watt by 2030, roughly a third of today’s price.
“The next decade promises to be the most exciting and important in solar PV, ever, with massively increased uptake and technological change,” said UNSW Professor Martin Green
”With ARENA’s support, we will continue our world class technology development including more efficient and powerful cell technologies, and growing a sustainable solar sector at scale,” he said.
Announcing the extension, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, called the funding “an investment in the next generation of solar technology experts”
“Australia has all the ingredients to become a clean energy superpower with this Government working collaboratively to ensure secure, affordable energy supplies and drive down emissions towards net zero,” he said.
“This funding extension will help ensure ACAP remains one of the world’s top research centres for innovation as it strives to boost solar PV performance and affordability.”
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the funding would ensure ACAP remains one of the world’s top research centres for innovation in solar energy and solar PV technology.
Solar energy at a massive scale will be needed not just for the grid to transition but also to power green hydrogen electrolysers, to replace fossil fuels in heavy industrial processes such as alumina refining and for exporting energy overseas.
“Ultra-low cost solar will be key to enabling Australia’s energy transition and emissions reduction efforts, as it will help to lower the input costs for green hydrogen, low emissions metals and other large scale clean energy opportunities across all sectors as we move to net zero,” he said.

In January, ARENA also launched a $40 million competitive funding round for ultra-low cost solar research and development, highlighting the importance of advancing solar research and technology to reduce costs.
ARENAWIRE is home to news, analysis and discussion about the projects ARENA funds. Join the discussion by following us on social or sign up to ARENAWIRE to receive our E-news.

source

Oct 22, 2026 18:16
Read More On:
See More >
See More »
Stocks
Mutual Funds
Investment Tracking
Home
Market News
Latest News
International Markets
Economy
Industries
Mutual Fund News
IPO News
Search News
My Portfolio
My Watchlist
Gainers
Losers
Sectors
Indices
Forex
Mutual Funds
Feedback

source

Access the most recent editions of Ink World Magazine, featuring timely industry insights and innovations.
Read the interactive online version of Ink World Magazine, complete with enhanced features and multimedia content.
Join our global readership—subscribe to receive Ink World Magazine in print or digital formats, and stay informed on key trends and breakthroughs.
Connect with decision-makers in the ink industry through strategic advertising opportunities in Ink World Magazine and online platforms.
Review submission standards and guidelines for contributing articles and content to Ink World Magazine.
Understand how we collect, use, and protect your data when you engage with Ink World Magazine.
Review the legal terms governing your use of Ink World Magazines website and services.
Stay current with breaking developments, business updates, and product launches across the global ink industry.
Explore in-depth articles covering key technologies, trends, and challenges facing ink manufacturers and suppliers.
Access exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and original reporting not found anywhere else.
A one-on-one interview conducted by our editorial team with industry leaders in our market.
Gain insight from industry thought leaders as they share analysis on market shifts, regulatory changes, and technological advances.
Review market data, forecasts, and trends shaping the ink and printing sectors worldwide.
Visualize data and industry insights through engaging infographics that highlight key stats and trends.
Browse photo galleries showcasing events, product innovations, and company highlights.
Watch interviews, demonstrations, and event coverage from across the ink and printing value chain.
Short, impactful videos offering quick updates and insights on industry topics.
Stay updated on trends and technologies in pigment development.
Learn how additives influence ink performance and characteristics.
Discover advancements in resin technologies and their impact on ink properties.
Explore the latest printing and manufacturing equipment used across various ink applications.
Explore UV, EB, and other curing technologies that improve ink efficiency and sustainability.
Discover tools used in R&D and quality control processes.
Focused on inks used in labels, flexible packaging, and cartons.
Coverage on inks for newspapers, magazines, and books.
Insights into inkjet, toner, and other digital printing solutions.
Updates on offset sheetfed inks used in commercial printing.
News on UV and EB curing inks.
Explore screen printing ink technologies.
Niche and high-performance ink formulations for specific applications.
Electrically conductive inks for electronics and printed sensors.
Innovations in printable electronic components.
Developments in printed OLEDs, LEDs, and display technologies.
Printed solar cells and materials used in energy generation.
Explore electronics printed directly into molded surfaces.
Advances in smart tagging and communication technologies.
Global leaders across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Major ink producers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Source suppliers and service providers across the ink value chain.
Locate authorized distributors of ink and raw materials.
Browse manufacturers and vendors offering inks, equipment, and materials.
A listing of ink manufacturers based in the United States.
Directory of ink producers across Europe.
Detailed insights into products, processes, and innovations from leading ink companies.
Find definitions for common terms used throughout the ink and printing industries.
Comprehensive digital guides on specific ink technologies and markets.
Research-driven reports offering analysis and solutions to industry challenges.
Marketing materials from suppliers showcasing products and services.
Company-sponsored articles offering expert insight, case studies, and product highlights.
Company announcements, product launches, and corporate updates.
Browse job openings in the ink and coatings industries and connect with potential employers.
Calendar of major trade shows and professional gatherings.
On-site event coverage and updates.
Browse job openings in the ink and coatings industries and connect with potential employers.
Virtual sessions led by industry experts.
What are you searching for?
The new site will be in Japan and is part of an initiative to support Japan’s GX Supply Chain Development Support Program.

October 28, 2026
By: Rachel Klemovitch

Ricoh Company will establish manufacturing capabilities for inkjet-printed perovskite solar cells as the company moves toward mass production. 
The company will build a production site at Ricoh Industry Co., Ltd.’s Tohoku Site in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The site will utilize a manufacturing process leveraging Ricoh’s proprietary inkjet technology. With future expansion to GW-scale production in mind, Ricoh aims to establish annual production capacity of several hundred MW by 2030.
As part of its medium- to long-term growth strategy, Ricoh is advancing the commercialization of “Functional Printing,” which applies inkjet technologies to manufacturing processes such as the coating and deposition of functional materials. Inkjet-printed perovskite solar cells are one of the projects being pursued under this initiative. 
Following this selection, Ricoh will build on its research, development, and demonstration activities to advance toward mass production and commercialization, with the aim of expanding the real-world deployment of perovskite solar cells and creating new business opportunities.
Also, Ricoh’s perovskite solar cell manufacturing initiative has been selected for support under Japan’s GX (Green Transformation) Supply Chain Development Support Program administered by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Get the latest Ink World magazine news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.
Printing Ink Manufacturing News
Copyright © 2026 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.
Enter your account email.
A verification code was sent to your email,
Enter the 6-digit code sent to your mail.
Didn’t get the code? Check your spam folder or resend code
Set a new password for signing in and accessing your data.
Your Password has been Updated !

source

The Evolution of PV Connection Technology  AZoCleantech
source

University of Oxford
image: 

view more 
Non-contact optical probes of semiconductor performance. Credit: Laura Herz.
Credit: Laura Herz
A study led by the University of Oxford has identified a novel semiconductor that overcomes a key limitation with light-harvesting materials. The results, published today (28 Oct) in Nature, could enable more efficient solar panels with higher outputs.
Solar energy currently faces a critical limitation: materials that absorb light more strongly also tend to be less efficient at turning captured light into electricity.
Solar cells rely on materials called semiconductors, which absorb sunlight and use its energy to free tiny negatively charged particles called electrons, leaving behind positively charged gaps known as holes. To produce electricity, these charges must be collected before an electron and a hole meet and cancel each other out, wasting the energy they carry.
This creates a fundamental challenge. Semiconductors that absorb light more strongly also tend to lose their charges more quickly. This trade-off limits how efficiently solar cells can turn sunlight into electricity.
In the new study, the researchers discovered that bismuth sulfide appears to side-step this trade-off. This is because it has an unusual arrangement of energy levels that allows it to absorb light strongly while losing its electrical charges more slowly, pointing to a new way to design more efficient solar cells.
“One of the longstanding challenges in developing efficient solar-energy materials is that the properties which make a semiconductor very good at absorbing sunlight also tend to make the resulting electrical charges disappear quickly,” said corresponding author Professor Laura Herz (Department of Physics, University of Oxford). “Our work shows that this trade-off is not inevitable. By uncovering how an unusual electronic structure can combine strong light absorption with much slower recombination, we have identified a new principle for designing semiconductors that could help us harvest solar energy more efficiently.”
The team excited thin films of bismuth sulfide with extremely short laser pulses and then measured how quickly the resulting charges disappeared, using a technique called ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy. They carried out the measurements at temperatures ranging from room temperature to just above absolute zero.
Electronic structure calculations by Professor Marina Filip’s group in the Department of Physics revealed what makes the material unusual. It absorbs light mainly through one strong route between energy levels, but just below this in energy lies a second, much weaker route, through which charges are lost only slowly. The two are so close in energy that charges spend much of their time in these lower-energy states, which act as a temporary ‘reservoir’ and slow their loss.
The experiments confirmed this picture. In most semiconductors, charges are lost faster as the material is cooled, but in bismuth sulfide they were lost more slowly, as more charges settled into the reservoir. This matched the team’s model of what physicists call a pseudo-direct semiconductor. The team estimates that, at room temperature, this arrangement cuts the rate at which charges are lost by about 75% compared with conventional materials that absorb light as strongly.
“What makes this discovery particularly exciting is that we are not simply improving an existing semiconductor property but identifying a different way in which semiconductors can behave,” said Professor Herz. “Understanding this mechanism gives us a roadmap for discovering and potentially engineering other materials with similarly advantageous properties.”
For solar energy, this could matter in two ways. Charges that last longer have more chance of being collected, which could reduce one of the fundamental energy losses in solar cells without sacrificing strong light absorption. Longer-lived charges could also allow more time for the chemical reactions needed to turn sunlight into fuels.
The team’s calculations suggest that other materials with the same property could be found by screening materials databases, or engineered. The researchers stress that the study demonstrates a physical mechanism rather than a finished solar cell. Further work is now needed to translate these findings into improved solar cell technologies.
The research was an international collaboration between the University of Oxford and Wuhan University in China. The research was funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with additional support from the Italian Ministry of University and Research and Oxford Photovoltaics.
Notes to editors:
For media enquiries and interview requests, contact Caroline Wood: caroline.wood@admin.ox.ac.uk
The paper ‘Delayed electron–hole recombination in a pseudo-direct semiconductor’, will be published in Nature at 16:00 GMT / 12:00 ET Wednesday 28 October 2026, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-11223-x  To view a copy of the paper before this under embargo, contact Caroline Wood: caroline.wood@admin.ox.ac.uk
About the University of Oxford
Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the eleventh year running, and ​number 3 in the QS World Rankings 2024. At the heart of this success are the twin-pillars of our ground-breaking research and innovation and our distinctive educational offer.
Oxford is world-famous for research and teaching excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research alongside our personalised approach to teaching sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.
Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 300 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past five years. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing around £16.9 billion to the UK economy in 2021/22, and supports more than 90,400 full time jobs.
Nature
10.1038/s41586-026-11223-x
Delayed electron–hole recombination in a pseudo-direct semiconductor
28-Oct-2026
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Caroline Wood
University of Oxford
caroline.wood@admin.ox.ac.uk
Office: 01865280534

University of Oxford


Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

source

Red Frog Beach Advances Major Infrastructure and Sustainability Improvements  The Des Moines Register
source

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Opinions are mixed among residents near Watertown’s former landfill about a proposal to bring energy-producing plants to the site.
Options to use the land again are few. City council is considering a solar farm on the site. Council member Shane Garrabrant has offered another idea.
“If we could investigate kind of a parallel path and look into the possibility of nuclear power at the site,” he said.
Residents of homes along Water Street, near the former landfill, have mixed opinions about the land’s next use.
Marc Hamrick, who has lived on Water Street for six years, said he has concerns.
“So just overall the devaluing maybe of the property or potential chemicals getting into the soil and just overall not usable land anymore would be a lot of our worries,” Hamrick said.
Other residents did not want to appear on camera. One man who has lived near the old landfill for 30 years said the idea does not bother him much.
A woman who lives not far from the site said she is concerned and will be paying close attention. Another man who has lived on Water Street for eight years said he believes the city can do what it wants with the land.
A woman who has lived in the area for a decade said she is worried about what either project would do to the environment.
At the last city council meeting, council member Doug Osborne agreed with Garrabrant’s idea. Osborne said nuclear power could be something to look into because New York state is making its use a priority.
Osborne said the council will consider residents’ concerns before taking action.
“What I would say to them is we’re going to take…everything into consideration to include their concerns before we take action on anything. Obviously safety is paramount. Whatever the existing character is in that area, obviously we don’t want to have a significant environmental impact on that. This whole process is still in the very, very early stages,” Osborne said.
At the same meeting, council member Ben Shoen questioned whether nuclear power could be put on the site. He said he believes there is not enough usable land to build something there.
Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.

source

Licensable picture: Photovoltaic System, Solar Panels On The Tiled Roof Of A Building, Illustrative Image Of Future-oriented Electricity Generation  Reuters Connect
source

Binational hydropower operator Itaipu has presented a study examining the integration of 100 MW to 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity into Paraguay’s electricity system to meet rising demand and improve grid stability.
The research, titled “Use of photovoltaic generation to meet Paraguayan electricity demand and dampen inter-area electromechanical oscillations,” was recently presented by Manuel Sosa Ríos, an engineer in Itaipu’s Technical Directorate, at the Cigre Energy Forum 2026 in Calgary, Canada.
The study draws on forecasts of rising electricity consumption in Paraguay. The country currently has 8,800 MW of hydropower capacity, comprising Itaipu’s 7,000 MW 50 Hz system, Yacyretá’s 1,600 MW and Acaray’s 200 MW. According to planning studies cited by the researcher, this capacity could become insufficient around 2029.
Solar photovoltaic generation is among the alternatives considered, with Paraguay recording average annual daily global horizontal irradiation of 5.08 kWh/m².
Grid oscillations
The research also examines stability issues associated with Paraguay’s electrical interconnection with Argentina, which has operated under the current configuration since December 2022. The system experiences inter-area electromechanical oscillations at frequencies of 0.33 Hz to 0.41 Hz.
Itaipu’s power system stabilizer (PSS) is currently the main mechanism used to dampen these oscillations, but its response can be limited under certain low-frequency conditions.
To assess potential solutions, the researchers incorporated a power oscillation damping (POD) controller into photovoltaic plant models, tuning it using the damped Nyquist method. Simulations examined three connection points: the 500 kV Villa Hayes substation, the 220 kV Villa Hayes substation and the 220 kV Acaray substation. The locations were selected for their ability to observe inter-area oscillations.
In a scenario with Itaipu’s PSS out of service, the model showed an unstable 0.4 Hz inter-area mode with negative damping of 4.96%. Adding photovoltaic generation equipped with the POD controller stabilized the modeled electricity system at all three connection points.
The researchers concluded that controlled solar generation could complement the damping function currently provided by Itaipu.
The study also recommends installing battery energy storage systems (BESS) alongside photovoltaic plants to maintain an appropriate response during transient events and reduce the effects of changes in solar irradiance.
The research used generic solar plant models implemented in the Anatem power system simulation program. The authors propose evaluating additional connection locations and control signals in subsequent work.
The study was presented to Study Committee C4 of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (Cigre), which focuses on the technical performance of power systems.
From pv magazine LatAm
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
pv magazine hosts its four-day virtual event on European solar and energy storage, exploring market opportunities, solar-plus-storage business cases, technical quality, and cybersecurity in the years ahead.

You have no items in your basket.

source

KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to IGS Solar Shamrock Issuer 2026-1, LLC  Business Wire
source

Kōwhai Park Solar Farm has been commissioned in Christchurch, marking one of New Zealand's largest solar developments.
Developed through a joint venture between Contact Energy and Lightsource bp, the solar farm is expected to generate about 275GWh of renewable electricity a year from roughly 300,000 solar panels – enough to supply the equivalent of about 36,000 homes.
Its completion adds a major asset to New Zealand's renewable generation base and marks a step forward for Christchurch's emerging renewable energy precinct. The grid connection work brought together several infrastructure and engineering groups to deliver the high-voltage link needed to connect the site to the wider network.
Ventia carried out the high-voltage infrastructure works, including two substations and 5.5 kilometres of 66kV cable. Beca provided design and engineering services, as well as technical support during delivery. Fulton Hogan handled trenching for the 66kV cables, while HRS Constructions supported civil works across the two new substations.
The project highlights the scale of work needed beyond the solar panels themselves to bring new renewable generation online. Substations, cable routes and network integration remain central to large energy developments, particularly as New Zealand expands generation aimed at reducing reliance on higher-emissions sources.
Project roles
The companies involved described the work as a coordinated effort across design, engineering, civil construction and energy infrastructure. That mix was needed to complete what they described as a complex network connection for the site.
Craig MacDonald, General Manager, Energy Networks and Renewables at Ventia, said the project showed what could be achieved through joint delivery.
“Kōwhai Park demonstrates what can be achieved when industry partners bring their expertise together behind a shared goal,” MacDonald said.
He said Ventia was proud to support the developers on a large-scale renewable project.
“We're proud to have played our part in supporting Contact and Lightsource bp to build renewable generation at scale.
This has been a great partnership with Ventia and an opportunity for our technical specialists to contribute to a flagship renewable energy project,” said Mark Jacob, General Manager – Energy at Beca.
Jacob's remarks highlighted the role specialist engineering teams play in connecting generation projects safely and reliably to the grid.
Grid connection
For New Zealand's electricity sector, projects such as Kōwhai Park show that renewable generation build-outs depend not only on developers and asset owners, but also on contractors and engineering firms that can deliver transmission and distribution links. The connection package included both above-ground and underground infrastructure, with the substations and 66kV cable route forming the key interface with the network.
Christchurch has been developing a larger cluster of renewable and related energy infrastructure, and Kōwhai Park adds to that momentum. Its annual output places it among the country's more substantial solar developments, reflecting the broader expansion of utility-scale solar in a market that has historically relied more heavily on hydro, geothermal and wind generation.
For contractors, the wider significance is that utility-scale solar projects increasingly create demand for specialist design, civil and network connection work alongside panel installation. At Kōwhai Park, that work ranged from trenching and civil construction to engineering support and high-voltage installation, illustrating the breadth of supply chain involvement in a single renewable project.
Technology news for CFOs & financial decision-makers
Industry insider news for technology resellers
Technology news for digital commerce decision-makers
Consumer technology news & reviews from the future
Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers
Telecommunications news for ICT decision-makers

source

SpaceNews
Covering the business and politics of space

Tickets for the 2026 Icon Awards are on sale now. Join us in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 1. Secure your spot.
– Two demonstration missions planned aboard SpaceX Falcon 9, one each in 2027 and 2028
– Satoro to provide “Satellite-as-a-service” solution; Flexell Space to supply solar cells and test modules
Uiwang-si, Korea – Flexell Space, a space energy company led by CEO Taehun Ahn, announced that it has signed an agreement with Singapore-based CubeSat specialist Satoro, led by CEO Mark Lu, for the in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) of next-generation space solar cells.
The agreement aims to verify the performance and reliability of Flexell Space’s solar cells in the actual space environment. The companies plan to conduct two demonstration missions, one in 2027 and another in 2028. Each demonstration satellite is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Flexell Space previously conducted two space demonstration missions through launches aboard Korea’s KSLV-II, in November 2025 and October 2026. Building on this experience, the agreement with Satoro will expand opportunities for in-orbit validation of its next-generation space solar cells and support the continued accumulation of operational data needed for commercialization.
Under the agreement, Satoro will manufacture the satellites for the demonstration missions, while Flexell Space will supply the solar cells and test modules to be integrated into them. The companies will coordinate technical requirements for the CubeSat platforms and demonstration payloads, working together to evaluate the solar cells’ operating characteristics and performance in orbit.
Through these missions, Flexell Space plans to compare and validate ground-test results against in-orbit operational data and assess the solar cells’ power output characteristics and performance changes over time. Data collected from both missions will support further design improvements and reliability validation, strengthening the technical foundation for evaluations by global customers and future commercial supply.
The collaboration brings together Satoro’s expertise in CubeSat manufacturing and demonstration missions with Flexell Space’s capabilities in next-generation solar cell development. Flexell Space is developing solar cell technologies based on CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) and perovskites, with a focus on commercializing low-cost, large-area, ultralight power solutions for satellites and a wide range of space infrastructure.
“Commercializing space solar cells requires both ground-based performance validation and data collected in orbit,” said Taehun Ahn, CEO of Flexell Space. “With two demonstration opportunities secured for 2027 and 2028, we will systematically verify the performance and reliability of our next-generation solar cells and build the technical evidence required by global customers.”
He added, “Our collaboration with Satoro establishes a clear path from development to in-orbit demonstration and will accelerate our preparations for future commercial supply.”
“We are pleased to work with Flexell Space on the demonstration of its next-generation space solar cells,” said Mark Lu, CEO of Satoro. “Drawing on Satoro’s CubeSat  platforms and mission integration capabilities, we will work closely with Flexell Space to help secure the in-orbit data needed to validate its technology.”
He added, “We look forward to these two demonstration missions advancing the commercial potential of new space power technologies and laying the groundwork for continued technical collaboration between our companies.”
About Flexell Space
Flexell Space is a space energy company that originated as an internal venture at Hanwha Systems and develops next-generation space solar cells and power solutions. The company focuses on low-cost, large-area, ultralight products based on CIGS and perovskite solar cell technologies, with an emphasis on the durability, radiation tolerance, and long-term operational reliability required for space applications. Through collaboration with global satellite manufacturers and space agencies, Flexell Space is advancing the commercialization of solar cell technologies for satellites and space infrastructure.
About Satoro
Satoro is a Singapore-based “Satellite-as-a-service” solutions company providing integrated services spanning satellite manufacturing, payload integration, launch coordination, and in-orbit operations, demonstration, and validation (IOD/IOV). Since 2021, the company has successfully deployed 11 satellites into orbit across eight launches, achieving a 100% launch success rate. Drawing on this experience and technical expertise, Satoro supports global customers in validating and commercializing their space technologies.
all dispatches >>
all jobs >>
Back to top

Enter the code sent to your email
Email address

Enter your password
Sign in by entering the code we sent to , or clicking the magic link in the email.
By creating a SpaceNews.com account, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy policy and agree to our terms and conditions. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
We'll send a verification code to %EMAIL%.

Link Copy link

source

Solar Power World
By Kelly Pickerel | October 28, 2026
First Solar will today inaugurate the first phase of its new manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina. The $330 million facility onshores final production processes for the company’s Series 6 Plus modules.
The Gaffney plant currently employs approximately 500 people, and First Solar expects that number to rise to 700 by mid-2027 when the facility’s second phase is completed.
The Gaffney plant joins First Solar’s three fully vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in Ohio, and one each in Alabama and Louisiana, along with R&D centers in Ohio and California. First Solar will have a 3.7-GW annual manufacturing capacity in South Carolina, bringing the company’s total U.S. manufacturing capacity to 17.7 GW annually.
The First Solar Series 6 Plus module features the company’s thin-film cadmium-telluride base to reach 480 W at 19% efficiency. The panel has aluminum under-mount frames and dual junction boxes. First Solar is working on a bifacial version of the panel, which would allow light absorption on both sides.
Kelly Pickerel was a long-time reporter with Solar Power World before leaving her post as editor in chief in 2026. You may find her on LinkedIn.

Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website


Δ
Copyright © 2026 Arrowfly LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Arrowfly LLC
Privacy Policy | RSS

source

There were 2,332 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 501,644 in the last 365 days.
Four Leaf Best of Long Island
THREE-TIME BEST OF LONG ISLAND WINNER INVITES CUSTOMERS TO VOTE AGAIN IN BEST SOLAR BUSINESS CATEGORY
Joe Milillo
Long Island Power Solutions
+1 631-348-0001
estimate@LongIslandPowerSolutions.com
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
X
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
You just read:

EIN Presswire’s priority is author transparency. We do our best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above.

Follow EIN Presswire
EIN Presswire is part of Newsmatics, a trust infrastructure company helping people evaluate news based on evidence, not assumption.
© 1995-2026 Newsmatics Inc. dba EIN Presswire.
All rights reserved.
By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, last updated on September 30, 2025.

source

Latest Articles, Superyachts
Published on Oct 28, 2026 at 12:36 PM (UTC-4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Oct 28, 2026 at 12:51 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by Mason Jones
The YouTuber who built a solar-powered yacht decided to build a solar-powered catamaran after reaching Sweden.
So far, so normal. After all, he said he wanted to build a catamaran ages ago.
The problem is that this project is now a priority due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
YouTuber True North – real name Lukas Sjoman – the guy who built a solar-powered yacht that can virtually run forever on a shoestring budget, is now building a catamaran.
The idea to build a catamaran was first mentioned months ago, but now he’s decided to speed up his project because his other boat, Helios 11, capsized after a 3,728-mile journey.
Documented extensively on his channel, the $20,724 vessel faced multiple hardships during its travels, ranging from extreme heat to local hostility.
But the final blow came when heavy waves from a large ferry shifted the solar-powered yacht’s bottom-heavy batteries, altering its center of gravity and causing it to capsize in a harbor.
Stranded by local bureaucracy and an incoming storm, Sjoman was prevented from rescuing the prototype in time, leaving it heavily battered against the breakwater.
One of the biggest challenges with his yacht was choosing the correct type of solar panels and deciding where to fit them.
But the thing is, finding a sizable flat surface on which you can place solar panels on a yacht is relatively simple.
But a catamaran is different, because it comes with two parallel hulls that are generally way too narrow.
Placing the panels on the deck would be an alternative, but you’d be sacrificing space you could use for something else.
Sjoman seems to have found a solution, and he said he’ll likely install the panels on the deck but also on the cabin roof.
And it’ll be expensive, too.
In his estimation, he’s going to need at least $40,000, so around twice his original budget.
With help from a friend, the YouTuber has set up a custom 20-meter build hall, which will be large enough to house the 16-meter solar-powered catamaran.
“You don’t have to rent a big workshop. You can make your own actually,” he joked in the video.
They started by building a smaller, five-meter mockup using foam materials.
The idea was to test the overall structure and proportions and make sure it can float, which it did.
“I want to build a future of entirely solar and energy autonomous yachting and living. And I don’t worry about making mistakes. That’s sort of the point of this. We’re figuring out the most efficient ways to build [this],” he said.
We don’t know how long it’ll take to build the vessel.
But this guy seems pretty capable, so it’ll be ready sooner rather than later.
# Tags – Catamaran, Solar-powered, solar-powered explorer yacht, Solar-powered yachts, Sweden, Yacht
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
Supercar Blondie finds and covers the coolest cars, tech, luxury and gaming in the world.
Copyrights ©2026 SB Media USA Inc

source

The Moapa Band of Paiutes made history as the first reservation in the U.S. to host a solar farm in Indian country. Its utility-scale solar farm can generate enough energy to power up to 111,000 homes. That’s thanks in part to Southern Nevada’s environment, which has roughly 300 days of sunny skies a year, an attractive statistic for Arevon Energy Inc. CEO Justin Johnson.
“I’m not an oil and gas guy, and I never want to be, but this is like the Permian Basin for solar,” he said.
Now a decade since the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project began generating roughly 250 megawatts, tribal members and Arevon staff gathered in the Moapa Big Hall to celebrate having a more diverse economy on the reservation.
“I just can’t imagine what council, how they even took this challenge on 10 years ago without a blueprint and just let’s just do it because now I look back from our perspective today, looking back and I can just imagine the stress,” said Janet Myers, the current Chairman of the Moapa Band of Paiute.
She wasn’t chair when the first solar farm was being developed, but she’s been working to bring the next solar plant to the reservation. The tribe will break ground on their fourth solar farm in October.
“I feel the stress from this new project coming up, but I can just imagine what they went through 10 years ago,” she said.
A decade ago, the Moapa Valley looked different. Just a couple miles east of where everyone is gathered for the celebration stood the Reid Gardner Generating Station. It was a coal-burning power plant co-owned by NV Energy.
Vickie Simmons, a former tribal chairman, knew how dangerous it was to live near a coal-burning power plant for the community and its workers. Her brother worked at the plant.
“One day he got sick and he was immobilized, went straight to the hospital,” Simmons said.
He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart. And after a month, he died at the age of 31.
Coal-fired power plants produce coal ash, which can cause heart disease, cancer, reproductive issues, and more.
Tribal members and the public began protesting the power plant operation around 2010.
“I was so appreciative of people that could go and speak and not be frightened of the outside,” she said.
In 2014, their voices began to be heard as half of the plant shut down. The plant shut down completely by 2017. Before the plant could shut down, the tribe signed their first agreement with Arevon in 2013.
Although the tribe no longer suffers from toxic air pollution and now benefits from having a company generate energy on its land for 50 years, that doesn’t mean the solar agreement was the best deal for the sovereign nation.
Under the agreement, the tribe locked in a half-century lease with Arevon to install and operate a solar plant on the reservation. Today, the energy is sold to utility companies in California.
The tribe receives none of the energy or revenue generated on the reservation. The tribe has to get its power from the Overton Power District.
“I think that looking at the solar project, it’s one that replicates a lot of what we see in Indian country, where we are the basis of raw commodity production,” said Dr. Andrew Curley, a member of the Navajo Nation and associate professor for the Department of Geography at the University of Arizona. He focuses on how Indigenous nations are incorporated into colonial economies every day. “Whether that be coal, oil, gas, in this case, solar, and that the value added doesn’t happen with tribes or for tribes; it’s captured by the energy companies or the owners of the production facility.”
Solar plants don’t generate many jobs, other than during the short-term construction phase. Once constructed, they don’t need many workers. Meaning fewer jobs for tribal members
The agreement between the tribe and Arevon includes no royalties, energy sharing, additional donations to a food pantry, road contracts, or a plan to make the reservation more energy independent through any other project. The company is using the land only for one of its best resources, the sun.
“It seems like a deal that doesn’t really benefit the tribe,” he said.
Economic development is limited in remote areas of Nevada. Currently, one of the tribe’s largest economic drivers is its gas station, which also offers tribal gaming. They will also sell fireworks for the Fourth of July.
The reservation’s location roughly an hour north of Las Vegas makes it hard to attract other industries, especially since North Las Vegas has built the Apex Industrial Park, where massive warehouses will soon house corporations just 20 minutes north of Las Vegas’s heart.
“These companies are not philanthropic,” Curley said. “So they’re just there to earn and they’re private, they’re trying to profit. Tribes are just trying to attract, like a lot of small governments are trying to attract, businesses by giving them lucrative deals,”
There are currently no plans to turn over the solar farm to the tribe at the end of the lease to become energy independent; that would in turn make the tribe more sovereign.
The tribe cannot afford to build its own solar plant to generate and sell its own power, though Johnson has expressed interest in helping the tribe achieve its future energy goals.
“We’ve explored it, certainly,” Myers said. “I know that’s of interest to the tribe. It gets tricky, those sorts of arrangements when you’re doing the financing, but it’s certainly something that we continue to explore.”
The tribe and the community will continue to advocate for the tribe’s future.
“I know for upcoming projects we were trying to get it inside the contract that in time we would be able to purchase some of the power so then we would have some ownership in the actual power,” Myers
But why stop there?
Simmons believes the Moapa Band of Paiutes could one day sell its own electricity to utility companies and provide for its tribal members for generations to come.

Get our guide to the weeks biggest news and ideas, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning. See more newsletters
Our back-to-school issue parses CCSD’s enrollment slide, the homeschool boom, and substance-use care for the unhoused. Plus 2026’s Top Doctors and Dentists list.
Nevada Public Radio is a non-profit, member-supported, public media organization. Help ensure this news service remains strong and accessible to all with your contribution today.

source

A utility-scale renewable energy plant with storage capacity has been tendered by the state-owned utility.
After a decade of false starts and delays, Tunisia’s renewable power sector may now be taking off.
The government has set a target of achieving 35% of renewable energy integration by 2030 and 50% by 2035.
Now is the time to re-evaluate the opportunities and risks.
Subscriber only content
An active subscription is required to view this article
Subscribe to African Energy
View subscription options
Tagged with:
Power
Tunisia
Industry
Industry
African Energy is a brand of
©Copyright 2026 African Energy
Head Office
4 Bank Buildings
Station Road
Hastings
TN34 1NG
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1424 721667

source

Four utility-scale projects have secured planning permission through the UK government’s pipeline for large infrastructure projects in October, including a co-located plant expected to have 1.12 GW DC installed solar capacity.
Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park and Frodsham Solar were both issued development consent orders (DCO) on Oct. 27, while Steeple Renewables Project and Green Hill Solar Farm were granted DCOs on Oct.9 and Oct. 8 respectively.
Developed by Elements Green, Great North Road Solar will be one of the largest in the United Kingdom when commissioned at its site northwest of Newark on Trent, England. The 1.12 GW project has secured a grid connection for import and export of 800 MW and will be built with a co-located 440 MW/880 MWh battery energy storage system.
Frodsham Solar is being developed by Cubico and project documents list the capacity as “around 150 MW”. The project near Chester, England, has a connection agreement with SP Energy Networks to supply up to 100 MW to the existing Frodsham substation.
Steeple Renewables Project in Nottinghamshire is being developed as a 450 MW solar generation project with approximately 150 MW of BESS in power output terms. The project is being developed by RES and is expected to use grid capacity made available from the decommissioning of the adjacent West Burton power station.
Green Hill Solar Farm is being developed by Island Green Power at a site north of Northampton. The project is expected to have a capacity of “up to 500 MW” and will also have a BESS installation.
All four projects were approved through the UK government’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process, continuing a 100% success rate for solar in the NSIP pipeline. Run by the UK Planning Inspectorate, the NSIP process is used to approve or reject large-scale projects across industries – including solar projects in England with capacity greater than 100 MW. The first UK solar project approved through the NSIP process, the 376 MW Cleve Hill Solar Park, was approved in 2020 and entered commercial operations in July 2025.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
pv magazine hosts its four-day virtual event on European solar and energy storage, exploring market opportunities, solar-plus-storage business cases, technical quality, and cybersecurity in the years ahead.

You have no items in your basket.

source

California utilities, aggregators and customers to benefit from new DER laws: advocates  Utility Dive
source

Power electronics firm Optivolt has secured $32 million in Series A fundraising from VXI Capital to build the “intelligence layer” of next-generation solar panels, company officials say.
Founded by CEO Rohit Kalyanpur, Optivolt gives solar panels a brain, the company says. The funding from VXI Capital, a new hard tech fund founded by the former CTO of the Defense Innovation Unit of the U.S. Military and a group of investment partners, brings the Californian firm’s total capital raised to date to $42 million.
The solar panel is now a commodity in 2026. Once valued at up to $3,500 per watt when accounting for inflation, PV modules are now a normal product that some average consumers can buy in stores. Optivolt’s Power Balancer technology lets solar think for itself, according to Kalyanpur.
“Solar became cheap enough to compete. I founded Optivolt to make it intelligent enough to power the world,” he says. “For nine years, we’ve rebuilt the solar panel from first principles, embedding aerospace-grade power electronics so it can respond to Earth as it actually is, not the ideal conditions of a lab.
“The result is the first solar panel system that thinks for itself – one that adapts to shade, weather, dirt and degradation in real time, recovering energy conventional solar leaves behind. The next step is putting it everywhere.”
The Optivolt Power Balancer embeds power electronics into solar panels themselves, allowing the panel to manage energy among cell groups in real time. This allows the solar panels to recover power they would otherwise lose to shade, changing weather conditions, or any other number of mitigating factors.
According to Optivolt officials, more than 20,000 panels incorporating the Power Balancer have already shipped. Rather than research and development, the new financing brings the company’s products to any scale imaginable.

Creating the active solar panel

Solar panels are passive technology, despite decades of progress in energy efficiency, weather protection, and other areas. One underperforming PV cell can potentially hold back the output of an entire group of cells. Optivolt officials say the San Franciscan company aims to put an end to localized issues becoming much larger energy problems.
“The next era of energy will not be built by simply installing more of the same passive solar panels we already have. It will be built by making solar intelligent enough to become the backbone of the global power system,” says Orin Hoffman, managing director at VXI Capital.
“Optivolt has spent nine years building the architecture for that future. This financing is about taking it from a technical breakthrough to the platform on which the next generation of solar is built.”
The concept of putting active power electronics inside a solar panel was sure to generate a lot of heat, creating unique engineering challenges for a product that is also pointing at the sun. In response, the Optivolt team developed the Power Balancer, which it says operates at 99.4% conversion efficiency under “typical conditions.” The team looked to solar construction techniques used in aerospace applications, testing the panel to potentially spend decades inside a solar panel.

The next generation

Optivolt’s internal testing shows that panels that incorporate the Power Balancer technology produce up to six times as much power as those that use bolted-on power optimizers. The company tested the panels against each other in defined shade scenarios.
Enphase CEO Paul Nahi says his company “transformed rooftop solar” through power output management. Now an Optivolt investor himself, the long-time energy executive says the budding firm is the key to solar energy’s next big leap.
“Today, rising panel power, the widespread adoption of storage, and the urgent need to reduce costs demand a new approach. Optivolt is bringing a new class of power electronics inside the panel itself to unlock the next leap in performance and economics,” Nahi says. “I helped build the last generation of solar power electronics. At Optivolt we are building the next.”

Tags: funding, Optivolt, products, PV Modules, utility-scale


Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Other Benjamin Media, Inc Brands:
Compact Equipment | Trenchless Technology | Tunnel Business Magazine | Utility Contractor | Water Finance & Management
©2026 Copyright Solar Builder Magazine   |   Privacy Policy  |   Terms of Serivce

source

The Autumn issue of 2026 is available now! The new issue begins with a regional report on Asia Pacific, looking at the region’s transition from building capacity to building systems. The issue also explores topics such as offshore wind foundations, solar maintenance, training the new workforce, inspection & maintenance, and more! With insights from experts such as Everllence, BW Ideol, EM&I, Watson Farley & Williams, and many more, make sure to check out this issue now.
Follow us on social media for the latest industry news and updates.
Copyright © 2026 Palladian Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | Tel: +44 (0)1252 718 999 | Email: enquiries@energyglobal.com
Cubico’s Frodsham Solar project has been granted development consent by the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Cubico Sustainable Investments has announced that its Frodsham Solar project in Cheshire, the UK, has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The decision marks a major milestone for the project, which will combine solar photovoltaic generation with an integrated battery energy storage system, supporting the delivery of reliable, homegrown renewable electricity to homes, businesses, and industry across the region.
Located north of the town of Frodsham, the project will have the potential to export up to 100 MW of renewable electricity to the local distribution network – equivalent to meeting the annual electricity needs of approximately 40 000 homes.
Situated alongside the existing Frodsham wind farm and Protos energy hub, within Cheshire’s Energy Innovation District, Frodsham Solar will complement the region’s existing low-carbon infrastructure and contribute to its ambitions to become a leading hub for clean energy and industrial decarbonisation.
Lucas Pegoraro, UK Country Head at Cubico Sustainable Investments, commented: “Securing development consent for Frodsham Solar is a significant milestone for Cubico and an important step forward in our ambition to deliver high-quality renewable energy infrastructure across the UK. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and close collaboration of teams across Cubico, who have worked together to bring the project to this important stage. Coupled with the project’s Phase 1 Gate 2 grid status, this milestone puts Frodsham Solar in a strong position to progress towards delivery. As the UK accelerates its transition towards a cleaner, more secure, and affordable energy system, projects like Frodsham Solar will play an important role in increasing domestic renewable electricity generation, improving energy affordability and supporting the decarbonisation of our economy.”
Joe Chambers, UK Development Lead at Cubico Sustainable Investments, added: “Securing consent is the culmination of several years of hard work, collaboration, and engagement, and I’m incredibly proud of the team and everyone who has contributed to bringing Frodsham Solar to this stage. Throughout the development process, we’ve worked closely with local communities, landowners, and stakeholders to shape our proposals. While there is still important work ahead, we’re excited to move into the next phase of the project and remain committed to working constructively with local stakeholders to ensure Frodsham Solar delivers lasting benefits for the area.”
Alongside its contribution to renewable electricity generation, Frodsham Solar has been designed to deliver a range of environmental, social, and economic benefits.
The proposals include over 5 km of new permissive routes to improve public access and connectivity across the area, alongside extensive landscaping and habitat enhancements to support local biodiversity. A dedicated community benefit fund will also be established to support local initiatives, while construction of the project is expected to create more than 100 full-time-equivalent jobs.
With development consent now secured, Cubico will progress the next phase of the project and preparations for construction. The company will continue to engage with local stakeholders and provide further updates as the project advances.
For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.
The Autumn issue of 2026 is available now! The new issue begins with a regional report on Asia Pacific, looking at the region’s transition from building capacity to building systems. The issue also explores topics such as offshore wind foundations, solar maintenance, training the new workforce, inspection & maintenance, and more! With insights from experts such as Everllence, BW Ideol, EM&I, Watson Farley & Williams, and many more, make sure to check out this issue now.

Published by
Assistant Editor

source

Your complete guide to the emerging economies of Southeast Europe. From latest news to bespoke research – the big picture at the tip of your fingers.
SeeNews is your complete guide to the emerging economies of Southeast Europe. Latest news, market intelligence, industry analyses, on-demand research – the big picture at the tip of your fingers.
Get ahead of the competition with SeeNews Premium Access. Unlimited news and objective analysis you can trust, company data and more. Subscribe now and start making agile business decisions.

source

Pick the engineering stories that matter and get them in your inbox.
Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience.
All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc.
Follow Us On
Access expert insights, exclusive content, and a deeper dive into engineering and innovation all with fewer ads or a completely ad-free experience.
All Rights Reserved, IE Media, Inc.
Bismuth sulfide features a rare quantum arrangement known as a pseudo-direct semiconductor.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that bismuth sulfide material can overcome a major limitation in solar energy.
The problem was that materials that absorb sunlight strongly usually lose electrical charge too quickly to generate efficient power.
Bismuth sulfide features a rare quantum arrangement known as a pseudo-direct semiconductor.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that bismuth sulfide material can overcome a major limitation in solar energy. 
The problem was that materials that absorb sunlight strongly usually lose electrical charge too quickly to generate efficient power. 
The identified semiconductor material has an unusual internal energy setup that acts like a temporary waiting room. Specifically, it holds onto captured energy longer and reducing charge loss by about 75% at room temperature. 
“One of the longstanding challenges in developing efficient solar-energy materials is that the properties which make a semiconductor very good at absorbing sunlight also tend to make the resulting electrical charges disappear quickly. Our work shows that this trade-off is not inevitable,” said Professor Laura Herz, corresponding author from the Department of Physics, University of Oxford.
Solar panels generate power by capturing freed electrons before these charges recombine with positively charged holes and dissipate energy as heat.
Materials designed to absorb maximum sunlight naturally create a crowded environment where these charges collide almost instantly. This rapid recombination creates an efficiency barrier for standard light-harvesting semiconductors.
Bismuth sulfide-based semiconductors could help change this. The Oxford team used ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy, which basically fires laser pulses lasting mere fractions of a second. This technique helped to probe thin films of the material.
What they found surprised them. Bismuth sulfide features a rare quantum arrangement known as a pseudo-direct semiconductor.
Light energy enters through a primary, high-energy pathway where sunlight is strongly absorbed. Immediately below this entrance lies a lower-energy state that captures the excited charges. Acting as a temporary holding tank, this secondary state stores the charges safely before dissipating them.
This secondary route dissipates charges poorly, allowing electrons to rest safely in storage until harvest time. At room temperature, this microscopic waiting room slashes charge loss by a 75% compared to conventional materials.
“By uncovering how an unusual electronic structure can combine strong light absorption with much slower recombination, we have identified a new principle for designing semiconductors that could help us harvest solar energy more efficiently,” Herz added. 
The material is not yet a market-ready rooftop panel. The Oxford team noted that the study proves a fundamental physical mechanism rather than a commercial product.
However, knowing that this electronic shortcut exists is what matters the most. Researchers can now scan materials databases and design custom semiconductors with the same trapdoor property. 
“What makes this discovery particularly exciting is that we are not simply improving an existing semiconductor property but identifying a different way in which semiconductors can behave,” said Professor Herz. “Understanding this mechanism gives us a roadmap for discovering and potentially engineering other materials with similarly advantageous properties.”
It could unlock not only solar panels but also longer-lived charges for solar-to-chemical fuel conversion.
Bismuth sulfide provides environmental and manufacturing advantages as an Earth-abundant and non-toxic alternative to materials containing lead or cadmium. Researchers can produce these thin films efficiently using accessible methods such as low-cost solution processing, thermal evaporation, and chemical bath deposition.
The study was published in the journal Nature on October 28. 
Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.
Premium
Follow

source

© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
“India can learn that lesson early, making batteries a win for consumers and the grid.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Adding a battery to a home solar system in India could cut daytime electricity exports to the grid by up to 90%, but it would also stretch the payback period from 3.3 years to more than nine years.
A new analysis from think tank Ember modeled the change using a 5-kilowatt-hour battery paired with a typical 3-kilowatt rooftop solar system.
According to PV Magazine, Ember calculated that solar alone is the stronger financial choice under India’s net metering setup. After the 78,000 Indian rupee subsidy, a solar-only system costs 87,000 rupees and pays for itself in 3.3 years, leaving families with little financial reason to add storage.
In that scenario, adding a 5 kWh battery shifts about 1,600 to 1,800 units per year to evening use, pushing the payback period past nine years.
Curious homeowners can explore EnergySage to compare home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has teamed up with electrification brand Qmerit to help homeowners get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
By July, India had 30.7 gigawatts of rooftop solar, equal to 19% of the country’s 165 GW of installed solar capacity. Ember said that growth accelerated after the initiative PM Surya Ghar launched in 2024, and about half of the rooftop total was spread across more than 5 million homes.
Because many homes need less electricity during the day than after sunset, excess solar generation often goes to the grid at midday and is effectively used back later in the evening. That leaves the grid functioning as an almost free virtual battery.
That one-to-one crediting of daytime exports against nighttime consumption means electricity distribution companies, can offset cheap solar injections with electricity they later have to buy at a much higher price. Ember argued that adding batteries would make this variable stream of rooftop exports more manageable and turn it into a flexible resource for the wider power system.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Ember pointed to battery subsidies as the most direct fix. Its analysis found that if the government covered 50% of battery capital costs, the payback period for a solar-plus-battery system would drop to 6.3 years.
It also said states could add to the central subsidy, as Tamil Nadu and Bihar already do, and steer that extra support toward battery costs rather than solar panels alone. Ember estimated that if even half of the scheme’s 10-million-home target adopted hybrid systems, that could add 15 to 25 GWh of distributed storage.
Ember energy analyst Ruchita Shah said, “The experience of markets like Australia and the US shows that as rooftop solar scales, its value increasingly depends on when its electricity is used, not just how much it generates. India can learn that lesson early, making batteries a win for consumers and the grid.”
In the U.S., one company offering strong battery backup options is Pila, and its plug-and-play batteries cost a fraction of a whole-home backup system. If you’re evaluating rooftop solar, EnergySage offers free tools to curate competitive bids from local installers without sharing your contact information unless you choose to move forward with one.
These articles explore rooftop solar economics and storage decisions in India and other markets.
• In India, a homeowner’s 5 kW solar system makes 575 kWh a month.
• Across India, the solar boom is fueling demand for a giant long-duration battery with lower fire risk.
• In Tripura, officials say rooftop solar can help 400,000 low-income users as gas supplies wane.
• In Andhra Pradesh, businesses can add behind-the-meter rooftop solar without approval.
• Many homeowners find battery storage lowers their bills more than panels alone.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source

DartSolar LLC, a clean technology firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, has finalized production plans for its vehicle-integrated solar array, designed to mount onto standard vehicle roof racks and truck beds without structural modifications.
The company reports that its system utilizes modular 500 W units measuring approximately 23 inches by 6 feet when contracted, which expand to a deployed length of 15 feet when stationary. The setup allows multi-unit configurations: two modules yield up to 1,000 W on standard sedan crossbars, while three to four or more modules can be joined side-by-side on light trucks, vans, trailers, and campers to generate between 1,500 W and over 2,000 W of capacity.
According to technical specifications released by the company, the expanding array is intended to supply off-grid electricity for portable power stations, jobsite tools, and auxiliary battery systems rather than serving as a primary electric vehicle (EV) charging solution. DartSolar estimates daily solar generation will add approximately 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 km) of driving range to an EV under typical exposure conditions. 
To improve durability during transit, the array is housed under a 4 mm polycarbonate protective shell designed to mitigate impact damage from hail and road debris. High-speed stability testing was conducted at speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h) in standard and lateral configurations, though operational guidelines recommend travel speeds under 70 mph.
The system incorporates a multi-angle quick-release locking mechanism to facilitate deployment from different access points around larger vehicles. In line with an open-hardware model, DartSolar has released 3D CAD files (STEP format) for structural plastic components under a share-alike license, enabling end users to manufacture replacement parts locally via 3D printing.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.

You have no items in your basket.

source

Agerpres – National News Agency: Current news with reliable information for a well-informed society.
Bucharest
Phone: +4 021.2076.110
Investments in photovoltaic parks are no longer profitable without energy storage capacities, given that the payback period has increased significantly, Mircea Man, secretary general of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), said on Wednesday at a specialist event.

‘We notice that all the applications that come for the establishment authorisations are doubled by the authorisations for storage. If at the pioneering of the establishment of photovoltaic parks, a time estimate of 4-5 years was made (recovery of the investment, e.n.), today the term is much longer and therefore, without storage, it is no longer a profitable investment,’ said Mircea Man, at the ‘Energy Forum 16th Edition: Romania’s Energy: from crisis to economic advantage.’

He said that investors who already own photovoltaic parks can also apply for the authorisation of storage systems, in compliance with the regulations in force.

‘In compliance with the regulations voted in the committee, they can submit their documentation for storage in the existing parks. And it is even easier, because they know the road and know what they have to do,’ explained the ANRE representative.

Man also drew attention to the significant differences in electricity prices recorded during the same day.

‘All the elements that have been said here: nuclear capacity, the high price of natural gas, the production from renewable sources that begins to decrease during this period, with the day being shorter. All this shows us that we have a price problem and, in certain time slots, a problem of energy availability. I made this comparison before and it didn’t go down well, but I think we have to admit it: before 1990 we had a consumption of 14,000 MW. Today we reach somewhere around 7,000. In certain time slots, at 12:00 it is 5 euros and at 19:00 it is 520 euros. This must say a lot, especially as both electricity and gas usage are decreasing. That shows the state of health of the Romanian economy,’ he said.

At the same time, the secretary general of ANRE also presented the status of the authorisation of the new energy facilities.

‘As far as the authority is concerned, I can tell you that until this month, 231 start-up authorizations have been issued for approximately 8,619 MW. During this period, only 113 licences have been granted, representing 2,312 MW, which shows that not as soon as you have issued the start-up authorisation, things lead to the completion of the respective production facility,’ Man said.

The ANRE representative also presented data on the number of prosumers who have storage facilities. ‘There are 400,000 prosumers, and 151,000 of them also had storage facilities.’ AGERPRES (RO – editing by: Nicoleta Banciulea; EN – writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)
The content of the http://www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site’s content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – marketing@agerpres.ro.
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
The National Union of Romania's County Councils (UNCJR) has asked the government to consider allocating additional funding at the upcoming budget revision for social assistance services and for local administrations unable to cover basic operating costs, UNCJR president Alfred Simonis said on Wednesday after talks with Prime Minister Luca Niculescu. Around
The Romanian Patriarchate issued a message on Wednesday following the tragic train crash in Spain, expressing its compassion and solidarity with the Spanish people, who have been deeply affected by the tragedy. 'With profound sorrow and sadness, we learned of the tragic rail accident in the Spanish province of Toledo, which claimed lives and injured severa
Defence Minister Radu Oprea has strongly condemned the repeated drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea. 'I am strongly condemning the repeated drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea. Today, just as I was attending the trilateral meeting of the defence ministers of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey in Sofia, I received news that a commerc
Minister of National Defence Radu Oprea participated on Wednesday in Sofia in a trilateral meeting of the defence ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Turkey, alongside his Bulgarian counterpart, Dimitar Stoyanov, and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Güler. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) sent to AGERPRES
Liberal MEP Siegfried Muresan, a former prime minister-designate, says the Social Democratic Party (PSD) is asking Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare to publicly present 'Romania's real economic situation' merely to justify its own failure, questioning why the Social Democrats reappointed a minister whom they suggest had concealed the truth from the public.
Prime Minister Luca Niculescu on Wednesday conveyed the Romanian Government's sympathy and solidarity to the Spanish Government and the Spanish people following the tragic railway accident, mentioning that the Romanian Embassy in Madrid and the consulates are ready to provide consular assistance to Romanian citizens. 'I am deeply saddened by the traged
President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday that he was deeply saddened by the tragic train crash in Spain, adding that Romania stands in solidarity with Spain and the Spanish people at this difficult time. 'I am deeply saddened to learn about today's tragic train crash in Spain. My thoughts are with the many people who have lost their lives and their fami
From the first training sessions organised at the Pioneers' House in the 1960s to European medals and Olympic appearances, Oradea has earned an important place on the map of Romanian judo. On World Judo Day, marked on 28 October, former and current athletes are continuing a tradition of achievement, discipline and respect. According to coach
An unusual reading oasis has been created aboard a vessel operated by Navrom Delta SA, which runs regular services between the city of Tulcea and communities in the Danube Delta, while the Panait Cerna County Library has reported an increase in active readers recently. The idea of setting up a library aboard Navrom Delta SA's Moldova vessel came from capta
Romania is ready to assist Spain after the collision of two high speed trains, Romania's Foreign Affairs Minister Dan Neculaescu said on Wednesday. 'Deeply saddened by the tragic train collision in the Toledo province of Spain. Heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and wishes for a swift recovery to the injured. Romania stands in solidarit
The Deposit-Return System (DRS) is the only major circular economy project and an initiative that is creating a basis and foundation for the future, having changed behaviour and the culture of circularity in Romania, RetuRo DRS Chief Executive Officer Adela Smeu told a specialist event on Wednesday. 'Romania's Deposit-Return System is an example of wha
The National Museum of Art of Romania announced that the exhibition 'Brancusi. The Syndrome' will be extended until 14 March 2027, on which occasion the museum is inviting the public to attend three special guided tours scheduled to take place by December. According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday by the National Museum of Art of Roman
Romania maintains its firm commitment to support the Republic of Moldova across all areas of cooperation, both in strengthening stability and security and in fostering economic development, stated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu on Tuesday evening, following a meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, during an official visit to Chisinau.
Cluj-Napoca's Avram Iancu International Airport has deployed a modern Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates system designed to increase passenger processing capacity, streamline passenger flows and improve operational efficiency while maintaining high security standards, the Cluj County Council (CJ Cluj) announced. According to a statement issued on Tuesday

source

Semiconductors could sidestep a key solar-energy trade-off through a newly identified mechanism  Tech Xplore
source

Fibe and Hygge Energy have partnered to integrate digital energy infrastructure with loan financing to simplify access to rooftop solar loans and support the adoption of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana across India.
October 28, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

Kimbal Targets Australia and Southeast Asia for Global Expansion

Prassann Daphal, CEO, Recyclekaro, on Building India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Ecosystem

Evolving Climate Risks Are Reshaping RE Insurance: Amitabh Dewan, Policybazaar for Business

Power Asset Management is Shifting from Capacity to Performance: Kota Bhanu Prakash

Tunwal E-Motors’ Jhumarmal Tunwal Eyes Expansion in Emerging EV Markets

source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
DTE Energy said its Fish Creek Solar Park, a 132-megawatt facility close to Sheridan, Michigan, has begun operating. The Detroit-based utility described the project as a fresh source of clean power produced in Michigan, supporting its effort to provide dependable electricity while holding customer bills down as much as possible.
Funding for the $268 million project came entirely from customers who choose to take part in DTE’s MIGreenPower program, which let the company add generating capacity without increasing costs for other ratepayers. The park can supply enough electricity for roughly 30,000 homes and is expected to bring substantial economic gains to Montcalm County as well as Bushnell and Evergreen townships.
Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer of DTE Electric, said customers look to the company to keep service reliable and bills affordable, and that adding generation such as Fish Creek is one way it honors that expectation. He noted that the project backs local employment, produces new tax revenue and creates enduring advantages for the communities that took part.
Per the announcement, Fish Creek will produce tens of millions of dollars in extra tax revenue that supports schools, first responders, roads, veteran and senior citizen services and other priorities. Construction of the solar park generated hundreds of local jobs, and participating landowners will receive a dependable stream of supplemental income.
Through Michigan’s Renewables Ready Communities Award, a grant open to local governments that host large-scale renewable energy projects, Bushnell and Evergreen townships each obtained $330,000. Both townships intend to put the money toward renovating their town halls and fire stations as well as other community upgrades.
Fish Creek is one element of DTE’s wider strategy to satisfy Michigan’s rising energy demand through a varied resource mix. At present DTE runs 20 wind parks and 37 solar parks throughout Michigan, which collectively produce enough clean electricity for almost 1 million homes. The company stated that it remains committed to expanding this portfolio as it pursues net zero carbon emissions, and its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan calls for another 15 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2042.
DTE Energy is a diversified energy business that develops and manages energy-related operations and services across the country. Among its units are an electric company supplying 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company supplying 1.4 million customers throughout Michigan. The company’s portfolio further includes businesses centered on custom energy solutions, renewable generation, and energy marketing and trading.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
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 and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Major US solar manufacturer
Residential & commercial solar
Former Cree LED business
Spin-off from SunPower
Specialty & high-power LEDs
LED technology & solutions
Advanced photonics
Residential solar panels
CIGS solar technology
US & Canadian manufacturing
North American manufacturing
US-made solar panels
US operations of Korean parent
3D architecture LEDs
High-quality lighting
High-brightness microdisplays
Disinfection & purification
US crystalline silicon solar
Next-generation tandem cells
Tandem cell technology
Manufacturing equipment
Turnkey production lines
Distributor & assembler
Residential & commercial
Former Philips business
Specialty & horticultural
Military & commercial
Aluminum nitride substrates
Materials for UV LEDs
US division of Kyocera
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — United States
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy producer in South-East Europe, announces that three photovoltaic parks developed in partnership with Renovatio have become operational and are now delivering power to the national grid.
The projects have a total gross installed capacity of ~130 MW and are located in Tandărei, Bucovat and Cazanesti. The net capacity attributable to OMV Petrom’s interest in the three projects is around 65 MW.
The total gross estimated annual production of the three parks of 0.2 TWh is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 110,000 households in Romania.
“The commissioning of these solar parks is another step in advancing our renewable power portfolio. Operational assets in our portfolio, including partnerships, now have a cumulative total capacity of around 200 MW. A further 1,200 MW is under construction, and we target over 2,500 MW of operational capacity by 2030. These new renewable power capacities support Romania’s energy transition,” said Franck Neel, member of the Executive Board of OMV Petrom, responsible for Gas & Power.
Total investment for the three projects amounts to approximately EUR 78 million, thereof ~EUR 26 million grants under Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
OMV Petrom is strengthening its position in the electricity market with a portfolio that includes the 860 MW Brazi power plant, over 2,500 MW of renewable capacity projects (including partnerships) currently in various stages of implementation, and power storage projects in Romania and Bulgaria.
Weekly editor’s choice.

source

 
The agreement follows a national tender launched by Carrefour Property for the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of photovoltaic carports across its nationwide portfolio. This partnership involves approximately 25 MWp of installed capacity and is expected to comprise around 45,000 photovoltaic panels.
The project is expected to be deployed across 120 Carrefour sites throughout France. Each installation will be adapted to the operational and technical specificities of each store, including car park layouts, underground utilities, customer traffic, continuity of store operations, grid connection and permitting requirements.

Under the 20-year partnership, structured as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Greenvolt Next will provide a turnkey solution covering the financing, studies, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the photovoltaic installations.
The estimated annual production will cover a significant share of the electricity consumption of the relevant stores, helping reduce Carrefour’s exposure to energy price volatility and contributing to the decarbonisation of real estate assets.

Read more about

Vertiv announces agreement to acquire King Environmental Services, a fluid management services company

read more

“This partnership with Carrefour Property reflects the strength of Greenvolt Next’s pan-European platform. Our direct experience across similar projects with other major retail players gives us a proven model that we bring to each market as we support large-scale players in their energy transition,” says João Manso Neto, CEO of Greenvolt Group.
“This agreement allows us to accelerate the integration of photovoltaic production across our real estate portfolio in France, while improving the experience of our customers and supporting the energy transition of our stores. Beyond the environmental impact, this partnership provides long-term financial predictability, helping protect us from electricity price volatility while reinforcing our broader sustainability commitments”, highlights Evan Linker, Global Energy Director at Carrefour

“Our fully integrated approach and our capability to deliver a turnkey solution, combining financing, development, construction and long-term operation, allowed Greenvolt Next to support Carrefour Property in accelerating its energy transition with solutions that are both technically robust and economically efficient,” Gino Gauthier, CEO of Distributed Generation Business at Greenvolt Next.
We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

source

Energy mapping reveals boundary that could guide more efficient organic solar cells  Tech Xplore
source

New solar developments in Australia increasingly include battery storage, while local experts say retrofits are also on par in number. Government investment offerings specifically recognize the strategy as one of many needed to meet the demands of Australia’s distributed energy future. In August 2026, the federal government announced the Distribution Connected Acceleration Program (DCAP), which …
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
pv magazine hosts its four-day virtual event on European solar and energy storage, exploring market opportunities, solar-plus-storage business cases, technical quality, and cybersecurity in the years ahead.

You have no items in your basket.

source

Home > Knowledge & Innovation > Knowledge Bank > Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability
Solar PV R&D
Report: Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability (PDF 3MB)
This project examined the effect of weather on distributed solar PV, in order to determine how much l PV could be installed within a network without impacting grid stability.
Photovoltaic (PV) technology has in recent years become a significant form of power generation on many electricity networks. Electricity utilities who manage these networks have raised concerns regarding the impact of high penetration by photovoltaics into these distribution grids. These concerns generally focus on issues of grid management, and operation and planning, particularly where there is variability in PV system output due to cloud cover. Variability in PV irradiance is often cited as a major impediment to high levels of PV penetration into existing electrical networks.
This report is the result of a research project undertaken by CAT Projects and ARENA during 2013 and 2014. The project investigated the impacts of solar radiation variability on PV power output in existing electrical grids. The key aim was to develop an improved estimate for the maximum penetration of grid-connected solar generators achievable without energy storage. The research took into account the solar generators’ distribution across the geographical area of the grid based on the hypothesis that the impact of weather variation is mitigated by the distribution of solar generators across the geographical extent of the grid – i.e. clouds passing across the area will not affect all generators simultaneously.
The study aimed to quantify the mitigation of geographical distribution on instantaneous weather effects by comparing the data from an array of pyranometers, anemometers and temperature sensors installed across the extent of the Alice Springs electricity grid.

Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability (PDF 3MB)
 
 
We support global emissions reduction by accelerating innovation and the deployment of renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency technologies, to the benefit of all Australians.
We present knowledge sharing from experts in energy technology, innovation and business.
Stay up to date with this valuable knowledge by following us on social, or by signing up to ARENAWIRE or the ARENA Insights newsletter.

Get the latest in energy innovation straight to your inbox.
Sign up

source

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Swipe for next article
The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. If you submit a form or click links to other sites on this page, we will earn commission. 
The government’s Warm Homes Loan Scheme is now live, offering no- and low-interest finance for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps
Removed from bookmarks
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member? Log in
Households can now apply for government-supported loans to help cover the upfront cost of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps following the launch of the Warm Homes Loan Scheme.
The scheme, which launched on 27 October, offers no- and low-interest finance for home energy improvements, allowing households to spread the cost over several years rather than paying for an installation upfront.
Ten lenders are participating initially, with some offering interest-free finance and repayment periods extending to as long as 30 years in certain cases. More lenders and products are expected to join the scheme as it develops.
The government has committed £300m of grant capital to the scheme, which is used to reduce the cost of finance offered by participating lenders.
The scheme could be particularly significant for solar panels, where households have traditionally had to find several thousand pounds upfront or take out relatively expensive finance.
Lloyd Greenfield, founder and CEO of solar installer Glow Green, told The Independent that cheaper finance could make rooftop solar accessible to a much wider group of homeowners.
“I think this is going to open up a massive part of the market,” Greenfield said. “There are so many people out there who aren’t as fortunate to have savings of £10,000 or £15,000.”
Read more: Best solar panels, compared
Despite being government-supported, the loans themselves do not come directly from the government.
Instead, participating banks, credit unions and specialist lenders provide the finance. Government support helps them reduce the interest rate they would normally charge, with borrowers able to benefit from reductions of up to five percentage points.
The rate you are offered will depend on the lender and product you choose. Some of the first loans available through the scheme are interest-free, while others charge interest, so it’s important to compare products rather than assuming every Warm Homes Loan will cost the same.
The government gives the example of a homeowner borrowing £10,000 over seven years. At an interest rate of 8 per cent, repayments would currently be around £155 a month. It says support through the Warm Homes Loan Scheme could reduce repayments by as much as £285 a year.
Repayment periods also vary. While some borrowers may repay their loan over a relatively short period, terms of up to 30 years are available in some cases.
You don’t have to apply to the government for a Warm Homes Loan. Applications are made through a participating lender, either directly or, where available, through an installer or retailer arranging the work or through your mortgage provider.
“There’s nothing that the homeowner needs to do,” Greenfield explains. “They don’t need to apply for a grant or jump through loads of hoops.”
However, you will still need to pass the lender’s normal credit, affordability and eligibility checks.
The government advises borrowers to look at the total amount they will repay over the lifetime of the loan, as well as the monthly payment and interest rate. A longer repayment term can reduce monthly costs, but could increase the total amount of interest paid where the loan is not interest-free.
The amount you can borrow under the Warm Homes Loan Scheme depends on the technology being installed.
For solar PV, the maximum supported loan is £15,000. A separate limit of up to £15,000 applies to electrical battery storage, which means households installing solar panels and a battery together may be able to finance both through the scheme.
The other maximum loan amounts are:
Homeowners installing a heat pump may also be able to combine a Warm Homes Loan with a grant of up to £9,000 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Home Energy Scotland support can also be used alongside the loans in Scotland.
With the exception of heat network connections, installations through the scheme must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer. You cannot carry out the work yourself.
To qualify, you must own the property you are applying for, either outright or with a mortgage. The property must be residential and located in the UK.
This means the scheme can be used by eligible homeowners and private landlords, although individual lenders may impose additional eligibility requirements.
Unlike some solar panel grants and funding schemes specifically targeted at households on lower incomes, applicants must be able to pass their lender’s normal affordability and credit assessments.
People on lower incomes may instead qualify for free or subsidised energy-saving improvements through schemes such as the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Greenfield believes affordable finance will broaden the appeal of rooftop solar beyond households that can afford to buy a system outright.
He described the market to date as being in an “early adoption phase”, dominated by households that are able to spend their savings on solar in return for lower electricity bills over the following years. “I think we’ll move from this early adoption phase into what I think will be more of a mass adoption,” he said.
One potentially attractive feature of cheaper, longer-term borrowing is that some households could find the savings from their solar panels cover a significant part of their loan repayments.
The government estimates that installing a combination of solar panels, battery storage and a heat pump could save a household up to £550 a year on its energy bills, potentially increasing by a further £300 a year when used with a time-of-use energy tariff.
However, these figures apply to a combination of technologies rather than solar panels alone, and actual savings will vary considerably between homes.
Greenfield said that, in theory, some households could find their savings exceed their financing costs, although he stressed this was not something Glow Green could promise customers.
Whether this happens will depend on the cost and size of the installation, the interest rate and length of the loan, how much electricity the panels generate, how much is used in the home and how much is earned from exporting surplus electricity to the grid.
Households should therefore compare the total cost of borrowing with their likely energy savings rather than assuming that lower monthly repayments automatically make an installation profitable.
Ten lenders are initially offering loans through the Warm Homes Loan Scheme:
However, more lenders and finance products are expected to join the scheme as it develops.
You can apply directly to a participating lender or, depending on the finance product, through an installer or retailer when arranging your home energy improvements. Some mortgage providers may also offer Warm Homes Loan products.
You should note that not every lender offers the same interest rate, repayment period or even choice of installer. Some work with selected installers, while others allow borrowers to choose any eligible MCS-certified installer.
It’s therefore worth comparing both your installation quote and finance before signing an agreement. Check the interest rate, monthly repayment, length of the loan and total amount repayable, as well as whether you are tied to a particular installer.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

source

The decision comes shortly after the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen, where energy security and the importance of home-grown energy featured prominently in policy discussions, highlighting the role that renewable energy projects can play in strengthening Scotland’s energy system.
“At a time when strengthening Scotland’s energy security and unlocking investment in home-grown renewable energy is more important than ever, we’re delighted that councillors have recognised what Bonnyknox Solar Farm can offer Angus and have given the project the green light” said Claire Chamberlain, Senior Development Project Manager at RES. “We’ve listened carefully to local feedback throughout the project’s development, and we look forward to working with residents and businesses to deliver meaningful benefits for the area.”
The consented 49.9 MW solar farm will deliver local benefits, including construction investment, opportunities for local businesses and contractors, and a tailored community benefit package shaped by local priorities. This could include RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme, which provides annual electricity bill discounts for eligible nearby properties.
Alongside these economic and community benefits, Bonnyknox has been designed to support nature recovery, while adding clean, low-cost generation to Scotland’s energy mix. Research1 shows that well-managed solar farms can support a wide range of wildlife, including 27 butterfly species and numerous red-listed birds. The project’s landscaping and habitat measures are intended to create valuable habitat and foraging opportunities for birds, mammals, pollinators and other insects.
The development has also been designed as a dual-purpose project, enabling agricultural use to continue through sheep farming, alongside renewable energy generation. Other measures associated with the project include upgrades to the local private water supply and highway improvements, delivering wider benefits beyond the site.
Construction of the solar farm is expected to take around 12 months. RES will continue to keep stakeholders and the local community informed as plans progress.
For additional information:
RES

source

Author : Manoj Joshi
Having moved from imitation to the frontier in AI, biomedicine, and solar, Beijing is now deciding who may follow it there, and India may be among those left waiting
Image Source: Getty Images

China is marking its arrival as a technology power in the customary fashion: by deciding who may not have its technology. By joining the United States and other advanced economies in erecting export controls around key technologies, Beijing is signalling that it now has something worth guarding. The legal architecture, too, is being assembled swiftly and in sequence.
On 16 October, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Science and Technology proposed adding AI, biomedicine, and photovoltaic technologies to China’s catalogue of technologies that are prohibited or restricted from export. The proposals are drafts and will be finalised after consultation. Once they are, restricted items will require an export licence, and prohibited items will be barred outright. Exporters will also have to disclose any transfer of covered technology before it takes place, which gives the state a window to intervene and hands it a standing view of who is seeking what.
The aim is not to block products built with these technologies; Chinese solar panels, drugs, and AI services will continue to sell. The aim is to stop transfers that could cause the loss of the underlying know-how: the process recipes, the model architectures, the production lines. Beijing is, in effect, trying to keep the capability at home while exporting the output.
Three days later, on 19 October, MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs placed certain tunnel boring machines and their components, dredgers, and specialised excavators designed for use above 3,000 metres under export control. The altitude threshold is the giveaway. Civilian demand for such equipment at that height is slight, except where roads and tunnels are being driven through the Himalayas. India is doing exactly that, building and upgrading infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border. The measure never names India, but its timing is instructive. The two sides have spent the past year in a cautious thaw, marked by patrolling arrangements, resumed dialogue, and talk of an “early harvest” on the boundary. Beijing is showing that thaw and leverage are not mutually exclusive.
The logic behind the technology lists is subtler than that of a simple embargo. The aim is not to block products built with these technologies; Chinese solar panels, drugs, and AI services will continue to sell. The aim is to stop transfers that could cause the loss of the underlying know-how: the process recipes, the model architectures, the production lines. Beijing is, in effect, trying to keep the capability at home while exporting the output.
The regulatory loophole that Beijing is closing was exposed by the Manus affair. Meta was able to acquire the Chinese-founded AI agent app, a transaction that moved valuable technology and talent offshore without tripping any existing export control. Chinese authorities subsequently blocked the deal. The new draft rules are meant to ensure that no future Manus slips through on a technicality.
The wider purpose is to retain control over the technology needed to replicate Chinese industrial capacity abroad, and thereby to bind global supply chains more tightly to China. This is where the measures concern India directly. Countries pursuing a “China+1” strategy, which seek to diversify manufacturing away from China without leaving the Chinese ecosystem entirely, depend on importing not just components but also process knowledge, equipment, and engineers. A factory in India or Vietnam making solar cells or biologics needs more than a purchase order; it needs the know-how. Restrict that, and the “+1” remains a showroom rather than a competitor. India, with its production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes in electronics, solar modules, and pharmaceuticals, is the most obvious casualty.
China has acquired the means to monitor, slow, or block the flow of its AI technology whenever it chooses. A licensing regime requires no dramatic announcement, only discretion. Delays can be passed off as bureaucratic, and refusals can be left unexplained. 
The AI provisions in the new notifications run to 23 proposed technologies. They cover large models, agents, chip design, computing clusters, and cyber and information-processing capabilities. The proposals are framed around safety and risk, the vocabulary Washington has also adopted for its own restrictions. For now, however, the restrictions target capabilities rather than the riskiest systems, and rules written around capabilities apply to nearly anyone building anything useful.
To promote its World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), Beijing proposes additional facilitation and support for technology exports that advance cooperation among members. Membership brings access; non-membership brings paperwork. It is a familiar structure: a club whose benefits are defined partly by what non-members cannot get.
According to an analysis by Bharat Reddy, nothing changes immediately, “but the basis for leverage exists.” That is the crux of the matter. China has acquired the means to monitor, slow, or block the flow of its AI technology whenever it chooses. A licensing regime requires no dramatic announcement, only discretion. Delays can be passed off as bureaucratic, and refusals can be left unexplained. 
For the biomedicine list, five technologies are proposed, covering cell and gene therapies and small interfering RNA (siRNA) drugs. These are high-value fields in which Chinese firms have moved from imitation to the frontier within a decade, and in which licensing deals with Western pharmaceutical companies have multiplied. Control over them lets Beijing decide who gets to commercialise Chinese science.
The photovoltaic list, which contains 12 technologies, is the most consequential for the industry. Production technologies for thin-wafer fluidised-bed polysilicon and for perovskite cells would be prohibited outright, while others, including TOPCon and heterojunction, would need a licence. China dominates every stage of the solar supply chain, and these are the technologies that determine who will make the next generation of cells cheaply. Prohibiting the newest means competitors cannot leapfrog; licensing the rest means they can follow, but only at a pace Beijing approves.
Effectively, Beijing could be curbing exports of solar manufacturing technology to India. Analysts say China is seeking to preserve its dominance as India builds up its domestic manufacturing capabilities and tries to shake off its dependence on China. Earlier this year, New Delhi eased certain rules governing Chinese investment to encourage cooperation between Indian and Chinese companies in areas such as polysilicon and silicon wafer production. The new Chinese regulations, however, will create uncertainty for the planned collaborations.
One provision deserves particular notice. Even an overseas factory built with Chinese equipment may remain within the scope of the controls after the machines are installed. The restriction thus follows the technology across the border and persists after delivery. A plant in India or elsewhere would not simply own its machines; it would operate them under the continuing shadow of Chinese regulatory reach, which would affect upgrades, servicing, and the re-export of what they produce.
The 19 October order also recalibrated drone export controls. Covered items now include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that fly beyond natural line of sight with an endurance of three hours or more, or a range of 300 km or more. They also include radios above 30 dBmW or capable of controlling more than 10 aircraft, aerosol dispersal systems above 80 litres, high-power brushless motors, carbon-fibre propellers, and technologies for flight control, autonomous navigation, sense-and-avoid, whole-system design, and counter-UAS operations. Taken together, the list covers nearly every element from which an indigenous drone industry could be assembled, which matters to an India that is trying to build precisely that after the lessons of recent conflicts.
The pattern is unmistakable. Beijing is following Washington’s playbook, and applying it with the advantage of owning the chokepoints in several of the sectors concerned. For India, the message is that diversification away from China will be permitted only on terms that leave China indispensable.
Manoj Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.

Manoj Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the ORF. He has been a journalist specialising on national and international politics and is a commentator and …
ORF © 2026
Website Design and Development by Sterco Digitex

source

India’s BESS pipeline needs bankable tenders and diversified revenue streams  Energy-Storage.News
source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
Avaada Group has introduced a 745 W n-type TOPCon solar module that complies with domestic content requirement rules, presenting it at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2026. The module was unveiled by Heeralal Nagar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Energy Department in the Government of Rajasthan, according to pv magazine.
The glass-to-glass module offers power output of up to 745 W and module efficiency of 23.98%. Avaada said the product uses a 132 half-cell configuration and an 18-busbar architecture intended to raise power density and energy generation while supporting long-term performance.
Nagar commented that progress in solar technology, energy storage and decentralised power solutions is supporting India’s clean-energy transition, and he indicated that advanced modules, rooftop solar offerings and storage technologies from companies such as Avaada can help widen renewable-energy adoption and reinforce energy security.
Vineet Mittal, Chairman of Avaada Group, said India should move beyond being among the largest consumers of solar technology to become one of the leading creators and manufacturers of it. He described the 745 W DCR TOPCon module as a reflection of that ambition to produce high-performance, globally competitive solar products on Indian soil.
During the three-day REI exhibition, Avaada also displayed ready-to-install rooftop solar kits aimed at simplifying adoption for households, shops, farms and commercial establishments. The kits bundle key installation components, including solar inverters, electrical protection systems, earthing equipment and connectors.
Alongside the rooftop offering, the company showcased Avaada HALO, an integrated battery energy storage system intended to let customers store electricity and draw on it when needed. HALO combines a hybrid inverter, lithium iron phosphate battery technology and smart monitoring through the Avaada mobile app, supporting backup power, better use of rooftop solar generation and greater control over electricity consumption.
The modular system allows configurations of up to four stacked units and provides up to 10 kW of continuous power. With solar support during outages, output can reach up to 11.5 kW, depending on operating conditions.
Avaada has 8.5 GW of operational solar module manufacturing capacity. Its solar cell manufacturing capacity is 6 GW, made up of 3 GW of operational capacity and an additional 3 GW production line that is at an advanced stage of commissioning.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
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 and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Major integrated solar manufacturer
India's largest solar module manufacturer
Part of Adani Group, integrated manufacturing
Leading manufacturer, part of Tata Group
Major PV module and cell producer
Historical leader in solar manufacturing
Makes solar cells, modules, encapsulants
Module and cell manufacturer
Solar PV module manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer and distributor
Manufactures solar modules and inverters
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar cell and module manufacturer
Major LED lighting products manufacturer
Leading electrical goods co, major LED player
Major manufacturer of LED lights and fixtures
Major player in LED lighting segment
LED lighting manufacturer
Manufactures LED displays and lighting
Indian subsidiary, major LED mfg in India
Manufactures LED lights and fixtures
Major Indian electrical brand, produces LEDs
LED lighting products manufacturer
Manufactures LED bulbs and lighting
Major player in consumer LED lighting
Leading LED lighting solutions provider
Manufactures LED lights under Finolex brand
Wires & cables major, also manufactures LEDs
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — India
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

India seeks $220 billion clean energy push to meet 2030 target  Reuters
source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
First Solar is inaugurating the first phase of a new manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina, on October 28, 2026, according to Solar Power World. The $330 million plant onshores final production steps for the company’s Series 6 Plus modules.
The Gaffney site currently employs roughly 500 people, and First Solar anticipates that figure reaching 700 by mid-2027, once the facility’s second phase is finished.
The South Carolina plant adds to First Solar’s three fully vertically integrated manufacturing sites in Ohio and one each in Alabama and Louisiana, alongside research and development centers in Ohio and California. The company will hold 3.7 GW of annual manufacturing capacity in South Carolina, lifting its total U.S. manufacturing capacity to 17.7 GW per year.
The Series 6 Plus module uses First Solar’s thin-film cadmium-telluride base to deliver 480 W at 19 percent efficiency. It carries aluminum under-mount frames and dual junction boxes. First Solar is developing a bifacial version of the panel that would absorb light on both sides.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the United States, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
The study is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, investors, procurement teams, advisors, and strategy teams that need a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. It encompasses the global market for finished modules, including all major product technologies and form factors designed for a wide range of end-use applications.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
The market is segmented into decision-relevant buckets so that demand drivers, pricing logic, supply constraints, and competitive positions can be compared across the same analytical frame.
The market data is classified and analyzed according to international trade codes, primarily under the Harmonized System (HS) headings for photovoltaic cells and electric generating sets. This ensures consistent tracking of trade flows for assembled solar modules and relevant apparatus across global markets.
Coverage focuses on United States and includes demand, supply capability where present, trade flows, pricing, competition, and outlook.
The report combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, product-level evidence, and analyst validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to keep market sizing, trade flows, pricing, and forecasts comparable across countries and time periods.
All indicators are mapped to a consistent product definition and reviewed against the segmentation framework used in the Table of Contents.
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 and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Specializes in cadmium telluride thin-film module technology
Operates a major U.S. solar module manufacturing facility in Georgia
Markets its back-contact panel technology under the SunPower brand
Operates the G1_Dallas solar module manufacturing facility
Manufactures its solar panels in San Antonio, Texas
Operates U.S. module manufacturing facilities in Washington and South Carolina
Produces modules at its U.S. facility in Minnesota
Offers bifacial and monofacial module product lines
Offers bifacial modules for utility-scale and commercial projects
U.S. solar module manufacturer with production in California
Provides solar modules under its proprietary Lumio brand
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — United States
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

India requires $220 bn for renewable energy expansion by 2030: MNRE secy  Business Standard
source

Western Australia is set to become the first Australian state to legalise plug-in solar and batteries, beginning consultation on safety standards and integration.
In September, Australia’s energy ministers agreed to work towards making plug-in solar and batteries available to all Australians, exploring pathways to support their safe deployment.
Overseas, plug-in solar and batteries are widely used in Great Britain, Germany, and many American states by renters, low-income households, and those living in apartments.
Related article: Aussies could soon plug in solar and battery systems
Plug-in solar refers to small solar units that can be plugged into power points to help offset the cost of fridges, TVs, and other appliances. They can be attached to apartment balconies or installed in backyards and can be taken by renters when they move to other residences. They do not require electricians to install the appliances.
“For too long, the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof. That isn’t fair,” Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
Experts say Western Australia’s move to allow plug-in solar could be the first step towards a national shift, opening renewable energy to renters and apartment residents traditionally locked out of rooftop solar.
However, Swinburne University of Technology energy expert Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian said getting the safety and regulatory settings right would be critical.
“Western Australia’s move to allow plug-in solar panels and batteries is a positive step towards making renewable energy more accessible and affordable, particularly for renters and apartment residents who have traditionally been excluded from rooftop solar,” he says.
“While these systems are relatively small and their contribution to overall electricity generation will be limited, they can help households reduce their daytime electricity consumption from the grid and lower energy bills.
“As adoption increases, network operators will also need to understand the cumulative impacts of these systems on local voltage and power quality.
Related article: Australia backs plan to double world’s solar homes by 2030
“With appropriate national standards and regulatory frameworks, I believe this approach could be successfully adopted in other states, including Victoria.
“Ultimately, the key is to enable innovation and greater consumer participation without compromising the safety and reliability of our electricity networks.”
Click Here to Subscribe
Sign up to receive the latest Energy News emailed directly to your Inbox
Click Here to Subscribe
New research from UNSW Sydney has found that smoke from major bushfires can significantly reduce solar electricity generation, even from more than 150km away. #bushfires #solarfarm #renewables #solarPV #climatechange

Internal documents from WA’s EPA warn Woodside’s proposed Browse gas project risks ‘significant, serious, and irreversible’ environmental consequences. #browsegas #woodside #environment #gas #LNG #fossilfuels


* indicates required

source

German farmers weigh solar power, flower strips and the future of their land
German farmers are broadly enthusiastic about generating renewable energy on their land, but they are deeply sceptical about one of the most talked-about ideas for combining energy production with nature conservation: installing photovoltaic panels on flowering strips. That is the central picture emerging from a case study in northwest Lower Saxony, Germany, published in the journal Energy, Sustainability and Society, which combined an online survey of 51 farmers with five in-depth narrative interviews conducted on their farms.
The study area, the Weser-Ems region of Lower Saxony, encompasses 14,986 square kilometres, of which 9,119 square kilometres are agriculturally used. Across Lower Saxony as a whole, 2.6 million hectares are under arable cultivation, and around 30 percent of farms already use photovoltaic systems, mostly on rooftops, to generate additional income.
The survey revealed that renewable energy installations are already widespread among respondents. Seventy-nine percent of farms had established renewable energy systems, 5 percent were planning additional systems, and 19 percent planned to obtain them for the first time. Of the farms with existing installations, 64 percent had photovoltaics, while 21 percent ran wind, biogas or other systems only. Among the farms planning new installations, every single one chose photovoltaics, with a small share also aiming for wind energy. The average farmer in the survey was 44.6 years old, 79 percent were male, and the average farm covered 70.4 hectares, of which 66.3 hectares were arable land.
When asked why they had installed renewable energy systems, the farmers’ answers were strikingly pragmatic. Income generation was the main motivation for 66 percent, followed by the wish to be energetically independent at 29 percent. Contributing to climate and nature conservation came in last, cited by just 5 percent. The authors note that this aligns with findings from Swedish farmers and with research showing that climate mitigation measures are often appreciated for offering farm-beneficial functions other than climate change mitigation itself. In the interviews, self-determination emerged as a powerful theme: one farmer spoke of wanting his own energy sources to be more self-sufficient, while another described generating electricity, self-sufficiency and participation as motivations, adding that she deliberately took no subsidies because she could do better on her own without extensive specifications.
Flowering strips told a different motivational story. Just over half of the surveyed farmers, 52 percent, had established flowering strips on their farms, covering an average of 2.3 hectares per farm, or about 1.4 percent of those farms’ total area. Among farmers who had established them, the top motivation was a personal contribution to biodiversity, cited by 56 percent, with funding a distant second at 25 percent. Among those who had not established them, the main reasons were seeing no benefit, cited by 42 percent, an expected increase in workload at 31 percent, and too much bureaucracy at 12 percent. The interviews suggested that for many farmers, biodiversity and sustainability were simply seen as a natural part of the job rather than a distinct project, with one interviewee remarking that using resources sparingly was how farmers had always thought.
The most consequential finding concerned the hypothetical dual-use scenario in which photovoltaic systems would be installed on flowering strips. Under the current remuneration system, 95 percent of participating farmers said they would not, or would probably not, install such a combination. The main disadvantage, seen by 53 percent of farmers, was the withdrawal of land from agricultural production for a longer period, followed by increased maintenance effort. More than a third, 35 percent, could see no advantage in the combined use at all, and 27 percent saw economic profit as the top advantage, but only on the condition that both the photovoltaic system and the flowering strip would be financially supported. Notably, 46 percent of farmers said they did not feel qualified to assess the effect of photovoltaic systems on the biodiversity of flowering strips, 28 percent assumed a negative effect, 26 percent assumed no effect, and none assumed a positive effect.
The interviews also laid bare the bureaucratic and legal obstacles that discourage farmers from adopting renewable energy. All five interview participants mentioned the immense administrative effort required, and several described frustrating encounters with local authorities. One farmer had his application for a small photovoltaic system on unused land rejected outright because the district feared a flood of similar applications. Another, who operates a biogas plant, was sued by the district because the plant’s performance differed from its registered performance, and described feeling anxious and unfairly treated despite doing what everyone talks about in terms of environmental protection and sustainability. The authors conclude that clear and simple workflow structures and designated contact persons at district level could meaningfully improve support for farmers.
The study’s authors argue that successful adoption of dual-use systems combining photovoltaics with flowering strips would require reducing bureaucratic obstacles, designing landscape-integrated solutions, and respecting fertile land, while also taking farmers’ emotions and observations into account. Farmers in the survey preferred high-mounted or medium-high photovoltaic systems beneath which agricultural management could continue, indicating an effort to mitigate land-use conflicts. Aesthetic considerations also played a role: 26 percent of farmers thought the combination would be detrimental to the landscape’s aesthetic value, and one interviewee expressed a clear preference for small-scale energy systems over large parks that dominate the landscape, describing the barren areas created under large panel arrays as bad for both landscape and biodiversity.
Looking ahead, the researchers propose several policy directions, including amending national laws to better consider the intersection of energy law and environmental law, creating a single main contact point for renewable energy and biodiversity issues, developing a practical guide for farmers covering legal, tax and inheritance aspects, and exploring whether state agencies could lease land from farmers to set up renewable energy combined with biodiversity measures. They stress that understanding the different motivations of farmers is essential for developing future policies that support rural transformation processes in economic, environmental, social and aesthetic terms, since farmers shape rural areas economically, ecologically, socially and aesthetically and are therefore central to any transformation process.
The authors caution that their findings come from a single case study region in northwest Germany with a modest sample size, so the results should be read as a detailed portrait of one farming community rather than a nationally representative picture. Nevertheless, the study offers a rare combined quantitative and qualitative view of how farmers weigh income, independence, bureaucracy, land stewardship and landscape aesthetics when deciding what to do with their fields. As Germany pursues targets of 400 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity, an expansion estimated to require some 280,000 hectares of agricultural land by 2040, the attitudes of the farmers who work that land may prove decisive for whether energy and biodiversity goals can be reconciled in the countryside.
Subject of Research: Farmers' attitudes towards renewable energy, biodiversity and combining photovoltaics with flowering strips in northwest Germany
Article Title: German farmers’ attitudes towards renewable energies, biodiversity, and a combination of both – a case study based on results from an online survey and in-depth interviews
Article References: Baumann, K., Scheffler, M., Aka, C., & Kayser, M. (2026). German farmers’ attitudes towards renewable energies, biodiversity, and a combination of both – a case study based on results from an online survey and in-depth interviews. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 16(1), Article 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-026-00613-8
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s13705-026-00613-8
Keywords: renewable energy, photovoltaics, biodiversity, flowering strips, farmers, Germany, Lower Saxony, agriculture, dual land use, online survey, in-depth interviews, energy policy
News Source: Faith Mcneil. (October 28, 2026). German farmers weigh solar power, flower strips and the future of their land. Scienmag.
We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Email Address
Subscribe
Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Login to your account below


Remember Me

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.


Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

source

A leading solar PV engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is listing in Casablanca to raise funds for regional market expansion and vertical integration.
Subscriber only content
An active subscription is required to view this article
Subscribe to African Energy
View subscription options
Tagged with:
Power, Strategy & risk
Benin, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire
African Energy is a brand of
©Copyright 2026 African Energy
Head Office
4 Bank Buildings
Station Road
Hastings
TN34 1NG
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1424 721667

source

Solar Cells Inspected on NASA’s NEO Surveyor  NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (.gov)
source

e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters

Sign up for email newsletters
e-Edition
Waverly Twp. officials will hear requests for solar panels on two properties Wednesday.
Ann Pelicci is seeking a special exception to install a nearly 4,000-square-foot ground-mounted solar panel system on her property on Lynnwood Road, according to a legal notice published in The Times-Tribune.
The Jewish Discovery Center, which filed its application under the name Chabad of the Abingtons, is looking for a special exception to install a ground-mounted solar panel system that is 3,000 square feet on its property at 216 Miller Road.
Both would exceed the maximum length of 750 feet permitted in the township for a ground-mounted solar panel system.
Rabbi Benny Rapoport said the panels will be used to power the home and synagogue on the property. He hopes it will offset their electric costs and cover their electric bills, which cost around $2,000 a month.
“We want to offset the carbon footprint and try to generate the same amount of usage to be able to cover that,” Rapoport said.
If approved, the panels will be built on the 20-acre property in an open field behind the synagogue, the same area where they plan to put in a dozen cabins. He said the trees and forests surrounding the property ensure the array will be hidden from neighboring properties, while still getting lots of sunlight.
He believes everyone should have solar panels to offset carbon emissions.
“We have to move towards a more sustainable, renewable source through wind and solar,” Rapoport said. “Solar is really inexpensive, and I think that’s sort of our duty in a sense. Everyone, everyone should be doing this.”
Efforts to reach Pelicci were unsuccessful.
The township’s zoning hearing board will hear Pelicci’s request at 5:30 p.m. and the Jewish Discovery Center’s plans at 6:30. The hearings will be held in the Waverly Community House.
Copyright 2026 Scranton Times-Tribune. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.

source

The Gangaikondan facility aims to reduce India’s solar cell imports and integrate manufacturing across the supply chain.
Indian company Vikram Solar has announced that its 9GW N-type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing unit in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, is on schedule to begin production in December 2026.
The company stated that the full 9GW capacity will be brought online in phases following the initial output.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
Located within the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Tirunelveli district, the plant aims to address India’s ongoing reliance on imported solar cells, which currently make up a significant component in the majority of domestically manufactured modules.
Vikram Solar indicated that the Gangaikondan facility, once fully operational, will supply high-efficiency TOPCon cells for most of its own module production, supporting both domestic projects and international supply chains.
The first stage of Vikram Solar’s integration strategy at Gangaikondan was the inauguration of a 6GW module facility on the same site, which took place in August 2026.
Vikram Solar revealed that the cell manufacturing facility is phase two of its three-phase plan for the campus.
The third phase, already approved by the board and targeted for financial year 2029, is a 9GW ingot and wafer facility.
The company said there are also plans to expand cell manufacturing capacity to 12GW in the future.
Employment generated by the campus is expected to exceed 2,000 positions, including both direct and indirect roles.
The site, which covers nearly 200 acres, will host production of wafers, ingots, cells and modules in one location, which the company says will streamline supply chains, maintain quality control, and reduce logistics costs.
The project is being developed by Vikram Solar’s wholly owned subsidiary, VSL Green Power.
Vikram Solar chairman and managing director Gyanesh Chaudhary said: “Indian module makers, including us, have built their businesses around imported cells. Gangaikondan ends that for Vikram Solar.
“Cells are where the value, the technology and the risk in a module sit, and in December we start making them here. It is the most important step in our integration journey, and not the last: our roadmap runs from wafer to module, on Indian soil.”
Vikram Solar plans to seek ALMM List-II enlistment for its cells produced at Gangaikondan in due course.
The facility is expected to support government-backed initiatives such as utility-scale, PM Surya Ghar, rooftop, and PMKUSUM programmes where domestic content is required, and to serve global clients diversifying procurement sources.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
Find out more
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.
Power industry news, data and in-depth articles on the global trends driving power generation, renewables and innovation
Powered by
© GlobalData Plc 2026

source

RWE (ISIN DE0007037129) commissioned a 3.7 MW battery storage system at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on October 26, 2026, completing its joint energy concept with Borussia Dortmund, according to RWE. At 10:47 a.m. CET on October 28, 2026, the stock was trading at EUR 57.61 at Lang & Schwarz, 0.09 percent above the Xetra close of October 27, 2026 at EUR 57.56.
The battery can supply 3.7 megawatts for just over an hour. RWE says the connected photovoltaic system includes 11,132 solar modules and has a capacity of more than 5 MWp. The battery allows electricity generated during daylight to support the stadium when solar output is unavailable.
The project also gives the partnership a measurable operating target. The photovoltaic system can cover up to 45 percent of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK’s electricity requirements, while the six-year partnership aims to improve energy management, efficiency and decarbonization at the venue, according to RWE.
The new storage unit changes the project from solar generation into a more flexible local energy system. RWE’s release says the photovoltaic plant was commissioned in December 2025, making the October 26 battery commissioning the third dated step in the site plan. The company had also secured 119 MW of onshore wind capacity in Germany on September 18, 2026, according to its press information.
In December 2025, the stadium’s photovoltaic system was commissioned. On September 18, 2026, RWE secured 119 MW of German onshore wind capacity. On October 26, 2026, the 3.7 MW battery system became operational, as reported by RWE.
RWE plans to publish results for the first three quarters of 2026 on November 11, 2026, with an investor and analyst conference call led by CFO Michael Muller, according to RWE. That date is the next company-specific reporting checkpoint after the stadium project announcement.
The small premium over the Xetra close leaves the market quotation broadly stable around EUR 57.61 on October 28, 2026. The new project supplies a concrete operating example of RWE’s renewable and storage strategy, while the November reporting date will provide the next broader financial update.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of RWE stock.
Market context: Market report DAX.
More news and analyses on RWE stock

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source