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0 Powered by : Standard Solar, a US-based developer, owner and operator of commercial and community PV assets, has acquired a six-project portfolio totaling 28.8 MW from AC Power across New Jersey and Illinois. The community PV portfolio includes projects located on closed landfills and brownfield parcels, converting previously disturbed sites into operational energy installations. Two New Jersey projects totaling about 6 MW are located in Berlin and Freehold and are scheduled for completion in 2027. These New Jersey installations are estimated to generate approximately 7,693 MWh of electricity during their first year of operation. In Illinois, Standard Solar has acquired four projects totaling about 22.8 MW located in South Barrington, Hillsboro and two sites in Lockport. These Illinois installations are expected to generate approximately 33,092 MWh in their first year, with three projects scheduled for completion in 2026. The projects have been developed by AC Power using ballasted racking systems designed to protect landfill caps and maintain existing environmental control systems.
North Carolina has attracted significant private investment in clean energy in recent years — from battery and solar manufacturing to energy‑efficiency contractor work and grid upgrades. A new report from the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy finds the state’s clean energy job market has grown 13.8% since the pandemic. The group’s executive director, Ryan Evans, said that while solar energy generation initially pushed North Carolina into the nation’s top 10 for clean energy jobs, it’s now clean‑tech manufacturing that’s keeping it there. Ryan Evans, the group’s executive director, said the state’s ability to supply large industrial users with the electricity they need has become a major selling point. “We’re seeing a demand for companies to say, ‘OK, who can get me the power that I need for this particular manufacturing center that we want to develop?’” Evans said. According to the report, manufacturing is now on track to replace renewable energy generation as the state’s second‑largest clean energy employer, behind the energy‑efficiency sector.
Solar Ireland told the Irish government that the Private Wires Bill’s proposed definition of private wires could bring rooftop solar installations within a full electricity licensing requirement, which would place significant additional demand on the energy regulator and slow down installations. Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power in the Irish parliament Image: Solar Ireland Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power addressed the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy in the Irish parliament this week. He warned that Ireland’s fast-moving residential rooftop solar deployment could be unintentionally slowed under the current wording of the Private Wires Bill. The Private Wires Bill was approved by the government in December 2025 to modernize the country’s electricity system. It will amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to allow private electricity wires to be built under limited circumstances. The bill sets out four scenarios in consultation with Ireland’s utilities regulator and grid operators. Private wires may be used to facilitate hybrid grid connections, or to link a single user of electricity to a separate singular generation asset. This connection can also include storage technologies. While Solar Ireland welcomed the potential for the policy to unlock new renewable energy projects, Power warned the Joint Committee that the wording of the bill could skew its implementation – with potentially unfortunate results for Irish residential solar. Ireland installed 1 GW of solar in 2025, and its development pipeline is around 1.7 GW. Rooftop generation accounts for around half of Ireland’s installed capacity of 2.3 GW. The problem lies with the proposed definition of private wires which could bring rooftop installations within a full licensing requirement, according to Power. “Under the definition of private wires as currently drafted, rooftop projects would place significant additional demand on the regulator and risks delaying thousands of households seeking to install solar each year,” the Solar Ireland CEO said, adding that a new regulatory framework should rely on existing technical and safety standards already in use across the solar sector. Power also said that while private wires can ease constraints on the electricity grid, the potential for distributed solar generation to contribute to Ireland’s energy security should not be overlooked. He said private wires should be a complementary solution rather than a replacement for the national grid. “Rooftop solar now represents a central component of Ireland’s delivery toward its 2030 renewable energy targets,” Power said, highlighting the rooftop rollout. The government-run Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) processed its 100,000th paid application for the Domestic Solar PV Scheme at the end of 2025. Uptake of rooftop solar by homeowners is very high, and supportive grants for domestic installations are being retained into 2026. “If implemented in a balanced and technically grounded way, this reform can unlock additional renewable capacity, support industrial decarbonization and relieve pressure on the national grid,” said Power. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Blathnaid O’Dea Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Today’s Date: March 6, 2026 In the volatile world of renewable energy, few names command the same level of institutional respect and strategic intrigue as First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR). Long regarded as a “policy play” due to its heavy reliance on domestic manufacturing incentives, the company underwent a radical re-rating in mid-2024 that forever changed its market narrative. On May 22, 2024, the stock experienced a historic 19% single-day surge, a move that signaled First Solar’s emergence not just as a green energy provider, but as a critical infrastructure backbone for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. As we stand in early 2026, First Solar remains the largest solar manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere, leveraging a unique technological moat and a sold-out order book to navigate a complex macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape. First Solar’s journey began not in a Silicon Valley garage, but in the glass-manufacturing hub of Toledo, Ohio. Founded in 1990 by physicist Harold McMaster as Solar Cells, Inc., the company’s foundational bet was on Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) thin-film technology. McMaster, a pioneer in tempered glass, believed that solar panels could be manufactured using a continuous, high-speed process similar to flat glass production, rather than the batch-processing required for traditional crystalline silicon. The company took a decisive turn in 1999 when it was acquired by True North Partners, an investment firm led by the Walton family of Walmart (NYSE: WMT). Rebranded as First Solar, the firm went public in 2006 (NASDAQ: FSLR). Over the next two decades, First Solar survived the “Solar Winter” of the early 2010s—a period that saw dozens of U.S. solar firms go bankrupt due to a flood of cheap, subsidized silicon panels from China. First Solar survived by pivoting away from the residential rooftop market to focus exclusively on utility-scale projects and by relentlessly refining its proprietary CdTe technology. First Solar’s business model is characterized by deep vertical integration and a niche focus on utility-scale solar. Unlike most competitors who assemble modules from third-party cells and polysilicon, First Solar controls its entire production process—from raw materials to finished panels—under one roof, typically in less than four hours. Revenue Sources: By exiting the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) business in 2019, the company streamlined its operations to become a pure-play manufacturer, resulting in higher margins and a cleaner balance sheet. First Solar has been a storied performer, though its path has been anything but linear. For the fiscal year 2025, First Solar solidified its position as a cash-flow machine. CEO Mark Widmar, who took the helm in 2016, is widely credited with First Solar’s modern success. His strategy of “fortifying the moat” involved making the difficult decision to scrap the Series 4 production lines in favor of the larger Series 6 format, a move that initially hurt earnings but ultimately saved the company. Under Widmar’s leadership, the management team has focused on transparency and “under-promising and over-delivering.” The board of directors maintains a strong emphasis on governance, particularly in light of the Walton family’s significant historical ownership, ensuring that the company’s long-term capital allocation remains disciplined. First Solar’s primary product is the Series 7 module, designed specifically for the U.S. market. The solar industry is a battlefield between First Solar’s thin-film and the global dominance of crystalline silicon. The most significant trend of the last two years has been the AI-Solar Nexus. As tech giants like Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) build out massive AI data centers, their power requirements have skyrocketed. Because these “hyperscalers” have 24/7 carbon-neutral goals, they are contracting for solar power at an unprecedented scale. Furthermore, “Domestic Content” has become the industry’s buzzword. Federal incentives now reward developers for using components made in America, a trend that has funneled almost all high-margin demand directly to First Solar’s doorstep. Despite its strengths, First Solar is not without significant risks: Current investor sentiment is “cautiously bullish.” The 19% surge in May 2024, triggered by optimistic notes from UBS and Piper Sandler, set a high bar. As of early 2026, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy, with a median price target of $256. While hedge funds have largely maintained their positions, retail sentiment has cooled slightly from the 2024 peaks as investors grapple with the reality of grid delays. However, institutional ownership remains high, as FSLR is seen as a necessary “anchor tenant” in any ESG or infrastructure-themed portfolio. First Solar sits at the heart of the U.S.-China trade war. First Solar has evolved from a niche solar manufacturer into a strategic national asset. The May 2024 surge was more than a fluke; it was the market’s realization that the transition to an AI-driven economy requires a massive, reliable, and domestic energy supply chain. For investors, First Solar offers a unique profile: a high-margin manufacturer with a multi-year backlog and a fortified technological moat. However, the heavy reliance on government subsidies (IRA) and the looming threat of grid interconnection delays require a disciplined approach. As we move further into 2026, the key for First Solar will be its ability to convert its massive backlog into operational reality while maintaining its technological lead through the next generation of Perovskite innovation. This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Senegal is taking a significant step toward strengthening its renewable energy capacity with the launch of a major tender for two large-scale solar power plants. The initiative is being led by the national electricity utility, Senelec, and is aimed at adding 500 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity to the country’s power generation portfolio. The project reflects the government’s broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean energy and position the country as a key player in West Africa’s renewable energy transition. The solar development will follow an Engineering, Procurement, and Finance (EPCF) model. Under this framework, selected bidders will be responsible not only for designing and constructing the facilities but also for arranging the financing required for the projects. This approach is intended to attract experienced international developers and investors capable of delivering large-scale renewable infrastructure efficiently. The tender includes two separate solar power projects located in different regions of the country. The first facility will be built in Linguère with a planned capacity of 200 MW, while the second and larger project will be developed in Kolda with a capacity of 300 MW. Together, these plants will contribute significantly to Senegal’s efforts to expand clean electricity generation and reduce reliance on conventional power sources. A key feature of the planned solar installations is the integration of large battery energy storage systems. The projects will include battery storage with a capacity of 100 MW and an energy storage capability of 400 MWh. The addition of these systems will help improve grid reliability by addressing the intermittent nature of solar power generation. During periods of high solar production, excess electricity can be stored in the batteries and later released during peak demand or when solar output drops. This capability will enhance grid stability and reduce the likelihood of power disruptions. The government has also established a relatively strict development schedule. Once contracts are awarded, the selected developers will be required to complete construction within a 24-month period. Interested companies must meet several eligibility criteria, including demonstrating strong financial performance and proven experience in executing large-scale solar energy projects. The deadline for submitting proposals for the tender has been set for April 22, 2026. This initiative forms part of Senegal’s broader national energy strategy, known as the National Energy Pact, which aims to achieve universal electricity access across the country by 2029. The government has also set an ambitious target to generate 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The new solar plants are expected to play an important role in reducing Senegal’s dependence on expensive fossil fuels while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative builds on earlier developments in the country’s energy sector, including the Walo Storage project, which introduced lithium-ion battery technology for grid management. With the launch of this 500 MW solar tender, Senegal is further reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable, resilient, and independent energy system while attracting international investment into its growing renewable energy sector. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
In 2025, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region achieved a major milestone as its installed wind power capacity surpassed 100 million kilowatts, the first in the country to do so. Throughout the year, the region added 35 million kW of new energy capacity, bringing its total installed capacity of renewables to more than 170 million kW and generating 270 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Inner Mongolia has ranked first nationwide in power generation for more than a decade, with one out of every three kilowatt-hours produced in the region now coming from renewable energy. Backed by its expanding green power capacity, Inner Mongolia is exploring deeper integration of renewable energy with emerging industries such as computing power, crystalline silicon, and advanced alloy materials, significantly increasing the “green content” of its industrial development. In Tongliao, green electricity substitution has helped create both a “green power hub” and a “low electricity cost basin”, fostering industrial clusters in green aluminum, wind power equipment manufacturing, and aluminum–nickel–silicon new materials. In Horinger New Area, the core hub of Hohhot’s computing power industry, dozens of large data centers have been established, with green electricity accounting for as much as 86 percent of their power use, giving the area the top green computing index nationwide. In Ulaanqab, the rapid transition from traditional energy to renewables in existing ferroalloy capacity has transformed the sector from high-carbon to green production, making the city a national benchmark for green ferroalloy manufacturing. Meanwhile, Baotou continues to strengthen its status as the “world’s green silicon capital”, steadily advancing plans to build a trillion-yuan photovoltaic industrial cluster and the world’s largest crystalline silicon production base. The booming new energy sector has become a powerful engine for economic transformation and upgrading across the region. Inner Mongolia’s abundant green electricity not only supports its own high-quality development but also plays a vital role in meeting the country’s overall energy needs. As one of China’s main energy hubs, Inner Mongolia generates about one-sixth of the country’s total energy output and accounts for one-third of China’s cross-regional energy transmission. In 2025, the region delivered 90 billion kWh of green electricity to other regions, a year-on-year increase of more than 40 percent, bringing clean power across mountains and rivers to light homes and power industries nationwide. Copyright 1994 – . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form.
Independent power producer (IPP) Origis Energy has secured US$545 million in financing for three utility-scale solar projects with a combined capacity of 413MW in Ector County, Texas. The Rockhound projects have secured financing from Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking and Santander Corporate & Investment Banking. The package includes senior secured credit facilities comprising construction and term loans, a tax credit bridge facility and letters of credit to support both the build-out and operational phases. Get Premium Subscription The projects are currently under construction and are expected to reach commercial operation later this year. “This financing reflects the quality of the Rockhound portfolio and the confidence our capital partners place in Origis’ ability to execute complex, multi-project transactions with discipline and scale,” said Alice Heathcote, chief financial officer, Origis Energy. “Natixis and Santander have been exceptional partners throughout the process. Together, we are advancing resilient, long-term energy infrastructure in Texas while delivering meaningful economic benefits to local communities.” The financing marks the next stage in Origis Energy’s multi-project solar complex in West Texas, which is expected to exceed 700MW of total capacity once fully completed. The wider complex also includes the Swift Air Solar II and Swift Air Solar III projects, both of which reached financial close in 2025. Origis recently commissioned the three 145MW Swift Air solar facilities in West Texas, which will supply power to Occidental’s operations in the region. Primoris Renewable Energy served as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the projects. Array Technologies supplied the tracking systems, while Sungrow provided the inverters and Boviet Solar delivered the PV modules. Miami, Florida-headquartered Origis has developed more than 5GW of capacity to date and, as of early 2026, has a US pipeline of 11.9GW of solar and over 9.1GW of storage in development, focused on utility-scale projects. In Texas, the company has over 1GW of operational or contracted capacity in West Texas. This includes the 303MWdc Greyhound A solar project, developed in partnership with Meta and expected online by mid-2026, alongside a further 413MWdc in Ector County slated for completion in 2026. Origis is also advancing more than 1GW of additional solar and storage in the region, supported by over US$2.5 billion in infrastructure investment.
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that destabilized polar circulation in February produced wet and cloudy conditions in some parts of North America, while the central and eastern regions enjoyed elevated irradiance under clearer conditions. Image: Solcast From pv magazine Global A combination of stratospheric warming and a disrupted polar vortex produced sharply contrasting irradiance patterns across North America in February, according to analysis using the Solcast API. The destabilized polar circulation produced wetter and cloudier conditions in parts of the north while keeping the central and eastern regions under clearer conditions and elevated irradiance. These opposing patterns created a clear divide in solar performance across the continent, with several inland grids experiencing stronger than normal conditions while coastal regions saw suppressed irradiance. A major driver of this pattern was stratospheric warming – a rapid warming of the upper atmosphere that disrupts the polar vortex which weakened and disrupted northern circulation patterns during February. This disruption allowed the jet stream to develop waves, shifting storm tracks and cloud distribution across North America. The resulting circulation pattern supported higher irradiance across large portions of the United States despite ongoing winter weather in some regions. Western areas experienced reduced solar resource due to unsettled conditions, while the central and eastern United States saw clearer skies and higher irradiance anomalies. Opportunities were particularly strong across the ERCOT and ISO-NE grids, where irradiance increases approached 20% alongside unusually high temperatures exceeding 38°C (100° F) in some locations. Even a late-month nor’easter or winter storm that brought heavy snow to the northeastern United States did not significantly reduce the broader pattern of elevated solar conditions. Above-average irradiance extended beyond the United States, reaching from the Rio Grande across east coast of Mexico and southern Quebec. Despite widespread inland improvements, several coastal regions experienced reduced solar resource due to anomalous weather systems. North and South Carolina recorded around a 15% reduction in irradiance during February as snow and ice events increased cloud cover. Northern California saw similar reductions as a series of atmospheric rivers brought persistent cloudiness and precipitation, suppressing irradiance across the CAISO region. The Appalachian Mountain chain formed a clear boundary between regions of increased and reduced irradiance conditions along parts of the eastern seaboard. February also marked a step-change in solar conditions compared to January. Across much of the Central and Eastern United States, irradiance patterns supported double-digit solar overperformance, with increases of around 15% to 25% relative to typical February levels. ERCOT stood out within this pattern, where parts of Texas experienced exceptional solar conditions — longer days and seasonal improvements compounded with unusually clear skies to drive irradiance around 25% above seasonal norms, and +40% above January levels, as seen in Dallas, TX. Solcast produces these figures by tracking clouds and aerosols at 1-2km resolution globally, using satellite data and proprietary AI/ML algorithms. This data is used to drive irradiance models, enabling Solcast to calculate irradiance at high resolution, with typical bias of less than 2%, and also cloud-tracking forecasts. This data is used by more than 350 companies managing over 300 GW of solar assets globally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Researchers in the U.S. have developed a set of guidelines and protocols to assess the performance of three-terminal (3-T) and four-terminal (4-T) tandem solar cells, including those with subcells made of III–V, CdTe, perovskites or silicon materials. Image: pv magazine From pv magazine Global Researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies in the U.S. have formulated a comprehensive performance measurement framework for three-terminal (3-T) and four-terminal (4-T) tandem solar cells. “Our work introduces the first comprehensive performance measurement framework specifically for three-terminal (3-T) and four-terminal (4-T) tandem solar cells, including perovskite-based devices,” Tao Song, corresponding author of the research told pv magazine, noting that there is a need for reliable and standardized performance-measurements for emerging multi-terminal tandems 3-T and 4-T tandem designs. “We demonstrated practical, validated approaches to ensure that reported efficiencies are accurate, reproducible, and comparable across laboratories and industry,” said Song. The interest in 3-T and 4-T devices is driven by the potential to reduce subcell current-matching constraints, higher device energy yields, and as an alternative path for combining emerging PV materials like perovskites with established silicon material combinations, such as perovskites and silicon or perovskites and cadmium telluride (CdTe), according to the study. The researchers illustrated the methods with three different multi-terminal cell configurations, two 3-T devices and one 4-T device. One 3-T was a perovskite/interdigitated-back-contact (IBC) silicon device and the other was a gallium indium phosphide (GaInP)/gallium arsenide (GaAs) device. The 4T device was a GaAs top cell with an IBC silicon bottom cell. For 3-T tandems, the researchers indicated a straightforward protocol if both subcells are fast response types. But for devices with slow-responding subcells, such as those made with a perovskite absorber, two steady-state methods were described: (i) two-dimensional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for both subcells, and (ii) a hybrid method combining MPPT on one subcell with an asymptotic stabilized maximum power (PMAX) scan on the other. “Both approaches yield equivalent results but differ in measurement time,” noted the researchers. For 4-T tandems, the team described two I-V measurement approaches, either synchronized scans with spectrum adjustment or sequential scans with individual irradiance adjustment for each subcell. “When slow-responding subcells are involved, they must be measured using steady-state methods, while fast-response subcells can be characterized with conventional I–V scans,” explained the researchers, adding that in cases where luminescent coupling exists between subcells, the non-tested subcell must be held at its PMAX “using a proper load resistor to ensure accurate determination of the combined output.” “We expect this framework will help shape future International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for multi-terminal tandem devices,” said Song. Noting that it adapts to both fast and slow-responding materials to properly account for electrical and optical coupling effects between subcells, Song said that the framework is “broadly applicable, not only to perovskite-based tandems, but also to other multi-terminal solar technologies like III–V, CdTe and silicon-based tandems.” In the conclusion of the study, the team noted that not all research laboratories have access to spectrum-tuning hardware and synchronized scan capabilities. Without such tools, measurement limitations can introduce “non-trivial measurable errors.” As a result, third party testing to establish records and accurate baseline measurements was recommended. For other cases, a simpler protocol was provided with the caveat that the measurement limitations and potential sources of error should be clearly documented and reported. “The next step is broader adoption and standardization of these measurement practices. As tandem devices scale toward manufacturing, consistent and trustworthy performance rating will be essential,” said Song. The group is now extending these methods to industrial-scale wafers and modules, supporting the development of future international standards for tandem PV testing. The research work is detailed in “Performance measurement of emerging 3- and 4-terminal tandem solar cells,” published by EES Solar. A team from Centre suisse d’électronique et de microtechnique (CSEM) also participated in the study. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Valerie Thompson Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Twelve photovoltaic storage systems with capacities of 5 kW or 10 kW were included in the comparison, among them several new products, all of which achieved efficiency class A. A new study – also examining efficiency losses when storing electricity from the grid – highlights the importance of highly efficient battery storage. The researchers also took a closer look at the warranty conditions of the devices. Image: Fox ESS From ESS News Fox ESS is the new test winner in the “Energy Storage Inspection,” which the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) conducted for the first time in cooperation with Aquu. Aquu is an HTW spin-off founded by Johannes Weniger, who previously oversaw the university’s annual storage inspection. This year, a total of twelve photovoltaic storage systems competed in four different categories. The evaluation was carried out separately for 5 kW and 10 kW products, with further differentiation between AC- and DC-coupled systems. To ensure comparability, the results were assessed using the System Performance Index (SPI). Fox ESS’s 10 kW DC system achieved a new record with an SPI of 97%. According to the test results published on Thursday, this made it 3.5 times more efficient than the lowest-performing system in the comparison. The storage system, equipped with the 10 kW hybrid inverter “PQ-H3-Ultra-10.0,” impressed the testers with a very high average efficiency of 97.6% and low standby power consumption of just 4 watts. However, storage systems from RCT Power, Energy Depot, Fronius, and Kostal (DC) in combination with BYD also achieved SPI scores above 95%, earning efficiency class A. The Kostal AC system combined with BYD narrowly missed this threshold with 94.3% and was assigned efficiency class B. Two other tested systems performed significantly worse, achieving SPIs of 91.9% (efficiency class D) and 89.3% (efficiency class G). Their manufacturers opted for anonymized publication of the results. The testers attributed the weaker performance of one system to high losses in the battery storage unit and a large standby power consumption of 64 watts, which negatively affected overall system efficiency. In the 5 kW category, the inspection again differentiated between DC- and AC-coupled systems. SAX Power’s multi-level system took the lead in this class with an SPI of 93.2%, making it the test winner among AC devices. Among systems with hybrid inverters, SMA once again achieved the highest score, reaching 92.8% with its “Sunny Boy Smart Energy 5.0” paired with the “Home Storage 6.5” battery. Close behind was the Kostal and BYD combination, tested for the first time, with an SPI of 92.7%. For next year, the testers announced the introduction of a 15 kW storage inspection. Manufacturers offering battery systems with storage capacities between 16 and 24 kWh will be able to participate. “The registration phase is now open: manufacturers of AC- and DC-coupled storage systems with battery and hybrid inverters can register immediately to participate in the new 15 kW storage test,” said Johannes Weniger, founder and CEO of Aquu. However, the researchers are not only expanding the scope in terms of performance classes. Last year they examined energy management systems for the first time, and this year the scientists investigated how low storage losses must be for charging batteries with grid electricity—such as under dynamic tariffs—to be financially viable. According to Weniger, the decisive factor is conversion losses. The researchers illustrated this with a typical winter scenario in which a battery is charged overnight with grid electricity at €0.25/kWh and the stored energy is used in the evening when electricity costs €0.35/kWh. “In this case, storing grid electricity is only advantageous for the household if inverter and battery losses are below 29%,” the authors of the Storage Inspection explained. In other words, the overall system efficiency must exceed 71% for the strategy to be worthwhile. The test results showed that not all battery storage systems reach this threshold. “The price difference between charging and discharging periods is often not large enough to compensate for the losses of the battery system,” explained Nico Orth, head of the electricity storage inspection at HTW Berlin. The study provides further details on the maximum permissible conversion losses under different electricity price scenarios. In addition to efficiency, the testers also examined the warranty conditions of 20 well-known manufacturers, revealing some significant differences. For example, the guaranteed remaining battery capacity during the warranty period ranged from 60% to 85%, with higher values being more advantageous for storage system operators. However, unpleasant surprises can arise in the event of damage, making it important to carefully review the fine print. “Favorable warranty conditions can often be recognized by the fact that the manufacturer does not impose extensive documentation requirements and covers the cost of replacement in the event of a defect,” said Nico Orth. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Sandra Enkhardt Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities action fulfills Governor Sherrill’s recent executive mandate, launching the largest-ever solicitation for distributed generation in New Jersey history. A New Jersey warehouse with Qcells solar panels installed. Image: pv magazine USA The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved an unprecedented 3 GW scale-up of the Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP) and awarded incentives for the first tranche of the Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP). The actions follow a 45-day sprint triggered by Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Day One executive orders aimed at decoupling state energy prices from a volatile PJM wholesale market. The Board’s March 4 session marks a fundamental pivot toward “speed to market” as the state grapples with a $16 billion surge in PJM capacity costs and escalating load growth from the data center sector. The NJBPU awarded incentives to three large-scale battery projects under GSESP Phase 1, Tranche 1. The awards represent 355 MW of nameplate capacity, surpassing the 350 MW minimum set by state mandate. The winning projects include: Simultaneously, the Board launched Tranche 2 of the program, seeking an additional 645 MW of storage capacity. Pre-qualification materials are due by June 10, 2026. This second tranche is specifically designed to bridge the gap between stand-alone assets and solar-plus-storage configurations that may not fit the existing Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) framework. Perhaps the most significant development for distributed energy resource advocates is the formal opening of a 3 GW block for community solar. This capacity is designed to reach approximately 450,000 subscribers, with a mandatory 51% allocation for low-to-moderate income households. The board distributed the capacity across the state’s four major investor-owned utilities based on retail sales: The Board also opened the Fourth Solicitation of the Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) program. A notable shift in this round is the creation of Tranche 1A, a dedicated competitive bucket for basic grid-supply projects exceeding 20 MW. The solicitation also introduces a paired storage “adder” for large net-metered facilities, signaling the BPU’s intent to make every new MW of generation as flexible as possible to mitigate peak demand. While the BPU has greenlit the capacity, the industry remains focused on how to implement it while facing interconnection bottlenecks. The Board concurrently issued a Request for Information to the state’s utilities, demanding data on circuit-level constraints and asking for specific recommendations on how to waive or modify existing regulations to speed up interconnection. “Solar and battery storage are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to build new electricity generation,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. With pre-qualification for the next round of utility-scale bids opening March 11, the state’s developers are now in a race to secure equipment and interconnection spots before the July 4, 2026, safe-harbor deadlines for federal tax credits. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Ryan Kennedy Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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French energy major TotalEnergies has initiated pilot operations of the first generating unit at its 1GW solar farm in Iraq’s Basra region. Pilot commissioning has begun for the first 61MW unit, which will be gradually ramped up to its full 250MW capacity. The unit will be connected to the national grid via the New Rumaila and Souq Al Shuyoukh transmission lines, following technical plans prepared by the project’s engineering and supervisory teams. Get Premium Subscription The company said the project is Iraq’s largest solar installation, comprising four 250MW units. Spanning nine kilometres, it will feature two million solar panels across the four units. The Director General highlighted that bringing the first unit into trial operation marks a key milestone for both the company and the Ministry, underlining the project’s importance in diversifying Iraq’s power mix, particularly in Basra Governorate, where electricity demand is rapidly rising. Announced in 2021, Basra solar farm is the second 1GW solar plant in the country built by TotalEnergies, with a US$10 billion investment in new gas networks and seawater treatment. The project entails the installation of 132kV transmission lines spanning a total length of 180km, the construction of a new 132kV substation, and the rehabilitation and modernization of two existing substations under the ministry’s jurisdiction. Additionally, TotalEnergies will manage operation and maintenance (O&M) for the project over a 25-year period. The solar farm will supply electricity to three secondary substations. The plant is being built in partnership with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil announced in March 2021. In 2023, state-owned power company QatarEnergy entered as a third party with a 25% stake in the project. During the same period, Total confirmed Saudi energy provider ACWA Power would assist in developing the solar project. In 2024, Iraq announced plans to deploy 12GW of solar PV capacity by 2030, according to the Iraqi National Investment Authority. Adviser Rahim Al-Jaafari said the Authority had begun issuing investment licenses, with around 7.5GW already allocated by the Council of Ministers and steps underway to assign the remaining capacity.
Spanish postal operator Correos is expanding its rollout of additional solar photovoltaic plants across Spain under its Correos Solar programme. Five new self-consumption solar installations are being deployed at major Automated Treatment Centres (CTAs) in Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia and Seville. Facilities at Sant Cugat del Vallès (450kWp) and Barcelona Colón (93.74kWp) will join new plants in Alicante (400kWp), Valencia (455kWp) and Seville (528kWp). On average, Correos said the installations are expected to generate around 22% of the electricity consumed at these logistics centres. Correos launched its solar programme in 2022 with a photovoltaic installation at its largest logistics facility in Madrid. The site has 960 solar panels with a total installed capacity of 518kWp and produces an average of more than 719,000kWh of renewable electricity annually, covering around 22% of the site’s energy demand. A second phase of expansion is already underway, with six further installations planned before the end of 2026 in Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Vitoria and the Madrid International Exchange Office. Together, these projects are expected to supply approximately 29% of the energy consumed at those sites. By the end of the year, Correos said it expects to operate 12 large solar PV facilities with a combined installed capacity of 4,255kWp. Annual production is projected at between 5.5 million and 6.8 million kWh, equivalent to the electricity consumption of roughly 1,500–2,000 households. The solar rollout forms part of a broader energy transition programme. Since 2018, all electricity purchased by Correos has come from certified renewable sources, avoiding around 24,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Correos is also electrifying its delivery fleet and has deployed more than 3,200 charging points for electric vehicles across Spain. For three years, the Sustainable Supply Chain Conference led the conversation on sustainable operations. Now, they’re raising the bar. The Responsible Supply Chain Conference, taking place in London on 23 June embodies a commitment to holistic, accountable, and ethical value chains. Caroline joined Akabo Media as editor of Logistics Manager in October 2025. She has more than a decade of experience working in digital and print publishing across multiple sectors, including energy, pharmaceuticals and mining. Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.
Babilonia has a power purchase agreement with Grupo Unacem’s energy commercialisation and generation affiliate Celepsa.Babilonia is part of the 700MW La Joya renewables complex, which includes the operational 300MW San Martin solar project and another 125MW advanced development-stage scheme. Construction started in February. Zelestra, owned by Swedish private equity firm EQT, plans to invest at least US$1bn in renewable plants over the next five years, powering mines in copper-rich southern Peru. Zelestra is quite active in project finance in the region and also recently closed a US$282m green project finance package backing the 220MW/1GWh Aurora solar and storage project in Tarapaca, Chile. Natixis and BNP Paribas were lenders to that deal, and BCI provided a VAT facility. All websites use cookies to improve your online experience. They were placed on your computer when you launched this website. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.
Sunsure Energy has secured 8 MWp of solar power agreements to supply clean energy to the Tamil Nadu facilities of South Korean automotive companies. A solar project by Sunsure Energy Sunsure Energy Sunsure Energy has signed long-term solar power purchase agreements (PPA) with Daeseung Autoparts India, Indian subsidiary of South Korea–based automotive components company Daeseung Group, and Ilgahng Automotive, a Korean-origin automotive company from the same business group. Under the agreement with Daeseung, Sunsure Energy will supply approximately 8 million units of power annually to Daeseung’s Kanchipuram facility from its 75 MWp solar plant at Ilayangudi, Tamil Nadu. This will allow Daeseung Autoparts India to meet close to 60% of its total power demand with renewable energy, offsetting approximately 5,800 metric tonnes of CO2e emissions per year. Similarly, Sunsure will supply approximately 4.7 million units of power to Ilgahng Automotive’s Kanchipuram facility from its Ilayangudi solar plant. This will help Ilgahng offset 3,400 metric tonnes of CO2e emissions per year. In Tamil Nadu, Sunsure has a development pipeline of over 1,100 MW of RTC renewable energy capacity across solar, wind and BESS. Founded in 2014, Sunsure Energy has wind, solar, and energy storage plants across multiple states in India, supplying round-the-clock renewable energy to C&I customers. It is backed by Partners Group AG with an equity commitment of $400 million towards its vision of building the largest industrial decarbonisation company in India and Southeast Asia. Sunsure has 700 MW operational assets with an additional 7.10 GW under various stages of development across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. It targets 10 GW RE capacity by 2030. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Uma Gupta Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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The nation’s second-largest solar module manufacturer has returned to normal production levels following the release of component shipments that had been stalled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Qcells solar panel manufacturing facility in Dalton, Ga. Image: Qcells Qcells, the U.S. solar manufacturing arm of South Korea’s Hanwha Solutions, announced it has officially returned to normal solar panel production at its manufacturing facilities in Georgia. The increased volume of production closes a chapter for the manufacturer’s U.S. operations. In November, the company announced a furlough of 1,000 of its workers due to a temporary pause in production caused by a lengthy customs clearance process. “We are proud to be back to work manufacturing the American-made energy the country needs right now,” said Marta Stoepker, head of communications at Qcells. “Like any company, hurdles have and will occur, which requires us to adapt and be nimble, but our overall goal remains the same — to build a complete American solar supply chain.” At the time of the furlough, the company cited significant delays at U.S. ports, which held up seven shipments of solar cells from South Korea. The supply chain bottlenecks began earlier in the year when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated detentions of Qcells’ solar cell imports under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). In August 2025, Qcells confirmed the detentions but issued statements of its certainty that its supply chain was free from material originating from the Xinjiang Region that is the subject of the UFLPA. At the time of the furloughs, Qcells noted that most of its shipments were clearing customs, but the compounding delays had already forced the temporary reduction in production capacity. Now, with the supply chain flowing and employees back to work, Qcells is pushing forward with the $2.5 billion expansion of its Cartesville plant, which is projected to allow for 3.3 GW of capacity for manufacturing ingots, wafers, and cells by the end of 2026. At full capacity, the two Georgia facilities will produce a combined 8.4 GW of solar panels and components annually. To meet these targets, the company plans to continue expanding its newly returned workforce. By the end of 2026, Qcells said it expects to employ a combined workforce of nearly 4,000 people across the two sites. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Ben Zientara Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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USD 1.2 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2025 to 2034. The Asia Pacific region led the market in 2024, holding a 43.8% share worth approximately USD 0.5 billion.
Hybrid Solar Wind Systems combine solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines to deliver reliable electricity. By leveraging the complementary nature of solar energy — generated primarily during the day — and wind energy — often stronger at night or under overcast conditions — these systems provide consistent power output, reducing dependence on diesel generators or grid electricity, particularly in remote and off-grid areas.
The market is expanding steadily, driven by the global push for sustainable, decentralized energy solutions. Rising electricity demand in rural areas, where grid expansion is costly or impractical, has increased the appeal of hybrid systems. Supportive government policies and clean energy targets across both developing and developed nations are further accelerating growth, alongside significant reductions in the cost of solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage.
Stricter environmental regulations and climate change commitments are also key catalysts. As countries work to cut carbon emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, hybrid systems are becoming increasingly central to rural electrification, microgrid development, and disaster-resilient infrastructure. Notable recent investments include Tata Power securing USD 4.25 billion from the Asian Development Bank for clean energy projects, and ACME Renewtech receiving ₹19.88 billion in financing for a 300 MW wind-solar hybrid project.
Key Takeaways
Market Segments
By Component
Solar PV Panels led the component segment in 2024 with a 38.4% share. Their dominance reflects high efficiency, falling costs, and seamless integration with wind turbines and storage systems. PV panels perform particularly well in sun-rich regions, providing consistent daytime power that complements the variability of wind energy. Their modular design suits applications ranging from small residential installations to large commercial off-grid projects, and ongoing advances in cell efficiency ensure solar PV remains central to hybrid energy infrastructure.
By Connectivity
On-grid systems held a 63.1% share of the connectivity segment in 2024, favored in urban and semi-urban areas with reliable grid infrastructure. These systems blend renewable generation with grid electricity, optimize energy usage, and allow excess power to be fed back to the grid — reducing costs and ensuring supply stability during peak demand or adverse weather. Net metering policies and government incentives have further accelerated their adoption across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
By End Use
The commercial sector accounted for 44.2% of hybrid solar wind installations in 2024. Offices, retail chains, hospitals, and data centers are increasingly turning to these systems for reliable, cost-effective power. Rising energy costs, carbon reduction pressures, available rooftop space, and favorable government incentives — including tax benefits — are all driving commercial adoption. As businesses continue to prioritize energy resilience and sustainability, the commercial sector is well positioned to maintain its market leadership.
Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific dominated the global market in 2024, commanding a 43.8% share valued at USD 0.5 billion. Growth is supported by favorable government policies, rural electrification programs, and strong demand for decentralized energy in countries such as India and China. The region's abundant solar and wind resources further boost hybrid system deployments in off-grid and semi-urban settings.
North America and Europe remain significant markets, with a focus on sustainability and grid modernization, though both trail Asia Pacific in overall scale. The Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are emerging as growth regions, with rising interest in hybrid solutions for remote communities, supported by pilot projects and international funding.
Top Use Cases
Notable Company Developments
Conclusion
Hybrid Solar Wind Systems are reshaping energy access by delivering reliable, sustainable power across a wide range of applications. As technology matures and costs continue to fall, these systems are set to play an increasingly important role in rural electrification, commercial sustainability, and resilient infrastructure — contributing to a cleaner, more decentralized global energy future. I am blogger, digital marketing pro since 5 years and writes for Market.us. Computer Engineer by profession. I love to find new ideas that improve websites' SEO. He enjoys sharing knowledge and information about many topics.
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Hayden Kulas and writers in Futurism and other communities. Overview The Global Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) Market is on a robust growth trajectory, with projections indicating a rise from USD 412.3 million in 2024 to USD 1,003.3 million by 2034. This expansion represents a steady CAGR of 9.3% throughout the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. A significant catalyst for this growth is North America's USD 204.9 million investment in grid modernization, which has substantially accelerated the adoption of advanced FESS technologies.
All solar panels degrade over time, but expert installation and regular maintenance can prevent an early sunset on their lifespan Change by degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint Got a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at changebydegrees@theguardian.com Across Australian rooftops, a quiet renewable energy revolution has been gathering pace. Australia’s Energy Market Operator described the last three months of last year as a “landmark moment”, with renewables’ energy share rising above 50% for the first time. Australia has for many years had the highest penetration of household solar panels in the world, with about 4.3m homes – roughly one in three – having installed rooftop solar, with a capacity exceeding 28GW. But as more households embrace renewable power, a recent University of New South Wales study has found solar panels are also failing faster than expected. This raises questions about what to look for when shopping for solar for your home or business, and how best to maintain panels in increasingly volatile and extreme weather conditions. Like most manufactured products, solar panels will degrade over time. But when a team from the UNSW school of photovoltaic and renewable energy engineering analysed 11,000 photovoltaic samples, they concluded that around one in five performed 1.5 times worse than expected. This implies that instead of the 25-year expected lifespan, 20% of panels will start to fail after just 12 years. Key problems identified include internal failures due to panel elements interacting with each other, poor quality control resulting in manufacturing defects, and other flaws that result in performance loss over time. “For the entire dataset, we observed that system performance typically declines by around 0.9% per year. However, our findings show extreme degradation rates in some of the systems,” said Yang Tang, one of the research authors, in a press statement last month. “This means that for some systems … they could lose about 45% of their output by the 25-year mark.” Everyone’s experience with solar panels will differ, but simple home maintenance strategies can increase their longevity. Tim Forcey, the author of My Efficient Electric Home Handbook, had solar panels installed in his Melbourne bayside home in 2008 and says while he kept them as “a bit of a science experiment”, they are still working. He added 22 more panels in 2017 that now provide all his home’s electricity needs. Forcey says during a wild hailstorm last year that destroyed a sheet of plastic over his patio, the solar panels survived. He says one simple tip is to install the panels at an angle so they don’t accumulate and hold too much water and mud. “I keep them clean with a brush on a long stick, especially taking care to get rid of any moss and lichen that accumulates.” Brendan Lang, an electrician and founder of Get Off Gas, says there are three important things that people can do to minimise the risks of their panels not meeting expectations: using quality products from the start, getting expert local installers on board and regular maintenance. “You wouldn’t expect your motor vehicle to be running perfectly after 25 years if you didn’t service it – same goes for renewable energy.” Lang recommends having a qualified expert guide you through the installation process and come back to service your panels every two to three years. “Systems come in many varieties of quality and therefore serviceability and longevity. Good maintenance is vital for safety as well as efficiency and longevity. Keeping your panels clean, cabling and connections in check, and ensuring the racking affixing the panels to your roof is fastened are all equally important,” Lang says. The other advantage of regular servicing is that it will allow you to monitor your panels’ performance. If the performance markedly drops, you can make a claim under warranty (usually 25 years on quality panels). All solar panels have a limited lifespan, but there are many factors to take into account when considering whether to repair or replace your existing unit. If only one of your solar panels fails, you may be able to find a suitable replacement, advises Finn Peacock of Solar Quotes, but it must have very similar physical size and specifications to be suitable. If it’s a problem with your inverter, secondhand inverters are widely available, and a good installer can replace it for you. “A good original installer will install one type of panel and likely keep spares or be able to get them from the manufacturer,” Peacock says. “As a last resort, you may be able to just remove the panel, or bypass it electrically – depending on the string configuration. You’ll lose one panel worth of energy (about 2kWh per day) but keep the rest of the system going for minimal cost.” If your system is more than about six years old, replacing the whole array will get you much more efficient panels, producing more energy, and you may be able to claim the solar panel rebate again, Peacock says. If you do need to replace your panels, make sure you get them properly recycled. “Don’t assume the people removing them will recycle them – because it costs $30 per panel to do it, they unfortunately often end up elsewhere,” he says. “You need to insist on it and ask for the receipt.” Peacock says simple things like avoiding permanent shade, regular servicing and ensuring leaves don’t build up underneath will give your panels the best chance of longevity.
Colorado could soon see a new wave of home solar power — but not in the form of the large solar panels you may see on rooftops around your neighborhood. Instead: Imagine slim, portable panels that you can attach to a porch or balcony and then plug into your wall. Small-scale solar units like these are already popular in Europe. But they’re almost unheard of in the U.S., partly because of regulatory restrictions by power utilities but also because there aren’t many of these plug-in solar products on the market. Not yet, at least. A bill at the Colorado statehouse could clear the way for renters, condo owners and people who can’t afford a full rooftop system to buy these plug-in panels. State lawmakers hope to see these systems available by the end of this year. Reporter Michael Booth covers the environment for The Colorado Sun. He spoke with Erin O’Toole about how these tiny solar power units work, and how this might look in Colorado.
Saturday, March 7, 2026 The final panel has been installed at Australia’s first large scale solar-battery hybrid facility to connect to the main grid, heralding a radical change in the make-up and shape of the country’s electricity system. The $192 million Quorn Park Hybrid Solar facility – near Parkes in western NSW – combines 80 megawatts (MW) of PV generating capacity with a 20 MW, 40 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery behind the same connection point. Developer, Potentia Energy, this week announced its contractor, Beon Energy Solutions, had installaed the final solar panel at Quorn Park – a “major milestone” at what is a milestone project. “After six months of work, nearly 161,000 panels are now in place at the site near Parkes, NSW, a significant moment towards delivering one of Australia’s most advanced hybrid renewable energy projects,” Potentia said on LinkedIn.
Cloudy. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 62F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Updated: March 6, 2026 @ 12:54 pm Property owners near a proposed solar farm look at the site and grading plan for the proposed facility, to be located between South Shady Avenue to the west, Sample Flats Road to the east, Stewart Road to the south and Route 426 to the north. Representing Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure, Kevin Johnson speaks to Corry’s planning commission members.
Property owners near a proposed solar farm look at the site and grading plan for the proposed facility, to be located between South Shady Avenue to the west, Sample Flats Road to the east, Stewart Road to the south and Route 426 to the north. Neighbors cite property values, glare, environmental concerns over proposed solar array
A proposal to build a three-megawatt solar panel array on a residential tract of land near South Shady Avenue has drawn opposition from neighbors and a split vote from the Corry Planning Commission, which narrowly declined to recommend approval to Corry City Council by a 3-2 margin. Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure, of New York, N.Y., represented by attorney Kevin Johnson, submitted its conditional use application in December 2024, supplemented in January 2025, seeking permission to install around 5,000 solar panels across roughly 16 acres of R-1 zoned land. The project, described by its developers as small-scale and community-oriented, has nonetheless ignited debate over zoning law, property values, environmental risk and the future character of Corry’s remaining undeveloped land. Johnson was careful to distinguish the project from large-scale industrial solar farms. “Industrial solar projects are 100 megawatts — hundreds of acres, large tracts of land,” he told the commission. “This is a local, community-sized solar project.” He noted that Pennsylvania lacks a formal community solar program and argued the development is analogous to those that exist in other states, situated well back from property lines and designed to have minimal environmental impact. The company proposed to lease the land from its private owner, who Johnson said has every legal right to enter such a contract. The array would be located in the central portion of the site, with vegetative buffering along the perimeter where natural vegetation does not already exist. Greenwood’s project development associate, Annika Shiffer-Delegard, emphasized that no land clearing or significant grading is planned, and that modern solar panels are substantially safer and less reflective than those from earlier decades. Numerous residents spoke up to oppose the project, raising concerns ranging from declining property values to glint and glare, chemical runoff, radon exposure from soil disruption and the permanent loss of one of Corry’s last large, undeveloped parcels. Dennis Anderson, a 37-year resident of South Shady Avenue, spoke of raising his family in what he described as a quiet, country setting within city limits. “We don’t want [that] to change,” Anderson said. “I don’t need my property values to go down.” Kurt Lund, another long-time resident, pointed to a glint and glare study commissioned by Greenwood itself, which identified his property as one of the locations most likely to experience solar reflection. “Trees at our elevation are not going to mitigate that,” Lund said, adding that he is concerned about the long-term environmental fate of the panels. “When these are still there, leaching into the ground and causing damage to local wetlands, and nobody wants to take them in the landfill, we’re stuck with them.” Katie Krasa, who moved to the area three years ago specifically for its natural setting, offered detailed arguments. She raised concerns about radon exposure from soil disturbance — noting that her own home required a mitigation system after elevated levels were discovered during her home inspection — and argued that the project conflicts with both the letter and intent of Corry’s zoning ordinances. “This project threatens property values, conflicts with the purpose of zoning regulations, eliminates one of Corry’s last major opportunities for thoughtful residential or community development and introduces environmental and public health risks,” Krasa said. She was followed by Gina Lund, who told the commission, “I agree with every sentence Katie Krasa just said.” Perhaps the sharpest exchange of the evening centered on whether the city’s 1991 zoning ordinance — which predates solar technology — permits the project at all. Nick Krasa walked the commission through the ordinance section by section, arguing that solar farms are neither expressly listed nor logically implied as a permitted or conditional use in the R-1 single-family residential district. Representing Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure, Kevin Johnson speaks to Corry’s planning commission members. “It does not make sense to interpret R-1 to allow an industrial solar farm,” Krasa said. “Solar farms are not residential in nature and should not be considered special residential projects. They should be treated as either a planned commercial use or an industrial use — neither of which are allowed in R-1.” Johnson countered that the ordinance allows a wide range of non-residential conditional uses in R-1, including hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, funeral homes and cemeteries. He argued that approving the project as a special residential and commercial use is legally consistent with this framework, and that the city directed Greenwood to proceed under that classification. He acknowledged that generalized objections — concerns about aesthetics, speculative property value impacts or preferences for alternative uses — do not, under Pennsylvania law, constitute sufficient grounds for rejection. Kelly Goodsel, a resident whose property straddles the city and Concord Township boundary, pushed back. “The list of conditional uses — hospitals and playgrounds and things like that — are actually listed in the ordinance. In 1991, solar panels were not part of the ordinance, so they weren’t noted.” Goodsel also criticized Greenwood’s buffering proposal for focusing primarily on the western, city-facing edge of the property, leaving residents in Concord Township and Warren County with little protection. The commission also heard debate over draft special conditions. Johnson said Greenwood could comply with the vast majority of them, but raised two specific concerns. First, he argued that language requiring the project to be visually screened is being interpreted incorrectly as requiring the array to be entirely invisible — a standard he called neither achievable nor appropriate. Second, he objected to construction noise limits expressed as decibel thresholds, proposing instead that construction simply be restricted to daytime hours, suggesting a window of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On the glare issue, Shiffer-Delegard cited an engineering study finding only minimal “green level” glare from most observation points, including a total of 16 minutes per year at the Lund residence during May and June. She described modern anti-glare coatings as standard technology that makes significant reflection unlikely. On the question of weed management, she confirmed that a local operations and maintenance technician would be hired to mow regularly. After deliberating outside Council chambers, the commission returned with a divided vote. Jim Myers moved to recommend approval to City Council; Scott Johnson seconded. But commission members Bill Wilt, Erica Helmer-Allen, and Tim Gould voted against, resulting in a 3-2 decision not to recommend the project. City Solicitor Lydia Caparosa reminded residents that the planning commission functions only as a recommending body. Regardless of its vote, the application will still go before City Council at a public hearing to be advertised separately, where both residents and the applicant will again have an opportunity to speak. Council has not set a timeline for its final decision. Your comment has been submitted.
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A historical swimming pool once heated by steam from a neighbouring chocolate factory has had solar panels installed to help cut running costs. The 182kWh roof panels at York's Yearsley Swimming Pool, which has hosted dippers for 116 years, are said be able to save about £23,000 from annual running costs while cutting CO2 emissions by 29 tonnes. The pool, currently heated by gas, once used steam supplied by the neighbouring Rowntree's Chocolate Factory, now Nestlé UK Ltd. Paul Bickle, York partnership manager for GLL Ltd, which runs the city's four leisure centres, said the technology would protect the pool's future.
Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of York City Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that pools were expensive to run but vital to support people's health and wellbeing and Yearsley was much-loved by the local community. A bigger set of panels than needed at the moment has been fitted to accommodate future efforts to decarbonise, the authority added. The installation followed a grant from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority's Mayoral Renewables Fund, which provides cash to the public sector to cut energy bills and reduce emissions. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. The owners of the Old York Tea Room say it is not the first time it has been damaged by an HGV. The plaque was unveiled by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at a ceremony in May 2001. Ravers enjoy a walk and then dance music with their morning coffee before going to work. City of York Council's Peter Kilbane says investment in culture is needed to combat the far-right. North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre is hoping to raise £100,000 to continue their services. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Subscribe to The Connexion See prices & plans HELP GUIDES Income Tax in France Healthcare in France Inheritance Law and Wills in France Visas and residency cards for France Subscribe to The Connexion See prices & plans HELP GUIDES Income Tax in France Healthcare in France Inheritance Law and Wills in France Visas and residency cards for France
A solar-powered, ultra-light vehicle designed for rural travel has made its public debut in Brittany. The Scaramobile, a cross between a car and a bicycle, was unveiled in late January along the Boulevard de la Mer in Penvénan, Côtes-d’Armor. Its 6.5m² of adjustable solar panels drew immediate attention from passers-by. Unlike conventional electric cars, the Scaramobile is designed to run largely on its own power, limiting the need for regular charging. Inventor Denis Baulier developed the project five years ago to fill a gap in rural transport. “Cities now have many alternative vehicles, but rural areas have been forgotten,” he said. “This vehicle is designed for everyday use, endurance, reliability and carrying capacity, all in a lightweight design.” Testing in winter was deliberate. “We want it to work from January 1 to December 31,” Mr Baulier said, adding that Brittany’s often cloudy skies would test the solar panels’ efficiency. The Scaramobile runs on 1,400 watts of solar energy. It weighs around 600kg without batteries and can reach 90km/h. Many light vehicles are limited to 45km/h, which discourages drivers from switching from conventional cars. Mr Baulier said travelling slightly slower adds less than two minutes to a typical 25km journey. The vehicle also breaks traditional design rules. There is no steering wheel – instead it is driven by a joystick. Pedals do not power the wheels directly but generate electricity for the motor or batteries. Users can choose how much effort to provide, including none at all. The Scaramobile can carry up to three people or cargo, and its modular bodywork adapts to different uses. Mr Baulier also designed it for ease of repair – the modular structure allows components to be replaced over time. The prototype is the first of three. Mr Baulier said more research is needed, including work with universities. He also pointed to events such as the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, a 3,000km solar-powered car race, as a platform for testing innovations. Pricing is not yet decided. Mr Baulier said it is too early to predict commercial viability, but he hopes the Scaramobile will offer a robust, energy-efficient alternative for rural areas and beyond. Perhaps surprisingly, the higher-end vehicles are not the most targeted Vehicles cannot be parked on a public road in the same place for more than seven days A new law is set to come into force this year Tests on claimant’s house found high levels of ‘infrasound’ that could not be stopped by home insulation Undeclared payments cost France up to €7 billion per year, MPs estimate
Confusion over ‘proof of address’ required for request Some mutuelles include cover for a specific service related to this Connexion reader argues that criticism of President Macron is unfair It follows the installation of remotely-read meters to homes around Caen in Calvados. Authorities claim previous readings were incorrect Image shows red luminous flashes known as ‘sprites’, or farfadets in French Temperatures set to remain above seasonal highs New ‘headphone policy’ comes amid expansion of online WiFi services Romance or a secret? Learn five French expressions related to flowers Workers in all but essential fields are given May 1 off as a paid holiday
Concrete barriers require less maintenance than metal counterparts and are – arguably – safer EDF must implement ‘red day’ tariffs before end of month The number of accounts affected has risen by 79% since 2019 Fuel prices have risen globally but some countries less affected than others Jet2 to operate from Strasbourg airport for the first time
Updated will was not produced when in sound mind, argues family Responsibilities include maintenance of communal roads, and civil services such as registering births, marriages and deaths Speed limits now vary considerably across the country Country has three-month supply but global instability has caused rush to the pumps New study shows where it makes more financial sense to buy if living there long term Department says process has gone well so far but extra staff were recruited to cope with workload Pit bull terrier Curtis ‘obsessed’ with biting and may have been trained by woman’s partner Families to lose four years of increased payments. Government will use savings to fund increased parental leave
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TAYPRO has introduced a Movable Docking Station that enables solar cleaning robots to move automatically between panel rows, improving utilisation, operational efficiency, and maintenance through integrated sensors, solar-powered charging, and cloud-based monitoring. March 06, 2026. By EI News Network TAYPRO has introduced a new Movable Docking Station (MDS) designed to enable autonomous mobility for solar panel cleaning robots, marking a technological advancement aimed at improving operational efficiency in solar power plants across India.
The company said that the battery-powered system allows cleaning robots to move automatically between solar panel rows, reducing manual intervention and improving robot utilisation across multiple arrays. The MDS transfers solar cleaning robots from one solar panel row to another using precision-aligned railing tracks installed at the ends of panel rows. The docking station moves along these tracks and automatically docks and undocks the cleaning robots. The system is powered by an integrated solar panel-based battery charging mechanism, enabling self-sustaining and energy-efficient operations at solar installations. According to the company, the docking station is equipped with integrated sensors that align the system precisely with panel rows while ensuring secure locking during robot docking. One of the key advantages of the solution is that it does not require modifications to existing solar panels, allowing quick installation and modular deployment at solar plants. The system also includes a remote monitoring platform that enables operators to schedule movement and track the position of the docking station. Edge detection sensors prevent derailment and ensure safe operation even in high wind conditions. The railing tracks supporting the system are mounted on columns fixed to the ground using reinforced concrete foundations or ballast systems depending on site conditions. In addition, the system offers cloud-based maintenance alerts and fault diagnostics to enable scheduled maintenance and minimise unexpected breakdowns, thereby improving the operational life of the equipment. Commenting on the launch, Yogesh Kudale said that the Movable Docking Station is the result of years of development and technological collaboration. He noted that the system enhances robot utilisation and improves efficiency and performance in solar plants, adding that the solution has already been deployed with one of the company’s clients as part of its initial market rollout. TAYPRO develops intelligent technologies aimed at improving the performance ratio of renewable energy plants. The company’s solar cleaning robots use patented dual-pass cleaning technology supported by an artificial intelligence framework designed for predictive cleaning, terrain adaptability, battery management and predictive failure detection, helping solar plant operators maximise energy generation and operational efficiency. Industry is Shifting from Standalone Solar to Integrated Energy Solutions: MD, Truzon Solar India Must Develop A Robust Testing and Certification Ecosystem for BESS: Ekta Kabra, Geon Advanced Technology Adoption is Central to Emmvee’s Growth Strategy: Suhas Donthi Lithium Battery Testing and Semiconductor Labs Infra to Drive Next Phase of Growth: Dibakar Roy Sunil Wankhede Says Low-Carbon Materials from Alleima India Can Support India’s Climate Goals
0 Powered by : Qcells, a South Korea-based manufacturer of PV cells and modules, has restored solar panel production at its Dalton and Cartersville factories in Georgia. The manufacturing operations had paused temporarily due to a customs clearance interruption affecting imported components required for the facilities’ production processes. According to the company, solar panel output has now returned to normal levels at both Georgia manufacturing facilities. The Cartersville factory began solar module production in April 2025 and is expected to manufacture 3.3 GW of ingots, wafers and cells by 2026. The Dalton manufacturing facility, which opened in 2019, currently produces about 5.1 GW of solar panels annually. Together, the two Georgia factories are expected to employ nearly 4,000 workers and manufacture about 8.4 GW of solar panels annually.
The proposed Dinawan solar farm in Australia is one of 14 energy projects worth AUD 34 billion ($23.9 billion) endorsed in the first round of the New South Wales state government’s Investment Delivery Authority program. Image: Spark Renewables From pv magazine Australia The proposed Dinawan Solar Farm, developed by Sydney-based Spark Renewables, is among 14 clean-energy and infrastructure projects included in the opening round of endorsements under the New South Wales Investment Delivery Authority’s (IDA) expressions of interest (EOI) process. The endorsed projects together represent about AUD 34 billion in investment. The Dinawan project is planned for the Riverina region between Jerilderie and Coleambally. It will be located within the South-West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) and form part of the broader Dinawan Energy Hub. The endorsement does not constitute project approval. Instead, it provides participating projects with specialist government support, including a dedicated concierge service, planning assessment assistance from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and coordination through a multi-agency Investment Taskforce based in the Premier’s Department. New South Wales Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said the IDA program is designed to help accelerate delivery of projects under the state’s Electricity Roadmap. “These endorsed projects will mean more reliable and affordable power for NSW, and more jobs and investment right across the state, particularly in regional NSW,” Sharpe said. New South Wales Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the initiative is intended to help unlock major investment by improving coordination across government agencies. “The projects endorsed represent significant private sector confidence in NSW and the critical role of investment in areas like energy security and the visitor economy,” he said. The 14 endorsed projects include three battery energy storage systems (BESS), two wind farms paired with batteries, three standalone wind farms, two hydro projects, two energy hubs, and one gas project. The first IDA EOI round attracted 48 major investment proposals valued at AUD 136 billion. Of these, 22 projects related to renewable energy and energy security worth about $63 billion, while 23 proposals focused on data centers and technology valued at AUD 72 billion. A New South Wales government statement said insights from the first round show major investment projects are often delayed by system-wide barriers, highlighting the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to unlock investment while managing impacts on energy, the environment and local communities. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. More articles from Ev Foley Please be mindful of our community standards. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *
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Newsletters Sign up The benefits of agrivoltaics—the placement of solar panels over cropland for more efficient land use—varies dramatically depending on where it’s located, finds new research from the United States. As agrivoltaics spread and attract more interest, this is one of the first studies to really dig into its inherent trade-offs, and identify places where it works well for both electricity generation and farmers’ bottom lines. The trade-offs in question are that while the huge increased electricity production enabled by more solar panels is a positive, and renting out land to solar providers can also provide new revenue streams for farmers, the shading effect of solar panels can disturb crop growth. Weighing up these costs and benefits has complicated the picture for farmers who may be considering agrivoltaics on their land. To shed some light on the issue, a study led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign started by looking at 14 years of maize and soybean crop data from the Midwestern US. The dataset, which included information on crop yield and water-use, compared conventional non-solar cropland with farms where a third of the productive area was covered by panels. They also applied climate simulations to the data, to determine how crop-growing conditions and solar panel impact could change under a low, high, and highest-emission future scenario. Very quickly, stark differences appeared in the model, between the more humid eastern stretch of the Midwest, and the drier semiarid western Midwest. In the humid east, the shade of the solar panels seemed to reduce photosynthesis levels, dramatically curbing maize yields by 24% and soybean by 16%, compared to conventional no-solar agricultural fields. But in the semiarid west, it was a different picture: maize yields were still reduced by the shading effect, but to a lesser degree of 12%, while there was a win for soybeans, which experienced a 6% increase in yields under panels compared to conventional fields.
Previous research has dug into these differences between climate conditions and crops, noting that plants like soybeans are more susceptible to the damaging effects of water loss in hot, dry locations, which affects their yields more than the loss of photosynthesis from shading. In other words, the yield advantages of shading are greater, relative to the disadvantages for soybeans, which may explain some of the differences between crops and locations. Like yields, the economic picture for farmers is also a mixed bag across the Midwest. In general, the researchers found that the income farmers would generate from leasing land to solar developers was not enough to offset the costs of yield losses: in both the humid east and arid west, for maize farmers total farmer profits decreased by between 6% and 16% respectively on agrivoltaic farms. Soybean farmers had a little more luck: while profits in the humid regions went down by 2%, they increased by 9% in the semiarid parts. What’s interesting is that the differences between the two geographical regions and their crops may not be so stark under future climate change. The study’s climate modelling showed that dry regions will expand by between 5.3%, 21.6% and a striking 174% under the low, high, and highest emissions scenarios respectively. With drier, hotter conditions spreading across more of the midwest, “agrivoltaics are likely to become more beneficial” the researchers explain, “offering stronger synergies for sustainable land use.” For now, agrivoltaics won’t work with a one-size-fits-all approach across the landscape: instead what emerges is a patchwork picture of trade-offs. But the research does at least highlight a starting point, namely some soy cropland hotspots in the arid west, where solar panels could deliver a triple-win—higher yields, economic gains, and clean, green electricity. Jia et. al. “Climate-driven divergence in biophysical and economic impacts of agrivoltaics.” PNAS. 2026. Share This Article What to Read Next
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Advanced Search Visit https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/concentrated-solar-thermal-market for further information The global concentrated solar power market is expected to witness high growth potential in coming years due to a surge in demand for renewable energy and favorable government incentives, subsidies, and policies. According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, the Concentrated Solar Power Market size was valued at $6.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $28.2 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 16.6% from 2023 to 2032. The rapid shift toward clean energy solutions, supportive government policies, and increasing investments in renewable power infrastructure are key factors driving the expansion of the Concentrated Solar Power Market worldwide.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is an advanced renewable energy technology that generates electricity by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area. This concentrated sunlight produces heat, which is then used to generate steam that drives a conventional turbine or engine to produce electricity.
Various technologies are used in CSP systems, including parabolic troughs, solar power towers, dish/engine systems, and linear Fresnel reflectors. These technologies concentrate solar radiation to produce high temperatures, enabling efficient electricity generation.
One of the key advantages of CSP systems is the integration of thermal energy storage. Unlike other solar technologies that depend entirely on sunlight, CSP plants can store heat and generate electricity even when sunlight is unavailable. This capability significantly enhances grid reliability and strengthens the growth potential of the Concentrated Solar Power Market.
By Region
Regionally, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 and is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.
Rapid industrialization, rising electricity demand, and growing awareness of climate change are encouraging governments across the region to invest heavily in renewable energy technologies. CSP’s low carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact make it an attractive solution for countries aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Government Support Driving Market Growth
Government support plays a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of CSP technology across the globe. Many governments provide financial incentives such as grants, subsidies, tax credits, and low-interest loans to encourage the development of large-scale solar power plants.
These incentives help offset the high initial investment required for building CSP facilities. Additionally, governments are simplifying regulatory procedures, including permitting processes and grid interconnection guidelines, to facilitate project development.
Government-funded research and development initiatives are also contributing to technological advancements in CSP systems. Continuous innovation aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing energy storage capabilities is further supporting the growth of the Concentrated Solar Power Market.
High Installation Costs Remain a Key Challenge
Despite its advantages, the Concentrated Solar Power Market faces certain challenges that could limit its growth. One of the major constraints is the high upfront cost associated with constructing CSP plants.
CSP systems involve complex technologies such as parabolic trough collectors, solar power towers, or dish engines. The installation of specialized components including mirrors, receivers, heat transfer fluids, and thermal storage systems significantly increases the initial capital expenditure compared to other renewable energy technologies.
Another challenge is the requirement for large land areas. CSP plants need extensive land to install solar collectors and related infrastructure. In regions with high direct sunlight—where CSP plants are most effective—land prices are often high, further increasing project costs.
These factors can slow down investments in new CSP facilities and pose challenges for the Concentrated Solar Power Market, particularly in regions with limited land availability or financial constraints.
Hybrid Renewable Systems Creating New Opportunities
The integration of CSP with other renewable energy technologies is creating promising opportunities for the Concentrated Solar Power Market. Hybrid power plants that combine CSP with photovoltaic solar panels or wind energy systems are gaining popularity in the global energy sector.
By combining multiple renewable technologies, hybrid plants can overcome the limitations of individual power sources. For instance, CSP systems can provide thermal storage and stable electricity output, while photovoltaic panels can generate power during peak sunlight hours.
Such hybrid systems help stabilize power supply, reduce energy fluctuations, and improve grid reliability. The growing demand for integrated renewable power solutions is expected to create significant growth opportunities for the Concentrated Solar Power Market in the coming years.
Impact of Economic Uncertainty on Market Growth
Economic downturns and financial crises can have a considerable impact on investments in renewable energy projects, including CSP infrastructure. During periods of economic uncertainty, investors and project developers often delay large-scale energy investments due to financial risks.
The high initial capital required for CSP projects can make them less attractive during economic slowdowns. Businesses and governments may prioritize cost-saving measures and postpone new renewable energy projects until financial conditions stabilize.
However, economic challenges can also stimulate competition in the energy sector. Increased competition often encourages companies to innovate and improve efficiency while reducing production costs. As a result, economic pressures can drive technological advancements and long-term improvements in CSP technology, strengthening the resilience of the Concentrated Solar Power Market.
Market Segmentation Overview
The Concentrated Solar Power Market is segmented based on technology, end-use industry, and region.
By Technology The market includes parabolic trough systems, solar power towers, Fresnel reflectors, and dish Stirling systems. Among these technologies, the solar power tower segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022.
Meanwhile, the Fresnel reflector segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, with an expected CAGR of 17.6%. These systems are gaining popularity due to their simpler design and lower installation costs.
By End-Use Industry Based on end-use industry, the market is classified into residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The industrial segment generated the highest revenue share in 2022, as industries increasingly adopt renewable energy solutions to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions.
However, the residential segment is expected to experience rapid growth, with a projected CAGR of 17.1%. Residential CSP systems can provide homeowners with greater energy independence by reducing reliance on centralized power grids and fossil fuels.
Competitive Landscape
Major companies operating in the Concentrated Solar Power Market include Aalborg CSP, Acciona, ACWA Power, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc, BrightSource Energy, FRENELL GmbH, General Electric, Rioglass Solar, Sener, and Siemens Energy AG.
Other notable companies contributing to market development include Abengoa Solar, SolarReserve, TSK Flagsol Engineering GmbH, Schott AG, Cobra Group, Novatec Biosol, and Enel Green Power. These companies are focusing on strategic partnerships, technology innovations, and project expansions to strengthen their market position globally.
Conclusion
The Concentrated Solar Power Market is poised for significant growth over the next decade as countries accelerate their transition toward sustainable energy systems. Increasing investments in renewable energy infrastructure, supportive government policies, and technological advancements in thermal storage are expected to strengthen the adoption of CSP technology. Although high installation costs remain a challenge, innovations and hybrid renewable energy systems are likely to unlock new growth opportunities for the global market.
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Advanced Search Visit https://qcells.com/us for further information Cartersville’s 3.3 GW of solar module production began in April 2024, adding to its impressive output of 5.1 GW from its Dalton, Georgia location, which opened in 2019. By the end of the year, these two facilities will have a combined workforce of nearly 4,000 people building 8.4 GW of solar panels and their key components each year. DALTON, Ga., CARTERSVILLE, Ga.– Today, Qcells announced its solar panel output being back to normal production after its temporary pause due to a customs clearance process. Meanwhile, its Cartersville, Georgia factory is expected to have the capacity to manufacture 3.3 GW of ingots, wafers, and cells by the end of 2026.
Cartersville’s 3.3 GW of solar module production began in April 2024, adding to its impressive output of 5.1 GW from its Dalton, Georgia location, which opened in 2019. By the end of the year, these two facilities will have a combined workforce of nearly 4,000 people building 8.4 GW of solar panels and their key components each year.
Marta Stoepker, Head of Communications at Qcells, issued the following statement:
“We are proud to be back to work manufacturing the American-made energy the country needs right now. Like any company, hurdles have and will occur, which requires us to adapt and be nimble, but our overall goal remains the same — to build a complete American solar supply chain.
“To achieve this, we are excited to welcome hundreds of new, talented people into our workforce as we finalize our one-of-a-kind factory in Cartersville, Georgia. By the end of 2026, we’ll have nearly 4,000 people manufacturing panels and components that America hasn’t made in a very long time.”
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About Qcells
Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules, portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers across the world. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, and South Korea. Qcells offers Completely Clean Energy through the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, storage solutions, renewable electricity contracting and large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets. For more information, visit: https://qcells.com/us.
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