Solar Now

The installation, featuring Qcells modules, CPS inverters and Sunmodo racking, is the latest in a series of Portland-area library buildings powered by solar panels.
The RJ Ramos crew alongside the solar installation on the roof of the Multnomah East County Library
Image: RJ Ramos
Officials in Multnomah County, Oregon have unveiled the new East County Library, a two-story, 95,000 square-foot mass timber building that features a vast array of new amenities, including more than 200,000 books, a 200-seat auditorium, a creative learning room featuring a number of 3D printers and a rooftop terrace with a view of nearby Mount Hood.
Topping it all off is a 187.62 kW solar installation, featuring 318 Qcells modules, CPS inverters and Sunmodo racking. The installation was completed by local contractor RJ Ramos, with additional electrical work by Mill Plain Electric and Advanced Energy Systems.
The solar installation and mass timber construction are key features in the library’s sustainability plan as it pursues a LEED Gold certification for the building. Other sustainable features include radiant floor heating, air-source heat pumps and passive solar design that includes substantial daylighting from tall windows and north-facing skylights.
Image: Ben Zientara, pv magazine USA
The East County Library is part of a series of new and improved libraries throughout the Portland metro area, projects that were set in motion in November 2020 when county voters approved a $387 million capital bond measure to build and renovate library facilities across the county.
Design and engineering for the East County Library building was completed by Holst Architecture in collaboration with Adjaye Associates and PAE Engineers, with energy efficiency design assistance from the area’s utility-funded nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon. Fortis Construction was the general contractor.
Image: Multnomah County Library
The site for the new building was acquired in 2023, with site preparation commencing later that year and construction continuing through late winter in 2026. The grand opening for the East County Library was held on May 16, 2026.
The site was previously a park-and-ride lot situated close to the Gresham City Hall and the nearby Gresham Station shopping center, named because of its proximity to a stop of the MAX light rail train Blue Line, which carries passengers east and west through downtown Portland, on a 33-mile route across the region.
Image: Multnomah County Library
Funds from the 2020 bond measure have also been used to renovate and rebuild several other libraries in Multnomah County, and many of the projects include solar installations.
A Library spokesperson shared information about three such installations with pv magazine USA, touting a 600-panel solar system on the roof of the library’s 73,000 square-foot operations center, and large installations on the new Holgate library and the recently-expanded Albina library.
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 *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


Δ
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.
pv magazine USA offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news. We also offer comprehensive global coverage of the most important solar markets worldwide. Select one or more editions for targeted, up to date information delivered straight to your inbox.
Δ
Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy © pv magazine 2026
Δ
Welcome to pv magazine USA. This site uses cookies. Read our policy. ×
The cookie settings on this website are set to “allow cookies” to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click “Accept” below then you are consenting to this.
Close

source

This content was translated by an AI-powered translation tool.
It may contain inaccuracies due to the limitations of machine translation.
Copyright © DongA Science. All rights reserved.
KAIST and Korea University achieve 27% efficiency in hybrid perovskite–organic polymer solar cell
A 27%-class solar cell with top power conversion efficiency (PCE) that withstands high-temperature and high-humidity environments has been developed, even without an encapsulation layer, a sealing protective layer that increases manufacturing cost and weight. Test results suggest that it can secure long-term stability for more than four years at room temperature.

The National Research Foundation of Korea announced on the 19th that a team led by Professor Jeong Yong Lee at KAIST, in collaboration with a Korea University research team, has developed a perovskite and organic polymer hybrid solar cell that achieves both high efficiency and high stability without encapsulation. The findings were published on the 18th (local time) in the international journal 'Nature Energy'.

Perovskite is considered a next-generation solar cell material that efficiently converts light into electricity and is lightweight, but it is vulnerable to moisture and heat, making long-term stable operation difficult. This is why an encapsulation layer, a protective layer that blocks external moisture ingress, is required. However, encapsulation increases processing costs and acts as an obstacle to realizing lightweight and flexible solar cells.

Hybrid solar cells combined with organic semiconductors can block moisture, but if the energy levels between the perovskite and the organic semiconductor layers do not align, holes accumulate in certain regions, degrading stability and efficiency. A hole is the vacancy left by an electron and transports positive charge (+) within a semiconductor.

The research team used organic polymers with different energy levels to design a cascaded energy level structure. By aligning the energy flow so that holes move stepwise and smoothly, they secured both efficiency and stability.

The solar cell applying the team's technology achieved a champion efficiency of 27.18% and a certified efficiency of 26.71%. Even after operating for 3,000 hours at 85℃ and 85% relative humidity, it maintained more than 95% of its initial efficiency. Simulation results showed that at room temperature of 25℃ it would take 35,590 hours for the efficiency to drop to 80% of its initial value, indicating that the device can operate stably for about four years without encapsulation.

Professor Lee stated, "We overcame the trade-off between efficiency and stability in perovskite solar cells through a new electronic structure design."

<참고 자료>
– doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02071-0

source

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 number of fires are currently under investigation in France

A recent fire that broke out in Normandy has again raised the issue of solar panel safety, with an investigation still underway to determine the cause of the fire.
The house that caught fire, in Villerville, (Calvados), had 12 solar panels on its roof. Although the fire brigade arrived promptly, the fire was difficult to control resulting in the house being destroyed. “They kept hosing it down, it just kept burning. It was endless,” a family member told Franceinfo.
Although the cause of the fire is as yet unknown it would not be the first time solar panels have caught fire in France if this was a factor. 
Last summer, a school in the Gers region was partly destroyed due to a fire that broke out on its roof, with around 100 photovoltaic panels going up in smoke.
Firefighters had also indicated at the time that solar panels were present in similar incidents and may be associated with such fires, although the exact causes remain under investigation. 
“We have already had several incidents involving photovoltaic panels, particularly on agricultural sheds,” the SDIS 32 firefighter group said.
In April, a daycare roof with solar panels also caught fire in Saint-Julien-Puy-Lavèze in the Puy-de-Dôme.
According to firefighters, when water is sprayed on solar panels it usually runs off making it difficult to reach the hot spots.
Although the number of reported incidents may appear to be increasing, this is partly due to the rapid growth in the number of solar installations across France.
Fires are extremely rare on photovoltaic panels, rather it is the supporting infrastructure which could be at fault according to French solar energy systems supplier, Allo.solar.
A lack of waterproofing, improper installation (defects during the initial installation), or an electrical malfunction (defects or ageing of the electrical installation such as melted cables, short circuits, etc) can cause a fire.
A lightning strike can also lead to a power surge and consequently cause damage to them.
Overheating can also occur in the roof structure. Solar panels can reach very high temperatures (50C–80C) during operation. If the installation was done incorrectly, it is possible for a wooden roof structure to overheat and catch fire.
However photovoltaic systems are subject to installation standards and certification requirements, with regular maintenance by qualified professionals recommended to reduce risks.
Two recalled Volkswagen vehicles caught fire within days of each other
France’s next major storm could carry a name suggested by a member of the public
Airlines are unlikely to absorb costs from rising kerosene prices, but widespread fuel shortages not expected
Airlines are unlikely to absorb costs from rising kerosene prices, but widespread fuel shortages not expected
Two recalled Volkswagen vehicles caught fire within days of each other

The French Alps rescue became a social media favourite in his final days
Data relating to more than two million bookings accessed over the weekend
What the law says when cyclists break the rules
Rain at start of week will be pushed away with sunny and calm conditions dominating from Wednesday
Without it you risk being categorised as a visiting holidaymaker or city type
Many micro-entrepreneurs experience problems when trying to claim their payments
More than one in five beaches are classed as either ‘discouraged’ or ‘avoid’ in annual ranking
Consumers drank around 10 million litres more beer than wine in 2025, industry report shows
Projections by the Conseil national de l’Ordre des médecins suggest that the upward trend will continue over the coming decade

The recognition unlocks insurance compensation for homes affected by droughts and flooding
Some 40 students are facing not being able to complete their studies as they have not paid 16 times more than the standard fees
Health Minister says all 26 contact patients tested negative
Plans fall short of major voting changes called for by campaigners and some MPs
The stoves can prove surprisingly complex

Outbreak left more than 50 passengers ill, alongside unrelated death of Briton, 92
Health risks increase in summer if left to grow
The new route will be the low-cost airline’s 47th from the Gironde airport
Change open to UK and EU nationals as well as citizens from countries such as Australia, Canada and the US
Temperatures will be closer to a typical March day than mid-May but will begin to rise
The measure could be rolled out nationwide; it is currently being trialled in four departments
Columnist Nick Inman finds the French language provides a plethora of words for collectors
Species will spread rapidly unless efforts are intensified, scientists say

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

source

UNC students use solar panel to help feed kids  FOX8 WGHP
source

Stadium seating with high-back rocking chairs, IMAX auditorium, concessions.
Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in West Reading
$1.99 a month. Delivered to your mailbox. Subscribe Today!
West Reading family-friendly diner serving American classics daily from 7am-9pm.
Bringing talent from around the world to local audiences. Music, dance & theater
Pay-what-you-can café serving ethically grown coffee and locally sourced foods.
Independent local news, events, and stories from Reading and Berks County
The City of Reading officially broke ground Monday on a major solar energy project at the Public Works campus, marking another step toward the city’s goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050. 
City officials, members of City Council, sustainability leaders, and representatives from Schneider Electric gathered at the Public Works Building on North Sixth Street to celebrate the start of construction on the project, which will include 4,255 solar panels installed across city facilities.
According to the City, the project includes 3,180 solar panels at the Public Works campus and 1,075 panels at the Cedar Street parking lot near City Hall. Once completed, officials said the solar canopies are expected to fully offset electricity usage at City Hall and the Public Works Administration and Garage.
Mayor Eddie Morán said the project reflects the city’s continued investment in modernizing municipal infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and reducing long-term operational costs.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents another important step forward for the City of Reading,” Morán said in a statement released after the event. “These projects are helping us lower costs, stabilize our energy budget, reduce air pollution, and make city facilities more sustainable and efficient for years to come.”
During the ceremony, Morán said the groundbreaking represented the continued work of the administration to modernize city facilities and make “smart investments that will benefit our community for years to come.” 
The project is being completed in partnership with Schneider Electric and builds on several energy-related improvements the city has undertaken in recent years through the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act program. According to Morán, those upgrades included the installation of more than 3,200 LED lights across city buildings, parks, recreation centers, and public spaces, along with upgraded sports lighting systems at multiple parks and new HVAC improvements at several facilities. 
Morán said the city has already seen approximately a 15% reduction in energy costs at participating sites compared to its 2024 baseline. 
Reading City Council President Donna Reed described the project as an investment in the city’s future and noted the historical significance of the Public Works property, formerly the site of Reading’s Outer Station rail hub.
“This is our investment. This is our hope for the future. This is our realization for the future,” Reed said during the ceremony. 
Sustainability Manager Bethany Ayers Fisher said the solar canopies will generate electricity for city operations while also providing shade and protection for municipal vehicles. 
Ayers Fisher explained that the system will operate through net metering, allowing excess electricity generated by the solar installations to be returned to the power grid in exchange for credits on the city’s energy bills. Those credits can then be used to offset costs at other city facilities, including traffic and street lighting systems. 
According to the City, the project is projected to reduce annual electricity costs at City Hall and Public Works from approximately $268,550.76 in 2025 to zero dollars by 2027. Over a 20-year period, officials estimate the larger GESA initiative will generate approximately $13.5 million in return on investment, with savings expected to grow if energy prices continue to rise.
Ayers Fisher said the project will also help reduce heat island effects in parking lots, provide protection for city vehicles during severe weather, and reduce the city’s exposure to volatile energy markets. 
“Investing in local renewable energy infrastructure makes good fiscal sense,” Ayers Fisher said in the city’s release. “These projects will help stabilize our operational budget, reduce pollution, and allow us to continue investing in our community.”
During her remarks Monday, Ayers Fisher also credited the city’s Environmental Advisory Council, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State University, FirstEnergy/Met-Ed, city staff, and project contractors for helping guide the project from planning into construction. She also recognized the “Reading for 100” initiative, which advocated for the city’s renewable energy goals beginning in 2018. 
Construction on the solar canopies is now underway.
Berks Weekly is an independent, locally owned digital newsroom covering the City of Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania, with timely, straightforward reporting.
© 2026 Hugg Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

source

MEDIC REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER SUMMER COOKOUT WEEKMEDIC Regional Blood Center2026tue19may11:00 am11:00 am
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is launching its annual Summer Kickoff Cookout Week from May 18–22, 2026, to help bolster the blood supply ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the busier
MEDIC Regional Blood Center
96 Hayes St., Suite 202, Crossville, TN 38555
CalendarGoogleCal
Learn More
KICK OFF SUMMER BASH AT LAKE TANSILake Tansi Waterside Pavilion2026sat23may8:00 pm8:00 pm
Let’s Kick the 2026 Summer Season with a Summer Bash!! A fun filled weekend with a craft show, food trucks, music, golf cart parade, games for kids, cruise – in,
Lake Tansi Waterside Pavilion
94 Beach Point Dr, Crossville, TN 38572, United States
CalendarGoogleCal

Learn More
FIRE/LIFE SAFETY PREPAREDNESS PRESENTATIONCumberland County Community Complex2026tue26may6:00 pm6:00 pm

Cumberland County Community Complex
1398 Livingston Rd, Crossville, TN, United States
CalendarGoogleCal

Learn More
SPLASH PAD FOAM PARTYHarriman Community Center2026sat06jun6:00 pm6:00 pm
Get ready to kick off summer in the best way possible! Join us for a Foam Party at the Splash Pad @ Harriman Community Center
Harriman Community Center
630 Clinch St.
CalendarGoogleCal
Learn More
S.R.C.V.F.D. CRUISE-IN FOR A CAUSETen Mile Elementary School2026sat20jun9:00 am9:00 am

Ten Mile Elementary School
29501 Highway 58, Ten Mile
CalendarGoogleCal

Learn More
KITTEN SHOWER AT CROSSVILLE COMMUNITY COMPLEXCumberland County Community Complex2026sat20jun10:00 am10:00 am

Cumberland County Community Complex
1398 Livingston Rd, Crossville, TN, United States
CalendarGoogleCal
Learn More
PAWTOOSA PICNIC FUNDRAISING EVENTCatoosa Event Center2026sat20jun12:00 pm12:00 pm

Catoosa Event Center
216 Turnberry Dr.
CalendarGoogleCal

Learn More
3B Media
105.7 The HOG / Spirit 101.9/ 93.3 The Ranch
94.1 The VIBE / 98.9 The WOLF
37 South Drive
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone: 931-484-1057
Fax: 931-707-0580
The Cumberland County Commission held its monthly meeting with 16 commissioners present (Commissioner Holbrook was absent).
The most discussed item was Resolution 05-2026-13, approving an Energy Siting Agreement with SR Copeland, LLC, and Silicon Ranch Corporation for a proposed solar farm.
Public comments highlighted significant concerns, primarily linking the solar project to potential data center development. Speakers noted Silicon Ranch’s partnerships with Meta to power data centers elsewhere, the fact that generated power would go to Middle Tennessee Electric (not directly serving Cumberland County), limited local job creation, road damage risks, low community benefits compared to other counties, and the absence of water usage caps or strong watershed protections. Questions were also raised about the ability to transfer the project to another entity (including data center operators) with limited county oversight.
In response to these concerns, the commission discussed and incorporated additional language into the agreement clarifying that no data center would be developed on the project site. Silicon Ranch representatives confirmed minimal water use for the solar farm itself (occasional panel cleaning and livestock watering for sheep grazing), stated that electricity from the project is already contracted to Middle Tennessee Electric with no data center involvement, and expressed willingness to include the clarifying language.
County officials noted plans to pursue a broader county-wide resolution on data centers at the next meeting. The agreement applies specifically to this solar project and its defined development standards. The resolution passed unanimously following the discussion and amendments.
 
3B Media
105.7 The HOG / Spirit 101.9/ 93.3 The Ranch
94.1 The VIBE / 98.9 The WOLF
37 South Drive
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone: 931-484-1057
Fax: 931-707-0580

source

© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
“As long as my wife and I continue to live in this house, the money saved by installing solar may just be enough to offset the cost.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A homeowner who has lived with rooftop solar for about a decade is pushing back on some of the most common objections to the technology, arguing that even a $50,000 installation can make financial sense over time.
In a firsthand explainer for How-To Geek, the homeowner said that over about 10 years, he has put roughly $50,000 into the setup at his current home, with about $15,000 recouped through tax credits that have since ended.
He acknowledged that the upfront cost is steep but said the long-term math can still be compelling. As he noted, homeowners spending roughly $5,000 a year on electricity would reach about $50,000 in costs in a decade. In 20 years, this will have doubled, especially with utility costs continuing to rise.
“As long as my wife and I continue to live in this house, the money saved by installing solar may just be enough to offset the cost of putting a kid through college,” the homeowner wrote.
Electricity is a recurring expense that can strain budgets, so producing more of it at home can function like a hedge against rising utility costs.
The savings can become even more meaningful when solar is paired with electrification. For example, a household paying around $150 a month for electricity and $300 a month for gasoline could shorten the payoff period by charging an electric vehicle at home instead of buying fuel at the pump.
The Merino Mono is a heating and cooling system designed for the rooms traditional HVAC can’t reach. The streamlined design eliminates clunky outdoor units, installs in under an hour, and plugs into a standard 120V outlet — no expensive electrical upgrades required.
And while a traditional “mini-split” system can get pricey fast, the Merino Mono comes with a flat-rate price — with hardware and professional installation included.
Homeowners can also pair solar panels with efficient electric appliances to drive their utility costs even lower.
There are practical concerns, though, that often stop people from considering rooftop solar in the first place. 
As for concerns about reliability, the homeowner challenged this notion, saying their panels have held up through snow, sleet, hail, and high winds without causing leaks in their roof. Panels are built to remain outdoors year-round, and professionally installed rooftop systems generally do not damage a sound roof.
If you’re curious about solar, start by comparing the total cost of your current energy use, not just your electric bill, but also what you spend on gasoline and other home energy needs. 
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Starting at $50
Starting at $99
Starting at $60
Starting at $80
With its free tools, EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 by supplying competitive bids from local, trusted installers. If you’re not ready to commit to the upfront costs, Palmetto’s $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can still lower your utility rate by up to 20%. 
Homeowners can also think beyond panels alone. Adding electric appliances over time and upgrading to an EV when the numbers work for your budget can help you get more value from every kilowatt a rooftop solar system produces.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source

source

CIM Group launches Permanent Power Company, a national platform combining solar, storage and transmission, backed by a long-term PPA and $400 million financing from HPS Investment Partners.
Just your email — that's all it takes.

source

To stream WGRZ on your phone, you need the WGRZ app.
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video

BUFFALO, N.Y. —  A Niagara County community is now coming to terms with a State Court decision allowing a large solar energy panel  project to move forward despite a town’s legal effort to stop it. 
Over 400 acres of currently quiet farm fields in the town of Cambria and partially in the town of Pendleton will eventually be transformed into a solar panel project. 
It is the plan from the nationwide developer Cypress Creek Renewables to build the Bear Ridge installation to power up to 20,000 single family homes. 
RELATED: Some state lawmakers ask Governor Hochul to “pause” Climate Action Law policies on costs and power grid reliability issues
2 On Your Side learned about a similar much larger group of projects in Genesee County from our sister NBC station WHEC in Rochester. Their video shows a similar installation now under construction there with posts driven into the ground and the attached panels then connected with cables in the ground. 
Similar work could begin in June in Cambria and Pendleton in Niagara County with a two year schedule for completion.
The Cambria Town Supervisor declined a recorded interview saying he wanted to carefully negotiate a host community agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables and referred us to the town attorney who also said they did not want to comment further at this point because it might affect those discussions. 
But Supervisor Matthew Foe did confirm an article in the Lockport Union and Sun Journal of a lengthy court battle against the project and developer. The attorney commented in that published report that the state’s interest in having this project actually causes the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electricity transmission or ORES to overrule any restrictions from a local community. 
ORES was set up to streamline permitting and approvals for such projects under the stale’s climate action law.
It was a similar story to what Rochester reporter Brett Davidson heard from the Genesee County Manager about the solar projects in that county.
Genesee County Manager L. Matthew Landers said:  “They can set aside any local laws, local moratoriums, local zoning. They can set it it aside and put it at a site where they wanna put it and that’s what happened here.”
As Channel 2’s Nate Benson reported last year Town of Somerset officials in Niagara County sought changes in the partial farmland location of a solar project in that community. But the state ORES office, as a part of the State Department of Public Service covering utilities, also required the original development plan under state climate action policies.
An official with that ORES office responded to WHEC about the role of ORES and the Genesee County solar project concerns. Department of Public Service Chief of Staff Jessica Waldorf said:  “We look at at all the comments, all the feedback, all the impacts that may be associated with the generating resource. And it’s our job again by statute and the laws that we’re carrying out to make sure that we strike the best balance.”
     

source

Energy stocks often experience cyclical swings, but the top stocks tend to be strong long-term investments because the world will continually consume more energy. But instead of sticking with the classic oil and gas stocks to profit from that trend, investors should consider buying some higher-growth plays in the solar and nuclear energy markets.
Both of those growing markets should benefit from global decarbonization initiatives, making them more resilient investments than the top fossil fuel stocks. If you want to profit from that shift, you should invest in these two higher-growth energy stocks: Nextpower (NXT 6.77%) in the solar market and BWX (BWXT 1.36%) in the nuclear market.
Image source: Getty Images.
Nextpower is the world's largest producer of solar trackers, which tilt solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day. It also produces electrical balance-of-systems (eBOS) solutions for moving electricity from solar panels to the grid, robotics systems for maintaining solar farms, and AI software for predicting weather and automating a solar power plant's operations.
Nextpower still generates most of its revenue from selling solar trackers in North America, but it's expanding overseas and beefing up its smaller businesses through acquisitions. That expansion is locking in its customers, widening its moat against its competitors, and turning it into a "one-stop" shop that supports the entire lifecycle of a solar power plant.
The global solar market's total volume could expand at a 19.9% CAGR from 2026 to 2031, according to Mordor Intelligence, as more companies ramp up renewable energy investments to meet the power-hungry demands of of the artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure, and data center markets.
From fiscal 2025 (which ended last March) to fiscal 2027, analysts expect Nextpower's revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to grow at CAGRs of 13% and 12%, respectively. With an enterprise value of $20.4 billion, it still looks reasonably valued at five times this year's sales and 22 times its adjusted EBITDA. So if you're looking for a simple play on the growing solar market, Nextpower checks all the right boxes.
BWX, which was spun off from Babcock & Wilcox (BW 7.78%) in 2025, is the only large-scale nuclear equipment manufacturing facility in North America. It produces specialized nuclear components, fuel systems, and naval reactor systems in its large precision nuclear fabrication facilities. It's also one of the only companies simultaneously licensed to work with regulated nuclear materials, handle high-assay enriched uranium (HALEU) and tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel, and manufacture naval reactor components for the U.S. Navy.
Those facilities, which are widely considered irreplaceable parts of the nuclear supply chain, make BWX a linchpin of the nuclear energy market. Its heavy exposure to the defense sector also helped it keep growing, even as many countries reined in their nuclear spending in the decade after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
BWX's backlog grew 50% year over year to $7.3 billion at the end of 2025, driven by the demand for naval propulsion components for submarines, commercial nuclear power components, and special materials. Its nascent small modular reactor (SMR) business, which produces smaller and easier-to-deploy nuclear reactors for remote areas, is also attracting more attention as a long-term play on the AI, cloud infrastructure, and data center markets.
From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect BWX's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at 13% and 12% CAGRs, respectively. With an enterprise value of $20.1 billion, it isn't cheap at five times this year's sales and 30 times its adjusted EBITDA. Still, its wide moat and exposure to the resurgent nuclear energy market should justify that higher valuation.
Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends BWX Technologies and Nextpower. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.
Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.
Making the world smarter, happier, and richer.
© 1995 – 2026 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved.
Market data powered by Xignite and Polygon.io.
About The Motley Fool
Our Services
Around the Globe
Free Tools
Affiliates & Friends
Nextpower and BWX Technologies are growing faster than many other energy companies.

source

To stream WGRZ on your phone, you need the WGRZ app.
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video
Next up in 5
Example video title will go here for this video

source

JinkoSolar has announced the signing of a major agreement with PM Green, a company active in the development and management of sustainable energy projects. The agreement covers a total collaboration of 1GW of capacity, including a 200 MW order for high-efficiency Tiger Neo 3.0 modules aimed at supporting the development of large-scale projects across several strategic markets.
“This agreement represents the outcome of a partnership with PM Green that has been built over the years and reflects the joint growth of our businesses, particularly in the European market,” commented Jinko VP Alberto Cuter. “Our collaboration continues to strengthen thanks to mutual trust and our ability to develop increasingly innovative and sustainable projects together.”
Italy Country Manager Andrea Giarolo added: “This achievement is the result of a shared journey, a partnership that, year after year, has evolved by transforming collaboration into tangible value.”
PM Green’s Massimo Innocenti concluded: “This agreement with JinkoSolar represents a strategic step for PMGREEN toward increasingly structured growth focused on innovation. Being able to rely on high-efficiency technologies such as Tiger Neo 3.0 modules enables us to more effectively support the development of large-scale projects, strengthening our concrete contribution to the energy transition. It is a partnership built over time, based on a shared vision, reliability and common sustainability goals.”

source

OX2 has begun construction of the 135MW AC/100MW Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery project on a former coal mining site in New South Wales.
The Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery is located in the Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and will produce approximately 347GWh of clean electricity annually.
Related article: AGL’s Muswellbrook Battery gets environmental approval
OX2 CEO Matthias Taft said, “I’m proud of the work that has brought this project to life and of our contribution to strengthening the energy supply in New South Wales.
“The investment highlights our long-term commitment to Australia and supports our growth as an independent power producer.”
Muswellbrook Solar Farm & Battery has secured a long-term power purchase agreement with an international offtaker, covering both solar generation and battery energy storage.
OX2 is also funding community benefit programs through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Muswellbrook Shire Council.
Idemitsu Australia is co-developing the project with OX2 and will remain a long-term landholder of the site.
Project completion is expected in 2028.
Related article: Giant equipment rolls across NSW for HumeLink build
OX2 entered the Australian market in 2023. OX2’s project development portfolio in Australia consists of over 3GW of solar, wind, and storage projects in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Click Here to Subscribe
Sign up to receive the latest Energy News emailed directly to your Inbox
Click Here to Subscribe
Red alert: Ecowende and Vestas will trial bright red turbine blades at a wind farm in the Netherlands to see whether it helps mitigate the risk of seabird collisions. #windturbines #windfarm #birds #conservation #renewables

Some hate renewables, others preach the end of life as we know it if we don’t replace all coal and gas. These opposing viewpoints are exploited by partisan politics. #renewables #energytransition #fossilfuels #netzero

* indicates required

source

A government proposal would allow people to install solar panels using loans from their council. (File photo) Photo: Unsplash
A proposal to let people install solar panels and other green technology using low-interest loans from their council needs to go ahead “as soon as possible”, its proponents say.
The government asked Local Government New Zealand to present its business case for the proposed Ratepayer Assistance Scheme (RAS) in late 2025.
However, ministers still had not made any decisions about whether to go ahead with the scheme – which would let councils provide long-term loans to any homeowner who wanted to access them.
That’s despite growing political support from parties across the spectrum.
At an energy debate at the Electrify conference in Queenstown on Monday, the Greens and the Opportunity Party said they both strongly supported the scheme, while National and Labour said they were open to the idea.
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones said he was also “quite interested”.
Local Government New Zealand chief executive Scott Necklen said the scheme “had pretty broad support right across the parties that we’ve spoken to”.
“We’ve also talked to the prime minister about how the scheme will deliver immediate cost-of-living relief to New Zealanders.”
However, the organisation was still waiting on a decision.
“We would like to get a green light from the government as soon as possible.”
The scheme, which all councils in the country could opt into, proposed to leverage councils’ high credit ratings to access low-cost finance from markets.
The loans – which would remain off council balance sheets – would have long-term, flexible repayment periods.
If a house was sold, the remaining loan could be paid in full at that point or passed on to the new owner.
Necklen said they would be available for three things: rates deferrals, development contributions, and home energy improvements like solar panel and battery installations, hot water heat pumps, and double-glazing.
The last element had attracted support from decarbonisation advocacy group Rewiwirng Aotearoa, along with political parties, as a way to finance rapid uptake of zero-emissions technology without large government subsidies.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) estimated a small-to-medium rooftop solar array costs between $8500 and $11,500 to install, with a battery – which allows the energy to be stored for use – adding an extra $5000 to $15,000.
EECA’s research showed that was recouped at an average of $1000 a year, through power bill savings, but many people could not afford the upfront cost, Necklen said.
“We know from research that’s been done by Rewiring Aotearoa … that the financing cost is the biggest barrier to solar installation.”
Low- or no-interest green loans, which some banks offered, were only available to current mortgage holders, he said.
That excluded about 80 percent of people, including retirees who no longer held a mortgage, and renters.
Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods said at Monday’s debate that she was interested in seeing more detail about how renters and landlords would access the scheme.
“We’re open to looking at what we can do through a financing scheme like the RAS… but we need to tread very carefully.
“We don’t want it to become inflationary in terms of rent.”
The scheme would require a law change, and about $7 million of government funding that would be used as equity, Necklen said.
Councils who opted in as shareholders would contribute the remaining equity, up to a total of $30 to 35 million, Necklen said.
Once that happened, he said the scheme could be up and running in 12 to 18 months.
Preliminary advice on the RAS went to Climate Change Minister Simon Watts in February.
A spokesperson for Watts said he and other ministers were waiting on additional advice from officials.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Copyright © 2026, Radio New Zealand
The prime minister says his government is “very interested” in rooftop solar, but has given no firm answers yet, amid calls to use the Budget to subsidise it for households. Audio
It is one of the cheapest ways to cut power bills – yet documents reveal the government shelved a subsidy. Audio
Rakiura’s 480 residents currently rely entirely on diesel for power generation, and are bracing for steep price rises.
A system could pay itself back in seven or eight years, chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa says.
A survey shows nearly half of respondents are considering solar power, as electricity prices rise faster than inflation.
for ad-free news and current affairs
Climate RSS
Follow RNZ News

source

The National Energy Services Company (Tarshid) has signed an agreement with Al Taiseer Group TALCO Industrial Company, a leading producer of extruded aluminum, decorative surface finishes, and thermal materials, to develop a solar photovoltaic system.
Under the agreement, Tarshid will conduct studies to develop a solar photovoltaic system designed to supply TALCO’s facilities in Riyadh with clean, sustainable energy. 
The project will utilise approximately 37,000 sq m of rooftop space across four facilities with a system capacity of 4.5 MW, integrating the solar systems with existing energy infrastructure to maximize operational efficiency and ensure a reliable, sustainable power source, said a Saudi Press Agency report.
Board member and CEO of Tarshid Waled Al Ghreri stated: “This agreement represents a strategic step that reflects Tarshid’s commitment to supporting the adoption of clean energy solutions. Through this project, we aim to empower the industrial sector with sustainable energy options that deliver long-term savings. We view this partnership as a national model for cross-sector collaboration toward a more efficient and sustainable future.”
Trade Arabia is the leading portal for business information and trade news covering the Middle East and Arabian Gulf countries.

Email: adsonline@tradearabia.net

source

© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
“So you’re not really being paid normal energy rates, you’re being paid for helping the grid when it matters most.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Many Americans are already familiar with the money-saving and energy-security benefits of home solar panels and battery backups, but fewer may realize there are also lucrative incentives available for these clean energy upgrades through both private companies and local governments. 
One homeowner recently took to Reddit to share how their local incentive program, The Tesla Virtual Power Plant program, snagged them “$750 cash” in 2025. The homeowner and Tesla Powerwall user explained the situation in the r/Powerwall subreddit. 
Tesla’s VPP program allows homeowners with Powerwalls to share some of their stored battery energy with the grid during emergencies or periods of high demand. In return, participants receive $2 for every additional kilowatt-hour their Powerwall supplies during one of these events.
“VPP was activated on six occasions in 2025; one event took place each month from May to October. Each event commenced at either 16:00 or 17:00 and lasted exactly two hours. During this time, each Powerwall discharged approximately 5 kW. The battery charge dropped from about 95%-97% to 26%,” the OP explained. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
This testimonial is just one of many showing how, especially when paired with local incentives, backup battery systems and solar panels can be a worthwhile investment. 
To see how you could reshape your home’s energy system and power bills with a clean energy upgrade, connect with EnergySage for quick solar and battery installation quotes. 
Users in the comment section added a little bit more information about the program.
“VPP payouts usually aren’t simple retail kWh pricing; they’re tied more to grid demand / capacity value during peak stress hours, when electricity can get very expensive. So you’re not really being paid normal energy rates, you’re being paid for helping the grid when it matters most,” a user noted. 
FROM OUR PARTNER
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
“I got 2 Powerwalls, and it paid $500,” another added. 
“In Connecticut, I have four Power Wall 2s, and usually receive $3000 each year for the virtual power events,” another said. 
If these numbers have you curious about a home energy upgrade, EnergySage’s free tools provide homeowners with an easy way to compare quotes from vetted solar installers, helping cut through confusion and avoid overpaying. 
By increasing transparency and competition in the solar market, the platform helps users find the best system for their home and budget with minimal friction. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
EnergySage also offers a helpful mapping tool that breaks down, state by state, the average cost of installing a home solar system alongside details on available local incentives. Together, these resources help homeowners secure the best possible price for rooftop solar while making sure they take full advantage of every incentive they’re eligible for.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, reduce energy costs, and even go off-grid. EnergySage’s free tools make it easy to explore home battery options and compare competitive installation estimates from vetted providers.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source

LONGi has been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Fortune China ESG ‘Impact List’, based on its sustained efforts and  contributions in corporate governance, climate action and nature positivity. This marks another major recognition for the company  in the sustainability field this year, following its receipt of the Bloomberg Green ESG Outstanding Project Award and its inclusion in S&P’s Global Sustainability Yearbook. 
Fortune China commented: “2026 is defined by both efficiency and fragility, as geopolitical rifts and technological disruptions intensify. Warfare disrupts energy structures and supply chains, while AI challenges employment stability and social trust. As corporate financial performance becomes increasingly influenced by these external variables, sound ESG practices act as an ‘immune system’ that helps companies withstand shocks and maintain resilience. The 100 companies on this year’s list, through green technologies, human-centric care and good governance, demonstrate a steady force of resilience amid turmoil, providing replicable models for the business world as it navigates this sustainability megatest.”
As global energy transformation accelerates and climate challenges grow more severe, LONGi has established the ‘LIGHT’ sustainable development philosophy, based on the five core pillars of Leadership, Innovation, Green, Harmony and Trustworthiness. Aligning with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the company implements its philosophy across five action areas: governance leadership, technological innovation, low-carbon practices, social responsibility and value chain trustworthiness — all committed to the corporate vision of “Solar for all.”
As a clean energy creator, LONGi embeds environmental responsibility throughout its value chain operations and development. In 2025, renewable electricity accounted for 52.4% of the company’s total electricity consumption, eliminating an estimated 3.1175 million tonnes of CO₂ indirect emissions, while Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions decreased by 7.9% compared to 2024.

source

In the relentless pursuit of sustainable and efficient solar energy solutions, the field of perovskite solar cells has emerged as a beacon of innovation. Despite their remarkable photovoltaic performance, the commercial viability of metal halide perovskite solar cells has been persistently hindered by their intrinsic vulnerability to moisture. This moisture sensitivity imposes the need for stringent encapsulation methods, complicating manufacturing processes and elevating production costs. However, a recent breakthrough study published in Nature Energy has unveiled a transformative approach that not only addresses this moisture-induced degradation but simultaneously enhances device efficiency through refined electronic engineering.
The crux of this advancement lies in the meticulous integration of hybrid perovskite/organic semiconductor architectures. By strategically incorporating organic semiconductor layers into perovskite frameworks, researchers have unlocked a dual advantage: superior resistance to moisture ingress and augmented near-infrared photon harvesting. This synergistic design boosts the solar spectrum utilization without compromising stability. Yet, such integration typically confronts formidable challenges related to energy-level mismatch and resultant charge accumulation at the interface, factors that have historically restricted overall performance and longevity.
To demystify and overcome these performance barriers, the research team employed comprehensive multiphysics modeling to interrogate the charge dynamics within these hybrid systems. Their findings illuminated the underlying mechanisms by which charge accumulation arises, pinpointing specific electronic interactions responsible for efficiency losses and accelerated degradation. Armed with these insights, the team engineered a novel cascade hole-transfer strategy designed to meticulously tune the electronic structure at the molecular level.
Central to this approach is the use of an electron-donating polymer possessing an exceptionally deep highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). This polymer acts as an effective hole-transfer mediator, orchestrating a sequential cascade of hole movement that markedly suppresses non-radiative recombination pathways within the perovskite bulk and at critical interfaces. By facilitating smoother hole extraction and minimizing detrimental charge pile-up, the polymer significantly enhances both the photovoltaic efficiency and operational stability of the solar cells.
The impact of this refined hole-transfer cascade is striking. The fabricated unencapsulated perovskite solar cells have demonstrated a groundbreaking certified power conversion efficiency of 26.71%, with laboratory devices reaching an impressive 27.18%. These figures represent some of the highest efficiencies reported for perovskite photovoltaic systems that forego complex encapsulation, validating the efficacy of the cascade-engineering strategy.
Perhaps even more compelling is the exceptional durability exhibited by these devices under harsh operational conditions. Subjected to the ISOS D-3 damp-heat protocol — exposing the solar cells to 85 degrees Celsius temperature and 85% relative humidity for 3,000 hours — the cells retained approximately 95% of their initial efficiency. This remarkable stability underscores the transformative potential of the hole-transfer cascade paradigm in overcoming the longstanding moisture susceptibility that has plagued perovskite solar technologies.
Beyond the immediate performance improvements, this work signifies a paradigm shift in how hybrid organic-perovskite interfaces are conceptualized and optimized. The convergence of molecular-level design with advanced computational modeling paves a clear pathway towards engineering tailored electronic structures that reconcile efficiency with stability — a duality that has eluded researchers for over a decade.
The organic polymer’s deep HOMO level not only promotes favorable energetics but also mitigates charge accumulation-induced degradation by limiting the formation of detrimental interfacial trap states. This approach provides a blueprint for material scientists seeking to harmonize disparate electronic materials within composite solar architectures, setting a new benchmark for interface engineering in emerging photovoltaics.
Moreover, the ability to achieve such high efficiencies without encapsulation dramatically streamlines the manufacturing workflow, potentially lowering costs and accelerating scale-up efforts. This simplification represents a pivotal step toward commercialization, reducing reliance on brittle and expensive barrier films that often complicate module assembly.
In a broader context, the enhanced near-infrared light absorption facilitated by the organic layers leverages a previously underutilized portion of the solar spectrum, pushing the envelope of achievable solar energy conversion. This spectral extension, combined with improved moisture resistance, situates these hybrid devices at the forefront of next-generation solar technology.
The implications of this study extend beyond perovskite solar cells. The fundamental principles of cascade hole transfer and electronic structure engineering could invigorate developments in other optoelectronic applications, including photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, and tandem devices, fostering a new era of hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductor technologies.
By addressing the delicate balance between robust operational stability and superior photovoltaic function, this research delivers a compelling roadmap for transforming laboratory-scale innovations into commercially viable energy solutions. Such advances are critically needed to meet the escalating global demand for affordable, efficient, and durable renewable energy technologies.
As the research community continues to explore the interface chemistry and electronic landscapes of hybrid systems, this cascade-engineering methodology will undoubtedly inspire novel strategies for mitigating interface losses and enhancing device lifetime, heralding an exciting future for perovskite-based solar energy harvesting.
This milestone achievement epitomizes the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, melding theoretical modeling, polymer chemistry, and device physics to surmount one of the most stubborn challenges in solar materials science. It marks a significant stride toward the ultimate goal of clean, affordable, and reliable solar power for the world.
The authors’ work stands as a testament to the transformative potential of thoughtful molecular design in overcoming practical barriers to technology adoption, reinvigorating the promise of perovskite photovoltaics as a cornerstone of sustainable energy infrastructure worldwide.
Subject of Research: Perovskite solar cells; hybrid perovskite/organic semiconductor architectures; moisture stability; charge transfer mechanisms; cascade hole-transfer engineering.
Article Title: Hole-transfer cascade-engineered donor polymer for unencapsulated perovskite solar cells with improved moisture stability.
Article References:
Lee, MH., Kim, M.S., Park, J. et al. Hole-transfer cascade-engineered donor polymer for unencapsulated perovskite solar cells with improved moisture stability. Nat Energy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02071-0
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02071-0
Keywords: perovskite solar cells, moisture stability, hybrid organic-inorganic materials, hole-transfer cascade, charge recombination suppression, solar cell efficiency, electron-donating polymers, near-infrared photon harvesting, multiphysics modeling, interface engineering, photovoltaics durability.
Tags: advanced encapsulation alternatives for perovskitescharge dynamics in hybrid solar cellscommercial viability of perovskenhanced polymer moisture stability perovskite solar cellshybrid perovskite organic semiconductor integrationmoisture-resistant metal halide perovskitesmultiphysics modeling of perovskite devicesnear-infrared photon harvesting solar technologyorganic semiconductor layers in photovoltaicsovercoming energy-level mismatch in solar cellssolar cell efficiency improvement methodssustainable photovoltaic material design
We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Email Address
Subscribe
Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Login to your account below


Remember Me

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


Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

source

First Solar has reported sharply higher quarterly earnings and confirmed strong demand for its thin-film solar modules, while the stock remains volatile amid shifting expectations for US clean-energy policy and interest rates.
First Solar reported a strong start into 2026 with sharply higher earnings and revenue, supported by long-term contracts for its thin-film solar modules and continued demand from utility-scale projects, according to a quarterly update published on 04/25/2026 on its website and summarized by Reuters as of 04/25/2026. The company also reiterated its full-year guidance range for 2026, while pointing to ongoing policy and permitting uncertainties for large solar projects in the United States, as highlighted in coverage from Bloomberg as of 04/26/2026.
As of: 19.05.2026
By the editorial team – specialized in equity coverage.
First Solar is a US-based manufacturer of photovoltaic modules that focuses on large, utility-scale solar projects rather than residential rooftops. The company’s technology is based on cadmium telluride thin-film modules, which differ from conventional crystalline silicon panels and are designed to deliver strong performance in hot and humid conditions, according to product descriptions published on 02/12/2025 on its website and referenced by First Solar website as of 02/12/2025. This focus on grid-scale projects positions the group as a key supplier for large energy utilities and developers that want to expand renewable generation capacity in the United States.
The business model is built around multi-year supply agreements, under which project developers and utility customers secure long-term access to module capacity at negotiated prices. These contracts, often linked to major investment programs in US clean energy infrastructure, can provide visibility on future revenue and production planning, according to the company’s 2024 annual report released on 02/27/2025 and summarized by SEC filing as of 02/27/2025. In addition to module sales, First Solar generates revenue from related services such as project support, warranty coverage, recycling solutions and performance monitoring.
First Solar’s thin-film technology also reflects a strategic decision to differentiate itself from the dominant Asian producers of crystalline silicon modules. Because the company uses a different materials and manufacturing process, it is less exposed to swings in polysilicon prices that have historically affected the broader photovoltaic sector. At the same time, management has emphasized that its manufacturing footprint in the United States and other regions can offer customers a degree of supply chain diversification amid ongoing trade tensions and tariffs on some imported solar products, based on comments from executives during the 2025 capital markets presentation held on 11/15/2025 and covered by Financial Times as of 11/16/2025.
The main revenue driver for First Solar is the sale of its Series 7 and other thin-film module lines to large-scale solar farms, often underpinned by long-term power purchase agreements between project owners and off-takers such as utilities or corporate buyers. In the first quarter of 2026, the company reported year-on-year revenue growth supported by higher average selling prices and increased production volumes, according to its Q1 2026 earnings release on 04/25/2026 cited by Nasdaq as of 04/26/2026. Management highlighted that the contracted backlog of orders extends over several years, which can provide a buffer against short-term fluctuations in demand for new solar projects.
Another factor shaping revenue is First Solar’s manufacturing expansion, particularly in the United States where the company has been adding capacity to meet demand supported by incentives linked to the Inflation Reduction Act. New facilities in states such as Ohio and other planned expansions are expected to gradually ramp up production and could improve economies of scale, according to information from a 09/05/2025 manufacturing update published on the company’s website and reported by AP News as of 09/06/2025. However, the pace at which new capacity is absorbed depends on the timing of project approvals, grid interconnection processes and customers’ financing conditions.
Profitability is influenced not only by module pricing but also by manufacturing efficiency, yield improvements and material cost trends. First Solar has pointed to ongoing cost reductions per watt through process optimization and higher throughput at its plants, which contributed to improved gross margins in 2025 and into early 2026, as described in its 2025 full-year results published on 02/28/2026 and summarized by Morningstar as of 02/29/2026. At the same time, management has cautioned that pricing pressure in competitive bids, currency movements and potential changes to US incentive schemes remain important variables for margins.
Official source
For first-hand information on First Solar Inc., visit the company’s official website.
Read more
Additional news and developments on the stock can be explored via the linked overview pages.
Mehr News zu dieser AktieInvestor Relations
First Solar enters 2026 with a solid contracted backlog, expanding US manufacturing footprint and improving margins, supported by policy incentives for clean energy and its differentiated thin-film technology. At the same time, the stock remains sensitive to changes in interest rates, project financing conditions and the political debate around US renewable energy support, which can influence investor sentiment in the short term. For US investors following the solar sector, the company’s recent earnings performance and guidance underscore its role as a significant domestic supplier to utility-scale projects, while also highlighting the importance of monitoring regulatory developments and execution on capacity expansion plans.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.

source

If you don't take a stand, others will
The global news and digital marketing platform for Renewable Energies. We create spaces designed to position companies in the sector.
Copyright © Energía Estratégica 2026.

source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales and the Chinese module manufacturer Jolywood have identified the key factor behind corrosion-related degradation in TOPCon solar cells. According to their study, the chemical composition of glass frit in low-aluminum silver metallization is the primary driver of failure under acidic and humid conditions.
The team found that glass frits modified with barium and zinc provide significantly better resistance to acetic-acid and damp-heat stress. This improvement leads to more stable silver-silicon interfaces and reduces power loss at the module level.
Experiments were conducted at both the cell and module levels. Cells were fabricated on n-type Czochralski silicon wafers using two different low-aluminum silver pastes, designated Paste A and Paste B. Both underwent identical firing and laser-assisted firing processes, differing only in the front-contact metallization. To simulate the acidic environment caused by ethylene-vinyl acetate degradation, cleaned cells were immersed in acetic acid at room temperature. Paste A degraded rapidly, losing between 80 and 90 percent efficiency within 120 minutes due to a severe increase in series resistance and fill factor loss from corrosion at the silver-silicon interface. Paste B showed much slower degradation, maintaining stable voltage and current over 240 minutes with only moderate increases in series resistance.
Microstructural analysis revealed that Paste A contained a lead-phosphorus-rich glass frit without barium, which is highly susceptible to acid-induced dissolution. Paste B incorporated barium and zinc into the glass chemistry, which enhanced resistance to acidic corrosion. Scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam imaging showed that Paste A experienced near-complete dissolution of the interfacial glass layer, leading to voids and contact failure, while Paste B preserved a continuous silver-silicon interface.
Module-level damp-heat testing confirmed the pattern. Modules using Paste A lost between 28 and 30 percent power due to fill factor-driven losses, whereas modules with Paste B degraded by only 4 to 5 percent. Electroluminescence imaging showed severe, nonuniform resistive damage in Paste A modules and stable performance in Paste B units.
The findings indicate that the chemical durability of the glass frit, rather than the metallic silver phase, governs metallization reliability in laser-assisted firing TOPCon devices. The researchers concluded that incorporating alkaline earth modifiers such as barium and zinc into the glass network offers an effective way to mitigate acetic acid- and moisture-induced degradation, enabling stable interfaces and longer module lifetimes.
The study was published in the journal Progress in Photovoltaics.
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
The Largest Destinations for Exports
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc

source

If you don't take a stand, others will
The global news and digital marketing platform for Renewable Energies. We create spaces designed to position companies in the sector.
Copyright © Energía Estratégica 2026.

source

Toyo Co. says a new anti-circumvention petition targeting its Ethiopian solar cell facility is “riddled with misinformation.” The Japanese manufacturer tells pv magazine that the site reached 4 GW of capacity last year and that it is planning a U.S. onshore cell plant.
Image: Toyo
From pv magazine Global
Toyo Co. is pushing back on allegations that it is circumventing US solar duties via Ethiopia, with Chief Strategy Officer Rhone Resch calling a newly filed petition misleading and inaccurate.
Resch said a petition filed earlier this month by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade (AASMT) against Toyo Solar Manufacturing’s Ethiopian operations “fundamentally mischaracterizes our operations and business model and is riddled with misinformation.” He added that the company plans to “vigorously clarify these facts through the appropriate official channels.”
The AASMT petition was filed by eight US solar manufacturers – DYCM Power, First Solar, Great Lakes Solex PR, Hanwha Q CELLS USA, Silfab Solar, Suniva, Swift Solar, and Talon PV – and alleges that Toyo and Origin Solar Manufacturing are completing Chinese-origin wafers into solar cells in Ethiopia before exporting finished products to the United States to circumvent existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders. AASMT did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. Origin Solar Manufacturing did not respond to a request for comment.
Resch said Toyo is a “fully Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC)-compliant partner” and that all solar cells manufactured in Ethiopia use polysilicon supplied exclusively from the United States and Malaysia, with wafers processed in non-China countries. He said the sourcing arrangements mean Toyo’s Ethiopia-to-US supply route complies with existing trade rules.
Toyo’s Ethiopia facility reached its full 4 GW nameplate capacity in October 2025 and is currently operating at full utilization with a fully allocated order book, Resch told pv magazine. The company is guiding 2026 solar cell deliveries of 5.5 GW to 5.8 GW and expects adjusted net income of $90 million to $100 million, according to Resch.
In fiscal 2025, Toyo shipped approximately 4.5 GW of solar cells and reported revenue of $427 million, a 142% year-on-year increase, according to preliminary results published in March 2026.
Toyo’s module facility in Houston, Texas, entered commercial production with its first 1 GW of capacity in late 2025 and is now on track to complete a second 1 GW expansion by September 2026, Resch said, bringing total US module capacity to 2 GW. The facility qualifies for Section 45X manufacturing tax credits of up to $0.07/W through 2030, according to the company’s October 2025 commercial operations announcement.
Resch also said Toyo is now in the final planning stages for a new US onshore cell plant that would give utility-scale customers the option of full domestic content. “Currently, there is a very substantial gap between the demand for high-efficiency, n-type cells and supply in the US,” said Resch.
The US Department of Commerce has 30 days from receipt of the AASMT petition to initiate a formal anti-circumvention inquiry.
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 Brian Publicover
Please be mindful of our community standards.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.


Δ
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.
pv magazine USA offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news. We also offer comprehensive global coverage of the most important solar markets worldwide. Select one or more editions for targeted, up to date information delivered straight to your inbox.
Δ
Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy © pv magazine 2026
Δ
Welcome to pv magazine USA. This site uses cookies. Read our policy. ×
The cookie settings on this website are set to “allow cookies” to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click “Accept” below then you are consenting to this.
Close

source

China's solar boom is powered by coal. In 2023, China connected more new solar capacity to its grid than the United States has installed across the entire history of American photovoltaic deployment — and the overwhelming majority of those panels were manufactured using electricity derived from coal-fired generation.
By Space Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process
Published May 18, 2026
China’s solar boom is powered by coal. In 2023, China connected more new solar capacity to its grid than the United States has installed across the entire history of American photovoltaic deployment — and the overwhelming majority of those panels were manufactured using electricity derived from coal-fired generation. The milestone is regularly cited as evidence that the renewable transition is accelerating beyond the scenarios climate modelers projected even five years ago. What the cumulative-capacity framing obscures is the embedded carbon cost of the panels themselves, baked in at the point of manufacture and now distributed across rooftops on four continents.
The standard cultural framing of solar deployment tends to interpret it in one of two unhelpful directions. Either the panels are treated as inherently clean by virtue of their operational output, or the carbon cost of their manufacture is dismissed as a transitional inefficiency that will resolve itself as grids decarbonize. Neither framing accounts for what is actually happening in the supply chain that produces the world’s photovoltaic hardware.
The vast majority of the world’s polysilicon — the refined material at the heart of nearly every crystalline silicon solar panel — is produced in China, and much of that production is concentrated in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. These two regions were chosen by manufacturers for a specific structural reason: electricity in these provinces is among the cheapest in the world, and it is cheap because it comes overwhelmingly from coal. The polysilicon refining process is extraordinarily energy-intensive, requiring very high temperatures maintained for extended periods in the dominant production methods.
The result, by every available measure, is that the carbon footprint of a Chinese-manufactured solar panel is meaningfully higher than the panels produced a decade ago in jurisdictions with cleaner grids. Industry supply chain analyses have begun to surface this accounting, though it remains largely absent from the headline numbers that drive public perception of the transition.
The energy payback period — the time a solar panel must operate before it generates the equivalent of the energy consumed in its manufacture — varies depending on the climate where the panel is installed and the grid mix where it was produced. The payback calculation shifts considerably when the manufacturing electricity is coal-derived and the operational electricity displaces a grid that is already partially decarbonized. The panel still ends up carbon-positive over its multi-decade operational lifetime. But the front-loaded carbon debt is larger than the simplified narrative suggests.
China’s energy buildout, on honest accounting, is not a substitution. It is an addition. The country has been simultaneously expanding both its renewable capacity and its coal-fired generation, and coal capacity has continued to grow through the period in which China has also become the dominant manufacturer and installer of solar photovoltaics. The same provinces that host the polysilicon refineries are also hosting new coal capacity, often justified by grid operators as necessary baseload to support the variability of the renewables themselves.
The Chinese solar manufacturing base is, in effect, using coal-fired electricity to produce panels that are then exported to other jurisdictions where they will displace coal-fired electricity. The net carbon balance remains positive — the panels do reduce emissions over their lifetimes — but the geographic and temporal distribution of that carbon shifts in ways the cumulative-capacity framing does not capture. Embedded emissions are concentrated up front, in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, and then offset gradually over twenty to thirty years on rooftops in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and increasingly Africa. A panel manufactured in a coal-fired province and installed in a region with an already-low-carbon grid produces a different climate outcome than the same panel manufactured in a renewable-powered facility and installed in a coal-dependent region. The long-term decarbonization trajectory for China’s own electricity sector remains uncertain enough that the polysilicon corridor’s carbon intensity may not shift meaningfully for another decade.
The 2023 installation figure is real, and the comparison with the entire historical American buildout measures something genuine — the speed at which photovoltaic hardware can be manufactured and installed under state-directed industrial conditions. But it flattens structural differences worth slowing down on. American solar deployment occurred over several decades, with significantly older panels in the early portion of that history representing technology that was both less efficient and more carbon-intensive per watt. Chinese deployment in 2023 represents current-generation hardware, with capacity factors and energy densities the early American installations could not approach. By 2025 the annual figure had climbed further, suggesting the 2023 milestone was not an endpoint but a midpoint in an ongoing acceleration.
The other element the headline numbers tend to obscure is land use. Solar deployment at gigawatt scale requires land area that is considerably larger than the equivalent capacity in coal, natural gas, or nuclear generation. China has resolved this constraint by siting much of its utility-scale solar in the Gobi and other desert regions, which has produced large desert installation projects now visible from orbit.
The cumulative-capacity framing produces a particular kind of public confidence that may itself be consequential. Evidence suggests that visible renewable deployment can paradoxically reduce the political and individual motivation to address emissions through other means. The mechanism is straightforward: if the transition appears to be happening, the perceived urgency of further structural change declines, even when the underlying carbon accounting is more ambiguous than the deployment figures suggest.
This is not an argument against solar deployment. The lifetime carbon accounting still favors deployment over non-deployment in virtually every grid scenario examined. The argument, more precisely, is that the milestone-based framing of the transition omits the embedded-carbon ledger in ways that distort both public understanding and policy design.
The decarbonization of solar manufacturing itself is the structural bottleneck that the deployment narrative has not yet absorbed. Manufacturing capacity is expanding outside the Chinese polysilicon corridor, with new facilities planned or under construction in various regions globally. The grid mixes in these new manufacturing regions vary considerably, and the embedded carbon of panels produced in them will reflect that variation. Alternative photovoltaic technologies that require less energy-intensive manufacturing — including perovskite cells and carbon nanotube architectures — are advancing through laboratory and pilot-scale production, though commercial deployment at scale remains some years away. End-of-life recycling for the current generation of silicon panels is beginning to develop as an industry, which would reduce the carbon intensity of future panels by displacing virgin polysilicon production with recovered material.
The implications are concrete. Policymakers designing carbon border adjustment mechanisms, such as the European Union’s CBAM, should extend their scope to cover embedded emissions in photovoltaic imports — currently a structural exemption that subsidizes coal-fired manufacturing through the back door. Procurement standards for utility-scale solar projects, particularly those funded with public money, can require lifecycle carbon disclosure rather than nameplate capacity alone, which would create immediate price pressure on the cleanest manufacturing facilities and reward the diversification of supply away from the coal-powered corridor. Consumers and corporate purchasers signing power purchase agreements can ask the same question of their installers: where were these panels made, and on what grid. The information is recoverable, even if it is not currently surfaced.
The cumulative-capacity comparison between China’s 2023 deployment and the entire historical American buildout measures the speed at which hardware can be manufactured and installed. It does not measure the carbon ledger of that hardware, the geographic redistribution of embedded emissions, or the behavioral consequences of treating installation milestones as evidence of transition completion. The transition is happening. The conditions under which it is happening contain contradictions the headline numbers were not designed to surface — and the next decade of policy will be measured by whether those contradictions are addressed or absorbed into the silence of the milestone.
Editorial process
Space Daily articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed by editorial staff before publication. See our editorial standards and masthead.
Written by
The Space Daily Editorial Team produces content across our two editorial pillars: space industry news and Mind & Meaning. We cover launches, missions, satellites, defense, and the technology of getting humans to space, alongside the psychology of ambition, isolation, and meaning under extremes. Articles reflect our team’s collective editorial process, source verification, drafting, technical review, and editing, rather than a single writer’s work. Space Daily takes editorial responsibility for content under this byline. For more on how we work, see our editorial policy.
Space, science, and the human mind. Since 1995.
A Brown Brothers Media publication. All rights reserved © 2026.
Highlights of the week in space, science, and the human mind — delivered to your inbox via Substack.
Also available via RSS.

source

Solar Waste Crisis in India: Managing End-of-Life Solar Panels and Recycling Challenge  Daily Pioneer
source

11,000+ projects in Latin America.
24,000+ global companies doing business in the region.
83,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects
Analysis, reports, news and interviews about your industry in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
We use cookies and similar technologies to measure and improve the performance of our website, enhance your experience, and support advertising and analytics.
For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.
Allow users to browse and enable essential functions of the site.
Collect statistical information about user interaction with the site to understand navigation behavior and improve user experience.
Store information about users behavior through continuous observation of browsing habits to create a specific profile for advertising.

source

Read today’s Portuguese stories delivered to your email.
Consultation and evaluation reports on the projects for two photovoltaic plants in Beira Baixa confirm serious structural impacts on the landscape and justify the population’s concerns.
By TPN/Lusa, in News, Environment · 18 May 2026, 15:03 · 0 Comments
In a statement sent to the Lusa news agency, the Platform for the Defence of the International Tagus Natural Park (PNTI) claimed that the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has now made public the evaluation and consultation reports relating to the Sophia Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant and Beira Photovoltaic Power Plant projects, this “after months of public pressure, protests from civil society and a formal complaint filed with the Commission for Access to Administrative Documents”.
In the note, the PNTI added that the aforementioned documents “identify permanent and irreversible impacts on the territory and point to structural problems related to the landscape, soils, water resources, biodiversity, territorial planning and ecological fragmentation”.
Evaluation committees
On the other hand, the movement highlighted that the evaluation committees “explicitly warn of increasing industrialisation and artificialisation of the Beira Baixa region,” among other aspects, due to the danger of “permanent and irreversible impacts.”
“The APA documents confirm serious structural impacts of megaprojects in the Beira Baixa region,” the platform stressed, adding that the analysis of those official documents “reveals conclusions of enormous public relevance and confirms, on central points, the concerns that have been expressed for months by the population, civic movements, experts, and local agents.”
“These conclusions are even more serious because the reports were hidden from the public for months, despite already being available to the project promoter,” the civic platform accused, reaffirming that the documents now available “clearly demonstrate [that] the concerns of civil society were neither unfounded nor merely emotional.”
“They now find confirmation in the official technical documents of the environmental assessment process. The documents make it clear that the multiplicity of large-scale energy projects in the region can no longer be analysed in isolation,” stressed the entity, which brings together environmental associations and civic movements.
He added that both technical entities and various contributions presented during the public consultation “expressly defended the implementation of an integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment for the entire region.”
Sophia project
In the case of the Sophia project – which covers the municipalities of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor, in the district of Castelo Branco, and represents an investment of around 590 million euros – the evaluation committee stated, according to the objectors, that a “very significant reduction of the project would be necessary so that the impacts could even potentially be minimised.”
The Beira power plant, on the other hand, contemplated installing 425,600 photovoltaic modules, with a total capacity of 266 Megawatts (MW), in an area of 524.4 hectares in the municipalities of Castelo Branco and Idanha-a-Nova.
According to PNTI, the consultation reports also show that thousands of citizens identified, during the public participation process, “precisely the risks that are now also confirmed in the official opinions — including impacts on water resources, biodiversity, landscape, microclimate and temperature evolution.”
“Of enormous political relevance is also the explicit recognition of the extraordinary public participation. In the Sophia process alone, 12,693 submissions were presented — one of the largest public mobilisations ever in an environmental procedure in Portugal,” he emphasised.
Strategic environmental assessment
In light of the documents now made available, the civic platform demands “a true Strategic Environmental Assessment for Beira Baixa, which evaluates the cumulative impacts of all energy projects and their associated infrastructures”, as well as “a guarantee of total transparency and timely access to environmental information”.
On the 6th, in a protest held in Castelo Branco, which brought together about 100 people, to demand transparency about the projects of the two solar power plants in Beira Baixa, it was announced that both were rejected by the APA, although there was no written information published on the Participa portal at the time.
The evaluation committee, coordinated by the APA, rejected the Beira photovoltaic plant project after identifying significant negative impacts on ecological systems and land use.

Regarding the Sophia photovoltaic plant, in February, the environmental authority announced that it had identified “significant and very significant negative impacts” associated with the project.
Share this article: Share
In News, Learning – 18 May 2026, 13:03
In News, Sport – 18 May 2026, 12:33
In News, Health – 18 May 2026, 12:03
We are proud to provide our readers from around the world with independent, honest and unbiased news for free – both online and in print.
Our dedicated team supports the local community, foreign residents and visitors of all nationalities through our newspaper, website, social media and our newsletter.
We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to, we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small.
You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time.
Be the first to comment on this article
In News, Learning – 18 May 2026, 13:03
In News, Sport – 18 May 2026, 12:33
In News, Health – 18 May 2026, 12:03
In News, Environment, Alentejo – 18 May 2026, 11:33
In News – 16 May 2026, 13:03
In News, Environment – 13 May 2026, 15:03
In News, Science – 11 May 2026, 14:03
In News – 08 May 2026, 19:03
In News, Environment – 08 May 2026, 13:03
In – 15 May 2026, 07:33
In – 15 May 2026, 08:01
In – 15 May 2026, 17:03
In News, United Kingdom, Tourism – 18 May 2026, 11:03
In News – 18 May 2026, 10:53
In News, Health – 18 May 2026, 10:33
In News – 18 May 2026, 10:03
In News, Sport – 18 May 2026, 09:33
In News – 18 May 2026, 08:41
Send us your comments or opinion on this article.
Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal, written in English, Dutch, German, French, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese.
+351 282 341 100
(Chamada para a rede fixa nacional)
info@theportugalnews.com

source

DNV launches floating solar standards  reNews – Renewable Energy News
source

Saudi: Tarshid signs solar agreement with Talco  ZAWYA
source

BOVIET SOLAR’S U.S. PV MODULE MANUFACTURING AND PV CELL MANUFACTURING ACQUIRED BY INOX SOLAR AMERICAS TO STRENGTHEN U.S. SOLAR PLATFORM  Yahoo Finance
source

JARRETTSVILLE, Md. — A scenic 122-acre field in rural Jarrettsville would become home to 34 football fields’ worth of solar panels and chain-link fence for the next 40 years if developers get their way within sight of Jody and John Varvaris’ backyard.

Opposing solar farm in Jarrettsville

The land is part of a multigenerational family farm with a rich past, and at least for one family member, an even richer future.

“Then when the surveyors showed up, we found out it was… the farmer, my brother, who was doing solar panels,” Jody told us.

“So he inherited the land? That’s how he has the right to do this?” we asked.

“He did,” she responded. “Yes.”

“And how many siblings are on his side in this matter?”

“None. There’s five of us total counting my brother, and nobody’s on his side.”

Signs have gone up surrounding the site in opposition to the solar farm, and an online petition has taken off.

“We have over 800 people signing. I haven’t checked in the last half hour, but it’s been going up, and that’s in three days,” said Jody’s husband, John Varvaris. “We had a community last Thursday, had 90 people there, all of which are opposed to this development.”

Varvaris says county zoning would not allow what amounts to an industrial use on agricultural land, but state lawmakers passed the Renewable Energy Certainty Act last year, which bypasses that authority and leaves it up to the Maryland Public Service Commission.

The controversial law allows solar farms on up to five percent of all of the agricultural land in any given county before local zoning has to be consulted.

Now, opponents will have to argue the potential negative impacts such a project could have on local water bodies, wildlife, and the environment in hopes that Big Brother doesn’t rubber-stamp a project enabled by Jody Varvaris’ younger brother, who stands to profit at the rest of the family’s expense.

“I grew up in the house next door,” said Jody. “My sister lives there now. We’re here. My daughter lives next door, and these neighbors I’ve known for 65 years, so it’s just hard.”

source

Scientists Tweaked the Global Warming Outlook. So Trump Weighed In.  The New York Times
source

New $1.25 million solar farm to produce 500,000 vacuums per year  The Elkhart Truth
source

AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL SCIENCE AGENCY
From spatial modelling to innovative coatings and intelligent systems – CSIRO solar science is accelerating Australia’s renewable energy transition.
Share
By  Joshua Janssen ,  Emily Brown 19 May 2026 6 min read
Globally, the amount of power solar PV panels can produce in ideal conditions is tipped to surpass coal next year, according to the International Energy Agency.
In Australia, large-scale solar farms are projected to supply nearly 25 per cent of our electricity by 2050.
That’s a long way from the nation’s first utility-scale solar farm, which officially opened in Western Australia in 2010, providing up to 10 MW of clean electricity generation.
CSIRO research is ensuring renewable technology works alongside other vital industries, like agriculture, while also improving its efficiency and effectiveness through innovation in design and materials, and the integration of AI.
So, what does the future look like for large-scale solar farms as they continue to transform our energy landscape?
Solar farms enjoyed the highest level of acceptance of key renewable technologies among the wider Australian public, according to a 2024 survey by CSIRO.
But people living out of town (in rural areas) were more likely to reject living near renewable energy infrastructure, and those surveyed reported low understanding of its impacts.
Environmental impacts and concerns about waste disposal when developments were decommissioned were the two highest concerns about solar farms. There were also significant concerns about devaluing nearby properties and less land availability for farming and other land uses.
New spatial modelling by researchers from CSIRO and the University of Western Sydney has revealed how impacts on agricultural profitability can be minimised.
Researchers modelled 1,568 scenarios, quantifying trade-offs between solar power yield and agricultural profitability by considering factors like solar farm design, performance and distance from renewable energy infrastructure

CSIRO research scientist Dr Stephen Snow explained that impacts on prime agricultural land from large-scale solar are largely avoidable.
“When siting is done strategically, high-value irrigated land and intensive cropping zones require almost zero conversion to solar,” Dr Snow said.
“Instead, the land most likely to host solar is lower-profitability grazing country, where hosting solar can represent reliable, drought-proof income.”
By converting marginal grazing areas instead of prime agricultural land, the impact on national agricultural profit drops from $29 million per year (or 0.03 per cent of Australia’s agricultural GDP) to just $2.6 million per year (or 0.003 per cent of Australia’s agricultural GDP). That’s a 90 per cent reduction, while generating the same amount of energy with minimal cost effects.
“In suitable areas, grazing livestock like sheep under solar panels could reduce the impact even further: farmers receive compensation for harvesting the sun, while their herds and pasture are shaded,” Dr Snow said.
Land use sits within a broader picture of how solar farms are designed and run.
The performance of large-scale and utility-scale solar farms depends on more than size; it also depends on layout and operation of the system for consistency and efficiency.
Experimental scientist Kenrick Anderson is working on planning of large-scale farms and next generation photovoltaics and said advanced models were helping grid operators better understand how a solar farm performs in real time and over its full lifespan.
“Being able to better predict the output of a solar farm is incredibly important,” Mr Anderson said.
“It means you can operate with confidence, rather than holding capacity back because of uncertainty.”
The modelling tools can be applied at every stage – from planning solar farm layouts to maximise output per hectare, to perfecting the tracking system for the PV panels – so the panels are optimally positioned as the sun moves across the sky.

With the aid of this kind of modelling, solar farms can run closer to their true capability, delivering more power from the same infrastructure while improving reliability for the grid.
The same modelling is critical when paired with large-scale batteries, which are becoming increasingly common on solar farms. During peak sunlight hours when many facilities must curb electricity generation due to grid constraints, batteries are now widely used to store excess energy for later use, said Mr Anderson.
More accurate output predictions using models are helping operators develop strategies that ensure batteries are adequately charged and able to discharge energy to the grid when demand peaks in the late afternoon and evening.
“These models can ensure batteries are available when they’re needed most,” he said.
Large-scale solar farms are inevitably exposed to the elements that affect performance.
“PV panels work better when they are cooler, so understanding wind patterns can inform solar panel orientation in a solar farm,” Mr Anderson said.
Advanced computational fluid dynamics modelling to better understand how wind, heat and dust move across large solar arrays is helping shape how future solar farms are being built and operated.
With hundreds of thousands of solar panels making up large-scale PV projects, operators face the challenge of ensuring the panels remain clean from dirt and dust to perform at their capacity and to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
“We are developing new self-cleaning coatings that don’t sacrifice the anti-reflective technology crucial for PV Panels,” Mr Anderson said.
“Thin, film-like coatings that repel dirt and dust, they also allow the panels to absorb energy at a higher rate.”

That takes us down to the cell level and CSIRO’s partnership with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) which includes work on silicon-perovskite tandem photovoltaics.
These tandem cells are expected to deliver at least a 5 per cent efficiency gain over existing single junction silicon technology. At scale, that improvement would enable a solar farm to generate enough additional electricity to power around 1,000 more homes using the same land area as a 100-megawatt solar farm today.

The work doesn’t stop once solar farms are built. In fact, inspecting and maintaining the panels is essential to keeping their energy output high. But the cost, safety risks and labour of doing this manually are significant.
To address these challenges, CSIRO researchers are bringing AI and robotics expertise to solar farms, using AI-powered robots that can autonomously navigate large-scale sites, mapping and moving across rapidly changing terrain.
The robots safely and efficiently build precise maps to digitise site conditions and use AI to develop a holistic understanding of the site, that would otherwise take weeks of manual inspection.
Equipped with cameras, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and sensors, the robots can detect issues ranging from dust build-up and bird droppings to damaged wiring, loose components and dangerous hotspots within panels.
“Hotspots decrease the efficiency of a PV panel over time because of the electrical and thermal imbalance they create. Solar farms benefit from early hotspot detection,” Mr Anderson said.
By logging faults precisely on a digital map of the farm, the robots enable skilled workers to target only the panels that need attention, reducing maintenance costs, improving safety and helping solar farms deliver more efficient and reliable electricity output.

Dr Peyman Moghadam, Senior Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO, said the long-term vision is to move beyond inspection toward site intelligence.
“We a not just collecting images or 3D data. We are building the foundations for intelligent solar operations, where data from robots, fixed sensors and field systems get fused to support earlier warning, better predictive maintenance decisions and more resilient performance over time,” said Dr Moghadam.
The rapid deployment of solar is an Australian success story, and collaborative solar research is advancing their next-generation development.
Smarter solar operations are shaping how we run systems today – but they also raise important questions about sustainability tomorrow. The relative newness of large solar farms presents ongoing research opportunities regarding their durability and longevity while their scale ultimately brings large challenges associated with end-of-life solar PV panels and solar waste management.
As we become accustomed to fields of solar panels in the landscape, future innovation will help shape a more efficient, reliable and sustainable renewable energy sector.
If you are looking to partner with CSIRO, contact us here: noel.duffy@csiro.au
Energy Communication Advisor
Communication Advisor
Communications Manager Data61
Energy Communication Advisor
Communication Advisor
Communications Manager Data61
We are committed to child safety and to the implementation of Child Safe principles and procedures.
Thanks. You’re all set to get our newsletter
We could not sign you up to receive our newsletter. Please try again later or contact us if this persists.
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.
Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!
CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Enter a valid email address, for example jane.doe@csiro.au
A Country value must be provided
First name must be filled in
Surname must be filled in
Please choose an option
Organisation must be filled in
Please provide a subject for the enquriy
0 / 100
We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer
0 / 1900
We have received your enquiry and will reply soon.
The contact form is currently unavailable. Please try again later. If this problem persists, please call us with your enquiry on 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176. We are available from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm AEST Monday – Friday.

source

Email or Username
Password

Please contact our Customer Service Team if you are unable to log in at clientservices@accessintel.com or 1-888-707-5814.
Expected annual energy yield (PVout) is a fundamental number for every utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) project. It informs the design, shapes the budget, feeds the financial model, and influences what investors and lenders are willing to accept.
Behind every expected yield estimate, however, is a range of uncertainty. Part of it comes from the solar resource itself. Part comes from the quality of the input data, the modeling approach, assumptions about losses, and the way site-specific conditions are represented. Snow, soiling, clipping, terrain, shading, thermal behavior, degradation, bifacial effects, component parameters—all of these factors can influence the final result.
Uncertainty has typically been treated as a technical reporting item. In today’s PV market, though, uncertainty affects how projects are designed, valued, financed, and approved. It is not only a technical issue. It is a commercial variable.
The same yield uncertainty can mean different things to different project stakeholders. For engineers, it affects how confidently they can optimize the design. For investors, it changes the strength of the return case. For lenders, it influences how much debt the project can support.
This is why the industry needs to go beyond just reporting uncertainty. The more important question is how much of that uncertainty can be reduced before it starts shaping project decisions in costly ways.
Engineers use energy yield estimates to make practical design decisions. These include tracker configuration, row spacing, DC/AC ratio (the ratio of direct current to alternating current capacity), inverter loading, string design, cable sizing, terrain adaptation, clipping strategy, and loss assumptions.

When uncertainty is low and well understood, design options can be compared with greater confidence. Engineers can better judge whether a higher DC/AC ratio is justified, whether tighter spacing improves project economics, or whether additional equipment will deliver enough extra energy to pay back.
When uncertainty is high or poorly defined, the design process becomes more cautious. Conservative decisions begin to feel safer, even if they are not always optimal.
This can create two types of inefficiency. A project may be overdesigned, with extra capacity, larger margins, or more conservative layouts added to protect against unknowns. Or it may be under-optimized, with energy left on the table because the model does not properly capture site-specific behavior such as seasonal soiling, complex shading, clipping, or bifacial albedo.
For engineers, uncertainty is therefore not an abstract probability range. It affects the confidence behind every design trade-off.
Investors do not invest in a single production figure. They invest in a range of possible outcomes.
The P50 yield—the annual energy production estimate that has a 50% probability of being exceeded—is typically used as the expected production case. But investment committees also look closely at downside scenarios. They need to know whether the project still works if production is lower than expected, capital expenditure (CAPEX) increases, financing becomes more expensive, or merchant prices weaken.
This is where the relationship between P50 and P90 (the production level that has a 90% probability of being exceeded) becomes important. A project may show an attractive return under the P50 case. But if uncertainty is high, the P90 case may be significantly weaker. The wider the gap between expected and conservative production, the more fragile the investment case becomes.
Return on equity (ROE) is often presented as one figure, but in reality, it is more useful to see it as a range. The P50 ROE shows what the project may deliver under expected production. The P90 ROE shows what the investor might face under a downside production case, assuming other variables remain equal.
Reducing uncertainty may not change the expected yield. However, it can improve the conservative yield case and narrow the gap between P50 and P90 (Figure 1). That can make the downside return more resilient—often the case that matters most when investment decisions are being approved.

For investors, the question is not only how much the project can earn. It is also how much returns can deteriorate before the investment case becomes difficult to defend.
Lenders approach yield uncertainty through the lens of debt repayment. Their main concern is whether the project can generate enough cash flow to service debt under conservative assumptions.
This is usually assessed through metrics such as debt service coverage ratio, or DSCR. In simple terms, DSCR measures whether project income is sufficient to cover debt payments.
Banks often assess projects using conservative production assumptions, such as P90 energy. However, it is a mistake to assume that lenders simply apply an annual uncertainty discount across the full project life. In real project finance, that approach can be too crude.
If production is mechanically reduced every year over a 20- or 25-year period, it can materially weaken DSCR, loan life coverage ratio, and equity returns. A project may start to look less bankable on paper, even when the risk could be managed in a more precise way.
Lenders usually deal with uncertainty through financing structure. This may include debt sizing, DSCR thresholds, reserve accounts, dividend restrictions, covenants, guarantees, or sponsor support. The goal is to make sure the project remains robust under conservative assumptions. For lenders, uncertainty is real, but it is usually managed through structure rather than a simple annual cut to production.
Quantifying uncertainty is necessary. It improves transparency and gives stakeholders a clearer view of project risk. But reporting uncertainty does not automatically improve the project.
If uncertainty remains high, each stakeholder reacts defensively. Engineers add buffers. Investors focus more heavily on downside returns. Lenders reduce leverage or tighten financing terms. This defensive behavior can affect the project even if the expected yield remains attractive.
That is why uncertainty reduction matters. It can move the discussion from “how do we protect ourselves against this risk?” to “how much confidence do we have in the project’s real performance?” This is a different conversation. And it can have real financial consequences. For large utility-scale projects, the financial benefit of reducing uncertainty can justify the additional effort and cost.
Imagine a utility-scale PV project with a defined expected P50 yield. Under a standard approach, the project uses acceptable but limited inputs, simplified assumptions, and a conventional modeling process. The P50 yield may look strong, but the uncertainty range is relatively wide. As a result, the P90 yield sits noticeably lower.
The project may still be financeable, but only within tight limits. The lender sizes debt conservatively to protect DSCR. The investor sees a weaker downside return. The engineer has less room to justify more optimized design choices.
Now imagine the same project with better solar resource data, longer historical time series, more realistic modeling, higher temporal resolution where relevant, and stronger validation of site-specific losses. The P50 yield may remain the same. But uncertainty falls, and the P90 yield improves.
Nothing physical has changed. The site is the same. The equipment may be the same. The expected production has not increased.
What has changed is confidence. That confidence can create more headroom in the financial model. It can strengthen the downside return case. It can support more efficient debt sizing. It can also give engineers a stronger basis for design optimization. In other words, reducing uncertainty can improve the project without increasing the expected yield (Figure 2).

Not all uncertainty can be removed. Interannual variability, for example, reflects natural year-to-year weather variation. It can be understood and quantified, but not eliminated. However, other sources of uncertainty can often be reduced.
A good starting point is the quality of solar resource data. Long-term, validated solar radiation datasets help project teams better understand expected conditions and variability. Where possible, long historical time series should be used instead of relying only on typical meteorological year data.
Temporal resolution also matters. Sub-hourly data can be valuable when short-term effects influence project performance, including irradiance peaks, clipping, inverter behavior, and temperature dynamics.
Modeling assumptions should also be improved. Fixed “rules of thumb” for losses can be replaced with physics-based models where possible, especially for soiling, albedo, temperature, snow, and other site-specific effects.
In more complex layouts, optical losses may require advanced methods such as ray tracing. In challenging regions, ground measurements and local validation can further improve confidence.
Component data should not be overlooked either. Datasheets need to be checked, and model parameters should reflect the equipment that will actually be installed.
The industry often talks about better data and better modeling as technical improvements. They are, but their impact goes further.
For engineers, they support better design decisions. For investors, they make downside returns more defensible. For lenders, they improve confidence in conservative production assumptions.
This is why PV yield uncertainty should not be treated as a footnote in an energy yield report. It is a project-level issue that influences design quality, investment resilience, and financing efficiency.
At the same time, uncertainty reduction should be proportionate to the project and market context. While the financial impact can justify deeper data, modeling, and validation work on utility-scale projects, the same investment may not always be worthwhile for smaller assets or in markets where energy prices, curtailment, or interconnection risks dominate the business case.
The goal is not to eliminate uncertainty completely. That is impossible. The goal is to reduce what can be reduced, quantify what remains, and avoid letting avoidable uncertainty make good projects look riskier than they are.
—Pablo Caballero is an industrial engineer and technical writer at Solargis. He has extensive experience in the renewable energy and software development sectors. He specializes in technical writing and content marketing, and is driven by a passion for bridging gaps between audiences, technology, and business.
Modern process industries are experiencing fluctuating market conditions and tight operational margins, leading chemical engineers to rely on real-time data to boost efficiency and reduce costs. Yet, many organizations are at different stages in their digital transformation journey. Some are just starting, while others are looking to optimize existing solutions. This webinar explores practical ways […]
Sponsored by dataPARC
Sponsored by RENTECH
Sponsored by technosylva
The inaugural Data Center POWER eXchange brought the data center power ecosystem together in Denver for a focused, one-day summit on the infrastructure shaping the future of digital growth. From site selection and development to operations and forward planning, DPX connected leaders across data center ownership, utilities, engineering, power generation, and technology. Watch to see […]
archives + podcasts + webinars + e-letters + video + exclusive content + events + much more!
For over 142 years, POWER has been the unwavering pillar of the power and energy industry, offering unparalleled insights on the latest trends, best practices, and news through our robust channels: print, digital media, and in-person events.
POWER is at the forefront of the global power market, providing in-depth news and insight on the end-to-end electricity system and the ongoing energy transition. We strive to be the “go-to” resource for power professionals, offering a wealth of information on innovative business practices, sound safety measures, useful productivity enhancements, and much more.
Sept. 28—30, 2026
Omni Shoreham
Washington, D.C.
Learn More
Trends, best practices, and news through: print, digital media, and in-person events. Subscribe
Exclusive E-letters to POWER up your knowledge. Sign up
© 2026 Access Intelligence, LLC – All Rights Reserved

source

The global energy industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in modern history, and solar power is emerging as one of the biggest winners in the transition toward cleaner energy systems. Once considered an expensive alternative technology, solar panels are now becoming central to national energy strategies, commercial infrastructure, and household energy solutions across the world. According to Renub Research, the global solar panel market is projected to grow from

US$ 187.21 billion in 2025 to US$ 384.65 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.33% during 2026–2034. Rising environmental awareness, government incentives, technological innovation, and falling installation costs are all contributing to the market’s strong momentum.

Download Free Sample Report
Solar panels are devices designed to convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. These cells are commonly made from silicon materials that absorb sunlight and generate electric current through the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are typically installed on rooftops, open land, or solar farms where they can receive maximum sunlight exposure. The electricity produced can power homes, businesses, factories, and even entire communities, while excess energy may be stored for future use or fed back into electrical grids.
What once seemed like a niche energy technology has now become a mainstream solution for electricity generation. Climate change concerns, rising fossil fuel costs, and increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are pushing governments and businesses to invest more heavily in renewable energy infrastructure. Solar power stands out because it is abundant, sustainable, and capable of producing electricity without releasing harmful emissions into the environment.
As the world shifts toward cleaner energy systems, solar panels are increasingly being adopted across residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale applications.
One of the biggest drivers behind the solar panel market is the rapidly increasing global demand for renewable energy. According to reports referenced in the market analysis, renewable energy capacity worldwide grew by approximately 15.1% in 2024, reaching an installed capacity of nearly 4,448 GW. This remarkable growth highlights how aggressively countries are expanding renewable energy investments.
Governments, corporations, and consumers are all seeking alternatives to fossil fuels as environmental concerns continue intensifying. Solar energy is particularly attractive because it is one of the cleanest and most accessible energy sources available. Unlike coal or gas-powered electricity generation, solar energy produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
Countries worldwide are establishing ambitious carbon reduction targets and renewable energy commitments, with solar power playing a central role in achieving those goals. Businesses are also investing in solar systems to improve sustainability profiles and reduce long-term energy costs, while households increasingly view rooftop solar as both an environmental and financial investment.
Government support remains one of the most important forces driving solar market growth. Many countries are offering tax benefits, subsidies, rebates, and financial incentives designed to reduce installation costs and encourage renewable energy adoption.
Net metering policies in several regions allow solar users to sell excess electricity back to the grid, creating additional financial benefits for homeowners and businesses. Governments are also investing directly in large-scale solar projects while encouraging private-sector participation in renewable energy development.
China continues to play a major role in shaping global solar policy and manufacturing trends. In January 2026, China’s Ministry of Finance and Taxation Administration announced adjustments to export rebate policies for solar photovoltaic products including wafers, cells, modules, conductive glass, and quartz products.
Such policy decisions have major implications for global solar supply chains because China remains one of the world’s largest producers of photovoltaic components.
Technological advancement is one of the key reasons solar energy has become increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. Over the past decade, the cost of solar photovoltaic modules has dropped dramatically, making solar installations more affordable for residential and commercial users.
At the same time, improvements in solar cell efficiency have allowed modern solar panels to generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight. New technologies such as bifacial solar panels, thin-film systems, and advanced energy storage solutions are further increasing the efficiency and flexibility of solar energy systems.
Innovative solar applications are also expanding rapidly. In October 2025, German renewable energy company SINN Power commissioned the world’s first vertical floating photovoltaic system in Bavaria, Germany. Projects like this demonstrate how solar technology is evolving beyond traditional rooftop installations into more specialized and scalable solutions.
As solar technologies continue improving and manufacturing costs decline further, solar energy is becoming one of the most economically attractive electricity-generation options globally.
Despite falling prices, one of the biggest obstacles for the solar panel market remains the high upfront investment required for installation. Purchasing and installing solar systems often involves significant expenses related to photovoltaic modules, inverters, mounting structures, batteries, and installation services.
While long-term energy savings can offset these costs over time, many households and small businesses still struggle with the initial capital requirements. The limited availability of subsidies and financing options in some regions further complicates adoption.
Energy storage systems also add to the total cost. Batteries are essential for storing electricity generated during sunny periods for later use, especially in off-grid systems or areas with unreliable power supply. Although battery technology is improving, storage remains one of the more expensive components of solar infrastructure.
Another challenge facing the industry is solar power’s dependence on sunlight and weather conditions. Solar panels generate electricity only when exposed to sunlight, meaning power production can fluctuate depending on location, climate, and seasonal conditions.
Cloud cover, nighttime conditions, and inconsistent sunlight reduce energy generation, creating the need for reliable battery storage or grid connectivity. In many large-scale systems, solar installations are connected to traditional electricity grids to ensure stable energy supply during periods of low solar generation.
This variability continues to drive investment in battery technologies and hybrid energy systems designed to improve reliability and reduce dependence on weather conditions.
The off-grid solar segment is becoming increasingly important, particularly in developing regions and remote locations lacking reliable electricity infrastructure. Off-grid solar systems operate independently of centralized electrical grids, using solar panels and battery storage systems to provide continuous electricity access.
These systems are widely used in homes, farms, communication networks, and small businesses located far from traditional utility infrastructure. Governments and non-governmental organizations are actively promoting off-grid solar adoption to improve rural electrification and energy access.
As the global focus on energy inclusion grows, off-grid solar systems are expected to remain a critical market segment.
The concentrated solar panel market represents another important area of innovation. These systems use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto photovoltaic cells or receivers, significantly increasing energy output compared to conventional solar systems.
Concentrated solar technologies are primarily used in large-scale solar farms where high sunlight intensity is available. Many systems incorporate tracking technologies that follow the sun throughout the day to maximize efficiency.
As governments continue investing in utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure, concentrated solar technologies are expected to gain increasing attention for high-capacity electricity generation projects.
Among solar technologies, monocrystalline solar panels remain one of the most popular and efficient options available. These panels are manufactured using single-crystal silicon, allowing electrons to move more freely and improving overall energy conversion efficiency.
Monocrystalline panels are capable of generating more electricity using smaller surface areas compared to many alternative technologies. They also offer longer lifespans and stronger performance under varying weather conditions, making them attractive for both residential and commercial applications.
Although these panels are generally more expensive, their efficiency advantages continue driving strong market demand.
Commercial buildings are increasingly turning toward solar power to reduce operating expenses and improve sustainability performance. Offices, warehouses, shopping centers, factories, and industrial facilities are adopting solar systems to lower electricity bills and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
Many companies are also using renewable energy investments to strengthen environmental commitments and meet corporate sustainability targets. Government incentives and declining installation costs are making commercial solar projects more financially attractive than ever before.
As businesses continue prioritizing energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, commercial solar adoption is expected to remain a major growth driver.
Electricity generation remains one of the most important applications for solar panel technology. Countries worldwide are investing heavily in solar farms and utility-scale renewable projects to increase renewable electricity production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar electricity generation offers several major advantages including lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy sustainability, and reduced long-term electricity costs. Advances in energy storage technologies are also helping improve grid reliability and renewable energy integration.
As global electricity consumption rises, solar panels are becoming an increasingly critical part of national energy systems.
The United States solar panel market continues expanding rapidly due to strong renewable energy investments, supportive government policies, and increasing public interest in sustainability. Net metering programs, tax incentives, and renewable portfolio standards are helping drive adoption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Tesla’s January 2026 launch of a heavily US-manufactured solar panel through its Gigafactory New York reflects the growing importance of domestic solar production within the American market.
The United Kingdom solar market is also growing steadily as the country pushes toward carbon reduction goals and renewable energy adoption. Residential, commercial, and community-based solar projects are expanding despite variable weather conditions. IKEA’s return to selling home solar systems in the UK during 2025 highlights renewed confidence in residential solar demand.
India represents one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally because of strong government support, abundant sunlight, and rising renewable energy investments. Solar panels are increasingly being deployed across homes, industries, agriculture, and rural electrification projects. In March 2026, India’s Prime Minister laid the foundation for a 50 MW floating solar project in Kerala developed by NHPC Limited under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Solar Park Scheme.
Saudi Arabia is also aggressively investing in solar infrastructure as part of broader economic diversification plans aimed at reducing dependence on oil and gas. Large-scale solar farms and renewable energy projects are becoming central to the kingdom’s long-term energy strategy.
The global solar panel market includes major international players competing through technological innovation, manufacturing scale, and efficiency improvements. Key companies covered in the market analysis include Canadian Solar, Jinko Solar Holding Co. Ltd., JA SOLAR Technology Co. Ltd., Panasonic Corporation, Reliance, LG Electronics Inc., and First Solar.
Competition is pushing companies to improve energy efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs, and develop advanced solar technologies capable of supporting growing global demand.
The global solar panel market is entering a new era where renewable energy is no longer considered optional but increasingly essential. Governments, businesses, and consumers are all accelerating investment in solar infrastructure as the world works to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward sustainable energy systems.
While challenges related to installation costs, storage systems, and weather dependence remain, rapid technological innovation and supportive government policies are steadily reducing those barriers. With the market expected to reach US$ 384.65 billion by 2034, solar panels are positioned to become one of the defining technologies of the global energy transition.

How does it work?
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.
More stories from

Akansha Aditi and writers in Trader and other communities.
The global water heater market is experiencing steady growth as consumers worldwide increasingly prioritize comfort, convenience, energy efficiency, and modern living standards. From residential apartments and hotels to hospitals and commercial complexes, water heaters have become an essential appliance for daily life and infrastructure development.

By

Akansha Aditi

about 16 hours ago in

Trader
Singapore continues to strengthen its position as one of Asia’s leading financial hubs, and in 2026, retail traders have more platform choices than ever before. From ultra-low-cost mobile brokers to institutional-grade trading terminals, the modern Singapore trader can access global stocks, futures, forex, options, and CFDs from almost anywhere.
By Will Greg7 days ago in Trader
SUZLON.NS Stock and Its Position in India’s Renewable Energy Growth Story SUZLON.NS Stock has become one of the most discussed renewable energy stocks in India due to the country’s fast-growing shift toward clean power generation. Investors are closely tracking Suzlon Energy because it operates in the wind energy sector, which is expected to play a major role in India’s long-term energy transition. As global demand for sustainable infrastructure rises, companies like Suzlon are gaining attention from both retail and institutional investors looking for exposure to green energy themes.
By Hammad Nawaz5 days ago in Trader
I open my phone and it is already open. The title exists somewhere after this, not before it. ◼ A question comes back to me without origin.
By Tim Carmichael5 days ago in Poets
© 2026

Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

source

Choose edition
Search
singapore
asia
world
opinion
life
business
sport
Visual
Podcasts
SPH Rewards
STClassifieds
Paid press releases
Advertise with us
FAQs
Contact us
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Associate Professor Annalisa Bruno, from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and School of Materials Science and Engineering at NTU, holding up a 400nm film (left) and a 10nm film that was developed by researchers at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU.
ST PHOTO: JASEL POH
Jemima Ryan
Published May 19, 2026, 05:00 AM
Updated May 19, 2026, 05:00 AM
SINGAPORE – Instead of the huge black panels that often cover roofs, solar panels could be practically invisible, blending into glass windows, after scientists from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) developed a solar cell that is ultra-thin and semi-transparent.
Most solar panels are currently made of silicon. The solar cells developed by a research team from NTU’s Energy Research Institute use an earth-abundant semiconductor material called perovskite that was first used in solar panels in 2009. This material allows for significantly more control over opacity and colour than silicon.
Perovskite solar cells are also different from conventional solar panels in their ability to generate energy even under indirect or diffused light. This could be significant in Singapore’s urban environment, where surrounding tall buildings may prevent direct sunlight from reaching some solar panels.
Semi-transparent solar cells also hold the potential for self-sufficient electric cars or wearable electronics as they can charge any time they are under the sun.
Compared with silicon, perovskite is comparatively new and still being researched, although it has high potential for use in solar panels. Silicon-manufacturing processes are also more established and cheaper than perovskite ones, although perovskite may become more cost-efficient after initial start-up costs, according to research from Tsinghua University.
Using a process called thermal evaporation, the NTU team is able to create an extremely thin perovskite layer over a large area. It believes this is the first time ultra-thin perovskite solar cells have been created using entirely vacuum-based processes.
“A typical perovskite layer is around 700 nanometres (nm). Now, we have moved from 700nm down to 10,” said the team leader, Associate Professor Annalisa Bruno, from NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and School of Materials Science and Engineering. For reference, a strand of human hair is typically about 100,000nm thick. This is 10,000 times thicker than the perovskite layers used in the cells developed by Prof Bruno’s team.
(From left) NTU researchers Edoardo Albanesi, Annalisa Bruno and Herlina Dewi in the laboratory at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU.
ST PHOTO: JASEL POH
Opaque silicon solar panels tend to have an energy conversion efficiency of about 25 to 27 per cent at the highest levels, while 60nm perovskite solar cells developed by Prof Bruno’s team have 7.6 per cent efficiency.
“The results reported (in the NTU project) show a promising balance between transparency and power generation in very thin devices, while the next critical tests will be long-term stability, durability and performance over larger areas,” said Professor Sam Stranks, who teaches energy materials and optoelectronics at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, and was not involved in the project.
NTU researcher Edoardo Albanesi using pincers to pick up a piece of thin film at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU.
ST PHOTO: JASEL POH
While ultra-thin layers are generally less efficient than thicker ones, the researchers stated that they had the highest reported efficiency among groups working on similar projects, including those with cells that are closer to 300nm in width.
Semi-transparent solar cells have been the focus of much research as they would allow electricity to be generated unobtrusively near where it is needed, reducing the burden on power grids. This could allow for more buildings to achieve net-zero status, in line with the aim of the Building and Construction Agency (BCA) for Singapore’s built environment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The core technology used to produce the ultra-thin perovskite layer has been patented under NTU in Singapore and the US. The research team is in talks with an undisclosed company to explore the manufacturing of the solar cells on a larger scale. Prof Bruno and her team estimate that it would take three to five years to scale up from the prototype to commercial use, although this may depend on the rate of adoption by industry partners.
The five-year solar cell project was primarily funded by NTU and grants from the Ministry of Education. The team also received support from the National Research Foundation and Economic Development Board.
Solar energy
Environmental issues
Renewable energy
Energy
Science
E-paper
Newsletters
Podcasts
RSS Feed
About Us
Terms & Conditions
Personal Data Protection Notice
Need help? Reach us here.
Advertise with us

source

Email or Username
Password

Please contact our Customer Service Team if you are unable to log in at clientservices@accessintel.com or 1-888-707-5814.
Amaury Perez Sanchez
Juan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer International Airport, the main gateway to the Varadero resort area, will become the first in Cuba to manage its entire electricity demand using solar energy, with the construction of a photovoltaic solar park that is already in the preparation stage.
The information was confirmed by Osmany Sánchez, Secretary General of the Party Committee at the airport, who explained that the project is scheduled to deliver 1.2 MW to the electrical grid, a capacity that will cover 100% of the airport’s demand, primarily between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and will include five hours of energy storage capacity. In a social media post, Sánchez emphasized that the installation of this solar park not only represents significant savings in fossil fuel consumption, but also positions the Matanzas airport at the forefront of Cuba’s energy transition.
According to data provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), approximately 20% of the world’s airports currently use solar energy, adopting solutions to mitigate environmental impact and reduce dependence on traditional fuels. With this project, the airport joins a trend that seeks to make airport operations more sustainable, while simultaneously guaranteeing energy stability at a strategic location for Cuban tourism.
The ability to self-manage 100% of its electricity demand will allow the airport to operate more independently of the national grid, especially during periods of high solar radiation. The five-hour storage system will ensure continuity of service during peak demand or periods of low generation, protecting critical operations at the airport terminal.
This initiative is part of a national strategy to transform Cuba’s energy matrix, which prioritizes the incorporation of renewable sources to reduce dependence on imported fuels and guarantee the stability of the electrical system. The decision by Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport to implement this project stems from its strategic importance to the region’s economy and its role as the primary destination for international tourism in Matanzas. In this regard, the solar park will not only benefit airport operations but will also serve as a model for future installations at other airports across the country, demonstrating the viability of solar energy as a power solution for critical infrastructure.
—Amaury Pérez Sánchez (amauryps@nauta.cu) is a chemical engineer at the University of Camagüey in Cuba.

Modern process industries are experiencing fluctuating market conditions and tight operational margins, leading chemical engineers to rely on real-time data to boost efficiency and reduce costs. Yet, many organizations are at different stages in their digital transformation journey. Some are just starting, while others are looking to optimize existing solutions. This webinar explores practical ways […]
Sponsored by dataPARC
Sponsored by RENTECH
Sponsored by technosylva
The inaugural Data Center POWER eXchange brought the data center power ecosystem together in Denver for a focused, one-day summit on the infrastructure shaping the future of digital growth. From site selection and development to operations and forward planning, DPX connected leaders across data center ownership, utilities, engineering, power generation, and technology. Watch to see […]
archives + podcasts + webinars + e-letters + video + exclusive content + events + much more!
For over 142 years, POWER has been the unwavering pillar of the power and energy industry, offering unparalleled insights on the latest trends, best practices, and news through our robust channels: print, digital media, and in-person events.
POWER is at the forefront of the global power market, providing in-depth news and insight on the end-to-end electricity system and the ongoing energy transition. We strive to be the “go-to” resource for power professionals, offering a wealth of information on innovative business practices, sound safety measures, useful productivity enhancements, and much more.
Sept. 28—30, 2026
Omni Shoreham
Washington, D.C.
Learn More
Trends, best practices, and news through: print, digital media, and in-person events. Subscribe
Exclusive E-letters to POWER up your knowledge. Sign up
© 2026 Access Intelligence, LLC – All Rights Reserved

source

New $1.25 million solar farm to produce 500,000 vacuums per year  cnhinews.com
source

EcoFlow has launched an RV Season Sale with up to 61% discounts across an array of power solutions for your upcoming travels and adventures – plus, continuing FREE gifts on purchases over $600. Among the lineup, we spotted a particularly notable deal on the more compact EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station with an EB600 extra battery (AKA RIVER 3 Max Plus) and 220W solar panel for $499 shipped, which is not an offered bundle over at Amazon. Normally $948 at full price, we don’t often see this expanded pairing joined by a solar panel, with the station and battery currently at its $359 low (matching at Amazon), while the 220W solar panel is cheapest at Amazon for $299 – meaning you’d be paying $159 more buying things separately. The deal here gives you a 47% markdown off the going rate for $449 savings at the lowest price we have tracked. Head below to browse the full rundown of deals while this sale lasts.
Instead of starting at the RIVER 3 Plus power station’s 286Wh LiFePO4 capacity, this expanded bundle gives you the maximum 858Wh battery capacity alongside a 220W solar panel, which provides the maximum solar-charging input for the unit. This is a more compact power solution with eight output ports (3x ACs, 2x USB-Cs, 2x USB-As, and a car port), thanks to the added ports from the battery. This setup provides devices and small appliances with up to 600W of steady power and can surge up to 1,200W. Alongside the maximum solar charging input you can utilize with this bundle, there are also options to recharge from a standard AC outlet, a gas generator, or the car port while driving.
***Note: As I mentioned, EcoFlow is continuing its FREE gift offers from the previous Mother’s Day Sale, with orders over $600 getting a FREE 45W solar panel, while orders over $3,000 get two FREE 160W solar panels. Some of the following deals also get extra savings taken off automatically in your cart, so don’t be surprised if some pricing on the landing pages do not initially match up.
We also have our exclusive $1,829 savings one the bundle of EcoFlow’s 12,888Wh DELTA Pro Ultra X power station with a Powerinsight 2 monitor for $7,019. You can find even more power station sales from other brands currently rounded up together within our power stations hub here, with some options also collected for you below.

EcoFlow’s 2,048Wh DELTA 3 Max power station with alternator charger at $949 2026 low for 24 hours, more from $899

EcoFlow’s 12,288Wh DELTA Pro Ultra X power station gets a Powerinsight 2 monitor and $1,829 exclusive savings to $7,019

Jackery’s HomePower 3600 Plus power station or bundle with a 500W panel at exclusive prices from $1,449

Anker SOLIX Storm Prep Sale drops 3,840Wh F3800 power station to exclusive $1,709 low, more from $1,899

Bluetti’s Hurricane Prep Sale offers exclusive power station lows, like the 2,764Wh Apex 300 at $1,425 + more from $449

Save up to 72% on Mango’s Power E 3,500Wh CATL station, bundles, and accessories &#8211; all starting from $249
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!

source

Jackery has launched its Memorial Day Sale with up to $2,400 power station and accessory savings, as well as two bonus savings codes (5% off and 7% off) for orders over $1,500, and an extra 5% off for military members. This sale – with the bonus savings – marks a solid opportunity to grab Jackery’s 5,040Wh Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station for $2,696.07 shipped, after using the code OFFER7 at checkout, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $184. This is the largest expandable unit from Jackery that would go for $4,299 without discounts, which we’ve mostly seen keeping down between $3,099 and $2,999 in 2026, though there have been more consistent falls lower to $2,899, with rarer chances to grab it at $2,799 and $2,699, too. The deal here gives you a 37% combined markdown with $1,603 savings to the second-lowest price we have tracked behind the $2,659 low that appeared during the March Spring Sale event. Head below to browse the full lineup of deals.
If you’re a fan of Jackery’s rugged and ready power solutions, you’ll be getting the unit with the largest expandability by going with the Explorer 5000 Plus power station, which starts here at a 5,040Wh LiFePO4 capacity and can climb all the way up to 60kWh with further investments (extra batteries and the like). The more mobile casing (with wheels and a telescopic handle) provides you with 12 output connection options (4x standard ACs, 2x heavy-duty ACs, 2x USB-Cs, 2x USB-As, a car port, and an AC expansion port), through which it delivers up to 7,200W of max power. That output even doubles to 14,400W when two of these stations are paired together using the AC expansion port.
It’s a station that is ready to handle load demands of 120V or 240V devices/appliances, with that versatility extended to solar charging via panels that use a MC4 connector – plus, this includes RV and EVs, too. You’ll be able to recharge it from a standard AC outlet, from your vehicle as you drive from the car port, with up to 4,000W of solar panel input, or by using both AC and solar charging functionalities together.
***Note: The following prices you see do not factor in the bonus savings codes that Jackery has provided during this sale, so be sure to use the code OFFER5 at checkout on orders over $1,500, while orders over $2,500 get more savings using the code OFFER7 at checkout. The brand has excluded the HomePower 3000 series, Explorer 2000 v2, and Explorer 2000 Plus series from these bonus savings, though.
You can browse the full lineup of Jackery’s Memorial Day power station deals on the main landing page here, while other sales from alternate brands are waiting for you over in our power stations hub here.

Jackery’s HomePower 3600 Plus power station or bundle with a 500W panel at exclusive prices from $1,449

EcoFlow RV Season Sale drops expanded 858Wh RIVER 3 Plus power station + 220W solar panel to $499 low, more from $259

Run homes with EcoFlow’s 12,288Wh DELTA Pro Ultra X station + Smart Home Panel 3 at exclusive new $9,899 low ($3,997 off)

EcoFlow’s 12,288Wh DELTA Pro Ultra X power station gets a Powerinsight 2 monitor and $1,829 exclusive savings to $7,019

Anker SOLIX Storm Prep Sale drops 3,840Wh F3800 power station to exclusive $1,709 low, more from $1,899

Bluetti’s Hurricane Prep Sale offers exclusive power station lows, like the 2,764Wh Apex 300 at $1,425 + more from $449

Save up to 72% on Mango’s Power E 3,500Wh CATL station, bundles, and accessories – all starting from $249
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!

source

The Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, commissioned two major 200-megawatt photovoltaic power plants on Monday, located in the municipalities of Tendla (wilaya of El-Meghaïer) and El Ghrous (wilaya of Biskra).
In a press statement at the project sites, the minister indicated that these significant installations mark the first projects of the President of the Republic’s program, which aims to produce 15,000 megawatts from renewable energy sources by 2035. This initiative is part of the State’s strategic orientation toward ensuring energy security through the diversification of electrical energy sources, particularly clean energies.
In the wilaya of El-Meghaïer, the Tendla power plant covers an area of 400 hectares. It consists of 20 photovoltaic fields comprising 364,000 solar panels, 20 electrical transformers, and a 30 kV substation. Accompanied by the wali of El-Meghaïer, Laaredj Nehila, and local authorities, the minister also took the opportunity to assess the status of the local energy sector and inaugurated the new headquarters of the El-Meghaïer Distribution Directorate (Sonelgaz).
Meanwhile, in the wilaya of Biskra, Adjal oversaw the inauguration of the El Ghrous power plant alongside the local wali, Lakhdar Seddas. This station, which was officially received last April following 24 months of construction work, also spans a surface area of 400 hectares. It features 23 secondary photovoltaic fields, over 390,000 solar panels, 23 secondary electrical transformers, and two main transformers.
According to the explanations provided to the ministerial delegations at both sites, these cutting-edge solar facilities are fully equipped with power generators, panel-cleaning mechanisms, as well as comprehensive control, monitoring, fire detection, and protection systems to ensure safe and optimal operations.

source

Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a nanoscale device that converts low-energy infrared and red light into higher-energy visible light, a breakthrough that could eventually improve solar panels, sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing systems.
Published in Nature Photonics, the research addresses a longstanding problem in photonics: how to stop energy from being lost before it can be used.
Related article: Study finds coal pollution affects solar power output
That mechanism allowed the device to achieve photon conversion efficiencies of 8.2%—among the strongest reported for this type of architecture.
“This work demonstrates a big step forward,” lead author UNSW researcher Dr Thilini Ishwara says.
“Achieving high efficiencies in films is difficult in these ultrathin molecular systems—good light absorption is needed and energy loss needs to be minimised.”
The work could have implications for industries looking to recover or reuse wasted infrared light.
In solar energy systems, for example, large amounts of low-energy light pass straight through conventional silicon cells unused and converting some of that light into visible wavelengths could improve overall performance.
The researchers say the approach may also be relevant to infrared sensing, photocatalysis, optical communications and next-generation additive manufacturing technologies such as volumetric 3D printing.
Importantly, the system operates in a solid-state structure compatible with semiconductor-style manufacturing, making it more commercially practical than earlier liquid-based approaches.
Related article: Researchers clean up toxic solar panels for use indoors
“We are keen to commercialise our technology,” Dr Ishwara says.
Click Here to Subscribe
Sign up to receive the latest Energy News emailed directly to your Inbox
Click Here to Subscribe
Red alert: Ecowende and Vestas will trial bright red turbine blades at a wind farm in the Netherlands to see whether it helps mitigate the risk of seabird collisions. #windturbines #windfarm #birds #conservation #renewables

Some hate renewables, others preach the end of life as we know it if we don’t replace all coal and gas. These opposing viewpoints are exploited by partisan politics. #renewables #energytransition #fossilfuels #netzero

* indicates required

source

Local solar co-op encourages people to learn more about solar energy  journal-news.net
source

Science and Technology
In the Peruvian Andes, residents of Chullpia, in the Puno region, have started using floating solar panels to pump water from a lagoon and irrigate pastures in an area marked by drought, frost, depleted soil, and limited access to electricity.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, the installation comprises 34 solar modules mounted on a structure of metal and recycled rubber, responsible for capturing enough energy to supply the pumping system used daily by the community.
During the day, the electricity generated by the panels powers a motor that sends water to 11 reservoirs used for irrigating pasture areas, reducing dependence on rainfall in a region marked by prolonged drought periods.
Water in Peru is running out and the country raises the alarm: a community in the Andes installs 34 floating solar panels at 4,000 meters altitude to pump irrigation, save dry pastures, and keep alpacas alive even without rain.
Researchers discover that the melting of Antarctica is expected to advance across the continent, grow by more than 10% by 2100, and increase the risk of collapse in ice shelves after unprecedented 1 km climate models reveal highly vulnerable areas.
Portugal installs two giant underwater sockets to draw water from the Atlantic and create a €107.9 million desalination plant in the Algarve capable of producing 43.2 million liters of potable water per day with ocean intake 2 km from the coast.
Japan enters the Guinness Book by showcasing to the world the smallest manned helicopter ever created: a 70 kg aircraft using four 125 cc engines, 4-meter coaxial rotors, reaching 90 km/h and climbing to 1,000 meters without a tail rotor.
At about 4,000 meters above sea level, the Chullpia lagoon has been part of the residents’ routine for decades, although there was a lack of infrastructure capable of transforming that volume of water into a regular source of agricultural irrigation.
Without easy access to the conventional electrical grid and facing high fuel costs, local families needed to find an alternative that would allow them to distribute water to productive areas even during the driest periods of the year.
The water drawn from the lagoon is mainly used for the recovery of pastures intended for feeding alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas, animals that remain at the center of the rural economy in various high-altitude areas of southern Peru.
In addition to providing fibers used in textile production, the herds support traditional activities that are part of the income and permanence of families in the Andean territory, where agriculture remains highly dependent on climatic conditions.
When the rain decreases for long periods, the pastures dry up quickly, the soil loses productive capacity, and the animals face feeding difficulties, causing direct impacts on rural production and community sustenance.
In this scenario, solar-powered irrigation has become a tool for climate adaptation, allowing part of the green areas to remain productive even during more intense drought periods.
In practice, the system operates relatively simply, as the modules installed over the lagoon capture solar radiation during the day and transform this energy into electricity to activate the water pumping.
After passing through the reservoirs built by the community, the water continues to the grazing areas and helps maintain vegetation during periods when the rains are no longer sufficient to sustain the productive soil.
The initiative arose from the proposal of Juansergio Castro, a resident of Chullpia with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of the Altiplano, who was seeking a way to use the local lagoon to combat pasture degradation.
In a report to UNDP, Castro explained that the community always had water accumulated in the lagoon, although there was a lack of a system capable of efficiently extracting and distributing this resource for irrigation.
To get the project up and running, the residents participated in the installation of the pipelines and the construction of the reservoirs, in a process that required collective work and adaptation to the harsh conditions of the Andean region.
According to the report released by UNDP, the community also faced difficulties during implementation, including damage caused by heavy rains that affected part of the structure before the system’s final completion.
With the panels in operation, the lagoon became part of the productive routine.
The choice of floating modules also avoids occupying land areas that can be used for grazing or other agricultural activities, a relevant point in regions where each productive area has economic weight.
The experience of Chullpia has started to draw attention precisely because it shows a direct application of solar energy in an isolated rural community, connecting renewable technology to a concrete need linked to local economic survival.
Instead of operating as a large plant distant from the reality of the residents, the system was incorporated into the daily life of the community to pump water and preserve essential grazing areas for the herds.
At the same time, the proposal reduces the dependence on diesel-powered engines, whose supply is usually expensive and logistically complex in locations far from major urban centers.
It also decreases the vulnerability of families in the face of electrical supply failures or the absence of conventional infrastructure, a situation still common in different high-altitude rural regions in Peru.
The UNDP states that the region is already experiencing effects associated with climate change, such as droughts, frosts, and more unpredictable storms.
In this context, reliable irrigation systems help protect rural production and reduce losses during periods of greater instability.
Even with technological advancement, traditional management remains at the center of the recovery of productive areas, as irrigation directly depends on the correct distribution of water and continuous care of the soil.
Over generations, residents have accumulated knowledge about the climate, the behavior of pastures, and livestock farming at altitude, experience that remains fundamental to the functioning of the system.
According to the UNDP, the combination of solar technology and community knowledge allows for maintaining green areas even during the dry season, a period when vegetation normally suffers accelerated losses in the region.
With greater availability of food in the pastures, animals find more stable feeding conditions, a factor considered important to reduce losses associated with prolonged drought periods.
The experience gained prominence for transforming a high-altitude lagoon into an active part of rural production.
For families that previously depended almost exclusively on rain, solar pumping increased the predictability of work in the field.
The project does not alone solve structural problems such as rural poverty, isolation, and climate vulnerability.
Even so, it offers a concrete adaptation tool for communities that need to keep animals fed, soil productive, and regular access to water.
A journalist who graduated in 2017 and has been active in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints at free-to-air TV channels, and over 12,000 online publications. A specialist in politics, employment, economics, courses, and other topics, he is also the editor of the CPG portal. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, wish to report an error, or suggest a story idea related to the topics covered on the website, please contact via email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept résumés!
© 2026 Click Petróleo e Gás – All rights reserved

source

© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
That kind of mix can make an energy system more resilient.
Photo Credit: iStock
Just south of England, the island of Jersey’s first solar farm is getting attention after beating its electricity forecasts by as much as 30%, the Jersey Evening Post reported.
The results suggest that local solar could help make Jersey’s power supply more stable, cleaner, and potentially less expensive over time.
Jersey Electricity said in its annual report that the Moulin à Vent solar farm in St. Clement has “materially outperformed expectations” since coming into operation. 
The 4.3-megawatt-peak site has generated 25% to 30% more than originally projected so far, according to the utility.
Jersey Electricity stated that the solar farm’s success is due to “the layout of the site, ‘improved panel efficiencies, and favorable weather conditions,'” according to the Jersey Evening Post.
The utility company also described the installation as “a significant milestone” and “an important step towards energy independence.”
The Merino Mono is a heating and cooling system designed for the rooms traditional HVAC can’t reach. The streamlined design eliminates clunky outdoor units, installs in under an hour, and plugs into a standard 120V outlet — no expensive electrical upgrades required.
And while a traditional “mini-split” system can get pricey fast, the Merino Mono comes with a flat-rate price — with hardware and professional installation included.
The project is part of the company’s Solar 5000 strategy, which aims to produce enough solar electricity for the equivalent of 5,000 homes by 2030. Two planned ground-mounted solar farms in St. John and St. Mary could add about 6.6MWp of capacity.
When a solar project produces more energy than expected, it can mean more dependable local power, less pressure to rely on imported electricity, and a stronger cushion against price volatility. 
For households, that could eventually help support more predictable energy bills.
The firm’s chief executive, Chris Ambler, said, “With new projects delivering locally-generated power to the grid for the whole community, solar is becoming increasingly affordable, stable and complementary to our imported power from France.”
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Starting at $50
Starting at $99
Starting at $60
Starting at $80
That kind of mix can make an energy system more resilient, especially when demand rises or supply conditions shift.
Local leaders have responded positively. Environmental group Jersey in Transition also welcomed the early outcome. According to the Jersey Evening Post, the group’s chair, Nigel Jones, called the farm’s initial performance “encouraging.”
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

source

Australia Eyes Future with Smarter Large-Scale Solar  Mirage News
source

SLR Solar Launches 800-MW TOPCon Solar Module Manufacturing Facility in Rajasthan, Plans Expansion to 3 GW  SolarQuarter
source

0
Powered by :
PVFARM, a US-based company focused on utility-scale PV planning platforms, has been selected as a Photovoltaics finalist for The smarter E AWARD 2026. PVFARM’s platform uses civil, electrical, structural, and energy engineering models within one digital twin to create build-ready layouts. Geometry-based data models represent costs, quantities, and performance in real time, while supporting iterative analysis and early risk review. The platform also allows rapid scenario comparisons, which are directly linked to planning certainty for utility-scale PV designs. According to the source, PVFARM can support projects up to 800MW dc and enable 10-20x faster iterations. The source also says advanced automation can save up to 96% design time across utility-scale planning workflows. Winners will be honored on June 22 from 5:00pm at ICM, before The smarter E Europe runs from June 23–25 at Messe München.

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

source