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The 100-bed mansion in Marlborough, Wiltshire, known as Tottenham House. (SWNS)
(SWNS)
(SWNS)
(SWNS)

The 100-bed mansion in Marlborough, Wiltshire, known as Tottenham House. (SWNS)
By Tom Bevan
A billionaire has been given the green light to build a 40-acre solar farm on his land after winning a planning dispute with neighbors.
Hedge fund owner Chris Rokos has been renovating a 100-bed mansion in Marlborough, Wiltshire, known as Tottenham House.
His representatives also submitted plans to Wiltshire Council to turn 40 acres of his 4,500-acre Savernake Estate into a solar farm that were approved despite concerns from locals.
The project “seeks to ensure Tottenham House and Estate’s long-term and sustainable future” by supplying the mansion and its outbuildings with “a sustainable form of power and water to enable its functional operation.”
It had been described by one neighbor in objections as a “substantial visual and historical intrusion.”
(SWNS)
But Rokos can now move forward after Wiltshire Council approved key construction details for the project.
Council planners have partially discharged a planning condition covering construction and environmental management, allowing work on the solar array itself to begin.
The plans for the huge solar farm were initially met with criticism from both neighbors and the local parish council.
And while some praise Rokos’ overall regeneration efforts, fears were also expressed that the huge number of panels would negatively impact the “area of outstanding natural beauty.”
The proposed plot, situated on the northern boundary of the extensive plot, is currently used as pasture for dairy cows and for producing silage.
The site adjoins a public footpath which runs between the hamlet of Durley and St Katharine’s Church and elementary school – though it is shielded from view by trees.
Once operational, the ground-mounted panels are expected to generate around 794,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, enough to meet a significant share of the estate’s energy needs.
(SWNS)
About 44 percent of the electricity produced will be used on site, with the remainder exported to the local grid.
The scheme forms part of efforts to secure a more sustainable future for Tottenham House, one of Wiltshire’s most significant historic properties, which has undergone extensive restoration in recent years.
Despite being located within the estate’s historic parkland, planners concluded the benefits of the project outweighed any harm to the heritage setting.
The array will be screened by existing woodland and new planting designed to reduce its visibility, while the panels will be mounted on screw piles rather than permanent concrete foundations. This means the installation could be removed in the future if required.
The land will also remain in agricultural use, with grazing able to continue around the panels.
The solar project was originally approved as part of a wider package of works that also includes a large water storage lagoon, a new utility water connection and landscape improvements across the estate.
While construction of the solar array can now proceed, further environmental management details will still need to be approved before work begins on other parts of the wider development, including the water lagoon and associated infrastructure.
Several neighbors objected to the initial plans.
(SWNS)
Among them was nearby resident Richard Frics who said: “The restoration of Tottenham House is clearly a very desirable step in reversing the degradation of a Grade 1 Listed mansion, which was on the register of Heritage Assets at Risk.
“The creation of a solar PV array has not previously been mooted and it is in respect of this element of the latest planning application that we wish to lodge our objection.
“We understand that the ground mounted PV array will cover ‘a little over one hectare of ground’.
“Not only will it be situated in an AONB but also a Grade 2* Registered Park and Garden next to a Capability Brown landscape.
“In addition it will be in direct view of the Grade 2* listed stable block. The glare from a three-acre block of glass will massively change the outlook from this protected historic building.
“The proposal will erode the special qualities of this Heritage Landscape. It will also set an undesirable precedent for future planning applications elsewhere in the country.”
Another neighbor Mark Colquhoun added that he commended the overall restoration, which he described as “an exemplary project.”
But he described the solar farm as a “substantial visual and historical intrusion.”
He added: “To place modern energy infrastructure here undermines the character and legibility of this protected setting, contrary to national and local heritage policies.”
The former owner of Tottenham House, the Earl of Cardigan David Brudenell-Bruce, sold the 4,500-acre Savernake Estate to a developer in 2014 for £11.25 million ($15.1 million) after it had been in the same family for 200 years.
Tottenham House was part of the Savernake Estate, which dates back to the Norman Conquest when it was a royal hunting forest.
Originally published on talker.news, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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They estimated that roughly 65 kWh of electricity that otherwise would have been bought at peak rates was avoided.
Photo Credit: Anker
A U.K. homeowner says a new 10-kilowatt-hour battery setup sharply reduced peak-time grid use in its first week, offering an early example of how pairing battery storage with rooftop solar can cut electricity costs on a time-of-use tariff.
For households dealing with high utility rates and unpredictable weather, that kind of system can provide more control.
According to a Reddit post, the setup uses two hardwired Anker Solarbank 4 Pro units stacked for a total of 10 kWh, along with four 410-watt solar panels feeding the MPPT inputs. 
The household is on Octopus Go, with electricity priced at 8.5p overnight and 30.1p during the day, and the poster said daytime grid imports dropped from roughly 80 kWh before installation to around 15 kWh.
Based on those numbers, the poster said the first week delivered a net saving of about £16.50 (~$21.90 USD). They estimated that roughly 65 kWh of electricity that otherwise would have been bought at peak rates was avoided. 
The panels generated about 40 kWh in total, with around 30 kWh stored in the battery while the household was at work and 10 kWh used directly in the home as it was produced. That meant only about 35 kWh had to be added during the overnight charging window, at a cost of around £3 (~$4).
Adding battery storage is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and keep more of your solar power available when you actually need it. If you want to explore your options, EnergySage can help you compare home battery storage choices and get competitive installation estimates. 
The post also highlighted the limitations of a modest-sized battery during colder weather. The original poster said, “Two evenings we had the heating on and the stack ran out before 00:30, so those last couple of hours came straight off the grid.”
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They also cautioned that the system could be under more pressure in winter, when solar production is likely to fall. Still, other commenters described similarly strong solar performance. 
“I generated 174kWh since I had my system installed on September 10th,” a commenter wrote. “8 x 495 panels spread 4 east and 4 west. Cannot wait for next summer.” 
Battery storage can also help households rely less on the grid by shifting cheap overnight electricity into the more expensive part of the day and by storing solar power that would otherwise be exported or go unused.
“40kWh is very good for 4x 410W panels at the end of September,” a commenter reacted. “Must have been much more sunny than average back home. It will be interesting to see your data longer term. It’s definitely the way to go though.”
If you’re thinking along those lines, EnergySage has teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
Another option is Pila, which offers excellent battery backup choices. Its plug-and-play batteries cost a fraction of a whole-home backup system.
Home batteries and solar are reshaping how communities manage electricity costs.
• In the U.K., a proposal says neighborhood-scale batteries could cut bills by storing cheap power.
• In England, residents raised £440,000 for the U.K.’s first community-owned battery to capture excess solar.
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.
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China
Factories in Ningbo, one of China’s leading manufacturing hubs, are installing rooftop photovoltaic panels to cope with surging power demand under China’s “Six Networks” initiative, a move that has driven an infrastructure upgrade to the local grid system.
China is mulling multi-trillion-yuan investment through the “Six Networks” initiative, as the country works to expand domestic demand and stabilize economic growth amid external uncertainties and lingering domestic supply-demand imbalances.
The “Six Networks” refer to water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, next-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks and logistics networks.
At a manufacturing base in Ningbo, smart production lines are running at full capacity, with part of the electricity supplied by the base’s rooftop photovoltaic panels. To date, Ningbo’s rooftop photovoltaic panels would cover an area equivalent to 5,000 standard football fields if put together, with an installed capacity exceeding 10 million kilowatts.
Rooftop photovoltaic panels not only help address the base’s power demand, it also brings extra income to the base, its business head said.
“The company can save over 10 million yuan (around 1.49 million U.S. dollars) in energy costs every year. The surplus electricity can be supplied to the grid to generate revenue. It’s like building another production line for the company on the rooftop,” said Ma Ji, business head of Ningbo FOTILE Kitchen Ware Co., Ltd.
But when massive numbers of photovoltaic panels are connected to the grid, how should it respond to this “stress test”? The Ningbo Power Supply Command Center faced this challenge.
“In the past, electricity was sent from our power plants to every household. It was a ‘single lane’. But now, with so many photovoltaic panels on rooftops, each like a small power plant, feeding electricity into the grid, it needs to become a ‘double lane’. Our lines simply cannot handle it,” said Lu Zhiming, director of the Power Supply Service Command Center, State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company.
Ningbo’s challenge is also a challenge for the construction of new-type power grids across the country. Currently, new energy installed capacity is growing by about 200 million kilowatts annually on average, urgently requiring a stronger new-type power grid that allows clean electricity to be generated, transmitted and used reliably.
Recently, State Grid technicians have been installing a set of devices on poles and towers in the streets and alleys, turning invisible information such as photovoltaic output, power flow and line load into an intuitive map of tidal energy. Researchers have loaded massive meteorological data into the power dispatch system, using future sunlight and temperature forecasts to calculate in advance the changes in photovoltaic power generation.
“Through using this model, we have improved our forecast accuracy to over 96 percent. It has transformed our grid dispatch mode from passive response to proactive prediction and control, giving us much more confidence,” said Cai Zhenhua, a level-4 expert at the Power Dispatch Center, State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Company.
This exploration makes large-scale newly connected new energy more predictable, dispatchable and controllable.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, addresses the upgrading of traditional forms of infrastructure and the development of new ones. These infrastructure networks are coordinated, mutually reinforcing, and essential for daily life, guaranteeing stable power, faster connectivity, water security, safe and clean cities, and efficient deliveries.
The country’s cutting-edge infrastructure coordination mechanisms are already delivering results. Along the Pinglu Canal and at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, water transport, logistics, and digital networks are being advanced together to expand capacity, improve flood control, and raise efficiency. And China’s computing hubs, power grids and computing networks are continuously sharing data to better match supply with demand.
Ningbo’s “rooftop solar boom” drives State Grid’s infrastructure upgrade
The Gaza Strip has suffered severe casualties and heavy economic losses during the past three years of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to a statement from the Hamas-run Gaza Government Media Office.
The media office on Wednesday issued a statement saying that the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of more than 74,000 people in the Gaza Strip, displaced more than 2 million people from their homes, and caused direct economic losses totaling over 80 billion U.S. dollars.
The statement said that in terms of economic damage, the residential sector had suffered the heaviest impact, amounting to approximately 34 billion dollars; healthcare and municipal public services had each sustained losses of around 6 billion dollars; the commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors had incurred combined losses of approximately 13 billion dollars; and sectors such as telecommunications and education had also suffered severe losses.
The statement noted that the ongoing blockade and conflict have dealt a devastating blow to local livelihoods; over 87 percent of the Gaza Strip’s agricultural land and greenhouses has been destroyed, and 8,700 agricultural wells have been rendered inoperable, causing annual fruit and vegetable yields to plummet from 524,000 tons to just 20,000 tons.
The statement said that over the three years of conflict, the Israeli military has dropped more than 230,000 tons of explosives on the Gaza Strip, resulting in damage to over 90 percent of the Strip, including the complete destruction of more than 335,000 buildings.
Through its military operations and forced displacement, the Israeli military now effectively controls more than 80 percent of the territory in the Gaza Strip, the statement said.
The recorded death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 74,250, with approximately 9,500 others believed to be still buried under the rubble or missing, the statement said, adding that more than 55 percent of those killed were children, women, and the elderly.
The ongoing conflict has also claimed the lives of 1,723 healthcare workers, 149 civil defense and rescue personnel, and 262 media professionals, according to the statement.
Only 19 of the 38 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain partially operational, while medical services in northern Gaza and the Rafah area have completely collapsed, the statement said.
Across the Gaza Strip, 97 percent of school buildings have sustained damage, and more than 740,000 students have been deprived of their right to education, according to the statement.
The statement also blamed Israel’s obstruction of aid corridors for a severe humanitarian disaster, resulting in 460 deaths — including 164 children — due to acute hunger and malnutrition.
Gaza suffers severe casualties, economic losses in three-year conflict
© 2023 Bastillepost. All rights reserved.
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AI-Guided Room-Temperature Synthesis Scales Perovskite Nanocrystals For 19% Efficient Solar Cells  AZoNano
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The BayNet
Online News & Entertainment
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) is proud to announce the closing of a $1.36 million bridge loan, the first transaction under the Bridge Finance Facility (BFF). The BFF is funded by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) through the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF).
This catalytic bridge loan to King Energy Services Inc. supports the development of a seven-project, 5.22 MW community solar portfolio spanning Prince George’s, Howard, Baltimore, Harford, and Anne Arundel Counties.
“This investment demonstrates how the strategic use of SEIF funding allows MCEC to provide the essential capital needed to move clean energy projects from the planning phase to reality,” said Kathy Magruder, Executive Director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center. “By bridging the gap for developers like King Energy, we are not only advancing the climate goals in Maryland but also ensuring that the benefits of clean energy reach those who need them most.”
Once operational, the seven-project portfolio is expected to serve up to 1,000 households as community solar subscribers. These participants will receive credit on their monthly utility bills, reducing their energy costs by 20%. In alignment with program requirements, at least 51% of the capacity will be allocated to low- and moderate-income (LMI) subscribers.
“These seven community solar projects will provide clean, local power to Marylanders across the state who are currently facing rising energy costs,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman. “Community solar delivers the many benefits of solar energy to those who rent their homes or cannot install solar panels on their own properties. The Maryland Energy Administration is proud to support MCEC in expanding access to lower cost, clean energy.”
Projected Annual Benefits:
Funding Opportunities
For more information about the financing process or to speak to the Maryland Clean Energy Center about a project, please reach out to info@mdcleanenergy.org.
1 Comment
Another Maryland government boondoggle. Yet another state handout when our state budget is in the toilet, given by some agency no one has heard of…
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Tesla burst onto the roofing scene in 2016 with the controversial, well-publicized merger/rescue of SolarCity, and promised to reshape roofing in the 21st Century.
In some ways it has, whether through bringing disruptive change to a roofing vertical with tremendous potential, or generating buzz for what otherwise became a stagnant technology for roughly a decade. That made Tesla’s announcement in August that it was discontinuing its Solar Roof tiles because the product was financially and logistically unviable all the more disappointing.
Perhaps it should not be unexpected. While Tesla continues making money largely through its automotive wing, it’s no longer making as much money as it used to, which created a problem for company decision-makers.
Citing high costs, reliability issues, and production shortfalls, Tesla opted out of roofing altogether, leaving several roofing contractors that installed the high-end product around the country with many questions. At the time of publication, Tesla ceased taking orders, removed roof tiles from its website, and redirected traffic to its standard solar panel products.
From a roofing contractor’s perspective, Tesla’s entry into solar roofing over the past decade brought integrated photovoltaics from the niche fringes of the building world to the kitchen table. It became an experiment that brought solar roofing to the mainstream industry conversation. While the company’s execution and partnership models faced challenges, Tesla’s involvement in the industry provided several distinct benefits to the broader roofing trade. Here are a few things to think about:
Photo: Tesla
Roofing and technology often go hand in hand in today’s marketplace, but few tech companies generated the buzz Tesla did by turning roofing from an essential commodity into a high-margin tech product when its Solar Roof launched.
Historically, homeowners viewed residential roofing as a necessary evil—a purchase they only made when an old roof failed or leaked. Tesla upended that perception by marketing the roof as a sleek, resilient and desirable technology upgrade. That allowed roofing contractors to reframe their service offerings as high-end “luxury” products in the renewable energy space.
Known for his disruptive approach to business, whether in transportation, information, or space exploration, Tesla Founder Elon Musk stayed true to form in roofing. The notion of turning heavy, bulky, and awkward-looking solar panels into an aesthetically pleasing, futuristic design that helped the environment was a welcome fix.
Industry giants that dabbled in solar products for years — like GAF and CertainTeed – paid attention. Both made significant investments in reframing their solar energy approach and designs within five years of the Solar Roof’s debut. Both now offer integrated photovoltaic shingles of their own with Timberline Solar and CertainTeed Solar to innovate rapidly.
I shouldn’t understate it: before Tesla, building-integrated solar panels were often bulky, fragile, or visually unappealing. Tesla’s glass-tile engineering, hidden wiring, and dummy matching tiles that created a uniform, edge-to-edge roof look were a game changer.
The innovation also gave roofing contractors easier-to-install, nail-gunnable solar shingles that install like traditional roofing products rather than requiring specialized racking and electrical setups.
For years, the massive rift between roofers and solar installers gave HVAC technicians envy. I’ve heard so many ‘horror’ stories about how solar contractors frequently drilled directly into existing roofs, compromising flashing and voiding roofer warranties. Meanwhile, roofers often regarded solar arrays like the Plague, with many refusing to touch any solar equipment because of safety and liability concerns.
Tesla helped validate the roofer’s crucial role in solar installations by requiring a full roof replacement to install its integrated solar system. Traditional roofing companies trained in-house electricians or forged strategic partnerships with local solar installers, capturing revenue that previously went untapped.
Selling a complete roof replacement to homeowners only midway through the roof’s traditional lifespan used to be a tough sell. The value proposition that energy savings could offset the roof cost over time helped recalibrate the cost conversation. Roofing contractors that will still install solar, those adding metal offerings, and coatings contractors will all continue to benefit.
Maybe Tesla’s foray into roofing will be seen as little more than a fad, or a timely trend, when energy-saving incentives occupied people’s business models and politics. But I believe roofing contractors gained a useful tool and a compelling pitch: they could provide a comprehensive solution combining roofing, solar, and home battery systems —and charge a premium for it. That alone may have made Tesla’s Solar Roof a worthy experiment whose lasting impact and influence remain unknown.
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Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.
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Atomic motion could open a new path to more efficient solar cells  Nanowerk
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MNRE proposes 14-digit codes to standardise solar PV cell identification under ALMM List-II.
October 07, 2026. By EI News Network
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed a standardised nomenclature for solar PV cell models listed under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II.

Under the draft proposal dated October 5, 2026, each solar PV cell model would carry the manufacturer’s brand name followed by a 14-digit alphanumeric code. The code is intended to provide a uniform identification framework and capture key technical details of the cell.
The proposed code would indicate the origin of polysilicon, ingot, wafer and cell, followed by the cell technology, wafer size and cell efficiency.
The first four positions would use D or F to indicate domestic or foreign origin. The fifth and sixth positions would identify cell technology, with codes including MP for Mono PERC, TC for TOPCon, HJ for HJT, BC for Back Contact and PS for Perovskite.
The seventh and eighth positions would indicate wafer size, including MA for M10, MB for M10R, GA for G12 and GB for G12R.
Positions nine to 11 would represent the first three digits of cell efficiency, with the decimal point omitted. For instance, a cell with 24.67 percent efficiency would be represented as 246, while a cell with 25.55 percent efficiency would carry 255. The final three positions would remain reserved.
MNRE said the proposed nomenclature is aimed at improving uniformity, identification and traceability of solar PV cell models across the value chain.
All inspections conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for new ALMM List-II enlistments after issuance of the office memorandum would follow the proposed nomenclature.
For manufacturers and models whose inspections have already been completed, as well as those already enlisted under ALMM List-II, the model nomenclature would have to be revised within two months of the memorandum’s issuance. NISE would coordinate with manufacturers for the revision.
The ministry said the standardised nomenclature could also serve as a common product identifier for regulatory and commercial purposes. The cell-origin information would help distinguish between ALMM List-I and List-I(a) solar modules based.

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State power utility CFE has passed 27% physical progress on Sequence III of the 1,000MW Puerto Peñasco solar plant in Sonora, marking a key milestone in Mexico’s public renewable energy strategy. The project incorporates specialized post-piling infrastructure to support 563,000 solar panels and integrate 246MW of total battery energy storage (BESS) into the National Electrical System (SEN). This buildout directly impacts power generation providers, industrial consumers, and grid equipment manufacturers as Mexico expands utility-scale solar and storage capacity to improve regional grid stability.
 
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CFE has advanced construction on Sequence III of the 1GW Rafael Galván Maldonado Photovoltaic Plant in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, achieving a physical progress rate exceeding 27%. The project is expected to begin commercial operations by late 2027.
According to CFE, Sequence III will add 300MW of capacity to Mexico’s National Electrical System (SEN), targeting commercial operation by the end of 2027. The first two sequences of the solar complex are currently in commercial operation, contributing a combined 420MW to the grid.
The current construction milestone involves installing structural mounting posts in the Transformation Center 2 (CT-2) area. Using percussion and pressure machinery, steel profiles are buried over 2m deep to create the foundation for approximately 563,000 solar panels. In total, the project requires the installation of 84,182 steel posts. The work is being conducted by specialized crews using 4 Pauselli 900 piling rigs equipped with positioning and alignment control systems, CFE notes.
CFE highlighted that post-driving is widely used in utility-scale solar developments due to its speed, structural load capacity, wind resistance, and adaptability to terrain topography. From an environmental standpoint, the method avoids extensive excavation and permanent concrete foundations, preventing soil chemical alteration and leaving no concrete debris, which simplifies eventual site decommissioning at the end of the plant’s operational lifecycle.
Battery Storage and Grid Stability
Alongside photovoltaic infrastructure, CFE is deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the Puerto Peñasco site to balance electricity supply and demand in real time. The first two operational phases currently provide 72MW of BESS capacity to the SEN. Constructing Sequences III and IV will add 174MW of storage, bringing total site storage capacity to 246MW with two to three hours of discharge autonomy, as reported by MBN.
The BESS units absorb surplus solar generation during peak production hours and release electricity during evening demand spikes or periods of reduced solar irradiance. Beyond load balancing, the storage infrastructure optimizes transmission line and substation utilization, improves grid responsiveness during contingencies, and reduces ancillary-service costs. The Puerto Peñasco facility also includes a synchronous condenser to stabilize system voltage and improve power factor.
National Expansion and Capital Allocation Strategy
The battery-integrated expansion at Puerto Peñasco reflects broader federal targets outlined under the National Electrical System Expansion Plan 2025–2030. During the First CFE Investor Meeting 2026 at the National Museum of Energy and Technology (MUNET), CFE detailed a US$37.5 billion capital expenditure roadmap aimed at expanding power generation and transmission nationwide.
To finance this buildout, CFE is leveraging capital markets alongside Mixed Development Schemes, which awarded 8,025MW across more than 30 projects in its initial tender. Under updated federal guidelines, newly awarded renewable projects must co-locate battery storage equal to at least 30% of capacity with a minimum three-hour discharge duration to alleviate regional grid constraints. In transmission, CFE has allocated US$6.9 billion toward 154 grid projects through 2030, utilizing vehicles like CFE Fibra E to expand line capacity across key industrial corridors.

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A 2,100-panel Powder River Energy solar project got a quick, five-minute approval from Crook County commissioners Wednesday, despite upfront opposition. Company officials “all live here, so they’ve got to deal with this also,” said a commissioner.
October 08, 20265 min read
Crook County commissioners joked about the lack of a crowd Wednesday as they prepared to vote on the final permit for the Labelle Prairie solar project.
Quentin Rogers, vice president of strategic development for the project’s developer, Powder River Energy, attended on behalf of the cooperative to answer questions from the board. Chairman Fred Devish had only one.
“Is it done yet?”
Commission Vice-Chair Bob Latham told Cowboy State Daily he can’t recall another local energy project going as smoothly as this one.
“A lot of people in this county are against solar and wind,” Latham said. “Powder River Energy knew they were going to be up against that, so they did this properly and got out in front of people.”
No community members spoke for or against the project Wednesday.
As the meeting wrapped with a unanimous approval from the commission, Devish cracked one last joke to Rogers — asking if he’d really come all the way to the meeting for a five-minute vote.
The LaBelle Prairie Project will sit on Powder River Energy land north of Interstate 90 near Exit 153 in Moorcroft, right beside an existing substation and line shop.
It pairs a 5-megawatt battery system built to discharge for four hours with a 1.2-megawatt solar array of roughly 2,100 panels spread over three to four acres.
The batteries will let the co-op store power when it’s cheap and tap it when demand and prices spike, giving Powder River Energy a backup supply of its own for the first time.
Once the project is finished, the batteries are expected to cut the co-op’s power purchases during peak times and save an estimated $1 million a year, which the co-op says will help keep costs down for its members. 
Still, Latham said the easy vote to get the project across the finish line was a far cry from how the community felt at the beginning.
“When it first came out we did have a lot of people calling us and griping about the solar aspect of it,” Latham said. “As commissioners, we were the first ones people were calling. I told them, ‘Guys, I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.’”
Latham said he wrote down a list of all the questions and concerns he fielded from constituents and brought them all to a one-on-one meeting with Powder River Energy CEO Brian Mills.
Latham said Mills took the time to answer every specific concern with a well-reasoned response, proving to him the value of dealing with a power company rooted in the community.
“They’ve put a lot of thought and time and effort into this,” Latham said. “And they all live here. It’s not like this is some big corporation and they all live in New York or LA. They all live here, so they’ve got to deal with this also.”
That openness extended to the community, with the cooperative conducting several town halls and community meetings during the planning stages. 
Latham said trust came easily because he and other Crook County residents have seen the cooperative’s service hold up.
Since he bought his house in 2019, he said, only one or two outages have lasted longer than 10 minutes, and even after major events that took a day or two to fully restore, crews worked the problem right away instead of putting it off.
“A cooperative run properly with the right people is awesome,” Latham said. “They’re here for the members so they wouldn’t be doing this project if there wasn’t a benefit for the members.”
Powder River Energy is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, which means the more than 12,000 people it serves are also its owners. Those members elect a 10-person board, with two directors from each of the five northeast Wyoming counties the co-op covers. 
Tim Velder, the cooperative’s spokesman, said what Latham described demonstrates the motto of Powder River Energy.
“We’re concerned about Main Street, not Wall Street,” Velder said. “We’re not owned by a large investment fund or anything like that. We are basically owned by our own members, and that’s who we’re obligated to serve.”
That obligation meant taking seriously the worries about solar that Latham described, Velder told Cowboy State Daily, and the co-op heard plenty of them as the project took shape. 
“Once we explained that the solar panels would be just a small portion of an overall battery storage technology that we would want to bring to the service territory, people were a little less nervous about it,” Velder said.
As a member of the county’s volunteer fire department, Latham said fire was his biggest worry because battery fires would pose a big problem for a small crew. The cooperative had planned for that too, Velder said.
“We also do trainings with the fire department as far as how to respond to the unlikely possibility that there might be an emergency out there of some kind,” Velder said.
The $23.5 million project is financed through a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan, with 20% of it eligible for forgiveness. Together with federal tax credits, that is expected to leave the co-op covering about half the cost.
“We do have to come up with some funding on our end,” Velder said. “But we’re estimating that that would be paid back with the savings.”
Velder said the Wednesday vote was a “big day” for the project, as it has now cleared permitting and can start breaking ground.
“The actual turning of the dirt can begin hopefully before the end of the year,” Velder said.
Already, Powder River Energy is planning to have next year’s annual membership meeting at the project site.
“We’re going to give tours of the facility,” Velder said. “It won’t probably be completed just yet, but it’ll give people the opportunity to walk through it, touch it, see what it is up close.”
Emma Jane Jackson can be reached at emma@cowboystatedaily.com.
Kate Meadows7 min read
Emma Jane Jackson6 min read
Emma Jane Jackson joined Cowboy State Daily as an energy reporter in September 2026.
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US clean energy developer Clearway Energy has closed financing and started construction on a 650MW solar PV project in Missouri, which it expects to enter commercial operation in 2028.
The Swan Energy Center project is being developed on portions of formerly strip-mined land in north-western Bates County and is Clearway’s first solar project in the state. It is backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and forms part of a 1.2GW portfolio of projects announced by Clearway earlier this year.
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The project will use US-made solar panels and other equipment, Clearway said. The developer added that the project represents a total investment of around US$1.5 billion and financing was arranged through a bank consortium led by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, DNB Bank and National Australia Bank.
Construction is being carried out in partnership with Blattner Energy and is expected to create up to 500 jobs at peak construction activity.
“The Swan Energy Center represents a significant investment in Bates County, delivering reliable clean energy and economic benefits to the region,” said John Woody, chief development officer at Clearway. “We’re grateful to our local partners for their trust in welcoming Clearway to the community.”
Beyond energy generation, the company plans to maintain native grasses and floral resources across the site to support habitats for pollinators such as monarch butterflies, while improving soil drainage and soil health.
Alongside its public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc, Clearway Energy has more than 14GW of gross generating capacity across 27 US states. This includes around 11.4GW of wind, solar and battery energy storage assets, alongside more than 2.8GW of flexible dispatchable generation. Clearway Energy accounts for approximately 13.9GW of that capacity, comprising around 11.1GW of renewable and storage assets and 2.8GW of flexible generation.
In August 2026, Clearway Energy reported 3,585GWh of solar generation in Q2 2026, up from 2,800GWh a year earlier, while first-half solar generation reached 5,882GWh. Its renewables energy and storage portfolio generated 6,867GWh in the quarter, up 16% year-on-year.
Clearway’s growth pipeline includes the 210MW Honeycomb Phase II battery storage portfolio in Utah, at which it expects to begin operation in 2027, and the 975MW Chimney Canyon solar-plus-storage project in Arizona, which is backed by a long-term PPA and expected online in 2029.

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Owatonna Peoples Press
Enterprise Energy CEO Eric Pasi and partners cut the ribbon on the Owatonna Community Solar Garden.
Last Thursday, visitors and partners waded through the mud as the ribbon was cut on Owatonna’s new community solar garden.
The garden was made possible by Minnesota’s posthumously named Melissa Hortman Community Solar Program, which was established in 2013 and requires a minimum of 30% of each garden’s output to be dedicated to low-income households. The program allows homeowners and renters alike to subscribe.

The facility is called a “garden” in part because a pollinator-friendly seed mix developed by Minnesota state agencies has been planted. The mix is designed to increase plant diversity, create competition for invasive species, promote plant community resilience and support pollinators such as honeybees
An aerial view of the solar garden captured in may following the ground breaking.
However, it may be more accurate to refer to it as a solar farm composed of more than 10,000 American-made solar panels. Developers hope the facility will help power 1,200 to 1,500 Owatonna homes and save participants 12% to 15% on their monthly electricity bills. Homeowners and renters who live in homes and apartment buildings, as well as schools, faith communities and nonprofits, can subscribe to solar at their locations.
“Community solar gives more people a way to participate in Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including those who may not be able to install solar on their own roofs,” Enterprise Energy CEO Eric Pasi said. “Projects like this also show how local communities can help build a stronger energy system, and at Enterprise, we’re proud to develop projects that expand energy access and create lasting value for the communities where we serve.”
The ribbon cutting was the culmination of a collaborative effort between Minnesota-based Enterprise Energy, Cedar Creek Energy, Minnwest Bank, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority and Sunrise Bank.
“Enterprise Energy spearheaded this project and we’re very excited to be a solution in the midst of the energy affordability crisis that we’re in right now,” Pasi said.
Visit EnterpriseEnergy.com for more information and to sign up.
Reach reporter Tim Messenger at 507-444-2376. © Copyright 2026 Adams MultiMedia of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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Ellidaey Island off Iceland’s south coast, part of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, became famous thanks to a house that social media users have dubbed “the world’s loneliest house.” Its owners — members of the local Ellidaey association — have replaced imported gasoline and propane with solar panels and a battery.
Ellidaey covers about 0.45 square kilometers, roughly the size of the Vatican. It can only be reached by boat, and only in good weather: there are no roads, cables or pipelines on the island. The house used to serve not as a home in the usual sense but as a utility building, where winter supplies and hunting and fishing gear were stored. Today the island is visited mainly by members of the Ellidaey association, which owns the building, and by hunters.
Every new load has to be brought in by boat and then hoisted up the high cliffs with a winch — that’s how the new equipment was brought ashore too. “To keep the house running for the last 60 to 70 years, we had to rely on gasoline and propane. Getting them out here is extremely difficult, and it’s not good for nature either,” said Ragnar Thor Jóhannsson, chairman of the association.
The same winch was used to bring a new 5kWh domestic battery to the island, and two solar panels were installed on the roof of a small building next to the hunting cabin. “Where connecting to the grid simply isn’t possible, you’re left relying on generators. But that always means problems with fuel and getting it there. A battery and solar panels are exactly the right fit here,” explained Simon Smith, a British specialist in off-grid home energy systems.
The new system powers the stove, an electric kettle, lighting and communication equipment — the last of these especially important in such a remote spot, in case help needs to be called. The association is also hoping for fewer supply trips: a fridge-freezer will be brought to the island, allowing food to be kept longer and cutting down on the fuel and time spent on deliveries. “Everyday life here is going to change dramatically. It’ll be easier for us to store food, we’ll save money, and we’ll be helping nature,” Jóhannsson says happily.
The supplier of the new technology is pleased too: on Ellidaey, winds can reach 100 km/h and waves can top nine meters. “The big upside for us is that we’re testing the system under about the most extreme conditions there are. There’s no backup here — it either works or it doesn’t,” Smith says. Jóhannsson agrees: if the technology can withstand loads like that, it will work anywhere. The house that social media turned into a symbol of total isolation is entering a new era — no longer dependent on regular fuel deliveries, and now generating its own power.
Ellidaey is interesting for more than just its isolation. The island is an important nesting site for puffins: the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago as a whole is home to some of the largest colonies of these birds in the world, and tens of thousands of pairs raise chicks on Ellidaey itself every year. These are the very birds the members of the association that owns the house hunt.
Source: novinky.cz
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Clearway Energy, a US clean power developer, has finalized financing and broken ground on a 650MW solar PV installation in Missouri, with commercial operation targeted for 2028.
The Swan Energy Center is taking shape on sections of land in north-western Bates County that were previously strip-mined, marking Clearway’s inaugural solar venture in the state. A 20-year power purchase agreement underpins the project, which is part of a 1.2GW project portfolio the company unveiled earlier this year.
According to Clearway, the project will rely on solar panels and other components produced in the United States. The developer said the total investment amounts to approximately US$1.5 billion, with a bank consortium led by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, DNB Bank and National Australia Bank arranging the financing.
Blattner Energy is partnering on construction, which is anticipated to generate as many as 500 jobs during peak building activity.
John Woody, Clearway’s chief development officer, called the Swan Energy Center a major investment in Bates County that would bring dependable clean energy and economic gains to the area, and thanked local partners for their confidence in welcoming the company into the community.
In addition to power production, the company intends to preserve native grasses and floral resources throughout the site to sustain habitats for pollinators such as monarch butterflies, while enhancing soil drainage and soil health.
Together with its public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc, Clearway Energy possesses over 14GW of gross generating capacity spanning 27 US states. This encompasses roughly 11.4GW of wind, solar and battery energy storage assets, plus more than 2.8GW of flexible dispatchable generation. Clearway Energy represents about 13.9GW of that capacity, consisting of around 11.1GW of renewable and storage assets and 2.8GW of flexible generation.
In August 2026, Clearway Energy disclosed 3,585GWh of solar generation for Q2 2026, an increase from 2,800GWh the prior year, with first-half solar generation totaling 5,882GWh. Its renewables and storage portfolio produced 6,867GWh during the quarter, marking a 16% year-on-year rise.
The company’s expansion pipeline features the 210MW Honeycomb Phase II battery storage portfolio in Utah, slated to start operating in 2027, and the 975MW Chimney Canyon solar-plus-storage project in Arizona, which has a long-term PPA and is expected to come online in 2029.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the United States, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
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Researchers at the Guangdong University of Technology in China have created a silver paste for solar cell metallization that uses biomass lignin, aiming to cut production costs and make photovoltaic cell manufacturing more sustainable by substituting renewable, biomass-derived materials for conventional paste components, according to pv magazine.
The work centers on a dual lignin engineering approach that combines solvent fractionation with epoxidation grafting, converting renewable lignin into a functional binder for low-temperature curable silver pastes used in silicon heterojunction solar cells, corresponding author Dong Yu Zhu told the publication.
According to the reported comments, the optimized epoxidized lignin replaces one quarter of the petroleum-based bisphenol F epoxy resin and takes part in the curing and cross-linking network instead of serving as an inert filler. The same account states that this improves paste rheology and printability, raises the printed finger aspect ratio by 89.57%, lowers contact resistance by 62.43%, and strengthens adhesion.
The paste was developed specifically for heterojunction cells, where conductive silver pastes generally depend on epoxy resins to deliver mechanical strength, adhesion, flexibility, and durability through cross-linking during curing. The scientists noted that conventional epoxy resins are petroleum-based, comparatively costly, and prone to aging under prolonged sunlight exposure.
Lignin was chosen as an alternative because it offers strong ultraviolet absorption, antioxidant behavior, thermal stability, and reactive functional groups. Its use in resin systems can also enhance mechanical strength, toughness, and resistance to aging. Zhu described lignin as an abundant, low-cost, renewable biopolymer obtained as a by-product of the pulping and biorefinery industries.
The team examined two routes for adding lignin to low-temperature curable silver pastes. One directly blended fractionated alkali lignin with bisphenol F epoxy resin as a partial resin replacement. The other used chemically modified, epoxidized lignin that participates in the resin curing network. Both routes were meant to improve paste viscosity, printability, adhesion, electrical conductivity, and ultimately solar cell efficiency.
Alkali lignin and enzymatic hydrolysis lignin were selected, with the alkali lignin further fractionated using ethanol and ethyl acetate. The epoxidized lignin was then synthesized by chemically modifying the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction with a silane coupling agent. The silver paste contained three types of silver powder along with resins, curing agents, dispersants, and solvents. Total silver content was kept at 92-93 wt%, with a silver-to-resin ratio of 30:1.
Different lignin concentrations and resin substitutions were tested for their effects on paste performance. The mixtures were homogenized and processed with a three-roll mill before being screen-printed onto monocrystalline silicon wafers measuring 158.75 mm by 158.75 mm. The printed samples were then cured at 180 C for 30 minutes.
Characterization methods including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, rheometry, microscopy, and electrical resistance measurements were used to assess the chemical, mechanical, morphological, and electrical properties of the pastes. Power conversion efficiency of the resulting heterojunction solar cells was measured through current-voltage testing.
The analysis showed denser silver particle packing, lower internal porosity, and better contact between the silver electrodes and silicon substrates. These structural gains were also found to support continuous conductive pathways and reduce electrical losses.
The scientists reported that the epoxidized lignin formulation raised the power conversion efficiency of the heterojunction cells from 25.01% to 25.96%, which Zhu described as an absolute gain of 0.95 percentage points over the control and a sustainable bio-based route for high-efficiency heterojunction metallization.
Zhu concluded that adding an appropriate amount of epoxidized lignin promotes curing and cross-linking reactions, producing a stable three-dimensional network that improves paste rheology, printed grid morphology, interfacial contact, and electrical conductivity. Those improvements in the cured silver grid ultimately contribute to better photovoltaic performance in heterojunction solar cells, he said.
The research appears in the study titled Engineered lignin unlocks low-temperature curable silver pastes for high-efficiency silicon heterojunction solar cells, published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
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Major integrated miner, silver by-product
Silver from zinc/lead processing
Significant silver producer
Major lead smelter, silver by-product
Integrated non-ferrous metals miner
Focused silver producer
Major smelter, silver by-product
Silver from copper refining
Silver from copper smelting
Subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining
Silver as by-product
Silver from tin/lead processing
Polymetallic miner
Focused on silver-rich mines
Precious metals focus
Silver as by-product
Precious metals
Holding company with mining assets
Silver from nickel/copper processing
Silver from various operations
Polymetallic producer
Historical silver producer
Silver from waste processing
Silver from battery material recycling
Secondary lead/silver producer
Integrated zinc-silver producer
Smelter with silver output
Historical mining group
Diversified metals
Silver as by-product from mines
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“I only know about those outages from notifications from my solar system app.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A Reddit discussion about home solar suggests that for many homeowners, rooftop panels are no longer just a math problem about payback periods. Instead, some owners say solar-plus-battery systems are increasingly acting as insurance against outages, letting them keep power when the rest of the block goes dark.
That shift came through clearly in the discussion, where solar owners said one of the biggest benefits can be so seamless they hardly notice it.
On Reddit, a post in r/solarenergy focused on whether backup power is starting to matter more than monthly savings for people considering solar. The OP said they had begun “looking at solar less as just a way to lower electricity costs and more as a way to have some backup when the grid goes down.”
For some respondents, reliability was a deciding factor, especially in areas where outages happen often or follow severe weather. 
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.
One user with a 45-kilowatt-hour battery system said they get through about three short outages each month without any interruption at home: “I only know about those outages from notifications from my solar system app.”
One user said a four-day wind-storm outage pushed them to compare options after they “Couldn’t get gas for my generator,” noting that a propane generator was quoted at $12,000 while “Batteries+solar cost about the same.” 
Another user said their Tesla Powerwall had handled 74 outages over six years, totaling 19 hours of disruptions.
The discussion also included people who viewed solar-plus-storage as a way to stay powered during outages while also guarding against higher utility bills. 
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A user in South Africa said their 2022 installation was prompted by increasingly regular outages and noted that electricity prices had risen 14.5% per year since 2008, compared with 5% annual CPI.
Going solar is still one of the best ways to save money on home energy, especially if you are also trying to reduce dependence on an unreliable grid. Homeowners can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
Users also pointed out that backup power depends on more than simply having panels installed. 
One user in the U.K. said “Solar can’t normally be used in the U.K. to power a house if the grid is down” because inverters must shut off when the main fuse is pulled.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Others in the thread said batteries were not necessary for their situations. 
One user reported “less than one outage/year” and decided to skip storage, while another user in Arizona said their 2020 solar-and-battery setup had experienced just one outage longer than 24 hours in five years and that steep electricity-price increases still helped them reach break-even.
Users described a wide range of backup setups. One said their whole-house system uses 20 kilowatts of solar and a 27-kWh battery bank, with the option to expand to 54 kWh.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. It can also keep essentials like fridges, internet, ceiling fans, and communications running during multiday outages or hour-long tropical power cuts. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
EnergySage is also useful on the shopping side: With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, as well as details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Here are a few examples of how solar and battery systems can matter most when the grid fails. They follow homeowners using rooftop panels and storage to ride out hurricanes, neighborhood blackouts, and long storm outages.
• After a hurricane, one homeowner called the real payoff when solar kept lights on.
• In California, a homeowner became one of the few houses with power after a blackout.
• In Australia, a 20-kilowatt setup made blackouts invisible while one month delivered a $545 credit.
• Homeowners weighing generators against solar said we never have to worry when storms hit.
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TOYO expands its Texas panel plant. A solar-cell line is expected to be complete in early 2028.  Stock Titan
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Northern Solar wins RM34m solar EPCC contract  The Malaysian Reserve
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07 October 2026, Västerås, Sweden: Researchers at Mälardalen University in Sweden have shown that broccoli grown beneath semi-transparent, magenta-tinted solar panels used sunlight roughly 4.5 times more efficiently than broccoli grown in open fields, offering fresh evidence that colored photovoltaic panels can let farmland generate electricity and food at the same time without one activity badly undercutting the other. The findings, published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science on October 2 and led by researcher Silvia Ma Lu, add to a small but growing body of agrivoltaics research aimed at easing the land competition between solar energy expansion and food production.
The panels used in the trial are thin-film cadmium telluride cells engineered to filter incoming sunlight by color, allowing red and blue wavelengths, the parts of the spectrum plants rely on most for photosynthesis, to pass through to crops beneath, while the panel itself still captures a usable share of the light to generate power. Magenta, red and blue variants were tested, with the magenta panels, filtering out mainly the green light that solar cells do not use efficiently anyway, producing the strongest result for broccoli. The research team described the approach as deliberately splitting the solar spectrum between the two competing uses, rather than treating crop growth and power generation as a straightforward trade-off.
The trial was not without costs. Broccoli grown under the magenta panels took 25 additional days to reach harvest maturity compared with fully sunlit plants, even though the crop ultimately reached a comparable size. The solar panels themselves also generated roughly 100 megawatt-hours less electricity per hectare annually than conventional, unfiltered panels would on the same land, reflecting the inherent trade-off of diverting part of the spectrum toward plant growth rather than power output. An independent expert cited in coverage of the study, Ramesh Rayudu, said the central commercial question is whether the extra agricultural value captured under the panels is large enough to offset that lost generation, a calculation that will vary by crop, electricity price and local climate.
The study adds a specific, tested data point to the wider agrivoltaics field, which has mostly relied on neutral, semi-transparent panels or simple elevated panel structures that provide shade rather than spectrum-selective filtering. By tuning the panel’s color to match a crop’s photosynthetic needs, the Mälardalen team’s approach points toward a future in which panel design could be adjusted crop by crop, rather than applying a single generic agrivoltaic structure across different farms. The research was funded by Sweden’s J. Gust Richert Foundation, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Knowledge Foundation and the Carbon2Food initiative, reflecting the project’s position within a national push to expand renewable generation without displacing farmland.
The work remains at an early, small-scale field-trial stage, and broccoli’s response under colored panels will not necessarily translate directly to other crops with different light requirements or growing cycles. Commercial deployment would also need to account for the higher manufacturing cost of colored thin-film cells compared with standard panels, a factor the published study does not resolve. Even so, the result offers agrivoltaics developers a concrete efficiency figure to test against other crops and climates, rather than relying solely on shade-based designs that sacrifice more electricity output for a smaller agricultural benefit.
Also Read: Sumitomo Chemical’s Carbon Footprint of Product Calculation Tool CFP-TOMO Receives Third-Party Validation
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07 October 2026, Italy: BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, together with CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction machinery and technology, and
07 October 2026, Africa: Inland valleys are attractive places to grow rice partly because water naturally collects there.  But the same feature
30 September 2026, Jaipur: Balwaan Krishi has raised ₹100 crore in Series B funding to expand manufacturing, strengthen its distribution network and develop new
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Schools and public buildings in South Gloucestershire are now benefitting from lower energy bills and lower carbon emissions thanks to the council installing solar panels.
South Gloucestershire Council has delivered a significant expansion of renewable energy generation across its estate during 2026. 980kW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity has been installed at 11 schools. These school installations were part funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority as part of Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund.
In addition, the council has invested in a further 280kW of solar PV capacity across a range of community facilities, including libraries and children’s centres, helping to reduce energy costs and increase the use of clean, locally generated electricity.
Together, these new installations are expected to generate enough renewable electricity each year to meet the equivalent annual demand of approximately 390 average homes in England, while reducing reliance on the national grid across these buildings by around one-third.
This substantial investment has more than doubled the council’s rooftop solar generation capacity, significantly increasing renewable energy production across the property portfolio and improving the resilience and sustainability of the council’s estate.
Councillor Louise Harris, cabinet member for the climate and nature emergency at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “When we started our council term one of the top priorities was to look after our environment. Putting solar panels on the council buildings and schools was a real way we could make a difference. We’re really pleased to see solar installed across the council’s buildings.
“It is estimated that each school or public building that’s had solar installed as part of this programme will save around a third of its energy costs. It’s a win for the environment and keeps costs down.
“By harnessing the power of the sun, solar panels produce clean, low-carbon energy, helping to reduce dependence on traditional electricity and gas supplies.
“We are putting our climate and nature action plan into action and demonstrating the council’s continued commitment to addressing the climate and nature emergency, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting the transition to a cleaner, greener future for South Gloucestershire.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Our funding for schools, children’s centres, and libraries in South Gloucestershire, including Yate, Staple Hill and Longwell Green, are going to feel the benefit of these solar panels. We hope to soon be able to invest in even more solar panels across the West, thanks to more funding announced last month.
“Saving money through green energy today can help protect tomorrow, and thanks to more new funding, we will be able to help even more communities. It’s great to see South Gloucestershire Council matching the investment provided by the Mayoral Renewables Fund, secured from Great British Energy.”
School projects (part funded by the Mayoral Renewable Fund):
Non-school projects:
A video of Councillor Louise Harris and Kathryn Jones, business manager at Wellesley Primary School, talking about the school’s new solar installation is available at https://youtu.be/kDAsHkBqAOs
For local advice and support services for home retrofit and energy saving, visit:
Retrofit West – https://www.retrofitwest.co.uk/ – T: 0800 038 6733
Warm and Well – https://warmandwell.co.uk/ – T: 0800 500 3076.

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⚡ Quick Read
The US residential solar market is undergoing a significant transition following the expiration of the 30% federal residential solar tax credit at the end of 2025. According to the 23rd Home Electrification Marketplace Report by EnergySage, the market has responded to this policy shift with a price adjustment, as stakeholders navigate the new economic landscape without the primary federal incentive that previously drove affordability.
In the first half (1H) of 2026, median US residential solar prices climbed to $2.57 per watt, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the second half of 2025. For a standard 12 kW residential installation, this adjustment brought the total cost to $30,712 before incentives. While solar-only pricing saw a marginal decline of 1%, solar-plus-storage installations experienced a 5% price hike, reaching $2.55/W. Battery storage costs also trended upward, rising 5% in 1H 2026 to $1,130/kWh, a figure 13% higher than the market low recorded in late 2024, driven by ongoing trade and supply chain constraints.
For solar developers and EPC contractors, the data underscores a critical shift in sales strategy. With 63% of contractors citing pricing as the primary driver of lost sales, the industry is pivoting toward flexible financing. The share of installers offering third-party ownership (TPO) options on the EnergySage platform surged from 14% to 41% within six months. Prepaid TPOs have become a vital tool, with prepaid leases and PPAs proving 39% and 57% cheaper than cash purchases respectively, allowing installers to maintain volume in a price-sensitive environment.
As grid electricity rates continue to climb due to aging infrastructure and increased electrification demand, the value proposition for residential storage is expected to strengthen. Developers should monitor the increasing battery attachment rates as homeowners seek to hedge against rising utility costs. While the US market dynamics differ from the India renewable energy sector, the focus on innovative financing models and storage integration provides valuable insights for Indian developers looking to scale residential and C&I solar segments as government subsidies evolve.
Aditya Pathre is the Founder of MVApulse and covers India’s renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy policy and competitive bidding. His reporting focuses on project developments, market trends, government policies and energy transition across India.
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A German renewable energy company,MaxSolar GmbH and DoppelErnte have marked the topping-out ceremony for the 8 MWp Riepholm Agri-PV plant in Lower Saxony, Germany. MaxSolar is a German renewable energy company active in the development, construction and operation of photovoltaic projects, including utility-scale and commercial solar installations. The Riepholm project is being implemented with Bioland-Hof Wilkens, Bürgerenergiegenossenschaft Visselhövede and other regional participants. Organic farming will continue between the module rows, enabling agricultural production and photovoltaic generation on the same land. The modules use east-west tracking to follow the sun and produce electricity particularly during higher-demand morning and evening periods. MaxSolar is responsible for the project’s engineering, procurement and construction, while DoppelErnte is the project developer. German politician Lars Klingbeil also visited the project during the topping-out event.
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First Solar has initiated a significant legal challenge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, filing a patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese solar manufacturer JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. and its U.S.-based distributor, American Panel Solutions, LLC (AMPS). This legal action centers on the unauthorized use of proprietary TOPCon solar cell patent technology, specifically U.S. Patent No. 9,130,074. The patent, originally acquired by First Solar via its 2013 purchase of TetraSun, covers critical manufacturing methods for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) crystalline silicon solar cells, which are essential for reducing carrier recombination and enhancing module conversion efficiency.
The lawsuit targets JA Solar and its affiliates, alongside AMPS, which is a subsidiary of Corning. The dispute involves a 2 GW module assembly plant in Arizona that was previously linked to JA Solar. First Solar is seeking both monetary damages and permanent injunctive relief to prevent the import, assembly, and sale of the disputed TOPCon modules within the United States. This move marks a strategic shift for First Solar, which recently opted to withdraw its Section 337 complaints before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in favor of direct district court litigation. The company’s patent portfolio, which remains active through 2030, is being aggressively enforced as TOPCon architecture becomes the industry standard for high-efficiency modules.
For EPC contractors and solar developers, this litigation introduces a layer of supply chain uncertainty. As First Solar continues to target major tier-one crystalline silicon module manufacturers—including previous actions against JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, and T1 Energy—the risk of import delays or injunctions on popular TOPCon modules increases. Developers must carefully evaluate their procurement strategies and supplier contracts to mitigate potential risks associated with intellectual property disputes that could disrupt project timelines and module availability.
The legal proceedings in Delaware are expected to be protracted, with the industry watching closely to see if other manufacturers reach settlements or if the court imposes significant restrictions on module imports. This case underscores the intensifying competition within the India renewable energy sector, where the transition to high-efficiency TOPCon technology is accelerating. As global manufacturers vie for market share, the enforcement of intellectual property rights is becoming a defining factor in the stability and cost-structure of the international solar supply chain.
Aditya Pathre is the Founder of MVApulse and covers India’s renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy policy and competitive bidding. His reporting focuses on project developments, market trends, government policies and energy transition across India.
India’s Power Sector Intelligence Portal
MVApulse is an independent publication covering India’s renewable energy sector including solar, wind, BESS, transmission, green hydrogen, EPC and power markets.
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Universal Epic Universe integrates floating solar system  Blooloop
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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global PV Backsheets (PET-Based) market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The global market for PET-based photovoltaic (PV) backsheets is a critical enabler of solar module durability, electrical insulation, and long-term performance. As the solar industry accelerates toward terawatt-scale annual installations, demand for cost-effective, reliable backsheet materials continues to rise. PET-based backsheets, which use polyethylene terephthalate as the core dielectric layer within multi-layer laminates, remain the dominant technology due to their balanced cost, mechanical strength, and proven weatherability.
This report analyzes the market from 2012 to 2025 and forecasts developments through 2035, covering product types such as transparent, white, black, double-sided fluoropolymer, fluoropolymer-free, high-reflectivity, anti-PID, and halogen-free backsheets. The market is segmented by end use, including utility-scale solar farms, commercial rooftop PV, residential rooftop PV, building-integrated PV (BIPV), floating solar, solar carports, agrivoltaics, and portable solar devices. Key demand drivers include global renewable energy targets, declining solar LCOE, module efficiency improvements, and the growing need for durable materials in harsh environments.
Supply-side factors, such as PET resin availability, fluoropolymer coating capacity, and regional manufacturing concentration, also shape market dynamics. The competitive landscape features established material science firms and specialized backsheet producers, with innovation focused on sustainability, recyclability, and performance enhancement. This analysis provides a data-driven outlook for manufacturers, investors, and policymakers navigating this essential segment of the solar value chain.
The baseline scenario for the PET-based PV backsheet market through 2035 anticipates sustained volume growth, primarily tied to global solar PV capacity additions. As solar becomes the cheapest source of new electricity generation in many regions, annual installations are expected to rise steadily, directly translating into higher demand for backsheet materials. The market will benefit from ongoing module efficiency gains, which reduce material intensity per watt but are more than offset by volume growth.
Regionally, Asia-Pacific will remain the dominant production and consumption hub, led by China, while North America and Europe see renewed manufacturing interest driven by energy security and local content requirements. Technological shifts, including the rise of bifacial modules and glass-glass configurations, may moderate demand growth for traditional backsheets in some segments, but PET-based backsheets will retain a strong position in monofacial modules and cost-sensitive applications.
Pricing is expected to remain competitive, with downward pressure from overcapacity in the PET film and backsheet lamination segments, partially offset by rising raw material costs and stricter quality standards. Sustainability mandates, particularly in Europe, will drive demand for halogen-free and recyclable backsheet solutions, creating opportunities for innovation. Overall, the market is forecast to grow at a moderate single-digit CAGR, with the market index reaching approximately 160 by 2035 (2025=100), reflecting a 4.8% CAGR. This outlook assumes no major supply chain disruptions and a continued policy push for renewable energy deployment worldwide.
Utility-scale solar farms represent the largest end-use segment for PET-based PV backsheets, accounting for the majority of global demand. These projects prioritize cost per watt and long-term reliability, making PET-based backsheets an attractive choice due to their proven performance and lower cost compared to fluoropolymer-heavy alternatives. As developers increasingly deploy modules in harsh environments—deserts, high-humidity coastal areas, and high-altitude sites—the demand for backsheets with enhanced UV resistance, moisture barrier properties, and anti-PID characteristics grows.
Through 2035, the segment will be shaped by the global push to decarbonize power grids, with annual utility-scale installations expected to rise significantly. Demand-side indicators include government auction volumes, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar. The trend toward larger module formats (e.g., 182mm and 210mm wafers) also influences backsheet consumption per module, as larger modules require more backsheet material per unit. Overall, this segment will remain the primary volume driver for PET-based backsheets, though growth rates may moderate as some markets shift toward bifacial glass-glass modules.
Current trend: Growing steadily, driven by large-scale solar tenders and declining costs..
Major trends: Increasing module sizes and higher power ratings, Adoption of bifacial modules in utility-scale projects, Growing demand for anti-PID and high-reflectivity backsheets, Regional manufacturing incentives in North America and Europe, and Focus on recyclability and reduced carbon footprint.
Representative participants: JinkoSolar, LONGi Solar, Trina Solar, First Solar, Canadian Solar, and NextEra Energy.
Commercial rooftop PV installations are a significant and growing end-use segment for PET-based backsheets. Businesses are increasingly investing in on-site solar to reduce energy costs, meet sustainability targets, and hedge against volatile electricity prices. In this segment, backsheets must balance cost-effectiveness with aesthetic considerations, as rooftop systems are often visible. White and black backsheets are popular for their appearance and performance. The demand for PET-based backsheets in commercial rooftops is driven by the need for durable, weather-resistant materials that can withstand decades of exposure.
Through 2035, the segment will benefit from supportive policies such as net metering, tax incentives, and green building certifications. Demand-side indicators include commercial construction activity, corporate renewable energy procurement, and retail electricity prices. The trend toward integrated solar solutions, such as solar carports and building-integrated PV (BIPV), also creates niche demand for specialized backsheets. However, competition from glass-glass modules and alternative backsheet materials may temper growth in some markets. Current trend: Expanding due to corporate sustainability goals and rising electricity costs..
Major trends: Rising corporate PPAs and sustainability mandates, Increased adoption of solar carports and canopies, Demand for aesthetically pleasing black and white backsheets, Growth in distributed generation in emerging markets, and Integration with energy storage systems.
Representative participants: SolarEdge, SunPower, Tesla, IKEA, Walmart, and Amazon.
Residential rooftop PV is a key end-use segment for PET-based backsheets, driven by homeowners seeking energy independence and lower electricity bills. In this segment, backsheet aesthetics and safety are paramount, with white and black backsheets dominating due to their clean appearance. PET-based backsheets are favored for their cost-effectiveness and proven reliability in residential applications, where module lifetimes of 25 years or more are expected. The demand for residential solar is influenced by factors such as retail electricity prices, government incentives, and financing options. Through 2035, the segment will grow as solar becomes more affordable and as smart home energy management systems integrate with PV.
Demand-side indicators include housing starts, residential electricity rates, and adoption of home batteries. The trend toward smaller, higher-efficiency modules may reduce backsheet material per module, but overall volume will rise with installation growth. Competition from building-integrated PV (BIPV) and solar tiles could pose a challenge in premium markets. Current trend: Steady growth, supported by falling system costs and rising homeowner awareness..
Major trends: Growing adoption of home energy storage, Increased focus on aesthetics and roof integration, Expansion of solar leasing and financing models, Rising electricity prices driving self-consumption, and Government incentives for residential solar.
Representative participants: Sunrun, Vivint Solar, Tesla, Enphase Energy, LG Solar, and Panasonic.
Building-integrated PV (BIPV) and specialized applications such as floating solar, agrivoltaics, and portable solar devices represent a smaller but high-value segment for PET-based backsheets. In BIPV, backsheets must meet stringent aesthetic and functional requirements, often requiring custom colors, transparency, and flexibility. PET-based backsheets can be engineered to provide these properties while maintaining electrical insulation and durability. Floating solar installations demand backsheets with high moisture resistance and anti-soiling properties, while agrivoltaics require materials that withstand varied environmental conditions. Portable solar devices need lightweight, flexible backsheets.
Through 2035, these specialized segments will grow as solar integrates into new environments and applications. Demand-side indicators include architectural trends, water reservoir development, and agricultural policies. The trend toward customization and high-performance materials will drive innovation in backsheet technology, though volumes will remain relatively small compared to utility-scale and rooftop segments. Current trend: Niche but growing, driven by architectural integration and specialized needs..
Major trends: Customization for architectural aesthetics, Growth in floating solar on reservoirs and lakes, Integration of solar into agricultural land, Lightweight and flexible backsheets for portable devices, and Advancements in transparent backsheets for BIPV.
Representative participants: Onyx Solar, Ertex Solar, Ciel & Terre, BayWa r.e, SunPower, and Flisom.
The operations and maintenance (O&M) and replacement segment for PET-based PV backsheets is relatively small but growing as the global solar fleet ages. Backsheets can degrade over time due to UV exposure, moisture ingress, and mechanical stress, leading to reduced module performance and safety risks. When modules fail or underperform, replacement backsheets are needed for repair, particularly in cases where full module replacement is cost-prohibitive. This segment demands backsheets that match the original specifications and can be applied in the field. Through 2035, the replacement market will expand as a significant portion of installed capacity reaches the end of its warranty period.
Demand-side indicators include the age distribution of solar installations, module failure rates, and O&M spending. The trend toward extending module lifetimes and repowering older sites will support demand. However, the overall share of this segment will remain modest compared to new installations, as most backsheet demand is driven by new module production. Current trend: Emerging segment, driven by aging solar fleets and repair needs..
Major trends: Aging solar fleet driving repair and replacement, Development of field-applied backsheet solutions, Repowering of older solar farms, Warranty claims and quality issues, and Focus on extending module operational lifetime.
Representative participants: First Solar, SunPower, SolarCity, CleanMax Solar, Sterling and Wilson, and Tata Power Solar.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Asia-Pacific remains the epicenter of PV backsheet production and consumption, led by China’s massive solar manufacturing base. The region benefits from integrated supply chains, low production costs, and strong domestic demand. Through 2035, growth will be driven by continued solar installations in China, India, and Southeast Asia, though overcapacity may pressure margins. Direction: Dominant and growing.
North America is a significant and growing market for PET-based backsheets, supported by federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act and corporate renewable procurement. The region is seeing renewed interest in local manufacturing, which could reduce reliance on imports. Demand will be driven by utility-scale and commercial solar projects. Direction: Growing steadily.
Europe’s market is characterized by strong sustainability regulations and a push for local manufacturing. Demand for PET-based backsheets will be supported by ambitious renewable energy targets and the repowering of older solar installations. Halogen-free and recyclable backsheets are gaining traction, influencing product innovation. Direction: Moderate growth.
Latin America is an emerging market for PET-based backsheets, with countries like Brazil, Chile, and Mexico driving solar deployment through auctions and distributed generation. The region offers growth potential but faces challenges such as economic volatility and limited local manufacturing, leading to reliance on imports. Direction: Emerging growth.
The Middle East & Africa region is a small but promising market for PET-based backsheets, with growing solar investments in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and South Africa. Harsh desert conditions demand durable backsheets, creating opportunities for high-performance products. However, political and economic instability may hinder rapid growth. Direction: Nascent but promising.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 4.8% compound annual growth rate for the global pv backsheets (pet-based) market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 160 by 2035 (2025=100).
Note: indexed curves are used to compare medium-term scenario trajectories when full absolute volumes are not publicly disclosed.
For full methodological details and benchmark tables, see the latest IndexBox PV Backsheets (PET-Based) market report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the PV Backsheets (PET-Based) market in the World, including market size, structure, key trends, and forecast. The study highlights demand drivers, supply constraints, and competitive dynamics across the value chain.
The analysis is designed for manufacturers, distributors, investors, and advisors who require a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers the global market for PET-based photovoltaic (PV) backsheets, which are critical multi-layer polymer components used as the rear protective layer in solar modules. The analysis encompasses all primary product types, including transparent, white, black, double-sided fluoropolymer, fluoropolymer-free, high-reflectivity, anti-PID, and halogen-free backsheets, defined by their material composition and functional properties.
The market is classified primarily under HS Chapter 39 (Plastics and Articles Thereof) for finished backsheet films and laminates. Supplementary classification under Chapter 85 is relevant for backsheets when they are integrated into photovoltaic modules or cells as essential electrical insulation and protection components, reflecting their dual role as both a plastic article and a part of electrical equipment.
World
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint, Trade and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
Where Growth and Supply Concentrate
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
Detailed View of the Most Important National Markets
How the Report Was Built
Leading global backsheet producer, strong in PET-based
Major supplier, strong integrated player
Key backsheet supplier to major module makers
Established film and backsheet supplier
Producer of PET films and backsheet materials
Significant Chinese backsheet producer
Known for composite and PET-based backsheets
Film producer with backsheet business
Supplier of backsheet and other laminates
Historically active in backsheet films
Supplies high-performance films for backsheets
Producer of PET and other polymer films
Chinese backsheet specialist
Provides coating tech for backsheet production
Produces specialty films, including for PV
Supplies key polymer materials for backsheets
Chinese backsheet maker
Supplies materials for backsheet construction
Produces metallized and coated films
Potential supplier of film components
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Orb Energy, a vertically integrated solar provider headquartered in Bengaluru, has successfully secured a $2 million investment from KawiSafi Ventures. This capital injection is specifically earmarked to accelerate the company’s commercial and industrial (C&I) solar expansion across East Africa, with a primary focus on Kenya. Founded in 2006, Orb Energy has established itself as a key player by combining in-house solar panel manufacturing with end-to-end EPC services and financing solutions for C&I clients.
The investment was facilitated by KawiSafi Ventures through its second fund, which targets energy transition and green productivity initiatives. This development follows a period of significant growth for Orb Energy, which maintains its Africa operations headquarters in Nairobi. The $2 million infusion will provide the necessary liquidity to move a robust pipeline of rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects—including solar-plus-battery storage configurations—from the development phase into the construction and commissioning stage.
KawiSafi Ventures, which previously launched a $67 million clean energy fund in 2016, continues to support sustainable infrastructure. Its second fund, which announced $90 million in approved capital in late 2025, is backed by prominent institutions including the Green Climate Fund and the Schmidt Family Foundation.
For Indian EPC contractors and solar developers, Orb Energy’s success highlights the growing demand for integrated solar solutions in emerging markets. As domestic competition in India intensifies, the ability to leverage indigenous manufacturing capabilities to serve international C&I sectors offers a viable diversification strategy. The model utilized by Orb—connecting reliable power needs with structured financing—serves as a template for Indian firms looking to export their expertise in rooftop and C&I solar deployment.
As the company mobilizes this capital, the market can expect an uptick in project commissioning across the East African region. While global VC funding in the solar sector saw a 40% year-over-year decline in the first half of 2026, totaling $1.5 billion, specific regional players like Orb Energy continue to attract targeted capital. This investment underscores the resilience of the renewable energy sector, which remains a critical pillar for economic growth and energy security within the broader India renewable energy sector context and its international footprint.
Aditya Pathre is the Founder of MVApulse and covers India’s renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy policy and competitive bidding. His reporting focuses on project developments, market trends, government policies and energy transition across India.
India’s Power Sector Intelligence Portal
MVApulse is an independent publication covering India’s renewable energy sector including solar, wind, BESS, transmission, green hydrogen, EPC and power markets.
Copyright © 2026 MVApulse. Powered by Swadi Innovative Technologies Pvt Ltd.

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Thursday, October 8, 2026
A new study from researchers out of China has demonstrated that solar farms can have a material impact on reducing dust pollution reaching major cities, revealing a new, unexpected upside to renewable energy technology.
Much like Australia, China boasts a range of climates and geographies, including the massive Gobi Desert, which stretches across parts of northern China and into Mongolia.
With an area measuring around 1,295,000 square kilometres, the Gobi Desert is the sixth largest desert in the world, and as such is a source for the dust storms which are a growing threat to air quality and public health across northern China. Dust storms that stem from the Gobi Desert can transport dust downwind into the massive metropolises like Beijing.
 The Gobi Desert has also been a prime location for the development of solar farms – a key component of China’s goal of reaching net zero by 2060.
It is these solar farms which are the focus of a new study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, and which found that solar farms in the Gobi Desert have a significant ability to mitigate dust levels.
Specifically, and as has been demonstrated in other studies, solar farms exert a number of effects on its immediate geography, such as reducing surface albedo (the reflectivity of a surface or body) and increasing local vegetation.
It is this last factor which plays a specific role in mitigating dust levels. The study, which analysed 17 representative solar farms of the 42 which were found across the Gobi Desert by 2020, found that by stabilising the surface and lowering soil erodibility by as much as 17 per cent, solar farms were actively mitigating dust levels in their immediate vicinity.
Solar farms were also found to have other effects on meteorology which would normally be responsible for sweeping across the large desert expanses, whipping up dust storms that would inevitably send dust hurtling towards major metropolitan centres.
The increased surface roughness – which is to say, the physical existence of the solar farm on otherwise flat land – was found to reduce near-surface wind speeds within solar farms by over 9 per cent.
“Combining land surface and meteorological effects, solar farms enhance surface stability and aerodynamic resistance by reducing soil erodibility and near-surface wind speed, decreasing springtime Gobi Desert dust emissions by 352.4 kt/month,” the researchers concluded.
“Solar farms situated along the desert margins function analogously to a windbreak wall by attenuating near-surface southward and eastward wind speeds in downwind areas and inducing low-level atmospheric convergence, which subsequently weakens the downstream diffusion of low-altitude dust particles toward major urban centers.”
The current scale of China’s solar ambitions is already yielding measurable reductions in dust concentrations across northern China. Given that China recently reiterated its goal of increasing wind and solar capacity to 1,200 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, the multiple benefits created by solar farms will only continue to grow.
To join more than 29,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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The green transition is raising cybersecurity issues we cannot ignore  The Arab Weekly
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In a ceremony that featured appearances from U.S. and foreign dignitaries alongside company executives and industry professionals, Japanese solar manufacturer Toyo Co., Ltd celebrated the expansion of its Humble, Texas solar module assembly plant on Tuesday. 
The facility, which first became operational in Oct. 2025, now boasts 2 GW of annual module capacity. The company plans a $357 million expansion of the site to include a 1.5 GW heterojunction (HJT) solar cell manufacturing line it expects to be operational by Q1 2028. By that time, the plant is expected to host a workforce of 400 employees.
Toyo currently manufactures solar cells at a 4 GW facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia and a 2 GW factory in Vietnam.
Jeffrey Kessler, U.S. under secretary of commerce for industry and security joined in the ceremony to celebrate the company’s domestic investments. “Toyo’s announcement is the direct result of the Trump Administration’s bold policies to bring manufacturing and jobs back to America,” he said in a comment. “By investing hundreds of millions of dollars to expand its Texas factory, onshoring overseas production, and committing to use exclusively US polysilicon, Toyo is making an important contribution to America’s manufacturing renaissance.”
The company was also joined by solar industry veteran Paul Wormser, senior vice president of Intertek CEA. Shortly before the ribbon cutting event, Toyo announced the results of an Intertek CEA factory audit, the outcome of which the company described as “a strong result.”
Wormser went further in a comment, stating “Our team conducts a rigorous, independent review of every element of a factory’s operations — quality systems, processes, and risk controls. We check a thousand different things in twelve major areas. And in those twelve major areas, we have never found perfection, but Toyo has gotten our highest grade.”
Immediately preceding the event, Toyo held an “Analyst Day” webinar in which the company described its recent financial performance and plans for the near term. 
During the call, Toyo executives discussed the planned buildout of the company’s domestic cell line (currently in the permitting and approvals stage), and its response to the Ethiopia circumvention inquiry initiated by the U.S. Department of Commerce in July, 2026, which followed from a petition filed in May by several domestic solar companies. 
The inquiry seeks to determine whether cells made using Chinese silicon wafers illegally circumvent import tariffs on Chinese solar products. Toyo says it is seeking clarification on whether its cells — which it says are made using wafers produced in Indonesia from mostly U.S. polysilicon — will be subject to penalties if Commerce finds that circumvention has occurred.
The company says it hopes for product-coverage guidance from the Commerce Department, or, at the very least a path to certification of cells for companies that can provide production, sourcing and shipment data that show non-Chinese sources for materials.
U.S. solar manufacturing will be a featured topic in our upcoming pv magazine USA Week 2026. The virtual event will be presented via live webcasts across three days, Oct. 20 – 22.
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Photo shows a 40 MW solar-plus- camellia oleifera project in Songjing village, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. Beyond China, the development of its photovoltaic industry is also contributing to the global green transition by making clean energy more accessible and affordable, while offering new pathways for sustainable development, particularly for countries in the Global South.
Image: Yang Bo
Solar power has surpassed coal to become China’s largest source of installed power capacity, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy transition.
Beyond China, the development of its photovoltaic industry is also contributing to the global green transition by making clean energy more accessible and affordable, while offering new pathways for sustainable development, particularly for countries in the Global South.
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
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California is the latest state to pass a law making it easier to install balcony-friendly solar panels. Renewable energy experts think the new technology is about to take off.
On a quiet street in suburban South Salt Lake City, Utah, the stirring of an energy revolution is taking shape. There, outside the spare bedroom of an unassuming, thousand-square-foot midcentury home sit three angled solar panels plugged into a nearby outlet.
Unlike the highly technical and expensive hurdles required to install a large rooftop solar system, the setup on Andrew Leon and Victoria Mauro’s lawn is small, portable, and cheap. The unit generates enough electricity to run laptops, lights, and some appliances, including the refrigerator.
Plug-in solar, also known as balcony solar because apartment dwellers can use it, is spreading quickly across the U.S. California is the latest state to pass a law reducing the red tape that has previously stymied consumers looking to generate some electricity from a small number of solar panels.
Utah was the first state to legalize balcony solar in the spring of 2025, and nine states subsequently passed similar legislation— Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, and now, California. New York lawmakers approved a bill that is awaiting the governor’s signature, while nearly two dozen other state legislators have introduced them.
Plug-in solar systems, typically comprised of one to three panels to stay below the maximum wattages allowed by the laws, enable users to save money on their power bills and to reduce the energy they use from power plants that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels. “The appeal of being able to make your own electricity, and for less money than you can buy it from a utility, that’s universal for Americans,” says Joshua Pearce, an electrical engineer at Western University in Ontario, Canada, who advanced the merits of plug-in solar a decade ago.
(The link between extreme weather and climate change has never been clearer)
For most homes, electricity is generated in faraway power plants and transmitted through power lines. Homes where rooftop solar creates electricity wire the energy into the home through the circuit breaker panel, and excess electricity flows back to the utility. But power from plug-in systems stays in the home. With a small metal box called an inverter attached to the panels and plugged into the outlet, electrical currents are pushed to other outlets throughout the residence. Systems typically contribute 10 to 30 percent of an average home’s use, says Jennifer Eden, who works on renewable energy programs for the policy nonprofit Utah Clean Energy.
The set-ups have become especially popular in Europe. Swedish furniture chain IKEA sells plug-in solar kits in Germany, a country where more than a million units have been installed in the past few years.
As more U.S. states approve the technology and as more products become available, “this is going to take off like hotcakes,” Pearce predicts. With widespread adoption, residents could save an estimated $13 billion a year in electricity costs, he calculated in a 2017 journal article, a figure he says is higher now that electric rates have soared. People are especially pleased “there’s now an entry point into solar that doesn’t cost tens of thousands of dollars and can be used by people who don’t own their home,” Eden says.
In states with especially high utility rates, residents reap substantial savings. Nick Danz, who lives alone in a modern, two-bedroom luxury apartment in Fort Collins, Colorado, became eager for plug-in solar after reading about its popularity in Germany. Colorado has more than 200 sunny days a year and Danz’s apartment faces southwest, an optimal direction for sun collection. (Directly south is the most ideal.)
When, this summer, his state passed a law for plug-in systems, he reached out to the California-based clean-energy nonprofit Bright Saver. To encourage people to adopt renewable energy, Bright Saver sells plug-in systems without markups. Danz paid under $300 for a one-panel unit and affixed it with metal clips over his small, third-floor balcony.
The system tripped his apartment’s circuit breaker and shut off his computer several times, but a different inverter solved the problem. Danz estimates he has already saved more than $300 on his power bills since August. For the four days a week Danz is away from home working as a train conductor, “the solar panel is essentially running all of my standby items,” he says. He plans to soon move to an apartment with a larger balcony, where he hopes to hang three panels, the most his state’s law allows.
(Going off the grid to deal with climate disasters.)
Some utilities have expressed concern that plug-in units could send power back to the grid and electrocute employees working on the lines. But Pearce found that no microinverters sold in the U.S. are capable of this. Earlier this year the testing company UL Solutions set safety standards for plug-in solar systems and has already certified one manufacturer.
Pearce has also heard concerns that the energy being pumped into wall sockets could cause wiring in old homes to catch fire, but he says “that’s never happened in Europe,” despite its widespread adoption. In June the British government tested several products available in that country and found no direct electrical hazard, although some exhibited minor problems like not tripping the circuit breaker fast enough when stressed.
One impediment to interested buyers are local rules that may restrict balcony solar even in states where it is legal. Leon and Mauro discovered this the hard way when they placed their panels in front of their home, concerned the numerous trees behind their house would shade them. But a zoning employee soon knocked on their door and said city rules prohibited panels there. The couple’s plug-in panels remain in place while they work with the zoning board in hopes of loosening those restrictions.
Leon and Mauro still draw power from the grid for their air conditioner and major appliances, but they have shaved nearly $100 total from Utah’s typically low electric bills since May. Mauro especially loves the benefit to the environment, because solar energy does not emit the greenhouse gasses that lead to climate change. Experts estimate that even the energy used to produce the solar panels is offset in less than two years of use.
“When we first heard about it, we thought it seemed way too good to be true, to just plug a solar panel into the wall and generate electricity,” Mauro says. “But it turned out that really was all we had to do to produce clean energy and save money.”
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Tata Power has partnered with Norway-based renewable energy technology company Ocean Sun to evaluate membrane-based floating solar technology in India, starting with a ~300 kWp pilot project at Tata Power’s Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra.
The collaboration agreement was signed on the sidelines of the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit. The pilot will assess Ocean Sun’s proprietary floating solar technology under Indian operating conditions, with the companies evaluating its performance, reliability, cost competitiveness and scalability.
The project is also expected to provide operational insights that can inform potential larger-scale deployments of the technology in India.
Pilot evaluation
Tata Power will assess the ~300 kWp installation against conventional floating solar systems across energy generation, capacity utilisation factor (CUF), installation methodology and timelines, reliability, operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements, capital costs and overall commercial viability.
India has significant potential for floating solar deployment. According to estimates by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the country has more than 102 GWp of floating solar potential. The technology could therefore complement existing ground-mounted and rooftop solar capacity, particularly where suitable water bodies are available.
Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power, said: “At Tata Power, innovation is central to accelerating India’s clean energy transition. Our collaboration with Ocean Sun reflects our commitment to bringing advanced global technologies to India and evaluating their potential in real-world conditions. Through this floating solar pilot, we aim to generate valuable operating insights and assess its potential to deliver reliable, scalable and cost-effective clean power solutions.”
Membrane technology
Ocean Sun’s technology differs from conventional floating photovoltaic (PV) systems, which generally use interconnected pontoon structures to support solar modules. The Norwegian company’s system mounts PV modules on a thin, hydro-elastic membrane that floats directly on the water surface.
The membrane-based design is intended to reduce structural requirements and could simplify transportation and installation compared with conventional floating structures. The proximity of the PV modules to the water surface may also provide a cooling effect, potentially supporting higher generation performance.
Kristian Tørvold, CEO, Ocean Sun, said: “India is one of the world’s most attractive floating solar markets, but it is also a large and complex market where local execution capabilities are essential. Tata Power brings the experience, capabilities and market understanding required to navigate that complexity. We are therefore particularly pleased to establish this collaboration and to work together on the floating solar project.”
Floating solar can enable renewable generation from water bodies while reducing the need for land. Such projects may also provide additional benefits, including reduced water evaporation and potentially improved PV performance.
The featured photograph (credit: Ocean Sun) is for representational purposes only.
The Indian Energy Exchange Limited (IEX) reported a 30.4% year-on-year increase in electricity trading volumes for February 2026, with total traded volume reaching 12,550 million units (MU). The exchange also recorded a decline of more than 18% in average spot power prices during the month, which enabled distribution companies and industrial consumers to procure electricity…
Read More IEX electricity trade rises 30.4% YoY in February 2026
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured a major contract from Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) for the expansion of the Ukai thermal power station in Tapi district, Gujarat.  The company received a letter of intent (LoI) for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package of the 1×800 MW extension unit 7. The contract,…
Read More BHEL wins Rs 75 billion contract for Ukai thermal plant expansion
Andritz has secured a contract from Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) to supply electromechanical (E&M) equipment for the 1,500 MW Tarali pumped storage project (PSP) in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The scope includes the design, manufacture, installation, testing, and commissioning of pump turbines, motor-generators, and related systems. Andritz will use its Indian manufacturing base with support…
Read More Andritz to supply E&M systems for Adani’s 1,500 MW Tarali PSP
UltraTech Cement has entered into an agreement with AMPIN Energy Transition to set up a captive solar power project in Rajasthan. The project will be developed at Sindhari village in Balotara. It will have a capacity of 50 MW (75 MWp) and will be executed through AMPIN C&I Power Eight, a special purpose vehicle (SPV)…
Read More UltraTech to invest in 75 MWp solar project with AMPIN Energy in Rajasthan
Azure Power Global Ltd, a leading renewable power producer in India, has completed an Rs 24 billion refinancing transaction structured as an INR Term Loan underwritten solely by REC Ltd.  This transaction enabled the company to prepay its $350 million Green Bonds, originally issued in 2019, which were set to mature in December 2024. These…
Read More Azure Power secures REC and HSBC refinancing, completes early bond prepayment
India’s installed solar power capacity reached 110.9 GW by June 2025, out of a total renewable capacity of 237.5 GW, according to a commentary published by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). The authors argue that India should reassess its solar potential estimates, which remain based on outdated assumptions and data from 2010 and 2011. The…
Read More India’s solar potential needs revision as installations touch 111 GW
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Read The Diplomat, Know The Asia-Pacific
Solar power generation has expanded rapidly in recent years and has overtaken nuclear power generation for the first time.
Pakistan’s solar power generation has surpassed 20 percent of the country’s total electricity production. While this transition toward clean energy is a positive development, it is the outcome of an unplanned shift in the country’s energy landscape.
According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR) 2026, solar generation in Pakistan reached an estimated 36.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025. This accounts for roughly 21.6 percent of Pakistan’s total electricity generation after growing about 85 percent in a single year.
The WNISR report offers important background on this transformation. In Pakistan, solar-led power generation has not only expanded rapidly in recent years but has also overtaken nuclear power generation for the first time. The report further notes that Pakistan installed roughly twice as much solar capacity in five years as France managed in a decade.
Moreover, Pakistan imported more than 58 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels from China between the beginning of 2017 and mid-2026. Of this, around 40 GW arrived in just two and a half years, from 2024 to mid-2026. These imports over such a short period illustrate how quickly Chinese solar manufacturing found a major market in Pakistan amid falling panel prices and surging domestic electricity costs.
The surge has made Pakistan the second-largest single-country import market for Chinese solar panels, just behind the Netherlands. This data underscores the scale and speed of the change underway in the country.
Besides, the solar generation figures coming out of Pakistan are likely underestimations for several reasons.
A substantial amount of privately installed solar capacity across the country remains unregistered and does not pass through the state-controlled grid. In many cases, much of this capacity is installed on rooftops and industrial sites, where households and businesses generate and store power for their own use without becoming part of the national grid. This trend has largely been driven by high electricity tariffs, frequent load-shedding and the falling cost of Chinese solar panels. All of this has created a strong incentive for consumers to bypass the national grid system altogether.
While this shift is likely reducing the demand for grid-supplied electricity, it is impacting Pakistan’s power sector challenges and the country’s mounting capacity-related debt significantly.
For instance, as high-usage households, businesses, and industrial consumers leave the national grid, power distribution companies and remaining customers are left to shoulder a heavier burden of fixed costs. This essentially means that capacity payments for underutilized power plants continue in Pakistan. At the same time, overall electricity consumption recorded by distribution companies has declined across the country.
This situation has put coal-based power agreements reached by Pakistan previously with local and international firms under intense scrutiny. While solar adoption is surging across the country, Pakistan remains committed to long-term contracts that require heavy fixed payments to coal plant operators even if their plants remain idle or operate well below capacity. As a result, long-standing power purchase commitments have become a major financial burden for Pakistanis, even as they grapple with pressures due to the current economic strains facing the country.
It is important to note that Pakistan’s 23 loss-making state-owned enterprises accumulated roughly $1.24 billion in losses in the first half of Financial Year 2026. This is roughly equivalent to around $10 million per working day. At the same time, total state-owned enterprises’ debt, excluding sovereign guarantees, rose 14 percent to approximately $36.5 billion.
In this context, the rapid growth of solar power generation is not only a story of clean energy access and cost savings for those who can afford panels, but it is also accelerating financial stress within the formal power sector and complicating efforts to manage circular debt and capacity obligations of the Pakistani state.
For example, for ordinary consumers who remain fully dependent on the national grid, costs will likely continue to rise as the customer base continues to shrink. Meanwhile, for the energy market as a whole, the transition raises fundamental questions about planning, tariff design and the future role of large-scale coal and nuclear power in a system increasingly shaped by solar power generation.
That said, Pakistan’s energy future will depend on better planning and reform by the state. Policymakers should reorganize and renegotiate power-sector contracts and grid management to fit the new reality shaped by widespread solar power generation.
Without proactive reforms, the gap between solar power consumers and the struggling national grid will only continue to widen and strain the economy.
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Pakistan’s solar power generation has surpassed 20 percent of the country’s total electricity production. While this transition toward clean energy is a positive development, it is the outcome of an unplanned shift in the country’s energy landscape.
According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR) 2026, solar generation in Pakistan reached an estimated 36.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025. This accounts for roughly 21.6 percent of Pakistan’s total electricity generation after growing about 85 percent in a single year.
The WNISR report offers important background on this transformation. In Pakistan, solar-led power generation has not only expanded rapidly in recent years but has also overtaken nuclear power generation for the first time. The report further notes that Pakistan installed roughly twice as much solar capacity in five years as France managed in a decade.
Moreover, Pakistan imported more than 58 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels from China between the beginning of 2017 and mid-2026. Of this, around 40 GW arrived in just two and a half years, from 2024 to mid-2026. These imports over such a short period illustrate how quickly Chinese solar manufacturing found a major market in Pakistan amid falling panel prices and surging domestic electricity costs.
The surge has made Pakistan the second-largest single-country import market for Chinese solar panels, just behind the Netherlands. This data underscores the scale and speed of the change underway in the country.
Besides, the solar generation figures coming out of Pakistan are likely underestimations for several reasons.
A substantial amount of privately installed solar capacity across the country remains unregistered and does not pass through the state-controlled grid. In many cases, much of this capacity is installed on rooftops and industrial sites, where households and businesses generate and store power for their own use without becoming part of the national grid. This trend has largely been driven by high electricity tariffs, frequent load-shedding and the falling cost of Chinese solar panels. All of this has created a strong incentive for consumers to bypass the national grid system altogether.
While this shift is likely reducing the demand for grid-supplied electricity, it is impacting Pakistan’s power sector challenges and the country’s mounting capacity-related debt significantly.
For instance, as high-usage households, businesses, and industrial consumers leave the national grid, power distribution companies and remaining customers are left to shoulder a heavier burden of fixed costs. This essentially means that capacity payments for underutilized power plants continue in Pakistan. At the same time, overall electricity consumption recorded by distribution companies has declined across the country.
This situation has put coal-based power agreements reached by Pakistan previously with local and international firms under intense scrutiny. While solar adoption is surging across the country, Pakistan remains committed to long-term contracts that require heavy fixed payments to coal plant operators even if their plants remain idle or operate well below capacity. As a result, long-standing power purchase commitments have become a major financial burden for Pakistanis, even as they grapple with pressures due to the current economic strains facing the country.
It is important to note that Pakistan’s 23 loss-making state-owned enterprises accumulated roughly $1.24 billion in losses in the first half of Financial Year 2026. This is roughly equivalent to around $10 million per working day. At the same time, total state-owned enterprises’ debt, excluding sovereign guarantees, rose 14 percent to approximately $36.5 billion.
In this context, the rapid growth of solar power generation is not only a story of clean energy access and cost savings for those who can afford panels, but it is also accelerating financial stress within the formal power sector and complicating efforts to manage circular debt and capacity obligations of the Pakistani state.
For example, for ordinary consumers who remain fully dependent on the national grid, costs will likely continue to rise as the customer base continues to shrink. Meanwhile, for the energy market as a whole, the transition raises fundamental questions about planning, tariff design and the future role of large-scale coal and nuclear power in a system increasingly shaped by solar power generation.
That said, Pakistan’s energy future will depend on better planning and reform by the state. Policymakers should reorganize and renegotiate power-sector contracts and grid management to fit the new reality shaped by widespread solar power generation.
Without proactive reforms, the gap between solar power consumers and the struggling national grid will only continue to widen and strain the economy.
Umair Jamal is a freelance journalist, independent researcher, and teaching fellow at Forman Christian College, analyzing South Asian security and politics.
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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has circulated a revised draft proposal to standardise the nomenclature of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell models enlisted under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II, introducing a common identification system that would capture key technical and manufacturing characteristics of each model.
The revised proposal follows comments and suggestions received from stakeholders on the draft circulated by MNRE on August 3, 2026. Stakeholders can submit further comments on the revised nomenclature to the Ministry at [email protected] by October 12, 2026.
Standard nomenclature
Solar PV cell models currently listed under ALMM List-II carry names provided by individual manufacturers. MNRE noted that the absence of a prescribed nomenclature has resulted in different naming conventions across manufacturers, making it difficult to identify and trace the technical characteristics of individual cell models on a uniform basis.
Under the revised proposal, each model would be identified by the manufacturer’s brand name followed by a 14-digit alphanumeric code. The code is designed to provide a unique identifier while incorporating information on the origin of key manufacturing inputs, cell technology, wafer size and cell efficiency.
The first four positions would identify the origin of the polysilicon, ingot, wafer and cell respectively. Each position would use either D for domestic or F for foreign origin. For thin-film technology, the first position would refer to the origin of the front glass.
For cell origin, D would indicate a solar PV cell, or equivalent process, manufactured in India, while F would indicate a cell manufactured outside India. MNRE has specified that a solar cell manufactured using a blue wafer, or diffused silicon wafer, would not be treated as a domestically manufactured cell.
Technology codes
Positions five and six would identify the cell technology. The proposed codes are MP for Mono PERC, TC for TOPCon, HJ for HJT, BC for Back Contact and PS for Perovskite. MNRE may introduce additional codes for emerging cell technologies as required.
Positions seven and eight would identify wafer size, with MA representing M10, MB representing M10R, GA representing G12 and GB representing G12R. Additional codes may also be introduced in response to technological developments and market requirements.
Positions nine to 11 would represent cell efficiency using the first three digits of the efficiency percentage, with the decimal point omitted. Thus, a cell efficiency of 24.67% would be represented as 246, while 25.55% would be represented as 255.
The final three positions, 12 to 14, would remain reserved.
For example, the Ministry has proposed the code ABC FDDTCGB256xxx for a model from manufacturer ABC. In this case, F indicates foreign polysilicon, while the subsequent three D codes indicate domestic ingot, wafer and cell production. TC identifies TOPCon technology, GB denotes a G12R wafer and 256 represents a cell efficiency of 25.67%. The final three characters are reserved.
Another illustration, ABC FFFDMPMA245xxx, identifies foreign polysilicon, ingot and wafer, followed by a domestically manufactured cell, with MP indicating Mono PERC, MA representing M10 and 245 indicating 24.5% cell efficiency.
Implementation
The proposed nomenclature would apply to inspections conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) for enlistment of solar PV cell models and manufacturers under ALMM List-II after issuance of the final Office Memorandum. Models verified during these inspections and recommended for enlistment would have to conform to the prescribed nomenclature.
For manufacturers and models for which inspections have already been completed, as well as models already enlisted under ALMM List-II, the nomenclature would have to be revised within two months of issuance of the memorandum. NISE would coordinate with the concerned manufacturers to implement the revisions.
The standardised system is intended to create a common identification and traceability framework for solar PV cells across the value chain. In addition to supporting ALMM List-II enlistment, the nomenclature could serve as a common product identifier for regulatory, commercial and other purposes.
The system would also identify the domestic or foreign origin of the cell and associated manufacturing stages, enabling distinction between ALMM List-II solar PV cells and ALMM List-I(a) solar modules based on the Bill of Materials.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
NHPC Limited and ONGC Green Limited (OGL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for the development of pumped storage projects (PSPs) and other renewable energy projects across India. The MoU was signed on June 24, 2026, by Abhayanand Thakur, Executive Director (SBD&C), NHPC, and Harsh Nupur Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, ONGC…
Read More NHPC, ONGC Green sign MoU to develop pumped storage, renewable projects
Premier Energies Limited has secured orders worth Rs 3,011 crore during the April–June quarter for the supply of 1,846 MW of solar cells and modules. Deliveries under the contracts are scheduled across FY 2027 and FY 2028. The orders have been received from a mix of leading power producers, module manufacturers, EPC companies and other…
Read More Premier Energies secures Rs 3,011 crore solar orders in Q1 FY27
A referendum in Taiwan to restart the Maanshan nuclear power plant failed to pass after falling short of the legal threshold, Reuters reported. The initiative, proposed by the Taiwan People’s Party and supported by the Kuomintang, aimed to secure more reliable power and reduce dependence on imports. Although 4.3 million voters backed the proposal, it…
Read More Taiwan referendum on nuclear plant falls short of approval threshold
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued a draft of the first amendment to the Power Market Regulations, 2021. Dated 17 June 2025, the draft aims to reflect evolving market trends, including the rise of virtual contracts and the growing role of designated consumers under energy conservation laws. The amendment introduces and defines new…
Read More CERC proposes first amendment to power market regulations, 2025
Enrich has signed a contract agreement with NTPC Limited (NTPC) for a 290 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at NTPC’s Simhadri Thermal Power Station in Andhra Pradesh. The agreement was formalised at NTPC’s office in New Delhi in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations. The project covers end-to-end BESS installation and…
Read More Enrich signs contract with NTPC for 290 MWh BESS at Simhadri
INOX Air Products (INOXAP) has commenced the supply of electronic and speciality gases to ReNew’s first solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing facility in Dholera, Gujarat.  Under a long-term agreement, INOXAP provides critical gases such as nitrous oxide, ammonia, and silane through a logistics system comprising ISO containers and tube trailers owned by INOXAP. The partnership…
Read More INOXAP begins speciality gas supply to ReNew’s solar PV cell plant in Gujarat
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Billionaire wins approval for 40-acre solar farm at historic estate  The Elkhart Truth
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Independent power producer Zelestra has closed a US$350 million green credit facility for the 203MW Reclamation Solar project in Indiana, according to pv-tech. The Gibson County installation is being built on land previously used for coal mining and will serve a power purchase agreement with technology hyperscaler Meta.
The Reclamation Solar project is already under construction, with commercial operation expected to begin at the end of 2027. Financing for the project brings Zelestra’s total funds raised this year to US$1.14 billion, of which US$600 million covered two solar PV projects in Texas with a combined capacity of 440MW.
The credit facilities for the Indiana plant were provided by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, BBVA and Societe Generale.
Zelestra has signed three similar agreements with Meta this year for solar PV energy in Texas, totalling 797MW of output, alongside deals covering facilities in Ohio and Jasper County, Indiana. Those three Texas agreements sit within seven existing US power purchase agreements between the two companies.
According to BloombergNEF, Meta was the largest purchaser of new clean energy offtake capacity worldwide in 2025, at 10.24 GW.
Indiana currently has 7.2GW of installed solar PV capacity. That figure is expected to grow by 13.4GW over the next five years, the fifth-highest growth among all states during that period.
Separately, Zelestra signed a hybrid solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement with Portuguese utility EDP this month covering two sites in Spain. The deal brings the total battery energy storage capacity agreed between the two companies in Spain to 1,022MWh, following a first-of-a-kind 170 MW/400MWh hybrid solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement signed in June 2025.
Sybil Milo Cioffi, Zelestra’s US CFO, described passing US$1 billion in US project financing this year as a milestone the company was pleased to share with its lenders and customers, adding that Reclamation is a major project expected to deliver benefits to the customer and the wider community, and that such partnerships allow the company to keep building at the pace the market needs.
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Sonnedix, a renewable energy firm, has purchased two solar photovoltaic facilities in Italy that are already in operation, with a total capacity of 54MW, from EOS ReNewable Infrastructure Fund II, which is overseen by EOS Investment Management (EOS IM).
The deal includes the 46.5MW Macchiareddu solar installation in Sardinia’s Province of Cagliari and the 7.5MW Aprilia facility in the Province of Latina, Lazio. Both sites are fully operational and feeding power into the Italian grid.
With this transaction, Sonnedix‘s operational portfolio in Italy now exceeds 1.3GW, further strengthening its footprint in the country as it seeks growth via acquisitions and project development.
Giuseppe Maronna, managing director for Italy, stated that the company’s Italian operations sped up in 2026. During this year alone, he noted, the firm marked milestones such as exceeding 1GW of operating capacity, broadening its battery storage capabilities, and obtaining a substantial volume share in Italy’s Energy Release 2.0 mechanism. He added that much more is expected from the Italian portfolio and called the acquisition proof of ongoing progress.
Italy has emerged as a crucial market for Sonnedix as the company grows its solar portfolio while incorporating battery energy storage systems (BESS) and hybrid projects to aid grid flexibility.
Not long ago, Sonnedix finalized a EUR730 million (US$841 million) financing package that covered refinancing, optimisation and construction of renewable energy assets in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This financing backed 540MW of solar PV capacity and two BESS projects.
In June, Sonnedix achieved financial close on a EUR67 million (US$77 million) financing for four solar PV projects in Spain and Italy, amounting to 102MW. These projects were under construction, with financing supplied by Banco Santander, Banco Sabadell, BBVA, Rabobank, CIBC and NatWest through an existing European renewable energy financing platform.
In March, the independent power producer (IPP) bought six Italian solar PV projects from EOS Investment Management Group and Capital Dynamics, with a total capacity of 194MW. The Akira portfolio consisted of five operational projects and a 12MW project under construction, all situated in the Lazio region. The assets had long-term PPAs in place.
On a global scale, Sonnedix holds a portfolio of nearly 12GW across solar, wind and storage projects. This comprises 5GW of operational capacity, more than 1GW under construction and a development pipeline surpassing 5GW.
The company is active in Chile, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the UK, with its growth strategy centered on acquisitions and greenfield development across OECD markets.
Dutch rooftop solar installer Sunrock and BGRE have entered into a three-year framework agreement to evaluate the potential for roughly 135MWp of solar capacity across more than 30 logistics and industrial properties in Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The agreement will address the technical and economic feasibility of PV systems and other energy solutions across BGRE’s European real estate portfolio, with the two companies also examining opportunities to develop energy hubs and boost the onsite consumption of renewable electricity.
No investment value or individual project timelines were revealed as part of the framework agreement.
Bram Poeth, CEO of Sunrock, said that working with BGRE offers a chance to tackle the energy transition in the logistics real estate sector at a portfolio level. By merging international scale with local expertise, he said, the companies can look beyond individual photovoltaic projects and create integrated energy solutions on a broader scale. This includes exploring ways to increase the local use of renewable energy and develop energy concepts suited to the specific requirements of each property and its occupants.
Sunrock will merge its experience in rooftop solar and integrated energy systems with BGRE’s portfolio of logistics and industrial assets. The companies said the collaboration will consider differing market conditions and regulatory requirements across Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The agreement is part of Sunrock’s strategy of building longer-term relationships with real estate owners and developing integrated energy solutions across their portfolios, rather than concentrating solely on individual PV projects.
Sunrock was established in 2012 and operates in Germany, France and the Netherlands. The company, acquired by COFRA Holding in 2020, said it currently has more than 160 employees and is developing projects with a combined capacity exceeding 1GWp.
In 2024, the company announced plans to install rooftop PV systems at two BMW factories in eastern Bavaria, Germany, with a combined generation capacity of 14MW. Sunrock intended to lease the roof space and commission the solar systems in 2025, after which BMW was expected to buy the electricity generated under a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have fabricated a large-area inverted perovskite solar cell based on a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that improves perovskite film quality, enhances charge transport, reduces interfacial recombination losses, and increases device efficiency and stability.
SAMs have emerged as key components in high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, particularly in inverted architectures, where they serve as ultrathin hole-selective contacts that improve charge extraction and reduce interfacial recombination losses. Previous research has shown that SAMs can also enhance device stability and mechanical reliability, while optimizing energy-level alignment between the perovskite absorber and the underlying electrode. More recently, scientists have developed co-assembled SAM strategies to improve surface coverage, suppress defects, and promote better perovskite crystallization. Further advances in SAM molecular engineering have enabled efficiencies approaching 27%, highlighting their potential for developing efficient, stable, and scalable perovskite solar cells.
“We have developed a mixed-carbazole-based SAM strategy for wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells, targeting both surface wettability and suppression of non-radiative recombination at the buried interface. By combining different carbazole-based SAMs, we were able to tune the interfacial properties and promote improved perovskite film formation for the scalabilty of device,” corresponding author Dinesh Kabra told pv magazine. “The impact of the mixed-SAM interface on perovskite film formation and charge-carrier recombination was systematically investigated using morphological and optical characterization.”
The scientists explained that scaling perovskite solar cells from laboratory-scale devices of around 0.1 cm² to larger areas remains a major challenge, particularly for inverted (p-i-n) architectures with wide-bandgap (WBG) absorbers. Although significant efficiency improvements have been achieved in small-area devices, increasing their size typically results in substantial performance losses.
With this in mind, they developed a mixed SAM combining [4-(3,6-dimethyl-9H-carbazol-9-yl)butyl]phosphonic acid (Me-4PACz) and [4-(7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazol-7-yl)butyl]phosphonic acid (4PADCB). While Me-4PACz provides favorable energy-level alignment, low interfacial defect density, and efficient hole extraction, 4PADCB improves wettability and promotes more uniform perovskite crystallization and larger grain formation.
The team built the solar cell with a glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate, a hole transport layer (HTL) based on the mixed SAM, a perovskite absorber, an aluminum oxide (AlOx) interlayer, a fullerene (C60) electron transport layer, a tin oxide (SnOx) buffer layer, and a silver (Ag) metal contact.
The researchers said the mixed-SAM approach combines the favorable electrical properties of Me-4PACz with the improved film-forming characteristics of 4PADCB, resulting in better device performance and uniformity.
In cells with an active area of 1.2 cm², the mixed-SAM configuration achieved a power conversion efficiency of 20.30% and a fill factor of 81.23%, compared with efficiencies of 18.17% and 19.30% for devices using Me-4PACz and 4PADCB alone, respectively. Surface and morphological analyses revealed improved wettability, more compact perovskite films, larger columnar grains, and fewer interfacial defects. Photoluminescence mapping and conductive atomic force microscopy also indicated more homogeneous optoelectronic properties and improved local charge transport.
When the active area was increased to 5.2 cm², the mixed-SAM cell achieved a maximum efficiency of 18.88%, compared with 17.20% and 17.96% for devices based on Me-4PACz and 4PADCB alone, respectively. The larger mixed-SAM cells also maintained an average efficiency of 17.81%, compared with 18.96% for their smaller counterparts, with limited device-to-device variation.
Further analysis showed that the efficiency losses associated with scaling were mainly attributable to increased series resistance at other interfaces and in the transparent conductive oxide electrode, rather than changes in intrinsic recombination characteristics.
Under damp-heat testing at 85 C and 65% relative humidity, the cells took more than 680 hours to fall to 75% of their initial efficiency. According to the researchers, the results demonstrate that mixed-SAM interface engineering can improve efficiency, stability, and reproducibility while limiting performance losses in large-area inverted perovskite solar cells.
“Importantly, the present study isolates interface- and area-dependent losses using a consistent spin-coating process; the solution-processable nature of the mixed-SAM strategy provides potential compatibility with scalable deposition techniques, such as blade coating, slot-die coating, and spray coating, which represent important pathways toward further scale-up and module-level fabrication,” the academics concluded.
The device was described in “Mixed Carbazole Self-Assembled Monolayers Enable Scalable Large-Area (>5 cm2) Efficient Wide Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells,” published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
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TOYO Co., Ltd. has completed a 2 GW expansion of its solar module manufacturing facility in Humble, Texas, marking a significant growth milestone. The company also announced plans to establish a heterojunction (HJT) solar cell production line in Texas, expected to be operational by early 2028. This expansion supports U.S. manufacturing and job creation, with strong backing from government and industry leaders. TOYO aims to strengthen its position as a vertically integrated solar manufacturer in the global market.
TOYO's 2 GW solar module expansion in Texas marks a major development in renewable manufacturing. For readers following the Basic Materials sector, here is Pluang's market snapshot as of Oct 07, 2026 18:12 WIB: Of 38 priced US stocks, 6 rose and 30 fell. AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU) traded at USD 90.50 with a 1-day change of -3.26% and 100% buy order activity; LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB) was at USD 57.52, down 2.39%, also with 100% buy orders; Rio Tinto (RIO) stood at USD 93.74, down 2.24%, with a typical hold time of 9 days.
Constellation Brands reported strong Q2 fiscal 2027 earnings of $3.74 per share, beating estimates and showing a 3% year-over-year increase. Net sales rose 6% to $2.63 billion, driven by 5% growth in beer sales and 17% in wine and spirits. Despite th…
SCWorx Corp. has resumed trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 7, 2026, after a suspension that began in April. The company successfully reversed a delisting decision by regaining compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price and publicly held…
Star Bulk Carriers' Chief Operating Officer, Reskos, purchased 10,000 shares at $28.27 each. This insider buying signals confidence in the company's prospects and may encourage investors to consider buying SBLK stock. The move could indicate positive…
Several analysts including Morgan Stanley, Scotiabank, and Wells Fargo have lowered their price targets for Vale due to rising all-in costs and volatile iron ore prices. Despite the stock trading below these new targets, indicating potential upside, …
Duke Energy and stakeholders including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have agreed on enhanced protections to shield North Carolina utility customers from costs related to data centers. The agreement requires large-load customers, such as data ce…

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PUSLINCH ― The construction of a new solar farm on the south edge of Puslinch could begin in the next two years. 
That's according to property owner Gyongyi Dorgo, who recently shared an update on the solar farm proposed on her property at 3972 Sideroad 10 S., north of Gore Road, at a Puslinch council meeting on Wednesday morning. 
Proposed to begin operation in 2030, Dorgo said the farm would have a capacity of seven megawatts of direct current and generate between 25 and 30 jobs for the community. 
In addition to sharing an update on the project, Dorgo asked council to issue a letter indicating municipal support for the project, which is a main requirement of applying for a request for proposal from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). 
The township declined to issue municipal support for the proposal last September following a delegation from Ontario start-up Integrative Project Solutions (IPS), after sharing concerns about following proper planning processes and public perceptions.
Keeping this in mind, council stood by their previous decision and directed staff to issue a letter to the IESO indicating the township is aware of the project but isn't in a position to offer support until its concerns with the IESO process have been fully satisfied. 
This resolution should allow the applicant to move forward with plans to submit an application to the IESO in early 2027.
A solar farm is not currently permitted on the proposed lands without an official plan amendment (OPA) or zoning bylaw amendment, which would be completed following the IESO's decision. 
Council also directed staff to establish guidelines for how the township reviews municipal support resolutions for IESO procurement in the first quarter of 2027 and send a letter to MPP Joseph Racinsky sharing the township's concerns about the current IESO process. 
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
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In clearing two hurdles with one bound, Saudi conservationists have turned a large solar farm into a breeding shelter for a vulnerable species of native gazelle.
Located near the Red Sea coastline in a massive, 24,500-square-mile nature reserve, the solar plant is now hosting Arabian sand gazelles, a species of special consideration for wildlife managers.
Though commonly found across the world’s zoos, it’s believed only 3,000 of these small ungulates survive in the wilds of the Arabian Peninsula and Turkiye. Zoos are one thing, but a 250-megawatt solar power installation is another.
The plant serves the Kingdom’s 100% renewably-powered tourist resort, Amaala, but it’s now become the home for 38 gazelles. Spanning 1,200 acres, the wildlife-proof fencing surrounding the arsenal of panels ensures the gazelles can feed, breed, and explore without predation pressure.
The hope is that these several dozen can grow to over 500 which will then be used to reestablish a strong population within the massive reserve.
“Our rewilding goal is to build self-sustaining wildlife populations that can survive in the wild without ongoing human intervention,” said Andrew Zaloumis, the reserve’s director.
“This collaborative innovation not only accelerates that work but also introduces a novel ‘double-green’ framework with global scalability. We are calling it ‘ReWildingVoltaics.’”
Doesn’t really roll off the tongue, but branding is hardly the point.
Along with the sand gazelles, mountain gazelles and Arabian hares were also released into the solar park last October. In May, once it was clear the animals were settling in, male members were added in the hopes of establishing a self-perpetuating population.
SOLAR SYNERGY: 
It’s not the first idea of doing 2 different things with solar plants. GNN has reported on the benefits observed with pasturing sheep and growing crops around and underneath solar panels, and some of the principles apply to gazelle breeding. The panels offer easy shade that’s between 8 and 18 degrees cooler than under the Arabian sunshine.
The Saudi Gazette reported that the initiative supports the Saudi Green Initiative targets to protect 30% of the Kingdom’s land and sea and generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
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In their first year, the panels could generate 1.6 terawatt-hours of electricity.
Photo Credit: iStock
North Carolina’s public schools may be home to one of the state’s biggest overlooked clean energy opportunities: their rooftops. 
A new report suggests those largely unused roofs could do much more than sit idle, helping schools lower power bills, feed surplus electricity back into the grid, and make campuses more useful during severe weather.
A report from Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group found that North Carolina public school rooftops could accommodate more than 900 megawatts of solar capacity, PV Magazine reported. 
In their first year, those panels could generate 1.6 terawatt-hours of electricity, about 1.2% of the state’s annual electricity use and enough to supply nearly 150,000 typical homes per year.
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.
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The report says schools stand out as solar hosts in part because they are not occupied all day or throughout the full year, allowing electricity produced during quieter periods to be exported to the grid. It also says that adding batteries would let campuses hold onto that energy for extreme weather events, reinforcing their role as important community hubs.
The biggest county-level opportunities were identified in Wake County, where 204 public and charter schools could support an estimated 75 megawatts of rooftop solar, and Mecklenburg County, with an estimated 71 megawatts. 
A key barrier is North Carolina’s ban on third-party power purchase agreements, or PPAs, which are a common lower-cost way for schools to finance solar installations. The report says the state’s broader rooftop potential is also being limited by financing challenges and by local permitting and land-use rules. It adds that the PPA restriction grows even more consequential as the federal investment tax credit sunsets.
Those obstacles carry real financial stakes. The report says U.S. schools spend about $8 billion a year on energy. It describes solar as similar to buying 25 years of electricity up front, a setup that can shield school budgets from future rate increases. Dollars not spent on utility bills could instead go to teacher pay, classroom materials, or repairs to school buildings.
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To reach its findings, the report used federal data on school-building footprints across North Carolina and solar-modeling software from the National Laboratory of the Rockies. Altogether, it found public-school rooftop space equal to more than 1,300 football fields that could work for solar.
The report says “state officials should provide funding and policy support to incentivize local renewable energy and reduce roadblocks.” 
Its recommendations include reinstating net metering, creating a statewide grant and low-interest financing program for school solar, adopting community solar laws, reviewing utility rate schedules and interconnection practices, and building North Carolina’s Clean Energy Portfolio above the current 12.5% baseline. It also points to the federal Renew America’s Schools program, which has used $372.5 million out of an initial $500 million authorization.
For homeowners inspired by the cost-saving potential of North Carolina school rooftops, EnergySage can be a useful next step. With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. And EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system in each state, along with available solar incentives, helping homeowners find the best price and available savings.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Batteries are part of that resilience picture too, with the report saying they can make solar more useful during extreme weather events. Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Overall, the report estimates that if North Carolina can resolve its financing and permitting barriers, public school rooftops alone could host more than 900 megawatts of solar — roughly 14% of the state’s installed solar capacity in 2023.
For a closer look, these stories explore how rooftop solar and batteries can lower costs and help keep the power on when the grid falters.
• In North Carolina, no-money-down solar panels will soon pair with batteries for home backup.
• In California, one city is turning rooftop solar into relief for low-income households facing rising bills.
• Across Ukraine, rooftop solar is becoming a lifeline as attacks disrupt power plants and fuel.
• After a devastating hurricane, solar panels keep lights on when the grid fails.
• In Connecticut, lawmakers gave home batteries a major advantage as solar incentives approach caps.
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.

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Photo shows a 40 MW solar-plus- camellia oleifera project in Songjing village, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. Beyond China, the development of its photovoltaic industry is also contributing to the global green transition by making clean energy more accessible and affordable, while offering new pathways for sustainable development, particularly for countries in the Global South.
Image: Yang Bo
Solar power has surpassed coal to become China’s largest source of installed power capacity, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy transition.
Beyond China, the development of its photovoltaic industry is also contributing to the global green transition by making clean energy more accessible and affordable, while offering new pathways for sustainable development, particularly for countries in the Global South.
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
China's solar power drives the global green transition.
Image: People's Daily Online
People’s Daily Online
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Darrell Proctor
California-headquartered Clearway Energy Group said it has closed financing and begun construction of the Swan Energy Center, a 650-MW solar facility located on portions of formerly strip-mined land in northwestern Bates County, Missouri.
The project is San Francisco-based Clearway’s first in Missouri. Its output is contracted under a 20-year power purchase agreement. The Swan array, which is expected to enter commercial operation in 2028, is part of a 1.2-GW portfolio of projects Clearway announced earlier this year.
“The Swan Energy Center represents a significant investment in Bates County, delivering reliable clean energy and economic benefits to the region,” said John Woody, chief development officer at Clearway. “We’re grateful to our local partners for their trust in welcoming Clearway to the community.”
Clearway on October 6 said it assembled a bank consortium led by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, DNB Bank ASA, and National Australia Bank Limited to finance the $1.5-billion energy center. The company partnered with Blattner Energy for construction of the project. Officials said it is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs at peak activity, and several long-term technician positions will be available once the project comes online.
Clearway also said it has structured a 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Bates County that is designed to generate more than $80 million in new revenue over the life of the agreement. The money is earmarked for local schools and other county services. Clearway has also committed:
Swan Energy Center will use U.S.-made solar panels and other equipment. Officials said the project site will maintain native grasses and floral resources to support habitat for pollinator species, such as the monarch butterfly, and help improve soil drainage and health.

Clearway’s  project portfolio includes more than 14 GW of gross generating capacity in 27 states, including more than 2.8 GW of flexible dispatch able power generation. It also includes 11.4 GW of battery energy storage, solar and wind assets. Clearway, in addition to its California headquarters, has offices in Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Princeton, New Jersey; and San Diego, California.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. 
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Colorado’s newest solar garden consists of 40 acres of solar panels in Aurora  CBS News
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Solar panels on a residential building in Mantanzas, Cuba.
Image: AFP
Jim Wyss
When Cuba suffered its seventh national blackout this year, the guests at La Campana in Havana kept partying. Thanks to the event center’s solar panels and backup batteries, they didn’t even realize the lights were out.
Cuba’s chronic power woes have made life a misery on the island of 9.4 million people. But that pain is being mitigated by one of the fastest solar adoption rates in the hemisphere. And the US is helping keep at least some of the lights on.
In the first seven months of this year, the US exported $6.3 million worth of solar cells and modules to Cuba, according to US Census data. That’s up 1,070% versus all of 2025, when just $538,000 worth of equipment was shipped to the island from American ports. 
And while China remains the main supplier by far, exports from Cuba’s longtime ally are dropping. By the end of July, the Asian giant had exported $19.5 million in solar equipment to Cuba. That’s down 83% from 2025’s full-year tally, according to data compiled by BloombergNEF.
Another fresh donation of 5,000 solar systems from China arrived in September, yet it’s US shipments that have become a lifeline for average Cubans trying to find a few watts to keep their phones charged or their businesses afloat. Among them is Ramiro Llovet, who runs La Campana out of his home in Havana, hosting weddings, birthdays and corporate gatherings for groups as small as 15 people and as large as 350. 
Even as President Donald Trump squeezes Cuba hard in hopes of ousting the Communist Party that’s held power for almost seven decades, his administration is allowing goods to be sent to entrepreneurs on the island like Llovet through a loophole in the longstanding trade embargo. 
Specialists install solar panels on the rooftop of a multi-family building in Matanzas, Cuba.
Image: AFP
Trump’s de-facto fuel blockade and ever-tighter sanctions have chased away allies such as Venezuela and Mexico, dovetailing with the president’s push to reassert US dominance of the Western Hemisphere and curb the influence of China and Russia. That’s created space for American exporters to step in, with the resulting surge in cargo shipments helping both to stave off a complete humanitarian collapse in Cuba and to create a dependency on the US in the absence of other benefactors.
The energy crisis is nonetheless forcing the island to dramatically ration power. 
Deputy Cuban Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told Bloomberg News that for the last eight months he’s only had power at his home for two or three hours a day. Trump’s pressure campaign “has successfully intimidated the whole world so it doesn’t export fuel and other products” to Cuba, he said. “That’s an aberration.”
Running out of fuel and frequent breakdowns in Cuba’s aging power plants have made the island increasingly reliant on solar. 
Cuba’s 144 solar parks now produce 1,418 megawatts of energy, or about a fifth of total national electric generation, President Miguel Díaz-Canel told state radio last month. In addition, the private sector now produces 20% of its own energy needs.
“Despite the blackouts, this is an area where we’ve made great strides,” the president said.  
Some analysts, however, are less effusive. 
Giraldo Lazaro Perez Paret recharges his electric motorcycle at a solar-powered charging station in Santa Clara, Cuba.
Image: AFP
Jorge Piñon, a researcher at the University of Texas Energy Institute who tracks power issues on the island, said that while Cuba is ramping up solar, it’s not doing so in a strategic way. The country has virtually no utility-scale battery storage, he explained, which means solar parks are only functional during the day and not properly integrated into the grid.
“Solar is a good investment as long as you do it smartly, which – regrettably – they are not doing right now,” he said. 
Given Cuba’s size, solar will never be able to provide baseload energy, Piñon added, and it will always need large thermoelectric plants.
Llovet, 52, and his wife relied for years on a small noisy generator to get through temporary power outages that have plagued their La Campana, their 15-year-old business. But as Washington cranked up the pressure, the outages grew untenable. 
Last year, Llovet started gathering the pieces for a solar system, but could only find the 5 kilowatt-hour lithium batteries he was looking for on Amazon.com. He had them shipped to a relative in Miami and then forwarded to Cuba through CubaMax – one of the dozens of delivery services that have become a key source of goods for the island.
After plowing about $10,000 into the system, La Campana runs almost entirely on self-generated power. “It was a big investment, but it was obvious that this isn’t a problem that is going to be resolved in the near future,” Llovet said.
While most of Cuba’s solar imports are manufactured in China, the growing role of ports in Florida, Texas and Louisiana to deliver the technology to the island is significant, according to John Kavulich, president of the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council. 
“It’s sort of ironic that Cuba could become a substantial renewable export market for US companies,” Kavulich said. “Particularly given the less than supportive view from the White House on renewables.”
The solar bandaid is just one of the elements keeping the island from imploding, he explained. 
Cuba also produces about 40% of the crude it needs to fuel its power plants and has been making strides in refining more of it. And, crucially, the population and economy are both in decline, with the number of people living on the island down 16% over the past decade.
“The reason Cuba hasn’t stopped and collapsed and halted is because the economy has shrunk almost equal to the magnitude of the fuel that they were importing,” Kavulich said. 
Despite the increased flow of solar panels and other goods, life remains a struggle for Cubans like Llovet.
Amid diesel and fuel shortages he swapped out his car for an electric tricycle, which have become ubiquitous in Havana. He said he’s also trying to navigate new local laws that would allow him to import his own party supplies. 
But, more than anything, he needs a break in the drumbeat of US sanctions and other bad news. 
“I would really like for everyday life to be just normal,” he said. “We’ve had that in the past and everything went well. We just need things to go back to normal, one way or another.”
With assistance from Tom Fevrier.  |  Bloomberg
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