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Aresearch team in Germany has investigated whether compressive stress relaxation measurement (CSRM) can be used to monitor polymer degradation in aging photovoltaic modules. The technique is typically used in manufacturing quality control to assess the degree of encapsulant cross-linking after lamination.
“This publication uses the CSRM not only for lamination control, but also to monitor the mechanical response of the mini-modules’ rear side,” the researchers explained. “To achieve a higher resolution and sample throughput, the cross-linking density will be used to calibrate the CSRM. The influence of encapsulants and backsheet degradation on the CSRM during weathering is of interest. Therefore, the degradation of the encapsulant and the backsheet will be decoupled.”
CSRM is a non-destructive technique commonly used to assess encapsulant curing after PV module lamination. It involves pressing a tip into the rear surface of a module and measuring how the force decreases while the indentation depth remains constant. The response reflects the mechanical properties of both the encapsulant and the backsheet.
To evaluate CSRM as a method for monitoring aging, the researchers fabricated 200 mm × 200 mm mini-modules incorporating passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulants, and polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) backsheets. They varied lamination times at 155 C to achieve different degrees of cross-linking.
For each CSRM measurement, they heated the test location to 89 C, pressed a 4 mm steel tip approximately 100 µm into the module’s rear surface, applied a force of less than 20 N, and recorded the decline in force while holding the tip in place.
The modules were subjected to damp heat (DH) testing at 85 C and 85% relative humidity for up to 3,500 hours, or combined heat and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at 85 C, 60% relative humidity, and an irradiance of 227 W/m2 for up to 2,000 hours. At 250-hour intervals, the team used CSRM to monitor mechanical changes and measured the modules’ electrical performance. Additional solvent tests and thermal analyses helped distinguish changes in encapsulant cross-linking from backsheet degradation.
“After the first 250 h of the DH test, the encapsulants showed an increase in the degree of cross-linking but maintained differences between the samples throughout the test,” the researchers said. “As a result, the PV module power degradation correlated with the initial cross-linking state. By the end of the test, the encapsulant and the backsheet had degraded, resulting in a drop in the CSRM response.”
The results also showed that the encapsulant’s cross-linking density subsequently decreased, while the backsheet underwent post-crystallization and exhibited chain scission.
“The combined DH+UV weathering test caused post-cross-linking within the first 250 h, leading to leveling of the cross-linking states,” the researchers concluded. “The canceled chemical differences in the encapsulants became reflected in a similar module power degradation. Thus, overacceleration shall be avoided by all means to deliver realistic reliability predictions.”
The findings are presented in the study, “Non-destructive monitoring of polymer degradation in PV modules by compressive stress relaxation measurement and implications for the PV module reliability,” published in Polymer Testing. The research team included scientists from Germany’s Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and Fraunhofer CSP.
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A team at the University of Surrey has printed flexible perovskite solar mini-modules at just over 18 percent efficiency without using the toxic solvents that printable perovskite inks have depended on for more than a decade. On paper, that efficiency figure is unremarkable. In a factory, it may matter far more than any small-area record.
The research, published in Nano Energy and announced by the university on 15 October 2026, replaces dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and acetonitrile with an ink built from ethanol and a bio-derived solvent called 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. The team coated the ink at room temperature and dried it with a jet of gas, steps compatible with the roll-to-roll printing used to make newspapers. The finding lands squarely in the part of perovskite solar manufacturing that rarely makes headlines, which is not how efficient a cell can be but whether a production line can be run safely and at scale.
Table of Contents
Perovskites are crystalline materials that can be dissolved into a liquid ink, coated onto a surface, and dried into a thin film that absorbs sunlight. That is their commercial appeal: unlike silicon, which has to be grown at high temperature and cut from ingots, a perovskite layer can in principle be printed onto flexible plastic or glass in a continuous process.
The Surrey group formulated what they call a significantly reduced-toxicity solvent system, built around ethanol and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, the latter derived from renewable sources such as farm and forestry waste. A small amount of a milder additive controls how the film forms as it dries. The resulting ink was used to coat mini-modules with active areas up to 11.5 square centimetres, reaching power conversion efficiencies above 18 percent, with the headline result reported as 18.2 percent.
Three process details matter as much as the number:
The work was led by Surrey with collaborators at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, the MAX IV Laboratory in Sweden and the National Physical Laboratory, and was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the EU Horizon 2020 project MUSICODE.
That stability question is the one the wider field has been wrestling with for years. Earlier work on treating perovskite interfaces to make cells more reliable attacked the problem from the encapsulation and materials side; the Surrey paper attacks it from the ink chemistry side, and both are needed before a panel can be sold with a warranty.
Dimethylformamide, usually shortened to DMF, is a workhorse of solution-processed electronics. It dissolves lead halide salts and organic precursors exceptionally well, it can be blended with other solvents to tune how quickly a film dries, and it produces smooth, uniform crystals. Acetonitrile plays a similar role in some ink formulations, helping precursors stay in solution and encouraging rapid drying. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, or NMP, has also been widely used in the field.
The problem is not performance. It is that these solvents are hazardous to the people who handle them and to the environment around a plant. Under European chemicals regulation, DMF, NMP and dimethylacetamide are listed as substances of very high concern because of reproductive toxicity, and they carry the warning that they may damage the unborn child. Since 12 December 2023, DMF has been subject to restriction in the EU, with exposure limits set at 6 mg per cubic metre by inhalation and 1.1 mg per kilogram of body weight per day through the skin.
In a fume cupboard in a university basement, that is manageable. On a coating line running continuously, it is a completely different proposition.
The Surrey release contains one figure that deserves more attention than the efficiency result. Producing a gigawatt of electricity from these perovskite modules can consume more than 90,000 litres of solvent on a single coating line.
To put that in perspective, 90,000 litres is roughly a tenth of an Olympic swimming pool, consumed repeatedly as the line runs. Every litre of it has to be bought, stored, pumped, recovered or disposed of, and every worker who comes near the coating head has to be protected from it. A solvent that is merely annoying in a laboratory becomes an industrial-scale logistics and liability problem.
That single sentence explains why the quiet chemistry in Surrey’s paper is more commercially significant than yet another efficiency headline. The industry does not have a problem making high-efficiency perovskite cells in square millimetres. It has a problem making them economically and safely in square metres.
Substituting a solvent sounds straightforward until you consider what the solvent has to do. It must dissolve the precursors completely, stay stable in the ink, wet the substrate evenly, and then evaporate at just the right speed. Too slow, and the film dries unevenly. Too fast, and the perovskite crystallises badly, leaving defects that trap charge carriers and cut efficiency.
Ethanol is an obvious candidate on safety grounds: it is widely used, well understood and far less hazardous than DMF. But ethanol alone dries too quickly and dissolves some precursors poorly. The Surrey solution pairs it with 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, a solvent that can be made from agricultural and forestry residues and which helps balance the drying behaviour while keeping the precursors in solution. The small amount of milder additive gives the team fine control over film formation, which is where most solvent substitutions fail.
The result is an ink that is not merely less toxic by a small margin but one that removes an entire category of handling infrastructure. As the team’s own framing puts it, simpler solvent chemistry means less solvent handling, less waste treatment and less safety equipment to build and maintain.
This is not the only route being explored. A separate research effort, reported in Science and covered in the comparison below, used gamma-valerolactone, another bio-derived solvent, combined with 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and dimethyl sulfoxide. The convergence on 2-methyltetrahydrofuran across independent groups suggests it is becoming a common building block for greener perovskite inks.
Surrey’s paper arrived after a much larger demonstration in Science, and the two are easy to misread against each other. They used different coating methods, different module sizes and different certification routes. The table below sets out what each study actually demonstrated.
The two studies are complementary rather than competitive. Surrey’s contribution is the ink: a formulation that removes three problematic solvents and the anti-solvent step on a process route that can be scaled. The Science paper’s contribution is proof that a greener ink can be pushed through to a commercially relevant module size and survive the reliability standards a product would need to meet. Neither one alone closes the gap to a factory, but together they map out the two halves of the problem.
It is tempting to read the table and conclude that Surrey’s smaller module is better because its number is higher. That comparison does not hold, for three reasons.
In other words, the lower number belongs to the harder achievement. A realistic reading is that Surrey has shown its safer ink can produce respectable performance at a scale where manufacturability can begin to be assessed, while the Science work has shown that a different green ink can reach a genuinely commercial module size and pass product-level reliability tests. The obvious next step for the Surrey approach is to demonstrate the same chemistry at hundreds of square centimetres with independent certification. That step would make the two lines of work genuinely comparable for the first time.
The gap between a laboratory cell and a factory module is where most solar technologies stall. A record cell might measure a tenth of a square centimetre. A commercial module is several square metres and consists of many sub-cells connected in series, with each connection introducing a small dead area and a small resistance penalty.
The losses compound. Films must be uniform across the full width of the substrate, which becomes harder as the coating head widens. Conductive transparent layers add resistance over longer distances, so current collection has to be redesigned. Edges dry differently from centres, producing defects at the boundary. Reviews of the field have noted that most reported perovskite modules remain under 100 square centimetres and can lose around 30 percent of the efficiency of a comparable small cell.
There is also a whole set of steps that a laboratory cell never needs. The coated film has to be cut into individual cells by laser scribing, wired together through scribed contact channels, then sealed and encapsulated against the weather. Each of those steps adds equipment, yield risk and a way for the process to go wrong at speed.
Fully roll-to-roll fabricated perovskite modules, including printed back electrodes, have been demonstrated under ambient room conditions, which shows the principle works outside a glovebox. What has not yet been shown is that a safer ink performs identically on a line running metres of film per minute.
Green solvent chemistry adds a further constraint, because a safer solvent often behaves differently from the hazardous one it replaces. A formulation that works beautifully on a 1-centimetre slide may fail when the drying front has to travel across 60 centimetres of moving substrate. That is why the Science team’s edge-protection strategy, which used a surfactant to keep evaporation rates consistent near film edges, was as important as its solvent choice.
Readers searching for perovskite solar panels in 2026 will find few consumer products and a growing number of pilot lines. The most advanced is not a panel at all: a 250-metre film-type installation on the roof of a bus terminal at Expo 2025 in Osaka, made by Sekisui Chemical on a roll-to-roll line producing film 30 centimetres wide, with a one-metre-wide line targeted and a 100-megawatt factory planned by 2027. The technology’s route to market is most likely through tandem panels, where a perovskite layer sits on top of silicon to capture more of the solar spectrum. Early optimism about perovskite’s cost and processing advantages was well founded, but the path to market has proven longer than those first predictions suggested.
The solvent question cuts across all of those routes. A manufacturer planning a gigawatt-scale line has to satisfy environmental permitting and worker-safety regulation, and the economics are unforgiving: Silicon module spot prices have sat below 0.30 dollars per watt, while the most detailed cost model for fully roll-to-roll printed perovskite modules puts them at roughly 0.7 dollars per watt. It also has to meet the sustainability criteria of the buyers funding the plant. A process built on reproductive toxins requires enclosed handling, solvent recovery systems, monitoring and insurance. A process built on ethanol and a bio-derived solvent does not remove those requirements, but it shrinks them substantially.
That is why the Surrey result should be read as a manufacturing story. The efficiency number will be surpassed by other groups within months, as it always is in photovoltaics. The demonstration that a high-performing ink can be made without DMF, NMP and acetonitrile, and without an anti-solvent bath, is the kind of result that changes what a factory looks like.
Neither study closes the case for perovskite commercialisation, and it is worth being precise about what is still unknown. Field stability and total-cost economics are the two that matter most.
These are the questions that separate an impressive paper from a product. The industry has learnt, sometimes painfully, that a promising absorber material is only the beginning of the problem.
Only in limited and specialised forms. Several companies are building pilot and early commercial lines, mostly for tandem products and for applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics. Large-scale retail availability of perovskite panels for residential rooftops is not yet a reality, and the sector is still working through reliability and scale-up questions.
The finished cell is usually encapsulated, but two concerns recur. Many high-efficiency perovskites contain lead, and the traditional manufacturing inks rely on solvents such as DMF and NMP that are classified as reproductive toxins. The Surrey work addresses the second concern directly by removing those solvents from the ink while leaving the lead question to be handled through encapsulation, recycling and, in some research lines, lead-free formulations.
The perovskite layer is deposited from a liquid ink containing dissolved precursor salts. Common laboratory methods include spin coating, but commercial production is expected to use scalable techniques such as slot-die coating, blade coating and bar coating, often on a roll-to-roll line. After deposition the film is dried and annealed, then sandwiched with charge-transport layers and encapsulation.
Larger areas introduce longer current paths and more series resistance, demand greater film uniformity, and increase the chance of a defect affecting performance. Modules also contain inactive gaps between sub-cells, which is why total-area efficiency is lower than the active-area figure for the same device.
It could, indirectly. Removing hazardous solvents reduces the need for enclosed handling, solvent recovery, waste treatment and monitoring equipment, and it may simplify permitting. Surrey’s team argues this points towards more compact, resource-efficient and potentially lower-cost manufacturing. Whether that translates into a lower price per watt will depend on solvent prices, yields and the cost of encapsulation.
The perovskite field has spent a decade chasing efficiency records on ever-smaller devices. The more consequential work now happening is less photogenic: reformulating inks, proving processes on wider substrates, and passing the unglamorous reliability standards that determine whether a panel survives twenty years on a roof.
Surrey’s contribution sits firmly in that second category. An 18.2 percent mini-module is not a record, and the paper does not claim one. What it does show is that the toxic chemistry underpinning printable perovskite inks is replaceable without collapsing performance on a process route designed for roll-to-roll production. For an industry that will need to consume tens of thousands of litres of solvent for every gigawatt it builds, that is the kind of breakthrough that actually unlocks a factory.
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Luis Reyes
Oct 21, at 8:00am ET
You’ve probably been blinded by a windshield at some point. Low sun, a parked car angled just wrong, and for a second or two you can’t see the road in front of you. Now put that glass on the ground, multiply it by 230,000, and lay it out directly under the final approach to one of the busiest runways in Europe.
That’s roughly what happened next to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, and it took a court case, three government bodies and well over a year to sort out. The fix, in the end, wasn’t a film or a fence. It was pulling out every single panel and starting over with different glass.
The farm’s called De Groene Energie Corridor, and it runs along the A9 highway near the village of Zwanenburg on about 247 acres (100 hectares) of former farmland. It sits under the approach paths to two runways, the Polderbaan and the Zwanenburgbaan. Pilots started filing reports almost as soon as the panels went in, and in early 2025 Schiphol, Dutch air traffic control, KLM and easyJet made a joint call: no landings on the Polderbaan between 10 a.m. and noon whenever the weather was sunny, starting March 4, 2025.
Two hours doesn’t sound like much. But the Polderbaan is Schiphol’s preferred runway for noise reasons, so every landing it couldn’t take got pushed onto runways that fly over more houses. According to a spokesperson quoted by Dutch news site Nu.nl at the time, somewhere between 55 and 65 aircraft normally land there in that two-hour window.
The problem’s a fairly simple one once you think about it. A standard solar panel has a smooth glass front, and smooth glass reflects light the way a mirror does, in one tight beam at one specific angle. For most of the year the sun never lines up with the panels and the cockpit at the same time. For a few weeks in late winter and again from late August into the fall, it does, and a pilot a couple of miles out on final suddenly has a very bright field in exactly the spot they need to be looking.
The measure was lifted after a few weeks because the sun moved on. Everybody involved knew it’d be back.
Talks between the airport, the farm’s owner, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the Dutch infrastructure ministry went nowhere fast, so Schiphol sued. On July 16, 2025, a judge in the Noord-Holland district court ordered the owner to remove just over 78,000 panels from the two fields closest to the runway, half by September 1 and the other half by October 15.
Stick with the court’s reasoning for a second, because it should make any developer near an airport a little nervous. The farm had a valid permit. It’d been studied by the Dutch aerospace center, NLR, against the FAA’s glare guidance, because the Netherlands didn’t have a glare standard of its own. And the judge ruled that having a permit didn’t let the owner off the hook: by creating a serious hazard to flight safety and then not fixing it, the company was acting unlawfully toward Schiphol regardless of what the paperwork said.
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Schiphol wanted all 230,000 gone. The judge said the other two fields weren’t proven to be the main source of the glare and left them standing.
Did that settle it? Not really. By late August the sun was heading back toward the bad angle, and the airport had to restrict afternoon landings on the Zwanenburgbaan from August 28 through September 29, 2025, this time diverting traffic to the Schiphol-Oostbaan, the airport’s shortest runway. That’s when the four parties finally cut a deal: take everything down, make it non-reflective, put it back, with the whole job due by September 2026.
That was the original plan, apparently. Anti-reflective film exists, and a German company had been pitching one for exactly this situation. But by the time the panels were off the racks at the end of 2025, the owner says it’d done the math and decided new panels were both cheaper and more practical than peeling, coating and re-racking 230,000 old ones.
Here’s the detail I’d want to know if I’d been paying taxes in Haarlemmermeer. Dutch broadcaster NH reported that the original permit specified panels with “deep textured” glass, and that’s the stuff that scatters light instead of beaming it. The developer told NH those panels weren’t available when it came time to build, so it chose an alternative type. That alternative’s what ended up blinding people. The municipality has said it followed the rules in granting the permit, and the parties agreed to treat the whole thing as an unforeseen situation rather than anyone’s fault, which is frankly a pretty generous way to describe it.
The replacements come from Longi, the Chinese manufacturer, and the owner says they were developed specifically for solar farms near airports. Longi’s anti-glare line pairs a chemically etched, textured glass surface with matte black back-contact cells, so there’s no shiny metal busbar on the front and no smooth surface to make a clean reflection. The company’s own figures claim total reflection under 1 percent on the earlier version of that module. Several independent test labs signed off on the Schiphol batch, according to the owner’s March 9, 2026 announcement, which also said the farm expected to be fully back online by the end of June.
As far as I can tell, nobody’s publicly confirmed that it hit that date. The owner’s news page hasn’t been updated since March, and the government’s own deadline was always end of September. I’d assume the panels are in, but I can’t show you a source that says the farm is producing again.
The bill for the fix came to a little over €14 million (that’s roughly $16 million), and everybody chipped in. The national government sent €6.84 million to the municipality, the municipality put in close to €7 million of its own, Schiphol paid a share, and the owner covered the biggest piece. The owner had reportedly put about €90 million into building the farm in the first place.
And the old panels? They were sold. NH reports they ended up in Africa and Eastern Europe, which I’ll admit I find slightly funny, because they were brand new and there wasn’t a thing wrong with them. The catch, according to the owner’s spokesperson, is that unbolting a panel voids its warranty, so 230,000 nearly new modules with no warranty went to whoever would take them. The spokesperson said he didn’t know what they sold for.
If you’ve been following the German wind turbine that got taken apart because a village couldn’t sleep, this is the solar version of the same story: a machine that was legal, permitted and working, and still had to come down because of something nobody measured properly beforehand. The difference is that the solar farm gets to go back up.
You might wonder whether the whole mess could have been avoided with better rules. The Dutch government apparently thinks so. In July 2026 the infrastructure ministry announced a national glare standard for solar farms near runways, built on a “prudence criterion” that NLR came up with during the Schiphol fight and that’s stricter than the FAA guidance the farm was originally checked against. The ministry’s temporary framework is dated April 20, 2026, covers 2026 through 2028, and was due to be published by the end of September, with EASA expected to follow with Europe-wide glare rules after 2029.
What do you think?
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⚡ Quick Read
NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, continues to aggressively expand its footprint in the Indian renewable energy sector. As part of its strategic mandate to achieve a massive renewable capacity target, the company has consistently been at the forefront of large-scale solar project development. The latest move to invite bids for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules underscores the company’s focus on securing high-quality equipment for its project pipeline in Rajasthan, a state that serves as a critical hub for India’s solar energy generation due to its high solar irradiance and vast land availability.
The tender issued by NTPC REL specifically focuses on the procurement of solar PV modules intended for deployment in Rajasthan. While the specific capacity in megawatts (MW) has not been disclosed in the initial announcement, the tender is a critical component of the company’s procurement strategy for its upcoming utility-scale solar parks. The deadline for the submission of bids has been set for November 5, 2026. This timeline provides a window for manufacturers to align their production schedules and supply chain logistics to meet the requirements of the state-run utility.
For EPC contractors and solar developers, this tender serves as a bellwether for the procurement landscape in the Indian market. NTPC REL’s procurement processes are known for their rigorous technical and financial standards. Suppliers who successfully qualify for this tender will gain a significant competitive advantage, as it positions them as preferred vendors for one of the most active developers in the country. Furthermore, the focus on Rajasthan highlights the continued concentration of large-scale solar infrastructure in the region, which is essential for developers managing grid connectivity and land acquisition in the state.
Following the bid submission deadline of November 5, 2026, NTPC REL will proceed with the technical and financial evaluation of the proposals. Successful bidders will be expected to adhere to strict delivery timelines to ensure that the project commissioning schedules remain on track. As the India renewable energy sector moves toward its ambitious 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030, such large-scale procurement tenders from central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) like NTPC remain the backbone of the industry’s growth, driving demand for domestic and international module manufacturing capacity.
NTPC Renewable Energy has initiated a procurement process for solar modules to support its Rajasthan project portfolio. The following table outlines the key parameters of the tender.
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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Rohit Kalyanpur, founder and CEO of Optivolt, with a solar panel and testing equipment.
Optivolt Power Balancer connected to panel cells.

Rohit Kalyanpur, founder and CEO of Optivolt, with a solar panel and testing equipment.
Optivolt Power Balancer connected to panel cells.
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct 21, 2026–
Optivolt, a power electronics company building the intelligence layer for solar, today announced a $32M Series A led by VXI Capital, a new hard tech fund founded by the former CTO of the Defense Innovation Unit of the U.S. Military, with participation from RA Capital, Valo Ventures, and Atlas Innovate. This round brings Optivolt’s total capital raised to date to $42M.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021369977/en/
Rohit Kalyanpur, founder and CEO of Optivolt, with a solar panel and testing equipment. (Courtesy of Optivolt)
The solar panel has become a commodity. Optivolt gave it a brain. Its Power Balancer embeds active power electronics directly into the panel, managing energy among cell groups in real time to recover power otherwise lost to shade, weather, dirt and uneven degradation. This creates a foundation for adaptive, connected solar systems. With more than 20,000 panels incorporating the Power Balancer already shipped, the company will use the new financing to expand manufacturing and bring the technology to solar systems at every scale, from individual homes to utility-scale projects designed to help power AI data centers.
“Solar became cheap enough to compete. I founded Optivolt to make it intelligent enough to power the world,” said Rohit Kalyanpur, founder and CEO of Optivolt. “For nine years, we’ve rebuilt the solar panel from first principles, embedding aerospace-grade power electronics so it can respond to Earth as it actually is, not the ideal conditions of a lab. The result is the first solar panel system that thinks for itself – one that adapts to shade, weather, dirt and degradation in real time, recovering energy conventional solar leaves behind. The next step is putting it everywhere.”
“The next era of energy will not be built by simply installing more of the same passive solar panels we already have. It will be built by making solar intelligent enough to become the backbone of the global power system,” said Orin Hoffman, Managing Director at VXI Capital. “Optivolt has spent nine years building the architecture for that future. This financing is about taking it from a technical breakthrough to the platform on which the next generation of solar is built.”
“At Enphase, we transformed rooftop solar by managing power at the output of each panel. Today, rising panel power, the widespread adoption of storage, and the urgent need to reduce costs demand a new approach. Optivolt is bringing a new class of power electronics inside the panel itself to unlock the next leap in performance and economics,” said Paul Nahi, the founding CEO of Enphase and Optivolt investor. “I helped build the last generation of solar power electronics. At Optivolt we are building the next.”
Solar, Rebuilt from the Inside Out
Despite decades of progress, the conventional solar panel remains fundamentally passive hardware. Solar panels are rated under controlled laboratory conditions, but operate in a world of shade, dirt, debris and uneven degradation. Inside a conventional panel, one underperforming cell can constrain the output of an entire cell group – or cause a bypass diode to take that group out of production altogether. A localized problem can therefore suppress the output of a much larger section of the panel.
Optivolt redesigned the electrical architecture inside the panel around a power electronics brain. Its Power Balancer redistributes energy among the panel’s cell groups in real time, addressing mismatch before it becomes a larger loss. It replaces conventional bypass diodes and builds rapid shutdown and monitoring into the panel, allowing solar systems to be designed without separate module-level optimizers, microinverters or rapid-shutdown devices.
Putting active power electronics inside a solar panel created a fundamental engineering problem: heat. To solve it, Optivolt assembled a team with experience designing power systems for satellites, bringing the discipline of aerospace – where every watt matters and hardware must survive without repair – to a product built to spend decades inside a solar panel. That team developed the Power Balancer, which operates at 99.4 percent conversion efficiency under typical conditions.
Optivolt holds 19 issued patents and has 27 additional patent applications pending, covering key elements of its panel-integrated power electronics architecture. Optivolt has earned UL certifications covering its integrated junction-box enclosure, panel-integrated electronics, rapid-shutdown system and solar-module safety.
In Optivolt’s internal testing, panels incorporating the technology produced up to six times as much power as panels using bolted-on optimizers under defined shade scenarios.
Changing the Economics of Solar
“At SunPower, we spent nearly three decades pushing the limits of how efficiently a solar panel could turn sunlight into electricity. Optivolt is attacking the other half of the problem: how much energy that panel actually delivers in the real world once it leaves the factory,” said Tom Werner, former CEO of SunPower and Optivolt investor. “The next great solar panel won’t just produce more power under ideal conditions. It will deliver more energy across the imperfect conditions of its working life.”
“I’ve spent most of my career making clean energy financeable at scale – building new financing tools, redesigning markets and driving deployment costs down,” said Richard Kauffman, former Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York and an Optivolt investor. “But finance can only take the industry so far. When the same solar project produces more energy over its lifetime, the economics change everywhere. Optivolt rewrote that equation inside the panel itself, dramatically expanding the share of the world’s energy demand that solar can economically serve.”
About Optivolt
Optivolt is a power electronics company building the intelligence layer for solar. Its panel-integrated Power Balancer redistributes energy among cell groups in real time, helping solar systems deliver more energy under real-world conditions while simplifying the hardware around the panel. Optivolt’s long-term goal is to make every solar panel an intelligent, connected node in a global energy network, capable of both managing its own performance and coordinating with the system around it. Founded by Thiel Fellow Rohit Kalyanpur, Optivolt is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
To learn more, visit optivolt.com
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021369977/en/
Media Contact:media@optivolt.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY BUILDING SYSTEMS GREEN TECHNOLOGY
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PUB: 10/21/2026 10:01 AM/DISC: 10/21/2026 10:02 AM
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Lightsource bp has reported that four construction innovations could substantially change how gigawatt-scale solar farms are built, according to research by the UK-headquartered independent power producer. The company shared findings from the investigation phase of its NextGen Solar Programme, which examines construction methods for gigawatt-scale solar facilities.
The programme focuses on four areas: automated foundation piling, a frameless panel design using steel instead of aluminium, press-fit bolt-free module installation, and on-site pre-assembly. According to the initial investigation, combining these four approaches could lower direct installation costs by roughly 22% and shorten installation time by as much as 30% compared with current standard practice.
Chris Buckland, Lightsource bp‘s Global Technical Director, indicated that the analysis draws on newly developed solar industry offerings from China, Europe and North America, with emphasis on automation and novel installation methods. He noted that a construction approach combining the four innovations is intended for large-scale photovoltaic development from 2028 onwards.
Buckland explained that the approach remains at the development stage but is expected to become relevant to major projects over the next three years. The company plans trials in Australia and the United States to validate supplier data and support technical assessment and bankability, with initial results targeted within 18 months.
The analysis states that automated piling rigs using GPS precision can reduce installation time by up to 12.5%. Automated piling replaces manual pile driving, which the company says lowers costs and improves consistency while potentially reducing injury risk for site workers.
Lightsource bp also reported that press-fit, bolt-free module installation, which allows panels to click into position, could cut installation time by up to 30% when combined with automated piling and a new module design. Buckland said the solution aims to simplify module installation by replacing conventional clamps and bolts, with potential savings from reduced installation time and balance-of-system costs. The company is also exploring steel frames as a replacement for aluminium, though it cited confidentiality requirements in declining to provide cost assessments.
The NextGen Solar Programme is now moving from modelling and analysis into real-world validation, with trials on active projects covering automated piling systems, robotic module placement and advanced cable harnessing to verify cost, time and safety assumptions. Buckland commented that rising demand for solar energy and constraints from existing construction methods affect the commercial viability of some projects, and that the programme has produced a practical, evidence-based roadmap for scaling solar farm construction efficiently, which the company now intends to validate under real operating conditions.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the United Kingdom, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
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This report covers photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. It encompasses the global market for finished modules, including all major product technologies and form factors designed for a wide range of end-use applications.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
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The market data is classified and analyzed according to international trade codes, primarily under the Harmonized System (HS) headings for photovoltaic cells and electric generating sets. This ensures consistent tracking of trade flows for assembled solar modules and relevant apparatus across global markets.
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This September, Governor Newsom signed SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act. Scott Wiener wrote it, and California is now roughly the tenth state to make room for balcony solar. These are small kits that plug into a standard outlet and push power straight into the home’s circuits. For renters, condo owners and anyone told “you can’t go solar here,” it’s a real change. Most of the practical questions still fall on the homeowner, though.
A plug-in system is one or two panels and a microinverter, mounted on a railing, a patio or a ground stand and plugged into a receptacle. Under SB 868, a qualifying device is capped at 1,200 watts of AC output per dwelling. It has to be designed to offset your own consumption. It has to meet the National and California Electrical Codes, carry a UL (or equivalent lab) certification as a plug-in PV system, and shut itself off from the grid during an outage so it never backfeeds onto lines a utility crew is working on.
Qualifying devices are exempt from interconnection agreements, utility approval, extra equipment requirements and utility fees. Utilities, including municipal ones like LADWP, may ask you to fill out a simple online registration form. They cannot make you wait for permission.
A rooftop system is a different thing. A typical Southern California home system runs 5 to 10 kilowatts or more and is permitted, inspected and wired to the panel by a licensed contractor. Balcony solar is a useful supplement, not a replacement.
Your HOA or landlord. SB 868 deals with your relationship to the utility. It doesn’t override your lease, your CC&Rs or building rules about what you can attach to a railing. Get permission in writing.
Your circuit, not just your outlet. I worry about this one most. A plug-in kit feeds power into a branch circuit, and that breaker can’t see the solar current coming in. If the same circuit also carries a space heater or a window AC unit, the wiring can carry more than it was designed for. Use a dedicated or lightly loaded outlet, never an extension cord or power strip. In an older home, have an electrician look at the circuit first.
The listing. The law’s protections apply only to devices that meet every condition it sets out. A kit with no recognized certification for plug-in PV doesn’t qualify, whatever the listing says. Check the certification mark and look it up.
Utility and export rules. The law waives interconnection. It doesn’t promise to pay you for exported power. Treat any energy that leaves your home as worth roughly nothing, and size the kit to what you use during the day.
Insurance and fire safety. Tell your insurer. Keep panels and cables out of exit paths, off combustible surfaces, and secured against wind. On a balcony, a loose panel can hurt someone below.
Balcony solar makes the most sense where rooftop solar doesn’t work: renters, apartments, condos with shared roofs, shaded houses. A well-placed 800-watt kit in Southern California sun might produce on the order of 1,000 kilowatt-hours a year. A vertical railing that faces north or sits in shade will make much less. At today’s California rates, that can mean real savings and a payback in the low single-digit years.
Most single-family homes with a decent roof face different math. Under California’s net billing tariff, exported solar earns far less than it did under the old net metering rules. The value now comes from using your own power, including after sunset when rates peak. A battery is what lets you do that. The federal residential tax credit ended after 2025, so rooftop systems have to make sense on their own merits, and in many SoCal homes with high bills and EV charging they still do. A 1,200-watt plug-in kit simply can’t cover an evening peak or keep your refrigerator running during a Public Safety Power Shutoff. The required anti-islanding feature switches it off when the grid goes down.
Expect a gold rush and some overpromising. Be skeptical of:
Pull 12 months of usage from your utility account and look at what you use during daylight hours. If you rent, live in a condo, or can’t put panels on your roof, a certified plug-in kit on a safe, lightly loaded circuit is a smart, low-risk first step. If you own a single-family home with a usable roof, get a rooftop-plus-storage assessment first, then decide whether a plug-in kit fills a gap.
SB 868 runs through January 1, 2030, when the interconnection exemption expires unless the Legislature extends it. If the industry wants that extension, the next four years need to go well, which means consumers have to have good experiences. The industry should give them honest advice now.
Oren Tamir is Founder & CEO of NRG Clean Power, a residential solar and battery storage installer based in Woodland Hills, California, serving homeowners across Southern California.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
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Solar panels on a house in Pasadena (Photo – Kate Bartlett)
By News Desk
The Solar Power and Battery 101 workshop will cover the process of installing solar panels and explain how residents may save an average of 20% to 30% on upfront costs.
PWP staff will discuss rebates and installation steps, including choosing vendors, understanding the benefits of solar and battery storage, and meeting permit and electrical code requirements.
“Choosing to install solar power and battery storage at home is a meaningful investment that pays off for both our customers and our city,” said David Reyes, PWP general manager. “It delivers clean energy, supports Pasadena’s path toward 100% carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030, and gives homeowners greater control over their energy use and costs.”
Registration is available at PWPweb.com/SolarNovember5. For accessibility information or to request an accommodation, call (626) 744-7311 or email CSC@CityOfPasadena.net. Requests made at least 72 hours in advance will help ensure availability.
Information about solar power and battery storage rebates is available at this link.
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China has proposed higher efficiency requirements for TOPCon, HJT, and BC solar cells and modules
New manufacturing projects would face stricter limits on energy and water consumption, with greater emphasis on recycling and product quality
The draft rules are open to stakeholder consultation until November 15, 2026
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed tougher standards for solar PV manufacturers, including higher efficiency requirements for solar cells and modules, as part of its efforts to curb overcapacity in the industry.
Under the proposal, new and expanded solar cell production lines would need to achieve average conversion efficiencies of at least 26.2% for TOPCon, 26% for heterojunction (HJT), and 26.6% for back-contact (BC) technologies.
For solar modules, the proposed minimum average efficiencies are 24.2% for TOPCon, 24% for HJT, and 24.4% for BC modules.
The draft also sets minimum efficiency requirements for existing production facilities. Solar cells would need to achieve average efficiencies of at least 25.3% for TOPCon and HJT and 25.6% for BC technology. For existing modules, the proposed thresholds are 23.4%, 23.4%, and 23.7%, respectively.
However, according to TaiyangNews TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing, commercial module efficiency of BC has already reached 25%, led by AIKO and LONGi (see TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing – October 2026).
The draft also introduces efficiency thresholds for emerging technologies. New tandem solar modules would need to achieve an average efficiency of at least 27%, compared with 25% for existing products. New perovskite modules will be required to meet the minimum efficiency of 20%.
The proposed standards also target the energy and water consumption of solar manufacturing, particularly in the polysilicon production stage. The draft includes requirements covering waste management, recycling, environmental protection, and worker safety. It also encourages manufacturers to improve automation and digital manufacturing processes to increase production efficiency and reduce costs.
The draft retains a minimum equity-capital ratio of 30% for new and expanded manufacturing projects. It also requires manufacturers to invest at least 3% of their annual sales revenue in research and development and process improvements.
The changes come as China’s solar manufacturing industry continues to face excess production capacity and financial pressure. The government has been seeking to encourage a shift away from capacity expansion driven mainly by price competition toward technological development, improved product quality, and more efficient production.
The proposed specifications also revise the system used to identify manufacturers that meet industry requirements. Authorities would conduct regular reviews and could remove companies from the list if they no longer comply with the standards.
The proposed rules are open for public consultation until November 15, 2026. Details are available on MIIT’s website.
MIIT previously clarified how manufacturers are expected to meet the five mandatory national standards covering the solar PV industry, ahead of their 2027 rollout (see China Clarifies New Mandatory Solar PV Standards).
The proposal is separate from China’s planned controls on exports of certain solar manufacturing technologies (see China Proposes Export Curbs On 12 Solar PV Technologies).
TaiyangNews 2024

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EBRD provides US$265 million loan for 1.2GW solar-plus-storage project in Egypt  PV Tech
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A new United States-headquartered metal roof engineering company S-5! white paper challenges the assumption solar attachment points must be directly located over purlins to ensure structural adequacy.
The ‘Solar Mounting Off Purlin on Metal Roof Sheeting’ technical paper investigates the assumption via laboratory testing for Australian building codes and standards and documented field performance.
The paper presents evidence that metal roof sheeting can reliably support solar attachments between purlins when systems are property engineered and installed.
Wind uplift resistance, load distribution and the structural role of roof panels are all examined in the paper, supported by static and cyclic load testing results, full-assembly testing and examples of solar installations that have withstood extreme hurricane conditions.
The paper points to utilising proper load distribution and not just proximity to structural purlins as key to evaluating the complete load path, including roof sheeting, solar fixings, and supporting structure.
“Metal roofs come in two distinct styles, each with a different method of attachment: standing seam (or concealed-fix), and exposed-fastened (exposed-fix). In both roof types, the seams or ribs that run from the eave to the ridge act as structural elements,” the paper says.
The paper’s findings support the integrity of S-5!‘s PVKIT 3.0 rail-less solar mounting system and Facet Mount.
“Clamps or brackets are attached to the seams or ribs with an interface called the PVKIT® to secure the PV module frames, eliminating the need for rails. The clamps and brackets can be attached anywhere along the seams or ribs, as well as directly over the purlins,” the paper explains.
The PVKIT 3.0 is available in standard and optional integrated 50 mm riser configurations, providing additional space for wire routing, module-level power electronics and other balance of system components.
The S-5! high-pressure cast aluminium Facet Mount offers 16 fastening locations designed for flexibility and increased load distribution while preserving single-ply membrance roof integrity.
S-5! will be exhibiting at All Energy Australia, October 28-29, in Melbourne at Stand Q101.

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AGS Airports has unveiled Horizons – Looking ahead, acting together – and celebrated a major sustainability milestone as Glasgow Airport’s solar farm begins generating enough renewable electricity to meet around 25% of the airport’s on-site demand.
The multi-million-pound project was developed by AGS Airports in partnership with leading energy transition adviser and developer Ikigai Group.
 
The impressive 10MW farm located on Glasgow Airport land near Barnsford Road has been funded and delivered by Zestec Renewable Energy, who will manage and optimise the infrastructure long-term.
 
Comprising more than 14,300 photovoltaic panels, the development generates renewable energy to help power airport operations and reduce reliance on energy from the grid.
 
The solar farm is a key initiative within Horizons, AGS Airports’ sustainability & ESG strategy, which sets out the group’s long-term ambitions across four strategic pillars:
Under the strategy, AGS Airports has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net zero for its own emissions by 2035 while continuing to create positive impacts for the communities it serves, investing in its people and championing innovation across the aviation sector.
 
The completion of the solar farm represents one of the most significant achievements in AGS Airports’ journey towards net zero and demonstrates the company’s commitment to turning strategy into action.
 
Fiona Smith, Executive Director of ESG & Sustainability at AGS Airports, said: “The launch of Horizons marks an important moment for AGS Airports as we set out a clear vision for building a more sustainable future for our airports. Looking ahead, acting together captures our belief that meaningful progress can only be achieved through collaboration. The solar farm is an example of that approach in action and a major milestone on our sustainability journey.”
 
The opening of the farm sees AGS Airports achieve another of its targets, generating 25% of on-site renewable energy for its own use at Glasgow Airport by the end of 2026, improving energy efficiency across its airport operations.
 
Crucially, the solar farm is also expected to save around 1100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) based on grid electricity emissions per year.
 
Toby Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Zestec, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this significant renewable energy project for Glasgow Airport. With the solar farm now operational, we look forward to managing and optimising it over the long term, helping the airport make the most of the renewable energy it generates.”
 
The success of the project has been underpinned by strong partnership with SP Energy Networks (SPEN), the electricity network operator for central and southern Scotland.
 
Martin Maxwell, SPEN’s District General Manager for Ayrshire and Clyde South, said: “It’s fantastic to see this new solar farm now up and running – powering a cleaner and greener future for AGS and Glasgow Airport and kickstarting a new era for this thriving transport hub. We’re proud to have played our part in bringing this project to life and working with AGS to ‘look ahead and act together’.”
Helena Anderson, Chief Operating Officer at Ikigai, commented: “We supported Glasgow Airport from inception to energisation, jointly developing the onsite generation project and securing the most competitive investor. It is rewarding to see that collaboration now delivering clean, competitively priced electricity for the airport.”
 
Looking to the future, innovation will remain a core focus of the Horizons strategy, with attention now turning to how the success of the solar farm can be replicated at Aberdeen International and Southampton airports. The company has also set its sights on helping to deliver the UK’s first scheduled zero-emission passenger route.
 
Earlier this year, AGS Airports supported the UK’s first real-world electric aviation demonstration programme with BETA Technologies’ all-electric ALIA aircraft completing flights across Scotland.
 
The trials showed how zero-emission aircraft could operate from existing airport infrastructure in the years ahead.
 
Kam Jandu, Chief Executive Officer at AGS Airports, commented: “By generating clean energy on-site, we are reducing our carbon footprint, strengthening our energy resilience and creating long-term value for the airport and the communities we serve.
“Horizons reflects our ambition not only to reduce our environmental impact but also to help shape the future of sustainable aviation. Horizons and the targets we have set ensure AGS Airports continues to lead by example.”

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The construction of gigawatt-sized solar farms could be transformed by adopting four technical innovations, according to research by Lightsource bp.
The UK-headquartered independent power producer (IPP) has shared findings from the investigation phase of its NextGen Solar Programme, which is reviewing how gigwatt-scale solar farms are built.
The programme is exploring how four areas of innovation – automated foundation piling, a frameless panel design that uses steel rather than aluminium, press-fit bolt-free module installations, and on-site pre-assembly – can reduce the costs and time required to construct gigawatt-sized solar farms.
Results from the initial investigation found combining these four construction innovations could cut direct installation costs by around 22% and reduce installation time by up to 30%, when compared with current standard practice.
Chris Buckland, Global Technical Director of Lightsource bp, told pv magazine the analysis is based on assessment of “newly-developed solar industry offerings from China, Europe and Northern America, with a focus on automation and novel installation method.”
Buckland added that a construction approach combining the four innovations is intended for large-scale PV development from 2028 onwards.
“It remains at the development stage but is expected to become relevant to major projects over the next three years,” he explained. “We plan to run trials in Australia and the United States to validate supplier data points and support technical assessment and bankability, with initial results targeted within the next 18 months.”
Lightsource bp’s analysis says automated piling rigs that use GPS precision can reduce installation time by up to 12.5%. Automated piling replaces manual pile driving, it adds, in turn lowering costs and improving consistency while also potentially reducing the risk of injury to site workers.
Additional analysis by the IPP says a press-fit, bolt-free solar module installation that enables solar panels to click into position has the potential to reduce installation time by up to 30% when combined with automated piling and a new module design.
“The solution aims to simplify module installation by replacing conventional clamps and bolts, delivering potential savings through reduced installation time and balance-of-system costs,” Buckland told pv magazine.
“We are also exploring replacing aluminium frames with steel options. Due to confidentiality requirements, we cannot provide the cost assessments.”
An additional statement from Lightsource bp explains its NextGen Solar Programme now moves from modelling and analysis into real-world validation, with trials on active projects including automated piling systems, robotic module placement and advanced cable harnessing solutions to verify cost, time and safety assumptions.
“We know that demand for solar energy is rising, and building for gigawatt scale is constrained by existing construction methods, impacting some projects commercial viability,” Buckland explained.
“The NextGen Solar Programme has delivered a practical, evidenced-based roadmap for scaling solar farm construction efficiently, and we are now moving to validate these solutions under real operating conditions.”
From pv magazine Global
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
Most of the heat comes from a wood stove, with a mini-split helping on cold nights.
Photo Credit: iStock
After 12 months of off-grid living, a North Georgia resident says a small-cabin setup has been able to cover a fairly typical daily routine.
As they told the r/OffGrid subreddit, the power system supports a full-size 240-volt washer and dryer, plus a 1,500-square-foot workshop about 2.5 times the size of the 600-square-foot cabin.
In a Reddit post, the homeowner said a year in the Blue Ridge Mountains left them with a setup built around 6.4 kilowatts of solar panels, two split-phase MPP6548 units, and 30 kilowatt-hours of lithium iron phosphate batteries.
According to the post, propane is the only outside fuel source, used only for on-demand hot water and a gas grill. Most of the heat comes from a wood stove, with a mini-split helping on cold nights. 
The cabin was described as “borderline insulated,” with an open crawl space, no floor insulation, R13 exterior walls, and an R19 roof. They shared a photo of their view, presumably with their dog.
The homeowner noted, “I make a healthy living as a consultant and work 100% remotely. It’s fair to say this kind of off-grid build likely comes with significant upfront equipment costs.”
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Internet service changed over time. The cabin started with Starlink but later got fiber after “the rural broadband peeps showed up with a screaming deal to run glass to the cabin for free.”
For the solar arrays, the first eight panels sit on a pressure-treated lumber rack the homeowner built using perforated angle iron and ag pins so the angle can be adjusted. They said the second array is mounted on a white oak rack harvested from the property and set on boulders uncovered while excavating for the shop foundation.
They also said the mounts use 14-foot farm gates, hinges, U-bolts, and panel clamps, and they change the tilt four times per year. They showed a photo of their handiwork in front of the cabin.
One commenter said they pair an on-demand propane heater with a small tank water heater tied to solar. 
“This setup cut down my propane usage by like half and gave me something to do with extra power when my batteries are charged up,” they revealed.
The suggestion immediately resonated with the original poster: “Brilliant idea. Actually was just contemplating other ways to store power once my batteries are topped off. My base load on a moderate fall or spring day is only about 3kWH so the batteries get to about 89% before the panels kick in.”
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According to the governor of Gaza Province, Alfeu Cuna, who was speaking at the Conference on Adding Value to Mineral Resources (CAVAME-d 2026), which is taking place in the port city of Nacala, in the northern province of Nampula, the plant is expected to strengthen electricity supplies to mining companies operating in the province, creating conditions for the development of industries linked to mineral extraction.
The governor highlighted existing electricity infrastructure, including the Lionde and Xai-Xai substations and power transmission lines, which could support the expansion of industrial activities.
He also pointed to the importance of reliable electricity supplies for establishing mineral processing facilities in Mabalane and Mapai, two districts in Gaza province where limestone deposits have been identified.
Demarcating areas with mining potential
According to Cuna, the provincial government is demarcating areas with mining potential to facilitate investment and organise land allocation for economic projects.
The resources identified include heavy mineral sands in Chibuto, as well as limestone deposits in Mabalane and other minerals that could serve as raw materials for cement production and other industries.
He also highlighted road and railway connections, international airport and other transport infrastructure as important assets for the movement of people and goods. He further announced plans for a deep-water port to strengthen the province’s logistics capacity.
Another initiative under consideration is the creation of a special economic zone near the airport and mining areas. The zone is intended to attract complementary economic activities and promote industrial value chains linked to Gaza’s natural resources.
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Solar-boosted ocean power plant fails the price test, but one clever twist wins
A computational techno-economic study found that a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal and ocean thermal energy conversion plant was not economically advantageous over an uncooled photovoltaic array paired with a standalone OTEC plant under central cost assumptions. The verified break-even electricity price ranged from $1.77 to $3.12 per kilowatt-hour along the optimized trade-off at the design site, above the $0.30–$0.80 per kilowatt-hour diesel-generation cost reported for remote Indonesian grids.
The study modeled a closed ammonia OTEC cycle whose evaporator received heat from a PVT field through an intermediate heat exchanger. The PVT coolant simultaneously cooled the photovoltaic cells and delivered recovered heat to the OTEC cycle. The analysis compared this hybrid with Case A, an uncooled photovoltaic array beside a standalone OTEC plant, and Case B, an actively cooled array that rejected its recovered heat to ambient.
Researchers optimized collector aperture area, specific heat-transfer-fluid flow, evaporator conductance and one of five commercial photovoltaic technologies. NSGA-III simultaneously optimized net plant power, system exergy efficiency and the crossover price, defined as the break-even electricity price for the incremental hybrid investment. Annual energy was calculated from long-term monthly solar climatology, with no thermal storage credited at night.
Machine-learning surrogates replaced repeated high-fidelity calculations during the search. Gaussian-process models were selected for the physical regression targets, while gradient-boosted trees classified whether a cycle solution existed. The annual hybrid energy increment relative to the uncooled reference had a cross-validated R² of 0.9980 and mean absolute error of 0.19 kWh per square metre per year.
Among 26 front designs re-evaluated with the full model, 25 were feasible. The surrogate overestimated the crossover price relative to the uncooled reference by a mean $0.002 per kilowatt-hour, and its Spearman rank correlation with verified values was 0.9985. Verification also identified one design that violated the evaporator approach limit by 0.012 K, which was removed from the reported results.
The verified Pareto front covered net hybrid outputs of 39–588 kW and exergy efficiencies of 11.6–21.7%. A selected knee design used 2,411 m² of collectors with TOPCon cells and delivered 459 kW at 19.7% exergy efficiency, but had a verified crossover price of $2.53 per kilowatt-hour. Multicrystalline silicon produced the lowest crossover price because its larger temperature coefficient produced a greater benefit from cooling; efficiency alone did not determine the ranking.
Relative to the actively cooled array, routing recovered heat to the OTEC evaporator had a coupling crossover price of $0.12–$0.13 per kilowatt-hour along the design-site front, below the reported diesel-cost range. This comparison excluded the cost of obtaining the cooled PVT field because that hardware was common to both configurations. The result supports using recovered heat once a PVT field has been justified for other reasons, rather than using OTEC coupling alone to justify the field.
At an electricity price of $0.40 per kilowatt-hour, the break-even PVT-specific cost was $43–$82 per square metre, compared with a documented range of about $200–$550 per square metre. A 20,000-draw Monte Carlo analysis produced a 5th–95th percentile crossover-price range of $1.76–$3.74 per kilowatt-hour, and every draw exceeded $0.80 per kilowatt-hour.
The analysis was limited to a steady-state model, one ammonia-based plant scale, no thermal storage and uncertain utility-scale PVT procurement costs. Collector areas above 2,000 m² and conditions outside the design-site climatology were extrapolations, and the diesel range was regional rather than a site-specific avoided-cost estimate.
Subject of Research: Techno-economic optimization of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal and ocean thermal energy conversion plant
Article Title: Locating the economic threshold of a hybrid PVT/OTEC plant: a surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimization with high-fidelity verification
Article References: Ahmadi, M., Aghanajafi, C., & Vojdani, M. M. (2026). Locating the economic threshold of a hybrid PVT/OTEC plant: a surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimization with high-fidelity verification. Results in Engineering, 32, Article 113607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.113607
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.113607
Keywords: PVT/OTEC hybrid, photovoltaic-thermal, ocean thermal energy, techno-economic optimization, crossover price, surrogate modeling, NSGA-III, high-fidelity verification, Locating, economic, threshold, hybrid
News Source: Denise Maddox. (October 21, 2026). Modeled hybrid PVT/OTEC plant breaks even only with low-cost collectors or recovered heat. Scienmag.
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Solar Power World
By Billy Ludt | October 21, 2026
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, has activated a rooftop solar installation spanning approximately 3.5 acres atop the resort’s convention center. Featuring 4,696 solar panels, the array is designed to supply up to 20% of the resort’s electrical load during peak production periods and offset up to 50% of the electricity purchased from the local utility.
Credit: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
“This project is an important example of how we are partnering with Marriott International to invest in initiatives that support our shared conservation goals and create long-term value for our shareholders,” said Mark Fioravanti, president and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties. “With this project complete, we’re reducing demand on the local power grid while improving operational efficiency and strengthening the resort’s climate resiliency for years to come.”
The array came online in June 2026 and has already produced the equivalent power of approximately 48 average U.S. households for one year. Gaylord National partnered with REV Energy Ventures to develop and implement the solar project.
“Gaylord National’s solar project demonstrates how large hospitality properties can integrate renewable energy while maintaining seamless operations,” said Jeff Bedard, founder and CEO of REV Energy Ventures. “The project’s scale highlights the role on-site renewable energy can play in supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability goals.”
Since 2018, Gaylord National’s on-site Cogen system has generated electricity while repurposing waste energy for heating, helping meet more than 75% of the resort’s energy needs.
“The addition of solar power strengthens the foundation we have established through our Cogen system and other efficiency investments,” said Derek Brauner, director of engineering at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. “By generating electricity on site, capturing thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted and continuously monitoring our building systems, we are able to operate more efficiently. The solar array is another important component of a broader resort-wide strategy focused on energy efficiency, resource conservation and long-term sustainability.”
Additional initiatives include energy-saving building technologies, continuous operational monitoring, rooftop beehives, an on-site herb garden and a commitment to local and sustainable sourcing. The resort also supports waste-reduction efforts through single-stream recycling, paperless billing, the elimination of single-use toiletry bottles and recycling up to 170,000 pounds of cardboard each month.
News item from Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
Billy Ludt is managing editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, inverters, installation and operations.

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Dentons has advised mBank and Bank Millennium, acting as lenders, on financing for the development and construction of a 135 MW solar photovoltaic project in Żabice, southern Poland. The project is sponsored by Virya Energy, a Belgian pioneer in sustainable energy solutions.
The project, which is among the largest of its kind currently under construction in the country, is expected to become operational in the second half of 2027.
Dentons advised the lenders on all legal aspects of the financing, including the preparation and negotiation of the finance documents, as well as regulatory and project-specific matters.
The team advising on the financing was led by Tomasz Zwoliński, partner in the Banking & Finance practice, and included senior associate Magdalena Gajewska as well as associates Krzysztof Chlebowski and Julia Frankiewicz.
The project-related aspects of the transaction, including legal due diligence, were led by managing counsel Maciej Ziółkowski, with support from senior associate Mateusz Muchel and associates Zofia Szewczuk and Bartłomiej Książek, under the supervision of Piotr Ciołkowski, partner and Co-Head of the Energy and Natural Resources practice.
The mBank team included Gracjan Biskup, Daniel Uścimiak and Eugeniusz Dąbrowski.
Bank Millennium was represented by Agnieszka Byszkiewicz, Karolina Kosik-Popławska, Piotr Łagutko and Renata Grzywacz.
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Solarcentury Africa has commenced full commercial operations at its 34.5 MWp Mailo 2 solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Zambia, bringing the total operational capacity of the Mailo solar project to 59.5 MWp.
The milestone follows the successful completion of construction and grid compliance testing. Mailo 2 represents the second phase of the planned 118 MWp Mailo solar PV development.
The project received equity investment from Solarcentury Africa’s parent company, BB Energy, while Standard Bank South Africa provided debt funding. Alensy Energy Solutions was appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, completing construction in under 12 months.
The second phase builds on the performance of the first phase, which has been operating since July 2025. The initial installation sells electricity on a merchant basis through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), demonstrating the commercial potential of merchant solar generation in Zambia.
The additional capacity is expected to contribute to Zambia’s electricity supply, support energy security and economic growth, and help the country meet its energy transition objectives.
Mailo is part of Solarcentury Africa’s broader portfolio of 350 MW of solar projects under operation, construction and development across Zambia, highlighting the company’s expanding presence in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Jason de Carteret, Chief Executive Officer of Solarcentury Africa, said the start of commercial operations marked a significant milestone for the project and reflected the efforts and collaboration of the teams involved.
“We are proud to have delivered the second phase of the Mailo development and to continue supporting Zambia’s growing demand for reliable and sustainable electricity,” de Carteret said.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal






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China proposes export controls on polysilicon, wafers and other PV technologies  PV Tech
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Colombian power generator Isagen said on October 13, 2026, that it is investing close to $1 billion USD to acquire and develop five solar projects that together add about 800 MW of capacity, financed in part by selling close to 500 MW of mature hydroelectric and solar plants in three transactions. Two of the five solar parks are already generating power, and the remaining three are scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2029.
Isagen calls the program capital rotation. The company said the two operating parks add solar capacity to the national grid at a time when the El Niño phenomenon is straining the power system, and that the program adds battery storage to its technology mix and extends its operations into new regions of Colombia.
“Capital rotation allows us to monetize mature assets in order to reinvest those resources in new renewable growth opportunities.” — Camilo Marulanda López, CEO of Isagen
The largest acquisition by capacity is Puerta de Oro, a park in the municipalities of Guaduas and Chaguaní, Cundinamarca, which Isagen’s release puts at 300 MW. Isagen expects to close that acquisition by the end of the year. Patria Investments (NASDAQ: PAX) announced in September 2026 that its Infrastructure Fund V was selling its entire stake in the park to Isagen, and said the park has 360 MWp of installed capacity, measured in peak megawatts, across more than 511,000 solar modules, with expected generation of 728 GWh a year. Ashmore Colombia, a subsidiary of Ashmore Group (LSE: ASHM), was also a seller, according to law firm Cuatrecasas, which advised both sellers. The park is already in commercial operation, Portafolio reported. Neither Isagen nor Patria disclosed the price.
The 50 MW Caracolí park is also generating, and Isagen said that acquisition has already closed. Halcones y Palomas reported in August that Isagen bought the project company, Sol de las Ciénagas S.A.S., from Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ). The plant is in Caracolí, in the municipality of Malambo, Atlántico.
El Campano, a 100 MW project in Córdoba, is under construction and scheduled for completion in 2027, and Isagen expects to close its acquisition by the end of the year. The park is being developed by Atlas Renewable Energy as part of a partnership with Isagen, according to Cuatrecasas. Finance Colombia reported in April that the project, in Chinú, reached financial close with a total investment estimated at $453.9 billion COP, backed by a 15-year power purchase agreement with Isagen.
The two remaining projects are earlier in development. Llanos VIII, in Meta, is planned to combine 170 MW of solar capacity with battery storage. Isagen agreed to acquire Bosques Solares de Los Llanos 8 S.A.S., which is developing the project in Villavicencio, from Solargreen S.A.S., a Colombian company owned by the Spanish group Solaer, in a transaction that requires pre-evaluation by the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (Superintendency of Industry and Commerce, SIC), according to Halcones y Palomas. Villavieja is a planned 200 MW park in Huila. Portafolio reported in May 2025 that the Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales (National Environmental Licensing Authority, ANLA) had granted the project its environmental license, and identified its developer as CME Construcción y Manutención Electromecánica. Isagen said construction on both projects is scheduled to begin in 2027, with Llanos VIII entering operation in 2028 and Villavieja in 2029. Isagen did not identify the sellers of the El Campano or Villavieja projects.
The divestments total close to 500 MW, according to Isagen, and were split among three transactions. One sale, now closed, transferred the Luzma I and Luzma II hydroelectric plants to BTG Pactual Commodities, a Colombian wholesale power-trading company that is part of Brazil’s BTG Pactual (B3: BPAC11, BPAC3, BPAC5) group. According to Portafolio, the two run-of-river plants are in Amalfi, Antioquia, and BTG Pactual Commodities held no generation capacity before the deal, based on the transaction’s notification to the SIC.
A second sale, also closed, went to Termoyopal, the company now branded as Altia Energy. It covered the Amoyá hydroelectric plant in Chaparral, Tolima; the Barroso, Caruquia and Guanaquitas plants in Antioquia; and the five-plant Bosques Solares de Bolívar solar complex in Sabanalarga, Atlántico, which El Heraldo reported was inaugurated in July 2024. The four hydroelectric plants and five solar plants total 219 MW, of which 119 MW is hydroelectric and 100 MW is solar, according to Portafolio, which reported that the purchase was backed by about $1.3 trillion COP in financing from six local banks. Nicolás Azcuénaga, president of Altia Energy, told Portafolio that the financing was not the full transaction value, that he could not disclose the price, and that the deal roughly doubles Altia’s portfolio of about 240 MW. He described it as “a significant transaction that puts us on the path to realizing our aspiration” of deploying more than $1 billion USD in capital over the next five years, a figure he said is not set in stone.
The third package covers the El Popal, El Molino, San Miguel and San Matías hydroelectric plants and the Llanos I through V solar plants. Isagen signed an agreement on September 21, 2026, to sell the package to a consortium of EDF power solutions, a subsidiary of France’s EDF, and BTG Pactual Commodities, according to Valora Analitik, which put the package at about 208 MW. Closing is expected by the end of the year once regulatory authorizations and other closing conditions are met. Isagen’s Llanos 4 and 5 plants in Puerto Gaitán were its first solar acquisitions, announced in January 2021.
In July 2025, Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP, BEPC; TSX: BEP.UN, BEPC), the listed renewable power company of Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM; TSX: BAM), agreed to invest up to $1 billion USD to raise its equity interest in Isagen to approximately 38%. Co-investor Qatar Investment Authority closed a $535 million USD investment in October 2025 that raised its stake to approximately 15%.
Camilo Marulanda López, CEO of Isagen, said the program’s decisions reflect “the confidence of Isagen and its shareholders in Colombia and its institutions, and in the conditions that today make it possible to keep developing long-term energy infrastructure and to attract new investment to the country.” The company said the divestments have drawn foreign investment and new participants into the Colombian power market.
Headline photo: Solar arrays cover the Puerta de Oro park in Guaduas and Chaguaní, Cundinamarca. (Photo courtesy Patria Investments)

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A clear sky. Low 43F. Winds light and variable..
A clear sky. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: October 21, 2026 @ 8:26 pm

Commerce, TEXAS, Oct. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BigBattery has launched the NEXUS 2 16kWh LiFePO4 battery, an off-grid solar battery priced at $2,990, or about $187 per kWh of usable storage. NEXUS 2 pairs with APEX, BigBattery’s debut line of off-grid inverters. Together they form a complete off-grid solar power system that charges from solar panels by day and from a backup generator when the sun can’t keep up.

BigBattery NEXUS 2 Off-Grid Solar LiFePO4 Battery
The system is built for homes, cabins, ranches, and workshops that run without a utility connection, and for households adding battery backup to a home solar system to ride through long outages. Each NEXUS 2 stores 16kWh and delivers 7.6kW of continuous power from a single floor-standing unit.
$187 per kWh of solar battery storage
At $2,990 for 16kWh of usable capacity, NEXUS 2 costs about $187 per kWh. A starter off-grid solar kit pairing one NEXUS 2 with an APEX-6.5K inverter totals $4,240 at current bigbattery.com pricing. A larger build with two NEXUS 2 batteries (32kWh) and the APEX-10K comes to $7,530. (Pricing as of October 21, 2026)
“For most off-grid homes, the battery bank is the most expensive line in the build,” said Marshall Neipert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at BigBattery. “NEXUS 2 puts 16 kilowatt-hours on the floor for under $3,000. With APEX, that same system runs on solar all day and on a generator when the weather turns.”
Engineered for off-grid conditions
NEXUS 2 is a 48V LiFePO4 solar battery built on 314Ah cells in a 16S1P, 51.2V nominal configuration, managed by an integrated multi-layer battery management system. Key specifications:
APEX off-grid inverters: solar input and generator input
APEX is BigBattery’s first line of off-grid hybrid inverters. Both models deliver 120/240V split-phase, pure sine-wave power, communicate with NEXUS 2 over closed-loop RS485/CAN, and come with a 5-year warranty.
When solar production drops, the APEX-6.5K’s dedicated generator input keeps the battery charging and loads running without rewiring. BigBattery recommends two NEXUS 2 batteries to reach the APEX-10K’s full 10,000W output.
Availability
NEXUS 2 is available now on the NEXUS 2 product page, where APEX-6.5K and APEX-10K inverters can be added to the order. Batteries ship from Texas. Buyers sizing a full build can browse BigBattery off-grid solar systems or call BigBattery’s U.S.-based technical team at (818) 280-3091.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the NEXUS 2 off-grid solar battery cost per kWh? About $187 per kWh: $2,990 for 16kWh of usable LiFePO4 storage.
Can the system charge from a generator? Yes. The APEX-6.5K has separate grid and generator inputs and charges from a generator at up to 80A. The APEX-10K accepts a grid or generator connection on one input at up to 120A.
How large can a NEXUS 2 battery bank grow? Up to 15 NEXUS 2 batteries in parallel, or 240kWh per inverter.
Does NEXUS 2 work in cold climates? Yes. Its built-in heater warms the cells to 32°F before charging, which lets it operate in ambient temperatures down to -4°F.
What warranty comes with the system? 12 years on the NEXUS 2 battery and 5 years on APEX inverters.

BigBattery NEXUS 2 LiFePO4 Battery + APEX Inverter – Off-Grid Solar Energy Storage System
About BigBattery
BigBattery designs and sells LiFePO4 battery systems for off-grid solar, grid-tied home backup, RVs and vans, golf and utility carts, marine, and industrial equipment. Headquartered in Commerce, Texas, the company sells direct to homeowners and installers at BigBattery.com, backs new BigBattery-branded batteries with a 12-year warranty, and provides lifetime U.S.-based technical support. BigBattery is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and holds ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification. Own Your Power.
Press Inquiries
Joseph Mohney
Joseph.M [at] BigBattery.com
https://www.BigBattery.com
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The Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has acquitted the former mayor of Granadilla de Abona (Tenerife), Jaime González Cejas, and seven former councillors of the offences of planning offences, malfeasance and influence-peddling with which they were charged in connection with their alleged links to photovoltaic power stations.
A key factor in the acquittal was the withdrawal of the private prosecution brought by the Sí Se Puede (SSP) party, as had also been the case with another of the cases tried as part of this major case in September; this was joined by the withdrawal of the prosecution’s case at the hearing held at the end of last year.
The so-called ‚fifth part‘ stems from an investigation by the Guardia Civil, which reportedly revealed a ’significant‘ increase in the former mayor’s assets, as he owned one of these plants valued at around 530,000 euros.
The involvement of the other defendants is said to stem from their having voted in favour of this course of action, as occurred in the case that has just been tried; these charges have been definitively dismissed.
LocationGranadilla de Abona (Tenerife)
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The Socket Full of Sunshine Act would require state utility regulators to consider clearing the way for plug-in solar and would offer rebates for low-income households.
21 October 2026
(Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, introduced the first federal bill aimed at legalizing solar panels that simply plug into an outlet. The legislation would require all state public utility commissions to consider rules that would enable Americans to access this DIY clean energy tech, and would create a program to help lower-income households afford the systems. 
“Families are getting squeezed by electric bills that keep going up,” Menendez said in a statement. ​“Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way to cut those bills, but outdated rules and unnecessary fees are standing in the way. The Socket Full of Sunshine Act clears those barriers so more families, including renters, can start saving.”
Balcony solar, which has been attracting increasing interest around the U.S. this year, typically consists of one to four solar panels that plug into a normal 120-volt wall outlet. When the sun is shining, these tiny home power plants can produce enough energy to supply a laptop, a fridge, an air conditioner, or a few small appliances. 
While that’s not a lot of electricity, a balcony or backyard setup can have a payback period of as little as 2.5 years instead of the 10-plus years typical for a more powerful rooftop array. Depending on local electricity rates, plug-in solar can save households hundreds of dollars a year on utility bills thereafter.
However, in the U.S., no single standard allowing the safe use of the technology exists. Instead, the country has a patchwork of state-level regulation. 
Deep-red Utah passed the nation’s first law to legalize plug-in solar last year. This year, 10 more states followed suit — including California, Colorado, Maryland, and Virginia — and now await plug-in solar kits certified safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL Solutions. Lawmakers in more than 20 other states introduced balcony-solar bills this year but didn’t manage to get them across the finish line. 
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If passed, the Menendez bill would be ​“an incredible accelerant,” said Cora Stryker, cofounder of Bright Saver, a nonprofit that advocates for plug-in solar. ​“It’s going to make [balcony solar] an issue that has to be addressed in all 50 states.”
The bill would require state utility regulators to start proceedings on plug-in solar within one year of the legislation’s passage and wrap up within two years. It would also create a federal rebate program for low- and moderate-income households to get up to $1,000 off the cost of a system, and require states to protect renters’ rights to use balcony solar to get the funding. A 1,200-watt kit, the max size allowed under the bill, can cost more than $2,000.
Only devices with more than 55% American-made components by cost would qualify for rebates, in a bid to support the development of American manufacturing capacity for balcony solar kits. Currently no such kits are made in the U.S., Stryker said.
The bill is unlikely to move forward in the waning days of this Congress. But it could be reintroduced after the new Congress is seated in January. 
Menendez will likely have company at that point. Bright Saver is working with three other U.S. representatives and one U.S. senator ​“from a red state” on their own forthcoming balcony-solar bills, Stryker said. These bills could take a different tack instead of requiring state utility regulators to consider balcony solar, though Stryker declined to disclose further details. 
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Solar Cell Market Research, $835 Million U.S. Manufacturing Investment and India’s 50 GW Solar Expansion: Key Companies, Capacity Growth and Demand Forecast  Yahoo Finance
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The European Union brought in EUR11.4 billion, or $12.8 billion, of green energy goods during 2025 — a category spanning solar panels, biofuels and wind turbines — while its exports amounted to EUR4.6 billion, Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, reported. TradeArabia News Service carried the figures, which reveal uneven results among the three product groups.
By value, solar panels stayed the top green energy import category for the EU even as they contracted sharply. Inbound value dropped 27.7 per cent to EUR8.0 billion, and volume slipped 4.0 per cent, a pattern that points to markedly lower average prices on imported units. Outbound solar panel value declined 23.6 per cent to EUR0.5 billion, though volume grew 2.6 per cent. China kept its place as the EU’s overwhelming solar panel source, supplying 98.6 per cent of all imports in 2025.
Biofuel imports shrank in both value and volume, with value down 7.9 per cent to EUR2.7 billion and volumes off 11.6 per cent. The export side posted a deeper fall, sliding 45.9 per cent to EUR1.0 billion while volume contracted 46.2 per cent. Supplier rankings in the import market shifted substantially. Malaysia emerged as the biggest source with a 21.9 per cent share, trailed by the US at 16.1 per cent, Argentina at 12.4 per cent and the UK at 12.3 per cent. China’s portion collapsed from 24.2 per cent in 2024 to 1.3 per cent in 2025, whereas Malaysia climbed from 15.3 per cent to 21.9 per cent and the US advanced from 8.4 per cent to 16.1 per cent.
Wind turbine imports climbed steeply, with value up 40.6 per cent to EUR0.7 billion and volumes jumping 69.0 per cent. Wind turbines ranked as the EU’s biggest green energy export product, bringing in EUR3.1 billion in 2025, as export value gained 10.8 per cent and volumes rose 9.5 per cent, a sign of sustained overseas demand. China also bolstered its standing in the wind turbine market, lifting its share of EU imports from 41.3 per cent in 2024 to 59.6 per cent in 2025 and moving ahead of India, which held 22.2 per cent.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the European Union, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
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The market data is classified and analyzed according to international trade codes, primarily under the Harmonized System (HS) headings for photovoltaic cells and electric generating sets. This ensures consistent tracking of trade flows for assembled solar modules and relevant apparatus across global markets.
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Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — European Union
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After a quarter century in the solar business, Belmont Solar founder Ben Zook argues that the industry’s next phase will be shaped less by hardware than by how companies operate and engage their communities, according to a Solar Power World column published October 21, 2026. Writing in Solar Power World, Zook reflected on the changes he has witnessed since starting out in residential solar in Pennsylvania, when his team was young and the local market was still in its early stages.
Zook recalled that money was tight in those early years and that he occasionally considered taking a job elsewhere, but he believed the work mattered and that someone needed to champion solar’s potential in his community. He noted that today’s technology differs considerably from what was available then, with faster installations, less clutter in mechanical rooms and power conversion areas, neater arrays and greater overall value for customers, and with solar reaching more people than just the earliest adopters.
Despite those technical gains, Zook said his most important lessons have had little to do with equipment. He stressed that people have always been the industry’s priority and must remain so, and that growth for a business or an industry depends on relationship-building grounded in trust. He warned that dishonest sales practices or leaving customers with unrealistic expectations about what a system can deliver harm everyone involved, and he said that providing genuine help and understanding each customer’s specific needs is what sustains sales through the industry’s recurring ups and downs.
Zook described solar as retaining substantial untapped potential and said that communicating long-term benefits to customers and communities is essential, pointing to advantages that extend years and even decades into the future. For newcomers to the field, he recommended taking the long view, staying dedicated to the technology, continuing to learn about advancements and pursuing solar’s full potential, while working to help those around them succeed so the whole community benefits.
He also urged installers to design and build systems that genuinely meet customer needs and to be candid when a system may fall short of expectations, framing the industry’s progress as a group effort. Continuous learning, he added, should not begin or end in a classroom; his team was in its twenties at the start of the 2010s, and he credited an always-learning mindset with making it easier to embrace and question areas where answers remain unsettled. He welcomed younger generations entering solar and said their questions and developing expertise make collaboration in the industry more effective, noting that training, knowledge-sharing and professional curiosity are part of the job.
Workmanship is a central focus of his business, Zook said. While standardized components and systems were unavailable when Belmont Solar started and improved equipment has made installations easier, he argued that better technology does not remove the need for thoughtful, skilled, design-oriented installers who solve problems, and that attention to detail, quality control and customer needs remain decisive.
Zook acknowledged that solar’s progress has not followed a straight line and said a long-term view of its benefits, paired with educating customers and communities, helps businesses weather market shifts. He cited persistent misconceptions dating back to 2001, including beliefs that solar does not work, that people are too old to benefit or that it would never be worth it, and said he wants to keep correcting them. He defined success as building a company that delivers long-term value to its community while maintaining meaningful relationships with it, and he pointed to Belmont Solar’s participation in the ASES National Solar Tour as an example of connecting with the local community.
Zook concluded that learning, a focus on good work and putting customers first will keep solar afloat through future changes, and he encouraged professionals to try or learn something new daily, suggesting that solar can grow substantially over the next 25 years if the industry works to improve alongside it. He is the founder, owner and a NABCEP Certified Master Electrician at Belmont Solar, a solar panel installation company based in Gordonville, Pennsylvania.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the United States, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
The study is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, investors, procurement teams, advisors, and strategy teams that need a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. It encompasses the global market for finished modules, including all major product technologies and form factors designed for a wide range of end-use applications.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
The market is segmented into decision-relevant buckets so that demand drivers, pricing logic, supply constraints, and competitive positions can be compared across the same analytical frame.
The market data is classified and analyzed according to international trade codes, primarily under the Harmonized System (HS) headings for photovoltaic cells and electric generating sets. This ensures consistent tracking of trade flows for assembled solar modules and relevant apparatus across global markets.
Coverage focuses on United States and includes demand, supply capability where present, trade flows, pricing, competition, and outlook.
The report combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, product-level evidence, and analyst validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to keep market sizing, trade flows, pricing, and forecasts comparable across countries and time periods.
All indicators are mapped to a consistent product definition and reviewed against the segmentation framework used in the Table of Contents.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Specializes in cadmium telluride thin-film module technology
Operates a major U.S. solar module manufacturing facility in Georgia
Markets its back-contact panel technology under the SunPower brand
Operates the G1_Dallas solar module manufacturing facility
Manufactures its solar panels in San Antonio, Texas
Operates U.S. module manufacturing facilities in Washington and South Carolina
Produces modules at its U.S. facility in Minnesota
Offers bifacial and monofacial module product lines
Offers bifacial modules for utility-scale and commercial projects
U.S. solar module manufacturer with production in California
Provides solar modules under its proprietary Lumio brand
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In September 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act to lift restrictions on consumer plug-in solar panels. The new law is set to go into effect in March 2027, and it will allow New Jersey residents to use plug-in panels with a maximum power output of 1,200 watts. Previously, the only way to utilize solar power at home in New Jersey was to set up an expensive rooftop array — something that wasn’t viable for everyone.
Now solar energy savings will be available to a wider population, not just homeowners with access to solar roofs. In particular, this policy change in New Jersey means that renters can finally try home solar power without modifying their homes. So, how much can New Jersey residents expect to save by setting up a plug-and-play panel on their balcony or windowsill?
According to Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey (via Gothamist), “savings start at roughly $15 per month and can increase significantly by using higher-capacity panels with battery storage.” At the signing ceremony for the new bill, Gov. Sherrill asserted that balcony units can shave up to $50 off the typical monthly bill (via New Jersey Monitor). Using a free tool to calculate how much plug-in solar saves on electric bills, some users have found that they could save more than $8,500 over 20 years.
As of October 2026, only 10 states have signed a plug-in solar bill into law. In other states, like Wyoming and Arizona, similar bills have been met with resistance on the basis that consumer-installed systems might not work safely with household electrical systems. Utility systems in the U.S. are designed for a one-way power flow from the home’s breaker panel, but plug-in solar panels attempt to contradict that by creating a two-way system that also pushes energy back in.
However, years of progress in European nations and a growing trend of adoption in the U.S. show that these concerns may be unwarranted. Even in places where plug-in solar is legal, there are still common problems owners have with portable solar panels. Namely, every solar panel will degrade with age and use. If you’re trying to accurately project how much money you will save on energy bills over a long period of time, it’s important to factor in the fact that your panel will lose a small amount of its efficiency every year. But for people where plug-in solar is legalized, it’s still well worth the investment; there are many devices you can power with portable solar panels and counteract major parts of your energy consumption.

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Parma’s proposed solar farm causes mixed reactions  Yahoo
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Partly cloudy. Low 33F. Winds light and variable..
Partly cloudy. Low 33F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: October 21, 2026 @ 6:21 pm
Attendees celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the new 3.5 MWac community solar project in Sandwich, Illinois. The project marks the first facility to come online as part of the companies’ eight-project, 34.5 MWdc Illinois community solar portfolio and will provide clean, affordable energy to ComEd customers, including dedicated capacity for low-income households.
The new 3.5 MWac community solar facility in Sandwich, Illinois, spans approximately 23 acres and features nearly 7,500 solar panels. Developed by TurningPoint Energy and built and operated by Generate Capital, the facility is expected to generate more than 8 million kWh of clean electricity annually.

Attendees celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the new 3.5 MWac community solar project in Sandwich, Illinois. The project marks the first facility to come online as part of the companies’ eight-project, 34.5 MWdc Illinois community solar portfolio and will provide clean, affordable energy to ComEd customers, including dedicated capacity for low-income households.
The new 3.5 MWac community solar facility in Sandwich, Illinois, spans approximately 23 acres and features nearly 7,500 solar panels. Developed by TurningPoint Energy and built and operated by Generate Capital, the facility is expected to generate more than 8 million kWh of clean electricity annually.
SANDWICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct 21, 2026–
Generate Capital (“Generate”) and TurningPoint Energy (“TPE”) yesterday celebrated the ribbon-cutting of a new 3.5-megawatt alternating current (MWac) community solar project in the City of Sandwich, Illinois, marking one of the first community solar projects in Kendall County developed through Illinois’ Adjustable Block Program, now known as Illinois Shines. The project is part of an eight-project, 34.5 MWac portfolio developed by TPE and financed, built, owned, and operated by Generate. Elected officials, project partners, and community members gathered at the site to celebrate the milestone.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021271012/en/
Attendees celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the new 3.5 MWac community solar project in Sandwich, Illinois. The project marks the first facility to come online as part of the companies’ eight-project, 34.5 MWdc Illinois community solar portfolio and will provide clean, affordable energy to ComEd customers, including dedicated capacity for low-income households.
The solar array spans approximately 23 acres and utilizes single-axis tracking technology with backtracking and bifacial solar modules to maximize energy production. The facility is expected to generate more than 8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of taking more than 1,640 gas-powered cars off the road each year.
Construction was completed in mid-2026 using prevailing-wage labor, with qualified laborers on site throughout the build. The project is now delivering renewable energy and utility bill savings to 90 local subscribers, including residents and small businesses. As part of Illinois Shines, the project expands access to solar energy for customers who may not be able to install solar panels on their own properties.
In addition to generating clean energy, the project incorporates agrivoltaic and pollinator-friendly land management practices, using sheep grazing to naturally maintain vegetation and native flowering plants to support pollinator populations and enhance biodiversity. These practices help improve soil health and demonstrate how renewable energy can work hand-in-hand with agriculture and responsible land stewardship.
As one of the first community solar projects developed in Kendall County, the site represents an important milestone in the region’s clean energy transition. At a time of rising energy costs, community solar provides local residents and businesses with access to affordable, locally generated renewable energy while supporting economic growth. Upon full buildout, the eight-project, 34.5 MWac portfolio is expected to deliver nearly $70 million in projected electricity cost savings to Illinois subscribers over its operating life.
“Community solar is a great example of how sustainable infrastructure can deliver immediate, tangible benefits to the communities it serves,” said Peggy Flannery, Managing Director, Investments at Generate Capital. “Together with TurningPoint Energy, we’re bringing reliable, locally generated power to Illinois communities while helping residents and small businesses lower their energy costs. We’re proud to invest in, build and operate projects like this for the long term and to expand access to affordable clean energy across the state.”
“This project demonstrates how thoughtfully developed energy infrastructure can create meaningful benefits for communities beyond electricity generation,” said Salar Naini, President of TPE. “Together with Generate, we’re delivering a project that combines community solar with responsible land stewardship, creating long-term value for subscribers, host communities, and Illinois’ broader clean energy transition.”
“As more renewable energy resources connect to the electric grid, community solar is playing an important role in expanding customer choice and strengthening Illinois’ clean energy economy,” said Jie Chu, Vice President of Project & Contracts for ComEd. “ComEd is pleased to support projects like this one that bring local investment, clean energy and bill-saving opportunities to the communities we serve.”
The Sandwich project is part of a broader eight-project, 34.5 MWac Illinois community solar portfolio that is being brought online across the state. Together, the projects represent a significant addition to the state’s solar generating capacity and contribute to Illinois’ long-term goal of replacing 100 percent of its existing energy sources with renewable energy by 2050.
About Generate Capital
Generate Capital is an investor and operator providing reliable and affordable energy and infrastructure solutions to customers and communities. Founded in 2014, Generate develops, finances, builds, owns and operates critical infrastructure that helps customers access reliable power and essential services in an increasingly constrained world. With expertise across technologies and infrastructure sectors, Generate combines flexible capital with hands-on operating capabilities to deliver solutions tailored to customer needs. Since inception, Generate has raised more than $10 billion in capital and built a proven track record across critical infrastructure assets. For more information, visit https://generatecapital.com/.
About TurningPoint Energy
TurningPoint Energy is a privately held clean energy development, advisory and investment company with over 1.5 Gigawatts (GW) of large-scale solar, community solar, and energy storage projects operating or under development across the United States. Our team adapts to each client’s needs and finds ways to invest in our clients and their communities…at every turning point. For more information, visit https://turningpoint-energy.com and join TPE on LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021271012/en/
CONTACT: Media Inquiries:
For Generate Capital:
Andrew Hughes
Managing Director of Capital Formation and Investor Relations
andrew@generatecapital.com
For TurningPoint Energy:
Ildi Synhorst
Director, Marketing & Communications
isynhorst@tpoint-e.com
KEYWORD: ILLINOIS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY OTHER ENERGY
SOURCE: TurningPoint Energy
Copyright Business Wire 2026.
PUB: 10/21/2026 09:00 AM/DISC: 10/21/2026 09:03 AM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261021271012/en
Copyright Business Wire 2026.

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COLRAIN, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Whip City Fiber is experiencing a widespread outage affecting all customers. Workers have been investigating the issue since Tuesday afternoon and some customers are still unable to access phone and internet connection this morning. Representatives from Whip City have said the issue may be coming upstream from the company.

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China’s Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) and Ministry of Science and Technology have proposed prohibiting exports of selected high-efficiency perovskite and tandem solar manufacturing technologies, alongside new restrictions on advanced polysilicon, wafer and crystalline-silicon cell production know-how.
The proposals, published on Oct. 16 under Joint Announcement No. 48 of 2026, would add 12 photovoltaic technologies to China’s Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export. They are part of a broader consultation covering 40 technologies across sectors including solar energy, artificial intelligence and biomedicine. The public consultation runs until Nov. 15.
The proposed export bans cover production processes and related equipment manufacturing technologies for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells based on wafers measuring at least 182 mm and achieving conversion efficiencies of 30% or higher. They also include slot-die coating processes for perovskites with coating widths of at least 1.1 meters.
Additional thresholds apply to large-area modules, including single-junction perovskite modules measuring at least 1 square meter with conversion efficiencies of 18% or higher, and perovskite tandem modules of the same minimum area with efficiencies of at least 28%. The proposed controls target manufacturing technologies meeting these specifications rather than exports of finished modules.
Other technologies proposed for prohibition include cold-hydrogenation fluidized-bed processes for trichlorosilane production with annual single-line capacities of at least 250,000 metric tons, and silane-based fluidized-bed processes with annual capacities of at least 20,000 metric tons. The draft also covers processes for manufacturing silicon wafers no thicker than 70 micrometers and certain edge-passivation technologies for thin crystalline-silicon cells, along with related equipment manufacturing know-how.
The proposed restricted-export category includes polysilicon plant engineering technologies for production lines with annual capacities of at least 30,000 metric tons, as well as advanced crystal-pulling and wafer-cutting processes.
It also covers specified high-performance manufacturing processes for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), back-contact (BC) and heterojunction (HJT) solar cells, including deposition, passivation, diffusion and metallization technologies. The HJT provisions include certain p-type technologies evaluated under air mass zero (AM0) illumination conditions relevant to space applications.
Under China’s technology import and export regulations, prohibited technologies cannot be exported, while restricted technologies can be transferred overseas only with government approval and the necessary licenses.
The proposed export bans and licensing requirements have not yet taken effect. However, a separate interim registration requirement took effect on Oct. 16, when the announcement was issued.
Companies must register planned exports of the listed technologies, including qualifying key equipment, through the Mofcom’s online system before transfer. The requirement covers intellectual property transfers, overseas technology licensing, changes in ownership or control involving foreign entities, and transactions that are underway but have not yet been completed.
The Mofcom said the proposals address national security concerns as photovoltaic technologies increasingly find applications in aerospace, defense and other sensitive sectors. The ministry said technologies that fall below the specified thresholds, as well as finished products manufactured using controlled technologies, are outside the proposed scope. It added that the measures do not target any particular country, region or company.
If adopted, the controls could reinforce China’s position in advanced PV manufacturing by limiting overseas access to some of its most sophisticated production technologies.
Although exports of finished solar cells and modules would not be directly affected, transfers of controlled manufacturing know-how through technology licensing, overseas production-line installation and commissioning, equipment exports and on-site technical support could be prohibited or subject to government approval.
In the near term, the measures could delay overseas PV manufacturing projects, increase compliance costs and limit the deployment of advanced Chinese production technologies abroad. Over the longer term, the restrictions could strengthen China’s influence over the international diffusion of next-generation PV manufacturing technologies, potentially slowing efforts by overseas manufacturers to close the technological gap.
However, tighter controls could also complicate Chinese manufacturers’ international expansion plans and heighten trade tensions or prompt retaliatory measures.
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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Polyurethane Glazing Sealants market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The global polyurethane glazing sealants market is entering a phase of steady expansion, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 4–6% over the 2026–2035 forecast period. This outlook is anchored in the increasing use of reactive polyurethane adhesives and sealants for structural bonding of glass, metal, and composite substrates across building and automotive glazing, as well as in precision electronics and building-integrated photovoltaic assemblies. Demand is being reshaped by miniaturization of electronic enclosures, the shift toward bonded glass assemblies in display modules, and the growing specification of high-elongation, low-outgassing sealants in cleanroom environments.
Premium grades with enhanced UV stability and low volatile organic compound content represent roughly 20–25% of total volume but account for 35–40% of market value, reflecting specification-driven procurement in semiconductor and optical assembly. Import dependence remains pronounced, with approximately 35–45% of global sealant volume crossing international borders, primarily from chemical production hubs in Germany, the United States, and China to assembly markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
At the same time, supply chain localization initiatives in the European Union and India are prompting new formulation blending and finishing plants, gradually altering traditional trade patterns. The competitive landscape features a mix of diversified chemical majors and specialized formulators, with qualification and certification cycles of 12–18 months creating barriers for new entrants. Raw material volatility, particularly for isocyanates and polyols, and tightening regulatory limits on isocyanate content under REACH and similar frameworks remain key challenges that are pushing manufacturers toward reformulation investments.
The baseline scenario for the world polyurethane glazing sealants market assumes a compound annual growth rate of 4–6% from 2026 to 2035, with the market index reaching approximately 155 (2025=100) by the end of the forecast period. This trajectory reflects steady underlying demand from construction and automotive glazing, complemented by faster-growing applications in electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, and building-integrated photovoltaics.
The baseline does not assume a sharp macroeconomic shock or a sudden regulatory ban on isocyanate-based formulations; instead, it incorporates a gradual tightening of environmental standards that encourages reformulation toward low-VOC and hybrid grades. Volume growth is expected to be moderate, while value growth outpaces volume as premium, specification-driven products gain share. The market remains structurally exposed to feedstock price volatility, with raw materials accounting for 50–60% of finished sealant production cost, but contract pricing mechanisms and formulation efficiency gains are expected to partially offset margin pressure.
Trade flows will continue to be significant, though localization initiatives in Europe and India may reduce the share of internationally traded volume over time. The baseline also anticipates continued consolidation among formulators and increased investment in technical validation workflows and digital procurement platforms, which raise barriers for generic-grade suppliers and favor established players with certified product portfolios.
The building and construction glazing segment remains the largest outlet for polyurethane glazing sealants, encompassing structural glazing, insulating glass units, curtain walls, and weatherproofing and joint sealing. Demand is currently driven by retrofit activity in mature markets and new commercial construction in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Through 2035, the segment will be shaped by tightening building energy codes and green certification schemes, which favor high-performance sealants with low VOC content and long service life. Demand-side indicators to watch include commercial construction spending, renovation rates, and the adoption of double- and triple-glazed insulating glass units.
Polyurethane sealants compete with silicone and hybrid polymers in this space, but their superior adhesion to diverse substrates and mechanical strength support continued use in structural and semi-structural applications. The shift toward prefabricated façade modules and unitized curtain walls also favors factory-applied sealants, creating opportunities for formulators with strong technical support and certification portfolios. Current trend: Steady growth supported by energy-efficient fenestration and structural glazing in commercial buildings.
Major trends: Rising adoption of energy-efficient insulating glass units and warm-edge spacer systems, Growth in prefabricated and unitized curtain wall construction, Increasing specification of low-VOC and solvent-free sealants under green building codes, and Retrofit and renovation activity in mature markets supporting replacement demand.
Representative participants: Sika AG, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Dow Inc, H.B. Fuller Company, and Arkema S.A. (Bostik).
Automotive glazing represents a significant and technologically demanding segment for polyurethane glazing sealants, used for direct glazing of windshields, side windows, rear windows, and panoramic roofs, as well as for sensor and camera window bonding in advanced driver-assistance systems. Current demand is supported by stable global vehicle production and the rising glazing content per vehicle, particularly with the popularity of panoramic sunroofs and complex window shapes. Through 2035, the segment will be influenced by the transition to electric vehicles, which require lightweighting and improved noise, vibration, and harshness performance, both favoring high-performance polyurethane sealants.
Demand-side indicators include global light vehicle production, adoption rates of advanced driver-assistance systems, and the share of vehicles with panoramic glazing. The aftermarket for automotive glazing replacement also provides a steady baseline demand. Competition from silicone and other adhesives exists, but polyurethane remains the dominant chemistry for direct glazing due to its balance of flexibility, adhesion, and crash durability. Current trend: Moderate growth driven by increasing glazing content per vehicle and lightweighting trends.
Major trends: Increasing glazing content per vehicle, including panoramic roofs and complex window geometries, Growth in advanced driver-assistance system sensor windows requiring precise bonding, Electric vehicle lightweighting and noise, vibration, and harshness requirements favoring polyurethane sealants, and Expansion of aftermarket glazing replacement demand in emerging markets.
Representative participants: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Sika AG, 3M Company, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd, and Dow Inc.
The electronics, display, and semiconductor manufacturing segment is the fastest-growing outlet for polyurethane glazing sealants, albeit from a smaller base. These sealants are used for bonding display panels, encapsulating sensors, sealing optical modules, and providing environmental protection in cleanroom environments. Current demand is driven by the miniaturization of electronic enclosures and the shift toward bonded glass assemblies in smartphones, tablets, and wearables. Through 2035, growth will be supported by the expansion of semiconductor fabrication capacity, the adoption of advanced packaging technologies, and the increasing integration of optical systems in consumer and industrial devices.
Demand-side indicators include global semiconductor capital expenditure, display panel production volumes, and the adoption rate of bonded glass in consumer electronics. The segment demands high-elongation, low-outgassing sealants with precise dispensing characteristics, which command premium pricing. Qualification cycles are long, creating sticky customer relationships for suppliers with proven product portfolios and technical support capabilities. Current trend: Fastest-growing segment, supported by miniaturization and cleanroom assembly requirements.
Major trends: Miniaturization of electronic enclosures and bonded glass assemblies in consumer devices, Expansion of semiconductor fabrication capacity and advanced packaging technologies, Increasing integration of optical systems and sensors requiring low-outgassing sealants, and Growth in cleanroom-compatible, high-precision dispensing requirements.
Representative participants: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, 3M Company, Dow Inc, H.B. Fuller Company, and Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
Building-integrated photovoltaics and solar glazing represent an emerging but high-growth segment for polyurethane glazing sealants, used for bonding photovoltaic glass, sealing solar modules in façade and roof applications, and providing weatherproofing for solar glazing systems. Current demand is relatively small but growing rapidly, supported by renewable energy targets and green building mandates in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Through 2035, the segment will be driven by the increasing integration of solar generation into building envelopes, including solar façades, solar roofs, and bifacial modules.
Demand-side indicators include building-integrated photovoltaic installation capacity, solar module production volumes, and the adoption of green building certification schemes that reward on-site renewable energy. Polyurethane sealants offer advantages in structural bonding and weatherproofing compared with traditional framing systems, but they must meet stringent UV stability and long-term durability requirements. Suppliers with certified products for photovoltaic applications are well positioned to capture growth. Current trend: Emerging high-growth segment supported by renewable energy adoption and green building mandates.
Major trends: Rapid growth in building-integrated photovoltaic installations in Europe and Asia-Pacific, Development of solar façades and bifacial module technologies, Green building certification schemes incentivizing on-site renewable energy generation, and Increasing demand for UV-stable, long-life sealants for solar glazing applications.
Representative participants: Sika AG, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Dow Inc, Arkema S.A. (Bostik), and Wacker Chemie AG.
The industrial automation, instrumentation, and other applications segment covers a diverse range of uses for polyurethane glazing sealants, including sealing of control panels, instrumentation windows, sensor housings, and enclosures in harsh industrial environments. Demand is currently stable and niche, driven by the need for durable, chemical-resistant seals in manufacturing plants, process industries, and outdoor installations. Through 2035, growth will be supported by increasing automation in manufacturing, the expansion of industrial internet-of-things devices, and the need for reliable sealing in extreme environments.
Demand-side indicators include industrial automation spending, the number of installed sensors and instruments, and investment in process industry capacity. While this segment is smaller than building and automotive glazing, it often requires customized formulations and technical support, leading to higher margins for specialized suppliers. The trend toward modular and compact industrial equipment also favors pre-applied sealants and gaskets, creating opportunities for formulators with integrated solutions. Current trend: Niche but stable demand from harsh-environment sealing and precision instrumentation.
Major trends: Growth in industrial automation and industrial internet-of-things device installations, Increasing demand for chemical-resistant and weatherproof seals in harsh environments, Trend toward modular and compact industrial equipment with pre-applied sealants, and Expansion of process industry capacity in emerging markets.
Representative participants: 3M Company, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW Polymers Sealants), RPM International Inc, and Huntsman Corporation.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Largest and fastest-growing region, driven by construction and electronics manufacturing in China, Southeast Asia, and India. Localization initiatives and rising automotive production support demand, though feedstock price volatility and regulatory tightening pose challenges. Direction: Growing.
Mature market with steady demand from automotive glazing and commercial construction. Renovation activity and advanced driver-assistance system adoption support premium sealant demand, while domestic production and trade with Mexico shape supply chains. Direction: Stable.
Stringent building energy codes and green certification schemes drive demand for low-VOC, high-performance sealants. Germany remains a key production and export hub, while localization initiatives aim to reduce import dependence and shorten lead times. Direction: Stable to growing.
Moderate growth supported by construction activity and automotive production in Brazil and Mexico. Import dependence remains high, but local assembly and formulation investments are gradually improving supply chain resilience. Direction: Growing.
Growth driven by commercial construction and infrastructure projects in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. High import dependence and exposure to feedstock price volatility shape pricing, while solar glazing projects offer emerging opportunities. Direction: Growing.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 5.0% compound annual growth rate for the global polyurethane glazing sealants market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 155 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 Polyurethane Glazing Sealants market report.
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Leading global supplier with strong R&D in PU technologies
Brands include Loctite and Teroson
Major supplier of polyurethane intermediates and finished products
Offers comprehensive PU portfolio for construction
Strong in industrial adhesives and sealants
Diverse product line including PU-based weatherproofing
Part of RPM International, specialized in building envelope
Italian leader with global distribution
Part of Saint-Gobain Group, strong in building materials
Arkema subsidiary, known for high-performance adhesives
Offers hybrid polymer technologies for sealants
Holding company with multiple sealant brands
Diverse industrial portfolio including construction sealants
European leader in PU foam and sealants
Part of Gunnebo Group, specialized in sealing solutions
Indian market leader with brand Fevicol
Key supplier of PU intermediates for sealant formulators
Major isocyanate and polyol producer
Supplies silanes and crosslinkers for PU formulations
German specialist in construction sealants
Eastern European leader in PU construction chemicals
Dutch manufacturer with European distribution
Part of JMH Group, strong in Middle East and Asia
Formerly part of W.R. Grace, now independent
Subsidiary of Mapei S.p.A., focused on US market
Sika subsidiary specializing in vehicle glass bonding
Division of H.B. Fuller, focused on construction
European subsidiary of Tremco CPG
Arkema subsidiary serving Oceania market
Regional hub for Soudal in Asia
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Solar Power World
By Billy Ludt | October 21, 2026
PV Hardware USA (PVH), a solar tracking and foundation solutions provider, is expanding its original Houston manufacturing facility, increasing the company’s domestic production capacity to meet growing demand for solar tracking systems.
Credit: PV Hardware USA
The expansion will add approximately 34,200 sq ft of manufacturing space and increase PVH USA’s overall Houston store capacity by 42%. It opened the original 50,000 sq ft facility in 2024. This investment is the latest step in PVH USA’s mission to bring more of the solar installation process into the factory. By completing more assembly before equipment reaches a project site, PVH USA hopes to help customers reduce field complexity.
“We are investing in additional domestic manufacturing capacity because our customers are asking us to do more,” said Alfonso Queipo, CEO of PVH USA. “But this is not simply about manufacturing more products. It is about finding ways to make solar installation more efficient. Pre-assembly has become an important part of that strategy because it allows us to move complexity out of the field and into an environment where we have greater control over quality, productivity and consistency. This expansion gives us the capacity to bring that approach to more customers and more projects while maintaining the standards they expect from PVH USA.”
By preassembling its trackers and foundations, PVH USA has reportedly reduced components by 70% on project sites.
“Solar EPCs face mounting pressure regarding labor availability, strict timelines and total project costs,” said Rodolfo Bitar, VP of business development for PVH USA. “Traditionally, manufacturers pushed the assembly burden onto the job site. We ask a different question: what work can be done more efficiently before the equipment ever leaves the factory? By managing the assembly of 188 loose parts per row in our controlled manufacturing environment, we remove field complexity and make installation highly predictable.”
The Houston expansion also supports PVH’s global sustainability objectives by increasing domestic manufacturing and reducing international supply chains. By localizing more production in Texas, PVH USA can reduce the carbon emissions associated with international shipping and long-haul logistics while increasing domestic content in its products.
Shifting assembly into a controlled factory environment can also reduce the need for heavy machinery and extensive material handling at the project site, while helping minimize onsite material waste. Steel accounts for more than 98 percent of the weight of a PVH solar tracker, making the systems recyclable at the end of their operational lifespan.
News item from PV Hardware
Billy Ludt is managing editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, inverters, installation and operations.

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October 21, 2026
Optivolt (Techstars 2018) has raised a $32M Series A to scale its Power Balancer, technology built into the solar panel that recovers energy lost to shade, dirt, and wear in real time. The funding will expand manufacturing and bring Optivolt to residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects, including ones that power AI data centers.
Optivolt (Techstars 2018) has raised a $32M Series A, bringing the company's total funding to $42M.
Optivolt builds power electronics that live inside the solar panel itself. Its core technology, the Power Balancer, helps panels produce more energy in the messy conditions they face every day, from shade and dirt to weather and uneven wear over time. The new funding will expand manufacturing and bring the technology to residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects, including installations built to power AI data centers.
More than 20,000 solar panels with the Power Balancer have already shipped. Optivolt holds 19 issued patents with 27 more pending, and has earned UL certifications covering its junction box enclosure, panel-integrated electronics, rapid-shutdown system, and module safety.
Solar has become one of the cheapest sources of new power. Still, a typical panel loses a meaningful share of its output whenever part of it is shaded, dirty, or wearing unevenly. Conventional panels rely on bypass diodes to route around underperforming cells, which protects the panel but leaves energy on the table. Many installers add separate optimizers or microinverters to recover some of that loss, adding hardware and cost to every system.
The Power Balancer redistributes energy among groups of cells within a panel in real time. When one section is struggling, the system rebalances so the rest of the panel keeps producing. It replaces conventional bypass diodes and builds rapid shutdown and monitoring directly into the panel. Depending on the system design, that can reduce or remove the need for separate optimizers, microinverters, and rapid-shutdown devices.
Optivolt reports that the Power Balancer runs at 99.4% conversion efficiency under typical operating conditions. In the company's internal testing under defined shading scenarios, panels with its technology produced up to six times the power of panels using bolted-on optimizers.
With the Series A closed, Optivolt will scale up production and speed deployment across residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar. Data centers are a growing focus, as demand for power from AI workloads continues to climb.
Optivolt was founded by Rohit Kalyanpur, a Thiel Fellow who has spent nine years rebuilding the solar panel from first principles.
"Solar became cheap enough to compete. I founded Optivolt to make it intelligent enough to power the world," said Rohit Kalyanpur, founder and CEO of Optivolt. "The result is the first solar panel system that thinks for itself… The next step is putting it everywhere."
To learn more, visit optivolt.com.
Shelflife (Techstars 2026) took home the Groceryshop 2026 Startup Pitch Competition win for Technologies Boosting Revenue and Conversion with its real-time expiration-date tracking for grocers.
Azoma (Techstars 2023) has raised an $11.2M Series A to help consumer brands get their products discovered and recommended by AI shopping agents like ChatGPT, Alexa for Shopping, and Walmart Sparky.
HapWare (Techstars 2025) earned a spot on TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 list in the Accessibility category for ALEYE, a haptic wristband that helps people who are blind, have low vision, or are neurodivergent read nonverbal cues.
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EASTHAMPTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The next BlueWave Roaring Brook Road solar project public hearing session will be held October 27th at 7 p.m. in the Conway Town Hall.

The proposal is for a 20-acre solar farm on Boyden land off Roaring Brook Road, an “agri-voltaic” system that would allow for continued agricultural use of the land.
This the first use of the town’s solar farm zoning rules, which were written following installation of the town’s only other solar farm, on Main Poland Road.
ORANGE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Warwick residents reported suspicious activity at a vacant […]
COLRAIN, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Whip City Fiber is experiencing a widespread outage […]
EASTHAMPTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The next BlueWave Roaring Brook Road solar project […]
FRAMINGHAM, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Massachusetts State Police announced the results of […]
NORTHMPTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — On Thursday, Troy Gray, 60, of Easthampton, a […]

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Nashville to turn fairgrounds rooftops into solar energy source  The Tennessean
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Nashville to turn fairgrounds rooftops into solar energy source  Yahoo
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Resilient Power Report 2026 identifies hail, snow and storm risks for solar projects  PV Tech
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Energy management firm Budderfly has partnered with Schneider Electric to assist American towns and cities with modernizing their energy infrastructure.
Part of Budderfly’s Modernizing American Cities program, the investment aims to help U.S. municipalities improve energy affordability levels, as well as the resilience of essential energy infrastructure. The investment will also remove the need for upfront capital spending, a common barrier to infrastructure modernization.
“Cities are being asked to modernize aging facilities while electricity costs rise and budgets remain tight,” says Al Subbloie, CEO of Budderfly. “The question is how to get that work underway. With this $500 million commitment, we aim to help cities and communities modernize their energy infrastructure without requiring them to take on upfront capital costs.”
Budderfly’s “energy as a service” model is specifically designed with small and medium sized cities in mind, with the firm itself financing, deploying, owning, operating, and maintaining energy systems. Municipalities will be able to pay over time through their energy savings, rather than depending on normal budget spending or grant money.
In order for Budderfly to deliver these infrastructural improvements, the firm has teamed with global electrification technology company Schneider Electric. The duo will work with local leaders to identify projects that strengthen essential energy services, and subsequently implement those projects.
“When a city upgrades a facility, saving energy is only part of the job. A wastewater plant or city hall also has to serve residents when conditions get tough,” says Michele Hix, VP of strategic customers and North American operations for Schneider Electric. “Budderfly’s model helps cities move forward without drawing on limited capital budgets.”
Budderfly officials say prioritized projects could include solar, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, HVAC and lighting, and energy management system technology. All of these projects aim to make energy more affordable, predictable, resilient, and sustainable.
The program builds on Budderfly and Schneider’s existing work with the City of Cadillac, Michigan. Budderfly has already invested approximately $4.4 million to install solar, battery storage, and other projects across seven city facilities, including both city hall and the wastewater treatment plant.
“Our project with Budderfly and Schneider is about taking a smarter, more resilient approach to serving our community,” says Marcus Peccia, city manager of the City of Cadillac. “We’re able to modernize critical infrastructure, strengthen the reliability of services residents rely on every day and bring greater predictability to our energy costs, all without requiring upfront taxpayer investment.”
Budderfly now plans to extend its decade-long track record of serving more than 9,000 commercial customers to include U.S. municipalities. By participating in Schneider’s Accelerating Resilient Infrastructure Initiative, the company will be one of nearly 50 partners promoting energy resilience across the U.S.


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Energies Media
Copper wire does not disappear just because a factory closes its doors.
For three decades, a 17 acre lot on New Dam Road in Sanford, Maine sat under heaps of shredded circuit board, old tires and rusted drums.
Today the same ground carries rows of tilted panels, converting sunlight into electricity for a Maine utility’s customers.
It started with a company called CGA Inc, which once recycled circuit boards on the site, then left behind a mess nobody wanted to touch.
So what actually made that ground usable again, and why did a solar company want it at all?
The CGA site contained over 3,000 tons of circuit board waste, coated with copper and heavy metals, along with dilapidated buildings, an underground storage tank, waste pits, and contaminated soil and groundwater. Underneath the waste piles of circuit board shear trim, tires, wood, metal, rubber, plastic and concrete sat a layer of copper contamination leaching into the ground below.
In the acquisition, the city became liable for all environmental contaminants, mainly soil copper contamination from the copper coated wires in the circuit boards. That liability is what kept developers away so long, since no one could build on contaminated ground without a full accounting of what sat underneath.
That is the part a solar headline never mentions. The dirt has to pass inspection before the panels ever arrive on a flatbed truck.
Fixing the lot was not a quick patch job. The cleanup cost roughly $1.4 million, which came mostly from state and regional revolving loan funds, and brownfields multipurpose funding.
Crews hauled away a staggering volume of debris before a single trench could be dug for cable. Officials measured the scale of that cleanup in blunt terms.
“The site was covered in environmental hazards and was a nuisance to the surrounding community. Being able to remove 4,000 tons of waste and start the initial site work for a solar array has improved the whole area,” said Sanford Planning Director Beth Della Valle.
Once the ground was cleared, the project moved into a phase that looked like any other solar build: trenching, racking, wiring and inverters. But the site never stopped being what it was underneath, a former industrial scar now carrying different infrastructure entirely.
The completed system is modest by utility scale standards but significant for what it replaced. Nautilus Solar announced the completion of a 7 megawatt community solar farm on the remediation site, now fully operational and supplying renewable energy to more than 960 subscribers in Central Maine Power territory.
That is a sizable share of local households drawing power from land that once held hazardous drums. The farm sits on a patchwork of ownership that mirrors its messy history, combining city owned land with an abutting property belonging to the Maine Turnpike Authority.
Nautilus Solar is the long term owner of the facility. Few solar sites anywhere in New England carry that particular layering of public and private land under one array.
The arrangement works through Maine’s community solar structure, letting homes and small businesses subscribe to the output and save on electric charges without installing a single rooftop panel of their own.
Sanford’s ambitions reach further than this single lot. The city identified a need for a solar energy corridor to support plans for revitalizing over two million square feet of former textile mills downtown, since those properties were deemed too small to support a large solar array.
To help promote sustainable redevelopment of the mills, the city created the Sanford Energy Redevelopment Corridor, and the CGA site became its proving ground. That connects this project to the kind of industrial power matching utilities increasingly lean on, where a solar farm’s output is earmarked for a specific redevelopment zone rather than sold into the open grid.
Sanford’s planners see the mill district’s revival and the solar corridor as the same project viewed from two angles. Henry Weitzner, chief executive of Walden Renewables Development, the firm that originally developed the site before Nautilus took over long term ownership, called the project a template rather than an exception.
“The transformation of the heavily contaminated CGA brownfield site in Sanford to a remediated site for a solar farm is a great success story and involved extensive collaboration with Maine DEP, the City of Sanford, US Army Corps and the Maine Turnpike Authority,” he said.
Sanford is not an isolated case, and that is the real point. Brownfield solar has a track record elsewhere, including projects built specifically to move stalled land from liability into generation.
Federal brownfield programs increasingly treat solar as a practical reuse option for industrial land nobody else wants, according to the EPA’s own account of the Sanford corridor. Even so, the economics only work when cleanup costs stay modest relative to the land’s value once cleared.
Copper contamination is far cheaper to remediate than some heavier industrial legacies. A site with deeper soil contamination or ongoing groundwater plumes could easily cost more to fix than any array built on top of it would ever earn back.
None of that diminishes what happened on New Dam Road. A lot that spent thirty years as a dumping ground for discarded electronics now earns its keep making electricity, a quiet argument that the cheapest fix for some of the ugliest industrial land left behind is simply to cover it in glass and let the sun do the rest.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.

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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
Rebate recipients must participate for at least 36 months.
Photo Credit: iStock
Homeowners in Pasadena can tap Pasadena Water and Power incentives for rooftop solar and battery storage, but they need to watch the filing clock: applications are due within 180 days once the required approval is finalized, according to Pasadena Now.
A virtual workshop on Nov. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will outline the rebate programs and walk residents through contractor selection, permitting, installation, and electrical code requirements.
The two rebate programs start their 180-day application windows at different points. 
Solar customers have 180 days to apply after final utility net metering approval, while battery customers have 180 days after final permit approval.
For eligible customer-owned residential rooftop solar systems, Pasadena Water and Power offers 60 cents per watt. Customers participating in the utility’s income-qualified bill assistance programs can receive $1 per watt instead.
For qualifying residential battery systems, the base rebate is $350 per kilowatt-hour. Customers in income-qualified utility assistance programs or the Medical Assistance Program can receive an additional $200 per kilowatt-hour, bringing the maximum incentive to $550 per kilowatt-hour.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Palmetto is currently running an exclusive offer for Southern California residents that allows customers to save an average of 40% on their electric bills with $0 down.
To qualify for the solar rebate, a system must be customer-owned, installed by a licensed contractor, and approved for interconnection with Pasadena Water and Power. 
Crushed by your monthly electric bills? Palmetto can take care of you with an exclusive solar offer for Southern California residents.
Palmetto’s home energy savings plans deliver all the benefits of going solar with zero upfront investment. For a limited time, special rates in Southern California can unlock bill savings of up to 40% — and you can get a custom quote in seconds without sharing your email or phone number.
Systems obtained through leases or solar power purchase agreements are not eligible.
Applicants seeking solar rebate funds must also provide required paperwork, including a paid installation invoice and documentation confirming system capacity.
Home battery customers take on an added obligation after installation. 
Once Pasadena Water and Power launches its first qualifying demand-response or virtual power plant program, rebate recipients must participate for at least 36 months. 
If a customer declines without an approved exemption or leaves during the first 12 months, the utility may recover a prorated 20% of the original battery rebate.
Residents who join the Nov. 5 virtual workshop can get help understanding the steps before applying, including choosing a contractor, handling permits, completing interconnection, and meeting electrical code requirements.
For the solar rebate, residents should confirm that their system is customer-owned, that a licensed contractor is doing the installation, and that final net metering approval is in place before they apply. 
They will also need a paid invoice and system-capacity records, and they must file within 180 days of interconnection approval.
For battery storage, residents should verify that the installer is a licensed electrical contractor and that the system satisfies Pasadena Water and Power’s equipment and interconnection requirements. 
They should also plan ahead for the 36-month participation commitment tied to a future demand-response or virtual power plant program.
That planning could pay off well beyond the city rebate itself. 
With Palmetto‘s help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can add up to thousands of dollars per year. For households concerned about upfront costs, those savings can make installing solar much more manageable.
After installation is finished and the application is approved, qualifying residents can generally expect their rebate checks within six to eight weeks.
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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Major Kerry-Limerick solar farm plans move to next stage with over 140 submissions  Irish Independent
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Fujiyama Power Systems Limited has said its upcoming manufacturing capacity will not be disrupted by China’s proposed tightening of export restrictions on critical solar cell manufacturing technology and machinery. 
The company said the capital equipment for its 1.2 GW Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) solar cell facility in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, has already been delivered and installed. It therefore does not expect any material impact on its capital expenditure or project timelines, and the facility remains on track for commissioning in the first quarter of FY 2027-28.
China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology on October 16 proposed adding 12 photovoltaic technologies to the country’s catalogue of technologies prohibited or restricted from export, with public consultation open until November 15. Exports of finished cells and modules are not affected, but transfers of manufacturing know-how, overseas line commissioning and equipment exports could be prohibited or require approval.
Supply chain risk
The clarification comes amid concerns that China, which dominates the global solar supply chain, could restrict exports of advanced manufacturing equipment to protect its domestic technological edge. India still relies on China for over 50% of its solar cells and modules, so securing machinery before any such restrictions take effect has become a strategic priority. Manufacturers with established supply chains remain largely insulated from the fallout.
Backward integration
Fujiyama operates a retail-focused rooftop solar business that manufactures Solar Power Generation Systems (SPGS), and is pursuing solar cell manufacturing as a deep backward integration strategy. The company stressed that because the required machinery is already on site and its operations do not depend on ongoing foreign technology transfers, its expansion plans remain fully unaffected. It added that it currently has no plans to announce additional solar cell manufacturing capacity beyond the Ratlam facility.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco) has paused site stability tests, including rock blasting and earth quarrying, for its proposed 2,000 MW Sillahalla Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Nilgiris. Estimated at Rs 69.14 billion, the project was to be developed in two stages through a public-private partnership. The state would provide funding…
Read More Tangedco halts stability tests for 2,000 MW Sillahalla hydro project
The Government of Singapore has announced an SGD 100 million investment to promote green growth in the marine and offshore energy sectors over the next five years, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.  This initiative focuses on marine digitalization, offshore wind, and floating storage solutions, aligning with Singapore’s Green Plan 2050. In a related development,…
Read More Singapore commits SGD 100 million to green marine and offshore energy sectors
Iberdrola has received a production licence from the Portuguese Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) for a 274 MW wind project in Vila Real and Braga.  The project involves an investment of €350 million ($369 million) and will integrate with the Tâmega hydroelectric system. This marks Portugal’s first hybrid wind and hydro energy project, with…
Read More Iberdrola secures licence for 274 MW wind project in Portugal
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 committee constituted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has found that operating thermal power plants at 55% minimum technical load (MTL) with conservative ramping rates does not result in significant damage to generating units. The report, based on multiple meetings held between July and October 2025, also recorded NTPC’s reluctance to participate in mandated…
Read More CEA panel finds 55% MTL flexible operation does not damage thermal units
The Maharashtra state cabinet has approved a restructuring of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), paving the way for its bifurcation and a planned stock market listing. The move positions the utility to potentially become the first state-owned power distribution company in India to go public. Under the plan, MSEDCL will be divided into…
Read More Maharashtra clears MSEDCL split, Mahavitaran IPO plan
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India’s solar cell capacity may not be as abundant as it appears, according to Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Limited. Speaking to investors on the company’s Q2 FY27 earnings call, Manjunatha D. V., Chairman and Managing Director, said India needs approximately 80 GW to 100 GW of cell capacity at a bare minimum to meet current and forecast installation growth. Of the roughly 41 GW of existing capacity, about 16 GW is Mono PERC technology that must be retired. Factoring in the industry-wide shift from M10R to G12R formats and a rising DC-to-AC ratio, the company believes a shortage is possible.
Manjunatha said: “We are seeing with all the announcement and with the people who are announced that are not even coming, we are not able to see more than that capacity.” Suhas Donthi Manjunatha, President and CEO, echoed the view, adding that companies with established customer bases may need to add further capacity in the next couple of years to meet growing demand. He said installations in the first half of the calendar year stood at 27 GW on an AC basis, equal to around 35 GW of DC demand, which puts domestic module demand on course for roughly 64% year-on-year growth for the full year if the trajectory continues.
H1 performance
The outlook follows the company’s strongest half-yearly financial performance to date. For H1 FY27, Emmvee reported revenue from operations of Rs 3,132 crore, up 45% year-on-year. EBITDA rose 47% to Rs 1,105 crore, while profit after tax grew 79% to Rs 762 crore.
Capacity expansion
Emmvee is progressing on its 6 GW integrated TOPCon cell and module manufacturing project. The module line is expected to be commissioned by December 2026 and the cell line by March 2027. Once complete, the company’s total installed capacity will reach approximately 16.3 GW for modules and 8.9 GW for cells.
The company is also planning backward integration into ingot and wafer manufacturing through a proposed 9 GW facility, to be developed in two phases of 5 GW and 4 GW, aligned with its future cell manufacturing requirements. The timing of the investment will depend on regulatory developments, particularly the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-III, as well as prevailing market conditions and long-term economic viability.
Policy outlook
On policy, management said a deferral of ALMM List-II for solar cells beyond December 2026 looks extremely unlikely, given the significant time the industry has had to realign.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
India’s coal-fired power stations utilised 307 million tonnes of fly ash in 2024-25, taking the national utilisation rate to 96.34%, up from under 10% in 1996-97. The data comes from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report covering 189 grid-connected thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 214 GW. The aggregate figure indicates near-full utilisation….
Read More India’s fly ash utilisation reaches 96.34% in 2024-25
Alpex Solar Ltd has inaugurated a 2.2 GW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell manufacturing facility at the Kosi Kotwan Industrial Area in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, expanding the company’s manufacturing capabilities further upstream in the solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain. Spread across 9 lakh sq ft, the facility will manufacture G12R TOPCon solar…
Read More Alpex Solar inaugurates 2.2 GW TOPCon cell plant in Mathura
Industrial representatives from Gurugram and Faridabad, affiliated with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), have urged the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to align the state’s industrial power tariffs with those in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. They submitted a comparative report, arguing that Haryana’s higher industrial tariffs hurt competitiveness and deter investment….
Read More Gurugram, Faridabad industry bodies urge tariff parity with neighbouring states
India and the UK have launched the second phase of the Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme during the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue in New Delhi. The initiative aims to enhance technical collaboration for round-the-clock power supply, expand renewable energy adoption, and accelerate industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation. It will be…
Read More India and UK launch second phase of ASPIRE programme for clean energy
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has included Fujiyama Power Systems Limited in the fifth revised edition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar photovoltaic cells. The company’s facility in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, has been enlisted with an approved capacity of 437 MW per year. The…
Read More MNRE adds Fujiyama to ALMM-II with 437 MW cell capacity
Solarium Green Energy Limited has secured two rooftop solar contracts worth approximately Rs 26.6 crore from NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). The work orders, dated 24 July 2025, cover engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems across the Northeastern States under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The first order, valued…
Read More Solarium Green bags Rs 26.6 crore rooftop solar orders from NTPC
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A judge on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit for a Wagoner County solar farm, overturning denial of the project by the Wagoner County Board of Commissioners.
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Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) has introduced H.R. 10851, titled the “Socket Full of Sunshine Act,” which contains provisions that would require all state utility commissions to consider plug-in solar rules, provided that state’s legislature has not already enacted similar rules or explicitly voted to not pass such a bill.
“Families are getting squeezed by electric bills that keep going up,” Menendez said in a statement announcing the bill’s introduction. “Plug-in solar is a simple, affordable way to cut those bills, but outdated rules and unnecessary fees are standing in the way. The Socket Full of Sunshine Act clears those barriers so more families, including renters, can start saving.”
Similar to the plug-in solar laws currently adopted in 10 states, H.R. 10851 defines a “portable solar generation device” as having a maximum output of 1,200 watts and connecting to a ‘standard 120-volt alternating current outlet.” The bill further requires that a plug-in solar device meets NEC standards and is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or a similar national testing lab.
A final stipulation regarding system design requires plug-in solar devices to be equipped with a power control system if they exceed 400 watts of AC output.
Having been introduced late in the congressional calendar for the year, the bill will not see action until after the pre-election recess scheduled to end in mid-November. That leaves congress with just a handful of days to consider the bill in the lame duck session before the Jan. 3, 2027 deadline.
Potential rebates
Alongside the new requirements, the bill would direct the Department of Energy to establish a grant program to provide rebates of up to $1,000 to low- or moderate-income households. To obtain the funds, states would have to establish rebate programs that verify income eligibility at the point of sale and “prioritize renters, multifamily residents, and high-energy burdened communities.”
The rebate grants would be available only to those states in which plug-in solar rules prohibit landlords from blocking their tenants’ use of plug-in solar devices.
Further, the rebates would only be available for plug-in solar devices that were manufactured in the United States and contain greater than 55% domestic content components.
The rebate program would be funded with $100 million per year from FY 2027 through FY 2032, totaling $600 million.
Consumer protection
The bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to develop product safety standard for portable solar generation devices, and would require equipment providers to share information with consumers that covers how to install and use portable solar devices along with details on warranty coverage and expected energy bill savings.
In addition, the bill makes it voluntary on the part of the manufacturer for devices to come with an “expected electricity costs savings label” that looks like the yellow Energy Guide labels required on new appliances.
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Entergy Louisiana proposed building the 1,600-acre Cypress Harvest solar farm and battery storage complex off Derrick Road southwest of Plaquemine.
Entergy Louisiana proposed building the 1,600-acre Cypress Harvest solar farm and battery storage complex off Derrick Road southwest of Plaquemine.
Entergy Louisiana proposed building the 1,600-acre Cypress Harvest solar farm and battery storage complex off Derrick Road southwest of Plaquemine.
Entergy Louisiana proposed building the 1,600-acre Cypress Harvest solar farm and battery storage complex off Derrick Road southwest of Plaquemine.
Two months ago, the Iberville Parish Council rejected the 1,600-acre Cypress Harvest Solar complex southwest of Plaquemine amid public concerns about heavy metal contamination, fires, property values and aesthetics. 
Now the backer of that project, Entergy Louisiana, is asking a state district judge to force the elected officials to tell the utility why a council majority turned down the solar array in mid-August.
Entergy claims in its lawsuit that the council’s own solar farm ordinance requires a written statement laying out the reasons for denial and a 30-day period after that in which the problems can be addressed. 
Entergy says it didn’t get a written statement or an opportunity to “remediate the defects,” noting “no defects were ever identified.”
The lawsuit alleges that in a September letter sent about two weeks after the vote, parish officials maintained that the requirement for a defect letter doesn’t apply to the council because it isn’t “an official” and can’t “issue a letter explaining each council member’s vote.”
Proposed for sugar cane fields just west of Plaquemine High School and the Tenant Road community, the nearly $300 million Cypress Harvest would generate 200 megawatts of power. The solar array would also have a 30-acre battery storage complex within it to store electricity.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the solar complex in April and, at the time, Entergy had hoped to start construction on Iberville’s only solar farm by last month. Under that schedule, the solar farm would have been operational by September 2028, the company has said.
The Parish Council met Tuesday night in Plaquemine in closed session to discuss the new lawsuit, which was filed Oct. 5 in Iberville Parish, and now plans to file a response to defend its reading of the law.
The suit is the latest turn in difficulties that renewable power ventures have sometimes faced in establishing themselves in Louisiana, despite support from major utilities and interest from big industrial operations seeking cleaner power sources.
A few years ago, the council in neighboring St. James Parish turned down a large solar farm, triggering a lawsuit from the project’s backers. Though not developed by Entergy, that project would have supplied the utility also.
In August 2025, Florida-based NextEra Energy dropped plans to build the 2,000-acre Coastal Prairie Solar complex farther south in Iberville near White Castle amid strong public opposition.
The push for solar over the past several years has triggered several local governments to temporarily ban such developments while they create new siting rules.
In January 2023, Iberville Parish adopted its rules, which are now the subject of the lawsuit. This summer, the council adopted a two-year moratorium on battery storage complexes so the council can study the issue.
In an interview Tuesday night, Parish President Chris Daigle reiterated the legal interpretation of the solar farm ordinance that parish officials stated in the September letter to Entergy.
He said he and his administration can ask applicants questions, but the council serves more as an “appeal process” to that administrative review and as the “final governing authority” on solar applications. 
“Their lawyers have a different interpretation of what that means,” he said, adding that the parish is confident in its interpretation “because we’re the ones that wrote the ordinance.”
An Entergy spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The Parish Council rejected the Cypress Harvest project in a 7-4 vote, with one council member absent. 
During that August hearing, Entergy officials and representatives of the local landowners repeatedly pointed out that parish engineering had found the project met all the technical requirements of the parish ordinance, a fact Daigle also told the council at the time. 
The solar complex would have been set back from major roads, homes and schools by about a half-mile in many cases, well exceeding ordinance requirements, plans show. The rules also mandate a decommissioning plan, require safety and wind-risk plans to be shared with local officials, and impose limits on magnetic fields and sound.
Solar industry advocates say that while fires are a risk, they are rare. Critics say fires are under reported. 
During the meeting, some council members did give reasons for their votes.
Councilwoman Chasity Easley, who represents the area where the panels would be built, said the area has been prioritized for agriculture. She said she had concerns about the loss of agricultural land, the impact on property values for neighboring homes and the lack of permanent jobs from the solar complex. She also recognized local residents’ opposition.
“From their valid concerns, I cannot support this project,” she said.
Council members who supported the project aired concerns about protecting land rights from government overreach and about what they saw as the council’s failure to apply its own rules equitably. 
“For us to turn this down, it sends a really bad message to Iberville,” Councilman Terry Bradford said.
Cypress Harvest was expected to cost about $297 million to build and to create 201 construction and four full-time jobs. Construction is estimated to generate $7.8 million in onetime sales tax revenue and another $2.9 million in annual property tax revenue, Entergy has said.
David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@theadvocate.com.

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