Solar Now

Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar has announced the completion of its $950 million Lockhart Solar and Storage complex in California, adding significant utility-scale generation and grid-stability assets to the U.S. market. 
Developed by Terra-Gen, which is jointly owned by Masdar and Igneo Infrastructure Partners, the facility features 365 MW of solar photovoltaic generation paired with 173.7 MW of battery energy storage systems. Combined, the installation is designed to generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately 350,000 homes and businesses. 
The multi-year construction effort drove substantial localized economic activity across the region. Over a four-year development span, the project supported more than 1,000 peak on-site construction jobs and accumulated roughly 880,000 working hours. Over its operational lifecycle, the facility is projected to deliver upwards of $40 million in local property tax revenue alongside direct community benefit funds. Commercially, the project is backed by a hybrid of long-term power purchase agreements with California load-serving entities and corporate offtake agreements. 
The milestone underscores Masdar’s aggressive growth trajectory in the United States, where it has already invested approximately $3 billion. Backed by its shareholders TAQA, ADNOC, and Mubadala, the company plans to inject an additional $20 billion into the U.S. market over the coming decade. 
Masdar is targeting an expansion of its U.S. renewable energy portfolio to as much as 25 GW by 2030, driven heavily by surging power demand from commercial data centers, industrial electrification, and domestic manufacturing load growth. Globally, the Abu Dhabi clean energy powerhouse continues scaling toward a 100 GW portfolio capacity target by the end of the decade. 
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“Have them document it so you have legs to stand on.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A California homeowner is facing worsening roof leaks beneath an eight-year-old solar installation, raising concerns about repairs despite a warranty they believed was still active.
After inheriting the system with their home, they turned to Reddit for guidance on where to start: with the solar installer or an independent roofer.
They identified the company that installed the system in the post. Their account on the r/solar community described successive winter rainy seasons bringing both additional leaks and worsening leakage.
The installation drew suspicion because the leaks were confined to the roof beneath the panels.
“The side/slope without the panels is pristine,” the original poster observed.
Negative online reviews, the homeowner explained in a reply, were behind their reluctance to contact the company, even though they thought the warranty had a couple of years left.
For households considering residential solar, potential electricity savings make installer selection especially important. $0-upfront solar leases may offer savings of hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the home and agreement. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to estimate possible savings and find vetted local installers, helping homeowners weigh options before committing.
Whether an independent inspection would carry any weight if the installer denied responsibility was another concern. With a ceiling hatch providing attic access, the homeowner asked if a roofer could examine the rafters and insulation.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Flashing installed incorrectly around vents or other roof features was one possible cause raised in the comments. The same commenter asked about snow or ice buildup before the leaks and recommended a professional roofer’s inspection.
“Have them document it so you have legs to stand on,” they advised.
Another user noted that in California, where the homeowner was based, solar has a minimum 10-year penetration warranty that could compel the installers to play ball.
Prompt photographs of the affected areas were part of one commenter’s top-rated advice, along with making the solar company the first call.
“They may take care of it with no trouble,” they explained. “If you run into problems/pushback, that is the time to call in a 3rd party IMHO.”
The original poster said the advice was the “lil push” they needed to begin the process.
“Whatever the outcome, we have to get that roof fixed and get this ball rolling,” they concluded.
For homeowners evaluating an inherited system’s longer-term usefulness alongside repairs, EasyHome also offers options for exploring battery storage. Pairing solar with batteries can help manage electricity costs by storing energy for later use and can provide backup power during outages, depending on the system’s configuration.
Other homeowners with leaks beneath their solar panels have also had questions about warranty coverage and repairs. 
• California homeowners facing a leak near solar panels were urged to get photos.
• A homeowner says their solar installer demanded $2,300 to check a leak and barred outside work.
• A solar system owner says a warranty swap left a gap while contract terms blocked repairs.
• In New York, a homeowner found an attic leak beneath solar panels, complicating repairs.
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SMA Solar stock traded at EUR 49.17 on Lang & Schwarz at 08:35 CET on Friday, November 13, 2026, down 0.30% against the Xetra close of Thursday, November 12, 2026.
SMA Solar Technology AG develops photovoltaic system technology for residential customers, commercial businesses and large-scale renewable power projects. The company says it has more than 4,000 employees in 20 countries and provides solutions designed to support decentralized and digital energy supply. Further company information is available on the SMA investor-relations page.
SMA’s investor-relations calendar listed the January-to-September 2026 quarterly statement and analyst conference call for Thursday, November 12, 2026. That update was the latest scheduled operating milestone in the company’s published calendar.
For investors, the next focus is how the nine-month business update shapes expectations for the remainder of 2026 and whether management’s operating priorities translate into sustained demand across its photovoltaic markets.
In the broader German market, investors can follow the DAX as a benchmark for the domestic equity backdrop.
More news and analyses on SMA Solar stock

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Soda ash dependency threatens India’s clean tech ambitions, reveals new report  The New Indian Express
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Laser Recycling Method Achieves Over 95% Silver Extraction Selectivity From Solar Panels  AZoOptics
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Solar roofing continues to evolve as manufacturers look for ways to integrate energy generation more directly into the roof system. Recent developments range from solar shingles designed for conventional residential applications to photovoltaic components built into insulated metal panels and emerging flexible solar materials.
For North American roofing contractors, these products offer an early look at where the market may be headed. The following four products and concepts highlight some of the latest approaches shaping the next generation of solar roofing.

Photo: Certainteed
CertainTeed has introduced Landmark PWR, a building-integrated photovoltaic roofing system that combines residential solar generation with the appearance and functionality of an asphalt shingle roof. The system uses frameless, 85-watt solar shingles that install directly to the roof deck and feature 24 half-cut monocrystalline cells with 21.1% cell efficiency. Each shingle also incorporates two bypass diodes to minimize power losses from localized shading.
Landmark PWR pairs with CertainTeed’s Protect FR self-adhering underlayment, which provides fire and weather protection and enables a Class A fire rating over combustible roof decks. Designed with roofing contractors in mind, individual solar shingles can be removed and replaced without disturbing surrounding roofing materials. The system is also compatible with third-party microinverters and power optimizers. CertainTeed backs Landmark PWR with 25-year limited power and workmanship warranties. Availability is scheduled to begin Nov. 1, 2026.

Photo: The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, or TNO, has developed a flexible perovskite photovoltaic module that can be integrated onto a curved roof tile, demonstrating a potential new approach to building-integrated solar. Developed with ASAT B.V., the concept applies a flexible perovskite solar module on foil to a composite roof tile. The individual modules reached efficiencies of up to 13.8%, while the finished curved roof tile retained 12.4% efficiency.
According to TNO, it is the first electrically functioning solar roof tile concept based on flexible perovskite solar cells. The technology is designed for roll-to-roll production, which could eventually enable lightweight solar foils to be manufactured at scale and incorporated into roofing and other building surfaces that aren’t well suited to conventional rigid solar panels. TNO launched spinout Perovion Technologies in March 2026 to advance flexible perovskite technology toward industrial production and commercialization.

Photo: ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal Building Solutions’ Helioroof combines an insulated steel roofing panel and photovoltaic generation into a single factory-manufactured building component. Helioroof incorporates TOPCon silicon solar cells directly into a PIR-insulated steel sandwich panel. Custom modules can measure from 2 to 12 meters long and deliver between 307 Wp and 2,148 Wp, with the solar laminate producing up to 200 Wp per square meter.
Depending on insulation thickness, the complete panels weigh approximately 13.5 to 17.5 kilograms per square meter. ArcelorMittal says the integrated design can be installed 40% faster than traditional insulated roofs with separately installed solar panels and adds only 2.5 kilograms per square meter for solar generation.
Electrical connections are located inside the building, eliminating exterior roof cabling. Commercial production began at ArcelorMittal’s Contrisson, France, facility following the production line’s October 2025 inauguration. Initial projects include industrial buildings, a brewery and a residential project.

Photo: ML System
Poland-based ML System has introduced PhotonRoof, a building-integrated photovoltaic roofing system that gives architects and building owners more aesthetic options than conventional rooftop solar. PhotonRoof combines photovoltaic generation and weather protection in tiles designed to integrate with conventional roofing. The portfolio includes Modern and Vintage styles along with finishes intended to replicate materials such as slate, wood and copper, allowing the technology to be considered for residential, commercial and architecturally sensitive projects.
Depending on configuration, PhotonRoof modules range from small individual tiles to modules measuring up to 1,828 by 465 millimeters. The highest-output Modern configuration reaches up to 136 Wp per square meter. Matching passive tiles and edge components can be used around dormers, valleys, chimneys and other roof details to maintain a consistent appearance.
The system has been tested for conditions including hail and high winds and carries a 30-year manufacturer performance warranty. PhotonRoof can also connect with ML System’s building energy-management platform for monitoring, load management, battery optimization and remote diagnostics.
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Austria plans to overhaul solar subsidies after financing for small solar PV systems was exhausted in seconds during the country’s last funding call.
The Austrian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism has announced the conclusion of the third and final funding round for photovoltaic systems and electricity storage in 2026.
According to State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zehetner, while the results show a positive interest in solar PV and storage, they also highlight that the current funding system has reached its limits.
A total of 41,322 applications were submitted, requesting approximately €192 million in funding. However, only 7,007 funding commitments were issued.
According to the Ministry statement, the need for funding reform was especially obvious for smaller solar PV systems of up to 10kWp. Funding was only available for applications submitted within the first 29 seconds after the funding call opened.
Zehetner suggests the results show a need for a redesign of the existing funding system. “When a few seconds determine whether a small system receives funding, then we need to change the rules of the game. We are therefore working on a new model that will create greater planning certainty and focus on intelligent storage solutions. We are currently preparing the necessary legislation."
Zehetner explains that solar PV is a well-established technology in Austria. The focus now needs to be on better utilising self-generated electricity and relieving the strain on our grids.
“For this, we need more intelligent storage systems and a funding system that enables reliable planning for both households and installation companies. An installation company must be able to plan its orders according to its customers' needs, not according to a few seconds in the funding calendar," said Zehetner.
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To allow for these advances in the market, amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Act are being planned. These include revisions to the existing PV investment subsidies, as well as a storage system bonus to replace the traditional subsidies for PV modules.
This bonus will support both storage systems in new installations and the retrofitting of existing PV systems.
Intelligent energy management systems will also be a prerequisite to ensure solar power is used and stored most efficiently for households and the overall energy system.
The policy reforms will emphasise European value creation. Zehetner argues that the current first-come, first-served system creates uncertainty and disadvantages applicants. For this reason, this principle will be abolished and replaced with a continuous application process following project completion.
Furthermore, the Ministry states that for new solar plus storage systems, a "Made in Europe" inverter will be mandatory.
For retrofitting existing PV installations, an additional "Made in Europe" bonus for storage systems will still be available.
Besides redesigning the subsidy programme, the planned amendment to the Renewable Energy Expansion Act aims to create a framework to reduce the renewable energy subsidy lump sum to zero for 2027.
Together with the planned suspension of the renewable energy subsidy contribution, this would help to ease the financial burden on households and businesses.
The goal is to bring the redesign of the funding programme, along with the legal prerequisites for suspending the renewable energy flat rate and the subsidy contribution for 2027, to parliamentary debate as early as next week.
"We want to achieve two things simultaneously: reduce electricity costs for households and businesses and further develop the subsidies so that we can achieve more for our energy system with the available funds. Preparations for this are in full swing. Our goal is to bring the legal framework to parliament next week. This requires a two-thirds majority. I hope that all parties recognise this opportunity to take an important step together towards affordable energy and a more efficient energy transition," said Zehetner.
Zehetner emphasised Austria's position on creating value for Europe in her in Vienna this week.
"Our ambition must be to decarbonise Europe's industries without driving out production of Europe,” declared Zehetner. “If a factory closes here and its products are imported from somewhere else with higher emissions, we have lost jobs without solving the climate problem. Climate policy and industrial policy must therefore go hand in hand, and the energy transition will then succeed when investing in cleaner production also makes sense from a business perspective.”
Zehetner made it clear that any European energy investment should help European companies build the strength that enables them to compete on the international stage. She said: “This is why Made in Europe matters. We need strong capabilities along strategic value chains; from research and components to manufacturing, from deployment to recycling – and reliable international partners are part of this effort.”
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Volkswagen Poznań’s Crafter factory is now fully energy self-sufficient on sunny days, thanks to the completion of an 18.3MW solar power plant.
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Friday, 13 November 2026 at 15:43
Earlier this year Manx Utilities was granted approval for 1,200 panels (735kW) on the NSC
Approximately 1.3 percent of government-owned buildings currently have solar panels installed, based on 11 buildings from an estate of approximately 825.
That figure was provided by Infrastructure Minister Jason Moorhouse in a written answer to Glenfaba and Peel MHK Katryna Baptist. 
Mr Moorhouse said there are currently no plans for a significant increase in installations across the government estate in the short term. 
He added: "While PV will continue to be considered where it is technically and financially appropriate, the operating profile of many government buildings means that the electricity generated does not always align sufficiently with periods of demand to provide an attractive financial return. 
"The department is, however, currently working with Manx Utilities to explore the potential for a direct to-grid solar array at the NSC."
Earlier this year Manx Utilities was granted approval for 1,200 panels (735kW) on the NSC roof. 
Mr Moorhouse said that instead of a standalone programme solar panels will be 'one element of its wider programme to decarbonise Government buildings'.
He added: "A decarbonisation roadmap has been developed covering 336 buildings and identifying potential retrofit requirements and investment priorities through to 2050. 
"The roadmap considers an investment pathway of approximately £5 million per annum across the wider decarbonisation of the estate and is not a dedicated solar PV budget.
"Investment will be prioritised across a range of measures, including insulation, LED lighting, building controls, low-carbon heating and, where appropriate, solar PV."
In response to the part of Mrs Baptist's question which centred on a payback period, Mr Moorhouse said there isn't a single period that can be applied, adding 'immediate focus is on those decarbonisation measures that provide the strongest financial and carbon benefit across the estate'.
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“As long as the specs are equal, you could have 20 different brands on your roof.”
Photo Credit: iStock
After a gutter worker spotted a damaged solar panel, a homeowner was told they would need to replace a 21-panel rooftop array.
The baffled homeowner went to Reddit for advice.
The homeowner reported in Reddit’s r/solarenergy community that they contacted the solar company and were told they couldn’t replace just one panel.
The company’s proposal was a new rooftop array. “They’d have to replace all of them as those panels were no longer available,” the original poster wrote. “Is this really a thing?”
Commenters were skeptical of that assessment.
Residential solar can help lower electricity bills and provide energy independence. Some households may also save hundreds of dollars per month through $0 upfront solar leases. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to estimate potential savings and connect homeowners with vetted local installers.
Whether the panels used series or parallel wiring would determine which specification a replacement needed to match, commenters said.
“All you need is a panel with either same amps or volts,” one said. “You want amps if they are wired in parallel or volts if they are wired in series.”
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Another added, “As long as the specs are equal, you could have 20 different brands on your roof.”
For homeowners considering adding storage to their setup, EasyHome also offers options for exploring battery storage quotes. Pairing solar with an appropriately configured battery can allow you to use electricity when it costs less and provide backup power during outages.
Other solar owners have run into expensive repair quotes and trouble replacing aging equipment. 
• A cracked 430W panel still worked, but DIYers questioned how long it would last.
• In North Carolina, a homeowner facing a $10,000 repair quote found one bad microinverter.
• A solar owner lost monitoring, then received a $2,000 inspection quote for the 10-year-old system.
• A U.K. homeowner reported scratches and crooked rows after a 13-panel solar installation.
• In California, replacing 13-year-old solar panels requires longer rails or more roof holes.
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The US solar project pipeline expanded by 88% in the twelve months through October 2026, yet close to half of all utility-scale projects never reach completion, according to pv magazine. Data compiled by software supplier PVcase, drawing on a survey of utility-scale solar professionals, points to recurring patterns behind these failures, though the source notes that every project is distinct.
The findings suggest that common failure modes can be identified across the sector despite the uniqueness of individual developments. The source does not specify which failure modes were most prevalent or the size of the survey sample.
The publication also highlighted a series of industry events, including a session on solar quality and outstanding technical risks, alongside discussions of cybersecurity and procurement questions facing European solar projects in 2027 and beyond. A separate session was scheduled to address Europe’s solar and storage markets for 2027 and the business cases for co-locating solar with storage across three markets.
The pipeline growth figure and the completion shortfall together indicate that volume in early-stage development does not reliably translate into operating capacity. The source did not provide a breakdown of where attrition occurs within the project lifecycle.
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China’s solar export market shows significant shifts in 2025, as global solar supply chains increasingly diversify. Ember now tracks and publishes cell and wafer exports from China in addition to panels, on a monthly basis, available via the interactive data tool and open dataset. 
In this commentary, we provide a brief analysis of the cells and wafers dataset. The key takeaways are:
Cell and wafer exports are more than making up for the stagnation in Chinese solar panel exports so far in 2025. To understand the growing global solar supply chain, it’s now crucial to track products upstream of panels. India is driving growth in cell exports, whilst panels must now find new markets to go to.
China exports not only significant amounts of solar panels, but also increasingly significant amounts of solar cells and wafers. China accounts for the largest share of manufacturing capacity at every stage of the solar panel supply chain. According to the IEA’s latest Photovoltaic Power Systems report, in 2023 China produced 98% of solar wafers, 92% of cells and 85% of panels globally.
As global pressures to manufacture panels locally have increased, the supply chain is changing and it is no longer sufficient to track only panel exports. Based on the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reporting of exports, Ember now reports the monthly exports of these products by country. Details of how this dataset is compiled can be found in the Methodology.
For the first time since GACC reported panel and cell exports separately in 2022, panel export growth is stagnating. Cumulative panel exports have fallen by 5.2% year-on-year in the first 6 months of 2025 (-6.7 GW). Cell and wafer exports, however, have increased by 76% (+19 GW) and 26% (+8.6 GW) respectively. This increase means that combined solar product capacity exported by China is 11% higher than in the first half of 2024. The 208 GW that has been exported so far this year is more than twice Germany’s total installed solar capacity as of the end of 2024.  
The growth in cell and wafer exports is a multi-year trend. From 2022 to 2024, cell exports have increased from 23 GW to 57 GW (+144%). Wafers increased from 36 GW to 60 GW (+67%) over the same period. So far in 2025, China has exported more solar cells (7.5 GW) and wafers (7 GW) on average each month than the total installed solar capacity of Portugal (6.3 GW). This growth has pushed cells and wafers to now make up more than 40% of China’s exported solar products.
Prices of solar products have fallen dramatically in recent years, with production innovations and the rapid expansion of manufacturing capacity contributing. After a silicon price spike in 2021-2022, caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cells now cost less than a quarter of the average price across 2022. Meanwhile panel prices have fallen 63% over this period. Prices of Chinese products have stabilised since late 2024, amid intensifying industry and government efforts to maintain profitability. China’s extraordinary solar capacity installations in H1 2025, driven by a rush to deploy ahead of market rule changes, have helped buoy prices. It is not clear how prices will evolve in the second half of the year.
Panel price reductions are in large part due to the fall in cell prices. Since August 2022, the price of cells and panels exported from China has fallen by $0.16 and $0.20 per Watt respectively (cells from $0.19/W to $0.03/W, panels from $0.29/W to $0.09/W). More than 50% of the raw cost of Chinese solar panels is now contributed by components other than solar cells, such as glass facing and the aluminium border.
As installations slow and stockpiles are accessed, European and Latin American panel imports are down in 2025, driving a fall in China’s total panel exports. Amid slowing deployment of rooftop solar and drawdown of warehouse stocks, EU solar capacity additions are expected to fall for the first time since 2016. The Netherlands, a major re-export hub of solar panels for Europe, is importing 30% fewer (-7.5 GW) panels in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This is the second consecutive year of decline in solar exports to Europe. In Brazil, meanwhile, panel imports from China decreased by 42% and solar installations by 36% in the first half of 2025, partly because of delays in grid connection availability. 
Whilst Europe dominated demand for total solar product exports until 2023, in the first 6 months of 2025, Asia imported 114 GW, more than twice as much as Europe’s 54 GW. Increased demand for cells in India, Indonesia and Türkiye is reshaping solar trade. In the first half of 2025, these countries accounted for 75% of global demand for Chinese solar cells.
India is rapidly building up its domestic panel and cell manufacturing industry. The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has reported that in the financial year of 2024, 36 GW of panel capacity and 16 GW of cell capacity were added. As of March 2025, panel and cell manufacturing capacities stood at 68 GW and 25 GW respectively, more than double the solar capacity India installed in 2024 (32 GW). 120 GW of panel capacity is targeted by 2030.
This manufacturing capacity aims both to supply the domestic market, and to export to other countries. So far exports have been almost entirely to the US, which restricts Chinese imports via the UFLPA. Following recent scrutiny of Indian panels containing Chinese cells, and the US’s efforts to protect its own domestic industry, Indian exports to the US have fallen by 30% in GW terms in the first half of 2025.
With panel manufacturing capacity outpacing cell capacity, India currently relies on cell imports to feed its panel factories. In the first half of 2025, India’s cell imports have almost doubled compared to the same period last year, increasing from 11 GW to 21 GW. This increase accounts for 52% of the growth in Chinese cell exports between H1 2024 and H1 2025.
With the recent decision to extend ALMM status to domestic cell manufacturers from June 2026, India is now aiming to accelerate its domestic cell manufacturing capacity, with 65 GW expected by 2030, less than current panel manufacturing capacity. Wafer imports are now also accelerating to feed cell production.
Beyond its role in global solar trade, India’s domestic clean energy buildout is also accelerating. In June 2025, India hit a milestone of over 50% capacity from clean sources for the first time, with solar now making up 24% of India’s total capacity. With solar capacity set to double in many states by 2030-35, India’s development of local industry underpins its commitment to clean power.
Ember is an independent, not-for-profit energy think tank that aims to shift the world to clean electricity using data. It gathers, curates and analyses data on the global power sector and its impact on the climate, using cutting edge technologies and making data and research as open as possible. It uses data-driven insights to shift the conversation towards high impact policies and empower other advocates to do the same. Founded in 2008 as Sandbag, it formerly focused on analysing, monitoring and reforming the EU carbon market, before rebranding as Ember in 2020. Its team of electricity analysts and other support staff are based around the world in the EU, UK, Türkiye, India, China and Indonesia.
The IEA has stated that China’s solar photovoltaic exports account for 80% of the global market. While there is a wide variety of products that make up the solar supply chain, panels, cells and wafers make up the majority of exports by trade value, and can be expressed in GW terms. Ember tracks these products to give a clearer picture of the global solar supply chain.
Ember’s China solar exports dataset is sourced from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC):
Average monthly panel, cell and wafer prices are sourced from weekly InfoLink Consulting Group publications. Prices are reported in USD/W for panels and cells and USD/pc for wafers. The market shares of each type for panels, cells and wafers are based on annual shares reported by the IEA and InfoLink. These annual shares are scaled to estimated monthly market shares, used to weight the types and calculate an average monthly price.
Prices are interpolated for missing months in 2017. The monthly product prices are included in the data download.
The capacity (MW) of the solar export products in this dataset is not reported by GACC. Ember estimates it using the following methods:
GACC releases the monthly solar export data with a one month lag (except for January and February data, which is released together in March). The GACC release is usually available on the 20th of the month, and this dataset is updated shortly afterwards.
GACC export data records the first country products are exported to, which may not be the final destination country. This is particularly evident for exports to The Netherlands, which is a major re-export hub for European countries.
The price to capacity conversion of panels and cells is based on the average prices of each product type reported for that month. This should be regarded as an indicative value useful for comparing broad trends. In reality, the exact amounts of each product type and price they were traded at are not available in the customs data, and may vary by country.
Rini Sucahyo, Claire Kaelin, Dave Jones, Sam Hawkins, Duttatreya Das, Biqing Yang, James Blackwell
Michele D’Ottavio / Alamy
Ember is an energy think tank that aims to accelerate the clean energy transition with data and policy. Ember is the trading name of Ember Energy Research CIC, a Community Interest Company registered in England & Wales #06714443. ‘Ember’ is a trademark held at the United Kingdom and European Union Intellectual Property Offices. All content is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC-BY-4.0). Website powered by 100% renewable electricity.
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Visitors traversing Catalina Island wildlands near the Airport in the Sky will soon encounter an unexpected silhouette on the landscape. It’s not that of an animal, rather it’s the steel structure and panels of a solar array designed to offset power at the airport and other Conservancy buildings, according to a statement released this week.
According to Conservancy spokesperson Pepe Barton, this initiative is designed to bring more renewable energy to the Island will become reality with completion of the project, which is the largest solar energy array on Catalina.
The installation began Sept. 1, which aligned with the end of bird nesting season so that work didn’t disrupt their breeding patterns. The project includes several features designed to protect native species and their habitats while allowing wildlife to move through the area.
“The fencing is raised about 8 inches around the bottom so [foxes and squirrels] can easily get in and out of the structure,” said Conservancy Director of Capital Planning Carlos Rodarte in the statement.
“We’re installing a camera system facing the solar field so we can monitor to make sure no animals or critters are stuck or endangered inside the fence. We’re not disturbing the land – we’re actually elevating the platform to keep as much of the native landscape intact as possible.”
The project is a 170-kilowatt system, which is about 10 times what a home solar system produces. This solar photovoltaic (PV) system converts sunlight into electricity, providing a renewable source of power that helps reduce reliance on conventional energy sources and supports more sustainable operations on Catalina Island.
Investments in renewable energy help the Conservancy reduce its environmental footprint while advancing its mission to protect and restore Catalina Island for future generations.
Small units exist at the Trailhead Visitor Center and University of Southern California Wrigley on Catalina, but they generate only a fraction of this system’s capability. Bringing solar to the Island at this scale is about six years in the making and was initiated by a Catalina tourist with a passion for clean energy.
“I was on holiday on Catalina Island maybe 10 years ago, and being an energy nerd, I looked up how does Catalina Island get their power,” said Mark Tholke. “Turns out it’s diesel generators. I realized we’ve got to do something better than this.”
Tholke, who is the managing principal of Golden State Renewable Energy, began making calls and sending emails to Conservancy leadership to encourage adoption of solar power. Once the Conservancy was awarded a grant from Edison International, the effort began.
Conservancy facilities staff, Tholke and Sattler Energy have been collaborating to bring the project to fruition. On one particularly hot September morning, crews could be seen along the road beneath the airport pouring concrete and installing solar panels.
“People don’t generally think it’s hot weather here, but it’s 100 degrees today,” said Rodarte. “It’s very warm. We’re in a canyon. It’s difficult to get water, supplies, etc. There are serious challenges. On the mainland, if you’re missing a screw or piece, you can drive down to the hardware store and pick one up. Here, it’s a three-day delay.”
Tholke said a project of such unique challenges would not be possible without the expertise and location-specific insight of the Conservancy facilities team.
“We could not have done the project without the Conservancy,” Tholke explained. “I’m not just saying the arrangement with the land being owned by the Conservancy, but the talent that Conservancy employees have brought to the cement, trucks, trenching, ground crews, weed abatement. It’s been remarkable and impressive to not just me, but others on the team who at one point said, ‘I would not be driving that truck.’ These guys are really that skilled.”
The Conservancy will utilize renewable energy tax credits. Implementation of the system is expected to reduce energy costs by at least $40,000 annually. But it’s not just about cost savings. Rodarte said the impact on the environment here and on the mainland is a strong motivator to support renewable energy sources on Catalina.
“As a conservation organization, it’s important that we put the right step forward in all we do, not just preserving the land – but the earth,” said Rodarte. “It’s not just isolated to where we are on our land, but showing we are a good steward of the planet as a whole.”
The Catalina Island Conservancy gratefully acknowledges Edison International for its generous support of this renewable energy project and its investment in a more sustainable future for Catalina Island, the statement concluded.

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Kyrgyzstan’s pilot floating solar plant at GES-5 near Bishkek/ egov.kg
Kyrgyzstan plans to build a 15 MW floating solar power plant on the reservoir at Hydropower Plant No. 5 (HPP-5), about 10 kilometers northeast of Bishkek, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on electricity imports.
Kyrgyzstan expects to import 4.1 billion kWh of electricity in 2026, about one-fifth of its projected consumption of 19.6 billion kWh. The country relies heavily on hydropower, leaving electricity supplies vulnerable to low reservoir levels. Energy officials have warned that shortages could occur during peak demand this winter.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) describes the proposed plant as Kyrgyzstan’s first utility-scale floating solar power plant. A 100 kW pilot plant has operated on the same reservoir since March 1, 2024. The state-owned Chakan GES OJSC built it with an ADB grant.
The larger project is being developed under a cooperation agreement between Chakan GES and the ADB. The bank has proposed $20 million in financing, comprising a $19.55 million concessional loan and a $450,000 grant. The project has not yet received approval, and no construction timetable has been announced.
According to the Ministry of Energy, the pilot plant generated 141,100 kWh in 2025. The ministry says installing panels on water saves land, can reduce evaporation, and allows the project to use existing hydropower infrastructure.
The ADB expects the HPP-5 project to establish a technical and commercial model that can be used at other reservoirs. The bank estimates that those sites could host floating solar plants with a combined capacity of about 176 MW. Future projects could involve private investors.
Kyrgyzstan opened its first large-scale solar power plant in December 2025 in the Kemin district of the Chui region, about 100 kilometers east of Bishkek. The 100 MW plant was built with Chinese investment at a cost of $56 million. The Ministry of Energy estimates that the plant could generate about 210 million kWh a year.
If the proposed HPP-5 plant and all 176 MW of additional floating solar capacity were developed, they would have a combined capacity of about 191 MW. Based on the performance of the existing pilot plant and projected generation at Kemin, this could produce roughly 300 million kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to about 1.5% of Kyrgyzstan’s projected electricity consumption in 2026.
However, the much larger 1,900 MW solar project being developed by Vietnam’s ROX Energy Global near Lake Issyk-Kul could make a more substantial contribution. Its first 175 MW phase began operating in June 2026, and the Ministry of Energy estimates that the completed plant could generate around 3.3 billion kWh annually, equivalent to nearly 17% of the country’s projected 2026 electricity consumption. The remaining phases are expected to come online in 2027 and 2028.
Sergey Kwan
Sergey Kwan has worked for The Times of Central Asia as a journalist, translator and editor since its foundation in March 1999. Prior to this, from 1996-1997, he worked as a translator at The Kyrgyzstan Chronicle, and from 1997-1999, as a translator at The Central Asian Post.
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Kwan studied at the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute from 1990-1994, before completing his training in print journalism in Denmark.
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The Times of Central Asia © 2023

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Rooftop additions surged 122% YoY in Q3 2026
November 12, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
India installed 27.3 GW of large-scale solar capacity in the first nine months (9M) of the calendar year (CY) 2026, up 21% year-over-year (YoY) compared to 22.5 GW, according to Mercom India Research’s newly released 9M and Q3 2026 India Solar Market Update Report.
Utility-scale projects accounted for 70.9% of installations in 9M 2026, while rooftop solar contributed 29.1%. This marks a shift from 9M 2025, when utility-scale solar accounted for 81.5% of additions and rooftop solar represented 18.5%.
Total solar additions reached a record 38.5 GW in 9M 2026, up 40.3% YoY. Solar accounted for 77% of the 50 GW of new power capacity added during 9M 2026.
“India has already added more solar capacity in the first nine months of 2026 than in all of 2025, but the Q3 slowdown in large-scale installations shows where growth is being held back. Demand remains strong across utility-scale, open access, and rooftop solar, but transmission bottlenecks, domestic cell availability, higher costs, and delays in land, connectivity, and power offtake are slowing commissioning. The size of the project pipeline is significant, but what matters now is how much of that capacity can actually be brought online and on schedule,” commented Raj Prabhu, CEO at Mercom Capital Group.
Installation growth was driven by installations concentrated in the first half of 2026, as developers accelerated commissioning ahead of the June 1 implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II requirements for solar cells and the phased reduction in interstate transmission system (ISTS) charge waivers beginning in July. These deadlines pulled some commissioning forward into the first half.
Priya Sanjay, Managing Director at Mercom India, said that ALMM List-II has exacerbated domestic solar cell shortages, driving module prices higher due to demand-supply imbalances rather than underlying component costs. “Unforeseen price increases are squeezing developer margins and disrupting financial projections. Concerns over module quality, bankability, and supplier availability could intensify demands for an extension.”
India added nearly 11 GW of solar capacity in Q3 2026, the fourth-highest quarterly total on record. Installations declined 9.5% QoQ but increased 19% YoY.  India added 6.3 GW of large-scale solar capacity in the third quarter of 2026, with installations down 24% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and 11% YoY. Large-scale projects accounted for 58% of total quarterly solar additions.

Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra led large-scale solar additions in Q3 2026, accounting for 28%, 25%, and 14% of quarterly capacity additions, respectively.

Rooftop solar installations climbed 22% QoQ to 4.7 GW, from 3.8 GW in Q2 2026, and rose 122% YoY from 2.1 GW in Q3 2025.
Sanjay noted that the PM Surya Ghar program has accelerated residential rooftop installations ahead of its March 2027 deadline, while electricity cost savings continue driving commercial and industrial adoption.
Rooftop solar made up a record 42% of quarterly solar additions, signaling a significant shift in the installation mix.

As of September 2026, India’s cumulative installed solar capacity reached 176.6 GW. Large-scale solar projects accounted for 82% of installed capacity, while rooftop solar made up the remaining 18%.
Solar comprised 31% of India’s total installed power capacity and 58% of installed renewable energy capacity.
The top 10 states accounted for 98% of large-scale solar capacity commissioned during Q3 2026.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka continued to lead the country in cumulative large-scale solar capacity, accounting for 30%, 22%, and 11% of installations, respectively.
In Q3, government agencies issued 9 GW of large-scale solar tenders, up 61% QoQ and down 51% YoY. Auctions totaled 4 GW, down 10% QoQ and up 64% YoY.
In 9M 2026, 22.6 GW of large-scale solar tenders were announced, down 47% compared to 42.6 GW in 9M 2025. Large-scale solar auctions totaled 13 GW, a 23% decline compared to 16.6 GW in 9M 2025.
Sanjay highlighted that unsigned power purchase agreements and power supply agreements have tied up developers’ working capital, while rising module costs threaten tariff competitiveness.
While solar demand remains strong, uncertainty over post-2030 renewable energy targets complicates investment planning, financing, and long-term demand visibility.
The report also provided installation trends by state, project pipeline analysis, tender and auction activity, and market forecasts to help developers, manufacturers, investors, and other industry participants assess emerging opportunities and execution risks.
Mercom’s 9M and Q3 2026 India Solar Market Update report covers all facets of India’s solar market. For the complete report, visit https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q3-2026-india-solar-market-update
Melvin Mathew
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© 2026 by Mercom Capital Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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T1 Energy has reported its third-quarter 2026 financial results, posting $196.6 million in net sales and a net loss from continuing operations of $34.7 million. The module manufacturer reported negative $16.4 million in Adjusted EBITDA during the quarter.
The company says full-year module production volume from its G1_Dallas facility is now expected to be between 4 GW and 4.2 GW, approaching the high end of its prior guidance range of between 3.1 GW and 4.2 GW. Looking ahead to 2027, T1 plans to produce 5.3 GW of modules.
During the quarter, T1 received a Section 232 waiver from the Commerce Department to import up to 1.725 GW of solar cells. On the company’s earnings call, executives said the company plans to pursue “a robust onshoring plan” with the U.S. Commerce Department, which could allow it to import cells and other polysilicon products without having to pay Section 232 duties. 
Other key topics introduced during the call included the delay of cell manufacturing at its G2_Austin facility until April, the differences in the company’s expected pricing for modules produced using imported and domestic cells, a decision to retain 326 megawatts of module inventory during the quarter and a letter of intent to potentially monetize a Nordic data center asset.
Cell manufacturing pushed out to April
When it first announced its G2_Austin cell manufacturing facility, T1 said it planned to begin producing cells by 2026, but that timeline has slid into 2027 as the company works to close financing for the completion of construction at the facility. 
On the company’s Q3 earnings call, T1 CEO Daniel Barcelo said the company was “attempting to keep the schedule on track” at the facility despite the delays in finalizing the funding. The CEO noted that process equipment for the facility is currently stored in warehouses in the United States and is fully owned by T1, while permitting and access to power and water are on track.
“Assuming we’re doing financial close by year-end, we would expect to finish construction, installation, commissioning and ramping by about midyear,” Barcelo said.
In a statement announcing its Q3 financial results the company said “Closing a comprehensive financing solution for G2_Austin remains T1’s top priority; however, there can be no assurance that definitive documents will be agreed, or that any such financing will be completed, on a timely basis on terms acceptable to T1, or at all.”
Pricing in the age of Section 232
During the earnings call, Barcelo reported that the company’s module pricing is currently “in the mid-30s” (cents per watt) for modules made using imported cells, and “going towards 40 and mid-40s” for modules made using its forthcoming domestic cells that are scheduled to be delivered in 2027.
Barcelo and T1 CFO Evan Calio noted that contracts it has locked in for 2027 at those pricing levels are for modules using the 1.725 GW of cells imported under its Section 232 waiver, and Calio noted that pricing could go higher in the future.
The Trump administration’s Section 232 proclamation put into place a price floor of $0.38/W for imported solar modules, along with 15% of ad valorem tariffs on all incoming polysilicon products, meaning the theoretical price of imported solar modules will be $0.437/W when the Section 232 duties take full effect on Dec. 4, 2026.
The demand for modules made using imported cells remains high, the executives said during the call. Calio noted that the company’s module production at its G1_Dallas facility is sold out through 2027 and said contracts between T1 and its customers are “significantly weighted towards an imported cell.” 
Barcelo pointed out that the company’s customers were pursuing a mix of modules made using imported and domestic cells. 
“A lot of customers are looking for blending to maximize the benefits of different tax incentives that may exist to minimize cost structure and also to ensure that they have a stronger and growing domestic content, which a lot of customers are seeking,” the CEO said.
Despite the setbacks announced in the earnings report, Barcelo closed the call with an upbeat assessment of the company’s future. 
“It’s really been night and day in terms of demand post 232,” he said. “The waiver has been very powerful. The new contracts we announced are a strong indicator. Our pipeline is robust. Pricing is good, and we’re really excited about advancing G2_Austin and getting these domestic cells online and helping to build the American solar industry.”
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Tuesday, November 24, 2026
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Shinsung E&G, a solar module manufacturer based in South Korea, has introduced two new series of bifacial solar modules built on n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact cell technology, according to pv magazine. The lineup comprises the SS-JM-TK series intended for ground-mounted installations and the SS-JM-TN series aimed at floating photovoltaic and agrivoltaic applications, with each series offered in three versions rated at 640 W, 645 W and 650 W.
Both series use 156 bifacial monocrystalline cells and deliver conversion efficiencies between 22.89% and 23.25% under standard test conditions. The ground-mounted modules measure 2,465 mm by 1,134 mm by 30 mm and weigh 33.5 kg. The largest unit in that series, the SS-JM650TK, reaches 650 W of maximum power output at 23.25% efficiency, with an open-circuit voltage of 55.71 V and a short-circuit current of 14.52 A.
Under the manufacturer’s bifacial nominal power irradiance conditions, the ground-mounted series produces 700 W to 710 W, with efficiencies of up to 25.40%. The company notes that actual rear-side generation depends on ground reflectivity and installation conditions.
The floating and agrivoltaic modules share the same length and width as the ground-mounted units but carry a thicker 35 mm frame. They also weigh 33.5 kg and provide maximum front-side output of 650 W at efficiencies reaching 23.25%. Under bifacial nominal power irradiance conditions, this series delivers 705 W to 717 W, and the highest-rated model reaches a bifacial-equivalent efficiency of 25.65%.
Both lines feature dual-glass construction with 2.0 mm heat-strengthened glass on the front and rear, an anodized aluminum alloy frame, and an IP68-rated junction box with three bypass diodes. The modules are designed for a maximum system voltage of 1,500 V and operating temperatures from -40 C to 85 C.
According to the manufacturer, the ground-mounted modules carry a maximum power temperature coefficient of -0.34% per degree Celsius, compared with -0.29% per degree Celsius for the floating and agrivoltaic variants. The ground-mounted series is rated for mechanical test loads of 5,400 Pa on the front and 2,400 Pa on the rear, while the floating and agrivoltaic modules carry a 5,400 Pa test-load rating on both sides.
Shinsung E&G offers a 12-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty across both series. The company guarantees at least 99% of initial power output after the first year and 87.4% after 30 years, with maximum annual degradation of 0.4%.
In August, the company opened a new 350 MW solar module production line at its Gimje factory in South Korea, lifting the facility’s total capacity to 600 MW. Shinsung E&G said the line would produce n-type modules for projects in the Saemangeum development region, including an 80 MW ground-mounted installation, a further 74 MW project and a 300 MW floating solar facility.
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Cloudy with some light snow. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%..
Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the night. Low 32F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Updated: November 13, 2026 @ 2:58 pm
Members of the Chemung Town Board meet Wednesday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the 3 Sisters Solar Farm project, including changes to the proposed development and outstanding payments owed to the town.

Staff Writer
Members of the Chemung Town Board meet Wednesday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the 3 Sisters Solar Farm project, including changes to the proposed development and outstanding payments owed to the town.
CHEMUNG — The Chemung Town Board said Wednesday that most of the long-debated 3 Sisters Solar Farm project will not move forward.
Town Supervisor George Richter said a portion of the project is being discontinued because of a lack of funding.
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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.
“The county gets affordable energy at a low, predictable price for 20 years.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Ventura County, California, has turned to on-site solar power and battery storage to lower its energy costs, with savings expected to exceed $21 million over 20 years.
Under the county’s plan, the County Government Center will be getting a 5.8-megawatt solar canopy and a 1.9-megawatt battery. ForeFront Power will be completing the project, according to Solar Power World, which published the company’s announcement of the project. 
Producing and storing clean electricity on site will help the county meet its sustainability goals at a lower cost. The county has already been purchasing renewable power through a community choice energy program.
For households exploring similar savings, residential solar — including $0-upfront leases — may reduce electricity bills by hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the home and the agreement. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to estimate potential savings and connect homeowners with vetted local installers.
Ventura County will be obtaining the solar and storage system through a power purchase agreement with ForeFront Power, allowing the project to proceed with no upfront cost to the county. Under the agreement, ForeFront Power will develop, own, and maintain the system, according to the company’s announcement.
ForeFront Power will be overseeing development, allowing the county to add on-site generation and storage without taking on the administrative work involved.
“Public agencies shouldn’t feel stuck paying a premium for energy when they can save money and build resilience through on-site generation and storage,” said Ruben R. Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power, per Solar Power World.
“We manage the complexity of development so the County of Ventura can accelerate its transition to renewable energy without upfront cost or added administrative burden,” he continued. “The county gets affordable energy at a low, predictable price for 20 years, while we shoulder the risk of getting it built and keeping it running.” 
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
For homeowners interested in storing backup power, EasyHome also offers options for exploring battery storage quotes. Pairing home solar with batteries can help households manage electricity costs and provide backup power during outages, with the benefits depending on the equipment and system design.
“Every dollar we can save on operating costs helps us make the most of taxpayer funds,” said Thomas Hunt, Director of the County of Ventura’s General Services Agency. “This project is a great example of making a smart, long-term investment that lowers our energy costs, gives us more predictable expenses, and provides lasting value to our residents.”
Ventura County’s investment in solar and storage came as other communities also worked to lower power bills and prepare for outages.
• California’s Clean Power Alliance said its latest bond could save ratepayers $91 million.
• On California’s Mesa Grande Reservation, solar and battery storage kept tribal services running through blackouts.
• Solar and batteries cut wholesale power costs in Texas and California, but grid costs limited relief.
• In Texas and California, solar lowered power prices, but delivery costs kept bills rising.
• California’s Indio added capacity for 2,500 homes, while residents worried about outages and costs.
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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November 13, 2026. By News Bureau
Que: Can you tell us about the company’s journey and next phase of growth?
Ans: IB Solar’s journey has been closely aligned with the evolution of India’s renewable energy sector. We have grown from a relatively modest manufacturing base into a company with a strong focus on high-efficiency solar modules. Today, we operate a 1.5 GW solar module manufacturing facility in Greater Noida, and our next phase of growth is focused on strengthening technology, quality, and backward integration.

We believe the future of solar manufacturing is not just about adding capacity, but about building a more integrated and competitive ecosystem. Our focus is on advanced cell and module manufacturing, stronger supply-chain capabilities, and expanding into energy storage and integrated clean-energy solutions.
Que: Is adding more GW capacity still the right strategy?
Ans: Capacity is important, but capacity alone is not enough. The next phase of growth must be driven by technology, utilisation, quality, and profitability.

At IB Solar, with our 1.5 GW manufacturing base, we are focused on ensuring that our capacity is supported by strong demand, efficient production, and reliable technology. We believe the market is moving towards higher-efficiency products, better manufacturing processes, and stronger quality control.

Our objective is not simply to produce more modules, but to produce the right modules, at the right quality, and at a competitive cost.
Que: Your current N-TOPCon portfolio spans products of up to around 640 W. How are developers' and EPCs' expectations changing when it comes to module power, efficiency and bifacial performance?
Ans: Developers and EPCs are becoming more informed and more demanding. They are no longer looking at module wattage in isolation. They are evaluating the overall value proposition, including efficiency, bifacial performance, temperature behaviour, degradation, reliability, and the total cost of energy generated over the project’s lifetime.

Higher-power modules can help optimise land use, reduce the number of modules required for a given project, and improve installation efficiency. However, the highest wattage is not automatically the best solution for every application. Module dimensions, compatibility with mounting structures, transport, installation, and project design all matter.

We are seeing a clear preference for high-efficiency N-type TOPCon technology because it offers a strong combination of power output, efficiency, and long-term performance. Our focus is to ensure that the product delivers value not just at the time of purchase, but throughout its operating life.
Que: IB Solar's N-type modules highlight lower degradation and improved performance in high temperatures and low-light conditions. How important are these characteristics for India's diverse climatic conditions?
Ans: These characteristics are extremely important for India. Our country has a wide range of climatic conditions, from hot and dry regions to humid coastal areas, high-altitude locations, and regions with frequent monsoon conditions. A module must perform reliably across this diversity.

For us, the importance of N-type technology is not limited to its initial efficiency. Lower degradation, better temperature behaviour, and strong performance under different irradiance conditions contribute to the long-term energy yield of a project. This is particularly important because solar projects are long-term investments, and even small differences in annual performance can have a meaningful impact over the project’s lifetime.

We therefore believe that the industry should increasingly evaluate modules on lifetime energy generation and reliability, rather than only on nameplate wattage or initial purchase price.
Que: One of India's major challenges is the gap between module capacity and domestic cell availability. How does this affect manufacturers such as IB Solar?
Ans: The gap between module manufacturing capacity and domestic cell availability is an important challenge for the industry. When cell supply is constrained, manufacturers face challenges related to procurement, cost, production planning, and the ability to respond quickly to customer demand.

For IB Solar, this reinforces the importance of backward integration. We are actively progressing with plans for domestic solar cell manufacturing to strengthen our supply chain and reduce dependence on imported cells over time.

We believe that a strong domestic cell ecosystem will benefit not only module manufacturers, but also developers, EPCs, and the wider renewable energy sector.
Que: What are your expansion plans? Where do you position yourself in India's solar manufacturing landscape over the next three to five years?
Ans: Our expansion plans are focused on building a stronger and more integrated clean-energy manufacturing platform. We currently have 1.5 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity, and our next phase of growth will focus on 1 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity and BESS manufacturing.

The proposed cell line is an important step towards strengthening our domestic value chain. It will help us move beyond module manufacturing and build greater control over technology, quality, and supply-chain requirements. At the same time, our focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) reflects our belief that the future of renewable energy is not only about generating electricity, but also about storing and managing it efficiently.

Over the next three to five years, our ambition is to position IB Solar as a technology-driven, quality-focused, and increasingly integrated Indian clean-energy company. We want to serve a broad range of customers while continuing to build a strong domestic manufacturing base.

We recognise that the industry is becoming more competitive, and that scale alone will not be enough. Our priorities will be technology, manufacturing efficiency, product reliability, customer confidence, and sustainable growth. We believe that companies that combine these strengths will be best placed to contribute to India’s renewable energy ambitions and create long-term value.

IB Solar Targets 1 GW Solar Cell Capacity and BESS Expansion, Says Abhinav Mahajan

Solis’ Honey Raza Explains the Shift Towards Solar-Plus-Storage Solutions in India

Credence Solar’s Jinto Joseph Explains the Company’s Manufacturing Growth Strategy

Mohammed Saif Zaveri, JRST Technology, Explains Journey Towards Domestic Ingot Manufacturing

Amit Barve, RAYZON Solar, Says Tandem Technology Will Shape Future of Solar Manufacturing

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Malaysia’s LSS5+ Solar Photovoltaic Project Successfully Signed  Yahoo Finance
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A shortage of workers with solar maintenance skills had been the main reason so many of the program’s systems were no longer working.
Photo Credit: iStock
Despite a boom in solar installations that has helped expand access to electricity, long-term upkeep has posed a major challenge for solar systems in Pakistan. One study found that only a third of the solar power systems supplied through a particular program remained operational 10 years later, raising significant questions about such programs’ effectiveness. 
Only 33% of the solar systems supplied through one World Bank-supported program were still functioning after a decade, according to Business Recorder. Dr. Omais Abdur Rehman of Renewables First shared the troubling figure at the Sindh Energy & Climate Conference in Karachi.
Abdur Rehman told the conference that Pakistan’s consumers had independently installed nearly 38 gigawatts of solar capacity, alongside the combined capacity of the country’s power plants, which is approximately 45 gigawatts, per Business Recorder. However, a shortage of workers with solar maintenance skills had been the main reason so many of the program’s systems were no longer working.
Still, for many households, the cost of maintenance was not the only financial hurdle, with many being unable to afford solar’s upfront costs. For example, garment factory worker Muneer Ahmed told conference participants that his workplace ran on solar power, but his monthly salary of 30,000 ($108.50) to 40,000 ($144.60) Pakistani rupees made a home system difficult to afford, per Business Recorder.
Limited and inconsistent access to electricity remained a major challenge for residents and businesses in the region. According to a survey of Karachi’s low-income neighborhoods, 86% of respondents said that scheduled power cuts lasted 13 to 20 hours. Hussain Rizvi of the Climate Action Center presented the findings at the conference, according to Business Recorder.
Even as they struggled to afford their electricity bills, residents of informal settlements were largely in favor of installment-based solar financing. However, access to reliable, affordable electricity was hardly residents’ only concern. Labor representatives and community activists also identified inadequate workplace ventilation and limited drinking water during dangerous heat as concerns for industrial and agricultural workers, women, and children. 
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Additionally, conference participants raised concerns about wind power curtailment and called for ways to distribute surplus solar electricity. They also emphasized that the national grid would remain essential as air conditioners, household appliances, and electric vehicles drove up electricity demand, per Business Recorder. 
Wasim Jamal, the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution’s director of public relations, proposed linking a provincial solar initiative to the Benazir Income Support Programme, according to Business Recorder. An initial pilot would provide systems costing approximately 150,000 Pakistani rupees ($542) per beneficiary. Jamal also proposed using rural mini-grids to expand electricity access.
To address the issue of ongoing maintenance and keeping equipment functioning properly, participants called for technical training and stronger equipment quality controls. They also urged the creation of recycling facilities to handle electronic waste when systems reach the end of their working lives.
Additionally, speakers called for grid modernization, battery storage, adaptable transmission networks, and real-time data sharing to reduce wasted renewable electricity. Community electricity sharing arrangements could also allow homes and businesses to send unused solar electricity to other users, some participants argued.
Ultimately, for Abdur Rehman, one of the conference’s biggest takeaways was that simply giving someone equipment was not enough to ensure an ongoing supply of electricity. 
“Giving solar panels is not a success,” he said, per Business Recorder. “Access does not equal success.”
Keeping solar systems affordable and functioning for years has been a challenge well outside Pakistan. These stories cover solar adoption in Pakistan, maintenance in Australia, and more examples of people around the world grappling with the benefits and challenges that come with solar. 
• In Australia, neglected rooftop solar systems could fail years too soon despite surging installations.
• In Pakistan, homes and cement plants have been turning to solar power as businesses seek competitive costs.
• An off-grid solar creator challenged short system lifespan claims, distinguishing individual components from entire setups.
• A solar owner said the system still works without internet despite its manufacturer’s bankruptcy.
• In emerging markets, solar beat out fossil fuels on upfront costs, with cheaper financing.
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The UK has significant potential to expand its solar sector across existing commercial buildings, putting a spotlight on the minerals needed to support that growth.
This follows Good Energy urging the UK Government to extend Business Rates Improvement Relief for renewable energy projects to help unlock the “huge” potential for solar across Britain’s existing commercial buildings.
Good Energy says a longer-term incentive could give businesses greater confidence to invest in rooftop solar and other clean energy upgrades, strengthening the financial case for retrofitting existing commercial properties.
Under the current system, eligible improvements can benefit from improvement relief for one year.
The UK Government has committed to reviewing the relief ahead of its planned expiry in 2029. This provides an opportunity to strengthen incentives for businesses focused on renewable energy improvements to their properties.
Research from Cushman & Wakefield estimates that Britain’s industrial and logistics buildings have more than 1 billion square feet of usable rooftop space for solar. This could generate more than 36,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually — equivalent to powering nearly 14 million homes.
Despite this, the UK Warehousing Association suggests that only around 5% of UK warehouses currently have solar installed. This means the vast majority of that 1 billion square feet of potential rooftop space remains untapped.
Good Energy’s work at BSH Corby highlights the commercial opportunity available from putting existing roof space to work.
The installation comprises 1,200 solar panels, generating 550 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually.
The system is expected to deliver up to £85,000 ($164,785) in annual energy savings and avoid 106 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Between 70% and 80% of the electricity generated is consumed on site, helping the business reduce the amount of electricity it needs to purchase from the grid.
The push to unlock solar potential across Britain’s existing commercial buildings also highlights the minerals needed to support solar photovoltaic (PV) generation.
Solar PV generation requires a range of bulk and trace minerals for panels, wiring, and associated energy storage.
Some of those minerals include copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, rare earths, chromium, and zinc.
Zinc plays a critical, multifaceted role in solar energy systems, contributing to PV cell efficiency, structural durability, and large-scale energy storage.
Up to 568,000 tonnes of zinc is forecast to be consumed annually in solar PV by 2030, according to the International Zinc Association.
For reference, a solar farm supplying 110,000 homes requires roughly 240 tonnes of zinc.
The market is currently facing supply deficits driven by operational disruptions and production cuts at major global smelters and mines.
As a result of tight global mine supplies, zinc’s price has risen more than 23% in a year, trading at US$3,741.90 ($5,469) a tonne at the time of writing.
With less zinc being produced, explorers and developers are being put centre stage as they advance their zinc assets towards production.
Altoro Metals (ASX:ARO) owns the Novales-Udías Project, an advanced-stage zinc-lead asset in northern Spain.
“Novales is strategically located just 80km from Glencore’s [LSE:GLEN] San Juan de Nieva zinc smelter. We are positioned to deliver secure, high-grade domestic zinc straight into the European market right when it needs it most,” Non-Executive Director Myles Campion previously told this news service.
The Novales-Udías mineral resource contains 3.4 million tonnes at 7.6% zinc (Zn) and 0.9% lead (Pb), with the San José mine hitting significant levels at 9.18% Zn and 1.80% Pb.
Altoro began a surface diamond drilling program at the project in late October, testing continuity across a more than 12km mineralised corridor.
The program is designed to connect the historical San José, Margarite, Emilia, and Udías mining centres and support a unified mineral resource in the March quarter of 2027.
Underground drilling at Emilia recently returned 5m @ 13.66% Zn and 0.04% Pb, including 1m @ 25.70% Zn, as previously reported.
With the UK’s commercial solar potential and the UK Government committing to review the relief, zinc-focused companies such as Altoro Metals could benefit from increased demand for the metals needed to support this expansion.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au

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Commerce, Texas, Nov. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BigBattery today announced RAIO, a residential all-in-one energy storage system certified to UL 9540 that combines a 14.7 kWh LiFePO4 home battery and a 7.68 kW hybrid inverter in a single enclosure. RAIO enters the U.S. market as BigBattery’s first all-in-one system, pairing an integrated battery and inverter with a separate smart gateway to provide solar energy storage, reduce reliance on the grid, and support whole-home battery backup during outages.

BigBattery UL 9540 Certified RAIO (Residential All-In-One)
RAIO, short for Residential All-In-One, provides 14.7 kWh of nominal storage, delivers 7.68 kW of continuous 120/240 V split-phase AC power, and accepts up to 11.52 kW of solar input through three independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) inputs. It pairs with the separate RAIO Smart Energy Gateway, which manages the utility grid connection and transfers designated household loads to battery power during an outage.
“Homeowners shouldn’t have to piece together a battery, an inverter, and a transfer switch to own their power,” said Eric Lundgren, CEO of BigBattery. “RAIO puts the battery and the inverter in one enclosure, certified to UL 9540 and backed for 12 years. It is the most complete home energy system we have released.”

What is BigBattery RAIO?
BigBattery RAIO is an all-in-one home energy storage system that combines a solar battery and hybrid inverter in one main unit, with an accompanying smart gateway. The main enclosure contains the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, the battery control unit, a bidirectional power conversion system that functions as a hybrid inverter, and a wiring cabinet with circuit breakers and protection devices.
The enclosure measures approximately 30 inches wide, 49 inches tall, and 5.9 inches deep. It supports wall or floor mounting and is rated IP66 and NEMA 4X for indoor or outdoor installation. RAIO uses natural convection cooling and operates at a noise level below 31 dB. It is available in Stealth Gray and Pearl White.
RAIO specifications
Whole-home battery backup with the RAIO Smart Energy Gateway

The separate RAIO Smart Energy Gateway is an automatic transfer switch that transfers household loads from grid power to battery power during an outage and prevents backfeed into utility lines. Its grid and load ports are rated for 160 A of continuous current, with a maximum rating of 200 A.
A qualified installer can design the system for whole-home backup or partial-home backup of selected circuits. Backup coverage depends on the system design and connected loads. The gateway’s smart ports support compatible electric vehicle (EV) charging loads and a generator connection rated up to 64 A, with automatic generator start for compatible generators.
RAIO can also provide home battery backup without solar panels. It can charge from the grid and store energy in reserve. It can also be AC-coupled through the gateway to a compatible existing solar inverter.
Solar battery storage with four operating modes
For solar battery backup, RAIO accepts solar input directly through its built-in hybrid inverter, eliminating the need for a separate solar inverter in a properly designed new installation. Homeowners can use the app to select from four operating modes:

A home energy storage system that expands to 73.5 kWh
Up to five RAIO units can be connected in parallel to one RAIO Smart Energy Gateway. One unit provides 14.7 kWh of nominal storage and 7.68 kW of continuous AC power. Two units provide 29.4 kWh and 15.36 kW; three units provide 44.1 kWh and 23.04 kW; four units provide 58.8 kWh and 30.72 kW; and five units provide 73.5 kWh and 38.4 kW.
These storage figures represent nominal capacity. Final backup power depends on the approved configuration, connected loads, and installation design.
Certified to UL 9540 for residential energy storage
RAIO is certified to UL 9540, the safety standard for energy storage systems and equipment. Its nameplate also lists UL 1973 for the battery, UL 1741 and UL 1741 SB for the inverter, and IEEE 1547 for grid interconnection.

RAIO is a stationary battery energy storage system and must be installed by a certified installer who is a licensed electrician. Installation and utility interconnection remain subject to applicable local codes and utility requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is BigBattery RAIO?
BigBattery RAIO (Residential All-In-One) is an all-in-one home energy storage system that combines a 14.7 kWh LiFePO4 battery and a 7.68 kW hybrid inverter in one main unit. Paired with the RAIO Smart Energy Gateway, it stores solar or grid energy and provides home backup power during an outage.
Is RAIO a home battery backup system?

Yes. RAIO provides home battery backup as one function of an all-in-one energy storage system. The main unit contains the battery and hybrid inverter, while the RAIO Smart Energy Gateway manages the grid connection, automatic transfer during outages, and generator and smart-load connections.
How much energy does RAIO store, and how much power does it deliver?
One RAIO provides a nominal storage capacity of 14.7 kWh and delivers 7.68 kW of continuous AC power. Five units in parallel provide 73.5 kWh of nominal storage and 38.4 kW of continuous AC power, subject to the approved system design.
Is RAIO certified to UL 9540, and what is UL 9540?
Yes. UL 9540 is the safety standard for energy storage systems and equipment, including home battery storage. RAIO’s nameplate also lists UL 1973, UL 1741, UL 1741 SB, and IEEE 1547. Local codes and utility interconnection requirements still apply.

How long will a home battery backup last during a power outage?
Runtime depends on household energy demand. In theory, a 14.7 kWh home backup battery could supply a constant 1 kW load for 14.7 hours before accounting for conversion losses and reserve settings. Actual runtime also depends on the battery’s starting state of charge, connected loads, and operating conditions. Solar generation can replenish the battery during the day.
How many batteries does it take to power a house?
The number depends on the home’s peak power demand and daily energy use. One RAIO delivers 7.68 kW of continuous AC power and provides 14.7 kWh of nominal storage. Up to five units can connect to one gateway, providing 38.4 kW of continuous AC power and 73.5 kWh of nominal storage. An installer sizes the system according to the home’s loads.
Can RAIO provide whole-house battery backup?

Yes. With the RAIO Smart Energy Gateway, an installer can configure RAIO for whole-house battery backup or partial-home backup of selected circuits. Backup coverage depends on the system design and connected loads.
Does a home battery backup work without solar?
Yes. RAIO can charge from the grid and retain energy for outages without requiring solar panels. A solar array can be added later through RAIO’s three MPPT inputs.
Can RAIO work with existing solar panels?
Yes. RAIO can accept solar input directly through its built-in hybrid inverter or be AC-coupled through the gateway to a compatible existing solar inverter.

Can RAIO work with a backup generator?
Yes. The RAIO Smart Energy Gateway has a generator connection rated up to 64 A, with automatic generator start for compatible generators. A compatible generator can extend backup operation when battery charge is low.
Is RAIO a LiFePO4 battery?
Yes. RAIO uses lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, also known as LiFePO4 or LFP.
Can RAIO be installed outdoors?

Yes. RAIO is rated IP66 and NEMA 4X for indoor or outdoor installation and supports wall or floor mounting. It should be installed out of direct sunlight and in a location not subject to flooding.
Can RAIO sell power back to the grid?
Yes, where permitted by the utility. Paired with the RAIO Smart Energy Gateway, RAIO can export surplus solar energy to the grid in Feed-in Priority mode.
How much does BigBattery RAIO cost?
RAIO base equipment kits start at $7,950, or approximately $541 per kWh of nominal storage capacity. Each base kit includes one RAIO unit, one RAIO Smart Energy Gateway, a Wi-Fi module, and a 40 A breaker. The price covers equipment only; installation is not included. Kits with two to five RAIO units are also available.

What warranty does RAIO carry?
RAIO is covered by a 12-year limited warranty, subject to BigBattery’s written warranty terms.
Who installs RAIO?
RAIO must be installed by a certified installer who is a licensed electrician. It is a stationary system and is not designed for mobile use.

BigBattery RAIO Infographic
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
400 Maple Street
Commerce, Texas 75428

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The Stone Pit Lane project was originally proposed in 2023 for land near Keelby.
It would have generated 150MW, making it ‘nationally significant ’, meaning it would have had to be approved or rejected by the government.
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Developer Elgin has announced that it has now reduced this to 99MW after reviewing the grid connection, meaning it will be determined locally by West Lindsey District Council.
If approved, the project claims it would generate enough renewable energy to power 40,000 homes.
The company says it’s at “the very early stage” of preparing the plans, and wants to hear from residents about them.
Drop-in consultation events will be held at Keelby village hall on November 18 and 19, and feedback can be submitted until December 10.
The plans will be submitted to the council in early 2027 and could be decided by the end of the year.
Plans show solar panels on the fields to the south of Keelby, near the A18, with a substation on the north side and a public right of way through the centre.
The company says the site was selected because it is flat, close to a grid connection, near a major road for construction, and well screened by hedgerows.
Elgin says it will create a community benefit fund if approved, with up to £4,000 per MW for community facilities, infrastructure and other initiatives.
Jamie Andrews, Senior Development Manager at Elgin, said: “We’re excited to launch the proposals for Stone Pit Lane Solar Farm, which, if consented, will help to ensure the country has a secure domestic green energy supply.
“The plans are at an early stage, meaning the design is evolving and local expertise will play an important role in determining the final scheme.
“We look forward to meeting with residents at the public exhibition and hearing their views on the project and on the community benefit fund.”
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The Government has made plans to exempt imported solar panels and batteries from import duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) under measures aimed at reducing the cost of renewable energy adoption and expanding access to solar power.
The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the proposed tax relief when presenting the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, dubbed the New Economy Agenda, to Parliament.
He said the measure was intended to lower the initial cost of installing solar energy systems and encourage households, businesses and public institutions to invest in alternative energy sources.
Dr Forson said Ghana needed to harness its abundant sunshine to strengthen national energy security and support economic activities across various sectors.
“Energy security is economic security. When a trader can keep her shop running, a farmer can power his irrigation, and a young entrepreneur can work through the night, our economy grows, and our people prosper,” he said.

He explained that access to reliable electricity was particularly important to traders, farmers and small-scale businesses whose operations depended on a consistent power supply.
The Minister said the proposed exemptions would make solar energy systems more accessible to households, farmers, schools, healthcare facilities and industries.
He urged individuals and businesses to take advantage of the incentives to invest in solar energy, noting that the country's solar potential could support domestic energy needs, agricultural production, industrial activities and transportation.
Dr Forson said the policy also formed part of the Government's broader renewable energy agenda to reduce dependence on conventional power sources and promote productive economic activities.
He further indicated that the exemptions would complement incentives under the Government's 24-hour economy programme, which seeks to encourage businesses and industries to extend their operating hours.

“To secure our energy future, Government will exempt solar panels and batteries from import duties and VAT, strengthening incentives for households and businesses to go solar and lowering the cost of adopting clean energy,” he said.
The Minister said the initiative reflected the Government's intention to use tax incentives to make renewable energy investments more affordable and accessible to the public.
He called on households, farmers and businesses to consider solar energy solutions as part of efforts to improve energy security and make greater use of the country's natural resources.
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Home → Environment → Renewable Energy
Thirty years later, old-school solar panels are still delivering on their promise.
In the late 1980s, when Switzerland was just beginning to experiment with solar power, engineers bolted a few shiny panels onto rooftops, mountain stations, and even utility-scale farms. They probably didn’t expect those panels to still be humming along more than three decades later.
But that’s exactly what a recent study shows. Researchers from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany tracked six photovoltaic systems installed between 1987 and 1993 across the country’s dramatically different climates — temperate valleys, snowy mountain huts, and high-altitude research stations perched above the clouds. After more than 30 years, those panels are still reliably producing electricity.
And now, research involving more than a million solar installations in Germany, alongside decades-old panels in the Algerian desert, reveals something even more interesting: solar power can be remarkably durable, though not all panels age the same.
On average, the Swiss systems lost just 0.24% of their performance each year. That’s about three times slower than what’s often reported in the literature. Laboratory tests showed that most of the individual panels still delivered more than 80% of their original rated power after 30 to 35 years — well past the 25-to-30-year warranties manufacturers usually provide.
“This [data] really shows that photovoltaics can last [longer than expected], and it’s an important message to the photovoltaic industry,” lead researcher Ebrar Özkalay at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, told Chemistry World.
The results are very similar to findings from France last year. There, Hespul, a renewable energy nonprofit, tested the country’s oldest rooftop solar system, installed in 1992. After 31 years, the French panels were still operating at nearly 80% of their original capacity — right in line with the Swiss data. Hespul declared that the results demonstrated photovoltaics’ “capacity to become one of the major sources of energy in France and in the world.”
Together, these studies show that solar panels, even those using outdated tech from decades ago, can keep running for a very long time.
But how representative are these remarkable survivors?
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In 2026, researchers from Germany’s Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Imperial College London published one of the largest real-world investigations of solar panel ageing ever conducted.
Instead of examining a handful of decades-old installations, they analysed production records from 1.25 million German photovoltaic systems, covering 34 gigawatts of installed capacity and up to 16 years of operation.
The results were reassuring.
On average, the systems lost about 0.59% of their output annually. That’s higher than what the Swiss study found, but still substantially less than many previous estimates. And the rate of decline appeared to slow with age. By their tenth year, installations were losing output 7% to 13% more slowly than when they were new.
Not all installations performed equally well, however. Larger systems, those above 30 kilowatts of peak capacity, experienced roughly one-third faster degradation than smaller systems. Extreme temperatures and particulate air pollution also contributed to reduced performance.
The findings strengthen the argument that solar power is a long-term investment, rather than technology destined for replacement the moment its warranty expires.
But in some places, panels might suffer a bit more.
In another study published in 2026, researchers in Algeria examined 64 monocrystalline solar panels manufactured by Arco Solar in the early 1980s. These panels had endured a very different life from their Swiss counterparts.
They spent approximately 20 years operating in the hot, dry climate of southwestern Algeria. Later, they were moved to a coastal research facility, where they operated for another five years before remaining outdoors, disconnected from a load, for a further five years.
After three decades of outdoor exposure, the panels retained an average of approximately 53% of their original rated power. Some performed much worse, while the best retained nearly 69%. Their estimated annual degradation rates ranged from 1% to 2%.
Researchers documented discoloration, cracked cells and detached electrical junction boxes. Although the tested modules passed dry insulation-resistance testing, only 63% passed the wet-leakage test, raising concerns about electrical safety under moisture exposure.
A separate 2026 investigation in Chile’s Atacama Desert, analysing 1,216 solar modules after ten years of exposure, estimated degradation at 1.32% annually. Its projected lifespan to the 80% power threshold was only about 15 years under baseline assumptions, although estimates varied considerably depending on assumptions about the modules’ initial power.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that all deserts will kill solar panels, but it does suggest that panels in different places can age quite differently.
The Swiss study dug into why some panels age better than others. Location turned out to matter. Panels in low-altitude towns, where surfaces can heat up to 80°C in summer, degraded faster. The constant heating and cooling cycles stressed the materials, leading to local corrosion and reduced conductivity.
By contrast, panels mounted in alpine environments weathered the cold surprisingly well. They faced high ultraviolet radiation and wild day–night swings, but they generally retained performance better than their lowland counterparts.
Even more important than climate was what the researchers called the “bill of materials.” Panels built with robust encapsulants, adhesives, and backsheet laminates lasted far longer. Those early 1990s modules used tough EVA encapsulants, Tedlar backsheets, and solid glass/foil structures. Some variants, like Siemens’ SM55-HO “high output” panels, even had different filler materials in the laminate to boost efficiency, which influenced how they aged.
Not every panel held up equally. The oldest models, manufactured before UV stabilizers were added to encapsulants, showed more discoloration and delamination. Others suffered from solder bond failures that cut efficiency. Still, the fact that most continued to perform at a high level after decades in the field is remarkable.
The subsequent German, Algerian and Chilean findings reinforce that larger point. Temperature, materials and the design of an installation can influence how quickly it deteriorates. But they also suggest that an exceptional result from one group of panels should not be mistaken for a universal rule.
Today, solar is no longer a boutique experiment. It supplied approximately 8.7% of the world’s electricity in 2025, according to Ember, while the International Energy Agency estimates that solar accounted for 75% of all new renewable electricity capacity added that year. As we enter what researchers call the “terawatt age” of photovoltaics, the long-term reliability of solar panels matters more than ever.
The Swiss findings suggest that cutting corners to boost efficiency or lower costs could be a mistake. “The bill of materials — everything that goes into a panel — has a great influence on performance, even when made by the same company,” notes Dirk Jordan, a photovoltaics expert at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Modern modules are often designed with thinner, cheaper materials. That may drive down upfront prices, but it risks compromising longevity. The Swiss researchers raised this as a potential trade-off, not proof that modern panels generally age faster than their predecessors. Newer technologies have also benefited from improvements in manufacturing, testing and materials. Their long-term field performance will take decades to establish with the same confidence.
The old-school panels remind us that durability is just as crucial as efficiency and upfront cost in making solar sustainable. Longer-lived panels mean fewer replacements, lower costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.
The real question is no longer simply whether solar panels can survive for decades. It’s how to make sure more of them do — without sacrificing too much power along the way.
The original findings appeared in the journal EES Solar.
Transparency note: As part of ZME Science’s effort to revisit science stories and follow how the evidence develops, we have revisited this article, originally published in August 2025. The proposed update adds research from Germany, Algeria and Chile examining the long-term degradation of solar installations, updates global solar-energy statistics, and clarifies how climate, construction and electrical safety influence the useful lifespan of solar panels. The original Swiss findings remain valid, but the additional evidence shows that not all installations retain their performance equally well.

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.
© 2007-2025 ZME Science – Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.
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On 31 October, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Steeple Solar Farm Limited changed hands, with TotalEnergies taking it over from RES UK & Ireland.
November 13, 2026
French integrated energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies has acquired the Steeple Renewables Project from developer RES.
On 31 October, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Steeple Solar Farm Limited changed hands, with TotalEnergies taking it over from RES UK & Ireland.
Steeple Renewables Project will comprise 450MW solar energy generation and a 150MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) was granted a development consent order (DCO) in early October.
Due to be constructed in Nottinghamshire, the Steeple Renewables Project is located near the decommissioned West Burton Power Station and will use existing grid capacity and infrastructure in the area.
As seen in the image below, taken from Solar Media Market Research's new data platform, there are currently 14 assets connected to West Burton Substation (291MW), where the Steeple project will connect. There are another 17 projects in the pipeline across solar and battery storage due to connect there. West Burton is the seventh-largest progressed pipeline in the country, with four out of those seven largest grid supply points (GSPs) in the T5 zone.
Related:Karpowership acquires UK 100MWh BESS site for development
Source: Solar Media Market Research.
TotalEnergies did at one point have its own projects in the NSIP process: the 98MW Hedgehog Grove and 98MW North Ray Solar Farm projects. However, the capacity boundary that classifies NSIPs, requiring government approval and superseding local council planning authorities, changed to 100MW earlier this year. This saw the projects moved to be approved under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA), which TotalEnergies said “allows for a more locally focused consultation”.
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Section Editor, Informa
Molly joined the team in 2024 and has led coverage on the UK sites. Now shifting to a more global view, Molly is interested in how legislation shapes market dynamics, covering the intersection of policy design, investment patterns, and energy transition pathways.
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Zeeland Township’s legal fight over large solar farm moves from federal to state court  MLive.com
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Hypergraph Network Optimizes Solar Electric Vehicle Charging in Grid Simulation Study
A simulation study demonstrates that a hybrid electric vehicle charging station integrating solar photovoltaic power and utility grid electricity achieves improved power flow optimization and charging efficiency through a specialized hypergraph-based control algorithm. Researchers evaluated a three-phase grid-integrated charging infrastructure designed to ensure smooth power delivery across multiple operating conditions. Computational simulation results confirmed that the proposed control strategy significantly enhances the system’s operational performance, energy flow management, and overall charging efficiency during vehicle charging and power feedback cycles.
The investigation addresses the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and solar photovoltaic systems across the global energy and transportation sectors. To sustain this ongoing growth, establishing reliable and efficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure has become essential. Systems based on solar photovoltaic charging are gaining increasing attention within the engineering community due to their low operational maintenance requirements and their ability to improve the overall performance of the photovoltaic modules themselves.
To meet these infrastructure needs, the study focuses on developing a hybrid charging station that integrates both solar photovoltaic generation and utility grid power sources. An efficient Maximum Power Point Tracking technique is utilized within the system design to extract the maximum possible electrical energy from the solar photovoltaic array.
A primary objective of the research is ensuring smooth and dependable power delivery across two distinct operational regimes: grid-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid modes.
To regulate the station’s grid-linked inverter, the researchers developed and applied a novel control framework termed the Spider Wasp Optimizer–Multi-scale Hypergraph-based Feature Alignment Network. Simulation results demonstrated that this proposed control strategy effectively coordinates the grid-linked inverter, optimizes power flow, and enhances overall charging performance. The authors conclude that the developed three-phase grid-integrated electric vehicle charging system provides a practical, simple, and accurate solution for sustainable charging operations.
Subject of Research: Grid-integrated solar electric vehicle charging control
Article Title: Application of hypergraph-based grid integrated solar power hybrid electric vehicle charging in G2V and V2G modes of operation
Article References: Das, S. R., Patro, K. A. K., Sahoo, B. M., Dhaka, A., & Malsaria, A. (2026). Application of hypergraph-based grid integrated solar power hybrid electric vehicle charging in G2V and V2G modes of operation. Discover Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-026-09743-2
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1007/s42452-026-09743-2
Keywords: electric vehicles, solar photovoltaics, hybrid charging station, grid-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-grid, grid-linked inverter, maximum power point tracking, power flow optimization, charging efficiency, three-phase charging system, Spider Wasp Optimizer, hypergraph network, feature alignment network, sustainable transportation, renewable energy integration, power electronics control, photovoltaic performance
News Source: Denise Maddox. (November 13, 2026). Hypergraph Network Optimizes Solar Electric Vehicle Charging in Grid Simulation Study. Scienmag.
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Source: PIB 
The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, highlighted India’s efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption, investment and technological innovation.  


Agrivoltaics offers India a promising pathway to integrate agricultural productivity with renewable energy generation, improving land-use efficiency, diversifying farmers’ incomes and supporting climate-resilient agriculture. However, its large-scale adoption requires crop-compatible designs, affordable financing, scientific validation, clear regulations and active farmer participation. Strengthening these foundations can help India achieve a sustainable balance between food security, energy security and rural development. 
Drishti Mains Question 
Agrivoltaics presents an opportunity to address the competing demands of agricultural land and renewable energy development. Discuss.

Q1. What is agrivoltaics? 
Agrivoltaics is the simultaneous use of agricultural land for crop cultivation or livestock rearing and solar photovoltaic electricity generation, improving land-use efficiency. 
Q2. What is India’s estimated agrivoltaic potential? 
India’s estimated technical agrivoltaic potential ranges from approximately 3,000 GW to 14,000 GW, depending on land suitability and technological assumptions. 
Q3. How many operational agrivoltaic projects are there in India?
As of August 2025, India had 36 operational agrivoltaic projects with a combined capacity of 37.54 MW, alongside 10 pilot projects under development. 
Q4. Which States have the highest agrivoltaic potential? 
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh collectively account for nearly 50% of India’s estimated agrivoltaic generation potential. 
Q5. What is the role of PM-KUSUM in promoting agrivoltaics? 
PM-KUSUM supports decentralised solar power generation and solarisation of agricultural pumps, creating an enabling environment for integrating renewable electricity with farming. 


Q. With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: (2018)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  
(a) 1 only  
(b) 2 only  
(c) Both 1 and 2  
(d) Neither 1 nor 2  
Ans: (d)  
Q. India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate (2020)

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Microscopic solar panels could help shape 3D-printed biological tissue  Phys.org
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The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has solarised around 66 lakh households so far, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on Friday, highlighting the rapid expansion of rooftop solar across India.
The programme has an initial target of reaching 1 crore households. Joshi said the pace of installations had improved sharply, with the first 1 lakh installations taking 118 days, compared with an average of six days now. The ministry is aiming to reduce that average to five days shortly, he added.
The minister said 7.86 lakh households in Andhra Pradesh had been connected with rooftop solar under the initiative. The scheme is intended to expand household access to clean electricity and help beneficiaries reduce their power bills through rooftop generation.
According to Joshi, some farmers and households are recording zero electricity bills and earning from excess power generation. The statement did not provide a separate nationwide figure for households with zero bills or the amount of income earned by beneficiaries from surplus electricity.
Joshi also said India’s solar capacity had increased from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 175 GW currently. Non-fossil sources account for about 55 per cent of the country’s total installed power capacity, he said, adding that India remained on track to meet its target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
The minister referred to the proposed PM-KUSUM 2 programme, which is expected to further solarise agricultural equipment and pumps. The announcement places rooftop household generation alongside agricultural electrification as part of the government’s wider renewable energy expansion.
Renewable energy investments were also discussed at the summit. Joshi said 17 memoranda of understanding and three government orders in the sector represented investments worth Rs 43,871 crore, with employment potential for around 4,700 people.
He linked the expansion of clean energy to India’s growing electricity demand. Peak demand has risen from 123 GW in 2012, when a major grid collapse left northern India without power for nearly 72 hours, to 270 GW recently, he said. Joshi added that the recent peak demand was met without interruption, with nearly 33 per cent coming from non-fossil sources.
The ministry’s next stated milestones are to raise the pace of household installations to an average of five days and continue work towards the programme’s target of solarising 1 crore households.

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ReNew Energy has announced fresh investments of around INR 80,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh, across digital infrastructure and clean energy manufacturing. The investments include an INR 67,000-crore 1 GW green hyperscale data centre in Anakapalli; INR 11,000-crore polysilicon and metallurgical silicon manufacturing facilities in Anakapalli and Nellore; and an INR 1,500-crore permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Rambilli. ReNew will also establish the ReNew Centre for Technical Excellence (R-CTE) in Visakhapatnam under the PM SETU Scheme.
Together, the investments expand ReNew’s presence across digital infrastructure, renewable energy, clean energy manufacturing and skilling, deepening its long-term partnership with Andhra Pradesh.
The polysilicon and metallurgical silicon facilities in Anakapalli and Nellore will further strengthen the domestic solar manufacturing value chain. They will complement ReNew’s existing solar manufacturing investments, including its 6.5 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Anakapalli, expected to be commissioned by March 2028.
The 1 GW Green Hyperscale Data Centre in Anakapalli is envisioned as a large-scale, renewable-energy-powered digital infrastructure project.
ReNew also plans to invest INR 1,500 crore in a permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Rambilli, expected to be commissioned by March 2029.
Under the PM SETU Scheme, ReNew will work with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the Gajuwaka cluster of five ITIs in Visakhapatnam as the ReNew Centre for Technical Excellence (R-CTE). The cluster is part of the PM SETU framework, under which a typical hub-and-spoke ITI cluster has an indicative investment of up to INR 241 crore over five years. The initiative will focus on industry-relevant technical skills and employability for emerging sectors including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and allied industries.
ReNew already has an operating portfolio of 717 MW of wind capacity and 60 MW of solar capacity spread over 10 sites in Andhra Pradesh.
ReNew’s clean energy portfolio on a gross basis stood at 20.5 GW (including 1.7 GW/6.2 GWh of BESS) as of October 30, 2026. In addition to being a major independent power producer in India, it has 6.4 GW of solar module and 2.5 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacities and is expanding its solar cells manufacturing capacity by another 4 GW, which is expected to be operational in Q4 FY27.
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Gloucestershire facility will be outfitted with renewable electricity rooftop panels
Hawkstone Brewery is to add solar power to its brewing premises in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
 
The brewer, founded in 2021 by broadcaster and TV farmer Jeremy Clarkson, has chosen Nottinghamshire-based Geo Green Power to complete the site’s first solar panel installation.
 
Work is set to begin this month, and the systems will be used to power processes within the brewery, from milling machines through to heating and cooling systems.
 
When fully operational, the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system will generate 24.25MWh of energy per annum and save 4.9 tonnes of CO₂ each year – the equivalent of planting 215 trees.
 
The brewery should subsequently see substantial savings on its energy costs, alongside reduced Scope 2 emissions and increased energy security against the backdrop of continued rising energy prices that have seen many hospitality businesses struggling to make ends meet.
 
Ben Bonham, head brewer of Hawkstone Brewery, said: “We’re always looking for ways to improve how we operate, and investing in solar energy is a natural next step for us. Brewing is an energy-intensive process, so generating our own renewable electricity will help us reduce our environmental impact while making the brewery more efficient and resilient.”
 
James Cunningham, managing director of Geo Green Power, added: “We’re incredibly excited to get started on this fantastic project and with our extensive solar experience within the hospitality industry, we know what a great opportunity this is for Hawkstone Brewery.
 
“It’s also brilliant to be working with a business which also champions agriculture and Britain’s farms. This is something we’ve also seen first-hand, having shared an adjacent tent to the Hawkstone team at this year’s ‘Cereals Event’ held at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm.”
 
Alongside manufacturers SolarEdge and Renusol, Geo Green Power’s supplier partners for this project are UK Greentech, site access equipment supplier YardLink and CJW Scaffolding with Geo Green Power’s own team delivering installation and ongoing service and maintenance support.
 
Hawkstone Cider was recently listed by burger chain Five Guys.
 
Pub group Marston’s partnered with Hawkstone this year to bring slow-cooked beef and IPA pies to 498 of its pubs across the UK.
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India’s renewable energy journey: Expanding clean energy capacity to power a sustainable future  DD News
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DS1, a solar PV construction company, has signed a contract with Energix Lithuania to construct a 330 MW solar park in Jonava, Lithuania. Described as the largest PV park in the Baltics, the project has already entered construction, with completion scheduled for Q4 2027. The facility will cover 376 hectares across 25 separate fields extending almost 6 km. It will feature approximately 445,000 solar modules installed on 8,467 mounting structures. The electrical infrastructure will include 72 central inverters, approximately 4,180 km of DC cabling and 250 km of 30 kV cabling. DS1 has identified the development as its largest PV construction project to date.
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Email services are recovering following the global Microsoft outage. Some delays may continue. Phone lines, online forms and other council services are operating normally.
High Court denies Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council opportunity for full hearing on Springwell Solar Farm approval.
Following deliberation, the High Court has ruled that the approval of Springwell Solar Farm will not be scrutinised at a substantive judicial review hearing.
Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council brought nine grounds of challenge against Springwell’s approval.
Five of these related to the Navenby Substation. The Government’s Inspector insisted that a requirement for planning consent was necessary to make a development acceptable, but the Secretary of State removed this from the approved Development Consent Order for Springwell Solar Farm.
The Judge recognised the councils concerns that this could result in solar development with no guarantee that there would be a substation in place to connect the power to the grid.
However, none of these grounds were considered arguable as the Judge concluded that National Policy Statements set out the importance and urgency of critical national infrastructure.
Other grounds related to food security, which the councils argued had been underplayed in the decision-making process by the Secretary of State.
At the preliminary hearing, the councils also highlighted that there was no information relating to food security impacts in Springwell’s Environmental Statement.
The Judge ruled that all the councils’ grounds relating to food security were not arguable, as the Secretary of State was entitled to give limited weight in his decision, and the Planning Inspectorate had not requested the specific information to be included in an Environmental Statement.
After hearing and dismissing the councils’ nine challenges on these points, the Judge dismissed the Councils claim for judicial review of this decision
It is a blow for residents, Lincolnshire County Council and North Kesteven District Council who now have no realistic routes left to challenge what will be the UK’s largest solar farm.
Cllr Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Given the size of this development, I’m disappointed that our councils will not have the opportunity to present a case at a full hearing.
“The impact of this development won’t be felt in London, where all these decisions have been made. Rather, residents across dozens of rural communities now face the likelihood of huge industrial solar farms appearing on their doorstep.
Cllr Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “We are naturally deeply disappointed that the court has today dismissed our request to move forward with a Judicial Review into the Government’s approval of the UK’s largest solar farm within our area.
“Both North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council argued strongly during the planning process, against the development, saying that it did not properly assess the impacts on affected rural villages and landscapes, or adequately take onto account the cumulative impact of developments in Lincolnshire, which continue to use large amounts of the best and most versatile agricultural land.
“It was our case to the courts that through the Examining Authority’s report and Secretary of State’s decision letter, proper process was not followed and the decision was unsound.”
“I have no regrets in raising our concerns on this issue with the court. It is not a decision that we took lightly and it was done,  following legal advice and a careful consideration of the potential costs and impact. We felt that we had grounds to challenge the decision, believing that proper process was not followed, and it was important for this to be tested.
“It was a course of action we pursued with our communities foremost in our minds, and while I am disappointed at the outcome, I am pleased that we stood up for them in this way.”
Cllr Sean Matthews continued: “Despite the outcome, we firmly believe that standing up for our communities is the right thing to do.
“Our advice suggested that we had a good opportunity to have our claim heard at a full hearing. The courts disagreed.
“With no other way to meaningfully challenge the decision regarding the UK’s largest solar farm, it was a risk we needed to take to stand up to the ongoing industrialisation of Lincolnshire’s countryside.
Published: 13th November 2026
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The solar carport has a total output of 237 kWp and a modern sodium-ion battery storage system.
The Private University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Technology (PHWT) in Diepholz, Germany, has a parking lot that now generates power. The school officially opened a new solar carport system that covers 90 parking spaces and a 20-bike shelter.
The lot itself has a unique layout that’s arranged in a semicircle with two rows of spaces. Instead of fighting it, the school built around it. Southern German company PfefferKnecht, working under its LICHTKRAFT brand, designed a special metal structure to fit the semicircle. Local partner Böckmann handled the construction.
Overhead, glass-glass solar panels cover about 1,150 square meters. The panels act as a seamless, waterproof roof, so builders did not need a separate roof membrane. Built-in LED strips also keep the spaces lit. Together, the carports and bike shelter produce around 237 kWp of solar power.
The university also needed a way to store the generated power. Additionally, they skipped standard lithium-ion batteries. Instead, PHWT installed the first sodium-ion battery storage system in Lower Saxony, and only the third in all of Germany.
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The setup uses two storage cabinets from PHENOGY, offering 200 kWh of storage capacity, allowing the campus to save its own solar energy to use later during peak hours, cutting down on expensive grid electricity.
Sodium-ion batteries rely on common salt found in Germany. They do not need lithium, graphite, or cobalt, so the batteries are almost non-flammable and handle extreme heat and cold without losing performance.
The idea started with PHWT President Prof. Dr. Dennis De and PfefferKnecht Managing Director Andreas Knecht. Getting permits and planning took 18 months, helped along by the City of Diepholz’s Building Authority. Once approved, crews had to work quickly. They finished the foundation work, steel frames, solar roofs, and tech setup in just ten weeks during the semester break so spots were ready for returning students.
The new system joins an existing ice storage system that already heats and cools the campus.
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Croatia has opened a new call offering €30 million for solar and energy storage investments in agriculture 
The grant scheme is open to farmers and enterprises engaged in agricultural production and agricultural product processing  
To be covered under the Modernisation Fund, the scheme will offer up to €5 million per applicant 
The Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition has launched a €30 million funding scheme to encourage farmers and agricultural businesses to invest in solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS). It will be financed through the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.  
The scheme is open to micro, small, medium and large enterprises engaged in primary agricultural production or agricultural product processing. 
Eligible activities in primary agricultural production include crop cultivation, animal breeding, and mixed farming, among others. The scheme also covers businesses involved in processing agricultural products, including meat, fruit and vegetables, vegetable and animal oils, dairy products, flour, animal feed, and certain beverages. Recognized producer organizations operating in these sectors are also eligible to apply. 
This scheme also aims to promote the proliferation of solar and storage systems to help Croatia reduce its GHG emissions and increase the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030. 
Beneficiaries will be able to use the funding to support the construction and expansion of grid-connected solar PV power plants. Solar modules used must have a minimum efficiency of 20%. It will also cover co-located BESS installations. Funds can also be used for related project supervision and management costs.  
Out of the total funding, the maximum grant available is €5 million per applicant. Micro and small enterprises can receive grants covering up to 65% of eligible costs for PV installations and related services, medium-sized businesses can get up to 55%, and large enterprises up to 45%. For battery energy storage investments, the respective funding rates are 50%, 40%, and 30%. 
Interested applicants must submit their project proposals to the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund in Zagreb. 
The ministry launched the call on November 11, 2026. The application window closes on January 31, 2027. 
However, the ministry added that the call may close earlier if the available funding is exhausted. 
Earlier in September 2026, Croatia temporarily closed a €38 million subsidy call for renewable energy and energy storage after receiving 9,320 applications within two days (see Croatia Temporarily Closes €38 Million RE Subsidy Call).  
TaiyangNews 2024

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SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has signed a contract with SpaceX to supply a turnkey HJT solar cell production line
The first line is scheduled for delivery in H1 2027, with additional lines planned under the companies’ strategic partnership
The equipment will support solar cell manufacturing for SpaceX’s satellites at its facility in Bastrop, Texas
Germany-based solar manufacturing equipment supplier SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has signed a contract with SpaceX to supply a turnkey production line for heterojunction (HJT) solar cells. The equipment will support solar cell manufacturing for SpaceX’s satellites at its facility in Bastrop, Texas. The first production line is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2027.
The agreement is part of a strategic partnership between the companies, under which SINGULUS plans to supply several additional production lines. The company also mentioned plans to scale production to support more than 100 GW of production equipment as SpaceX expands its satellite manufacturing operations.
Under the partnership, SINGULUS will develop high-performance solar cells and manufacturing equipment using its existing production technologies. The company specializes in wet-chemical processing, vacuum coating, and thermal processing, which are used in different stages of solar cell manufacturing. Its equipment portfolio includes physical vapor deposition (PVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and other coating technologies.
Commenting on the agreement, Lars Lieberwirth, Member of the Executive Board of SINGULUS, said the partnership would allow the company to further expand the industrial use of its manufacturing technologies. SpaceX’s Senior Vice President of Starlink, Mike Nicolls, said the collaboration would support solar cell production for its Starmind satellites in Texas.
SINGULUS and SpaceX entered into a strategic partnership in March 2026. SpaceX provided funding to SINGULUS the same month, followed by additional financial support in October 2026 through a subordinated secured loan.
In a post on X, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company had ordered HJT solar manufacturing equipment from SINGULUS with an annual production capacity of 100 GW.
Solar technology for space applications will also be discussed at the TaiyangNews High-Efficiency Solar Technologies Conference 2026. Following the first session on November 11, the conference will continue on November 20 and 25. The final day, November 25, will focus on Space PV, covering developments in solar cell technologies for use in space. Registration is free here
TaiyangNews 2024

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Accommodating these large developments can be burdensome for small communities. Projects can impact farmland and load local roads. They can also pile more pressure on housing and essential services.
To sweeten the deal, affected communities are being promised a once-in-a-generation wave of investment, touted as an economic lifeline for many regional towns struggling to survive.
Not everyone is buying the promise. With a state election looming, Victoria offers some stark examples of how these tensions are playing out.
Some councils have been sidelined by the state government in key decisions. Planning laws have been changed to fast-track projects. In many areas, community backlash has been fierce.
These tensions point to questions that go beyond any individual project. Are regional communities being given a meaningful say in their economic future? And will they actually be left better off?
For regional Australia, the scale of change is enormous. So, too, is the economic opportunity it presents.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has estimated that achieving net zero emissions will require $106 billion (USD 72 billion) in new investment (in today’s dollars) by 2050. This includes investment in 6,000 kilometres of new transmission lines across the country.
This money is already flowing. According to the Clean Energy Council, 141 clean energy projects worth about $32.5 billion were financed or already under construction in the first half of this year.
One of the biggest challenges for communities is navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. Each state and territory is taking a different approach to these developments – not only for renewable energy but also for critical minerals and mining more broadly.
Take Victoria, for example. VicGrid and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action recently released community engagement and social value guidelines. These set minimum expectations for engagement with and benefits for communities and landowners who host projects, but (unlike in New South Wales) no minimum dollar-per-megawatt figure.
The guidelines only cover renewable energy and transmission projects, but exclude projects connecting to the local distribution network. Separate compensation arrangements apply to some transmission projects, adding to the complexity.
Initially voluntary, these guidelines only become mandatory in mid-2027, when the extent of collaboration between developers will also be assessed.
Importantly, and perhaps confusingly, they do not cover critical mineral projects. These are covered by separate legislation and still-to-be-determined community benefit payments.
In short, it is a noisy, confusing and dynamic landscape for communities and landowners.
Yet some regional communities are taking matters into their own hands and electing to shape their own energy destiny. In north-west Victoria, for example, Wimmera Southern Mallee Development has been working with energy developers and various government agencies through its Renewable Energy Collaboration partnership.
Victoria again offers some striking examples of vocal community opposition.
There’s been sustained backlash from farmers against the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West) transmission project in north-west Victoria, which the state opposition have vowed to scrap if elected.
And in the north of the state, intense community backlash recently convinced the government to abandon a plan to create a new renewable energy zone around Dookie.
This month, Australian Public Policy Institute research (of which I was a coauthor) casts light on some of these concerns for rural Australia more broadly.
This drew on workshops and interviews conducted with a broad range of stakeholders in three towns in regional NSW impacted by renewable energy development. We found affected communities broadly support the shift to clean energy.
However, key community concerns are already delaying the process. This threatens to to undermine the long-term energy transition.
Assessing these responses, we found three big challenges for the government and industry.
First, community consultation and engagement were seen as inconsistent and often inadequate. Further, there were limited opportunities for communities, including First Nations people, to meaningfully influence project planning and decision-making.
Second, communication and planning processes lacked transparency, clarity and a place-based focus.
And third, communities are experiencing significant social and economic impacts. Benefit-sharing and compensation arrangements were viewed as inequitable, insufficiently targeted and lacking long-term community value.
Bridging all of these challenges, we found trust in industry, government and the planning system was fragile.
Encouragingly, however, we also found regional participants in NSW were keen to provide detailed policy solutions for governments to address many of these challenges.
They called for four key changes.
First, minimum, enforceable engagement standards should be required for all major energy projects. These standards should prioritise transparency, accountability and building trust.
Second, governments should work with communities to develop a framework on sharing of benefits. This should then be embedded into planning regulations.
Third, there should be more support and resources for communities to help with negotiating how project benefits are shared.
And fourth, at all levels of government, planning processes and governance should adopt a place-based approach tailored to local needs.
Increasingly for Australia, the main barriers to a successful shift to renewable energy are not technical but social.
Many rural and regional communities feel excluded from decisions about how the transition will be achieved. Importantly, communities are not rejecting the transition. They are asking for better information and communication, fairer benefits, and a genuine role in shaping the changes that affect them.
*
Author: Simon Wright, Senior Research Fellow, Energy & Circularity, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University.
This article was initially published in The Conversation and is republished here under a Creative Commons Licence.
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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An international research team has developed an induction heating-assisted delamination method for end-of-life photovoltaic modules to improve recyclability and facilitate the recovery of individual components.
“We designed a glass-glass photovoltaic module that is easier to take apart at the end of its life,” corresponding author Yonghwan Lee told pv magazine. “Using induction heating, we rapidly separated the layers of our test module and recovered 99.8% of its original mass, including the glass, the silicon cell and the polymer encapsulant.”
Lee said the team was surprised by how quickly and cleanly the silicon cell separated using the new technique and modified module design.
“In our fastest test, the module layers separated in just 5 seconds. We recovered the cell intact, with no visible polymer residue on its surface, without having to remove the entire encapsulant layer first,” he said.
The researchers first used Comsol Multiphysics simulations to investigate induction heating in passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) cells and heat transfer through the surrounding module layers. They examined the effects of operating frequency, coil current, coil-to-cell distance and electrode thickness on heating.
They then produced simplified samples comprising a 2 cm × 2 cm PERC cell laminated onto tempered glass with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant, leaving the rear of the cell exposed. They tested the method using a water-cooled copper induction coil operating at 270 kHz to 300 kHz to rapidly heat the cell’s metal contacts, triggering localized EVA decomposition at the cell-encapsulant interface. The samples were suspended with the cells facing downward to enable gravity-assisted separation.
The tests showed that induction heating created a temperature difference of more than 200 C between the cell and glass at a coil current of 100 A, enabling localized EVA decomposition at the cell interface. With gravity-assisted separation, the cells detached in approximately 14 seconds.
Microscopy revealed no significant polymer residue or structural damage on the recovered cell surfaces, while spectroscopy indicated that the remaining EVA largely retained its chemical structure.
The researchers then fabricated modified glass-glass mini-modules incorporating a single PERC cell, EVA encapsulant and two tempered glass sheets measuring 5 cm × 8 cm and 1 mm thick. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) release films, each with a central opening measuring 1.8 cm × 1.8 cm, were inserted between the cell and EVA on both sides to allow gases generated during heating to escape. The researchers suspended the mini-modules in a custom support jig and applied induction heating at coil currents of 100 A, 150 A and 200 A.
The modified mini-modules separated in 18.6 seconds at a coil current of 100 A, compared with 8.3 seconds at 150 A and 5.4 seconds at 200 A. The process recovered 99.8% of the total module mass, with negligible losses of glass, cells and release films.
After delamination, the researchers mechanically scraped the EVA from the glass, resulting in less than 10% encapsulant mass loss. Analysis of the recovered cells showed no significant surface residue.
“For us, this points to a way to recycle modules quickly and brings the goal of 100% material recovery closer,” Lee said. “Our next step is to apply the process to full-size commercial PV panels and scale it up for use in commercial recycling operations.”
The researchers presented their findings in “Inductive heating for photovoltaic module recycling and near-complete component recovery,” which was published in Communications Materials. The research team included scientists from South Korea’s Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) and Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW).
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China’s Drinda scraps plan for 5GW TOPCon solar cell plant in Oman  PV Tech
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ASouth Korean research team has developed a novel model to predict power output and hot-spot risk in colored building-integrated PV (c-BIPV) systems featuring artistic images.
The researchers modeled PV arrays displaying 50 masterpieces, including Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Vincent van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night.
“Unlike a uniformly colored module, an image-based array contains many differently colored cells. Because each color requires a different optical reflection profile, the photocurrent generated by each cell can vary across the array,” corresponding author Hyung-Jun Song told pv magazine.
“This spatial mismatch can reduce power output and, under certain bypass-diode configurations, expose cells to reverse bias and hot-spot risk.”
The novelty of the research, Song added, lies in directly linking the visual characteristics of a candidate image to the electrical performance and reliability of the entire PV array.
“For every pixel, we estimated the minimum-loss selective-reflection spectrum needed to reproduce its color and calculated the resulting photocurrent. We then used equivalent-circuit simulations to evaluate the series-connected array under different bypass-diode configurations,” he explained.
In its work, the group has converted each of the 50 artworks into a 36 × 36-pixel mosaic, with each of the 1,296 pixels representing an individual series-connected PV cell.
They assigned each pixel the average color of its corresponding image region. For each color, they calculated an ideal dual-band selective-reflection spectrum, selecting the reflection-band parameters that most closely reproduced the target color.
They then calculated the photocurrent generated from the sunlight transmitted through the colored layer, accounting for the underlying cell’s wavelength-dependent internal quantum efficiency.
Using a single-diode equivalent circuit calibrated to commercial TOPCon cells, they modeled each cell’s current-voltage characteristics at 300 K. They simulated the fully series-connected array in LTspice.
The simulations compared configurations without bypass diodes and with one diode protecting between one and 36 cells, assessing maximum power output and the number of cells operating under reverse bias at the maximum power point as an indicator of potential hot-spot risk.
“One of the most surprising findings was that the overall brightness or colorfulness of an image does not necessarily determine its photovoltaic performance. Instead, the spatial distribution of brightness plays a much more important role,” Song said about the results.
For example, the simulated array displaying Café Terrace at Night achieved 91.7% of the power output of an equivalent black reference array without bypass diodes, compared with 74.3% for Girl with a Pearl Earring.
“We found that even a small number of extremely bright pixels can limit the power output of an entire series-connected PV array,” the researcher added.
“We also identified an interesting trade-off associated with bypass diodes: installing more diodes can improve power output, but it may simultaneously increase reverse-bias conditions and the associated hot-spot risk.”
For Girl with a Pearl Earring, installing one bypass diode per cell increased normalised power from 74.3% to 84.4% of the black reference array’s output, a 13.6% relative improvement.
However, 24 of the 1,296 cells entered reverse bias at the maximum power point. Selectively darkening those 24 pixels instead raised normalised power to 84.8% without bypass diodes, while avoiding reverse-biased cells under the simulated conditions.
“Based on these findings, we developed a screening framework that classifies artistic images according to their expected power performance and hot-spot risk, using only two image-derived parameters: the brightest pixel and the overall brightness variation,” the academic added.
“The framework was further examined using additional images, demonstrating its potential to assess the electrical suitability of candidate artwork without requiring a full circuit-level simulation for every image.”
Concluding, Song said that his team is planning a few follow-up studies. These include incorporating measured reflectance spectra into a more realistic optical model, expanding the image database, and developing an AI-assisted tool to assess uploaded images and suggest modifications that improve power output and reduce hot-spot risks while preserving their appearance.
The article “Prediction Model for Power Output and Hot-spot Risk in Colored Photovoltaic Arrays with Artistic Image” has appeared in Energy. Researchers from South Korea’s Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Gachon University have participated in the study.

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Drinda turns out the lights on $280 million Oman solar project  Bamboo Works
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