Solar Now

Perovskite solar module manufacturer Oxford PV announced it achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.6% for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar module relying on a shingled architecture developed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE).
“For the first time, the two organizations have successfully combined Oxford PV’s perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with Fraunhofer ISE’s Matrix Shingle module technology,” Ed Crossland, CTO of Oxford PV, told pv magazine. “Beyond the efficiency gains, the combination also reduces resistive losses, removes the need for copper interconnects, and improves resilience under partial shading – all key considerations as the industry looks to reduce costs while increasing energy yield.”
“The module presented is a prototype, but it is built using standard production cells and in a way that is fully compatible with mass production. Our current tandem modules are already delivering efficiencies of 25% with 10-year lifetime today, and this result builds directly on that. We continue to make progress along our roadmap, with a 26% product planned for release this year and a path to 27% with extended lifetimes by 2027,” Crossland added.
The Matrix Shingle approach improves conventional solar module interconnection by replacing traditional busbar-and-ribbon architectures with a dense, overlapping cell layout. In this method, photovoltaic cells are precision-cut into narrow strips and reconfigured into a shingled pattern, similar to roof tiles. Adjacent strips overlap slightly and are bonded using electrically conductive adhesive (ECA), which provides both mechanical adhesion and electrical interconnection between neighboring cell segments.
By eliminating soldered interconnect ribbons and busbars, the architecture removes inactive spacing that would otherwise block incoming light. As a result, optical shading losses are significantly reduced and a larger fraction of the module surface becomes active photovoltaic area, improving packing density. The reduction in metallization shading also enhances current collection efficiency, as more of the cell surface is exposed to sunlight.
In addition, the shingle configuration shortens current pathways and distributes current more uniformly across the module, which can reduce resistive losses and localized heating. The use of ECA instead of high-temperature soldering also reduces thermal stress during assembly, helping to preserve cell integrity and potentially improve long-term reliability. Overall, the Matrix shingle approach increases module power density by combining higher active-area utilization with improved electrical and optical performance.
“We are delighted to be able to combine two high-tech approaches from Europe in this PV module,” said Stefan Glunz, head of photovoltaics at Fraunhofer ISE. “To achieve this, we have cut the solar cells from Oxford PV into shingles, arranged them in a matrix structure, electrically connected them using conductive adhesive, and then encapsulated them.”
Two tandem glass-glass modules were built with this configuration and edge sealing to protect the moisture-sensitive solar cells: a 491 W rooftop module with an area of 1.92 m², and a 546 W bifacial module with an area of 2.13 m². “Both achieved an efficiency of 25.6% across the entire module area,” Oxford PV’s spokesperson said.
“Our tandem technology and the shingle interconnection work well together technologically,” said Ed Crossland, chief technology officer at Oxford PV. “Due to the lower current densities of the perovskite–silicon solar cells, they can be cut into wider strips, which increases productivity. Tandem solar cells achieve significantly higher voltages and efficiencies than conventional cells, while the current is lower due to distribution across two sub-cells. This lower current density is beneficial, as it helps reduce resistive losses within the PV module. At the same time, the adhesive interconnection of the Matrix shingle technology is a low-temperature process and requires no copper connectors.”
Oxford PV unveiled its first perovskite-silicon tandem solar module with 26.9% efficiency in June 2024. A few months later, the company announced the commercial launch of perovksite-silicon tandem modules in the United States.
It began working on its perovskite tandem solar modules in 2014 and claims to have a “clear roadmap” to bring the technology to over 30% efficiency.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
pv magazine USA hosts its third multi-day virtual event on advancing U.S. solar and energy storage markets, covering financing, supply chains, and distributed energy’s role in grid resilience.

You have no items in your basket.

source

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.
Advertisement
npj Clean Energy has APC waivers available that can be allocated upon acceptance on an ad-hoc basis. For additional information, contact the Journal Publisher, Ashwini Jamthe. 
npj Clean Energy volume 2, Article number: 8 (2026) Cite this article
1538 Accesses
7 Altmetric
Metrics details
Photovoltaic solar energy represents a highly promising solution for Morocco, benefiting from abundant and consistent sunlight, despite persistent challenges such as land scarcity and high temperatures that affect efficiency. Installing solar photovoltaics on existing dams offers an attractive and sustainable alternative, as they enhance overall renewable energy production, reduce evaporation, and benefit from existing electrical infrastructure. This approach contributes to the optimization of water and energy resources. This paper evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems on 58 Moroccan dams, considering water surface availability, evaporation rates, potential energy production, panel tilt angles, associated costs, and various floating platform configurations. This national-scale evaluation provides new insights into FPV deployment, offering essential data to support Morocco’s renewable energy transition. The results indicate that the total surface area of the monitored dams is approximately 433 square kilometers, with an estimated annual water loss of around 909.458 million cubic meters due to evaporation. The analysis of panel tilt angles suggests that 31° may be optimal for energy production, while lower angles, such as 11°, also remain viable, offering a better balance between energy generation and water conservation. It was concluded that covering just 1% of the total surface area of all monitored dams could make a substantial contribution to Morocco’s energy needs, providing a rapid return on investment.
The energy sector in Morocco is a key priority in the context of promoting sustainable development and achieving national energy sovereignty. The country has been making vigorous efforts to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, aiming to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and achieve the goals of the national energy strategy. In this context, the announcement of the ambitious target of reaching 52% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030 reflects the country’s determination to move towards a clean and sustainable energy future (Fig. 1)¹. Among the innovative solutions that Morocco is increasingly focusing on, floating solar energy systems stand out as one of the most modern technologies in the field of renewable energy.
This figure illustrates the energy generation composition in Morocco for the years 2015, 2020, and 2030, showing the shift towards renewable energy sources (RES). The pie charts highlight the increasing share of solar, wind, and hydropower energy, from 34% of renewable energy in 2015, reaching 42% in 2020, and projected at 52% by 2030. The graphs also emphasize the significant role that wind and solar energy are expected to play in Morocco’s energy mix, moving towards a more sustainable energy system.
The growing reliance on solar energy in Morocco occurs amid challenging environmental conditions, such as drought and harsh climates, which negatively affect water resources. Dams are a strategic infrastructure and an essential source of water in the country. Furthermore, Morocco has developed a robust water infrastructure, comprising around 152 large dams with a total capacity of 19.9 billion m³ in 2023, according to the Ministry of Equipment and Water. Despite their importance for water supply and irrigation, these dams face increasing evaporation due to rising temperatures and declining rainfall². This highlights the relevance of researching FPV systems, which offer an innovative solution to simultaneously address Morocco’s energy and water challenges.
The main advantage of FPV systems is that they do not require agricultural or usable land, making them an ideal choice, especially in densely populated areas or areas where land use is highly competitive³. This system involves installing floating solar panels on large water bodies, such as dams and lakes, enabling the generation of clean electricity without impacting terrestrial ecosystems⁴. Additionally, FPV systems offer higher efficiency compared to ground-based PV (GPV) systems due to the cooling effect provided by the water on the solar panels. Studies by El Hammoumi et al. (2021)^5,6 Skoplaki and Palyvos (2009)⁷, Rahman et al. (2015)⁸ and Liu et al. (2017)⁹ have demonstrated that the production efficiency of FPV systems can be up to 2% higher than that of GPV systems, which enhances energy production and improves the profitability of these floating solar systems. A recent study indicates that installing FPV systems on 15% of the area of four major dams in the Sebou basin could lead to an additional 1270 GWh of electricity produced annually and save up to 11.93 million cubic meters of water annually, along with achieving positive economic returns^10,11.
Furthermore, FPV systems contribute to water conservation by reducing evaporation from large water bodies on which they are installed. Several studies have estimated the extent of water loss due to evaporation, with many focusing on evaluating the reduction in evaporation in basins covered by FPV systems. For example, research conducted in Spain found that covering an irrigation reservoir with FPV panels led to a 25% reduction in water capacity^12,13 Similarly, a large-scale nine-month experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of using floating solar panels to reduce evaporation from open water bodies in the studied semi-arid region. An average evaporation reduction of 60% was observed over the entire period, with higher rates observed during specific periods. The tilt angle of the panels had an impact on the evaporation rate; generally, the flatter the panel, the less evaporation was observed. This is explained by the reduction in the exposure of water to solar radiation. However, this conclusion could not be statistically verified¹⁴. Another study, conducted on the Vaigai Reservoir in India, showed that covering 30% of the surface with FPV panels not only generated 1.9 GWh of energy but also resulted in a significant water saving of 42,731.56 m³ annually. This study highlights the potential of FPV systems to combat water loss due to evaporation, particularly in regions where water resources are limited^15,16.
Research such as that conducted by Rosa-Clot et al. (2017)¹⁷, Taboada et al. (2017)¹⁸, and Redon Santafe et al. (2014)¹² has shown that FPV systems can significantly reduce water evaporation, which is especially beneficial in dry climates where water is a limited resource. In some cases, studies have shown that FPV systems can save up to 90% of the water lost due to evaporation. Furthermore, research in Jordan confirms these findings, indicating that the amount of water saved corresponds to the coverage of FPV systems. However, it should be noted that both experiments conducted in Jordan used Class A coverage, which may not fully represent the true effect of FPV systems on large water basins, especially considering the typically low coverage of FPV panels¹⁹.
The adoption of FPV systems is rapidly expanding across the globe, demonstrating their considerable potential to meet growing energy needs while preserving the environment. These innovative facilities can now be found in many countries, including the United States, Spain, Italy, China, Singapore, and South Korea²⁰. In January 2022, China achieved a major milestone in the field of solar energy by inaugurating the world’s largest floating solar power plants. This plant has an impressive capacity of 320 MW, and is located in Lake Chengxi, Anhui Province. The scale of this installation was remarkable, with more than 140,000 solar panels covering an area of 150 ha. This large solar power plant is expected to produce approximately 550 million kWh of electricity annually. This colossal production is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 180,000 Chinese homes, highlighting the immense potential of floating solar energy to provide clean and sustainable electricity on a large scale²¹.
In Singapore, the Sembcorp floating solar power plant located in the Tengeh Reservoir embodies energy innovation. With a capacity of 60 MW, it is equipped with 122,000 solar panels spread across 45 ha, equivalent to 63 football fields. Developed by Sembcorp Industries, this facility was inaugurated in 2021, which marked a significant milestone in Singapore’s transition to more sustainable energy sources.
The United States is positioning itself as a leader in the floating solar sector, benefiting from favorable conditions across several states. With its generous sunshine and vast expanses of water, the country offers considerable potential for this emerging technology²². Innovative projects are underway in California, such as the 5 MW floating solar power plant on Lake Perris and the SPARC project on the Castaic Reservoir. Nevada is also exploring this path with the 1.5 MW SolarBridge project on the Boulder Reservoir, which combines floating solar with battery energy storage. Arizona has already adopted this technology successfully, exemplified by the installation of a 1 MW power plant on Lake Roosevelt, even in arid regions. Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the U.S., presents an even more significant opportunity for floating solar energy, with pilot projects underway to fully exploit this potential.
José María de Toro Floating Solar Park, also known as the Zorgon Floating Solar Park, is an outstanding example of the successful application of floating solar power in Spain. Located in the José María de Toro Reservoir, this project illustrates the viability and efficiency of large-scale floating solar. Inaugurated in 2020, this park has a capacity of 27 MW and is, powered by 80,000 solar panels installed in an area of 10 ha. This achievement is a testament to Spain’s commitment to renewable energy and provides an inspiring example of other similar initiatives worldwide²³.
Italy is emerging as a leading player in the field of floating solar, capitalizing on its sunny climate and abundant water resources. With its recognized expertise in renewable energy, the country is actively exploring the potential of this technology to meet its energy needs while preserving its environment. Innovative projects are emerging across Italy, particularly in lakes and reservoirs, highlighting the advantages of floating solar technology. Notable examples include a 2.5 MW FPV installation on Lake Idro, a 1.7 MW floating solar power plant on the Bricciano reservoir, and another 1 MW installation on Lake Santa Giustina in Sardinia. These achievements demonstrate Italy’s commitment to sustainable energy transition and reinforce its emerging role as a leader in floating solar power in Europe²⁴.
South Korea is investing in floating solar energy to diversify its energy supply and to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. FPV projects are emerging in artificial reservoirs and lakes, highlighting the potential of this technology for energy transition²⁵. Notably, the 5.1 MW floating solar power plant in the Hapcheon Reservoir, inaugurated in 2019, plays a significant role in the production of clean energy in the region. Similarly, Soyang Lake hosts a 1 MW FPV systems facility that efficiently combines renewable energy production and water conservation. In addition, an ambitious 10 MW project is under development in the Gimcheon Reservoir, demonstrating South Korea’s growing commitment to floating solar.
In Morocco, the construction of FPV systems marks a significant advancement in the renewable energy sector and reflects the country’s commitment to addressing both energy and water challenges. Notable initiatives include the first FPV plant in Africa, installed in Sidi Slimane with a capacity of 360 kW, and a 13 MW FPV project on the Oued Rmel dam in Tangier, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development. The Tangier project is expected to supply 14% of the energy needs of the Tangier-Med port complex, representing a pioneering step in solar energy exploitation, particularly in space-constrained areas such as ports and industrial zones.
However, few studies have been conducted in Morocco on FPV systems. Existing research includes the first FPV prototype, designed to evaluate the performance of FPV compared to GPV systems⁵, as well as assessments of floating solar potential and water conservation through case studies on four hydroelectric dams¹⁰. Most previous studies have focused on limited regional areas; for instance, the analysis in the Sebou Basin¹⁰ examined only four major dams. In contrast, this paper presents a nationwide assessment covering 58 Moroccan dams. Its originality and main contribution lie in applying established models and techniques on a larger, national scale, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of the potential of FPV systems across the country.
A key challenge in this research was the lack of accessible and updated data on the water surface areas of the 58 dams. To address this issue, a specified approach was employed, combining image processing with cartographic data analysis using tools such as Viking software and the Color Summarizer program. This method is highly scalable, allowing for accurate surface area measurements suitable for a national assessment. Evaporation rates were estimated using the Stephen and Stewart model, which is well suited for monthly applications and requires less data than more complex models. This nationwide assessment has generated valuable new data to support Morocco’s energy and water management strategies. The study encompasses 58 dams distributed across the country, providing a comprehensive overview of the potential for FPV deployment at a national level. The total monitored water surface area of these dams is approximately 433 square kilometers, highlighting the significant available space for FPV installations. The analysis estimates an annual water loss of around 909.46 million cubic meters due to evaporation. Implementing FPV systems on these surfaces could help reduce evaporation, thereby contributing to more sustainable water resource management while simultaneously generating renewable energy.
This study significantly pushes forward previous work by providing a nationwide FPV assessment. Its main aim is to explore the energy and economic feasibility of installing FPV systems on these dams, assessing their technical potential to generate energy, reduce water evaporation, and evaluate the related costs and returns.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Methods section outlines the materials and methods used in this study. It includes several subsections that detail the calculations and methodologies applied, such as evaporation rate calculation, irradiation on a horizontal plane, water surface area calculation, energy output calculation, and overall cost analysis. Results section presents and discusses the key results of the study, which are divided into key focus areas including evaporation, irradiation, surface data, and energy and cost analysis. Discussion section discusses the main findings and analyses of this study, including the effects of tilt angles on energy production and water evaporation, hydrological risks, FPV deployment challenges, platform safety, and future research directions, followed by a conclusion summarizing the key insights.
This section presents the results of the modeling of energy production potential, evaporation rates, and cost analysis for FPV systems on Moroccan dams. It is important to note that the figures presented are estimates based on theoretical models and aggregated data, and the study highlights a crucial need for validation by real data from operational FPV installations, along with a more detailed sensitivity analysis to reinforce the financial conclusions.
The evaporation data indicate a significant water loss from Moroccan dams, with a total annual loss estimated at 909.46 million cubic meters. This total monthly evaporated volume for Morocco is illustrated in Fig. 2. Water loss is most pronounced during the summer months, peaking at 108.76 ×10⁶m³ in July, followed by August and September. Figure 3 further details this by presenting the evaporation rates per month across Morocco. The study utilized the Stephen and Stewart model to evaluate these evaporation rates, a choice driven by its suitability for monthly applications and limited data availability.
The data shows that water loss peaks during the summer, specifically in July at 108.76 ×10⁶ m³, followed by August and September.
These rates were evaluated using the Stephen and Stewart model, chosen for its suitability for monthly applications and an average absolute error of 1.21 mm/day.
Table 1 ranks the five Moroccan dams with the highest annual evaporation values. Complementing this, Fig. 4 illustrates the volume of evaporated water for the top 18 dams in Morocco, a broader subset that includes those listed in Table 1.
This broader subset highlights the reservoirs with the most significant water loss, dominated by the Al Wahda dam. Note: For technical accuracy, the values represent volumes in 10³ m³ (thousands of cubic meters), resulting in a total annual evaporation magnitude of approximately 909 ×10⁶ m³ across all monitored dams.
The Al Wahda dam clearly dominates this ranking, with an annual evaporation of 183.88 ×10⁶ m³. This high evaporation from Al Wahda can be attributed to several factors, including its large reservoir surface area, arid local climatic conditions, and the presence of aquatic vegetation that promotes evapotranspiration. A comprehensive overview of the total yearlyevaporated volume from each of the 58 dams studied is provided in Fig. 5, offering a complete picture of individual dam contributions to water loss.
This provides a comprehensive overview of the individual contributions of all 58 studied dams to the total annual water loss of roughly 909.46 million cubic meters.
The Al Massira and Oued El Makhazine dams occupy the second and third positions respectively, with annual evaporation values of 131.35 ×10⁶ m³ and 76.86 ×10⁶ m³. Although these values are significant, they are lower than that of the Al Wahda dam, suggesting the presence of mitigating factors for evaporation in these cases.
The S.M. Ben Abdeellah and Idriss 1er dams show significantly lower annual evaporation compared to others in Table 1, with respective values of 47.10 m³ and 59.33 ×10⁶ m³. These notable differences may be attributed to specific characteristics of these dams, such as reservoir depth, water level management, or local microclimatic conditions.
Previous research in other regions has demonstrated the potential of FPV for water conservation:
• In Spain, research carried out on a Floating Photovoltaic Cover System (FPCS) installed on an irrigation tank showed that the total coverage of the tank allowed an annual water saving of 5000 m³. This saving represents 25% of the reservoir’s storage capacity, confirming the effectiveness of this technology in improving water balances in arid and semi-arid areas¹².
• A study conducted in a semi-arid region demonstrated the effectiveness of floating solar panels in reducing evaporation, with an average decrease of 60% over a nine-month period¹⁴.
• A study in Jordan showed that the use of FPV panels on water bodies could lead to a significant reduction in evaporation. Experimental results demonstrated that covering 30% of the water surface with floating panels saved 31.2% of water, while a 50% coverage led to a 54.5% water savings compared to an uncovered water body. These results highlight the potential of FPV systems to reduce water losses due to evaporation, offering a promising solution for water management in semi-arid regions¹⁹.
Our estimates for Moroccan dams, with nearly one million cubic meters lost annually, highlight a substantial water conservation potential, aligned with the benefits observed in these international studies. However, a direct quantification of water savings resulting specifically from different FPV coverage rates for Moroccan dams is not detailed here.
Morocco possesses substantial solar potential, benefiting from generous sunlight averaging 3000 hours per year and an estimated average daily solar radiation intensity of approximately 5.80 kWh/m²/day. This makes photovoltaic solar energy a sustainable and promising solution for the country.
An overview of the distribution of solar radiation across Morocco is a valuable tool for identifying areas with high solar potential, which can inform the initial selection of potential sites for solar energy installations. It is crucial, however, to emphasize that this overview requires more detailed site-level assessments for an accurate and rigorous estimate.
We used monthly horizontal irradiation data from 2020 from the PVgis platform for nine sampled dams. It is important to note that PVgis does not distinguish between day and night hours for temperature data, which may have limited the granularity of our subsequent efficiency estimation.
The monthly declination angle (δ) plays a crucial role in determining the optimal tilt angle of solar panels, as it represents the angular position of the sun relative to the equator throughout the year. Table 2 provides monthly declination angles for Fès-Meknès, Morocco, offering valuable insights into the sun’s position throughout the year. As observed from Table 2, the declination angle varies considerably throughout the year, ranging from a maximum of 23.086° in June to a minimum of −23.050° in December. This variation is primarily due to the Earth’s tilt axis and its orbit around the sun. Our analyses show that annual solar production increases until it reaches an optimal tilt angle of 31 degrees, with an overall annual global radiation on a horizontal surface of 2361.16 kWh/m²/year, as depicted in Fig. 6.
Analysis indicates that annual global radiation on a horizontal surface is 2361.16 kWh/m²/year, with production increasing until an optimal tilt angle of 31° is reached.
Figure 7 visually represents the variation of solar elevation angles over the 12 months for the 9 samples. This information is useful for understanding the monthly distribution of solar radiation and for assessing the performance of solar panels throughout the year. Figure 8 illustrates the monthly evolution of radiation on the plane for different tilts. It demonstrates how the tilt angle significantly impacts the amount of solar radiation received by the panels, underscoring the importance of selecting the optimal tilt angle to maximize energy production. However, for reasons of structural stability and cost-effectiveness, an inclination of 11 degrees was selected for the energy production calculations.
This visualization tracks solar elevation variations for representative dams (including Al Wahda and Al Massira).
This demonstrates how tilt angles significantly impact monthly energy collection.
The analysis of the surface area of the dams confirms the dominance of the five largest dams, as shown in Fig. 9. The total area of the 58 Moroccan dams monitored amounts to about 433 square kilometers. These surface results are strongly correlated with calculated evaporation results, reaffirming the importance of these five largest dams in the management of water and energy resources. The accurate calculation of these areas was made necessary by the lack of accessible and up-to-date data on the water bodies of the 58 dams.
The total monitored surface area is approximately 433 km², determined through processing cartographic images.
The results of this study indicate that covering approximately 40% of Morocco’s dam surfaces with FPV systems could generate sufficient energy to meet the country’s total electricity demand, which reached a total production of 42.38 TWh in 2023 according to the Ministry of Energy. This finding is illustrated in Fig. 10, which highlights the point at which energy production reaches 100% of national demand. The figure also compares the effects of different panel inclinations, specifically 11 degrees and 21 degrees, on energy generation. The comparison of tilt angles indicates that the difference in energy output between 11° and 21° is minimal, suggesting that lower tilt angles can be adopted without significantly affecting energy production while offering advantages in terms of stability and cost. Additionally, proximity to water enhances the cooling of PV panels, reducing their operating temperature and thereby improving overall efficiency.
Projections suggest that covering 40% of the dam surfaces could meet Morocco’s total energy demand.
Even with a low coverage rate, energy production from FPV systems remains considerable. With only 1% coverage, FPV installations could produce a significant amount of electricity. This is illustrated in Fig. 11, which shows the estimated annual production (in GWh) for 13 studied dams, highlighting the substantial contribution of even small-scale installations. To examine the versatility and impact of FPV systems across different generation targets, we also analyzed the coverage required for specific energy outputs. For instance, Fig. 12 presents the estimated coverage needed across at least 45 dams to collectively produce 100 MWh of energy annually. Similarly, Fig. 13 illustrates the percentage of coverage required for 11 dams to generate 1 GWh of energy per year. Together, these results underscore the efficiency and scalability of FPV systems as a robust renewable energy solution. They demonstrate that even modest coverage can significantly impact national electricity generation while meeting diverse energy targets.
Even at 1% coverage, production levels reach a satisfactory level, contributing significantly to the national grid.
This analysis highlights the feasibility of generating substantial power with minimal surface utilization.
This focuses on high-potential large-area dams such as Al Wahda, Al Massira, and Oued Al Makhazin.
The production analysis also showed a direct link between the efficiency of the solar panels, which are chosen primarily as polycrystalline cells with an efficiency of 16% for reasons of profitability and suitability for the large surfaces of the tanks, and the energy produced. Large-area dams, such as Al Wahda, Almassira, and Oued Al Makhazin, have a particularly high potential for energy production due to their favorable conditions.
Regarding technical optimization, the study examined the effect of the tilt angle of the panels, finding that angles ranging from 11° to 31° gave comparable irradiation results. Figure 11 details the variation of the irradiation on the plane as a function of these angles. However, while the angle of inclination has a significant impact on irradiation, its effect on annual energy production is relatively negligible for small percentages of coverage (such as 1% of the total dam area). Conversely, for greater surface coverage (e.g., 40% of the dam area), the angle of inclination becomes a crucial factor in optimizing energy production and improving overall energy efficiency.
In terms of cost analysis, Fig. 14 provides a comparative analysis of the costs of the two floating technologies C&T and Solaris. The analysis showed that the Solaris system has the best cost-effectiveness in terms of total cost of capital, making it more suitable for large-scale FPV projects.
This economic trend is driven by the cooling effect of the water, which can enhance FPV production efficiency by up to 2% compared to ground-mounted systems.
The results from Morocco’s 58 dams show that covering 40% of the total surface area could meet 100% of the country’s energy demand. This reflects a considerable potential for energy production. It highlights Morocco’s clear advantage regarding available surface area for FPV installations.
As shown in Table 3, when we compare these projections with FPV projects around the world, Morocco’s potential looks very competitive. For example, a project in Greece has a capacity of 3861 MW and covers 10% of the area, producing about 5212.35 GWh annually. This shows significant success in deploying FPV on a large scale. Similarly, China’s Lake Chengxi project has a capacity of 320 MW and covers 1.5 km² (150 ha), generating 550 GWh annually. This indicates that FPV can work well even in smaller installations. In contrast, Singapore’s Tengeh Reservoir and Spain’s José María de Toro projects, while smaller in size, still make important contributions to their energy mixes, proving that FPV can succeed at different scales.
FPV systems in Morocco could easily match or exceed the size of some of the biggest FPV projects worldwide. The vast surface area of 58 dams gives Morocco a clear advantage, providing great potential for renewable energy generation and helping the country meet its energy transition goals. In summary, the data suggests that Morocco’s FPV potential, backed by its large surface area and suitable conditions for floating solar technology, could play a vital role in meeting national energy needs and supporting global renewable energy targets.
The comparative cost analysis revealed that the Solaris Synergy structure offers the best economic ratio in terms of total capital cost compared to the Ciel & Terre technology. Initial cost components include PV module costs adjusted to 0.22 USD/Wp and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) costs at 0.31 USD/Wp.
The financial projections suggest a Return on Investment (ROI) of less than 10 years. However, these projections must be interpreted with caution. Data regarding the maintenance and monitoring costs of FPV systems are poorly documented in current literature. Consequently, maintenance costs were estimated as a lump sum of approximately 10% of the capital expenditures over the lifespan of the panels. This lump-sum estimate makes the ROI projections speculative and insufficiently substantiated.
To enhance the credibility of our financial conclusions and move beyond simplified assumptions, we have conducted a robust sensitivity analysis. This analysis systematically tests the impact of variations (e.g., ±10%) on the most critical parameters that influence the overall profitability of the project:
Initial investment costs: Testing fluctuations in the costs of components such as PV Modules, the Balance of Plant (BOP), and EPC.
Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs: Varying the generalized O&M estimate, which is currently 10% of capital expenditures, due to its inherent uncertainty.
Electricity selling price: Testing fluctuations in the revenue stream, which significantly impacts long-term profitability.
Technical parameters: Varying the efficiency (η) and the annual sum of solar irradiation (Y_irr), factoring in the degradation rate of photovoltaic modules and the potential cooling effect.
Macroeconomic factors: Including the influence of inflation and interest rates, which can alter the overall profitability of long-term investments.
The sensitivity analysis confirms that while the technical potential is robust, as demonstrated by the negligible effect of minor tilt changes and the efficiency gains from cooling, the financial profitability is highly sensitive to the O&M costs and the electricity selling price. Fluctuations in O&M costs, due to the poor documentation in the literature, are identified as the largest driver of uncertainty in the ROI model.
This analysis validates the conclusion that cost considerations must be tailored to each case to achieve more accurate and reliable results. The inclusion of this robust sensitivity analysis ensures that the financial projections are presented with the necessary rigor, affirming that asserting a rapid ROI based solely on simplified assumptions is insufficient.
The tilt angle of FPV panels plays a crucial role in both maximizing energy production and reducing water evaporation. The cooling effect of water is one of the key advantages of FPV systems, as it significantly improves panel efficiency, reducing heat-induced performance losses commonly observed in traditional land-based solar systems.
In our study, we observed that the tilt angle significantly affects irradiation and energy production. The optimal tilt angle for FPV panels varies depending on the geographical location and the specific characteristics of the site. For Morocco, we found that tilt angles ranging from 11° to 31° yielded comparable irradiation values (see Fig. 11), with an 11° tilt angle being the most cost-effective while still providing substantial energy output. This angle maximizes solar exposure, particularly in regions with high solar radiation throughout the year.
For larger-scale installations, such as 40% coverage, the tilt angle becomes more critical in optimizing solar energy capture. Panels tilted at optimal angles maximize the amount of solar radiation received, leading to increased energy output. In contrast, at smaller coverage (e.g., 1% of the surface area), the effect of tilt is negligible, as the total energy produced is too small to be significantly affected by slight variations in the angle of the panels.
In addition to its effect on energy production, the tilt angle of FPV panels also influences the cooling effect on the water beneath the panels, which reduces water evaporation. The cooling effect is particularly important in regions where water scarcity is a major concern. By shading the water surface, FPV systems help to maintain lower water temperatures, reducing the evaporation rate. As the tilt angle increases, the shading effect on the water surface decreases, allowing more solar radiation to reach the water, which may increase the evaporation rate.
Our study shows that an optimal tilt angle, such as 11°, achieves a balance between energy production and water conservation. While higher tilt angles may slightly increase energy yield, they reduce the shading effect on water and may increase evaporation. In contrast, lower tilt angles enhance shading and help limit water loss. Additionally, proximity to water improves PV efficiency through natural cooling, making FPV systems particularly suitable for water-scarce regions.
This study, which primarily focused on surface potential and evaporation rates, acknowledges a significant gap in hydrological design data. Specifically:
Hydrological Risks: An in-depth analysis of hydrological risks, including depth variations and drought conditions, is imperative for a comprehensive evaluation of FPV systems.
Depth Data: The study could not document the average and minimum depths of the studied dams. This data would be essential for understanding the impact of water level fluctuations on the stability and performance of FPV systems.
Drought Impact: Additionally, the study did not model the impact of prolonged droughts (a known challenge in Morocco) on the performance and safety of FPV systems. Such an analysis is critical to ensure that anchoring systems are designed to withstand significant fluctuations in water levels, ensuring the long-term resilience of the FPV installations.
These data are crucial for designing robust anchoring systems and ensuring the safety and performance of FPV installations, especially when dealing with hydrological risks such as droughts and fluctuations in water levels.
FPV systems, like other solar technologies, face challenges with inconsistent energy output, especially due to cloud cover and seasonal changes in solar energy availability. In Morocco, some regions have high cloud coverage during certain seasons, leading to notable variations in energy output. To address this issue, energy storage options like pumped hydro storage and green hydrogen are essential for stabilizing energy supply. Pumped hydro storage allows for storing excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours, which can then be released during periods of low sunlight, ensuring a steady energy supply. Green hydrogen offers a novel way to store surplus energy as hydrogen, which can be used in various sectors, including industry and transportation.
Moreover, integrating smart grid technologies is vital for managing these variations and maintaining grid stability. Smart grids allow for real-time energy management and demand-response systems, enabling more efficient energy distribution and balancing supply with demand. These systems will be key to effectively integrating FPV systems into Morocco’s national grid and ensuring the long-term sustainability of renewable energy sources.
In the event of a platform failure, safety protocols are in place to ensure the stability of the FPV system. These protocols include the use of redundant systems that allow for emergency shutdowns in case of unexpected events. Additionally, the floating platforms comply with international safety standards such as IEC, DNV, and ISO, ensuring that they can withstand harsh weather conditions and prevent large-scale disruptions. This guarantees that the FPV systems are both safe and resilient, capable of operating under challenging environmental conditions.
In terms of future perspectives and research, an in-depth assessment is needed to measure the gains in water resources resulting from FPV installations, considering different coverage configurations. It is also essential to address gaps in data regarding the efficiency of Moroccan dams to refine the understanding of their energy potential. Further research could also validate the Stephen and Stewart evaporation model used with in situ data specific to Moroccan dams, or explore more sophisticated models should additional data become available. Finally, dedicated studies on the optimal integration of FPV systems with storage solutions, such as green hydrogen and pumped storage, are necessary to maximize their contribution to Morocco’s energy security and energy transition.
In conclusion, this study delved into various aspects of FPV systems and revealed their substantial potential for power generation and water conservation in Morocco. Our findings highlight possible solutions to the storage challenge, such as pumped hydro-storage systems and promising green hydrogen technology. Addressing Morocco’s significant evaporation losses, this study quantifies nearly 1 billion (909.4 × 10⁶) cubic meters lost annually due to evaporation. The total water surface of the monitored dams in Morocco is approximately 433 km², with the optimal tilt angle for the floating platforms ranging from 11° to 21°, based on the country’s geographical location.
In terms of energy generation, covering only 40% of the dams could meet the entire energy demand, although this may change depending on varying storage system efficiencies. The cost per kWh significantly decreased when considering the additional efficiency from the cooling effect of water. Despite the substantial upfront investment, the study suggests a return on investment of less than 10 years, factoring in maintenance costs. However, cost considerations should be tailored to each specific case to obtain precise and accurate results.
Although this study explored various aspects of FPV systems, it acknowledges its non-exhaustive nature and emphasizes the need for continued research to fully understand the impact of FPV systems on Morocco’s energy and water management strategies. For Morocco to fully leverage the massive FPV potential and address the intermittency inherent in solar power production, large-scale storage solutions will be crucial. The study identifies pumped storage systems (potentially linked to existing dam infrastructures) and green hydrogen technology as pathways to address this storage challenge. It is important to emphasize that this study lays the groundwork for specific research into these solutions, which were not the primary focus of this study.
This study adopted a rigorous and multi-layered methodology to assess the potential of FPV systems on Moroccan dams. While drawing upon established models and techniques, the originality and major contribution of this research lie in the exhaustive application and contextualization of these approaches to the scale of Morocco’s 58 dams. This approach enabled the generation of unprecedented data and analyses, crucial for the country’s energy and water planning.
The key steps of the methodology include estimating evaporation rates, calculating solar irradiation, precisely determining the surface area of the dam water bodies, evaluating electrical energy production, and conducting a detailed cost analysis.
The FPV system consists of several key components, including solar panels, inverters, and transformers, as shown in Fig. 15. The solar panels are mounted on floating platforms that rest on the surface of the dams. Underwater cabling connects the floating panels to the onshore components, such as inverters and transformers, which convert the generated direct current into alternating current suitable for integration into the electrical grid. Installing the inverters and transformers onshore minimizes the risk of electrical faults due to water exposure, simplifies maintenance, and reduces system complexity compared to placing these components on floating platforms. This configuration adheres to industry standards for safety and operational efficiency, ensuring reliable performance in aquatic environments.
This diagram illustrates the key components and configuration of the FPV system.
Two FPV structural models, shown in Fig. 16, were selected for this study based on their cost-effectiveness, adaptability to Moroccan dam conditions, and compliance with international standards. The first model, developed by Ciel & Terre (C&T), was chosen for its proven performance in large-scale installations and its ability to adapt to various water depths and climatic conditions. The second model, developed by Solaris Synergy, was selected for its optimized design, which offers a favorable balance between capital cost and system performance. Both models comply with international standards such as IEC, DNV, and ISO, ensuring they meet the required safety, structural integrity, and performance criteria for long-term operation in harsh environmental conditions.
a Ciel & Terre (C&T) technology³⁶ and (b) Solaris Synergy technology³⁷. Solaris was found to have the best economic ratio for total capital cost.
To estimate evaporation rates, available data sources and various existing models were analyzed. The Stephen and Stewart model, represented by Eq. (1), was specifically applied²⁶. This model was chosen due to its suitability for monthly applications and, critically, due to limited data availability for more complex models²⁷. It is recognized for its average absolute error of 1.21 mm/day on small reservoirs.
Where:
e: Evaporation (mm/day)
Q_s: Solar radiation (W/m²)
T_a: Average Air Temperature (°F)
For data acquisition, temperature information was obtained from the PVGIS platform. For this study, monthly average temperatures were utilized to maintain methodological consistency with the Stephen and Stewart model, which is specifically optimized for monthly applications. Samples were collected from nine representative dams (ALWAHDA, AL MASSIRA, ABDELMOUMENE, MANSOUR DAHBI, NEUF AVRIL, NAKHLA, SMIR, HASSAN 2, MOULAY YOUSSEF) with total average temperatures ranging from 16 °C to 21 °C²⁸. Furthermore, the average daily value of solar radiation intensity in Morocco was estimated at approximately 5.80 kWh/m²/day. This value was converted into power by dividing it by the daylight hours of each month²⁹. This systematic application of the model to all Moroccan dams constitutes an advance for quantifying water losses specific to the national context, essential for evaluating the impact of FPV systems on water resource conservation in Morocco.
For irradiation data, we accessed monthly horizontal irradiance on a horizontal plane for the year 2020 from the PVGIS website. We used data from the nine previously mentioned dams along with associated temperature readings. From the calculated horizontal irradiance, we derived the inclined plane irradiance using Eq. (2):
Where:
I_module: The irradiation on the inclined surface (kWh/m²).
I_horizon: The horizontal irradiation (kWh/m²) on a flat surface.
α : The solar zenith angle, which represents the angle between the sun and the vertical. It depends on the latitude, time of year, and time of day.
β : The tilt angle of the solar panels (degrees).
To calculate the solar zenith angle (α), we used the following formula:
Where:
ϕ is the latitude of the location (in degrees),
δ is the declination angle, which is calculated using the formula:
Where:
d is the day of the year (ranging from 1 to 365).
For the choice of days of the months, we used the average days of each month suggested by Klein, as shown in Table 4³⁰.
Subsequently, an annual average of the inclined plane irradiation was obtained for each inclination studied by averaging the monthly values. These calculations allowed for the customization of irradiation data for the Moroccan geographical context, ensuring precise results for optimizing the tilt angle of floating solar panels.
To estimate the water surface areas of the 58 dams in Morocco, a specific method based on color image processing was employed due to the lack of up-to-date official data. Initially, cartographic images of the dams were collected using Viking software and Bing Aerial, with Viking software enabling an accurate representation of the actual water surface areas. A simple image processing technique was then applied to delimit the area outside the dam, minimizing potential errors in the estimation. The Color Summarizer program, known for its high precision, was used to calculate the exact percentage of water surface in each dam³¹. Based on the resolution of the satellite imagery and the accuracy of the color classification algorithm, the margin of error for this method is approximately ±5%.
To ensure the accuracy of the surface area estimates, the results were verified by comparing them with historical official dam data and documents from the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water. This verification confirmed that the estimated water surface areas are generally reliable. However, it should be noted that these results are relatively constrained by recent drought conditions in Morocco, which have led to reduced water levels in many dams over the past few years. These estimates provide a sound basis for the subsequent analysis of FPV system feasibility, while acknowledging the temporal variability in water availability.
Figure 17 illustrates the application of this methodology using the Al Mansour Eddahbi Dam as a representative example.
a Step 1: Initial image surface of 174.54 km². b Step 2: Cutting to delimit the dam. c Step 3: Color processing and cluster partitioning using the Color Summarizer program.
The water surface (({S}_{{water}})) was calculated as follows:
Where:
S_water: the water surface area of the reservoir, typically measured in square meters (m²) or square kilometers (km²). This is the area of the water body covered by FPV systems.
S_image: the total surface area of the image or the satellite-derived image of the entire reservoir. This is the total area (including land and water) captured in the image, typically in m² or km².
% of the water color: the percentage of the image that is covered by water, based on color analysis. The color of water in an image can be identified using image processing techniques that classify pixels as water based on their color or spectral properties. This percentage is typically expressed as a percentage (%) and represents how much of the image is covered by water versus land.
The primary outcome of utilizing solar panels is the generation of electrical energy, which is well established. However, in the case of FPV systems, based on previous studies in basins, there is a notable improvement in the panel efficiency, as illustrated in Table 5. Furthermore, the quantitative results of electrical energy production are influenced by various factors (inclination angle, location, panel type, temperature, etc.), with irradiation being a direct determinant. Drawing from previous research³², the average annual electrical energy production from FPV implementation, under approximate conditions and utilizing less than 2% of the surface area of large dams in Morocco, will reach a satisfactory level of 2064.6 GWh.
This study examines the annual electricity production of different types of crystalline solar panels (Table 6) at varying inclination angles. The following model was employed to estimate the corresponding annual electricity production (6):
Where:
E_FPV is the annual electricity production (MWh/year).
A_FPV is the surface area covered by FPV panels (m²).
PR is the system performance ratio (%).
η is the solar panel efficiency (%).
Y_irr is the annual sum of solar irradiation energy at a given inclination angle, averaged for the reservoir surface (kWh/m²).
For reasons of cost-effectiveness and suitability for large reservoir areas, polycrystalline cells with an efficiency of 16% were prioritized.
Cost-benefit analysis is crucial for evaluating PV systems from an investment perspective. For FPV installations, the investment cost encompasses the price of PV modules and their accessories, the cost of the supporting structure, and maintenance expenses (including installation). In this study, the assessment approach is based on the average lifespan of the panels, adjusted for the period required to recover initial stable losses and maintenance costs. The choice of structure and solar panel technology significantly influences the total initial investment.
The costs of solar equipment were determined based on the work of Wang and Barnett³³. PV module costs were adjusted to 0.22 USD/Wp. The “balance of plant” (BOP) costs, including transformers, wiring, switching and control equipment, protective equipment, etc., are presented in Table 7. In this study, two main FPV structures: Ciel & Terre and Solaris Synergy (see Fig. 16), are compared, as shown in Table 8. Differences in manufacturing and logistical costs for the floaters are observed between the two structure concepts, with Solaris Synergy generally being less complex and potentially easier to manufacture. The maintenance and monitoring costs of FPV systems, although poorly documented in current literature, were estimated at approximately 10% of the capital expenditures over the lifespan of the panels³⁴.
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available because they consist of strategic technical estimations for 58 national dams derived from satellite imagery and theoretical modeling, which require further validation by real operational data. They are, however, available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The code used for the analysis in this study is not publicly available as it is part of a specific research framework developed for this national assessment; it is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
The code used for the analysis in this study is not publicly available as it is part of a specific research framework developed for this national assessment; it is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Alami, A. How Morocco went big on solar energy, BBC Future (2022). Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211115-how-morocco-led-the-world-on-clean-solar-energy (2022).
Hssaisoune, M., Bouchaou, L. Sifeddine, A., Bouimetarhan, I. & Chehbouni, A. Moroccan groundwater resources and evolution with global climate changes. Geosciences 10, 81 (2020).
World Bank Group, ESMAP; SERIS. Where Sun Meets Water (Vol. 2 of 2): Floating Solar Market Report (World Bank Group, 2019).
Bajc, T. & Kostadinović, D. Potential of usage of the floating photovoltaic systems on natural and artificial lakes in the Republic of Serbia. J. Clean. Prod. 422, 138598 (2023).
Article  Google Scholar 
El Hammoumi, A. et al. Design and construction of a test bench to investigate the potential of floating PV systems. J. Clean. Prod. 278, 123917 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Mouhaya, A., El Hammoumi, A., El Ghzizal, A. & Motahhir, S. Evaluation of the impact of floating photovoltaic systems on reducing water evaporation and enhancing energy production at Al Wahda Dam in Morocco. Discov. Sustain. 7, 57 (2026).
Skoplaki, E. & Palyvos, J. A. On the temperature dependence of photovoltaic module electrical performance: a review of efficiency/power correlations. Sol. Energy 83, 614–624 (2009).
Article  Google Scholar 
Rahman, M. M., Hasanuzzaman, M. & Rahim, N. A. Effects of various parameters on PV-module power and efficiency. Energy Convers. Manag 103, 348–358 (2015).
Article  Google Scholar 
Liu, L. et al. Power generation efficiency and prospects of floating photovoltaic systems. Energy Proc. 105, 1136–1142 (2017).
Article  Google Scholar 
Mouhaya, A., El Hammoumi, A., El Ghzizal, A. & Motahhir, S. Assessment of floating solar photovoltaic potential and water conservation in Morocco: case studies of four hydroelectric dams. Clean. Eng. Technol. 26, 100952 (2025).
Article  Google Scholar 
Deilami, S., Ozgoli, H. A., Callegaro, L., Taghizadeh, F. & Kim, K. H. Floating photovoltaic solar in Australia—a feasibility study. J. Electron. Electric. Eng. 3, 568–588 (2024).
Redón Santafé, M. et al. Theoretical and experimental analysis of a floating photovoltaic cover for water irrigation reservoirs. Energy 67, 246–255 (2014).
Article  Google Scholar 
Nobre, R. L. G. et al. Floating photovoltaics strongly reduce water temperature: a whole-lake experiment. J. Environ. Manag. 375, 124230 (2025).
Article  Google Scholar 
Abdelal, Q. & Floating, P. V. An assessment of water quality and evaporation reduction in semiarid regions. Int. J. Low. Carbon Technol. 16, 732–739 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Nagananthini, R. & Nagavinothini, R. Investigation on floating photovoltaic covering system in rural Indian reservoir to minimize evaporation loss. Int. J. Sustain. Energy 40, 781–805 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Kaur, N., Sudhakar, K., Mohamed, M. R., Cuce, E. & Barbulescu, D. Floating solar sustainability on land and ocean: a strategic assessment using SWOT-TWOS-PESTLE analysis. Sci. Tech. Energ. Transit. 80, 27 (2025).
Article  Google Scholar 
Rosa-Clot, M., Tina, G. M. & Nizetic, S. Floating photovoltaic plants and wastewater basins: an Australian project. Energy Procedia 134, 664–674 (2017).
Article  Google Scholar 
Taboada, M. E. et al. Solar water heating system and photovoltaic floating cover to reduce evaporation: experimental results and modeling. Renew. Energy 105, 601–615 (2017).
Article  Google Scholar 
Al-Widyan, M., Khasawneh, M. & Abu-Dalo, M. Potential of floating photovoltaic technology and their effects on energy output, water quality and supply in Jordan. Energies 14, 8417 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Sulaeman, S., Brown, E., Quispe-Abad, R. & Müller, N. Floating PV system as an alternative pathway to the Amazon dam underproduction. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 135, 110082 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Bellini, E. World’s largest floating PV plant goes online in China. Available at: https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2022/01/04/worlds-largest-floating-pv-plant-goes-onlinein-china/ (PV Magazine Global, 2022).
Jin, Y. et al. Energy production and water savings from floating solar photovoltaics on global reservoirs. Nat. Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01089-6 (2023).
López, M., Soto, F. & Hernandez, Z. A. Assessment of the potential of floating solar photovoltaic panels in bodies of water in mainland Spain. J. Clean. Prod. 340, 130752 (2022).
Article  Google Scholar 
Bellini, E. Eni Plans Italy’s First Utility Scale Floating PV Plant of 14 MW. Available at https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/07/23/eni-plans-italys-first-utility-scale-floating-pv-plant-of-14-mw/ (PV Magazine International, 2019).
Bellini, E. South Korea’s Largest Floating PV Plant Now Online. Available at: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/11/25/south-koreas-largest-floating-pv-plant-now-online-2/ (PV-Magazine, 2021).
Stephens, J. C. & Stewart, E. H. A comparison of procedures for computing evaporation and evapotranspiration. Publication 62, 123–133 (1963).
Google Scholar 
Althoff, D., Rodrigues, L. N. & da Silva, D. D. Evaluating evaporation methods for estimating small reservoir water surface evaporation in the Brazilian Savannah. Water 11, 1942 (2019).
Article  Google Scholar 
Belmahdi, B. Long-term global solar radiation prediction in 25 cities in Morocco using the FFNN-BP method. Frontiers. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2021.733842/full (2021).
Worlddata.info. Times for sunrise and sunset in Morocco. Available at: https://www.worlddata.info/africa/morocco/sunset.php (WorldData.info, 2016).
Diez-Mediavilla, M., de Miguel, A. & Bilbao, J. Measurement and comparison of diffuse solar Irradiance models on inclined surfaces in Valladolid (Spain). Energy Convers. Manag. 46, 2075–2092 (2005).
Article  Google Scholar 
Image Color Summarizer. Image Color Summarizer – RGB and HSV Image Statistics. Available at: https://mk.bcgsc.ca/color-summarizer/?analyze (accessed May 20, 2024).
Gonzalez Sanchez, R., Kougias, I., Moner-Girona, M., Fahl, F. & Jäger-Waldau, A. Assessment of floating solar photovoltaics potential in existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa. Renew. Energy 169, 687–699 (2021).
Article  Google Scholar 
Wang, X. & Barnett, A. The evolving value of photovoltaic module efficiency. Appl. Sci. 9, 1227 (2019).
Article  Google Scholar 
Jäger-Waldau, A. P. V. Status Report 2019, 7–94 (Publications Office of the European Union, 2019).
Sunevosolar. Comment fonctionne le système d’énergie solaire flottant ? Available at: https://fr.sunevosolar.com/blog/how-does-floating-solar-power-system-work_b9 (accessed November 20, 2025).
Ciel & Terre. ASEAN C&T Catalog Hydrelio® Technology 2018-03. Issuu (2018). Available at: https://issuu.com/cieletterre/docs/c_t_catalog_hydrelio__technology_20 (accessed March 20, 2024).
Solaris Synergy. Solaris Synergy Floating Photovoltaic Technology. Available at: https://www.solaris-synergy.com/lander (accessed May 20, 2024).
Vourdoubas, J. Assessment of the potential of installing floating photovoltaic systems in existing water reservoirs in Greece. EJENERGY 3, 17–23 (2023).
Article  Google Scholar 
Choi, Y. K., Choi, W. S. & Lee, J. H. Empirical Research on the Efficiency of Floating PV Systems. Sci. Adv. Mater. 8, 681–685 (2016).
Durković, V. & Đurišić, E. Analysis of the potential for use of floating PV power plant on the Skadar Lake for electricity supply of aluminium plant in Montenegro. Energies 10, 1505 (2017).
Article  Google Scholar 
Trapani, K. & Redón Santafé, M. A review of floating photovoltaic installations: 2007-2013. Prog. Photovoltaics: Res. Appl. 23, 524–532 (2014).
Article  Google Scholar 
Lee, Y. G., Joo, H. J. & Yoon, S. J. Design and installation of floating type photovoltaic energy generation system using FRP members. Sol. Energy 108, 13–27 (2014).
Article  Google Scholar 
Kamuyu, C. L., Lim, J., Won, C. & Ahn, H. Prediction model of photovoltaic module temperature for power performance of floating PVs. Energies 11, 447 (2018).
Article  Google Scholar 
Kumar, N. M., Gupta, R. P., Mathew, M., Jayakumar, A. & Singh, N. K. Performance, energy loss, and degradation prediction of roof-integrated crystalline solar PV system installed in Northern India. Case Stud. Therm. Eng. 13, 100409 (2019).
Article  Google Scholar 
Download references
This publication is a result of the research project ‘Innovative Floating Photovoltaic Systems to Combat Climate Change and to Decrease the Cost of PV Energy, ’ funded by the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA). AGYA drew on support from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; grant no. 01DL20003). The authors remain solely responsible for the content provided in this publication, which does not reflect the positions of the AGYA or any of its funding partners.
Laboratoire des Sciences Appliquées et Technologies Innovantes, ENSA, USMBA, Fès, Maroc
Abdelilah Mouhaya, Abdelaziz El Ghzizal & Saad Motahhir
Engineering Laboratory for Intelligent Technologies and Transformation, EST, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
Aboubakr El Hammoumi
Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar
Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar
Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar
Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar
Abdelilah MOUHAYA: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization. Aboubakr EL HAMMOUMI: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization. Abdelaziz EL GHZIZAL: Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization. Saad MOTAHHIR: Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization.
Correspondence to Abdelilah Mouhaya.
The authors declare no competing interests.
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Reprints and permissions
Mouhaya, A., El Hammoumi, A., El Ghzizal, A. et al. Techno-economic feasibility analysis of floating photovoltaic systems on 58 Moroccan dams: energy potential, economic viability, and water evaporation. npj Clean Energy 2, 8 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44406-026-00025-9
Download citation
Received: 24 September 2025
Accepted: 23 March 2026
Published: 04 May 2026
Version of record: 04 May 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44406-026-00025-9
Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:
Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative
Advertisement
npj Clean Energy (npj Clean Energy)
ISSN 3059-2232 (online)
© 2026 Springer Nature Limited
Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

source

Grand View Research, Inc.

Grand View Research, Inc.
Global market projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2026 to 2033 as governments, utilities, and enterprises accelerate investments in resilient and low-carbon energy systems.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global distributed energy generation market is entering a new phase of expansion as countries worldwide intensify efforts to modernize power infrastructure, strengthen grid resilience, and accelerate the transition toward cleaner energy systems. According to a recent industry analysis by Grand View Research, the global distributed energy generation market was valued at USD 538.2 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from USD 572.1 billion in 2026 to USD 884.8 billion by 2033, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Distributed energy generation (DEG) refers to decentralized power production technologies located near the point of consumption, including solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, fuel cells, combined heat and power systems, microturbines, and other localized energy assets. These systems are transforming how electricity is generated, distributed, and consumed by reducing dependence on centralized power plants and improving energy reliability.
As energy security becomes a strategic priority for governments and businesses alike, distributed generation technologies are emerging as critical components of next-generation energy infrastructure. Rising electricity demand, increasing renewable energy deployment, and growing concerns regarding grid resilience are creating favorable conditions for sustained market growth.
Industry analysts note that the shift toward decentralized power systems is being reinforced by supportive government policies, advancements in energy storage technologies, and growing investments in smart grid infrastructure. Organizations across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors are increasingly adopting distributed generation solutions to reduce operating costs, improve sustainability performance, and ensure uninterrupted access to electricity.
Solar Photovoltaic Technology Maintains Market Leadership
Among all technology segments, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems continue to dominate the global distributed energy generation landscape. The solar PV segment accounted for 61.3% of total market revenue in 2025, making it the largest technology category within the industry.
Several factors are contributing to solar PV’s strong position, including declining module prices, expanding rooftop solar installations, favorable regulatory incentives, and increasing integration with battery storage systems. Solar photovoltaic technology is also projected to be the fastest-growing technology segment through 2033, with an anticipated CAGR of 8.3%.
The growing availability of high-efficiency panels, smart inverters, and digital energy management platforms is further enhancing the economic viability of distributed solar projects. Commercial facilities, manufacturing plants, educational institutions, healthcare centers, and residential consumers are increasingly investing in onsite solar generation to reduce electricity costs and achieve sustainability objectives.
Get free PDF Sample for more Industry Insights on this Report
Asia Pacific Emerges as the Largest Regional Market
Geographically, Asia Pacific remains the largest market for distributed energy generation, accounting for 34.9% of global revenue in 2025. Rapid urbanization, industrial development, population growth, and government-backed renewable energy initiatives continue to drive adoption throughout the region.
Countries across Asia Pacific are actively expanding rooftop solar programs, distributed wind projects, hybrid microgrids, and battery storage installations. The region’s extensive manufacturing ecosystem for solar panels, inverters, and energy storage technologies has also contributed to lower deployment costs and broader market accessibility.
China continues to play a particularly significant role in regional growth. Large-scale distributed solar deployment initiatives, strong domestic manufacturing capabilities, and long-term renewable energy targets have positioned the country as a key contributor to global market expansion.
Latin America Poised for Accelerated Growth
While Asia Pacific currently leads the market, Latin America is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market during the forecast period. The region is projected to achieve a CAGR of 14.5% through 2033, supported by expanding electricity demand, favorable distributed solar policies, and increasing investments in decentralized energy infrastructure.
Countries throughout Latin America are implementing net metering programs and distributed generation incentives designed to improve energy accessibility while reducing pressure on centralized transmission networks. As solar installation costs continue to decline, both residential and commercial adoption rates are expected to accelerate significantly.
Grid Modernization and Energy Storage Reshape Industry Dynamics
A major trend influencing market development is the integration of distributed energy resources with advanced digital technologies. Utilities and energy providers are increasingly deploying smart grid systems, microgrids, energy management platforms, and virtual power plant models to optimize energy production and consumption.
Energy storage technologies are also playing a pivotal role in enabling greater penetration of distributed renewable generation. Advances in lithium-ion battery systems and intelligent storage management solutions are helping address intermittency challenges associated with renewable energy resources.
The combination of distributed generation and energy storage is creating new opportunities for consumers and businesses to become active participants in energy markets while enhancing overall grid stability.
Corporate Sustainability Goals Drive Commercial Adoption
Beyond policy support and technological innovation, growing corporate sustainability commitments are becoming a major catalyst for market expansion. Businesses across multiple industries are adopting distributed generation solutions to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy resilience, and meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Data centers, manufacturing facilities, healthcare institutions, and commercial campuses are increasingly investing in onsite renewable generation and storage systems to mitigate energy risks and improve operational efficiency. This trend is expected to remain a key growth driver throughout the forecast period.
Get customized research report as per your requirements
Competitive Landscape
The distributed energy generation market is characterized by active innovation and strategic investment from leading global energy and technology companies. Market participants are focusing on expanding renewable energy portfolios, strengthening energy storage capabilities, and developing intelligent grid management solutions.
Key companies operating within the market include Tesla, Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SE, General Electric, ABB Ltd., Enel Green Power, SMA Solar Technology AG, Bloom Energy Corporation, NextEra Energy, Inc., and Honeywell International Inc.
These organizations continue to invest in advanced distributed energy technologies, digital monitoring platforms, microgrids, and virtual power plant capabilities to address evolving customer requirements and support the global transition toward decentralized energy systems.
Looking Ahead
As nations pursue ambitious decarbonization targets and energy resilience strategies, distributed energy generation is expected to become an increasingly important pillar of the global energy ecosystem. Continued advancements in renewable technologies, battery storage systems, and digital energy management platforms are likely to accelerate adoption across all major regions.
With market value projected to reach USD 884.8 billion by 2033, distributed energy generation is positioned to play a critical role in enabling a more sustainable, reliable, and flexible energy future.
To learn more about growth opportunities in the Distributed Energy Generation Market, access the full report from Grand View Research
About Grand View Research
Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.
Browse Investment Insights by Grand View Research – a dedicated, scalable fundamental research platform designed to function as a seamless extension of investment teams across the buy-side and sell-side ecosystem.
Contact:
Michelle Thoras
Corporate Sales Specialist, USA
Grand View Research, Inc.
Phone: 1-415-349-0058
Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519
Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com
Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Blog – https://globalindustryherald.com/
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/distributed-energy-generation-market-to-reach-usd-884-8-billion-by-2033–driven-by-renewable-energy-adoption-grid-modernization-and-decentralized-power-infrastructure-302803378.html

Originally published on the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
This site is for CNHI, LLC employees only.
Please enter your cnhinews.com credentials to access this site.
If you have any questions please contact help@cnhionline.com

source

PLOVER, Wis. (WSAW) – Someone cut through a fence at the end of May, broke into equipment trailers and got away with about $95,000 in Milwaukee-brand tools from a solar farm.
Sheriff Mike Lucas said investigators are working to determine whether the solar farm was specifically targeted.
“I don’t know if this was targeted in regards to the solar farm. We don’t know. We’re looking in regards to, you know, somebody had to know that there was that much equipment out there. So we’re working on that angle also,” Lucas said.
The 130 items missing include multiple wire cutters, grease guns, about 80 batteries, more than 40 half-inch impact guns and a couple of small generators. The theft happened near Monroe Avenue between Prairie and Forest drives off of Highway 54.
Investigators collected evidence at the scene, including tire impressions, and have serial numbers for all the tools. Lucas warned buyers that if they purchase stolen tools — often sold online or trafficked out of state — the items can be seized and they could lose their money or even face charges if they knowingly buy stolen property.
“A good idea is to maybe write down that license plate of the person that you got that from, because if by chance we come and knocking on your door and we take that equipment back, you actually have something that maybe can assist in recouping some of your money,” Lucas said.
He is asking the public to watch for bulk Milwaukee tools being sold “too good to be true.” Lucas said thefts of this scale raise costs that ultimately get passed on to consumers through higher prices and insurance premiums.
Anyone with information about this or any crime can contact Portage County Crime Stoppers through the P3 app, call the number provided or submit a tip online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Click here to download the WSAW news app or WSAW First Alert weather app.
Click here to submit a news tip or story idea.
Copyright 2026 WSAW. All rights reserved.

source

Crisil expects domestically manufactured solar cells to account for half of India’s total demand this fiscal 2026-27, up from about one-fourth last fiscal. This strong uptick will be driven by the government’s push to reduce dependence on imports, supported by a strong ramp-up in solar cell manufacturing capacity.
However, such large capacity additions are likely to put pressure on capacity utilisation and realisations, potentially extending payback periods for cell manufacturers.
The estimates are based on Crisil’s assessment of solar cell manufacturing capacity expansion plans announced by domestic module and cell manufacturers.
Following the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) from April 1, 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended localization requirements upstream through the Approved List of Cell Manufacturers (ALCM), aiming to reduce dependence on imported cells in the solar PV supply chain.
Applicable from June 2026, the ALCM is mandatory for utility-scale projects with bid submission dates after Aug. 31, 2025, and for net-metering and open-access projects commissioned after June 1, 2026. Residential rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are exempt from the requirement until March 31, 2027.
 “The ALCM will sharply reset India’s solar cell supply mix. Domestic supply will gain share and meet around half of the 60-65 GW demand this fiscal, with imports making up for the rest,” said Manish Gupta, Deputy Chief Ratings Officer, Crisil Ratings.
“The shift will be led by demand for indigenous cells from newer utility-scale bids, net-metering and open-access projects, and government-backed schemes such as Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan, or KUSUM. Meanwhile, imports will mainly be for the pipeline of unexecuted utility-scale projects with bid submissions prior to the August 31, 2025 cut-off. As the earlier project pipeline winds down, import dependence should fall materially starting next fiscal.”
With rising demand and anticipated reduction in imports, several manufacturers are undertaking capital expenditure to set up or expand solar cell manufacturing capacities.
Crisil expects India’s cumulative solar cell capacity to nearly double to 60 GW by the end of this fiscal, with further additions likely over the next fiscal. This could challenge the returns on new solar cell manufacturing capacities.
Says Ankit Hakhu, Director, Crisil Ratings, “The surge in solar cell capacity will redraw project economics. Capacities commissioned by the end of this fiscal could see payback periods stretch by 1-2 years, compared with the 4-5 years it took the early movers integrating backward to solar cell manufacturing. These early movers benefited from higher premiums and 50-60% capacity utilisation after stabilisation—advantages that are likely to narrow as fresh capacity comes on stream.”
The payback periods are crucial given the rapid evolution of technology in the sector, which can shorten the economic life of assets, particularly where reliance on imported raw materials adds to margin volatility.
Manufacturers pursuing deeper backward integration into ingot and wafer manufacturing—currently almost entirely imported—are likely to see better returns through higher realisations following the government’s notification on the likely applicability of ALMM III (ALMM for solar ingots and wafers) from June 2028 onwards.
A key monitorable is the risk of weaker solar module demand arising from delays in power purchase agreement signings. Moreover, the MNRE has also set up an expert committee to assess ALCM exemption requests for net-metering and open-access projects with installed but uncommissioned modules, or where developers have taken substantive steps toward project implementation. Any material exemption affecting demand for indigenous cells will bear watching.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
pv magazine Insight will be held on October 30, at The Battery Show India Expo 2025 and moderated by pv magazine’s Uma Gupta and Mark Hutchins.

You have no items in your basket.

source

Your complete guide to the emerging economies of Southeast Europe. From latest news to bespoke research – the big picture at the tip of your fingers.
SeeNews is your complete guide to the emerging economies of Southeast Europe. Latest news, market intelligence, industry analyses, on-demand research – the big picture at the tip of your fingers.
Get ahead of the competition with SeeNews Premium Access. Unlimited news and objective analysis you can trust, company data and more. Subscribe now and start making agile business decisions.

source

Pradershika Sharma is a tech deals writer for Lifehacker.

She has a Master’s degree in English Literature, a B.Ed., and a TESOL certification. She has been writing professionally since 2018, creating product reviews, affiliate articles, and search ads for global clients while working with Rubix Agency and Cognizant. Previously, she spent a year teaching English at the junior high level.

An avid reader since childhood, Pradershika’s idea of extreme sports is staying up to read “just one more chapter.” She lives in India.
Right now, the Solix F3800 portable power station bundle is down to $1,999.98 from its usual $3,999 price. According to price trackers, that’s the lowest price this package has reached so far. We’re also keeping track of other notable discounts and buying advice across a wide range of categories for this year’s Prime Day sales event.
With a 3,840Wh battery and up to 6,000W of output, the F3800 is built for more than keeping phones and laptops charged during an outage. Most portable power stations are limited to standard 120V outlets, which covers TVs, computers, lights, and small appliances, but the F3800 also supports 240V output, allowing it to power larger appliances that many competing models simply can’t handle. That includes electric dryers, ovens, certain air-conditioning systems and EVs, and an RV through its dedicated 30-amp outlet. Anker also designed the system with expansion in mind. You can add up to six expansion batteries, increasing total capacity to 26.88kWh.
The included 400W solar panel also adds another layer of flexibility—if you’re using the system for camping, RV travel, or extended outages, you can replenish some of that capacity without relying entirely on the electrical grid. The panel uses high-efficiency monocrystalline cells, offers adjustable stand angles to help capture more sunlight throughout the day, and carries an IP67 weather-resistance rating for outdoor use.
The biggest drawback here is portability. Despite the wheels, the Solix F3800 weighs more than 130 pounds, so this isn’t something you’ll casually carry from place to place. It’s better thought of as a movable backup-power system than a grab-and-go battery pack. It’s also still a significant investment, even at half off.

Pradershika Sharma is a tech deals writer for Lifehacker.
Pradershika Sharma is a tech deals writer for Lifehacker.
Lifehacker has been a go-to source of tech help and life advice since 2005. Our mission is to offer reliable tech help and credible, practical, science-based life advice to help you live better.
© 2001-2026 Ziff Davis, LLC., A ZIFF DAVIS COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Lifehacker is a federally registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of Lifehacker. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.

source

Norwegian-headquartered renewables developer Scatec has started constructing the 120 MW Sidi Bouzid II solar plant in Tunisia after reaching financial close.
Total capital expenditure for the project is estimated at €96 million ($110.1 million) and is being financed by a combination of non-recourse debt and equity. Senior lenders for the project are the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank, with additional grant funding from the EU Neighbourhood Investment Platform and guarantees from the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus.
Scatec signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project in December 2024 following a government tender. The company is developing the Sidi Bouzid II project alongside Aeolus SAS, part of the Japanese conglomerate Toyota Tsusho Group. The two parties both own 50% of the project.
The site is expected to reach commercial operations during the second half of 2027, with Scatec set to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), asset management and operations and maintenance services with an EPC scope of approximately 75% of capital expenditure.
Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec, said the Sidi Bouzid II project is the company’s third under construction in Tunisia.
Scatec and Aeolus switched on the 60 MW Sidi Bouzid project earlier this year. In January, Scatec announced it signed a 25-year PPA with Tunisian state utility STEG for the 120 MW Tataouine solar power plant.
Tunisia has over 2.4 GW of operational solar, according to figures available in the Africa Solar Industry Association’s (AFSIA) project database, including 357 MW of utility-scale solar. Last December, the country switched on a 120 MW solar project, its first above 100 MW.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
June 23-25, 2026 | MUNICH, GERMANY

You have no items in your basket.

source

FCW Team

source

Bolivia’s state power company Ende has selected a firm to advance the US$110mn, 120MW Chichas solar project in Tupiza, Potosi department.
Bolpegas won the pre-investment contract and will have 150 days to complete the work. The tender was launched in April.
Tasks include a technical design study, including basic engineering design, as well as economic, financial and market studies, and environmental and social assessments.
This week, President Rodrigo Paz authorized the construction of the 40MW Contorno Bajo I photovoltaic project in Viacha after lawmakers approved a 34mn-euro (US$39mn) loan from German development bank KfW in April for the plant.
Ende’s solar development pipeline includes the 30MW Occidente project.
[insight#260217538]
(The original version of this content was written in English)
Subscribe to the leading business intelligence platform in Latin America with different tools for Providers, Contractors, Operators, Government, Legal, Financial and Insurance industries.
The project would span the departments of Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca.
There are ten lots that will be moved from Puerto Jennefer to where the Warnes II project is installed.
Subscribe to Latin America’s most trusted business intelligence platform.
Get critical information about thousands of Electric Power projects in Latin America: what stages they’re in, capex, related companies, contacts and more. Electric Power companies in Latin America: their projects, contacts, shareholders, related news and more. Cookie Policy.
Allow users to browse and enable essential functions of the site.
Collect statistical information about user interaction with the site to understand navigation behavior and improve user experience.
Store information about users behavior through continuous observation of browsing habits to create a specific profile for advertising.

source

Share this:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• WhatsApp
• X
• Telegram
• Print
• Email
• More

• Pinterest
• Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading…

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
Norwegian independent power producer Scatec has secured final financing for the 120MW Sidi Bouzid II solar PV project in Tunisia.
The initiative is a joint venture with Aeolus SAS, which belongs to the Toyota Tsusho Group, and both companies hold equal 50% stakes. Construction is currently in progress, with commercial operations anticipated to start in the latter half of 2027.
Total capital expenditure is projected at EUR96 million (US$110 million), funded through a mix of non-recourse debt and equity, with leverage around 70%.
Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog stated that Sidi Bouzid II represents the firm’s third project beginning construction in Tunisia, strengthening its collaboration with Aeolus and its foothold in the nation. He highlighted that the venture showcases the company’s capacity to expand via repeatable tender-based projects, underpinned by a robust partnership and a capital-light approach.
Financing has been arranged with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank. Additional backing comes from grant funding via the EU Neighbourhood Investment Platform and guarantees from the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus.
Scatec will handle engineering, procurement, and construction, along with asset management and operations and maintenance services. The EPC contract accounts for roughly 75% of the total project capital expenditure.
A 25-year power purchase agreement with Tunisian state utility Societe Tunisienne de l’Electricite et du Gaz supports the project.
Tunisia depends heavily on natural gas for electricity, with 95% of its power generated from that fuel and over 60% of gas supplies imported. The country aims to derive 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, seeking to lower generation costs and boost energy self-sufficiency.
The 60MW Sidi Bouzid I solar facility entered commercial operation in March 2026.
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
The Largest Destinations for Exports
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc

source

One of the outgrowths of the pending sunset of the Federal Investment Tax Credit and a slowdown in new large-scale solar projects entering service is that existing assets, both in service and under construction, may become more valuable. Buyers are active and owners are putting together larger and more diverse portfolios of PV projects. 
A recent study by the PV Performance and Analytics Modeling Collaborative (PVMAC) at Sandia National Laboratories reports that the rise of large, complex solar portfolios is causing fragmentation in operational data that could threaten output performance and financial returns.
The problem, the authors assert, is that many stakeholders, which may have limited industry experience, are not fully aware of the importance of PV operations software on plant performance. At its core, the problem is the lack of standards for reporting, the study says, particularly in key performance indicators (KPI) metrics.
“The [solar] industry lacks clear and consistent understanding of PV operations software, and many stakeholders are not fully aware of the importance of these tools for improving operational performance,” the report states. “This makes it difficult to assess capabilities, compare approaches, and make informed decisions.”
The PVMAC solicited the input of 24 providers of operations and maintenance (O&M) software providers to assess the capabilities, integration practices and operational functionality of their commercial systems representing more than 1.1 TW of solar assets across over 115,000 sites. 
The responses indicated that while 70% of platforms offer public application programming interfaces (APIs), 30% still place restrictions and costs on data export. The report also found that only 17% of providers publicly document their KPI performance methodologies and only about half claim KPI reproducibility, making it difficult for operators to consistently evaluate performance across assets and platforms.
According to Texas-based enSights, a provider of O&M intelligence and energy business management software that participated in the research, challenges compounded by different data access points across manufacturers, distributed energy resource asset age and operational platforms.
“The data accessibility issue and array of different performance KPI definitions are only compounding the data fragmentation challenge, at a time when operators are under increasing pressure to optimize portfolio performance and returns,” said Alon Mashkovich, co-founder and CEO of enSights. “A fragmented data landscape that makes it increasingly difficult for operators to gain a clear understanding of portfolio performance, ultimately limiting their ability to maximize returns and realize the full value of their assets.”
Mashkovich added that by removing these barriers, software providers will be able to enable operators to obtain a clearer view of their portfolios that will enable better decisions, stronger performance and greater confidence in the data that drives them.
The Sandia report offers the following takeaways on O&M software characteristics and their potential pitfalls:
Mashkovich said the industry must advance beyond simply collecting data towards ensuring it can move freely across systems. It should also work to establish standardized performance KPI definitions in order to eliminate variations between expected yield calculations, digital twin definitions, performance methodologies and KPI calculations in order to more accurately predict portfolio performance.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
pv magazine USA hosts its third multi-day virtual event on advancing U.S. solar and energy storage markets, covering financing, supply chains, and distributed energy’s role in grid resilience.

You have no items in your basket.

source

No matter which way you slice it, the farm economy is in a challenging place right now.
Farmers are running the numbers on their operations. For many, the numbers aren’t adding up. Fertilizer costs are up. Fuel isn’t coming down. Equipment payments aren’t stopping. As the margins that keep a farm in the family keep getting thinner, many farmers are evaluating their options. Not to get rich. Just to stay afloat.
One of those options is putting solar panels on a portion of the farm acreage. Not replacing crops or giving up farming. Just using a small part of what they own to generate steady income and lower their power bills.
For a lot of farmers right now, solar is not a political issue or environmental statement. It’s a way to make the math work. As president of CB solar, I’ve helped plenty of farms here in Iowa install solar arrays on their property, and I’ve seen first-hand how solar brings stability to farm families.
More: Why Iowa farmers need competition, not another bailout | Opinion
Too many debates in Washington around solar and agriculture treat it like a choice between food and energy. But increasingly, farmers are doing both. For farmers facing unpredictable markets, weather, and input costs, a long-term solar lease and lower electricity bill can provide something rare: stability.
That’s why programs like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) matter. REAP has helped farmers install energy systems, cut costs, and invest back into their operations. This is not a partisan issue. Farmers don’t ask whether something is Republican or Democrat. They ask whether it works. REAP has worked.
Now, as the Senate takes up the farm bill, lawmakers face a choice: Protect programs like REAP that help farmers lower long-term costs or cut a valuable program for rural Americans. Cutting this critical program would be a mistake.
At a time when President Donald Trump is focused on lowering costs and strengthening domestic energy, helping farmers generate their own power checks every box. Energy produced on American farms, by American landowners, is about as local and secure as it gets.
More: Farm bill draft has warts; Iowa delegation should fix it | Opinion
That doesn’t mean every project should move forward without scrutiny. But the answer isn’t to take options off the table entirely. The answer is to make sure those options are available and workable through the farm bill.
Rolling back REAP wouldn’t be a victory for rural America. It would simply make it harder for farmers to use their own land and keep their operations afloat. This is about whether Washington will help ensure the folks that know their land the best get a chance to do what they’ve always done: tend to their land and provide for their communities.
Tyler Bacon is president of CB Solar of Des Moines.

source

The rapid scale-up of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is central to achieving global and national climate and energy transition goals. While ground-mounted solar PV has expanded significantly, land availability has emerged as a critical constraint, particularly in densely populated regions and areas with competing land uses. Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FSPV), which involve deploying solar PV systems on water bodies and ponds, offer a strategic solution to this challenge by enabling large-scale solar deployment without exerting additional pressure on land resources. 
This report “Solar PV Potential of India (Floating Solar)” published by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) presents a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of India’s FSPV potential. Globally, FSPV has evolved into a rapidly expanding segment of the solar sector, led by countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan, with cumulative installed capacity reaching ~9.6 GW by 2024 and annual additions of ~1–1.2 GW. Growth has been concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region due to land constraints, supportive policies, and the availability of water bodies. International experience indicates that even partial utilisation of reservoir surfaces can unlock significant solar potential, alongside co-benefits such as reduced evaporation and enhanced PV efficiency due to water-induced cooling. In this context, the report highlights the need for a systematic assessment framework to enable evidence-based policymaking, infrastructure planning, and investment decisions, while ensuring environmental sustainability, grid integration, and long-term operational reliability. 
Based on this integrated assessment, the study estimated India’s total floating solar potential at approximately 102.18 GWp, with a constraint of using only 20% of the reservoir area. The potential is unevenly distributed across states, with particularly high concentrations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, and Gujarat, reflecting the availability of large, technically suitable reservoirs and inland water bodies. Smaller and shallow water bodies have been deliberately excluded to avoid overestimation and to align the results with practical deployment considerations. 
Overall, the findings highlight floating solar as a significant and scalable complement to ground-mounted PV in India’s renewable energy portfolio. By optimising the use of underutilised water surfaces, floating solar can help overcome land constraints, enhance energy security, support water conservation objectives, and accelerate progress toward national renewable energy and climate targets. The assessment provides a strong analytical foundation for policymakers, developers, and financial institutions to prioritise sites, design targeted interventions, and mainstream floating solar within India’s long-term clean energy strategy.
Access the report here
Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) is seeking consultants to execute a bathymetry survey and soil test report for a 600 MW floating solar power project at Chandil Dam in Jharkhand.The survey’s goals include determining […]
Oriana Power has announced the successful commissioning of a novel 800kW AC/ 1MWp DC floating solar power plant at Dabok mines of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The project has been commissioned for Udaipur Cement Works Limited (UCWL), […]
The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has issued a tender to recruit consultancy services for the installation of 6.9 MW of floating solar power projects in Kochi’s rainwater harvesting pond and shore tank farm. As […]

SubscribeNovember Issue
COPYRIGHT © 2017-2025 | RENEWABLE WATCH

Error: Contact form not found.

Error: Contact form not found.

Error: Contact form not found.
Error: Contact form not found.
Error: Contact form not found.

Δ

Δ
Error: Contact form not found.

Δ

Verify Code (required)

Δ

Verify Code (required)

Δ

source

Lucara Botswana Launches EOI For 30 MW Solar PV Plant At Karowe Diamond Mine  SolarQuarter
source

Dr. Lu: Since entering the renewable energy sector in 2006, CHINT has recognized that the solar industry is cyclical. That’s why we’ve been committed to building a more resilient business model from day one — not chasing short-term growth but building for the long haul.
Today, CHINT operates an end-to-end value chain, from silicon materials and wafers upstream, to solar cells and modules, inverters and BESS, as well as to project development, EPC, and O&M downstream. This integrated approach creates strong industrial synergies and equips us to navigate market cycles with greater confidence.
CHINT is also the only enterprise group globally listed in BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 rankings for PV modules, inverters, and energy storage simultaneously — a reflection of our global competitiveness and long-term credibility.
Dr. Lu: Looking ahead, we see several strategic areas that will shape CHINT’s next phase of growth: complementary energy systems, green fuels, virtual power plants, and zero-carbon industrial parks.
We believe the future energy system will rely on more integrated solutions. We see strong potential in hybrid systems combining solar, storage, and wind to deliver a more stable and cost-effective power supply, especially for markets with weak grids or high diesel dependency.
On the green fuels side, we are exploring the conversion of biomass waste into green LNG and green methanol to support industrial decarbonization.
In virtual power plants, CHINT has a meaningful first-mover advantage, supported by a flexible, distributed generation base and a strong distributor network that connects a large SME customer base. We are also piloting zero-carbon industrial parks and direct green electricity supply models at our factories in Zhejiang, China, which will serve as proving grounds for solutions we intend to replicate at scale across China’s industrial sector.
Dr. Lu: CHINT always takes a long-term and disciplined approach to developing its renewable energy business. With end-to-end capabilities across the entire value chain, we can create stronger synergies across our business and deliver more competitive solutions to customers. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion for its own sake, we concentrate on creating sustainable value and maintaining strategic discipline.
Dr. Lu: Over the next five years, global demand for renewable energy is expected to remain robust, driven by energy security concerns, cost competitiveness, and net-zero commitments. In China, the industry is transitioning from policy-backed growth to market-oriented mechanisms, marking a broader shift from “industrializing renewable energy” to “renewables reshaping industry.”
Future competition will no longer be limited to standalone solar or storage products. Instead, the market will increasingly value integrated energy solutions, cross-sector collaboration, and efficient utilization of green electricity. Meanwhile, emerging sectors such as green hydrogen and green methanol are also creating significant new opportunities for the industry.
Dr. Lu: In hydrogen, our focus will be on hydrogen production equipment and integrated system solutions, while strengthening key technologies and materials across the value chain to enhance competitiveness.
We also see strong potential in combining renewable energy with emerging industrial applications. One example is our 5 MW project in South Australia, where solar power is combined with computing infrastructure to improve energy flexibility and reduce exposure to electricity price volatility.
We are also expanding into backup energy storage solutions for AI data centers, and other high-energy-demand applications. With our strong technical expertise in power and energy solutions, CHINT has supported several data center projects and sees significant long-term opportunities.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
June 23-25, 2026 | MUNICH, GERMANY

You have no items in your basket.

source

Peace between solar developers and farmers is possible through the emerging field of agrivoltaics, in which crops share space with solar panels. Though losing some field space, the farmer gets a reliable income from a new kind of energy crop, while continuing to stay in the business of raising plants instead of going bankrupt or selling the land for real estate development. What is lacking is a legislative framework to support and accelerate the transition into agrivoltaics, and the state of Virginia has just come up with a solution.
The new legislation crossed the CleanTechnica radar via an email from the land conservation organization Piedmont Environmental Council. PEC is known for establishing the first crop-based agrivoltaic system in Virginia, located at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows (pictured above). It’s a relatively small project, but the impact has resonated through the halls of the Virginia state legislature.
The word “crop” is significant because at this time, agrivoltaic activity around the US has been largely limited to grazing sheep. As relatively small, efficient grazers, sheep help reduce maintenance costs by keeping vegetation off the panels. They also help condition the soil, conserving it for agricultural use if the panels are ever removed (see more solar grazing background here).
Edible crops for humans are a next-level challenge in terms of balancing land use between solar panels and agriculture. The new legislation (SB 340/HB 508) is designed to provide farmers with a reliable, stable platform for making those decisions, while avoiding poorly designed projects.
“The topic of agrivoltaics is one that has been top of mind for me for years, because it has always been a question of how is it that we can ensure that our communities–and importantly our farmers–have the ability to keep land in production, but also the option to leverage the technology that can help them offset their on-farm costs and also allow them to be leaders,” Virginia Governor Spanberger explained earlier this week, marking the occasion of a formal bill-signing ceremony.
“By establishing clear enforceable definitions of agrivoltaics and code of Virginia, we are protecting farmers. We are making clear that the use of agrivoltaics prioritizes agricultural productivity, keeps land in production for the life of the solar array and is part of an existing farm business,” Spanberger elaborated.
If agrivoltaics is so good for farmers and their communities, why does Agriculture Secretary Susan Rollins oppose solar panels on farms? That’s a good question. Perhaps she will explain herself someday.
Nevertheless, she is in good company. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum doesn’t believe that energy storage systems are actual things that exist in time and space, although energy storage helps farmers optimize their solar resources.
As for Energy Secretary Chris Wright, let’s not bother him. He’s too busy to think about new solar solutions that can help farmers stay in business. His attention is focused like a thousand points of light on an effort to keep coal power from sliding into the dustbin of historical irrelevance. Perhaps in an earlier age he would have been among those fighting to save the whale oil industry after low-cost mineral and petroleum oils swept into the market, with just as much success.
As for the President himself, rumor has it that his position on solar power has softened. That’s nice, but not nice enough to prevent the steady march of farm bankruptcies. Sell-offs to real estate developers also continue apace, with skyrocketing fuel and fertilizer costs adding to damage done by the President’s willy-nilly tariff wars. That land is forever lost to permanent infrastructure up to and including data centers.
Where were we? Oh, right. A modern solution to the age-old struggle of keeping a farm in operation. SB 340/HB 508 formally defines agrivoltaics as “the intentional co-location of agricultural production and solar energy generation on the same land,” but it doesn’t stop there.
The bill also lists some key qualifiers. The project must complement a farm’s existing business and prioritize agricultural activities, including the sale of products, over the solar array’s lifespan. Solar panels typically last about 25-30 years, so that is a substantial commitment.
The system also needs to be designed with flexibility in mind, enabling farmers to respond to changing markets and adapt their operations accordingly.
The PEC has been a powerful advocate for forward-looking agricultural energy solutions in Virginia, so its no surprise to see the organization give itself a pat on its back for another successful effort.
“Working alongside the Virginia Farm Bureau, PEC helped develop an official definition for agrivoltaics that will ensure dual use solar projects take best management practices into account,” the organization explained in a press statement, while emphasizing that SB 340/HB 508 passed with strong bipartisan support.
SB 340/HB 508 also follows 11 other energy bills signed into law with PEC support in one form or another Some of those were authored by PEC, and others were advised or otherwise supported by PEC.
“PEC worked on these practical legislative proposals with partners before the 2026 General Assembly session, laying the groundwork for accelerating underutilized small-scale, distributed generation and storage opportunities in Virginia,” PEC explains.
That’s quite a track record for one legislative session. However, former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin was term-limited out of office in November, removing one potential obstacle. Spanberger ran for the office on a clean energy platform and she has been making up for lost ground.
Agrivoltaics is just part of the farmer-supporting package. The new batch of legislation also supports on-farm energy storage (sorry, Doug!) and virtual power plants, enabling farmers to earn revenue in collaboration with their local utilities.
“When multiple farms, businesses and homes use battery backup, the energy they produce and store together can function as a ‘virtual power plant,’ furthering the potential for decentralized power generation,” PEC adds.
“PEC worked on these practical legislative proposals with partners before the 2026 General Assembly session, laying the groundwork for accelerating underutilized small-scale, distributed generation and storage opportunities in Virginia, PEC further emphasizes.
The Community Farm itself is a living model for replication, with crops sitting alongside solar panels and a full battery backup system. Kale, lettuce, beets, broccoli, and garlic are among the crops currently in residence. With the solar panels and battery in hand, the farm has had an electricity bill of zero so far this year, and the solar-plus-storage can cover its operations in case the grid goes down.
Photo: The Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows is hosting the first ever crop-based agrivoltaics system in Virginia — and it won’t be the last (courtesy of PEC).
CleanTechnica’s Comment Policy
Tina has been covering advanced energy technology, military sustainability, emerging materials, biofuels, ESG and related policy and political matters for CleanTechnica since 2009. Follow her @tinamcasey on LinkedIn, Mastodon or Bluesky.
Tina Casey has 4213 posts and counting. See all posts by Tina Casey

source

New to HackMD? Sign up
By signing in, you agree to our terms of service.

source

Domestic solar cells to meet half of industry demand this fiscal: Crisil  Business Standard
source

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

source

A provision in the House-passed farm bill is drawing criticism from farmers and renewable energy advocates who say it could limit opportunities for solar development on productive agricultural land. The measure would restrict certain federal incentives tied to solar projects located on prime farmland, a move supporters say is necessary to preserve land for food production.
Critics argue the provision could reduce an important source of income for farmers facing low commodity prices and rising production costs.
According to reporting by The Guardian and congressional summaries of the legislation, the debate highlights growing tensions between renewable energy expansion and farmland preservation. Farm groups note that lease payments from solar developers have become a valuable source of revenue for some producers.
The issue is expected to receive additional scrutiny as the Senate develops its version of the farm bill. Lawmakers on both sides say they support renewable energy but disagree on how to balance energy development with long-term agricultural production.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

source

The Nexus project, a 1.6 MW solar installation on the canals of the Turlock Irrigation District (TID) in California, is now complete and operational. The $20 million state-funded pilot is presented as a model for agricultural regions affected by water stress.
Two photovoltaic systems were installed, one spanning a 30-meter-wide section and another covering a 6-meter-wide canal in Stanislaus County. Both sites became fully operational in August 2025.
The project serves as a proof of concept to study the design, implementation, and co-benefits of canal-top solar. It uses TID’s infrastructure and grid access and is the first US effort of its kind to include collaboration between the public, private, and academic sectors.
Image: TID
A battery energy storage system has been installed at the narrowest canal site, using 75 kW iron flow batteries from U.S. manufacturer ESS.
Each ESS container provides 400 kWh of peak energy and has a lifespan of more than 20,000 cycles. The unit weighs 41.9 tons, measures 12 meters by 2.4 meters, and stands 2.9 meters tall. Its electrolyte system is fully recyclable, relying on recycled iron components and salt water.
The University of California, Merced, has deployed research equipment at both sites to collect baseline data. While the evaporative savings from Project Nexus are not yet known, a UC study estimated that covering California’s 4,000 km of canals could save 63 billion gallons of water annually – enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or supply more than 2 million residents. TID is also studying potential improvements in water quality from reduced vegetative growth.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
pv magazine Insight will be held on October 30, at The Battery Show India Expo 2025 and moderated by pv magazine’s Uma Gupta and Mark Hutchins.

You have no items in your basket.

source

N.A.N. GreenMet and Belgium-headquartered Silox have formed a 50:50 joint venture, N.A.N. Silox GreenMet, to establish a lithium-ion battery recycling and critical minerals recovery platform in India.
The JV company will develop and operate an industrial facility to process spent batteries through shredding, beneficiation and hydrometallurgical refining, enabling the recovery of strategic materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. The facility will be located in Andhra Pradesh, with land and incentives in place.
The project is planned to be developed in two phases, ultimately targeting a total capacity of up to 40,000 tonnes per annum of shredding and 20,000 tonnes per annum of hydrometallurgical processing.
Beyond recycling, the joint venture will also explore downstream value creation, including cathode active materials as well as second-life battery applications for stationary energy storage systems.
Silox brings over four decades of industrial-scale hydrometallurgical expertise in non-ferrous metals recovery. Its Indian entity Silox Specialties India has developed and validated a proprietary process for battery-grade lithium, cobalt, and nickel recovery at pilot scale in India. The JV combines this proven process—now being deployed at a new order of magnitude—with N.A.N. GreenMet’s industrial execution, capital access, and deep policy relationships. 
“Every spent battery is a domestic resource — lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese — that today leaves India’s supply chain forever. N.A.N. Silox GreenMet changes that: Europe’s most proven hydrometallurgical technology at the scale India’s clean energy transition demands. This is circular economy infrastructure for Viksit Bharat,” said Navin Agarwal, founder & chairman, N.A.N. GreenMet. 
“This joint venture fully aligns with Silox’s strategy to close the loop on critical metals through advanced recycling solutions. We are convinced that India will play a key role in the global battery ecosystem, and we are proud to contribute to its development. N.A.N. GreenMet gives us the execution platform and scale to make this India’s defining critical minerals recycling platform,” added J.C. Bogaert, chairman, Silox Group.
N.A.N. GreenMet is a technology-led manufacturing platform founded by Navin Agarwal, vice chairman of Vedanta, building India’s critical minerals and clean energy industrial backbone across rare earth magnets, battery recycling, and precision blasting. 
Silox Group is a chemical company headquartered in Belgium and specializing in critical metals recovery, specialty chemicals and innovative materials. Silox develops advanced hydrometallurgical processes to extract and refine valuable metals from secondary resources, with a strong focus on sustainability and circular economy solutions.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
pv magazine Insight will be held on October 30, at The Battery Show India Expo 2025 and moderated by pv magazine’s Uma Gupta and Mark Hutchins.

You have no items in your basket.

source

Solar Power World
By Kelly Pickerel | June 17, 2026
A luxury condominium community in North Scottsdale, Arizona, will have a central clubhouse that features CertainTeed’s SunStyle solar shingles.
Designed by KTGY, the clubhouse draws inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, featuring linear forms, sloped rooflines, expressive structural members and wood-grain stucco stained to resemble natural wood.
“We weren’t trying to copy Taliesin West, we were inspired by it,” said Jonathan McCulloch, CEO of Belgravia Group, developer of the Atavia community. “The repeating roof angles, exposed structural elements, and wood detailing create something more visually interesting than what we’re used to seeing in clubhouse design.”
The clubhouse will feature the SunStyle solar-integrated roof system, which resembles overlapping dragon-scale tiles. McCulloch discovered the innovative solution while exploring renewable energy options and was drawn to its proven track record, with more than 15 years of successful performance across Europe.
Atavia will become the first-ever project in Arizona to feature SunStyle solar roofing, setting a new benchmark for luxury, design-forward sustainability in the region. The high-performance solar roof is expected to generate 55,000 kWh of power annually, which could offset most, and potentially nearly all, of the clubhouse’s annual energy consumption.
“We wanted the sustainability component to feel fully integrated into the architecture,” McCulloch said. “We didn’t want to apply traditional rectangular panels on the roof, which can detract from an otherwise beautiful design. This product allowed us to incorporate renewable energy in a way that complements the design rather than competing with it.”
Jessie Schiavone, general manager of CertainTeed Solar Solutions, expressed pride in partnering with the Belgravia Group and KTGY on the clubhouse project, noting that it reflects a strong alignment of design, sustainability and performance.
“SunStyle delivers a fully integrated solar roofing system that generates clean energy while preserving architectural integrity,” Schiavone said. “We’re proud to contribute a solution that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the space, and we hope the Atavia community will enjoy it as a place to gather and connect for years to come.”
News item from CertainTeed
Kelly Pickerel has more than 15 years of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World. Email Kelly.

Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website


Δ
Copyright © 2026 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | RSS

source

The Conversation reports a new study finding that agrivoltaics, colocating solar photovoltaic panels with cropland, could produce enough electricity in Canada to eliminate the need for fossil fuels on the national grid while using less than 1% of the country's land area, according to the article. The report, described in The Conversation as the first study of its kind, also finds that agrivoltaic arrangements can increase food production for some crops. The article frames this potential in the context of rapidly rising electricity demand from AI and large data centres and cites the International Energy Agency on projected growth in compute-related power needs. The Conversation article highlights pilot projects and academic trials (for example at Western University) as evidence supporting the study's conclusions.
The Conversation reports a new study concluding that agrivoltaics, the practice of installing solar photovoltaic panels above or among crops, can simultaneously generate substantial electricity and increase crop yields. According to The Conversation, the study finds that agrivoltaics in Canada could supply enough electricity to remove the need for fossil-fuel generation on the grid while occupying less than 1% of the country's land. The Conversation characterises this study as the first analysis specifically linking agrivoltaics to powering AI data centres and mentions academic pilot sites such as Western University.
Agrivoltaics combines partial canopy shading from panels with conventional agriculture; published literature shows this can reduce heat stress and evapotranspiration for some crops and improve water-use efficiency. Industry-pattern observations: projects that colocate generation with productive land are increasingly evaluated for land-use efficiency, grid-connection simplicity, and reduced transmission losses compared with distant utility-scale farms.
Industry context: Data-centre and AI compute demand is a growing driver of electricity use in many markets. The Conversation cites the International Energy Agency on rising electricity needs tied to AI workloads. For practitioners, agrivoltaics offers a land-efficient route to add distributed renewable capacity near load centres, which could ease peak-power and local reliability pressures while preserving or improving agricultural output.
Indicators observers can follow include pilot co-location projects that integrate server facilities or edge infrastructure with agrivoltaic farms, crop-by-crop yield and microclimate datasets from field trials, utility interconnection studies for distributed PV sited on farmland, and policy signals such as agricultural land-use rules and renewable deployment incentives. Reporting to date, as summarised by The Conversation, focuses on feasibility and co-benefits rather than commercially scaled deployments.
The finding has notable infrastructure relevance for energy-heavy AI workloads and land-use policy, but it is based on feasibility and pilot studies rather than widespread commercial deployment. Practitioners should monitor pilots and grid-integration work.
A 5-minute Tuesday brief on AI & data science. Curated, no fluff.
No spam. Privacy.
Practice with real Ride-Hailing data
90 SQL & Python problems · 15 industry datasets
250 free problems · No credit card
News on Let's Data Science is compiled from multiple public sources with editorial oversight. See our Editorial Standards and Corrections Policy.

source

rabble.ca
It’s clear that those advocating for the necessary “just transition” from fossil fuels to renewable energy care more about workers than fossil fuel supporters.
Jobs are disappearing in coal, oil and gas. It’s not just because we have many more efficient, cost-effective and less polluting ways to power our societies — although that’s a big part of it. Automation, artificial intelligence and industry consolidation are already reducing the fossil fuel workforce, and the trend is accelerating.
In Canada, despite a 35 per cent increase in oil production and 24 per cent in “natural” gas over the past five years, employment in the fossil fuel industry dropped by 38,000 jobs, down to less than one per cent of the workforce, the Centre for Future Work reports.
The industry and its political and media supporters care little about jobs or working people, as much as they might claim otherwise. Machines and computers don’t require training, demand fair wages and benefits, take sick days or get injured on the job.
For evidence of how little regard many fossil fuel supporters, especially in politics, have for working people, one has only to look at their attempts to stall the necessary transition to renewable energy — which is already generating far more employment.
The Trump administration in the United States is an obvious example, but we’ve also seen it with Alberta and Saskatchewan’s governments, various Canadian provincial and federal political parties and politicians in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Barriers thrown in the way of renewable energy development while fossil fuels continue to receive support and subsidies don’t just represent an attack on safer, less-polluting energy sources; they’re also an attack on working people.
According to the Pembina Institute, the Alberta government’s 2023 pause on renewable energy projects affected 118 projects worth at least $33 billion of investment, which would have created enough jobs to keep 24,000 people working for a year. More recently, 79-year-old Calgary-based ATCO Ltd. has blamed Alberta government policies for a $408 million devaluation of its wind and solar projects in the province.
Overseas, as Guardian writer George Monbiot explains, the conservative Confederation of British Industry found that “the net zero economy now directly employs more than 300,000 full-time workers, while supporting the jobs of 1.1 million” and that the sector is worth £100 billion to the UK, growing steadily. “The rest of the green economy directly employs a further 600,000.”
He adds, “In October, the government announced plans to create another 400,000 jobs through its green energy plan, particularly for people leaving the fossil fuel industry, school leavers, ex-offenders, veterans and the unemployed.” In 2023, the country’s oil and gas industry provided just 27,500 jobs and supported 205,000.
It’s the same everywhere, especially as countries ramp up renewable energy development in attempts to extricate themselves from increasingly volatile fossil fuel markets, choked by conflicts in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine and subject to shortages and monopoly control.
In the U.S., regardless of its president’s attempts to shore up what he ludicrously calls “clean, beautiful coal,” solar generated more power in May than coal for the first time — supplying 12.8 per cent compared to 12.2 per cent for coal.
Despite a recent drop in renewable energy investment in the U.S. because of the administration’s policy reversals and support for fossil fuels, the sector is growing faster than any part of the economy. The World Resources Institute reports that “clean energy jobs grew by nearly 12%, going from 3.2 million workers in 2021 to 3.6 million by the end of 2024. Across the country, 22 out of every 1,000 workers were employed in clean energy-related positions in 2024. During the same period, the broader U.S. job market only grew by only 8%.”
It’s clear that those advocating for the necessary “just transition” from fossil fuels to renewable energy care more about workers than fossil fuel supporters, who prioritize profits and political funding.
Along with a shift to better jobs in renewable energy, we also need to shift our thinking about employment. For starters, we must realize that the five-day, 40-hour workweek is as outdated as the energy sources that have fuelled it.
We must also ensure that those employed in the fossil fuel industry, along with many others, can be guaranteed adequate training, good wages and benefits and varied opportunities to be part of cleaner, healthier, more prosperous future.
David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.
Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

Support rabble today!

We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.

rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.

Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.

Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today. 

Nick Seebruch, editor

Support rabble.ca

Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.

Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today. 
Nick Seebruch, editor

Support rabble.ca

David Suzuki is co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. He is also a renowned rabble-raiser. The David Suzuki Foundation works… More by David Suzuki
About us
Contact
Corrections
Comment Policy
Pitch a story
Journalism Policy
Work or Volunteer with us

Ways to give
Advertise with rabble
In Cahoots
Sustaining Partners
Subscribe to eNewsletters
Jack Layton Journalism for Change Fellowship

Off the Hill live video political panel
Columns
Podcasts
Video
Books
Lynn Williams Activist Toolkit
babble archives 2007-2024
babble archives 2001-2006
Straight Goods News Archives

Link Copy link

source

Australia’s large-scale renewable energy pipeline has reached 32,277MW of probable generation capacity, according to the Clean Energy Regulator’s pipeline tracker.
The CER’s pipeline data, updated weekly, categorises projects as probable once they publicly announce a financing source, such as signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) or winning a Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender.
Get Premium Subscription
On 29 May, the probable queue jumped by 8,315MW in a single week, from 23,962MW to 32,277MW, which has been recorded as the largest seven-day movement in nine years of data.
The addition almost certainly reflects the registration of CIS Tenders 5, 6 and 7 awards into the dataset, which together allocated more than 10GW of renewable energy capacity across the National Electricity Market (NEM) and Western Australia.
CIS Tender 5 awarded 1.9GW of generation capacity in Western Australia alone, while Tender 7 awarded a further 7.8GW of renewable energy across the NEM, with wind dominating the results at more than 7GW of the total. Meanwhile, CIS Tender 6 saw 3,683GWh of standalone battery energy storage added.
The combined weight of these awards, entering the CER’s probable category simultaneously, produced the spike visible in the weekly data.
The 32GW probable figure is the cumulative result of successive CIS tender tranches loading the pipeline over the past 18 months.
The probable queue stood at roughly 13,600MW in mid-2025, jumped to just over 20,000MW in October 2025 following earlier CIS awards, and has nearly doubled again following the registrations for Tenders 5, 6 and 7. Each step up corresponds directly to a tender round outcome entering the tracker.
What the data also shows, with equal clarity, is that the committed queue has not kept pace.
Committed projects, which are those that have reached a final investment decision or publicly announced the start of construction, stood at 7,354MW on 29 May, up modestly from around 5,600MW in mid-2025 but still well below the pace needed to match the inflow of new probable capacity.
The gap between the probable and committed categories now stands at approximately 24,900MW – the widest in the dataset’s history by a substantial margin.
That gap reflects a structural challenge that has been building since the CIS programme began generating large tender outcomes.
Projects enter the probable category when they win a CIS contract, but moving from contract award to financial close requires grid connection agreements, state and federal planning approvals, financing arrangements and in many cases, offtake contracts beyond the CIS revenue floor.
Each of those steps takes time, and the CIS pipeline has been growing faster than the machinery that converts contracts into construction starts.
The accredited fleet, noted as projects that have been commissioned and are generating electricity, stood at 29,542MW as of the week ending 31 May 2026, having grown from approximately 24,000MW in early 2024.
That growth reflects the commissioning of projects that entered the committed category during the 2022 and 2023 investment surge, when the committed queue peaked at around 8,000MW.
The current committed queue, at 7,354MW, is below that 2022 peak despite a probable pipeline that is now four times larger.
The CER’s own modelling, published in its December quarter 2025 market report, projected that between 6-16GW of capacity could reach a financial investment decision by the end of 2027, a range that reflects the uncertainty around how quickly the current probable pipeline will convert.
The CER noted that 12GW of CIS-supported generation from the first four tenders alone had yet to reach final investment decision (FID) at the time of that report, before the Tender 5, 6 and 7 outcomes added further volume to the queue.
The scale of the probable pipeline provides a degree of insurance against individual project attrition. Historically, not every project that reaches probable status converts to committed, and the CER’s pipeline has always included a proportion that stall or are cancelled before reaching construction.
With the probable queue now at 32GW, the volume of capacity available to convert is larger than at any previous point, which gives Australia a deeper buffer against the delays and cancellations that are a routine feature of large-scale renewable energy development.
Whether the current committed queue of 7.3GW is sufficient to keep pace with coal retirements and meet the federal government’s 82% renewables by 2030 target is a separate question.
You can explore Australia’s monthly solar generation performance in our NEM Data Spotlight series, with all entries available to PV Tech Premium subscribers.

source

PUBLISHED ON June 17, 2026
PRESTON and CALEDONIA, Minn. — Solar energy sites popping up across rural landscapes are raising concerns about taking agricultural land out of production. With foresight and creativity, solar sites can be developed to prioritize agriculture production also known as Agrivoltaics.
However, building an agrivoltaic site is more than just raising the height of the solar panels. It’s a logistical puzzle involving specialized site prep, complex operations management and long-term land stewardship.
Join the University of Minnesota Extension for the July session of the Agrivoltaics webinar series, titled “Keeping the farm in ‘solar farm’: Agrivoltaic logistics.” The webinar will take place on July 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. CT.
This discussion brings together experts in agriculture centric solar development. Angela Burke is the director of Operations and Management at Pivot Energy. In her role, Burke supports Pivot’s asset managers and leads their land stewardship initiatives and standards. Pivot has extensive experience working with solar grazers.
Mike DellaGala is the co-founder and CEO of Solar Collective. Solar collective develops solar energy projects with an Agrivoltaics first approach. Their goal is to help farmers continue farming.
These professionals with varied approaches will discuss agrivoltaics from a solar developer’s perspective. This webinar moves beyond the “why” and dives deep into the “how” of designing, permitting and operating projects where solar and soil work in tandem.
This webinar is designed for farmers, solar developers, landowners, government officials and agricultural professionals interested in the future of dual-use land management. Whether you’re a rancher looking to diversify income or a developer aiming to integrate agriculture production, this session will provide the insights you need.
Pre-registration is required to access the zoom link. This webinar is free to attend. Registration is available at z.umn.edu/farminsolarfarm. If you have any questions or need assistance with registration please contact your local Extension Office. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507-765-3896 or 507-725-5807.
— Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) honored four of its members for their service to agriculture and Farmers Union during their annual banquet, Nov. 20. Alan Perish of Todd County received the Lifetime Service Award. A retired dairy farmer, Perish has been active in MFU for more than 20 years. He’s earned several […]
MANKATO, Minn. — Join University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss some of the key issues facing woodland owners in Minnesota and beyond. In Fridays with a Forester, a series of free online meetings, Extension educators and other experts will introduce a topic, give a brief presentation, then leave plenty of time for any related questions […]
LAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. — An exciting lineup of feature forums are planned for Farmfest in 2023 on Aug. 1, 2 and 3, according to Kent Thiesse, Farmfest Educational Forum Coordinator. The forums will be held in the Wick Buildings Forum and Education Center on the Farmfest Site, which is located at the Gilfillan Estate, 7 […]
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Drought, work shortages and next year’s Farm Bill are among the topics that have the attention of farmers across the country. So, it’s no surprise that Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam had those in mind on the eve of one of the Kansas agricultural industry’s major gatherings of the year. The 7th […]
The Young Dairy Manager Changing Herd Health One Insight at a Time
Nominations Now Open for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on USDA FSA County Committees









Click subscribe to receive a confirmation email.
We have sent you an email with a personalized link. Please click the link within 10 minutes to complete your subscription.
Pick your region or specialty and stay in the know.
Free. Fast. Farmer-approved.
Subscribe now → Click here to Subscribe
Photo Contest

source

In this interview with PV Tech Premium, Enervest CEO Ross Warby explains how the engineering demands of floating solar on a live water utility reservoir differ from conventional ground-mount design, and why Australia’s floating solar market has the fundamentals to scale but has lacked local reference projects to do so.
When Melbourne-based developer Enervest completed the installation of a 500kW floating solar array at Wannon Water’s Brierly Basin reservoir in Warrnambool, Victoria, last month, it delivered what the company described as “one of Australia’s largest floating solar installations” on a water utility asset.
Get Premium Subscription
But for Enervest CEO Ross Warby, the project is as much about what it demonstrates for a nascent market as what it achieves for the client.
“While Enervest has grown into a broader energy developer, our origins in commercial and industrial solar PV have shaped how we approach development—grounded in experience, working closely with communities and focused on delivering long-term value,” Warby tells PV Tech Premium.
“This project with Wannon Water reflects that legacy, bringing together proven expertise, strong partnerships and a practical, innovative approach to infrastructure.”
That framing matters because, as Warby is candid about, floating solar is not part of the strategic direction in which Enervest is heading. Commercial solar sits within the company’s legacy portfolio rather than its forward pipeline; Enervest has since shifted toward a larger-scale own-and-operate model, acquiring battery storage assets as part of a broader pivot in its business.
The Brierly Basin project is, in that sense, a capstone of one chapter rather than the opening of another. Yet the engineering and market lessons learned are relevant well beyond Enervest’s own trajectory.
Floating solar differs from ground-mount installation in ways that extend far beyond the obvious differences between water and land.
As Warby explains, every major design decision at Brierly Basin was shaped by the dynamic nature of a live water utility asset, one that fluctuates in level, generates wind-driven wave action and must continue operating through construction and thereafter.
The anchoring approach at Brierly Basin avoids any penetration of the reservoir lining.
“Rather than driving piles or using ballasted frames as you would on land, the Brierly Basin system uses a gravity anchor arrangement—concrete anchor blocks placed on the reservoir bed, connected to the floating pontoon structure via mooring lines,” Warby explains. “This approach avoids any penetration of the reservoir lining or bed and is fully reversible.”
Getting power from water safely requires careful design. As Warby says: “We specified string inverters located on the land surface rather than on the floating array itself.”
“This decision deliberately keeps high-voltage equipment away from the water surface. DC cabling from the panels runs back to shore via a floating cable management system, essentially a dedicated cable walkway that floats on the water surface and articulates with the array as water levels change.”
Maintenance access was structured in two stages: by boat from shore to the array, then via built-in walkways incorporated into the pontoon structure, allowing technicians to move safely across the array surface for inspection, panel cleaning, connector checks and any remedial work. Site-specific constraints at Brierly Basin added further complexity.
“The reservoir embankment is rock-faced, so the team designed a custom launch ramp to slide the floating panels into the water without damaging them,” Warby notes.
“The reservoir also remained fully operational throughout construction, which meant Wannon Water’s team had to actively manage water levels day-to-day to keep the installation process on track, a level of coordination you simply don’t have on a land-based solar project.”
Warby is measured about the operations and maintenance (O&M) profile of floating solar relative to ground-mount.
“Maintaining a floating solar system can be more complex than maintaining a ground-mount array of equivalent capacity, largely from the fact that it is water-based,” he says.
“That said, vegetation management is not a factor in this scenario, where it is a key item in ground-mount systems. Other maintenance items are, for the best part, the same or interchangeable with that of a ground-mount system.”
Indeed, modules still require cleaning and regular inspection, and the pontoon structure requires maintenance as much as ground-mount framing does, expected practice across all PV arrays. However, there are genuine operational advantages to the water-based environment.
“Panels over water run cooler, which supports better energy yield, and at a water treatment facility, rainfall does a reasonable job of keeping panels clean,” Warby notes.
As previously reported by PV Tech, reduced evaporation from the covered water surface is an additional benefit that conventional solar economics do not capture, a point identified as one of the technology’s distinguishing characteristics in water-scarce environments.
It is also worth noting that the technology is well-established at scale globally, including on saltwater, so the underlying fundamentals are proven. Warby draws on that global track record while acknowledging the local gap.
“Floating solar is a well-established technology globally, operating at significant scale, including on saltwater, so the fundamentals are proven,” he says.
“As with any early-stage market locally, Brierly Basin will also serve as a valuable reference point for the Australian sector, and we’re committed to sharing operational learnings to support future projects industry-wide.”
Warby is direct about why the floating solar market has not grown as fast as its fundamentals might suggest.
“The opportunity is significant. Australia has hundreds of water utility sites with suitable reservoirs, treatment ponds or lagoons, sitting adjacent to energy-intensive operation,” he says.
“Many of the fundamentals stack up well on paper, but the market hasn’t scaled as fast as it could, and the honest answer is that economics, regulation and risk perception have all played a role.”
Floating solar carries a cost premium over ground-mount, reflecting the engineering complexity of a water-based environment. But Warby argues the economics work in the right context.
“The numbers work when you’re displacing retail electricity for on-site operations, as Wannon Water is doing at Brierly Basin,” he notes.
The 500kW Brierly Basin system comprises 1,260 bifacial modules and is expected to generate more than 600,000kWh annually, with a net positive business case value of more than AU$500,000 (US$351,805) over its operating life.
For water utilities with high pumping loads and constrained land, the combination of avoided electricity costs and available water surface area creates a viable investment case that land-scarce sites cannot easily replicate.
The more solvable barrier, in Warby’s assessment, is the absence of local reference projects.
“Until now, Australia’s floating solar installations have mostly been small pilots,” he says.
“My view is that the market will accelerate as reference projects like Brierly Basin demonstrate reliable long-term performance, and as the regulatory frameworks mature. The fundamentals—energy costs, available water surface area, and decarbonisation obligations for public utilities—are all moving in the right direction.”
Warby also identifies an adjacent sector he argues is underappreciated: agricultural irrigators, particularly in the cotton industry.
“On-site water storage at these farms is prolific and the related energy usage to pump the water is notable,” he says.
“This sector presents less rigour and therefore faster deployment, offsetting evaporation and energy costs alike, as well as reducing widespread localised infrastructure stress in these regions that would typically all irrigate at similar times.”
The co-benefits of reduced evaporation and avoided peak network demand charges give the economics of agricultural floating solar a profile distinct from utility applications, and one that Warby suggests may prove more straightforward to deploy at speed.
For Enervest, the Brierly Basin project closes a chapter rather than opening one. The company’s evolution toward battery storage ownership and operation at the grid scale represents a departure from the commercial and industrial solar origins that projects such as Brierly Basin embody.
Warby is clear that sharing operational learnings from Brierly Basin is part of the company’s commitment to the sector it is stepping back from, even as its own focus has shifted.
What the project leaves behind is a template: a site-specific engineering approach that accommodates a live utility asset, a financial case grounded in avoided retail energy cost and a set of O&M practices calibrated to a water environment.
Whether that template accelerates Australia’s floating solar market will depend less on any single project than on whether the regulatory frameworks and reference data it contributes can reduce the perception of risk that has, until now, kept the market in pilot territory.

source

source

No two people agree on the most efficient energy source, but many will admit that the sun is the greenest power source. Electric companies set up “farms” to harvest solar radiation for power, and many homeowners install solar panels on their houses. Adoption has been slow, but solar power finally had a significant victory over one of its main rivals.
Earlier this month, the global energy think tank Ember released a report that, for the first time, solar power generated more electricity than coal in the U.S. According to Ember, solar panels generated 12.8% of electricity nationwide, while coal produced 12.2%. This milestone was the product of rising solar panel productivity and a reduced reliance on coal. In fact, organizations such as the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie clarified that over 90% of all the energy added to the U.S. electrical grid this year (approximately 7.8 GW) came from solar power and storage installations.
While the news sounds impressive, we must temper the hype a small bit. While coal is now the fourth-largest source of electricity in the U.S., gas and nuclear energy production still outshine solar power. Moreover, this news coincided with the time of year when spring starts to give way to summer, when temperatures (and the need for cooling solutions) rise, and sunlight grows more intense. Will solar power continue this upward trend? It probably could if we stop relying on fossil fuels (studies show that fossil fuels weaken and ruin solar power), but we still have the rest of the year to find out.
Analysts in the aforementioned organizations view this recent milestone as a sign of things to come. For instance, Ember’s Senior Data Analyst, Nicolas Fulgum, stated that “markets across the US are betting on solar to meet rising power needs.” However, others view it as a sign that the current administration is out of touch, especially with its own voter base.
As outlets such as AP News point out, solar power finally overtook coal amid Trump’s attempts to revitalize the U.S. coal industry at the expense of renewable energy. Recently, Trump announced a plan to spend around $700 million on the coal industry, including power plants and exports, all while his administration guts solar power projects and cancels their funding. And yet despite these attempts to (what some might call) sabotage solar power, coal continues to lose. As Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Canadian solar power manufacturer Heliene, told AP News, “investors will invest their money in whatever brings the best return. And for power generation that is solar.”
To add insult to injury, states such as Texas, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Arizona, and Mississippi accounted for 74% of 2026’s solar projects and energy — all states Trump won in the previous election. According to Darren Van’t Hof, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, these numbers demonstrate that customers prioritize the “security, low cost, and speed” that energy sources like solar provide, regardless of political affiliation. Plus, the more solar power plants we build, the more they will take the strain off our electricity bills due to AI (data centers still do plenty of harm aside from utility costs, though). 

source

A shelter-in-place order has been issued as firefighters battle a massive fire.
A dramatic fire involving solar panels erupted Wednesday afternoon on a commercial building in Los Angeles, sending a massive black column of smoke into the air above the scene.
The inferno began shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a cold storage facility the Boyle Heights area of the city, east of Downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters were initially in offensive mode and for a time seemed to have gotten the upper hand on the flames. The fire later flared up in a major way, however, sending the firefighters into defensive mode.
"All units were called off the roof and out of the interior," the LAFD said in a statement. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the immediate area surrounding the building.
The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly gone on tactical alert due to this fire.
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

source

A shelter-in-place order has been issued as firefighters battle a massive fire.
A dramatic fire involving solar panels erupted Wednesday afternoon on a commercial building in Los Angeles, sending a massive black column of smoke into the air above the scene.
The inferno began shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a cold storage facility the Boyle Heights area of the city, east of Downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters were initially in offensive mode and for a time seemed to have gotten the upper hand on the flames. The fire later flared up in a major way, however, sending the firefighters into defensive mode.
"All units were called off the roof and out of the interior," the LAFD said in a statement. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the immediate area surrounding the building.
The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly gone on tactical alert due to this fire.
No injuries have been reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

source

Sedgwick County approves solar pause, considers proposals for two developments  KSN.com
source

News
Popular Categories
Calculators
Live TV
Market
quick Links
Let's Connect with CNBCTV 18
Network 18 Group :
©TV18 Broadcast Limited. All rights reserved.

source

source

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

source

Asian Power website works best with Javascript enabled. Please enable your javascript and reload the page.
Marks its first electricity offtake agreement in New Zealand.
Anza Power has announced a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with dairy giant Fonterra, marking its entry into the New Zealand energy market.
Under the agreement, Fonterra will purchase 80% of the electricity output from Anza Power’s 42 MWdc Somerton Solar Farm, located near Rakaia in Canterbury.
The deal represents Anza Power’s first offtake agreement in New Zealand.
Once operational in early 2028, the battery energy storage system (BESS)-ready solar project is expected to generate approximately 65,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually, contributing to the country’s growing clean energy supply.
…there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you design and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.
We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.
Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!
Copyright © 2026 Charlton Media Group.

source

PUBLISHED ON June 17, 2026
WARRENTON, Va. — Today [June 17, 2026] at The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows — the site of Virginia’s first crop-based agrivoltaics project — Gov. Abigail Spanberger ceremonially signed legislation (SB 340/HB 508) that officially defines the term agrivoltaics in code. A formal definition for agrivoltaics, which integrates solar energy into agricultural production, is critically important to pave the way for well-developed, properly sited agrivoltaics across Virginia. This bill is one of 12 solution-oriented energy bills PEC either authored, informed or advocated for in the General Assembly that have been signed into law. PEC worked on these practical legislative proposals with partners before the 2026 General Assembly session, laying the groundwork for accelerating underutilized small-scale, distributed generation and storage opportunities in Virginia. These bills contribute to the Commonwealth’s clean energy future while also enabling energy independence for more Virginians.
“The topic of agrivoltaics is one that has been top of mind for me for years,” said Gov Abigail Spanberger, “because it has always been a question of how is it that we can ensure that our communities–and importantly our farmers–have the ability to keep land in production, but also the option to leverage the technology that can help them offset their on-farm costs and also allow them to be leaders. By establishing clear enforceable definitions of agrivoltaics and code of Virginia, we are protecting farmers. We are making clear that the use of agrivoltaics prioritizes agricultural productivity, keeps land in production for the life of the solar array and is part of an existing farm business.”
Until now, Virginia has lacked an official definition for agrivoltaics. This is critical, not only to build policy and incentive structures for such projects, but also to avoid poorly developed agrivoltaics – which can undermine the future of this promising approach. Working alongside the Virginia Farm Bureau, PEC helped develop an official definition for agrivoltaics that will ensure dual use solar projects take best management practices into account. This bill, which garnered strong bipartisan support and was a priority bill for the Governor, defines agrivoltaics to mean:
“…the intentional co-location of agricultural production and solar energy generation on the same land that:
(i) is designed to prioritize and sustain agricultural productivity while integrating renewable energy;
(ii) allows the ongoing production and sale of agricultural products throughout the solar array’s life;
(iii) is a part of an existing farm business; and
(iv) ensures flexibility for farmers to adapt to market conditions and support operational needs.” 
PEC’s Community Farm demonstrates a real-world example. It also has full battery backup, which allows the farm to run fully on solar and battery in case the electricity grid goes down. When multiple farms, businesses and homes use battery backup, the energy they produce and store together can function as a “virtual power plant,” furthering the potential for decentralized power generation, mitigating new transmission and generation impacts, and compensating those owners for their contributions to the power grid.
“We’re proud to convene this bill signing at the site of the first crop-based agrivoltaics project in Virginia,” said PEC Senior Energy & Climate Advisor Ashish Kapoor. “Behind me, you can see kale, lettuce, beets, broccoli, garlic and more, growing under solar panels that are generating energy to reduce this farm’s electricity bill. In fact, we have had no electric bill this year. This site provides a model for other farms in Virginia, and we hope farmers who want to achieve more energy independence will consider integrating solar energy production into their crop production. Virginia has 39,000 farms. If ten percent of those farms installed an agrivoltaics project that produced just 1 megawatt of power on a few acres, we could produce the equivalent power of four nuclear power plants.” 
The agrivoltaics definition bill also provides a critical foundation for a future stakeholder group that will develop potential incentives to advance agrivoltaics in the Commonwealth. In addition, the definition can guide regulation of agrivoltaics in other solar policies. 
PEC, a land conservation organization, advocates for clean energy solutions that respect and preserve the region’s natural resources and rural economy. PEC made an investment in the study and implementation of the Community Farm agrivoltaics project to serve as a demonstration site for farmers, installers, developers and policymakers to visit and to inform distributed generation policy in Virginia. PEC hopes the project will create a path forward that supports both Virginia’s climate goals and its agriculture — a critical backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy. The project was made possible with the financial support of current and former PEC board members George Ohrstrom, Mark Ohstrom, Mike Morency, Natalie Pien and Roy Jacobson, as well as the Lazar Foundation, Catesby Foundation, Land Trust Alliance and technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Lab of the Rockies.  
Contact: Elizabeth Ransom, Media & PR Specialist, [email protected], 540-347-2334 x7029
—Piedmont Environmental Council
MADISON, Wis. — The 2025 Sustainable Agronomy Conference, a fully virtual event held this July, will help agronomists, industry professionals, and growers strengthen their sustainability efforts while supporting productivity and profitability. This free conference, taking place over four consecutive Wednesdays, features eight one-hour sessions that showcase innovative practices and technologies. The event is organized by […]
BLACKSBURG, Va. — A Virginia Tech-led initiative helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices will continue through 2027 after receiving a one-year extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The $80 million Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture provides financial incentives and technical support to help producers implement conservation practices that improve soil health, strengthen water retention, and reduce environmental […]
AMELIA COURT HOUSE, Va. — Turning organic waste into clean energy was a futuristic idea that is now a real environmental solution in Virginia. By diverting organic waste from landfills, Massachusetts-based Vanguard Renewables is reducing greenhouse gas emissions at scale while supporting domestic energy infrastructure and regenerative agriculture for U.S. farms. Their newest facility was recently commissioned […]
HOWELL, Mich. — The Real Christmas Tree Board’s Competitive Research Grant Program typically funds $100,000 or more of research each year, awarding grants that range from $10,000 – $50,000. The program focuses on research related to the image, desirability, use, marketability, quality, product development or production of Christmas trees. For 2026-27, RCTB has identified the […]
Nominations Now Open for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on USDA FSA County Committees









Click subscribe to receive a confirmation email.
We have sent you an email with a personalized link. Please click the link within 10 minutes to complete your subscription.
Pick your region or specialty and stay in the know.
Free. Fast. Farmer-approved.
Subscribe now → Click here to Subscribe
Photo Contest

source

A research group in China has developed a new recycling process for end-of-life crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV modules based on three main stages: heavy-liquid separation of mixed materials, solar-cell etching, and solder-strip etching. The researchers also conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to evaluate the process.
“Through systematic experimental investigations, the core reaction mechanisms involving redox reactions, complexation equilibrium, and hydrolysis precipitation were elucidated, providing a theoretical foundation for the development of similar recycling processes,” the researchers said. “The selection of green chemical reagents, superior recovery performance, and closed-loop recycling potential of reagents reduce the environmental impact of the process and lay a solid foundation for its industrial application.”
The team used a mixture of glass particles, solar cells, and solder strips supplied by a recycling company. In the first stage, the materials were separated using a zinc bromide (ZnBr₂) heavy liquid. By adjusting the liquid density, the researchers induced different fractions to either float or sink, enabling separation of the material streams. The process recovered more than 98% of the solar cells and almost all solder strips prior to further treatment.
In the second stage, the separated solar cells were treated with a solution of aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AlCl₃·6H₂O) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under hydrothermal conditions. The process removed the silver contacts, aluminum back layer, and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) anti-reflective coating while preserving the underlying silicon wafer.
After optimizing process parameters, the researchers identified the best operating conditions as an AlCl₃·6H₂O concentration of 1.2 mol/L, an H₂O₂ concentration of 2.0%, a reaction temperature of 200 C, and a treatment time of 120 minutes.
In the third stage, the separated solder strips were treated with a copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl₂·2H₂O) solution. The strips consisted of a copper core coated with a lead-tin (Pb-Sn) alloy. The aim of this step was to remove lead and tin while preserving the copper core.
The team optimized CuCl₂ concentration, stirring speed, reaction time, and temperature, identifying 0.4 mol/L CuCl₂·2H₂O, 600 rpm, 15 minutes, and 60 C as the optimal conditions.
The process produced silicon with a purity of 99.997%, silver chloride (AgCl) with a purity of 99.64% and a silver recovery efficiency of 80.07%, recovered aluminum in solution, and copper strips with a purity of 99.99%. It also generated tin oxide (SnO₂) and lead sulfate (PbSO₄) from solder-strip byproducts. In addition, the CuCl₂ etching solution was successfully regenerated and reused, further improving the process’s sustainability.
The researchers then performed an LCA using a functional unit of 1 kg of waste input for each of the three stages. The heavy-liquid separation, solar-cell etching, and solder-strip etching steps showed global warming potential (GWP) contributions of 0.049 kg CO₂-eq, 3.522 kg CO₂-eq, and 0.055 kg CO₂-eq, respectively. Compared with conventional treatment methods, the process reduced carbon emissions by 80.42%, according to the analysis.
“Economic feasibility results show that the recycling profits of the heavy-liquid separation, solar-cell treatment, and solder-strip treatment steps are -$0.04/kg, $7.76/kg, and $4.81/kg, respectively,” the researchers said.
They attributed the negative profit in the heavy-liquid separation stage to the accounting methodology used in the analysis.
“Only the recovery value of glass was attributed to this step in the calculation, while the economic values of the separated solar cells and solder strips were assigned to their corresponding treatment steps,” they explained.
The novel technique was presented in “Sustainable recycling of waste crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules based on heavy liquid separation and metal chloride etching,” published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in China and the China University of Mining and Technology have contributed to the study.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
June 23-25, 2026 | MUNICH, GERMANY

You have no items in your basket.

source

French research institute Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France (IPVF) and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands have jointly achieved a power conversion efficiency of 31% for a 4 cm2 perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells.
The two therminal (2T) monolithic device combines nanotextured silicon heterojunction bottom cells developed at TU Delft with perovskite top cells fabricated at IPVF using ambient air slot-die coating. The performance improvement came from the integration of nanotextured silicon bottom cells, along with the fine-tuning of the ink and slot-die conditions, and the addition of an antireflection coating.
“Achieving 31% efficiency on a 4 cm² two-terminal (2T) perovskite/silicon tandem cell, with all the manufacturing processes compatible with industrial scale-up, represents a significant step towards the next generation of photovoltaic technologies,” Gilles Goaer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at IPVF, told pv magazine.
“Our work on the silicon heterojunction bottom cell focused on developing advanced nano-textures together with tailored plasma treatments to improve the quality of the recombination junction, which is critical for achieving high-efficiency tandem devices,” added Liqi Cao, researcher at TU Delft.
Last year, the research team reported a 24% efficiency for 10 cm2 monolithic tandem devices using planar silicon heterojunction bottom cells developed by France’s CNRS – École Polytechnique. That was an important step toward scalable tandem technology, although the planar bottom cell suffered from reflection losses, which limited the current density. “
“By combining nanotextured silicon bottom cells from TU Delft with our ambient-air slot-die-coated perovskite top cells, we were able to push the efficiency beyond 30%,” said IPVF researcher Chandralina Patra. “Several groups have already demonstrated tandem solar cells above 30% efficiency, but many of those results rely on laboratory-scale deposition methods. In our case, the perovskite layer was deposited by slot-die coating in ambient air, which is much closer to industrial manufacturing. Demonstrating this level of performance with a scalable deposition process is an important step toward commercialization.”
“Reaching 31% efficiency is an exciting result, but the most important point is that it was achieved using ambient-air slot-die coating,” she emphasized.
Looking forward, IPVF and its partners intend to further advance the scientific understanding of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells and the mechanisms that enable such high levels of performance. Building on this achievement, IPVF is now leading efforts to transfer these innovations to larger-area devices and industrially relevant photovoltaic modules. “These developments represent an important step toward the commercialization of high-efficiency tandem technologies and reinforce IPVF’s position at the forefront of next-generation photovoltaic research and scale-up,” Patra said.
No more technical details about the tandem device were provided.
Recently, IPVF took delivery of a solar simulator with advanced electroluminescence (EL) analysis from Italy’s Ecoprogetti for testing perovskite solar cells and modules. It also has an ongoing collaboration focused on perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels with French solar manufacturer Voltec Solar.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
June 23-25, 2026 | MUNICH, GERMANY

You have no items in your basket.

source

Floating solar panels keep working through icy Canadian winters  Tech Xplore
source

After hours of gruelling debate recently ended in a deferral, frustrated residents in one part of Leicestershire say they are living in the “capital of solar farms”. New documents reveal that even more sites are being eyed for development, threatening to swell a green energy footprint that already spans 800 football pitches.
Melton Borough Council’s (MBC) Plans Committee met on May 14 to discuss the latest application for a renewable project in the borough. However, after two hours of debate, members agreed to defer the application until more information is received.
The news came as borough residents said they were being overwhelmed with solar farm developments, with one objector to this recent application, Brian Kettel, writing that Melton is fast becoming “the rural capital of solar farms, not the rural capital of food”.
Residents fear ‘horrific’ industrial estate plan will leave Leicestershire village in a ‘vice grip’
One of Leicestershire town’s busiest roads set for 18 months of roadworks
Council documents obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show there are already 580 hectares – or 800 football pitches – worth of solar farms in the borough, and more applications are expected.
With 14 sites already built, awaiting the green light, or marked for development, below is all the green-field sites which could, or have already been, made into solar farms.
The subject of the council’s most recent planning meeting, this proposal would see 81 hectares of land east of Freeby Lane developed.
Around a fifth of the space marked is classed as “best and most versatile” agricultural land, while around three-quarters is classed as “moderate quality”. Two tenant farmers would lose the land as a source of income if plans went ahead, although sheep would still be able to graze beneath the panels.
With potential to power 10,000 homes, the applicant, Tony Gannon, head of Downing Renewable Developments LLP, told councillors this proposal helps counter the “increasing threat” to energy security nationally and that there is a “clear and urgent” need for developments of this sort.
However, following the deferral, its future remains up in the air.
Also awaiting permission are two developments North of the village of Brentingby and East of Woodfold Lane.
Received in December 2024 and July 2025, the applications would involve more than 75 hectares of land being used for solar energy.
On the other side of Melton town, proposals to develop land at Welby Grange Farm are pending.
Although the plans have attracted dozens of objections from neighbours, like several other sites, positive representations actually outnumber them.
However, among the commenters is the National Grid, who submitted a holding objection in January 2026 because the site overlaps with their plans for an overhead line between Weston Marsh and East Leicestershire.
The site at Welby Grange Farm sits North-East of a solar farm which has been operational since permission was granted in 2015.
East of Welby Lane, the project ranks as the smallest and least powerful site currently listed by the borough council, at just 3.8MW.
Along the border with Charnwood, two solar farms are currently operational and a further two have been granted permission.
The oldest of all the schemes sits next to Six Hills Road in Ragdale, and is set to be extended by 44 hectares according to an approved application.
A modest build next to Paddy’s Lane has been operational since 2016, and land at Leicester Road, Twyford, has also been given the green light for development.
The second largest solar farm in the borough, the development at Stygate Lane, Pickwell, was granted permission following some confusion around neighbour’s letters of support.
There had been 53 objections about the scheme and 229 letters of support. But MBC revealed in a report to the plans committee that all but one of the letters of support actually came from a form handed out to residents by consultants working on behalf of the developer.
Nonetheless, the 87-hectare farm was given the green light in October 2025, and formally granted permission in May 2026 after further work to finalise arrangements for long-term biodiversity monitoring, according to Lydia Rusling, Director for Place and Prosperity at MBC.
The subject of another lengthy planning meeting, the land East of Jericho Covert was approved for development in August 2022, despite attracting almost 250 letters of objection from neighbours.
Currently under construction, the farm has a capacity of 49.9 megawatts, the highest a project can have without being classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project.
Perhaps the borough’s most controversial build, and certainly the largest, the solar farm south of the A52 will span almost 100 hectares.
MBC actually refused this applicant planning permission in September 2023, but following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspector, the scheme was approved in February 2025.
In the appeal decision notice, the inspector said that “significant weight” should be given to “the benefits associated with renewable and low carbon energy generation” and the proposal’s “contribution to a net zero future”.
A formal application is yet to be received for two new sites South-East of Stapleford, but MBC is anticipating them.
A developer submitted a request to the council, asking if the project would need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). MBC concluded the project would not cause significant adverse environmental impacts.
A spokesperson for MBC said: “Melton Borough Council is committed to supporting renewable and low‑carbon energy in line with national policy and the UK’s ambition to reach net zero.
“We carefully consider every planning application on its own merits, balancing the benefits of clean energy with impacts on landscape, heritage and ecology.
“This approach ensures that appropriate developments can move forward while protecting the character of our local area, with only those proposals that meet planning standards being approved.”
The area around the spill is under an evacuation order that affects 50,000 local residents, per the state.
Experts explain why unsecured umbrellas can be so deadly.
Think more Pacific hurricanes, a wetter and colder winter across the southern U.S. — and potentially the hottest year on record.
The system could produce up to 20 inches of rain in some isolated areas, forecasters say.
Elye Wahi was arrested days after being named to Ivory Coast's World roster.
President Trump on Tuesday offered confidence that a deal with Iran could be finalized soon. But he also laid bare the downsides of a return to full-scale fighting and what it could mean for the global economy and energy markets.
Hall, a one-time Worlds Strongest Man, outweighed Fury by a whopping 108.1 pounds.
Bitcoin extended losses on Wednesday after a steep sell-off.
Renewed US airstrikes on Iran sent oil prices moving north.
UFC CEO Dana White has resisted outdoor events prior to Sunday's fight on the White House lawn. The history of such events has proven there's good reason for concern.

source

Danish solar company to reduce debt after sale of nine farms  EnergyWatch
source

Reviewed by Rami Haddad, Editor-in-Chief · Last update: 2026.06.17
Last year, South Korea’s Qcells set a world record for the efficiency of large-area silicon solar cells, a breakthrough that promised to significantly reduce the size and cost of solar power projects. The company, owned by South Korean giant Hanwha Corp, achieved a conversion efficiency of 28.6% by combining a perovskite light-absorbing top layer with a silicon bottom layer, allowing the cell to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight.
 
For comparison, most advanced commercial solar panels operate at efficiencies between 21% and 23%, meaning they convert roughly one-fifth of incoming sunlight into usable electricity. More importantly, Qcells achieved its record on a full-size industrial solar cell designed for mass production rather than a small laboratory prototype.
 
China has now reclaimed the title of the world’s most efficient solar panel manufacturer. Leading Chinese solar giant Trina Solar officially announced a new world record for solar module efficiency, reaching a conversion rate of 29.2% while delivering a record-breaking power output of 907 watts.
 
A new generation of tandem solar technology
 
This achievement was made using a tandem perovskite-silicon design, where two different materials are stacked together to capture a wider range of solar radiation. The perovskite layer absorbs higher-energy wavelengths, while the silicon layer captures light that would otherwise pass through unused, enabling the cell to convert a larger share of sunlight into electricity.
 
Trina Solar also developed a new interconnection architecture between the two layers, reducing energy losses and improving current flow throughout the cell, helping push efficiency to unprecedented levels.
 
Like the previous Qcells record, Trina’s breakthrough was achieved using industry-standard 210-millimeter wafers rather than small laboratory cells. The company reported efficiencies of 29.2% for full-size cells and 32.6% for half-cut cells, demonstrating the technology’s suitability for large-scale commercial manufacturing.
 
The resulting module produced 907 watts of power, a major leap from Trina’s previous record of 808 watts and well above the output of conventional solar panels currently available on the market.
 
From laboratory breakthroughs to commercial reality
 
The achievement marks another step toward large-scale commercialization of perovskite technology. While researchers have delivered impressive laboratory efficiency records for years, the real challenge has been replicating those results on full-size modules suitable for industrial production.
 
Traditional silicon solar cells are approaching their practical efficiency limits. Tandem perovskite-silicon designs offer a new pathway beyond those limits by capturing a broader spectrum of sunlight and generating more electricity from the same panel area.
 
The industry’s focus has now shifted toward scaling manufacturing and ensuring that these cells can operate reliably for decades under real-world conditions.
 
Why perovskite matters
 
Perovskite refers to a class of materials that share a distinctive crystal structure. Solar cells built with these materials can convert a broader range of sunlight into electricity than conventional silicon cells.
 
Perovskite can also be layered directly onto traditional silicon cells in so-called tandem designs, allowing the technology to absorb wavelengths that silicon cannot effectively utilize. As a result, the theoretical efficiency ceiling can exceed 40%.
 
Another advantage is flexibility. Perovskite can be applied in ultra-thin layers, making it possible to print or spray the material onto flexible films, windows, and even curved building surfaces.
 
Unlike silicon, which requires energy-intensive manufacturing processes and extremely high temperatures, perovskite materials can be processed into printable inks at room temperature, potentially lowering production costs substantially.
 
The remaining challenge
 
Despite growing commercial progress, perovskite technology has not yet become widely available for residential rooftop installations. One of the biggest obstacles remains durability, as pure perovskite cells tend to degrade relatively quickly when exposed to moisture, heat, and ultraviolet radiation.
 
Nevertheless, several companies have already begun commercial deployment.
 
California-based Caelux has developed its Active Glass technology, allowing manufacturers to produce tandem modules using existing production lines without redesigning silicon cells or making major factory modifications.
 
Meanwhile, UK-based Oxford PV has already started shipping solar modules with efficiencies reaching 24.5% to utility-scale customers across the United States and Europe.
 
As efficiency records continue to rise, the race is no longer about proving that perovskite works. The next battle will be determining which companies can manufacture it at scale while delivering the long-term durability required to transform the global solar industry.
The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that it had left interest rates unchanged at 3.75%, in line with market expectations, following the first policy meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh as head of the Federal Open Market Committee.
Major Wall Street indexes posted modest gains in choppy trading on Wednesday, as semiconductor stocks rebounded while investors awaited the first monetary policy decision from the Federal Reserve under new Chair Kevin Warsh.
 
Shares of several high-valuation chipmakers advanced, including Broadcom, Micron Technology, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Intel, with gains ranging from 2.5% to 4%.
 
The S&P 500 technology sector rose 1.2%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 3.5%.
 
Focus turns to the Fed decision and Warsh’s first press conference
 
Investor attention is firmly centered on the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
 
Markets widely expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged within the 3.50%–3.75% range, as policymakers continue to assess inflation risks linked to elevated energy costs during the Middle East conflict.
 
Investors are also closely watching Kevin Warsh’s first press conference as Fed Chair for clues about his views on inflation, labor market conditions, and the outlook for the US economy.
 
The yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note climbed to 4.43%.
 
Jeff Buchbinder, Chief Equity Strategist at LPL Financial, said the last thing Warsh wants is a sharp surge in the 10-year Treasury yield, adding that keeping yields below the 4.5% level remains important for markets, particularly after the recent decline in oil prices.
 
He added that any meaningful shift in monetary policy would likely be gradual and require broad agreement among Federal Open Market Committee members.
 
Strong retail sales data
 
Economic data showed US retail sales rose 0.9% in May, beating economists’ expectations for a 0.5% increase.
 
The gain followed an upward revision to April’s reading, which now showed a 0.4% increase.
 
Despite the strong report, analysts believe consumer spending could slow in coming months as the boost from tax refunds fades and living costs remain elevated.
 
According to CME FedWatch data, traders expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged for most of the year, with roughly a 43% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike in December.
 
Indexes advance as chip stocks outperform
 
As of 9:41 a.m. New York time:
 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 77.71 points, or 0.15%, to 52,070.81.
 
The S&P 500 gained 8.14 points, or 0.11%, to 7,519.49.
 
The Nasdaq Composite advanced 89.53 points, or 0.35%, to 26,466.52.
 
US equities have partially recovered from the selloff seen in early June, while the Dow Jones has continued to post record highs over the past two sessions, supported by the resilience of the US economy, broader market participation beyond technology stocks, and lower oil prices.
 
Oil near three-month lows as SpaceX extends gains
 
Oil prices remained near three-month lows, supported by expectations that the temporary US-Iran agreement could allow oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz to resume.
 
However, uncertainty persists after President Donald Trump stated that the memorandum of understanding with Iran is not yet final and warned that military operations could resume if he is dissatisfied with the agreement.
 
In the stock market, SpaceX shares rose 1.6% after the company surpassed Amazon in market capitalization to become the fifth-largest US company by market value.
 
Meanwhile, CME Group shares fell nearly 5% after the exchange operator announced that CEO Terry Duffy will step down on March 1 and transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
 
Market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by a ratio of 1.18-to-1 on the NYSE and 1.52-to-1 on Nasdaq.
 
The S&P 500 recorded 15 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq registered 28 new highs and 38 new lows.
Zinc prices fell 1% to close at 366.2, as growing concerns about weakening demand in China weighed on sentiment across the metals market.
 
Recent economic data from China showed retail sales declined 0.6% in May, marking their first contraction in more than three years, while fixed-asset investment dropped 4.1% during the first five months of the year, significantly worse than market expectations.
 
The figures raised concerns about the strength of industrial activity and construction demand in China, the world’s largest consumer of metals.
 
However, Chinese industrial production rose 4.5% year-over-year in May, beating forecasts and providing some support to the broader metals complex.
 
Supply disruptions limit zinc losses
 
Despite mounting demand concerns, zinc’s decline remained limited due to tightening global supply conditions.
 
Nexa Resources announced a temporary suspension of operations at its Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru after a fire damaged processing infrastructure.
 
Meanwhile, Kazzinc, owned by Glencore Group, continued operating at reduced capacity following an explosion that affected its zinc and lead production facilities in Kazakhstan.
 
These developments came as the International Lead and Zinc Study Group had already projected a refined zinc market deficit for the current year.
 
Prices also received support from declining global inventories and ongoing challenges facing mine production.
 
Production growth expectations cap upside
 
On the other hand, expectations for higher output from several major producers continued to limit zinc’s upside potential.
 
Sweden’s Boliden plans to restart production at the Garpenberg mine during the second quarter, while Japan’s Mitsui Mining & Smelting expects refined zinc production to increase by 3.2% during the first half of fiscal year 2026-2027.
 
Global zinc market data also showed that the supply surplus narrowed significantly in March, indicating an improving balance between supply and demand compared with previous periods.
 
The Price
 
From a technical perspective, the market is witnessing long liquidation activity, with open interest declining 7.16% alongside lower prices.
 
Zinc faces initial support at 364.0, followed by a second support level at 361.9.
 
On the upside, resistance stands at 369.4, and a break above that level could pave the way for further gains toward 372.7.

source

BNZ has commissioned the Muro solar plant, with an installed capacity of 28.37 MWp, in the municipality of Trofa in northern Portugal, the second project in a €600 million investment plan for the country.
Just your email — that's all it takes.

source

According to Nuvama report, India's solar power demand is projected to grow at a 22 percent CAGR through FY35, driven by data centers, AI expansion and electrification, with solar expected to supply up to 33–37 percent of power consumption.
June 18, 2026. By EI News Network
India's solar energy demand is expected to witness strong growth over the next decade, supported by rising electricity consumption, expansion of data centers, and increasing adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, according to a report by Nuvama.
The report projects solar energy demand to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22 percent between FY26 and FY35. During this period, India's total power consumption is expected to increase significantly from around 1,848 billion units (BU) to nearly 3,228 BU.
Solar power is forecast to play a much larger role in meeting the country's energy needs. Its share in total power consumption is expected to rise from about 9 percent in FY26 to 33 percent by FY35 under the base-case scenario. In a more optimistic outlook, solar's contribution could reach 37 percent.
A key driver of this growth is the rapid expansion of data centers, which require large amounts of electricity to support digital services and AI-driven applications. The report noted that power expenses account for nearly 30–40 percent of data center operating costs, encouraging operators to increasingly adopt renewable energy sources such as solar power to reduce costs and lower emissions.
The study also highlighted that growing demand from the green hydrogen sector and data center industry could add an incremental 416 GW of solar capacity by FY35 under the base-case scenario.
As India advances its clean energy transition and digital economy ambitions, solar energy is expected to emerge as a major contributor to the country's future power mix.

Renewable Expansion Without Storage will put Increasing Stress on the Grid: Hiren Pravin Shah

Integrated EPC Solutions are IB Solar’s Strongest Differentiator: Aakshi Mahajan

Transformers to Power Energy Future as Grid Modernisation Accelerates, Says Satyen Mamtora

Future of Renewable Infra Will Be Built on Resilient Structures, Not Cheapest Ones: Vedant Goel

AI, Digitalisation Will Drive Next Phase of India’s Energy Transition: Schneider’s Udai Singh

source

source

Perth-headquartered renewable energy developer BLT Energy has been granted development approval for its Red Gully 800 MW / 4,800 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
To be located adjacent to state-owned utility Western Power’s Regans Terminal, Red Gully is described as the largest utility-scale BESS proposed in WA, with phase 1 delivering up to 400 MW of power with 2,400 MWh of storage to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
Other major operational BESS projects in WA include Neoen’s Stage 1 (219 MW) and Stage 2 (341 MW) Collie Battery, Synergy’s 200 MW / 800 MWh Kwinana BESS Stage 2, and Synergy’s 500 MW / 2,400 MWh Collie BESS.
Due for completion in 2027, the Red Gully project compliments WA’s Clean Energy Link – North transmission network upgrade program.
Comments
Please login to comment
The June issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Thursday, July 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 18, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 11, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, June 1, 2026
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Madrid, Paris
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
6 am – 7:00 am CEST, Berlin
Friday, June 12, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new pv magazine Global May issue is now available!
Mountains to climb
Available in print and digital formats.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
Energy-hungry data centers open new doors for solar and storage.
Available in print and digital formats.

You have no items in your basket.

source

MENU
​LED lighting, laser systems, modern displays, and solar panels may serve very different purposes, but they all rely on the science of light. In LEDs, Lasers, and Sunlight: Principles, Design, and Real-World Applications of Modern Photonics, Miklós Lambert explores the technologies behind these applications and explains the principles that make them work.
With more than 850 pages of content, the book combines photonics theory with practical engineering topics, covering everything from the fundamentals of light to the design and application of modern photonic systems.
The book opens with an introduction to photonics, covering electromagnetic radiation, optical laws, color theory, and the physical principles behind light generation. It then moves into LED technology, examining LED physics, device structures, lighting design, thermal management, power supplies, measurement techniques, and intelligent lighting systems.

Modern LED lighting combines optical, thermal, electronic, and mechanical design considerations.
 
Readers will also find dedicated chapters on horticultural lighting, plant growth applications, hydroponics, and aquarium lighting, showing how LEDs are being used well beyond traditional illumination.
Beyond visible light applications, the book explores infrared and ultraviolet LEDs and their use in communication, sensing, and other specialized applications. Several chapters are devoted to display technologies, including LCD, OLED, and MicroLED systems.

OLED structure: a) theoretical layout, b) encapsulated lighting panel
 
A major section focuses on lasers, explaining how they work, the different types available, and their use in fields such as medicine, measurement, communications, industry, and manufacturing.
The final part of the book turns to sunlight and energy conversion. Topics include the photovoltaic effect, solar cell technologies, solar panels, and thermal radiation, providing readers with an overview of how light can be converted into usable energy.
 
​
Caption Modern solar-cell technologies, including tandem perovskite devices, illustrate the growing role of photonics in energy conversion.
With topics ranging from LED lighting and display technology to lasers, plant growth applications, and solar energy, LEDs, Lasers, and Sunlight offers readers a broad overview of modern photonics and the many ways light is used in today’s electronic systems.
​
All material on this site Copyright © 2026 European Business Press SA. All rights reserved.

source