South Africa announces major solar project to power 60,000 households Construction Week Online
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From pv magazine Australia
Australian households and businesses installed more rooftop solar last month than in any other month on record with new data from solar and storage market analyst SunWiz showing 442 MW of sub-100 kW rooftop PV capacity was registered nationwide in April 2026.
This marked a 31% increase on the 341 MW registered across the country in March and is almost double the 225 MW of new capacity registered in April 2025.
“We have now reached the strongest month in the history of STC (small-scale technology certificates),” SunWiz Managing Director Warwick Johnston said, adding that the market is now running 35% ahead of the same point in 2025.
Johnston said the surge in solar registrations was largely a byproduct of changes to the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has supported the installation of more than 350,000 small-scale battery energy storage systems over the past 10 months.
Changes to the rebate scheme, that provides discounts of up to 30% on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems alongside new or existing rooftop solar, were introduced on 1 May 2026. In the wake of the changes, systems installed through the program will continue to receive the full discount on the first 14 kWh of usable capacity, while 14-20 kWh batteries will get 60% of the discount and 28-50 kWh batteries will get 15% of the rebate.
Johnstone said the adjustments to the battery rebate scheme had “triggered a surge in battery demand with a meaningful flow-on effect to solar.”
“The rebate cut sent households scrambling for large-format (40–50 kWh) batteries, and the bigger solar arrays needed to run them followed, turning the Cheaper Home Battery Program into a multiplier well beyond its original scope,” he said.
Every state posted growth in rooftop solar installations in April with 143 MW of new capacity registered in New South Wales alone, up 35% on the previous month.
The Australian Capital Territory reported a 62% increase while Queensland delivered a 36% month-on-month increase.
SunWiz said most rooftop PV segments had recorded growth over the month with the 20-30 kW segment the standout, delivering almost double the installed capacity compared to March, up 98%.
The 15-20 kW segment increased by 61% while the 30-50 kW segment recorded growth of 45%. The 3-6 kW and 6-8 kW segments showed minor dips in month-on-month capacity growth.
The growth in the larger segments saw the national average system size bump up to 11.35 kW.
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Wind energy capacity stood at 56.1 GW.
India’s solar energy sector continued its rapid expansion in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 28.4% of the country’s total installed power capacity and 55% of total renewable energy capacity, according to data compiled from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker.
This marks an increase from the previous quarter, when solar represented 26.5% of total capacity and 52.7% of renewable capacity, reflecting steady growth in the segment.
Solar project installations rose sharply, increasing 12% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 46% year-on-year (YoY).
Electricity generation from solar sources also saw significant gains. India produced approximately 52.2 billion units (BU) of solar power in Q1 2026, up 24.3% YoY. On a QoQ basis, generation increased from 41.2 BU to 52.2 BU, representing a jump of around 27%.
India’s total renewable energy capacity, including large hydro, reached 276.5 GW by the end of Q1 2026, accounting for 51.7% of total installed power capacity.
This is a decline from 50.2% in Q4 2025 and a significant increase compared to 46.1% in Q1 2025, underscoring the long-term upward trend in clean energy adoption.
Wind energy capacity stood at 56.1 GW, contributing 10.5% of total installed capacity and over 20% of renewable energy capacity.
Large hydropower remained a major contributor with 51.4 GW installed capacity, representing 9.6% of total power capacity.
The quarter saw new additions, including NHPC’s commissioning of Subansiri Lower Unit-3 and Unit-1, adding 500 MW of dispatchable hydropower capacity.
Biomass and small hydro accounted for 2% and 1% of total installed capacity, respectively.
Despite absolute growth in capacity, the share of conventional power continued to fall. Installed conventional capacity stood at 258.1 GW, representing 48.3% of total capacity, down from 49.8% in the previous quarter and 53.9% a year earlier.
Coal remains the dominant thermal source at 41.5% of total capacity, followed by gas (3.8%), nuclear (1.6%), lignite (1.2%), and diesel (0.11%).
During the quarter, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal added 2.26 GW of coal-based thermal capacity, with Telangana and Tamil Nadu jointly contributing 1.6 GW.
Meanwhile, the cement and steel sectors converted 114 MW of captive thermal capacity into independent power producer (IPP) assets.
The Ministry of Power has released the Draft National Electricity Policy, 2026, aimed at supporting India’s long-term energy transition while ensuring reliable, affordable, and 24×7 electricity supply.
The CEA projects that India’s total installed power capacity will reach 1,121 GW by FY 2036, with the share of fossil fuel-based generation expected to fall from the current 75% to 50%.
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East Yorkshire solar farm plans get the green light – would power about 11,500 homes Insider Media Ltd
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Readers who have been following me know that the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 was my favorite portable power station (and I’ve tried a lot of portable power stations). But notice I used the word “was.” That’s because Bluetti has a new version—the Bluetti Elite 300—and it has now claimed my top spot.
What makes the 300 so much better than the 200? In two words: more power. But beyond that, it’s the ability to plug a 30-amp RV cord directly into it.
Over the years, people have often asked whether I could charge my trailer from my portable power stations. Usually, the answer was no. My power stations could run appliances and devices, but they couldn’t charge the trailer batteries. This one changes that.
That’s right—You can charge your RV directly using the TT-30 port and run your RV devices with the 12V/30A DC output. Keep your fridge, lights, fans, and water pump running while also charging phones, laptops, and routers—all without complicated adapters.
To be fair, my OUPES Mega 2 power station can do that, as well, and it’s also a quality unit. However, I prefer the Bluetti because it takes up slightly less space, and, on a personal note, I like the way the solar panels connect better.
Having that 30-amp connection means you can boondock, recharge the power station with solar panels, use it to recharge your RV batteries, and keep the adventure going.
With the available Charger 2 accessory, which pulls up to 1,200 W from both your vehicle’s alternator and solar panels, you can far outpace a standard 12 V car socket, charging your Elite 300 13 times faster while driving than just the 12 volt plug alone.
For those with older rigs, like mine, that don’t already have solar installed, this portable power station offers an easy, portable, and more affordable solution that can move with you to your next RV.
• Battery type: LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
• Battery capacity: 3,014.4 Wh (314 Ah)
• Cycle life: 6,000+ cycles to 80% capacity
• Surge power: 4,800W
• Lifting power: 4,800W
• Charging temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
• Discharging temperature: -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C)
• AC input: 1,800W, 15A max, 120V, 50/60Hz
• Solar input: 1,200W max, 12V–60V, 22A max
Total outlets:
• 4 × Standard AC outlets
• 1 × NEMA TT-30
• 1 × 12V/30A port
• 2 × 15W USB-A
• 1 × 100W USB-C
• 1 × 140W USB-C
• 1 × Cigarette lighter port (120W max)
AC output:
• 2,400W max (discharging)
• 120V, 50/60Hz AC output (bypass)
• 1,800W max, 120/60Hz
• Quick charging! When I took this power station out of the box to charge it the first time, it went from 30% to 100% in about two hours on AC using the standard mode, meaning it can charge even quicker if using turbo mode.
• There is even a silent charging mode. It takes a little longer but makes virtually no noise—not that there is much noise in regular mode, but power stations do have fans that come on automatically.
• Power lifting mode allows you to run high-power heating devices, such as hair dryers or electric kettles. While the Elite 300’s actual power output is 2,400W, power lifting mode can handle appliances rated from 2,400W to 4,800W.
• UPS mode allows you to plug the power station into a wall outlet, which powers any appliances plugged into the unit. If the power goes out, those appliances automatically switch to battery power, which is especially useful in places with unstable electricity. You can also personalize this mode with your desired charging and discharging schedule.
• Self-grid adaptation mode automatically adjusts to handle power fluctuations when charging from unstable sources, such as a generator or unreliable grid power.
• The sturdy built-in handles are located on the sides, which means the top of the power station remains flat (unlike some competitors, such as Jackery). That makes it more space-efficient and easier to pack when it’s time to move.
• For the amount of power it provides, this power station is surprisingly compact (though still heavy—see below), measuring just 14.41 × 12.01 × 11.71 inches.
• There are four ways to charge the power station: AC outlet, solar panels, your vehicle’s 12V or 24V outlet, or a traditional generator.
• Control via the device itself or remotely through the app.
• Supports pass-through charging.
• Advanced settings allow you to adjust sleep time, grid self-adaptation mode, ECO mode, and more.
• Comes with a 5-year warranty.
It comes with the territory, but for this much power, a portable power station is going to be heavy. This one weighs in at 57.98 pounds. That said, the sturdy handles and smart design make it manageable. I’m a 60-something woman and can handle it myself. With two people, it’s a breeze.
Also, it’s a minor issue, but it would be nice if Bluetti included the necessary accessories and cords along with a carrying case for them with the power station. Sadly, unlike most other manufacturers, they don’t. So, budget a little extra for the cords and accessories you will need and find a bag to keep them all together.
RVT1263
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This is the unit I’ve been waiting for, so I bought it while on-the-road and had it shipped-to-store. The 30 amp outputs are amazing, does everything stated in the article. Indeed it is heavy, thus stays in the truck bed.
I’m aiming for 12 days 24/7 boondocking with 440w/40vdc solar panels before going to an RV park FHU to give it a rest. As of this writing I am on day seven.
Good luck with your undertaking, JDKeets. Safe travels!
Thank you for noting and discussing this highly useful RV accessory, Cheri! Have a great week and safe travels!
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From pv magazine India
India installed 15.3 GW of solar capacity in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly addition on record and a 143% increase year on year from the 6.3 GW installed in Q1 2025, according to Mercom India’s Q1 2026 India Solar Market Update Report.
Large-scale projects accounted for 82% of total quarterly solar installations, with 12.6 GW added in the quarter. Open access projects contributed 21% of large-scale solar capacity additions.
Mercom said record commissioning activity was driven by a combination of approaching policy deadlines and improved transmission readiness in key solar markets. One of the main drivers was the upcoming implementation of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II from June 2026, which prompted developers to accelerate project commissioning under the existing procurement framework amid concerns over limited domestic cell availability and rising module procurement costs.
Installation activity was also supported by stronger execution under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme — India’s government solar program targeting farmers and rural communities — along with accelerated commissioning of open access projects ahead of the next phase of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) waiver reductions.
“India’s solar sector recorded its strongest quarter ever in Q1 2026, driven by accelerated project execution ahead of the June ALMM-II deadline and the reduction in ISTS charge-waiver benefits,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group. “However, transmission bottlenecks could still play the spoiler in what is expected to be a record year for solar installations. While project execution and commissioning activity remain strong, transmission readiness and evacuation infrastructure are struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth in renewable capacity. As renewable penetration increases, curtailment, grid flexibility, and storage integration are becoming critical to sustaining future growth.”
As of March 2026, India’s cumulative installed solar capacity stood at 152 GW, with large-scale projects accounting for 85% and rooftop solar 15%. Solar energy accounted for 28% of India’s total installed power capacity and 55% of total installed renewable energy capacity.
Rajasthan had the highest cumulative installed large-scale solar capacity at 32% of total PV installations, followed by Gujarat at 21% and Karnataka at 11%. In the first quarter of 2026, Gujarat and Rajasthan led quarterly large-scale additions with approximately 40% and 39% of capacity additions respectively. Maharashtra ranked third with 6%.
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The new pv magazine Global May issue is now available!
Mountains to climb
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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
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LITTLE ROCK — A nearly $700 million solar power plant outside Wilson could provide enough energy and economic impact for the next 35-40 years, meet growing needs for customers plus provide an economic dividend into the coffers of Mississippi County and the state of Arkansas, both company and utility officials said Friday.
The Arkansas Public Service Commission met Thursday to discuss a petition of Entergy Arkansas involving the Big Island Solar project. The energy provider is looking for a 20-year agreement to purchase power from the project, which is expected to be on around 3,200 acres of land, according to reports.
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End-of-Life Wave Accelerates Across Global Solar Fleet
As the first large-scale wave of solar installations reaches end-of-life (EoL), the global energy industry is entering a new phase of infrastructure transition. Aging photovoltaic (PV) assets, combined with performance degradation and large-scale repowering projects, are driving a rapid increase in decommissioned solar modules.
Industry projections indicate that global PV waste could reach several million tonnes by 2050, raising both environmental challenges and huge opportunities for material recycling.
PV Modules as a High-Value Material Source
Crystalline-silicon (c-Si) modules, which account for more than 90% of global installations, are highly material-intensive products. A typical solar panel contains:
While bulk materials such as glass and aluminium are widely recyclable through established industrial processes, the recovery of silicon and precious metals requires more advanced separation and refining technologies.
Recycling Technologies Improve Material Recovery Efficiency
Modern PV recycling systems typically combine mechanical, thermal, and chemical processes to separate and refine component materials. Mechanical processing enables the recovery of glass and metals, while thermal treatment helps remove polymers and separate layered structures. Chemical processes are then used to extract high-value materials such as silver and copper.
Under optimized conditions, the recycling system is capable of recovering approximately 85% to 95% of the total material content of the solar components, allowing reintegration into manufacturing supply chains and reducing dependence on virgin resource extraction.
From Waste Management to Supply Chain Strategy
The role of solar panel recycling is shifting from an end-of-life disposal solution to a strategic component of global supply chains. As demand for critical materials such as silver and high-purity silicon continues to rise, resource recovery is becoming increasingly important for material security and cost stability.
At the same time, growing solar deployment and accelerating repowering cycles which has led to a significant increase in the volume of decommissioned modules, reinforcing the need for scalable recycling infrastructure across global markets.
Lifecycle Integration Becomes Industry Standard
End-of-life management is increasingly being incorporated into early-stage solar project planning, particularly in markets with large installed bases entering replacement cycles. This shift reflects a broader transition toward lifecycle-based asset management, where performance upgrades and material recovery are considered together rather than separately.
Within this evolving framework, lifecycle solution providers such as GBP has been integrating recycling pathways into solar asset management and repowering strategies. This approach enables system upgrades while supporting circular economy objectives and improving overall resource efficiency.
Based in Japan, GBP K.K. offers end-to-end renewable energy solutions — from solar system design and construction to O&M and cutting-edge AI/IoT integration. Feel free to reach out to us for anything renewable energy related!
Event Details: What: EV & Home Electrification Showcase (Sold-out community event) Date: Saturday 30 May 2026 Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm (Expert Q&A Panel at 11:30am) Location: City of Parramatta Rydalmere Operations Centre, 316 Victoria Rd, Rydalmere (behind Bunnings) More details: Parramatta Council Events Page. Journalists, photographers, and camera crews are invited to attend the event. Visual & Photo Opportunities (On-site 10:30am–12:30pm): EV lineup: 10 diverse electric vehicles lined up with local Western Sydney families and children. Kid-powered clean energy: Children operating the solar-powered slot car racing track and enjoying free popcorn powered directly by an EV vehicle-to-load (V2L) battery setup.…
Leading energy infrastructure service provider Zinfra is inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to apply for funding as part of its 2026 First Nations Grants program. Organisations operating in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are eligible for funding. Under the program, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and community groups delivering initiatives which provide support services (including hands-on crisis support like accommodation and food pantries); strengthen community wellbeing and cultural connection; or create pathways into training and employment. Applications are invited from organisations based in selected areas where Zinfra operates,…
Leading energy infrastructure service provider Zinfra is inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations to apply for funding as part of its 2026 First Nations Grants program. Organisations operating in in Townsville are eligible for funding. Under the program, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and community groups delivering initiatives which provide support services (including hands-on crisis support like accommodation and food pantries); strengthen community wellbeing and cultural connection; or create pathways into training and employment. Applications are invited from organisations based in selected areas where Zinfra operates, including Tasmania (all…
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Dan R. Brouillette of Torridon Group is correct that Illinois is at an energy crossroads (“Illinois is at an energy crossroads, and time is running out,” May 26).
For years, we’ve been sounding the alarm on the energy supply crisis, and lawmakers in Springfield have been responding by advancing solutions that build new energy sources and optimize existing energy sources.
Illinois is fortunate to have leaders who understand energy and have established our state as a predictable energy market, attracting more than $12 billion in investments in Illinois. Today’s world is changing fast with data centers and other factors driving energy demand to record-breaking levels, following decades of relatively flat demand. To meet this demand, we must build more new energy, and quickly.
This problem is not unique to Illinois. Across the country, electricity bills are rising rapidly as energy markets adjust to this sudden, extreme demand surge. The Illinois General Assembly passed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act last fall to address the state’s energy crisis and build new energy supply, in order to prioritize speed and affordability.
Fossil fuel power plants are among the most expensive and volatile resources on the grid. Illinois’ existing fossil facilities are aging, require continuous maintenance and face fluctuating fuel costs; new fossil plants are among the slowest and most expensive forms of energy to build. Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Energy+ shows that natural gas combined-cycle plants cost $48 to $107 per megawatt-hour, whereas utility-scale solar projects range from $38 to $78 per megawatt-hour. Additionally, delaying the planned closures of Illinois’ existing fossil fuel plants would cost taxpayers $161 million annually, one of the highest costs in the nation. Conversely, solar and storage can be brought online in just two to three years, as opposed to the seven-plus years that fossil fuel and nuclear power plants require.
What we are experiencing is unprecedented, and this level of increased energy demand is something we have not seen in decades. We are at a pivotal moment, with significant changes happening across the energy sector, and we must continue adapting to meet the challenge.
Illinois lawmakers had a choice: Pursue slower, higher-cost solutions that would harm consumers and the environment or continue investing in fast, affordable and economy-boosting energy resources. By passing CRGA to address the energy affordability crisis, Illinois leaders made the right choice for our state.
— Lesley McCain, executive director, Illinois Solar Energy & Storage Association
Rebecca Johnson’s recent article “Chicago woman sues luxury residential managers for not allowing her to break lease after an alleged assault” (May 12) fails to mention a critical piece of legislation that every renter in our state should know: the Illinois Safe Homes Act.
Under this law, a tenant who is sexually assaulted at their rented home has the right to end their lease within 60 days of the crime. The procedure is simple, requiring at least three days of written notice to the landlord and one form of supporting evidence, such as a medical, court or police record. Had the tenant in the article been aware of this right, she could have broken her lease without penalty, sparing her the trauma of living at the scene of the crime and the burden of ongoing litigation.
Now, every Illinois lease is required to include a “Summary of Rights for Safer Homes” as its very first page. This summary explains that a survivor has the right to end a lease early if there is a credible, imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence, or if sexual violence has occurred at the rented home in the prior 60 days. A survivor may also be able to obtain a lock change at the rented home if needed to prevent further domestic or sexual violence.
As an attorney at Ascend Justice, a Chicago legal aid agency that serves survivors of domestic
and sexual violence, I have helped many survivors exercise their rights under the Safe Homes Act. By failing to mention this law, the article inadvertently creates the impression that renters are at the mercy of their landlords when they experience domestic violence or sexual assault.
Survivors already face immense hurdles when seeking safety and justice. Public reporting should empower them by highlighting available legal protections.
— Elizabeth Yoo, senior attorney, Ascend Justice, Chicago
A May 11 editorial asks whether Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is becoming a better bet than O’Hare International Airport (“Is Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport a better bet than Chicago O’Hare? A new international terminal might up the ante”). It is a fair question. Travelers want options, and the Chicago region needs more than one way to ease pressure on O’Hare.
But the conversation should not overlook an Illinois airport that is already helping serve that role.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is not a proposal or a future concept. It is an operating airport with room to grow, uncongested operations, highway access, cargo infrastructure and a record of serving the broader Chicago market.
For passengers, RFD offers affordable parking, shorter lines, easier access and less stress. That matters for families across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Anyone who has watched a simple trip become complicated before even reaching the gate understands why.
The larger point, though, is cargo. O’Hare will remain one of the world’s most important aviation gateways. But the region’s freight network should not rely on one airport to absorb every pressure point. RFD already supports major cargo operations.
Illinois does not need to create a cargo-focused airport in Peotone when it already has one in Rockford. The state should make full use of the cargo airport that is already moving freight, supporting logistics companies and serving Illinois’ economy.
Milwaukee Mitchell may well become a stronger passenger alternative to O’Hare. Good. More choices help travelers. But if the question is how Illinois strengthens aviation capacity, relieves pressure on O’Hare and supports long-term cargo growth, Rockford belongs in that conversation.
Chicago’s third airport is already operating at RFD.
— Zachary D. Oakley, executive director, Chicago Rockford International Airport
From 1960 to 1962, I rode the CTA every school day from Devon and Cicero avenues to high school near Chicago Avenue and State Street. I was a reasonably happy CTA and Metra rider on most days from 1971 (when I got out of the Army) until around 2010 — except for a dozen years when I commuted by bicycle two or three times a week from Evanston to the Loop. I was almost righteous when I bragged about going from Sunday to Friday without touching a car. (The weekends, with music lessons, soccer games, etc., were quite different.)
But despite well over 50 years of consistent use of public transportation, it never occurred to me that I could tell other people that they shouldn’t drive a car. I’m an environmentalist and a Democrat, but that’s too much.
In a letter (“Incentivize riding CTA buses,” May 20), Courtney Cobbs of Better Streets Chicago excoriates Mayor Brandon Johnson for failing to create dedicated bus lanes and change the city’s traffic signals to always favor buses. Her letter fails to mention that these steps would inconvenience more people than they would help — the inconvenienced people being those who have voted with their wallets to buy cars and drive them. These are people who didn’t choose, as she did, to move “to Chicago to live car-free.”
Other writers beat the drum for ever-more bike lanes, at the expense of traffic lanes or parking. Again, it’s “listen up people: Live the way I think you should.” Result: Watch the frustration as the drivers on North Clark Street are forced to a single lane by bike lanes, which are often empty.
If you want more people to ride public transit, so that they would eventually love more pro-transit spending, the easy start would be to make it safer, cleaner and quieter. I’d love to go back.
— Vincent Flood, Evanston
Ebola is a very deadly disease. From 2013 to 2016, there were more than 28,600 identified cases in West Africa, and more than 10,000 of people infected died from this virus.
My son-in-law joined many courageous others who went to West African countries such as Mali to fight this deadly threat during this period. He and many others were working with the now-discontinued United States Agency for International Development. Eleven cases of Ebola were reported in the United States.
Who will be organized enough for us to send to Africa this time? Who will protect us and others from this deadly threat?
How does the current administration in the White House plan to protect us after eliminating our best defense?
— Fred Schein, Chicago
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Over the last two decades, solar panels have fallen in price while efficiency has increased. Greater uptake and high levels of investment in research and development have led to vast improvements in solar power technology. As panel prices fall and governments worldwide look to diversify their energy mix and cut emissions, several developers are now launching mega-projects to meet the growing demand.
Most major solar projects developed in recent years provide hundreds of megawatts of clean power. However, as operators become more ambitious and governments worldwide open up more land for development, we are seeing the rise of the giga-scale solar park. This was first seen in China, which has developed several gigawatt-scale projects. However, the United States and other countries are quickly developing their own giant solar projects.
To develop gigawatt-scale solar projects, operators must have access to vast quantities of land, a large, skilled workforce, and invest in the necessary transmission infrastructure. The heavy land use suggests that we may see more large-scale solar development in remote areas on non-arable land, such as deserts and regions plagued by drought.
In China, the largest group of solar farms is the 16.9 GW Talatan Solar Park. The park covers 162 square miles in Gonghe County, an alpine desert in sparsely inhabited Qinghai, in western China. The unique thing about Talatan is that it is situated extremely high up, using higher altitudes for solar than any other country.
Electricity from solar and wind power in the desert, situated in the northern third of the Tibetan Plateau, costs around 40 percent less than coal-fired power. While the high altitude makes it perfect for solar panels to operate, the cold mountain air improves efficiency. China is further expanding the solar park, aiming to add vast quantities of clean energy to the region by installing solar panels alongside wind turbines and hydroelectric dams.
While China is racing ahead in terms of gigawatt-scale solar farm deployment, the United States is also developing several ambitious solar projects. In California, Golden State Clean Energy is developing a 21 GW solar farm, enough to power an entire city. The project is being built across 200 square miles of land. Huge batteries will help make the energy supply more reliable, storing energy to feed to the grid during the night.
While many farmers and politicians have raised concerns over such vast land use for solar projects in recent years, farms in this particular area are facing more severe droughts each year, meaning that they do not have enough water to grow so many crops. This has led many to seek alternative uses for their land.
Patrick Mealoy, a partner at Golden State Clean Energy, explained that the company is looking to develop a large-scale solar project, as to make the case to construct new multibillion-dollar power lines to carry electricity from the San Joaquin Valley to Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, the firm needs to develop a large enough solar capacity to make it worthwhile. “To actually have solar be productive, you need size and scale, a mass of projects that support the necessary investment in high voltage transmission lines to collect the electrons and move them,” said Mealoy.
However, Golden State Clean Energy still needs to get California’s electrical grid to approve the development of the necessary transmission infrastructure to commence construction on the project. As the project is so vast, Golden State will also require other companies to develop parts of the solar park, which could take around a decade to complete. “The state needs it. It’s permitted. It’s the right place for it. I’m excited about this,” stressed Mealoy.
Meanwhile, in India, the Khavda Renewable Energy Park is expected to provide 30 GW of combined solar and wind capacity once complete, with utility-scale batteries installed to provide power day and night. The park is being developed over 200 square miles of land in the Rann of Kutch, a seasonally flooded salt flat in Gujarat, in western India. The region is known for its strong winds and abundant sunshine. Construction on the project commenced in 2023, and the first 551 MW of clean power came online in February 2024.
The project is being developed by billionaire Gautam Adani, who grew his wealth building ports, airports, and coal plants, and has since turned his hand to manufacturing and installing solar cells and panels. Power from Khavda is sent to customers in Mumbai and surrounding areas using an Adani-owned transmission corridor. Generation from the park currently stands at around 13 GW.
Several countries are now developing gigawatt-scale solar power projects as governments look to diversify their energy mix, and the price of solar panels continues to fall while efficiency increases. Some of the ambitious new projects in China, the United States, and India signal the trend that’s to come.
By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com
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Though the technology to capture photovoltaic (PV) power and turn it into electricity was invented back in the 1950s, solar panels have yet to take over much more than calculators. It takes a lot of space to power more complicated technology, meaning solar panels can’t produce as much as we need to fit our increasing electricity needs. However, a recent study published in Nature Sustainability links coal plants to reduced performance from solar panels, showing that solar energy could be more efficient if it wasn’t for continued use of fossil fuels.
One reason why coal plants are making solar power less efficient is pretty obvious. Air pollution blocks sunlight, meaning there’s less for solar panels to capture, resulting in reduced electricity output. Further impacting solar energy production is that aerosols produced from burning coal impact the reflectivity and coverage of clouds.
The scientists studied energy production from over 140,000 solar installations between 2017–2023 and connected coal plants to energy production from existing solar installations being reduced by an amount equivalent to nearly one-third of output from new systems. In 2023 alone, aerosols reduced solar energy production by 5.8% overall. As a result, current projections are likely overestimating how much solar power can contribute to climate-conscious energy goals, especially in places where the PV loss rate is rising.
This study makes clear that, unsurprisingly, burning fossil fuels is making the transition to clean energy even more difficult. Burning coal means more air pollution, and the dirtier the air gets, the less we’ll get out of solar power. PV loss is lower in places like the United States and Europe, but the rate is actually increasing annually.
China, the world leader in PV power, is currently losing the most energy, but it’s also the only place where the PV loss rate is decreasing. That can be attributed to China implementing measures to reduce its air pollution since 2013, drastically improving the country’s air quality in the years since. However, those policies may have also sped up global warming. Aerosols blocking solar energy may be bad for PV output, but they help cool the Earth by reflecting solar radiation. Plus, even though the country has cleaned up its air, China is still responsible for over half of all coal use.
Phasing out fossil fuels in favor of clean, renewable energy sources is a vital part of fighting climate change and its increasingly devastating impact on the environment. PV loss isn’t the only challenge solar energy faces — inconsistent sunlight availability and birds being unable to tell the difference between solar farms and lakes also need to be addressed — but it’s another example of how continuing to burn coal is making it harder to combat the real problem.
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Nonprofit Homestead Community Development Corporation, which serves Hawaiian homestead communities statewide, received a boost from Hawaiʻi Legislature’s Grants-in-Aid program that will support installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems at its Enterprise Center in the Kekaha homestead community on Kauaʻi.
“Our nonprofit, along with the West Kauaʻi Hawaiian Homestead Association, is deeply grateful to our Kauaʻi delegation — especially Sen. Ronald Kouchi and Rep. Dee Morikawa — for their continued support,” said Homestead Community Development Corporation Co-Executive Director Kara Chow in an announcement about the award. “Every dollar of this [Grants-in-Aid] award will go toward installing photovoltaic energy systems on our facility, helping reduce operating costs while strengthening the long-term sustainability of a building that directly serves homestead residents.”
Homestead Community Development Corporation in 2012 as part of a partnership with Kauaʻi Community College secured federal grant funding to develop a community-centered facility within the Kekaha homestead.
The project resulted in a multi-purpose community building that since became a gathering place for West Kauaʻi residents, local organizations and homestead families.
Hawaiian Homes Commission also issued a long-term land license to support the project’s development and operation.
“Over the past 16 years, the facility has become a catalyst for growth, collaboration and problem-solving in the community,” said Homestead Community Development Corporation Deputy Director Garrett Danner in the announcement. “Countless visioning sessions, meetings and community-driven initiatives addressing longstanding challenges have taken place within those walls.”
The nonprofit plans to pursue additional capital improvements at the facility following completion of the photovoltaic installation.
Planned improvements include the addition of restrooms and upgrades to the existing kitchen so it can become a certified commercial kitchen accessible to West Kauaʻi food entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“Our West Kauaʻi facility has served hundreds of organizations and families over the last decade,” Chow added. “Based on ongoing community input, we are focused on expanding opportunities that support local micro-enterprises, entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency in the region.”
Contact Chow via email at kara@hawaiianhomesteads.org or Danner via email at ikaika@hawaiianhomesteads.org for additional information or with any questions.
Nonprofit Homestead Community Development Corporation, which serves Hawaiian homestead communities statewide, received a boost from Hawaiʻi Legislature’s Grants-in-Aid program that will support installation of photovoltaic solar energy systems at its Enterprise Center in the Kekaha homestead community on Kauaʻi.
“Our nonprofit, along with the West Kauaʻi Hawaiian Homestead Association, is deeply grateful to our Kauaʻi delegation — especially Sen. Ronald Kouchi and Rep. Dee Morikawa — for their continued support,” said Homestead Community Development Corporation Co-Executive Director Kara Chow in an announcement about the award. “Every dollar of this [Grants-in-Aid] award will go toward installing photovoltaic energy systems on our facility, helping reduce operating costs while strengthening the long-term sustainability of a building that directly serves homestead residents.”
Homestead Community Development Corporation in 2012 as part of a partnership with Kauaʻi Community College secured federal grant funding to develop a community-centered facility within the Kekaha homestead.
The project resulted in a multi-purpose community building that since became a gathering place for West Kauaʻi residents, local organizations and homestead families.
Hawaiian Homes Commission also issued a long-term land license to support the project’s development and operation.
“Over the past 16 years, the facility has become a catalyst for growth, collaboration and problem-solving in the community,” said Homestead Community Development Corporation Deputy Director Garrett Danner in the announcement. “Countless visioning sessions, meetings and community-driven initiatives addressing longstanding challenges have taken place within those walls.”
The nonprofit plans to pursue additional capital improvements at the facility following completion of the photovoltaic installation.
Planned improvements include the addition of restrooms and upgrades to the existing kitchen so it can become a certified commercial kitchen accessible to West Kauaʻi food entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“Our West Kauaʻi facility has served hundreds of organizations and families over the last decade,” Chow added. “Based on ongoing community input, we are focused on expanding opportunities that support local micro-enterprises, entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency in the region.”
Contact Chow via email at kara@hawaiianhomesteads.org or Danner via email at ikaika@hawaiianhomesteads.org for additional information or with any questions.
Dino Polska has announced that solar photovoltaic installations are now in place on the roofs of approximately 3,000 of its stores, and seven distribution centres, across Poland.
The Polish retailer said that the installations ‘strengthen its position’ among businesses investing in their own renewable energy infrastructure, with Dino producing some 101.5 GWh of renewable electricity last year – capable of powering more than 40,000 three-person households in Poland for a year.
Dino Polska has invested around PLN 300 million in renewable energy projects since 2019, which encompass more than 3,000 distributed micro power plants across its network.
Around 30% of the retailer’s annual electricity demand is now supplied by solar energy, while it added that on days with strong sunlight, it can cover up to 100% of its electricity needs through its own installations.
“Solar panels are a standard part of the equipment installed in Dino’s newly-opened stores,” commented Michał Krauze, management board member of Dino Polska.
“We treat them as an element of our responsible, long-term approach to business development, enabling us to enhance our energy efficiency while curtailing our environmental impact.”
Dino Polska added that its renewable energy infrastructure currently reduces its carbon emissions by around 75,000 tonnes annually, compared with electricity generated from fuel-powered sources – equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of a forest covering between 15,000 and 20,000 hectares.
It expects electricity generation from solar power to increase further during 2026 as additional investments are completed.
As of the end of the first quarter of this year, Dino Polska operated 3,094 stores and employed 57,000 people, with 62 new stores opening during the quarter. During the quarter, it reported profit of 316 million zlotys (€74.36 million), beating market expectations. Its quarterly profit margin fell to 6.7%, down from 7.2% a year ago, due to its pricing policy amidst a period of inflation.
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From tin halide perovskites serving as light-absorbing layers to tin oxides and sulfides functioning as charge transport layers, tin’s versatility is shaping new solar architectures. Its use extends beyond the active layer, contributing to transparent conductive oxides and forming the soldered interconnects in solar ribbons.
Researchers worldwide are investigating ways to overcome current limitations in tin-based active materials such as oxidation instability and energy level misalignment, with promising strategies already enhancing device performance and longevity. This page provides a technical overview of how tin is being applied in solar cell technology, the challenges being addressed, and where innovation is likely to take the field next.
Please use the Feedback buttons to contact the Tin Valley team with your comments, corrections, or updates.
Solar cells are essential for the clean energy transition as they provide a sustainable, renewable source of electricity by harnessing the sun’s abundant energy. With growing research in this area, advancements in efficiency, cost reduction, and material innovation are accelerating their adoption, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster a more resilient energy system.
Active tin materials are under extensive global development, particularly for developing more sustainable and cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) technologies. They are being explored in various types of solar cells, including tin-based perovskites and as thin-film light absorbers.
Tin also has other uses, such as being a component of the electron transport layer inside solar cells, and in the solar ribbon used to connect the solar cells together.
Tin-based solar cells aim to reduce the environmental impact by replacing toxic or scarce materials like lead, cadmium, and indium, offering a greener alternative for large-scale solar power generation.
When a light absorbing element absorbs sunlight (photons) inside a solar cell, it excites said elements electrons, causing them to move to higher energy states.
This excitation generates electron-hole pairs where the hole represents a missing electron, and acts as a positive charge.
Inside the solar cell also is a P-N junction (positive-negative) which separates the generated negative electrons from the positive holes. This is essential to ensure that charge carriers (electrons & holes) cannot recombine before being extracted.
The P-N junction is made up of a P-type semiconductor that has an abundance of holes (positive), and an N-type semiconductor that has an abundance of electrons (negative). Both of these semiconducting materials are usually made of silicon doped with other elements to create excess holes/electrons in traditional silicon solar cells.
The P-N junction creates an electric field that pushes the generated electrons towards the N-type layer and the holes towards the P-type layer, separating the two. The transfer of electrons from the light-absorbing layer to the N-type electrode is facilitated by the electron transport layer (ETL) which is often made of tin oxide. The transfer of holes is facilitated by the hole transport layer (HTL).
Electron-selective contacts (ESCs) and hole-selective contacts (HSCs) are crucial components in solar cells that improve charge extraction efficiency. ESCs facilitate the movement of electrons from the electron transport layer (ETL) to the n-type electrode, while HSCs enable the efficient transport of holes from the hole transport layer (HTL) to the p-type electrode, both preventing charge recombination. By selectively allowing only electrons or holes to pass through, these contacts enhance the overall power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells.
The electrons are collected by an electrode (usually made from ITO or FTO) on the front, N-type side, and the holes on an electrode (usually made from Au or Ag) on the back, P-type side. This forms an electric current when the circuit is complete.
Silicon solar cells have been the traditional choice in the past but researchers are looking into new technologies to improve cost, manufacturing flexibility, efficiency improvements, and sustainability.
Silicon solar cells typically produce higher efficiencies than competing technologies as they are more advanced, with a higher technology readiness score.
Silicon-based solar cells are also being combined with other solar technologies to form tandem solar cells. These cells are able to absorb more types of sunlight due to the combination of the different light absorbing materials, resulting in higher efficiencies.
The highest recorded (commercially available) solar cell is a tandem solar cell which combines perovskite and silicon cells to reach an efficiency of 28.6%. This cell is being produced by Hanwha Qcells.
Tin is used in the solar ribbon used to connect solar cells together, forming a solar panel. Solar ribbon is a conductive metal strip essential for creating electrical pathways that carry generated current from individual solar cells. Solar ribbon is often made from copper dipped and coated in tin-based solder.
Tin provides a protective barrier for the solar ribbon, especially since solar panels are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Tin also enables flexible and thin interconnects, which is essential for lightweight solar panel designs.
Perovskite solar cells are a type of photovoltaic technology that uses perovskite-structured materials as the light-absorbing layer. They work via the same mechanism as all solar cells.
Perovskite structures have the general formula of ABX3, where A is an organic cation, B is a metal cation, and X is a halide. Traditionally Pb(II) is used as the B cation, but due to toxicity concerns, a replacement is required.
Sn (II) is an ideal candidate for the B cation due to its ability to absorb light in the visible spectrum and convert it efficiently to charge carriers. Some examples include methylammonium tin bromide or iodide (MASnBr3 or MASnI3).
Pure tin-based perovskites rather than tin-lead perovskites offer a more environmentally conscious alternative, due to the removal of lead.
Lead-based perovskites are rapidly approaching efficiency records set for silicon based solar cells, with an increase in perovskite efficiency of over 23% since 2009.1 A new efficiency record for lead perovskites was set by UNSW and Soochow University at 27%.2
Benefits
There are benefits to using tin perovskite solar cells in comparison to other solar technologies. To begin with they are non-toxic and more environmentally forward as they do not contain lead. Additionally, conversely to lead, tin-based perovskites break down in air to non-toxic compounds. This makes tin perovskites suitable for more niche applications also, such as wearable electronics.
Tin halide perovskites also posses a narrower band gap which is close to the theoretical limit for solar energy conversion (1.2-1.4eV). This means that it can absorb a different part of the solar spectrum that other materials cannot, meaning more of the solar spectrum can be utilised. Additionally, the bandgap is tuneable, allowing for optimisation for different applications.
Tin-based perovskite semiconductor materials have a small exciton binding energy of only 55 meV. Exciton binding energy is the electrostatic attraction between the electron-hole pairs forming what is called an exciton. Therefore a low exciton binding energy means that it is easier to separate the electron and hole, which is essential for the functionality of a solar cell.
Tin-based perovskites are also noted for their high carrier mobility. This is a measure of how quickly the generated holes and electrons can move to the ELT and HTL. Faster movements means a lower likelihood of charge recombination, which would reduce efficiency.
An advantage of perovskite type solar cells is a lower-cost and simpler fabrication process. This is due to the fact that the perovskite absorber layer usually can be dissolved in common organic solvents and deposited as thin films using spin coating, dip coating, and spray coating techniques. In contrast, silicon solar cells require higher temperatures and more complex synthesis.
Tin-based perovskites are also being explored for flexible solar cells.
Issues
There are issues to overcome however to ensure that tin-based perovskites can continue to compete with alternative solar cell efficiencies. To begin with, tin-based perovskites suffer from inherent instability. This is due to favourability of Sn2+ to oxidise to Sn4+. This leads to the formation of vacancies as further electrons are lost from the tin ion, turning the material into a p-type material (increase in the number of holes). This leads to a surge in charge carrier recombination, severely reducing efficiency. The oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ can also be accelerated by the formation of superoxide, which is formed by the reaction between photo-excited electrons and oxygen molecules.
Additionally a lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) is observed in tin-based perovskites. One reason for this is the higher level of non-radiative recombination. This is where generated holes and electrons recombine without emitting a photon, so energy is lost. The difference in the nature of the defects or sites that facilitate recombination leads to varying recombination rates. The oxidation of Sn2+ can also lead to the formation of vacancy defects, such as halide vacancies (depending on material), which can lower efficiency.
Pure tin-based perovskites can also face challenges with energy level misalignment when interfaced with the hole transport layer (HTL). This means that the perovskites valance band and the HTLs energy levels are not aligned, which is essential for efficient hole extraction and a reduction in charge recombination. Therefore this can decrease the efficiency of the cell.
During synthesis, tin perovskites suffer from rapid crystallisation, which can lead to poor film quality, high defect density and poor overall performance.
Resolutions
Researchers have been exploring ways to resolve issues with tin-based perovskites. One way to help resolve the issue of tin oxidation is to add molecules that can inhibit said oxidation. In literature, the addition of thiolactic acid (TA) has been explored. TA contains carbonyl (C=O) and carbon sulphur (C-S) functional groups. These groups are able to interact with Sn2+ which inhibits the oxidation reaction.3 The addition of TA also improves the morphology of the overlying perovskite film, leading to fewer defects and improved overall PCE.3
Additionally, additive reducing agents such as GeI2 can be added into the perovskite precursor to suppress Sn2+ oxidation similarly to the addition of TA. GeI2 also acts as a crystallisation regulator helping to control the fast crystallisation kinetics of tin perovskites.4
Carefully regulating the tin additive concentrations can also help manage the formation of vacancies or defects that can influence tin oxidation.
Another example is engineering the perovskite material itself. For example adding DMA (dimethylammonium) cations can be found to optimise the energy-level alignment with the HTL, reducing the hole-transport barrier.5
Beyond perovskites, tin also plays a crucial role in thin-film chalcogenide solar cells, particularly in Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) and its selenium-alloyed variant Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe), collectively referred to as CZST or kesterite absorbers. These materials are designed as sustainable alternatives to CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se₂), replacing scarce or toxic elements like indium and gallium with abundant, non-toxic tin and zinc.
In kesterite solar cells, Sn⁴⁺ acts as a key cation balancing the lattice structure and directly influences the electronic band gap (1.0–1.6 eV) and carrier transport properties. The oxidation state and coordination of tin play a major role in determining defect formation, carrier concentration, and band alignment, all of which are critical for high photovoltaic performance.
While kesterite solar cells have achieved lab efficiencies of up to ~13.8%, their commercial deployment remains limited due to challenges such as tin-related secondary phase formation (e.g., SnS, SnSe) and cation disorder affecting charge transport. Ongoing research is addressing these issues through composition tuning, alkali doping, and improved annealing atmospheres to stabilize Sn⁴⁺ and enhance crystal quality.
Nevertheless, the abundance, non-toxicity, and potential scalability of tin make CZST thin films an important avenue for next-generation, environmentally sustainable solar technology.
Tin has another use in solar cells as an electron transport layer (ETL). The role of the ETL is to collect electrons generated in the light-absorbing layer and transport them to the electrode whilst blocking the holes generated from passing through.
Tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) is the ideal candidate as it has excellent electron mobility and is transparent to visible light, allowing sunlight to reach the light-absorbing material. It also has a wide band gap of 3.6 eV (at 300K)6 which reduces the recombination of charges, improves the energy level alignment between the ETL and the absorber material, and improves material stability. Tin (IV) oxide as an ETL has exhibited excellent performance with halide perovskites.6 Other benefits include tin oxide being a cost-effective and abundant material.
In recent literature, modifications to the tin oxide ETL have been trialled to further enhance the overall cell efficiency. One paper used (111) facet-engineering cubic phase tin oxide (C-SnO2).7 The C-SnO2 provides a large surface contact area with the perovskite absorber layer, enhancing charge transfer and electron extraction efficiency.7
Other examples include incorporating 2D SnPS3 nanosheets into the SnO2 ETL. The S atoms help to fill oxygen vacancies in SnO2.8 This reduces the number of defects in the material, improves the energy level alignment and electrical conductivity, as well as improving overall efficiency from 21.51 to 23.01%.8
Tin is also used in the hole transport layer (HTL), although less frequently. The role of the HTL is to collect holes generated in the light-absorbing layer and transport them to the relative electrode whilst blocking the generated electrons from passing through.
Tin (II) sulphide can be used as the HTL material in perovskite solar cells. SnS is a cost-effective, abundant, non-toxic material, with the added benefit that it has direct-bandgap energy.9 This means that electrons can transition between the valence and conduction band without needing to change momentum, allowing for efficient light absorption and emission. SnS is a favourable HTL when paired with MASnI3 absorber material in perovskite solar cells.
Cadmium zinc tin selenide (CZTSe), copper iron tin sulphide (CFTS), and copper zinc tin selenide sulphide (CZTSSe) have also been examined as inorganic HTLs for quantum dot-sensitised solar cells. These HTL materials can have advantages over organic HTLs, such as improved band alignment, stability, and transparency.10 CZTSSe exhibited the highest performance of these examples with a PCE of 22.61%.10
The transparent conduction electrode (TCE) is positioned at the front of the solar panel acting as the front electrode. The TCE has two main functions; to allow sunlight to pass through to the light absorbing layer, and to conduct electricity by collecting the electrons generated from light absorption. This means TCE materials need to be transparent and to have good electrical conductivity.
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a common candidate for the TCE. ITO contains around 10% tin oxide.11 ITO dominates as a TCE material in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, but it also used in perovskite solar cells.11 ITO is an ideal material for the TCE as it has excellent optical transmittance (near 90% in the visible region), low resistivity (10⁻⁴ Ω cm) indicating high electrical conductivity, and exceptional corrosion resistance.11
Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) is also used as a TCE material. It has similar properties to ITO but avoids to use of more scarce and expensive indium. It is important to note that FTO is slightly less transparent and conductive then ITO, but FTO is more chemically and thermally stable.
ITO and FTO are both brittle materials which can limit solar cell flexibility.
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Recent data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) demonstrates a clear and impressive upward trend in the efficiency of lead perovskite solar cells, with several leading research institutions achieving performance levels that rival conventional silicon photovoltaics. Between early 2023 and early 2025, lead-based perovskite solar cell efficiencies have climbed steadily from around 26.0% to almost 27%, with the most recent result—achieved by Soochow University and the University of New South Wales—falling just short of the ~27.6% benchmark typically associated with high-efficiency silicon solar cells. This trajectory highlights the remarkable pace at which lead perovskite technology is advancing and the hope for a similar trend with tin-lead and pure tin perovskite performance.
The graph captures breakthrough results from eight institutions, including repeated entries from the University of Science and Technology China and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, reflecting sustained progress in their research. Other high-performing collaborations include Northwestern University with the University of Toronto, and ISCAS (Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences). Notably, many of these leading efforts are concentrated in China, underscoring the country’s deep investment and leadership in perovskite solar innovation. The consistency and magnitude of efficiency improvements suggest that further records may be imminent as researchers refine device architectures and materials.
In addition to showcasing the leading edge of perovskite performance, the chart includes a lower threshold line at around 16.6%, representing the highest efficiency currently achieved for pure tin-based perovskite solar cells. While this is significantly lower than the lead-based counterparts, it actually reflects a major leap forward for tin-based technologies—long seen as the most promising non-toxic alternative. Tin perovskites are a much younger technology, still overcoming challenges related to oxidation, film formation, and stability. Nevertheless, their efficiency has improved markedly in recent years, and this progress is all the more encouraging considering the comparatively short timeframe of development. The fact that tin-based devices have already reached efficiencies above 16% is a strong indicator of their potential, especially as global efforts intensify to replace lead in photovoltaics.
In summary, the graph not only highlights the accelerating maturity of lead-based perovskite solar cells—now on par with silicon—but also draws attention to the emerging promise of pure tin perovskites. Although still in an earlier stage of development, tin-based systems offer a safer and more environmentally sustainable pathway forward. Continued research into stabilising and optimising these materials could pave the way for truly green, high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics.
On an industrial scale today, global PV is likely consuming almost 60 thousand tonnes of tin per year as a solder in solar ribbon. Growth will slow due to thrifting but may reach 70 thousand tonnes by 2035. Tin use in perovskite active materials and electron transport layers is on much smaller scale based on thin film technologies, likely totaling tens or hundreds of tonnes at present.
The multiple uses of tin in solar technologies is an important demonstration of the crucial role of tin in making the future.
Spin-coating is the most widely used method in laboratory-scale fabrication of perovskite materials. A small volume of precursor solution is deposited onto a substrate, which is then rotated at high speed to spread the solution evenly through centrifugal force. This technique produces uniform, smooth films with controllable thickness, which is crucial for achieving efficient charge transport and minimal surface defects.
Spin-coating is especially suitable for tin halide perovskites due to their solution processability, but rapid crystallization of Sn²⁺ compounds requires careful optimization of spin speed, time, and antisolvent dripping to prevent poor film quality and pinholes.
Dip-coating involves submerging and slowly withdrawing a substrate from a precursor solution, allowing a thin film to form through solvent evaporation. It is more amenable to roll-to-roll scalable manufacturing, making it attractive for industrialisation of tin-based perovskite solar cells.
The method is simple and cost-effective, but film uniformity can be influenced by withdrawal speed, solution viscosity, and ambient humidity, which must be tightly controlled for reproducibility.
Blade coating uses a mechanical blade to spread a liquid precursor across a substrate at a controlled gap and speed. It is ideal for creating large-area perovskite films for scalable module fabrication and is increasingly used for tin halide absorber layers.
Compared to spin-coating, blade coating is more material-efficient and compatible with high-throughput processing, making it a strong candidate for commercial tin perovskite production.
These techniques are digital, maskless printing methods onto flexible or irregular surfaces. Inkjet printing delivers droplets of precursor solution with precise spatial control, enabling customised architectures such as interdigitated electrodes or graded layers.
Spray coating uses atomized mist to deposit precursor films over large areas and is especially attractive for low-temperature fabrication of SnO₂ ETLs. Both methods are promising for flexible electronics, wearable PV, and tandem cells, but challenges remain in controlling film uniformity and avoiding clogging or overspray.
Vapor deposition methods are used to create high-purity, highly crystalline perovskite films, although they are less common for tin-based materials due to Sn²⁺ volatility and reactivity. However, dual-source vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) can be used for SnI₂ and organic cation co-deposition to form tin perovskite layers with enhanced crystallinity and reduced pinhole density.
For SnO₂ ETLs, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and sputtering have been explored, especially in tandem devices requiring ultrathin, defect-free films. These methods offer excellent film control but are expensive and less scalable than solution-based processes.
Crystalline silicon is the most dominant solar cell technology, accounting for a large percentage of global PV production. It offers high efficiency, proven long-term stability, and well-established supply chains.
While silicon excels in durability and efficiency, it is energy-intensive to manufacture and typically rigid, making it unsuitable for lightweight or flexible applications. Tin-based perovskites, by contrast, are solution-processable, flexible, and potentially cheaper, though they lag behind in efficiency and lifespan. Tin perovskites are unlikely to replace c-Si but may complement it in tandem structures or flexible devices.
Lead halide perovskite solar cells have shown exceptional performance, achieving high efficiencies. They share many processing advantages with tin perovskites, including low-cost fabrication and tuneable bandgaps.
Lead perovskites outperform tin perovskites in terms of efficiency, stability, and maturity. However, toxicity concerns surrounding lead have driven efforts to find safer alternatives. Tin-based perovskites offer a non-toxic solution but suffer from issues like Sn²⁺ oxidation, which hampers efficiency and device longevity. They represent a greener alternative but require further development to match lead-based counterparts.
Tandem solar cells combine multiple light-absorbing materials to surpass the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit of single-junction devices. Perovskite–silicon tandems have reached certified efficiencies over 29%.
Progress in tin-based tandem cells could unlock highly efficient and sustainable PV solutions.
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) use conjugated polymers or small molecules as light absorbers. They are flexible, lightweight, and suitable for low-intensity or indoor lighting conditions.
Both OPVs and tin perovskites offer flexibility and low-temperature processing, but tin perovskites typically achieve higher efficiencies compared to OPVs. OPVs are non-toxic and stable under indoor use, but degrade quickly outdoors.
Quantum dots (e.g., PbS, CdSe) are nanocrystals with size-tunable bandgaps, enabling multi-junction or infrared-absorbing solar cells. They are typically used in solution-processable architectures.
While QDSCs offer unique spectral tuning and novel mechanisms (e.g., multiple exciton generation), they generally exhibit lower efficiencies and often use toxic heavy metals. Tin perovskites provide better efficiency and sustainability at this stage, though QDSCs may hold niche advantages in infrared photovoltaics.
These include materials like Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) and Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS), which are thin-film alternatives with high absorption coefficients and moderate efficiencies.
CIGS cells reach high efficiencies but rely on scarce elements (indium, gallium). CZTS is non-toxic and earth-abundant, but suffers from low efficiencies due to defect-related recombination. Tin perovskites are easier to process, potentially more efficient than CZTS, and could be more scalable if stability issues are addressed.
DSSCs rely on a photoactive dye to generate current. They are simple to fabricate, low-cost, and function well under low-light or indoor conditions.
While DSSCs are inexpensive and non-toxic, they typically have lower efficiencies and face electrolyte degradation issues. Tin perovskites can exceed DSSC performance in both efficiency and scalability, especially if integrated into flexible devices or indoor-use modules.
Titanium dioxide has been one of the earliest ETL materials used in perovskite solar cells, particularly in mesoporous architectures. It has a bandgap of around 3.2 eV (anatase phase) and moderate transparency.
However, its low electron mobility (0.1–1 cm²/V·s) and requirement for high-temperature sintering (typically 450–500 °C) limit its use in modern low-temperature or flexible devices. More critically for tin-based perovskites, TiO₂ exhibits photocatalytic activity under UV light, which can degrade the perovskite layer over time, severely affecting long-term stability.
While it is abundant and inexpensive, TiO₂ is now largely being replaced in tin perovskite devices by SnO₂ and other more stable ETLs.
Zinc oxide is another wide-bandgap semiconductor (3.3 eV) with higher electron mobility (~100 cm²/V·s) than TiO₂, and it can be processed at low temperatures using methods like spray pyrolysis.
These attributes make it attractive for flexible solar cells and tandem architectures. However, ZnO has poor chemical compatibility with iodide-based perovskites, especially tin perovskites.
ZnO surfaces can catalyse degradation of the perovskite absorber due to acid-base reactions, and can form interface defects that trap charge carriers. Although surface passivation and interlayer engineering can help mitigate these issues, ZnO is generally not favoured for tin-based perovskites unless specially modified.
MXenes are a class of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (e.g., Ti₃C₂Tx, Nb₂C) that have gained attention as next-generation ETL materials due to their ultra-high electrical conductivity (~10,000 S/cm) and tuneable surface chemistry.
Their work function can be adjusted by surface functional groups (–O, –F, –OH), enabling customised energy level alignment with perovskite absorbers. MXenes can be deposited from solution using techniques like spin-coating or inkjet printing, making them well-suited for low-temperature and flexible device fabrication.
For tin perovskites, MXenes offer the potential to enhance charge extraction while maintaining chemical compatibility. However, challenges include complex synthesis involving hazardous etchants (e.g., HF), scalability, and stability under ambient conditions. While highly promising, MXenes are still largely in the research phase and require more validation for commercial use.
Academic papers regarding the use of tin in solar cells have been on the rise over the past decade, with 1511 papers in 2024 according to Scopus. Of these, 23% of papers originated in China, 13% from India, 6% from Saudi Arabia, and 5% from South Korea. This identifies a dominance of research in Asia.
Solar panels can and are being used globally. However specific biomes, such as deserts, are ideal for optimal solar output due to long periods of sunlight and dry conditions. It is important to note that whilst solar panels are able to generate electricity, they cannot directly store it, which is why battery systems are essential. Lead-acid, lithium, and emerging sodium-ion batteries can be used to store solar energy. The performance of these batteries is affected by climate similarly to the panels themselves. Extreme highs and lows of temperature can drastically reduce battery performance.
The worlds largest solar panel manufacturing companies are also concentrated in China. China produces 86% of the world’s solar panels each year according to Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. In comparison Europe and North America each produce 2%.
According to Wood Mackenzie the top 5 solar manufacturing companies in 2024 were Jinko Solar, JA Solar, LONGi Green Energy, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, DMEGC Solar.15 The majority of these solar companies are producing silicon-based solar cells primarily, but are pivoting to new, more sustainable and cheaper technologies such as tin perovskites.
There are existing solar companies manufacturing high efficiency tin perovskite solar cells. One example is Oxford PV in the United Kingdom. Oxford PV have commercialised perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells, which holds an impressive efficiency of 26.8% (certified by Fraunhofer ISE).
This identifies an exciting and rapidly advancing future for tin-based perovskite solar cells.
Tin’s role in solar cell technology is expanding rapidly, driven by its unique material properties, relative abundance, and sustainability credentials. Over the next decade tin-based perovskites could emerge as a major PV technology, especially in lead-free tandem and flexible solar cells. SnO₂ as an ETL material is likely to remain standard in perovskite devices, especially as fabrication methods are optimised.
Tin solder in solar ribbon will remain a consistent use case, particularly as global deployment of PV accelerates. Policy shifts toward non-toxic, low-carbon technologies will favour tin’s use in next-generation PVs.
With coordinated investment in manufacturing scale-up, long-term stability improvements, and recycling strategies, tin could play a critical enabling role in the clean energy transition.
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(representative image) The solar cell capacity addition of 5 GW during Q1 2026 is the third highest in the last six years. | Photo Credit: REUTERS/ANNEGRET HILSE
The upcoming mandate for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar PV cells from June 1, 2026 has helped push up manufacturing with 5 gigawatts (GW) capacity being added during January-March 2026.
The solar cell capacity addition of 5 GW during Q1 2026 is the third highest in the last six years.
India’s cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing capacity reached 40 GW at the end of March 2026, with 5 GW added during January-March, noted JMK Research & Analytics.
“The growth in domestic cell manufacturing is largely driven by the upcoming implementation of ALMM List-II (ALCM) from June 2026 onwards, encouraging the manufacturers to strengthen local manufacturing capacities. Of the total capacity, around 27.23 GW is enlisted under ALCM,” it added.
A senior government official said the step to mandate ALMM for solar cells is to give policy certainty to the domestic manufacturing segment and investors. About 18 months back the government told the commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector that this mandate will come from June 1. The government also started impressing the stakeholders to move towards meeting the targets.
“There are two things. First, whatever investments have been made in cell manufacturing to make India self-reliant, please go ahead and we will support you. There is demand creation. Second, this also gives a clear window for fresh investments,” the official added.
On Monday, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) clarified that “no blanket” extension of the deadline for applicability of ALMM List-II for solar PV cells will be given beyond June 1, 2026.
Under the existing framework for ALMM for solar PV cells, Net-Metering Projects and Open Access Projects commissioned prior to June 1, 2026 are exempt from the applicability of ALMM List-II. Projects commissioned after this date will be required to comply with the ALMM provisions.
India added roughly 3 GW solar cell manufacturing capacity in the 2020 calendar year (CY), which got completely derailed due to the Covid pandemic in 2021. In 2022, the country added 1.3 GW, followed by 2.3 GW in 2023, 8 GW (2024) and 20.4 GW (2025).
In Q1 2026, a cumulative cell capacity of 4.2 GW was added by 4 players, with Cosmic Power having the highest expansion of 1.6 GW, followed by Websol Energy (1.2 GW), Jupiter International (1 GW) and Premier Energies (0.4 GW).
In a bid to help the industry, the Ministry said that RE project developers seeking time beyond June 1, 2026 will have to submit their claims, along with requisite documentary proof, through a dedicated portal developed by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) on or before June 30, 2026.
Such claims shall be examined by an expert committee to be constituted by the Ministry to recommend project-wise, case-to-case claims based on the information provided by the concerned Renewable Energy power developers.
Published on May 31, 2026
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ContourGlobal has commissioned the battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Víctor Jara hybrid power plant in Chile’s Tarapacá Region. The facility combines a 231 MW solar photovoltaic plant with a 200 MW / 1.3 GWh storage system designed to provide up to 6.5 hours of continuous energy supply after sunset. The company says this is the longest-duration operational utility-scale BESS project in Latin America.
The plant forms part of ContourGlobal’s solar-plus-storage portfolio in Chile, which also includes the Quillagua 1 and 2 projects in the Antofagasta Region. Together, these assets total 221 MW of photovoltaic capacity and 1.2 GWh of storage.
All three projects were acquired from Grenergy in late 2024 for $962 million. The portfolio represents 23% of the broader Oasis de Atacama complex, which spans seven phases and comprises around 2 GW of solar capacity and 11 GWh of energy storage.
The Víctor Jara BESS enables dispatch of up to 200 MW of stored electricity during evening and nighttime hours. Its commercial structure is based on a 15-year nighttime power purchase agreement (PPA) with Copec EMOAC, forming part of ContourGlobal’s “Sun at Night” model, which shifts solar generation from daytime production to evening peak demand periods.
The company said the approach is intended to improve grid flexibility and support higher penetration of renewable energy by better aligning solar output with demand profiles.
The inauguration was attended by ContourGlobal’s South America General Manager James Lee Stancampiano and Chile’s Energy Minister Ximena Rincón González. With the commissioning of the Víctor Jara and Quillagua facilities, ContourGlobal said it has reached 850 MW of operational capacity in Chile across solar and storage assets. Globally, the KKR-owned company reports 5.5 GW of installed capacity, more than 3 GWh of operational BESS, and about 12.6 GW under development.
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German mounting systems provider K2 Systems has developed a new version of its K2 Carport, a photovoltaic solution designed for supermarket parking lots and businesses.
The system holds France’s ETN certification, confirming a comprehensive assessment of the entire carport assembly, including its supporting structure, mounting systems, and waterproofing management. It has also been tested by the Scientific and Technical Centre for Building (CSTB), a key factor in securing project approval from technical inspection bodies and insurance providers.
The K2 Carport is based on a modular aluminium structure, offering a wide span and a clearance height suitable for the passage of all vehicle types, including commercial vehicles. It is designed for integration with various primary support structures such as concrete, steel, or wood, and is subject to project-specific custom sizing—most notably featuring a cantilevered parking space at the end of each row to optimize the use of available space, according to the manufacturer.
The system enables the installation of vertically mounted photovoltaic modules, including large-format models up to 2.38 m in length, with a maximum spacing of 2.30 m between purlins. The modules are secured using brackets fixed from beneath. According to K2 Systems, this bottom-up approach improves installation safety, as installers no longer need to walk on the supporting structure, and modules can be handled directly using forklifts.
Finally, an aluminium profile, called CarportDrain, is positioned between the photovoltaic modules to collect rainwater flowing through the gaps and channels it into the integrated gutter within the CarportRail. Designed for installation without additional fasteners, it reduces the risk of water infiltration, while an integrated lip prevents backflow of water beneath the modules, according to the company.
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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
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Do solar panels actually help you save money? I crunched the numbers on my own panels during the hottest week of the year so far Tom’s Guide
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A HOST of Somerset schools will benefit from cheaper energy after a county company funded solar panels for their rooftops.
Burnham and Weston Energy CIC and Solar for Schools joined forces to invest almost £400,000 in solar panel systems at eight primary schools run by the Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN).
The solar panels are expected to generate 385,000kWh per year and save the schools around £15,000 per year, generating enough energy to power around 130 homes.
Burnham and Weston Energy will use any surplus income from the solar panels to fund solar on further schools and community buildings.
The non-profit firm has invested nearly £300,000 from money generated by its 36,000-panel community solar farm, which has been up and running since 2016.
Solar for Schools organised a further £100,000 for the project in grant funding from National Grid Electricity Distribution, as well as managing the installation process and ongoing maintenance services.
“We say to schools that they can learn from your buildings, not just in them,” said Solar for Schools director, Ann Flaherty.
“Starting with their own school rooftops, these projects are about empowering students with skills and knowledge, as we work towards a net-zero future, using real experience and live data from their own solar panels. It’s a very powerful learning tool.”
Burnham and Weston Energy CIC will own the solar panels and be responsible for covering service and maintenance costs, with the schools supplied with solar electricity at a 35% discount to their normal energy price.
The North Somerset schools having the solar installed are: Banwell Primary, Bournville Primary School, Locking Primary, Mead Vale Primary, Mendip Green Primary, Milton Park Primary, Oldmixon Primary School and Windwhistle Primary.
Earlier this year, Burnham and Weston Energy provided £22,000 of funding via a Solar Soft Loan to Winscombe Community Centre to help fund a 33kW solar PV system and heat pump.
The community solar company has more than £1 million of surplus income to deploy and is keen to help other schools and community buildings with funding for solar PV.
Jake Burnyeat, of Burnham and Weston Energy, said: “It’s fantastic to see the surplus income from our big community solar farm being used to fund solar PV on roofs in the local area.
“This is the first major investment in roof top solar for Burnham and Weston Energy and we hope to help more schools and community buildings do the same.
“By reinvesting surplus income from the big solar farm into further solar projects, we’re using a model where everyone benefits and the money will keep circulating in the local economy.”
Laura Latham, ELAN Communications Lead said: “This investment is a fantastic opportunity for our schools, not only reducing energy costs but also demonstrating a real commitment to sustainability for our pupils and communities.”
Clive Farmer, ELAN estates lead, said: “The newly installed solar panel array at Bournville Primary School marks the exciting beginning of our trust’s solar journey, a project that has been two years in the planning.
“This milestone kicks off an ambitious summer initiative to complete solar installations across eight of our school roofs for a more sustainable future.
“This is about so much more than solar panels. It’s about investing in the futures of our children and the communities they grow up in. By cutting our energy costs, we are freeing up vital funds which can be reinvested into even more sustainability projects and initiatives across our schools, helping us to build greener, healthier places in which children can learn and grow.
“Importantly, our pupils can see what positive action on climate looks like and inspires them to work towards a more sustainable future too. We are incredibly proud to be part of something that brings lasting environmental and educational benefits to our whole community.”
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Researchers combine solar energy, electrochemistry, and thermal catalysis to remove the need for fossil fuel-driven chemical conversions.
Basic Energy Sciences
Sunlight is a powerful energy source that scientists can leverage to unlock important chemical conversions. In this study, researchers used solar energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas, into a valuable chemical commodity with a two-step process. First, electricity from solar energy combined with electrochemistry converts CO2 to ethylene. The ethylene gas stream that exits this process then feeds directly to a thermal catalytic reactor. This reactor uses heat derived from the sun to convert ethylene to butene.
To enable a transition to clean energy and sustainable production of chemicals, we need scientific advances that lead to technologies that recycle greenhouse gases into valuable products. Powering these technologies with renewable energy will help us reach net-zero emissions. Butene is a building block for plastics and other products. Industry currently derives butene from fossil fuels. Its generation is energy intensive and emits significant amounts of greenhouse gases. The Liquid Sunlight Alliance process converts CO2 to butene using only energy drawn directly from the sun. This allows butene production to bypass the electrical grid and operate in a stand-alone system. This research shows that solar energy can directly enable chemical conversion to multicarbon products—complex carbon molecules useful for industry. It thus unlocks the potential for innovating other chemical transformations driven directly by renewable energy.
Solar fuels enable a pathway for sustainable generation of platform chemicals such as butene directly from solar energy, using CO2 as a feedstock. In this study, researchers developed a two-step chemical cascade process for the single-pass conversion of CO2 to butene, using simulated solar irradiation as the only energetic input. In the first step, electrochemical CO2 reduction converts CO2 to ethylene using a gas diffusion electrode functionalized with a copper-based catalyst. This reaction uses electricity from an integrated photovoltaic system to drive the chemical reaction. Without separation, ethylene in the outlet gas stream feeds directly to a thermo-catalytic reactor, where a nickel-based catalyst transforms ethylene into butene. The thermo-catalytic reactor is powered by a selective solar absorber that is directly and efficiently heated by solar irradiation.
This research demonstrates the potential for designing modular, solar-driven components and processes to synthesize net-zero carbon fuels, chemicals, and materials that displace carbon intensive fossil fuels in our industrial cycle. In the future, tandem solar fuels reactions could be a key player for the transition to sustainable, decentralized chemicals production.
Harry Atwater
California Institute of Technology
haa@caltech.edu
This material is based on work performed by the Liquid Sunlight Alliance, which is supported by the Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Fuels from Sunlight Hub.
Yap, K.M.K., et al., CO 2 Conversion to Butene via a Tandem Photovoltaic–Electrochemical/Photothermocatalytic Process: A Co-Design Approach to Coupled Microenvironments. ACS Energy Letters 9, 9 (2024). [DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.4c01866]
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The Kipushi Mine solar and storage project is being structured as a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) or Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. is seeking a third-party partner to develop, finance, and operate the infrastructure.
The project will be located on a 70-hectare site adjacent to Kipushi Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
The selected developer will be responsible for the design, financing, procurement, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a renewable energy facility comprising:
The project represents a major investment in clean energy infrastructure for one of the world’s highest-grade zinc mining operations. The substantial battery storage component will provide long-duration energy support, enhancing operational resilience and ensuring a reliable power supply in a region where grid stability remains a challenge.
Qualified independent power producers, renewable energy developers, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, and consortiums with demonstrated experience in utility-scale solar and battery storage projects are invited to participate in the tender process.
The tender is administered by the Congo Investment Group.
Submit your interest HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Solar Panel Mounting Structure market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The global solar panel mounting structure market is entering a period of sustained expansion, with demand directly tied to the accelerating deployment of solar photovoltaic capacity worldwide. As a critical balance-of-system component, mounting structures are no longer passive supports but active contributors to project economics through yield optimization, bifacial gain enhancement, and reduced installation time. The market is bifurcating between high-volume, cost-sensitive fixed-tilt systems and value-added single-axis trackers that command a premium for their energy yield uplift. By 2035, the market is expected to more than double from 2025 levels, supported by aggressive renewable energy targets, declining solar LCOE, and the integration of tracking software that transforms structures into active energy management platforms. Raw material cost volatility, particularly for steel and aluminum, remains the single largest margin risk, while localization pressures are reshaping supply chains. This report provides a structured analysis of market size, segmentation by end-use sector, demand drivers, competitive dynamics, and regional outlook, offering decision-makers a clear view of deployment demand, technology positioning, and strategic entry points through 2035.
The baseline scenario for the solar panel mounting structure market from 2026 to 2035 reflects robust growth anchored to global solar PV capacity additions, which are projected to exceed 1.5 TW cumulative by 2035. The market index is forecast to reach 225 by 2035 (2025=100), implying a compound annual growth rate of approximately 8.5%. This growth is underpinned by the continued dominance of utility-scale projects, which favor single-axis trackers for their 15-25% energy yield premium, and by the expansion of commercial and industrial rooftop installations requiring lightweight, customizable fixed-tilt systems. The market is also benefiting from the repowering of older solar farms, where upgraded mounting structures accommodate higher-wattage modules and bifacial panels. However, the baseline scenario assumes stable-to-moderately rising steel and aluminum prices, no major trade disruptions, and continued policy support in key markets. Downside risks include a prolonged commodity price spike, trade barriers on imported steel, or a slowdown in utility-scale project financing. Upside could come from faster-than-expected adoption of agrivoltaics and floating solar, which require specialized mounting solutions. Overall, the market outlook is positive, with structural demand drivers outweighing cyclical headwinds.
Utility-scale solar farms represent the largest end-use sector for mounting structures, accounting for over half of global demand. This segment is characterized by large ground-mounted arrays, typically exceeding 10 MW, where single-axis trackers have become the preferred technology due to their ability to boost energy yield by 15-25% compared to fixed-tilt systems. The demand story is driven by the global pipeline of utility-scale projects, which is expected to exceed 1 TW by 2035, supported by corporate PPAs, government auctions, and renewable portfolio standards. Key demand-side indicators include project financing volumes, module prices, and land availability. By 2035, tracker penetration is expected to reach 70% in new utility-scale installations, up from ~50% in 2025, as tracker costs continue to decline and software optimization improves. The segment is also seeing a shift toward higher-voltage systems and bifacial module compatibility, requiring sturdier mounting frames and advanced grounding solutions. Manufacturers are competing on reliability, warranty terms, and local service presence, with a growing emphasis on lifecycle cost rather than upfront price. Current trend: Dominant and growing, driven by single-axis tracker adoption and large project pipelines.
Major trends: Single-axis tracker penetration increasing to 70% of new utility-scale installations by 2035, Integration of tracker control software for bifacial gain optimization and grid services, Shift toward higher-voltage systems (1500V+) requiring robust structural design, and Local content requirements driving regional manufacturing of tracker components.
Representative participants: Nextracker Inc, Array Technologies Inc, GameChange Solar, Solar Steel (Gonvarri Industries), and Solar FlexRack.
The commercial and industrial rooftop segment accounts for approximately one-fifth of mounting structure demand, driven by businesses seeking to reduce electricity costs and meet sustainability targets. This segment favors fixed-tilt systems that are lightweight, easy to install, and adaptable to various roof types (flat, sloped, metal). The demand story is shaped by the growth of distributed solar generation, corporate renewable energy procurement, and government incentives for commercial solar. Key indicators include commercial electricity rates, building stock, and net metering policies. By 2035, the segment is expected to see increased adoption of ballasted mounting systems that avoid roof penetrations, as well as integrated solutions that combine mounting with roof waterproofing. The trend toward higher-efficiency modules is also driving demand for mounting structures that can accommodate larger panel sizes. Competition is fragmented, with regional fabricators and specialized rooftop mounting suppliers holding significant market share due to local building code expertise and relationships with installers. Current trend: Steady growth, with increasing demand for lightweight, customizable, and ballasted mounting systems.
Major trends: Growing preference for ballasted mounting systems to avoid roof penetrations, Customization for non-standard roof types and building-integrated solar, Integration with roof waterproofing and insulation systems, and Adoption of pre-assembled mounting kits to reduce installation time.
Representative participants: Unirac Inc, Esdec Solar Group, K2 Systems GmbH, Schletter GmbH, and Clenergy (Xiamen) Technology Co. Ltd.
The residential rooftop segment represents about 15% of mounting structure demand, driven by homeowner adoption of solar PV for energy independence and bill savings. This segment uses primarily fixed-tilt, roof-mounted systems that are lightweight, low-profile, and aesthetically pleasing. The demand story is influenced by residential electricity rates, solar financing options, and net metering policies. Key indicators include housing starts, rooftop solar installation rates, and battery storage attachment rates. By 2035, the segment is expected to see increased integration with home battery storage, requiring mounting structures that accommodate both panels and battery enclosures. The trend toward solar shingles and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) may reduce demand for traditional mounting structures in some markets, but overall residential solar growth will sustain demand. Competition is characterized by a mix of specialized residential mounting brands and general solar distributors, with a focus on ease of installation and compatibility with major module brands. Current trend: Moderate growth, with emphasis on aesthetics, ease of installation, and compatibility with battery storage.
Major trends: Integration with home battery storage systems requiring combined mounting solutions, Low-profile and flush-mount designs for improved aesthetics, Pre-assembled and tool-less installation systems to reduce labor costs, and Compatibility with high-efficiency and larger-format residential modules.
Representative participants: Unirac Inc, Esdec Solar Group, K2 Systems GmbH, IronRidge (a division of Unirac), and SnapNrack (a division of Esdec).
Floating solar is the fastest-growing end-use sector for mounting structures, albeit from a small base, accounting for about 5% of demand. This segment requires specialized mounting systems that float on water bodies, typically using HDPE floats and corrosion-resistant metal frames. The demand story is driven by land scarcity in densely populated regions, the co-benefit of reducing water evaporation from reservoirs, and the potential for higher energy yield due to cooling effects. Key indicators include reservoir and lake availability, water stress levels, and government support for floating solar. By 2035, floating solar capacity is expected to grow significantly, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe, driving demand for specialized mounting structures that can withstand wave action, wind loads, and corrosive environments. The segment is characterized by a few specialized suppliers and increasing interest from traditional mounting structure manufacturers diversifying into this niche. Current trend: Rapid growth from a small base, driven by land constraints and water conservation benefits.
Major trends: Development of larger floating solar arrays (100 MW+) requiring robust anchoring systems, Integration with hydropower reservoirs for hybrid renewable projects, Use of recycled HDPE and corrosion-resistant materials for environmental compliance, and Standardization of float designs to reduce costs and improve bankability.
Representative participants: Ciel & Terre International, BayWa r.e. AG, Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd, Ocean Sun AS, and Swimsol GmbH.
Agrivoltaics, the co-location of solar panels with agricultural crops or livestock, is an emerging end-use sector that requires specialized mounting structures elevated enough to allow farming activities underneath. This segment accounts for about 5% of demand but is growing rapidly as farmers and developers seek to maximize land productivity. The demand story is driven by the need to reconcile renewable energy expansion with food production, particularly in land-constrained regions. Key indicators include agricultural land prices, crop types, and government incentives for agrivoltaic projects. By 2035, agrivoltaics is expected to become a significant niche, with mounting structures designed for higher clearance (3-5 meters), wider row spacing, and adjustable tilt angles to optimize light distribution for crops. The segment requires close collaboration between solar developers, agricultural experts, and structural engineers. Competition is currently limited to a few specialized suppliers, but traditional mounting structure manufacturers are beginning to offer agrivoltaic-specific products. Current trend: Emerging but high-growth, driven by dual land-use benefits and policy support.
Major trends: Elevated mounting structures (3-5 meters) to accommodate farming machinery and crop growth, Adjustable tilt and tracking systems to optimize light for both panels and crops, Integration with irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting, and Development of transparent or bifacial modules for agrivoltaic applications.
Representative participants: Nextracker Inc, Array Technologies Inc, Sun Agri (a division of SunPower), Agrivoltaic Solutions LLC, and REM TEC srl.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Asia-Pacific leads the market, driven by massive solar buildout in China, India, and Southeast Asia. China alone accounts for over 40% of global demand, with a strong preference for cost-optimized fixed-tilt systems in utility-scale projects. India’s growing solar pipeline and local content requirements are boosting domestic manufacturing. The region is also a major production hub for steel and aluminum mounting components. Direction: Dominant and growing.
North America is the second-largest market, with the US dominating due to utility-scale tracker adoption and the Inflation Reduction Act’s incentives. Single-axis trackers account for over 80% of new utility-scale installations. Local content requirements and tariffs on imported steel are driving regional manufacturing. Canada and Mexico are smaller but growing markets. Direction: Steady growth.
Europe’s market is driven by the EU’s renewable energy targets and the REPowerEU plan, with strong demand in Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. The region favors both utility-scale trackers and rooftop systems, with a growing emphasis on agrivoltaics and floating solar. Local manufacturing is limited, with most structures imported from Asia, though localization trends are emerging. Direction: Moderate growth.
Latin America is a smaller but fast-growing market, led by Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Utility-scale solar projects are driving demand, with a preference for single-axis trackers due to high solar irradiance. The region is import-dependent for mounting structures, creating opportunities for local assembly. Political and economic instability remain key risks. Direction: High growth potential.
The Middle East and Africa are emerging markets, with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and South Africa leading. Utility-scale projects dominate, with a focus on tracker systems to maximize yield in high-irradiance, dusty environments. The region is heavily import-dependent, but local content requirements are gradually encouraging regional manufacturing. Water scarcity is also driving interest in floating solar. Direction: Emerging growth.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 8.5% compound annual growth rate for the global solar panel mounting structure market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 225 by 2035 (2025=100).
Note: indexed curves are used to compare medium-term scenario trajectories when full absolute volumes are not publicly disclosed.
For full methodological details and benchmark tables, see the latest IndexBox Solar Panel Mounting Structure market report.
This report is an independent strategic market study that provides a structured, commercially grounded analysis of the global market for Solar Panel Mounting Structure. It is designed for battery and storage manufacturers, power-electronics suppliers, system integrators, EPC partners, developers, utilities, investors, and strategic entrants that need a clear view of deployment demand, technology positioning, manufacturing exposure, safety and qualification burden, project economics, and competitive structure.
The analytical framework is designed to work both for a single specialized storage or conversion component and for a broader balance-of-system (BOS) hardware for solar PV, where market structure is shaped by chemistry, duration, project economics, system integration, safety requirements, route-to-market, and grid-interface logic rather than by one narrow customs heading alone. It defines Solar Panel Mounting Structure as Structural systems designed to securely mount, support, and optimize the orientation of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, including all associated hardware, foundations, and tracking mechanisms and examines the market through deployment use cases, buyer environments, upstream input dependencies, conversion and integration stages, qualification and safety requirements, pricing architecture, commercial channels, and country capability differences. Historical analysis typically covers 2012 to 2025, with forward-looking scenarios through 2035.
This report is designed to answer the questions that matter most to decision-makers evaluating an energy-storage, battery, renewable-integration, or power-conversion market.
At its core, this report explains how the market for Solar Panel Mounting Structure actually functions. It identifies where demand originates, how supply is organized, which technological and regulatory barriers influence adoption, and how value is distributed across the value chain. Rather than describing the market only in broad terms, the study breaks it into analytically meaningful layers: product scope, segmentation, end uses, customer types, production economics, outsourcing structure, country roles, and company archetypes.
The report is particularly useful in markets where buyers are highly specialized, suppliers differ significantly in technical depth and regulatory readiness, and the commercial landscape cannot be understood only through top-line market size figures. In this context, the study is designed not only to estimate the size of the market, but to explain why the market has that size, what drives its growth, which subsegments are the most attractive, and what it takes to compete successfully within it.
The report is based on an independent analytical methodology that combines deep secondary research, structured evidence review, market reconstruction, and multi-level triangulation. The methodology is designed to support products for which there is no single clean official dataset capturing the full market in a directly usable form.
The study typically uses the following evidence hierarchy:
The analytical framework is built around several linked layers.
First, a scope model defines what is included in the market and what is excluded, ensuring that adjacent products, downstream finished goods, unrelated instruments, or broader chemical categories do not distort the market boundary.
Second, a demand model reconstructs the market from the perspective of consuming sectors, workflow stages, and applications. Depending on the product, this may include Large-scale solar farms, Commercial rooftop solar, Community solar gardens, Residential solar installations, and Off-grid and microgrid systems across Utility Power Generation, Commercial & Industrial, Residential, Public Infrastructure, and Agriculture and Site assessment & geotechnical analysis, Structural design & load calculation, Manufacturing & fabrication, Logistics & packaging, Installation & commissioning, and O&M (tracker maintenance, corrosion inspection). Demand is then allocated across end users, development stages, and geographic markets.
Third, a supply model evaluates how the market is served. This includes Steel (hot-rolled coil, rebar), Aluminum extrusions, Fasteners and hardware, Drive motors and actuators, Controller electronics, and Galvanizing and coating materials, manufacturing technologies such as Galvanized steel vs. aluminum alloys, Robotic welding and fabrication, Solar tracking algorithms and control software, Ballast engineering for non-penetrating roofs, and Corrosion-resistant coatings (e.g., Magnelis), quality control requirements, outsourcing, contract manufacturing, integration, and project-delivery participation, distribution structure, and supply-chain concentration risks.
Fourth, a country capability model maps where the market is consumed, where production is materially feasible, where manufacturing capability is limited or emerging, and which countries function primarily as innovation hubs, supply nodes, demand centers, or import-reliant markets.
Fifth, a pricing and economics layer evaluates price corridors, cost drivers, complexity premiums, outsourcing logic, margin structure, and switching barriers. This is especially relevant in markets where product grade, purity, customization, regulatory burden, or service model materially influence economics.
Finally, a competitive intelligence layer profiles the leading company types active in the market and explains how strategic roles differ across upstream material suppliers, component and controls providers, OEMs, storage-system integrators, EPC partners, project developers, and distribution or service channels.
This report covers the market for Solar Panel Mounting Structure in its commercially relevant and technologically meaningful form. The scope typically includes the product itself, its major product configurations or variants, the critical technologies used to produce or deliver it, the core input categories required for manufacturing, and the services directly associated with its commercial supply, quality control, or integration into end-user workflows.
Included within scope are the product forms, use cases, inputs, and services that are necessary to understand the actual addressable market around Solar Panel Mounting Structure. This usually includes:
Excluded from scope are categories that may be technologically adjacent but do not belong to the core economic market being measured. These usually include:
The exact inclusion and exclusion logic is always a critical part of the study, because the quality of the market estimate depends directly on disciplined scope boundaries.
The report provides global coverage. It evaluates the world market as a whole and then breaks it down by region and country, with particular focus on the geographies that matter most for deployment demand, battery-material processing, cell and component manufacturing, power-conversion capability, renewable integration, and project delivery.
The geographic analysis is designed not simply to rank countries by nominal market size, but to classify them by role in the market. Depending on the product, countries may function as:
This study is designed for strategic, commercial, operations, project-delivery, and investment users, including:
In many energy-transition, storage, power-conversion, and project-driven markets, official trade and production statistics are not sufficient on their own to describe the true market. Product boundaries may cut across multiple tariff codes, several product categories may be bundled into the same official classification, and a meaningful share of activity may take place through customized services, captive supply, platform relationships, or technically specialized channels that are not directly visible in standard statistical datasets.
For this reason, the report is designed as a modeled strategic market study. It uses official and public evidence wherever it is reliable and scope-compatible, but it does not force the market into a purely statistical framework when doing so would reduce analytical quality. Instead, it reconstructs the market through the logic of demand, supply, technology, country roles, and company behavior.
This makes the report particularly well suited to products that are innovation-intensive, technically differentiated, capacity-constrained, platform-dependent, or commercially structured around specialized buyer-supplier relationships rather than standardized commodity trade.
The report typically includes:
The result is a structured, publication-grade market intelligence document that combines quantitative modeling with commercial, technical, and strategic interpretation.
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Sudden Slashes To Solar Incentives Make It Harder To Go Green News From The States
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William Adams was entranced by energy. As a young man, his interest was nursed by working as a clerk in a London patent office in the 1860s. This gave him an early look at some of the first British designs for exploiting solar energy using mirrors, water or both.
Adams would later recount his excitement at reading about the French mathematician Augustin Mouchot’s invention of the first machine ever to run on energy from the Sun. The device, which connected a solar boiler to a specifically designed steam engine, was warmly received by Napoleon III when it was presented to the emperor in 1866.
Inspired, Adams soon designed and patented his own rudimentary solar boiler. The only problem was, he needed more sun.
This series is dedicated to lesser-known, highly influential scientists who have had a powerful influence on the careers and research paths of many others, including the authors of these articles.
When offered the chance to become deputy registrar of Bombay by the Indian city’s governor, Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse, Adams jumped at the opportunity. There, he became the first Briton to design, build and test a fully-functioning solar steam engine fit for industrial purpose.
But he also came up against the conservatism of India’s colonial rulers, who did not see this Bombay bureaucrat for the energy visionary that he undoubtedly was.
Adams arrived in Bombay in 1873 to find it in the middle of a cotton boom, with mills popping up like mushrooms across the city. The population was growing so quickly that firewood was depleted for miles around. The landscape grew “bald as a billiard ball”, as Adams put it.
Every morning before setting off for work near Bombay’s central fort, Adams would set up his outdoor laboratory at his home in the southernmost Colaba district, near the open sea. He instructed an Indian fundhi (skilled carpenter) to build a set of three-tiered wooden shelves to hold 18 looking glasses.
“Each glass was moveable on a swivel in the same manner as an ordinary toilet glass”, Adams explained, meaning he could pivot each glass by “the touch of the finger”.
Later, for open-air experiments, Adams used two banks of mirrors (36 in total) which made “the mercury in the thermometer boil, leaping up to over 670 degrees fahrenheit”. He then placed a copper cylinder containing three gallons of water in the focus of all 36 mirrors, making it boil in exactly 20 minutes.
But Adams’s ambition did not end there. To reach sufficient pressure in the boiler to drive a steam engine, this bureaucrat-cum-engineer built a giant concave mirror, 24 feet in diameter. He then sent for his London solar boiler, which was delivered by ship to Bombay in 1876.
One fine morning, Adams – wearing dark glasses for safety – turned his giant concave mirror on the copper cylinder filled with water. “The rays beat like missiles in a continuous and incessant storm of solar fire,” he wrote.
An hour later, the cylinder registered 55 pounds of pressure per square inch. He hired a steam engine of 3 horsepower and connected it to the boiler: the pressure moved the pistons. Adams had built the first working, British-designed solar steam engine.
For a fortnight, he kept the pump going near his bungalow in Colaba – proudly and sweatily displaying his innovation to government officials, newspaper reporters, mill owners and the local Indian communities. Members of the public were invited to witness his experiments too, via a notification in a Bombay newspaper.
In 1877, Adams wrote a letter to the editor of the Times of India arguing that the application of his solar steam engine would “make India the seat of the principal manufacturing industries of the world”.
Later, in his wildly ahead-of-its-time treatise Solar Heat: A Substitute for Fuel in Tropical Countries (1878), Adams argued that countries near the equator “possess, in their clear skies, a gratuitous and inexhaustible source of wealth, equal to that which western nations have to dig, with infinite labour and toil, from the bowels of the Earth”.
Adams sketched out plans to use solar heat for everything from cotton gins (engines to separate cotton fibres from seeds) to Hindu crematoria. He called upon the colonial British government to invest in this promising substitute for coal, which was then being imported to India at great expense.
Adams envisioned solar energy transforming the Raj. Just like the coal-combusting steam engine had replaced the waterwheel in England, he argued that thermal heat could now replace fossil fuels in India. But his colonial bosses were not persuaded.
Adams was part of a 19th-century wave of global research into solar steam engines, as I explore in my postdoctoral project and upcoming book. But in contrast to fellow pioneers including Frenchman Mouchot, Adams built his solar steam engine to stimulate local Indian industry, not to benefit the colonial government.
The locals shared Adams’s belief in this technology. One even wrote to Scientific American magazine to express their desire for the rapid adoption of solar power:
My residence is in a tropical part of India … where fuel is scarce and dear … In this part of the country (about 300 miles north of Bombay), there is a great opening for cheap power in small units.
Bombay’s new governor Sir Richard Temple concluded, however, that solar heat “could not be used for commercial purposes on a large scale”. He argued that local factory owners would not like giving “the workmen a holiday on days when the sky is not clear”.
In truth, Adams’s invention was too subversive for Britain’s colonial officials and capitalists. In less sunny climes, solar energy – tethered to the seasonal rhythms of nature – might negate their commercial ambition for timeless industrial production. But they also saw India as an important market for British coal exports.
While a few mill owners adopted Adams’s auxiliary solar heater for their steam engines, most regarded it as a primitive contraption unfit to satisfy the demands of modern civilisation.
Increasingly frustrated that neither the industrial capitalists nor the colonial government supported his vision, Adams abandoned further experiments. His dream of India switching away from coal to solar power, from combustion to concentration, would not happen for at least another century.
Now, however, India is a world leader in the global energy transition. It heads the International Solar Alliance, and is the third largest solar power generator in the world.
Which begs the question: how much further advanced would this technology be had Adams’s 19th-century solar experiments been embraced by India’s colonial rulers at the time?
Junior Research Fellow, Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Oxford
Sebastian Egholm Lund receives funding from the Carlsberg Foundation. His upcoming book, Changing the Climate at the Fin de Siècle, is published by Cambridge University Press (September 2026). 
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LISTEN: Savannah residents with solar kept power after Helene, but federal cuts prevent further solar expansion as the city prepares for hurricane season. GPB’s Jillian Magtoto explains.
From left, Savannah alderman Nick Palumbo, resident Marc Thomas, and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson hold up signs provided by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on May 27, 2026, in Savannah.
Hurricane Helene caused over 1.5 million power outages when it swept through Georgia in 2024. A week after making landfall, a few hundred thousand homes were still without power. But Savannah resident Marc Thomas’ lights were still on.
“Our solar power kept us going with just minor discomforts through the whole period,” Thomas said. “We were able to take care of ourselves and help some of our neighbors.”
The panels were made possible through the Georgia BRIGHT program that began providing free solar panels to low-income residents in 2023. Formerly funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, it was cut last year as the Trump administration cancelled subsidies for renewable energy projects.
That puts Savannahians in a tricky spot.
“Some of the federal funding went away,” Mayor Van Johnson said in a press conference hosted by the Southern Alliance for Clean energy on May 27. “You know, we have to recognize that times are changing.”
While waiting for federal dollars be reinstated, Johnson added that he will work with nonprofits to focus on smaller fixes, such as weatherization and home energy audits.
Finding funding for more expensive items like solar panels will require bringing bigger players to the table. But for now, many in Savannah might still be relying on their solar-powered neighbors during storm season this year.
“We know if anything happens over the summer, we’re all going to show up at Marc Thomas’ house, because he has power,” Johnson said. “But we want everyone to have power.”
Jillian Magtoto covers the environment and climate in Coastal and South Georgia for GPB as part of a grant from the Green South Foundation.
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News Industry green steel 241 30 May 2026
The Swedish steelmaker SSAB will supply Vattenfall with decarbonized steel for the construction of the Juliusburg/Krukow ground-mounted solar park in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. This was announced in a company statement.
SSAB Zero steel is used in the support structures on which solar panels are mounted. In total, more than 9,000 steel sections with a combined weight of 209 tons will be used.
Although solar energy already plays an important role in Germany’s energy transition, the construction of solar parks is still accompanied by emissions, SSAB notes.
“Such projects demonstrate how the climate impact of renewable energy production can be further reduced by taking responsibility for emissions in the supply chain as well. With SSAB Zero, we supply decarbonized steel with the same quality and properties as conventional steel,” said Matts Nilsson, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales at SSAB Europe.
According to Vattenfall, by using SSAB’s low-carbon steel, it reduces CO₂ emissions in the construction and supply chain by 67%.
The Juliusburg/Krukow solar park, with a rated capacity of 80 MW (peak), will be able to generate approximately 120 GWh of fossil-fuel-free solar electricity per year.
As a reminder, last November, SSAB signed an agreement with the energy company Vattenfall to supply 120 tons of fossil-fuel-free steel for the construction of the world’s first and largest dam gate, built with nearly zero carbon emissions during production.
Opinions Industry macroeconomics
28 May 2026
Depending on the scenario, the direct impact of rising energy and fertilizer prices is estimated at $1.5–3.2 billion
29 May 2026
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Science and Technology
Wannon Water has completed a 500 kW floating solar plant in Warrnambool, in the Australian state of Victoria, installed over the Brierly Basin reservoir, with a projected capacity to generate over 600,000 kWh per year and reduce emissions by more than 600 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
The project, developed by Enervest, comprises 1,260 bifacial solar panels on floating structures in the reservoir used by the utility for water supply.
The installation was presented as one of the largest floating solar installations in Australia and is part of the company’s strategy to cut operational costs and expand the use of renewable energy.
Forget gasoline: Brazilian students create a water-powered car, transform a Fiat Siena into a near-zero emission vehicle, and put Brazil’s first clean combustion car to compete in an international tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
The crossing of a continent in less time than a domestic flight: Germany designs the SpaceLiner to take 50 passengers from Europe to Australia in 90 minutes, using a reusable rocket-plane that takes off like a space launcher, crosses the atmosphere in a hypersonic leap, and lands on a runway like a commercial spacecraft of the future.
He looks alien, and it’s on purpose: the Helios abandons the legs of common humanoid robots and gains four arms to move, anchor, and operate in zero gravity, with the promise of eventually even helping with the maintenance of satellites and structures in orbit.
The Japanese ship Chikyu lowered a drill six kilometers below the Pacific seabed and brought up mud laden with rare earths, in a test that could pave the way to break China’s dominance over technology metals.
The main function of the plant is to offset part of the energy consumed in pumping water from Brierly Basin to Wannon Water’s treatment station, which serves residents and businesses in Warrnambool, Allansford, and Koroit.
This operation requires large electrical consumption because the water needs to be pumped uphill to the treatment unit.
Therefore, generation at the reservoir itself was considered more advantageous than installation in areas where supply occurs by gravity.
According to Wannon Water, the system is expected to improve the energy efficiency of the operation and ease expenses related to potable water supply.
The company’s general manager, Steven Waterhouse, stated that initiatives like this help keep costs under control.
“Projects like this help us use energy more efficiently and keep costs low, which means better value for our customers,” said Waterhouse.
The modules used in the plant are bifacial, a technology that allows capturing solar radiation from the top and also harnessing light reflected by the water surface.
This design increases the yield of the set compared to panels that receive light only on one side.
The equipment was installed on pontoons made of high-density polyethylene, a material used in floating structures for its resistance to water and prolonged exposure to the external environment.
In the case of Brierly Basin, the surface of the reservoir now serves a dual function: storing raw water and generating clean electricity for local operations.
In addition to producing energy, the partial coverage formed by the panels reduces the direct incidence of sunlight on the water surface.
This effect can help reduce evaporation losses, although Wannon Water mainly highlights the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of the project.
The Brierly Basin plant has become the largest floating solar system ever installed by Wannon Water.
Before this, the utility already operated a 250 kW plant at the Warrnambool Water Treatment Plant and two 100 kW systems at the Hamilton Water Treatment Plant.
With the new unit, the company reinforces its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
The estimated reduction of more than 600 tons per year directly contributes to this plan and adds to other energy efficiency initiatives in the Australian water sector.
The construction, which began in March 2026, was contracted for about AU$ 2 million, equivalent to approximately US$ 1.4 million at the disclosed conversion rate.
Completion occurred in May 2026, within the schedule provided by the utility for the project.
The project in Warrnambool is part of a broader movement of interest in floating solar energy in Australia.
Water companies, farmers, irrigation districts, and industrial operations have started to evaluate reservoirs, ponds, and dams as useful areas for renewable generation without occupying productive land.
The technology has attracted attention because it combines electricity production with the potential reduction of water losses in regions prone to drought.
In countries heavily reliant on irrigation and open reservoirs, evaporation represents a significant economic and environmental concern.
In 2025, the project Novel Energy and Evaporative Storage Technologies for Irrigators, known by the acronym NEESTI, advanced in the country.
The initiative, led by AgEcon Australia with support from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, seeks to evaluate the use of floating solar panels in agricultural irrigation dams.
The program has an announced budget of AU$ 13 million and received AU$ 6 million from the Future Drought Fund, an Australian federal government fund aimed at drought resilience.
The proposal is to study technical, economic, regulatory, and legal aspects to enable a floating solar energy market in the field.
The research also targets sectors with high water and energy consumption, including cotton and other irrigated crops.
One of the points evaluated is the possibility of using floating structures to reduce direct exposure of water to the sun, while producers generate electricity for their own use or sale.
The Australian market has also started receiving solutions from foreign companies specialized in floating solar energy.
Norwegian company Ocean Sun announced a partnership with Canopy Power Australia to introduce circular systems based on floating membranes.
The technology disclosed by the companies uses structures about 70 meters in diameter, with an approximate capacity of 700 kWp per unit.
In this model, the modules are supported on a membrane that maintains thermal contact with the water, which can favor heat dissipation and improve panel performance.
Ocean Sun claims that this design can increase energy yield compared to traditional systems, although performance depends on installation, operation, and maintenance conditions.
The partnership targets different types of clients, such as water companies, farms, energy companies, and projects in remote areas.
Meanwhile, projects like Brierly Basin show a more immediate application of the technology in the public essential services sector.
By installing panels over existing reservoirs, utilities can generate electricity near the point of consumption and reduce cost pressure in energy-intensive activities.
In the case of Wannon Water, the floating solar plant does not replace the supply infrastructure but complements the treatment and pumping operation.
The combination of reservoir, local generation, and emission reduction explains why the technology has gained ground in regions needing to balance water security, cost control, and energy transition.
A journalist who graduated in 2017 and has been active in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints at free-to-air TV channels, and over 12,000 online publications. A specialist in politics, employment, economics, courses, and other topics, he is also the editor of the CPG portal. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, wish to report an error, or suggest a story idea related to the topics covered on the website, please contact via email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept résumés!
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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended the ALMM order to introduce List-II for solar PV cells, effective from June 1, 2026, to bolster domestic solar manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
December 10, 2024. By Mrinmoy Dey
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HOUSTON — Jeff and Jenny Wright haven’t paid an electric bill for their Houston home in more than a year. Instead, the couple sells their unused power back to the grid in a system that some states hope can offer a way to help meet surging demand for electricity.
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Americans today pay 40% more, on average, for their electricity than they did just six years ago.
Generating their own power makes a big difference for the Wrights and rarely more so than it did this spring, when energy costs soared even higher because of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Nationwide, energy prices jumped 4% in April alone.
“I’m getting fairly close to retirement, so cost control for us is a big thing,” said Jeff Wright.
The Wrights have solar panels on their roof that are capable of powering the home appliances and the TVs they use on a daily basis.
But they also have two Tesla battery packs mounted on the side of their home — the key equipment they needed in order to turn their home from a solar-powered stand-alone into part of a virtual power plant (VPP) network. Any excess energy not used by the Wrights can be stored and sent back to the central power grid to help stabilize it during times of peak demand.
VPPs currently exist, or are in the works, in 35 states and Washington, D.C. The largest networks are in California and Texas.
In Texas, the Wrights are paid a $240 yearly reward from their solar provider, Sunrun, on top of monthly credits, which have been up to $30 once all their power needs are met.
But credits and saving on electric bills may not immediately cover the cost of installing solar panels, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, and sometimes involve leasing plans.
For the Wrights, the energy independence is worth it. They also say the system is more resilient during extreme weather events.
“I never notice it, the lights don’t dim,” said Jeff Wright. “We’ve never come close to running out of energy.”
Energy companies like Sunrun and Reliant, one of Texas’ primary energy providers, say there are broader implications to more houses contributing to VPP networks.
America’s power grid is currently not generating enough power to meet what experts predict will be needed to power the AI data centers being planned and built in communities across the country.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the country will need to add new resources to support about 200 gigawatts of peak demand. For reference, 1 gigawatt is equal to about 1.3 million horsepower and can power about 750,000 homes for a year.
According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, VPPs could reduce peak demand in the United States by 60 gigawatts by 2030 and help reduce annual power sector expenditures by $17 billion.
“The grid hasn’t seen growth for decades, and people don’t realize that,” said Paul Dickson, the president of Sunrun, America’s largest distributed energy company. “That’s getting turned on its head over the next 15 years — the grid is anticipating 40% growth, and so it’s a lot of strain on the same poles and wires.”
The last time the grid experienced this level of demand growth was around the turn of the millennium, as the U.S. economy grew and air conditioning, the internet and personal computers all saw massive growth.
For the past two decades, however, typical annual growth from factors like population have been offset by increased energy efficiency across everything from appliances to light bulbs to cars.
Sunrun said it currently has 107,000 customers nationwide enrolled in a VPP. In 2025, those customers contributed 18 gigawatt-hours of power back to the grid, which is enough to power 15 million homes for one hour. The company paid those customers $17 million for that energy.
For Dickson, stabilizing the power grid is a race against time. Building a conventional power plant can take 10 to 12 years, while a nuclear facility could take decades. Booting up a functioning VPP takes just a few months.
“The 100,000 homes that we do every year equates to the same output as a nuclear power plant,” he said. “Smaller power plants that are being built in three to five years, we do every three to four months.”
Sunrun said it aims to grow its fleet of dispatchable battery systems to 10 gigawatt-hours by the end of 2028.
A gigawatt-hour is a unit of energy that measures how much electricity is produced or used over time. One gigawatt-hour is equal to 1 billion watts of power used or generated continuously for one hour.
But VPPs can draw power from a variety of sources, not just solar panels. A smart thermostat can be part of a VPP system.
“You really don’t need a bunch of fancy devices in order to be a participant in any of our virtual power plant programs,” said Bill Clayton, senior vice president of Reliant, which says it currently has 300,000 customers participating in VPPs.
Reliant says it’s working on ways to power VPPs through electric vehicles parked in people’s garages.
“EVs are the crown jewel in terms of putting demand or putting supply back on the grid or reducing demand on the grid,” Clayton said. “It’s going to be a critical phase for us.”
In Houston, Jeff Wright says his neighbors are already asking him about VPPs after his home system zapped his monthly utility bills to effectively zero.
“We’ve got two batteries here, and what we have is not going to stabilize the entire grid, but if enough of us get together and do this, it will help everybody in Texas and ourselves as well,” he said.
Maya Huter is a Producer at NBC News covering business and the economy.
Brian Cheung is a business and data correspondent for NBC News.
© 2026 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
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Published – May 28, 2026 08:00 am IST
Workers clean installed solar panels at a 12-MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Surajpur, November 16, 2025. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Aerosols in the air reduced the amount of solar power generated in India by 9.6% in 2023, equivalent to around 15 terawatt-hours (TWh), according to a new analysis published in Nature Sustainability. The same study reported that the global average loss due to the same cause in 2023 was 5.8%.
Between 2017 and 2023, pollution-related electricity generation losses from existing installations averaged 74 TWh a year — roughly one third of the electricity generated every year by new solar capacity.
According to the study, India’s loss is one of the world’s highest, with the most electricity generation potential lost in the country’s heavily polluted north.
The researchers assembled what they called the first global facility-level database of solar photovoltaic generation and losses, totalling 1.4 lakh facilities worldwide. They analysed the numbers together with satellite data, atmospheric data, and machine-learning.
Aerosols are fine particles of sulphates and carbon, among other constituents. Major human sources of it include coal plants, road transport vehicles, and industries.
Smog — which is a mix of aerosols and gases — directly reduces the amount of sunlight reaching solar panels, thus undermining an important source of power meant to replace coal in India.
India’s neighbour with an even bigger appetite for power, China, lost the most power generation potential in 2023, 61.3 TWh, but which was lower than India’s as a fraction of the total generation (7.7%). In fact, China both illustrates the scale of the problem and a way through it.
China generated 793.5 TWh of solar electricity in 2023 and accounted for 54.9% of aerosol-related losses worldwide. Many of the country’s solar farms lie within 30 km of coal power plants, increasing the former’s exposure to pollution that blocks sunlight.
However, China reduced pollution-related loss of solar power by around 1.4% a year from 2013 to 2023 and at the same time it expanded coal power. It reduced the losses by retrofitting coal plants with high-efficiency filters that curtailed sulphur dioxide and particulate emissions.
A key technology in reducing these emissions is flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD), which removes sulphur dioxide from flue gas vented into the air.
India’s aerosol-induced losses in solar power production did not decline from 2013 to 2023, staying flat. In 2025, the Indian government also significantly weakened a target to install FGD units by limiting them to coal plants near major cities and, on a case by case basis, plants in critically polluted areas.
Published – May 28, 2026 08:00 am IST
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COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd has requested all homeowners to turn off their rooftop solar panels today from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The request has been made as a measure to ensure the reliability and stability of the national electricity grid.
The company stated that electricity demand has significantly dropped as yesterday and today are holidays.
Due to grid instability, temporary power disruptions were experienced in several areas yesterday.
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January 06, 2026
In 2026, the world’s energy demand will reach an unprecedented level. Cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy sources are critical.
In this Q&A, we chat with Charlotte Jacobs, an assistant professor in the E. J. Ourso College of Business Rucks Department of Management, whose research focuses on the photovoltaic cell industry.
As we enter a new year of research and discoveries, our LSU experts are looking forward to the biggest challenges we will face and advances we can anticipate. What might our future look like, “soonish”? How can we help to shape the future we want to see?
A photovoltaic (PV) cell, also known as a solar cell, is an electronic device that converts sunlight’s energy into electricity. Jacobs is interested in the emergence and evolution of this industry and how knowledge is being created to improve photovoltaic cells.
On-campus solar shelter at LSU.
Charlotte Jacobs,
LSU assistant professor
What are we likely to see in 2026 in terms of progress, discoveries, emerging technology, or research directions in the PV cell industry?
In the coming years, the field is likely to undergo substantial transformation, driven primarily by an extraordinary rise in electricity demand. This demand stems not only from the rapid expansion of energy-expensive data centers supporting advances in AI and large-scale computing, but also from a broader societal shift toward electrification.
A central question for the next five years will be whether renewable and clean energy sources can keep pace with this surge in demand.
Perovskite-based photovoltaic (PV) solar cell.
Solar power has grown remarkably, yet global capacity remains heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturers, who currently dominate conventional photovoltaic panel production. Whether this supply structure is resilient enough to meet the rising demand remains uncertain, and geopolitical dynamics may further complicate the situation.
This creates a strategic opening for emerging solar technologies. In North America, Europe, and Japan, there is increasing investment in new technologies—most notably perovskite-based photovoltaics and other more adaptable solar materials.
These technologies offer fundamentally different value propositions compared to traditional rigid panels, including lighter weight, greater flexibility, and a much wider range of potential applications. Such features could allow solar energy to be integrated into surfaces and contexts that were previously infeasible.
Editor’s note: A perovskite solar cell is a type of thin-film solar cell that uses a light-absorbing material with a perovskite crystalline structure (like the calcium titanium oxide mineral called perovskite) instead of crystalline silicon. This type of solar cell can be more efficient and cheaper to produce, with a thin light-absorbing layer that can be sprayed onto a surface.
The field will likely witness a critical “make-or-break” period for these innovations. Their technical progress, scalability, and commercial viability will determine whether Western firms can regain a stronger position in the solar supply chain and contribute meaningfully to meeting accelerating energy needs.
If they succeed, we may see the beginning of a more diversified and resilient global solar industry by the end of the decade.
What are some challenges you foresee in the PV industry?
A key challenge will be the uncertainty surrounding emerging clean-energy technologies. These technologies already face long development timelines and significant scaling hurdles, and their progress is further complicated by unstable policies.
The on-again, off-again nature of tariffs, shifting priorities in government funding, and cuts to research grants for renewable energy projects create instability that discourages long-term investment.
This uncertainty affects not only firms but also universities and research labs, making it more difficult to hire talent, initiate new ventures, or maintain the credibility and continuity required to bring innovations to market.
The global context compounds these challenges. Heightened geopolitical tensions and stricter international policies are reducing the ease of cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, both of which are essential to technological advancement in energy and materials science.
As channels for sharing expertise narrow, the development of next-generation solar technologies and other clean-energy solutions may slow down at a moment when rapid progress is most needed.
Where would you LIKE to see this field go in the next 1-5 years? What are some questions or avenues for research you think should get more attention in 2026?
I would like to see the world move toward a broader, collective recognition of the value of cleaner air.
Even for those who remain skeptical about the long-term consequences of climate change, the immediate health and societal benefits of reducing pollution are difficult to dispute. Cleaner air is a universal good, and framing energy transitions around this shared interest could help build wider support for renewable technologies.
I also hope to see greater emphasis on national energy resilience. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels—both for environmental and geopolitical reasons—could help ease international tensions and create more stable, secure energy systems. Solar energy, with its scalability and widespread applicability, is especially well-positioned to contribute to this goal.
From a research perspective, the next few years would benefit from a deeper inquiry into how to fully unlock the potential of solar energy. This includes understanding how emerging photovoltaic technologies can be integrated into diverse environments, how supply chains can be made more secure and sustainable, and how policy frameworks can better align with long-term clean-energy objectives.
Strengthening interdisciplinary work across materials science, engineering, social science, and policy will be essential. Ultimately, I hope these efforts converge to enable solar energy to reach its full potential as a cornerstone of a cleaner future.
What are you most excited about in terms of research and discoveries in your field in 2026?
I am very excited not only about the potential of new photovoltaic technologies but also about integrating carbon capture as a solution to cleaner air. There is a lot happening there, and many projects on the horizon. We’ve seen nothing yet!
What do you wish more people knew about your area of research and its implications?
I wish more people understood the pivotal role that oil and gas companies played in the early development of the solar energy industry. Their involvement is unknown to many.
Historically, these firms were essential actors in establishing and growing the industry. Their investments supported foundational research, commercialization efforts, and early market development at a time when few other organizations had the resources or strategic interest to do so.
It is important to acknowledge that their engagement stemmed from concerns about energy independence and the potential depletion of fossil fuel resources. Even so, these investments helped create the technological and industrial base that today’s solar sector relies upon.
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Energy stocks have surged in 2026 as two powerful forces impact the market. Geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have driven oil and gas prices sharply higher. On top of that, a demand shock is unfolding from the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which require enormous amounts of electricity. Together, these forces are creating an opportunity that benefits both conventional energy producers and electricity suppliers.
For this reason, investors are paying closer attention to companies that can produce fuel, generate reliable power, or help expand the infrastructure needed to meet surging demand. With this in mind, here are three no-brainer energy stocks to buy right now.
Image source: Getty Images.
In recent years, Chevron (CVX 0.31%) has done a good job of exercising cost discipline, deploying capital into high-quality investments, reducing its debt, and returning significant capital to shareholders.
The company's portfolio includes high-margin assets in the Gulf of Mexico (the Anchor and Whale projects) and a 30% stake in Guyana's Stabroek Block, which it acquired in July 2025 through its acquisition of Hess, providing it with massive, low-cost, multi-decade production capabilities. Its focus on low-cost production gives Chevron a corporate break-even price (which includes the cost of operations and dividend payments) of around $50 per barrel.
The company has gotten a big boost from rising oil prices in recent months, and its stock traded as high as $214 per share at one point in late March. As of this writing, WTI crude oil sits at around $90 per barrel. This translates directly into higher profits and free cash flow for Chevron, which it can use to invest in the business and continue rewarding shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.
The stock has cooled off since late March, declining 15% amid ceasefire talks and hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, it will still take time to reopen the Strait and rebuild damaged infrastructure, which could keep oil prices elevated for another six to 12 months.
Brookfield Renewable (BEPC +1.30%) is a pure-play global renewable energy company focused on hydropower, solar, wind, battery storage, and nuclear power. The company owns, operates, and develops clean energy projects worldwide, with over 47 gigawatts (GW) of operating capacity and another 275 GW in its development pipeline.
What makes Brookfield appealing is its business model, which provides stable, predictable cash flow, with management targeting long-term returns of 12% to 15%, including 5% to 9% annual distribution growth. It accomplishes this through contracts, with 90% of its power generation contracted for an average of 13 years. Not only that, but it is shielded from rising costs, as roughly 70% of its revenue is indexed to inflation.
As energy demand grows, Brookfield Renewable is bringing on new generation capacity at a staggering pace. Last year, the company commissioned over 9 GW of new capacity, and it is on track to reach a targeted commissioning run rate of 10 GW of new projects per year by 2027. Some of its fastest-growing sources are battery and energy storage, as well as behind-the-meter solutions for hyperscaler data centers.
Over the past 12 months, Brookfield's FFO per share grew 12% to $2.08, which more than covers its $1.57 in dividends per share. The company also owns a 51% stake in Westinghouse Electric, a top nuclear energy manufacturer, making Brookfield Renewable a compelling stock for investors looking to capitalize on the booming energy demand from hyperscalers.
Constellation Energy (CEG +0.45%) is a massive independent power producer, meaning it owns facilities to generate electricity but doesn't own the massive transmission lines or delivery grids that carry that power directly to everyday residential doorsteps. As a result, it operates in a deregulated energy marketplace and sells power on the open market, a business model that benefits when energy becomes constrained.
What sets Constellation Energy apart is its massive fleet of nuclear power plants. The company has 55 GW of total energy capacity, with 22 GW coming from nuclear energy. This makes it the largest commercial nuclear energy operator in the U.S. at a time when more companies are embracing nuclear energy. That's because nuclear energy emits no carbon, helping hyperscalers meet their zero-emissions goals while also providing 24/7 reliable baseload power.
The stock has been volatile in recent months, largely driven by regulators seeking to curb surging utility prices for residential customers. PJM Interconnection, which oversees a large regional power grid in the Northeast, recently moved its backstop reliability auction up by a full year to this September. Investors viewed this as a bullish signal, as it accelerates auctions and enables Constellation to bid its electricity into the market and lock in sky-high, record-breaking capacity prices sooner than expected.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Chevron and Constellation Energy. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron and Constellation Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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The ongoing data center build-out and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have thrust energy stocks into the spotlight.
Researchers from the University of Seoul (UOS) and Joenbuk National University (JNU) in South Korea have developed a novel bilayer tin oxide (SnO2) electron transport layer (ETL), via a simple spin-coating method, that significantly improves efficiency and stability of back-contact perovskite solar cells (BC-PSCs).
“We selected SnO2 for the ETL due to its favorable conduction band alignment with perovskite and superior electron mobility compared to conventional titanium oxide,” Kim explained. “As a result, our bilayer ETL enhances interfacial contact, reduces recombination losses, and optimises energy alignment for electron charge carriers.”
The device is built on a glass substrate coated with patterned indium tin oxide (ITO), the SnO₂ ETL, and a perovskite absober. A line-patterned nickel (Ni) electrode is fabricated using photolithography and then thermally oxidized to form nickel oxide (NiOx), which functions as the hole transport layer (HTL). The SnO₂ ETL and NiOx HTL were arranged side by side in an interdigitated pattern at the rear of the device, enabling lateral charge collection. An aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) insulating layer was introduced to electrically isolate the electrodes and prevent short-circuiting, while a thin polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) passivation layer was applied to protect the perovskite surface and reduce recombination.
In this architecture, light directly illuminates the perovskite layer from the top without obstruction by front electrodes, while both electrons and holes are selectively extracted laterally through the back-contact SnO₂ and NiOx electrodes, respectively.
To evaluate the role of ETL engineering, the researchers fabricated three BC-PSC devices with different SnO2-based ETLs: a colloidal SnO2 made of nanoparticles, a sol-gel SnO2, and a bilayer SnO2 consisting of a nanoparticle SnO2 layer combined with a sol-gel layer. Each ETL was spin-coated onto indium tin oxide substrates and patterned via photolithography.
A series of experiments compared the performance of the devices, which showed that the device with bilayer SnO2 yielded the highest average photocurrent of 33.67 picoampere (pA), outperforming the sol-gel SnO2 device at 26.69 pA and colloidal SnO2 device at 14.65 pA.
The bilayer SnO2 device also achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency of 4.52%, was the highest of the three, and improved operational stability, owing to its enhanced suppression of charge recombination.
“BC-PSC devices hold great promise for a variety of applications, including flexible devices and large-area solar modules, due to their high efficiency, enhanced stability, and scalable design” Baek said. “We believe our findings will help accelerate the development of practical BC-PSC technologies for real-world applications while advancing sustainable energy solutions.
The “Interface engineering for efficient and stable back-contact perovskite solar cells” study, led by UOS Department of Chemical Engineering Associate Professor Min Kim and JNU School of Chemical Engineering PhD student Dohun Baek, was published in the Journal of Power Sources.
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This article brought to you in partnership with the Hawai’i Journalism Initiative — a Maui-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
With the passage last year of the President Trump-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” severely rolling back clean energy investments, the company behind a $241 million solar project in Central Maui is working feverishly to get through the permitting process and have enough time to build the facility so it can be operational by the end of 2028.
“We need to take advantage of certain tax credits that will expire by then,” Calvert Chipchase, an attorney with Cades Shutte and legal counsel on the project team, told the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday.
“If we don’t make that date, then this project is not viable.”
The Kūihelani Solar Phase 2 project is designed to power about 18,425 homes annually for at least 20 years and at a fixed price, according to AES Hawaiʻi’s 2,282-page application for a Maui County special use permit.
Support for the project was overwhelming. County and state officials said it will help Hawaiʻi reach the state’s clean energy initiative of 100% of its electrical needs coming from renewable sources by 2045. As of 2025, about 41.5% of Maui Electric Company’s electricity came from renewable sources.
Supporters also said it will help make up for the energy production that will be lost by the upcoming decommissioning of aging fossil fuel-fired plants in Central Maui. A parade of construction workers and their union representatives testified in favor of the project in person, touting the expected creation of 1,541 good paying jobs and $90 million in labor income. And, the project even will benefit a nonprofit that has operations dealing with bees and sheep.
On Tuesday, the Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve the county special use permit, although the commission needs to also approve a decision of notice at its next meeting before AES Hawaiʻi can go before the Land Use Commission to seek a state special use permit. The company has a tentative place on the Land Use Commission’s Aug. 19 meeting agenda, Chipchase said.
In a March 20 letter from the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Chief Energy Officer Mark B. Glick wrote that support for the project partly stems from AES Hawaiʻi having “successfully” brought online Kūihelani Solar Phase 1. That solar project began commercial operations two years ago and now supplies about 15% of Maui’s electrical needs, according to company officials.
Kūihelani Solar Phase 2, which is proposed to be built next to the Phase 1 site, will be a little smaller with a 40-megawatt solar photovoltaic system with about 107,000 solar modules, 24 conversion stations and companion battery units that can store a total of 160 megawatt hours. This project is estimated to meet nearly 10% of Maui County’s electricity needs, said Nick Molinari, senior director of project development.
“So people come home, they turn on their appliances, the electricity demand starts to ramp up. Right now what happens is the fossil fuel facilities need to ramp up to meet that demand. This project would allow that demand to be met by discharging the solar energy from these batteries,” Molinari said.
AES Hawaiʻi said it will construct the Maui Electric Company switchyard and interconnection lines and then transfer ownership to MECO, which is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries and the main provider of electrical power to the island.
The power from the solar plant will be connected to MECO’s islandwide grid.
MECO has entered into an agreement with the solar company to buy its power from this facility at a fixed rate for at least 20 years at $0.15476 per kilowatt hour, which was filed with the Hawai’i Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 23, 2025. This agreement needs the commission’s approval.
It is higher than the $0.08 per kilowatt hour that was negotiated for Kūihelani Solar Phase 1.
Molinari told the Planning Commission that the fixed rate is important because “as we’re seeing with global events right now, and the never-ending cycle of oil price and fossil fuel price volatility, this would provide a meaningful edge and insulation against those sorts of fluctuations.”
Hawaiʻi residents currently pay the most expensive electricity rates in the country, with a rate of 43 cents per kilowatt hour as of February 2026, according to Choose Energy.
“Global conflicts and oil price shocks can show up directly in local electric bills,” Mark Anthony Clemente, political director for the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, testified. “Hawaiian Electric has warned that typical residential bills may rise 20 to 30 percent over the next several months because of higher oil prices. That is exactly why renewable energy is energy security, and energy security is one way we can help control Hawaiʻi’s cost of living.”
The state said the project site is “suited for solar energy development due to its relative flat terrain, easy accessibility, proximity to existing MECO grid infrastructure and relative isolation from homes and communities.” The closest residences in Māʻalaea are about 0.8 miles away.
The state said the Ka Paʻakai Analysis, which included outreach to 46 Native Hawaiian organizations, community members and cultural and lineal descendants, determined that the project will not affect valued cultural, historical or natural resources, including traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.
The project is not expected to significantly impact traffic, with four plantation roads that provide access to the site. At the height of construction, about 200 workers are expected to come and go once a day. There could be another 80 trucks per day. Once construction is over, which will take about 14 to 18 months, only four to five people are required per day for operations.
The solar company has a 25-year ground lease with Mahi Pono, with options that could extend it another 15 years.
Maui County Planning Director Jacky Takakura wrote in support that the project would help replace the lost energy that will occur with the impending retirement of the aging Kahului and Māʻalaea fossil fuel-fired power plants.
The state Office of Planning & Sustainable Development concurred, saying in a May 22 comment letter that the project is especially important because Maui Electric Company is mandated to close those power plants by next year to comply with regional air quality rules. The letter said MECO also is mandated to close the rest of the Māʻalaea Power Plant by 2030 due to the lack of replacement parts for maintenance.
But Hawaiian Electric, which owns MECO, has been lobbying to delay the shutdown of the Kahului Power Plant — which has been in operation since 1948 — by seeking a waiver from the Clean Air Act requirements.
In an Aug. 29 letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, HECO wrote that although it had agreed to retirement deadlines under the Hawaiʻi Regional Haze State Implementation Plan due to high costs of pollution controls and fuel switches, those deadlines were no longer acceptable because of reliability of the grid concerns caused by delays and cancellations of planned replacement generation projects.
On May 15, the EPA announced the partial disapproval of the Hawaiʻi plan. Now, Hawaiʻi is required to submit a revised plan for EPA approval. It is unclear what it will mean for the timeline of the shutdown of the plants.
But the second solar project in Central Maui would divert more than seven million gallons of fossil fuel annually, according to the application.
“Those are fuels that would otherwise need to be imported and burned on island,” Molinari said.
It also is estimated to displace 686,594 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions over the 20 years. This reduction is equivalent to removing about 160,000 cars from the road for one year or planting 11 million tree seedlings and allowing them to grow for 10 years, according to the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office.
Phase 2 would be built on about 476 acres owned by a subsidiary of Mahi Pono Holdings and in the State Land Use Agricultural District, although only about 250 of those acres will be used.
Sugarcane used to be cultivated on the land, but it has been fallow since 2016 when Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company ceased operations.
Because the land is rated “B,” state law says that compatible agricultural use must be made available at a rate of at least 50% below the fair market value. Chipchase told the Planning Commission the land would be made available at no cost for sheep production and beekeeping.
The project will have three solar arrays mounted on a racking system on steel posts, which allow for the panels to follow the sun throughout the day — and will have rows wide enough to allow for grazing between them. The energy produced is low-voltage, direct current electricity.
Living Pono Project, a Native Hawaiian-led nonprofit on Maui, is expected to oversee the agriculture activities of the project. It plans to use some of the land for a herd of 250 to 350 sheep that would be bred from its existing stock and used for meat, dairy and possible specialty products.
Living Pono Project also would partner with local Nalo Meli Honey for the beekeeping operation.
The solar company said it plans to help subsidize these operations by installing holding pens, shelters and water troughs supplied by onsite tans serviced by water trucks.
“We know ag is a tough business, and we want them to succeed,” Molinari said,
The Living Pono Project now operates a compatible agriculture program at the adjacent Kūihelani Solar Phase 1 site since 2024. That effort has grown to approximately 200 sheep, with anticipated capacity reaching roughly 250 to 350 sheep.
Takakura wrote: “With the sensitivity in and around the project site for wildfire and soil erosion, livestock production and beekeeping were determined to be the most viable agricultural uses with the project site. “
Mary Alice Evans, director the state Office of Sustainability and Development, said in a support letter the benefits of the solar project outweighs the temporary cost of limiting the agricultural use.
The site does not have access to water. If a fire occurs, the solar company said it will have on hand a clean agent fire extinguishment, a fire suppressant that is ideal for delicate electronics because it leaves no residue upon evaporation. Water needed during construction and operation for dust control, washing vehicles, potential revegetation for erosion control, decommissioning and thirsty sheep “will be minimal” and provided by onsite tanks filled by water trucks. Portable sanitation units will be put at the site since there is no sewer hookups available.
AES Hawaiʻi also has committed $120,000 per year in community benefits funding, and that would be directed to communities and community initiatives identified by those closest to the project area.
The county special use permit requested is for 30 years to cover the time needed for development approvals, construction, the operating years and decommissioning at the end of its lifecycle.
The current plan is for AES Hawaiʻi to remove all the solar equipment and properly dispose of it, with some material likely to be shipped off island, and then return the land to the condition it was in before the project. But there was a discussion during the Planning Commission meeting about what would happen then, with the loss of that energy. Possibilities were discussed, but for now the plan remains to decommission the site.
Demond Kabilis, member of Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters that has 6,000 members with 700 of them in Maui Nui, testified: “This project is not only important for the next generation of workers, it is also important for the workers who are nearing retirement.”
He explained the solar project work often is less physically demanding than many of other construction projects available on Maui.
“I’ve had multiple members come up to me asking me when this project is going to move forward,” Kabilis said, “because they hope it will be their last project before retirement.”
Hawaii Journalism Initiative (HJI) is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to in-depth, public-service journalism focused on Maui County.
Our reporting is free to read on Maui Now, and made possible entirely by donations.
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European Energy Launches Cornwall’s 67.96 MW Solar Farm with 95 MWh Battery Storage, Aiming for 2027 Grid Connection SolarQuarter
source
Nearly twice as many Reform UK voters would back a solar farm in their area than support fracking, according to a new poll published today.
The findings, for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, are at odds with Reform’s national support for fracking.
The poll found that 43% of people who planned to vote Reform UK in this month’s local elections said they would back a solar farm as the best way to create energy locally.
This compared with 23% who said they would support fracking.
Among all voters, 60% said they would pick solar. Just 10% supported fracking.
Higher-volume fracking is currently prevented by a moratorium in England.
But Richard Tice, Reform UK’s energy spokesperson and deputy leader, has repeatedly called for a revival of fracking, particularly in Lincolnshire. He has also opposed renewable energy, including solar farms.
The party’s mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, has had talks with Egdon Resources, which wants to frack for shale gas in the Gainsborough Trough. Egdon is owned by the Texas-based oil and gas firm, Heyco Energy, which has used multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in the US Permian Basin.
Despite Reform UK’s national support for fracking, some of its local authorities have opposed the operation.
Lancashire’s Reform-led council said last year the countywas “not conducive” to fracking”. The Fylde region, near Blackpool, experienced experienced many small earthquakes caused by fracking by Cuadrilla at its Preston New Road site in 2018 and 2019.
Scarborough’s Reform-led town council unanimously opposed plans for lower-volume fracking in the North Yorkshire village of Burniston.
Alasdair Johnstone, of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said today:
“Reform’s pro-fracking, anti-solar stance appears not only at odds with broad public opinion, but also the opinion of their voters who would prefer a quiet solar farm over a noisy fracking pad in their area.
“That divergence is also playing out between the national level of the party and local councils some of which have said they don’t want fracking in their area.
“Public opposition aside, Reform would find it tough to emulate Trump’s pro-fracking push as British geology is very different to that in the US.
“Reform voters clearly back renewable energy which is helping to reduce the UK’s dependence on volatile gas markets and foreign imports.”
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From pv magazine Australia
Trina Solar has unveiled a new variant of its Vertex S+ module series, designed to deliver higher output within standard rooftop constraints and tailored for Australia’s residential and commercial and industrial (C&I) market.
The company said the Australia-specific module supports systems of up to 100 kW under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), where higher wattage and efficiency per module enable installers to optimize system size and maximize Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) returns within limited roof space.
The monofacial NEG10R.28Z module offers up to 515 W output with a maximum conversion efficiency of 24.65%, within a standard module footprint of 1,842 mm × 1,134 mm × 30 mm. Based on Trina’s n-type i-TOPCon cell architecture, the module incorporates zero-busbar and zero-gap technologies to improve efficiency and reduce electrical losses.
Trina said the higher power density allows installers to reach target system capacities with fewer modules, increasing system capacity without expanding the footprint. This can reduce balance-of-system (BOS) requirements and improve the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
The module features an open-circuit voltage of 38.3 V and a short-circuit current of 12.85 A. According to the company, its lower-voltage design enables more flexible string sizing across a range of inverter configurations, supporting optimized system layouts where roof design or electrical limits apply.
The module is designed for Australian conditions, with a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/C to support performance in high temperatures, and a dual-glass structure to enhance durability. It is rated to withstand mechanical loads of up to 5,400 Pa (snow) and 4,000 Pa (wind).
The product comes with a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year power output guarantee. End-of-life output is guaranteed at no less than 88.85% of nominal power, with first-year degradation limited to 1%.
Edison Zhou, Trina Solar’s head of operations for Australia and Asia Pacific, said the product reflects a shift toward system optimization in the Australian rooftop market.
He said the 510–515 W range represents a practical “sweet spot” for rooftop systems, as installers increasingly seek higher-wattage, higher-efficiency modules within standard dimensions, particularly where roof size and configuration constrain system design.
The Vertex S+ 515 W module is available for preorder and is expected to be launched in Australia in early Q3 2026, subject to final certification and listing requirements.
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Did they also explain how they got to 500Wp with open-circuit voltage of 38.3 V and a short-circuit current of 12.85 A?
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