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MSolar Manufacturing is committing $23.8 million toward the development of a new 56,000-suqare-foot solar manufacturing facility in Shenandoah County.
The startup announced the move, and its plans to produce high-efficiency solar modules designed for large-scale energy projects, on Thursday.
The project will create 150 jobs in the Shenandoah County region.
MSolar, launched in 2018, will focus its new manufacturing operation, to be based in Mount Jackson, on the production of solar glass, silicon cells, and heterojunction (HJT) cells, as well as the assembly of completed solar modules.
Once operational, the facility is expected to manufacture more than half a million HJT solar panels annually for utility-scale and commercial energy projects across the United States.
“We’re building the foundation of a vertically integrated solar manufacturing platform here in Virginia,”  MSolar CEO Michael O’Connor said. “This factory represents the first step in our long-term strategy to expand domestic solar production and deliver high-performance technology for energy projects. We believe the future of solar will be defined by performance, domestic content, energy security, and top customer service, and MSolar is positioning itself at the center of that transition. We’re excited to grow alongside the Commonwealth as we scale our platform.”
“Shenandoah County is strategically positioned as a great location for manufacturing, as is evident through MSolar’s decision to locate their facility in Mount Jackson,” Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tim Taylor said. “MSolar will add to our diverse array of local businesses, of which manufacturing is a key target sector as outlined in our Economic Development Strategic and Comprehensive Plans.”
“MSolar’s decision to grow in the Shenandoah Valley is a testament to our region’s strong workforce, supply chain, and ability to serve the next generation of American manufacturing,” Shenandoah Valley Partnership Executive Director Dr. Jay A. Langston said. “With a pro-business climate supported by experienced business and local leaders, the Shenandoah Valley Partnership is thrilled to welcome anyone who shares our drive to innovate, adapt, and build a stronger future for the Commonwealth.”






Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].
A Lynchburg man who fled a courtroom on Monday as he was being sentenced was taken into custody on Wednesday night in Appomattox County.
Waynesboro Police arrested a city man on Tuesday on multiple felony drug and firearm charges following a drug interdiction assignment.

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Inox Clean to acquire Vena Energy India’s 6 GW renewable portfolio  Business Standard
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New balcony solar panel option helps you save energy  NBC New York
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FORT MILL, S.C., June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Silfab Solar, North America’s leading PV module and cell manufacturer, has received a “high achiever” award as a top-tier solar module manufacturer for outstanding quality, performance, and reliability.
The distinction was given by the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC), which conducts some of the most comprehensive testing in the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The annual evaluation methodology—which assesses modules over a 12-to-18-month cycle—forces panels to undergo severe simulated stresses that far exceed standard IEC certification parameters.

Silfab Solar PV modules continue to earn high marks for performance, durability from independent testing labs.
“Independent testing of our modules affirms what the industry already knows—that Silfab Solar remains a top choice because of our commitment to quality, implementing next-generation solar technology and our in-house superior engineering,” said Paolo Maccario, Silfab President and CEO.

Silfab Solar’s comprehensive lineup of made-in-America solar panels for residential and commercial applications has consistently earned high-performance and superior quality rankings from independent testing organizations. Silfab’s superior-quality solar products deliver maximum power density, long-term reliability and are backed by one of the most trusted warranties in the industry. Silfab’s lineup includes Silfab Elite, Silfab Prime, Silfab Commercial and Silfab Utility.
For more information about Silfab’s superior solar products, visit: www.silfabsolar.com
About Silfab Solar
Silfab Solar is the North American leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-efficiency, premium quality PV modules and cells. Silfab leverages more than 40 years of solar experience and best-in-class technologies to produce the highest-rated solar products. Silfab has locations in Burlington, Washington; Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Toronto, Canada. Each operating facility features multiple automated production lines, an ISO 9001:2015-accredited quality management system, and just-in-time manufacturing to deliver BABA-approved solar products specifically designed for and dedicated to the North American market. www.silfabsolar.com
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Silfab Solar, North America’s leading PV module and cell manufacturer, today announced the appointment of Greg Brabec as Chief Legal Officer….
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Electrician James Moore, who installed solar panels on the roof of his Sydney home two years ago, said the green energy move has helped him halve his household power bills.
When told that the equipment came from China, Moore was not surprised. “It’s efficient and effective, very suitable for sunny Australia,” he said.
Moore’s words were fitting in more ways than one. The development of photovoltaic, or PV, technology, which converts sunlight into electricity and powers the growing use of solar energy in the country, can be traced to Australian research and innovation.
Ned Ekins-Daukes, head of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, said the university’s pioneering PV research helped nurture ties with Chinese industry and academics that continue to place them at the forefront of the field.
“UNSW has this extraordinary story of where we invented some photovoltaic technologies a long way ahead of the market being ready to accept them. During that time, many students came from China to study at UNSW and took some of the ideas back to China,” the professor said.
Major contributions to the sector include work led by multiple-award-winning UNSW scientist Martin Green, who invented groundbreaking types of solar cells in the early 1980s. This helped fuel further research that has since accounted for more than 90 percent of worldwide silicon solar module production, according to the university.
One of Green’s doctoral students, Shi Zhengrong, subsequently implemented a low-cost manufacturing transformation and went on to set up the first commercial solar cell producer of its kind in China. Serving as the Chinese company’s chief scientist, Green and other research team members helped facilitate the rapid growth of the sector.
“What’s happened in China is that, because of the scale of the manufacturing that’s possible and the supply chain integration that’s been built up over the last 20 years, the costs of those technologies have dramatically reduced,” Ekins-Daukes said.
In China, there has been continuous improvement in the technology, he said. “In Australia, we demonstrated the concept, we demonstrated that these solar cell technologies could work well. But in China, the engineers have worked hard to actually (apply) those technologies for manufacturing and critically bring robotic automation into the manufacturing of silicon solar panels,” he said.
UNSW now works directly with major PV companies to help them improve the technology and its practical applications in Australia and beyond, Ekins-Daukes said.
This “loop of innovation” between Australia and China will continue, he added. “China has huge manufacturing strengths, and the opportunity for Australia … having a lot of space and a lot of sunshine, is to collaborate and help deploy solar at an enormous scale for the benefit of the Australian economy, in a partnership,” Ekins-Daukes said.
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Thornova Solar, a global PV module manufacturer, announced a cooperation agreement with Nextpower to integrate US-manufactured steel frames into its domestically produced solar modules. The steel frames are designed for compatibility with both tracker and fixed-tilt mounting systems. According to the companies, the frames reduce module deflection, lower glass breakage risk, and improve uplift resistance in high-wind regions. Steel frames can increase allowable panel loading by up to 125% in tracker applications while reducing mounting hardware requirements. In some projects, the design enables the use of 400 mm mounting rails across up to 100% of installations. Thornova plans to deploy the frames across selected utility-scale and commercial and industrial (C&I) module series as it expands U.S. manufacturing capacity.

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Sungrow announces the commercial operation of a 110 MW solar and 20 MW/40 MWh battery storage hybrid plant in Myanmar, completed in seven days, claimed as a new benchmark for the region.
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This week has seen significant developments in the Philippines’ solar-plus-storage sector, with Levanta and ib vogt securing finance for projects set to come online next year and ACWA Power leasing 500 hectares for a project that could have a solar capacity of as much as 500MW.
Singaporean independent power producer (IPP) Levanta Renewables has secured financial close for a 166MW solar PV project to be developed in the Philippines, which will be co-located with an 80MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
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The Barotac project will be built in the Visayas island group, now that the developer has secured finance from two “leading banks”; Levanta did not name the banks involved in the transaction. The company was awarded a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project as part of the Fourth Round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEA-4) completed by the Philippines government last November.
The auction saw 10.19GW of new energy capacity awarded, with both standalone solar and solar-plus-storage big winners in the auction; a total of 4.19GW of ground-mounted solar PV capacity received awards, alongside 1.19GW of co-located renewables-plus-storage. With the offtake agreement and project finance in place, and the China Energy Engineering Group (CEEC) appointed to complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work at the project, Levanta expects to start commercial operations at the project in mid-2027.
“The achievement of financial close marks an important milestone for the Barotac Solar Power and BESS project,” said Levanta CEO Pramod Singh. “We are pleased to move into the execution phase and appreciate the support of our financing partners and project stakeholders.”
German IPP ib vogt has secured finance for its own solar-plus-storage project in the central province of Iloilo, the 99MW Luca solar project that will be co-located with a 4MW BESS.
The latest round of financing comes from the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, with the bank’s capital corporation acting as the lead arranger, and comes to US$75 million (PHP4.5 billion) in senior debt financing. Construction at the project began earlier this year, and ib vogt expects to begin commercial operations at the project in the second quarter of next year.
The integration of storage into these Visayas projects is no surprise, considering that the Visayas grid has seen enough new renewable energy capacity brought online to create significant downward pricing pressure. According to Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE), power prices fell from around US$119/MWh to US$81/MWh in Visayas between 2023 and 2025, the most striking change in a country that saw power prices, on the whole, decline over this period.
In response, the Philippines government mandated that all renewable energy projects with a capacity of 10MW must have BESS integrated into their operations, and this is reflected in the increasing number of protect proposals that include both renewable energy generation and storage.
Saudi developer ACWA Power is also advancing a solar-plus-storage project in the Philippines, having secured a lease for a 500-hectare site in New Clark City, a planned city currently under development in the northern Philippines.
The developer signed a contract of lease for the land with the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which is leading construction on New Clark City. The project, which is currently unnamed, will have a maximum solar generation capacity of up to 500MW, and ACWA Power noted that it could cost up to US$200 million.
The developer did not specify the size of the project’s BESS component, nor provide a timeline for construction, but noted that the project is still subject to “final design, regulatory approvals and future expansion phases”.
“Anchoring ACWA inside New Clark City is a defining moment for the estate,” said BCDA president and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang. “It tells global investors that this is where the Philippines’ next wave of sustainable infrastructure gets built.” 

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A special report in issue 45 of PV Tech Power, released on June 4, 2026, examines the solar industry’s preparedness for a predicted wave of end-of-life photovoltaic projects and equipment. The source material for this article is the PV Tech Power publication.
As solar power plants constructed during the industry’s initial expansion phase reach the end of their operational lives or are retired prematurely, questions regarding dismantling procedures and the handling of resulting waste materials are becoming more urgent. Estimates indicate that the volume of end-of-life modules could amount to tens of millions of tonnes over the next two decades.
The cover report explores how the industry should address this challenge, beginning with the creation of best practices for decommissioning end-of-life projects. It also examines various technologies and processes being developed globally for recycling waste modules and recovering valuable materials they contain.
With the annual Intersolar Europe event in Munich approaching, the edition also reviews obstacles facing Europe’s photovoltaic industry. Following several record years, the growth rate of new installations has moderated slightly over the past year and is expected to remain subdued for at least another couple of years. The report analyzes structural challenges that must be resolved to support the next phase of the continent’s energy transition.
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By: Andrew Seale June 4, 2026
Soaring silver prices and surging solar demand are forcing panel manufacturers to rethink how much of the white metal goes into every cell. But analysts warn the efficiency gains may not be enough to offset a structural squeeze. 
Silver demand has been consistently outpacing supply for the last six years, with the Silver Institute’s World Silver Survey 2026 projecting a 46.3-million oz. deficit. Tightened physical supply alongside geopolitical uncertainty and investment demand helped silver briefly top $120 per oz. in January from $30 an oz. a year earlier before pulling back. The price was around $74 per oz. on Thursday. 
“Silver at $80 really encourages a very aggressive move for thrifting [and] outright substitution in favour of copper,” Philip Newman, managing director of London-based consultancy Metals Focus, which researches the World Silver Survey, said in an interview. Thrifting refers to using less silver per panel without reducing performance. 
According to the Silver Institute, which published the World Silver Survey 2026, silver use in photovoltaics fell 6% last year to 186.6 million oz. and is forecast to decline a further 19% in 2026 to around 151 million ounces. 
Photovoltaics, the largest industrial source of silver consumption, have emerged as a key driver of demand growth in recent years, helping push the market into repeated deficits. Between 2020 and 2024, silver use in photovoltaic applications more than doubled to roughly 197 million oz., up from about 82 million ounces.  
That surge also triggered a rapid response from manufacturers. The rise in silver prices pushed the metal’s share of solar cell costs from roughly 8% to more than 20%, accelerating efforts to reduce silver loadings and preserve margins. 
However, thrifting may not be enough to curb demand. In North America, policy support and utility-scale buildout drove photovoltaic installations in 2025. U.S. demand for silver powder used in solar manufacturing rose 4% year over year, according to the World Silver Survey. 
Momentum is expected to slow in 2026 as global installations flatten, with some banks and insurers also pulling back financing and coverage amid uncertainty over subsidy eligibility and evolving trade rules tied to China-linked supply chains. 
China remains the key swing factor. The country accounts for roughly 80% of global solar manufacturing capacity, while firms including LONGi and Trina Solar expanded aggressively into the U.S. after the Biden administration’s 2022 clean-energy incentives helped trigger roughly $43 billion in announced solar manufacturing investment and an estimated 48,000 jobs. 
However, new U.S. rules limiting Chinese ownership and control in subsidized factories have created regulatory uncertainty, prompting some buyers, lenders and insurers to avoid China-linked projects. 
Installations in China hit a record 315 GW in 2025, though activity was heavily front-loaded as developers rushed to meet policy deadlines before slowing later in the year amid grid constraints and weaker pricing conditions. 
On the manufacturing side, some Chinese producers shifted capacity offshore in response to U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions, while demand from emerging markets continued to support output growth. China’s solar market is expected to cool in 2026 as policy support normalizes and overcapacity pressures persist. 
Thrifting has played a major role in moderating solar demand for the precious metal in panel manufacturing. “It varies considerably by year, but even when prices were very low, there was an element of thrifting,” metals consultant Newman said. 
However, the process has accelerated over the last two years. Manufacturers are refining how silver paste is applied inside solar cells and adjusting cell layouts to reduce the amount needed, cutting silver use by around 10% compared with earlier designs. New “zero busbar” techniques and ultra-fine printing methods can reduce silver use by another 10% to 20%. 
Production has also shifted towards TOPCon cells, a newer high-efficiency solar technology now dominant in China. The technology improves electrical efficiency inside the cell. 
Other companies are developing copper electroplating and pure copper pastes that could further reduce silver use. 
The industry expects average silver loadings in mainstream photovoltaic cells to fall below 5 milligrams per watt by 2027, according to World Silver Survey data. 
While there are ways to reduce silver use, Robert Godin, co-lead of the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s solar energy research cluster, said the technology remains difficult to scale. He said that while substituting with copper could decrease the amount of silver per module by tenfold (90%), silver is still relatively cheap compared with more advanced alternatives. 
The properties of silver make it good at this job, Godin told The Northern Miner. “It works, it’s cheap, and people are not looking too hard at changing that process.” 
Godin said that while reducing silver amid rising prices and supply deficits is driving the thrifting and substitution narrative, removing silver from the process is a low priority on the research and development side. There are also design barriers to how far efficiency can be pushed. 
“There are some hard physical limits that we’re getting pretty close to,” he said. “But [panels] can definitely be twice as cheap.” 
Policy signals in the U.S. have added another layer of uncertainty, as the Trump administration moves to scale back parts of the federal energy transition agenda while maintaining support for domestic industrial buildout and grid reliability.  
The result is a more selective policy environment, with clean-energy projects increasingly shaped by financing conditions, subsidy eligibility and trade exposure rather than broad deployment targets. 
Ian Lange, an economist at the Colorado School of Mines’ Payne Institute for Public Policy, said that disconnect is often missed in transition planning. Most models assume deployment targets are met and then work backwards into material demand, Lange said. In reality, he said, higher input costs feed directly into build decisions.  
“If silver is higher, we just don’t install as many solar panels,” Lange said. 
That creates a feedback loop between commodity markets and deployment that is often absent from energy transition forecasts, where mineral inputs are treated as scalable rather than price sensitive. For silver, that means demand is not a straight line from installed capacity. 
Thrifting and substitution are reducing the metal intensity per panel, but price signals are also shaping how many projects get built in the first place. Outside solar, structural demand growth is still coming from grid expansion, automotive applications and AI-driven power demand, which continue to underpin industrial consumption. 
Lange said silver’s designation as a critical mineral should drive research and innovation. “Within the U.S. federal system, the criticality is really supposed to be a marker for let’s find a substitute,” Lange said. “That’s supposed to direct federal research dollars [but] I’ll say I haven’t seen good evidence that it actually does that.” 
The World Silver Survey forecasts industrial fabrication to decline by 2%this year, to a four-year low of around 650 million ounces. Newman points out that photovoltaics are the most volatile area of silver demand. 
The policy backdrop has also shifted the tone of the solar buildout itself. What was once largely framed through decarbonization is increasingly being driven by energy security and supply-chain resilience.  
“When we put the survey together back in late March, we had to make an assumption about the war in Iran being short-lived,” Newman said. 
With the Strait of Hormuz still closed as of late May, and energy prices astronomically high, Newman said the market could respond by investing in alternative energy solutions like solar. 
“That security standpoint carries a lot of momentum — there’s more investment going on,” he said. “Even if installations go to the races, I don’t see it getting back to what we saw the past three years.” 
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By XIN XIN and ALEXIS HOOI in Sydney | China Daily | Updated: 2026-06-05 07:41
Electrician James Moore, who installed solar panels on the roof of his Sydney home two years ago, said the green energy move has helped him halve his household power bills.
When told that the equipment came from China, Moore was not surprised. “It’s efficient and effective, very suitable for sunny Australia,” he said.
Moore’s words were fitting in more ways than one. The development of photovoltaic, or PV, technology, which converts sunlight into electricity and powers the growing use of solar energy in the country, can be traced to Australian research and innovation.
Ned Ekins-Daukes, head of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, said the university’s pioneering PV research helped nurture ties with Chinese industry and academics that continue to place them at the forefront of the field.
“UNSW has this extraordinary story of where we invented some photovoltaic technologies a long way ahead of the market being ready to accept them. During that time, many students came from China to study at UNSW and took some of the ideas back to China,” the professor said.
Major contributions to the sector include work led by multiple-award-winning UNSW scientist Martin Green, who invented groundbreaking types of solar cells in the early 1980s. This helped fuel further research that has since accounted for more than 90 percent of worldwide silicon solar module production, according to the university.
One of Green’s doctoral students, Shi Zhengrong, subsequently implemented a low-cost manufacturing transformation and went on to set up the first commercial solar cell producer of its kind in China. Serving as the Chinese company’s chief scientist, Green and other research team members helped facilitate the rapid growth of the sector.
“What’s happened in China is that, because of the scale of the manufacturing that’s possible and the supply chain integration that’s been built up over the last 20 years, the costs of those technologies have dramatically reduced,” Ekins-Daukes said.
In China, there has been continuous improvement in the technology, he said. “In Australia, we demonstrated the concept, we demonstrated that these solar cell technologies could work well. But in China, the engineers have worked hard to actually (apply) those technologies for manufacturing and critically bring robotic automation into the manufacturing of silicon solar panels,” he said.
UNSW now works directly with major PV companies to help them improve the technology and its practical applications in Australia and beyond, Ekins-Daukes said.
This “loop of innovation” between Australia and China will continue, he added. “China has huge manufacturing strengths, and the opportunity for Australia … having a lot of space and a lot of sunshine, is to collaborate and help deploy solar at an enormous scale for the benefit of the Australian economy, in a partnership,” Ekins-Daukes said.

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Patel Greentech Private Limited (PGPL), a subsidiary of Patel Infrastructure Limited (PIL), has invited proposals from eligible solar companies for EPC works on 700 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic projects in Gujarat. The tender announcement was published on June 2, 2026. The company is seeking experienced and qualified organizations to participate in the project. The request for proposal (RFP) opened on June 1, 2026, at 18:00 hrs. Bid submissions will close on June 10, 2026, at 12:00 hrs. The projects are expected to support large-scale solar power deployment in Gujarat. Patel Infrastructure aims to partner with EPC contractors for the execution of the solar developments.

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We’ve secured two exclusive deals from Wellbots giving you the chance to pick up the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station down at $1,399 shipped, after using the code 9TO5JAK300 at checkout, or get that same station with a 500W solar panel for $1,999 shipped, after using the code 9TO5JAK400 at checkout. The deal starts with both units already down from $2,799 and $3,499, which we’ve seen go as low as $1,599 and $2,199 from Amazon and directly from Jackery. Our exclusive codes give you combined $1,400 and $1,500 markdowns that land the costs at the second-lowest prices we have tracked, only beaten out by former exclusive deals from New Years.
The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus power station brings along significant backup support for devices and appliances anywhere – at home or while off exploring the world. It provides you with a starting 3,584Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that you can invest in down the road to expand up to a max 21kWh capacity. There are nine output ports here (4x ACs, 2x USB-Cs, 2x USB-As, and a TT-30R port for RV backup) that steadily deliver up to 3,600W and can surge as high as 7,200W.
It brings plenty of recharging options along, too, including the typical AC outlet charging, connection to a gas generator, plugging into a vehicle auxiliary port, choosing the bundle for 500W towards the max 1,000W of solar panel input, or you can use both AC and DC charging at the same time.
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MSolar Manufacturing is committing $23.8 million toward the development of a new 56,000-suqare-foot solar manufacturing facility in Shenandoah County.
The startup announced the move, and its plans to produce high-efficiency solar modules designed for large-scale energy projects, on Thursday.
The project will create 150 jobs in the Shenandoah County region.
MSolar, launched in 2018, will focus its new manufacturing operation, to be based in Mount Jackson, on the production of solar glass, silicon cells, and heterojunction (HJT) cells, as well as the assembly of completed solar modules.
Once operational, the facility is expected to manufacture more than half a million HJT solar panels annually for utility-scale and commercial energy projects across the United States.
“We’re building the foundation of a vertically integrated solar manufacturing platform here in Virginia,”  MSolar CEO Michael O’Connor said. “This factory represents the first step in our long-term strategy to expand domestic solar production and deliver high-performance technology for energy projects. We believe the future of solar will be defined by performance, domestic content, energy security, and top customer service, and MSolar is positioning itself at the center of that transition. We’re excited to grow alongside the Commonwealth as we scale our platform.”
“Shenandoah County is strategically positioned as a great location for manufacturing, as is evident through MSolar’s decision to locate their facility in Mount Jackson,” Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tim Taylor said. “MSolar will add to our diverse array of local businesses, of which manufacturing is a key target sector as outlined in our Economic Development Strategic and Comprehensive Plans.”
“MSolar’s decision to grow in the Shenandoah Valley is a testament to our region’s strong workforce, supply chain, and ability to serve the next generation of American manufacturing,” Shenandoah Valley Partnership Executive Director Dr. Jay A. Langston said. “With a pro-business climate supported by experienced business and local leaders, the Shenandoah Valley Partnership is thrilled to welcome anyone who shares our drive to innovate, adapt, and build a stronger future for the Commonwealth.”






Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].
Waynesboro Police arrested a city man on Tuesday on multiple felony drug and firearm charges following a drug interdiction assignment.
The 2025 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released last week tells us that 745,652 people were homeless on the night of the Point-In-Time Count in the final week of January 2025.

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Qualitas Energy, a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on both funding and developing renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure, has announced the acquisition of a development-stage solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the United States, with a planned capacity of 164 MWp.

Qualitas Energy acquires 164 MWp solar PV project in the United States

The asset, located in Illinois within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, has been acquired from Bechtel Enterprises. Notice to Proceed (NTP) is expected in the second quarter of 2028, with Commercial Operation Date (COD) targeted for the third quarter of 2029. The project has 100% site control, is fully permitted and benefits from strong local community support, having received unanimous approval as part of the county permitting process.
Qualitas Energy will leverage its integrated investment, development and asset management capabilities to further de-risk the asset and advance it into its next phases, including the optimisation of offtake strategy, procurement, construction planning and financing. The project also offers additional value creation potential through the future integration of up to 64 MWac of battery energy storage capacity, which could support the structuring of a bundled solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement (PPA), enhancing its commercial flexibility and long-term revenue profile.
In addition, the asset benefits from a favourable interconnection position within the MISO market and offers strong commercial optionality, with access to both the Minnesota and Illinois hubs. This provides a broad range of potential offtake routes, including corporate and industrial customers, hyperscalers, traditional utilities and public renewable energy procurement programmes.
This transaction was undertaken through Qualitas Energy Fund VI, the firm’s latest flagship vehicle, launched at the end of 2025.
'This acquisition reflects Qualitas Energy’s disciplined investment approach and its ability to identify high-quality renewable energy assets with strong value creation potential. The project combines advanced development status, strong fundamentals and multiple commercialisation pathways in one of the country’s most attractive power markets. This transaction also underscores the strategic relevance of the United States for Qualitas Energy,' said Alejandro Ciruelos, Partner – US at Qualitas Energy.
Qualitas Energy was advised by Norton Rose Fulbright (legal), Sargent & Lundy (technical), and Leo Berwick (financial and tax).
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UNSW Scientia Professor Martin Green was this week recognised as Honorary Chair for Life in acknowledgement of his pioneering contributions to global solar technology innovation at the annual SNEC PV Power Expo and Conference in Shanghai, China. Here, he also presented the latest advancements and future direction of silicon solar cell technologies, including improving the stability of perovskite solar cells for large-scale application.​
Credit: UNSW Sydney
Out on a patch of land near Sydney’s northern beaches, a new generation of solar panels are sitting out in the salt air, heat, humidity and rain. They are facing the harsh tests of nature and time. And if they fail, that could be quite useful.
For UNSW Sydney’s Scientia Professor Martin Green – who is often described as the father of modern photovoltaics – the future of solar power now depends not on an efficiency world record but on whether the next generation of solar cells can survive outside the lab.
Prof. Green has spent more than five decades helping solar power become a cheap source of electricity, with the technology he developed today underpinning 90% of the world's solar technology.
Now, he is helping establish an independent field-testing facility at UNSW’s Water Research Laboratory in Manly Vale, where the newest solar tech – perovskite solar modules – will be subjected to durability testing under real-world conditions.
Green says while these modules are already on the market, the expectation is that failed modules can simply be replaced as production scales and costs continue to fall.
“Silicon modules are routinely sold with warranties of 25 to 40 years,” Prof. Green says.
“While the perovskite modules offer similar warranties, the likelihood of a module surviving for that long is very small.”
Perovskites are a class of crystalline materials that can be stacked on top of silicon solar cells to harvest more sunlight and push solar performance further – the next generation of solar technology.
The new technology performs impressively in lab but is yet to survive for decades in the real world.
In the latest international solar cell efficiency tables – published last week in Joule –  Prof. Green records a large-area silicon cell reaching 28.1% efficiency and a tiny perovskite cell – not a full-size commercial module – reaching 28.0%. This is the first time the best single-junction perovskite result has effectively matched the highest silicon result.
The same report includes a 35.2% efficiency result for a perovskite-on-silicon tandem cell.
In a solar cell, a few percentage points make a massive difference. Higher efficiency means more electricity from the same rooftop, less land required for solar farms, with lower installation and infrastructure costs across entire energy systems.
The report’s latest numbers suggest solar is edging towards another technological shift – if the cells can last.
“Silicon, the workhorse of the global solar revolution, is now very efficient, but increasingly close to its limits,” Prof. Green says.
“And anyone who’s made a perovskite cell knows how unstable they are.”
Testing the future
Can perovskites make the same leap silicon did from promising technology to reliable infrastructure?
This question is what shapes the field-testing facility.
Prof. Green says perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells are the most likely large-scale commercial pathway for next-gen solar technology.
“All the silicon manufacturers have their own perovskite-on-silicon programs,” he says.
When his group first began setting records with silicon cells, he insisted any claims be certified by recognised testing laboratories.
“If you’re claiming a record, you’ve got to have it independently certified,” he says.
That insistence on verification became a foundation of the modern solar industry. And it persists today through the independent field-testing facility Prof. Green is helping establish alongside his former student, UNSW’s Dr Jessica Jiang.
The facility will be able to install up to 160 modules, catering to all manufacturers and generations of products.
Many perovskite manufacturers are part of China’s rapidly expanding solar industry – and Prof. Green’s former students.
One of the largest perovskite manufacturers, Microquanta, was started by two former students.
Another former student is the founder of Suntech, Dr Zhengrong Shi, whose commercialisation of modern solar technology helped catalyse China’s rise as a global solar manufacturing powerhouse.
“Jessica has really good contacts within the Chinese industry, largely because they’re former students who now have important jobs in the industry,” Prof. Green says.
“She can WeChat them and the next day they’ll put a module in the mail.”
By comparing modules from different companies, the UNSW team hopes to identify which failure mechanisms are widespread and which are specific to individual designs.
“We’ll be able to provide an authoritative opinion about just how good the commercial ones are,” Prof. Green says.
“Once they fail in the field, we’ll find out why and provide that information back to the manufacturer,” he says.
“We really think we can push things along a bit.”
From oil shocks to world records
When Prof. Green began working on solar cells in the early 1970s, photovoltaics were niche and expensive.
The cost didn’t matter so much in the space industry, which had been using solar cells in spacecraft since the late 1950s. But back down on Earth, they were too expensive to be taken seriously as an everyday power source.
Then, the oil crises of that decade forced governments to think seriously about energy security – particularly after embargoes disrupted fuel supplies across the Western world.
“There were queues at service stations, cars running out of petrol – in a world suddenly worried about oil dependence,” Prof. Green says.
He says solar then “got a guernsey” in efforts to reduce dependence on imported oil.
“They had to bring the cost down by a factor of a thousand or more from what they cost to put on satellites,” he says.
At the time, nuclear power dominated much of the energy imagination. Prof. Green says one nuclear advocate dismissed solar as likely to have “all the impact of a flea on an elephant’s back”.
But, he says, the political and scientific mood began to shift. A US program helped set the international tone. Japan launched its Sunshine Project. Europe followed with its own efforts. And Australia began its own solar program in 1978.
Prof. Green joined UNSW as an academic in 1974 and set up a solar research group soon after. By the early 1980s, his group was known internationally.
In 1983, he and his team invented Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology. This led to them then producing the world’s first officially confirmed 18% efficient silicon solar cell, beating the previous record of 16.5%.
That result pushed UNSW to the front of a field that included major US companies, NASA-linked programs, Japanese laboratories and other universities – with Prof. Green’s research team holding the record for silicon solar cell efficiency for much of the past four decades.
And last year, solar generated more electricity worldwide than nuclear for the first time, with the gap rapidly increasing.
Faster than expected
The role of solar today has expanded to being a resource that combats climate change. But its appeal still sits with its 1970s roots – as a technology tied to energy security, economic resilience and independence from volatile fossil fuel markets.
In Australia, solar already supplies a substantial share of electricity. Prof. Green says the contribution from solar is now doubling every few years and could become the dominant source of electricity far sooner than many expect.
“We’ll be generating most of our electricity from solar by about 2032,” he says.
He says conservative energy forecasts have repeatedly underestimated renewable deployment. Even projections that now speak positively about renewables, he says, often still assume they will play a smaller role than growth trends suggest.
For someone who has spent more than five decades not just watching, but helping solar outperform expectations, he is reluctant to underestimate what comes next.
“Things have exceeded even my projections as an optimistic person in the field.”
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Melissa Lyne
University of New South Wales
m.lyne@unsw.edu.au

University of New South Wales


Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

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From pv magazine India
Solarium Green Energy, a rooftop solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company in India, has commissioned a fully automated solar module manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 1 GW in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The facility, equipped with advanced manufacturing machinery, was set up with capital expenditure of around INR 900 million ($9.6 million), excluding working capital.
“The plant is capable of manufacturing large-format G12 solar modules of up to 725 Wp. It will produce high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar PV modules using technologies such as TOPCon cells, half-cut cells, and bifacial modules, supported by high-precision imported equipment including tabber-stringers, laminators, and sun simulators,’ said the company.
Solar modules account for 50% to 60% of total EPC project costs. With the commissioning of this facility, Solarium expects to strengthen its supply chain, reduce dependence on third-party suppliers, accelerate execution timelines, and improve margins through captive consumption. This move also positions Solarium as an integrated solar solutions provider.
Solarium said that at approximately 85% plant utilization, the facility has the potential to generate annual revenues exceeding INR 10 billion, subject to prevailing market conditions and module pricing, if modules are sold externally. The facility is expected to serve both internal requirements and external customers, including other EPC players and the broader business-to-business (B2B) market.
“The commissioning of this facility marks a significant milestone in our growth journey. Delivered in under nine months, the plant reflects our strong execution capabilities,” said Ankit Garg, chairman and managing director of Solarium Green Energy Ltd. “With a fully automated line capable of producing high-efficiency G12 modules of up to ~725 Wp, this facility strengthens our supply chain, enhances execution capabilities, and supports margin improvement across our EPC business.”
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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has directed all ALMM-listed solar cell and module manufacturers to report monthly price ranges of domestically manufactured products to the National Institute of Solar Energy, aiming to enhance market transparency and prevent profiteering amid the implementation of ALMM List-II from June 1, 2026.
June 04, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

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

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

Iron-Air Batteries Can Power India’s Renewable Ambitions: Stuti Kakkar, Meine Electric

India’s EV Future Depends on Highway Charging Corridors: Kartikey Hariyani, ChargeZone

GoodWe India’s Aniket Sawant on Crossing 6 GW Shipments and the Future of Energy Storage

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WATERVILLE, Maine (WABI) – The Alfond Municipal Pool Complex in Waterville cut a ribbon Thursday on a new feature that will save money for the taxpayer through a grant, costing them nothing.
The city’s pool unveiled solar panels that offset about 40% of the pool’s energy costs after seeking out innovative ways to both save money for Waterville and reduce greenhouse gas emisisons.
The grant came out of the governor’s office with installation coming around two months ago ahead of the summer season.
The project used $25,000 of the $70,000 dollar grant and organizers are hoping this inspires to families and municipalities to the use of renewable energy in the future.
“I think this is a great project to show other municipalities and folks that live in other municipalities that come to the pool, the potential of this stuff and I think it’s great for other businesses,” commented Community Development Specialist for AYCC Nate Bernard. “That they can see you don’t need to put it in a place that can obstruct anyone’s view. It’s not going to hurt the countrysides. You can put it right on a rooftop, existing infrastructure, and I think that a lot of other municipalities can look at this and see what they can do for themselves to reduce emissions but also save themselves money.”
The pool will officially be open for the season on June 13th.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.

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Hoymiles Microinverters Certified with BEE Rating, Setting a New Benchmark for Solar Efficiency in India  SolarQuarter
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By
Pramod Kumar
Acwa Power, the Saudi Arabian renewable energy company, has leased land in the Philippines to build a 500-megawatt solar plant.
The lease for 500 hectares (5 sq km) in New Clark City, a special economic zone north of Manila, was signed by the company’s Philippine unit to develop a solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system.
The project involves an estimated minimum investment of $400,000 per megawatt, subject to approvals and phased expansion, the state-owned Philippines News Agency reported.
Philippine finance secretary Frederick Go said Acwa Power’s decision to invest in the country will help unlock new investments, create jobs for Filipinos and foster growth in the Central Luzon region.
In January, the Philippine government-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Acwa Power was investing $200 million to build a large-scale solar energy plant in the country.
New Clark City is a 94 sq km metropolis under BCDA’s management. The company says on its website that it turns former military bases into economic centres through public-private partnerships.
Shares in Acwa Power, which is 44 percent owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, rose 3 percent to close at SAR189.5 on Thursday.
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With cybersecurity and energy security concerns increasingly shaping renewable energy policy worldwide, India faces a growing debate over its dependence on imported solar inverters, particularly those sourced from China.
According to the latest report by JMK Research & Analytics, more than 27.5 GW of inverter shipments were recorded in India during the first quarter of 2026 from 19 suppliers of both central and string inverters. In the central inverter segment, Chinese manufacturers accounted for a dominant share, with Sungrow, Sineng Electric, and Hopewind together contributing nearly 85.5% of total shipments. In the string inverter segment, Sungrow, Sineng Electric, and TBEA collectively held around 45.7% of the market.
While growing cybersecurity concerns have prompted the EU to consider restrictions on funding for PV projects using inverters supplied by high-risk vendors like China, experts say India may need a more calibrated approach—one that strengthens security oversight without disrupting solar deployment.
Cybersecurity risks to the national grid
Sonam Chandwani, Managing Partner at KS Legal & Associates, says the primary concern surrounding imported Chinese inverters extends beyond commercial dependence to cybersecurity and strategic vulnerability.
“Modern inverters are intelligent digital systems connected to the grid and capable of remote communication. This raises concerns regarding data access, grid security and excessive dependence on foreign controlled technology in critical infrastructure,” she said.
According to Santosh Jinugu, Partner, Deloitte India, the growing reliance on imported PV inverters in India’s solar farms poses a significant cybersecurity risk to the national grid.
“These inverters are deeply connected to OT, IT and enterprise systems for monitoring and metering and are also linked to the grid through Load Dispatch Centres. This level of connectivity creates potential entry points for cyber threats,” Jinugu said.
Jinugu noted that there is a real risk that imported inverters may contain backdoors, such as embedded IoT components with radio or 4G/5G capabilities capable of communicating with external systems. Such modules can be extremely difficult to detect due to their size and packaging and could potentially be exploited to remotely disrupt power generation.
Teppo Hemiä, founder & CEO, Wirepas, said that as energy systems become increasingly digital and interconnected, cybersecurity must be treated as a foundational requirement for grid resilience and operational continuity.
“Potential vulnerabilities in connected energy infrastructure can arise from several areas, including insecure remote access mechanisms, weak authentication or credential management, unpatched firmware or software, unsecured communication interfaces, insufficient network segmentation, lack of visibility into connected devices and data flows and vulnerabilities introduced through third-party integrations across the supply chain,” Hemiä said, before adding that in large-scale industrial and utility environments, cybersecurity must be addressed holistically across devices, connectivity, cloud systems and operational processes.
Existing regulations
India has progressively tightened quality and compliance requirements for solar inverters.
Megha Arora, Partner at CMS INDUSLAW, said inverter procurement for government-funded and subsidised solar projects in India is increasingly regulated through a combination of quality-control requirements, localisation preferences and cybersecurity mandates.
“Under the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification is mandatory for all solar inverters supplied in India, including off-grid, grid-tied, and hybrid inverters. Manufacturers are required to comply with Indian Standards such as IS 16221 (Part 2):2015 and IS 16169:2019, with model-wise efficiency testing also mandated under applicable standards. Products manufactured at different facilities must undergo separate testing and mandatory marking requirements apply,” Arora said.
“In parallel, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) introduced a Standards and Labeling Programme for grid-connected solar inverters.
“Further, in July 2025, the MNRE issued cybersecurity compliance requirements under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana mandating that inverter communication devices connect only to national servers managed by the government or designated agencies. The use of communication systems transmitting data to foreign servers has been discouraged on cybersecurity and energy-security grounds.”
While India has not introduced an ALMM-style domestic content mandate specifically for inverters, government procurement increasingly favours local manufacturing.
“SECI tenders often require procurement from “Class-I local suppliers” under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017, which generally requires at least 50% local content. In addition, bidders from countries sharing a land border with India remain subject to registration restrictions under Rule 144(xi) of the General Financial Rules,” said Arora.
Gaps remain
Government procurement frameworks already provide tools to impose technical standards, data localisation requirements, and trusted-vendor criteria without imposing an outright prohibition on Chinese-make inverters. Experts, however, highlight important gaps remain in the current regulatory framework.
According to Jinugu, while India’s current testing procedures under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) evaluate safety, grid compatibility, and efficiency, these don’t adequately address cybersecurity risks.
“Although importers are required to submit Construction Data Forms and Critical Component Lists to disclose internal components, these mechanisms rely on self-reporting and can be circumvented if malicious components are intentionally omitted,” he said.
Jinugu proposed that the government should make sure that all OEMs and importers abide by IEC 62443-4-1, which focuses on secure product development lifecycle (the process), and IEC 62443-4-2 technical security requirements. He believes that strengthening these measures will be essential to safeguard India’s power infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.”
Is a European-style restriction feasible?
Experts caution that India may not yet be in a position to adopt restrictions similar to those being considered in parts of Europe.
Chinese manufacturers dominate inverter shipments to India because of their technological maturity, large-scale manufacturing ecosystems and competitive pricing.
Arora highlights that India’s domestic inverter manufacturing ecosystem remains underdeveloped relative to the scale of the country’s rapidly growing solar market, particularly in advanced utility-scale inverter technology.
India’s cumulative installed solar capacity crossed approximately 150 GW by March 2026, with over 44 GW added during FY 2025–26 alone. This pace of deployment has created a substantial demand for solar inverters and related power-electronics equipment.
“Chinese manufacturers have dominated the Indian inverter market for several years due to their economies of scale, mature manufacturing ecosystems, and advanced power-electronics technology. This cost advantage is particularly important in India because utility-scale solar projects are awarded through highly competitive tariff-based bidding processes where reducing capital costs is critical,” said Arora. “The same commercial logic that enabled Chinese dominance in solar modules applies even more strongly in the inverter segment, where India’s domestic manufacturing capacity is considerably weaker.”
“Inverter manufacturing requires advanced electronics, semiconductor integration and strong research capability,” Chandwani added. “Chinese companies dominate because they have scale, pricing advantages, mature supply chains and proven technology. India has growing manufacturing potential but still depends heavily on imported components and technology.”
Chandwani said that domestic companies are improving, but replacing Chinese dominance immediately would be commercially difficult.
Phased approach favoured
Industry experts see the complete localization of inverter technology as a medium- to long-term objective rather than a near-term possibility. According to them, an immediate restriction on Chinese inverters could create supply-chain disruptions and increase project costs at a time when India is chasing ambitious renewable energy targets.
Chandwani argues that a phased regulatory framework would be more practical and legally sustainable than a sudden prohibition.
“India should avoid an abrupt blanket ban similar to the restrictions being considered in parts of Europe because the domestic ecosystem is not yet fully prepared to replace Chinese suppliers at scale,” she added. “However, India is justified in imposing stricter cybersecurity audits, trusted vendor requirements, phased localisation norms and restrictions for sensitive government projects.”
Rather than specific geopolitical measures or vendor restrictions, Hemiä believes the priority should be establishing strong cybersecurity and resilience requirements applicable across all critical infrastructure technologies and suppliers.
Building resilient, interoperable and secure infrastructure ecosystems is essential to supporting long-term operational continuity and energy security.
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The window to claim a 30% tax credit on your solar panel project is closing July 4th, which means you’ve got just one month left to safe harbor your project and preserve your eligibility – keep reading to find out how.
Under the IRS “safe harbor” rules, taxpayers can preserve their eligibility for certain incentives and credits by committing to a project before the incentive deadline expires, even if the project won’t be fully completed until months later. With just one month remaining before the solar tax credits expire, understanding how safe harbor works could mean the difference between thousands of dollars in tax savings and missing out entirely.
Those safe harbor rules are laid out fully in IRS Notice 2018-59, which lays out the full details of what’s allowed and what isn’t. As you read through it, pay close attention to section 3:
SECTION 3. METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION

.01 In general. This notice provides two methods for a taxpayer to establish that
construction of energy property has begun for purposes of the ITC under § 48. A
taxpayer may establish the beginning of construction by starting physical work of a
significant nature as set forth in section 4 of this notice (Physical Work Test).
Alternatively, a taxpayer may establish the beginning of construction by meeting a safe
harbor based on having paid or incurred five percent or more of the total cost of the
energy property as set forth in section 5 of this notice (Five Percent Safe Harbor).

Both methods require that a taxpayer make continuous progress towards
completion once construction has begun (Continuity Requirement). Section 6 of this
notice discusses the Continuity Requirement and provides a safe harbor for satisfying
this requirement (Continuity Safe Harbor).
IRS N-18-59
We covered some of these topics and touched on Section 48E of the Federal tax code last month. You can read that original article in full – along with a comprehensive disclaimer reminding you that I am absolutely not an accountant – below.
SKIP THE STORY: I’m ready to start now!
The Trump Administration’s decision to repeal of the 30% home solar tax credit in 2025 looked like the end of the road for subsidized residential rooftop solar projects, but homeowners can still get it under certain circumstances – until America’s 250th birthday, that is.
The 30% federal tax credit (Section 25D) for residential solar is, of course, still dead. The credit was very publicly expired on December 31st, 2025 — but that just meant you couldn’t get that 30% back for systems you bought. See, Section 25D (the one that the Trump Administration killed) only applied to taxpayers with an ownership interest in their PV systems, but leases?
Leases are still on the table, though. And – just as we’ve seen with electric vehicle tax credits over the years, the rules for leases are a little bit different than those for purchases.
What that means for home solar is that, under Section 48E of the Federal tax code, qualified solar companies that own a PV system can continue to claim a credit of up to 30% on those through the end of 2027, and if you’re leasing your system or entering into a power-purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar installer, the company can pass some or all of that incentive on to you. The “catch” is that they can only pass along tax credits they actually recieve, and while while Section 48E technically survives through the end of 2027, many solar companies are racing to “safe harbor” projects before July 4, 2026 – the date many in the industry see as the last meaningful chance to lock in the full 30% credit.
The new federal bill sets strict deadlines for commercial solar projects to receive the full 30% tax credit. Projects that begin construction by July 4, 2026 must be placed in service within four calendar years. For projects that begin construction after July 4, 2026, the credit is only available if the project is placed in service by December 31, 2027.
STRAIGHT UP SOLAR
That July-December window is pretty tight, and is likely to seem even tighter if a prolonged conflict in Iran creates a larger impact on global shipping and supply chains. That said, for solar projects initiated before the big 250th party, the 30% solar tax credit could mean a lower monthly payment on a lease or PPA, or even totally eliminated up-front costs.
Those details are ultimately between you and the company you decide to move forward with. The key takeaway, however, is that the 30% solar incentive isn’t dead dead. It’s just mostly dead – and if you’re shopping for solar, sooner is going to be a lot better for you than later.
At the center of the post-2025 solar tax credit is US Code § 48E, often called the Clean Electricity Investment Credit. Unlike the now-expired residential credit (the previously-mentioned Section 25D), which was claimed directly by homeowners, Section 48E is a commercial investment tax credit designed to incentivize businesses that own “clean energy equipment,” which currently includes both solar panels and battery energy storage systems (along with natural gas fuel cells, among other things).
Under this provision, a company that owns a solar installation can claim a tax credit worth up to 30% of its qualified investment in the project then enter into a third-party ownership model (lease or PPA) with the homeowner.
As the July 4th safe haven cutoff date indicates above, however, there are some caveats here that could complicate your particular installation – which allows me to segue nicely into the following disclaimer …
Tax law is a messy, complicated, and high-stakes field. Federal tax credits, state laws, utility programs, and the fine print in the contracts from company to company can overlap or even contradict each other, and navigating any part of it isn’t especially intuitive. That complexity is exactly why the smart people you know hire accountants and tax professionals to make incentives work for them, and you should do the same.
If you’re considering a lease or PPA, a conversation with a qualified professional installer can help you understand what’s being offered and how a given deal is being structured. Take that information to your accountant to understand what’s real, what’s marketing, and what actually saves you money.
Finally, if there’s money on the table, make sure you don’t leave it there! Remember: US tax law could be a single line codified into law. Instead, it’s 4,000+ pages of densely worded legalese. Get you an expert, and get what your democratically elected leaders decided you have coming to you.
Unless, you know, you actually don’t care about money!
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Published by Bdaily Bdaily Business News on 04 Jun 2026
A quarry operator is cutting energy costs and strengthening its security of supply after switching on a new floating solar farm.
Edinburgh-based Nova has delivered a 400kW floating photovoltaic array for Bathgate Silica Sand at its Arclid Quarry site in Sandbach, Cheshire.
The project, installed on North Arclid Lake, features 650 floating solar panels and has a footprint equivalent to two Olympic swimming pools.
The array is now generating clean electricity for Bathgate Silica Sand’s quarry operations, helping the company reduce energy bills and progress its decarbonisation plans while preserving valuable operational land.
Nova delivered the scheme in six months, from feasibility and design through to consents, installation and operation, with first power achieved in May after the engineering, procurement and construction contract was awarded in December.
The project was developed in partnership with multidisciplinary environmental and engineering consultancyRSK Group and builds on Nova’s experience in marine energy, including the world’s first offshore tidal array in Shetland and Scotland’s first floating solar project.

Simon Forrest, chief executive at Nova, said: “Achieving first power at the Cheshire quarry is a significant milestone and a testament to our team, who delivered this project in just six months. 
“The array is already reducing our client’s energy bills. 
“It clearly demonstrates what floating solar can offer to businesses with access to water bodies. 
“We are excited about what this project signals, both for our pipeline and for the role floating solar will play in the UK reaching its 2035 target.”
The development comes as floating solar gains momentum across the UK, with industry reports highlighting its potential to cut bills, increase clean power generation and support energy security.
The Government’s Solar Roadmap has also committed to increasing national solar capacity to 70GW by 2035, with floating solar identified as a technology capable of contributing across lakes, reservoirs, ports and harbours.
David Robinson, managing director of Bathgate Silica Sand, added: “This is a significant moment for our business and shows that quarries are playing a key role in creating a more sustainable future. 
“Many thanks to Nova for delivering on time and managing every aspect of the job, allowing us to focus on our core day-to-day quarrying operations.” 
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A pilot project combining a 27 kW solar PV system with batteries and hydrogen fuel cells is under development at a Chilean scientific base on an Antarctic island.
The project is being developed at the Professor Julio Escudero Scientific Base, operated by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) on King George Island, which lies around 120 km off the coast of Antarctica.
The initiative is being implemented by the German agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of the Team Europe Renewable Hydrogen Development (RH2) project, with co-financing from the European Union and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).
The proposed project aims to test hybrid energy solutions in one of the world’s most demanding operating environments while reducing reliance on fossil fuels in Antarctic infrastructure.
According to the project’s pre-feasibility study, one option under consideration is a 27 kW solar photovoltaic plant using 500 W monocrystalline solar panels. This configuration would generate an estimated 66 kWh per day, 1,980 kWh per month, and 11,880 kWh per six-month season. Given the output of each module, the design would require approximately 54 solar panels. The report also compares this option with a 12 kW wind power plant and an 11 kW optoelectric solar panel system.
On the hydrogen side, the conceptual design envisions on-site hydrogen production using a small electrolyzer with a capacity of approximately 0.5 Nm³/h, equivalent to 1 kg of hydrogen per day, and a nominal electricity consumption of 2.4–5 kW. The study allows for alkaline, PEM, or AEM electrolyzer technologies, as all three meet the pilot project’s requirements.
The hydrogen would be stored as a gas in stationary tanks or cylinders with a minimum capacity of 5 kg and a maximum pressure of 30–40 bar. The stored hydrogen would feed PEM fuel cells designed to provide 30 kW of backup power to the base laboratory for up to two hours per month. Estimated hydrogen consumption for this purpose is 4.14 kg per month, 25 kg per operating season, and 50 kg per year.
The electricity generated by the fuel cells would require a 30 kW inverter and an automatic transfer switchboard to isolate and directly power the laboratory in the event of a power outage. The system design also includes hydrogen leak sensors, alarm systems, emergency shutdown mechanisms, thermal control, air renewal systems, water purification equipment, and stainless-steel piping for hydrogen, water, and oxygen venting.
The project emerged following studies conducted in 2022 and 2023, which assessed the technical and economic feasibility of using hydrogen as a source of electricity and heat under extreme conditions. The analyses concluded that it is feasible to develop a modular system capable of producing, storing, and utilizing renewable hydrogen on-site.
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India has surpassed the United States of America in annual solar capacity additions to become the world’s 2nd largest solar growth market in 2025. India has crossed a remarkable 155 GW of installed solar capacity, helping achieve country’s 50% non-fossil fuel capacity target and fulfil its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of schedule. Flagship initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are transforming lives, with over 40 lakh households already empowered through rooftop solar.
 
Highlighting the remarkable achievement, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi today said that the country’s solar growth story is setting global benchmarks and driving record capacity additions through strong policy support, innovation and world-class infrastructure. He noted that Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India’s clean energy transition is accelerating, strengthening energy security, advancing sustainable development and reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in renewable energy.
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NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has floated a tender for an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package for the development of a 300 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV). The project will be developed near Nokhra in Rajasthan.
According to the tender specifications, the scope of work covers the complete design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, transportation, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar power plant, including the supply of solar PV modules. It includes site preparation activities such as land grading, vegetation clearing, topographical surveys, and geotechnical investigations. It also covers the construction of foundations, installation of tracker-based module mounting structures, and mounting and interconnection of solar PV modules.
Additionally, the project involves the construction of inverter and switchgear rooms, associated civil and electrical infrastructure, HT cable laying, and grid connectivity up to the 33 kV main pooling switchgear. Other key components include the installation of a module cleaning system, internal roads, drainage networks, temporary fencing, security infrastructure, a weather monitoring station, and a SCADA-based system for remote monitoring and control of the solar power plant.
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Watch Five Myths About Solar Panels Debunked  Bloomberg.com
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November 24, 2025

City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools Complete Solar System Installation at CATEC

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) announce the completion of a 262.9 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC). This system is the largest solar PV system in the City and CCS portfolio.  
This summer, a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system which generates energy from the sun was installed on Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) and is now fully operational. This clean energy project started in May 2025 and was fully operational three months later in August 2025. It is expected this system will produce between 250,000 and 300,000 kWh per year and will meet over 60% of the building’s electricity need. So far, the system has produced over 76 MWh of electricity. 
This climate action project represents a milestone in the City of Charlottesville’s commitment to clean energy adoption and resource conservation, aligning with the City’s community climate goals of reducing emissions 45% by 2030 and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. It leverages the City of Charlottesville’s contract with CMTA to design and deliver projects through a Master Energy Performance Contract aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. CMTA is an energy services company that delivers decarbonization and occupant health and wellness through energy efficient, sustainable projects. 
CMTA teamed with a local solar system installation partner, Tiger Solar, as well as FLIPP Inc, a local nonprofit workforce development organization. Dedicated to fostering an inclusive workforce, FLIPP Inc offers renewable energy training, certification programs, and entrepreneurship development for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This approach reflects the City’s commitment to local businesses and workforce development and intentional collaboration on climate action. 
CATEC is a member of the Community Climate Collaborative’s Green Business Alliance (GBA), a network of Virginia-based businesses committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The installation of this PV system is a major step towards achieving greenhouse gas reductions and utility bill savings at CATEC and demonstrates the organization’s leadership in the community.  
“We’re thrilled to have this system deployed and now producing clean energy, showing students at CATEC firsthand how solar is a lucrative and viable industry to get into. The positive climate impacts, cost savings, and educational benefits made this an extremely important project for the City to pursue,” says Kristel Riddervold, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability.  
The City is planning for more PV installations across its portfolio of facilities.  
A recent ribbon cutting video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkH5Ryz-kdY  
More information about the Charlottesville municipal solar portfolio is here: https://www.charlottesville.gov/CitySolar 
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Qualitas Energy, a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on both funding and developing renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure, announced today the acquisition of a development-stage solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the United States, with a planned capacity of 164 MWp.
The asset, located in Illinois within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market, has been acquired from Bechtel Enterprises. Notice to Proceed (NTP) is expected in the second quarter of 2028, with Commercial Operation Date (COD) targeted for the third quarter of 2029. The project has 100% site control, is fully permitted and benefits from strong local community support, having received unanimous approval as part of the county permitting process.
Qualitas Energy will leverage its integrated investment, development and asset management capabilities to further de-risk the asset and advance it into its next phases, including the optimisation of offtake strategy, procurement, construction planning and financing. The project also offers additional value creation potential through the future integration of up to 64 MWac of battery energy storage capacity, which could support the structuring of a bundled solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement (PPA), enhancing its commercial flexibility and long-term revenue profile.
In addition, the asset benefits from a favourable interconnection position within the MISO market and offers strong commercial optionality, with access to both the Minnesota and Illinois hubs. This provides a broad range of potential offtake routes, including corporate and industrial customers, hyperscalers, traditional utilities and public renewable energy procurement programmes.
This transaction was undertaken through Qualitas Energy Fund VI, the firm’s latest flagship vehicle, launched at the end of 2025.
“This acquisition reflects Qualitas Energy’s disciplined investment approach and its ability to identify high-quality renewable energy assets with strong value creation potential. The project combines advanced development status, strong fundamentals and multiple commercialisation pathways in one of the country’s most attractive power markets. This transaction also underscores the strategic relevance of the United States for Qualitas Energy,” said Alejandro Ciruelos, Partner – US at Qualitas Energy.
Qualitas Energy was advised by Norton Rose Fulbright (legal), Sargent & Lundy (technical), and Leo Berwick (financial and tax).
About Qualitas Energy
Qualitas Energy is a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on both funding and developing renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure. Since 2006, the Qualitas Energy team has dedicated over €14 billion to the energy transition worldwide. These investments have been deployed through six vehicles: Fotowatio / FRV, Vela Energy, Qualitas Energy III, Qualitas Energy IV, Qualitas Energy V, and Qualitas Energy Credit Fund. Qualitas Energy’s existing portfolio currently comprises 11 GW of operational and development-stage renewable energy assets – including solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), wind, energy storage, hydroelectric power, and renewable natural gas – across Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Chile, and the United States. Over the past five years, Qualitas Energy has generated enough energy to supply 1.7 million homes and has successfully avoided the emission of 1.5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. The Qualitas Energy team consists of more than 500 professionals across fifteen offices in Madrid, Berlin, London, Milan, Hamburg, Wiesbaden, Trier, Cologne, Stuttgart, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Santiago, Durham, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
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Kansas county approves permit for 1,200-acre solar farm  KSN.com
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MSolar Manufacturing’s plant expected to create 150 jobs
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Solar panel manufacturer to establish $23.78M Shenandoah County facility
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MSolar Manufacturing’s plant expected to create 150 jobs
Josh Janney //June 4, 2026//
Woodbridge-based solar panel startup MSolar Manufacturing plans to invest $23.78 million to establish a manufacturing facility in Shenandoah County that is expected to create 150 jobs, Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday.
Founded in 2018, MSolar has renovated a vacant warehouse into a 56,000-square-foot facility in Mount Jackson that will produce high-efficiency solar modules for large-scale energy projects. The site is expected to become operational in August.
“By choosing to invest in Mount Jackson, MSolar is creating new career opportunities in the Shenandoah Valley and helping make sure Virginia has the infrastructure to make energy more affordable and reliable for local communities across our commonwealth,” Spanberger said in a statement. “Increasing energy generation is critical to addressing high energy costs and supporting greater economic growth. I congratulate MSolar on this exciting investment and look forward to watching them grow in the Shenandoah Valley.”
According to the governor’s office, the facility will produce solar glass, silicon cells and heterojunction (HJT) cells, which layer different types of silicon, and to assemble finished solar modules. The plant is expected to manufacture more than 500,000 HJT solar panels annually for utility-scale and commercial projects across the United States.
“We’re building the foundation of a vertically integrated solar manufacturing platform here in Virginia,” MSolar CEO Michael O’Connor said in a statement. “This factory represents the first step in our long-term strategy to expand domestic solar production and deliver high-performance technology for energy projects.”
According to O’Connor, MSolar has not yet done any manufacturing. He said the site Spanberger announced will be the first of four  facilities MSolar plans to build in the region within the next four to five years, all within about 8 miles of each other. He said the company will make announcements on the other sites at a later time.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Shenandoah County to secure the project and will support MSolar through the three-year Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides recruiting and training services as well as cash grant reimbursements for associated human resources costs after a company has had new employees on the payroll for at least 90 days.
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Cooling Techniques Enhance Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Panels in Hot Climates  AZoCleantech
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Today, as more countries commit to long-term net-zero goals, green and low-carbon development has become a shared global priority. With the accelerated adoption of renewable energy worldwide, scenario-based applications are becoming an important growth point for the photovoltaic market in the next stage.
Driven by cost advantages and clean power output, renewable energy is accelerating the start of a new cycle of scenario-based applications, photovoltaics increasingly deployed in high-consumption, high-cost, and electricity-constrained environments. The need is especially strong in off-grid operations—such as oil and gas extraction and mining – where diesel generation remains costly and inefficient.
According to relevant data, electricity generated from traditional fossil-fuel-based sources—such as coal, natural gas, and diesel—remains significantly more expensive and less flexible than renewable alternatives, while also facing growing environmental constraints.
In particular, the cost of diesel-based power generation is approximately 275% higher than that of photovoltaic power generation. In addition to high fuel costs, diesel generator systems are challenged by limited flexibility, high maintenance requirements, and increasing environmental pressure.
Against this backdrop, there is a clear and growing demand for standardized, mobile solar solutions that can significantly reduce operating costs while improving efficiency and sustainability.

Based on market demand, GCL launched the EcoPower Mate series in November 2025 – a mobile photovoltaic system designed for operations facing constrained or complex energy conditions worldwide. Built for extreme environments, rapid deployment, and high energy efficiency, EcoPower Mate offers a new approach to zero-carbon transformation in traditional high-energy-consuming scenarios.
Tackling Industry Pain Points: Dual Product Configurations Optimized for Diverse Scenarios
Traditional diesel generators have long dominated outdoor operations, yet they come with significant drawbacks – severe carbon emissions and noise pollution, high power generation costs, insufficient deployment flexibility, and difficulty in coping with extreme weather and complex terrain.
To address the aforementioned issues, EcoPower Mate offers two product configurations: wheeled and rail-mounted, covering the needs of different application scenarios.
The wheeled PV container features an integrated design with container doors, built-in inverters, DC junction boxes, power distribution modules, and drive systems. Measuring 12.16m × 2.53m × 2.89m, it is lightweight and highly portable. This product requires no prefabricated tracks and can be deployed on flat surfaces such as concrete or gravel, with local compaction and leveling or driving in short steel stakes, making it ideal for flat terrain and reducing on-site construction work.
The rail-mounted PV system is designed for complex and varied road conditions. It uses a rail foundation equipped with mechanical support arms and secure module-fastening systems. A single rail can be up to 100m long, and the body size is 6.058m × 6.058m × 2.438m. This configuration ensures stable operation in rugged environments typical of oil and gas exploration and mining sites.
Both products are equipped with GCL’s SiRo T series high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, delivering a maximum power output of up to 520 W and a module efficiency of up to 23.37%. The modules are compatible with mainstream inverters on the market and have extremely strong adaptability.
Three Core Values Redefining the Benchmark for Mobile Solar Power
Beyond scenario-specific configurations, EcoPower Mate delivers three key advantages—flexibility, cost efficiency, and environmental performance—setting a new standard for mobile outdoor energy solutions.
EcoPower Mate offers rapid plug-and-play deployment, enabling installation and power generation within minutes—reducing setup time by up to 90% compared with traditional PV installations. In extreme weather conditions, the user can relocate all modules into the container within 30 minutes of receiving the weather alert to provide effective protection against sandstorms, heavy rainfall, and other severe environmental impacts. A smart power management system adjusts output in real time based on load requirements, while the reusable design allows the entire system to be moved easily between sites.

EcoPower Mate helps reduce operational costs through automated installation, cutting labor requirements by more than half. Its reusable design reduces equipment wear by more than 30%, and the self-cleaning function improves the power generation efficiency of the modules by more than 40%. Compared to diesel power generation, solar power can cost as low as USD 0.10–0.12 per kWh—up to 60% lower than diesel generation—offering substantial long-term savings and improved return on investment.
EcoPower Mate also delivers strong environmental benefits. The product operates with low operating noise and no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions, supporting operators’ sustainability targets. For industries such as oil and gas, where environmental regulations are tightening, this solution helps reduce carbon footprints and supports broader corporate ESG goals. 
Multi-Scenario Adaptation: Building a Zero-Carbon Energy Ecosystem
With its strong environmental adaptability and system compatibility, supports a wide range of applications, including off-grid, hybrid, and grid-connected systems. It is also compatible with multiple energy storage configurations, enabling flexible deployment across industries seeking to reduce emissions.
In off-grid system scenarios – including, but not limited to, remote islands, mining operations, agricultural and food production sites, outdoor events, and oil and gas facilities—the EcoPower Mate provides a stable and clean alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based power solutions. In hybrid or grid-connected systems, it can integrate with existing power infrastructure, enhancing energy self-sufficiency and supporting low-carbon industrial operations.
The solution can also support grid-connected applications such as data centers, supplying renewable energy to power high-demand computing operations and contributing to more sustainable digital infrastructure.
EcoPower Mate offers 50 kW and 125 kW energy storage options, both of which can be expanded through parallel configuration. A single system support up to 1 MWp of solar capacity and 1 MWh of storage. When combined in parallel, deployments can scale to 2 MWp of PV, 2.6 MWh of storage, and 1.25 MW of AC output, meeting the needs of larger operations.

The first batch of EcoPower Mate units has completed installation, commissioning, and system testing at GCL’s Hefei factory, with all performance metrics meeting design specifications. The product has officially entered the market application stage.
Looking ahead, the EcoPower Mate will expand internationally, with installations planned in Saudi Arabia in Q1 2026, marking the start of its overseas deployment.
With more than 350 global companies committed to RE100 targets and industries advancing their decarbonisation strategies, EcoPower Mate is positioned to become an essential solution for reducing emissions in energy-intensive operations worldwide.

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Dust-prone desert of the Southwest may be ideal for solar energy  Tech Xplore
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India’s total renewable energy capacity reached 250,519 MW by the end of 2025, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026. The country added more than 45,000 MW of renewable capacity during 2025, compared to a total installed renewable capacity of 205,390 MW in 2024.
The growth increased the share of renewables in India’s total electricity capacity to 42.8% in 2025, up from 38.4% a year earlier.
Solar leads additions
Solar photovoltaic (PV) remained the main contributor to India’s renewable energy expansion. Installed solar capacity rose to 135,159 MW in 2025 from 98,139 MW in 2024, reflecting an addition of about 37,020 MW during the year.
According to IRENA data, India added more than 37 GW of solar capacity in 2025, surpassing the United States, which added 34 GW during the same period. The report positions India as the world’s second-largest solar growth market.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said India’s solar capacity additions reflected the country’s accelerating clean energy transition and expanding renewable energy infrastructure.
Wind and hydro growth
Wind energy capacity increased to 54,511 MW in 2025 from 48,163 MW in 2024.
Renewable hydropower capacity, including mixed plants, rose to 56,299 MW, compared to 52,254 MW in the previous year.
Solid biofuels capacity stood at about 10,942 MW in 2025. The report noted that bagasse capacity was not separately reported and aligned closely with the overall solid biofuels figure.
Global renewable additions
Globally, renewable energy accounted for 49.4% of installed power capacity by the end of 2025, up from 46.3% in 2024.
The world added a record 692 GW of renewable energy capacity during the year, including 510 GW from solar alone. Total global renewable energy capacity reached 5,149,280 MW.
The report noted that renewable energy deployment remained concentrated, with China, the United States, and the European Union accounting for 79.5% of new renewable capacity additions in 2025.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
The central government’s Rs 20,000 crore mega solar power project connecting Ladakh to Haryana has sparked growing opposition from environmentalists and local groups in Himachal Pradesh, who warn it could cause irreversible ecological damage in the fragile Himalayan region. The project involves setting up a 713-km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line from Pang in…
Read More Opposition grows to Rs 20,000 crore Ladakh–Haryana solar transmission project
Ahasolar Technologies Limited has received a consultancy work order worth about Rs 1.18 crore for a major solar power project in Rajasthan. The contract has been issued by CIL Rajasthan Akshay Urja Limited for providing Owner’s Engineering and Project Management Consultancy (OEPMC) services. The assignment covers an 875 MW solar photovoltaic project located in the…
Read More Ahasolar wins consultancy contract for 875 MW Rajasthan solar project
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a clarification on 6 August 2025 regarding its revised guidelines for prototype wind turbine installations. The clarification pertains to clause 1(ii)(e) of the guidelines released on 12 June 2025. MNRE stated that the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) may issue revised grid synchronisation recommendation letters…
Read More MNRE clarifies prototype wind turbine guideline for NIWE approvals
The Ministry of Power (MoP) has revised Minimum Local Content (MLC) requirements for Line Commutated Converter (LCC)-type High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) substations, replacing the earlier flat 60% mandate with a phased schedule extending to 2035. The order, dated April 30, 2026, amends a 2021 notification issued under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in…
Read More MoP phases local content norms for LCC-HVDC substations to 2035
Adani Group has announced plans to invest between USD 15–20 billion annually over the next five years to expand its total power generation capacity to 100 GW by 2030. The company is pursuing a diversified mix of thermal, renewable, and pumped hydro energy sources to meet this goal. In 2024–25, Adani Group invested over USD…
Read More Adani to invest up to USD 20 billion yearly for 100 GW by 2030
TPG Rise Climate, the climate investment arm of TPG, is in discussions to acquire US-based solar developer Altus Power, according to Reuters sources.  The deal, which could be formalized in the coming weeks, is not yet finalized, and there is still a possibility of no transaction occurring. Altus Power, a leading clean energy provider for…
Read More TPG Rise Climate in talks to acquire Altus Power
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Godfrey Officials Weigh Promoting Solar Program  RiverBender.com
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Research points to lower maintenance costs and strong performance outlook for solar facilities near White Sands despite dusty panels
University of Texas at El Paso
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German Rodriguez Ortiz, a doctoral graduate of UTEP’s Environmental Science and Engineering Program, is the lead author of a study that found solar panels at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo—a region frequently affected by dust storms carrying particles from the White Sands gypsum dune field—lose power output from dust accumulation at a rate far lower than that of solar facilities in comparable desert regions worldwide. The study was published in the journal Atmosphere in April 2026.
Credit: The University of Texas at El Paso.
EL PASO, Texas (June 4, 2026) – Solar energy developers eyeing parts of southern New Mexico may have less to worry about than expected when it comes to dust. A new study led by University of Texas at El Paso researchers concludes that photovoltaic panels in Alamogordo — a region battered by frequent dust storms carrying particles from the White Sands gypsum dune field — lose only about 2 to 3 percent of their power output to dust accumulation, a rate far lower than that of solar facilities in comparable desert regions worldwide.
The findings, published in the journal Atmosphere in April 2026, carry direct implications for the economics of solar energy in the Chihuahuan Desert, the team said. Because dust-related losses at the study site are modest, and because light rainfall proved sufficient to restore panel performance, operators of solar facilities in the area may be able to clean their panels far less frequently than those at sites in the Middle East, Iran, or China — where soiling losses can reach 10 to 80 percent.
"What we found is that this location is genuinely favorable for solar energy, not just because of its abundant sunshine but because of how the dust behaves here," said German Rodriguez Ortiz, the study's lead author and a doctoral graduate of UTEP's Environmental Science and Engineering Program. "The wind that brings dust from White Sands also helps clean the panels, and the gypsum itself appears to be less harmful to performance than the types of dust studied at other sites globally."
Two natural factors appear to work in the region's favor. Prevailing south-to-southwest winds strike the front face of south-facing panels directly, physically dislodging accumulated particles in a passive cleaning effect. Additionally, rainfall as light as 2.2 millimeters per hour was sufficient to restore panels to near-baseline performance — a lower cleaning threshold than has been documented in California, India and other solar markets. The anti-reflective coating on the panels studied may have contributed to rain's effectiveness, pointing to a potential design consideration for future installations.
The study also found that gypsum — the distinctive mineral blown from White Sands — absorbs less light than other common dust minerals, meaning its optical interference with panel performance is inherently limited. That characteristic, combined with the region's wind patterns and responsiveness to rain, positions the southern Tularosa Basin as a location where the solar resource and the operating environment are better aligned than previously understood, Rodriguez Ortiz said.
These factors lead to a reduced cleaning frequency, which translates into lower water consumption, less labor and meaningfully lower long-term operating costs, the team said.
"This research demonstrates the kind of place-based science UTEP is uniquely positioned to conduct," said Thomas E. Gill, Ph.D., professor of earth, environmental and resource sciences, co-author of the study and Rodriguez Ortiz’s doctoral advisor. "Our location in the Chihuahuan Desert is not just a backdrop — it is a living laboratory, and this work shows how deeply understanding your local environment can generate insights with real economic and energy consequences for the region."
The study was conducted at the United States Bureau of Reclamation's Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, where the team monitored six solar panels across three sampling periods from late 2022 through spring 2024, recording 22 dust events in the process. Co-authors include assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry Jose A. Hernandez-Viezcas, Ph.D.; UTEP researcher Alejandro J. Metta-Magana; and alumna Malynda Cappelle, Ph.D., of the Bureau of Reclamation.
The researchers recommend longer-term monitoring to capture seasonal variation through the summer monsoon and more and less dusty periods, and more detailed investigations into optimal cleaning practices.
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. With respect to research, UTEP is in the top 5% of universities in America and offers 169 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
10.3390/atmos17050442
Experimental Investigation of Photovoltaic Soiling from White Sands Dust in Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA
26-Apr-2026
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Victor Arreola
University of Texas at El Paso
varreola1@utep.edu
Office: 915-747-6437

University of Texas at El Paso


Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

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In the sun-soaked expanse of Alamogordo, New Mexico, a groundbreaking study has unveiled encouraging news for solar energy developers aiming to harness the abundant sunshine in the region. Despite the area’s frequent dust storms, propelled by particles from the notorious White Sands gypsum dune field, photovoltaic panels installed at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility demonstrate remarkable resilience. According to research published in the journal Atmosphere in April 2026, these panels experience an unexpectedly low power output loss—only about 2 to 3 percent—due to dust accumulation, a figure that significantly undercuts the soiling rates reported in solar facilities situated in other dusty desert regions across the globe.
This revelation carries profound implications for the economics and operational sustainability of solar energy in arid environments, particularly within the Chihuahuan Desert. Commonly, soiling losses in harsh desert climates can drain solar panel efficiency by anywhere from 10 to a staggering 80 percent, precipitating frequent and costly cleaning regimes. However, the Alamogordo site’s natural conditions appear to inherently mitigate these losses, suggesting that operators could substantially reduce cleaning frequency. This reduction would not only curb water consumption—a critical consideration in water-scarce desert locales—but also decrease labor and operational expenses, enhancing the long-term viability of solar installations.
The study’s lead author, Dr. German Rodriguez Ortiz, a doctoral alumnus of the University of Texas at El Paso’s Environmental Science and Engineering Program, explains that the combination of local meteorology and mineralogy uniquely favors panel performance. “The persistent south-to-southwest winds that sweep over the region directly impact the orientation of south-facing panels, physically dislodging dust particles in a passive yet effective cleaning mechanism,” he stated. Such wind-aided self-cleaning is complemented by sporadic yet sufficient rainfall events, which were observed to restore panel efficiency almost to baseline levels with as little as 2.2 millimeters per hour of precipitation—a much lighter rain threshold than has been documented in other solar markets like California, India, or parts of Asia.
Beyond meteorological influences, the mineralogical composition of the soiling dust plays a pivotal role. The gypsum particles originating from White Sands possess distinct optical properties that limit their interference with photovoltaic energy capture. Unlike the more opaque or chemically aggressive dust types found in Middle Eastern or East Asian deserts, gypsum exhibits higher light transmittance and refractive characteristics that translate into diminished light scattering and absorption on solar surfaces. This intrinsic quality reduces the detrimental impact on solar cell efficiency, making the region’s dust inherently less harmful from a photovoltaic perspective.
To test these multifaceted interactions, the researchers installed six photovoltaic panels and monitored their performance and soiling conditions through a span of three separate sampling periods between late 2022 and spring 2024. During this time, they documented 22 distinct dust events, carefully quantifying the onset, accumulation, and dissipation of particulate matter on the panels. The detailed temporal data elucidated how quickly soiling impacted power output and how effectively natural factors restored functionality without human intervention.
Crucially, the study also explored the influence of the anti-reflective coatings on the panels used. These coatings, integral to modern photovoltaic technology, not only increase light absorption but may also enhance the efficacy of rainwater in washing away dust. The synergy between coating technology and the region’s hydrometeorological conditions suggests that future solar panel designs for dusty deserts might prioritize specialized surface treatments that optimize passive cleaning dynamics, further reducing maintenance demands.
This research underscores the necessity of place-based environmental science in renewable energy deployment. As Dr. Thomas E. Gill, professor of earth, environmental, and resource sciences and co-author of the study, emphasizes, “Our location within the Chihuahuan Desert serves not just as a geographic backdrop but as a dynamic natural laboratory. The localized insights derived here offer critical understanding that can directly inform energy strategies tailored to the specific challenges and advantages of regional climates.”
A key takeaway from this study is the interdependence of site-specific environmental factors that can beneficially influence the operational efficiency of solar energy infrastructure. Prevailing wind directions, rainfall patterns, dust mineralogy, and cutting-edge panel technology all converge to create a uniquely conducive solar energy environment in the southern Tularosa Basin. These insights challenge the prevailing assumption that desert dust universally imperils photovoltaic output, offering a more nuanced perspective on solar viability in marginal environments.
Moreover, the reduced necessity for frequent cleaning not only conserves precious water but also diminishes labor and operational costs, two significant contributors to the total cost of solar energy production. This efficient balance between natural cleaning processes and technological resilience could serve as a model for solar developers evaluating similar sites worldwide.
The study also opens avenues for future inquiries. Extended monitoring through different seasonal phases—especially during the summer monsoon period notorious for fluctuating dust dynamics—will be critical to fully characterizing long-term soiling behavior. Additionally, optimization of cleaning protocols that leverage natural wind and rainfall events could further streamline solar farm maintenance, enhancing both sustainability and profitability.
Collaborators on this research included esteemed faculty and researchers from multiple disciplines, reflecting the study’s interdisciplinary nature. Apart from Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Gill, contributions came from Assistant Professor Jose A. Hernandez-Viezcas specializing in chemistry and biochemistry, research scientist Alejandro J. Metta-Magana, and alumna Dr. Malynda Cappelle from the Bureau of Reclamation. This collective expertise underpins the robust analytical rigor and comprehensive scope of the findings.
The testing grounds for this work—the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility—highlight the strategic synergies between water management and renewable energy research. Understanding how environmental parameters affect solar power generation within complex arid ecosystems could inform integrated resource management frameworks capable of advancing both water sustainability and clean energy deployment.
As the global push toward renewable energy intensifies, regionally attuned research like that emerging from Alamogordo intensifies the importance of understanding the unique interplay of environmental factors on solar energy infrastructures. Harnessing these insights promises smarter, more efficient solar technology integration, transforming not just the desert landscape but the broader energy paradigm globally.
Subject of Research: Photovoltaic power output losses due to dust soiling in a gypsum-dust-prone desert environment.
Article Title: Experimental Investigation of Photovoltaic Soiling from White Sands Dust in Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA
News Publication Date: June 4, 2026
Web References:
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/17/5/442
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/atmos17050442
Image Credits: The University of Texas at El Paso
Keywords
Solar energy, Environmental engineering, Renewable energy, Energy resources, Electrical power generation, Climate zones, Soil science
Tags: Brackish Groundwater Desalination Facility studyChihuahuan Desert solar potentialdesert solar power economicslow soiling loss solar panelsphotovoltaic panel dust resiliencesolar energy in dusty desertssolar energy sustainability in arid regionssolar panel maintenance reductionsolar power efficiency in dust stormsSouthwestern US solar energy researchwater-saving solar energy solutionsWhite Sands gypsum dunes impact
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A new dawn for Chinese solar  Politico
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The continental U.S. added nearly 28 GW of new electric power generation capacity during the 6 months ending in March 2026, according to the latest edition of the Hitachi Energy Grid Pulse, an industry report that analyzes macro-level trends in electricity demand, grid load growth, and the addition of new power-generating resources across regional electrical grids.
Capacity additions were dominated by solar, wind and battery energy storage systems (BESS), with 13.2 GW of solar, 7.8 GW of BESS and 4 GW of wind added. Fossil gas, oil and other sources accounted for 3.4 GW of new capacity across the lower 48 states.
The additions brought the generation capacity represented by solar and wind to an all-time high of 24% of total installed capacity. However, generation from these sources contributed only 18% of all electricity produced, with the difference in capacity vs. generation due to the intermittent nature of the two renewable sources.
The report also tracked load growth across the country’s major transmission regions during the time period, with nationwide demand for electricity estimated to rise by 2% over the same six-month period the year prior. 
Demand in the region served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (EROCT) led the nation, growing by 9% year-over-year; something the report’s authors attributed largely to data center demand.
During a media call about the report, Hitachi Energy advisor Debashis Bose noted that peak demand in ERCOT — historically around 90 gigawatts, was forecasted to increase to as much as 148 GW by 2030. “It’s growing more than 50% in the next few years, so the growth rate is pretty phenomenal,” Bose said, adding, “what we are seeing here is… trends are already starting to pop up.”
Texas also led state capacity additions, accounting for just over 6.8 GW. In all six states accounted for 50% of new capacity additions. These states and their added capacities were:
Planned data centers and capacity additions
The Hitachi report included the U.S. map graphic shown above, indicating the states in which the highest number of data centers are planned and under construction includes Virginia, Texas, California, Arizona and Oregon.
Across the country, states add an average of 7.3 MW in capacity for each new data center planned. Texas, California and Arizona all exceed that standard, with 12.1, 8.4, and 11.4 MW of new capacity per data center, respectively.  
As Virginia and Oregon are not represented among the top states for capacity additions, their average capacity additions per planned data center are much lower — 0.29 MW per data center in the former state and just 0.1 MW per data center in the latter.

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By: Andrew Seale June 4, 2026
Soaring silver prices and surging solar demand are forcing panel manufacturers to rethink how much of the white metal goes into every cell. But analysts warn the efficiency gains may not be enough to offset a structural squeeze. 
Silver demand has been consistently outpacing supply for the last six years, with the Silver Institute’s World Silver Survey 2026 projecting a 46.3-million oz. deficit. Tightened physical supply alongside geopolitical uncertainty and investment demand helped silver briefly top $120 per oz. in January from $30 an oz. a year earlier before pulling back. The price was around $74 per oz. on Thursday. 
“Silver at $80 really encourages a very aggressive move for thrifting [and] outright substitution in favour of copper,” Philip Newman, managing director of London-based consultancy Metals Focus, which researches the World Silver Survey, said in an interview. Thrifting refers to using less silver per panel without reducing performance. 
According to the Silver Institute, which published the World Silver Survey 2026, silver use in photovoltaics fell 6% last year to 186.6 million oz. and is forecast to decline a further 19% in 2026 to around 151 million ounces. 
Photovoltaics, the largest industrial source of silver consumption, have emerged as a key driver of demand growth in recent years, helping push the market into repeated deficits. Between 2020 and 2024, silver use in photovoltaic applications more than doubled to roughly 197 million oz., up from about 82 million ounces.  
That surge also triggered a rapid response from manufacturers. The rise in silver prices pushed the metal’s share of solar cell costs from roughly 8% to more than 20%, accelerating efforts to reduce silver loadings and preserve margins. 
However, thrifting may not be enough to curb demand. In North America, policy support and utility-scale buildout drove photovoltaic installations in 2025. U.S. demand for silver powder used in solar manufacturing rose 4% year over year, according to the World Silver Survey. 
Momentum is expected to slow in 2026 as global installations flatten, with some banks and insurers also pulling back financing and coverage amid uncertainty over subsidy eligibility and evolving trade rules tied to China-linked supply chains. 
China remains the key swing factor. The country accounts for roughly 80% of global solar manufacturing capacity, while firms including LONGi and Trina Solar expanded aggressively into the U.S. after the Biden administration’s 2022 clean-energy incentives helped trigger roughly $43 billion in announced solar manufacturing investment and an estimated 48,000 jobs. 
However, new U.S. rules limiting Chinese ownership and control in subsidized factories have created regulatory uncertainty, prompting some buyers, lenders and insurers to avoid China-linked projects. 
Installations in China hit a record 315 GW in 2025, though activity was heavily front-loaded as developers rushed to meet policy deadlines before slowing later in the year amid grid constraints and weaker pricing conditions. 
On the manufacturing side, some Chinese producers shifted capacity offshore in response to U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions, while demand from emerging markets continued to support output growth. China’s solar market is expected to cool in 2026 as policy support normalizes and overcapacity pressures persist. 
Thrifting has played a major role in moderating solar demand for the precious metal in panel manufacturing. “It varies considerably by year, but even when prices were very low, there was an element of thrifting,” metals consultant Newman said. 
However, the process has accelerated over the last two years. Manufacturers are refining how silver paste is applied inside solar cells and adjusting cell layouts to reduce the amount needed, cutting silver use by around 10% compared with earlier designs. New “zero busbar” techniques and ultra-fine printing methods can reduce silver use by another 10% to 20%. 
Production has also shifted towards TOPCon cells, a newer high-efficiency solar technology now dominant in China. The technology improves electrical efficiency inside the cell. 
Other companies are developing copper electroplating and pure copper pastes that could further reduce silver use. 
The industry expects average silver loadings in mainstream photovoltaic cells to fall below 5 milligrams per watt by 2027, according to World Silver Survey data. 
While there are ways to reduce silver use, Robert Godin, co-lead of the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s solar energy research cluster, said the technology remains difficult to scale. He said that while substituting with copper could decrease the amount of silver per module by tenfold (90%), silver is still relatively cheap compared with more advanced alternatives. 
The properties of silver make it good at this job, Godin told The Northern Miner. “It works, it’s cheap, and people are not looking too hard at changing that process.” 
Godin said that while reducing silver amid rising prices and supply deficits is driving the thrifting and substitution narrative, removing silver from the process is a low priority on the research and development side. There are also design barriers to how far efficiency can be pushed. 
“There are some hard physical limits that we’re getting pretty close to,” he said. “But [panels] can definitely be twice as cheap.” 
Policy signals in the U.S. have added another layer of uncertainty, as the Trump administration moves to scale back parts of the federal energy transition agenda while maintaining support for domestic industrial buildout and grid reliability.  
The result is a more selective policy environment, with clean-energy projects increasingly shaped by financing conditions, subsidy eligibility and trade exposure rather than broad deployment targets. 
Ian Lange, an economist at the Colorado School of Mines’ Payne Institute for Public Policy, said that disconnect is often missed in transition planning. Most models assume deployment targets are met and then work backwards into material demand, Lange said. In reality, he said, higher input costs feed directly into build decisions.  
“If silver is higher, we just don’t install as many solar panels,” Lange said. 
That creates a feedback loop between commodity markets and deployment that is often absent from energy transition forecasts, where mineral inputs are treated as scalable rather than price sensitive. For silver, that means demand is not a straight line from installed capacity. 
Thrifting and substitution are reducing the metal intensity per panel, but price signals are also shaping how many projects get built in the first place. Outside solar, structural demand growth is still coming from grid expansion, automotive applications and AI-driven power demand, which continue to underpin industrial consumption. 
Lange said silver’s designation as a critical mineral should drive research and innovation. “Within the U.S. federal system, the criticality is really supposed to be a marker for let’s find a substitute,” Lange said. “That’s supposed to direct federal research dollars [but] I’ll say I haven’t seen good evidence that it actually does that.” 
The World Silver Survey forecasts industrial fabrication to decline by 2%this year, to a four-year low of around 650 million ounces. Newman points out that photovoltaics are the most volatile area of silver demand. 
The policy backdrop has also shifted the tone of the solar buildout itself. What was once largely framed through decarbonization is increasingly being driven by energy security and supply-chain resilience.  
“When we put the survey together back in late March, we had to make an assumption about the war in Iran being short-lived,” Newman said. 
With the Strait of Hormuz still closed as of late May, and energy prices astronomically high, Newman said the market could respond by investing in alternative energy solutions like solar. 
“That security standpoint carries a lot of momentum — there’s more investment going on,” he said. “Even if installations go to the races, I don’t see it getting back to what we saw the past three years.” 
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A study conducted by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) indicates that solar energy infrastructure remains viable in the desert regions of Alamogordo, New Mexico, despite the frequent accumulation of dust from the nearby White Sands gypsum dune field. Researchers monitored photovoltaic panels at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility to determine how particulate matter affects energy production in high-sunlight environments.
The research team analyzed the impact of gypsum-based dust on panel efficiency, noting that while environmental conditions in the region present challenges for maintenance, the area maintains significant potential for solar power generation. The study provides data on how these specific atmospheric conditions influence the performance of solar arrays, offering insights for developers operating in arid, dust-prone climates. By evaluating the relationship between local geological features and energy output, the findings clarify the operational realities of maintaining solar technology in the Tularosa Basin.

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A proposed Willamette Valley solar park is back. Neighbors still oppose it  Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB
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