Optimizing control and management of hybrid power system, consisting PV-wind and battery-super capacitor, using COOT algorithm – Nature

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Scientific Reports volume 15, Article number: 33342 (2025)
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Integrating renewable energies into the grid creates many problems, including the injection of harmonics. This research aims to maximize the energy extracted from PV arrays and wind turbines while minimizing total harmonic distortion (THD) injected into the grid. For that, we propose to study a grid-connected hybrid power system with a hybrid storage system consisting of batteries and a supercapacitor. Several control loops are required for the system, such as: MPPT for wind systems, Machine-Side Converter for the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG), Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Supercapacitor, and Grid-Side Converter (GSC). Previous works have used traditional PI controllers in these loops, but in our work, we propose a cascade PI-PID controller optimized with the COOT bird algorithm and the results were compared with a GA-tuned PI controller. The proposed approach demonstrated superior performance in settling time and reducing current and voltage oscillations, achieving a 30% and 81% reduction in (:{THD}_{i}) and (:{THD}_{v}), respectively. To eliminate peaks produced by the PI-PID controller, a supercapacitor system was incorporated and it effectively reduced these peaks. Additionally, a more realistic simulation scenario was proposed to test the system, involving variable sunlight, fluctuating wind speed, battery limits, and a load similar to real-life scenarios. Our energy management strategy efficiently maximized renewable energy exploitation while ensuring system stability.
Renewable energies have become as one of the most valuable solutions to the modern energy problem. Some advantages are to protect the environment, inexpensive, renewable, available everywhere, and cannot be depleted. From here came the idea of compulsory exploitation of these energies as much as possible.
The hybrid system refers to the use of more than one source of energy at the same time. Solar and wind energy are two of the most popular green energies, and to fully utilize them, we must use storage units to store excess energy and use it when demand exceeds production. Energy storage is necessary for solving challenges in power generation such as intermittent and demand fluctuations. Various technologies have been developed for efficient energy storage. Lead-acid batteries are highly durable and cost-effective, widely used in vehicles and continuous power supplies1. Hydrogen storage systems collect and store hydrogen for later conversion into electricity through fuel cells2. Supercapacitors, or ultra-capacitors, are excellent at rapidly storing and releasing energy due to their electrostatic operation. They offer high power density and prolonged cycle life, making them ideal for applications demanding rapid energy peaks3. Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES), based on superconductivity principles, stores energy in a magnetic field for swift release, making it ideal for applications requiring rapid response times and high-power quality4. Together, these technologies showcase a dynamic range of options in energy storage, each addressing specific needs in the evolving energy ecosystem.
The configuration of a multi-source power system can vary widely, and its structure often depends heavily on the specific situation in which it is applied. For instance, some configurations are integrated with the grid, as discussed in references5,6,7,8,9, while others are designed to function in isolation, as detailed in references10,11,12. The fact that these systems can be configured in a variety of ways demonstrates their flexibility and the broad range of applications they can serve. To further understand and optimize these systems, various hybrid system architectures are explored and analysed in the references13,14. These studies provide valuable insights into the advantages and challenges of multi-source power systems, paving the way for future advancements in this exciting field of research. To capture the maximum power energy from the wind turbine and solar panels, many algorithms allow raising the efficiency of these sources called Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) strategies. For example, some of the MPPT techniques in wind energy are the TSR (Tip Speed Ratio) technique15, Optimal Torque Control (OTC) technique 16, and Power Signal Feedback (PSF) MPPT17. Some techniques for extracting maximum energy from solar panels are P&O MPPT18, Incremental conductance method19,20, and many others. The hybridization between solar and wind energy is due to its abundance in nature in many studies, including21,22,23, as well as the addition of storage systems, batteries, capacitors, hydrogen, etc. In24,25,26. And as we know, clean energies are unpredictable, and production changes with weather change. This makes it harder to control the system and the flow of energy and maintain between storage and energy use. We must use effective control techniques to get a robust and stable hybrid system. All control methods used in the system, such as Machine-Side-Control (MSC), Grid-Side-Control (GSC), MPPT control, Battery control, and Supercapacitor control, contain PI controllers, and they must find the best parameters of controllers to achieve our goal. In the following studies27,28,29,30, many optimization algorithms were used to obtain this controller gain. After obtaining the gains, each system has its energy management strategy, which was considered in5,27,28,29,30,31,32.
Many studies of renewable energy systems exist, but they are dispersed, and organizing them into one system has become necessary for researchers. For that, we collected these studies and built a hybrid PV-wind system with a storage system connected to the grid. After that, it simulates a scenario closer to reality with a variable load and develops a management strategy that controls energy flow. This is the best way to exploit clean energies that are considered the future of energy sources. A detailed literature review and comparison is given in Table 1.
The article analyses and simulates a hybrid power system that includes a wind turbine, solar panels, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and a supercapacitor. Most works typically use a simple PI controller to control the system, but our paper does not follow this approach. In this paper, we propose a PI-PID cascade controller and utilize the COOT optimization algorithm to determine the optimal controller parameters, a task that is challenging to achieve through guesswork. All of these efforts are aimed at achieving a more stable and reliable system compared to using a simple PI controller.
To test our system, we created a more realistic study incorporating a variable DC load. For this purpose, a management strategy must be developed to control the energy storage units (BESS-Supercapacitor). It requires storing surplus energy and utilizing it when needed, with limits on the maximum power-sharing of the batteries. The grid is essential in providing the necessary power and absorbing the surplus when the batteries reach their limits.Additionally, the supercapacitor controls the voltage to enhance the system’s stability during sudden load changes. And we used optimization methods with the objective function ISE employed to determine the optimal settings of this control.
Finally, we summarize the most important goals of this paper.
To simulate a grid-connected hybrid power system PV-Wind energy system.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the COOT bird algorithm’s optimization method in determining the optimal controller parameter compared with the GA algorithm.
To compare the proposed PI-PID controller with the simple PI controller in obtaining a stable system.
To validate the supercapacitor’s role in achieving stable voltage and system reliability during a step load perturbation and real-life scenario.
To confirm the role of BESS in exploiting as much energy as possible from renewable energies.
To demonstrate the efficiency of our energy management strategy by creating a realistic scenario that includes variable load, variable solar irradiation, variable wind speed, and battery system limits.
The article was separated into the following sections: Sect. 2 presents the power system under study, Sect. 3 describes the architecture of the system, Sect. 4 explains the control approaches, Sect. 5 introduces the optimization algorithm, Sect. 6 proposes the energy management strategy, Sect. 7 discusses the obtained results, and Sect. 8 explains the conclusion of the work..
In hybrid power systems, there are two types of bus coupling: AC-coupled and DC-coupled. Each has advantages discussed in11,33,34,35,36, but we chose the DC-coupled method for its flexibility and ease of configuration. Our system is made up of the following components: on the DC side, Solar panels with an incremental conductance MPPT-controlled DC-DC boost converter, a Wind turbine based on a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator PMSG with Machine-Side-Converter MSC controlled by Rotor Field Oriented RFO and TSR MPPT, a Supercapacitor with a bidirectional converter to control the voltage, Battery energy storage system BESS using bidirectional DC-DC converter to control the energy of the system, Variable DC load, and bidirectional inverter with Grid Side Control GSC for converting the DC energy to AC and the inverse, Fig. 1 explains in detail the structure of our hybrid power system.
Architectural diagram of a hybrid PV/wind system connected to the grid with BESS, Supercapacitor, and variable DC load.
Figure 2 shows the overall equivalent circuit of a single-diode PV cell model that describes the fundamental function of the PV cell. This model comprises many silicon cells that function as a current source. PV panels are created by connecting these cells into a large unit and grouping them into arrays. In general, the number of cells in a specific parallel or series configuration controls the produced PV current or changes the number of cells on every panel3..
PV cell equivalent circuit.
The value (:{I}_{g}) represents the illumination current, (:{I}_{sh}) represents the shunt resistance current, and (:{I}_{D}) represents the diode current.
where (:{V}_{PV}) represents the PV array’s output voltage, (:q) has been the electron charge, (:T) is the solar panel’s temperature, (:{n}_{p:})is the total number of PV panels in parallel, (:{n}_{s})is the number of PV arrays in series, (:{n}_{c})is the number of series-positioned PV cells, (:k)symbolizes the Boltzmann constant, (:A) is the diode’s ideality factor, (:{r}_{sh})and (:{r}_{s}) are the seriesandshunt resistance.
Figure 3 shows the obtained I-V characteristics and P-V characteristics of the solar cell module SPR-305E-WHT-D for various levels of illumination with a temperature equal to 25 degrees Celsius. The electrical power of an array of solar cells is a nonlinear function of operating voltage and contains a maximum power point (MPP).
(a) I-V and (b) P-V properties of a solar cell at various levels of irradiance and constant temperature (25°).
The wind turbine is utilized to transform wind movement energy into electrical power, which can be expressed as follows:
Where (:{V}_{w}) represents the wind speed, (:R) blade radius in meters, (:rho:) air density in kg/m3.
The mechanical energy(:{P}_{m}) received by the wind turbine is just a small part of the total available energy. The power coefficient (:{C}_{p})measures the effectiveness of the first exchange from wind speed to mechanical energy. This coefficient is influenced by wind speed and rotor speed, and has a maximum value of 59.3% determined by the Betz limit37. Equation (4) then presents the extracted mechanical power:
The wind turbine’s efficiency coefficient is represented by (:{C}_{p}). It is dependent on both the blade pitch angle (:left(beta:right)) and tip speed ratio (:left(lambda:right)). Equation (5) defines the tip speed ratio as follows:
where (:R) is the rotor radius, (:varOmega:) is the generator’s rotor speed.
The power coefficient Cp, which characterizes turbine performance, is intricately influenced by two key parameters: the tip speed ratio λ and the blade pitch angle β. Existing research5,15,16,38,39 has proposed the following equations to approximate the power coefficient Cp:
The variables (:{c}_{1}) through (:{c}_{6}) in this context denote the coefficients describing wind turbine attributes ((:{c}_{1}) = 0.5176, (:{c}_{2}) = 116, (:{c}_{3}) = 0.4, (:{c}_{4}) = 5,(:{c}_{5})= 21, (:{c}_{6}) = 0.0068), and represent the blade pitch angle measured in degrees.
Figure 4 illustrates that there exists an optimum tip speed ratio (:{lambda:}_{opt}) at which the power coefficient (:{C}_{p}) achieves its highest value (:{Cp}_{max}). In the wind system, where the wind turbine operates under normal conditions with a blade pitch angle (:beta::)equal 0 degrees, the optimal tip speed ratio is determined to be (:{lambda:}_{opt}) = 8.1 where the (:{Cp}_{max}) is equal to 0.48.
The curves of the power coefficient (:{C}_{p}) with various tip speed ratio values (:lambda:) and a blade pitch angle β15.
The PMSG wind turbine modeling is described in the rotating reference frame (:d-q), and is founded on the next formulas28,38:
The following equations give the stator flux vector’s (:dq) components:
where: (:{v}_{sd}), (:{v}_{sq}) is the(::dq) components of the stator voltage vector,(:Rs) is the stator phase resistance, (:{i}_{sd}), (:{i}_{sq}) represents(:dq) components of the stator current vector,(:{L}_{d}), (:{L}_{q}) describes the direct and quadrature stator inductances, (:{omega:}_{m}), (:{omega:}_{e}) represents the mechanical and electrical angular speed of the PMSG rotor,(:{N}_{p}) is the number of pole pairs of PMSG, (:{psi:}_{sd}), (:{psi:}_{sq}) describes (:dq) components of the stator flux vector, (:{psi:}_{PM}) define the flux generated by the permanent magnets.
The following equation represents the electromagnetic torque:
Furthermore, electromagnetic wind turbine torque and mechanical torque are interconnected by the swing Eq. (14):
In this model, the inertia is (:J) and (:D) representsthedamping friction coefficient.
The battery mathematical model utilized in this work builds upon the basic battery model, which incorporates the State of Charge (SoC), As seen in the following Equations, the battery is defined as a controlled voltage source with specific resistance 04,40,41.
Where (:E) describe the battery open-circuit voltage, (:{E}_{0}) define the no load voltage of the battery, (:{P}_{v}) represent the polarization voltage, (:{C}_{BESS}) is the battery capacity, (:{int:}_{0}^{t}idt) illustrate the charge drawn and supplied by the battery, (:A)meaning the exponential zone amplitude, (:B) define the exponential zone time constant inverse, (:{i}_{BESS}) symbolize the battery current, (:{V}_{BESS}) describe the battery voltage, and (:{R}_{i}) is the internal resistance.
The supercapacitor is the name of the Energy Storage System (ESS). Supercapacitors are made up of two electrodes with ionic holes that enable ions to travel freely across the area between them. This ESS type is crucial since it works to establish energy balance within a system, which makes it a type that helps control power fluctuations under challenging conditions. Even while it performs comparable tasks to other energy storage devices, it has a number of benefits over them. These include a long lifespan, less maintenance, a small size, quick charging and discharging abilities, a large amount of energy storage, and very simple integration into power systems3,42. Because of their ability to store greater power, supercapacitors are ideal for high-power engineering applications. The following equations can be used to compute the storage energy of this supercapacitor(:{W}_{ESS}) .
where (:{P}_{Sc:})represents the storage energy in the supercapacitor at the time (:t). The capacity size of a supercapacitor is depicted below43.
where (:{V}_{Sc}) indicates the voltage of the supercapacitor and (:{C}_{Sc}) equals its capacity size.
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms must be used to optimize the power output of a photovoltaic system shown in Fig. 5. These algorithms may be implemented using various techniques, including electrical circuits, coded algorithms, and MATLAB Simulink simulations. The method selected is determined by the system’s complexity and the time necessary to track the maximum power point. The Incremental Conductance (IC) technique44,45 is the suggested strategy in this study for attaining maximum power tracking from the PV system and is shown in Fig. 6.
The control of PV system.
Flowchart for the incremental conductance MPPT.
To execute this algorithm, voltage, and current detectors must be used to measure the output voltage and current of the photovoltaic (PV) array. The optimal operating point, where the maximum power is obtained, occurs when the slope of the power-voltage (P-V) curve reaches zero21,22. explains this:
This strategy tries to maximize the turbine’s power production by achieving the best Tip Speed Ratio (TSR). Figure 7 demonstrates this process. An ideal reference speed for the rotor ((:{omega:}_{opt}) ) is derived by computing the rotor and wind speeds. The TSR approach determines the best power extraction while accounting for system factors. The TSR MPPT algorithm has many benefits, including simplicity and quick response. As a result, it is used to effectively control the rotor speed in the face of changing environmental circumstances17,46.
Tip speed ratio (TSR) MPPT technique with COOT bird optimization algorithm.
To obtain a dependable and stable system, we employed an optimization method called COOT bird with an objective function (:ISE) to determine the best settings for the proposed controller of the Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) technique; Sect. 5 explains in detail that.
The system’s Machine Side Control (MSC) uses a two-level voltage inverter in a three-phase AC/DC converter as in traditional designs. The Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) with MSC’s control strategy is based on vector control, especially Rotor Field Oriented Control (RFOC) method [5], as detailed in Fig. 8.
Schematic of rotor field orientated control for MSC in a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) with COOT bird optimization algorithm.
Figure 8 depicts the Rotor Field Oriented Control method. However, in the strategy, we must look for the gains of the proposed controllers. To find these parameters, we propose the ISE objective function and the COOT bird optimization technique for finding these parameters.
To control the BESS, we need two-way energy flow (charging and discharging), which requires a Bidirectional DC/DC Converter in the circuit, as shown in Fig. 9.
Control of switching signals for bidirectional DC/DC converter of the battery system.
Figure 9 displays the control strategy for the switches of the bidirectional DC/DC converter used in the BES system. The constructed control loop is responsible for managing the operation of the switches. The desired battery power reference value, (:{P}_{batt}^{*}), is computed by subtracting the load power demand, (:{P}_{load}), from the total of renewable energy generated power (solar power (:{P}_{PV}), wind power (:{P}_{wind})). The (:{P}_{batt}^{*}) is then divided by the battery voltage (:{V}_{batt}), to get the reference battery current,(:{I}_{batt}^{*}).
The measured battery current, (:{I}_{batt}), is compared to the reference battery current, (:{I}_{batt}^{*}). The error signal produced goes into a proposed controller. The proposed controller output serves as the reference signal for the duty cycle D, of the bidirectional DC/DC converter.
A saturation block is integrated into the installed control system to protect the battery from excessive power flow over the maximum permissible limit(:left({P}_{batt:max}right)). This block limits the amount of power flowing into the battery, preventing it from exceeding the specified boundary.
The gains of the proposed controllers must be determined. For determining these parameters, we propose the (:ISE) objective function and the COOT bird optimisation algorithm. In addition, enhancing battery life includes a supplemental algorithm for battery safety from excessive overcharging and deep discharging47.
The Grid Side Converter (GSC) is a kind of two-level voltage inverter that uses a three-phase DC/AC converter architecture. The dq axis theory has been used to regulate the GSC. The GSC’s main goal is to manage system control operations. These duties include monitoring the instantaneous supply of active and reactive power to the AC grid as well as controlling the DC link voltage of the GSC, the gains of the proposed controllers in the loops control have been achieved using the ISE objective function and the COOT bird optimization technique. Figure 1048,49 shows the detailed strategy for controlling the system..
Grid side converter control using d-q axis theory.
The bidirectional DC/DC converter and its control loops are essential to the Supercapacitor system. As shown in Fig. 11, the main function of the bidirectional converter, which uses a PI controller, is to detect and determine the Supercapacitor system’s operational state. The three operating modes of the Supercapacitor are charging, discharging, and standby mode3.
The supercapacitor control system.
The charging mode is started when the voltage of the DC bus (:{V}_{dc:}) changes positively. To reduce this variation, the Supercapacitor stores the energy surpluses. And the discharge mode is exactly the opposite. If the DC bus voltage decreases, the Supercapacitor rapidly gives power to the system to correct this error. In standby mode, the variation in tension (error) is almost equal to 0, so no energy is transferred between the Supercapacitor and the system..
This control method is implemented using a dual PI controller setup, as shown in Fig. 11. The first PI controller aims to minimize the error in the DC voltage. Its output is a reference for the second PI controller, which controls the Supercapacitor current. We suggest the COOT bird optimization algorithm with the use of the objective function ISE to determine the values of the controller constants (:Kp,:Ki) .
The traditional PI controller produced acceptable results; however, it is critical for us as researchers to develop more effective control approaches. After many attempts, we achieved promising results using the PI-PID cascade controller, whose parameter values were determined using the COOT control algorithm is shown in Fig. 12. Our findings will demonstrate the superiority of the cascade controller over the PI controller. The figure below illustrates the design of this controller.
Structure of PI-PID cascade controller.
Where (:Err) represents the signal of error and (:{S}_{c}) is the signal of control.
To increase the performance of our control of the system, we have to determine the optimal gains of each controller used in the subsystems (MPPT of the wind system, Machine-side-converter control of the PMSG, BESS control, and Grid-side-converter control). To do this, we must use an objective function, such as Integral Square Error ((:ISE)), for computing the errors or the difference between the actuals value and the reference values, as described in the following equation:
Where (:{t}_{sim})is the simulation time, The weights (:{w}_{1},{w}_{2},dots:{w}_{7}) is used to balance between the errors ( (:{e}_{1},{e}_{2}dots:{e}_{7})) in the objective function (:ISE), (:{omega:}_{m}) is the rotor speed of wind turbine, (:{i}_{sq}) and (:{i}_{sd})represent the stator current vector components (:,:{I}_{batt}) define the current of the battery, (:{V}_{dc}) is the DC bus voltage, (:{I}_{gq}) and (:{I}_{gd}) express the grid current vector components .
To establish the weights in the objective function, we run the GA optimization method with 100 iterations and a population size of 10 with all weights equal to 1, and we record the best values for each error in Table 2. Then we select the weights that will balance all of the errors.
We can use the COOT bird optimization technique to identify the optimal values of the gains, but we know that each system has limitations. The optimization problem could be described in this way:
Minimize (:Objective:function) subject to:
Given that the value of ‘j’ varies from 1 to the number of controllers, we chose the limits of (:{Kp}_{j}) and (:{Ki}_{j}) [0-100], and (:{Kd}_{j}) between [0-0.01].
Equation 23 illustrates the gains limitations. So, the min and max denote the minimum and maximum limitations, and the limits of all gains were set based on the following sources3,27,28,38,50.
The COOT Bird Optimization algorithm, a new swarm-based meta-heuristic algorithm, we chose it for its novelty, innovative nature, relatively high accuracy, and stable results across multiple runs, as verified by the research paper51. It exhibits specific behaviours during the search for food, which can be divided into four stages: random motion, chain motion, coot position enhancement by following the leaders, and leader movement towards the optimum zone where food exists. An initial population is chosen randomly to begin the algorithm. The objective function iteratively evaluates this population until an optimal value is reached. The evaluation of a randomly generated population can be expressed as follows:
Following the initial population and placement of the coots, an objective function is used to determine each coot’s fitness. The objective function needs to be optimized by the COOT Bird Optimization algorithm, as shown in the Eqs. 20,21.
The random movement of a coot is critical to the algorithm’s capability to explore various parts of the search space and eventually converge on the optimal global solution. Equation (27) depicts this process, while Eq. (28) estimates the COOT’s new position.
Where R1 represents a random number in [0,1] and A is calculated as follows:
The maximum number of iterations is indicated in this context by “(:Iteration),” whereas the current iteration is represented by “(:Iter)”.
The next phase, known as chain movement, is done by determining the average position of two coots as follows:
where (:coot:position(i-1)) is the location of the second coot..
Leader tracing can be used to enhance coot positions by randomly selecting a small sample of leaders and estimating their average position. The locations of ten coots are then adjusted based on the median leader position. The criteria for selecting leaders are described in Eq. (31), and the updated coot positions, considering leader position, are computed using Eq. (32).
In this case, (:K:)represents the index number of the chosen leader, (:LD) indicates the total number of leaders, (:{R}_{2}) is a random number distributed in the range [0,1], (:R) is a random number distributed in the range [-1,1], and (:LDPleft(Kright)) represents the position of the chosen leader. To find a new optimal point near the best location found, the positions of the leaders are adjusted using the following expression:
Here, (:{R}_{3}) and (:{R}_{4}) are random numbers in [0,1]. (:GB) represents the best location found so far, and (:B) is determined by the following calculation:
The term “B×R3” allows for larger random movements to prevent the COOT bird algorithm from becoming stuck in a local optimum and to maintain a balance between exploration and exploitation. This enables the COOT bird algorithm to conduct a more thorough search of the search space. Furthermore, using (:”cosleft(2Rpi:right)”:)aids in locating positions close to the best-found position, varying the radii for better exploration. The flowchart in Fig. 13 depicts the sequence of steps involved in the COOT bird algorithm.
Flowchart of COOT bird optimization algorithm.
The objective of the energy management strategies is to fully utilize the energy received from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy and minimize the energy imported from the grid as much as possible. For that, MPPT algorithms were implemented in the two sources, and using batteries to ensure that the energy of renewable sources is not lost due to an imbalance between generation and load. Finally, to make the study more realistic, maximum power charging and discharging limits of the batteries (:{P}_{batt:max}) have been added, as well as State of Charge ((:SoC)) limits between 30% and 90% to increase the battery life cycle. To apply the power balance equation equal (generation = demand) we used the following equation:
where: (:{P}_{PV}) is the power generated by the PV system, (:{P}_{WT}) represents the energy produced by the wind system, (:{P}_{Sc}) is the energy charged or discharged by the supercapacitor, (:{P}_{batt}) defined as the energy of batteries, (:{P}_{grid:}) is the power exchanged between the system and the grid, (:{P}_{load:}) represent the power consumption of the load ; The equation was developed with the presumption that the system experiences negligible power losses and is in steady-state operation.
The supercapacitor power (:{P}_{Sc}) sign depends on the derivative of the DC bus voltage (:d{V}_{dc}). If the (:d{V}_{dc}) is positive, the supercapacitor stores energy ((:{P}_{Sc}) take the same sign of the load); if it is negative, it discharges energy ((:{P}_{Sc}) take the opposite sign of the load), all of that to improve the voltage stability.
If the sum of the power produced by the photovoltaic (:{P}_{PV}) and wind turbine (:{P}_{WT}) systems is higher than the load demand (:{P}_{load}), any extra electricity ((:{P}_{sur}={P}_{PV}+{P}_{WT}-{P}_{load}pm:{P}_{Sc})) is given preference for battery charging ((:{P}_{batt})). if the excess energy (:{P}_{sur:})is greater than its maximum charging capacity ((:{P}_{batt:max})), the remaining surplus energy will be sent back to the grid ((:{P}_{grid}=:{P}_{sur}-{P}_{batt:max})). However, the battery can be charged until it reaches 90% of the capacity. When the battery is charged, the entire surplus power can be delivered to the grid ((:{P}_{grid}={P}_{sur})).
If the sum of the power produced by the photovoltaic (:{P}_{PV}) and wind turbine (:{P}_{WT}) systems is lower than the load demand (:{P}_{load}), any deficit energy ((:{P}_{def}={{P}_{load}-P}_{PV}-{P}_{WT}pm:{P}_{Sc})) is given by the battery discharging (:{P}_{batt}). if the deficit energy (:{P}_{def}) is greater than its maximum discharging capacity (:{P}_{batt:max}), the remaining deficit energy will be imported from the grid ((:{P}_{grid}=:{P}_{def}-{P}_{batt:max})). However, the battery can be discharged until it reaches 30% of the capacity. When the battery is discharged, the entire deficit power can be imported from the grid ((:{P}_{grid}={P}_{def})).
Figure 14 summarizes the energy management strategy of the hybrid power system PV-wind with hybrid storage BESS-Supercapacitor connected to the grid.
The scheme of the energy management strategy.
The data and parameters used in the simulation studies are presented in the following part:
The PV array’s specifications are as follows52: Module SPR-305E-WHT-D, rated power is (:{P}_{PV}=:)6.1 kW, number of series panels (:{n}_{s}=)5, number of parallel lines (:{n}_{p}=)4, open circuit voltage (:{V}_{oc}=:)64.2 V, and short circuit current (:{I}_{sc}=:)5.96 A.
The wind turbine system and PMSG parameters53: Rated power (:{P}_{WT}=)12 kW, rotor radius (:R:=)2.75 m, rated wind speed (:{v}_{w}=:)12 m/s, the air density (:A=)1.225 kg/m2, number of pair poles (:{N}_{p}=)5, stator inductance (:{L}_{s}=)15 mH, PMSG moment of inertia (:varTheta:=)0.01 kg.m2, permanent magnet flux (:{psi:}_{PM}=:)0.85 Vs, DC capacitor (:{C}_{dc}=:)15mF.
Parameters of BESS and Supercapacitor [03,05]: Rated capacity (:{C}_{batt}=:)5 Ah, single battery voltage (:{V}_{batt}=)24 V, number of batteries in series (:{N}_{batt}=:)20, rated power of battery (:{P}_{batt:max}=:)2 kW, Series resistance (:{R}_{s}=30:mvarOmega:)capacitance of supercapacitor (:{C}_{Sc}=:)1000 F.
Other parameters: AC voltage (:{V}_{ac}=)380 V, Frequency (:f:=)50 Hz, Filter inductance (:{L}_{f}=)10 mH, Filter resistance (:{R}_{f}=)20 mΩ, DC-link voltage (:{V}_{dc}=)700 V, Sampling time (:{T}_{s}=)10 µs.
We have two primary goals in our work. The first goal is to evaluate the proposed controller PI-PIDwiththe supercapacitor’s performance on the system by using COOT bird optimization. The second purpose is to develop an energy management plan that will improve energy flow in the system, making it more stable and economical. To achieve these goals, we have identified the following two scenarios:
Scenario 1:To begin, it is essential to evaluate the COOT optimization algorithm in comparison to the base optimization method, which is the Genetic Algorithm (GA). This evaluation will provide insights into the performance of the COOT optimization algorithm. After that, we will assess the performance of two control methods: the basic Proportional-Integral (PI) controller and the PI-PID cascade controller. Subsequently, we introduce a supercapacitor with voltage control to compare the system’s performance with and without this control. The comparison is based on the Peak Undershoot ((:{U}_{s})), Peak Overshoot ((:{O}_{s})), and settling time ((:{T}_{st})) of the active power generated (:{P}_{g}) and the DC voltage ((:{V}_{dc})), where (:{(P}_{g}=:{P}_{PV}+{P}_{WT}pm:{P}_{batt}pm:{P}_{Sc}pm:{P}_{grid}).).
To apply this, we simulate the hybrid power system PV-wind with BESS connected to the grid, including its control systems such as MPPT for PV and wind system, Machine-Side Converter control for the PMSG, BESS control, and Grid-Side Converter control. The system starts in an initial stable state as defined in scenario (2) by changing the load to step load perturbation (SLP) ((:pm:)10 kW). The simulation time (:{t}_{sim:})is of 0.6 s. (:The:objective:function)is used to calculate errors in the system, Ga and COOT optimization algorithms aims to minimize these errors as much as possible. The optimization methods used 42 search agents and 100 iterations. After the optimization process, we obtained the results in the following Table 3:
Many results can be extracted from the previous tables and figures. Table 3 represents the parametersof PI controllers obtained by the COOT and GA optimization methods; we can conclude from Table 3 that the algorithms have successfully obtained the optimal parameters necessary to achieve system stability. Table 4 shows that the COOT optimization algorithm completed the difficult challenge of finding 35 parameters of the seven proposed controllers PI-PID in the system control, also in Table 5, the optimization algorithm successfully obtained the optimal control parameters for the supercapacitor voltage control system.
From Table 6, we observe that the errors are balanced, and this helps the optimization algorithm understand the optimization problem and try to reach the optimal settings that arefair to all control loops, after comparing GA-PI with the proposed method COOT-PI-PID + SC based on the total errors multiplied by the weights, which equals ∑ISE, and represents the objective function, we notice an improvement of 89%.
Table 7 represents the numerical results extracted from Figs. 15 and 16, comparing the system performance (GA-PI with COOT-PI-PID + SC). From Table 7, we can see the DC voltage Peak Undershoot Us was reduced by 66%, Peak Overshoot minimized by 64%, the settling time (:{T}_{st}) decreased by 96%, Although the active power generated (:{P}_{g})results of the proposed COOT-PI-PID + SC method do not match the performance of the GA algorithm in terms of Peak Undershoot, Peak Overshoot, and settling time, we have asignificant improvement in (:THDi) and (:THDv), with improvement percentages of 39% and 82%, respectively, all of this indicated in Table 8 and explained in Figs. 17 and 18. Figure 19 shows the convergence curves of the optimization prosses of each control method, and we notice a remarkable superiority of the proposed control technique COOT-PI-PID + SC as shown in Fig. 20.
Results of the comparisonof(:{V}_{dc}) for the system with (:SLP).
Results the comparison of (:{P}_{g}) for the system with (:SLP).
(:THDi%) Comparison between GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC.
(:THDv%) Comparison between GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC.
Convergence curvesof the (:sum:ISE).
Comparison between the (:sum:ISE)values.
In Fig. 21, we observe that when the load suddenly increases to a value of SLP = + 10 kW, the supercapacitor discharges abruptly to maintain voltage stability. Conversely, when the load decreases, the supercapacitor stores energy to ensure system stability. Once the system stabilizes, it returns to isolated mode.
The power of supercapacitor when applied SLP (:pm:10:)kW.
All of the above can be summarized as follows: The COOT algorithm outperformed GA, and the cascade controller PI-PID outperformed the simple PI, but produced peaks, here comes the role of the supercapacitor to eliminate these peaks.
The objective is to create a power system thatsimulatesreality based on real-world scenarios. Getting started, the PV system utilizes Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology to extract the most energyfrom the solar panels available and to enhance the study’s realism; we employ a variable solar irradiation profile that closely mimics real-world conditions. Secondly, the wind turbine system employs the MPPT technique to extract maximum power while adapting to changing wind speeds. Next, we establish battery charge and discharge limits (:{P}_{batt:max}) and state of charge SOC boundaries (30%-90%) for a longer battery life cycle. Subsequently, we introduce a variable load that mirrors real load fluctuations over a 24-hour period. Finally, the addition of a supercapacitor ensures the system’s stability.
In order to operate this system, you need a powerful and stable control system, which we covered in the first scenario using the cascade controller PI-PID with the COOT bird optimization algorithm and supercapacitorcontrol. In addition, you need an effective power management approach, which we also addressed in Sect. 6. In the following figures, we show the results obtained:
Figure 22 shows the changes in solar radiation values during the simulation period. Figure 23 illustrates the fluctuations in wind speed throughout the simulation time, which exhibit random variability, mirroring natural conditions. Figure 24 displays the changes in (:{i}_{sd:})and (:{i}_{sq}). It is notable that (:{i}_{sd:}) of COOT-PI-PID + SC control remains close to zero when compared to GA-PI, which aligns with the requirements of the control loop. On the other hand, (:{i}_{sq})varies with the wind speed, influencing the electromagnetic torque of the PMSG generator, The proposed technique exhibits less fluctuation when compared to GA-PI, which helps reduce total harmonic distortion (THD). In Fig. 25, we can observe the actual angular speed (:{omega:}_{m}) of the turbine in COOT-PI-PID + SC control equals the optimum value (:{omega:}_{opt}^{*}) as required by the TSR technique, but in the GA-PI method, it deviates a little bit from the reference. Furthermore, Fig. 26 demonstrates that the electromagnetic torque is equal to the opposite of the mechanical torqueof the wind generator, as expected. Additionally, Fig. 27 shows the constant value of (:{C}_{p}) for the proposed technique, providing evidence that the MPPT control loop successfully achieves its intended purpose, this achievement enables the extraction of the maximum possible energy from the wind generator by reaching the highest (:{C}_{p})value during operation.
Variations of the solar irradiance over time.
Wind speed fluctuates throughout time.
The PMSG’s stator current vector’s (:{i}_{sd}) and (:{i}_{sq}) component curvesof GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC technique.
The curves of the actual angular speed (:{omega:}_{m}:,:)with the reference speed (:{omega:}_{opt}^{*}) of the wind turbine system of GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC methods.
The PMSG’s electromagnetic torque (:{T}_{e}) and mechanical torque (:{T}_{m})(with inverse sign) curves of COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
The curve of power coefficient (:{C}_{p:})of wind turbine of GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
Figure 28 displays the tip speed ratio values for both COOT-PI-PID + SC and GA-PI methods. We observe that the proposed method, COOT-PI-PID + SC, outperformed GA-PI and was closer to the reference, which helps in achieving higher values for Cp, In Fig. 29, we observe the changes in battery current values along with its reference value curve. We note that the battery current is equal to the reference value curve until it reaches a certain point, which represents the maximum value for battery current. The maximum battery current value can be calculated as (:{I}_{batt:max}={P}_{batt:max}/{V}_{batt}). Moving on to Fig. 30, we observe the variations in the values of the grid current components(:{I}_{gd:}) and(:{:I}_{gq}) in relation to (:{I}_{gd}), which is almost equal to zero. This achievement reflects the control loop objective. Regarding (:{I}_{gq}), its values fluctuate based on changes in load and saturation of the battery. If (:{I}_{gq})is less than 0, the surplus energy that the battery couldn’t store is absorbed by the grid. Conversely, if (:{I}_{gq})is greater than 0, the grid compensates for the remaining energy that the battery couldn’t provide. If (:{I}_{gq})is equal to zero, the system does not exchange any energy with the grid, this is made possible by the batterywhich either charges the surplus energy or discharges it to make up for the deficiency of energy, after we compare the curves of the COOT-PI-PID+SC method with GA-PI, we find that the fluctuations are much lower, and this helps in obtaining lower THD values.
The tip speed ratio of GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
A comparison between the reference current and the actual current of battery values (:{I}_{batt}^{*}), (:{I}_{batt})of COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
The values of the grid current vector’s components (:{I}_{gd}) and (:{I}_{gq}) of GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC technique.
In Fig. 31, the DC bus voltage (:{V}_{dc:})changes, and GA-PI control it is noticeable that it tracks its reference value of 700 V. Moreover, we observe that as the load increases, the voltage value decreases, and conversely, as the load decreases, the voltage value increases. This is where the COOT-PI-PID control plus supercapacitor unit plays a crucial role in maintaining voltage stability. It achieves this by either storing surplus energy or supplying energy to the system when needed, as shown in the figure, there is a constant and stable voltage. Moving on to Fig. 32, we notice that the curve of the active generated power(:{P}_{g}), aligns with the load (:{P}_{load:}), providing clear evidence of the system’s efficient and stable operation.
The DC bus voltage (:{V}_{dc}) variations of GA-PI and COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
The curves of the load fluctuations (:{P}_{load}) with produced active power (:{P}_{g})of COOT-PI-PID + SC control.
As shown in Fig. 33, the system goes through several stages. In phase [0–1 s], we notice that ((:{P}_{PV}+:{P}_{WT:}<{P}_{load})), where the remaining energy is compensated by the battery through discharge.During the [1–2 s] phase, we observe that at 1s, there is a step load perturbation (SLP) with a value of +6 kW. In response, the supercapacitor performs its role, which is to discharge lots of energy in order to maintain the stability of the voltage and the system. Conversely, at the 2s, there is a load reduction of 6 kW, during which the supercapacitor stores energy as needed to maintain system stability, this demonstratesthe proposed energy management strategy: discharge, when (:d{V}_{dc}<:0), and charge, when (:d{V}_{dc}>:0), all of the previous because of step load perturbations, when the voltage stabilizes (:d{V}_{dc}:approx::0), the supercapacitor returns to the isolated mode.As in the first phase [0–1 s], a similar result is observed in phase [2–6 s]. In phase [6–9 s], there is a significant increase in the load value, resulting in ((:{P}_{PV}+:{P}_{WT}+:{P:}_{batt:max}<{P}_{load})). This is where the grid plays a role in compensating for the energy deficiency. From [9–14 s], there is a significant increase in renewable energy production, resulting in the equation ((:{P}_{PV}:+:{P}_{WT}>{P}_{load})). Renewable energies fulfill the load’s requirements, and the surplus energy is stored in the battery. Moving to [14–17.5 s], we note that the battery reaches its maximum charging limit ((:{P}_{batt:max})), and the equation becomes ((:{P}_{PV}+:{P}_{WT}+:{P}_{batt:max}>{P}_{load})). In this case, the grid is utilized to transfer the excess energy. From [17.5–19 s], we observe the battery switching from charging to discharging due to a significant decrease in solar energy production (sunset), resulting in the equation ((:{P}_{PV}:+:{P}_{WT}<{P}_{load})), and the battery compensates for the remaining energy. From [19–24 s], we notice that the battery reaches its maximum discharge limit ((:{P}_{batt:max})), leading to the equation ((:{P}_{PV}:+:{P}_{WT}:+:{P}_{batt:max}<{P}_{load})). At this point, the system imports the remaining energy from the grid.
The curves of PV system Power (:{P}_{PV},:)wind turbine active power (:{P}_{WT}), power of battery system (:{P}_{batt}), Power of Supercapacitor (:{P}_{Sc}), active power of grid (:{P}_{grid}), and load curve (:{P}_{load}).
The strategy recommended in Sect. 6 has been implemented, and based on the previous results, our system operates effectively under the second scenario. Any extra energy is stored in the battery by effectively utilizing solar and wind power. We can use the grid to transmit extra energy in case the battery runs out of capacity. We can use the energy stored in the batteries if renewable energy sources are unavailable. Additionally, we have the choice to import energy from the grid if the battery reaches its capacity limits. The supercapacitor is essential for maintaining the overall system’s voltage by supplying or storing energy in case ofstep load perturbation.
The study investigated a hybrid power system connected to the grid, integrating wind and photovoltaic (PV) energy sources with a hybrid storage system using batteries and a supercapacitor. The research focused on evaluating the stability of control mechanisms and the efficiency of the energy management strategy. The study applied the Incremental Conductance MPPT algorithm for PV systems and TSR-based MPPT technology for the wind turbine to ensure maximum energy extraction. Furthermore, storage units (batteries) store excess energy when there is a surplus in renewable energy production, and supply it when there is a deficit. The system includes various control loops for wind turbine MPPT, MSC control, BESS control, supercapacitor control, and GSC control. This is where our contribution comes in: we improve these control loops by proposing a PI–PID cascade controller plus a supercapacitor system to control the DC bus voltage. All of the parameters of these control loops were optimized by the COOT bird optimization algorithm with the help of the objective function ISE. The results of the proposed approach, COOT–PI–PID + SC, surpassed the simple PI controller optimized by the genetic algorithm by providing a settling time 96% faster, with lower oscillations in current and voltage. This led to reductions in (:{THD}_{i:})and (:{THD}_{v:})by 30% and 81%, respectively, and eliminated the peaks produced by the PI–PID controller. The DC voltage peak undershoot (Us) was reduced by 66%, and the peak overshoot was minimized by 64%, confirming the capability of our proposed method. In the second scenario, we performed a more realistic simulation to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed energy management strategy. The results confirmed the optimal utilization of renewable energy sources and storage units, ensuring system stability.
In the future work section, we recommend exploring new optimization algorithms with different objective functions (e.g., ITSE, IAE, ITAE, etc.) due to the promising results achieved with the proposed approach. Additionally, there is potential to enhance the control loops by incorporating alternative controllers, such as a fuzzy controller, cascade controller, or an ANN-Controller, incorporating adaptive or intelligent energy management strategies—such as neural networks, or reinforcement learning—could significantly improve the system’s decision-making and adaptability under dynamic conditions.
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Alternating current
Artificial neural networks
Battery energy storage system
Direct current
Genetic algorithm
Grid side control
Incremental conductance
Integral absolute error
Integral square error
Integral time absolute error
Integral time square error
Maximum power point tracking
Machine side control
Optimal torque control
Perturb and observer
Proportional integrator
Permanent magnet synchronous generator
Genetic algorithm
Grid side control
Rotor field oriented
Superconducting magnetic energy storage
State of charge
Tip speed ratio
Step load perturbation
The wind turbine’s efficiency coefficient.
Derivative gain
Integrator gain
Proportional gain
Peak overshoot
Power of PV system
Power of supercapacitor
Power of batteries
Power of the gird
Load power demand
Power of wind turbine system
Total harmonic distortion of current
Total harmonic distortion of voltage
The electromagnetic torque
Mechanical wind turbine
Setting time
Peak undershoot
Measured PV system voltage
DC bus voltage
The wind speed
The generator’s rotor speed
Phase angle
The blade pitch angle
Tip speed ratio
Air density
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Abdelkader Halmous, Youcef Oubbati & Mohamed Lahdeb
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Best Solar Stocks in India 2026 – Equitymaster

Best Solar Stocks in India 2026  Equitymaster
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Solar Panel Waste Challenge Grows as Global Capacity Doubles by 2030 – News and Statistics – IndexBox

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Solar photovoltaics are projected to constitute the majority of new renewable power capacity additions globally in the coming five years, according to the International Energy Agency. This growth is expected to more than double total installations by 2030, driven largely by the economic competitiveness of renewable energy sources.
A significant portion of the world’s installed solar capacity increase is attributed to substantial investment in photovoltaic supply chains by China. The International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report indicates that China’s share of key production segments is likely to remain dominant through the end of the decade. This manufacturing scale has contributed to the availability of low-cost panels worldwide.
However, the widespread adoption of solar technology is creating a forthcoming challenge related to panel disposal. The accumulation of solar waste is anticipated to reach a significant volume by 2050. Currently, most decommissioned panels are disposed of in landfills, which presents environmental and resource recovery concerns.
The issue is compounded by the varying lifespans of solar panels used in different markets. While large-scale solar installations typically use panels with a longer operational life, many panels deployed in smaller-scale applications in developing economies have a much shorter usable period before requiring replacement or recycling.
Recycling processes for solar panels have been studied but remain economically challenging. The cost to recycle a single panel is substantially higher than the cost to send it to a landfill, based on a 2021 analysis.
This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in China, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in China.
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for China. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
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All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in China.
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Top 5 Biggest Challenges Slowing India’s Urban Solar Installations – Saur Energy

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Solar PV has emerged as the torchbearer for India’s renewable energy revolution, with an active solar capacity of over 127.3 GW as of September 30, 2025. This also means that the sector is preferred renewable choice for India compared to any other source (over twice the installed wind capacity of 53 GW). Despite the commendable progress, while mainstream announcements show an increase in solar capacities, the ground reality often differs, with solar installers facing several structural, technical, regulatory, and financial challenges, especially for rooftop solar in urban settings. That has been reflected in the numbers from the flagship rooftop solar scheme, PM Suryaghar, where actual installed capacity is at under 15% of targets set, with a very low conversion rate between applications and actual installs. 
Top 10 Indian States in RTS Capacity, as on September 30, 2025
Notably, India has achieved roughly 21.5 GW of rooftop solar installation so far, still far below the 40 GW missed target it had set for 2022, one reason behind the launch of PM Suryaghar. As it stands, Gujarat (over 6 GW), Maharashtra (over 4 GW), Rajasthan (~1.8 GW), Kerala (~1.6 GW), and Tamil Nadu (~1.16 GW) are leading India’s RTS segment and are also the only GW-club states of India in rooftop solar segment.
Why are the numbers so weak when it comes to urban settings? Here, we look at the top five challenges that have affected (and are still affecting) solar installations in Indian cities.
Dearth of space is a common type of obstruction that solar installers face in urban areas, especially during rooftop solar installations. As buildings and infrastructure dominate the landscape, finding suitable locations for solar panels in cities becomes a logistical puzzle. Rooftops, parking lots, and vacant spaces often need to be increased to meet the growing demand for solar energy.
In addition, the low load-bearing capacities of buildings, generally the older structures, make the additional weight of solar unfeasible for the structure to bear and render it unsuitable.
The Chief Executive Officer – Asset Development of Evolve Energy Group, Karan Singh, highlighted these among the major reasons forcing partial capacity installations “in nearly 40 percent of residential and institutional projects.”
Solectrik Energy seconded the issue and said, “Older residential buildings, especially in central Nagpur and Amravati, often lack the structural strength to support large systems. Around 30–40 percent of inquiries become non-viable after structural evaluation due to these limitations.” Solectrik Energy is a Nagpur-based solar installation firm active in the central Indian region.
To overcome these issues, several firms are adopting customized mounting solutions, including elevated and lightweight aluminum designs.
Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate renewable power efficiently. Any obstruction casting shadows on panels, such as nearby buildings, trees, or chimneys, can significantly reduce their efficiency and output. In fact, the shading of just 10 percent of the area of a PV system could cause a loss of 50 percent in its  performance.
Soiling, which is a prominent factor contributing to energy loss in certain areas. In regions with frequent dust deposits, the losses may lead up to 5-7 percent.
Thus it becomes important and difficult task for the installers to find a sweet spot for the maximum solar efficiency. To mitigate the shadowing issue, firms nowadays use advanced solar simulation tools, ensuring optimal panel placement. For instance, Solectrik Energy employs tools such as PVsyst and on-site shadow analysis.
In addition, the firms are also deploying microinverters or optimizers to maintain generation efficiency across partially shaded arrays.
Regulatory hurdles pose a major challenge for solar installers in Indian cities. These include lengthy approval processes, especially in societies governed by regulatory bodies such as local municipal corporations, DISCOMs, and housing societies.
The net metering approvals and load sanctioning frequently delay project timelines. Each authority follows a different documentation and inspection process, which can stretch installation timelines from weeks to months, a big bump for the installers.
“For instance, while Tamil Nadu’s net metering approval can take 30–45 days, in some other states it extends beyond 90 days due to additional inspection layers or procedural ambiguity. This directly impacts commissioning and cash flow timelines,” Singh said.
Moreover, zoning laws and building codes also vary across geographies, affecting the feasibility of solar installations on existing structures.
To overcome these issues, measures like simplifying net metering approvals, expediting subsidy disbursements, and introducing uniform technical standards across DISCOMs are needed. Additionally, a centralized online platform for all documentation could reduce confusion and standardize timelines across districts.
Key financial challenges include delayed government subsidies, high customer acquisition costs, and hesitancy among homeowners to make upfront investments.
While the long-term savings from solar energy can be substantial, the upfront costs of installation can be a barrier for some homeowners. In fact, as per a report by Luminous Power Technologies, around 52 percent of Indians would adopt solar energy if offered easy financing or a loan.
Increasing digital marketing and lead conversion costs in metro markets have raised customer acquisition expenses significantly. 
Potential consumers lacking trust in solar PV systems and their installations is still one of the major obstacles for solar installation in cities, especially in the residential solar rooftop segment. Potential solar clients remain skeptical due to bad experiences with unprofessional installers or incomplete and inconsistent after-sales service. Moreover, lack of transparency on costs and subsidy payment structures has further eroded consumer confidence and trust.
“The industry-wide quality benchmarks and certification systems for EPC players can help restore consumer confidence,” asserts Solectrik Energy.

Conclusion:  While subsidies have made solar rooftop very attractive, and frankly a no-brainer in cases with high power consumption and available rooftops, that oentration has still lagged points to serious structural issues. Quality and professionalism of installers is a major reason, as customers are usually shocked to see the wide differences in prices quoted  as they have a limited understanding of the inputs involved, especially modules, inverters, quality of structures or even the wires.  LIke electric vehicles, cases of failures linked to poor installs get much woider coverage than the many happy owners seeing real savings every month. 
Financing is obviously a key issue, even though much better access has been enabled over the past year. Long term maintainance is an area that remains one of cocern, as most installers offer a 3-5 year maintainance option, on a product claimed to last for 25 years. Installers that have exited the retail business over the past year, including large firms like Amplus (now Gentari) have also left many customers worried about long term issues, even as existing plants work well.    
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'Should have started by now': Indonesia's plan to export solar energy to Singapore hits a snag – The Business Times

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[JAKARTA] The planned export of solar energy from Indonesia’s Batam to Singapore appears to have hit a snag, as appointed electricity exporters face challenges in securing financing under Jakarta’s licensing rules.
Several Indonesian and multinational companies have been commissioned to build solar farms in Batam and sell the output to Singapore, based on multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) inked between the two countries in 2023. The projects involving billions of dollars are expected to begin commercial operations by early 2028.
However, The Straits Times understands that none of the solar farms has seen significant construction progress yet as companies face challenges in securing financing for the projects.
The projects would have had to begin construction by now, in order to meet the delivery deadline, analysts said.
Senior executives from the Jakarta-based companies told ST that one important detail seems to have rendered the projects “unbankable”, or deemed too risky for a bank loan.
Specifically, Indonesia requires renewable energy exporters to renew their permits every five years under Clause 37 of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ (ESDM) 2021 regulation on electricity business operations. This creates uncertainty, since the government can revoke a licence, or reduce the permitted export quota, if it determines that electricity exports are disrupting domestic supply and causing local blackouts.
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In Indonesia’s major economic hub of Java island and its main tourist island of Bali, electricity supply has typically exceeded demand, thanks to the government’s aggressive push to build power plants.
The industrial island of Batam generally mirrors this situation, enjoying a comfortable electricity surplus, but this does not always extend past the main coastlines. Dozens of more remote islets off the coast of Batam are frequently left disconnected from the robust main grid due to geographical challenges.
For major infrastructure projects such as solar farms to secure financing, they typically have to be considered “bankable” for about 20 to 25 years – which means project developers must be able to fulfil their financial obligations for the entire duration.
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A senior executive at one of the companies told ST on condition of anonymity that these projects – involving the construction of vast solar farms, laying of undersea transmission cables and procuring solar panel electric storage – require billions of dollars of investment and would not be able to proceed without external financing.
“Projects of such a magnitude, there is no way any company can fully finance it with internal cash,” he added. “How can we continue to generate revenue and service debts if after five years, we are told to stop exporting?”
The mismatch between permit tenure and financing horizon is why several companies find themselves caught in a bind, analysts noted.
“They are expected to secure a 20-year electricity sale and purchase contract, so this five-year review cycle obviously creates uncertainty”, hence the situation is going “nowhere”, said Mr Fabby Tumiwa, chief executive officer of Jakarta-based think-tank Institute for Essential Services Reform.
Mr Fabby noted that the previous Indonesian energy minister, Mr Arifin Tasrif, had initiated a review to revise Clause 37 sometime after he met Singapore’s then Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng in Jakarta in September 2023. However, Mr Arifin was replaced in a Cabinet reshuffle in August 2024, before the revision could be completed.
ST understands that companies with electricity export licences had discussed this matter with the ESDM sometime in 2025.
Ministry spokeswoman Dwi Anggia declined to comment when contacted by ST.
Cross-border solar projects
Indonesia and Singapore have been discussing terms of a possible agreement for a planned sale of solar power from Batam to Singapore via an undersea cable, aligning with Singapore’s broader efforts to import low-carbon electricity.
The planned sale of solar power is part of an MOU on renewable energy signed by the two countries in March 2023. It was witnessed by then Indonesian President Joko Widodo and then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the annual leaders’ retreat in Singapore.
In September 2024, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) granted two more companies conditional approvals to import low-carbon electricity: Singa Renewables, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and RGE, and Shell Eastern Trading, which is in partnership with Vena Energy.
This came on top of the five conditional licences EMA gave out the year before to entities including Pacific Medco Solar Energy, Adaro Solar International and Keppel Energy.
EMA’s move raised the anticipated import volume of clean electricity from 2GW in September 2023 to as much as 3.4GW a year later. The EMA had also raised its overall 2035 low-carbon electricity import target to 6GW, from 4GW in September 2023.
Still fledgling, Indonesia’s solar energy market is expected to grow steadily from 2.15GW in 2025 to 14.91GW by 2031, according to global research company Mordor Intelligence.
In February 2025, ESDM asked Singapore to invest in local supply chains – such as the manufacturing of solar panels – in Indonesia, tying the request to the electricity sale to Singapore, according to the Indonesian government.
In June the same year, Indonesia’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and Dr Tan signed MOUs in Jakarta to jointly develop a sustainable industrial zone in the Riau Islands province, where Batam is located.
‘Should have started by now’
When asked about updates on the planned sale of electricity to Singapore, the parties involved declined to comment on questions regarding Clause 37.
“We are always prepared to support government programmes and are waiting for the next directives,” Ms Karina Novianti, head of corporate communications at Alamtri, formerly known as Adaro, said in a written response to ST.
MedcoEnergi’s chief executive officer Roberto Lorato said his company is engaging with potential electricity distributors in Singapore to ensure its delivery timeline aligns with market demand. One of MedcoEnergi’s subsidiaries is part of the Pacific Medco Solar Energy consortium.
“We remain committed and support the government’s efforts to create a positive investment climate, while ensuring that the project fully complies with all applicable regulations and delivers benefits for both countries,” he said.
However, Mr Fabby doubted that the companies involved could meet the projected 2028 timeline.
“If they were to meet the 2028 first delivery target, they should have started major construction by now, by 2026,” he said. “How could they start if external financing cannot be secured?”
Responding to ST’s queries regarding the projects’ potential delay, ESDM’s acting director general of electricity Tri Winarno replied in a text message: “Up to now there is no deal, on what benefit(s) we get if we export electricity to Singapore.” He did not elaborate.
Political will to push through
Yet, energy analysts pointed out that Indonesia’s renewable energy sector stands to gain if the project proceeds.
“The sale to Singapore will help Indonesia’s renewable industry sector to properly develop and thrive. If we were solely to rely on the domestic market, renewables would struggle to take off due to limitations in local purchasing power,” said Mr Komaidi Notonegoro, executive director of the Jakarta-based ReforMiner Institute, a think-tank focusing on energy, economy and mineral resources.
Having a neighbouring country willing to purchase Indonesia’s renewable energy at an attractive price would increase the country’s revenues and offer an opportunity to develop its solar industry, he added.
Exporting 3.4GW of clean electricity to Singapore is estimated to generate between US$4 billion (S$5.1 billion) and US$6 billion in annual foreign exchange earnings, according to media reports.
Mr Komaidi pointed out that there has been a longstanding tendency for new administrations to introduce new development projects and deprioritise the ones from before.
Agreeing, Mr Yusri Usman, executive director of Jakarta-based think-tank Centre of Energy and Resources Indonesia, said the core issue in this case is “a deficit of ownership”.
The initiative was championed by the previous government, while the new leadership likely sees little political capital in pushing it across to completion, he said.
“The person in charge of this particular project now was not part of the initial plan. This caused the slow progress,” he added.
Mr Fabby said the project may be hindered by personal or political biases at the expense of national interests, warning that reneging on this project may carry negative implications for Indonesia’s broader investment climate.
“People would see that Indonesia made a commitment – with ministers and the president agreeing to do it – but once the leadership changed, the execution did not proceed,” he said. “President Prabowo Subianto should weigh in on this. If he knows about this, he will take the necessary steps.”
Mr Prabowo officially took over as Indonesia’s eighth president in October 2024, replacing his predecessor, Mr Widodo, who was president for 10 years from 2014. THE STRAITS TIMES
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Natura Energy Achieves Financial Close For 31 MW Solar Project At Parsons Power Park In Eastern Cape – SolarQuarter

Natura Energy Achieves Financial Close For 31 MW Solar Project At Parsons Power Park In Eastern Cape  SolarQuarter
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Beyond Renewables Raises Rs. 5 Cr Pre-Seed to Scale Solar Panel Recycling in India – Saur Energy

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Beyond Renewables Raises Rs. 5 Cr Pre-Seed to Scale Solar Panel Recycling in India
Beyond Renewables & Recycling, a climate-tech startup focused on sustainable and high-value solar panel recycling, has raised pre-seed funding led by Momentum Capital, a US-based venture capital fund. In a press release, the company explained it would use the investment to accelerate the development of Beyond Renewables’ proprietary recycling technology, strengthen its waste supply chain, and scale operations to address India’s rapidly growing solar waste crisis.
Founded in 2024 by Manhar Dixit and Vedant Taneja, Beyond Renewables has validated its recycling process at lab scale, achieving high recovery and purity rates for materials such as silver and silicon. This marks the company’s first external fundraising. Along with Momentum Capital, co-investors in the October 2025 round include Venture Catalysts, IIMA Ventures, Oorjan Cleantech, and Gautam Das, founder of Oorjan.
India’s rapid solar adoption is expected to generate nearly 1.2 million tons of solar PV waste by 2040, a number that could climb to 4.8 million tons under an early-loss scenario. Much of this e-waste is currently handled by the informal sector, which often lacks the infrastructure to safely process hazardous materials, leading to low recovery rates and environmental damage.
Supported by IIT Mandi Catalyst and NSRCEL, the startup is also strengthening its sales channels and has secured LOIs from buyers for recycled glass, silicon, and other materials.
After extensive research and validation, Beyond Renewables has begun commissioning its first industrial-scale facility in Rajasthan. With over 2,000 metric tons of solar waste already in the pipeline, the company is expanding partnerships with module manufacturers, EPC players, and asset owners to secure supply. 
Beyond Renewables addresses this gap through a proprietary, eco-effective recycling process that achieves over 95% recovery of high-value materials from end-of-life solar panels. Using a combination of advanced thermal and chemical treatments, the company extracts aluminum, glass, silicon, copper, and precious metals such as silver with high purity, transforming hazardous waste into a valuable source of sustainably sourced minerals.
On the latest announcement, the company’s key representative shared their views. For instance,“Beyond Renewables’ mission is perfectly aligned with our thesis of investing in companies that solve critical environmental challenges through deep-tech innovation,” said Ankur Shrivastava, Managing Partner at Momentum Capital.
“The solar waste problem is not a distant threat it’s a present and rapidly escalating issue. The Beyond Renewables team, with their advanced technology and clear go-to-market strategy, is uniquely positioned to dominate this market, which is projected to grow rapidly by 2040 to a ₹20,000 crore market. We are thrilled to partner with them to build a circular economy for India’s solar industry,” he added. 
The company has developed a multi-channel waste sourcing strategy, partnering with asset developers, EPCs, manufacturers, and dismantlers to secure a consistent waste supply. Its focus on eco-effective, high-value recycling differentiates it from existing players that often rely on less efficient mechanical extraction methods.
“With India’s solar installations reaching 127.33 GW and a growing panel manufacturing industry, we have a responsibility to ensure sustainability from cradle to grave,” said Manhar Dixit, CEO of Beyond Renewables & Recycling. “This funding, led by Momentum Capital, is a massive vote of confidence in our technology and our vision. It will enable us to scale operations and provide a comprehensive, environmentally sound solution that turns waste into a national resource. We are not just recycling; we are creating a sustainable future.”
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How graphene could power the frontlines – pv magazine Australia

Nearly 20 years after the first perovskite solar cell was created, the efficiency and durability of this small but highly efficient film have attracted attention from industries around the world. Front of the queue is the global defence industry, where rising geopolitical tensions are resulting in record spending by governments to boost capabilities and protect critical systems from attack, whether from natural disasters or more sinister threats like military conflict.
Image: Frist Graphene
Like any business, defence forces are investigating the most efficient, readily deployable and cost-effective technologies to power armies, navies, and air forces.
As modern militaries increasingly rely on uninterrupted power supply for communications, surveillance, and autonomous technologies, there is a growing need to protect energy sources from disruption.
This is where perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are beginning to play a major role in strengthening energy independence across a range of existing and emerging technologies.
PSCs have become renowned for their ultra lightweight composition, application flexibility and highly efficient performance properties – even in lowlight settings.
During laboratory testing, perovskite solar cells have proven to be more than 25% more efficient than conventional silicon solar cells.
That figure has increased from just 3% in the space of a decade, making PSCs the fastest-improving photovoltaic material in terms of efficiency.
Combined with the ability to manufacture PSCs as thin, light and flexible films, this extreme efficiency makes integration easier on non-traditional surfaces.
In the defence sector, real-world testing of PSCs has already begun in earnest, focused on shoring up energy security.
For example, the United States Army has started testing perovskite solar cells for use in modular mobile microgrids, designed for rapid deployment during military operations or natural disasters.
If traditional sources of power are cut off, these energy-efficient microgrids can provide a reliable resource to support critical infrastructure while reducing reliance on diesel generators and fuel supplies, often considered vulnerabilities from a defence perspective.
There is also opportunity to use PSCs to improve the endurance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as long-distance, high-altitude drones.
The US Army has already invested USD 20 million into a series of long-endurance, solar-powered drones for surveillance and reconnaissance.
In Austria, a research team has successfully created autonomous drones powered by perovskite solar cells. While these hand-sized drones are not yet produced at the scale required by the defence industry, the results demonstrate the technology’s future potential.
Weight remains the dominant challenge for UAV flight range and performance, as adding heavy solar cells to the wings of a drone can reduce flight duration.
Using lighter, higher-efficiency perovskite solar cells could significantly extend UAV missions from days to weeks, enabling longer flight time over conflict zones or disaster-affected regions.
While efficiency of PSCs has already advanced in leaps and bounds, further gains remain promising.
Research conducted by our team alongside Australian PSC manufacturer Halocell has shown adding graphene to a PSC can increase efficiencies by more than 30%.
Production costs can also be reduced by up to 80%, as graphene lowers the required volume of expensive conductor materials, such as silver and gold.
The combination of high efficiency, low capital intensity, and rapid roll-to-roll manufacturing makes graphene-enhanced PSCs a highly attractive option for defence applications.
However, one of the biggest challenges for perovskite solar cells has been long-term durability, as they typically have shorter lifespans than traditional silicon cells.
This is where graphene could become a gamechanger for the defence industry. The unique material is one of the strongest in existence and has consistently demonstrated its ability to enhance durability when incorporated into other materials.
Beyond defence and military applications, the strategic value of graphene-enhanced perovskite solar cells also lies in logistics resilience.
Modern military operations are heavily constrained by supply chains, particularly the need to transport fuel into remote or contested environments.
Every litre of fuel moved to a forward operating base carries both financial cost and operational risk.
Lightweight, rapidly deployable solar solutions could reduce this burden by enabling units to generate power independently for extended periods.
Over time, this shift would not only improve operational endurance, but also lower emissions, reduce noise signatures, and enhance the overall survivability of energy-dependent defence systems.
There is no doubt more research needs to be done, but a clear vision is emerging for the role graphene could play across the broader defence sector.
Graphene-enhanced perovskite solar cells are not yet turnkey battlefield solutions.
At present, the primary market for PSCs developed by First Graphene and Halocell is small electronic devices, though the long-term outlook is far broader.
Halocell has identified more than 40 potential PSC applications in the small electronic goods space, from TV remotes to torches to outdoor garden lighting.
There is a long way to go before solar modules currently capable of replacing disposable batteries in TV remotes can be applied to long-distance drones for the defence industry.
However, the bigger picture lies in the fast-evolving technology’s application in defence and aerospace, with global defence investment at record levels.
In Australia alone, more than $765 billion is forecast to be invested into the local defence industry over the next decade.
This presents a major opportunity for local manufacturers to collaborate with developers of modern renewable technologies to enter a rapidly expanding industry.
In an era where energy access is both a goal and a target for nations, the ability to generate reliable, affordable power is a strategic advantage.
Graphene-enhanced perovskite solar cells delivered by companies like First Graphene and Halocellrepresent a convergence of materials science, renewable energy and defence strategy.
As geopolitical competition sharpens, nations that invest early in these foundational technologies may find themselves better powered for conflicts and crises of the future.
Author: Michael Bell, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Graphene
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
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'Really good option to explore:' Henrico sports facility saves $550K with no-cost solar panels – WTVR.com

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — A Henrico County sports facility is saving tens of thousands of dollars on energy costs after switching to solar power — with no upfront cost to make it happen.
Tuckahoe Sports Training Center recently had a 209-kilowatt solar array installed on its roof through Dominion Energy Solutions, a non-residential solar provider that covers installation costs. The facility’s 376 panels are now generating power and helping reduce operating expenses for the organization, which has served the community since 2009.
Executive Director Lesa Williams said saving money is critical when running the organization.
“We now have a way to be sustainable. For us, we have 376 panels up there that are generating power and will help us reduce our operating costs,” Williams said.
Williams said energy is one of the organization’s biggest expenses in its 40,000-square-foot building.
“At the end of the day, it’s one of our main bills,” Williams said. “So how do we look at different solutions? And solar just looked like a really good option to explore.”
Under the arrangement with Dominion Energy Solutions, a Dominion Energy company, the center buys the power generated by the panels through a power purchase agreement. Eric Weissbart with Dominion Energy explained how it works.
“So as a kilowatt hour is produced, they are buying the kilowatt hour from Dominion Energy Solutions — and typically the rate is lower than the retail rate of energy they procure from the utility,” Weissbart said.
Before going solar, Tuckahoe Sports Training Center paid about 17 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity. With solar, that rate dropped to about 9 cents — a 40% discount. The array is expected to save the facility about $6,600 in the first year and an estimated $550,000 over the life of the partnership.
Williams said those kinds of savings are essential for any organization looking to stay viable long-term.
“I’m always as an executive director looking for ways that a nonprofit can find a way to survive longer than just five years,” Williams said. “We have been here since 2009, and I hope we are here for another 30 or 40 years.”
“As a leader, always thinking about ways you can reduce operating costs is always a big deal,” Williams said.
If you are interested in going solar, you can find a link to an interest form here.


This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.
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Anthem moves ahead with giant Free State PV project following offtake deals with two traders – Engineering News

Anthem moves ahead with giant Free State PV project following offtake deals with two traders  Engineering News
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Self Consumption Solar Energy Storage 8kWh LiFePO4 Hybrid Grid Inverter 3600W 5000VA PV Charger MPPT CAN IP54 Protection – Global Sources

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Energy, Mauri (Sorgenia): "With our PPAs, we guarantee the lowest prices." – lamilano.it


“We are here at the fourth edition of Key – The Energy Transition Expo to present our solutions. Among these are so-called Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), formulas that allow companies, without making an investment, to build a photovoltaic system in which we will invest and to be able to use the energy produced by the system for many years at pre-established prices. This is therefore a very concrete and direct way to stabilize prices and thus obtain a significantly lower price than what they currently purchase from the electricity grid.” This was stated by Mauro Mauri, Sales & GreenTech Director at Sorgenia Spa, at Key – The Energy Transition Expo 2026. Sorgenia, one of Italy’s leading energy operators, positions itself as an integrated platform to effectively respond to the challenges of an evolving market: it produces electricity from renewable sources and from highly efficient and environmentally friendly gas plants. It supplies electricity, gas, fiber optics, and energy efficiency services to 1 million customers throughout Italy and supports Italy’s energy transition with flexible solutions for the environment and people.

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Africa: Demand up for solar coupled with energy storage systems – ESI-Africa.com

Africa: Demand up for solar coupled with energy storage systems  ESI-Africa.com
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Bulk Buy China Wholesale 50kwh Lithium Solar Energy Storage Batteries 48v 900ah 950ah 1000ah 51.2v Lifepo4 Battery Pack For Home Energy Storage System $2788 from Jiangsu Lion Sports Goods Co., Ltd – Global Sources

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State officials warn of deceptive solar sales tactics – Maui Now

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State agencies are warning Hawaiʻi residents about door-to-door salespeople falsely claiming that government programs provide free solar panels, emphasizing that state employees do not use cold-calling or home visits to sell equipment.
The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority reported receiving a recent surge in complaints involving representatives who use misleading tactics to pitch solar photovoltaic and energy storage systems.
Officials with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said the state does not provide free solar systems and reminded the public that government employees must present official photo identification upon request.
Deceptive pitches can lead to high-interest debt or equipment that does not perform as promised, rather than the “free” energy solution advertised at the front door.
State law prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce, and consumers have three business days to cancel a door-to-door transaction without penalty.
Residents who encounter aggressive sales tactics or individuals falsely claiming to represent the state’s Green Energy Money $aver program should file a complaint with the Office of Consumer Protection.
Reports can be made at consumercomplaint.hawaii.gov or by calling 1-844-808-3222. Officials suggest providing the salesperson’s name, company and any audio or video recordings of the interaction.
The warning coincides with National Consumer Protection Week. Residents can also contact the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority directly at 808-587-3868 to verify the legitimacy of any program.
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India’s renewable future depends on solar, wind, and storage working together, says Deputy MD, Kshema Power – ET Edge Insights

As India accelerates its renewable energy transition, the focus is shifting from merely adding capacity to building a resilient, integrated, and future-ready power ecosystem. With ambitious clean energy targets, rising electricity demand, and increasing pressure to ensure round-the-clock reliability, the next phase of growth will depend on how effectively solar, wind, storage, and grid systems work together.
In this exclusive interaction with ET EDGE INSIGHTS, Abhinand Basant, Deputy Managing Director, Kshema Power India, shares his perspective on why integrating solar and wind is critical for India’s infrastructure growth and energy security. Drawing on over two decades of on-ground experience across diverse geographies, he discusses the importance of hybrid systems, grid modernisation, pan-India execution capability, and strong public-private collaboration in accelerating renewable deployment. From transmission challenges and regional execution complexities to green job creation and long-term economic impact, Basant outlines a practical roadmap for building a dependable and scalable clean energy future for India.
Why is integrating solar and wind critical for India’s infrastructure growth and energy security?
When we talk about India’s growth, we’re really talking about energy. If our energy isn’t reliable, affordable, and clean, everything else slows down. That’s why I believe integrating solar and wind is not just policy, it’s essential.
Over the last few years, solar has moved incredibly fast in India. It expanded rapidly, costs came down, and project execution improved with greater scalability. In many ways, solar has grown ahead of the timelines we initially expected, and that’s why our daytime renewable power has improved so much. However, despite Solar’s rapid expansion, it still primarily meets daytime demand, leaving gaps during non-solar hours.
Wind, on the other hand, didn’t move at the same pace, and there were genuine reasons. Pricing challenges, supply-chain issues, and manufacturers needing time to scale up operations and production capabilities all slowed things down. The industry also needed time to adapt to evolving regulations and tariff structures. It wasn’t that there was no intent; the ecosystem just needed some time to catch up.
Because of this, we now see a clear pattern. Daytime renewable power is strong, but meeting night-time and non-solar hour demand remains the real challenge. That is exactly why there is a renewed push today toward wind and battery storage, to ensure clean energy is available beyond daylight hours.
Solar and wind complement each other beautifully. Solar supports us through the day, and wind generation often strengthens from the late afternoon into the evening and night, as solar output declines, helping balance the grid. This natural complementarity makes the energy mix more dependable and reduces reliance on conventional power after sunset.
When we integrate both along with storage, we don’t just add capacity; we build stability into the grid. This integration also drives something bigger: better transmission systems, hybrid parks, and smarter infrastructure that support industries, communities, and long-term growth. For a country like ours, energy cannot be episodic. It must be dependable, predictable, and future-ready. Bringing solar and wind together is how we get there.
What are the roles of hybrid and grid-modernization solutions in achieving net-zero targets?
Achieving India’s net-zero goals will require more than simply adding renewable capacity; it depends on how intelligently that capacity is planned, integrated, and managed. Hybrid systems—whether solar-wind combinations or renewable-plus-storage solutions—help address the natural variability of clean energy. They enhance reliability, optimise asset utilisation, and improve overall financial viability. For me, these are not just technical solutions but practical enablers of efficiency and stability.
A key enabler in this transition is the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), which allows renewable power to move seamlessly across states, ensuring the best resources are used where demand exists. While ISTS charge rules continue to evolve, the expanding transmission network remains critical for enabling large-scale hybrid and round-the-clock renewable projects. Strategically aligning projects with ISTS connectivity is essential for building high-performing systems.
However, hybrid plants alone are not enough. A modernised, digital grid—supported by advanced forecasting, automation, and adaptive systems—is equally vital to maintain stability as renewable penetration rises. When hybrid solutions and a modern grid function together, they create a resilient and future-ready energy ecosystem. With strong focus on operations, maintenance, and performance optimisation, net-zero moves from aspiration to achievable reality.
What are the key challenges and opportunities in renewable deployment across geographies?
Renewable deployment in India is deeply shaped by geography. What works in Rajasthan may not work in Tamil Nadu, and coastal strategies often fail in hilly terrain. Wind patterns, land conditions, logistics, and transmission readiness vary widely. Fluctuating steel and conductor prices impact feasibility, while Right of Way (ROW) delays remain a persistent bottleneck. The pace of growth is often linked to how quickly transmission grids can be planned and executed, and proactive government support in securing corridors can significantly accelerate deployment.
These are real, on-ground challenges reflected in project timelines, approvals, transmission access, and community engagement. With over 25 years of experience across diverse regions and project conditions, we’ve learned how to align transmission with execution, navigate land realities, and deliver projects that meet global compliance, quality, and safety standards—including for international clients.
Importantly, these complexities also create opportunity. The sector needs strong pan-India players who understand regional diversity and can execute with foresight rather than firefighting. Renewable deployment cannot be templated; it must be designed for the place, the grid, and the people. That’s where experienced players add true value, not just by adding capacity, but by building smarter, steadier, and future-ready systems.
How does the evolving role of private and public-private partnerships shape renewable expansion?
As renewables scale, one thing is clear: large-scale expansion only happens when private players and government frameworks work in sync. Private developers bring speed, innovation, cost efficiency, and execution discipline, while the government ensures regulatory clarity, land access, transmission readiness, and investment security.
The most effective partnerships are outcome-driven. When policy, approvals, and grid infrastructure are aligned with strong execution capabilities, renewables scale efficiently. Transparent procurement, predictable regulations, and standardized frameworks are critical to sustaining momentum in line with India’s growth and climate ambitions.
We’re seeing growing interest from private investors and public financial agencies, which is encouraging. At the same time, experienced EPC players remain central to execution. IPPs provide capital and strategic oversight, but efficient turnkey delivery requires deep technical expertise, pan-India experience, and operational strength.
When IPPs, financial institutions, government bodies, and experienced EPC teams collaborate effectively, renewable expansion becomes faster, smarter, and more impactful. This coordinated approach is essential for India to achieve its ambitious energy and climate goals.

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Advancing organic photovoltaic materials by machine learning-driven design with polymer-unit fingerprints – Nature

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npj Computational Materials volume 11, Article number: 107 (2025)
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To enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, the identification of high-performance polymer/macromolecule materials and understanding their relationship with photovoltaic performance before synthesis are critical objectives. In this study, we developed five algorithms using a dataset of 1343 experimentally validated OPV NFA acceptor materials. The random forest (RF) algorithm exhibited the best predictive performance for material design and screening. Additionally, we explored a newly developed polymer/macromolecule structure expression, polymer-unit fingerprint (PUFp), which outperformed the molecular access system (MACCS) across diverse machine learning (ML) algorithms. PUFp facilitated the interpretability of structure-property relationships, enabling PCE predictions of conjugated polymers/macromolecules formed by the combination of donor (D) and acceptor (A) units. Our PUFp-ML model efficiently pre-evaluated and classified numerous acceptor materials, identifying and screening the two most promising NFA candidates. The proposed framework demonstrates the ability to design novel materials based on PUFp-ML-established feature/substructure-property relationships, providing rational design guidelines for developing high-performance OPV acceptors. These methodologies are transferable to donor materials, thereby supporting accelerated material discovery and offering insights for designing innovative OPV materials.
Over the past decade, enhanced environmental awareness and the increasing demand for renewable energy have propelled the rapid advancement of photovoltaic (PV) technology1. Solar energy, as the most prominent carbon-neutral and fastest-growing renewable energy source, has received widespread attention and application2,3. Among the various PV technologies, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) stand out as a transformative solar technology with significant potential for high-throughput manufacturing4,5. OPVs are characterized by their low manufacturing cost, light weight, mechanical flexibility, and ultra-low-loss properties, making them suitable for diverse applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) and mobile device charging6,7,8. OPVs are composed of donor (electron-donating) and acceptor (electron-accepting) material, both of which are organic in nature9,10,11. According to the design principle of the combination of donor (D) and acceptor (A), organic solar cells can be divided into binary solar cells and ternary solar cells. Among them, binary solar cells are usually composed of a donor material and an acceptor material12. The combination of these materials can form a heterojunction to generate charge separation under light conditions. After the photon is absorbed, the electron transitions from the donor material to the acceptor material, forming free electrons and holes, and realizing the separation and transfer of electric charge13. Recently, ternary organic solar cells have emerged as a promising strategy to achieve high performance, due to the enhanced light-harvesting efficiency via introducing a suitable third component into the binary matrix. In general, ternary solar cells consist of a polymer as the host electron donor, a fullerene derivative as the host electron acceptor, and a third species as an infrared sensitizer14,15. The combination of donor and acceptor in binary and ternary solar cells is the key to the study of OPVs technology. Thus, the performance of OPVs hinges on the device configuration and the properties of the organic materials used16,17,18.
Historically, OPVs development has progressed through three major stages: (I) Optimization of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) morphology using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and fullerene-based acceptors (FAs)19; (II) Development of new donor materials for improved compatibility with FAs acceptors20,21,22; (III) Development and advancement of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs)23,24. In comparison to FAs, the recent development of NFAs have exhibited broad light absorption ranges, strong tunability, excellent electron transport characteristics, and high photoelectric conversion efficiency (({PCE}=frac{{J}_{{sc}}{V}_{{oc}}{FF}}{{P}_{{in}}}): refers to the efficiency with which input solar energy (({P}_{{in}})) is converted into electric power)25,26. Currently, NFA are usually designed with a low band gap (({E}_{g})) to enhance the harvest of near-infrared (NIR) light27. NFA have addressed the traditional trade-offs between energy driving force and external quantum efficiency, leading to high-efficiency charge separation. The push to replace fullerenes in OPVs has accelerated the development of various NFA materials, including polymer, macromolecule, and small organic molecule. Consequently, there is an urgent need to fabricate devices with highly optimized NFA acceptors or effective blend donors with NFA acceptor polymers to achieve high charge transport mobility, high charge generation, reduced voltage loss, and enhanced efficiency28,29. Significant progress has been made in the last few years, particularly in the development of new donors and NFAs (II and III)30,31. Notably, Zheng et al. achieved a PCE exceeding 20% for the first time in a single-junction A-DA’D-A type NFA-based OPV device using a series device structure32. Sun and co-workers designed a π-extended non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) B6Cl with large voids among the honeycomb network, which introduced into photovoltaic systems8. Despite these advances, OPV still face challenges such as lower PCE and long-term instability compared to inorganic and perovskite solar cells33,34,35. Additionally, the development process often involves extensive trial and error, requiring substantial tome and resources for fine chemical synthesis and PCE testing of new acceptors28,36.
To mitigate the resource-intensive nature of these experimental processes and shorten material development cycles, recently, machine learning (ML) is applied to predict the PCE of OPV devices and screen new OPV materials17,37,38. In materials science, ML as a data-driven approach, can effectively learn from existing data, discern underlying patterns, and establish direct relationships between a material’s chemical structure and the performance39,40,41,42,43,44,45. In the OPV field, Shinji et al. used artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF) algorithms to screen conjugated molecules for polymer fullerene applications by introducing electronic properties and PCE targets46. Similarly, Sahu et al. compiled a dataset of 270 donor molecules and correlated 13 microscopic properties of the donor material with the PCE performance using ML47. As non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have garnered significant attention and become research hotspots, most state-of-the-art OPVs with efficiencies ranging from 13% to 19% have been achieved using NFA-based systems in recent years. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the application of ML approaches to tackle the broader and more complex challenges associated with non-fullerene OPVs. Furthermore, despite significant efforts in applying ML for property prediction and material screening, its potential benefits are still underutilized48,49. The choice of input features is critical in ML and directly impacts the results. Transforming these features for compatibility with ML models is an essential step in predictive model development, particularly in chemical informatics and materials science50,51.
In the field of organic photovoltaic material (OPV) ML research, molecular fingerprints are crucial for predicting material performance and facilitating material selection52,53. Molecular fingerprints serve as input representations of chemical structures and play a pivotal role in research and development. Existing methods for generating molecular fingerprints have their strengths and limitations. One widely used tool for generating molecular fingerprints is the RDKIT54 toolkit, which allows the conversion of Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) codes into Molecular Access System (MACCS) fingerprints (Fig. 1a). MACCS is a primitive 2D fingerprint, displayed by an array of bits of 0 s and 1 s, where each bit position indicates the presence or absence of structural fragments, such as S − N and alkali metals, providing 166 digital keys55. Although it has some interpretability, the division of fragments is too random to represent the regional irregularity of the polymer skeleton. Additionally, the molecular descriptors generated with RDKIT describe the properties of the molecule using arrays of real numbers rather than directly expressing the chemical structure56, as shown in Fig. 1c. To address these limitations, our group proposed the concept of “Polymer-Unit” for organic polymer functional materials and developed the Polymer-Unit Fingerprint (PUFp)57 that accurately represents molecular fingerprints by segmenting appropriate functional building blocks (Fig. 1b). The Python-based Polymer Unit Identification Script (PURS) is accessible via the following web pages: https://github.com/yecaichao/Python-based-polymer-unit-recognition-script-PURS-for-PUFp.
a PUFp: Polymer-unit fingerprinting, each bit in the PUFp code represents a polymer-unit and utilizes one-hot encoding. b Descriptors: Molecular properties generated by the RDKIT toolkit. c MACCS: Each bit in the MACCS code represents a small substructure and utilizes one-hot encoding.
In this study, we utilize the Polymer-Unit Fingerprint (PUFp) to delve into the structure-property relationships of organic photovoltaic (OPV) acceptors materials. Figure 2 outlines the workflow for analyzing these relationships, consisting of six key components, each with specific tasks:
Establishment of OPV Acceptor Material Database: Initially, a database comprising experimental 1343 non-fullerene acceptor materials along with 260 donor materials for OPV is compiled.
Conversion of Structures into Polymer Unit Fingerprint (PUFp): The structures of these acceptor materials are transformed into binary representations. This involves segmenting SMILES into individual polymer units (PUs) using the PURS script, creating a PU library, and generating PUFp using PURS.
Application of Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms: Five supervised ML algorithms (Random Forest)58, Multi-Layered Perceptron, Support Vector Machine59, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Kernel Ridge Regression) are employed to train regression and classification models using the OPV acceptor material database. The best-performing model is then utilized to uncover feature-property and quantitative structure-property relationships.
Utilization of Chemical Descriptors and Other Features: Chemical descriptors computed by the RDKit Descriptors module, along with additional features such as HOMO/LUMO levels, ({E}_{g}), and ({M}_{w}), are employed to identify feature-property relationships.
Analysis of PUFp Fingerprint: An in-house designed PUFp fingerprint, capable of expressing 413 different PUs of N-type OPVs and 209 different PUs of P-type OPVs, is utilized to assess the importance of PUs in identifying key PUs significantly impacting OPV performance.
Design of New OPV Acceptor Materials: Important PUs identified from N-type OPV materials are combined to design novel acceptor materials for OPV. The accuracy and screening capabilities of the framework are evaluated.
(i) Scheme of collecting experimental data. (ii) Scheme of PU fingerprint identification, form a PU library and generate fingerprints. (iii) Scheme of machine training. (iv) Scheme of the feature-property relationship analysis. (v) Scheme of the quantitative structure-property relationship analysis. (vi) Exploration and design of important combinations of polymer units for OPVs high PCE.
Overall, by integrating machine learning techniques and PUFp Fingerprint, we develop a predictive model to discern associations between polymer-units/features and target performances, particularly Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE). The aim is to utilize this approach to design innovative materials based on the established feature/substructure-property relationships elucidated by the PUFp-ML model. These methodologies are also applicable to donor materials, thereby facilitating accelerated material discovery and providing valuable insights for designing advanced OPV materials.
In this study, we began with 220 molecular descriptors calculated via RDKit from the SMILES strings of each macromolecule. Facilitating the development of machine learning models by analyzing feature-property relationships is an essential initial step. To identify the macromolecule properties most closely related to power conversion efficiency (PCE), we employed a feature selection method. This combined the 220 RDKit descriptors with 17 additional microscopic properties, including normalized HOMO level, LUMO level, bandgap (({E}_{g})), molecular weight (({M}_{w})), and number-average molecular weight (({M}_{n})), totaling 237 features.
Model learning complexity is influenced by the correlation strength60 between features and the target property, with molecular properties proving to enhance model accuracy61. Feature selection is one of the key steps in machine learning, selecting features from all features that positively impact the learning algorithm, which will reduce the difficulty of learning tasks and make the model more interpretable. As an integrated learning method based on decision tree, Random Forest (RF) regression has significant advantages in feature importance assessment. Additionally, Lasso regression, a linear model that incorporates an L1 regularization term (i.e., the sum of the absolute values of the variable coefficients) to mitigate overestimation of model performance, was utilized for efficient variable selection. In this section, we utilized the RF regression and Lasso regression to find the optimal feature subset. Figure 3a depicts the feature importance ranking of RF regression and Lasso regression. The weight ranking of each feature in the RF regression model is shown on the left side of Fig. 3a (blue bar chart), ignoring features with weights below 0.005. Top features include MaxPartialCharge, ({E}_{g}), -HOMO_p, and -LUMO_n. The features with non-zero coefficients in Lasso regression are sorted, as shown on the right side (red bar chart) of Fig. 3a. Notably, the important features identified by Lasso regression are largely consistent with those selected for the trained model. Separate feature importance ranking plots for the two regression methods are also presented in Supporting Information. Reducing redundancy in the feature set while retaining informative elements can improve machine learning performance and mitigate overfitting.
a Feature importance ranking of RF regression and Lasso regression. b SHAP dependence plot of top 20 features of RF model. c SHAP interaction evaluation plot of top 5 features for P-type and N-type OPVs.
Through comprehensive consideration of the screening results of feature importance by RF and Lasso regression, we selected 17 features from total 237 features, including MaxPartialCharge, ({E}_{g})_n, -HOMO_p, -LUMO_n, ({M}_{w}), M, ({M}_{n}), PEOE_VSA9, ({E}_{{rm{LL}}}^{{rm{DA}}}), -HOMO_n, SMR_VSA10, NumHeteroatoms, FpDensityMorgan1, -LUMO_p, ({E}_{g})_p, ({E}_{{rm{HL}}}^{{rm{DA}}}) and PDI (see Table 1). Among them, the primary features for P-type materials are -HOMO_p, -LUMO_p, ({E}_{g})_p, while N-type materials include MaxPartialCharge, ({E}_{g})_n, -LUMO_n, ({M}_{w}), M, ({M}_{n}), PEOE_VSA9, -HOMO_n, SMR_VSA10, NumHeteroatoms, FpDensityMorgan1, PDI and other 220 features. Additionally, ({E}_{{rm{HL}}}^{{rm{DA}}}) represents the energetic difference between HOMO of donor and LUMO of acceptor, while ({E}_{{rm{LL}}}^{{rm{DA}}}) quantifies the energetic difference between the LUMO of the donor and the LUMO of the acceptor. The SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations) method was then used to analyze these features’ contributions to the PCE prediction model. We use this method as a feature selection criterion and extracted the top 17 features that contribute the most to the model according to the SHAP value. Each feature’s SHAP value is shown in Fig. 3b, delineating the marginal contribution to the model’s output. The complete SHAP evaluation diagram is shown in Figure S4. Additionally, to further analyze the correlation between features of the donor and acceptor and the PCE in OPVs, the Pearson correlation coefficient is calculated to measure the linear relationship between the input feature and output feature. As shown in Figure S5, it is not difficult to find that the characteristic values strongly correlated with PCE include MaxPartialCharge, Eg_n, -LUMO_n, -HOMO_p, etc. The correlations between MaxPartialCharge, Eg_n, -LUMO_n, -HOMO_p and PCE are -0.29, -0.46, 0.43, 0.46, respectively, as depicted in Figure S5. This further verifies the evaluation results of the random forest regression model.
The atom with the maximum partial charge (MaxPartialCharge) was found to contribute the most to the model and had an inhibitory effect on PCE. MaxPartialCharge refers to the local accumulation of positive or negative charge due to the uneven distribution of electron density between atoms in a molecule. The presence of a high MaxPartialCharge indicates poor electronic delocalization and low conjugation degree within the molecule, resulting in inefficient charge transport and thereby reducing the PCE. Notably, the molecular orbital energy levels significantly affect PCE. Higher HOMO_p values positively correlate with the PCE predicted by the model, while lower LUMO_n values have a negative correlation. The PCE is defined by (frac{{J}_{{sc}}{V}_{{oc}}{FF}}{{P}_{{in}}}), where ({P}_{{in}}) is the incident illumination power. Also, according to the empirical equation of ({V}_{{oc}}) = ({e}^{-1}(left|{{E}_{{HOMO}}}^{D}right|-left|{{E}_{{LUMO}}}^{A}right|))-0.3 V (where e is the elementary charge), the alignment of donor’s HOMO and acceptor’s LUMO levels is crucial for estimating PCE. Figure 4a, b shows that ({V}_{{oc}}) increases with the deepening of HOMO level of polymer donor (EHOMOD) and decreases with the deepening of LUMO level (ELUMOA), consistent with the above conclusion. A trade-off between achieving a small energy loss (({E}_{{loss}})) (i.e., a high VOC) and a high charge generation efficiency (ηEQE) in OPV devices, which means they often suffer much larger energy losses (0.5–1.0 eV) than inorganic PV devices (0.3–0.4 eV). However, the emergence of NFAs has circumvented the VOCEQE trade-off, enabling the attainment of a higher PCE with a much smaller ({E}_{{loss}}). In OPV systems, a LUMO offset of 0.3 eV between the donor and acceptor is required to ensure efficient electron transfer and subsequent dissociation into free charge carriers. This generates a charge transfer (CT) state that consists of a hole on the HOMO of the donor and an electron on the LUMO of the acceptor, with the energy of this CT state (ECT) usually smaller than that of the narrowest band gap (({E}_{g})). The VOC of the resulting device was further improved due to the greater energy difference between the HOMO of the donor and the LUMO of the acceptor. Additionally, the LUMO energy level difference between the donor and the acceptor (ΔE1) decreases, which are beneficial for reducing energy loss and improving PCE (as shown in Fig. 4f). To sum up, optimizing molecular orbital energy levels will become a key step to affect the performance of OPV devices.
a ({V}_{{oc}}) versus −HOMO. b ({V}_{{oc}}) versus −LUMO. c ({J}_{{sc}}) versus ({{E}}_{g}). d ({J}_{{sc}}) versus ({M}_{w}). e The data distribution of Eg for the N-type OPVs dataset. f Schematic illustration of band gap alignment between donor materials and NFAs. In state-of-the-art polymer: NFA systems, the ({J}_{{sc}}) is jointly contributed by the large-band-gap polymer donor and narrow-band-gap NFA with complementary optical absorption profiles. The green arrows show the transfer of electrons upon photoexcitation. The red arrows show the transfer of holes upon photoexcitation.
({E}_{g}) has a significant contribution to the in PCE and is negatively correlated with PCE62. Designing low-bandgap materials to match the solar spectrum is a common method to improve short-circuit current (({J}_{{sc}})) and thus the PCE of OPV cells63. Fig. 4c plots ({J}_{{sc}}) as a function of the polymer Eg, showing that ({J}_{{sc}}) tends to increase as ({E}_{g}) decreases, since a narrower ({E}_{g}) can harvest more energy from the sunlight. The use of narrow band gap NFAs can broaden the absorption spectrum of OPVs to the near-infrared region, reducing energy loss. This further validates that controlling the ({E}_{g}) of the chemical structure within a relatively small range (~1.5-2.5 eV) can produce OPV materials with high PCE. Figure 4e, most ({E}_{g}) values in our database fall within this range. Additionally, molecular weight (Mw) plays a critical role in enhancing PCE. Figure 4d indicates a non-uniform positive correlation between ({J}_{{sc}}) and the logarithm of Mw. Increasing the Mw of an identical polymer backbone is a straightforward approach to improve the PCE. In fact, a high Mw is believed to enhance the PCE of polymer OPVs due to increased crystallinity and intercrystallite connectivity. Consequently, optimizing ({E}_{g}) and HOMO-LUMO migration levels is a reasonable strategy for designing polymer molecules, benefiting the synthesis and application of OPV materials. The LUMO energy difference between the donor and acceptor (({E}_{{rm{LL}}}^{{rm{DA}}})) is also crucial for PCE, a large difference can lead to significant energy loss (({V}_{{oc}},)Loss) at the D/A interface (Fig. 4f), whereas ({E}_{{rm{HL}}}^{{rm{DA}}}) can roughly estimate the driving force to dissociate excitons in the D/A interface. An illustration of this is shown in Fig. 3b. Similarly, the polymer dispersion index (PDI) describes the molecular weight distribution of the polymer. Defined as ({PDI}=frac{{M}_{w}}{{M}_{n}}), where ({M}_{w}) and ({M}_{n}) represent the weight average and number average molecular weights respectively, it underscores the correlation between molecular weight and PCE. We also find that atomic contributions to the monomer surface area (VSA) or polarizability (or molecular refractivity) are crucial factors influencing a polymer’s PCE. PEOE_VSA9 descriptors, which combine partial charges and surface area, are significant for OPV’s PCE. A higher PEOE_VSA value indicates a greater positive impact on the predicted PCE value. Similar patterns are observed with other combined descriptors. For instance, SMR_VSA10, the total VSA of atoms within a specific range of molecular refractivity (MR), positively affects PCE. MR values are calculated for each atom type using Wildman and Crippen’s method. If the total VSA of atoms has an MR between 4 and ∞ (SMR_VSA10), a higher PCE is likely. Key contributing atom types include C doubly bonded to a heteroatom, aromatic C with a heteroatom neighbor, aromatic bridgehead C, and aromatic C = C. Additionally, NumHeteroatoms positively impacts PCE. These 2-D topological/topochemical properties provide insights into molecular surface interactions, while FpDensityMorgan1 generates similarity fingerprints based on atomic chemical and connectivity attributes, also positively affecting PCE. Overall, this work reveals the correlation between polymer PCE and its physicochemical descriptors, such as HOMO, LUMO, molecular weight, and molecular refractivity.
OPVs are composed of donor (electron-donating) and acceptor (electron-accepting) material, both of which are organic in nature. The performance of OPVs is largely determined by the properties of the donor/acceptor (D/A) materials. In other words, the design strategy of the D/A materials and the synergistic effect of their combination are crucial to the performance of OPV devices. Therefore, to reduce the need for trial and error experiments and achieve efficient device performance (including complementary absorption and highly balanced charge transport characteristics, among others), the search for and discovery of synergistic donor/acceptor (D/A) combinations is indispensable. Herein, when we compute SHAP interaction values for all features, the dimension of SHAP is 1343*5*5 (where 1343 is the sample size and 5 is the number of features), which is used to capture the interaction effect of pairs. Additionally, the selection of the five features of the interaction is based on the ranking of the marginal contribution rate in SHAP values. The color represents the characteristic value along the vertical axis (red for high values, blue for low values). The complete interaction evaluation diagram is presented in Figure S6. The feature selection criterion of the interaction is based on the SHAP interaction value distribution (intuitively, the prominence of the red and blue regions). Specifically, the SHAP interaction value is used to represent the influence of the interaction of the two features on the model prediction. In other words, the standout red and blue regions in the interaction diagram have large interaction values and are more suitable for feature combination, while those overlapping together have no obvious interaction effect. From Fig. 3c, the variable in the green rectangle is suitable for feature combination, as indicated by the standout red and blue regions, whereas the variable in the yellow rectangle is not suitable. It is evident that the interaction between MaxPartialCharge and ({{E}}_{g}) is relatively obvious. The narrower ({{E}}_{g}) is, the easier it is for electrons or holes to jump from the valence band to the conduction band, and the higher the intrinsic carrier concentration, which has a positive contribution to the current. Whereas the current actually characterizes the speed of charge flow, making charge transport more efficient, which in turn increases PCE. It follows that MaxPartialCharge and ({E}_{g}) play a synergistic role, whether it is reducing MaxPartialCharge or reducing ({E}_{g}), it can promote charge separation and transmission, and improve PCE. Additionally, it is more interesting that the HOMO of the P-type material and the LUMO of the N-type material interact, which is consistent with the OPV mechanism. Organic materials absorb light energy to generates tightly bounded electron-hole pairs, namely, excitons. Owing to the large binding energy of exciton, thermal separation of electron and hole is hardly possible at room temperature (around 20 °C). To separate the electron and hole, OPV utilizes the D/A interface to surpass such binding energy. The energy difference between the ({{E}}_{g}) and the charge-transfer state energy (ECT) provides the ΔE1 for exciton dissociation, which is equal to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level difference between the donor and the acceptor (as shown in Fig. 4f). This optimal energy level difference helps to efficiently transfer excited electrons to the N-type material, minimizing charge recombination and boosting photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Additionally, aligning the energy levels of P-type and N-type materials enhances interface stability, facilitates efficient charge separation and transport, and minimizes energy loss, thereby improving device performance. The energy level difference between the HOMO and LUMO determines the generation of photocurrent-optimal discrepancies allow for maximum photon absorption and charge carrier production, thus enhancing current output and overall device efficiency.
In summary, effective interaction between P-type’s HOMO and N-type’s LUMO is a crucial factor in achieving high-performance OPV devices, and researching and optimizing this interaction can significantly enhance the performance and photovoltaic conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices.
As outlined in METHODS section, the polymer units (PU) identified by PURS are collected into the polymer-unit library (as shown in Fig. 5a), which is organized by the number of rings and element types using PURS (Fig. 5b, c). Among them, by the number of rings can be divided into branch chain, mono ring, fused ring; and are then sorted by their element composition. This classification is essential to facilitate subsequent combinations of different PUs to develop new materials. More detailed information regarding the polymer units is available in the Supporting Information.
a polymer unit (PU) identified from the OPV database by PURS. b Classify by ring number. c Classify by element type.
To evaluate the marginal contribution of each PU to the PCE, we employed SHAP analysis on 260 donor materials and 1343 non-fullerene acceptor materials based on RF model. SHAP decomposes the prediction into the sum of contributions from each input feature, enabling the interpretability of the importance of each PU. A higher importance value indicates a greater reliance of the machine learning algorithm on a specific PU for determining the performance of an acceptor material.
Using PUFp as input, we examined the characteristics of polymer units with substantial SHAP values across three RF models (P-type, N-type, and P/N interactions) (Fig. 6b–d) and labeled them as important PU. The chemical structures corresponding to the important PUs of P-type OPV materials are depicted in Fig. 6f, and serial No. refers to its index number in the PU library (Fig. 5). The No. 200 PU is benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b’] dithiophene-4,8-dione, which has a quinone resonance structure, giving the polymer a good plane, while further improving the electron absorption capacity. More importantly, the quinone resonance structure is beneficial to enhance the charge transfer within the D-A polymer molecule. PU No. 175 is a heterocyclic structure containing S atoms, which will increase the rigidity after entering the main chain of polymerization, so that the free spin of the molecular chain segment is limited, so that the polymer has excellent photoelectric properties. The No. 24 PU contain imide groups, the electron-withdrawing groups, which contribute to lowering the LUMO level of the polymer and facilitating electron injection into the conduction band.
a The generation strategy of PUFp. be The interpretations of the ML models for P-type, N-type, P-N classification and D-A polymer-unit interaction of N-type by the SHAP evaluation. The blue and red bars on the right denote the proportional relation between the units and the prediction values. fi Chemical structures of the PUs and their roles are identified through the importance analysis.
The significant PUs for N-type OPVs is shown as insets in Fig. 6g. Key PUs include: PU No. 283 contains a thiazole structure, and the electrostatic attraction between the sulfur and nitrogen atoms in thiazoles is beneficial to forming a closer π-π packing structure, which is a common strategy in the D-A OPV design. The No. 305 PU is quinoxaline, as a well-known electron-deficient system, which can not only improve the coplanarity of the polymeric main chain, but also extend the length of the π-π conjugated system to a large extent and increase the intensity of π-π close packing, which is a promising acceptor unit at present. Halogenation of electron acceptor units, such as Nos.304 and 97 PUs, can enhance the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect and reduce the band gap of small non-fullerene receptors, which is one of the more effective molecular design strategies.
In Fig. 6d, the characteristic interaction evaluation of polymer units of P-type and N-type OPV materials was carried out to construct characteristic combinations, and the important PU obtained was shown in Fig. 6h. The complete interactive evaluation diagram is shown in Figure S7. More information about the characteristic interaction evaluation of polymer units of P-type and N-type OPV materials can be found in the Supporting Information. Herein, when we compute SHAP interaction values for all features, the dimension of SHAP is 1343*7*7 (where 1343 is the sample size and 7 is the number of features), which is used to capture the interaction effect of pairs. From Fig. 6d, the variable in the green rectangle is suitable for the feature combination because of the red and blue parts that stand out, whereas the variable in the yellow rectangle is not suitable. As a result, we screened out five variables suitable for feature combination, whose sequence number combinations are Nos. 175 and 382, Nos. 175 and 304, Nos. 200 and 382, Nos. 24 and 382, and Nos. 135 and 304, respectively. The corresponding PU of each sequence number is given in Fig. 6h. For the No. 175, as a donor unit, 2-methylthiophene has a strong electron transfer effect, which enhances the conjugated plane gravity and reduces the π-π packing distance. Perylene diimide (PDI) plays a catalytic role. If the strong coplanar PDI unit is introduced into the main chain, the charge delocalization ability inside the molecule can be increased, the π-π packing distance can be reduced, and the PCE can be increased. For the Nos. 175 and 304 combinations, the large atomic radius and special atomic orbital arrangement of halogen atoms can disperse the electron cloud density. Conjugated polymers based on fluorine or chlorine substitution usually exhibit better FF and Voc. Introducing halogen atoms into the sealing of non-fullerene accepter materials can reduce the molecular energy level, enhance the intramolecular charge transfer, and enhance the molecular crystallization. Additionally, the introduction of two-dimensional conjugated side chains in PU No.304 can increase the molecular conjugated area, broaden the spectral absorption, promote the interaction between molecules, and facilitate the formation of nanoscale bicontinuous phase separation during the preparation of thin films to the donor-acceptor blend, thus showing good photovoltaic performance. Using PUFp as input, we analyze the Pearson coefficients for D/A materials, and the detailed thermal map is shown in Figures S8.
In Fig. 6e, the characteristic interaction evaluation of D-A polymer units of N-type OPV materials was carried out to construct characteristic combinations, and the important D-A PU obtained was shown in Fig. 6i. The complete interactive evaluation diagram is shown in Figure S9. From the interaction diagram, we can find that the units suitable for feature combination are: No.304 (A) and No.105 (D), No.151 (D) and No.382 (A), No.283 (A) and No.151 (D), No.304 (A) and No.197 (D), No.149 (A) and No.151 (D), No. 355(D) and No.305 (A), etc. It provides ideas for the next important PU combination and structure design. Using PUFp as input, we analyze the Pearson coefficients for D/A units (in type acceptor materials), and the detailed thermal map is shown in Figures S10. When there are multiple thieno[3,4-b] thiophene electron-absorbing units in the structure, the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) can make the material better absorb sunlight and improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency. Then, the introduction of halogen atoms can enhance the ICT effect and reduce the band gap of non-fullerene acceptors, which is one of the most effective molecular design strategies. The combination of thieno[3,4-b] thiophene and thiazole forms a rigid conjugated plane with rich heteroatoms, which is conducive to electron delocalization, and is a promising PU. For D-A polymer unit, ICT is generated due to the push-pull electron interaction between D and A, which reduces the band gap and causes the absorption redshift. Meanwhile, π-bridge is often used between D and A to reduce steric hindrance and improve the molecular planarity of the polymer. More importantly, it can be found that these different types of polymer units are common building blocks in D/A polymer molecules for the synthesis of OPV materials. In brief, the optimization objectives are as follows:
The copolymerization of donor unit and acceptor unit was used to reduce the energy level band gap and broaden the spectral absorption.
The HOMO energy level is reduced by introducing electron pushing groups.
Through the precise introduction of fluorine/chlorine atom substitution on the polymer skeleton, the regulation of molecular energy levels, absorption, film morphology and charge dynamics can be achieved, while improving the ({J}_{{sc}}) and FF, thereby improving the PCE and reducing energy loss.
By introducing conjugated side chains to construct two-dimensional molecules, the coplanarity of molecules are increased and the PCE is improved.
By combining important PU in N-type OPV materials, we designed new polymer molecules to test the accuracy and rapid screening capabilities of our framework. The top 20 important PUs in N-type materials were categorized into three groups: donor polymer units (D), acceptor polymer units (A), and branched chain (C), as shown in Fig. 7a. Among them, there are five types of donor polymer units, six types of acceptor polymer units, and nine types of branched chains. Without specific constraints, a vast space composed of numerous structures (~1,048,576) is generated. In Figure S12, distributions of the polymer-unit type are shown and the donor polymer units, acceptor polymer units, and branched chain categories were used as the axes for all OPVs in the studied database. Figure S12 shows many empty areas in both the N-type OPVs, and obviously, these unreported combinations generate a huge space composed of many structures. In other words, there are many new materials that have not been explored based on the combination of existing PU, leaving a lot of space to be explored. To reduce the number of unreported candidates OPV materials within this categorization, the range of D, A, and C is limited to macromolecule with a high PCE ( > 12) and the macromolecule composition of at least one macromolecule composition of type D-A or A-D. The machine learning-based scheme for high PCE prediction is shown in Fig. 7b. Using these qualifications, we generated 3336 acceptor material combinations that matched 260 donor materials and employed the trained RF model (shown in Figure S3) to predict their PCEs and identify the combination with the highest PCE. The example of screened high PCE OPV acceptor materials is shown in Fig. 7c, and PCE > 14 value about 2678 combinations are provided in Support information.
a The top 20 important PUs in N-type and classification, abbreviation definitions for the PUs: donor polymer unit (D), acceptor polymer unit (A) and branched chain group (C). b Scheme of high PCE combination prediction by ML. c New materials generated by the PU combination process.
Additionally, we mapped the key building blocks from these highlighted polymer units and compared them to the structures of high-performance OPV acceptor materials. Our chemical structure analysis revealed that PUs like No.283 and No.149 were prevalent in over 14% of high PCE polymer acceptor materials. Firstly, the electrostatic attraction between sulfur and nitrogen atoms in the thiazoles (Fig. 7a) promotes tighter π-π stacking, which is a common strategy for designing D-A type acceptor materials. Meanwhile, quinoline enhances the coplanarity of the main chain, and its nitrogen atoms usually share electrons through covalent bonds with empty orbital electrons in other elements. Furthermore, halogenation of electron-accepting units can enhance intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effects and reduce the bandgaps of non-fullerene acceptors.
As shown in Fig. 7c, the structure contains chlorine-containing fused rings, which broaden light absorption and contribute to higher short-circuit currents (({J}_{{sc}})). The inclusion of strong electron donor groups like alkoxy chloride in the polymer backbone improves both the processability and photoelectric properties of the conjugated polymer. Additionally, chlorination is easier to synthesize compared to fluorination. Studies have shown that molecular design involving chlorination can expand light absorption and improve output voltage. This enables modification of non-radiative energy losses in OPV cells through chemical modification of the photoactive material, providing an opportunity to design efficient OPV materials with low bandgap-voltage offsets.
More importantly, we visualized the top 1000 of the 3336 combinations (targeting the acceptor material) for which PCE > 12 had been predicted. The violin plot, a data visualization that combines features of a boxplot and a kernel density map, shows how the data is distributed. Here, red represents all OPV acceptor materials, green represents A-D-A type OPV materials, and blue represents A-DA’-D-A type OPV materials. Figure 8b shows the distribution of predicted PCE values for all top 1000 designed and screened OPV acceptor materials, A-D-A type OPV materials, and A-DA’-D-A type OPV materials, respectively. The density curve illustrates the distribution of PCE under three categories of classification. The wider parts indicate more concentrated data, while the narrower parts indicate relatively fewer data points. Notably, the overall distribution of PCE values for A-DA’-D-A type OPV materials is higher than for A-D-A type OPV materials, indicating that A-DA’-D-A type OPV materials exhibit better structural properties and are more suitable as candidate structures for OPV materials. This finding provides a reliable strategy and guideline for the design of OPV materials.
a The representative OPV material acceptor structure. b Predicted PCE value distribution for the top 1000 combinations.
In summary, by leveraging advanced machine learning (ML) technology, we studied polymers to model highly optimized, efficient, and stable polymer structures for organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. A significant amount of photovoltaic property data was collected from reported experimental studies and used to train ML models. We developed five models using RF, MLP, KNN, KRR, and SVM algorithms, with the RF regression model demonstrating the best predictive ability. Various representations of acceptor molecules, including descriptors, MACCS, and polymer unit fingerprint (PUFp), were employed to build ML models for predicting the corresponding OPV PCE class. The results indicate that PUFp with a length greater than 600 bits provides the best representation of acceptor molecules. In feature-property analysis, the polymers’ highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), molecular weight (({M}_{w})), and band gap (({E}_{g})) emerged as the most decisive descriptors. A library of 413 polymer units was constructed, and key polymer units affecting NFA (non-fullerene acceptor) materials were identified. More importantly, by combining these key polymer units in N-type OPV materials, new polymer molecules were designed to test the accuracy and rapid screening capabilities of our framework. Our research for the relationship between feature/structure and PCE can accelerate the design of new acceptor materials, thus advancing the development of high-PCE OPVs. Our methodology offers a promising approach for screening and designing new polymer acceptors for OPVs and can be applied to a wide range of donor materials, thereby accelerating the development of high-performance OPVs.
The OPV database comprises 1343 real NFAs acceptor materials gathered from literature sources. To ensure data quality, missing data and inconclusive results were excluded. Available experimental data such as open-circuit voltage (({V}_{{oc}})), short-circuit current (({J}_{{sc}})), fill factor (({FF})) microstructural characteristics, and experimental PCE trends are collected for each studied system. It also contains 1343 SMILES for polymer OPV materials (standardized by RDKit). Additional data details are available in the supplementary notes. Recognizing the importance of representing a wide PCE range in the dataset, we aimed to encompass molecules across the entire PCE spectrum. In the established database, the medium PCE value is 8.61%, with an average of 8.08% (Figure S3a). As shown in Figure S3b, PCE ranges from 0.01 to 18.22%. We divided the data into three categories (0.01-5.99%; 6.00-11.99%; 12.00-18.22%), PCE within 0.01 to 5.99% are labeled as “low performance” those within 5.99 to 11.99% as “medium performance” and those above 12.00% as “high performance” OPV materials. The distribution of PCEs across these categories is approximately 3:5:2. In the established database, approximately 80% (1074 D/A pairs) and 20% (269 D/A pairs) of the data were divided into independent training (i.e. establishing the relationship between structure and PCE) and test subsets (i.e. determining the predictive accuracy of the training model), respectively.
I. The organic macromolecule OPV database contains 1343 SMILES (standardized by RDKit) of the OPV materials that have been experimentally reported.
II. The PCE of organic macromolecular OPV materials can be improved by proper molecular design. PUs is considered the basic functional building blocks of the macromolecular structure construction. Using the PURS scripts, identify and divide all PU in the normalized SMILES of OPV dataset and generate corresponding fingerprints. The rules for identification and division are as follows: (1) dividing at breakpoints; (2) a single bond connecting two independent elements (mono ring, bicyclic ring, fused ring, or branched chain units) is used as a breakpoint; (3) acyclic structures are classified as chains.
III. All the PU collected include a “polymer-unit library”. The number of PUs in the polymer-unit library is T, and the maximum number of PUs in the OPV data is N. Each OPV data is contained in a node matrix of dimension (T, N).
IV. Finally, each row of node matrix is summed to generate a one-dimensional vector/fingerprint, which is PUFp. It contains information about the type and number of PUs. The generation strategy of PUFp for OPV materials as displayed in Figure S13.
In this work, the length of the generated PUFp is 413 bits, that is, 1343 OPV data is composed of 413 different PUs. Details for generation strategy of PUFp, please visit the following web pages: https://github.com/yecaichao/Python-based-polymer-unit-recognition-script-PURS-for-PUFp.
Evaluation metrics provide a comprehensive assessment of a model’s predictive performance by comparing the actual values to the estimated values. The primary metrics used include Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R²) for regression models, and accuracy for classification models.
RMSE measures the average magnitude of errors between predicted and actual values, providing insight into the deviation of the predicted values from the true values. The formula for RMSE is:
Where, n is the number of samples, ({y}_{i}^{{prime} }) is the true value, ({y}_{i}) is the predicted value.
The R² score indicates how well the regression model fits the observed data. It represents the proportion of variance in the dependent variable that is predictable from the independent variables. The R² value ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating a better fit. The formula for R² is:
Where, ({hat{y}}_{i}) is the predicted value, ({y}_{i}) is the observed value.
Accuracy is commonly used to assess classification models, representing the proportion of correctly predicted instances out of the total instances. It is calculated as:
Where, TP is true positive, TN is true negative, FP is false positive, FN is false negative.
These metrics collectively provide a robust framework for evaluating the performance and reliability of both regression and classification models.
The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) is a method of model post interpretation, whose core idea is to calculate the marginal contribution of features to the model output and then explain the “black box model” from the global and local levels. To obtain the contribution of a feature (i), all operations by which a feature might have been added to the set ((N!)) and a summation over all possible sets ((S)) is considered. For any feature sequence, the marginal contribution through addition of feature (i) is given by ([f(Scup {i})-f(S)]). The resulting quantity is weighted by the different possibilities the set could have been formed prior to feature i’s addition ((left|Sright|!)) and the remaining features could have been added ((({|N|}-{|S|}-1)!)). Hence, the importance of a given feature (i) is defined by the following formula:
SHAP value is a quantitative index to measure the contribution of each feature in the machine learning model to the prediction result, which is used as an evaluation standard and it facilitate the distribution of a model’s prediction resulting from an input feature vector over the individual features.
Lasso regression, a linear model that incorporates an L1 regularization term (i.e., the sum of the absolute values of the variable coefficients) to mitigate overestimation of model performance, was utilized for efficient variable selection. By introducing an adjustment parameter ((lambda)), Lasso penalizes the absolute value of the coefficient, forcing some unimportant coefficient values to zero, which not only automatically selects important features, but also effectively controls the complexity of the model. The mathematical model is expressed as:
Where, ({y}_{i}) is the response variable, ({x}_{i}) is the predictor variable, (beta) is the coefficient vector, ({{||}beta {||}}_{1}) represents the L1 norm of the coefficient vector (that is, the sum of the absolute values of the coefficients), and (lambda) is the regularization parameter, which controls the penalty intensity of the coefficients.
The Supplementary material is available for: Polymer-units SMILES, Model Algorithm, Parameter Adjustment, Dataset Information, Lasso regression for features selection and Polymer-unit Structures (PDF). The Code_SI is available for: get-polymer-unit.py, polymer-unit-classify.py, structure_identity_tool.py, RF.py, SVM.py, KRR.py, con_smile.py, README.txt and OPV_exp_data (CSV). Prediction_PCE_data (PDF). Polymer_Units_Library & Ring_definition (PDF).
The data supporting this article have been included as part of the Supplementary Information.
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X. Liu and X. Zhang contributed equally to this work. Financial support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (92463310, 92163212, 52473235, 52472213, 22179062, 52125202, and U24A2065), National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFA1203400), High Level of Special Funds (G03050K002), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design (2019B030301001) and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20230035). Computing resources were supported by the Center for Computational Science and Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology.
These authors contributed equally: Xiumin Liu, Xinyue Zhang.
Key Laboratory of Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, PR China
Xiumin Liu, Pan Xiong, Xuehai Ju & Junwu Zhu
Department of Materials Science and Engineering & Institute of Innovative Materials, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
Xiumin Liu, Xinyue Zhang, Ye Sheng, Zihe Zhang & Caichao Ye
Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Science and Material Design, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
Caichao Ye
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C. Ye, P. Xiong and X. Ju formulated this project. X. Liu performed program coding and ML analysis. X. Zhang performed data collection. Z. Zhang provided helpful discussion. X. Liu and C. Ye cowrote the manuscript. P. Xiong and J. Zhu revised the manuscript. C. Ye, P. Xiong and X. Ju secured the funding.
Correspondence to Pan Xiong, Xuehai Ju or Caichao Ye.
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Coega Steels fires up massive commercial solar project – theherald.co.za

Senior Reporter
Coega Steels, Emergent Energy and other stakeholders recently celebrated the completion of a landmark new solar installation — the biggest single project of its sort yet in the Eastern Cape.
The project, comprising 11,484 solar panels and 23 inverters, will deliver 7MW to offset Coega Steels’ considerable energy demands.
Speaking at an event on site on Friday to unveil the completed project, Emergent Energy Eastern Cape project development manager Gordon Upton said the project had its roots in the sustainability vision of the India-based Agni Steels family, which owns Coega Steels.
Coega Steels was established in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s Coega Industrial Development Zone in 2013, and a decade later, in line with this vision, contracted Emergent Energy to install a 785kW peak rooftop solar array at the plant.
He said the steel producer then moved to increase its self-sufficiency still further.
“Emergent Steel was again selected in May 2025 to deliver a 7MW solar plant, comprising 3.9MW of rooftop solar and 3.1MW of ground-mounted solar — the largest single commercial and industrial solar PV [photovoltaic] contract ever awarded in the Eastern Cape.
“That’s what we’re proudly unveiling today [Friday].”
Coega Steels transforms ferrous scrap metal into billets, or semi-finished squares of steel. The company produces about 240,000 tonnes of steel annually.
Coega Steels director Anand Susainathan said the completion of the project was a landmark on the company’s journey to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
“It is now up to us and Matriarch [Asset Managers] to get it running and to maintain it.”
Matriarch representative Yaseen Ravat said he and his team would conduct regular inspections, implementing preventative maintenance and supplying Coega Steels with monthly reports showing them how much electricity and money they were saving.
“We also have a two-person team that will clean the panels every few days using self-cleaning robots which they guide remotely from their cellphones.”
Describing the scale of the project, Emergent Energy programme manager Roedolph Venter said it had taken 11 superlink trucks to deliver the solar panels to the site.
We also have a two-person team that will clean the panels every few days using self-cleaning robots which they guide remotely from their cellphones.
The Coega Development Corporation had played an important role in assisting Emergent Energy to benefit the local economy.
“They helped us to access local equipment needed to build and anchor the solar plant and to recruit local labour, who we were able to upskill on the job.”
Huawei South Africa vice-president Tom Zhao, whose company supplied the transformers and inverters needed to convert the solar energy to electricity, said he was impressed with the project.
“It will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and reducing electricity costs. We are here to support you, and we look forward to the next phase as you continue on this journey.”
Coega Steels director Amit Saini said with just under 8MWp of installed solar, the company was now supplying 7% of the 140-million kWh it required to operate.
“We are aiming to expand production, and for that we will need a total of 180-million kWh.
“In line with that, we are planning to install a further 20MWp of solar PV, so we will then have 20% of our electricity requirements supplied by solar.”
He said the plant currently exports the billets it produces to a number of African countries.
“After the production expansion is completed in the second quarter of 2026, we will be producing finished products, including rebars [reinforcing rods], angles, squares, rounds and flat bars for the South African market.”
He said even with the new solar project coming online, Coega Steels would still need to use the transformer leased to it in September by Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe.
The lease was signed after the company’s own transformer failed, bringing production to a halt and threatening the jobs of the 580 people employed at the plant.
The matter has gone to court, with the municipality arguing the lease must be annulled, as the mayor did not follow correct protocol in making the transformer, a R25m public asset, available to a private company.
Saini said the lease extended to September.
“However, we have ordered two new transformers, and they will probably arrive before the lease expires.”
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Exclusive | Xiaomi enters the vehicle-mounted photovoltaic sector, potentially collaborating with a startup project led by former executive Chuangqi Li. – 富途牛牛

Exclusive | Xiaomi enters the vehicle-mounted photovoltaic sector, potentially collaborating with a startup project led by former executive Chuangqi Li.  富途牛牛
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5 Solar Panel Designs So Beautiful You'd Never Know They're Generating Power – Yanko Design


A quiet revolution is reshaping the future of sustainable architecture. Instead of treating buildings merely as energy-saving shells, designers are now turning them into active power generators. With innovations such as Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) panels and ultra-thin solar films, the building’s exterior becomes an energy-harvesting surface, enabling power generation directly where people live and interact. This shift creates a new, dynamic dialogue between architecture and the landscape it occupies.
This transformation moves the industry beyond passive efficiency toward a more expressive, technology-driven design philosophy. Structural components now serve dual roles as sculptural elements and renewable energy assets. For high-net-worth homeowners, this translates into increased long-term property value, reduced operational costs, and a significantly lower carbon footprint, and a new visual language defined by sleek, intelligent, nearly invisible power.
Core Drivers of the Micro Power Revolution include:
The challenge with older photovoltaic systems was their tendency to disrupt a building’s visual harmony. Today, architects tend to favor thin-film solar cells and BIPV solutions that blend seamlessly into the building’s envelope. These systems maintain material authenticity while introducing clean, unobtrusive energy generation.
Resembling glass, ceramic tiles, or flexible metal sheets, these technologies transform roofs and façades into active energy skins, rather than passive surfaces. High-net-worth clients want sustainability without aesthetic sacrifice, and this approach delivers both. The architecture retains its visual clarity while every sun-facing surface works quietly as an elegant, invisible power source.


The Ecocapsule Box embraces a clean, rectangular design that prioritizes comfort and practicality over novelty. Its elongated form, expansive glass walls, and neatly organized interior create a bright, contemporary living space that feels far more like a modern micro-home than an off-grid experiment. The layout flows effortlessly, with convertible seating, integrated storage and clear zoning that make the compact footprint feel genuinely functional. This present design shifts the focus from making a visual statement to offering a calm, well-crafted environment that blends quietly into different landscapes.


Solar panels are central to the Box’s current architecture, powering essential systems with reliable renewable energy. These roof-mounted panels support lighting, appliances and climate control, allowing residents to live fully off-grid without sacrificing comfort. The technology is seamlessly built into the structure, maintaining the clean aesthetic while delivering true energy independence.
The micro power revolution thrives on turning previously passive surfaces, especially vertical ones, into productive energy assets. New flexible, lightweight solar harvesters, such as perovskite and CIGS thin films, can adapt to curved forms and unconventional façades, allowing architects to integrate power generation into complex geometries.
This adaptability expands harvesting potential far beyond the flat roof, proving that expressive design no longer limits energy performance. In dense urban settings, this capability is essential for achieving net-zero targets. By transforming vertical cladding into a power-producing layer, buildings improve ROI through higher energy yield per square meter of their envelope.


As more people seek sustainable energy options, urban homes often struggle with limited space for traditional solar installations. The CESC Solar Parasol by gang.lab design addresses this challenge with an elegant, space-efficient solution tailored for high-rise living. This smart parasol turns small balconies and overlooked corners into clean-energy hubs. Its minimalist aluminum frame, sleek white finish, and integrated LED lighting create a refined, modern aesthetic while enhancing the usability of compact outdoor areas.


At the heart of the design are high-efficiency solar panels capable of generating 315W of renewable power. These flexible panels fuel a 12W LED system and support intelligent energy management through an adaptive control mechanism. Users can adjust the parasol’s angle between 0°, 35°, and 90° via remote or mobile app, optimizing both shading and solar intake. By merging elegant design with practical photovoltaic technology, the CESC Solar Parasol offers a realistic, future-ready approach to sustainable urban living.
Optimized thermal performance is a central advantage of today’s BIPV systems. Beyond producing electricity, these panels function as an outer skin that absorbs solar radiation before it reaches the primary insulation. This reduces heat gain and lowers the cooling demand inside the building, making the envelope work harder and smarter.
This dual-purpose design turns the energy-generating layer into a dynamic shading surface. It doesn’t just add solar capacity; it actively shapes the thermal behavior of the interiors. The result is cooler spaces, reduced reliance on mechanical systems, lower long-term operating costs, and a more comfortable environment for occupants.


Michael Jantzen’s Solar Vineyard House combines sustainability and aesthetics in a 5,000-square-foot concept that merges living space, small-scale wine production, and environmental responsibility. Four sweeping concrete composite arches, linked by expansive glass sections, anchor the design and echo the rolling Californian landscape. Sustainably sourced wood pathways weave through the vineyard and over the structure, offering natural shading and circulation.


Sustainability is integrated seamlessly, not added as an afterthought. Curved solar panels along the south side generate renewable power while maintaining the home’s sculptural fluidity. Natural ventilation, deep overhangs, and rainwater harvesting reduce energy use and support vineyard irrigation. Inside, modular cylindrical units on wheels create flexible living and working zones, with filtered sunlight animating the interior and strengthening the home’s constant dialogue with its surrounding landscape.
Integrating surface harvesters opens the door to creating a decentralized building microgrid, a major advantage for homeowners seeking true energy resilience. With micro-inverters installed at the module level, each unit can operate independently, improving performance and adding built-in protection against system failure.
Pairing BIPV with advanced battery storage transforms the building into a self-reliant power ecosystem. This setup provides autonomy during outages or peak-demand periods, offering long-term security for high-net-worth homes. The property becomes a self-sustaining micro-economy of energy, ensuring consistent, uninterrupted power and elevating resilience and overall value.



Solar energy was once considered a luxury, but today it has become accessible enough for anyone to experiment with. A DIY solar generator offers an affordable way to generate clean, renewable power using just a few essential components. Whether you want emergency backup power, a portable source for camping, or simply a way to lower electricity costs, building your own generator is both practical and rewarding. The project took inspiration from NASA’s solar technology, adapting high-efficiency panels and smart battery systems similar to those used on space missions into a setup suitable for everyday use at home.


The build requires solar panels, lithium iron phosphate batteries, a charge controller, power outlets, and a portable case, all assembled by following the video guide. Once completed, the generator can charge phones, laptops, lights, and small appliances, offering both convenience and energy savings. Beyond cost efficiency, it provides peace of mind during outages, supports sustainable living, and allows anyone to harness solar power in a hands-on, meaningful way.
Advances in materials science are rewriting what solar technology can look like. Semi-transparent PV glazing now allows windows to generate power while still delivering daylight, turning a basic architectural element into an active energy source without sacrificing interior quality.
Colored and textured BIPV options, enabled by specialized coatings and nanotechnology, give architects a much broader palette of finishes. This means solar technology becomes an intentional design feature rather than a visual concession. By merging color, texture, and energy production, these next-generation materials elevate each surface from a functional module to a refined architectural expression that blends performance with beauty.

The EO Canopy by Electric Outdoors represents a significant advancement in off-grid camping, delivering urban-level comfort through a fully solar-powered system. Classified as a “canopy,” it requires neither permits nor additional infrastructure, offering exceptional flexibility in a variety of locations. The unit is notable for its ability to generate its own water and for its substantial energy system, which includes a 154-kWh sodium-ion battery pack that can be expanded up to four times. Its 6,600-watt solar-tracking roof produces between 45 and 64 kWh of power per day, ensuring a highly reliable and continuous energy supply.

This solar configuration is capable of generating enough electricity to power approximately two American homes each day. It also supports the charging of electric vehicles, including Tesla and Rivian models, providing an estimated driving range of up to 150 miles (241 km) via the integrated Level 2 charging station. Additionally, the 154-kWh battery bank enables uninterrupted air-conditioning use, positioning the EO Canopy as a sophisticated and self-sufficient solution for modern off-grid living.
The Micro Power Revolution redefines how architecture and energy interact. By embedding solar harvesters directly into building materials, every structure becomes an active generator rather than a passive consumer. This self-sustaining model represents modern luxury: high design, strong performance, and true ecological responsibility.
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How China Plans to Tackle Its Massive Solar Panel Waste Problem – Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com

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Solar power is on a meteoric rise around the world. Over the next five years, solar photovoltaics will account for an astonishing 80 percent of new renewable power additions, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency. And that will amount to a whole lot of added capacity on a global scale. Despite a pivot away from clean energy in some policy spheres, renewables have simply become too cheap to fail, and installations are expected to more than double by 2030.
A huge amount of the world’s installed solar pv growth has been made possible by China’s unprecedented and unrivalled investment in expanding its photovoltaic supply chains. A flood of cheap solar panels out of China has fuelled a global renewable revolution while also helping to establish China as the world’s first electro-state. While other countries are advancing homegrown renewable manufacturing sectors, “concentration in China for key production segments is set to remain above 90% through 2030” according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report. 
While China’s domination of the global solar sector has been a major boon for the Chinese economy, as well as Beijing’s political leverage in terms of both hard and soft power, the solar boom is set to leave the country with a major problem. A huge wave of solar installation leads to a huge wave in solar panel decommissioning, and that wave is about to crash upon Beijing. 
Solar waste is a huge issue in the global renewables market, expected to amount to a staggering 88 million tons by 2050. At present, virtually all spent solar panels go directly to landfill, presenting a massive-scale issue for the environment as well as for resource loss. The scale of this issue is set to explode, as low- and middle-income countries experience a boom of small-scale solar using panels with relatively short lifespans. While utility-scale solar operations use panels with a lifespan of approximately 22 years, many of the solar panels supporting solar booms in emerging economies last just four or five years before they have to be decommissioned or, ideally, recycled or repaired.
Related: No Missiles, No Drones: What Happens When Rare Earths Stop Flowing?
As the scale of this issue balloons, solar panel recycling has received a fair amount of attention in research. But the recycling process remains costly and complex. In fact, recycling a solar panel costs about ten times more than trashing it. A 2021 article from the Havard Business Review states that recycling a single panel costs an estimated $20–$30, whereas sending that panel to the landfill costs just $1–$2.
As such, recycling photovoltaic solar panels is “a money-losing enterprise” according to MIT. Addressing the global solar waste issue will require a coordinated and cross-sectoral effort to make the venture economically viable. “Boosting recycling rates will take a mix of new solar panel designs, recycling technologies, and policy,” the MIT Climate Portal article goes on to say.
But now, China is making bold claims that it is going to begin recycling solar panels in huge numbers. Beijing is attempting to lead the charge on various scrapping methods as China prepares to contend with 1.5 million tons of solar panels that will need to be recycled or otherwise scrapped by the end of the decade. A recent notice from six Chinese government agencies states that the nation intends to recycle 250,000 tons of solar panels by just 2027. The government also says that it will encourage manufacturers to use recycled materials in the production of new products.
It’s not clear exactly how China is going to accomplish these lofty goals, but the rest of the world will likely be able to learn a great deal from the mass-scale pilot project. “Recyclability is a problem that can be solved,” says MIT, “and the world’s rapid transition to clean energy gives us a rare chance to address our waste problems from the ground up.”
By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com 
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Solar energy information event – Kilcullen Diary

Residents across South Kildare have an opportunity to learn more about greener home energy systems at a special community energy event focusing on solar power later this month, writes Brian Byrne. The Solas and Savings event will take place in Athy Library on Saturday, 21 March, from 11:30am to 2:30pm. 

The event will provide clear, practical information on how solar panels work, the potential cost savings, and the steps involved in installing solar PV systems at home.
Organisers say the session is designed for anyone curious about solar energy — whether they are just starting to explore their options or are already considering an installation.
The day will include an SEAI Grants Presentation on support for solar PV installations and other home energy upgrades. Experts will also outline how community solar purchase schemes work and how bulk buying can significantly reduce the cost of installing solar panels.
A number of suppliers will be on hand to showcase solar technologies and other renewable energy solutions, answer questions, and provide guidance tailored to individual circumstances.
The event is supported by Life Credit Union and the Sustainable Energy Communities programme, and is hosted by the Kildare Climate Action Office.

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Tigo debuts 725 W optimiser for high-power solar modules – pv magazine Australia

The new product has a maximum wattage of 725 W, a maximum current of 22 A, and a maximum efficiency of 99.6%.
Image: pv magazine
United States-based DC power optimiser technology provider Tigo Energy has unveiled a new optimiser for high-power modules.
“The TS4-A (725 W) optimiser is as an evolution of the previous generation that supported up to 700 W,” Tigo’s Marketing Manager EMEA, Gilberto Lembo, told pv magazine. “The upgraded version now handles 725 W and 22 A, making it compatible with the latest high-power and bifacial PV modules.”
“The new product can support multi-factor rapid shutdown, combining wireless and PLC communication to create a two-level safety mechanism,” Lembo went on to say. “The feature is mainly targeted at commercial installations, although the devices are also widely used in residential systems.”
According to the company, the devices follow a “single-size” product philosophy, meaning the same hardware platform can be used in systems ranging from kW-scale residential arrays to multi-MW commercial projects, simplifying product selection for installers.
The TS4-A-O (725 W) optimiser integrates module-level optimisation, monitoring and rapid shutdown functionality, targeting both new solar installations and retrofit applications. It is compatible with modern high-power PV modules and supports up to 725 W nominal power, with 22 A short-circuit current and 16 A maximum power current. It also features a maximum efficiency of 99.6% and supports system voltages of 1,000 V or 1,500 V.
The device operates within an input voltage range of 12 V to 80 V and includes integrated rapid shutdown capability, certified according to UL 1741 PV rapid shutdown equipment (PVRSE) standards. The system can reportedly trigger shutdown in less than 30 seconds and uses 12 AWG conductors.
For communications, the device supports 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity or power-line communication (PLC). Monitoring and rapid shutdown functions require integration with the Tigo Access Point (TAP) and Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) gateway. When paired with an optional RSS transmitter, the system can also enable multi-factor rapid shutdown for additional safety.
Installation can be performed directly on the PV module frame or mounting structure, allowing deployment in both new arrays and retrofit projects. The optimiser also provides module-level monitoring, enabling installers and operators to track both module and system performance.
Tigo said the device supports thousands of inverter models from more than 50 manufacturers, enabling broad compatibility across residential, commercial and industrial PV systems.
The new product comes with a 25-year warranty.
The company also introduced an updated commissioning process through its Energy Intelligence monitoring platform, designed to simplify installation with real-time feedback and allow installers to complete system configuration remotely after performing the required steps on site.
The monitoring platform provides module-level performance data, including a metric called “reclaimed energy,” which shows the amount of energy recovered thanks to optimisation. This allows installers and system owners to identify underperforming modules and carry out targeted maintenance if needed, the company said.
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This Austrian giant, standing at 570 feet, will be the first tower in Europe to feature this major innovation: an integrated photovoltaic facade. – hometownjournal.biz

Vienna’s skyline witnesses a remarkable transformation as construction advances on DC Tower 2, an ambitious 174-meter skyscraper that pushes architectural boundaries while embracing sustainable innovation. This 44-story structure represents far more than conventional high-rise development, marking Austria’s second tallest building and Europe’s pioneering integration of photovoltaic technology directly into building façades at such scale.
Located in the dynamic Donau City district, this tower embodies a visionary approach to urban architecture where energy production becomes seamlessly woven into structural design. The project combines commercial spaces, residential units, and coworking facilities within a framework designed for both aesthetic impact and environmental responsibility.
The distinguishing feature of this Austrian giant lies in its revolutionary Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) system. Unlike traditional solar installations mounted as afterthoughts, DC Tower 2 incorporates photovoltaic cells throughout its exterior envelope, transforming the entire façade into an energy-generating surface. This technological achievement positions the structure as Europe’s first skyscraper to deploy such comprehensive solar integration at this vertical scale.
Similar innovations in energy infrastructure are emerging globally. The United States is relying on French expertise to revive this vital sector for American nuclear power : uranium enrichment, demonstrating how international collaboration drives sustainable energy solutions forward. These parallel developments underscore growing recognition that energy independence and architectural innovation must advance together.
The solar façade system manages thermal dynamics intelligently, optimizing light penetration while controlling heat absorption. This dual-function approach reduces cooling demands during Vienna’s summer months and captures maximum solar energy year-round. Engineers selected durable materials capable of withstanding weathering and structural stress across decades of operation, ensuring long-term performance without compromising aesthetic qualities.
Advanced monitoring systems track energy production across different façade sections, providing data to optimize future BIPV implementations. The structure demonstrates how renewable energy generation can integrate architecturally rather than existing as separate infrastructure components.
DC Tower 2’s internal organization reflects contemporary understanding of successful urban development through diverse programming. Ground-level spaces accommodate cafés, restaurants, and collaborative workspaces, creating public-facing amenities that activate street presence throughout business hours and beyond.
Office floors extend upward to the 30th level, offering approximately 980 square meters per floor with flexible layout configurations. This modularity allows tenant customization while maintaining structural efficiency. Upper stories transition to residential apartments, providing luxury accommodation with panoramic city views. The strategic distribution creates a vertical community where different functions complement rather than compete.
This mixed-use strategy aligns with broader trends toward compact urban development that reduces transportation demands and fosters community interaction. Maritime sectors are witnessing similar integrated approaches, as seen where The United Kingdom wants to reclaim its former glory with this program aimed at dominating a potential $3 trillion market : maritime nuclear power, demonstrating how diverse sectors embrace comprehensive planning strategies.
Retail components benefit from consistent pedestrian traffic generated by office workers and residents, while residential occupants enjoy convenient access to services without leaving the building. This synergy creates economic resilience across market cycles, as varied revenue streams buffer individual sector fluctuations.
Breaking ground in 2022, S+B Gruppe employed sophisticated construction techniques to realize this complex design. The structural core utilizes reinforced concrete tubing housing vertical circulation systems, surrounded by an exterior grid of support columns. This configuration mirrors approaches proven in neighboring DC Tower 1 while accommodating solar panel installation requirements.
Workers deployed advanced formwork platforms that rise progressively as construction ascends, enabling continuous concrete pouring without extended delays. Quality control protocols govern photovoltaic panel placement, ensuring proper electrical connections and weatherproofing throughout the façade installation process. Modular construction components accelerate timelines while maintaining precision standards.
The project timeline reflects lessons learned from earlier development phases. Initial planning preceded the 2008 financial crisis, which forced reconsideration of design elements. Architect Dominique Perrault originally envisioned twin towers but evolved toward distinctive architectural identities for each structure. This adaptation demonstrates flexibility within long-term urban development projects.
Key construction priorities include :
Beyond solar generation, DC Tower 2 pursues comprehensive environmental responsibility through material selection and operational efficiency. Thermal management systems respond dynamically to seasonal variations, reducing mechanical heating and cooling demands. Glazing specifications balance natural lighting benefits against excessive solar gain that increases cooling requirements during warmer months.
The tower integrates with Donau City’s broader urban context, complementing DC Tower 1’s 220-meter presence completed in 2014. Together, these structures define a gateway district symbolizing Vienna’s contemporary architectural ambitions. The earlier tower houses mixed uses including a Meliá hotel spanning fifteen floors, demonstrating proven viability for vertical mixed-use development.
Performance metrics position the building among Europe’s leading sustainable high-rises, aligning with continental energy efficiency mandates. Monitoring systems will track actual energy production against projections, providing valuable data for subsequent BIPV implementations across Europe and beyond. This pioneering installation serves dual purposes : functioning infrastructure and research platform advancing renewable building technology.
DC Tower 2 ultimately represents architectural evolution where visual impact and environmental stewardship advance together rather than existing in tension. Its completion will offer tangible evidence that high-rise development can contribute positively to urban sustainability goals while delivering functional spaces meeting contemporary commercial and residential demands.
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ZAWYA-PRESSR: Elsewedy Electric delivers its first utility-scale solar PV plant in Riyadh for the El Saad Project with 350MW capacity – TradingView

ZAWYA-PRESSR: Elsewedy Electric delivers its first utility-scale solar PV plant in Riyadh for the El Saad Project with 350MW capacity  TradingView
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5 Cool Solar-Powered USB-C Gadgets You Can Find On Amazon – bgr.com

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In the current age of portable gadgets, power transference has never been easier. So many things can be fitted with a rechargeable battery, and practically all of these devices use USB-C now. While new forms of power delivery are nice, though, there’s always room for additional avenues, including good old fashioned solar power. You can find all kinds of gadgets on Amazon that use both frameworks, from fans to lights to radios.
Gadgets that use both USB-C charging and solar power give you a much greater degree of flexibility over your power needs and usage. If you’re far from home or in an emergency situation where steady power for USB-C isn’t available, solar ensures you can still get a steady charge from our favorite star. Even outside of emergencies, solar power is also nice for outdoor gadgets that are usually out in the sun all day anyway.
All of the following solar and USB-C-charging gadgets are available now on Amazon. We’ve ensured that each one has a user rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars to verify quality.
Camping in the summer can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very, very hot. Unfortunately, there aren’t many power outlets in the wilderness you can plug a standing fan into to get some relief from that heat. If the sun’s going to shine so bright anyway, you might as well turn some of that energy into cooling power with the Kitwlemen Solar Camping Fan, available on Amazon for $49.99.
This folding fan and stand delivers four speeds of airflow, blowing at 14.76 feet per second on its highest setting, perfect for taking the edge off on those hot days. It can receive power via its rear 8.5 W solar panel or its USB-C charging port, getting full with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight or 4 to 5 hours of charging. At full charge, it can run continuously for 36 hours on low or 12 hours on high, so as long as the sun keeps shining, you can keep the air moving. For added perks, the fan also has a camping lantern on the front with three brightness levels, and you can plug a USB-A cord into the other port to charge small devices like your phone.
You can grab one of these fans for yourself on Amazon, where it has a user rating of 4.4 out of 5 and an Amazon’s Choice recommendation badge. One reviewer uses it both in their living room and on the patio, appreciating its long-lasting battery and lightweight body. Another user bought one for their friend in the desert, who loves having both solar and USB charging available.
The one thing absolutely every household should have is a reliable flashlight, whether for poking around in a dark basement or finding your way in a power outage. For an emergency flashlight in particular, it’s vital that it has more means of receiving power than just a rechargeable battery, as you never know how long an emergency might last. For a reliable emergency flashlight available on Amazon, try the Voetir LED Solar Flashlight for $12.99.
This sturdy, handheld flashlight boasts 1,500 lumens of illuminating power, with high, low, side-light, and SOS flasher settings to meet your various lighting needs. The large 2,000 mAh battery pack can both receive and send power via its USB-C and USB-A ports, supplemented by its 2.56-inch side solar panel that lets you charge by leaving the light out in the sun. The light is made of ABS+PC material with an IP65 water resistance rating, so it can safely take on some physical punishment and inclement weather without breaking.
Amazon shoppers have given this flashlight a 4.4 out of 5 rating, echoed by Amazon itself with an Amazon’s Choice badge. One user bought two of these lights, keeping one on the windowsill for daily charging and quick access in an emergency. Another user likes how light it is compared to a metal flashlight, and was surprised by how bright the illumination is.
In addition to a flashlight, one of the other mainstays of the optimal household emergency kit is a hand-crank radio to receive information from local agencies. Arguably even more so than the light, it’s important that your emergency radio has multiple forms of energy available so you don’t miss any instructions or warnings. For a base-covering radio, try the Raynic Emergency Radio, available on Amazon for $39.99.
This radio is able to receive power in just about every conceivable manner. It’s got a hand-crank on the side for manual powering, a solar panel, a USB-C rechargeable battery, and it takes disposable AAA batteries. There is, effectively, no way for this radio to go completely dead. When powered, it can automatically tune into seven preset stations for weather alerts, light things up with top and side lanterns, and charge your phone with its USB-A port. In a major emergency, there is also an SOS function, which produces a loud chime and flashes the lights to help response teams find you.
If you’re in the market for an emergency radio, both Amazon and its shoppers would recommend this one, as it has a 4.4 out of 5 user score and an Amazon’s Choice badge. One user was fully satisfied by it, praising its compact size and sturdy build, as well as its easy, no-setup activation and use. Another user had this radio with them providing power and information throughout an 8-hour blizzard-induced power outage.
Solar charging isn’t just for emergency situations — it can also serve as a convenient means of powering outdoor decorations. For example, if you like to have some illumination in your backyard, but can’t find a good spot near an outdoor outlet, solar energy can easily meet your needs. Just use the Addlon Solar String Lights, with the 54-foot model available on Amazon for $32.99.
This lighting setup consists of a variable-length string of thick S14 light bulbs hooked up to a central unit. This central unit features a high-capacity solar panel, as well as a USB-C charging port if you need to charge up in a hurry. Just leave the panel in a bright spot in your yard on a sunny day, and it’ll have plenty of charge to light the bulbs come nightfall. Once it’s charged up, you can control the bulbs using the included remote, setting brightness and lighting modes, as well as a deactivation timer. Both the bulbs and the central unit are weatherproof, so you can leave them outside year-round — and yes, solar panels even work when it’s snowing out.
Not only has this nifty lighting setup earned an Amazon’s Choice badge, but it’s got a hearty 4.4 out of 5 rating from Amazon shoppers, one of whom called it an excellent purchase in every way, loving the vibe it creates in their yard. Another user appreciated both the lights’ overall sturdiness and the convenience of the programmable timer.
If you’re spending a lot of time outside, either while camping or in your own backyard, you’ll likely have to contend with the persistent scourge of annoying insects like mosquitos and gnats. Rather than let buzzing pests ruin your outdoor times, get them off your back with a Zechuan Solar Bug Zapper, available on Amazon for $59.99.
This bug-zapping lantern can be stood or hung just about anywhere in your yard or campsite, drawing winged pests into a powerful electrical jolt. It can be quickly charged via its concealed USB-C port, but you can also leave it out in the sun during the day to charge via its top solar panel. The zapper can automatically detect ambient lighting, powering on when it gets dark and powering down when the sun rises. Cleaning out insects is as simple as detaching the inner trap and shaking them loose. For extra convenience, the zapper has a lamp on top which doubles as an SOS signal.
This bug zapper has earned a solid 4 out of 5 rating from Amazon users, with one user praising it both for camping and for saving power when zapping bugs on the patio. Another user echoed these sentiments, calling it a must-have for anyone who likes spending time outside.
If you’re going to be relying on a solar-powered gadget, especially in an emergency situation, it’s important that you have a reasonable metric of its quality beforehand. To ensure that all of the preceding products met necessary standards, we narrowed our focus to solar and USB-C-powered gadgets with an Amazon user rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.

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Homeowner takes HOA to court after they banned money-saving home upgrade: 'Make [it] … more available in our state' – The Cool Down

© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.
The court said the state law applied to all HOAs, even ones with pre-existing covenants.
Photo Credit: iStock
A pair of homeowners can now install solar panels after the Missouri Supreme Court settled a dispute with their homeowners association. 
According to the Springfield News-Leader, Colleen Eikmeier and William Love built a home in the Granite Springs subdivision south of Lake Springfield in 2021. Two years later, a state law went into effect that said HOAs could not prevent solar panel installation, harm the function, or impact the cost. 
Court documents said that Eikmeier and Love presented a proposal to install panels, but the HOA said panels could not be visible from the street. The estimate for a design that would meet HOA requirements reportedly increased the upfront cost by nearly $17,000.
The homeowners filed a lawsuit in Greene County Circuit Court, but the judge sided with the HOA, per the Springfield News-Leader. However, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned the ruling. The court said the state law applied to all HOAs, even ones with pre-existing covenants.   
“I am thrilled the Supreme Court not only held up the protections established by the Legislature but also helped make renewables and customer choice to pursue renewables more available in our state,” James Owen, executive director of Renew Missouri, said in a news release.   
Despite some disputes, there are ways to work with HOAs to make money-saving changes. If you want to save on energy, consider looking into available resources to help with planet-friendly upgrades. 
EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto’s $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD’s Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
Homeowners can pair solar panels with efficient electric appliances to drive their utility costs even lower. TCD partner Mitsubishi can help you find the right system for your home and budget. Plus, with the Palmetto Home app, you can unlock up to $5,000 in rewards to spend on home upgrades. 
Which of these savings plans for rooftop solar panels would be most appealing for you?
Save $1,000 this year 💸
Save less this year but $20k in 10 years 💰
Save less in 10 years but $80k in 20 years 🤑
Couldn’t pay me to go solar 😒
Click your choice to see results and earn rewards to spend on home upgrades.

Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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UPMC Cole to Build Landmark Solar Farm, Advancing Sustainability and Community Investment – UPMC

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2/18/2026
Coudersport, Pa. – UPMC Cole is taking a bold step toward a greener future. Beginning in early 2026, the hospital will break ground on a 5.5-megawatt solar farm, the first of its kind within the UPMC system. This project will transform the Coudersport campus and set a new standard for sustainability in health care. 

“This project is more than an energy solution, it’s a reflection of our values,” said Ron Reynolds, president, UPMC Cole and UPMC Wellsboro. “By investing in renewable energy, we’re reducing our carbon footprint, strengthening the local grid, and ensuring a healthier future for our patients, staff, and neighbors.” 

Upon completion, the solar farm will generate enough clean energy to meet nearly all the electricity needs of UPMC Cole and the facilities on its campus, reinforcing UPMC’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the health of the communities it serves. 

UPMC Cole Solar Site View“This solar farm represents a major milestone in UPMC’s sustainability journey,” said Michael Boninger, M.D., chief medical sustainability officer, UPMC. “Health care doesn’t just happen inside hospital walls; it’s about creating healthier communities and a healthier planet. By investing in renewable energy, UPMC Cole is reducing its environmental impact, lowering costs, and setting an example for sustainability in rural health care. This project shows that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand, benefiting patients today and generations to come.” 

The project will strengthen the regional energy grid without adding new demand, and infrastructure upgrades such as substation improvements and new electrical lines will benefit the broader utility network. Solar energy is the most cost-effective new power source, enabling UPMC to reinvest savings into patient care while minimizing land disturbance and preserving the natural aesthetics along Route 6. 

Construction is anticipated to begin in the coming months, starting with road and access improvements, followed by the installation of solar arrays and supporting infrastructure. UPMC expects the solar farm to go live by early 2027. 
Photo
Caption: Rendering of the planned site for the solar farm just north and east of UPMC Cole’s campus.
Credit: UPMC
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My take: Despite challenges, community solar’s time has come – Delaware Business Now

Photo of solar array courtesy of Delaware Electric

Photo of solar array courtesy of Delaware Electric
A modest effort to bring community solar to a Wilmington neighborhood  made news this month.
 Championed by Second District Councilmember and legislative candidate  Shané Darby, and operated by solar developer Ampion, the program promises to cut electricity costs for enrollees.
 Under legislation dating back a decade and a half, with a major update a few years ago, residents and small businesses in the Delmarva Power territory are  eligible to sign up with community solar providers. It allows those without rooftop solar to benefit from solar power and save on utility bills.
Meanwhile, incentives for rooftop solar have been trimmed  as it became evident that benefits skewed toward wealthier property owners, with renters and those with modest incomes  subsidizing rooftop installations.
A  similar change in a Delaware Electric Cooperative program created quite a stir among some of its members, who may have spent upwards of $30,000 on panels and battery backup.
While Darby cites discounts  of up to 20% from community solar, actual savings can vary and may be as low as 5%. In Wilmington’s Second District, a $50 gift card will be offered to those who sign up.
A word of caution: Businesses and consumers also need to review the fine print on the minimum time required before they can drop out of the program.
The Delaware Public Service Commission lists 20 community "solar gardens" generating energy, mainly in Kent and Sussex counties. There would be more projects if grid operator PJM had not faced a backlog of hook-ups, leading to some projects being abandoned.
Financing solar gardens has also been a problem, due to high interest rates, zoning issues and delays in the approval pipeline,. Other projects with no financing or government approvals  clogged up the pipeline, at least for a time. PJM adjusted the process but still faces criticism as it struggles with declining electricity reserves.
 Compounding grid-related issues is increasing opposition to solar arrays. Concerns range from aesthetics and the loss of farmland and forests to falsehoods promoted on social media.
It’s worth noting that community solar gardens tend to be far smaller than utility-scale solar farms, which consume more farmland.
Despite hurdles, community solar demand should grow.
The key challenge will be securing enough land and gaining  public support to realize community solar's potential. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
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New Jersey expands state community solar program by 3 GW – Solar Power World

Solar Power World
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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) yesterday approved three initiatives to expand in-state clean energy generation, improve grid reliability and help control electricity costs for New Jersey families and businesses.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill
NJBPU opened incentives to solar and battery storage projects, opened a second round of storage solicitations, advanced the Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) Program and approved the country’s largest expansion of a state-run community solar program.​
“Solar and battery storage are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to build new electricity generation. Today’s actions advance Gov. Sherrill’s clean energy goals while continuing the board’s commitment to balancing affordability and promoting clean, in-state energy resources,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
NJBPU approved incentives for three battery storage projects under the first solicitation of the Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP), totaling 355 MW of capacity — slightly above the 350 MW minimum required by state law.

The winning projects are Woods Landing Storage (200 MW, Sayreville, Middlesex County), Two Rivers Energy Storage (150 MW, Ridgefield, Bergen County) and North America Energy Storage Corp. (5 MW, Bordentown, Burlington County). These battery projects will provide flexible, on-demand power to the PJM regional grid, helping to ease the capacity shortage that has contributed to higher electricity prices across the region. NJBPU expects these projects will incur a costs savings of more than $169 million during operations.
The board also launched the first phase of the second tranche of GSESP projects, opening a second competitive solicitation for 645 MW of additional storage capacity. Gov. Mikie Sherrill issued an executive order on January 20 directing to open this tranche within 45 days of its signing. Once these projects are complete, that will put the state on track to reach 1 GW of transmission-scale storage, with its larger goal of having 2 GW by 2030.
Solar plus storage projects are eligible for this second tranche of projects, as is standalone storage.
Competitive Solar Incentive 
The third round of solicitation for New Jersey’s Competitive Solar Incentive has selected three projects totaling 24.12 MW. These projects will receive solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) The winning projects are Court at Deptford Solar (4.1 MW, Gloucester County), Deptford Landfill Solar (10 MW, Gloucester County) and North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (10 MW, Passaic County).
Upon completion, the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission’s project, at the Wanaque Reservoir, would be the largest floating solar facility in the nation.
NJBPU will open the fourth CSI project solicitation on March 11 with bids due by the end of April 24. New to this round, the board is also seeking solar projects rated at 20 MW or greater.
Expanding community solar
NJBPU approved a 3-GW expansion of New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Program — the largest capacity allocation in state history — and enough to provide clean energy savings for about 450,000 subscribers.
Project registrations will be accepted through December 31, 2029, or until all 3,000 MW are subscribed.​ To date, New Jersey’s community solar program has delivered more than $70 million in bill credits and $14 million in net savings to more than 37,000 subscribers across 162 operational projects totaling 228 MW. NJBPU stated in a press release that this expansion will build on that progress, expanding clean energy access, and focusing on building projects on sites like landfills.
Gov. Sherrill signed two executive orders on her first day in office. The first froze rate hikes on energy costs and directed utilities to grant customers residential bill credits. The second executive order tasked the NJBPU with expanding the state’s solar and battery storage programs.
News item from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities 
Billy Ludt is managing editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, inverters, installation and operations.








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E&E News: China puts clean energy at the center of its carbon-cutting agenda – POLITICO Pro

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European Commission proposes Made in EU requirements for solar inverters, cells – pv magazine India

The Industrial Accelerator Act says solar projects awarded through public procurements or other public support schemes would need to feature Europe-made solar inverters and cells within three years after the act becomes law. For battery energy storage systems, similar requirements would be introduced using a phased approach from one year after the act enters force.
Image: Eduard Delputte/Unsplash

The European Commission has adopted a legislative proposal planning to introduce EU-made content requirements for products benefiting from public funds, including solar photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Known as the Industrial Accelerator Act, the draft regulation proposes that solar projects awarded through public procurements, auctions for net-zero technologies and public support schemes must feature solar inverters and solar cells, or their equivalent components, that are manufactured in the EU from within three years after the act enters into force.
Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe, called the act a “watershed moment for industrial policy in Europe.”
“By focusing on Made-in-EU solar inverters and cells, the European Commission has largely found a balance between reshoring production of the most strategic solar PV system components, while avoiding overly restrictive requirements too early,” he said. “This means support for European manufacturers, without negatively impacting affordable solar deployment. There is an important caveat here, however, that Made-in-EU must indeed mean made in Europe – the EU and EEA.”
The act also stipulates that BESS must originate in the EU, and systems larger than 1 MWh must include an EU-made battery management system, from one year after the act enters into force. From three years after entry, BESS will be required to additionally include EU-manufactured battery cells and at least one additional main specific component.
Acke added that the BESS requirements are stricter than those for solar, kick in too early and risk counter productivity while Europe works to ramp up its storage capacities.
“Battery storage is the absolute short cut to maximising Europe’s use of domestically produced renewable electricity and reducing Europe’s exposure to punishing fossil gas import prices,” Acke said. “Accelerating battery storage fundamentally underpins the top EU security and competitiveness priorities.”
Aurélien Ballagny, Senior Policy Officer at Energy Storage Europe, agreed that the introduction of EU-origin requirements across the battery supply chain must be gradual in order to provide clear signals to investors and sufficient time to build the necessary industrial capacity. “Identified dependencies should be addressed through a realistic pathway for diversification, ensuring that the deployment of energy storage, and therefore renewables, is not slowed down or made more expensive,” Ballagny said.
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has released a statement saying it is “deeply disappointed by the watered-down local content requirement for solar energy”. It says that by limiting the criterion to solar inverters and cells, it will not be possible to bring the entire solar supply chain to Europe and voices concern that the three-year delay for provision will mean it likely only becomes law in 2030.
“We need Made in Europe to ensure the continent’s long-term energy security. The current explosion in energy prices, caused by the war in Iran, demonstrates the importance of being independent of other regions,” commented ESMC Secretary General Christoph Podewils. “If the European solar industry has to wait another three years after the legislation is adopted, many companies will have disappeared in the meantime due to ongoing unfair competition from China.”
A statement published by the European Commission says the Industrial Accelerator Act will be negotiated by the European Parliament and EU Council before its adoption and entry into force. An indicative timeline has not been published.
Other features of the act include conditions on investments in strategic sectors exceeding €100 million ($116.2 million) where a single third country holds more than 40% of global manufacturing capacity. The condition, set to impact investors from China’s photovoltaic market, stipulates these investments must be compliant with local content requirements, while the investor cannot hold a majority stake in an EU company, must employ mostly European workers and must license its intellectual property to benefit the EU investment.
Other proposals under the act included the streamlining and digitalization of permitting procedures for industrial projects via the development of a one-stop-shop, and the introduction of so-called Industrial Acceleration Areas to create clean manufacturing project clusters.
Figures from the European Commission state the Industrial Accelerator Act will help to create tens of thousands of European jobs, including 85,000 in battery projects and 58,000 in solar manufacturing. Digitalized permitting is expected to lead to administrative savings of up to €240 million across all manufacturing industries in the EU.
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War With Iran Could Lead to More Coal — and More Solar – Heatmap News

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The race to find cheap energy is on.
Much of the world is once again asking whether fossil fuels are as reliable as they thought — not because power plants are tripping off or wellheads are freezing up, but because terawatts’ worth of energy are currently stuck outside the Strait of Hormuz in oil tankers and liquified natural gas carriers.
The current crisis in many ways echoes the 2022 energy cataclysm, kicked off when Russia invaded Ukraine. Then, oil, gas, and commodity prices immediately spiked across the globe, forcing Europe to reorient its energy supplies away from Russian gas and leaving developing countries in a state of energy poverty as they could not afford to import suddenly dear fuels.
“It just shows once again the risk of being dependent on imported fossil fuels, whether it’s oil, gas, LNG, or coal. It’s an incredibly fragile system that most of the world depends on,” Nick Hedley, an energy transition research analyst at Zero Carbon Analytics, told me. “Most people are at risk from these shocks.”

Countries suddenly competing once again for scarce gas and oil will have to make tough decisions about their energy systems, with consequences for both their economies and the global climate. In the short run, it is likely that many countries will make a dash for energy security and seek to keep their existing systems running, either paying a premium for LNG or turning to coal. In the long run, however, this moment of energy scarcity could provide yet another reason to turn towards renewables and electrification using solar panels and batteries.
The immediate economic risks may be most intense to Iran’s east.
About 90% of LNG from Qatar goes to Asia, with Qatar serving as essentially the sole supplier of LNG to some countries. Even if there’s more LNG available from non-Qatari sources, many poorer Asian countries are likely to lose out to richer countries in Europe or East Asia that can outbid them for the cargoes.
For countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, “The result is demand destruction, not aggressive spot purchasing,” according to Kpler, the trade analytics service.
LNG supply is “critical” for Asia — roughly a fifth of Asia’s power can be traced back to LNG from the Middle East, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a note to clients Thursday.
In its absence, coal usage will likely tick up in the power sector, leading to declining air quality locally and higher emissions of greenhouse gases globally. “For uninterrupted power, coal remains the key alternative to LNG and there is flex capacity available in South Asia, which has seen new coal plants open,” the Morgan Stanley analysts wrote.
In India, the government is considering implementing an emergency directive to coal-fired power plants to “boost generation and to plan fuel procurement to meet peak summer demand,” sources told Argus Media.

Anne-Sophie Corbeau, global research scholar at the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy, told me that she does “expect to see some coal switching,” and that she has “already seen an increase in coal prices.” Benchmarks have already risen to their highest level in at least two years, according to the Financial Times.
This likely coal surge comes as two of the world’s most coal-hungry economies — namely India and China — saw their electricity generation from coal power drop in 2025, the first time that’s happened in both countries at once in around 50 years, according to an analysis by Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. In much of the rich world, by contrast, coal consumption has been falling for decades.
At the same time energy insecurity may tempt countries to stoke their coal fleet, the past few years have also offered examples of huge deployments of solar in some of the countries most affected by high fossil fuel prices, leading some energy analysts to be guardedly optimistic about how the world could respond to the latest energy crisis.
In the developing world especially, the need to import oil for gasoline and natural gas for electricity generation weighs on the terms of trade. Countries become desperate to export goods in exchange for hard currency to pay for essential fuel imports, which are then often subsidized for consumers, weighing on government budgets. But at least for electricity and transportation, there are increasingly alternatives to expensive, imported fossil fuels.
“This is the first oil and gas crisis-slash-pricing scare in which clean alternatives to oil and gas are fully price-competitive,” Isaac Levi, an analyst at CREA, told me. “Looking at the solar booms, we can expect this to boost clean energy deployment in a major way, and that will be the more significant and durable impact.”
The most cited example for this kind of rapid emergency solar uptake is Pakistan, which has experienced one of the fastest solar conversions in history and expects this year to see a fifth of its electricity come from solar, according to the World Resources Institute.
The country was already under pressure from the rising price of energy following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when it was forced to hike fuel and power prices and cut subsidies as part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund. From 2021 to 2024, Pakistan’s share of generation from solar more than tripled thanks to the growing glut of inexpensive Chinese solar panels that were locked out of the rich world — especially the United States — by tariffs.

“Countries which are heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports are once more feeling very nervous,” Kingsmill Bond, an energy strategist at the clean energy think tank Ember, told me. “The interesting thing is we have two answers: renewables and electrification. If you want quick results, you put solar panels up quickly.”
Other examples of fast transitions have been in transportation, particularly electric cars.
Ethiopia banned the import of internal combustion vehicles due to worries about the high costs of oil imports and fuel subsidies. EVs make up some 8% of the cars on the road in the East African country, up from virtually zero a few years ago. In Asia, Nepal executed a similar push-pull as part of a government effort to reduce both imports and smog; about five years later, over three-quarters of new car sales in the country were electric.
But getting all the ducks in a row for a green transition has proven difficult in both the rich world and the developing world. Few countries have been able to electrify their economies while also powering them cheaply and cleanly. Ethiopia and Nepal are two examples of electrifying demand for power, particularly transportation. But while the two countries are poor compared to much of the world, they are rich in water and elevation, giving them plentiful firm, non-carbon-emitting electricity generation.
Pakistan, on the other hand, is far from being able to, say, synthesize fertilizers at scale with renewable power. In addition to being a power source, natural gas is also a crucial input in industrial fertilizer manufacturing. Faced with spiking costs, fertilizer plants in Pakistan are shutting down, imperiling future food supplies. All the cheap Chinese solar panels and BYD cars in the world can’t feed a chemical plant.

What remains to be seen is whether this crisis will be severe and enduring enough to lead to a fundamental rethinking about the global energy supply — what kind of energy countries want and where they will get it.
“Energy security crises produce the same structural response: the search for sources that do not require crossing borders and global chokepoints,” Jeff Currie, a longtime commodities analyst, and James Stavridis, a retired admiral and NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander, argued in an analysis for The Carlyle Group. “Solar, wind, and nuclear are children of the 1970s oil shocks — with growth driven by security, not environmentalism.”
While the United States is not unaffected by the unfolding energy crisis — gasoline prices have spiked over $0.25 per gallon in the past week, and diesel prices have spiked $0.40 — its resilience comes from both its domestic oil and gas production and its solar, wind, and nuclear fleets. Much of this electricity generation and power production can be traced back in some respect to those 1970s oil shocks.

In 2024, the United States imported 17% of its primary energy supply, according to the Energy Information Administration, compared to a peak of 34% in 2006 and the lowest since 1985. Today, Asia still imports 35%, and Europe 60%, Bond told me.
“That’s massive levels of dependency in a fragile world,” Bond said. “It’s a question of security.”
Matthew Zeitlin
Matthew is a correspondent at Heatmap. Previously he was an economics reporter at Grid, where he covered macroeconomics and energy, and a business reporter at BuzzFeed News, where he covered finance. He has written for The New York Times, the Guardian, Barron's, and New York Magazine.
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On Galvanize’s latest fund strategy and more of the week’s big money moves.
This week brings encouraging news for companies on land and offshore, from the Netherlands to East Africa. First up — and in spite of a federal administration that appears to be actively hostile toward residential and commercial electrification and energy efficiency measures — California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer’s investment firm Galvanize just closed a fund devoted to decarbonizing real estate. Elsewhere, we have a Dutch startup pursuing a novel approach to clean heat production, a former Tesla exec rolling out electric motorbikes in East Africa, and an offshore wind developer plans to pair its floating platform with underwater data centers.
With electricity costs on the rise and war in Iran pushing energy prices further upward, energy efficiency measures are looking more prudent — and more profitable — than ever. Amidst this backdrop, the asset manager and venture firm Galvanize announced the close of its first real estate fund, bringing in $370 million as the firm looks to make commercial buildings cleaner and better able to weather price fluctuations in global energy markets.

Galvanize, co-founded by the billionaire Tom Steyer, is already doling out this money, investing in 15 buildings across 11 cities so far. The firm targets real estate in cities where demand is outpacing supply, performing decarbonization upgrades such as installing on-site solar generation and undertaking energy efficiency retrofits such as improved insulation and weatherproof windows.
Galvanize is betting that fluctuations and increases in energy prices will grow faster than the cost of upgrading buildings to be more efficient and lower-emissions, making its strategy profitable in the long-term.
While I’ve long followed thermal battery companies like Rondo and Antora, which use renewable energy to heat up hot rocks capable of delivering industrial heat, I was unaware of iron fuel’s potential to do much the same. That changed this week when the Dutch startup Rift announced it had raised $132 million to commercialize this technology.
The startup produces high-temperature heat by combusting iron powder with ambient air in a specialized boiler engineered to handle metal fuels. This process produces a flame that can reach 2,000 degrees Celsius without emitting any carbon dioxide. The resulting heat can then be delivered as steam, hot water, or hot air to industrial facilities, with the only byproduct being iron oxide (rust), which itself can then be collected and converted back into iron fuel by reacting it with hydrogen produced via low-carbon processes.
Rift’s latest funding comprises a $96.2 million Series B round involving several Netherlands-based investors, along with a $35.5 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund. Both pots of money will support the construction of the company’s first production facility for iron fuel boilers. Rift’s first customer is the building materials manufacturer Kingspan Unidek, with whom it’s developing a project that Rift says will result in over a million metric tons of avoided emissions over a 15-year period.

The electric vehicle transition looks pretty different in East Africa, where two-wheeled motorcycles dominate daily commuting and urban transit. These smaller, lighter vehicles are simple and cheap to electrify, and while their upfront cost is higher than gasoline-powered bikes, operating expenses can be 50% lower. This week, the market received a boost as e-motorbike startup Zeno announced a $25 million Series A round to scale production of its flagship bike.
The round was led by the climate tech VC Congruent Ventures, with support from other heavyweights such as Lowercarbon Capital. Zeno’s CEO Michael Spencer, who left Tesla in 2022 to start the company, sees a larger electrification opportunity in emerging economies than here in the U.S. As he told TechCrunch when Zeno emerged from stealth in fall 2024, “the Tesla master plan has more legs and more room to run with lower hurdles in emerging markets.”
Spencer saw particular potential to sell low-cost motorbikes with batteries that Zeno would own rather than the customer, meaning they can’t charge their bikes at home. Riders instead rely on swap stations where they can exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones — much as the Chinese electric vehicle company Nio does with its cars.
Zeno designs and manufactures its own bikes and charging infrastructure, with 800 motorbikes sold and 150 charging and battery-swap stations installed across four cities across Kenya and Uganda. With this latest influx of cash, the company plans to fulfill its backlogged orderbook, which it says now has more than 25,000 retail and fleet customers.
Data centers developers are hitting bottlenecks securing energy, land, and social acceptance — so the startup Aikido wants to ship them out to sea, where it says “energy, cooling and space are abundant.” This week, the offshore wind developer revealed its novel floating turbine platform, designed to co-locate wind generation and battery storage with data centers submerged in compartments connected to the turbine itself.
The installation would still be grid-connected, but the idea is that the turbine and batteries will meet most of the data center’s energy needs, drawing on the grid mainly during the summer when the wind dies down. A 100-kilowatt proof of concept is already being developed in Norway, with the first commercial deployment slated for the U.K. sometime in 2028. Eventually, Aikido says it envisions building “gigawatt-scale” data centers at sea — an ambitious undertaking in a notoriously harsh environment.
But as CEO Sam Kanner reasoned in a press release, “before we go off-world, we should go offshore” — a likely jab at Elon Musk, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to launch data centers into space to rid himself of terrestrial concerns over real estate and energy.

A conversation with Center for Rural Innovation founder and Vermont hative Matt Dunne.
This week’s conversation is with Matt Dunne, founder of the nonprofit Center for Rural Innovation, which focuses on technology, social responsibility, and empowering small, economically depressed communities.
Dunne was born and raised in Vermont, where he still lives today. He was a state legislator in the Green Mountain State for many years. I first became familiar with his name when I was in college at the state’s public university, reporting on his candidacy for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2016. Dunne ultimately lost a tight race to Sue Minter, who then lost to current governor Phil Scott, a Republican.
I can still remember how back in 2016, Dunne’s politics then presaged the kind of rural empathy and economic populism now en vogue and rising within the Democratic Party. Dunne endorsed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential bid and was backed by the state’s AFL-CIO; Minter, a more establishment Democrat, stayed out of the 2016 primary and underperformed in the general election. It doesn’t surprise me now to see Dunne emerging with novel, nuanced perspectives on how advanced technological infrastructure can succeed in rural America. So I decided to chat with him about the state of data center development today.

The following chat has been lightly edited for clarity.
So first of all, can you tell our readers about your organization in case they’re unfamiliar?
We founded this social enterprise back in 2017 because the economic gap between urban and rural turned into a chasm. We traced the core reasons and it was the winners and losers of the tech economy. There were millions and millions of jobs created from the great recession, but the problem was that it was almost exclusively in urban areas, in the services sectors like consulting, finance, and tech. At the end of the day, we believe in the age of the internet there should be no limit to where high-quality technology jobs should thrive.
We work with communities across the country that are rural and looking to add technology as a component to their economy. We help them with strategies – tech accelerators, tech accountability programs, co-working spaces, all the other stuff you need to create a vibrant place where those kinds of companies can emerge so people can come back, come home. We work with 43 regions across 25 states that are all on this journey together and help them secure the resources to execute on that journey.
One of the reasons I wanted to speak with you is your history in Vermont. I went to the University of Vermont, and I loved living there, but there aren’t jobs to keep kids there which is still a huge disappointment to young folks who love living in the state.

At the same time the state reflects many of the same signals we see in Heatmap Pro data around advanced industrial development. Large land owners bristle at new projects regardless of their political party, and Democratic voters are more inclined to side more with locavorism than a YIMBY growth-minded approach.
How do your Vermonter roots inform your work, and do they affect the ways you see the conflicts over new advanced tech infrastructure?
What we’ve seen in Vermont after the Great Recession is that there’s lots of available space and a population that’s aged significantly.
This all impacted my outlook as a community development person, and now as a leader of a social enterprise. We need to be thinking proactively about what an economically healthy community looks like and how we ensure we have places importing cash and exporting value in a way that doesn’t destroy what’s amazing about these rural places. You pretty quickly land on tech, as well as maybe some design-related manufacturing where the ideas are local.
To make it clear, we’re building infrastructure for technology communities which is different from building technology infrastructure itself. That’s an important distinction. It’s about giving them the tools to stand up a tech accelerator and have a co-working space that creates community. A good co-working space has good programming, allows for remote workers to go to a place, and you can have those virtuous collisions that lead to something else. A collaboration. A volunteer project. Whatever it is. Having hack-a-thons, lectures or demonstrations on the latest AI technology that can be used. Youth programming around robotics. If you can create a space where that happens, you create a lot of synergy, which is important in smaller markets – you have to be intentional with all of this.
Okay, so considering those practices, what do you think of the way data center development is going?
For the record, I spent six and a half years at Google and was hired at first because of data centers. At the time, I saw Google try to build a big data center in a community of less than 10,000 people in secret, and it didn’t go well because it just doesn’t work, and that’s how I got my job there.
There is a right way to come into a community with a data center or frankly any kind of global company infrastructure project, and there’s a wrong way to do it. The right way is being as transparent as possible, knowing full well that when a brand name is mentioned, the price goes through the roof for the land. There does have to be some level of confidentiality when you’re ready to go, but once you can, you have to be proactive with it.

You have to be a really good steward on the impacts, whether they’re electrical demand or water demand. It’s about being clear, it’s about figuring out how to mitigate it, and it’s about maintaining your commitment to 100% renewable energy even as you’re bringing online data centers. Oh, and it’s about having a real financial commitment to make sure the community can economically diversify away from being overly dependent on the data center, on that one industry. The data center developers know full well that they’ll create a lot of construction jobs but that’s not going to be a good, sustainable employer. Frankly, the history of rural places is littered with communities that are too dependent on one industry, one company, and that hasn’t
What does that look like from a policy perspective and a community relations perspective?
I think there are models emerging, including from Microsoft, Google, and others, about what good entry and strong commitments look like. It would be great if someone put a line in the sand about 2% of capex going to a community to diversify the economy. It would be great if companies put a reasonable time horizon out there to replace potable water through technology or other kinds of supports. It would be great to see commitments to ratepayers that say people won’t have to foot the bill for increased demand.
Here’s the part we focus on more because we’re not as focused on site selection: Rural America is likely to shoulder the burden of data center infrastructure just like they shouldered the burden of energy production infrastructure. The question at the end of the day is, how do we make sure those communities see the upside? How do we make sure they can leverage tech capacity inside these data centers to be able to have more agency and chart their own economic futures? That’s what we’re really focused on because if you do that, it doesn’t have to be a repeat of the extractive processes of the past, where rural places were used for cheap land and low-wage workers. They can instead be places with lots of land available and incredible innovation, new enterprises and solving the world’s problems.
Plus more of the week’s biggest development fights.
Botetourt County, Virginia – Google has released its water use plans for a major data center in Virginia after a local news outlet argued regulators couldn’t withhold that information under public records laws.
Montana – Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between, we have a freshly dead wind farm.
Oklahoma County, Oklahoma – A huge rally is scheduled in Oklahoma City this weekend in support of ending wind and solar farm construction in the state.
Mingo County, West Virginia – Coal country is rebelling against data centers.
Mesa County, Colorado – This county’s government is implementing a new legal standard for energy storage – and it is causing problems.

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CT agency OKs expansion adding 150 acres to solar facility. Some residents respond with dismay. – Hartford Courant

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The Connecticut Siting Council voted to approve a proposed expansion of East Windsor’s Gravel Pit Solar facility that would add 150 acres to the project and increase its output by 30 megawatts.
Gravel Pit Solar, owned by New York-based DESRI Holdings, is by far the largest solar installation in Connecticut and among the largest in New England. But the developer’s efforts to expand the facility have drawn growing opposition from residents in the surrounding community.
In its draft opinion, the Siting Council wrote that the expansion would provide “additional renewable capacity to meet future demand; reduce dependence on imported energy resources; diversify the state energy supply mix; and provide additional generation capacity during times of high demand.” It also concluded that the facility did not raise significant environmental concerns.
DESRI Holdings, which also operates two smaller solar arrays in Simsbury and Sprague, celebrated the decision.
In an emailed statement, Executive Director Aaron Svedlow thanked the council for “recognizing the public need for this project as part of the state’s clean energy future.”
“From the beginning, our focus has been on building long-term value for East Windsor while delivering reliable, cost-effective renewable power for Connecticut and the region,” Svedlow went on. “This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing lasting benefits for both the community and the state.”
But some local residents responded with dismay. They pointed out that East Windsor is already home to more than a quarter of all the existing grid-scale solar power produced in Connecticut.
“East Windsor cannot absorb all of the solar in Connecticut,” said Christina Dahl, an East Windsor resident who lives close to the project and leads opposition group East Windsor Citizens for Responsible Solar Development.
The expansion would cover dozens of acres of farmland previously used to grow corn and tobacco.
The better option, Dahl said, would be to put solar panels on brownfields, rooftops or even in parking lots. She said she isn’t opposed to solar power — she just doesn’t want it taking over her town.
“We’re bearing the burden of this huge project where we don’t even get a benefit on our bill,” she said. “I don’t want our town turning into a utility.”
Opposition to the Gravel Pit Solar expansion has grown in recent months. A petition opposing the project gathered 2,223 signatures on change.org, where it also was endorsed by state Sen. Saud Anwar, a Democrat from neighboring South Windsor.
While local officials in East Windsor initially welcomed the project in 2020, many residents and neighbors soon began raising concerns about preserving local farmland and maintaining the value of their property.
Several small fires that have broken out on site have also stoked concerns — though no damage has been reported to neighboring properties.
Erin Stewart, a Republican candidate for governor and former mayor of New Britain, recently filmed a video in front of the Gravel Pit facility, expressing her opposition to the project.
“Families here have had to watch as their rural landscape, their open fields, their agricultural heritage, their scenic character, has been transformed into what amounts to an industrial energy zone,” she said.
Meanwhile, DESRI is also working on another solar project in East Windsor and Ellington called Saltbox Solar. The proposed 100-megawatt project is expected to power about 15,000 homes, according to their website.
In the days leading up to Thursday’s vote, Anwar and other East Windsor residents filed written testimony with the siting council. The council was created in 1971 to oversee the placement of power facilities and other critical infrastructure projects in the state, taking over a process that was previously controlled largely by the use of eminent domain by utility companies.
While the council said it would consider the public’s comments, it ultimately has the final say over all projects within its jurisdiction, preempting local control.
In his letter, Anwar wrote, “Since East Windsor first saw solar power generation at that location within its borders, residents have reported significant and consistent issues pertaining to the impact on local safety and quality of life. Any further approvals are poised to further those issues.”
Anwar suggested instead that new solar developments “seek locations in other municipalities when considering renewable energy projects.”
Mikayla Bunnell is a reporter for the Connecticut Mirror. Copyright 2026 @ CT Mirror (ctmirror.org).
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Cost, complexity, confidence slow rooftop solar uptake in Australia – pv magazine International

Cost, complexity and confidence gaps are the main barriers to the uptake of rooftop solar in Australia, according to new federal government research.
Image: CER
From pv magazine Australia
A new survey shows that the upfront cost of purchasing and installing rooftop solar is the most common barrier to its uptake while the complexity of choice is also a major pain point for consumers.
The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) has surveyed nearly 4,900 people for its Towards Net Zero study, examining how households decide on home energy upgrades, with a focus on rooftop solar.
Of the respondents with solar panels, the most common reason for installing solar was financial with 67% of solar owners citing bill savings as their main motivation, but almost half of those said upfront expenses had made the decision to get solar difficult. Those without solar were even more likely to view cost as the primary barrier with nearly half of respondents citing cost as the main reason the choice to get rooftop solar was difficult.
Cost was also the most common reason people with solar panels had not purchased batteries.
Behind cost, the second most common friction to installing solar is the complexity of choice with half of respondents who were planning to install solar finding it difficult to choose the right type and size of system, choose an installer, work out how much to spend, and learn the technical jargon.
The survey shows that respondents who were planning to install solar within the next five years perceived many associated tasks to be difficult.
“More than 50% of this group found it difficult to choose the system that was right for them, choose an installer, work out how much money to spend, learn the technical jargon and work out how big the system would be,” BETA said. “Such complexity can create enough friction to grind the process to a halt.”
BETA said confidence emerged as a critical enabler with clear information from salespeople and installers helping to reduce complexity and enable action.
“Confidence may be the key ingredient to help people follow through on their intention to make home upgrades,” the researchers said. “A combination of easy-to-access and easy-to-understand general advice, paired with customized recommendations from trustworthy retailers or tradespeople … can help overcome the frictions introduced by the complexity or difficulty of tasks.”
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Spud Valley solar project on track to build in Alamosa county – The Center Post-Dispatch

Spud Valley solar project on track to build in Alamosa county  The Center Post-Dispatch
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TerraForm Power strengthens U.S. development portfolio through 1.56 GW Steward Creek Solar purchase – Energies Media

TerraForm Power strengthens U.S. development portfolio through 1.56 GW Steward Creek Solar purchase  Energies Media
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CERT Polska Details Coordinated Cyber Attacks on 30+ Wind and Solar Farms – The Hacker News

CERT Polska, the Polish computer emergency response team, revealed that coordinated cyber attacks targeted more than 30 wind and photovoltaic farms, a private company from the manufacturing sector, and a large combined heat and power plant (CHP) supplying heat to almost half a million customers in the country.
The incident took place on December 29, 2025. The agency has attributed the attacks to a threat cluster dubbed Static Tundra, which is also tracked as Berserk Bear, Blue Kraken, Crouching Yeti, Dragonfly, Energetic Bear, Ghost Blizzard (formerly Bromine), and Havex. Static Tundra is assessed to be linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Center 16 unit.
It’s worth noting that recent reports from ESET and Dragos attributed the activity with moderate confidence to a different Russian state-sponsored hacking group known as Sandworm.
“All attacks had a purely destructive objective,” CERT Polska said in a report published Friday. “Although attacks on renewable energy farms disrupted communication between these facilities and the distribution system operator, they did not affect the ongoing production of electricity. Similarly, the attack on the combined heat and power plant did not achieve the attacker’s intended effect of disrupting heat supply to end users.”
The attackers are said to have gained access to the internal network of power substations associated with a renewable energy facility to carry out reconnaissance and disruptive activities, including damaging the firmware of controllers, deleting system files, or launching custom-built wiper malware codenamed DynoWiper by ESET.
In the intrusion aimed at the CHP, the adversary engaged in long-term data theft dating all the way back to March 2025 that enabled them to escalate privileges and move laterally across the network. The attackers’ attempts to detonate the wiper malware were unsuccessful, CERT Polska noted.
On the other hand, the targeting of the manufacturing sector company is believed to be opportunistic, with the threat actor gaining initial access via a vulnerable Fortinet perimeter device. The attack targeting the grid connection point is also likely to have involved the exploitation of a vulnerable FortiGate appliance.
At least four different versions of DynoWiper have been discovered to date. These variants were deployed on Mikronika HMI Computers used by the energy facility and on a network share within the CHP after securing access through the SSL‑VPN portal service of a FortiGate device.
“The attacker gained access to the infrastructure using multiple accounts that were statically defined in the device configuration and did not have two‑factor authentication enabled,” CERT Polska said, detailing the actor’s modus operandi targeting the CHP. “The attacker connected using Tor nodes, as well as Polish and foreign IP addresses, which were often associated with compromised infrastructure.”
The wiper’s functionality is fairly straightforward –
It’s worth mentioning here that the malware does not have a persistence mechanism, a way to communicate with a command‑and‑control (C2) server, or execute shell commands. Nor does it attempt to hide the activity from security programs.
CERT Polska said the attack targeting the manufacturing sector company involved the use of a PowerShell-based wiper dubbed LazyWiper that scripts overwrites files on the system with pseudorandom 32‑byte sequences to render them unrecoverable. It’s suspected that the core wiping functionality was developed using a large language model (LLM).
“The malware used in the incident involving renewable energy farms was executed directly on the HMI machine,” CERT Polska pointed out. “In contrast, in the CHP plant (DynoWiper) and the manufacturing sector company (LazyWiper), the malware was distributed within the Active Directory domain via a PowerShell script executed on a domain controller.”
The agency also described some of the code-level similarities between DynoWiper and other wipers built by Sandworm as “general” in nature and does not offer any concrete evidence as to whether the threat actor participated in the attack.
“The attacker used credentials obtained from the on‑premises environment in attempts to gain access to cloud services,” CERT Polska said. “After identifying credentials for which corresponding accounts existed in the M365 service, the attacker downloaded selected data from services such as Exchange, Teams, and SharePoint.”
“The attacker was particularly interested in files and email messages related to OT network modernization, SCADA systems, and technical work carried out within the organizations.”
Hitachi Energy, whose RTU560 Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) were targeted in the attacks, has released an advisory, stating the affected devices have been confirmed to be located behind vulnerable firewalls, running outdated firmware version for RTU500 series (e.g., CVE‑2024‑2617), configured with default credentials, and operating without recommended security features enabled.
“These circumstances created a scenario in which the devices were exposed to an increased risk,” Hitachi Energy said. “Customers are strongly encouraged to assess their environments and adopt the recommended safeguards.”
Besides TTU560 RTUs, attackers have also been found to target the following devices –
In an independent report, ESET published additional details of the DynoWiper malware, describing it as capable of recursively wiping files on all removable and fixed drives, excluding specific directories in the C: drive (e.g., system32, windows, program files, temp, boot, perflogs, appdata, and documents and settings).
“The wiper overwrites files using a 16-byte buffer that contains random data generated once at the start of the wiper’s execution,” ESET said. “Files of size 16 bytes or fewer are fully overwritten, with smaller files being extended to 16 bytes. To speed up the destruction process, other files (larger than 16 bytes) have only some parts of their contents overwritten.”
In a follow-up analysis of DynoWiper, Elastic Security Labs said the malware intentionally avoids system-critical directories to maintain system stability during the attack, and that it opts for a rapid file corruption approach to ensure data is unrecoverable. 
“DYNOWIPER employs a Mersenne Twister PRNG to generate pseudorandom data for file corruption,” it said. “Rather than overwriting entire files (which requires time), it strategically corrupts files by: Removing file protection attributes via ‘SetFileAttributesW(FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL),’ Opening files with CreateFileW for read/write access Overwriting the file header with 16 bytes of random data, [and] for larger files, generating up to 4,096 random offsets and overwriting each with 16-byte sequences.”
DynoWiper has been found to share “several similarities” with another wiper strain codenamed ZOV, which the Slovakian cybersecurity company attributes to Sandworm with high confidence. ZOV was deployed in two different attacks targeting an energy company and a financial institution in Ukraine in January 2024 and November 2025, respectively.
ESET said the DynoWiper’s links to Sandworm are based on tactical overlaps and the threat actor’s targeting of energy companies, including those in Poland, with malware families such as BlackEnergy and GreyEnergy in the past. It also pointed out that it’s not aware of any other threat actor that has employed wipers in cyber operations aimed at European Union countries.
“Although Sandworm has previously targeted companies in Poland, it typically did so covertly,” it added. “In particular, the preparatory stages leading up to the destructive activity may have been conducted by another threat actor group collaborating with Sandworm.”
(The story was updated after publication to reflect the latest analyses from ESET and Elastic Security Labs.)
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Swiss researchers develop snow model to optimize PV system design in alpine regions – pv magazine International

The researchers have used computational fluid dynamics-based modelling of snow patterns in an effort to establish best practices to mitigate snow accumulation in alpine PV plants.
Image: Helioplant
Researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Switzerland have modelled snow patterns to identify some best practices for PV installations built with Helioplant, a patented Austrian vertical PV framing structure.
“Alpine PV systems have demonstrated strong potential for electricity production during winter, notably due to the reflection of incoming solar radiation by the snow cover. While this reflection helps improve energy capture, snow can also create problems by covering or burying the solar panels, which induces losses or damages,” Océane Hames, co-first research author, told pv magazine.
The optimal design for alpine solar PV systems remains to be established, not only for individual installations but also for larger clusters comparable in scale to future commercial alpine power plants, according to Yael Frischholz, co-first author of the research.
“Helioplant structures have shown significant potential in terms of snow accumulation mitigation, which is why we investigated this design,” Frischholz told pv magazine.
Image: EPFL, Cold, Cold Regions Science and Technology, Creative Commons CC by 4.0
Helioplant is a patented vertical PV framing structure developed by Ehoch2, an Austrian PV engineering company, to mitigate snow accumulation. It has a cross-shaped load-bearing structure with four solar wings designed to passively prevent snow accumulation within the wing area.
The researchers used a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling tool known as Snowbedfoam to simulate snow transport and examine the snow-drifting impact of Helioplant structures. According to the research, Snowbedfoam is an Openfoam-based Eulerian-Lagrangian solver for modelling snow transport.
“It is the first time that such a detailed snow transport model is applied to solar panel structures. The simulations of the sensitivity analysis were specifically designed to provide practitioners with key messages, or guidelines, on how to plan with this type of structure,” explained Hames.
The study used simulations and field observations from an identical test site. Some of the parameters considered were azimuth, height-above-surface, spatial arrangement of multiple units, interspace, size of the group and alignment.
Several initial best practice recommendations emerged from the analysis. For example, the height above the bare surface, ground gap, should be greater than 0.6 m, and the orientation of the Helioplant units relative to prevailing wind directions should be as close to 0° as possible. “If set to 45°, an undesired erosion-free area will form in the inner lee of the structures. Locations with primary wind directions that are perpendicular or opposite to each other are therefore preferable,” said the researchers.
Further guidelines are described in their paper, “Optimizing snow distribution in alpine PV systems: CFD-based design guidelines for power plant layout,” published in Cold Regions Science and Technology.
In the conclusion, it was noted that the results “validated the importance of using CFD-based studies alongside small-scale test sites,” particularly when scaling up from smaller installations to larger-scale alpine power PV plants.
The technology is not limited to any particular type of solar PV mounting solution. “The methods developed for this study can be used for any type of structure. Simulations on more conventional row-based layout were already done,” said Frischholz.
The team is continuing the research towards developing yield simulations that compare snow deposition patterns to actual PV electricity losses, and modelling more complex, non-flat terrain.
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Top Solar Stocks Worth Watching – March 7th – MarketBeat

First Solar, Enphase Energy, Sunrun, Nextpower, Turbo Energy, Solaris Energy Infrastructure, and Array Technologies are the seven Solar stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeat’s stock screener tool. Solar stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is in the solar energy sector — for example manufacturers of photovoltaic panels, developers/owners of solar power plants, installers, and firms that supply related components or financing. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to growth in solar power adoption, while accepting sector-specific risks such as policy changes, commodity and supply-chain pressures, and technological competition. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Solar stocks within the last several days.

First Solar (FSLR)

First Solar, Inc., a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, Japan, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with a thin film semiconductor technology that provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules.
Read Our Latest Research Report on FSLR

Enphase Energy (ENPH)

Enphase Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells home energy solutions for the solar photovoltaic industry in the United States and internationally. The company offers semiconductor-based microinverter, which converts energy at the individual solar module level and combines with its proprietary networking and software technologies to provide energy monitoring and control.
Read Our Latest Research Report on ENPH

Sunrun (RUN)

Sunrun Inc. designs, develops, installs, sells, owns, and maintains residential solar energy systems in the United States. It also sells solar energy systems and products, such as panels and racking; and solar leads generated to customers. In addition, the company offers battery storage along with solar energy systems; and sells services to commercial developers through multi-family and new homes.
Read Our Latest Research Report on RUN

Nextpower (NXT)

Nextpower, formerly known as Nextracker, an energy solutions company, provides solar trackers and software solutions for utility-scale and distributed generation solar projects in the United States and internationally. The company offers tracking solutions, which includes NX Horizon, a solar tracking solution; and NX Horizon-XTR, a terrain-following tracker designed to expand the addressable market for trackers on sites with sloped, uneven, and challenging terrain.
Read Our Latest Research Report on NXT

Turbo Energy (TURB)

Turbo Energy, S.A. designs, develops, and distributes equipment for the generation, management, and storage of photovoltaic energy in Spain, rest of Europe, and internationally. The company offers lithium-ion batteries; inverters; photovoltaic modules; Go Solar, a portable photovoltaic product; and Sunbox, an AI based software system that monitors the generation, use, and management of photovoltaic energy.
Read Our Latest Research Report on TURB

Solaris Energy Infrastructure (SEI)

Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the manufacture of patented mobile proppant management systems that unload, store, and deliver proppant to oil and natural gas well sites. Its products include Mobile Proppant and Mobile Chemical Management Systems, and Inventory Management Software.
Read Our Latest Research Report on SEI

Array Technologies (ARRY)

Array Technologies, Inc. manufactures and sells ground-mounting tracking systems used in solar energy projects in the United States, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Array Legacy Operations and STI Operations. Its products portfolio includes DuraTrack HZ v3, a single axis tracker; Array STI H250 that delivers a lower levelized cost of energy with tracker system; Array OmniTrack; and SmarTrack, a software product that uses site-specific historical weather and energy production data in combination with machine learning algorithms to identify the optimal position for a solar array in real time to enhance energy production.
Read Our Latest Research Report on ARRY

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Cuba Gambles on Green Energy to End Crippling Blackouts – Yahoo

Cuba Gambles on Green Energy to End Crippling Blackouts  Yahoo
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Enhancing radiation resilience of wide-band-gap perovskite solar cells for space applications via A-site cation stabilization with PDAI2 – ScienceDirect.com

Enhancing radiation resilience of wide-band-gap perovskite solar cells for space applications via A-site cation stabilization with PDAI2  ScienceDirect.com
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MPPT algorithms for grid-connected solar systems including deep learning approaches – Nature

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Scientific Reports volume 16, Article number: 6189 (2026)
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Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which are the most abundant renewable resources, convert solar radiation into electricity through solar cells but cannot consistently operate at the Maximum Power Point (MPP). Therefore, an external controller using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is required. The accuracy and efficiency of this control directly influence system performance, and optimised algorithms can significantly improve results. This study presents a comparative analysis of MPPT algorithms based on efficiency, total harmonic distortion (THD), oscillation behaviour, computational complexity, relative power loss, and relative power gain. The MPPT methods include conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (INC); meta-heuristic techniques such as Grey Wolf Optimisation (GWO), Fuzzy Logic (FL), and Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO); and learning based approaches including Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Results reveal that GWO, PSO, and learning-based approaches offer the highest performance, offering around 99% efficiency, low oscillations, favourable THD, and rapid decision-making. While P&O and INC reach nearly 98.5% efficiency, their effectiveness is limited by stronger oscillatory behaviour. FL causes the highest THD, and its high computational complexity and reduced efficiency limit suitability under rapidly changing operating conditions.
In recent years, the substantial rise in global energy demand has been primarily driven by the continuous growth of the world population. However, using fossil fuels to obtain energy increases the emission of CO2 and greenhouse gases. CO2and greenhouse gases cause global warming and climate change1,2. The Paris Agreement was announced in 2015 to combat climate change. This global agreement accelerated the usage of renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy3.
SPPs, one of the main RESs, convert solar irradiance to electrical energy via solar cells. MPPT represents a critical control strategy in PV energy systems, aimed at continuously harvesting the maximum attainable power under varying environmental conditions. This is achieved by precisely modulating the PV array’s operating parameters—typically voltage or current—to ensure alignment with the system’s MPP on the P–V characteristic curve. By effectively matching the PV generator’s I–V operating point to the load profile, MPPT algorithms significantly enhance overall energy conversion efficiency4.
In literature, MPPT algorithms are categorised into three categories: Conventional algorithms, meta-heuristic algorithms, and learning based algorithms. Conventional algorithms are traditional algorithms that are FOCV5, FSCC6, P&O7, and INC8. However, these algorithms produce oscillations around MPP. Moreover, meta-heuristic and intelligent algorithms include GWO9, FL type-110, type-211, type-312, Hybrid FL Algorithm13, PSO14, Flower Pollination15, GA16, Cuckoo Search Algorithm17, Arithmetic Optimisation18, Adaptive Snake Algorithm with P&O19, Hill Climbing Algorithm20, GWO with WOA21. Learning based algorithms use ANN22,23, a type of RNN: LSTM24, ANFIS25, and GEP with ANFIS26. In Table 1, MPPT algorithms in the literature have been examined, and the innovations they brought to the literature have been explained.
In this paper, a comprehensive comparative evaluation of widely used MPPT algorithms for grid-connected PV systems is conducted. Conventional (P&O, INC), metaheuristic (GWO, PSO), intelligent (FL) and learning based (, ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS) approaches are systematically examined under different operating conditions, including sinusoidal irradiation and PSC scenarios. The algorithms are evaluated in terms of THD, and computational complexity. In addition, practical implementation aspects such as typical hardware requirements, inference latency, memory usage, and real-time deployability are explicitly considered to assess the feasibility of deploying each algorithm on embedded control platforms. Although THD is primarily associated with the output quality of the inverter, it is indirectly influenced by the dynamic behavior of MPPT algorithms. MPPT techniques that induce rapid or unstable voltage and current variations can introduce fluctuations at the inverter input, which may propagate to the output stage and increase the harmonic content. For this reason, THD is incorporated in this study as a secondary yet relevant performance metric to capture the impact of MPPT dynamics on overall power quality. By jointly considering algorithmic performance, operating conditions, and hardware constraints, this work provides a holistic assessment framework and practical guidelines for selecting appropriate MPPT algorithms in grid-connected PV applications.
The main contributions and contents of this research can be summarised as follows:
Theoretical modelling and simulation of a grid-connected PV system are performed.
The contribution of this paper is the evaluation of a wide range of MPPT controllers, from conventional methods like P&O and INC to meta-heuristic methods such as GWO, FL, and PSO, and learning based approaches including ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS, aiming to compare their performance under sinus irradiance test, and PSC, thereby supporting the scientific community in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar energy conversion systems.
ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS models are trained using synthetic irradiance and temperature datasets to evaluate their predictive capabilities in the sinus irradiance test, and PSCs.
The core contribution of this study is a thorough comparative analysis of the selected MPPT controllers, focusing on critical performance metrics including efficiency, oscillation amplitude, relative power loss, relative power gain, and computational complexity. In addition to primary metrics such as efficiency, oscillation amplitude, relative power loss, relative power gain, and computational complexity, this study also evaluates THD. The study identifies learning-based MPPT algorithms as promising solutions for robust and accurate power point tracking in PV systems.
The paper structure is organised as follows: The Introduction is given in the section “Introduction”. The general overview of the grid-connected PV system and its parts (PV panel, boost converter, inverter, and MPPT algorithms) are presented in the section “Methods”. In the section “MPPT algorithms”, the MPPT algorithms used in this paper are explained. Section “Results and discussion” presents results and discussion of the performance of MPPT algorithms based on efficiency, oscillation, THD, relative power loss, relative power gain, and computational complexity. The conclusion is given in the section “Conclusion”.
The general overview of grid-connected PV systems is shown in Fig. 1. The system has five main parts: PV panels, boost converter, inverter, inductive filter, and grid.
PV Panel System.
The equivalent circuit of a PV cell is illustrated in Fig. 2. A PV cell consists of semiconductor materials that convert solar energy into electrical energy. When sunlight strikes the surface of a solar cell, it excites electrons, causing electricity to flow through the semiconductor. Solar panels are composed of multiple interconnected solar cells working together to increase voltage or current output. The electrical behaviour of a solar panel is often modelled using the equivalent circuit of a single PV cell. This equivalent circuit typically includes one or more diodes, as well as series and parallel resistances.
Equivalent Circuit of a PV Cell.
Equation (1) shows the output current of the PV panel.
The output power of solar panels depends on solar radiation and panel temperature. In this context, two different solar radiation profiles are generated to test the algorithms. As the first profile, a sinusoidal solar radiation test is employed. This test represents the typical daily increase in solar radiation under normal environmental conditions. Figure 3 illustrates the sinus irradiation test curve60,61,62.
Sinus Irradiation Test Curve.
PSC is one of the most significant factors affecting power efficiency in solar systems. This condition occurs when shadows are cast on solar panels for any reason. Objects such as clouds, trees, buildings, etc., can cast shadows on solar panels, reducing the solar radiation falling on the solar panel and reducing efficiency. Furthermore, sudden PSC can disrupt the ability of the algorithm to extract maximum power, reducing efficiency. Therefore, MPPT algorithms must be prepared for PSCs63. In the current study, a 4-second artificial solar irradiation curve is created, and PSC is assumed in the system in all parts. The temperature is constant at 25 ({}^{ circ }{text{C}}). The Typical Solar Irradiance Curve with PSC is demonstrated in Fig. 464.
Typical Solar Irradiance Curve with PSC.
I–V characteristic and P-V curves of the PV panel are illustrated in Fig. 5. The PV panel parameters are provided in Table 2.
PV Panel Voltage–Current and Voltage–Power Graphs.
The main idea of a boost converter is to step up the output voltage to a higher voltage level. The general overview of the boost converter is demonstrated in Fig. 6. The parameters calculation of the boost converter is given in Eqs. (2)–(5). The parameters of the boost converter are given in Table 3.
Boost Converter.
In Table 3, boost converter design parameters are presented.
Inverters play a critical role in PV energy systems by converting the DC output of solar panels into AC, which is necessary for compatibility with the conventional electrical grid. This DC–AC conversion is typically facilitated through high-frequency switching elements such as IGBTs and diodes. The inverter topology employed in this study is illustrated in Fig. 7, and its principal electrical specifications are detailed in Table 4.
Inverter Topology.
In grid-connected PV systems, inductive filters are essential for suppressing high-frequency harmonics produced by inverter switching operations. These harmonics, if left untreated, can deteriorate power quality and lead to noncompliance with grid standards. The inductive filter also contributes to smoothing the output waveform, thereby ensuring more stable voltage and current delivery to the grid. In this simulation, an L-branch type inductive filter is employed. Inductance (L) of the inverter is 0.0027578 H65.
The THD and efficiency calculations of the algorithms used in this study are formulated in Eqs. 68 respectively.
Other performance metrics of relative power loss and relative power gain is formulated in Eq. 966, and Eq. 1067, respectively.
The output power of PV panels depends on both solar irradiation and temperature, which continuously fluctuates over time. Without an MPPT algorithm, the boost converter may fail to maintain the correct duty cycle, leading to inefficient power conversion and unstable output. MPPT algorithms dynamically adjust the converter’s duty cycle in real time to ensure operation at the MPP68.
Conventional algorithms are the first algorithms for MPPT. They consist of simple mathematical equations and operations for the decision process. Therefore, the decision-making time of the algorithms is short. Although they have a simple structure, their sensitivity for deciding the true MPP is insufficient. Hence, the output power of the system oscillates around MPP, and the overall efficiency is low. Moreover, they cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions. Changing temperature and irradiance values make the decision process of algorithms difficult.
The P&O algorithm is one of the commonly used MPPT algorithms in PV systems. This algorithm mainly depends on observing the output power of the system by perturbing the panel voltage and current. The output power is calculated over a time period, called the sample time. At the beginning of the algorithm, a small perturbation power value is calculated to provide a comparison with the next value. In a sample time, if the difference between the present and previous value(::(varDelta:P)) is zero, the algorithm decides a non–changing perturbation. That means, the algorithm does not change the duty cycle (:left(Dright)). If the algorithm detects a change between the present and previous power values, the voltage perturbation is observed. When the change of the perturbed voltage (:(varDelta:V)) is negative, the algorithm increases the duty cycle(:.:)Conversely, if the change of the perturbed voltage is positive, the algorithm decreases the duty cycle69. The P&O algorithm is denoted in Fig. 8.  The operating step size of the P&O algorithm is determined as 1e-05 s.
P&O Algorithm.
INC is a widely used and practical MPPT algorithm, especially suitable for rapidly changing environmental conditions. The algorithm begins by sensing the voltage and current of the PV panel. It then computes the instantaneous changes in voltage ((:varDelta:V)) and current ((:varDelta:I)) by comparing the current values with the previous ones. Using these, the algorithm calculates the instantaneous conductance ((:I/V)) and its derivative ((:raisebox{1ex}{$varDelta:I$}!left/:!raisebox{-1ex}{$varDelta:V$}right.)). If there is no change in voltage ((:varDelta:V=0)), the algorithm evaluates (:varDelta:I) to determine the direction of movement. A positive (:varDelta:I) indicates that the operating point is to the left of the MPP, prompting the algorithm to decrease the voltage (i.e., reduce the duty cycle). Conversely, a negative (:varDelta:I) implies the operating point is to the right of the MPP, so the voltage is increased. If the derivative of the conductance ((:raisebox{1ex}{$varDelta:I$}!left/:!raisebox{-1ex}{$varDelta:V$}right.)) equals the negative of the instantaneous conductance ((:raisebox{1ex}{$-I$}!left/:!raisebox{-1ex}{$V$}right.)), the MPP is reached, and the duty cycle remains unchanged. If (:raisebox{1ex}{$varDelta:I$}!left/:!raisebox{-1ex}{$varDelta:V$}right.)> (:raisebox{1ex}{$-I$}!left/:!raisebox{-1ex}{$V$}right.), the algorithm increases the voltage; otherwise, it decreases to70. The INC algorithm is illustrated in Fig. 9. Working step size of INC algorithm is determined as 1e-05 s.
INC Algorithm.
Meta-heuristic methods are inspired by the natural behaviour of humans, animals, and plants. These algorithms are more complex than conventional algorithms. They include more sensitive mathematical operations. However, they require specifically designed parameters for each system although these algorithms can have better power efficiency than conventional algorithms71.
The GWO algorithm is inspired by the natural hunting behaviour of grey wolves. There are four wolves, each with a task in the hierarchy. First wolves are called the alpha (), second wolves are called the beta (:left(beta:right)), third wolves are called the delta (:left(delta:right)), fourth wolves are called the omega ((:omega:)). The algorithm starts by determining the first two possible solutions for the alpha and beta wolves. Delta and omega wolves are responsible for providing solutions for alpha and beta. This algorithm has some stages, such as encircling prey, hunting, and attacking prey. Firstly, wolves try to encircle the global optimum power point (prey). Secondly, wolves start to move prey by learning from each other72. Finally, the fitness function reviews all results, adjusts the system to the best possible state, and prepares the following positions of the wolves. The fitness function finds the best MPP as shown in Eq. 11.
The flowchart of the GWO algorithm is illustrated in Fig. 10, and the parameters used in the algorithm are given in Table 5.
GWO Algorithm.
FL is one of the most widely used meta-heuristic MPPT techniques due to its simplicity and robustness under varying environmental conditions. In this method, the numerical inputs—typically voltage and current—are first transformed into linguistic variables through a process known as fuzzification, using predefined membership functions73. These functions map crisp input values (i.e., precise numerical data) to fuzzy sets with degrees of membership ranging from 0 to 1. Each input parameter has a membership function that defines terms such as “negative big,” “negative medium,” “zero,” “positive small,” and so on. The inference engine then evaluates the fuzzy rules and determines the appropriate fuzzy output based on a rule base. Finally, through the defuzzification process, the fuzzy output is converted back into a crisp control value, which is used to adjust the duty cycle of the converter to reach the GMPP74. The FL algorithm derives its decision-making ability from membership functions. The number of these functions and their correct parameterization are crucial. Incorrectly parameterized membership functions lead to a decrease in the algorithm’s efficiency75. Figure 11 describes the structure of the FL algorithm, and Table 6 gives the parameters used in the FL algorithm.
FL Algorithm.
The PSO algorithm is inspired by the regular behaviour of bird flocks. Birds flock together and intelligently position themselves and behave in a way that solves their own problems within the flock. Additionally, birds within flocks can further optimize their own positions by taking inspiration from each other. Inspired by these behaviors, the PSO algorithm aims to improve the position of each particle by taking into account each other’s positions, which is called swarm intelligence76. At the beginning, as in every algorithm, the initial positions of the particles are determined, and these positions are candidates for the solution. In MPPT algorithms, these particles generally represent the duty cycle value. These particles optimize their positions both within themselves and within the swarm77. Additionally, each particle has its own speed to reach the optimum result. The Weight parameter determines how much of the particles’ previous speeds are preserved. The Iteration coefficient determines how often this optimization process will be repeated at each sample time78. By determining these parameters, the particles change their positions by taking into account the increase and decrease of the output power and the positions of each other. However, these specified parameters need to be explicitly set for each system. In the conventional PSO algorithm, it is of great importance to determine these parameters appropriately for each system79, which is one of the most significant drawbacks of conventional PSO algorithms, as systems with variable output power, such as solar panels, require algorithms that can adapt to changing conditions. To address this issue, algorithms that optimize parameters already appear in the literature80. The flow diagram of the PSO algorithm is given in Fig. 12, and the parameters used in the study are indicated in Table 7.
Flow diagram of the PSO algorithm.
Learning-based approaches are primarily motivated by the capability to predict the MPP under varying climatic conditions, such as changes in solar irradiation.They are inspired by human neurons, which are used as layers in the systems. Before the process, data from panels and the environment are used to train the operation. After that, layers apply mathematical operations for elimination and estimation processes81. In this study, the dataset used for training and evaluating learning–based MPPT algorithms is generated from a PV energy conversion system consisting of a solar PV panel and a DC–DC boost converter. The input features of the dataset are the solar irradiance and cell temperature, which represent the environmental operating conditions of the PV system. The output variable is the optimized PV voltage corresponding to the maximum power point, obtained by controlling the duty cycle of the boost converter. By operating the system under a wide range of irradiance and temperature scenarios, a comprehensive dataset is constructed to capture the nonlinear mapping between environmental inputs and the optimal PV operating voltage. The control part diagram used in the study is given in Fig. 13. Also, (:{K}_{p:})and (:{K}_{i}) presented in Table 8.
Control Part Diagram.
The central concept behind ANN algorithms is inspired by the functioning of the human brain. ANN consists of interconnected layers of artificial neurons that process and transmit information, mimicking biological neural structures. These networks typically include three types of layers: input, hidden, and output. The input layer receives data from external sources and passes it to the hidden layers, where most computations and pattern recognition occur. The output layer delivers the final result based on the processing in the hidden layers. During operation, each input is multiplied by a corresponding weight, and the weighted sum is then passed through an activation function in the hidden neurons, which determines whether a neuron becomes “activated” based on its input. In feed-forward neural networks, the information flows in only one direction—from input to output—without feedback loops82. ANNs are well-suited for processing large datasets, as they can make rapid decisions by learning complex relationships between inputs and outputs. However, without adequate training data, the network may produce incorrect predictions or overgeneralizations. Therefore, ANN models require extensive and diverse datasets to ensure accurate and reliable performance. In this study, the inputs to the ANN include irradiance, temperature, panel current, and panel voltage, while the output is the power. The control logic then adjusts the system parameters accordingly. Figure 14 presents the structure of the ANN and Table 9 provides the parameters.
ANN Algorithm.
LSTM is one of the most widely used types of RNNs. LSTM networks are specifically designed to overcome the limitations of traditional RNNs, such as memory overflow and vanishing gradients. An LSTM network typically consists of four layers: a sequence input layer, an LSTM layer, a fully connected layer, and a regression layer83. Within the LSTM layer, each memory cell includes three gates: the forget gate, the input gate, and the output gate. These gates regulate the flow of information through the network using sigmoid (σ) and tanh activation functions. The primary innovation of LSTM over traditional RNNs lies in the forget gate, which selectively removes irrelevant past data from memory. This mechanism helps reduce the system’s memory requirements and prevents the accumulation of unnecessary historical data, which could otherwise lead to inaccurate predictions84. Furthermore, LSTM-based MPP forecasting can improve system efficiency by minimising memory usage and reducing dependency on irrelevant past data. This approach directly addresses one of the significant disadvantages of RNNs—storing excessive outdated information85. However, although the LSTM algorithm deletes some past data from memory, it still remains insufficient for long-term prediction issues such as power monitoring. Moreover, due to their deep sequential structures, LSTM-based networks are computationally intensive and may pose challenges for real-time deployment in resource-constrained environments. Their “black-box” nature also limits interpretability and exposes them to risks of overfitting or underfitting depending on training conditions. In particular, it is stated that the LSTM algorithm has problems in complex and long-term power tracking with multiple timesteps. New algorithms have been developed to solve these problems encountered in the LSTM algorithm86. In this study, the inputs to the LSTM network are defined as temperature and irradiance, while the output is the panel voltage. A control unit then uses the LSTM’s output to determine the optimal duty cycle. The LSTM algorithm is illustrated in Fig. 15, and the parameters used in the algorithm are given in Table 10.
LSTM Algorithm.
The BiLSTM algorithm is a bidirectional application of the LSTM algorithm. By applying the LSTM algorithm in both forward and backward directions, more optimized results are achieved, and faster learning is possible during long-term data tracking87. While the forward LSTM algorithm provides benefits for predicting future situations, the backward LSTM algorithm maximizes the efficiency of the decision to be made at the output by taking inspiration from past situations88. The BiLSTM algorithm also improves system performance in unexpected situations by increasing the system’s learning content. A high degree of learning data is particularly advantageous in cases of PSC in solar systems89. However, the weight parameter must be updated at the same rate in the predictions, because continually using the same weight parameter makes the system vulnerable to extreme situations90. Figure 16 illustrates the operation performed in a cell of the BiLSTM algorithm, and Table 11 illustrates the parameters of the BiLSTM algorithm used in this study.
BiLSTM Algorithm.
The ANFIS algorithm is a hybrid approach that integrates ANN with FL, thereby leveraging the complementary advantages of both methodologies. By integrating the pre-trained nature and deep decision-making capability of ANN with the rule-based decision-making strength of FL, ANFIS emerges as a powerful and effective algorithm91. The ANFIS algorithm begins with optimizing parameters using an ANN. Therefore, the ANFIS algorithm includes input, hidden, and output layers similar to the ANN algorithm or MPPT in solar panel systems, irradiation, temperature, voltage, and current can be used as input layers. The algorithm’s output can be voltage, current, or duty cycle92. After the ANN operation, which is evaluated through membership functions. Membership functions can be of various types; for example, a trimf is used in this study. The ANFIS algorithm, with its detailed decision-making and ability to work with large datasets, is used to solve many problems93. Additionally, the FL algorithm has a high ability to perform well in uncertain issues. This feature, combined with ANN’s training ability, creates a perfect synergy94. The ANFIS algorithm is illustrated in Fig. 17, and the parameters used in this study are illustrated in Table 12.
ANFIS Algorithm.
Figure 18 demonstrates a MATLAB simulation model of a grid-connected PV system including MPPT algorithms.
Simulation Model for Grid-Connected PV System.
All algorithms are simulated for 4 s in MATLAB/Simulink, as shown in Fig. 18, using a sample time of 1e-05 s. The overall performance, efficiency, THD values, and duty-cycle plots of the algorithms are presented in Fig. 19 for the sinusoidal solar radiation test, and in Fig. 20 for the PSC. Among these parameters, the performance metric represents the comparison between the ideal output power of the system and the power output obtained in the simulation. The efficiency value indicates how accurately each algorithm is able to track the MPP; the THD values represent the total harmonic distortion occurring in the system’s inverter; and the duty-cycle values show the duty cycle at which the IGBT in the system is driven by the microcontroller during MPP tracking.
Additionally, the efficiency, THD, relative power loss and relative power gain values presented in Tables 13 and 14 are calculated using Eqs. (6)-(10). The relative power loss values indicate how much power the system loses during operation, whereas the relative power gain value shows the improvement achieved by each algorithm compared to the one with the lowest efficiency, which is designated as the base algorithm in the table. The computational complexity value indicates how much processing power each algorithm requires, expressed in terms of low, medium, or high.
According to the results summarized in Table 13, under the sinusoidal irradiation test condition, the conventional P&O and INC algorithms exhibit efficiencies of 98.28% and 98.30%, respectively. In contrast, the metaheuristic and intelligence-based approaches demonstrate superior performance, with GWO and PSO achieving the highest efficiency of 99.53%, followed closely by BiLSTM (99.51%), ANFIS (99.43%), ANN (99.36%), and LSTM (99.31%). The FL-based method yields the lowest efficiency at 95.23%. In terms of power quality, the THD values remain within a narrow range for all algorithms. The lowest THD levels are observed for GWO, ANN, LSTM, and ANFIS at 4.21%, while the P&O, INC, and FL methods exhibit slightly higher THD values of 4.31%. These results indicate that advanced optimization and learning-based MPPT techniques can marginally improve harmonic performance. Regarding steady-state oscillations, conventional methods such as P&O and INC suffer from relatively large oscillation amplitudes of approximately 4 kW, whereas FL exhibits the highest oscillation at 4.5 kW. In contrast, intelligent and metaheuristic approaches significantly reduce oscillations, with ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS limiting power fluctuations to around 240 W, and GWO and PSO achieving oscillation levels of 260 W and 250 W, respectively. The relative power loss analysis further confirms the superiority of advanced techniques. The FL method experiences the highest power loss at 4.77%, while P&O and INC incur losses of 1.72% and 1.70%, respectively. In comparison, GWO and PSO achieve the minimum relative power loss of 0.47%, followed by BiLSTM (0.49%), ANFIS (0.57%),  ANN (0.64%), and LSTM (0.69%). Correspondingly, the relative power gain is maximized for GWO and PSO at 4.51%, with BiLSTM (4.49%) and ANFIS (4.41%) also providing substantial gains over the baseline FL approach. Finally, from a computational complexity perspective, P&O and INC are classified as low-complexity methods, making them suitable for low-cost implementations. GWO and PSO exhibit medium computational complexity, offering a favorable trade-off between performance and implementation effort. In contrast, FL, ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS are categorized as high-complexity algorithms, which may impose higher computational and hardware requirements despite their enhanced tracking performance.
According to the results reported in Table 14, under PSC, all MPPT algorithms exhibit a general improvement in efficiency compared to uniform irradiation scenarios; however, notable performance disparities persist among conventional, metaheuristic, and learning-based methods. The conventional P&O and INC algorithms achieve identical efficiencies of 98.64%, whereas the FL-based approach demonstrates a comparatively lower efficiency of 97.10%. In contrast, advanced techniques deliver superior performance, with ANFIS attaining the highest efficiency of 99.51%, followed closely by BiLSTM (99.44%), LSTM (99.42%), GWO and PSO (99.49%), and ANN (99.29%). From a power quality perspective, the THD values remain consistently low across all methods, indicating stable converter operation under PSC. The minimum THD values of 3.86% are achieved by GWO, PSO, and BiLSTM, while ANN and ANFIS present slightly higher yet comparable THD levels of 3.88%. Conventional P&O, INC, and FL methods exhibit marginally higher THD values, reaching up to 3.96% in the case of FL, though still within acceptable limits. The steady-state oscillation analysis reveals significant differences in dynamic behavior. Conventional algorithms such as P&O and INC continue to suffer from large oscillation amplitudes of approximately 4 kW, with the FL method exhibiting the highest oscillation level of 4.5 kW. Conversely, metaheuristic and intelligent algorithms markedly suppress power oscillations, limiting steady-state fluctuations to 260 W for GWO, 250 W for PSO, and approximately 240 W for ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS. This substantial reduction highlights the robustness of learning-based approaches in tracking the global maximum power point under PSC. The relative power loss assessment further corroborates these findings. The highest power loss is observed for the FL algorithm at 2.90%, whereas P&O and INC incur losses of 1.36%. In contrast, ANFIS achieves the minimum relative power loss of 0.49%, followed by GWO and PSO at 0.51%, and BiLSTM and LSTM at 0.56% and 0.58%, respectively. These reduced loss values directly translate into enhanced energy harvesting performance under nonuniform irradiation conditions. Consistently, the relative power gain analysis indicates that advanced methods significantly outperform the baseline FL approach. ANFIS provides the highest relative power gain of 2.48%, followed by BiLSTM (2.40%), LSTM (2.38%), and GWO/PSO (2.46%). ANN also demonstrates a notable improvement with a relative gain of 2.25%, while conventional P&O and INC offer limited gains of 1.58%. Finally, in terms of computational complexity, P&O and INC remain low-complexity algorithms suitable for simple and cost-sensitive applications. GWO and PSO are classified as medium-complexity methods, offering an effective compromise between performance and computational burden. In contrast, FL, ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS exhibit high computational complexity, which may impose higher processing requirements but is justified by their superior tracking accuracy and robustness under PSC.
Table 15 summarizes the operating scenarios considered for the MPPT algorithms, the corresponding key performance metrics evaluated under each scenario, and the MPPT techniques applicable to these operating conditions. Table 16 provides a detailed assessment of the computational complexity of the investigated algorithms, including hardware requirements, inference latency, memory usage, and real-time deployability. The P&O and the INC algorithms exhibit lower efficiency than other methods. In addition, they tend to produce higher levels of oscillation. This limitation arises because the mathematical functions underlying P&O and INC are not sufficiently precise in tracking the MPP relative to more advanced algorithms. However, their advantage lies in their simplicity, as they require minimal computational power and can be easily integrated into the system. The low computational complexity of the P&O and INC algorithms stems from the absence of a specific iteration parameter; therefore, they execute only once per sampling time. On the other hand, the FL algorithm exhibits high computational complexity due to its use of membership functions and rule-based inference mechanisms. Moreover, metaheuristic algorithms such as GWO and PSO demonstrate high efficiency in power tracking, owing to their superior decision-making capabilities. However, these algorithms require parameter tuning for each specific system and impose a higher computational load compared to conventional algorithms. The reason that the PSO and GWO algorithms have a medium computational load is that they perform decision-making over multiple iterations for each sampling time. Learning-based algorithms, including ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS, have demonstrated high efficiency, which is primarily because these algorithms are trained on data, enabling them to anticipate operating conditions such as PSC. Additionally, their hidden layers provide enhanced decision-making capabilities. Compared to feed-forward networks such as ANN, feedback networks, including LSTM and BiLSTM, stand out due to their ability to exploit temporal dependencies and leverage past information, further improving performance. Although ANFIS is not a deep learning or feedback-based network, it demonstrates high efficiency because the combination of ANN and FL endows the algorithm with strong decision-making capabilities. However, although learning-based algorithms are highly efficient and resilient to PSCs, they are inherently complex and require substantial computational resources, which is mainly attributed to the number of network parameters and inference operations, resulting in increased memory usage and processing requirements for real-time implementation.
PV MPPT Sinus Irradiance Test Simulation Results (a. Performance Comparison, b. Efficiency Comparison, c. THD Comparison, d. Duty Cycle Comparison).
PV MPPT PSC Test Simulation Results (d. Performance Comparison, e. Efficiency Comparison, f. THD Comparison, g. Duty Cycle Comparison).
MPPT algorithms play a critical role in enhancing the efficiency of PV systems by continuously optimising power output. Different MPPT strategies offer varying levels of performance in terms of efficiency, computational complexity, and power quality. A systematic comparison is essential to identify the most suitable method for specific operational requirements and conditions. The current study conducted a comprehensive comparative evaluation of multiple MPPT algorithms within a grid-connected PV system. The research incorporated conventional algorithms (P&O and INC), meta-heuristic intelligent methods (FL, GWO, and PSO), and learning-based models (ANN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and ANFIS). The simulation environment is developed in MATLAB/Simulink, and performance is evaluated based on tracking efficiency, oscillation amplitude, computational complexity, relative power loss, relative power gain, and THD. The algorithms are subjected to two different tests: the sinusoidal solar radiation test and the PSC test. Results are obtained for both tests and subsequently compared. The results demonstrated that although conventional methods such as P&O and INC achieved satisfactory tracking efficiency in both the sinus irradiation test and the PSC test, they suffered from significant oscillations and limited adaptability to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Their simplistic control structures—while computationally efficient—render them less effective in scenarios with dynamic irradiance and temperature profiles.
The meta-heuristic optimisation-based methods revealed noticeable improvements. GWO and PSO offered lower oscillations and higher stability due to their adaptive nature and population-based optimisation strategy. However, these algorithms impose a higher computational load compared to conventional methods, and their parameters must be individually tuned for each system, complicating their integration. In comparison with PSO and GWO, the FL algorithm requires greater computational effort and exhibits lower efficiency than the other algorithms. The limitations of metaheuristic algorithms can be addressed by hybridizing them with other conventional metaheuristic methods. Among learning based methods, the ANN-based MPPT algorithm can provide effective solutions in power tracking despite being a feed-forward network. In contrast, networks incorporating feedback, such as LSTM and BiLSTM, can achieve maximum performance, particularly under conditions like PSC, due to their ability to learn from past events. Although ANFIS does not include a feedback network, it demonstrates high performance owing to the deep decision-making capabilities inherited from its constituent algorithms. However, a key limitation of these algorithms is their high computational demand. Future research could explore hybridizing deep learning PV system MPPT algorithms with other metaheuristic methods to reduce their computational load.
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author (yunusyalman@aybu.edu.tr) on reasonable request.
Photovoltaic
Partial Shading Condition
Renewable Energy System
Solar Power Plant
Current and Voltage
Power and Voltage
Carbon Dioxide
Maximum Power Point
Global Maximum Power Point
Maximum Power Point Tracking
Total Harmonic Distortion
Perturb and Observe
Incremental Conductance
Grey Wolf Optimisation
Fuzzy Logic
Particle Swarm Optimisation
Artificial Neural Network
Recurrent Neural Network
Long Short-Term Memory
Bidirectional LSTM
Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
Constant Voltage
Fractional Open Circuit Voltage
Fractional Short Circuit Current
Whale Optimisation Algorithm
PSO Memetic Algorithm
Gene Expression Programming
Modified Seagull Optimisation
Enhanced Whale Optimisation
Enhanced Slime Mold Optimisation
Ant Bee Colony Optimisation
Artificial Bee Swarm Optimisation
Genetic Algorithm
Covariant Matrix
Fractional Order PI
Grasshopper Optimisation Algorithm
Grey Wolf Election Optimisation
Advanced PSO
Atom Search Optimisation
Bat Algorithm
Enhanced PSO
Improved PSO
Deep Neural Network
Deep Reinforcement Learning
African Vulture Optimisation – RNN
Ripple Correlation Control
Dragonfly Algorithm
Moth–Flame Optimization Algorithm
Salp Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Machine Learning
Open Circuit Voltage
Short Circuit Current
Voltage at MPP
Current at MPP
Panel Voltage
Panel Current
Panel Power
Ideal Panel Power
Extracted, Real Output Power
Proposed Algorithm Output Power
Base Output Power
Output Current
Photocurrent
Diode Current
Parallel Current
Reverse Saturation Current
Snubber Resistance
Opening Resistance
Series Resistance
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Output Ripple Voltage
Root Mean Square
RMS Value of Harmonic
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Sampling Time
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Proportional, Integral
Proportional Constant
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Department of Electrical – Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, 06000, Ankara, Turkey
Mehmet Değermenci & Yunus Yalman
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Rising global silver prices have pushed the cost of silver paste used in solar panels up about 2.5 times in six months, intensifying competition across the solar supply chain and accelerating interest in next-generation solar cell technologies.
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Scientists make breakthrough that could revolutionize solar panels: 'Among the highest efficiencies reported to date' – The Cool Down

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The work could ultimately have significant benefits for panel users.
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Solar cell scientists working with two-dimensional structures have announced a breakthrough that greatly reduces defects while achieving high energy-conversion efficiency. 
The research is aimed at expediting the commercialization of promising perovskite solar panels,  widely regarded as a next-generation suncatcher, according to a news release. 
The project’s description seems fit for a Science Channel program. Experts from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, among other institutions, developed a thin, 2D perovskite “phase” that’s buried in 3D perovskite cells, improving crystallization and reducing defects. 
They accomplished this by grafting thioglycolic acid and oleylamine onto the surface of tin dioxide, creating a strong chemical bond during perovskite film thermal annealing and “enabling the spontaneous formation of a 2D/3D perovskite heterostructure solely at the film’s bottom interface,” according to the release. The result is a heterojunction, an interface between two different semiconductor materials. 
Outside the lab — and the cell — the work could ultimately have significant benefits for panel users. 
That’s because the team reported a more than 90% reduction in defects in buried cell interfaces, translating to longer lifespans. What’s more, the power conversion efficiency rate was marked at between 22.22% for “large-area modules” and an impressive 26.19% for “small-area devices.”
“These values rank among the highest efficiencies reported to date for small-sized [perovskite solar cells] and modules based on 2D/3D perovskite heterojunctions,” study first author Qiangqiang Zhao said in the press release. 
For reference, experts at EnergySage have said that the top silicon-based solar panels on the commercial market already have a 22.5% efficiency with great longevity. But perovskite cells have massive efficiency potential. Solar Magazine reported in 2022 that the highest recorded perovskite cell efficiency rate was at around 30% — and the highest efficiencies for certain perovskite-based cells are still in the 25% to 30% range according to data from the National Laboratory of the Rockies. 
However, degradation has historically limited perovskite cell lifespans to only a few years at best, while common silicon can last for decades. 
The Qingdao-led researchers’ 2D/3D innovation could help prevent the decay and create more stable end products. 
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“This … strategy could be easily scalable from lab to factory production while delivering enhanced operational stability,” Shuping Pang, a corresponding author, said in the press release. 
Other research groups are developing silicon-perovskite tandem cells and other combination cells to try to capitalize on the best aspects of different materials. It’s part of ongoing research on perovskite-based cells to bring the highly regarded substance to market. 
The breakthroughs would be useful for homeowners if they lead to better solar panels. Home solar is already one of the best ways to lower your energy bill and safeguard against outages when paired with battery backups. Here are some resources to help you get started with solar.
EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto’s $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD’s Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
Pairing panels with efficient appliances, such as heat pumps, can make sure you are saving the most money on your energy bill. TCD’s HVAC Explorer can help you find the right system at the best price for your home, starting with curated quotes. Palmetto’s Home app is another way to bag up to $5,000 in rewards that you can spend on household upgrades. It starts with some simple actions to lower energy use in everyday life. 
At Qingdao, expanding the success for scaled manufacturing is among the next goals. 
“It brings the commercialization … significantly closer to realization,” Pang said in the release.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.
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Batteries become the new home solar as net metering evolves and energy prices soar – Electrek

Net metering — the ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid for fun and profit — has helped make rooftop solar panels the centerpiece of the home energy transition for more than a decade. But, as net metering rules change and electricity prices keep climbing, the value proposition isn’t as clear as it once was. Instead of sending extra power back to the grid, homeowners are increasingly deciding that it makes more sense to hold on to that excess power for themselves.
Despite rising energy costs, changes to regulations like California Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM3.0) have dramatically reduced the value of exporting rooftop solar power to the grid, so the math no longer maths. What does often math, though, is the ability to store free solar-generated electricity and cheap, off-peak power in a battery, then use it yourself during peak demand hours when energy is most expensive.
One of our commenters, perhaps, explained it best:
Another reason is that batteries function as energy arbitrage devices. They can charge when electricity is cheap and discharge when it is expensive. Even in the winter when solar isn’t doing much. This reduces the need for expensive peaker plants, and increases utilization of cheaper power sources.
BCV
That baked-in flexibility, combined with ever-increasing grid loads and (it’s worth repeating) higher electricity bills, are driving a shift in the home energy market from solar alone, to solar + battery and, in many cases, solar + battery + EV.
A number of home energy systems are already looking at “whole home” solutions that combine smart meters, smart panels, solar panels, and home batteries – but the most forward-thinking of these are also starting to treat the car in your driveway as part of that “whole home” power plant.
“America has arrived at an inflection point in which the technical, policy, and financial pieces are finally in place for whole-home electrification,” says Tracy Price, founder and retired CEO of EV charging installers Qmerit. “What’s needed now is a way to integrate those technologies into a simple home energy system that homeowners can actually use.”
To that end, platforms like the industry-leading Tesla Powerwall + Cybertruck, GM Energy’s V2H Bundle, and the home energy ecosystems being developed by Rivian and Nissan are designed to coordinate all of the above into a single cohesive energy solution. The result is a system that behaves less like a simple rooftop generator and more like a miniature grid, constantly optimizing when to store, use, or export electricity.
You can read more about some of these systems here:
The publicly traded utilities are the issues. Co-ops for the most part function better and are happy to work with their customers. People are paying more to be more connected to grid then actual usage. But often have a requirement in to be grid tied. Taking apart those big publicly traded utilities has to happen. They will always get what they want otherwise. Now they are just turning off the grid in certain wind conditions because they don’t want to upgrade or make it safe. But still want to charge people insane amounts to be connected to them. Like so many things people will reach their breaking point and demand change. Micro grids will probably be a big part of that especially as all the pieces have come down on cost while utilities have skyrocketed.
Finally, it’s always smart to get multiple independent quotes and talk to your trusted financial experts before moving forward with any major home improvement project.
Original content from Electrek.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
I’ve been in and around the auto industry for over thirty years, and have written for a number of well-known outlets like CleanTechnica, Popular Mechanics, the Truth About Cars, and more. You can catch me at Electrek Daily’s Quick Charge, The Heavy Equipment Podcast, or chasing my kids around Oak Park, IL
Find a reliable home solar and battery installer and save 20-30% compared to going it alone.
Qmerit makes electrification easy — connecting you with trusted pros who get it done right.

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Why Lebanese are enduring another wave of war and displacement – arabnews.jp

Najia Houssari
BEIRUT: Haitham Al-Mousawi has spent two decades documenting Lebanon’s wars through his camera lens, capturing scenes of destruction, grief and displacement. Yet, he says nothing prepared him for what he witnessed in the past week.
“What I photographed over the past few days is worse than everything I’ve documented in years combined,” the photojournalist told Arab News.
Families fled their homes in panic, often with no time to gather belongings. “People came straight out of their beds onto the streets, still in their pajamas,” he said. “One man was screaming that he had left his father behind because the old man was on an oxygen machine and could not be moved.
“Women ran carrying children in one arm and blankets in the other. Children were crying, chasing after parents who themselves didn’t know where they were fleeing to.”
The pre-dawn hours of Monday turned into a nightmare for many Lebanese as the fragile calm along the border collapsed. Hezbollah fired six Katyusha rockets into Israeli territory — the first such attack since the November 2024 ceasefire. Israel responded with devastating airstrikes that tore into Beirut’s southern suburbs and swept across large parts of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, defended the attack as retaliation for what he described as “15 months of Israeli ceasefire violations” since the November 2024 agreement.
However, for many residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, the renewed escalation meant another sudden flight from home.
Nora Hamza, 35, did not hesitate when the evacuation warnings spread. She, her husband, their three daughters, both sets of parents, her sister and her sister’s family hurried into two cars with only a few blankets, a loaf of bread and their identity documents before leaving their home.
They drove to the same two small rooms where they had sheltered during the 2024 war. “We crammed ourselves into those two rooms believing the nightmare was behind us,” she told Arab News.
“We had convinced ourselves we were safe, that it would not happen again. It seems we miscalculated — that there are those who want to impose war on us by force.
“Displacement is hard. It is a feeling only those who live it can understand.”
Tens of thousands of the displaced sought refuge with relatives in Beirut or returned to homes in Chouf, the mountain villages, and northern regions that had sheltered them during the previous conflict. But tens of thousands more found themselves with nowhere to go.
Hotels filled within hours. Furnished apartments were snapped up by those who could afford them — particularly families from the southern city of Tyre. Those without options spread blankets on pavements and public squares in central Beirut, along the seafront corniche, braving the bitter cold. Cars, vans, and trucks turned into makeshift shelters, where families waited through the night.
On the first day alone, more than 95,000 Lebanese left their homes. As Israeli evacuation warnings continued to cascade, targeting villages south and north of the Litani River and Beirut’s southern suburbs, the total number of displaced crossed the 1 million mark.
Scenes of people sleeping out in the open along the coastal road and in public spaces in Beirut, relying on makeshift means as displacement rises, prompted Prime Minister Nawaf Salam last Friday to warn of an “imminent humanitarian catastrophe.”
Israel’s evacuation warnings extended to the densely populated Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut’s southern suburbs and on the capital’s outskirts, reviving memories of the uprooting that has marked their lives for decades.
Within hours, the narrow alleys of Burj Al-Barajneh and Shatila camps filled with confusion and fear as Palestinian families rushed to gather what they could and flee, with no clear destination in sight.
Steve Cutts, CEO of UK-based Medical Aid for Palestinians, said that Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon “is the unmistakable extension of the Israeli military playbook used in Gaza” in forms of “collective punishment, forced displacement and the deliberate terrorising of civilian populations, including already traumatized Palestinian communities.”
He urged the international community to pressure Israel to lift the displacement orders and enforce a ceasefire in Lebanon, warning that inaction would have severe humanitarian consequences and allow violations of international law to continue unchecked.
At first glance, it appeared that people had been left to fend for themselves. For its part, the government said that “overcrowding was complicating relief efforts.”
Haneen Sayed, Lebanon’s social affairs minister, said that the government had made all public schools and universities across various regions available as shelters.
“After Beirut and Mount Lebanon became overwhelmed by displaced people, we urged families seeking shelter to head to the North, Akkar and parts of the Bekaa, where there is still greater capacity,” she told Arab News.
Sayed added that additional centers were being prepared in Beirut’s administrative area, including the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, the Charles Helou bus terminal and the Olympic swimming pool in Dbayeh.
She estimated that the state may have to handle about 500,000 displaced people. So far, she said, Lebanese authorities have been able to meet the needs of about 70 percent of the displaced.
“Work is ongoing to secure shelter and basic services and, if possible, reach everyone. State institutions are on high alert, and we need national solidarity. We are facing daunting challenges,” she said.
Human Rights Watch described the forced displacement as a “war crime” and warned that the risks are increasing. It urged governments worldwide to condemn the actions publicly and press Israel to halt its military’s implementation of the forced-displacement order in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said Israel’s large-scale evacuation orders in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs “raise serious concerns under international law, and in particular when it comes to issues around forced transfer.
“These blanket, massive displacement orders, we are talking here about hundreds and thousands of people,” he said.
Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, said, the situation in Lebanon was “unprecedented,” both in terms of the scale of warnings and evacuation orders and the panic they triggered across the country.
Israeli warnings also extended to hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Lebanese Red Cross said its teams evacuated patients from Bahman Hospital, Al-Rasoul Al-Aazam Hospital and Al-Sahel Teaching Hospital.
Melhem Khalaf, an independent MP, said the danger of the ongoing displacement is that “it is systematic.”
He told Arab News: “It started from the frontline border villages before turning into a mass displacement from deep within the south, reaching the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa region.”
While the number of displaced people is large, he criticized the state’s response as “weak.”
Khalaf said that “disasters are unfolding with no single authority to address them,” adding: “Reaching all displaced persons is not possible, and leaving matters to governors who lack the necessary capabilities only worsens the situation, while all international institutions remain entirely absent.”
Marie Daou, a lawyer who represents Farah Al-Ataa association, spoke of the state’s lack of organizational capabilities.
“No one knows who is in charge of the shelters, and there is no hotline directing people to gathering points before spreading out in shelters,” she said.
Reports say Farah Al-Ataa has taken in 943 displaced persons at its center in Karantina, Beirut.
“Is it enough to open shelters without providing hot water services for example?” asked Marc Tarabay, Farah Al-Ataa’s president.
He described the situation as a national humanitarian disaster, with no plan in place to address it.
“In Lebanon, there is tremendous volunteer engagement, yet the state fails to benefit from it,” he said.
Al-Mousawi, the photojournalist, was struck by the anger among many displaced residents toward those they hold responsible for forcing them from their homes.
“Some refuse to have their photographs taken, vowing revenge on those who pushed them into the streets,” he said.
“They are angry at the state, and at the same time they cannot justify what Hezbollah has done. People have had enough.”
Unlike previous rounds of conflict, the overall mood among the displaced does not reflect support for Hezbollah. Many say they are shocked by the state’s inability to assist them, with frustration and exhaustion increasingly shaping the public mood.
Local communities are receiving the displaced people with caution. Any displaced person must now fill out a form at the municipality with personal details and details about their families in order to have their request to rent an apartment approved or rejected.
Claudine, 55, says people fear that the displaced may be affiliated with Hezbollah and are being pursued by Israel.
“What good would it do me if my apartment were destroyed because of them?” she told Arab News, speaking at the Furn Al-Shubbak neighborhood.
Beirut has witnessed several incidents in which verbal disputes between displaced residents and host communities escalated into larger confrontations.
One such incident occurred in the Hamra district, where an argument between two displaced young men and local youths quickly escalated, with the displaced men opening fire.
A patrol from the Lebanese Army’s intelligence directorate arrived at the scene and arrested the two men as part of efforts to curb the spread of weapons among some displaced people.
Two days earlier, Salam warned in a statement against attacking or exploiting displaced persons “as they are victims of policies they did not create.”
Salam described the latest events as “a difficult moment our country is going through.”

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Solar power used to be flat and boring — Now a Solgami origami solar mesh turns windows into artful energy generators that reshape how buildings breathe light and power – Energies Media

Solar power used to be flat and boring — Now a Solgami origami solar mesh turns windows into artful energy generators that reshape how buildings breathe light and power  Energies Media
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Best Solar Panels Of 2026 – Forbes

Best Solar Panels Of 2026  Forbes
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