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As the Australian energy sector responds to the federal government’s tenfold expansion of the small-scale renewable energy scheme from 100 kW to 1 MW, a South Australian (SA)—and the world’s largest—cattle station has already deployed rooftop solar to tackle energy reliability and diesel fuel costs.
Spanning an area of approximately 23,800 kilometres squared, the equivalent of roughly 3 million rugby fields, the Williams Cattle Company (WCC)-owned Anna Creek Station pastoral operation sought to reduce its diesel generator fuel costs and energy reliability issues by installing a solar and battery energy storage system (BESS).
SA remote and off-grid system specialist MyEnergy Engineering were hired to complete the system, which supplies the main station and homestead loads, including air conditioning, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, communications and general station infrastructure.
It was one of seven remote area power systems MyEnergy delivered for WCC across Far North South Australia, with the overall program valued at more than $1.5 million (USD 1 milion).
MyEnergy Engineering Managing Director Ciaram Granger said the biggest challenge was delivering a system of this size in an extremely remote and demanding environment.
“Everything had to be carefully planned because additional materials, equipment or support could not simply be collected nearby,” Granger said, inferring the 1,800 kilometre round-trip back to Adelaide if key components were not brought to site.
“The system needed to combine solar, battery storage, generator backup and remote monitoring as one complete power supply. It also had to cope with high temperatures, dust and the changing loads of an operating cattle station.”
The remote power system incorporates 49 kW of Hanwha Q Cells solar, Pylontech US3000 lithium batteries, Victron Quattro inverter/chargers, Victron SmartSolar 450/200 charge controllers, Fronius Symo AC-coupled solar inverters and Victron Cerbo GX monitoring and control.
The system acts as the primary power source, and uses the existing generation integration as backup during poor weather or periods of unusually high demand.
The Victron VRM allows the system to be remotely monitored to minimise unnecessary site visits, given the distance involved.
SRES threshold change
Though the Anna Creek project has been completed prior to the federal government’s announcement to expand the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES), Granger told pv magazine it should have a positive impact on the business by making larger commercial solar systems more financially attractive.
“For commercial customers, the increased rebate should reduce upfront costs and shorten payback periods. It may also encourage businesses to use more available roof space and size systems around future energy requirements rather than just their current consumption,” Granger said.
“We expect this will lead to larger commercial rooftop solar installations, more projects proceeding sooner and increased demand from agriculture, manufacturing and other high-energy users.”
Granger added he expects outcomes to include higher overall installation volumes across the industry and more businesses planning for future growth and increased electrical loads.
“One potential downside, however, is that the increased system sizes and installation volumes will create a larger supply of STCs,” Granger said.
“If demand does not increase at the same rate, this could drive the STC price down and reduce the actual rebate value available to customers.”
Greater price competition and pressure to install oversized systems without properly considering load profiles, export limits and network requirements may also be a consequence.
“Larger systems still need to be designed around how the site uses power to deliver the expected return, but overall we see it as a positive opportunity for MyEnergy and the commercial solar industry, although the actual benefit will depend heavily on how the increased STC supply affects certificate pricing.”
The federal government has said expanding the SRES to include solar installations up to 1 MW in size will lower the upfront installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20%.   
“Based on a mid-scale solar system installation the estimated discount is about $68,000 off a 250 kW system – enough to support a reasonably large commercial operation or $136,000 off a 500 kW system, which could power a small manufacturing site,” a government statement said.
“A 250 kW solar installation on a medium sized enterprise, like a retailer, could produce around 345 MWhs of electricity a year, saving around $50,000 of electricity costs each year.”
“A large 850 kW solar installation, which would be more suited to an industrial energy user, could produce around 1,173 MWhs of electricity a year, saving around $175,000 of electricity costs each year. ” 
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US start-up Source Energy and the German research institute Fraunhofer ISE have developed shingled-matrix silicon modules for satellites, aiming for under five dollars per watt and six-month delivery, cheaper and faster than standard III-V cells.
Silicon solar cells, the workhorse of the terrestrial PV industry, are heading for orbit. Source Energy, a US start-up, and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have jointly developed a new line of silicon-based PV modules and wings for satellites, aiming to undercut the III-V semiconductor technology that has dominated space power generation for decades.
25 years in solar innovation: coatings, PVT and what came next
III-V cells are highly efficient and radiation-hardened, which is why they remain the standard in orbit. But they are also expensive and supply-constrained, a combination that increasingly pinches commercial missions, particularly the growing fleets of satellites in low Earth orbit. “Together with Source Energy, we have developed silicon-based solar modules for space applications, similar to those already used successfully and cost-effectively on Earth,” says Dr Achim Kraft, who heads PV module technology at Fraunhofer ISE.
The resulting modules are small and light: 64 grams, with an area of 629 square centimetres. Prototypes averaged 15.6 W, with the best-performing units reaching 16.1 W at an average efficiency of 18.8 percent (AM0, 25°C), giving a specific power of 252 W/kg that holds its own against other silicon modules in its class.
The key to making silicon work in space lies in how the cells are wired together. Source Energy and Fraunhofer ISE use shingled-matrix interconnection, cutting cells into strips and arranging them in overlapping rows, offset like courses of brick, bonded with an electrically conductive adhesive. An industrial stringer for the process, built by German equipment maker M10 Solar Equipment, moved from prototyping at Fraunhofer ISE’s Module-TEC facility in Freiburg into Source Energy’s own production line in Colorado in June.
Fraunhofer-led project scales up charging for heavy-duty transport
“As the heart of production, it lets us manufacture PV modules for under five dollars per watt,” says Bryan Mazor, Source Energy’s CTO. “The automated process doesn’t just make us cheaper. It makes us significantly faster than current III-V space PV products.” The company says it can now deliver modules within six months of order, a notable claim in an industry where III-V lead times routinely stretch far longer.
Three properties make the shingled-matrix approach particularly suited to orbit, according to Fraunhofer project lead Najwa Abdel Latif: resilience to localised damage from micrometeorite or debris impacts, since current simply routes around a damaged cell rather than losing the whole string; flexible layouts that can be tuned to a satellite’s voltage and current needs; and tolerance of the extreme temperature swings spacecraft endure. The interconnection method is also compatible with front- and back-contact wafer cells such as PERC or silicon heterojunction without retooling the line, and its low-temperature bonding process leaves the door open to silicon-perovskite tandem cells as that technology matures.
Germany – HZB compound squeezes more from perovskite tandems
The design is holding up under qualification testing. After seven years in orbit, the modules are expected to retain 76 percent of their original power output, clearing the industry’s 25 percent degradation threshold with room to spare. The result suggests the cost curves reshaping terrestrial solar, cheap silicon, automated stringing, established supply chains, can work in space too. It remains to be seen how fast the rest of the industry catches up on price. (TF)
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DOWNEY, Idaho (KIFI) – For the last two years, local farmers in Downey have been voicing their opinions on the potential for solar farms in south Bannock County. It’s a hot topic again as commissioners move to rewrite a 2024 ordinance that banned solar farms in Bannock County.
Public hearings, held before the ordinance passed, allowed Bannock County residents to share their concerns about large solar farms in their backyards. Other locals supported the development, saying they were excited over the potential financial gain from a proposed solar farm.
In the end, a 2-1 vote by Bannock County Commissioners banned industrial solar panel farms. The one opposing vote was County Commissioner Chairman Jeff Hough.
Former County Commissioner John Crowder, who voted to ban solar farms in 2024, said it boils down to a political battle in Bannock County that leaves taxpayers nervous about what large-scale projects they should support.
“The solar energy stuff is a scam. It’s not efficient. And they wouldn’t do this without tax subsidies going towards them,” Crowder said. “This is what you see with these types of projects. The guys that are going to profit from them are going to be in favor of them. No regular citizens who stand to absorb the risks, whether it’s environmental risks or aesthetic risks or whatever – they’re going to be opposed.”
A moratorium was placed on solar farms in 2024 while commissioners deliberated on the outright ban passed in March 2024. A similar strategy was used just last month by Bannock County when they placed a moritorium on AI data center permit proposals, to allow 180 days to deliberate new ordinance.
At the beginning of August 2026, Pocatello for Accountable Government Agencies put in a public records request for the new draft ordinance. Originally, Heather Disselkoen– co-founder of the agency– was denied because the document was protected under client-attorney privilege. Through more requests, Disselkoan discovered a third party interest had been given access to the ordinance five weeks prior to the public.
“It was information we felt the public needed to know. This was an elected commissioner, commissioner Hough, who had released it to a third party interest,” Disselkoen explained. “Who happens to be Dustin Manwaring, the attorney for Balanced Rock [Power] and in my opinion, he was giving them preferential treatment over members of the public.”
Disselkoen took to Facebook with her discovery and the post garnered serious traction online, skyrocketing to Pocatello for Accountable Government Agencies’ top post. With Commissioner Hough in communication with Manwaring prior to the new ordinance becoming public, he released this statement regarding the situation:
Locals in Downey echoed Disselkoen’s sentiment that this was a breach of trust and a favoritism to outside parties rather than Bannock County constituents. While nothing about Commissioner Hough’s actions were unlawful, residents say it’s a breach of their trust.
“Draft ordinances were supposed to be a protected document,” said Des Hauser, a business and land owner in Downey. “To find out they’re leaked to Dustin Manwaring, by Commissioner Hough, like, that breaks a really big sense of trust.”
Local homemaker Rebecca Falcon said that elected officials should advocate for the people of their county, and that current commissioners aren’t listening to the people of Downey when it comes to a potential solar farm.
“They’re forcing it on us,” Falcon said. “I think they’re supposed to represent us. Our commissioners are not representing the people of this area.”
For Downey ranchers and farmers, the rural landscape is a way of life and where they’ve raised families for generations. Many of them can’t imagine life with thousands of acres of solar panels surrounding their properties, which the Balanced Rock Solar Farm Project promises.
“It would be in my backyard. I’d be surrounded by three sides. Our way of life, the enjoyment of our property, the reason why we bought it, where we live, all would be changed forever,” Hauser said. “Not to mention the value of the property is going to depreciate.”
Business owners in South Bannock County are looking for growth to the small towns like Downey. Joel Mcquivey is the owner of All American Roofing and Gutters, a business that relies on growth to the Marsh Valley.
“It will really affect the resale value of my properties. What I struggle with is that I want to be able to do what I want with my property, I feel my neighbors should be able to do the same,” Mcquivey said. “But I also feel that what I do on my property should help boost the value of theirs, not take away from them.”
Residents who support the solar farm project believe the financial gain outweighs the devastation of the land. Mcquivey said he has friends who would be crazy not to at least try and lease their land to install solar panels.
“Who’s looking to buy when you’ve got a solar farm 150 feet from your fence? Nobody. It kills the resale value of your home.”
The entire project aligns with Gateway West, a power energy project designed to reliably deliver energy from eastern Wyoming to western Idaho. The area just west of Downey is already home to a large substation, making the land valuable to all energy developers. Mcquivey said simply, “look elsewhere.”
Falcon said she was offered the money for a solar farm on her property near the substation, however, she declined. It’s not about the money, it’s about the rural lifestyle and protecting the history of generations of families in Downey.
“This is our home. In my mind, I can’t reconcile any value on my life and my history,” Falcon stated.
Falcon and Hauser have fought for their land in the past when solar farms were originally brought to the commission table in 2024. The commissioners at the time heard the concerns of locals and set the ban in place. Now, these same residents are prepared to fight again for their community.
“We all bought ag land, so to find out that they would turn our ag land into an industrial complex is just mind blowing. If you don’t want to be a farmer or a rancher out here, sell it and go somewhere where you can buy industrial property.”
Hauser said when the ban went into place two years ago, it felt like a temporary fix. They knew the fight wasn’t over because Manwaring and other attorneys could continue trying to get the ban overturned. During the public hearing process for the ban ordinance, Hauser and Falcon did grunt work in Downey getting the community to rally behind them– knocking on doors, hosting open houses at the library, and gathering people to attend public hearings.
“With this particular project, nobody was talking about it, nobody knew. They didn’t knock on our doors and tell us our own neighbors were involved in this potential project,” Falcon said. “It was about getting out and talking the neighbors in the community and letting them know because majority of people had no idea what was coming our way.”
The local farmers worry for the newcomers to Downey, unaware their backyard may soon be filled with blinding solar panels. Their main concern is the destruction of the land, because once it’s done, Hauser says the damage is irreversable.
“It’s not like the town would feel the benefit of the power. It’s going to get shipped out of here. So we have to give up all of our landscape, our way of life,” Hauser said. “People live in these communities because they embrace their rural lifestyle. None of us signed up to say we want to live in an industrial solar complex.”
Falcon says the project fronted by Balanced Rock would total almost 15,000 acres of land near Downey.
“We will definitely keep fighting,” Hauser said. “We’re not going to stop. We just have to keep a watchful eye on what goes on and be willing to stand up and be advocates for the people who might not feel they can.”
Residents in Downey have utilized the public records requesting system and will continue showing up in every possible way to stop the solar farm ban from being reversed.
Local News 8 will continue following this story as it develops and more information becomes available.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) works to help decarbonize the electricity sector and the economy by funding innovations that reduce solar power costs and rapidly increase solar deployment across the country.
Cost reduction is essential to increasing solar deployment. To address the climate emergency, the rate of solar deployment must increase two to five times. As a result, DOE announced on March 25, 2021 that it is accelerating its timeline for achieving its utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) cost reductions.
In 2016, as the industry approached the SunShot 2020 utility-scale PV cost goal of $0.06 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), DOE set a new cost target of $0.03 per kWh by 2030. Now the new target for unsubsidized levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for utility-scale PV at the point of grid connection is $0.03/kWh for 2025 and $0.02/kWh for 2030. These targets are for areas of the country with average solar resource and could make solar the lowest-cost source of new electricity generation across most of the country.
These targets are aggressive, but there are multiple realistic paths to achieve them. All pathways require significant improvements across SETO’s research areas, but greater progress in one area can allow for more moderate change in others. These interdependencies and trade-offs create many opportunities for technology development. This figure demonstrates one pathway to the new 2030 cost target:
SETO is targeting concurrent reductions for commercial and residential rooftop PV costs to $0.04/kWh and $0.05/kWh by 2030, respectively.
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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s largest economies are accelerating plans to build more domestic solar manufacturing capacity, a shift industry analysts say reflects both industrial ambition and growing unease over dependence on imports from China that dominate the global market.
Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria have been stepping up efforts to localize manufacturing of equipment for solar power, from module assembly to more advanced manufacturing, according to industry experts.
However, they say China is likely to retain its dominant global role in making solar cells and other components. Its exports of such equipment have soared, partly due to a glut in supply back home.
Chinese renewable energy investment and related construction projects in Africa reached $66 billion between 2010 and 2024, according to the think tank ODI Global.
“Growing economies, coupled with recent energy shortages in countries like Zambia and the ongoing need to provide access to underserved populations, make it (Africa) a perfect market for China to channel its overcapacity in the sector,” said Olena Borodyna, a senior geopolitical risk advisor with the London-based think tank.
Africa’s largest economies are keen to build their own solar manufacturing capacity.
South Africa’s utility, Eskom, plans to develop a 1-gigawatt solar manufacturing facility to capture more value from its fast-expanding solar market and respond to changing electricity demand.
Production of solar panels in Nigeria, meanwhile, is expanding rapidly, with local assembly capacity rising from about 120 megawatts to roughly 300 megawatts in the last two years. Its annual solar imports, mostly from China, also put it near South Africa’s level.
The homegrown manufacturing push is tied to structural shifts in Africa’s power markets. Rising adoption of rooftop and distributed solar systems in South Africa is reducing national grid demand, squeezing utilities’ revenues and prompting interest in diversification.
South Africa is already the continent’s largest importer of solar equipment, bringing in more than 3 gigawatts annually, also largely from China. Industry analysts say this scale of demand makes it one of the continent’s strongest candidates for localized production.
The increased interest in solar power represents a significant shift, said Benjamin Clarke, policy director at the Africa Solar Industry Association, even if actual manufacturing capacity remains limited. He said nations pursuing solar manufacturing tend to already have industrial capacity and strong domestic demand.
“Morocco has doubled production to around 1 gigawatt a year. South Africa maintains a similar capacity. Egypt has gigawatt-scale projects coming online,” he said.
“A few years ago, local solar manufacturing was barely on the agenda anywhere in Africa,” Clarke said “It is now becoming a recognized pillar of industrial policy and green economic development.”
The need for more solar or other renewable power has soared. The industry group GOGLA estimates that more than 10 million solar kits were sold across Africa in 2025, serving roughly 148 million people. This was a 10% increase compared to 2024, with much of that growth concentrated in East and West Africa.
The solar build-out is within a highly concentrated global supply chain dominated by China. Africa has effectively no commercial-scale solar cell manufacturing, meaning emerging assembly plants still must rely on imported Chinese components.
“Most new factories assemble imported Chinese components rather than produce the high-value solar cells and other upstream materials, leaving Africa dependent on foreign technology for the most sophisticated parts of the supply chain,” Clarke said.
China’s investment is helping Africa build manufacturing capacity and technical skills.
It’s a vital opportunity for technology transfer and job creation, ODI Global’s Borodyna said, “given China’s expertise in building out these technologies at scale.”
“China will play a huge role in the build-out of manufacturing capacity across the continent, as well as continue solar exports to the continent,” she said.
Experts say the continent has yet to receive the deeper sharing of knowhow needed to develop its own fully integrated solar industry.
Reliance on China for solar supply is likely to remain high in regions including Africa, said Hannah Pitt, with the think tank Rhodium Group’s energy and climate practice.
Trade restrictions in the U.S. and Europe have led Chinese companies to invest more in other regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia, according to Rhodium Group. Ethiopia is a favored destination, with more than half of the announced investments since 2018 coming from Chinese sources, alongside Japanese investments.
Investments in South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco were mostly led by domestic companies or joint ventures with local participation, the think tank said.
Extensive state support and years of steady investments in green technology manufacturing have resulted in an oversupply of solar power equipment and falling prices in China, a key factor in its huge global market share, said Lauri Myllyvirta with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
With the market oversupplied, several major Chinese solar manufacturers, including Longi and Jinko, made losses in the first three months of 2026. For such companies, shifting overseas may be the only way to stay in business.
Chinese firms pledged as much as $250 billion in overseas green manufacturing projects between 2011 and the first half of last year, according to an estimate by Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab’s “China’s Green Leap Outward” report.
Chinese solar exports doubled in March reaching a new monthly record, as 50 countries set all-time records for Chinese solar imports in a single month, according to Ember, a think tank.
“In terms of producing and manufacturing things — like solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles — really China is by far the lead in this race,” said Li Shuo, director of the Asia Society Policy Institute’s China Climate Hub. “I personally expect the dominance of China to be further cemented and not weakened over the coming years.”
___
Chan reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press journalist Anton L. Delgado contributed from Bangkok.
___
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India Solar Inverter Market Size, Share & Growth Report 2035 | MRFR  Market Research Future
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Saudi Arabia has brought the 1,100MW Al Henakiyah (1) Solar PV Plant into commercial operation, marking another milestone in the Kingdom’s renewable energy ambitions under the National Renewable Energy Program.
Located south of Al Henakiyah Governorate in the Madinah Region, the project entered commercial operation in summer 2025. Supervised and implemented by the Ministry of Energy, the solar plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 190,000 homes each year.
Electricity from the facility will be purchased at a tariff of 1.6842 cents per kilowatt-hour, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s continued ability to deliver renewable energy at globally competitive costs.
The project forms part of the fourth phase of the National Renewable Energy Program and supports the Kingdom’s broader strategy to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, expand energy storage capacity, advance the Liquid Fuel Displacement Program, and reduce carbon emissions.
The Al Henakiyah (1) Solar PV Plant also supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy and storage to around 50% of the country’s electricity generation mix by 2030. The initiative is also intended to strengthen energy security, diversify the energy sector, and support the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability objectives.
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The MoU boosts investment ties through closer institutional coordination and business collaboration.

The report noted that cities across the Middle East, led by Dubai, are demonstrating particularly strong momentum in embracing AI as a driver of future growth.

The exhibition highlights key milestones in the UAE’s space program, including the Emirates Lunar Mission and the UAE Astronaut Program. 
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Africa wants more homegrown solar to boost self-reliance, but China’s shadow remains  The Seattle Times
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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an international financial institution headquartered in London, has been requested by the Government of Tajikistan to support the country’s utility-scale solar PV auction programme. The assignment will help revise the legislative framework, to establish a market operator or single-buyer model and develop bankable risk allocation for renewable energy projects. It also includes preparing tender documents and assisting authorities through financial close. The programme targets competitive procurement for up to two solar PV projects of approximately 200 MW each. The initiative supports Tajikistan’s goal of adding 1,500 MW to 3,000 MW of solar and wind capacity by 2030 while expanding private sector participation in the power sector.
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As the Australian energy sector responds to the federal government’s tenfold expansion of the small-scale renewable energy scheme from 100 kW to 1 MW, a South Australian – and the world’s largest – cattle station has already deployed rooftop solar to tackle energy reliability and diesel fuel costs.
Spanning an area of approximately 23,800 kilometres squared, the equivalent of roughly 3 million rugby fields, the Williams Cattle Company (WCC)-owned Anna Creek Station pastoral operation sought to reduce its diesel generator fuel costs and energy reliability issues by installing a solar and battery energy storage system (BESS).
South Australian remote and off-grid system specialist MyEnergy Engineering was hired to complete the system, which supplies the main station and homestead loads, including air conditioning, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, communications and general station infrastructure.
It was one of seven remote area power systems MyEnergy delivered for WCC across Far North South Australia, with the overall program valued at more than AUD 1.5 million ($1 milion).
MyEnergy Engineering Managing Director Ciaram Granger said the biggest challenge was delivering a system of this size in an extremely remote and demanding environment.
“Everything had to be carefully planned because additional materials, equipment or support could not simply be collected nearby,” Granger said, inferring the 1,800 kilometre round-trip back to Adelaide if key components were not brought to site.
“The system needed to combine solar, battery storage, generator backup and remote monitoring as one complete power supply. It also had to cope with high temperatures, dust and the changing loads of an operating cattle station.”
The remote power system incorporates 49 kW of Hanwha Q Cells solar, Pylontech US3000 lithium batteries, Victron Quattro inverter/chargers, Victron SmartSolar 450/200 charge controllers, Fronius Symo AC-coupled solar inverters and Victron Cerbo GX monitoring and control.
The system acts as the primary power source, and uses the existing generation integration as backup during poor weather or periods of unusually high demand.
The Victron VRM allows the system to be remotely monitored to minimise unnecessary site visits, given the distance involved.
SRES threshold change
Though the Anna Creek project has been completed prior to the federal government’s announcement to expand the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES), Granger told pv magazine it should have a positive impact on the business by making larger commercial solar systems more financially attractive.
“For commercial customers, the increased rebate should reduce upfront costs and shorten payback periods. It may also encourage businesses to use more available roof space and size systems around future energy requirements rather than just their current consumption,” Granger said.
“We expect this will lead to larger commercial rooftop solar installations, more projects proceeding sooner and increased demand from agriculture, manufacturing and other high-energy users.”
Granger added he expects outcomes to include higher overall installation volumes across the industry and more businesses planning for future growth and increased electrical loads.
“One potential downside, however, is that the increased system sizes and installation volumes will create a larger supply of STCs,” Granger said.
“If demand does not increase at the same rate, this could drive the STC price down and reduce the actual rebate value available to customers.”
Greater price competition and pressure to install oversized systems without properly considering load profiles, export limits and network requirements may also be a consequence.
“Larger systems still need to be designed around how the site uses power to deliver the expected return, but overall we see it as a positive opportunity for MyEnergy and the commercial solar industry, although the actual benefit will depend heavily on how the increased STC supply affects certificate pricing.”
The federal government has said expanding the SRES to include solar installations up to 1 MW in size will lower the upfront installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20%.   
“Based on a mid-scale solar system installation the estimated discount is about AUD 68,000 off a 250 kW system – enough to support a reasonably large commercial operation or AUD 136,000 off a 500 kW system, which could power a small manufacturing site,” a government statement said.
“A 250 kW solar installation on a medium sized enterprise, like a retailer, could produce around 345 MWhs of electricity a year, saving around AUD 50,000 of electricity costs each year.”
“A large 850 kW solar installation, which would be more suited to an industrial energy user, could produce around 1,173 MWhs of electricity a year, saving around AUD 175,000 of electricity costs each year. ” 
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ALBANY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 7, 2026 / Recently, urban micro-mobility operator VERDO announced the latest progress in its new energy transportation strategy. The company is now fully advancing the customized development and mass-production preparations of solar-powered electric scooters. At the same time, VERDO is conducting in-depth technical discussions and supply chain collaborations with several globally renowned short-distance mobility equipment manufacturers, focusing on photovoltaic vehicle integration, customized vehicle manufacturing, and the establishment of a low-carbon supply chain. These efforts aim to build a solid industrial foundation for the large-scale market deployment of next-generation solar-powered mobility vehicles.
The collaboration and technical exchanges between VERDO and leading industry manufacturers focus on key technology areas such as solar energy storage integration into vehicle structures, outdoor photovoltaic charging adaptability, and durability optimization for shared scooter fleets. Multiple rounds of discussions have been conducted around standardized large-scale customized production and the application scenarios of renewable energy-powered mobility hardware.
Leveraging the mature vehicle manufacturing capabilities and hardware R&D experience of these industry partners, VERDO aims to overcome technical challenges in the commercialization of solar-powered micro-mobility devices, establish a flexible global supply network, and support its long-term strategy of expanding low-carbon transportation fleets across multiple North American cities. Following adaptation and testing, these solutions will be fully integrated to support the complete operational management process after solar-powered models enter the market.
Compared with conventional electric scooters currently available on the market, solar-powered scooters equipped with integrated photovoltaic energy storage systems offer comprehensive technological advantages and directly address several long-standing challenges in the shared mobility industry:
Integrated photovoltaic panels on the vehicle body enable continuous energy replenishment in outdoor environments during daylight hours, significantly reducing the frequency of manual battery replacement and centralized charging. This effectively lowers fleet maintenance labor and electricity costs while substantially improving vehicle availability and operational efficiency.
A dedicated intelligent energy management system optimizes battery charging and discharging strategies, extending the overall service life of power batteries. This reduces electronic waste caused by battery disposal and aligns with the principles of urban circular economy development.
The photovoltaic-assisted power supply architecture enhances the stability of the vehicle’s electrical system, allowing it to adapt to changing outdoor weather conditions and complex urban road environments. This makes it highly suitable for all-weather shared mobility operations. Meanwhile, the overall lifecycle carbon emissions of the vehicles are significantly reduced, aligning closely with carbon neutrality and green transportation policies promoted by cities across North America.
VERDO executives revealed in an interview that, following multiple rounds of prototype testing, scenario adaptation validation, and city deployment preparations, the company plans to officially launch a complete range of solar-powered shared scooter products across major North American cities in 2027.
Once launched, the new solar-powered scooters will be fully integrated into the VERDO public mobility service network. All vehicle energy consumption data, fleet dispatch information, and maintenance records will be monitored in real time through a centralized management platform, enabling efficient operational management by the company and enhanced oversight capabilities for municipal authorities.
The deployment of solar-powered shared mobility vehicles represents a key milestone in VERDO’s sustainable transportation strategy. By integrating renewable energy technologies into urban short-distance transportation hardware, the company aims to reshape the operating cost structure and low-carbon development model of the global shared micro-mobility industry, creating a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable last-mile urban transportation ecosystem.
Contact Information:
Company Name: VERDO LTD
Contact Person: SCOTT STUART SEARS
Website: https://www.verdo.id/
Email: businesssupport@verdoservice.com
Address: REGISTERED AGENTS INC. 418 BROADWAY STE R, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA
SOURCE: VERDO LTD

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MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Solar panel manufacturer Heliene has laid off 93 employees at its Mountain Iron facility. It’s the latest layoff in a series of job losses that have hit the Iron Range.
The laid-off workers’ last day was Wednesday. They will continue to receive pay through October, according to the company.
In a layoff notification to the state, Heliene cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for reducing operations. The Mountain Iron plant underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion in 2022 that made it the second-largest solar panel facility in the United States. The expansion was funded in part by grants and loans from the state.
The Heliene cuts follow the layoff of hundreds of workers by Cleveland Cliffs in 2025, and the closure of Twist Drill last year, which eliminated nearly 80 jobs.
Iron Range author and political expert Aaron Brown says many manufacturers are struggling under current economic conditions.
“We can look at the layoffs at Heliene and say that’s a blow because it’s in a sector of the economy that’s outside of mining,” Brown said. “And so you really had hoped that other sectors could maybe pick up for those 630 mining layoffs that occurred a year ago.”
Brown says solar energy overall is a growing sector, but Heliene’s segment of the market—manufacturing panels for community solar gardens—is on the decline. He credits that downturn to federal grant funding that the Trump administration pulled from public-facing solar projects.
“You can hope that they reorient around a new market plan to get their products into the sectors that are growing,” Brown said.
Heliene employee Andrew Jacobson came to Heliene after the Northern Foundry closed in Hibbing in 2025. While he kept his job in this round of cuts, Jacobson says the layoff has left him unsettled.
“You never want to go to a meeting and then go home without a job,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson says an additional 40 Heliene employees were let go in April.
“I’m reupping my resume. I want to stay positive because I absolutely love what I do,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson says he hopes more employers will look to the Iron Range.
“We need more places that are going to pay a semi-livable wage,” he said.
Sen. Tina Smith called the layoffs “devastating” and released the following statement:
“News of more layoffs on the Iron Range is devastating. Companies like Heliene are instrumental in the fight to make sure the United States isn’t lapped by China in the race to dominate the clean energy economy,” said Senator Tina Smith. “The President has repeatedly undermined American clean energy manufacturing as a favor to oil and gas companies who fund his campaigns, and now it seems workers in Minnesota are paying the price.”
State Sen. Rob Farnsworth, who represents Mountain Iron, shared the following statement:
“I’m keeping every one of these employees and their families in my thoughts as they process this difficult news. Layoffs are never easy, especially in a community that has already weathered its share of economic challenges. The Iron Range is still a great place to work and raise a family, and I want these workers to know that help is available, whether through unemployment insurance, skills training, or educational opportunities, and that my office stands ready to assist them in any way we can.”
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Albuquerque man says solar farm on his property has been a success  KRQE
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Robertson County site keeps Twin Oaks coal plant running while layering 1.2 GW of solar across 10,000 acres
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Halfway between Dallas and Houston, in a stretch of Texas most people drive past without blinking, a coal mine is about to become something else — without actually stopping being a coal mine. Panamint Capital has broken ground on Big Rooter Power, a $1.7 billion solar and storage project covering roughly 10,000 acres tied to the Twin Oaks coal plant and Calvert surface mine. The kicker: both the plant and the mine keep operating. This isn’t an energy retirement party. It’s more like a roommate situation — one running on sunlight, the other still burning coal.
The project’s specs dwarf every previous coal-to-solar conversion in North America.
Big Rooter is planned as a 1.2 GWdc solar farm built in two phases, paired with serious storage and grid infrastructure:
According to Panamint, this will be “the largest solar array ever built at a brownfield site in North America.” For context, the next biggest coal-to-solar conversions — Dolet Hills in Louisiana (240 MW), Tilden in Illinois (186 MW), Martin County in Kentucky (111 MW) — look like appetizers by comparison.
Federal tax credits, surging Texas demand, and an uncomfortable truth about what “transition” actually means.
The project reportedly qualifies for a 50% federal investment tax credit under an “energy community” designation, which the developer says was secured before recent federal legislation tightened those rules. That timing matters. Without it, the economics shift considerably.
Texas demand is the other engine. Data center construction is accelerating across the state. Manufacturing is expanding. Summers keep getting hotter. The grid needs capacity from everywhere, and Robertson County sits squarely in that pressure zone.
But here’s the tension worth sitting with: Twin Oaks keeps burning coal. Panamint has signaled an all-of-the-above approach, not a fossil fuel exit. The site is evolving into a multi-fuel energy complex — solar panels and smokestacks sharing a fence line.
Whether that’s pragmatism or compromise depends entirely on your time horizon. Either way, Big Rooter is about to test whether coal-adjacent clean energy can scale in Texas without forcing anyone to turn the lights off next door.
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The United States has announced plans to implement a 15% tariff on imports of polysilicon and related products along the solar supply chain, along with minimum import prices for polysilicon as well as solar ingots, wafers, cells and modules. The tariffs and price floor will apply as of 12:01 Eastern Time on December 4, 2026.
The move follows a section 232 investigation into polysilicon imports, in which the Secretary of Commerce found that the quantities and circumstances of polysilicon imports threaten harm to U.S. national security. An announcement from the White House says the administration agrees with the investigation’s findings and recommendations, and sets minimum import prices at $21 per kilogram for polysilicon, $100 per kilogram for polysilicon ingots and wafers, $0.22 per watt for solar cells, and $0.38 per watt for solar modules.
The announcement notes that “in the solar sector, the United States is virtually entirely dependent on imports of solar ingots, wafers, and cells,” and says that it aims to support domestic manufacturing for both solar and semiconductor grade polysilicon. “Without a financially viable market for United States solar-grade polysilicon, United States polysilicon producers cannot thrive and ensure domestic manufacturing of solar- and semiconductor-grade polysilicon and their derivatives that meets United States economic and national security requirements.”
It also lays out terms allowing the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into arrangements with specific trading partners that would alter the applicability of the tariffs and price floors. And the announcement authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to “establish a program to incentivize investment in United States production of raw polysilicon, as well as ingots, wafers, and cells”, and to accept onshoring plans from companies looking to build, refurbish or expand a facility to produce those products, provided it starts construction by January 20, 2029. The White House released a fact sheet here.
Price impacts
According to a recent industry note from Roth Capital Partners, the upcoming Section 232 polysilicon tariffs are set to reset U.S. solar average selling prices (ASPs) materially higher. While the policy framework is designed to incentivize domestic manufacturing when paired with Section 45X production credits and existing trade measures, it introduces immediate cost increases across all major supply chain configurations.
For U.S. module manufacturers importing cells, Roth estimates post-232 pricing will rise to $0.40/W (comprising a $0.22/W cell cost and a $0.18/W domestic assembly cost based on recent Tier 1 manufacturer checks), representing an $0.11/W increase over pre-tariff levels.
For domestic producers importing both wafers and cells, estimated pricing reaches $0.48/W ($0.15/W wafer + $0.15/W cell manufacturing + $0.18/W assembly), reflecting a $0.05/W increase. Meanwhile, directly imported finished modules are projected to jump from pre-232 levels of $0.24/W up to $0.38/W, a $0.14/W premium.
As the industry prepares to absorb the framework over a 120-day implementation period, Roth Capital’s research suggests these equipment price hikes will ripple directly into project economics. The estimated average $0.10/W overall module price increase resulting from the tariffs is expected to require Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) rates to rise by $4.00 to $5.00/MWh to fully offset the additional capital expenditures.
Early reactions
Manufacturers already active in the United States have reacted positively to the news. Mark Widmar, CEO at First Solar, which produces thin-film solar modules that don’t contain polysilicon, called the move one of the most strategically significant trade measures in decades. “For years, China-linked supply chains dumped below cost and circumvented U.S. laws to undercut American workers and their livelihoods, while creating a strategic vulnerability. This action closes that loophole, and it is built to be enforced, with a minimum import price, an ad valorem tariff behind it, and real consequences for violators. That is the fair shot at a level playing field that American manufacturers and workers have earned,” he said in a statement.
Korean headquartered manufacturer Hanwha Q Cells is building one of the largest US solar manufacturing facilities in Georgia. “Today’s decision from the White House balances the reality of where America’s solar energy manufacturing is today while advancing our collective ambition to onshore the entire supply chain from polysilicon to finished panels in the U.S. This decision helps support the billions of dollars invested and the thousands of jobs created at factories around the country. It also helps lay the groundwork for more investments, more jobs, and more innovation to come. Demand for reliable, affordable, and safe energy has never been higher. American solar manufacturers are ready to rise to the occasion,” said Andy Park, Global CEO of Hanwha Qcells.
“This is a decisive win for advanced American manufacturing and investment in domestic energy supply chains. But most important, it helps companies like ours that are creating thousands of high-quality American jobs,” said Dan Barcelo, Chairman & CEO of Austin-based manufacturer T1 Energy. T1 Energy is building a U.S. solar supply chain, including a $510 million 2.1GW solar cell fab in Rockdale, Texas, expected to produce its first cells in early 2027.
“Section 232 changes the economics of solar procurement overnight. Developers are now facing higher equipment costs, while many will also be pushed toward domestic PERC products because there simply aren’t enough domestic TOPCon options available today. That means some projects will no longer pencil under the new economics, but we also expect this policy to become a major catalyst for U.S. manufacturing. The biggest story is surprisingly not modules, it’s wafers. Domestic wafer production has become dramatically more valuable overnight, and we expect to see significant new investment in that part of the supply chain over the next six months,” said Aaron Hall, President of Anza.
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Companies/ Energy Transition
Kenny Fisher August 7, 2026
German power producer RWE announced that it has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Google for the entire output from a new 155 MW solar project in Oklahoma.
The new Crooked Creek solar project, located in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, will support Google’s operations in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and provide locally produced power to the regional grid.
According to RWE, construction of the new solar project is expected to begin later this year, with commercial operations scheduled to commence in 2028. During construction, the facility is expected to generate an estimated $24.3 million in local economic activity, contribute approximately $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue, and employ up to 250 workers at peak construction.
Once operational, the project is expected to generate an estimated $25 million in revenue for McCurtain County, supporting county programs, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers.
Ingmar Ritzenhofen, Chief Commercial Officer at RWE Americas, said:
“Crooked Creek Solar demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate new energy development while creating jobs, generating local tax revenue and strengthening communities. We’re proud to work with Google to help power its operations, while supporting Oklahoma’s continued economic growth with affordable, American-made energy.”
Google has significantly accelerated its renewable energy purchase activity in recent years as its datacenter buildout footprint has expanded. The company’s recent Environmental Report indicated its largest ever annual increase in electricity demand, rising 37% in 2025, yet noted that Google achieved a 2% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions during the year, crediting its massive clean energy purchase program as a key factor in decoupling its energy use from emissions.
Despite the progress on controlling direct emissions, however, the company’s value chain emissions increased significantly during the year, and Google acknowledged in the report that its “moonshot” climate goals, including its  24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) ambition, are becoming harder to achieve, as its AI infrastructure buildout accelerates faster than the grid is decarbonizing.
Will Conkling, Director of Energy and Power at Google, said:
“Supporting a strong, stable, affordable grid is a top priority as we expand our infrastructure. Our agreement with RWE adds critical new generation to the local system, boosting the amount of affordable and reliable power supply for Oklahoma and the region.”

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Washington is weighing tariffs and a price floor on imported polycrystalline silicon, following a national-security investigation aimed at rebuilding the US supply chain for semiconductors and solar panels.
Washington has announced plans to impose tariffs on imports of polycrystalline silicon and its derivatives, a material essential to the manufacture of semiconductors and solar panels. Howard Lutnick, the Secretary of Commerce, presented the measure from the White House, with Donald Trump present. The announcement follows a series of efforts to relocate solar production to the United States, echoing recent investments in a one-gigawatt solar factory in California and in the Rockhound solar complex in Texas.
According to Howard Lutnick, the goal of the tariffs is to attract the upstream links of the polycrystalline silicon value chain to the United States. “We make the products here but we also need to bring the supply chain here. We’re putting tariffs in place to send a signal to build here. Our industry in this area is too limited,” he said. The US administration is also expected to introduce a price floor on imported polycrystalline silicon, a measure that would pursue the same objective as the tariffs: limiting the cost advantage held by foreign suppliers.
This dual approach — tariffs and a price floor — reflects the administration’s intent to support localized production against foreign competitors seen as too price-competitive. Polycrystalline silicon is an upstream input, processed into ingots and then wafers for photovoltaic cells, as well as into ultra-high-purity material for certain uses in the semiconductor industry. The US decision therefore targets not only the raw product but also derivatives integrated into more advanced components.
The US Department of Commerce opened an investigation on July 1, 2025, into imports of polycrystalline silicon and derivative products. The process relies on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a provision used when imports are deemed likely to affect US national security. According to the notice published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2025, the investigation examined the effects of these imports on national security and sought comments, data and analysis from interested parties.
The Bureau of Industry and Security, the Commerce Department agency responsible for controlling strategic exports, led this consultation phase. This legal framework authorizes the US president to adjust imports of a product—through tariffs, quotas or other restrictions—once the Secretary of Commerce concludes there is a threat to national security. The administrative case file for the investigation is identified under reference BIS-2025-0028, with a public comment period that closed on August 6, 2025.
Washington’s justification is rooted in a global solar supply chain that remains heavily concentrated. According to a 2026 publication by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Chinese companies accounted for nearly 95% of global polysilicon production in 2025, while their share reached at least 80% across the main segments of the photovoltaic supply chain. This concentration fuels the US argument regarding industrial dependence on polysilicon for critical uses in chips and solar panels.
The US Department of Energy had already noted that the United States raised tariffs to 50% in 2024 on semiconductors, solar modules, cells, wafers and polysilicon, as part of earlier trade measures. The new measures on polycrystalline silicon would add to this already dense tariff framework surrounding solar and electronic equipment, as the US administration seeks to consolidate every link of the supply chain, from raw material to finished components.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing an additional tariff and an import price floor on polysilicon, a key material for semiconductors and solar panels, set to
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Trump imposes 15% tariff and price floors on solar panel materials to counter China  qz.com
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Advancements in mobile technology and the accessibility of energy storage systems have freed travelers from wall outlet dependency. However, traditional photovoltaic panels have limitations: energy production drops to near zero when skies are overcast or at night. A new crowdfunding project for a wind generator launched on Kickstarter offers a solution, providing an autonomous power source independent of solar intensity.
The idea was met with great enthusiasm: the modest $1,500 goal was reached in under 24 hours at a $159 entry point. Currently, the project has raised over $27,000, signaling high demand for such a solution.
The device’s key advantage is portability. It weighs about 1 kg (2.2 lbs) and folds easily into a standard backpack. The system starts generating power at wind speeds of just 3 m/s (6.7 mph). Efficiency depends on weather conditions: the device provides 10W in light wind, 50W in strong wind, and up to 75W during heavy gusts.
The device doesn’t claim to power an entire campsite, as its niche is charging gadgets like smartphones, cameras, tablets, laptops, and portable batteries while off the grid. The package includes a proprietary “Power Hub” with USB-A and USB-C ports for charging.


The project is currently in its Kickstarter funding phase. Participating in such initiatives always carries risks, ranging from final specification changes to delivery delays. Early backers can secure a full kit (turbine, mounts, stand, cables, and hub) for $159. The price will later increase to $189, with a final retail cost expected at $300. Shipments are scheduled for December 2026.


However, experts point to significant nuances. The project from Ventyra is their debut effort, increasing the risks associated with manufacturer inexperience. Additionally, it appears the device lacks an official Ingress Protection (IP) rating. The turbine is not designed for heavy rain, and it is recommended to dismantle it and keep the cables and power hub away from water during adverse weather conditions.
For the average hiker, having an independent power source is a real find, especially at night when solar panels are useless. While the unit scores points for compactness, its lack of dust and moisture protection makes it “portable” only until the first downpour, casting doubt on its all-weather reliability. Nevertheless, during potential blackouts, particularly in winter when solar output plummets and generator fuel costs spike, this portable wind generator—even installed on a balcony—could prove to be a viable solution.
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Creating new mid-range smartphones is no easy task. Manufacturers have to balance performance, camera capabilities, displays, and the overall cost impact of each component. How the new Oppo A6 Pro balances these factors is discussed in our review.
In-ear headphones remain one of the most popular form factors due to their lightweight design. However, this design is considered one of the most challenging to implement active noise cancellation (ANC). We’ll explain how Oppo solved this problem.
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Thunderstorms in the morning will give way to mostly cloudy skies late. High near 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, with fog developing late. Low 66F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Updated: August 8, 2026 @ 1:09 am
GRID Alternatives employee Tony Chang installs no-cost solar panels on the rooftop of a low-income household on Oct. 19, 2023, in Pomona, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)
GRID Alternatives employee Tony Chang installs no-cost solar panels on the rooftop of a low-income household on Oct. 19, 2023, in Pomona, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/TNS)
President Donald Trump’s latest move to shun foreign solar power equipment is part of his effort to rebuild U.S. manufacturing clout. It may simultaneously exacerbate the fast-widening green technology split between the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Trump announced a plan to impose tariffs and minimum prices on imported polysilicon used in semicondictors and solar panels. The levy comes a week after the Federal Communications Commission tightened curbs on inverters, another vital component of solar-powered energy.
Such protections can encourage the growth of domestic manufacturing — but as multiple economies have found over decades, restrictions often come at a financial and technological cost.
In the near term, curbs will drive up the price of solar panels in the U.S., a country that already pays more than double the global level thanks to years of tariffs on imports – and where Trump has pursued an anti-renewables policy during his second term.
If domestic manufacturing doesn’t establish a foothold quickly, it could put the U.S. further behind in technological and power terms as the rest of the world presses ahead with cheap Chinese alternatives.
“The U.S. is limiting this source of energy when the country so desperately needs more electricity to scale up high tech and AI,” said Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington DC. “It looks so different from solar markets you’ll see anywhere else in the world.”
Trump’s directive, which takes effect Dec. 4, subjects derivatives including silicon wafers, photovoltaic cells and solar modules to 15% tariffs, and sets minimum price floors for each product that are higher than current costs in the U.S.
For example, the new minimum price for imported solar modules will be 38 cents per watt. That compares to 27 cents per watt for modules currently shipped to the U.S., according to BloombergNEF, while the global average is 11 cents.
Trump, who has pushed the revival of U.S. industry since his first term in office, is also offering a carrot, however. If companies commit to starting construction of U.S. factories to build the solar products by Jan. 20, 2029, they can avoid the higher costs.
“America cannot be reliant on foreign countries for the polysilicon that’s the key base material underpinning semiconductor and solar-power supply chains,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
“President Trump pledged to safeguard our national and economic security, and in addition to reshoring critical manufacturing back to the United States, the Trump administration remains focused on unleashing America’s already-abundant sources of reliable and affordable energy for families and businesses, from natural gas to coal,” Desai said.
Advocates for reshoring — effectively bringing home U.S. manufacturing capability — have feted the news. According to Jon Toomey, president of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, global import barriers can put an end to circumvention, when companies set up facilities in third-party countries to avoid tariffs.
The directive also applies all parts of the supply chain, which should help solve the problem of investing in downstream assembly plants only to find they are still dependent on other countries for upstream inputs.
“For the first time, the United States is protecting the entire solar supply chain with a single action,” Toomey said.
In the solar supply chain, ultra-refined polysilicon is shaped into rectangular ingots, which are in turn sliced into ultra-thin squares known as wafers. Those wafers are wired into cells and pieced together to form solar panels.
Building a complete chain from the ground up could have enormous benefits for the U.S., JPMorgan analysts including Mark Strouse said in a research note. It could “reduce pricing, reduce geopolitical risks, and improve long-term investor sentiment for the space.”
Green technology has been at the heart of global efforts to boost industrialization, including in the U.S. But the clean-energy race, accelerating along with the scramble for computing power, has increased the divide between the U.S. and economies open to using Chinese technology — with one side benefiting from rock-bottom prices and existing, advanced technology, and the other seeking to build its own.
As recently as 2012, the U.S. was the world’s largest producer of polysilicon. That year, President Barack Obama kicked off a tariff war over solar products that saw Beijing slap duties on U.S. production. China revved up its domestic industry in response and now controls more than 95% of global output of the material.
The U.S. has made some strides in recent years, and the country now has the world’s third-largest capacity for assembling solar modules. Still, it remains reliant on overseas suppliers for cells, wafers and polysilicon, meaning it could struggle to catch up even if U.S. solar manufacturing gains a foothold, according to Youru Tan, a BloombergNEF solar analyst in Hong Kong.
“U.S. production is much more expensive than China,” Tan said. “Plus, most U.S. factories rely on equipment from China.”
Investors in new factories will have to weigh the support offered from Trump’s new directive against messages that have created uncertainty around long-term appetite for clean energy.
So far in his second term, Trump’s policy moves also including ending tax credits for solar installations, eroding federal policies encouraging emission-free power and green energy permitting delays have done more to hold back the deployment of U.S. renewables.
And if the manufacturing boom fails to materialize, U.S. solar developers will be hit by a steep hike in module prices, which will amount to about a 12% hike to the overall cost of solar systems, according to Guggenheim Securities analysts. The question of who ends up absorbing the increased costs, whether it’s developer profit margins or higher power tariffs, remains open.
The AI boom should help users cope with short-term risks. Rising demand and higher-than-normal prices for competing sources of power will counter the extra cost, according to JPMorgan. Even while paying more than the rest of the world, solar remains among the cheapest options for electricity in the U.S., according to BloombergNEF data.
That doesn’t account for the opportunity cost of not embracing cut-price modules. Countries from Nigeria to Pakistan have taken advantage to radically reshape their undersupplied power grids in a matter of months. Sales of solar panels to the Philippines are booming. Even Europe, which is battling Chinese trade negotiators over other areas of clean tech like EVs and wind power, has all but waved the white flag when it comes to solar.
“Solar is arguably the fastest energy you can deploy, and in a free and open market it’s one of cheapest power sources,” said Asia Society Policy Institute’s Li. “The U.S. is not going to enjoy those two advantages.”

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The Montana landscape is changing with two new solar farms coming to Stillwater County.
There’s concern land to ranch and farm is disappearing but work is underway to make this a win – win situation.
Watch Battle Butte Solar Farm project story here:
The Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Battle Butte Solar Farm will have solar panels covering about 1,200 of its 8,000 acres in Stillwater County.
There may actually be an opportunity for ranchers.
That solar farmwill generate about 130 megawatts, enough to power about 20,000 homes.
PSE runs the Beaver Creek Wind Farm, which has 88 turbines putting out 248 megawatts, and it plans on adding more.
“Beaver Creek 2, it’ll be in Sweetgrass County,” said Kyle Sullivan, PSE plant manager. “It’s a 25-turbine addition, which, it’ll be the same turbines as we’re currently operating. ”
Both of these will send electricity to Colstrip and connect with NorthWestern Energy’s transmission line, and then send all the power to the state of Washington, which requires using renewable energy.
“It’s very important in Washington to make sure that as we transition to that renewable energy, that we’re here to provide that,” said Sullivan.
While some say open land is disappearing, sheep ranchers say this can be an opportunity.
“We have to be looking as, as agriculture, to step up and take advantage of those opportunities,” said Ben Lehfeldt, president of the American Sheep Industry Association.
Lehfeldt, a sheep rancher in Lavina, says his group is working with the American Solar Grazing Association.
They found a win-win situation.
Ranchers can get paid to have their sheep eat the grass around the solar panels.
“A lot of cases can be a solution rather than a nuisance,” Lehfeldt said. “We just want to make sure the story is told of the benefits of grazing, and one of those benefits is under solar panels. ”
Meanwhile Puget Sound lets cattle graze under the wind mill, and it leases some of its land to a rancher.
But it will keep the cattle away from the solar panels.
“We’re going to impact about 1,200 acres,” Sullivan said. “And so the, remainder of that 8,000-acre ranch that we own, they’ll be able to continue to use it for its purpose that it’s used for now, which is agriculture.”
But there are those in agriculture who have environmental concerns and see a loss of farmland.
MTN reached out to several ranchers in Stillwater County but was not able to make contact for interviews.
Puget Sound Energy says its maintenance addresses potential pollutants from solar panels and wind turbines.
“We’re doing strict maintenance on all of our turbines,” Sullivan said. “GE, who does our maintenance, they do two big preventative maintenance cycles every year. ”

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Published on
Banca Transilvania finances with 71.4 million euros the development of the Eco Sun Niculești photovoltaic park, Entek Elektrik’s first investment in local green energy production. The total value of the project is estimated at 100 million euros.
Located in Dâmbovița County, the Eco Sun Niculești project marks Entek Elektrik’s first investment in the production of energy from renewable sources in Romania and is one of the largest bilateral financing granted to a photovoltaic project under development in the country.
Once completed, the park will have an installed capacity of approximately 205 MW.
“Projects of this magnitude contribute to strengthening energy independence and modernizing the Romanian economy. We are happy to support Entek Elektrik’s first investment in renewable energy production in Romania and to continue the solid partnership we have built together. Banca Transilvania is a partner of strategic investments and long-term value creation, investments that can encourage new projects with a positive impact on the environment and local communities” – says Cosmin Călin, Deputy General Manager Large Corporate, Banca Transilvania.
The investment in the Eco Sun Niculești project is made through Entek Elektrik Üretimi A.Ş., the renewable energy company of the Koç Group, and its main shareholder is Türkiye Petrol Refinerileri A.Ş. (Tüpraş), the largest industrial company in Turkey and the seventh largest refinery operator in Europe.
Entek has an energy capacity portfolio of 550 MW in Turkey and has significant experience in the development, operation and marketing of electricity.
Banca Transilvania (BVB: TLV) is the largest financial player in Romania and Southeastern Europe, a digital banking ecosystem that connects millions of people and businesses to financial solutions. As a universal bank, BT covers all customer segments and all lines of business. BT has a 23% market share, over 5 million customers, 75,000 shareholders & investors and over 10,000 employees. The national network, comprising 530 offices, together with state-of-the-art digital platforms, ensures access to banking services from anywhere and anytime.
Entek Elektrik was established in 1995 and is the renewable energy company of the Koç Group. Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.Ş. (Tüpraş) is the majority shareholder of the company, holding 99.24% of the shares of Entek. With an installed production capacity of 550 MW, Entek is a renewable energy investment company that operates a diversified portfolio of renewable power plants in Turkey and conducts electricity trading activities. The company aims to further expand its renewable energy portfolio and aims to become one of the leading producers of green energy in Turkey, through sustainable growth, operational excellence and strategic investments.
Since 2004, ‘The Diplomat – Bucharest’ aims to bring a fair and balanced analysis and comprehensive coverage of the political and business scene in Romania.
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Tajikistan, with support from the EBRD, plans to launch competitive auctions for two 200 MW solar PV projects 
The bank will help strengthen the legal and regulatory framework in the country, and design the auction mechanism 
The program is planned in two phases, with implementation depending on agreement on the initial recommendations 
Tajikistan is set to launch solar PV auctions for a combined 400 MW of capacity, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) helping the government design and implement competitive tenders for the projects. 
According to the EBRD, the Government of Tajikistan aims to add 1.5 GW to 3 GW of wind and solar generation capacity by 2030, in line with its National Development Strategy 2030, climate goals, and energy independence objectives. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by the end of 2025, no solar capacity had been installed in the country.
While hydropower remains Tajikistan’s main source of electricity, the government has identified solar PV development as a policy priority. 
The EBRD said Tajikistan continues to face several barriers to utility-scale solar deployment, including mountainous terrain, transmission and grid-connection challenges, electricity tariff and affordability issues, financial sustainability concerns, and bankability requirements. It also needs to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework. 
The EBRD will help the country develop solar auctions at the request of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. It will review and revise the legislative framework and advise the government on establishing a market operator or single-buyer entity, and design a competitive bidding process for solar PV projects. 
Subject to agreement between the Government of Tajikistan and the EBRD on Phase I findings, the second phase will implement the agreed reforms and conduct competitive auctions for two planned 200 MW solar PV projects, totaling 400 MW. 
The EBRD said the assignment is expected to create a credible, bankable framework for private investment and to support the integration of renewable energy into Tajikistan’s electricity mix. It will also provide guidance for future competitive renewable energy procurement. 
Previously, Tajikistan launched a 200 MW solar power plant tender in 2024, for which, according to media reports, it selected ACWA Power, EDF, Universal Energy, and TGM as shortlisted applicants.  
Last year, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had approved $1 million in technical assistance for the installation of a utility-scale solar PV system on an existing hydropower plant reservoir. 
TaiyangNews 2024

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A smart inspection drone narrates its role in transforming a Gobi Desert wasteland into a vast solar power base, highlighting technological innovations and ecological restoration efforts.
Par Zhang Wen, People’s Daily
The vast blue “ocean” before me is where I work. More than 10 million photovoltaic panels stretch across this area, forming a sprawling “blue sea” that covers 12,000 hectares, an area equivalent to more than 16,000 international standard football pitches.
Located southeast of Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, this area lies on the edge of the Mu Us Desert. For years, it was a barren expanse of Gobi wasteland.
Since 2022, this Gobi wasteland has been transformed. Rows of photovoltaic panels have taken root here, gradually blanketing the landscape. By the end of February this year, a photovoltaic power base with a total installed capacity of 6 million kilowatts was completed. Each year, the base converts the Gobi’s intense sunlight into about 10.8 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity, enough to meet the annual power needs of 7.2 million households. I have also made this place my home.
You may wonder who I am. I am the base’s smart inspection drone, its “little caretaker.” Here is my “inspection log.”
At the start of a new day, as soon as my hatch opens, I begin my inspection duties.
My home, the drone hangar, is a metal cabin more than one meter high, located beside the photovoltaic panel arrays. Every day, following instructions preset by engineers, I take off, inspect along a fixed route, return, and land back in the hangar on schedule. I then recharge automatically, using electricity generated by the base’s own photovoltaic panels.
I fly at an altitude of around 35 meters, the optimal height calculated by engineers for inspections. With the help of 5G networks and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, I fly steadily along my designated flight path. My dual high-definition cameras capture every detail of the photovoltaic panels below. Equipped with visible-light cameras and an infrared gimbal camera, my imaging system can accurately identify 12 types of faults, including hot spots, microcracks, and diode failures.
Each inspection flight takes about 50 minutes. After completing a mission, I return to the hangar to recharge before heading out again. I make at least eight “trips” a day, completing the workload that once took human inspectors more than half a month. After each inspection, I automatically generate a report, helping engineers keep track of the base’s condition in a timely manner.
I detect a photovoltaic panel with partial contamination. Upon closer inspection, I find a large patch of bird droppings on the panel. The contamination has affected power generation, causing a sharp rise in the panel’s local temperature—a hot spot. I immediately use the intelligent system to generate a report with images and text and send it to the engineers.
The engineers work at the centralized control center in downtown Yinchuan, more than 50 kilometers away. There, wall-sized screens display real-time data on power generation and equipment status for each photovoltaic array. After receiving my report, the engineers simply operate a tablet and dispatch an unmanned cleaning robot to the affected panel.
Standing about three meters tall, the cleaning robot is equipped with a long mechanical arm fitted with a cleaning brush. Like me, it operates automatically with the help of 5G networks and the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. It moves to the photovoltaic panels and, with a sweep of its arm, cleans them thoroughly. Its crawler-type chassis allows it to move easily across the rocky terrain of the Gobi.
The base is expanding its use of unmanned equipment. In the future, around 20 smart inspection drones like me will operate here. The base’s major innovations in unmanned operation and maintenance have reached internationally leading levels.
When construction of the base began in 2022, the surrounding area was still a barren Gobi landscape. During inspections, sandstorms would often leave my high-definition cameras “blinded,” making it difficult to see the ground clearly. As the base was built, the large photovoltaic panels helped block strong winds and reduced the frequency of dust storms.
The panels also shielded the ground from intense sunlight, increasing soil moisture and allowing grass to grow across the Gobi. The barren land gradually turned green. People were delighted by the change and began planting various plants, including honeysuckle, astragalus adsurgens, and bush clover.
To make better use of precious rainfall, engineers installed rainwater collectors and drainage pipes on the photovoltaic panels, directing water evenly onto the soil beneath them and accelerating vegetation growth. In some areas of the base, vegetation coverage has exceeded 30 percent.
The area where the photovoltaic base is located contains several deep coal mines and has been designated as a coal mining subsidence zone. To better monitor ground subsidence, engineers drilled holes and installed more than 100 geological sensors about one meter underground.
Once cracks, displacement, or other changes occur on the surface, the sensors send out graded warnings. This not only allows engineers to adjust photovoltaic panel layouts in affected areas in a timely manner, but also accurately identify subsidence locations to support ecological restoration.
Isn’t this land full of technological wonders?
Hainan is set to become China's first province to phase out gasoline vehicle sales by 2030, promoting new energy vehicles and aligning with its ecological goals.
Le Conseil des ministres du Mali a adopté des mesures importantes, dont une stratégie contre la mendicité et des réformes fiscales, lors de sa réunion du 7 août 2026 sous la présidence du Général Assimi Goïta.
Le Maire d'Abéché appelle à une mobilisation pour une prière collective de demande de pluie, prévue le 8 août 2026, à la Place de l’Indépendance.
Le Premier ministre Abdoulaye Maïga a présenté un bilan des cinq ans de gouvernance d'Assimi Goïta, soulignant les progrès réalisés et les défis à venir pour le Mali.
Média panafricain d'informations : Tchad, Afrique, International

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Staff members of State Grid Huzhou power supply company conduct inspection on the photovoltaic lines and equipment at a photovoltaic power station in Changxing County of Huzhou City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 27, 2026. In recent years, State Grid Huzhou power supply company has been constantly promoting the upgrading of the county-level power grids, advancing the integration of renewable energy sources into power grids, and endeavoring to construct a safer, greener and smarter power grid. (Photo: Xinhua)
China announced on Friday that it will change export tax rebates for a range of products, including photovoltaic …
China’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) has announced the country will cancel export tax rebates for photovoltaic (PV) products …
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) convened a symposium with photovoltaic (PV) industry entrepreneurs on Wednesday, …
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has stepped up efforts to curb “involutionary” competition, launching 16 special …

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On Channel 10 Rewind 1977: A proposed solar power plant at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport aims to supply 10% of terminal power.
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Leading PV and ESS manufacturer Trinasolar and its residential subsidiary TrinaPower have partnered with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to establish a Digital Energy Joint Laboratory.
Operating under the State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology, the facility will focus on PV-storage-hydrogen integration, green computing power, and smart energy systems to strengthen industry-university-research collaboration.
The partners said the laboratory will advance core digital energy technologies, accelerate the commercialization of research achievements, cultivate interdisciplinary talent, and participate in developing industry standards that support the digital transformation of the energy sector.
On the financial side, Trinasolar announced in July that it expects to significantly narrow its losses in H1 2026 (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and National Energy Administration (NEA) have jointly released the ‘15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for New Power System Development’, with the goal of establishing an initial new power system framework by 2030.
The plan aims for a total installed power generation capacity of 5.4 TW by 2030, with non-fossil energy accounting for 65% of installed capacity and 50% of electricity generation. It also targets more than 2.8 TW of renewable energy integration capacity while maintaining renewable energy utilization at around 90%, with differentiated regional utilization targets ranging from 85% to 95%.
By 2030, China plans to support 900 GW of distributed renewable energy through distribution networks, expand new energy storage capacity to 300 GW and pumped hydro storage to 160 GW, increase virtual power plant (VPP) regulation capacity to more than 50 GW, deploy more than 40 million charging facilities for 110 million electric vehicles (EVs), and raise hydropower and nuclear capacity to 410 GW and around 110 GW, respectively.
China targets an 8.5% reduction in carbon emissions per unit of floor area by 2030 compared with 2025 levels, and encourages the deployment of rooftop PV and solar thermal on all suitable existing public buildings (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Digital platform provider Wen Cloud has launched Jing Xiaowei, an AI agent for the operation and maintenance of commercial solar-plus-storage assets.
The platform provides multi-site operational analysis, abnormality risk assessment, and natural language interaction. Using a PV and energy storage fault knowledge base, it can identify the root causes of equipment issues while estimating associated generation and revenue losses.
Wen Cloud said the AI agent forms part of its broader digital asset management platform, which currently manages more than 80 GW of renewable energy assets. According to the company, the AI-driven platform can reduce operating costs by around 30%.
Huizhou City in Guangdong Province has removed 49 centralized PV projects with a combined capacity of 7.58 GW from its development list.
The municipal government said the projects were canceled because construction had not progressed as required, development conditions could not be met, or the projects were no longer considered feasible.
The move follows Guangdong’s shift toward provincial-level management and competitive allocation of utility-scale PV projects since 2023. During the same period, distributed PV has become the province’s main source of solar capacity growth, with annual installations increasing from 5.7 GW in 2022 to 21.3 GW in 2025. In contrast, the share of centralized PV projects in annual additions declined from 41% to 24% during this period.
The China Electricity Council (CEC) forecasts that solar power will surpass coal-fired power in installed capacity during the third quarter of 2026, according to its ‘Analysis and Forecast Report on National Power Supply and Demand for the First Half of 2026.’
By mid-2026, China’s total installed power generation capacity had reached 4.04 TW, with non-fossil energy accounting for 2.52 TW, or 62.4% of the total. During the first half of the year, China added around 160 GW of new generation capacity, with wind and solar contributing approximately 110 GW.
The CEC expects total installed capacity to reach around 4.3 TW by the end of 2026, with combined wind and solar capacity accounting for about half of the country’s total installed power generation capacity.
TaiyangNews 2024

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In China, cheaper high-efficiency solar panels could ease clean energy project costs  Yahoo Finance
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The pricing pressure is also building as China pushes manufacturers toward more efficient technology.
Photo Credit: iStock
Chinese prices for TOPCon solar modules have ticked lower again, suggesting manufacturers are trimming their offers as more high-efficiency supply reaches the market.
That could have implications well beyond the factory floor, as lower panel costs can eventually help make solar projects more affordable for utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.
In OPIS’ July 28 Global Solar Markets Report, the Chinese Module Marker for TOPCon modules under 645 watts on a free-on-board China basis was assessed at $0.109 per watt, with spot indications running from $0.104/W to $0.119/W, according to pv magazine.
For 2027 loading cargoes, OPIS assessed Q1 at $0.109/W, Q2 at $0.108/W, and Q3 at $0.109/W. Q3 2026 and Q4 2026 cargoes were both also assessed at $0.109/W, indicating softer forward pricing.
Supply growth in higher-output products is part of what’s pushing offers down. TOPCon modules above 650 watts were also heard lower, in the high-$0.100/W to mid-$0.110/W range. Back-contact modules still command a premium of roughly $0.02/W to $0.03/W over those higher-efficiency TOPCon products.
The pricing pressure is also building as China pushes manufacturers toward more efficient technology. Pv magazine reported that a national energy efficiency standard will take effect on January 1, 2027, setting new minimum efficiency and power-output thresholds for TOPCon, heterojunction, and back-contact modules.
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Solar panels are only one piece of the cost of a cleaner energy project, but they are a major one. When module prices fall, developers can build projects more cheaply, which can support more renewable power on the grid.
That may put downward pressure on electricity costs over time, and it can speed up the replacement of coal, oil, and gas-fired power with cleaner energy. More solar on the grid can also improve energy security by diversifying power supplies.
These are wholesale export prices in China, not the sticker price a homeowner sees on a rooftop system. Shipping, tariffs, installation labor, financing, permitting, and local market conditions all shape what consumers ultimately pay.
A sustained drop in module pricing can give installers and project developers more room to offer competitive deals, especially if higher-efficiency panels generate more electricity from the same amount of space.
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China’s industry and policy response aims to tie those price declines more closely to quality and efficiency, rather than to a race to the bottom. The China Photovoltaic Industry Association released the “General Principles for the Cost Accounting Model of the Photovoltaic Industry,” a framework meant to standardize how costs are calculated across polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules.
CPIA executive secretary Liu Yiyang said the model should help prices track more closely with what it actually costs to make a module, as well as its quality and competitiveness.
If you’re thinking about solar for your own home, tools like EnergySage can help. The free marketplace lets you compare quotes from local, vetted installers without handing out your phone number, so you can shop around before committing.
These pricing shifts are part of a pattern of Chinese manufacturers pushing module efficiency higher while prices keep falling. Trina Solar chairman Gao Jifan told pv magazine greater cost transparency could “accelerate the phase-out of inefficient capacity” and “discourage excessive cost-cutting at the expense of product quality.”
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India’s Solex Energy to invest $1.5 bln in solar manufacturing, eyes US exports  reuters.com
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Complicated quotes from a variety of installers can make the process of adopting cleaner energy confusing.
Photo Credit: iStock
For one Missouri homeowner interested in upgrading their home with solar panels, comparing bids from local installers did not clarify anything. 
Four proposals for the same house in the St. Louis area came back with starkly different recommendations.
In a post on Reddit’s r/solar forum, the homeowner explained they were interested in solar and gathered four quotes from local companies. 
Company one offered a group buy program to lower upfront cost, but failed to show a panel layout. Company two did not include any finance option. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Company three had “the best deal on paper” but offered a stipulation that the homeowner list their solar panels as a solar proprietorship to get a government rebate — an incentive the original poster said felt “illegal.” 
Company four had a great presentation but said the homeowner had too much shade for solar to be a good investment. 
Investing in solar is a tried-and-tested upgrade for homeowners looking to slash their long-term energy costs, but complicated quotes from a variety of installers can make the process of adopting cleaner energy confusing. 
Luckily, the solar experts at EnergySage can help. EnergySage’s free tools offer an easy way to compare trusted and vetted installers in your region, ensuring you get the best price for a solar upgrade. 
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Shading, roof layout, financing terms, tax assumptions, and local utility policies can all shape whether a project makes financial sense.
Low net metering rates can have a major impact on the value of rooftop solar. When utilities pay homeowners far less for excess electricity sent to the grid than they charge for electricity drawn from it, installing a larger solar system becomes less financially appealing. 
Instead, homeowners often see greater savings by using more of the power they generate themselves, rather than exporting it.
Complicated tax strategies can add risk to a sales pitch. If an offer sounds overly clever or too aggressive, it may be worth getting independent advice before signing anything.
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If you’re in a similar situation as the original poster, it’s best to ask each installer for the same set of details: panel layout, estimated annual production, assumptions about shading, total payback, financing terms, and a clear explanation of incentives. If a company cannot show its math, that can be telling on its own.
If you’re just getting started on your solar journey, check out EnergySage. Those who work with EnergySage experts can save up to $10,000 on installation costs by comparing multiple quotes. 
Meanwhile, EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with details on local solar panel incentives. Together, these resources can help you get the best price for rooftop solar panels.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Batteries can also make a system more useful when utility buyback rates are low, even if they are not the right fit for every home. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
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U.S. trade action deals blow to Indian solar makers  reuters.com
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Gentari, a Malaysia-based clean energy solutions provider, has recently deployed a 3.1 MW PV system at gateway within Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2. The installation comprises about 5,212 PV panels across an estimated 10,500 sq mts of rooftop and car park space. Under a PPA, electricity from the system will support operations at the retail and lifestyle complex operated by Segi Astana Sdn Bhd. Annual generation is expected to reach around 4,277 MWh, while carbon emissions are expected to fall by approximately 3,310 tonnes CO2 estimated. The installation also includes solar car park structures that provide shaded parking for passengers and airport staff within the complex. Gentari said the KLIA2 site already has 12 EV charging points as part of its existing green mobility efforts.
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Saturday, August 8, 2026
Discount supermarket chain Aldi has launched its rooftop solar and battery offering in Western Australia and South Australia, expanding the program’s reach to six states and territories across the country.
Aldi first launched its solar and battery offering across Melbourne in early 2025 before expanding it into New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) later that year. 
And now households across major metropolitan areas in South Australia and Western Australia will be able to access the super-affordable solar and battery packages, as the country continues to face rising energy costs.
Its cheapest offering includes a 5 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a 7 kilowatt (kW) solar panel and 6 kW smart hybrid inverter, including installation, for $7,499.
“Rising energy prices remain a key concern for Australian families looking to manage their monthly bills,” said Simon Padovani-Ginies, group director at Aldi Australia.
“Aldi Solar takes the complexity out of going solar by offering straightforward pricing, trusted installation and exceptional value, giving households greater control over their energy costs.
“With an exceptional payback period possible, we’re making it easier than ever for South [and Western] Australians to invest in their homes and benefit from renewable energy.”
Developed in partnership with Aldi supply partner, Tempo Group, Aldi Solar combines what the company describes as “straightforward pricing, certified installation, and flexible battery options” in a single package that is designed to make it easier and more accessible for households to switch to solar.
Aldi Solar offers customers the choice of four battery capacities (5, 10, 15, & 20 kWh) to suit their needs and budgets that can be bundled with a 7 kW or 7.9 kW solar system and 6 kW inverter.
Customers who already have solar installed on their homes can also opt for a battery-only package.
To join more than 29,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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Indian solar shares slump as US duties threaten bigger tariff hit  reuters.com
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Solar panels and semiconductors both depend on a material called polysilicon. It is the raw ingredient that makes them work.
Polysilicon is not a household word. But it is exactly the kind of quiet, essential material that trade fights are made of.
President Donald Trump is turning that ingredient into the latest front in his trade war. On Thursday, he signed an executive order that adds new tariffs on imported goods made with polysilicon.
Investors clearly saw the order as good news for the industry.
In simpler terms, it puts a floor under prices so foreign goods cannot undercut American factories.
The order uses Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962. That law lets the president restrict imports when they pose a threat to national security.
Trump said the goal is to stop foreign countries from weakening American producers. The order spells out the problem in his own words.
“For decades, America has allowed foreign countries to weaken United States producers in the polysilicon sector, eroding our economic and national security. Today, I am taking action to put a stop to these practices and revitalize the United States polysilicon sector,” he said in the order.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick provided the advice and information behind the order, Trump said. The new duties are set to stay in place through Aug 7 2026.
Polysilicon matters far beyond rooftops and solar farms. Because it feeds into semiconductors, it also touches the artificial intelligence boom.
That connection makes this a story about AI and energy, not just a niche trade case. The order is meant to shield American supply chains for semiconductors and solar power from Chinese competition, and to counter China in the race over AI and energy.
The White House is framing the move as a national security issue. The 1962 law behind the order was built for exactly that kind of argument.
This makes the tariffs the newest chapter in the U.S.-China contest over chips, energy and AI. Polysilicon now sits right in the middle of all three.
Both countries see clean energy and AI as industries of the future. Control of the materials that feed those industries is part of the contest.
The action is part of a broader U.S. push to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains for critical materials. Because polysilicon sits at the intersection of solar power and semiconductors, Washington sees it as central to the AI and clean-energy race.
Wall Street read the order as a win for U.S. solar names.
The reason is easy to follow. Tariffs raise the cost of imported polysilicon, which makes domestically produced panels more competitive.
But the math gets more complicated further down the chain. Solar installers and developers buy panels, and if panels get more expensive, the cost savings they pass along to customers could shrink.
For your portfolio, the key question is which part of the solar business you are exposed to. Pure U.S. manufacturers are getting a clear boost right now, while companies that depend on cheap imported parts may face a tougher quarter or two.
For fund investors, the move is a reminder that policy can move an entire sector in a single day. A trade headline can reprice a whole basket of stocks before lunch.
For most investors, the lesson is broader. Trade policy has become a market mover, and the U.S.-China contest now touches chips, energy and AI all at once.
The details still matter. How those price floors are enforced and whether the industry adapts will determine if this rally has legs or fades.
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Texas Coal Mine Is Getting a $1.7 Billion Solar Farm – Coal Plant Included  Yahoo Finance
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Companies/ Energy Transition
Kenny Fisher August 7, 2026
German power producer RWE announced that it has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Google for the entire output from a new 155 MW solar project in Oklahoma.
The new Crooked Creek solar project, located in McCurtain County, Oklahoma, will support Google’s operations in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and provide locally produced power to the regional grid.
According to RWE, construction of the new solar project is expected to begin later this year, with commercial operations scheduled to commence in 2028. During construction, the facility is expected to generate an estimated $24.3 million in local economic activity, contribute approximately $1.4 million in state and local tax revenue, and employ up to 250 workers at peak construction.
Once operational, the project is expected to generate an estimated $25 million in revenue for McCurtain County, supporting county programs, local emergency medical services, the Broken Bow School District and regional technology education centers.
Ingmar Ritzenhofen, Chief Commercial Officer at RWE Americas, said:
“Crooked Creek Solar demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate new energy development while creating jobs, generating local tax revenue and strengthening communities. We’re proud to work with Google to help power its operations, while supporting Oklahoma’s continued economic growth with affordable, American-made energy.”
Google has significantly accelerated its renewable energy purchase activity in recent years as its datacenter buildout footprint has expanded. The company’s recent Environmental Report indicated its largest ever annual increase in electricity demand, rising 37% in 2025, yet noted that Google achieved a 2% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions during the year, crediting its massive clean energy purchase program as a key factor in decoupling its energy use from emissions.
Despite the progress on controlling direct emissions, however, the company’s value chain emissions increased significantly during the year, and Google acknowledged in the report that its “moonshot” climate goals, including its  24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) ambition, are becoming harder to achieve, as its AI infrastructure buildout accelerates faster than the grid is decarbonizing.
Will Conkling, Director of Energy and Power at Google, said:
“Supporting a strong, stable, affordable grid is a top priority as we expand our infrastructure. Our agreement with RWE adds critical new generation to the local system, boosting the amount of affordable and reliable power supply for Oklahoma and the region.”

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First Solar: what the U.S. solar panel manufacturer does  qz.com
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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Three Points residents and farmers are speaking out against a proposed solar farm that would cover more than 5,500 acres of land in the area.
Douglas Lowell, a farmer and board member of the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, said he learned about the project through the nonprofit and knew he had to do something.
He shared a map showing the solar company’s proposal and has since been organizing community meetings to discuss the project with neighbors in Robles Junction.
“This is going to be a huge loss of habitat. It’s almost an ecological doomsday for eight square miles. All the trees will be gone. The animals will be gone. There’s mule deer, javelina, as I said, my favorite, the jackrabbits,” Lowell said. “All kinds of animals underneath the ground will be gone, and it’s impossible to put it back. No matter what people say about there being a way to salvage off the equipment and restore the land. I don’t believe it.”
Neighbors have raised concerns about more than just wildlife. Linda Saner has lived in Three Points for over 50 years. She worries the project could have financial consequences for property owners in the area.
“The zoning right now is agriculture out here and it’s going to change. If this happens it’s going to be industrial, so that means everyone’s property taxes are going to go through the roof,” Saner said. “It’s a beautiful area and to see it destroyed, it’s sad.”
The land in question is Arizona State Land, meaning the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) controls who uses it. KGUN 9 asked ASLD if it will be leasing to the solar company and it said it look into our request.
Not everyone in the community opposes the project. Three Points resident Laura Balderson, who has lived in the area since 1993, believes it’s time to transition away from fossil fuels and that requires making difficult choices.
“My thought is where do we begin with renewable energy? You know gas prices are over four dollars a gallon. Are we gonna keep doing that?” Balderson states. “We gotta start somewhere. We’ve gotta do something and make some sacrifices and people worry about the solar panels doing damage to the land and everything. How much damage is being done by exhaust fumes out of how many cars are here?” Balderson said.
Pima County District 3 Supervisor Jennifer Allen also attended the community meeting. Allen said the solar company has not submitted anything to the county, and when it does, the approval process is lengthy. She said the community should continue organizing and work to clarify what it wants.
“So we have time. Nothing on any agenda. No decisions have been made,” Allen said.
The solar company did not respond to a request for more information about the project. Lowell created the Southern Arizona Open Space Alliance. You can learn more information as well as the dates and times for future meetings on their website.
This story was reported on-air 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.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9’s Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x’s & o’s to tell players’ stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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The United States has announced plans to implement a 15% tariff on imports of polysilicon and related products along the solar supply chain, along with minimum import prices for polysilicon as well as solar ingots, wafers, cells and modules. The tariffs and price floor will apply as of 12:01 Eastern Time on December 4, 2026.
The move follows a section 232 investigation into polysilicon imports, in which the Secretary of Commerce found that the quantities and circumstances of polysilicon imports threaten harm to US national security. An announcement from the White House says the administration agrees with the investigation’s findings and recommendations, and sets minimum import prices at $21 per kilogram for polysilicon, $100 per kilogram for polysilicon ingots and wafers, $0.22 per watt for solar cells, and $0.38 per watt for solar modules.
The announcement notes that “in the solar sector, the United States is virtually entirely dependent on imports of solar ingots, wafers, and cells,” and says that it aims to support domestic manufacturing for both solar and semiconductor grade polysilicon. “Without a financially viable market for United States solar-grade polysilicon, United States polysilicon producers cannot thrive and ensure domestic manufacturing of solar- and semiconductor-grade polysilicon and their derivatives that meets United States economic and national security requirements,”
It also lays out terms allowing the US Trade Representative to enter into arrangements with specific trading partners that would alter the applicability of the tariffs and price floors. And the announcement authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to “establish a program to incentivize investment in United States production of raw polysilicon, as well as ingots, wafers, and cells”, and to accept onshoring plans from companies looking to build, refurbish or expand a facility to produce those products, provided it starts construction by January 20, 2029.
Early reactions
Manufacturers already active in the United States have reacted positively to the news. Mark Widmar, CEO at First Solar, which produces thin-film solar modules that don’t contain polysilicon, called the move one of the most strategically significant trade measures in decades. “For years, China-linked supply chains dumped below cost and circumvented US laws to undercut American workers and their livelihoods, while creating a strategic vulnerability. This action closes that loophole, and it is built to be enforced, with a minimum import price, an ad valorem tariff behind it, and real consequences for violators. That is the fair shot at a level playing field that American manufacturers and workers have earned,” he said in a statement.
Korean headquartered manufacturer Hanwha Q Cells is building one of the largest US solar manufacturing facilities in Georgia. “Today’s decision from the White House balances the reality of where America’s solar energy manufacturing is today while advancing our collective ambition to onshore the entire supply chain from polysilicon to finished panels in the U.S. This decision helps support the billions of dollars invested and the thousands of jobs created at factories around the country. It also helps lay the groundwork for more investments, more jobs, and more innovation to come. Demand for reliable, affordable, and safe energy has never been higher. American solar manufacturers are ready to rise to the occasion,” said Andy Park, Global CEO of Hanwha Qcells.
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“Am I overreacting?”
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A homeowner dealing with a roof leak expected a routine solar-panel removal to be straightforward. What they did not expect was a flood of calls, texts, and emails that reportedly ended in an ultimatum from the company hired to handle the job.
The homeowner described the service experience in a post on Reddit‘s solar forum. The issue started with a second leak in the roof area beneath solar panels that had come with the house and were already paid off. Because the roof repair affected that part of the home, the homeowner said several panels would need to be removed and then put back afterward.
Although the company hired to remove the panels was based a few hours away, the homeowner said its website listed service in the area, so a consultation was scheduled. During that early planning, the homeowner said the expectation was that they would handle communication with the roofer, writing, “I can connect the dots with the roofing company.”
According to the post, the company changed that approach and said it needed to speak with and meet the roofing contractor itself to make sure the timing worked because of the long drive. While the homeowner was on a work call, the company allegedly placed a call, sent a text, and emailed within about 30 minutes, ending with: “If I don’t talk to them or you by end of day then we won’t come.”
The homeowner said they eventually gave the company the roofer’s phone number after becoming annoyed by the exchange. 
“Am I overreacting?” they asked Redditors.
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Roof leaks are already stressful, and the situation becomes even more complicated when solar panels have to be removed first. Most homeowners cannot safely detach panels on their own, leaving them dependent on specialized crews and clear scheduling.
Communication problems can delay urgent repairs, increase labor costs, and leave homeowners stuck between contractors. For people who inherit solar panel systems when purchasing a home, the challenge can be even greater if they do not already have a relationship with the original installer.
Poor service can also sour people on cleaner-energy upgrades that help lower utility bills and reduce pollution. Solar panel systems are most beneficial for households and communities when companies treat customers with transparency and respect, especially when maintenance or repairs are involved.
If a roof repair may require solar-panel removal, questions to ask before hiring a contractor include: Do they require direct coordination with the roofer? Is there a travel fee? What are the cancellation terms? Who is responsible if the schedule changes?
Getting those answers in writing may help prevent confusion later. Homeowners can also ask whether the company regularly handles detach-and-reset jobs, whether it is licensed and insured for that work, and how quickly the panels can be reinstalled after the roof repair is complete.
Homebuyers with solar already installed may want to gather warranty documents, installer information, and any maintenance history before an emergency arises. Identifying a local solar service provider in advance can make a difference when a leak or reroofing project comes up.
Choosing a nearby company may also reduce the kind of logistical strain that can lead to last-minute demands.
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Banca Transilvania finances with 71.4 million euros the development of the Eco Sun Niculești photovoltaic park, Entek Elektrik’s first investment in local green energy production. The total value of the project is estimated at 100 million euros.
Located in Dâmbovița County, the Eco Sun Niculești project marks Entek Elektrik’s first investment in the production of energy from renewable sources in Romania and is one of the largest bilateral financing granted to a photovoltaic project under development in the country.
Once completed, the park will have an installed capacity of approximately 205 MW.
“Projects of this magnitude contribute to strengthening energy independence and modernizing the Romanian economy. We are happy to support Entek Elektrik’s first investment in renewable energy production in Romania and to continue the solid partnership we have built together. Banca Transilvania is a partner of strategic investments and long-term value creation, investments that can encourage new projects with a positive impact on the environment and local communities” – says Cosmin Călin, Deputy General Manager Large Corporate, Banca Transilvania.
The investment in the Eco Sun Niculești project is made through Entek Elektrik Üretimi A.Ş., the renewable energy company of the Koç Group, and its main shareholder is Türkiye Petrol Refinerileri A.Ş. (Tüpraş), the largest industrial company in Turkey and the seventh largest refinery operator in Europe.
Entek has an energy capacity portfolio of 550 MW in Turkey and has significant experience in the development, operation and marketing of electricity.
Banca Transilvania (BVB: TLV) is the largest financial player in Romania and Southeastern Europe, a digital banking ecosystem that connects millions of people and businesses to financial solutions. As a universal bank, BT covers all customer segments and all lines of business. BT has a 23% market share, over 5 million customers, 75,000 shareholders & investors and over 10,000 employees. The national network, comprising 530 offices, together with state-of-the-art digital platforms, ensures access to banking services from anywhere and anytime.
Entek Elektrik was established in 1995 and is the renewable energy company of the Koç Group. Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.Ş. (Tüpraş) is the majority shareholder of the company, holding 99.24% of the shares of Entek. With an installed production capacity of 550 MW, Entek is a renewable energy investment company that operates a diversified portfolio of renewable power plants in Turkey and conducts electricity trading activities. The company aims to further expand its renewable energy portfolio and aims to become one of the leading producers of green energy in Turkey, through sustainable growth, operational excellence and strategic investments.
Since 2004, ‘The Diplomat – Bucharest’ aims to bring a fair and balanced analysis and comprehensive coverage of the political and business scene in Romania.
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Albuquerque man says solar farm on his property has been a success  krqe.com
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MNRE weighs support scheme for polysilicon to back 10 GW capacity in solar manufacturing  Down To Earth
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India is preparing a new Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage domestic manufacturing of polysilicon, a key material used to make solar panels.
The proposed scheme could cover more than 10 GW of production capacity and is aimed at reducing India’s heavy dependence on China for critical solar components.
Polysilicon sits at the beginning of the solar manufacturing chain. It is processed into wafers and cells, which eventually become solar modules. While India has rapidly expanded its solar panel manufacturing capacity, it continues to rely heavily on imports for several upstream materials.
The government’s latest move is therefore focused on strengthening this missing link. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the proposed incentive programme will encourage companies to invest in polysilicon manufacturing by offering financial support linked to production.
The move comes as India is pushing to build a more self-reliant renewable energy industry. China currently dominates the global polysilicon supply chain, leaving Indian manufacturers exposed to international prices, supply disruptions and changes in trade policies.
India has already introduced incentives for solar module manufacturing. Under the existing high-efficiency solar PV module PLI scheme, the government has awarded capacity for 48.3 GW of fully or partially integrated manufacturing. However, the country still faces gaps in upstream production.
The need to close these gaps has become more urgent as India’s solar installations continue to grow. Recent industry reports have highlighted shortages of domestically produced solar cells and the resulting pressure on manufacturers.
The proposed polysilicon PLI scheme could help India develop a more complete solar supply chain, reduce import risks and support its long-term renewable energy ambitions. It could also encourage fresh investment in domestic manufacturing and create opportunities across the broader clean energy industry.
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