An experimental investigation of unique high stepup boost converter for electric vehicle and solar photovoltaic – Nature

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Scientific Reports volume 16, Article number: 2402 (2026)
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High step-up DC–DC converters are essential in electric vehicle (EV) and photovoltaic (PV) applications, where low-voltage inputs must be efficiently boosted to higher levels. Conventional converters suffer from high switching losses, bulky components, and unstable regulation under dynamic conditions. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a compact transformer based high step-up boost (HGB) converter integrated with an SG3525 PWM controller and an analog proportional–integral (PI) compensation network. The novelty of the design lies in the jointly optimized transformer winding structure (20-gauge/8-turns primary, 32-gauge/176-turns secondary with center tap) and robust analog PI compensation, which together achieve high gain with reduced duty ratio stress and stable voltage regulation. A hardware prototype was developed and tested under both programmable DC source and real PV input conditions. Experimental results confirm that the converter reliably steps up 12 V to 200 V DC, with efficiency consistently close to 90% across load levels from 5.6 W to 40 W. Gate pulses and switching behavior were validated through simulation, showing correct complementary drive at 50 kHz and safe device stress margins. Ripple analysis further shows that inductor current ripple remains below 15%, and capacitor voltage ripple remains below 2%, ensuring smooth operation. The converter also demonstrated strong linear gain response, maintaining duty ratios between 60% (at 8.5 V input) and 40% (at 12 V input). Real-time PV tests confirmed regulated output under fluctuating irradiation, with voltages ranging from 140 V to 225 V. These results establish the proposed converter as an efficient, compact, and experimentally validated solution for renewable energy systems and EV powertrains.
The global demand for electrical energy has significantly increased due to rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and the continuous rise in living standards. In response, power sectors are undertaking capacity augmentation initiatives to enhance electricity generation capabilities1. Traditional power plants primarily rely on fossil fuels such as coal, diesel, and petrol. According to data released by the Government of India, thermal power plants contribute over 60% of the country’s electricity supply. It is coal 52.6%, lignite 1.7%, petrol 6.5% and diesel 0.1%. The residual 40% is produced by renewable energy sources (RER)2. Nevertheless, traditional methods of energy production are limited due to finite fuel resources, uncertain fuel cost, negative environmental pollution3. These obstacles have emphasized the importance of RER in a green power production.
The sources of renewable energy – solar, wind, small hydro and tidal – are sustainable: they can be used indefinitely without relying on non-renewable resources such as coal, gas and oil. These indigenous resources can potentially be utilized for the generation of electricity with the help of suitable technological conversion schemes4. For example, in wind power systems, rotating wind turbine blades transfer wind kinetic energy into mechanical energy, which is further transmitted to an electric generator to generate electricity following the principle of electromagnetic induction. A typical boost converter is comprised of an inductor, a capacitor and a switch, and works based on a variation of the duty ratio. The output voltage becomes higher or lower as the duty cycle is larger or smaller, respectively.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, conventional boost converters have several drawbacks such as low voltage gain, large power losses due to thermal dissipation, and voltage stress on devices. Isolated converter topologies have been designed to alleviate this problem. But these designs are bulky and expensive due to the involved magnetic components and they usually also suffer from high-voltage and current harmonics5. Notwithstanding their advantages, wind power plants face certain drawbacks, including high initial capital costs, large land requirements, complex maintenance, and issues related to power quality. These concerns necessitate the integration of compensatory devices, which increase the overall system cost. Nevertheless, India currently ranks fourth globally in wind power generation, with an installed capacity of 38.789 GW.
On the other hand, solar photovoltaic (SPV) technology is witnessing accelerated growth, largely driven by the consistent decline in PV cell prices. This trend is encouraging large-scale adoption of solar power systems. SPV systems operate on the photovoltaic effect, where a P-type semiconductor (with fewer free electrons) is paired with an N-type semiconductor to form a junction. When exposed to sunlight, photons excite electrons in the N-type layer, causing them to migrate toward the P-type layer. A load connected across this junction allows for the extraction of the generated current6,7.
Although a single PV cell typically generates a voltage of approximately 0.7 V, this is insufficient for practical applications. Therefore, multiple PV cells are connected in series to form cell strings, which are further interconnected to form modules and larger arrays. This modular structure increases the solar collection area and enhances overall energy output8. Currently, the most used PV technologies include monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film cells. While monocrystalline panels offer higher efficiency and require less space, they are also the most expensive. In contrast, polycrystalline panels provide a cost-effective solution with slightly lower efficiency9,10.
To meet the voltage demands of end users, especially in SPV systems, boost converters are employed to step up the DC voltage. The research gap stems from the shortcomings of traditional boost converters and drives the proposed solution. Conventional boost converters have limited voltage gain, high duty cycle makes the switching stress high, passive elements bulky and efficiency poor at high step up ratio. The design of coupled-inductor and multistage converters is improving the voltage gain, but they cause problems like leakage inductance and large size along with complex control strategy. These difficulties motivate a small-sized transformer-based high step-up converter with strong robust control, which can achieve high-voltage gain, and is also high in efficiency and suitable for renewable energy systems and electric vehicles.
To overcome these challenges, in this work, a novel converter is presented, which is applicable for both electric vehicle (EV) and solar PV applications. The contributed points in the paper are as follow: A new transformer-based high step up boost topology that can obtain a high voltage gain in a single-stage, so that the design is simple and loss is low. The SG3525 PWM controller is combined with a PI compensation network to improve the accuracy and dynamic response of duty cycle, and to increase the stability of the output under changing input and load conditions. Versatile applicability of the proposed converter, demonstrating reliable operation in both solar photovoltaic (PV) and electric vehicle (EV) applications without structural modifications. Experimental validation under practical operating scenarios, confirming the converter’s ability to provide stable, low-ripple high-voltage output from low-voltage sources. The structure of the manuscript is organized as follows: Sect. 3 provides a critical review of existing boost converter topologies; Sect. 4 discusses the proposed boost converter topology; Sect. 5 presents the experimental results; and Sect. 6 concludes the research findings.
Parthasarathy Nayak et al. proposed a single-stage isolated DC-AC converter with reduced MOSFET count for industrial installations. The design, validated with a 1 kW prototype, achieves 97.2% peak efficiency, reduces MOSFETs by two, cuts duty cycle loss by 50%, lowers casing temperature by 10 °C, and reduces noise by 12 dB11. Hadi Tarzamni et al. analyzed the reliability of isolated PWM converters considering variables such as duty cycle, input voltage, output power, and transformer turn ratio. Both CCM and DCM operations were studied under open- and short-circuit faults using a Markov model. Results showed that multi-switch converters provide higher fault tolerance under open-circuit failures, but increasing input voltage and output power reduces reliability. Multi-switch converters in CCM exhibited superior reliability, while traditional converters were more reliable in DCM12.
An isolated DC-DC boost converter was developed to handle wide input voltages and varying load conditions, demonstrating superior device utilization, capacitor efficiency, reduced inductive energy requirements, and scalability for power levels above 2.5 kW. To address integration challenges in renewable energy systems, a multiport converter (MPC) combining a series-resonant converter (SRC) and a bidirectional PWM converter was proposed. Using a single magnetic component for both filtering and resonance, the design reduces complexity compared to conventional MPCs. With Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM) and PWM control, the system effectively regulated output and battery voltages, as verified by a 150 W prototype14,15.Jinuk Kim et al. proposed a triple-mode isolated resonant buck–boost converter for solar PV and fuel cell systems, supporting a wide input range of 35–65 V. The dual-series-resonant design with soft-switching enhances efficiency, enabling both buck and boost operation. A 400 W DSP-based prototype validated reliable performance with scope for further improvement16.
This study presents a modified dual active half-bridge (DAHB) isolated DC-DC converter that eliminates bulky input/output filters by using split windings and tank capacitors for inherent zero-ripple filtering. Matching DAHB in components but more compact, it integrates a power flow controller and achieves 10 dB input noise reduction above 1 MHz. Compared to DAHB, it reduces conduction losses and improves efficiency through broader transformer windings10. The study introduces a two-stage DC/DC converter integrating a hard-switched, non-isolated stage for output regulation and an unregulated LLC stage for isolated voltage amplification. Operating at high switching frequencies, it achieves reduced transformer size, minimized switching losses, and simplified control through uniform gate strategy. A 2-kW prototype demonstrated over 92.5% efficiency with consistent performance across load ranges, showing strong potential for EV chargers and fuel cell applications17. Hanifehpour et al. proposed a high-gain DC-DC converter with low input current ripple, employing a simplified structure of a diode, inductor, capacitor, and single switch to minimize semiconductor losses. A 150 W prototype achieved 95.8% peak efficiency and maintained above 91.5% across the full power range, confirming its renewable energy suitability18. Similarly, a transformer-less, non-isolated, high-gain converter combining boost and quadratic topologies was introduced, achieving over 90% efficiency with a 28× voltage gain, validated through simulations and hardware tests19.
A high step-up, non-isolated DC-DC converter using a single switch was proposed, integrating coupled inductors and a voltage multiplier (VM) cell to achieve high voltage gain. The design minimizes conduction losses, maintains low input current ripple, and enhances efficiency in a compact, cost-effective structure. A 20 V to 200 V prototype validated its suitability for PV-based renewable energy systems20. Similarly, an improved non-inverting quadratic boost converter was developed to provide high voltage gain at low duty cycles with reduced component stress and fewer devices. Although the dual-switch design without a common ground increases cost, research on synchronized switching aims to address this limitation. A 150 W prototype achieved 90% efficiency, confirming its potential in high-voltage-gain solar energy applications21.
A bridgeless interleaved boost PFC converter was introduced for renewable energy systems, designed to lower conduction losses and enhance thermal performance. Operating with interleaved phases, the design reduces input current ripple and electromagnetic interference, achieving a maximum efficiency of 96.2% with unity power factor across varying loads24. Another study proposed a non-isolated high-gain switched-capacitor boost converter, where the combination of voltage-lift and switched-capacitor techniques provided large voltage gain at a moderate duty cycle. The prototype boosted a 24 V input to 200 V with 94% efficiency, while minimizing switch stress and conduction losses, making it highly effective for PV-fed DC microgrids25. A further development presented a bidirectional isolated DC-DC converter for hybrid energy storage, employing dual-active bridge topology with phase-shift control. The converter demonstrated soft switching over a wide power range, achieving 95% efficiency in battery charging and discharging modes, and providing flexible power management for grid-tied renewable systems26.
A highly flexible interleaved switched-inductor boost converter (MISIBC) was proposed for fuel cell applications, offering tunable gain via interleaving phases and switched-inductor networks. A 500 W prototype achieved a step-up from 24 V to 100 V, confirming its suitability for high step-up, non-isolated DC-DC conversion24. An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-controlled coupled-inductor DC-DC converter was developed for PV systems, showing superior efficiency and reduced THD (8.5%) compared to PID (39.28%) and FL (10.56%) controllers. A 200 W prototype validated the improved regulation and performance25. A novel MPPT method based on the PV energy ratio (Rpv)–duty cycle relationship was proposed, eliminating system-specific knowledge and optimizing converter choice for different PV module types. Buck converters suit thin-film modules, while boost converters perform best with mono/polycrystalline PVs26.
A high-voltage bidirectional hybrid modular DC-DC converter using half-bridge submodules was developed, ensuring ZVS across the HV valve27. A bidirectional buck-boost converter with ZVT-PWM was presented, incorporating auxiliary switches and coupled inductors to achieve ZVS in all modes. A 100 W prototype demonstrated > 96% efficiency in both buck and boost operation28. An LTCC-based multilayer DC-DC converter was introduced for compact, low-noise power systems. A nine-layer prototype achieved up to 93.6% efficiency, fast response (< 480 µs), and compliance with IEC61000-6-3 standards, validating its use in e-bikes29.A high-gain modified SEPIC-Boost DC-DC converter with ZVT and coupled inductors was proposed for PV systems, achieving a tenfold voltage boost while reducing the duty cycle. A 200 W prototype (40 V in/400 V out at 100 kHz) reached 95% efficiency, proving its suitability for high-voltage PV applications30. The comparative analysis of various boost converters is mentioned in Table 1.
The transformer winding in this design is made of 20-gauge wire, with a total of 8 turns. This combination of wire gauge and turn count allows the transformer to handle primary-side voltages of up to 20 volts, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The secondary winding consists of 32-gauge wire, wound with 176 turns. A center tap is provided, which connects to a regulated 12-volt power source from a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This setup allows the circuit to use the 12-volt supply. Additionally, the top and bottom leads of the transformer, labeled as phase and neutral, are connected to the drain of a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor). The MOSFET is commonly used in such circuits for switching applications. By linking the transformer leads to the MOSFET’s drain, the MOSFET controls the transformer’s output, enabling various functions within the circuit.
The reference voltage is compared with the feedback voltage (from output filtered by a voltage divider), using an internal error amplifier. Realization of the control characteristic is affected by the compensation network connected to pin 9. In the proposed circuit, this compensation is realized by resistors R6 and R7, and capacitor C1 to construct a classical analog Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. Specifically, R6 is a series resistor which modifies the total loop gain, R7 provides a proportional zero to enhance transient response, and C1 introduces existing action to compensate for steady-state error. This basic yet efficient analog compensation method uses to stabilize the output voltage against input variations or load steps, both by varying the PWM duty cycle in real time. The total transfer function is given by Eq. (1), the proportional gain of the voltage controller by formula (2) and the integral gain by formula of (3). Where R6 is the series resistance (proportional gain), R7 is the parallel resister with the capacitor (proportion zero), C1 is the compensating capacitor (integral action).
Proposed circuit topologies.
During the ON interval, either switch M1 or M2 is turned ON. When the switch is closed, the input voltage from the source is directly applied across the corresponding primary winding of the transformer. As a result, the magnetizing inductance of the transformer begins to store energy, and the magnetizing current increases linearly. In this mode, the secondary winding of the transformer is polarized such that the output rectifier diodes (D3–D6) are reverse-biased. Consequently, no energy is transferred to the load during this period. The load is supplied solely by the output capacitor. This mode is characterized by energy storage in the transformer’s magnetic field. Figure 2(a) illustrates the operating state of the boost converter during the switch ON interval (D). Similarly, the operating state of the boost converter during the switch OFF interval (1 − D1) is illustrated in Fig. 2(b).
(a) Operating state of the converter during switch ON interval (D). (b) Operating state of the converter during switch OFF interval (1 − D1). (c) Modes of operation.
At the end of the ON period, the active MOSFET is turned OFF. The sudden interruption of the primary current forces the magnetizing flux to maintain continuity, which in turn reverses the polarity across the transformer windings. This polarity reversal forward-biases one pair of rectifier diodes (D3–D6), depending on which primary switch was conducting. Consequently, the stored magnetic energy in the transformer is transferred to the secondary side and delivered to both the load and the output capacitor. The capacitor, therefore, gets recharged in this interval, ensuring voltage regulation at the output.
By continuously alternating between these two modes, the converter achieves energy transfer from the input source to the output load with voltage boosting capability. The effective voltage gain is a function of both the transformer turns ratio and the duty cycle of operation. Specifically, the converter operates as a high step-up transformer-isolated boost converter, where energy is alternately stored in and released from the transformer’s magnetizing inductance.
Equation 4 defines the ideal voltage gain (:{G}_{0})of the push–pull converter, relating the output voltage (:{V}_{out}), input voltage (:{V}_{in}), duty ratio (:D), and transformer turns ratio (:n). It is used during the design stage to determine the converter’s voltage step-up capability under ideal, lossless conditions.
Equation 5 provides the practical output voltage (:{V}_{out}), accounting for converter efficiency (:eta:)and diode forward voltage drops (:{V}_{D}). It reflects real-world non-idealities and is used to estimate actual voltage levels for diode selection and performance prediction.
Equation 6 calculates the duty ratio (:D)required to achieve a specified output voltage (:{V}_{out}), accounting for diode voltage drops (:{V}_{D})and converter efficiency (:eta:). It is essential for duty cycle control and PWM controller design.
Equation 7 relates the duty ratio (:D:)to the control voltage (:{V}_{c})and the ramp amplitude (:{V}_{ramp})in the PWM modulator. It is critical for generating switching signals in voltage-mode control schemes, such as those implemented using ICs like SG3525.
Equation 8 determines the peak-to-peak ripple voltage (:{Delta:}{V}_{c})across the output capacitor (:C) due to the load current (:{I}_{out})and switching frequency (:{f}_{s}). It is used in filter design to limit voltage variations during switching and to ensure stable and reliable converter operation.
Equation 9 determines the peak-to-peak output voltage ripple (:{Delta:}{V}_{c})including the contribution from the capacitor’s equivalent series resistance (:{R}_{ESR}). It shows that higher ESR increases ripple, highlighting the importance of selecting low-ESR capacitors to ensure stable and reliable converter performance.
Equation 10 represents the portion of the output voltage ripple (:{Delta:}{V}_{ESR})caused solely by the equivalent series resistance (:{R}_{ESR})of the output capacitor. Here, (:{I}_{out})is the load current. This expression isolates the ESR contribution, showing that higher (:{R}_{ESR})increases ripple and emphasizing the importance of selecting low-ESR capacitors for stable converter performance.
Equation 11 represents the control-to-output transfer function (:{G}_{vd}left(sright))of the converter in the frequency domain, showing how variations in the duty ratio (:Dleft(sright))affect the output voltage (:{V}_{out}left(sright)). Here, (:{G}_{0})is the ideal voltage gain, (:C)is the output capacitor, (:R)is the load resistance, and (:{R}_{ESR})is the capacitor equivalent series resistance. This expression is fundamental for small-signal modeling and dynamic analysis and is used in designing stable controllers.
Equation 12 defines the pole frequency (:{omega:}_{p})and zero frequency (:{omega:}_{z})of the converter system. The pole (:{omega:}_{p})arises from the RC filter formed by the output capacitor (:C)and load resistance (:R), while the zero (:{omega:}_{z})is due to the capacitor’s equivalent series resistance (:{R}_{ESR}). These frequencies are essential for frequency response analysis and compensator design to ensure system stability.
Equation 13 represents the transfer function (:{G}_{c}left(sright))of a proportional–integral (PI) controller. Here, (:{K}_{p})is the proportional gain and (:{omega:}_{i})is the integral gain frequency. The PI controller combines proportional and integral actions to minimize steady-state error and precisely regulate the converter output in feedback control systems.
Equation 14 represents the open-loop transfer function (:Tleft(sright))of the converter system, combining the PI controller (:{G}_{c}left(sright)), the control-to-output transfer function (:{G}_{vd}left(sright)), and the PWM modulator gain (:{K}_{pwm}). It is used for analyzing system stability, adjusting gain and phase margins, and ensuring reliable converter operation.
Equation 15 represents the closed-loop transfer function (:Hleft(sright))of the converter, where (:Tleft(sright))is the open-loop transfer function. It describes the dynamic response of the output under feedback control, including system speed, frequency response, and accuracy in reaching the desired output, enabling comprehensive analysis of the controlled system’s behavior.
Equation 16 determines the maximum flux density (:{B}_{max})in the transformer core. Here, (:{V}_{in})is the input voltage, (:D)is the duty ratio, (:{N}_{p})is the number of primary turns, (:{A}_{e})is the effective cross-sectional area of the core, and (:{f}_{s})is the switching frequency. This calculation is essential to prevent core saturation and to guide proper core size and material selection under all operating conditions.
Equation 17 determines the minimum output capacitance (:{C}_{min})required to limit the peak-to-peak ripple voltage (:{Delta:}{V}_{c}). Here, (:{I}_{out})is the load current and (:{f}_{s})is the switching frequency. This calculation ensures smooth output voltage, protecting sensitive loads and guiding proper capacitor selection.
Equation 18 defines the reverse voltage stress (:{V}_{D,rev})across the diodes, where (:n)is the transformer turns ratio and (:{V}_{in})is the input voltage. This ensures that diodes are selected with sufficient voltage ratings to safely handle reverse blocking conditions and prevent device failure.
Equation 19 defines the maximum drain-to-source voltage stress (:{V}_{DS})on the MOSFETs, where (:{V}_{in})is the input voltage and (:{V}_{spike})represents voltage spikes due to transformer leakage and switching. This ensures proper MOSFET selection and guides the design of snubber or clamp circuits for reliable circuit protection.
Equation 20 calculates the duty ratio (:D)required to achieve a desired output voltage (:{V}_{out}), accounting for diode forward voltage drops (:{V}_{D}), transformer turns ratio (:n), input voltage (:{V}_{in}), and converter efficiency (:eta:). This expression reaffirms the relationship between duty cycle, efficiency, and diode drops, guiding accurate PWM switching conditions.
Equation 21 defines the converter efficiency (:eta:)as the ratio of output power (:{P}_{text{o}text{u}text{t}})to input power, accounting for duty ratio (:D), transformer turns ratio (:n), output voltage (:{V}_{text{o}text{u}text{t}}), input voltage (:{V}_{text{i}text{n}}), and total power losses (:{P}_{text{l}text{o}text{s}text{s}}). It highlights how efficiency decreases when losses become significant, emphasizing the need to minimize conduction, switching, and magnetic losses.
Equation 22 defines the total power losses (:{P}_{text{l}text{o}text{s}text{s}})in the converter, including MOSFET conduction loss (:{P}_{text{c}text{o}text{n}text{d},text{M}text{O}text{S}text{F}text{E}text{T}}), diode conduction loss (:{P}_{text{c}text{o}text{n}text{d},text{d}text{i}text{o}text{d}text{e}}), switching loss (:{P}_{text{s}text{w}}), transformer core loss (:{P}_{text{c}text{o}text{r}text{e}}), and copper winding loss (:{P}_{text{c}text{u}}). This comprehensive accounting of losses is essential for evaluating converter efficiency and ensuring reliable performance in high-voltage applications.
The proposed circuit is a DC-DC push-pull boost converter designed to step up the input voltage from a solar panel (SPV). The operation is governed by the SG3525 PWM controller, which drives two MOSFETs, M1 and M2, in an alternating sequence. This cyclical switching action transfers energy from the input source to the output load through a high-frequency transformer. The complete operational cycle can be analyzed in three distinct modes, which are detailed below. In the first mode of operation, the SG3525 controller applies a high gate signal to MOSFET M1 as shown in the Fig. 2(c), turning it on, while MOSFET M2 remains off. This creates a current path from the input supply, through the upper half of the transformer’s primary winding, and through the conducting M1 to ground. The current flow magnetizes the transformer core, storing energy and inducing a voltage across the secondary winding. This secondary voltage forward biases diodes D3 and D6 in the full-bridge rectifier. Consequently, current is delivered to the output, charging the capacitor Cout and supplying the load.
In the second mode, the SG3525 controller turns off M1 and, after a brief dead-time, applies a high gate signal to turn on MOSFET M2. Current now flows from the input supply, through the lower half of the primary winding, and through M2 to ground. This reverses the direction of magnetic flux in the transformer core, inducing a voltage of opposite polarity in the secondary winding. This voltage forward biases diodes D4 and D5. As a result, current again flows to the output stage through a different pair of diodes, continuing to charge the capacitor Cout and power the load. The third mode is a brief but critical interval known as dead-time, during which the SG3525 controller ensures both MOSFETs, M1 and M2, are simultaneously held in the off state as shown in Fig. 2(c). This prevents a direct short circuit of the input supply, which could occur if both switches were to conduct at the same time. During this period, no energy is transferred from the primary to the secondary side of the transformer. The electrical load is sustained entirely by the energy that was previously stored in the output capacitor, Cout, which begins to discharge to maintain a stable output voltage. This cycle repeats at a high frequency, resulting in a continuous, stepped-up DC output.
The laboratory analysis utilized a PV emulator to simulate the characteristics of 12 V solar PV panels, as depicted in Figs. 3 and 4. A digital multimeter was employed to measure both the input and output voltages. The figures also demonstrate the use of a total harmonic analyzer to assess the ripple content in the boosted voltage. The boost converter receives the required input voltage from the solar PV emulator. A digital oscilloscope was used to measure the amplified output voltage, which reached 146 V, compared to the initial setting of 10 V. As the voltage increases, the output voltage correspondingly rises. The PV emulator was then used to supply a variable DC voltage to the boost converter. For real time experimental analysis 12 V solar pv is used as shown in Table 2.
Experimental setup with boost converter.
Experimental analysis for current measurement.
The boost converter operates with an SG3525 PWM controller that provides complementary gate signals to work with a push-pull configuration of MOSFETs. This configuration allows a center-tapped transformer to be switched at high frequency. The controller runs at a switching frequency of 50 k Hz so that the transformer becomes small and a stable high step-up voltage is obtained. The transformer of the amplifying converter is very important for the rising-voltage and isolation process. A center tapped ferrite core transformer was created having 8 turns on the primary with wires of 20 gauge and 176 turns on the secondary with wires of 32 gauge, to yield a theoretical turn as computed by Eq. 23 and an. the corresponding ideal voltage gains and the Eq. 24 is depicted. The transformer was designed for high-frequency (50 kHz) switching so that a small compact ferrite core could be used (selected to have low core loss at high frequency). The transformers equations were employed to calculate the minimum number of turns for core not to saturate considering the cross-sectional area (Ae) and maximum um flux density (Bmax)
From the relation 25 the estimated number of turns is 6, whereas 8 turns were selected as a conservative design margin of two regarding no saturation and to achieve thermal stability. The gauge of wire was chosen based on the square root of RMS current, thermal dissipation, and skin effect parameters. Also, the winding of the secondary is generally made from finer wire as it operates at reduced current levels and higher voltages. Center-tapping enables one end of each half of the primary winding to be grounded, and the two remaining open, which provides for unidirectional pulses in each half of the primary winding and decreases copper losses and have some magnetic balance. Transformer design detail is indicated in the Table 3.
The SG3525 PWM controller is generating complementary PWM signals that are controlling the operation of M1 and M2 in the proposed circuit. We are seeing that these signals only work to control both the switches properly. When PWM1 signal is actually high, M1 definitely turns on and allows current to flow through the circuit. M2 actually remains off during this time. Basically, when PWM1 goes low, M1 switches off and PWM2 does the same opposite thing to turn M2 on. We are seeing that M1 and M2 switches work in opposite way only, so they never turn on together. This reduces power loss and stops short circuits from happening. M1 and M2 switches surely operate in alternate on-off states with 50% duty cycle at 50 kHz frequency. Moreover, this switching pattern ensures efficient energy transfer to the transformer. Moreover, we are seeing the two MOSFETs work in push-pull setup, which only helps the boost converter circuit run smoothly and get the voltage conversion we want. The system uses a center-tapped transformer to convert constant DC input voltage into AC signal. This process further allows the DC voltage itself to change into alternating current output. The DC voltage is surely applied to the primary winding of the transformer. Moreover, the center tap controls the current direction through the winding. The SG3525 PWM controller itself generates complementary PWM signals to control the switching of M1 and M2 MOSFETs, which further produces the AC signal. We are seeing that M1 MOSFET turns on only when PWM signal becomes high, and current flows through one half part of transformer primary winding.
Basically, the current flows from the positive terminal of the DC supply and goes through the winding in the same direction. When M1’s PWM signal goes low, we are seeing that PWM2 turns on M2 (MOSFET 2), which only stops the current flow. M2 then connects the negative terminal of the DC supply to the other half of the primary winding, and we are seeing that the current flow through the transformer winding gets reversed only. Also, as per the switching pattern, M1 and M2 turn on and off one after another regarding the push-pull action. This creates AC signal on the primary side of the transformer. The transformer surely works well by quickly changing the current at 50 kHz frequency to move energy to the secondary coil. Moreover, this rapid alternation makes the energy transfer process very efficient. Basically, the transformer changes voltage up or down using the same turns ratio principle. Further, as per the electromagnetic induction process, the AC voltage gets transferred to the secondary winding and then connects to the load. Regarding the power transfer, this happens through the magnetic field between the windings. If needed, the voltage can surely be rectified and filtered to get the required output voltage. Moreover, this process helps in obtaining a smooth and stable voltage for the circuit. The M1 and M2 MOSFETs actually control the voltage change by converting DC input to pulsed AC signal. The transformer definitely uses its turns ratio to create output voltage that can be higher or lower than the input DC voltage. The transformer design specifications are mentioned in Table 3.
The input voltage is applied using a programmable DC source, and the corresponding output voltage is measured using a digital signal oscilloscope. Initially, the input voltage is set to 8 V, and the corresponding measured output voltage is 112 V, as shown in Fig. 5(a). This behaviour is attributed to the design of the components and critical elements of the boost converter. An interesting point to note is that the output voltage of the boost converter strongly depends on the input voltage. When the input voltage is increased to 10 V, the corresponding output voltage is measured at 150 V as shown in Fig. 5(b) and even reaches 200 V as refer figure 5(c) when the input is set to 12 V. This demonstrates the boost converter’s capability to significantly increase the input voltage.
In addition, with the cut in voltage is 8 V before this range the converter doesn’t not generate voltage. When the voltage is reached beyond this range the voltage is boosted this is due to the regulator set the cutting voltage. The output waveforms exhibit minimal ripple and noise, indicating that the developed boost converter maintains excellent voltage regulation and efficiency. Laboratory analysis confirms that the converter performs reliably and effectively under dynamic input conditions, validating its suitability for high voltage gain applications such as renewable energy systems or electric vehicles. The scaling factors for the measurements are as follows: in Fig. 5(a), the input voltage is scaled at 5 V/div, and the output voltage is scaled at 50 V/div. In Fig. 5(b), the input voltage is scaled at 5 V/div, and the output voltage is scaled at 50 V/div. For Fig. 5(c), the input voltage is scaled at 10 V/div, and the output voltage is scaled at 100 V/div, clearly illustrating the step-up conversion achieved by the boost converter.
Performance Analysis of boost converter.
Relation between gate pulse and boost converter output voltage.
Relation in between input voltage Vs output voltage.
Relation in between Output voltage Vs time (under dynamic condition).
(a) Gate drive pulses for MOSFETs M1 and M2, (b) Drain-source voltages of M1 and M2, (c) Voltage at the secondary side of the transformer, (d) Output voltage waveform under regulated operation.
The boost converter was surely tested by giving different input voltages from 8.5 V to 12 V using a programmable DC source. Moreover, the gate pulse and output voltage patterns were recorded on a digital storage oscilloscope. In Fig. 6(a) to (e), we are seeing the MOSFET switching action under PWM excitation and the boosted output voltage that comes from it only. As per the gate pulse waveform, the MOSFET triggering is stable and consistent. Regarding the output voltage, it shows the expected step-up behavior of the converter. As per the gradual increase in input voltage, the boost converter maintains proper switching operation regarding waveform quality without any visible distortion. This confirms the design is robust and working well. As per the observations, the output voltage magnitude increases progressively regarding the applied input voltage. This validates the theoretical boost converter operation. As per the input voltage levels, the gate signal duty ratio becomes higher at lower voltages to get the required step-up gain. Regarding higher input voltages, the duty cycle gets reduced accordingly. At 8.5 V input, the duty cycle is 60%, and it further reduces to 55% at 9.5 V and 50% at 10 V itself. Moreover, basically, when input goes to 11 V, the duty ratio drops to nearly 45%, and at 12 V it becomes stable at around 40%. The gate pulses surely maintain a constant amplitude of approximately 5 V due to the gate driver circuit. Moreover, only the pulse width changes when the input voltage varies. Basically, these observations confirm that the PWM control logic is working properly for voltage boosting, giving the same expected results. Basically, the switching frequency stays in the same range of 20–25 kHz during the complete test, which gives reliable converter working with less ripple.
The isolation capacitor, placed between the transformer and the MOSFET, plays a crucial role in maintaining voltage balance and minimizing switching stress. The converter was tested with an input of 10 V and 0.05 A. Although the primary focus of this analysis is on the output voltage which validates the high-gain capability of the converter the measured waveforms indirectly confirm the proper operation of other internal components such as the MOSFET, transformer, and rectifier diode. The steady slope in the output voltage trace indicates controlled inductor current ripple, as shown in the Fig. 6(f), while the capacitor voltage waveform verifies correct charge-discharge dynamics across switching cycles. The system operated with minimal ripple (< 2%) and maintained stable regulation across varying load conditions, demonstrating that the designed converter is well-optimized in both transient and steady-state responses. Further detailed measurement of device voltages and currents can be presented in future work to provide more comprehensive insight into semiconductor and passive-element stress analysis.
The experimental investigation of the proposed high step-up boost converter demonstrates the successful generation of complementary gate drive pulses from the SG3525 PWM controller at an operating frequency of approximately 15.38 kHz, as shown in Fig. 6(g) and (h). These gate signals ensure efficient and synchronized switching of MOSFETs M₁ and M₂, as shown in the proposed circuit topology in Fig. 1, minimizing overlap, reducing switching losses, and maintaining proper duty cycle symmetry. The converter was tested with an input voltage of 9.5 V, under which the transformer provides galvanic isolation and voltage boosting, and its center-tapped secondary winding enables symmetric AC voltage generation for subsequent rectification.
Following the transformer stage, a full-bridge rectifier composed of diodes D₃, D₄, D₅, and D₆ effectively converts the high-frequency AC voltage into DC. Each diode conducts alternately depending on the polarity of the secondary voltage, ensuring continuous energy transfer to the output capacitor Cout, as shown in Fig. 1. The oscilloscope waveforms in Fig. 6(g) and (h) represent the voltage across individual diodes and the corresponding filtered output voltage. The pulsed signals across the diodes indicate the rectification process as shown in Fig. 6(g) and (h) of the AC waveform, while the smooth output after the capacitor confirms effective filtering and DC stabilization. The slight variations observed in the magnitude of the pulse signals across cycles, despite a constant switching frequency of 15.38 kHz, arise from the non-ideal behavior of the circuit components. The transformer’s leakage inductance and imperfect coupling cause incomplete energy transfer, resulting in minor voltage spikes and dips at the MOSFET drain nodes. The magnetizing current lag also contributes to small waveform distortions. The intrinsic capacitances of the MOSFETs introduce unequal rise and fall times, leading to amplitude fluctuations during switching transitions. Reverse recovery effects in the diodes (D₃–D₆) momentarily feedback through the transformer, altering the instantaneous current in the primary side and causing additional variations in pulse amplitude. These effects become more evident under dynamic input conditions, especially during photovoltaic operation where input voltage and irradiation fluctuate. Minor measurement differences due to probe grounding and channel coupling may also contribute to observed deviations in pulse height. Despite these non-idealities, the converter maintains stable and high-voltage DC output after filtering, with minimal voltage ripple. The combined effect of the optimized transformer design, SG3525-based complementary switching, and full-bridge rectification results in efficient DC–DC conversion with smooth output characteristics.
The oscilloscope waveform presents two channels monitored over a 4 ms time span, with each division representing 400 µs. Channel 1 (blue trace), configured at 50 V/div, displays a high-voltage DC signal with minimal ripple, as shown in Fig. 6(i), indicating a well-regulated and stable DC output. This behavior is characteristic of a post-rectification or power supply output stage operating under steady-state conditions. In contrast, Channel 2 (green trace), also set at 50 V/div, shows a constant voltage level with no observable fluctuations. The output voltage across the load and diode D4 is nearly identical, confirming efficient voltage transfer. The absence of any transient behavior in both channels supports the inference that the system under test is operating in a stable mode. These measurements confirm the reliability and consistency of the DC output, which is critical for the optimal performance of downstream electronic components.
As per the experimental results, the gate pulse to output voltage relationship is confirmed, but detailed characterization is needed regarding switching pulse width variation with input voltage and constant gate amplitude across different operating points. As per measurements, frequency variation should be emphasized regarding converter efficiency and transient response. Frequency stability directly affects both these parameters.
More data like switch and diode currents would actually help us understand the switching behavior better. This information would definitely give us clearer insights about how reliable the system actually is. Basically, including these aspects will ensure the same comprehensive evaluation of converter performance across wider operating conditions, thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and practical value of the proposed design. The graph illustrates the input-output voltage characteristics of a boost converter over a 40-minute period, highlighting its capability to step up voltage as the input increases. Initially, the input voltage is set to 8 V, which serves as the cut-in voltage—below this threshold, the converter remains inactive and does not supply power to the output. As the input exceeds 8 V, the converter begins operating, with the output voltage rising proportionally with each 0.5 V increase in input, demonstrating linear boost behavior, as shown in Fig. 7. The blue dashed line with diamond markers represents the input voltage, which gradually increases from 8 V to 12 V. In parallel, the red solid line with square markers represents the output voltage, which rises from 120 V to 200 V over the same interval. This clearly showcases the boost converter’s reliable voltage gain characteristic. Technically, the converter exhibits strong linearity and responsiveness, with the output voltage scaling predictably with the input. The smooth and stable transition in output indicates efficient switching control, minimal ripple, and quick response—essential qualities for applications such as battery charging systems, renewable energy interfaces, and electric vehicle power electronics. The observed performance also suggests the presence of an effective control algorithm with robust feedback, ensuring stable voltage regulation even under dynamic operating conditions (Fig. 8).
The data demonstrates the relationship between the boost converter’s output voltage and time under real-time experimental conditions using a 111 W solar photovoltaic (PV) panel. The output voltage varies non-linearly, reflecting the converter’s dynamic response to changing external factors, including sunlight intensity and the solar panel’s performance. At 10:00 AM, the output voltage starts at 148.6 V, increases to 150 V by 10:30 AM, and continues to rise steadily, reaching 156 V by 11:00 AM. A sharp spike occurs at 11:30 AM, pushing the voltage to 225 V, before stabilizing at 202 V by 12:00 PM. These fluctuations are caused by variations in solar irradiation, panel temperature, and other external factors that affect the panel’s energy output, which in turn impacts the boost converter’s performance. The data reveals the inherent instability of the output voltage in solar-powered systems, a result of the intermittent nature of sunlight. Over the course of the day, the output voltage continues to fluctuate, with the converter reaching 220 V at 1:00 PM, followed by a decrease to 150 V by 1:30 PM. The voltage then rises to 195 V by 2:00 PM, drops to 158.9 V by 2:30 PM, and further declines to 140.7 V by 4:00 PM. These fluctuations highlight the challenges of maintaining consistent energy production in solar-powered systems, driven by erratic changes in solar input. The data emphasizes the need for advanced control systems to effectively monitor and regulate the output voltage, ensuring a reliable power supply despite environmental variability.
In order to further demonstrate the performance of the proposed high step-up boost converter, simulated waveforms are plotted in Fig. 9. These time-domain waveforms represent the internal switching pattern of the system and were generated using the actual hardware description and component values. Since scope-captured gate pulses were not available during online testing, simulation was carried out to reproduce these internal signals for completeness and clarity. Figure 9(a) shows the complementary PWM gate pulses applied to MOSFETs M1 and M2, generated by the SG3525 controller. These signals operate at 50 kHz with a 50% duty cycle, ensuring non-overlapping switching and efficient push-pull transformer operation. Correspondingly, Fig. 9(b) illustrates the drain-source voltages (Vds) of M1 and M2, which confirm correct alternation of switching devices and demonstrate that the voltage stress remains within the safe operating region. The transformer’s secondary winding voltage is presented in Fig. 9(c), which shows a clean sinusoidal waveform with no distortion, confirming efficient power transfer and the absence of transformer core saturation. Finally, Fig. 9 (d) illustrates the rectified and filtered DC output voltage, which is well regulated at around 200 V with negligible ripple, even under dynamic conditions. It should be noted that Fig. 9(c) and (d) represent different stages of the energy conversion process. While Fig. 9(c) shows the intermediate AC waveform at the transformer secondary, Fig. 9(d) demonstrates the final regulated DC output delivered to the load. Together, these waveforms confirm the correct sequence of operation—starting from gate drive control, through switching and transformer action, to boosted and stable DC output. These results validate the effectiveness of the SG3525-based control strategy, the transformer configuration, and the PWM modulation in achieving reliable high-voltage gain with strong regulation.
The converter input was supplied by a programmable DC source that was set at the given Vin values. Moreover, this source was configured to provide the required voltage setpoints for testing. As per the measurement setup, the input current (Iin) as mentioned in the Table 4 was measured using a precision inline shunt and recorded with a digital power analyzer. Regarding the output current (Iout), it was obtained directly from the electronic load. We are seeing the input and output voltage patterns on the digital oscilloscope to check that the circuit is working steady with only small ripple, which the analyzer data also confirms. All reported values correspond to steady-state conditions after the control loop had settled itself. Further, these values represent the system’s stable operating conditions. As per Table 4 results, the converter gives high step-up performance regarding voltage boost, producing 200 V output from 12 V input. Moreover, we are seeing that output power increases in a straight line when we change the load current from 0.05 to 0.20 A. The efficiency only stays steady at around 90% across the complete power range of 5.6 to 40 W. This actually shows that power transfer is predictable and regulation definitely works well under different load conditions. As per DSO observations, the system shows low ripple and stable voltages for reliable operation without any instability or core saturation. Regarding power analysis, the six measured values give total power transfer and efficiency but do not show internal loss distribution details.
Moreover, these losses can be calculated from component datasheets or by capturing specific waveforms. Further analysis itself requires basic measurement techniques. Also, basically, the test results show the proposed converter gives efficient and stable high-voltage output, making it suitable for the same PV and EV applications with reliable performance confirmed through standard lab equipment. The boost converter was tested under different loads using a programmable DC source for input changes, while output response was measured with DSO and digital power analyzer. Table 4 actually shows the measured input and output voltage, current, and power values at different operating points. These values definitely represent the actual performance data collected during testing. Basically, at 25% load, the converter took 8 V input with 0.7778 A current and gave 112 V output, achieving the same efficiency of 89.9%. At 50% load, the converter surely achieved 90.0% efficiency by converting 10 V input to 150 V output. Moreover, this performance shows the system works well under partial load conditions. Further, the converter surely achieved 90.0% efficiency at both load conditions, generating 175 V output from 11 V input at 75% load and 200 V output from 12 V input at full load. Moreover, the consistent efficiency performance demonstrates stable operation across different loading conditions. The boost converter actually maintains 90% efficiency at different load levels, definitely showing stable operation. These results confirm it works well for high-gain uses like solar power and electric vehicle systems.
Also, basically, the gain performance was analyzed and the measured output voltage was the same as the theoretical gain predicted by the duty cycle-input voltage relation. Basically, the converter maintained the same gain levels under different loads, ensuring reliable high-voltage boosting performance. As per the evaluation process, the ripple characteristics regarding the passive components were also assessed. The inductor current ripple was surely kept below 15% of average current to reduce losses and prevent core saturation. Moreover, the capacitor voltage ripple was limited to less than 2% of rated voltage for stable DC output. The passive components were surely selected using standard design equations. The inductor was sized to handle peak current without saturation and minimize ripple, moreover the output capacitor was chosen with low ESR to reduce voltage fluctuations and improve dynamic response. As per the analysis, the proposed converter design shows high efficiency and optimized gain with controlled ripple and proper component sizing. Regarding practical use, these features collectively confirm the design’s robustness for real applications.
Studies have explored advanced DC-DC converters designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and voltage conversion in renewable energy systems. These include non-isolated high-gain quadratic converters, multi-input DC-DC converters with soft-switching capabilities, and interleaved boost converters specifically developed for fuel cells. Additionally, some researchers have incorporated adaptive controllers, such as ANFIS, to enhance voltage regulation and overall efficiency. A few studies focus on reducing system complexity by using dual active half-bridge (DAHB) designs and multiport converters, which achieve high efficiency levels ranging from 90% to 97%, while maintaining strong performance.
This work presents the design, development, and validation of a transformer-assisted high step-up boost converter suitable for PV and EV power electronic systems. The key contribution of the study lies in the co-design of the transformer and SG3525-based PWM control with analog PI compensation, which enabled high gain, reduced duty ratio stress, and robust dynamic performance. Experimental measurements confirmed that the converter boosts a 12 V input to 200 V DC with stable regulation and low ripple, achieving 90% efficiency across the tested power range (5.6–40 W). Simulated waveforms validated correct complementary gate drive at 50 kHz, safe switching device operation, and distortion-free transformer output, confirming the reliability of the control strategy. Ripple analysis demonstrated that the inductor current ripple was contained within 15%, and the capacitor voltage ripple was contained within 2%, ensuring reduced conduction losses and stable output. Duty cycle adaptation from 60% at 8.5 V to 40% at 12 V confirmed proper modulation control. Under real PV conditions, the converter consistently maintained regulated outputs between 140 V and 225 V despite fluctuations in irradiation, showcasing robustness in practical environments. Overall, the proposed converter combines compact design, high efficiency, controlled ripple characteristics, and proven experimental performance, making it a strong candidate for integration into renewable energy conversion and electric vehicle applications.
All data generated or analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
The original online version of this Article was revised: The original version of this Article was published incorrectly under licence CC BY-NC-ND. The licence has been corrected to CC BY.
Ideal voltage gain of the converter
Output voltage of the converter
Input voltage to the converter
Duty ratio of the PWM signal
Transformer turns ratio
Efficiency of the converter
Forward voltage drop of the diode
PWM modulator gain
Control voltage input to the PWM controller
Peak amplitude of the PWM ramp oscillator waveform
Peak-to-peak ripple voltage across the output capacitor
Load current
Output filter capacitance
Switching frequency of the converter
Equivalent series resistance of the output capacitor
Ripple voltage contribution due to capacitor ESR
Control-to-output transfer function of the converter
Load resistance
Pole frequency of the output filter
Zero frequency due to capacitor ESR
Compensator transfer function
Proportional gain of the PI controller
Integral gain frequency of the PI controller
Open-loop transfer function
Closed-loop transfer function
Maximum flux density in the transformer core
Number of primary turns of the transformer
Effective cross-sectional area of the transformer core
Minimum required output capacitance to limit ripple
Reverse voltage stress across the diode
Maximum drain-to-source voltage stress across the MOSFET
Voltage spike due to transformer leakage inductance and switching
Total power loss in the converter
Conduction losses in MOSFETs
Conduction losses in diodes
Switching losses
Transformer core losses
Transformer copper (winding) losses
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The authors appreciate the support provided by the National Research and Development Agency (ANID) through the FONDECYT Regular grant number 1220556 and SERC Chile FONDAP 1523A0006. Additional funding was provided by the Research Project PINV01-743 of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). Furthermore, the authors acknowledge the International Research Collaboration Fund 2024-2025 from the University of Nottingham A7C200.
The authors appreciate the support provided by the National Research and Development Agency (ANID)through the FONDECYT Regular grant number 1220556 and SERC Chile FONDAP 1523A0006. Additional funding was provided by the Research Project PINV01-743 and PINV01-272 of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) and the UK-FRANCE Science Innovation and Technology Researcher Mobility Scheme UUK Award #1102. Furthermore, the authors acknowledge the International Research Collaboration Fund 2024-2025 from the University of Nottingham A7C200 and Programa de Redução de Assimetrias na Pós-Graduação (PRAPG) – Edital nº 14/2023 – DRI – CAPES. ID Number: 046.821.818-15. In addition, the authors also thank ENNOBLE – zEro emission raNge exteNder fOr hyBrid propuLsion systEm, Application number: 10062777 – UK Research and Innovation.
K.S.R.M College of Engineering (Autonomous), Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, 516005, India
T. Mariprasath
Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
Sujata Shivashimpiger
Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2GT, UK
Marco Rivera & Patrick Wheeler
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500043, India
M. Pala Prasad Reddy
Annamacharaya University, Rajampet, Andhra Pradesh, India
Shaik Muqthiar Ali
Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mohan Babu University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Venkatesh Peruthambi
Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenida Fernando Correa da Costa, 1367, Cuiaba, 78060-900, Brazil
Jakson Bonaldo
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Conceptualization – Dr. T. Mariprasath, Dr. Sujata ShivashimpigerMethodology – Dr. T. Mariprasath, M. Pala Prasad Reddy, Shaik Muqthiar AliSoftware – Dr. T. Mariprasath, Dr. Sujata ShivashimpigerValidation – Dr. T. Mariprasath, Dr. Venkatesh Peruthambi, Shaik Muqthiar Ali5Writing – Original Draft – Dr. Marco Rivera, Dr. Jakson BonaldoWriting – Review & Editing – Dr. Marco Rivera, Dr. Patrick Wheeler, Dr. Jakson Bonaldo, Visualization – Dr. Marco Rivera, M. Pala Prasad Reddy, Shaik Muqthiar AliFunding Acquisition – Dr. Marco Rivera, Dr. Patrick Wheeler.
Correspondence to T. Mariprasath or Marco Rivera.
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Mariprasath, T., Shivashimpiger, S., Rivera, M. et al. An experimental investigation of unique high stepup boost converter for electric vehicle and solar photovoltaic. Sci Rep 16, 2402 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-25807-6
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Gib making inroads on renewables but still ‘nowhere near’ where it should be – Gibraltar Chronicle

Wed 22nd Apr, 2026
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Image of an app associated with solar panels and the energy harvested from the sun. Photo courtesy of FC
Today, April 22, is World Earth Day a celebration that commenced in 1970 and this year is themed ‘Our Power Our Planet’, encouraging a rapid shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources to ensure long-term stability.
Underpinning this year’s theme is recognition of a need to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy and empowering communities to defend environmental protections through civic engagement and grassroots action.
An environmentalist long before he was a politician, the Minister for Environment, Dr John Cortes spoke to the Chronicle about renewable energy on the Rock.
Gibraltar is “nowhere near where we should be” on renewable energy despite recent progress and new projects coming online, Dr Cortes told the Chronicle.
He added that Gibraltar was “a lot further along the route than we have ever been” but warned that both practical constraints and hesitancy among householders and industry were slowing the transition.
“I think we’ve got to do a lot more,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot planned. But I think there’s some kind of resistance, hesitation, particularly in people wanting to install renewable energy,” he added, talking about solar particularly.
He noted that Gibraltar is not like other countries such as the UK, where homeowners can have photovoltaic panels installed “within a week or two” by a range of competing suppliers. That model does not easily translate to Gibraltar’s housing stock, he added.
“Clearly in Gibraltar we don’t have so many people with their own roofs, because a lot of our community live in blocks,” he said.
“So it’s not that easy, and I think we are a little bit behind from where we should be, although we are making huge inroads.”
Dr Cortes feels that today’s ongoing oil crisis is a catalyst that could drive more investment in renewable energy and highlighted the example of countries in northern Europe and neighbouring Spain.
“Those countries who have invested a lot in renewable energies are showing that that is a buffer against what the shortage of oil can bring,” he said.
However, Gibraltar faces its own particular challenges, not only due to its size but also due to the number of migratory birds that fly over the Rock twice a year.
As a result, large scale onshore wind turbines are effectively ruled out.
“We don’t have a lot of space, and therefore large wind generators are just simply not possible, apart from the fact that we are on a main migratory route and they can impact on migratory birds,” he said.
Instead, the government is exploring alternative technologies, including offshore wind and vertical axis wind generators at smaller scale.
Pilot work is under way to identify suitable sites for a wind tower to collect data and assess feasibility.
“We’re hoping to commission a wind tower, which will test the wind and we’ll see whether they are viable locations for vertical axis wind generators,” he said.
Feasibility studies on offshore wind are also being pursued, though any such project is seen as a long-term prospect.
“That is quite a way into the future, because they are hugely complicated in installing them, and we have to be really, really sure that they’re going to be efficient,” he added.
As for wave power, previous pilot studies on marine currents showed that local conditions and the technology available at the time did not make that option a viable one.
Where Gibraltar is now focusing most effort is on solar power.
A significant PV panels project is planned in and around the airfield.
“There is one project which is ongoing in the surroundings of the airfield, which is going to produce quite a lot of solar energy,” he said.
He said all relevant studies had been completed for the airport scheme, with works expected to move forward “quite soon”.
Given the Rock’s limited space and environmental sensitivities, the Government is aiming for, and encouraging, solar panels on rooftops and car parks, rather than sacrificing green areas.
“We are not going to remove any of our important natural habitats in order to have solar panels,” said Dr Cortes.
“But there are rooftops, there are car parks, and we’ve already proved that it can be done, and we have plans to take this further very soon.”
Over the next 12 months, he said, Gibraltar should see “considerable investment” in solar energy.
Solar has also become standard in new developments, including new infrastructure such as wastewater management facilities planned for Europa Point.
Dr Cortes pointed to near-zero energy building legislation, which now makes both renewable generation and energy efficiency mandatory features in new projects.
As a member of the Development and Planning Commission, he said this is noted in most applications being discussed when applicable.
“It is now standard, and everybody knows that they’re expected to produce solar energy. It’s part of our legislation,” he said.
“We’ve legislated extensively. We’ve got our near zero energy building legislation, which means that they have to provide not just renewable energy, but also energy efficiency, because that’s part of the same continuum.”
He said the private sector was increasingly embracing the shift.
“I am very encouraged to see [that] the private sector now is picking up and is realising that this is the way forward,” he added.
Gibraltar’s obligations under the new EU/UK treaty arrangements will mean it has to maintain alignment with EU environmental law.
This, Dr Cortes said, would ensure that pressure for cleaner energy and efficiency continued in future administrations.
While many residents live in apartment blocks and cannot install their own panels, some estates can and some already have.
However, for those without direct access to solar, Dr Cortes emphasised the importance of reducing consumption.
“Clearly we need to conserve power. The more power we generate, the more emissions there are. Our carbon footprint increases, but also so the cost,” he said.
He urged households to adopt simple daily habits to cut waste.
“If you don’t use electricity, you’re not going to have to pay for it,” he noted.
“Switch off the lights, switch off the television, that sort of thing. Little things that all add up. And by the end of the month, you reduce your electricity bill, and you’re helping the environment.”
A word from some of the Rock’s NGOs on World Earth Day
“Investing in our planet is the only investment with a guaranteed future. On Earth Day 2026, let’s commit to leaving the world a little greener than we found it. Every tree planted and every plastic bottle saved, counts towards this goal.”… The Nautilus Project.
As World Earth Day arrives, we are reminded of our role in helping protect this beautiful planet we inhabit.
The ESG has always believed in taking local action for a global impact and signing up to Clean up the World, back in 2005, provided us with such a goal when annually, millions around the world clean/green up and protect their environment.
This year, the Clean-up will take place on the 20th September and we invite those interested in helping to please register at email esg@gibtelecom.net.
The group is also hopeful about the opportunity the Treaty can give to tackle significant, regional environmental issues, together with like-minded NGOs in Gibraltar and Spain, as we have done in the past… ESG
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Maldives’ largest floating solar array goes online – pv magazine International

Swimsol says the 2.4 MW floating PV array will supply the resort island of Cheval Blanc Randheli, reducing diesel consumption and saving about $1.5 million in fuel costs. The company’s engineering team told pv magazine how the system will operate.
The Cheval Blanc Randheli SolarSea project
Image: Swimsol
Swimsol, an Austria-headquartered marine floating solar provider for Maldivian resorts, has commissioned a 2.4 MW floating array at the resort island of Cheval Blanc Randheli, enabling the property to run entirely on solar power during daylight hours.
The company says it is the largest floating solar array in the Maldives.
“The project relies on our SolarSea platform, which has been developed over 15 years through a combination of physical scale models, basin testing, 3D simulations, and real-world prototyping,” a spokesperson from Swimsol’s engineering team told pv magazine. “For long-term durability in marine conditions, we use specialized aluminium alloys and stainless steel for the platform structure, with galvanized steel and sacrificial anodes for the mooring system. Solar modules are mounted more than 1.5 m above the water line, which prevents wave impact damage and biofouling on the panels themselves.”
The team explained it used specially designed anchors suited to sandy seabeds, with a minimal footprint compared to gravity or concrete block systems. Most mooring components sit mid-water, the spokesperson said, while pre-tension buoys and bespoke damping elements are used to prevent shock loads.
In addition, the company deployed double-glass modules with high-quality connectors, appropriate encapsulation materials and sealed junction boxes.
“The system is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). Battery inverters start the medium-voltage transformer, connect to solar inverters, synchronize to the grid, and run in parallel with diesel generators in virtual synchronous generator (VSG) mode to maintain grid stability,” the spokesperson said. “Once sufficient energy is stored and solar meets demand, generator load is reduced and units are shut down via dry contact. When solar exceeds demand, excess energy charges the battery; if full, solar output is curtailed to match load.”
The 2.4 MW Cheval Blanc Randheli installation is projected to save the resort about $1.5 million per year in diesel costs. The break-even diesel price for SolarSea systems typically sits between $0.65 and $0.85 per litre, Swimsol said. With battery storage included in newer projects, the break-even point shifts toward the upper end of that range, well below current diesel prices in the Maldives.
“When we installed our first prototype in 2014, there were a lot of very valid questions about whether it would last. More than a decade later, those early platforms are still producing,” said Martin Putschek, founder and CEO of Swimsol. “The 2.4 MW system at Cheval Blanc proves it works at scale. Multiple SolarSea projects are now completed, with many more underway across the Maldives, Seychelles and other island nations.”
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The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development has urged the government to subsidize the installation of rooftop solar systems and suspend pass-through costs in electricity bills. #EarthDay2026 #OurPowerOurPlanet – facebook.com

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Abaxx Exchange lists world’s first solar irradiance futures contract – pv magazine International

The Enwex Germany Solar (GSM) contract, launching April 23, brings exchange-cleared solar irradiance hedging to a market that has until now operated largely over the counter (OTC), a development Munich Re’s weather derivatives team says could broaden participation and formalize risk management.
Image: AV Solar
The world’s first exchange-cleared solar irradiance futures contract launches on April 23 on Abaxx Exchange, as solar generation increasingly influences spot prices and revenues across European power markets.
The Enwex Germany Solar (GSM) contract was developed by German energy exchange Enwex and will be listed on Singapore-based Abaxx Exchange. It allows market participants to hedge against variability in solar irradiance in Germany by using a standardized, exchange-cleared instrument for the first time.
Pierre Buisson, senior structurer and weather derivatives expert at Munich Re, said the launch is a meaningful step.
“European power markets have undergone a structural shift as installed solar capacity reached a scale where irradiance risk measurably impacts prices and revenues,” Buisson told pv magazine. “Weather derivatives have traditionally focused on temperature, wind, and precipitation, but solar irradiance has now clearly emerged as a core risk factor.”
Buisson said most solar hedging has until now been conducted over the counter by participants already familiar with weather risk instruments.
“An exchange-cleared contract helps institutionalize this market: it lowers entry barriers, brings new counterparties into the space, and allows standard, vanilla risk to move onto transparent venues – while more complex profiles remain OTC,” he said.
He added that sustained liquidity would depend on index credibility, contract design, and alignment with real hedging needs.
“The demand is there, risk carriers are ready to participate, and solar’s influence on power prices is widely understood,” Buisson said. “The next step is scale.”
Joe Raia, chief commercial officer of Abaxx Exchange, said the contract addresses a risk management gap for solar asset owners and power traders. The Germany‑specific index reflects the market where solar risk most directly shapes price formation, said Enwex CEO Robin Girmes. And the product responds to a hedging need that has expanded alongside Germany’s solar buildout, said Max Amir Dieringer, chief executive of Citadel FlexPower.
On basis risk, Buisson said solar and wind do not differ fundamentally in how they are measured in the weather trading world, with the principal distinction being seasonality. Wind trading concentrates on winter months, while solar risk is most active in summer, with activity also visible in spring and autumn shoulder months. Buisson added that while Germany leads in liquidity, solar hedging activity is also growing in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy.
Abaxx Exchange is headquartered in Singapore and operates as a regulated commodity exchange. Enwex is a German energy exchange. Citadel FlexPower is a power trading and flexibility platform.
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Push for solar park in Sri Lanka’s elephant terrain raises concern – news – Mongabay

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HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — As a new wave of large-scale solar energy projects take shape along the fringes of Sri Lanka’s Managed Elephant Range, or MER, in the southern district of Hambantota, activists, farmers and wildlife conservationists are opposing the move.
Those opposing the solar push — in a district that has significant ‘elephant terrain’ — warn that clearing forests in one of the most critical elephant landscapes on the island would escalate the existing human-elephant conflict (HEC) rather than reduce it.
Sri Lanka holds one of the worst records for human-elephant conflict, an issue that continues to worsen as the island’s conservation efforts are no match for the escalating conflict. Every year, around 100 people and 400 elephants are killed in the country due to HEC.
The Sri Lankan government has granted approval to set up multiple privately-owned solar power plants, forming a solar energy park bordering the Hambantota MER, with as much as 405 hectares (1,000 acres) of elephant habitat slated for clearance, according to Sajeewa Chamikara of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR),  a network of farmer organizations and community-based organizations.
“Ground investigations by MONLAR confirm that forest clearing has already begun, with heavy machinery being used to clear the scrub forests and to burn them,” Chamikara tells Mongabay. “This will inevitably escalate human-elephant conflict in an area already among the worst affected by HEC.”
Local communities echo these fears. “We are already struggling with elephants, and we simply cannot bear any further intensification of this conflict,” says Manoj Gayan, president of a regional farmers’ association in Hambantota.
The Hambantota region in southern Sri Lanka supports more than 400 elephants that depend on a mosaic of grasslands, scrub forests and water catchments. Decades of habitat loss caused by infrastructure projects, agricultural expansion and resettlement have already forced elephants into closer contact with people, increasing conflicts.
Intensifying HEC
According to Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) data, between 2015 and 2025, 72 humans were killed in the Hambantota district, while the elephant death toll is double, reaching 154.
In recent years, elephants have also begun moving into areas where they were not previously seen, even entering townships. “This happens because they are losing the habitats where they can feed and live freely,” Gayan says. “Clearing large tracts of forest will only push them further into our villages, even putting our children at risk.”
The human cost is already evident. Gayan recalls the death of a 7-year-old girl killed by an elephant while accompanying her father in their chena — the slash-and-burn cultivation practiced in Sri Lanka — fields last year. “A few days ago, a farmer was killed by an elephant in a nearby village, and I never know when it [could] be my turn,” Gayan says.
“It’s not just the deaths — but a constant fear we deal with as we are not sure from where an elephant may emerge. Elephants also destroy our homes while searching for fodder,” he says. “We do accept that the elephants are not to be blamed as they do not understand human boundaries. So, we urge the government and its officials to stop this kind of largescale forest clearances.”
Meanwhile, several farmer associations in Hambantota have recently convened a meeting to protest the upcoming solar parks.
Managed Elephant Range under strain
The MER concept was introduced as a land-use planning strategy to conserve elephants outside protected areas, allowing for regulated human activity while maintaining ecological connectivity.
In Hambantota, however, the landscape has already been heavily altered. Nearly 8,094 hectares (20,000 acres) of elephant habitat have been lost to major development projects, including a port, an airport and other infrastructure. In response to escalating conflict and the failure of elephant drives, in 2010, conservation scientists led by Prithiviraj Fernando, chair of the Sri Lankan NGO Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR), radio-collared several elephants from different herds based on their range patterns to identify the Hambantota MER.
Following sustained farmer protests and the lapse of more than 10 years, MER was finally declared in 2021. However, the gazetted MER demarcates a boundary of 23,746 hectares (58,677 acres) excluding 866 hectares (2139 acres) set aside for the Mattala International Airport, so the MER actually covers 22,880 hectares (56,537 acres). This is significantly smaller than the originally identified area that was necessary for effective habitat management, Fernando says. “Some areas used by elephants were not included in MER as these were decided as more important for development and eventually it was a compromise between development and conservation,” he adds.
Over the years, the DWC made several ad hoc revisions to the MER boundary when erecting boundary fences, effectively shrinking the area. “When it was gazetted, the area was further decreased, with DWC’s consent,” Fernando notes.
Meanwhile, MONLAR’s Chamikara says that the lands now allocated for solar projects fall within areas originally proposed to be included in the MER. He also points to ongoing encroachments within the designated range, which have concentrated elephant populations, but are currently being cleared for solar farms.
“As these areas are cleared and fenced, elephants will be forced out and will move into villages and farmlands,” he warns.
Between 2001 and 2024, Hambantota lost 5,900 ha (14,579 acres) of tree cover according to the Global Forest Watch (GFW) data but experts caution that the tree cover alone does not capture the ecological value of the region that is home to many species.
“Some argue these are not biodiversity rich as wet zone rainforests, but just degraded lands that can be cleared, but this is incorrect as the scrub forests and grasslands are a highly suitable and traditional habitat for elephants who live in this [semi-]arid zone,” Fernando says.
Being located in the dry zone with fewer rainy days, Hambantota would be ideal for solar power generation: The region already has several solar power plants, says Bimal Indrajith De Silva, district secretary of Hambantota. “Any development project would bear some environmental impact, but [they must] be assessed carefully and, as this project gets approvals from 12 government agencies, I believe the project [isn’t as] harmful the way some make it out to be,” de Silva tells Mongabay.
Impact assessment loophole
In Sri Lanka, environmental approval for solar power projects is governed by the National Environmental Act (NEA). Largescale solar projects generally require a full environmental impact assessment (EIA), while smaller or less sensitive projects may be approved through an Initial environmental examination (IEE), depending on their size and location, and finally approved by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).
In Hambantota, the proposed solar energy park consists of 17 smaller project units built by various companies, allowing each to be assessed separately under the IEE process and not through a single comprehensive EIA, says Hemantha Withanage, chairperson of the Colombo-based environmental organization Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), which pursues public interest litigation as a deterrent mechanism.
These IEE approvals were granted by the CEA’s Hambantota regional office and other agencies, but the individual projects are now being developed in the same location as a single project generating 150 megawatts and together will clear nearly 202 hectares (500 acres) of scrub forests, Withanage says, adding that this cumulative impact requires a proper EIA.
Meanwhile, CEA’s director general Kapila Rajapaksha says that the IEE approvals for these individual projects were granted by the Hambantota district office based on the smaller scale of each project. However, if these projects are being set up next to each other, combining them into a single solar park, further environmental assessment would be required, and the CEA is currently engaging with the developers. If any irregularities are found, a decision will be taken to intervene within a few weeks, he adds.
Renewable energy vs. biodiversity
The proposed projects are expected to generate up to 150 MW of electricity, part of Sri Lanka’s broader push toward renewable energy goals amid rising global fuel prices and economic pressures. The country is currently attempting to overcome the debilitating impact of the 2022 economic crisis.
Sri Lanka aspires to becoming a carbon neutral country by 2050 by utilizing available energy and through development of cleaner energy resources including solar.  Despite the country’s strong solar potential, solar still accounts for only about 8% of electricity generation and lays far behind hydropower, responsible for 40% of the grid, in the national renewable energy mix, says Wijendra Bandara, chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA).
Hambantota is well suited for solar energy generation as it receives high and consistent sunlight throughout the year, with relatively low rainfall and cloud cover. Its flat, open land and existing infrastructure make it ideal for largescale solar power projects, enabling efficient installation and strong grid connectivity, Bandara tells Mongabay.
Energy independence and security are critically important for Sri Lanka, especially amid current global fuel supply uncertainties as geopolitical tensions escalate. Renewable energy is the most viable path forward, as most hydropower potential in the country is already utilized, making solar and wind the key future sources, Bandara says, emphasizing the need to avoid fossil fuels, which cause significant environmental impacts and long-term impacts such as climate change.
However, Withanage argues that while solar power offers a low-carbon alternative, pursuing climate solutions at the expense of biodiversity is an imprudent policy and practice.
Similar environmental concerns have been raised on the proposed wind energy project in the northwestern Mannar Island, another ecologically sensitive region and a key migratory bird corridor. The project was halted following protests by environmentalists and the local community.
The CEJ also filed a fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court, Sri Lanka’s apex court, challenging the government over its failure to protect and properly manage the Hambantota MER, resulting in the government issuing an extraordinary gazette on Jan. 30 imposing the MER regulations after a lapse of four years since its declaration.
Way forward
The concept of MER was included in Sri Lanka’s 2006 national elephant conservation policy to help manage all elephant-occupied landscapes outside the protected areas, allowing regulated human activities while reducing HEC through community-based measures. However, Fernando notes that the idea has become unclear and misinterpreted, especially after being referred to as a “managed elephant reserve” in the 2021 gazette.
The policy identifies MER as areas outside protected reserves that are actively managed to support elephant populations, recognizing that most elephants in Sri Lanka live beyond formal protected areas. They are part of a broader strategy to integrate human-used landscapes into elephant conservation, ensuring these wide-ranging animals have sufficient space to survive.
Fernando suggests the priority should be to clear the MER of encroachments. “These encroachments are illegal under the existing law, which highlights not the absence of a legal framework but weak enforcement. Unfortunately, the newly gazetted ‘management activities’ fail to confront this fundamental problem and instead focuses mainly on regulating future activities [rather] than resolving ongoing issues,” Fernando says.
 
 
Banner Image: A herd of elephants crosses a road in the Hambantota-Mattala area at dusk, the time when they typically begin to move about. Image courtesy of CCR.
 
 
Across the tropics, a growing movement is working to secure a future for primates in the face of disease, deforestation and wildlife trade. Reporting from across the planet, this video series highlights how scientists, conservationists and local communities are rebuilding populations and reconnecting fragmented forests. Along the way, it reveals the innovation, collaboration and resilience […]
© 2026 Copyright Conservation news. Mongabay is a U.S.-based non-profit conservation and environmental science news platform. Our EIN or tax ID is 45-3714703.
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I just tested this portable solar panel to charge my phone – Tom's Guide

I just tested this portable solar panel to charge my phone  Tom’s Guide
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Repowering key for Japanese solar assets approaching feed-in tariff expiry – pv magazine International

The refinancing of GSSG Solar and Voltaiyo’s 104 MW Jupiter Portfolio comes as Japan’s first-generation feed-in tariff (FIT) projects approach the end of guaranteed rates, forcing owners to reassess revenue strategies in a shifting post-FIT market.
Image: 掬茶, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Japan’s maturing solar sector is entering a decisive post-FIT phase, as GSSG Solar and Voltaiyo KK secure refinancing for a 104 MW portfolio of legacy FIT projects with SBI Shinsei Bank – a deal that underscores lender confidence in well-run assets even as guaranteed tariffs begin to expire.
The 104 MW portfolio consists of eight operating projects across four electricity grid areas on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Colorado-based GSSG Solar is the transaction sponsor; Voltaiyo KK is its Tokyo-based operating partner. The deal marks the sixth time GSSG Solar has acted as sponsor for an SBI Shinsei Bank loan.
Adrian Archambault, partner, valuation at GSSG Solar, said lenders’ underwriting approach for FIT assets approaching expiry has not fundamentally changed, but operational track record now carries more weight. “Operational projects have the opportunity to benefit from actual production metrics and operational execution,” he told pv magazine.
GSSG Solar CEO Tomakin Archambault said the refinancing marks “an important milestone” for the partnership, reflecting aligned interests and approaches to investment in Japan’s power sector decarbonization.
Industry estimates based on IEA-PVPS data indicate Japan reached approximately 100 GW of cumulative solar capacity by the end of 2024. Fiscal 2026 is the final year of auction-based support for ground-mounted commercial solar above 250 kW, with no further auctions planned from fiscal 2027 onward, according to summaries aligned with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). As guaranteed rates expire, projects face a substantial revenue gap against wholesale market prices.
Repowering is emerging as one option for owners of first-generation FIT plants. Masaya Ishida, director of the Tokyo-based Renewable Energy Institute (REI), said most modules installed under Japan’s early FIT program were designed for 20-year operation and typically generate sufficient revenue without replacement. He said repowering can be cost-efficient across project sizes because developers can reuse existing land, mounting structures, and grid connections with new, lower-cost modules. Ishida described the repowering opportunity as “a big market,” driven in part by growing corporate demand for new renewable energy supply.
Adrian Archambault said the Japan market is shifting in ways that support post-FIT asset values, pointing to rising energy costs driven by Japan’s dependence on imported fuel and growing corporate and merchant demand for solar power. GSSG is maintaining revenue optionality on the Jupiter Portfolio, weighing merchant exposure, feed-in premium participation, and corporate power purchase agreements.
GSSG Solar Japan Asset Management currently manages 223 MW of solar assets in Japan beyond the Jupiter Portfolio. The company said the refinancing model is relationship-driven and applicable across that broader fleet.
Voltaiyo, which recently rebranded as a standalone company under the Obton umbrella and entered a capital relationship with ICG, said the transaction reflects its origination capabilities and international capital relationships. Voltaiyo CEO Mikkel Berthelsen said the deal reflects “the origination capabilities of the Voltaiyo team” and its deep international capital relationships.
Japan’s FIT program has been central to GSSG Solar’s Japan strategy since the company closed its first Shinsei Bank financing on a 47 MW solar project in Suwa, Nagano prefecture, in May 2016. The Jupiter Portfolio refinancing is the sixth transaction the two institutions have completed together.
Japan added between 5.8 GW and 6 GW of solar in 2025, according to RTS Corp. estimates, taking cumulative capacity past 100 GW – a market built largely on FIT-era investment now facing a structural revenue transition as guaranteed rates give way to merchant and corporate PPA exposure.
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Photovoltaic Device Innovation Poised for Global Impact on the Future Energy System – nlr.gov

Recent decades of research and development have produced highly sophisticated solar cells—or photovoltaic (PV) devices—that generated more than 1,000 terawatt-hours of electrical energy globally in 2022. This deployment has been accelerated by improvements in the design and performance of PV devices, as well as significant cost declines, achieved through innovative research in module, cell, and manufacturing of PV.
PV deployment must grow dramatically in the next few decades—to the multi-terawatt (TW) scale—to achieve a sustainable energy system. Given the urgency of this growth, continued solar cell innovation is crucial.
This need for solar cell innovation is the main idea of a new article in Device, “Photovoltaic Device Innovation for a Solar Future.” Written by an international team of researchers led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the article highlights the importance of PV device innovation for the energy transition.
“Through device innovation, we can have a major impact on the global energy system of the future,” said Nancy Haegel, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL and lead author on the paper. “Even what might appear to be small changes, like a percent or two in efficiency, actually have huge impacts at terawatt scale.”
The paper, supported by the National Center for Photovoltaics and several core NREL PV programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, looks at both the past and future of solar cells. The authors review recent advances and future opportunities in solar cell innovation for four fully commercialized technologies: III-V multijunction solar cells for space and silicon (Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) for terrestrial power generation.
“There has been an incredible amount of innovation in these types of PV devices, and that innovation has been critical to the progress of solar over the last decade,” Haegel said. “Looking ahead, our hope is that this will inspire researchers in the PV community to contribute to device innovation.”
Recent advances in these solar cells have largely focused on efficiency, cost reduction, and improved reliability. But at the multi-TW production scale, new challenges, such as materials availability, supply chain, and embedded energy and carbon dioxide (CO2), begin to affect the PV industry.
“Some of the most exciting areas for innovation—in addition to increasing efficiency, which is always important—include reducing use of scarce materials, developing circular technologies, and obtaining lower-cost dual-junction devices,” Haegel said.
Another key direction for future research is the “coupling” of solar cells.
“On the device side, coupling two or more materials to create low-cost tandem devices is becoming increasingly important,” Haegel explained. “And on the systems side, the future of PV is going to depend, in large part, on how it is coupled with other energy sectors in the clean energy economy, including transportation, storage, industrial processes, and electrification of building heating and cooling.”
The article appears in the first edition of Device, a new journal from Cell Press that focuses on device- and application-oriented research from all disciplines.
“It’s my goal to use Device to highlight the many interdisciplinary contributions that it takes to truly take a device from an innovative idea to a technology that makes real-world impact,” said Marshall Brennan, editor in chief of Device. “What Nancy and her colleagues have contributed is a perfect encapsulation of what we’re looking to accomplish: understanding technologies that help make real progress on challenges and impact the lives of global citizens while providing context for how to solve the various problems that a new technology will face as it scales. Moreover, NREL’s mission to solve energy challenges using creative solutions aligns with what Device stands for, so I am overjoyed with the opportunity to establish that connection early in the journal’s lifetime.”
Haegel added, “Given that PV is going to be a key part of the clean energy solution, we are excited to have a PV device article in the very first edition of Device, and we hope that it inspires new people to join the field and new advances in solar cells.”
Read the article and learn more about NREL’s PV research.
Last Updated Jan. 22, 2026
The National Laboratory of the Rockies is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, operated under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308.

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No evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels, study finds – pv magazine International

Researchers in the United States reviewed claims about PFAS in solar panels and found that while fluoropolymers may be used in limited components like backsheets or coatings, there is no confirmed evidence of PFAS leaching from commercially deployed modules. The study highlights widespread confusion between different PFAS types and emphasizes the need for clearer communication and transparency around fluoropolymer use in PV technologies.
PFAS can be present in PV module backsheets
Image: pv magazine/AI generated
In a perspective article, researchers from Michigan State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory examined claims about the presence and potential leaching of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from solar panels.
PFAS, publicly known as “forever chemicals,” are a broad class of thousands of synthetic compounds characterized by extremely strong carbon–fluorine bonds, which make them highly persistent in the environment and resistant to natural degradation processes over time. Because of this stability, they accumulate in ecosystems, wildlife, and sometimes human tissues, raising increasing concern about long-term environmental and health impacts.
Their chemical structure also gives them valuable industrial properties, such as resistance to heat, water, oil, and chemical corrosion, which is why they have been widely used in products like non-stick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and certain industrial materials. However, their persistence and widespread use have led to growing regulatory scrutiny and efforts to reduce or replace them in many applications. As a result, PFAS are now at the center of global environmental discussions balancing their technical benefits against their long-term ecological footprint.
“Our work is among the first to systematically clarify the presence and use of PFAS in solar PV modules by combining literature review with insights from discussions with PV experts,” said the corresponding author, Preeti Nain, to pv magazine. “The article clarifies how some fluoropolymers fall in a different category of PFAS and identifies where specific fluoropolymer compounds are used within PV modules.”
Fluoropolymers are a distinct subset of PFAS, with markedly different toxicological profiles from most other PFAS. They are large, insoluble, and generally biologically inert, meaning they do not readily break down or accumulate in the same way smaller, mobile PFAS compounds can. As a result, fluoropolymers themselves are often considered to have low bioavailability and limited direct toxicity under normal exposure conditions.
However, it is important to distinguish them from the substances historically used in their manufacture: some fluoropolymers were produced with the aid of processing chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), both of which are well-documented legacy PFAS associated with environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and adverse health effects. Due to these concerns, PFOA and PFOS have been largely phased out or heavily restricted by major manufacturers in the U.S. and globally under regulatory and voluntary industry initiatives.
According to the researchers, PFAS or fluoropolymers may theoretically be present in a few specific parts of solar panels. They can appear in front of glass coatings, though there is no evidence of commercial use; in the backsheets, where they might be used for weather protection; and in wires and cables, as insulation materials. Encapsulants and sealants, the scientists highlighted, typically do not contain PFAS.
Image: Michigan State University, Perspective, CC BY 4.0
“Importantly, the work highlights that fluoropolymers are often not appropriately differentiated from more hazardous PFAS, and that mischaracterizing them may lead to misleading conclusions about the environmental sustainability of PV technologies,” Nain added. “Our comprehensive literature review on PFAS in solar panels found plenty of speculation and laboratory trials of PFAS in solar applications, but no confirmed reports of PFAS contaminants leached from real, commercially deployed solar panels.”
In addition to the literature review, the academics conducted a survey at a conference of 48 professionals, including module manufacturers, PV researchers, academic scientists, and professionals from operations and maintenance (O&M) backgrounds. According to the responses, 59% of participants believed that PFAS use in solar PV is likely to occur. When asked about potential component-level presence, 54% selected the backsheet, and 39% chose the solar glass coatings.
“While many experts suspect PFAS involvement, there is no clear, shared understanding or publicly accessible knowledge base,” Nain said. “This reveals a significant communication gap: manufacturers may use fluoropolymers they consider low-risk, but limited transparency creates uncertainty and potential mistrust among stakeholders.”
In conclusion, the researchers said that addressing public concerns requires demanding transparency from the PV industry and supporting the use of PFAS-free alternatives. “There is already promising movement in the right direction: manufacturers obtaining ‘PFAS-free’ certifications, policymakers incentivizing PV projects on contaminated lands, and researchers providing clear, fact-based outreach on the topic,” they said.
The research was presented in “Do solar panels contain PFAS?” published in Perspective.
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India’s Solar Policy Shift Sparks Industry Warning Over Supply Crunch – Electronics For You BUSINESS

India’s solar sector faces a supply-demand mismatch as localisation policies collide with heavy dependence on imported cells.
India may face a significant shortage of solar cells as new localisation rules set to take effect in June require renewable energy projects to use domestically manufactured cells, raising concerns across the solar industry.
In a letter dated April 7 to the renewable energy ministry, the North India Module Manufacturer Association cautioned that existing domestic production capacity is insufficient to meet demand. India currently has around 25.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar cell manufacturing capacity, compared with annual demand of nearly 50 GW. More than 90% of the country’s solar cell requirements are presently met through imports, largely from China.
The industry body also highlighted a technology gap, noting that nearly 55% of locally produced solar cells are based on older manufacturing technologies that are rarely used in new solar installations. This mismatch could make it difficult for developers to source compliant components once the mandate comes into force.
India has already implemented rules requiring locally manufactured solar modules, though many of these modules still rely on imported cells. Extending localisation requirements to cells, industry participants say, could increase module prices and delay project execution across the renewable energy pipeline.
The association has urged the government to consider a phased rollout, suggesting a delay of about nine months. Nearly 50 GW of new domestic solar cell capacity is currently under construction and expected to become operational within a year, which could help ease supply constraints.
Manufacturers including Solex Energy and Rayzon Solar have echoed similar concerns, warning that immediate implementation could disrupt India’s 170-GW solar module manufacturing capacity.

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Canadian Solar Wins TOPCon Solar Cell Patent Claims by Trina – Mercomindia.com

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The US Patent Board also named three Canadian Solar firms for infringing patents
April 22, 2026
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The Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has invalidated all claims by Trina Solar on two TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar cell patents against certain subsidiaries of Canadian Solar.
The USPTO also named three of Canadian Solar’s U.S. subsidiaries as directly or indirectly infringing on two of its TOPCon-related U.S. patents.
However, Colin Parkin, President of Canadian Solar and President of e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, said that the company firmly opposes the abusive use of intellectual property to extort or hinder competition and will continue to defend its legitimate business interests vigorously.
In 2024, Trina Solar filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Delaware and a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to protect its TOPCon technology patents from infringement by Canadian Solar and related entities. It requested that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease-and-desist order against the imports of Canadian Solar and its related entities into the U.S.
Both Canadian Solar and Trina Solar were among the companies named in the USITC’s Section 377 Investigation into imports of TOPCon solar cells and modules into the U.S.
Over the past 25 years, Canadian Solar has delivered over 174 GW of solar photovoltaic modules to customers worldwide. Through its subsidiary e-STORAGE, it has also shipped over 18 GWh of battery energy storage solutions to global markets as of December 31, 2025, boasting a $3.6 billion contracted backlog as of March 13, 2026.
Since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected approximately 12 GW of solar power projects and 6.2 GWh of battery energy storage projects globally.
Its geographically diversified project development pipeline includes 24 GWp of solar and 83 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in various stages of development.
In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, Canadian Solar’s revenue declined 20% year-over-year to $1.22 billion, from $1.52 billion the previous year. Revenue was below guidance due to project sales being delayed into 2026 and lower-than-expected volumes in both solar and storage.
Melvin Mathew
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Swimsol's SolarSea®: Maldives' Largest Floating Solar Array at Sea Saves One Island USD 1.5 Million Per Year – Yahoo Finance

Swimsol’s SolarSea®: Maldives’ Largest Floating Solar Array at Sea Saves One Island USD 1.5 Million Per Year  Yahoo Finance
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Installation of solar panels on rooftops accelerates energy transition in Indonesia – TV BRICS

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According to an Indonesian official, these energy projects are designed to position the country as a key player in Southeast Asia’s energy transition
Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the state-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and an industry association, has launched a project to install 1.3 gigawatts of rooftop solar power stations.
Ahmad Amiruddin, Director of the Department of Electricity Programme Development, stated that this achievement serves as the foundation for implementing the national strategy to develop solar energy to 100 gigawatts in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s energy projects, reports ANTARA.
Amiruddin explained that this initiative aligns with national development priorities, including support for PT PLN’s 2025–2034 Power Sector Development Plan and an increase in the share of renewable energy sources.
For his part, PT PLN’s Director of Retail, Adi Priyanto, added that the launch of the 1.3-gigawatt power plant lays the foundation for future economic growth and strengthens Indonesia’s position as a key player in Southeast Asia’s energy transition, and cooperation is expected to expand to accelerate the adoption of solar energy across various sectors.
The development and expansion of solar energy use is also being actively promoted by a number of BRICS countries, which continue to refine its implementation as a fundamental energy source within their energy strategies.
Russian scientists from the National Research University have developed a new method to extend the service life of third-generation solar panels (DSSC cells). According to information on the university’s website, the method involves the use of special current collectors with microchannels, allowing liquid electrolyte to circulate inside the device, which simplifies its production, significantly increases durability and expands repair options.
Furthermore, India has consolidated its position as the world’s third-largest producer of solar energy, having reached an installed capacity of 143.6 gigawatts of solar power plants by February 2026, according to the official website of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), as reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS.
Thanks to these achievements, the country’s total power generation capacity has exceeded 500 gigawatts, and non-fossil energy sources now account for over 51 per cent of the energy mix, contributing to the national energy transition.
Furthermore, according to Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, a Chinese state-owned company has announced the start of construction of a 50-megawatt solar thermal power station equipped with parabolic mirrors, located at an altitude of 4,550 metres above sea level in the Damxhung area of Lhasa in the south-west of the country.

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Tulare farmer: We must revive community solar in California | Opinion – Sacramento Bee

Tulare farmer: We must revive community solar in California | Opinion  Sacramento Bee
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Rethinking silver paste design for TOPCon, LECO solar cells – pv magazine International

Researchers in China have developed an evaluation framework to better assess fine-line silver pastes for TOPCon and LECO solar cells. The approach links laboratory characterization directly with production-line performance, addressing the limitations of conventional evaluation methods.
Image: pv magazine/AI generated
As manufacturing processes such as conventional TOPCon and laser-enhanced contact optimization (LECO) continue to push cell efficiencies beyond 26%, the demands placed on front-side metallization pastes are becoming increasingly complex. Fine-line silver pastes must now reconcile competing requirements in rheology, etching chemistry, and sintering behavior, often with technology-specific constraints that are difficult to capture using conventional evaluation methods.
Against this backdrop, researchers from Northwest University in China have proposed a differentiated material design strategy combined with an objective evaluation framework that directly links laboratory characterization to production-line performance.
“To address current limitations of conventional evaluation approaches, we introduced three novel rheological parameters designed to more accurately capture paste behavior under realistic processing conditions,” the research’s lead author, Lin Bao, told pv magazine. “Building on this, a hybrid evaluation framework combining the analytic hierarchy arocess (AHP) and the entropy weight method (EWM) was developed to overcome the inherent shortcomings of single-method weighting strategies.”
The AHP determines indicator weights based on expert-driven pairwise comparisons, translating qualitative judgments into a structured hierarchical scoring system. The EWM, in contrast, assigns weights objectively according to the degree of data variation, reducing subjectivity by emphasizing information contained in the measurements.
“In addition, our work establishes a clear link between laboratory-scale characterization and production-line performance, enabling more reliable translation of experimental results into industrial outcomes,” Bao added. “Finally, by covering both mainstream TOPCon and emerging LECO photovoltaic technologies, the proposed evaluation system is extended to a broader range of applications, enhancing its general applicability in advanced solar cell metallization development.”
In the study “Based on silver/glass frit screening & AHP-EWM evaluation: Performance and production verification of TOPCon/LECO photovoltaic fine-grid silver pastes,” published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, the research team explained that TOPCon and LECO architectures require fundamentally different glass-frit behaviors.
For TOPCon, low-softening-point glass frits are essential to enable early softening and chemical etching of the silicon nitride (SiNx) layer, ensuring low-contact resistance. In contrast, LECO relies on high-softening-point frits, where laser-assisted SiNx ablation defines the contact interface, meaning the glass phase primarily serves adhesion and wetting functions rather than aggressive etching.
Through multi-technique screening like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and contact-angle measurements the researchers selected suitable materials for further formulation.
This screening led to the identification of high-activity silver powders, namely Dowa4-8F, H1-2, and YZ17N1, as well as matched glass systems, namely TG1 for TOPCon applications and LG1 for LECO applications. Together, these selections enabled the development of process-specific silver paste formulations optimized for the distinct requirements of each cell architecture.
The researchers explained that the conventional assessment of silver pastes relies heavily on the three-interval thixotropy test (3ITT), which does not fully capture real production-line behavior.
To address this, they introduced three dynamic rheology descriptors – relative viscosity, relative recovery rate, and T50 – to better describe structural recovery during the critical 10–20 s transition between printing and sintering. These parameters revealed clear formulation-dependent differences, with one type of LECO paste showing rapid early recovery, while a TOPCon paste exhibited slower but more gradual rebuilding that 3ITT alone could not fully interpret.
In practical printing tests, the results partially diverged from rheology-based predictions. Although 3ITT analysis indicated an optimal formulation, the TOPCon pastes showed better line uniformity in practice, with a specific TOPCon formulation exhibiting lower aspect ratio and higher surface roughness. White-light interferometry confirmed roughness variations ranging from below 0.4 μm to over 1.0 μm, highlighting that rheology alone is insufficient to accurately predict printability.
Sintering and electrical characterization further revealed that pastes formulated with Dowa4-8F silver powder achieved the most compact microstructure, whereas higher porosity was associated with increased resistivity. Overall, LECO pastes demonstrated lower resistivity due to improved particle connectivity.
The AHP–EWM model integrated these multi-domain results and showed that one TOPCon formulation achieved the highest score among its group (0.617), while the LECO formulation ranked highest overall (0.908). These rankings were consistent with production-line verification, where the best-performing TOPCon paste improved open-circuit voltage to 10.47 V and the LECO paste achieved 26.7% cell efficiency with stable electroluminescence imaging.
Overall, the study demonstrates that reliable silver paste development requires moving beyond single-method evaluation toward integrated, data-driven frameworks that effectively link laboratory characterization with industrial performance.

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Geronimo Power plugs in 270-MW solar farm in Texas – Renewables Now

Renewables Now is a leading business news source for renewable energy professionals globally. Trust us for comprehensive coverage of major deals, projects and industry trends. We’ve done this since 2009.
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‘Forever chemicals’ are used on California farms. Should we be worried? – Los Angeles Times

California has banned PFAS from a variety of products — including clothing, bedding, makeup and shaving cream — out of concern that the family of toxic chemicals can be harmful to humans and the environment.
Now, state lawmakers have taken up a proposed law to ban the “forever chemicals” from use in farm pesticides, after research recently showed that nearly two-fifths of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tested by California regulators have residues of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
At issue: Should the state continue to allow the chemicals in pesticides, as long as they remain in low concentrations deemed safe by the federal government? Or should they be banned entirely because of the concern that cumulative exposure threatens public health?
Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) embraces what he believes is the more cautious view in Assembly Bill 1603, which would prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of PFAS-laden pesticides beginning in 2035.
So far “PFAS pesticides have largely been used in California with no limitations, and we’re only just beginning to understand the long-lasting effects of these pesticides,” said Varun Subramaniam, a co-author of the report that found PFAS residue on 37% of California produce. “As the bread basket of the United States, residues that are found on produce grown in California will spread across the nation.”
Schultz’s proposed law faces opposition from a variety of farming organizations, which argue, among other things, that PFAS are more stable and less dangerous than alternatives. They also say the California law would put them at a disadvantage to growers in other states and countries. They point to regulations the state Department of Pesticide Regulation already has in place, which the agency argues are sufficient to protect consumers.
“A detection [of PFAS] alone does not indicate a health concern,” the Department of Pesticide Regulation states on a bulletin on its website. “Tolerance levels represent the scientifically established threshold for safety. California’s residue monitoring consistently shows very low levels of pesticide residues. In 2023, of the 1,059 produce samples labeled as ‘grown in California,’ 99% had residues below U.S. EPA tolerance levels.”
Schultz and his supporters, including Subramaniam of the Environmental Working Group, said the EPA and state pesticide agency have not examined the health effects adequately. They note that PFAS have been linked to altered immune thyroid function, liver and kidney disease, limited reproductive development, cancer and other ailments.
Subramaniam said the EPA “frequently waives reporting requirements for immunotoxicity data when PFAS pesticides are first registered,” adding, “this results in key health issues — like suppressed responses to infection — being overlooked when setting limits.”
The concern about health effects may have gained momentum this week, when research from USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center suggested that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains actually put nonsmoking Americans under the age of 50 at greater risk of developing lung cancer.
“While these food groups are presumed to have good health benefits, there is an emerging, under-appreciated literature that produce-based whole foods often contain high pesticide/herbicide contaminants,” the paper said. The researchers did not single out PFAS but they acknowledged the finding was counterintuitive and called for further investigation.
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Swimsol's SolarSea®: Maldives' Largest Floating Solar Array at Sea Saves One Island USD 1.5 Million Per Year – Business Wire

Swimsol’s SolarSea®: Maldives’ Largest Floating Solar Array at Sea Saves One Island USD 1.5 Million Per Year  Business Wire
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Australia Solar Power Market 2026: Renewable Energy Expansion, Rooftop Adoption & Grid Transformation – vocal.media

The Australia solar power market is a rapidly expanding segment of the country’s renewable energy sector, encompassing solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies deployed across residential, commercial and utility-scale applications. The market plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security and supporting Australia’s transition to clean energy.
According to IMARC Group, the

Australia solar power market size reached USD 9.6 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 33.9 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.00% during 2026–2034.
The market is experiencing robust growth, driven by supportive government policies, increasing environmental awareness and strong adoption across residential and commercial sectors. Declining costs of solar technologies and advancements in energy storage are further accelerating market expansion.
Strong Government Support and Incentives
Government initiatives such as rebates, feed-in tariffs and renewable energy schemes are making solar installations more affordable and encouraging widespread adoption across households and businesses.
Declining Costs of Solar Technology
Continuous reductions in the cost of solar panels and related components are improving return on investment, making solar power an economically viable energy source.
Rising Electricity Prices and Energy Demand
Increasing energy costs are motivating consumers and businesses to adopt solar solutions to reduce electricity bills and achieve long-term savings.
High Solar Irradiance and Geographic Advantage
Australia’s abundant sunlight and vast land availability provide ideal conditions for solar energy generation, supporting both rooftop and utility-scale installations.
Growing Corporate Demand for Renewable Energy
Organizations are increasingly investing in solar energy through on-site installations and power purchase agreements to meet sustainability targets and reduce carbon footprints.
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The Australia solar power market presents significant growth opportunities as the country accelerates its transition to renewable energy.
Expansion of Utility-Scale Solar Projects
Large-scale solar farms are being developed across regions with high solar potential, contributing significantly to national energy generation capacity.
Growth of Rooftop Solar and Distributed Energy Systems
Increasing adoption of rooftop solar systems is enabling decentralized energy generation and reducing reliance on centralized grids.
Integration of Energy Storage Solutions
Battery storage systems are enhancing grid stability and enabling efficient use of solar energy during non-sunlight hours.
Development of Smart Grids and Digital Energy Systems
Advanced grid technologies and digital platforms are improving energy management, distribution efficiency and system reliability.
Rising Investment in Clean Energy Infrastructure
Public and private investments in renewable energy projects are supporting long-term market growth and innovation.
April 2026 – Corporate renewable adoption is accelerating, with Amazon signing agreements for 9 renewable projects (solar + wind + storage), increasing its clean energy capacity in Australia from 430 MW to nearly 1 GW, highlighting strong private-sector investment in solar-linked infrastructure.
January 2026 – Australia achieved a major clean energy milestone, with renewables exceeding 50% of electricity generation in Q4 2025, supported significantly by rooftop and utility-scale solar, while total generation reached ~25,000 MW (+3.1% YoY).
January 2026 – Utility-scale renewable investment slowed, with only 2.1 GW of new capacity added in 2025 (down from 4.3 GW in 2024), indicating challenges in large-scale solar project financing and approvals despite strong long-term demand.
November 2025 – Government-led initiatives are boosting solar utilization, with the “Solar Sharer” program offering up to 3 hours of free solar electricity daily to households with smart meters, promoting grid efficiency and solar consumption.
February 2026 – The Australia solar power market reached approximately USD 9.6 billion in 2025, driven by strong adoption across residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations.
January 2026 – Australia continues to lead globally in distributed solar adoption, with 4 million+ rooftop solar installations and rooftop systems contributing ~12.4% of total electricity generation, reflecting high per-capita solar penetration.
December 2025 – Solar-driven infrastructure demand is expanding, with battery storage discharge nearly tripling to ~286 MW, highlighting increasing integration of solar with energy storage systems for grid stability.
The Australia solar power market plays a crucial role in the country’s transition toward a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.
With projected growth from USD 9.6 Billion in 2025 to USD 33.9 Billion by 2034, the market demonstrates strong expansion potential driven by policy support, technological innovation and increasing energy demand.
As renewable energy adoption continues to accelerate, the Australia solar power market is expected to remain a key contributor to environmental sustainability, energy independence and long-term economic growth.

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Cooling photovoltaic surfaces with vertical or rooftop greenery: a review of mechanisms, key factors, methods and future research trends – ScienceDirect.com

Cooling photovoltaic surfaces with vertical or rooftop greenery: a review of mechanisms, key factors, methods and future research trends  ScienceDirect.com
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TotalEnergies ENEOS Signs 15-Year Solar PPA with Jintana for 650 kWp Rooftop Project in Thailand – SolarQuarter

TotalEnergies ENEOS Signs 15-Year Solar PPA with Jintana for 650 kWp Rooftop Project in Thailand  SolarQuarter
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Mozambique: electricity from solar parks falls 5% – Plataforma Media

Canais Plataforma:
Electricity production from solar parks in Mozambique fell 4.6% in 2025, following the previous year’s record, but remained above the government’s projections, according to official data.
According to preliminary data on last year’s execution from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, from six main parks and several others of smaller size in systems isolated from the national grid, solar electricity production reached 101,178 Megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2024, falling to 96,485 MWh in 2025, representing nearly 1% of total national production.
Despite the drop, which followed the 18.6% growth from 2023 to 2024, production from solar parks exceeded the government’s target of 94,486 MWh in 2025.
Mozambique will invest 12 million dollars (10.3 million euros), in partnership with the South Korean government, to build a photovoltaic power plant in Tete province, in the center of the country, it was announced this month.
The Construction Project for the Photovoltaic Power Plant in Nkantha Village, Chifunde District, launched today, has an expected completion time of eight months, a note from the Energy Fund (Funae), the Mozambican public institution responsible for the initiative, states.
According to the document, the project, budgeted at about 12 million dollars, with a capacity to produce up to 750 kilowatts of energy, is the result of an agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the Government of South Korea, through the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, and will benefit more than 1,200 families.
“The initiative will strengthen energy access in rural areas, boosting sustainable socioeconomic development,” the note reads.

For Funae, the project strengthens bilateral relations between the nations and reaffirms Mozambique’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy, the expansion of energy access, and community development.
The Government of Mozambique previously announced that it intends to move forward by 2030 with solar plants in at least five points of the country, estimating the introduction of 1,000 MW of electrical production capacity into the grid, promising a “true solar revolution.”
Generalist media, focusing on the relationship between Portuguese-speaking countries and China.
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NTPC Set to Commission First Solar Power Project – Industrial Info Resources

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Aussie-first research hub dedicated to solar panel recycling – Energy Source & Distribution

The Australian Research Council (ARC) Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability has officially opened at UNSW in Sydney.
The hub is the first research initiative in Australia dedicated to developing a circular solar economy, and funded by a $5 million grant from ARC’s Industrial Transformation Research program.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Bronwyn Fox said the new hub reflected the Uuniversity’s commitment to tackling the most pressing challenges of our time, through world-leading research and deep collaboration with industry.
Related article: Organisations call for mandatory solar recycling scheme
“Photovoltaic waste in Australia is predicted to reach 100,000 tonnes annually by 2030. As we accelerate towards a net-zero future, we must ensure the technologies enabling that transition are themselves sustainable,” Prof Fox said.
“This hub brings together world-leading Australian engineers, scientists, policy makers and industry to transform end-of-life solar panels from an emerging waste challenge into a valuable resource, helping build a circular economy and strengthening Australia’s clean energy leadership.”
Hub director Professor Yansong Shen said there was an urgent need for a strong solar panel recycling industry, as many of Australia’s 3.5 million solar installations would reach end-of-life in the next decade.
“End-of-life solar panels contain many valuable materials like glass, silicon, silver and copper. Our goal is to move these panels away from landfill and towards recycling in a circular economy where materials are recovered and reused,” he said.
Initiatives already underway at the hub include finding better ways to recover valuable materials from old solar panels, developing improved technologies to separate and sort panel components more efficiently and redesigning panels so they’re easier to recycle.
The hub will also advance policy by creating a network of researchers who will improve the entire value chain of solar panel production.
Related article: Australia announces inquiry into solar panel reuse, recycling
“We want to help build a robust recycling industry in Australia that creates jobs, supports new supply chains and improves our sustainable energy security,” Prof Yansong said.
“We will know we’ve achieved our objectives when solar panel waste is no longer seen as a problem, but as part of a sustainable system.”
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Australian BESS specialist Akaysha Energy has entered into a joint development agreement with Copenhagen Energy for the German battery market. #renewables #batterystorage #BESS #energytransition

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Matrix Renewables Commissions Stillhouse Solar Project and Optimizes its Structure in Texas – Inspenet

The Matrix Renewables platform has been backed by TPG Rise to officially launch the Stillhouse solar project, a 281 MWdc facility that injects clean energy into the Texas grid.
Following an investment exceeding $380 million, the plant ensures a stable supply for the equivalent of over 48,000 homes. The operation is supported by 15-year power purchase agreements signed with subsidiaries of Hyundai Motor Group. This contractual stability allows the company to optimize its capital within the competitive ERCOT market. The project was completed ahead of schedule and strictly within allocated budgets.
Cindy Tindell’s management of the U.S. division demonstrates remarkable technical mastery over the lifecycle of these infrastructures. Transitioning from the construction to the operational phase, Matrix has successfully coordinated partners such as MUFG, HSBC, and ING Capital to secure the necessary credit support. Likewise, the participation of Northleaf Capital and Acadia Infrastructure reinforces the solidity of an ownership seeking real profitability and sustainability.
The project’s social integration defines its professional character. Collaboration with the Sustain Our Future Foundation ensures that economic benefits translate into improvements for the local community. The plant will prevent the emission of approximately 185,598 metric tons of CO₂ annually and strengthen the resilience of the state’s electrical system through constant and predictable photovoltaic generation.
The firm’s global portfolio exceeds 15.5 GW across solar, storage, and green hydrogen. This advancement in Texas consolidates Matrix Renewables as a dominant player that understands the rules of the game in the five regional markets where it currently operates. The development in Bell County is the result of rigorously executed financial and technical engineering.
Source and photo: Matrix Renewables
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Kosol Energie completes 142 MW solar project for Coal India – pv magazine International

Located in the Indian state of Gujarat, the ground-mounted solar plant uses n-type TOPCon bifacial modules based on POE–POE encapsulation technology.
Image: Kosol Energie
From pv magazine India
Kosol Energie has completed a 142 MW ground-mounted solar project for Coal India Ltd in Gujarat, using n-type TOPCon bifacial modules with POE–POE encapsulation.
The project is located in Bhadramali village in Deesa taluka, Banaskantha district, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The company said it completed the plant within nine months after taking over a partially executed project.
Kosol Energie said the project had previously been stalled and re-tendered, citing execution gaps, land acquisition issues, and right-of-way constraints for transmission infrastructure. It added that it completed installation and commissioning within nine months.
The plant uses unspecified 610 W monocrystalline n-type TOPCon bifacial modules in a 144-cell configuration. According to the company, the modules feature polyolefin elastomer (POE–POE) encapsulation to limit moisture ingress and degradation, while improving resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID), light-induced degradation (LID), light- and elevated-temperature-induced degradation (LeTID), and module-induced degradation (MID).
POE encapsulants are particularly common in bifacial modules, glass–glass designs, and high-efficiency cell technologies such as TOPCon and heterojunction (HJT). Their growing use is driven by a combination of material advantages, including improved moisture resistance, higher electrical resistivity that helps suppress potential-induced degradation (PID), and the absence of acetic acid formation, which is typical of modules relying on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). As a result, POE is often preferred for advanced module architectures and installations in demanding environments, such as humid or coastal regions.
Kosol Energie said a significant share of the project was executed using local labor and that the plant is expected to support jobs in operations, maintenance, and site security.

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Solar panels to power Jackson County jail amid stalled landfill plan – MLive.com

Solar panels to power Jackson County jail amid stalled landfill plan  MLive.com
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The people of Camiguin invested in solar energy to give them control over their power system. #EarthDay2026 #OurPowerOurPlanet – facebook.com

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Renewable energies overtook global electricity demand last year, led by solar growth in China, India – AP News

Renewable energies overtook global electricity demand last year, led by solar growth in China, India  AP News
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Alight acquires large-scale solar and storage project in Denmark – renewableenergymagazine.com

The project, located in Kalundborg, on Sjælland, Denmark, and developed by GreenGo Energy, is Alight’s first integrated solar and storage project in the country and an important addition to its growing pipeline. It combines a 79 MWp utility-scale solar farm under development with a co-located 55 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), covering 90 hectares. It is expected to generate around 95 GWh annually.
Among the 7 GW of projects Alight has evaluated in Denmark, Kalundborg stands out with the strongest return potential, thanks to its combination of high irradiation, optimised layout, and favourable land and grid conditions.
The co-located 55 MW BESS is a central part of the project’s design. Pairing solar and storage behind the same grid connection enables time-shifting energy use, enhancing the value of the project’s output.
“This hybrid park is a fully integrated solar-plus-storage project in one of the most strategic locations in Denmark” said Warren Campbell, CEO at Alight. “By combining solar with BESS in DK2, we can generate renewable power where and when it is most needed.”
The project in Kalundborg is at an early stage with land lease agreement secured and the zoning and environmental permitting process underway. Alight and GreenGo Energy will continue to jointly develop the project until it’s ready-to-build, which is currently expected in 2028.
“We are very pleased to partner with Alight on this first project together in Denmark” added Karsten Nielsen, CEO at GreenGo Energy. “GreenGo will continue as development partner through ready-to-build, and we see Kalundborg as a strong first step in supporting Alight’s ambitious vision in the Nordics.”
The project will be developed for long term power purchase agreements (PPAs), under which Alight owns and operates the assets and sells the electricity to commercial and industrial customers at a fixed, low price.
Together with previously announced projects in Finland and Sweden, Kalundborg is an important step towards Alight’s target of having at least 5 GW installed capacity by 2030.
In 2025, Alight acquired a 215 MWp solar park in Lolland under construction from European Energy, which was commissioned later in the year. The Lolland solar park is the second-largest solar park in Denmark and the Nordics.
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CleanMax to Supply 30 MW of Wind-Solar Hybrid Power to Shell India – Mercomindia.com

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The power will be supplied to Shell’s assets in Gujarat and Karnataka
April 21, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
Mumbai-headquartered renewable energy solutions provider Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions (CleanMax) will supply wind-solar hybrid energy to Shell India’s assets across Gujarat and Karnataka from its 30 MW of projects.
CleanMax is developing a 16.83 MW hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat under a group captive model, comprising 6.93 MW of solar and 9.9 MW of wind capacity. This project will supply power to Shell’s LNG terminal at Hazira.
The company is also developing a 13.2 MW hybrid project in Karnataka, which consists of 9.9 MW of solar capacity in Jagalur and 3.3 MW of wind capacity in Honawad. This project will supply power to the Shell Technology Centre in Bengaluru.
Both companies will co-invest in the development of these hybrid renewable energy projects.
Kuldeep Jain, Managing Director at CleanMax, said, “Commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers account for nearly half of India’s electricity demand, making corporates key to the country’s energy transition. Long-term, tailored, renewable solutions will therefore play a critical role in enabling businesses to reduce carbon intensity while ensuring reliability and cost stability.”
Recently, textile company Sangam India announced it would procure hybrid renewable energy from a project of CleanMax to support the decarbonization of industrial operations across Rajasthan.
This March, polyester film company Polyplex announced it would procure power from solar projects of Clean Max Neht, a special purpose vehicle of CleanMax, and projects of BECIS Solar 1, an SPV of Berkeley Energy Commercial Industrial Solutions, for its plants in Khatima and Bazpur, Uttarakhand.
C&I consumers remain the single largest category of electricity users in India, accounting for nearly 42% of total electricity consumption in recent years. This dominance is most pronounced in open access power-friendly states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, which host large industrial clusters.
Mercom India hosts C&I Clean Energy Meets across India, designed to encourage businesses to transition to renewable energy, including solar, for their operations and connect energy buyers directly with top-tier solar suppliers. The next event in the series will be held in Jodhpur on May 15, 2026.
Parth Shukla
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Renewables Outpace Global Electricity Demand Growth as Solar Surges in China and India – Arab Times Kuwait News

Renewables Outpace Global Electricity Demand Growth as Solar Surges in China and India
21/04/2026
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BEIJING / NEW DELHI, Apr 21: Record growth in solar, especially in China and India, was a driving factor for clean energy sources surpassing the world’s strong demand for electricity in 2025, according to a new global power analysis.

Clean power generation grew 887 terawatt hours last year, exceeding overall global electricity demand growth of 849 terawatt hours, according to a report by energy think tank Ember, released after midnight Tuesday, London time.

Ember analyzes electricity data from 215 countries, and studied 2025 data for 91 countries, which the firm says represents 93% of global demand.

Overall, the share of renewables — including solar, wind, hydropower and other clean energies — hit more than one-third of the world’s electricity mix for the first time in modern history last year, growing 33.8% to 10,730 terawatt hours.

It’s promising news for a world embattled by climate change that’s driven by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to meet growing needs from economic growth, rising populations and electrification. The analysis is also especially timely amid a global energy crisis exacerbated by the U.S. war in Iran.

In another historical first, coal power saw its share fall below one-third of global generation, dropping 0.6% to 63 terawatt hours.

“We’re coming from a period over the last few decades where new electricity demand growth meant growth in fossil generation,” said Nicolas Fulghum, Ember senior data analyst and lead author of the report. “We’re now moving into a world where that’s no longer the case.”

Also: “Milestones like renewables overtaking coal mark an occasion, but they don’t tell us everything about the story in the power sector,” Fulghum added. “The big difference to 10, 15 years ago, where governments were pledging a build out of renewables, is that now those pledges are much more believable.”

Solar, which grew 30% in 2025, alone met three-quarters of last year’s net rise in electricity demand — and combined with wind power generation, met 99% of it.

Though solar overtook wind power globally for the first time last year, and gained on nuclear power, Ember expects the two to overtake nuclear this year.

Meanwhile, fossil fuel generation essentially halted, and fell about 0.2% in 2025, or 38 terawatt hours — making last year one of only a handful of years without a rise this century.

Growth in battery storage accompanied the acceleration of solar around the world; as battery costs fell 45% last year, storage grew 46% in 2025. Ember estimates that enough battery capacity was added last year to shift 14% of the solar generation added from midday to other hours of the day.

That’s an important part of using solar generation beyond the daytime, when it can be collected.

So, “Despite the accelerated growth and electricity demand that comes with added electric vehicle build out, of heat pumps, industrial sector electrification,” Fulghum said, “clean power will be able to structurally meet that increase in demand going into the next few years, before then bending the curve and reducing the amount of fossil generation we’re using. And that is a stark departure from the last few decades.”

Last year also marked the first time this century that both China and India — historically major contributors of fossil power — saw declines in fossil fuel generation. In China, the decline was 0.9%, or 56 terawatt hours, and in India, 3.3%, or 56 terawatt hours.

Instead, they’re “now aggressively pursuing a strategy of diversification through bringing renewables into the mix. And those are the sources that are the biggest drivers of change in their power system today,” Fulghum said.

China led the globe in solar, and is responsible for more than half of the world’s growth in both solar capacity and generation last year. China also accounted for most of the world’s rise in wind, with 138 terawatt hours added.

India, meanwhile, saw record increases in both solar and wind generation, along with strong hydropower output. In a reversal from fossil fuel generation increases — which for years, were driven by an economic rebound following the pandemic — India also saw lower-than-average demand growth.

The U.S. and Europe added 85 terawatt hours and 60 terawatt hours, respectively, of solar last year as fossil fuels saw small increases.

President Donald Trump’s administration has placed pressure on industry leaders to boost coal, oil and gas production and reduced support for renewables; but in Europe, fossil generation is generally trending down. The analysis suggests that despite efforts attacking clean energy in the U.S., and war-related challenges, the transition continues to make headway around the world.

“As we’re seeing the cost of oil be incredibly volatile right now because of the war, I think more and more people are looking to that national security argument as a reason to think about how we electrify more and and how we’re able to take advantage of additional solar and wind, which does not rely on other countries,” said Alexis Abramson, dean of the Columbia University Climate School, who was not involved in the study.

“We’ve really crossed this important threshold that clean energy now can meet rising demand economically and at the same time really help address national security concerns,” she added. “The next challenge is really turning that into a steady decline of fossil fuel use as well. So it’s a great step in the right direction.”

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Does Solar Surge Make Everyone’s Electricity Rates Rise? – The Good Men Project

Does Solar Surge Make Everyone’s Electricity Rates Rise?  The Good Men Project
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Renewable Power Growth Surpasses Demand, Keeps Global Fossil Generation in Check: Ember Report – Indian PSU

The global energy transition reached a decisive milestone in 2025, as the rapid expansion of renewable energy successfully met the entire growth in electricity demand, preventing any rise in fossil fuel-based power generation, according to a new report by Ember.
India emerged as a key driver of this transformation, recording a historic increase of 98 TWh (+24%) in renewable power generation—spanning solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy. This surge was twice the country’s electricity demand growth of 49 TWh, which remained subdued due to milder weather conditions and slower industrial activity.
As a result, India’s fossil power generation declined by 3.3% (52 TWh)—marking only the third such drop since 2000. This trend aligned with a similar decline in China, where fossil generation fell by 0.9% (56 TWh).
Together, these reductions helped offset marginal increases in fossil power generation in the United States, European Union, and other economies—resulting in a 0.2% decline in global fossil electricity generation.
Despite this progress, India continues to be the second-largest coal power generator globally, behind China.
India mirrored global trends where wind and solar power are increasingly meeting new electricity demand.
However, India’s wind and solar share stands at 14%, still below the global average of 17%. Encouragingly, the share rose by 3 percentage points in 2025, signaling accelerating clean energy adoption.
Solar Power Emerges as India’s Dominant Energy Force
India is now firmly positioned at the forefront of global solar expansion:
Solar energy alone was sufficient to meet India’s entire electricity demand growth in 2025. On a global scale, solar contributed 75% of demand growth.
In a significant milestone, solar overtook hydro to become India’s largest source of clean electricity, reaching a 9.4% share.
Solar output has doubled since 2022, rising from 96 TWh to 196 TWh in 2025. This cements India’s position as the third-largest solar generator globally, producing nearly double the electricity of Japan, which ranks fourth.
“Solar power is the dominant driver of change in India’s power system,” said Aditya Lolla. “Along with battery storage, it enables fast-scaling, round-the-clock clean power while strengthening energy security.”
Wind Energy Sees Historic Surge
India’s wind energy sector also delivered a breakthrough year:
India has now overtaken the United Kingdom to become the world’s fifth-largest wind power generator.
According to Duttatreya Das, the next phase of growth will depend on strengthening grid infrastructure and integrating storage solutions: “India’s power system is entering a new phase driven by record renewable additions. Investments in grid flexibility and storage will be crucial to efficiently utilise low-cost clean power.”
The seventh edition of Ember’s Global Electricity Review—covering 91 countries representing 93% of global demand—highlights a pivotal shift:
The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy

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Geronimo Power starts commercial operations on 270-MW solar farm in Texas – S&P Global

Geronimo Power starts commercial operations on 270-MW solar farm in Texas  S&P Global
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The truth about solar panel efficiency during a heatwave – MSN

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After the sun sets: hub to tackle coming e-waste crisis – Inner East Review

A national research hub will seek engineers, scientists and policymakers to tackle one of Australia’s biggest renewable energy challenges: what to do with solar panels at the end of their lives.
UNSW Sydney announced the opening of Australia’s first solar panel recycling research centre on Wednesday, funded by a $5 million grant from the Australian Research Council.
The announcement comes amid forecasts that Australia’s solar panel waste could exceed 91,000 tonnes by 2030, and as the federal government prepares to launch a $24 million national recycling pilot project.
The research centre will probe five aspects of Australia’s solar panel industry, ranging from recycling processes and waste produced by them to reusing extracted materials, creating policy standards, and redesigning solar panels for easier recycling.
Experts in multiple fields would be needed to support the effort, UNSW research and enterprise deputy vice-chancellor Professor Bronwyn Fox said, and turn an e-waste problem into a circular economy.
“Photovoltaic waste in Australia is predicted to reach 100,000 tonnes annually by 2030,” she said.
“As we accelerate towards a net-zero future, we must ensure the technologies enabling that transition are themselves sustainable.”
Australian households and small businesses have installed more than 4.3 million solar power systems, according to the Clean Energy Regulator, but only a small number are recycled when they are decommissioned and removed.
Government figures predict annual solar panel waste could almost double within five years from 59,340 tonnes in 2025 to 91,165 tonnes by 2030.
Valuable materials like glass, silicon, silver and copper could be extracted from solar panels, Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability hub director Professor Yansong Shen said, if facilities were available.
“We want to help build a robust recycling industry in Australia that creates jobs, supports new supply chains and improves our sustainable energy security,” he said.
“We will know we’ve achieved our objectives when solar panel waste is no longer seen as a problem but as part of a sustainable system.”
In January, the federal government launched an inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling, and a $24.7 million pilot program to collect 250,000 panels from 100 locations.
The scheme, which is funded for three years, will focus on recycling solar panels from households and businesses rather than solar farms.
Australian Associated Press
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Kosol Energie Revives Coal India’s 142 MWp Solar Project in Record 9 Months Using N-TOPCon Modules – SolarQuarter

Kosol Energie Revives Coal India’s 142 MWp Solar Project in Record 9 Months Using N-TOPCon Modules  SolarQuarter
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Shyam Metalics and Energy Raises CRM Capacity to 0.40 MTPA, Targets Solar Sector – Energetica India Magazine

Shyam Metalics and Energy has commissioned Phase II CRM, raising capacity to 0.40 MTPA, enabling solar mounting structure production, reducing import reliance, and supporting India’s renewable energy manufacturing and domestic supply chain.
April 21, 2026. By EI News Network
Shyam Metalics and Energy Ltd. has commissioned Phase II of its Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) facility for colour-coated sheets at its Jamuria plant in West Bengal, marking a significant expansion in its value-added steel portfolio.

The facility, operated through its wholly owned subsidiary Shyam Sel and Power Ltd., has commenced commercial production. The newly commissioned Phase II includes a Dual Pot GI-cum-Galvalume (GL) line with a capacity of 0.15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). With this addition, the company’s total CRM capacity has increased to 0.40 MTPA from 0.25 MTPA under Phase I. The expansion enhances the company’s capability to produce high-quality, precision-engineered steel products.
With the expanded capacity, Shyam Metalics is now better positioned to serve the solar energy sector, particularly in manufacturing mounting structures for solar panels, an area that has largely depended on imports. The development aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in manufacturing and supports domestic supply chains.
The project is also aligned with the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2, aimed at promoting advanced manufacturing and reducing import dependency. Beyond renewable energy, the facility will cater to growing demand from sectors such as automotive and consumer durables, where high-grade steel products are increasingly required.
The expansion strengthens the company’s downstream integration and product diversification strategy, enabling it to tap into higher-margin segments and unlock new revenue streams. Located in eastern India, the Jamuria facility offers logistical advantages for serving key demand centres while addressing regional supply gaps in value-added flat steel products.
Commenting on the development, Chairman and Managing Director Brij Bhushan Agarwal said that the commissioning of Phase II is a strategic move to enhance the company’s value-added product portfolio and improve realisations. He added that the expansion is expected to support margin growth, improve product mix, and contribute to incremental EBITDA over the medium term, with optimal ramp-up anticipated within 10 to 12 months.

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Anand Jain of Aerem Solutions on Scaling Solar, Storage, and Finance for Sustainable India

JIRE CEO Amit Kumar Mittal Explains Rising Role of Energy Storage and Green Hydrogen in India

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TotalEnergies ENEOS signs 15-year PPA with Thailand's Jintana Intertrade – acrofan.com

TotalEnergies ENEOS signs 15-year PPA with Thailand’s Jintana Intertrade  acrofan.com
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Saatvik Green Energy Subsidiary Secures ₹71.25 Crore Solar PV Module Supply Contract – SolarQuarter

Saatvik Green Energy Subsidiary Secures ₹71.25 Crore Solar PV Module Supply Contract  SolarQuarter
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Record high renewable generation in 2025 drives down fossil power in India, Ember’ new report – The Times of India

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Renewable Energy Market Analysis Across Solar, Wind, and Emerging Technologies – openPR.com

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Video | Solar Growth In China And India Powers Clean Energy Surge By 2025 – NDTV

Video | Solar Growth In China And India Powers Clean Energy Surge By 2025  NDTV
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Australia’s UNSW launches solar recycling hub as PV waste set to hit 100,000 tonnes annually by 2030 – PV Tech

Australia has opened its first dedicated research facility for solar module recycling at UNSW Sydney, as the country prepares for an estimated 100,000 tonnes of solar PV waste annually by 2030.
The ‘Australian Research Council (ARC) Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability’ was officially launched on 21 April with AU$5 million (US$3.6 million) in funding from the ARC Industrial Transformation Research programme.

The facility will focus on developing technologies to recover valuable materials from end-of-life solar modules and on establishing a circular economy for solar components, as many of Australia’s 3.5 million solar installations approach retirement.
Hub director Professor Yansong Shen, from UNSW’s School of Chemical Engineering, said the timing reflects an urgent need for domestic recycling capacity.
“End-of-life solar modules contain many valuable materials like glass, silicon, silver and copper. Our goal is to move these modules away from landfill and towards recycling in a circular economy where materials are recovered and reused,” he said.
The research agenda includes improving material recovery processes, developing more efficient separation and sorting technologies for module components, and working with manufacturers on design-for-recycling approaches.
The hub will also engage with policymakers to strengthen the regulatory framework for solar waste management and to create, as Shen described, “a network of researchers who will improve the entire value chain of solar module production.”
UNSW deputy vice-chancellor, research and enterprise professor Bronwyn Fox said the hub addresses a gap in Australia’s clean energy transition.
“As we accelerate towards a net-zero future, we must ensure the technologies enabling that transition are themselves sustainable,” she said.
The university has been at the centre of recent research into module durability and degradation patterns, including work published earlier this year warning that next-generation solar modules could degrade faster than expected under certain conditions. Separate UNSW research has identified unexpected vulnerability patterns in TOPCon cells under UV exposure, prompting calls for enhanced testing protocols.
Australian module manufacturer Tindo Solar’s CEO, Richard Petterson, exclusively told PV Tech Premium that if Australia installed around 1TW of solar modules over 25 years to keep the assets running, the nation would need to recycle around 40GW of modules each year.
Assistant minister for immigration and the assistant minister for foreign affairs and trade Matt Thistlethwaite, who officially opened the facility, said the initiative could create new domestic supply chains and employment opportunities.
“If we get this right, there will be less landfill, new domestic supply chains for current materials, a more resilient energy sector, and perhaps most importantly, for students and early career researchers, new industries and new jobs that probably don’t exist yet,” he said.
Australia’s solar recycling sector remains underdeveloped compared to Europe, where the EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive has driven investment in collection and processing infrastructure.
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates global solar module waste could reach 78 million tonnes by 2050, with valuable materials worth over US$15 billion potentially recoverable if effective recycling systems are established.
Shen said the hub’s success would be measured by a shift in how the industry views end-of-life modules.
“We will know we’ve achieved our objectives when solar module waste is no longer seen as a problem, but as part of a sustainable system,” he said.
The facility will also support early-stage researchers and industry partners working on commercialisation pathways for recycling technologies.
The opening follows growing attention to module longevity and performance issues in Australia’s solar fleet, with researchers increasingly focused on understanding degradation mechanisms that could affect the timing and volume of waste entering the recycling stream.
The hub’s work on material recovery and circular design principles is expected to inform both domestic policy development and international standards for solar waste management.
The hub comes as the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water recently launched a formal inquiry into solar module reuse and recycling.
In addition to this, earlier this year, the Albanese government announced a AU$24.7 million national solar module recycling pilot programme, which PV Tech reported will establish up to 100 collection sites across the country over three years.

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Central Luzon farmers have grown crops with the help of cost-effective and renewable-energy-powered solar pumps to irrigate their farmland. #EarthDay2026 #OurPowerOurPlanet – Facebook

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Emmvee Photovoltaic Power – Yes Bank among 7 stocks closing below VWAP – The Economic Times

On April 20, the closing prices of seven stocks from the Nifty 500 segment fell more than 1.5% below their VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price). A move below the VWAP suggests a potential bearish trend, according to StockEdge technical scan data.

When the closing price falls below the VWAP, it indicates that the stock ended the session lower than the average price at which it traded throughout the day, weighted by volume. This reflects increased selling pressure and weaker intraday sentiment.

VWAP: Rs 306.03 | LTP: Rs 299.05

VWAP: Rs 562.21 | LTP: Rs 549.9

VWAP: Rs 666.79 | LTP: Rs 654.1

VWAP: Rs 95.04 | LTP: Rs 93.3

VWAP: Rs 266 | LTP: Rs 261.19

VWAP: Rs 20.18 | LTP: Rs 19.84

VWAP: Rs 1,798.92 | LTP: Rs 1,770.4

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Three solar farms in NWO are huge for Rainy River District – Kenora Miner & News

Solar panels.

Solar panels.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has announced contracts with proponents to build 14 solar- and wind-power generating stations across Ontario, three of which are in the Rainy River District.
The three solar projects are proposed to be built in Fort Frances, Chapple, and unincorporated Rainy River territory, generating a total of 284.40 megawatts. There are also two wind projects in the Northwest that will generate a collective 400 MW, located in Nipigon and the unorganized Thunder Bay area.
“The energy task force has identified, for a number of years, that we are short in terms of the energy we have on a regular basis in the region, so this is really, really good news” said co-chair of NOMA’s Northwest Energy Task Force, Iain Angus.
Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas said that the projects are huge for the town, which he hopes will eventually be known as a green energy centre.
The construction of the Fort Frances solar farm will create about 120 jobs for the community, and its 57.2 MW output will power 8,000 homes in the province, according to Hallikas.
Fort Frances already has a hydro-electric dam, and in the next year expects construction to commence on a bio-refinery that refine waste fibre from the forest into de-carbonized fuel.
Hallikas said that the Fort Frances Power Corp. will need higher voltage power lines and upgraded transformers in the transformer station in light of the upcoming power generation.
The town is also in the process of creating a micro-grid that will allow them to be self-sustaining in energy.
Combined with the 60.00 MW coming from the project in Chapples near Barwick and the 167.20 megawatts from the Rainy River unorganized project, the three solar farms will create considerable amounts of energy that will be especially useful to the mines in Northwest.
“Right now, in terms of hydro-electric, we’re putting out in the range of 600 to 700 megawatts of power on a continuous basis. But we’ve had droughts […] that reduces it down to about 230 MW as all we can guarantee, so we need other forms of ongoing power,” Angus said.
Angus confirmed that, as of now, there are no approved battery storage plant projects, although Mayor Hallikas suggests that a battery storage group in conjunction with the new solar farm would further help the town in becoming energy independent.
While the cities do not have ownership stakes in the projects, Hallikas points out that every project is at least 50 per cent First Nation owned.
“The province of Ontario has made a conscious decision that any project that has First Nation partnership will get an advantage over those that are strictly non-Indigenous,” said Angus.
“[This] enables them to be a real partner in the projects, and that creates employment for First Nations residents as well as a revenue stream for the communities themselves.”
Angus called it a win-win situation for all.
The Local Journalism Initiative is supported by the Government of Canada.
“Dogs really are man’s best friend,” says Jason Cherry, who led the efforts to rescue Caesar, a husky mix dog, from a rock crevice in Grassy Narrows last week.
A Kenora City Councillor is taking a stand after being harassed while going for a run.
Back in February, Kenora’s City Council officially green lit a new CIP, which was re-designed from the ground up to serve as a tool to promote community revitalization, beautification, and economic growth through investment and other financia…
To say that Kenora City Councillor Bob Bernie is displeased with the Ministry of the Attorney General would be a serious understatement.
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Hybrid Hydrogen and Battery Backup Brings Data Centers Closer to Clean Power – AZoCleantech

Hybrid Hydrogen and Battery Backup Brings Data Centers Closer to Clean Power  AZoCleantech
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