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Rystad Energy says capital expenditure on data centers reached USD 770 billion in 2025, matching investment levels in photovoltaic infrastructure and surpassing upstream oil and gas.
Image: Rystad Energy
From pv magazine España
Global investment in data center infrastructure reached $770 billion in 2025, surpassing upstream oil and gas spending and reaching levels comparable to the broader energy sector, according to Rystad Energy.
The analysis highlights a structural shift in global energy investment flows, with data centers emerging as a major new source of demand. Since 2024, capital expenditure on data centers has exceeded investment in solar, positioning the sector as a capital-intensive asset class with direct implications for power generation, grids, and supply chains.
Rystad said data center investment is split between IT infrastructure and energy-related systems. Servers and computing hardware account for about 40% of total spending, while energy infrastructure – including cooling systems, power distribution, and thermal management – now represents investment volumes comparable to global PV capex.
The expansion of data centers is also driving additional investment across the energy sector, including power generation, grid infrastructure, and industrial equipment. This multiplier effect is accelerating at a pace that Rystad said exceeds previous industrial expansion cycles, driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Large-scale facilities with capacities above 100 MW are becoming the dominant format. These projects require infrastructure-level investment similar to large energy assets, but with significantly shorter timelines for grid connection and commissioning, creating challenges for permitting, grid planning, and equipment availability.
Investment is increasingly concentrated among large technology companies and artificial intelligence developers, mirroring patterns seen in upstream oil and gas, where major firms dominate capital allocation.
Geographically, deployment remains concentrated. The United States accounted for 42% of installed capacity in 2025, roughly double that of China, with India ranking third. However, Rystad expects broader geographic diversification as power demand from data centers exceeds 10% of national electricity consumption in some markets, creating constraints on grid access, land availability, and infrastructure capacity.
Countries with strong energy resources and stable regulatory frameworks, including Finland, Portugal, and Thailand, are emerging as potential hubs for future data center investment toward 2030.
Rystad said the impact is already visible across supply chains, with rising demand for equipment such as gas turbines, transformers, and fuel cells supporting growth among original equipment manufacturers.
Artificial intelligence is expected to remain the primary driver of demand in the near to medium term, although Rystad said the market may move toward a more balanced alignment of investment, capacity, and demand as it matures.
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Published
April 9, 2026
Country
Greece
Author
Harry Aposporis
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Published:
April 9, 2026
Country:
Greece
Author
Harry Aposporis
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The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, together with Grant Thornton, conducted a study on behalf of the Independent Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE). Professor Pantelis Biskas said this week during the Power & Gas Forum in Athens that one of the most important goals was to determine the optimal storage capacity, while keeping in mind system costs.
The first battery storage facilities are making their entrance into the Greek energy market. The country’s goal is to install upwards of 4.3 GW by the end of this decade, although the sector expects something closer to 4 GW. At the same time, 15 GW to 16 GW of photovoltaics is expected to operate.
Natural gas to become commercially unsustainable
Biskas revealed that the best scenario for storage is 37.5 GWh. This keeps the cost of developing storage to acceptable levels, while providing coverage for many hours each day. On the contrary, if Greece wanted to cover 97% of its needs exclusively through the combination of solar and storage, it would raise the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) to levels equal to natural gas units.
It was also mentioned that, as a result of the mass introduction of storage, natural gas plants would become commercially unsustainable. Therefore, the introduction of a capacity mechanism to support their availability is among possible solutions.
As things stand right now, storage investments are vastly profitable, since the daily arbitrage between the lowest and highest wholesale power price stands at about EUR 200 per MWh. However, their gradual growth is expected to reduce margins and it is uncertain whether later projects will be sustainable.
Aurora Energy Research said that risk management will be essential from now on. Tools such as tolling agreements, day-ahead spread swaps and hybrid power purchase agreements (PPAs) can improve project financing.
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Farmers also benefit from the passive revenue stream that energy generation can provide.
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A new study has revealed that agrivoltaics may hold the key to a trio of challenges for farmers. It could allow for maintaining enough food production, cutting down on water use, and optimizing output through energy generation.
HortiDaily reported on research by teams from the University of Seville and the Polytechnic University of Madrid that examined growing tomatoes in a variety of scenarios. The study, published in Agricultural Water Management, indicates that agrivoltaics has the potential to enhance land-use efficiency while promoting sustainable farming.
To explore the issue, the teams experimented with reduced water supply for tomato crops, both with and without solar panels, as well as fully irrigated crops as a control. As expected, reducing water negatively impacted tomato yields.
Fully irrigated plants produced the highest yields, but on the positive side, the water used for tomato crops under panels was more efficient at growing fruit. 
To properly account for these variables, the team came up with a Land Equivalent Ratio that measured the combined efficiency of energy production, water usage, and tomato yield.
Both the Seville and Madrid areas with solar panels scored well over 1, which indicates that combining energy production and agriculture was a significantly better use of land than keeping them separate. 
The study also showed that using less water overall could be an important strategy if growers can more precisely track the state of the plants. Despite cutting water by 50%, yield fell just 20%, and the researchers feel there is room for improvement.
The research demonstrated the efficiencies of agrivoltaics. While tomatoes did have a bit of a drop-off in yield with the panels and reduced water use, many crops, like olives, thrive in the added shade.
Farm workers and livestock also appreciate it, and farmers benefit from a passive revenue stream as well. With drought increasingly threatening agriculture, examining reduced water usage is a greater consideration for scientists.
Solar-powered farming could help mitigate these issues, allowing society to generate clean energy that reduces pollution while sustainably supporting farmers. 
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To truly optimize solar panels and tomatoes, the researchers suggested that refining irrigation management with newer technology could help preserve yields while reducing water use.
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Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE reduced silver consumption in TOPCon solar cells to 1.1 mg per W peak. Current TOPCon cells typically require 10 to 12 mg per W, creating cost pressure for manufacturers. The research team tested an electroplating-based inline metallization process developed with RENA Technologies GmbH. The approach combined ultrashort UV laser structuring with nickel, copper, and minimal silver deposition. The team produced M10-sized TOPCon solar cells with 24% efficiency, matching conventional screen-printed reference cells. A fill factor of 82.1 ± 0.3% was achieved across 186 solar cells. Nickel acted as a diffusion barrier, copper handled electrical conduction, and silver served as oxidation protection. Electroplated copper contacts could nearly replace silver requirements in TOPCon solar cells. Fraunhofer ISE expects nickel-copper electroplating to be adopted within two to three years. The process may also reduce reliance on silver paste supply chains concentrated in China. The research was conducted under the EURO and SHINE PV projects, demonstrating industrial-scale feasibility.

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Last Wednesday, Energía Estratégica held its Virtual Summit, bringing together key stakeholders from the solar PV and energy storage sectors to analyse current conditions and market prospects in Latin America.
Marcos Donzino (JA Solar), Miguel Covarrubias (Jinko Solar), Ángela Castillo (Black & Veatch) and Juan Fernando Ramos (Ventus) discussed the sector’s current situation during the first panel. One of the central topics was the strong impact of module prices on the photovoltaic industry.
Relive the Energía Estratégica Virtual Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1RX_HH0yMU&t=1318s

Marcos Donzino, Head of Sales South LATAM at JA Solar, stated that solar panel prices have increased by 40% over the past three to four months, triggering a sharp shift in cost dynamics and project evaluation across the region.
“Three factors came into play. One was the change in taxation. Another was the rise in raw material costs globally across the industry. And the third was the reduction in production capacity among all manufacturers,” the executive explained.
It is worth recalling that China eliminated the value-added tax (VAT) rebate on photovoltaic product exports as of 1 April 2026, a measure that has already come into effect and marks a turning point in global solar pricing.
This tax incentive, which had previously been reduced from 13% to 9% for wafers, cells and modules, was completely withdrawn, further increasing cost pressures.
This situation also triggered a phenomenon that intensified the impact and strained the global supply chain: a surge of advance orders during the first quarter (Q1) of the year.
In this regard, Miguel Covarrubias, Sales Director for Latin America at Jinko Solar, noted:
“Although the tax change officially started on 1 April, it began affecting us as early as January. It gave both manufacturers and clients time for what I would call a Q1 rush. It was quite chaotic, with everyone trying to place orders before the regulatory changes took effect.”
The executive added that this context had a direct impact on costs, albeit with mixed effects:
“Clearly, this additional 9% on modules has impacted prices. There is an effect on CAPEX (capital expenditure), but there is also a positive impact in terms of energy yield (GWh generated),” he said, highlighting efficiency improvements as part of the sector’s response.
For his part, Donzino warned that the impact was not only technical but also financial:
“Previously, we saw variations of 1%, 2% or 5%, which did affect CAPEX. But a 40% increase in three months was something no one expected. All projects had to be reassessed without hesitation.”
“Purchasing accelerated towards March, saturating manufacturing capacity across all producers ahead of April. A production bottleneck emerged, with everyone competing for production lines. Prices rose and everyone wanted to buy as quickly as possible out of fear they would continue to increase. Now the focus is on how the market stabilises for the rest of the year,” the JA Solar executive added.
Beyond the immediate cost impact, the panel made it clear that this scenario has accelerated a shift in how solar projects are analysed in the region.
The discussion is no longer limited to CAPEX, but increasingly focused on the ability of assets to sustain long-term performance and value.
“The question is no longer just how much it costs to build a photovoltaic project, but how capable that project is of sustaining its economic performance under real operating conditions,” said Ángela Castillo, Business Development Director at Black & Veatch.
She emphasised the need to consider variables such as transmission constraints, curtailment and compliance with power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Castillo further explained that this shift involves incorporating factors that were not previously decisive in early development stages, such as hourly generation profiles, dispatch capability and the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) or hybrid solutions.
“The most successful solar project is not the one built at the lowest cost, but the one that can sustain its value in operation throughout the lifetime of the PPA,” she warned.
This change in approach also responds to new market requirements, particularly in PPAs, which now demand greater predictability and alignment with specific hourly delivery profiles. In this context, more integrated solutions and earlier-stage engineering are gaining prominence.
From an execution perspective, Juan Fernando Ramos, Commercial Manager at Ventus, explained that the market shows differentiated dynamics depending on the country, with public tenders coexisting alongside private PPAs.
One concrete opportunity lies in Guatemala, where “there is an upcoming opportunity to build 1,500 MW that already have PPAs”, as well as in markets such as Colombia, where both models complement each other.
Additionally, Ramos detailed the company’s regional positioning, with a strong presence in Uruguay—its home market—and growth in Colombia, where it has nearly 1 GW under construction.
The company is also expanding into Central America and the Caribbean, with activity in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, as well as projects in Ecuador and Peru, reflecting a diversified regional strategy aligned with each market’s development cycle.
“PPA requirements today no longer ask only for energy during solar hours, but also outside those periods,” revealed Covarrubias of Jinko Solar, highlighting the growing role of energy storage.
He pointed to clear scenarios in Argentina, as well as more incipient developments in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, underscoring the rapid regional expansion of BESS solutions as a complement to the solar business.
For his part, Donzino noted that JA Solar is already identifying concrete opportunities for energy storage integration in the region, both in utility-scale projects and in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, particularly in markets such as Argentina and Brazil, where demand for these solutions is beginning to grow.
Towards the close of the panel, speakers agreed that the market is leaving behind several long-standing assumptions that have guided the industry for years but are no longer valid.
These include expectations of continuously declining module prices, the idea that CAPEX dominates decision-making, and the concept of solar projects without the need for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
by info strategicenergycorp Keep reading
The new Energy Minister, Ximena Rincón, presented a legislative agenda focused on restoring regulatory certainty, modernizing power distribution, and enabling distributed generation and electrification across Chile’s power sector.
by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
by info strategicenergycorp Keep reading
The new Energy Minister, Ximena Rincón, presented a legislative agenda focused on restoring regulatory certainty, modernizing power distribution, and enabling distributed generation and electrification across Chile’s power sector.
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Construction follows the achievement of final investment decision and the execution of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction agreements with Pure Power Contractors, LLC for Alligator Creek and with Greensol Renewables, LLC for Murch, marking the transition of the portfolio from late-stage development into the construction phase. Commercial operation of the two facilities is expected by the end of 2026.
The launch of construction has been underpinned by the successful structuring and closing of non-recourse project financing at asset level, securing the required debt and tax equity commitments to fund construction and long-term operations. Financial close for Alligator Creek was reached in December 2025, while Murch closed in March 2026.
Both projects are backed by long-term corporate power purchase agreements with a leading U.S. hyperscale data center developer, together with associated benefits.
Alejandro Ciruelos, Partner, US at Qualitas Energy, commented, “Reaching FID and commencing construction on these projects demonstrates the strong execution capabilities of the Heelstone team and the continued momentum of the platform. This milestone accelerates Heelstone’s transition into a fully integrated independent power producer, strengthening its ability to deliver a growing portfolio of renewable energy projects across the United States.”
Mike Weich, CEO of Heelstone Renewable Energy, added, “Backed by long-term PPAs and fully structured project financing, these projects reflect our ability to originate, finance, and build high-quality utility-scale renewable assets. The start of construction on Alligator Creek and Murch marks another important step in scaling our platform across key U.S. markets.”
These milestones follow Heelstone’s recent successful closing of a $200 million senior secured corporate credit facility, further advancing the company’s strategic growth objectives and supporting its expanding development and operating pipeline.

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French renewables company Voltalia has fully commissioned the 148MW Bolobedu solar farm in South Africa.
According to Voltalia’s CEO, Robert Klein, the project is the ‘first’ large-scale PV project to be developed in the country for a private client.
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Located in the northeastern province of Limpopo, the project has already secured a long-term corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Richards Bay Minerals, a heavy minerals sand extraction and refining subsidiary of mining group Rio Tinto.
This agreement aligns with Voltalia’s strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed in October 2025 and which aims to accelerate the deployment of sustainable energy solutions in the African mining sector.
During the construction of the project, the French renewables company employed nearly 800 local residents, more than half of whom were youth workers. Local workers were trained on-the-job in engineering support, solar panel installation and health, safety and environment (HSE) awareness.
Installation of solar PV capacity continues to rise in South Africa, as shown with the latest commissioned project from Voltalia. According to data from think tank Ember, 2GW of solar PV capacity was added in 2025, doubling the volume added in 2024.
In the first two months of this year, 400MW of operational PV capacity was already added, while the “largest” single-phase solar project began construction last month, with a 475MW capacity. Developed by South African independent power producer (IPP) Anthem, the project is located in the central Free State province and is expected to finish construction in summer 2028. Cumulatively, the country has 14.2GW of installed solar PV as of February 2026, according to Ember’s data.
Utility-scale projects such as the Bolobedu solar farm from Voltalia will be key to the country reaching its target to add 28.7GW of new solar PV capacity by 2039, 10.3GW of which will be added between 2026 and 2030.

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Abundant sunshine. High around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..
Some clouds. Low 34F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 9, 2026 @ 11:23 am
The master plan rendering for the Kirkbrae solar panel project. The panels would go behind Kirkbrae’s tennis courts, and would be accessed from the right, on Old River Road. The top right side of the project, and the top of the project, abuts residential homes, while the left side abuts town-owned land.

Valley Breeze Staff Writer
The master plan rendering for the Kirkbrae solar panel project. The panels would go behind Kirkbrae’s tennis courts, and would be accessed from the right, on Old River Road. The top right side of the project, and the top of the project, abuts residential homes, while the left side abuts town-owned land.
LINCOLN – Residents of Hickory Lane and Old River Road told the Planning Board they have concerns about Kirkbrae Country Club’s proposal to install a “ground-mounted solar array.”
At the March Planning Board meeting, the board held a discussion and public hearing on Kirkbrae’s proposed master plan for a “ground mounted solar array,” which would consist of around 880 12-foot-tall solar structures, and would generate approximately 88 percent of Kirkbrae’s annual energy needs.
The solar panels would be surrounded by a 6-foot fence, and would be located behind Kirkbrae’s tennis and pickle ball courts, bordering several residential properties, as well as town-owned land.
Representatives from Kirkbrae said that site is currently a wooded area, and is used by Kirkbrae to dump plants and clippings from the golf course.
Though the area would have to be cleared for the installation of the solar panels, project representatives noted in the proposal that they would plant trees between the solar fields and neighboring residential properties to act as a visual and sound buffer.
Per Town Planner Stephanie Davies, this project falls under the use of “renewable energy minor scale ground mount,” as all power generated will be used only by Kirkbrae, and would be considered an accessory to these existing facilities. However, she said this project is a bit complicated, as a special use permit, as well as a dimensional variance, would have to be granted.
Resident Dennis Martel, whose property would directly abut the proposed project, said he is opposed to the solar field, as it is “fundamentally inconsistent with the RS-12 residential district.”
“It’s not residential accessory use, it’s a utility scale installation,” he stated, adding that he feels a project of this size does not belong in a low-density residential neighborhood, and that allowing this would set a precedent for additional non-residential uses.
“The applicant has not demonstrated hardship that justifies use variance. Reducing operating cost and generating energy or a desire to become more eco-friendly is not meeting legal standards for hardship. Reasonable alternatives do exist, including rooftop panels on existing Kirkbrae buildings, or a structure over the parking lot,” said Martel.
Martel, along with fellow abutters Chris Behlke and Michael Provost, emphasized the negative visual impacts of the solar field.
“(My) house has 18 windows in the back, two glass doors, and a deck all facing the empty lot. From mid-spring through early fall, it’s nothing but green … I’ve been living there for 14 years. In a short time, that’s going to change, and all we’re going to see from our second floor bedroom windows is 12-foot-high solar panels surrounded by six-foot high chain link fences,” Provost said.
Provost and other nearby neighbors also noted that even if trees are planted around the perimeter as proposed, it would take a significant amount of time for the trees to grow tall enough to mask the panels. And, if trees aren’t evergreen, they will lose leaves in the fall and winter, further exposing visibility of the solar farm.
Behlke added that the trees wouldn’t totally hide the solar farm, and that it would ultimately still be visible from the second floor of the homes.
Behlke went on to say that the wooded area as it currently stands acts as a sound buffer not just from Kirkbrae, but from Route 295 as well; he said he is concerned no noise study has been conducted yet.
While the solar panels would allow Kirkbrae to save on energy, Behlke said they could potentially cause neighboring homeowner electricity usage and costs to increase. He explained that the trees provide substantial shade in the summer, and without them, surrounding homes might need to use more air conditioning to cool their homes.
Another abutter, Dennis Medetski, echoed his neighbors, saying that in addition to aesthetics, noise, and environmental impacts, he worries destroying the wooded area will ruin the habitat, and cause a mouse or rat problem for nearby residents.
The neighbors who spoke agreed that the solar farm would negatively impact their current living situation, and expressed concerns over the solar panels eventually impacting the overall property values of their homes as well.
Project representatives said that they are more than willing to work with local officials and nearby residents to find compromises, adjust plans, and complete studies to help alleviate concerns.
One abutter did express support during the public comment, saying that they believe Kirkbrae has been and will continue to be a good neighbor.
Ryan Polumbo of Revity Energy said his company has experience installing these solar structures, and assured residents that they have not had any issues with rodents or pests.
He also said that Kirkbrae will not be able to profit off of these solar structures, and that even if Kirkbrae reduces energy consumption over the years, the energy will not be able to be sold to the grid.
Project attorney Joelle Rocha noted that the proposed project meets all of the standards set forth by the town and state – panels are not taller than 15 feet, panels will not generate more than 125 percent of energy needs, etc. – and emphasized that this particular use is permitted.
Members of the Planning Board issued a continuance, and are expected to revisit the topic at the April Planning Board meeting.
Valley Breeze Staff Writer
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Did I read this right- 880 12 foot structures? So, they propose to clear cut all the trees from this area and install an industrial solar array in an area abutted by single family homes? Doesn’t seem to “green” to me. I’m sure the flora and fauna in that area would have something to say, could they speak. I hope this is rejected for the money grab it appears to be.

This town is getting away with things they should not be aloud to.

This is not the Town wanting something. This is Kirkbrae applying for something that needs special use permitting. I passed an ordinance many years ago NOT allowing this type of installation in residential neighborhoods, (only commercial and industrial zones) unfortunately, the State of RI, once again in their vast knowledge of knowing what is best for our communities, pasted legislation making this a “special use” in residential zoned neighborhoods. The applicant needs to receive this permit from the planning board. I personally do not support this unsightly installation in the backyards of these residents. It’s a shame that the State continues to force this type of stuff on all of us.

This is a private land owner wanting to develop on their own private property to the betterment of their operations—decreasing their energy bills and investing in their future. However, is clear cutting a forest the best use of that land for a bunch of solar arrays? Solar panels are better suited on parking lots, rooftops, and undesirable lands (like former landfills for example) not pristine forest that will certainly have a negative impact on the quality of life for their neighbors.
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Gurugram-based solar panel manufacturer Saatvik Green Energy Ltd on Thursday (March 9) said its material subsidiary, Saatvik Solar Industries Private Ltd, has received and accepted orders worth ₹108.75 crore from leading domestic independent power producers and EPC players.
The orders are for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and are scheduled to be executed by September 2026. The company confirmed that the contracts are commercial in nature, awarded by domestic entities, and do not fall under related party transactions.
In February this year, Saatvik Green Energy said it is confident about sustaining its strong growth momentum, supported by rising demand for solar equipment, capacity expansion, and a broader product portfolio.
Also Read: Saatvik Green Energy arm receives ₹178 crore solar PV module orders from domestic client
Prashant Mathur, CEO of Saatvik Green Energy, said, “We have continuously focused on expanding our customer base… on quality and hi-tech products. We are not only getting into backward integration of cell manufacturing, but we are also getting into ancillaries and allied businesses. We have expanded our portfolio, not only in model manufacturing, but inverter, pumps, EPC and more."
In the October-December quarter (Q3FY26), Saatvik Green Energy reported a revenue of ₹1,257 crore, profit after tax of ₹98 crore with margins at 12.15%. Capacity expansion is a key driver of the company’s forward outlook. Saatvik’s Odisha project is progressing as planned. It will almost double its manufacturing capacity from 4.8 gigawatts to 8.8 gigawatts.
Module manufacturing from the new facility is expected to begin in the first quarter of the next financial year. Cell manufacturing is scheduled to start in the second half of the year and is expected to improve profitability, even if its revenue contribution is initially limited.
Also Read: Saatvik Green arm wins ₹486-crore order for solar PV modules
Shares of Saatvik Green Energy Ltd ended at ₹421.35, up by ₹2.80, or 0.67%, on the BSE today, April 9.
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A law requiring compensation for surplus electricity generated by photovoltaic systems has been referred back to parliament on Thursday by President Nikos Christodoulides.
The decision was taken following the law’s passage in March and centres on provisions that would have obligated the state to cover the cost of compensating households and small businesses for excess solar energy.
The legislation, proposed by Diko MP Michalis Yiakoumis, aimed to address distortions in existing photovoltaic schemes by ensuring that surplus energy fed into the grid would be compensated rather than written off.
It required the cabinet to determine compensation rates through a decree, while explicitly preventing those costs from being passed on to electricity consumers or incorporated into system charges.
In a letter to House speaker, Annita Demetriou, Christodoulides outlined three main grounds for referral.
He argued that the exclusion of cost recovery through the electricity market effectively leaves the state budget as the only source of funding.
This, he said, conflicts with Article 80 of the constitution, which prohibits parliament from imposing expenditure without the consent of the executive.
According to the president, the structure of the law “necessarily leads to a burden on the state budget”, making it constitutionally problematic.
The president also raised concerns over the law’s retroactive application.
He insisted that its provisions extend to support schemes that were already in place before the legislation entered into force.
While retroactively amending a decree is not explicitly prohibited under case law of the supreme court, he stated that it is considered undesirable and creates legal uncertainty.
The inclusion of earlier schemes within the scope of the law was therefore identified as a second point requiring reconsideration.
A third objection relates to the principle of separation of powers.
Christodoulides argued that the legislature had overstepped its role by directing the government to act in a specific manner.
By obliging cabinet to issue a decree setting compensation terms, the law was seen as intervening in executive functions.
The president stated that this constitutes an infringement on the constitutional balance between the branches of government.
Christodoulides stated that the proposed measure would affect existing policies governing self-consumption and “could create inconsistencies with current energy support schemes”.
The legislation was designed to correct perceived inequities in residential photovoltaic programmes, where surplus electricity is often not remunerated.
Under the proposed law, the cabinet would have been required to establish a mechanism for compensating surplus generation from residential and small commercial installations.
However, by excluding the possibility of recovering costs through tariffs or market mechanisms, the financial responsibility would fall entirely on public funds.
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Zocipro 10Pcs Solar Panel Mounting Z Brackets – Aluminum Adjustable End Clamps With Bolts For RV, Roof, Off-Grid  RuhrkanalNEWS
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Dutch-based solar developer Novar has acquired a 100MW solar PV plant in Baden-Württemberg, a southern state in Germany.
The Untermünkheim solar project is spread across three locations and was acquired from German developer Stromernte, which will remain involved in the project through a development service agreement to support the development of the plant.
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The project also has the potential to be co-located with a battery energy storage system of 160MWh capacity.
The next step for the project will be its presentation to local municipalities and the developer targets to begin generating electricity at the PV plant within the next two years.
This is Novar’s first project in southern Germany and its first merger and acquisition (M&A) by its German subsidiary.
“We are thrilled to develop our first major project in southern Germany together with our local partner Stromernte,” said Kerim Eraksan, country manager for Germany at Novar. “This project demonstrates how we combine strong development expertise with trusted local partnerships.”
Currently, the company has 1.3GW of operational renewable energy and aims to generate 4GW of renewable energy by 2030.
In its home country, the Dutch developer recently commissioned the 74MWp Bellingwolde solar park, pictured above.
Leaders in the European solar sector are turning their attention to this year’s SolarPlus Europe event, to be held in Italy on 15-16 April by PV Tech publisher Solar Media. Information about the event, including the full agenda and options to purchase tickets are available on the official website.

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Premier Energies Ltd bagged orders worth ₹2,577 crore during the fourth quarter of FY26 for the supply of 1,600 MW of solar cells and modules. According to the company, the execution of these orders will take place over FY27 and FY28, strengthening its forward order pipeline and reinforcing its position in India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing sector.
Orders from Leading Industry Players
The contracts have been awarded by a diverse group of domestic customers, including independent power producers (IPPs), module manufacturers, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors. The mix of clients highlights the continued confidence in Premier Energies’ integrated manufacturing capabilities and project execution track record. Moreover, the new orders further strengthen the company’s growing footprint in the Indian renewable energy ecosystem.
Expanding Manufacturing Capacity
The latest order inflow also reflects the company’s rapid scale-up in manufacturing capacity. Premier Energies expects its solar cell manufacturing capacity to reach 10.6 GW by September 2026. At the same time, the company has recently expanded its solar module manufacturing capacity to 11.1 GW, enabling it to cater to increasing demand from large-scale renewable energy projects across the country.
Management Highlights Customer Confidence
Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director of Premier Energies, emphasized that the orders demonstrate strong market confidence in the company’s capabilities. “This robust order inflow underscores the trust placed by our customers in our manufacturing capabilities and technology roadmap,” he said. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, with rising investments in renewable energy and government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing, companies like Premier Energies are playing a crucial role in supporting India’s solar power expansion and energy transition goals.

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“It makes clean energy more accessible.”
Photo Credit: iStock
While upgrading to solar energy can be worthwhile to save money on home utility costs, installing panels usually requires professional installation, home rewiring, and a large upfront investment. 
However, according to a report by Canary Media, this dynamic is changing in Virginia after lawmakers passed a bill legalizing small plug-and-play solar panels, usually referred to as “balcony solar.”
Balcony solar was designed to plug directly into a home outlet and offset some household energy usage. These small units have long been used in Europe, but laws requiring utility permission to install prevented widespread adoption in the United States. 
Set to take effect in January of 2027, law SB 250 will make Virginia only the second state in the country, behind Utah, to allow balcony solar panels for homeowners. The bill will essentially allow consumers to buy the units, like any large appliance, in their local big-box store. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
This is part of a wave of state legislation proposals giving homeowners an easy path to take control of their household energy consumption with quick-install solar panels. 
Even though these small units can help reduce some of your bills, if you’re looking to fully secure your family’s energy while saving big, consider installing rooftop solar with the help of TCD partner EnergySage. You could be surprised by just how much you can save by upgrading. 
With these new laws filtering through U.S. states, homeowners are no longer the only ones who can curb rising energy costs with solar power. Because balcony-sized panels don’t require any complicated rewiring, renters can also purchase and install the money-saving units. 
Victoria Higgins, Virginia director for the lobbying arm of Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund, was quick to show support for the rule change. 
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To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
“[This] removes all kinds of barriers — not just cost barriers, but time and bureaucracy barriers,” Higgins told Canary Media. “It makes clean energy more accessible to so many more Virginians, whether they live in apartments, or condos, or just don’t have the funding to put up a whole rooftop system.” 
“This legislation is about putting practical energy solutions in the hands of Virginians,” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell added in support of the bill.
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While it may take some time for the rest of the U.S. to catch up to Virginia and Utah, you can slash your energy bills right now by upgrading your home with a rooftop solar array. 
If you’re interested in learning just how much you can earn by switching to solar, check out the free resources at EnergySage. The average homeowner can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases by consulting these services. 
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
EnergySage even offers a helpful mapping tool that provides insight into the average cost of solar in each state while giving you detailed information on all of the incentives you qualify for. 
Plus, to fully secure your energy and even cut ties entirely with the grid, EnergySage can help you understand what battery backup solutions are available to you. A solar and battery pairing can give you peace of mind knowing your lights will stay on in the event of a blackout.
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Published on April 8, 2026 10:06 am
Last Updated on April 8, 2026 10:09 am
Kavi Chintham of Voter Solar gestures at a 391-watt plug-in solar panel and battery at a news conference about a bill to expand access to plug-in solar panel systems. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Nikoel Hytrek)
A bill to make solar power more accessible to renters and others who face barriers to the alternative energy source is moving through the Illinois Senate.
The plug-in solar bill allows people to install small solar panel systems that can be plugged into normal wall outlets for personal use. Instead of a rooftop, the panels could be set up on a balcony, in a yard, or on a porch or patio. 
“Plug-in solar is exactly what it sounds like: small, low-cost solar panels that plug directly into a standard outlet and help offset the energy use,” said Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, who is the lead sponsor of the bill. “No expensive installation, no major construction, no waiting months for approval.”
Because most residential solar requires rooftop installation, people who live in apartments or who rent their homes have been unable to take advantage of solar power to cut down on electricity bills. Lawmakers said this was a major motivation for the bill. 
Under current Illinois law, people would have to get an interconnection agreement before using plug-in solar systems, but the bill removes that requirement. Customers who use a plug-in solar system would also not be required to get the electricity provider’s approval before installation, pay a fee related to installation, or install additional equipment.
“Illinois has been a leader in renewable energy, and this legislation keeps us moving forward by making solar more available, more affordable, and more achievable for everyone,” said Rep. Daniel Didech, D- Buffalo Grove, the sponsor for the House version of the bill. 
Further, landlords and homeowners’ associations would not be able to ban or “unreasonably restrict” or regulate plug-in solar systems . 
Instead, users would only have to notify the electricity provider about the solar panel system within 30 days of installation. The law would require those providers to develop simple online notification forms.
“Right now, outdated rules are getting in the way,” Ventura said. “Senate Bill 3104 cuts through the red tape by exempting these small systems from the same requirements designed for large scale solar. That means faster access, lower costs, fewer barriers for everyday people.”
These exemptions apply to small systems that usually have between 300-400 watts of power output, but the bill grants permission for systems up to 1,200 watts — those would just be subject to more rules. The greater rules kick in for systems with an output of 392 or more watts.
In general, the bill allows for solar panel systems that are: 
Plug-in solar systems also normally include batteries, which allow people to save excess energy to use later in the day and avoid using the grid power. For safety, the systems have built-in protections like automatic shutoffs in case of power outages. 
“This is a carefully designed policy that makes sure we’re preserving safety while updating rules that were written for these large rooftop systems. It removes this one-size-fits-all regulatory approach,” said Kavi Chintam, Illinois campaign manager for Vote Solar, a nationwide organization that seeks to reduce barriers to solar power. 
Utah is the only other state to have passed plug-in solar legislation, but lawmakers in multiple other states like Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New York have introduced bills. 
The bill passed in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee on March 12 and is now waiting on an amendment to address questions and concerns from utilities and labor unions.
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Figures from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority indicate that the country had a record year for solar deployment in 2025. Cumulative capacity surpassed 2 GW, leading to Singapore’s 2030 solar target being increased to 3 GW.
Image: Justin Lim/Unsplash
Singapore added 504 MW of solar last year, according to a report published by the country’s Energy Market Authority (EMA).
Figures from the authority’s Singapore Solar Photovoltaic Report Q4 2025 state that cumulative solar capacity reached 2,093 MW by the end of last year, up from 1,589 MW at the end of 2024.
The result continues an upward trajectory in yearly capacity growth, compared to annual additions of 397 MW in 2024 and 370 MW in 2023.
Image: Energy Market Authority of Singapore
The number of solar installations in Singapore increased by 3,400 last year, EMA’s figures add, from 11,225 at the end of 2024 to 14,625 by the end of 2025.
Image: Energy Market Authority of Singapore
Singapore’s solar market is dominated by rooftop solar, which makes up more than 80% of total capacity. Lam Pham and Alnie Demoral, energy analysts at Ember specializing in Asian markets, told pv magazine a key market driver continues to be solar’s increasing cost-competitiveness, with payback period falling to as short as five years and consumers also able to sell excess solar to the grid.
They added that the market is supported by government-led programs, such as SolarNova from the Housing and Development board, which had installed solar on 5,300 blocks as of December last year.
Other government support programs include SolarRoof and SolarLand from JTC, a government agency for industrial development under the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Supported projects include Singapore’s largest ground-mounted solar project to date, the 118 MW Sembcorp Jurong Island Solar Farm, which was completed last year. The installation, spanning 60 hectares across six plots of interim vacant land, was built by Singaporean state-owned energy and urban development company Sembcorp.
Pham and Demoral said the main market driver in 2026 will be electricity prices due to Singapore’s large reliance on gas power plants.
“The current fuel shock will intensify gas price volatility. Fuel price is already up and electricity will likely be affected soon,” the pair said. “Coupled with the continuous decline of solar costs and batterys, this will drive the residential consumers to install solar panels.”
As a result of surpassing 2 GW of cumulative solar capacity last year, Singapore surpassed its original 2030 target and subsequently increased the goal to 3 GW by the end of the decade. Pham and Demoral said that while the 3 GW target will be a key market driver, it remains unclear if this year’s deployment level with surpass that seen last year.
“Demand will be growing certainly and costs will become more affordable, but the issue with Singapore is limited land availability,” they explained. “As projects with suitable land have been largely developed, those remaining will be more complex, take more time and constraint the pace of deployment.”
They pair also told pv magazine that Singapore could focus more on interconnection with neighbouring nations, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, to import solar electricity from other nations. “This will help unleash the land constraint and access large-scale solar resources abroad,” they said.
Last October, Singapore conditionally approved a 1 GW hydropower import project from Malaysia and last June, partnered with Indonesian on a solar supply chain initiative to be located in the Riau Islands as part of broader plans to enable cross-border clean energy trading.
Pham and Demoral also suggested regulators in Singapore could introduce more robust incentives for cross-border renewable energy procurement, such as counting imported solar electricity to renewables targets or carbon reduction commitments, and enhancing market structures to support flexibility with policies that promote energy storage, demand response and grid modernization.
EMA’s latest figures add that Singapore had 213.4 MW of operational energy storage systems by the end of last year.
UK consultants GlobalData are expecting Singapore to add between 300 MW and 400 MW of solar annually through to 2035, taking cumulative capacity past the 5 GW threshold.
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AFRY has been selected by Cenergi Aeropolis Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd (CARE) to act as Owner’s Engineer for a 36 MWp (30 MWac) solar photovoltaic plant combined with a 10 MW / 40 MWh battery energy storage system in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. This project marks an important step in the country’s shift toward cleaner and more reliable energy solutions, especially through the use of solar power integrated with storage.
The project is located within the KLIA Aeropolis zone and will supply renewable electricity directly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport under the Solar for Self-Consumption program. It is expected to generate around 46 GWh of clean energy every year and reduce about 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This reduction is comparable to removing nearly 8,000 vehicles from the roads or providing electricity to more than 13,000 homes.
The addition of a battery energy storage system will help improve energy reliability and ensure stable power supply, making it one of the early large-scale solar projects in Malaysia with integrated storage for self-consumption.
As Owner’s Engineer, AFRY will support the project across all stages, including tender assistance, engineering design review, project management, construction supervision, and battery system testing and commissioning.
The company brings strong global experience in solar and energy storage, with over 30 years in solar projects and more than 20 years in battery storage. AFRY has worked on hundreds of projects worldwide, supporting the development of sustainable and efficient energy systems across different regions.
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Renewable Energy
The Ministry of Defense has completed the installation of a modern photovoltaic generation system to provide clean energy in Maturacá, a community located in São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM), at the base of Pico da Neblina.
The initiative is part of the strategic actions of the Calha Norte Program and benefits over 2,500 indigenous people from the Yanomami tribe and soldiers from the 5th Special Frontier Platoon (PEF). The new solar park breaks the historical dependence on fossil fuel-powered generators, which operated with time restrictions and high logistical costs.
Now, the community enjoys electricity 24 hours a day, allowing for food preservation, the operation of health centers, and digital connectivity in one of the most isolated areas on the planet. In addition to promoting social development, the plant prevents the emission of tons of carbon dioxide into the Amazon atmosphere and eliminates the risk of oil spills in local rivers.
Itaipu receives proposals in the renewable energy tender and reinforces the role of public universities in the energy transition with projects that can reduce costs, increase academic investments, and accelerate sustainable innovation in the country.
Claro operator reveals a silent change with hundreds of clean energy plants and shows how sustainability is impacting over 80% of its operations in Brazil.
Billion-dollar strategic alliance: Brazil and China join forces in infrastructure and technology projects to lead the creation of a global green corridor in the energy transition.
Research reveals that the vast majority of national consumers are not willing to pay more for renewable energy despite their support for sustainability.
This project serves as a model for energy sovereignty and environmental preservation, demonstrating that solar technology reaches the most remote points of the Amazon rainforest by 2026.
The Calha Norte Program acts as the main infrastructure arm of the federal government in border areas. By implementing clean energy in Maturacá, the Ministry of Defense fulfills its mission to bring dignity and state presence to hard-to-reach regions.
The project involved complex logistics, transporting tons of solar panels and batteries via barges and aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) through the dense jungle.
The Brazilian Army coordinated the assembly of the metal structures and the connection of the electrical grid. The presence of the 5th Special Frontier Platoon in Maturacá ensures basic maintenance of the system and the security of the facilities.
This collaboration between the Armed Forces and the indigenous community strengthens territorial protection and provides basic resources that transform the socioeconomic reality of the Yanomami people.
The installation of clean energy in Maturacá required specific equipment to withstand the extreme conditions of the Amazon. The high humidity levels and frequent rainfall require solar panels with certification for high durability and inverters protected against corrosion.
The system uses monocrystalline silicon modules, which have higher efficiency even on partially cloudy days.
A state-of-the-art lithium battery bank stores the excess energy generated during the day. This technology ensures that the lights do not go out at night or during prolonged rainy periods.
The smart management system monitors the consumption of the village and the military platoon in real-time, prioritizing critical loads such as vaccine freezers and satellite communication equipment.
Did you know that before clean energy in Maturacá, transporting diesel to the village was a Herculean challenge? Fuel drums traveled for weeks through winding rivers and dangerous rapids.
Often, low river levels prevented supplies from arriving, leaving the Frontier Platoon and the indigenous people in the dark for days.
Besides the risk of accidents, the cost of this transportation was extremely high for public coffers. With solar energy, operational costs drop drastically. The sun, an abundant resource along the equator, works for free for the community.
The savings generated by eliminating diesel allows the Ministry of Defense to redirect resources to other areas, such as indigenous health and environmental patrolling.
The arrival of clean energy in Maturacá drastically changes local public health. With constant electricity, the community health post now keeps refrigerators running without interruption.
This allows for the safe storage of vaccines against malaria, yellow fever, and snake bites, as well as vital antivenoms for those living in the jungle.
Food security also improves significantly. Previously, the indigenous people had to consume all the game or fish immediately or salt the meat to prevent spoilage.
Today, community freezers allow for long-term food preservation. This reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases and ensures a more balanced diet for the village children, who now have lighting to study during the night.
The decarbonization of the military base and the indigenous village directly contributes to the preservation of the surroundings of Pico da Neblina. The old diesel generators produced constant noise and toxic smoke, driving away local wildlife and polluting the clean air of the forest.
The silent operation of the clean energy in Maturacá plant thus respects the natural balance of the region.
The project eliminates the risk of soil and groundwater contamination from spills of lubricants and fuels. Maturacá becomes a technological “Green Island,” proving that it is possible to integrate human development with the maintenance of the standing forest.
The initiative aligns with Brazil’s global commitments at COP-30, demonstrating concrete actions of sustainability in practice.
Stable electricity serves as the foundation for digital inclusion in 2026. The school in the Maturacá community now uses computers and high-speed satellite internet. The clean energy in Maturacá thus allows Yanomami youth to access educational content, training courses, and territorial management tools without needing to travel to the municipal seat.
This connectivity strengthens local culture, as it allows indigenous people to document their traditions and report invasions of their lands instantly. Access to information transforms the school into a center of coexistence and innovation, where modern technology meets ancestral knowledge to build a more prosperous future for the new generations of the Amazon.
The provision of clean energy in Maturacá opens doors for sustainable entrepreneurship in the region. The Yanomami community works with the management of forest products, such as native cocoa and mushrooms. With electricity, they can install small processing and drying machines, adding value to products before sale.
This increases family income and reduces the need to rely solely on government aid. Electricity allows the community to organize more efficient cooperatives, with electronic weighing and packaging systems.
The goal focuses on transforming Maturacá into a hub of bio-extractive economy, using the power of the sun to drive ethical and fair trade of Amazonian products.
The sustainability of the project depends on proper maintenance. Therefore, specialized technicians and military personnel trained a group of indigenous people to operate the basic systems of the solar plant. These “solar agents” from Maturacá learn to clean the panels and monitor the battery charge levels.
The 5th Special Frontier Platoon acts as advanced technical support. The partnership ensures that any technical failure receives quick repair, preventing the community from being left without assistance.
This transfer of technical knowledge values local labor and creates a sense of belonging and care for public assets, ensuring that clean energy in Maturacá operates for decades.
The project in Maturacá is part of a larger strategy by the Defense Ministry to green all military units in the Amazon. The government understands that renewable energies are fundamental to national sovereignty, as they reduce the logistical vulnerability of troops in combat or humanitarian missions.
By adopting clean energy in Maturacá, the Ministry of Defense signals to the international market that Brazil invests in low-carbon solutions even under the most challenging conditions.
Other Special Frontier Platoons (PEFs) along the Calha Norte are already receiving studies for the implementation of similar systems, thus transforming the Brazilian border into a belt of renewable energy and environmental protection.
The inauguration of the solar plant and the delivery of clean energy in Maturacá represent a victory for national engineering and social policy.
Thus, the project proves that technological progress does not need to conflict with the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest. On the contrary, solar technology acts as the necessary tool to protect indigenous life and territory.
The smiles on the faces of Yanomami children as they turn on the lights in their homes symbolize the success of this initiative in 2026. Maturacá ceases to be a forgotten place to become a global example of how sunlight can transform darkness into opportunity.
Finally, may this model of clean energy and respect for indigenous peoples spread throughout the Amazon basin, ensuring a sustainable future for the green heart of Brazil.
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Eva Copper Project Powers Australia’s Largest Off-Grid Renewable Hybrid System  Discovery Alert
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A new metallisation approach reduces silver demand in TOPCon cells by a factor of ten, with implications for manufacturing costs and material sourcing.
The German research centre Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has reduced silver consumption in TOPCon solar cells to 1.1 milligrams per watt, down from a current industry average of 10 to 12 milligrams. Achieved using inline electroplating, the results address one of the key cost and scaling constraints facing today’s dominant cell architecture.
SilicoNPV 2026 in Ankara to spotlight silicon PV advances
The process combines ultrashort UV laser structuring with electrochemical deposition of nickel, copper and a thin layer of silver. Nickel acts as a diffusion barrier, copper carries the electrical current and silver is retained only as oxidation protection. The team produced M10-sized TOPCon cells with efficiencies of 24 percent, in line with conventional screen-printed reference cells.
For an industry that has rapidly standardised on TOPCon while facing tightening margins, the reduction in silver intensity is significant. Silver is a major cost input and subject to supply concentration risks. Any credible pathway to reduce precious metal dependence while maintaining performance will attract close attention from manufacturers and investors.
Fraunhofer-led project scales up charging for heavy-duty transport
“So-called nickel/copper electroplating could be firmly established in the photovoltaic market within two to three years,” said Dr Sven Kluska, group leader for electrochemical processes at the ISE. “It would offer many advantages for solar cell manufacturers, even if they have to integrate electroplating equipment into their production process as an initial investment.”
The process was developed and validated in collaboration with equipment supplier RENA Technologies GmbH within the EURO and SHINE PV projects. Multiple batches of cells were metallised on an inline system, delivering consistent efficiencies and a fill factor of 82.1 ± 0.3 percent across 186 cells. Modules produced with the cells showed strong stability in IEC 61215 degradation testing.
Stabilising market faces fresh uncertainty from geopolitical shifts
The approach is also likely to affect supply chain dynamics. Silver paste used in conventional screen-printing is closely tied to Chinese supply chains, whereas copper-based electroplating relies on more diversified global sources and equipment suppliers.
“Metallisation via electroplating could also lead to significantly less dependence on China than is currently the case with silver pastes,” said Dr Florian Clement, head of metallisation and structuring technologies at Fraunhofer ISE. “At the same time, we are working intensively to establish European, resilient supply chains for copper-based screen-printing metallisation.”
Fraunhofer ISE pushes tandem efficiency beyond 34 percent
Alternative routes are also under development. Hybrid silver-copper and pure copper pastes are already being deployed in heterojunction and IBC cells, but remain more challenging to implement in TOPCon due to the absence of a conductive oxide layer acting as a diffusion barrier. This leaves electroplating as a leading candidate for near-term industrialisation.
If scaled successfully, the technology could help align cost reduction with supply chain diversification. (TF)
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The International Public Tender EDES-LP-NGR-01-2025, aimed at procuring 600 MW of renewable energy capacity with battery energy storage systems (BESS), has reportedly identified the winning projects among more than 1,500 MWp and nearly 1,300 MWh competing, following the economic assessment of bids.
Preliminary results consider the award of eight projects totalling 605.1 MW, with a clear predominance of solar technology and a single wind initiative.
Meanwhile, the weighted average price of this portfolio stands at around USD 0.108/kWh, reflecting a high level of competitiveness and consolidating a tight pricing curve within the awarded segment.

The reason these results have not yet been formalised is that the technical cut-off lies around 600 MW, but the inclusion of an additional 83.4 MW project would push the total beyond the initially planned threshold.
For this reason, authorities are evaluating the possibility of allowing a marginal over-allocation that would enable the inclusion of this additional project without altering the merit order or pricing structure of the process. If this option is not approved, seven plants totalling 521.7 MW would preliminarily remain as winners.
From an economic standpoint, the results reflect strong competitiveness, with bids starting at USD 0.106/kWh and remaining below USD 0.11/kWh within the main block.
Likewise, the awarded portfolio shows a clear predominance of solar projects, which account for nearly all initiatives within the main block, with 555.6 MW of solar PV compared to 49.5 MW of wind power.
Among the potential awardees, Taíno I Solar Park (84.7 MW), Botoncillo PV (44.2 MW) and the Mella Solar Project (100 MW) stand out, all offering some of the most competitive prices in the process (below USD 0.107/kWh).
At the same time, large-scale developments such as Dicayagua Solar Park (145 MW) are decisive, as they sit at the cut-off point.
Which developers are likely to be awarded? The process includes Taino, Galileo Energía, Mella Solar Power, EGE Haina, ECOENER and Magnetar, which make up the main block of selected projects. This group reflects a combination of players with strong local presence and international participation.
Outside the awarded block, excluded projects amount to approximately 696.4 MW, highlighting the high level of competition and oversupply within the process.
These initiatives fall within a price range starting at around USD 0.113/kWh and extending up to USD 0.127/kWh, marking an upward trend in bid values.
Among them are projects such as Solar Dom. Azul II (96.8 MW), Girasol 2 (48.3 MW), Tornasol (48.3 MW) and Peravia Solar II (70 MW), which could benefit if the total awarded capacity is expanded.
In any case, it should be noted that the final award is scheduled between 27 April and 5 May, while contract signing is expected on 22 May.
In less than two weeks, Future Energy Summit (FES) Caribbean 2026 will once again establish itself as one of the leading platforms for energy discussion in Latin America, at a time when the Dominican Republic is undergoing structural decisions that will directly impact its power system.
The fifth edition of the event, to be held on 20–21 April in Santo Domingo, will bring together developers, utilities, financiers, technology providers and authorities in a context of high market activity.
The relevance of FES Caribbean is reflected in the calibre of confirmed participants, with strong representation from the Dominican public sector, including the Vice Minister of Energy and Energy Transition, Betty Soto, alongside Edward Veras, Executive Director of the National Energy Commission (CNE), as well as various private sector speakers and hundreds of expected attendees.
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by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Tax changes in China and mounting global supply pressures are forcing a reassessment of investments and redefining solar PV project development across the region.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Tax changes in China and mounting global supply pressures are forcing a reassessment of investments and redefining solar PV project development across the region.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
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April 8, 2026e-Paper
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Published – April 08, 2026 08:49 pm IST – HYDERABAD
Peddapalli MP and Visaka Industries Joint Managing Director Gaddam Vamsi Krishna has been granted a United States design patent for his “Leak Proof Profile for Mounting Solar Panel”.
The design provides an effective, leak-proof mounting solution for solar panels, enhancing durability, safety and ease of installation while preventing water ingress — a critical challenge in integrated solar roofing systems. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted the patent on January 13, his office said.
Published – April 08, 2026 08:49 pm IST
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Informed debate on energy and climate change
The highest generating day was 14,414 megawatts – enough to power around 11 million homes across the country.
By Jess Ralston
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Last updated: 09 Apr. 2026
Commenting on an announcement [1] by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) that Great Britain broke two maximum solar power generation records this week – with the highest generating 14,414 megawatts – enough to power around 11 million homes across the country, Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:
“Solar helps shield households from volatility on gas markets by reducing the amount of fuel we need to buy from other countries. The war in Iran has been a sobering reminder of this with bills expected to suffer as a result. Every wind turbine and solar panel installed helps the UK become more energy independent and electricity prices more stable – and with records regularly being broken, and the Government approving the UK’s largest solar farm today, this impact is clearly set to continue.”
Notes to editors:
1. https://x.com/neso_energy/status/2041907279423795302 
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, t: 020 8156 5305, m: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net 
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South Australia has opened applications for renewable energy feasibility licences across more than 11,000 square kilometres of land with some of the state’s highest coincident wind and solar resources.
The South Australian government is inviting investors to bid for land in two release areas, Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West, with the combined territory spanning an area twice the size of Kangaroo Island.
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Applications are open until 28 June, providing a 13-week tender period for prospective developers to prepare bids and engage with native title holders on agreements.
The Gawler Ranges East release area comprises approximately 5,200 square kilometres on the Upper Eyre Peninsula, while the Whyalla West release area spans around 6,500 square kilometres in the Upper Spencer Gulf region.
Estimates suggest the areas could host renewable energy projects, though the government has not disclosed specific capacity targets in megawatts or gigawatts.
The tender represents a technology-agnostic approach to renewable energy development, allowing applicants to propose any technology type.
Investors are invited to propose how they would optimise the use of land and the renewable energy resources in the release areas, potentially incorporating solar, wind, energy storage or hydrogen production facilities.
This flexibility aligns with South Australia’s broader energy transition strategy, as the state’s electricity demand is projected to surge toward 50TWh by 2040, driven by green steel production, data centres and hydrogen manufacturing.
The tender operates under South Australia’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023, an Australian-first legislative framework that provides a pathway for the sustainable and strategic development of land for renewable energy purposes.
Under the Act, areas of pastoral land, certain Crown land, and state waters can be declared suitable for renewable energy development, creating a structured process for large-scale project deployment while ensuring proposed developments support local and regional needs, optimise land use, and co-exist with existing land uses.
The Gawler Ranges East and Whyalla West release areas were determined after extensive consultation with pastoralists, native title groups, other landholders and regional communities.
The Department for Energy and Mining worked closely with subject matter experts across government to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for key locations within the release areas, including areas subject to Heritage Agreements and native vegetation protections.
Tenders must address the prescribed criteria in their applications, including how they plan to deliver the proposed content within a specified timeframe, their experience in renewable energy development, their environmental management credentials, and how the project will benefit the state and the traditional custodians of the land.
The 13-week tender period explicitly allows applicants time to engage with native title holders on agreements, embedding Indigenous consultation into the procurement process from the outset.
South Australia has established itself as a renewable energy leader within Australia’s National Electricity Market, with renewables supplying 100% of the state’s electricity demand for almost a third of 2024.
The state’s renewable energy infrastructure has expanded rapidly in recent years, supported by both utility-scale projects and distributed energy resources, including Tesla’s South Australia virtual power plant, which was acquired by AGL Energy.

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After a 40-minutes public hearing Tuesday, the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a request by US Solar/MMPA to amend the county’s land use map to allow a 3.5 megawatt solar farm on a 38-acre parcel in Big Lake. Twp.
The board also denied a request for an interim use permit for the same solar farm.
The issue first came before the board in mid-March, at which time they tabled the request while staff gathered more information on issues such as the impact on wetlands on the parcel, the effect on property values for homes in the area and whether approval would create a landlocked parcel.
There had already been extensive testimony during a public hearing before the Planning Advisory Commission in February. Some neighboring residents objected to the impact it would have on the area, including altering the ecosystem and disrupting wildlife. After the hearing closed, the Planning Commission voted, 6-1 to recommend denial.
That testimony continued Tuesday, as 11 more people spoke about the effect it would have in a residential area.
Mike Wirz read a petition signed by 108 area people who wanted the request denied. His daughter Courtney Wirz argued that allowing the solar farm would go against the comprehensive plan already adopted by the county.
“I’m asking you to uphold that framework to apply consistently and support the denial,” she said, “because that’s what I expect from the people I elected to represent this county.”
Tim Kelly, attorney for the applicant, said his client went through all the steps to have a solar farm approved.
“The applicant believes the evidence before the county board establishes that MMPA has satisfied all the criteria for approval,” he said.
After the hearing was closed, members of the board discussed the issue for another 10 minutes.
Commissioner Gregg Felber said a solar farm would have a negative effect on area properties.
“I think that is a legal basis for us to vote to deny this petition,” he said.
Commissioner Andrew Hulse said a study showed the biggest loss to property values would be to residential rural properties of five acres or less, many of which bordered the site.
Commissioner Gary Gray said the issue of changing the comprehensive plan should have been resolved before the applicant even attempted to locate a solar farm there.
“I’ve been involved with permitting solar farms since 2015, and this is one of the first ones that I’ve ever found that the developer or public utility has purchased the property before getting permission to build a solar farm, which I find very concerning,” he said. “We should have done that before we had this meeting.”
The board voted to deny the request(s) based on findings of fact, including negative impact to the native environment, general character of neighborhood, property values and inconsistency with the comprehensive land use plan.
Snowmobile 
Association
The board passed a resolution supporting the Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program Application and Sponsorship. The agreement is made and entered into annually by and between the county and the Sherburne County Trails Association (consisting of the 4 local snowmobile clubs known as Elk Lake Easy Riders, Big Lake Snow Cruisers, Palmer Power Hounds, and the River City Snow Riders).
The DNR requires a resolution to be passed each year by the county board, to be submitted along with the Sherburne County Trail Associations’ application for State funding for trail maintenance and projects.
TIF District
The board approved the proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) comment letter and authorized the Assistant County Administrator to submit to Ehlers Finance Advisors prior to the Public Hearing scheduled for April 20, 2026. The City of Elk River is planning to establish TIF District #30, a 45,000+ sf manufacturing & warehousing facility addition. When complete, it is projected to add an estimated $3.38M in taxable value and 20 jobs within the first two years following construction.
Great Northern Trail
The board approved a professional and technical services agreement with Damon Farber Landscape Architects for engineering, design, public engagement and construction administration for the Great Northern Regional Trail Trailhead and Amenities Project at a cost of $150,000.
The county was awarded a Greater MN Regional Parks & Trails grant for constructing the trailhead facility and trailside amenities on the existing segment of the Great Northern Regional Trail (GNRT) in partnership with the cities of Zimmerman and Elk River.
The total project cost is $877,800, of which 80% has been grant funded through the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission.
The board also approved a joint powers agreement with Elk River and Zimmerman for cost participation for the same project. Costs are based on the percent construction estimate: Sherburne County 22.60%, Elk River 17.58%, Zimmerman 59.82%.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved a professional services Agreement with Otting House Movers for relocation of structures off of Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park. The compensation in the agreement is $5,900;
• Awarded the contract for the 2026 water heater boiler replacement to El-Jay Plumbing & Heating, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $66,500;
• Approved the First Amended Prosecution Agreement authorizing the County Attorney to prosecute state law and certain ordinance violations in the City of Baldwin;
• Reaffirmed  Loraine Rupp as Sherburne County Auditor and Treasurer;
• Proclaimed the week of April 12-18 as Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Sherburne County.
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14054 Bank Street/P.O. Box 458
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Skokie Courthouse Completes County’s Largest Solar Array  Hoodline
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The new  product targets both existing business customers of PPC Energie and companies that have photovoltaic systems installed by any other supplier on the market. For companies that intend to take the first step in increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs, PPC Energie offers turnkey photovoltaic solutions, which will include one of the available maintenance plans.
To ensure the optimal performance and extended lifespan of photovoltaic plants, PPC Energie offers companies three predefined Operation and Maintenance (O&M) packages, for installations with powers between 20 kWp and 400 kWp. Available packages include at least one annual set of preventive maintenance services, which help to maintain the warranty for the systems.

For installations with powers below 100kWp, the Standard package is available, and for those over 100 kWp, the Plus and Advanced packages can also be contracted, which additionally include one or two observation interventions/year, as well as the panel cleaning service. Also, for these packages, corrective maintenance interventions, additional panels cleaning services, vegetation grooming are optionally proposed. More details about the maintenance packages are available here.
For installations larger than 400 kWp, PPC Energie proposes customized preventive and corrective maintenance solutions, adapted to the specifications of each project.

Read more about

Schools upgraded to nZEB standards under România Eficientă program cut energy use by 60%

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For these maintenance operations, PPC Energie also uses photovoltaic panel thermography, an advanced diagnostic method that allows the rapid identification of efficiency losses and potential failures, before they affect energy production.
“By adding the operation and maintenance service for photovoltaic systems to PPC Energie’s portfolio, we aim to expand the ecosystem of value-added solutions offered to business customers, ensuring performance, reduced risks and continuity in operation. Through the operation and maintenance service, we ensure that the investment is capitalized to the maximum, and energy costs create competitive advantages in a dynamic market”, said Laurențiu Brumaru, Director of Delivery Factory PPC Energie.

PPC’s portfolio of advanced enterprise solutions includes turnkey photovoltaic systems to enhance business competitiveness and sustainability, smart LED lighting solutions to optimize consumption, modernization of owned energy infrastructure for professional asset management, and industrial equipment designed to minimize energy losses and risks. In 2025, PPC Energie signed the first contracts for the installation of energy storage systems at customers’ sites, offering complete consulting and installation solutions.

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French utility EDF has received a development consent order (DCO) from the UK government to build an 800MW solar PV plant in England.
Located in Lincolnshire, the Springwell Solar project is developed by EDF’s British subsidiary EDF Power Solutions UK and UK-based developer Luminous Energy. The project will also be co-located with a battery energy storage system, however the capacity was not yet disclosed.
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The project is expected to reach commercial operations in 2029.
The Springwell PV plant is currently the largest clean energy Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) to be approved by the current government, and the 14^th solar NSIP. Projects with a capacity of 50MW or more are considered NSIP and their approval is overseen by the government and not the local authorities. However, a recent change in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) gives local authorities a say in larger solar developments in their areas.
The UK government said the Springwell PV project’s approval marks its commitment to “learn the lessons from the conflict in the Middle East,” which has seen global oil and gas prices soar.
After initial consultations, the land to be covered by solar panels has been reduced from 816 hectares to 594. Despite that reduction, the project has still seen mass public dissent.
In part due to the number of solar PV plants in planning or approved to be constructed in Lincolnshire and the surrounding counties in the East of England, consumer buy-in for local projects is low. Developers choose the area because it has high irradiance levels and ample grid capacity, due to historical fossil power generation there.
This story was first published on our sister-site Solar Power Portal.
On a similar UK development, Norwegian independent power producer (IPP) Statkraft has launched a public consultation for its 500MW Mylen Leah Solar Farm in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
The NSIP project would be located between the villages of Seaton Ross, Melbourne, Laytham, Ellerton, East Cottingwith and Foggathorpe, on land on and around the former airfield at Melbourne.
According to Statkraft, the project would be connected to the electricity grid at the Thornton substation via an underground cable.
The statutory consultation on Mylen Leah Solar Farm will run from 16 April to 28 May 2026, while an application for a Development Consent Order will then be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2026.
Matt Simpson, senior solar project manager at Statkraft, said: “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to share further details about Mylen Leah Solar Farm and look forward to speaking to local people as we finalise our proposals.
“In addition to delivering greater energy security and helping stabilise electricity bills, Mylen Leah Solar Farm would also offer tangible benefits, including opportunities for businesses in the area to register as local suppliers.”
Additional reporting from Jonathan Touriño Jacobo.

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EcoFlow has launched its Members’ Festival x Earth Day Mega Sale with up to 62% discounts, member-only deals (sign-up is free), 3x EcoCredit rewards, and plenty of free gifts. One notable members-only bundles is the DELTA 3 Ultra Plus Portable Power Station with a FREE Power Hat at $1,449 shipped, which matches in price at Amazon without getting the Power Hat. This unit on its own normally goes for $2,899 at full price, which has consistently been keeping down between $1,499 and $1,449 since 2026 began. While we’ve only seen this rate beaten by one-time falls to $1,424 during Black Friday and the $1,399 low during January’s Winter Storm Sale, making this the next-best price with $1,450 slashed from its tag – plus, you’re getting the $99 Power Hat totally free for $1,549 in total savings. Head below to learn more about it, get the rundown on all the extra savings opportunities, and browse the full sale lineup.
Let’s start with a quick breakdown of all the extra savings opportunities during this Earth-focused sale event, like the extra 5% automatic savings you’ll gain in your cart when purchasing one of the many solar generator bundles (power station + solar panels). From there, you’ll also be able to score 3x EcoCredit rewards on many units, and orders of $3,000 or more will receive two FREE 160W solar panels, though I want to point out that this deal will not stack with the extra 5% solar generator bundle savings.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus is the pinnacle of the brand’s DELTA 3 series of power stations, with an impressive starting 3,072Wh LiFePO4 capacity that expands as high as 11kWh using several different batteries from alternate models in the series, adding to its above-average versatility. It provides 11 port options for connection needs (5x AC, 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x DC, and a car port), and delivers up to 3,600W of power that can boost to 4,600W when activated, as well as surge up to a max 7,200W.
There are six ways to recharge its battery. There’s the usual AC outlet charging that can push it to 80% in up to 89 minutes, as well as gas generator charging, car port charging, which is inferior to using an alternator charger, and up to 1,600W of solar panel charging. There’s also some dual charging options, letting you simultaneously charge via solar and a generator, or solar with an alternator charger.
***Note: The extra 5% savings have been factored into the prices below, and will be automatically applied in your cart.
You can also find flash sales throughout this overall sale on the main landing page here, and we also recently spotted EcoFlow launching its new TRAIL Plus 300 DC Portable Compact Power Station (alongside two solar bundle options) starting from $199, too. You’ll find all these and more from other brands collected into our dedicated power stations hub here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
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Australia’s rooftop solar market has surged 19% in the past month with the latest data revealing a record 341 MW of small-scale rooftop PV capacity was registered across the country in March as consumers also raced to install battery energy storage systems.
Image: SunWiz
From pv magazine Australia
Australia’s rooftop solar market reached a record high in March 2026, with 341 MW of small-scale PV capacity registered, according to SunWiz.
The monthly total for systems up to 100 kW represents an almost 20% increase from February and puts the market 16% ahead of the same point in 2025, the analyst said.
SunWiz Managing Director Warwick Johnston said the surge reflects strong momentum in the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) market and points to a potentially strong year for rooftop solar installations.
He attributed the growth in part to the federal government’s AUD 7.2 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), which provides rebates for energy storage systems installed alongside rooftop PV. The program has supported the deployment of about 300,000 batteries since its launch.
Johnston said increased battery adoption is driving demand for larger solar systems, as higher-capacity storage requires greater generation. This trend is pushing up both average system sizes and total installed capacity.
The increase in rooftop solar installations was recorded across all states, with the Northern Territory posting 43% month-on-month growth and New South Wales rising 32%. Most system size segments expanded, particularly those up to 50 kW, while the 75 kW to 100 kW segment declined slightly.
Battery installations also reached a record, with nearly 1.6 GWh of small-scale energy storage capacity registered in March, up 35% from the previous month.
SunWiz said the increase was driven by a surge in installations ahead of changes to the CHBP scheduled for May 1, when the rebate structure will shift from a flat per-kWh incentive to a tiered system based on battery size. The government said the revised scheme will maintain an average discount of about 30%.
Average battery size reached a record 40 kWh in March, with most systems clustered in the 40 kWh to 50 kWh range.
New South Wales recorded more than 600 MWh of battery installations during the month, a 44% increase from February and a new state-level high.
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Luminous Power Technologies, during a government event in Khordha, identified Odisha as a high-potential hub for solar manufacturing, renewable energy innovation, and industrial growth.
In a press release, Luminous showcased its energy solutions and highlighted its growing manufacturing footprint in eastern India. It particularly focused on its upcoming plants in Gopalpur and Angul in Odisha, which are backed by supportive state policies. This is expected to further strengthen infrastructure, and with an increased focus on clean energy adoption, Odisha plays a key role in Luminous’ long-term growth and manufacturing strategy.
Luminous now appears to have chosen Odisha as the location for its integrated solar manufacturing unit. Over the past few years, Luminous has invested in two major manufacturing facilities in Odisha. The company is setting up a solar cell manufacturing plant in Gopalpur to strengthen the domestic solar value chain.
Thereby, joining companies like Tata Power Group, which is already engaged in the production of solar cells and solar modules. The proposed facility will manufacture ingots, wafers, and solar cells.
At Khordha, in Odisha, Luminous showcased its end-to-end solar solutions, including technologies designed to meet the needs of residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company’s wide range of solutions includes on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid systems tailored to diverse energy requirements across sectors.
The product lineup features TOPCon bifacial solar panels, high-performance inverters, long-lasting batteries, and the smart Connect X monitoring app. The display highlights the company’s focus on innovation, reliability, and sustainability.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivek Abrol, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD), Luminous Power Technologies, said, “Odisha represents a strategically important market for Luminous—not only as a manufacturing base but also as a gateway to India’s expanding clean energy ecosystem. With strong policy support and growing investments, the state is playing an increasingly prominent role in India’s industrial and energy landscape.”
We are India’s leading B2B media house, reporting full-time on solar energy, wind, battery storage, solar inverters, and electric vehicle (EV)
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The portfolio of nine solar PV plants was purchased from a JV involving Better Energy and Industriens Pension.
Spanish renewables investor Qualitas Energy has acquired nine operational solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Poland with a combined capacity of 376MW-peak (MWp).
The portfolio was purchased from a joint venture (JV) involving Better Energy and Industriens Pension.
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Developed and built by Better Energy, all the assets became commercially operational between 2021 and 2024.
The nine solar installations generate more than 400GW-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, enough to supply power to around 210,000 homes.
The plants are spread throughout Poland and connected to the Tauron, Energa and Enea distribution system operators.
The portfolio uses a diverse revenue framework featuring long-term contracts for difference in Poland alongside power purchase agreements with industrial and investment-grade clients.
Qualitas Energy intends to integrate battery energy storage systems (BESS) with these assets in the coming months to improve grid stability and increase value.
Operating in Poland since 2020, the company is enhancing its presence by adding these projects to its existing operations including the 113MWp Miłkowice solar PV plant, the country’s third-largest, which is currently being hybridised with a BESS.
Qualitas Energy Germany and Poland partner Adrián Cabrejas said: “This acquisition marks a defining step in consolidating our presence in Poland, a market with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential in renewable energy.
“The scale and complexity of the transaction further highlight our ability to originate, underwrite and structure high-quality deals in challenging environments.”
Additonally, two solar projects totalling 117MWp are currently under construction and are expected to come online in late 2026.
With these assets, Qualitas Energy’s solar PV portfolio in Poland now exceeds 600MWp, including both operational and in-construction capacity.
The acquisition is also a major milestone for the company, representing the first investment made through its new fund, Qualitas Energy Fund VI, which was launched in late 2025.
Qualitas Energy managing partner and CEO Oscar Pérez said: “This investment underscores our ability to deploy capital efficiently while progressing the fundraising of Qualitas Energy Fund VI.
“We are particularly excited to activate this flagship fund, which marks the beginning of a strong pipeline of opportunities we have lined up.”
Advisors to Qualitas Energy included Accura and CMS Poland for legal counsel, Barlovento Applus+ for technical guidance, and Deloitte Poland for financial and tax advice.
In January 2025, Qualitas Energy acquired a 250MW wind energy portfolio in Germany.
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The Grundy County Land Use Committee recently approved extending an ordinance for a proposed solar farm project in Goose Lake Township.
An update on the project was provided by Development Director Alec MacDonald. 
“First year extension, the special use permit previously approved for Goose Lake Solar three LLC. Now this is not a new project, and no changes are being requested to their proof scope or conditions of the original SUP. the project was approved by Grundy County Board in twenty twenty five, following the full public review process. It is located at forty four thirty five East McArdle Road in Goose Lake Township and consists of a solar facility on approximately thirty four acres of agricultural land. the special use permit was approved with thirty enforceable conditions addressing stormwater drainage, emergency services coordination, environmental compliance, construction standards, long term operation…” 
He said the Grundy County Board will have the final say on the extension at their meeting next Tuesday. 
“The reason for this extension is purely procedural. the permit requires a building permit prior to be is issued prior to April of this year. While the applicant has been actively progressing through engineering and preconstruction planning, contractor does not anticipate submitting a complete building permit application until later this month. As a result, the applicant formally requested the one year extension to allow that extra time to finalize design stats sets. staff has reviewed the request and finds that it qualifies as a first extension, that the applicant has demonstrated good faith towards implementation, and that no amendments or condition modifications are being requested. The draft ordinance shall extend a special use permit through April of twenty twenty seven. Again, with all previously adopted conditions remaining in full force and in effect.” 
The only member to vote no at the committee level was Laura Schiavone.
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This discovery was made by a research team led by Kyushu University
April 9, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
A research team led by Japan’s Kyushu University, in collaboration with Germany’s Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz, claims to have achieved a light conversion efficiency of approximately 130% in solar cells, exceeding the 100% barrier.
This efficiency, which can enable higher performance in solar cells, was achieved after using a molybdenum-based metal complex called a “spin-flip” emitter to harvest multiplied energy from singlet fission (SF) for light conversion.
Photons from sunlight pass their energy to electrons after striking a semiconductor, in this case, a solar cell. The electrons are activated, driving an electric current.
However, the efficiency of this process varies under sunlight. Lower-energy infrared photons cannot excite electrons. Meanwhile, higher-energy photons that do excite electrons, such as in blue light, lose their excess energy as heat. This results in solar cells using only one-third of the sunlight.
This utilization ceiling is known as the Shockley–Queisser limit.
Yoichi Sasaki, Associate Professor at Kyushu University’s Faculty of Engineering, noted that there are two main strategies to break the Shockley–Queisser limit. The first strategy involves converting lower-energy photons to higher-energy photons. The second strategy, employed by the research team, involves using SF to generate two excitons from a single exciton photon.
An exciton is a neutral, bound quasiparticle that is formed when a photon is absorbed by a semiconductor material, causing an electron to jump to a higher energy state, leaving behind a positively charged hole.
Typically, one photon can generate a maximum of one spin-singlet exciton after electronic excitation, which is a process in which an electron in an atom or molecule absorbs energy and jumps from a lower to a higher energy level without leaving the atom.
The SF technology can split the high-energy singlet exciton into two lower-energy spin-triplet excitons. This process can, in theory, double the number of usable excitations. The research team stated that while some organic semiconductors, such as tetracene, exhibit this process, capturing the SF-born excitons has remained a challenge.
“The energy can be easily ‘stolen’ by a mechanism called Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) before multiplication occurs. We therefore needed an energy acceptor that selectively captures the multiplied triplet excitons after fission,” said Sasaki.
To select an appropriate energy acceptor for harvesting the excess energy, the research team opted to use metal complexes: molecules whose structures can be flexibly designed. It discovered that a molybdenum-based “spin-flip” emitter serves as an ideal harvester.
Electrons in such molecules flip their spin during the absorption or emission of near-infrared light. This enables the solar system to accept the triplet energy produced in SF. The researchers suppressed the wasteful FRET process by carefully tuning the energy levels. This allowed the multiplied excitons from the SF to be selectively extracted.
The research team harvested energy by pairing the metal complex with tetracene-based materials in solution, thereby achieving quantum yields of roughly 130%. This means that approximately 1.3 molybdenum-based metal complexes were excited per photon absorbed, indicating that the solar system generated and harvested more energy carriers than photons received.
The team said the discovery will help establish a new design strategy for exciton amplification. However, it noted that the latest tests were at the proof-of-concept stage.
The research team plans to bring the molybdenum-based metal complex “spin-flip” emitter and the tetracene-based materials together in a solid state to enable efficient energy transfer and eventual integration into working solar cells.
Electrons can jump across solar materials in approximately 18 femtoseconds, less than 20 quadrillionths of a second, according to researchers from the University of Cambridge’s St John’s College. The researchers claim that this speed of movement is almost the fastest possible in nature, with charge separation observed within a single molecular vibration.
This March, scientists at the University of California in the U.S. developed a molecular system that can capture, store, and release solar energy without relying on conventional batteries or grid infrastructure, addressing a key limitation in renewable energy deployment.
Parth Shukla
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In its first monthly column for pv magazine, experts from UK-based consultancy Ricardo, part of the WSP Group, explains how UK will soon allow low-cost plug-in solar panels under 800 W to be installed without a qualified electrician, making home solar more affordable and accessible. These portable systems, expected on sale by summer 2026, could significantly boost household solar adoption while complementing the country’s wider renewable energy growth.
Image: Rudy21/ Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0
Low-cost plug-in solar panels will soon be legal in the UK, as the government moves to widen access to renewable energy. Systems under 800 W will no longer need to be installed by a qualified electrician, easing regulatory barriers for households.
The government is reportedly in discussions with retailers including Lidl and Amazon and legal sales of plug-in solar panels are expected to begin in summer 2026.
Home solar has grown rapidly in the UK. Government data show that 2.2 GW of solar capacity was installed in the 12 months to February 2025, including 233,000 new sub‑10 kW systems. There are currently 1.9 million sub‑10 kW systems in operation, with domestic solar of all sizes accounting for 6.5 GW of the UK’s 22 GW total solar capacity.
Traditional home solar systems must be installed by a qualified electrician. The UK’s Energy Savings Trust estimates a typical 3.7 kW system costs around £6,300 ($8,443) to install in London, and could save the household around £560 per year, offering an 11-year payback. This is unaffordable and unattractive for many people. By contrast, an 800 W plug-in solar system costs around €280 in Germany. Prices in the UK are currently around £400 but there are suggestions that a more mainstream offer could see prices fall below this. Such systems could provide a payback in under 4 years.
The new systems are fully portable, making them suitable for renters and homeowners who move frequently. They can be installed on balconies, leaned against walls, or placed on garden sheds.
The affordability and accessibility of plug-in solar could make it an impulse purchase for the first time. Coupled with rising energy costs and climate concerns, market conditions are favorable. With effective marketing and attractive pricing, annual sales could reach up to 450,000 units – three times the current rate of traditional home solar installations – mirroring uptake rates in Germany. This would add up to 360 MW of new solar capacity per year.
Plug-in systems under 800 W can be plugged directly into a standard household socket, powering any appliance in the home. Surplus electricity is exported to the grid.
It remains unclear how energy suppliers will treat exports when wholesale electricity prices are negative. Modelling by the Electricity Market Outlook, using the price-induced market equilibrium system – internal energy market (PRIMES-IEM) model, projects that up to 25 % of UK solar generation could occur during negative-priced periods by 2030. This is caused by the midday peak in solar generation, combined with high wind generation, pushing prices down.
If consumers must pay to export power during these periods, the financial benefits of plug-in solar could be reduced, potentially limiting uptake. Pairing plug-in solar with battery energy storage systems (BESS) could mitigate this risk. Otherwise, a rapid increase in plug-in solar could depress grid prices further, creating challenges for both consumers and the wider system.
Plug-in solar promises to make renewable energy ownership more affordable and accessible across the UK. With rapid growth in offshore wind, solar, and battery storage, the UK may now be ready to accelerate adoption of small-scale home solar.
Ricardo is a member of professional service firm WSP Group, uniting engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. ​ ​From local beginnings to a globe-spanning presence today, it operates in over 50 countries and provides solutions and delivers innovative projects across sectors: Transport & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Water, Power & Energy and Mining & Metals.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
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A new UNSW study shows that laser-enhanced contact optimization (LECO) can boost industrial TOPCon solar cell efficiency by improving contact properties and reducing recombination losses. By combining optimized firing conditions with LECO “repair” of contacts, the approach balances recombination and resistance, offering a practical path for conventional TOPCon cells to compete with PV technologies offering higher efficiencies.
A solar cell fabricated at UNSW in Australia
Image: University of New South Wales
A new study by researchers from University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Chinese solar cell specialist Laplace suggests that laser-enhanced contact optimization (LECO) could unlock further efficiency gains in industrial TOPCon solar cells, potentially pushing performance past 26% through improved contact engineering.
The LECO process consists of using a highly intense laser pulse on the front side of the solar cell at a constant reverse voltage of more than 10 V, with the resulting current flow of several amperes considerably reducing the contact resistivity between semiconductor and metal electrode.
The researchers combined numerical simulation and process modeling to better understand how LECO reduces recombination losses at the metal-emitter interface, which is considered a long-standing bottleneck for high-efficiency n-type TOPCon devices. “Our work provides a detailed, physics-based understanding of how LECO improves contact passivation and reduces recombination losses in industrial TOPCon solar cells,” corresponding author Bram Hoex told pv magazine.
“It also provides a clear physical explanation for the performance gains observed with LECO in industrial applications,” he went on to say. “It highlights that contact geometry, beyond just materials or firing conditions, is a critical lever for optimizing next-generation TOPCon cells. Furthermore, it offers practical guidance on how to balance recombination and resistive losses through coordinated process and design optimization. Ultimately, it establishes a viable pathway for conventional TOPCon cells to narrow the performance gap with more advanced architectures.”
The researchers found that lowering the peak firing temperature during metallization plays a key role in reducing recombination. Rather than altering the boron doping profile, which remains largely unchanged during firing, lower temperatures lead to non-uniform, partial metal contacts.
This partial contact formation reduces the effective recombination current density, as less of the emitter surface is in direct contact with metal. “The suppression mechanism is not driven by dopant redistribution, but by changes in contact morphology,” the authors of the study explained.
While partial contacts help reduce recombination, they typically increase contact resistance, which is a trade-off that can hurt overall performance. This is where LECO comes in. The laser-based process locally improves poorly formed contacts, enabling low-resistance silver–silicon interfaces without requiring high-temperature firing.
According to the reseaerch team, LECO effectively “repairs” underfired regions while preserving the benefits of reduced recombination.
Using a simulated industrial TOPCon cell with a baseline efficiency of 25.5%, the team demonstrated that combining optimized firing conditions to reduce contact fraction and selective emitter doping to lower intrinsic recombination could increase efficiency to 26.07%.
A key parameter is the partial metal contact ratio, which is the fraction of a solar cell’s emitter surface that is actually in direct physical contact with the metal electrode, rather than being separated by a passivating layer. In the baseline device, this value was around 37%. The study suggests it could be reduced to nearly 1% with optimized processing, without significantly increasing contact resistivity.
The authors concluded that LECO-enabled optimization provides “a viable path” to extend the lifetime of mainstream TOPCon technology in the rapidly evolving solar market and compete with heterojunction (HJT) and back-contact (BC) PV technologies.
 
 

In an industry where even a small fraction of a percentage impacts efficiency, it is critical to ensure that all cables used in solar energy applications are UV-resistant, halogen-free, and flame-retardant. This creates a strategic opportunity for domestic manufacturers with vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, sophisticated quality control programs, and a commitment to sustainability.
Anurag Agarwal, CEO Global Exports & New Businesses, Polycab India
Polycab India
India is making rapid strides towards a greener future, setting long-term climate objectives of net-zero emissions by 2070 and leading the global clean energy movement by 2047. In fact, the country aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with nearly 300 GW of solar contributing to this figure.  
As we move decisively toward our long-term climate goals and build hundreds of gigawatts of renewable capacity, the focus must shift from headline installations to system reliability. In that transition, cabling is not an accessory; it is core infrastructure. 
Whether utility-scale solar farms or rooftop solar arrays, all solar systems depend on power wiring and cabling to achieve their designed performance levels. To provide the necessary performance in PV environments, cabling must meet stringent requirements, including exposure to prolonged periods of UV and thermal cycling, mechanical shocks caused by the PV modules, and many sources of contaminants found in the environment. In addition, the use of bifacial modules, tracking systems and higher voltage installations (1500 V DC) necessitates that the cabling systems also provide higher levels of conductivity, reduced energy loss, and superior tensile strength. 
According to industry forecasts, to achieve a total installed solar capacity of 300 GW by 2030, the country will need at least 25 GW of capacity each year, as well as an increase in the quantity and quality of balance of system (BOS) components. However, this high growth rate poses significant challenges for the solar industry. Supply chain disruptions, constraints on raw materials (particularly copper and polymers), and unreliable imports of components all threaten to adversely impact the timely delivery of solar projects. Additionally, the use of low-quality cabling systems negatively affects solar energy system performance, creates excessive energy losses, and increases both maintenance costs and overall system life cycle costs.  
In an industry where even a small fraction of percentage impacts efficiency, it is critical to ensure that all cables used in solar energy applications are UV-resistant, halogen-free, and flame-retardant. This creates a strategic opportunity for domestic manufacturers with vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, sophisticated quality control programs, and a commitment to sustainability.  
By leveraging their in-house capabilities of drawing copper, developing and compounding sophisticated polymers, and utilising advanced automated extrusion processes, these manufacturers provide consistently high-quality conductors with the appropriate mechanical properties, dimensional uniformity, dielectric strength, and thermal performance, all of which are essential to the successful operation of solar energy systems in challenging environments. In addition, these companies are certified to use IEC 62930/01, IS:694, and other standards specifically developed for the solar cable industry, which further establishes performance reliability for large-scale applications. 
From a growth standpoint, strategically growing manufacturing capabilities, optimisation of supply chain management and investment into research and development for next-generation cabling products will support India’s national objectives. Enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity will not only decrease dependency on imports but also solidify India’s global solar supply chain position. High-performance cabling systems will lead to lower balance of systems costs, greater system uptime, and longer useful life of assets, all critical components of a sustainable energy transition.  
As India’s electrification story intersects with the growth in the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and other distributed energy resources (DERs), the need for high-quality cables will continue to increase. The solar-EV synergy, which involves putting rooftop solar energy onto smart charging infrastructures, will require cable types that allow for bidirectional power flow, microinverter compatibility, and fast charging circuit capabilities, without compromising safety levels.  
Globally, energy transitions succeed not on ambition alone, but on execution discipline. India’s solar story will be no different. If we want assets that perform for 25 years, we must build them with the same long-term mindset—where trust, durability, and engineering depth take precedence over short-term cost. 
 
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
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Solar Roadways Introduces SR5, Deploys at Military Base, and Completes Seventh Government Grant as Investment Opportunity Opens to Fund Path to Mass Manufacturing  StreetInsider
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Orders worth ₹25.77 billion will be executed across by FY 2028
April 9, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
Hyderabad-based Premier Energies has secured orders to supply 1,600 MW of solar cells and modules, worth ₹25.77 billion (~$278.8 million) in the fourth quarter of the financial year (FY) 2026.
The company said the contracts were awarded by a mix of domestic independent power producers, module manufacturers, and EPC contractors.
The order inflow comes as the company continues to scale its manufacturing base, with its solar cell capacity expected to reach 10.6 GW by September 2026 and module manufacturing capacity already expanded to 11.1 GW.
Premier Energies has commissioned a 1.4 GW TOPCon module manufacturing line and has set a target to achieve 10 GW of integrated capacity across ingots, wafers, cells, and modules by the financial year (FY) 2028. In addition to its core solar manufacturing business, the company is entering adjacent segments.
It plans to roll out 12 GWh of battery energy storage system capacity starting FY 2026, with an investment of about ₹6,000 million by FY 2027. It is also setting up 3 GW of solar inverter manufacturing capacity with an investment of ₹1.5 billion (~$16.23 million) to 2 billion (~$21.63 million).
The company’s medium-term strategy includes expanding capacity, improving automation and efficiency, strengthening technology capabilities, and enhancing export competitiveness.
Recently, Premier Energies commissioned a 5.6 GW G12 R TOPCon solar module manufacturing facility in Seetharampur, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. Premier said the facility can manufacture four G12R TOPCon modules every 16 seconds.
The company reported a revenue of ₹19.36 billion (~$211.4 million) in the third quarter of the financial year 2026, a 13% year-over-year increase from ₹17.13 billion (~$187.1 million).
In the same month, Premier Energies announced the commissioning of a 400 MW Mono PERC cell manufacturing facility at Maheshwaram, Telangana, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Energies Photovoltaic.
Meghana Prasad
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