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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Dust-Repellent Glass Coatings market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The World Dust-Repellent Glass Coatings market is entering a phase of accelerated expansion, with demand projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5-11.5% between 2026 and 2035. This outlook is anchored in three structural demand pillars: the rapid build-out of utility-scale solar photovoltaic capacity in high-dust regions, where soiling can cut panel efficiency by 20-40% annually; tightening maintenance budgets and hygiene standards in commercial real estate and food processing; and the shift toward water-based, high-solids formulations as VOC regulations tighten across North America, Europe, and China.
The solar energy segment alone is estimated to account for 40-50% of coating formulation volume in 2026, making it the single most important demand engine. Premium specialty formulations validated for regulated environments command price premiums of 300-400% over standard architectural grades and are forecast to capture over half of market value by the early 2030s. At the same time, qualification barriers, raw material cost volatility, and counterfeit products in price-sensitive markets remain material restraints. This report provides a data-driven view of market size, segmentation, supply chain dynamics, pricing logic, and competitive positioning through 2035.
The baseline scenario for the World Dust-Repellent Glass Coatings market assumes continued expansion at an 8.5-11.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2035, with the market index rising from 100 in 2025 to approximately 245 by 2035. This trajectory is supported by sustained solar PV installations, particularly in the Middle East, India, Australia, and the southwestern United States, where dust soiling is a chronic operational challenge. Commercial building maintenance requirements, including facade and window coating reapplication cycles, provide a steady replacement demand base.
The food and feed processing sector is expected to emerge as a structurally important niche, as coatings function as a validated processing aid to reduce airborne particulate contamination and lower wet-cleaning frequency. On the supply side, formulators are shifting decisively from solvent-based to water-based and high-solids systems, compressing solvent content by an estimated 30-50% over the forecast horizon. Procurement is consolidating around lifecycle performance contracts that bundle coating application with guaranteed durability windows, particularly for large-scale solar farm operators and commercial real estate portfolios.
Standard-grade products will face margin pressure from raw material volatility, while premium specialty formulations should sustain pricing power. Geographically, Asia-Pacific will remain the largest and fastest-growing region, followed by North America and Europe, with Latin America and the Middle East & Africa offering incremental growth opportunities.
Solar photovoltaic glass is the dominant end-use sector for dust-repellent coatings, accounting for an estimated 40-50% of coating formulation volume in 2026. The mechanism is straightforward: dust accumulation on solar panels reduces light transmission and can cut panel efficiency by 20-40% annually in high-dust regions such as the Middle East, India, Australia, and the southwestern United States. As solar farms scale up, manual and robotic cleaning becomes increasingly costly and water-intensive, making anti-soiling coatings an economically compelling alternative. Through 2035, demand will be driven by the sheer volume of new solar installations, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where soiling losses are most acute.
Demand-side indicators to watch include solar PV capacity additions, water availability for cleaning, and the levelized cost of energy calculations that factor in soiling losses. The trend toward bifacial modules and larger panel formats will further increase the surface area requiring protection, amplifying coating demand. Current trend: Rapid growth driven by utility-scale solar expansion in high-dust regions.
Major trends: Shift toward anti-soiling coatings as a standard specification for utility-scale solar farms in high-dust regions, Growing adoption of robotic cleaning combined with coatings to reduce water usage, Development of hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings that repel both dust and organic contaminants, Increasing focus on durability and reapplication cycles to match 25-year panel warranties, and Rising demand for transparent coatings that do not compromise light transmission.
Representative participants: PPG Industries, Sherwin-Williams, AkzoNobel, 3M, and Arkema.
Architectural and commercial building glass represents a mature but steady demand segment for dust-repellent coatings. The primary mechanism is maintenance cost reduction: coated glass surfaces require less frequent cleaning, lowering labor and water costs for building operators. In urban environments with high particulate pollution, uncoated glass can lose transparency within weeks, creating aesthetic and operational issues. Through 2035, demand will be supported by new commercial construction in emerging markets and retrofit activity in developed regions. Demand-side indicators include commercial real estate investment, building maintenance budgets, and green building certification requirements that favor easy-to-clean surfaces.
The trend toward lifecycle performance contracts, where coating application is bundled with guaranteed durability windows, is expected to gain traction, particularly for large commercial portfolios. However, competition from alternative surface treatments and the perception of coatings as a discretionary expense may temper growth in price-sensitive markets. Current trend: Steady replacement demand and new construction in urban centers.
Major trends: Growing adoption of lifecycle performance contracts for large commercial real estate portfolios, Increasing use of water-based and high-solids formulations to meet VOC regulations, Rising demand for self-cleaning and easy-to-clean glass in green building projects, Development of coatings that combine dust repellency with anti-reflective or low-E properties, and Expansion of retrofit and renovation activity in mature markets.
Representative participants: Saint-Gobain, Nippon Sheet Glass, AGC Inc, PPG Industries, and Sherwin-Williams.
The food and feed processing sector is emerging as a structurally important niche for dust-repellent glass coatings. The mechanism is contamination control: in processing environments, airborne particulate matter can settle on glass surfaces, compromising hygiene and requiring frequent wet cleaning. Coatings function as a validated processing aid to reduce airborne particulate contamination, lower wet-cleaning frequency, and ensure compliance with stringent hygiene audits. Through 2035, demand will be driven by tightening food safety regulations, particularly in North America and Europe, and the expansion of food processing capacity in emerging markets.
Demand-side indicators include food safety audit scores, cleaning frequency requirements, and the adoption of HACCP and ISO 22000 standards. Premium specialty formulations validated for food-contact compliance command price premiums of 300-400% over standard architectural grades, making this a high-value segment. However, qualification barriers are steep, with certification cycles extending 12-24 months. Current trend: Emerging niche with strong growth potential driven by hygiene standards.
Major trends: Increasing adoption of validated coatings as processing aids to reduce contamination, Tightening food safety regulations driving demand for compliant formulations, Shift toward water-based coatings to avoid solvent residues in food environments, Growing focus on reducing water usage in cleaning processes, and Expansion of food processing capacity in emerging markets.
Representative participants: BASF, Evonik Industries, Momentive Performance Materials, 3M, and AkzoNobel.
Optical and electronic glass applications represent a high-value niche for dust-repellent coatings, where contamination can affect yield and performance. The mechanism is precision protection: in optical devices, displays, and electronic components, even microscopic dust particles can cause defects or reduce performance. High-purity coatings are required to avoid introducing contaminants that could interfere with optical or electrical properties. Through 2035, demand will be driven by the expansion of consumer electronics, automotive displays, and optical instrumentation. Demand-side indicators include production volumes of displays, sensors, and optical devices, as well as yield rates in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
The trend toward smaller, more powerful devices with higher resolution displays will increase the need for dust-repellent coatings that do not compromise optical clarity. However, this segment requires significant R&D investment and stringent quality control, limiting the number of qualified suppliers. Current trend: High-value niche with growing demand for high-purity coatings.
Major trends: Growing demand for high-purity coatings in display and sensor manufacturing, Increasing adoption of dust-repellent coatings in automotive displays and cameras, Development of coatings that combine dust repellency with anti-fingerprint and anti-reflective properties, Rising quality standards in electronics manufacturing driving demand for contamination control, and Expansion of optical instrumentation in healthcare and industrial applications.
Representative participants: 3M, Evonik Industries, Momentive Performance Materials, Arkema, and BASF.
Industrial processing and formulation represents a smaller but stable end-use sector for dust-repellent glass coatings. The mechanism is process optimization: in industrial settings, dust accumulation on glass surfaces can interfere with inspection, monitoring, and quality control processes. Coatings are used to maintain visibility and reduce maintenance downtime. Additionally, dust-repellent coatings are used as formulation and compounding ingredients in the production of glass treatment products. Through 2035, demand will be driven by industrial expansion in emerging markets and the need for reliable, low-maintenance glass surfaces in manufacturing environments.
Demand-side indicators include industrial production indices, manufacturing output, and investment in process automation. The trend toward higher levels of automation and remote monitoring will increase the importance of maintaining clear glass surfaces for sensors and cameras. However, this segment is relatively price-sensitive, and growth may be constrained by competition from alternative solutions. Current trend: Stable demand from industrial processing and compounding applications.
Major trends: Growing use of dust-repellent coatings in industrial inspection and monitoring systems, Increasing demand for coatings as formulation and compounding ingredients, Shift toward water-based and high-solids formulations in industrial applications, Rising focus on reducing maintenance downtime in manufacturing, and Expansion of industrial capacity in emerging markets.
Representative participants: RPM International, AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, Sherwin-Williams, and BASF.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Asia-Pacific dominates the global market, driven by massive solar PV installations in India, China, and Australia, as well as expanding commercial construction and food processing sectors. The region is also the largest producer of coatings, with a strong presence of both local and international manufacturers. Growth will be supported by urbanization, industrialization, and tightening environmental regulations. Direction: Growing.
North America is a mature but growing market, with demand driven by utility-scale solar farms in the southwestern United States, commercial building maintenance, and stringent food safety regulations. The region is a leader in the adoption of water-based and high-solids formulations, and is home to several major coating manufacturers. Growth will be supported by renewable energy targets and green building initiatives. Direction: Growing.
Europe represents a significant market, with demand driven by solar PV expansion in southern Europe, commercial building renovation, and strict VOC regulations. The region has a strong focus on sustainability and lifecycle performance, which favors the adoption of durable, water-based coatings. Growth will be supported by EU renewable energy targets and circular economy initiatives. Direction: Growing.
Latin America is an emerging market, with demand driven by solar PV projects in Chile, Brazil, and Mexico, as well as commercial construction and food processing. The region faces challenges related to economic volatility and limited awareness of advanced coating technologies, but offers significant growth potential as solar capacity expands and hygiene standards improve. Direction: Growing.
The Middle East & Africa region is a high-potential market, driven by massive solar PV installations in the Gulf region and North Africa, where dust soiling is a chronic challenge. Demand is also supported by commercial construction and food processing. The region faces challenges related to water scarcity and extreme heat, which increase the value proposition of dust-repellent coatings. Direction: Growing.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 10.0% compound annual growth rate for the global dust-repellent glass coatings market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 245 by 2035 (2025=100).
Note: indexed curves are used to compare medium-term scenario trajectories when full absolute volumes are not publicly disclosed.
For full methodological details and benchmark tables, see the latest IndexBox Dust-Repellent Glass Coatings market report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Dust-Repellent Glass Coatings market in the world, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
The study is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, investors, procurement teams, advisors, and strategy teams that need a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers the global market for dust-repellent glass coatings, including functional grades, high-purity grades, and specialty formulations used to impart anti-static and easy-to-clean properties to glass surfaces.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
The market is segmented into decision-relevant buckets so that demand drivers, pricing logic, supply constraints, and competitive positions can be compared across the same analytical frame.
The report classifies dust-repellent glass coatings by product type (functional, high-purity, specialty), by application (glass coatings, industrial processing, formulation and compounding, specialty end-use), and by value chain segment (feedstock sourcing, processing and formulation, quality control and certification, distributors and end-use manufacturers).
Coverage includes global totals, major demand markets, production and sourcing hubs, leading exporters and importers, and country profiles for the top national markets.
The report combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, product-level evidence, and analyst validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to keep market sizing, trade flows, pricing, and forecasts comparable across countries and time periods.
All indicators are mapped to a consistent product definition and reviewed against the segmentation framework used in the Table of Contents.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint, Trade and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
Where Growth and Supply Concentrate
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
Detailed View of the Most Important National Markets
How the Report Was Built
Offers dust-repellent and hydrophobic glass coatings
Specializes in anti-dust and easy-clean glass coatings
Produces dust-repellent coatings for automotive and architectural glass
Offers hydrophobic and anti-dust glass coating solutions
Develops dust-repellent additives for glass coatings
Markets anti-dust glass coatings for automotive and electronics
Provides dust-repellent glass coating products
Subsidiaries produce anti-dust glass coatings
Offers dust-repellent coatings for glass substrates
Develops anti-dust glass coatings for transportation
Produces dust-repellent glass coatings for industrial use
Offers hydrophobic and anti-dust glass coating solutions
Provides dust-repellent coatings for architectural glass
Specializes in anti-dust and easy-clean glass treatments
Supplies raw materials for dust-repellent glass coatings
Develops nano-coatings with dust-repellent properties
Produces hydrophobic and anti-dust glass coatings
Offers dust-repellent glass coatings for optics and electronics
Applies anti-dust coatings to glass and electronics
Specializes in dust-repellent and oleophobic glass coatings
Provides anti-dust coatings for glass and display screens
Develops in-house dust-repellent glass coatings
Offers anti-dust coated glass for architectural applications
Produces dust-repellent glass for commercial buildings
Markets easy-clean and anti-dust glass coatings
Supplies raw materials for dust-repellent glass coatings
Specializes in anti-dust and self-cleaning glass coatings
Offers dust-repellent coatings for glass and optics
Provides nano-coatings for glass displays
Develops dust-repellent coatings for scientific and industrial glass
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Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC) has commissioned a new rooftop solar system atop the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) at Albert Park with the 1.3 MW array now supplying about a quarter of the venue’s electricity needs.
The system, owned and operated by the SEC under an agreement with the State Sport Centres Trust, which manages and operates MSAC, is expected to generate more than 1 GWh of renewable electricity annually.
Under the arrangement, the SEC sells the electricity generated by the rooftop system directly to MSAC at a lower cost than electricity purchased from the grid. The deal is expected to save MSAC about $80,000 a year on its electricity costs.
SEC General Manager Customer Suzanne Retschko said the project provides MSAC with access to renewable energy without it having to fund the significant upfront cost of installing its own solar infrastructure.
“MSAC will receive around 24% of their energy at a lower cost, avoiding upfront costs and a range of network charges,” she said.
State Sport Centres Trust Chief Executive Officer Kate Roffey said the new solar array will power everything from the MSAC’s spa, sauna and wave pool to the scoreboards across its 10 indoor basketball courts.
“Installing solar is not only critical in helping keep our fees and charges affordable for the millions of Victorians who access our Victorian State Sport Centres every day of the year, it’s an important part of our commitment to the long-term sustainability of our venues,” she said.
“Our partnership with SEC has allowed us to invest in solar to power MSAC without having to outlay the large-scale up-front capital investment usually required.”
The State Sport Centres Trust is among the Victorian government customers supplied by the SEC, which retails 100% renewable electricity to more than 4,400 government sites and operations following its entry into the market a year ago..
“SEC is excited to work with more Victorian businesses to deliver behind-the-meter solar and battery projects to enable them to take better control of their energy consumption,” Retschko said.
SEC is planning to deliver 4.5 GW in new renewable energy generation and storage by 2035, with more than 1 GW of committed projects to date. This includes the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, and the solar-battery hybrid SEC Renewable Energy Park.
It has also partnered with Aware Super and Melbourne-headquartered renewables investor Birdwood Energy to deliver the 400 MW / 1.86 GWh Baranduda battery project and will team with Italian battery developer Energy Dome to deploy a 10-hour duration compressed carbon dioxide battery energy storage system near Morwell in the Latrobe Valley.
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On a hot July afternoon this year, electricity generated from renewable energy briefly met over half of India's peak power demand – only the second time this happened. The first instance was around the same period a year ago.
While it was only briefly that power generated from solar, wind, hydro and nuclear sources collectively outstripped coal-based output, it was a milestone moment reflecting the astonishing growth of non-fossil fuels to the country's electricity mix over the last decade.
"It showed that renewable energy is no longer a marginal source sitting at the edge of the power system," Sumant Sinha, CEO of ReNew Power, one of India's largest Nasdaq-listed clean energy companies, told the BBC.
To be sure, coal-based power plants still continue to generate 70% of India's electricity on average because they run on a higher load factor, or for more hours than solar or wind. Yet, the country's push for clean energy appears to have reached a crucial inflection point.
A decade ago India's installed renewable energy capacity was barely 4GW. It now makes up 300GW or 54% of its total 552GW installed capacity – a target that's been achieved five years ahead of schedule.
For a nation long seen as the poster child for dirty coal dependence, this rapid transition points to a remarkable achievement in decarbonising its grid.
Yet, the gains are tempered by some serious challenges.
Foremost among them is a shortage of grid capacity. The renewables' build out has significantly outpaced transmission infrastructure, a point of major concern for policymakers.
"In the first quarter of 2026, transmission constraints accounted for nearly two-thirds of all renewable energy curtailment at 300 gigawatt-hours (GWh)," according to Ember, a global energy think-tank.
Put simply, that means a bulk of the clean energy that was produced in India was wasted because the country's transmission lines have been dogged by missed targets, with one out of four inter-state projects facing delays of over a year.
The difficulty lies in matching the speed of generation projects with the grid build-out, says Sinha.
"Generation projects can be constructed in 18-24 months… Transmission can take much longer because they involve right-of-way, land acquisition, approvals and coordination across many agencies. It is an execution issue that becomes more important as the system gets larger," he adds.
Vibhuti Garg of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis also blames "poor planning" for the problem.
The grid was able to absorb new capacity as long as India was generating 10-15GW annually, she told the BBC. But that pace has dramatically increased, reaching a record 51GW last year, and the infrastructure is no longer able to cope.
The concentration of renewables projects in the north-western states of Gujarat and Rajasthan has also compounded the challenge of evacuating power in the face of such grid shortages.
Analysts at Ember now believe this growing mismatch between fast-moving generation projects and slower-moving transmission infrastructure, is the "most critical operational risk to the country's 2030 target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil electricity".
A quick solution to addressing this gap would have been to build battery storage systems at renewable pooling stations to integrate the power into the grid.
"Had that been the case, India could have stored the energy and used it during evening hours rather than wasting it," says Garg.
But storage capacity has not grown because of a huge jump in the price of batteries, raw material shortages due to the war in the Middle East and a fall in the value of the Indian currency which has jacked up financing costs for Indian companies.
"Many storage projects that were meant to come up fell through as a result," Garg adds.
Yet, finance isn't a constraint merely for storage projects but an industry wide problem.
While ample global capital is available for green transition across the developed world, getting access to it remains a persistent struggle for Indian clean energy companies, despite the strides that the country has made in its renewables commitments.
Estimates suggest the country will require $400-$500bn to meet its 500GW renewables target by 2030. But currently, around 83% of India's finance for climate mitigation is sourced domestically, according to the government's economic survey. While the Paris Agreement clearly mandated developed countries to provide financial resources to the tune of $100bn annually up to 2025 to developing countries for their climate action, that money has been hard to get.
"Emerging and developing economies outside China receive only around 15% of global clean-energy investment, despite accounting for roughly two-thirds of the world's population," says Sinha.
According to him, while India does not necessarily need developed countries to finance its entire transition, help is needed in the form of cheaper loans, guarantees and protection against currency losses so that private investors are encouraged to put in more money into the space.
Plugging these critical gaps in finance, transmission infrastructure and storage will be critical given this transition is under way at a pivotal moment, say experts.
India is the world's third largest emitter of greenhouse gases and facing a sharp rise in electricity demand, which has grown at a compounded rate of over 7% every year. It is expected to further accelerate with the expansion of industries like data centres and chip manufacturing.
The International Energy Agency predicts India's electricity demand will increase by 80% by 2035, the sharpest jump among emerging economies. It also credits the country's robust expansion of its renewables as a major contributor for slowing emissions in the developed world this year, even as energy related CO2 emissions rose more strongly in advanced economies for the first time since the 1990s.
How successful India is in achieving its targets on time will thus have an outsized impact on the world's ability to meet its climate goals.
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
Three churches and three luxury hotels were targeted in the 2019 attacks which killed 270.
Co-ordinated suicide attacks killed 270 people across several churches and hotels in Colombo in 2019.
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
An inquiry into Environmena's proposal to build on land in Marr will take place in November.
The typhoon is passing Japan's eastern coast, bringing major disruption and heavy rainfall in its wake.
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PureSky Energy’s 1.98 MW Community Solar Project Begins Operations In Illinois  solarquarter.com
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The cause of the massive June fire at a Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse remains officially undetermined, but investigators found that the blaze originated on the roof at or near a section of solar panels where an electrical event occurred, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced today.
The department’s Arson Counter-Terrorism Section completed its investigation into the June 17 fire at the Lineage Logistics facility at 1400 S. Los Palos St., LAFD officials said.
Investigators determined the fire originated on the roof, “at or adjacent to a section of solar panels,” according to the department.
“Based on the evidence examined, investigators determined that an electrical event occurred within the area of origin,” the LAFD said. “However, since the specific cause of that electrical event could not be conclusively established, the incident remains classified as having an undetermined cause.”
The finding comes amid litigation over responsibility for the blaze, which heavily damaged the cold-storage facility and led to a cleanup operation stretching more than two months as millions of pounds of food inside the warehouse rotted.
Lineage sued Altus Power Inc., owner of the solar array on the building’s roof, and contractor Pearce Services earlier this month, alleging they were responsible for starting the fire.
Lineage has contended since shortly after the blaze that it was sparked on the roof by a contractor working on the solar panels. In its lawsuit, the company alleges Altus and Pearce prematurely re-energized the solar array before critical safety checks had been completed.
A representative of Los Palos Street Operating, an Altus subsidiary, has disputed Lineage’s allegations and said the company would contest the claims in court.
The LAFD’s completed investigation does not identify a specific party as responsible for the electrical event or establish its specific cause.
The fire ultimately destroyed much of the massive facility, leaving frozen goods inside to rot. The resulting odors and an influx of rodents and insects prompted complaints from residents in surrounding communities and multiple fines against Lineage.
Lineage completed the removal and cleanup of more than 89 million pounds of food waste earlier this month. Company officials estimated the remediation and cleanup cost roughly $100 million.
The Los Angeles City Council last week voted to withhold reconstruction permits for the warehouse and advanced measures intended to assist residents and strengthen regulations governing large cold-storage facilities near residential neighborhoods and other sensitive sites.
“The Department’s thoughts remain with all those impacted by this deeply tragic incident,” Arson and Fire Investigation Chief Thomas Raymond said Tuesday.
The complete investigation report will be made available under applicable city policies and public-records requirements, according to the LAFD.
Copyright 2026 Daily News. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.

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SSEC in Vicenza: spotlight on renewablesOn September 22 and 23, 2026, the Vicenza Expo Centre hosts SSEC – Storage & Solar Expo Conference, a new B2B fair focused on photovolta…
By Redazione · September 22, 2026 · ≈ 1 min
On September 22 and 23, 2026, the Vicenza Expo Centre hosts SSEC – Storage & Solar Expo Conference, a new B2B fair focused on photovoltaics, energy storage and management strategies.
Organized by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group with support from Italia Solare and Meneghini&Associati, SSEC offers a compact, specialized format. Veneto ranks third in Italy for new photovoltaic capacity in H1 2026, underscoring the regional focus on renewables.
The event will showcase sector data and trends, including 306 MW of new photovoltaic capacity and 6,698 new storage systems installed in Veneto by June 2026.
Location: Via Oreficeria, 20, 36100 Vicenza VI, Italia
Coordinates: 45.5274353, 11.5057353
Open in Google Maps
Rivista online registrata al Tribunale di Napoli n. 43 del 23/03/2022
Direttore: Lorenzo Crea
Editore: Visio Adv di Alessandro Scarfiglieri
Insight italia srl (concessionario esclusivo)
Rivista online registrata al Tribunale di Napoli n. 43 del 23/03/2022
Direttore: Lorenzo Crea
Editore: Visio Adv di Alessandro Scarfiglieri
Insight italia srl (concessionario esclusivo)

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From the Journal: Journal of Applied Physics
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2026 — Commercial cameras can be powerful, producing images with exquisite details that mimic real life. In the lab, specially designed cameras can photograph objects in the infrared region, invisible to the naked eye.
In The Journal of Applied Physics, by AIP Publishing, researchers from the University of Stuttgart, the Research Center Jülich, and the German company Solarzentrum Stuttgart modified a commercially available camera for something usually done in the lab: measuring the electroluminescence of solar cells.
Electroluminescent quantum efficiency is commonly used to determine the efficiency of solar cells. The value is directly related to the cell’s voltage, and, generally speaking, the higher the luminescent quantum efficiency, the better the solar cell. It’s also normal to measure this value with a camera — albeit an expensive, industrial camera that must be carefully calibrated.
“Our approach shows that even a relatively inexpensive consumer camera can provide quantitative results when its physical response is properly modeled and calibrated,” said author Jürgen Werner.
The camera they used was already primed for their experiment since it lacked an internal infrared-blocking film, something that is normally present in most commercial cameras. These modified cameras can also be used for artistic infrared photography or photos of the night sky.
The researchers added a long-pass filter in front of the camera lens to decrease visible background light, providing an infrared electroluminescence image that could later be analyzed based on brightness.
“An electroluminescence image contains much more quantitative information than simply showing bright and dark regions,” said Werner. “With a suitable physical camera model and calibration, it can provide absolute luminescent quantum efficiency and, therefore, information about the local quality of a solar cell or module.”
The researchers plan to expand the camera’s capabilities in future work, keeping an emphasis on using commercially available technology.
“Our next step is to use the calibrated camera to determine quantum efficiencies and open-circuit voltages of further, previously uncharacterized solar cells and modules,” Werner said. “The same model should also be applicable to photoluminescence measurements and potentially to measurements performed in daylight.”
The article “New camera model for absolute quantum efficiency measurements from electroluminescence of solar cells or modules” is authored by Jürgen H. Werner, Georgette Udo, and Liviu Stoicescu. It will appear in The Journal of Applied Physics on Sept. 22, 2026 (DOI: 10.1063/5.0349589). After that date, it can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.10.1063/5.0349589.
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New camera model for absolute quantum efficiency measurements from electroluminescence of solar cells or modules
Jürgen H. Werner, Georgette Udo, and Liviu Stoicescu
University of Stuttgart, Forschungszentrum Julich, Solarzentrum Stuttgart
http://jap.aip.org/
1305 Walt Whitman Road,
Suite 110
Melville, NY 11747
(516) 576-2200

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Solar is the go-to for remote power  The Australian
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Treasure Global Subsidiary Tadaa Enters AI Technology Partnership for Proposed 360 MW Malaysia Solar Farm  Quiver Quantitative
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“I had no idea you could call up and ask.”
Photo Credit: iStock
When searching for a new home, house hunters often focus on expenses like mortgage rates, taxes, and insurance. However, one often-overlooked part of pricing out a new home is utility costs. 
One prospective buyer turned to the internet for advice on whether it would be inappropriate to ask the seller about their monthly energy bills. 
The conversation played out on Reddit’s r/RealEstate forum, where the prospective buyer asked whether it was normal for their agent to go through the seller’s agent to find out the home’s average utility bills. 
While commenters generally agreed it wouldn’t be unusual for a prospective buyer to request that information, some recommended a useful shortcut that might not require involving the seller at all.
“I’m able to call the utility directly and they just tell me,” said one Redditor.
Another agreed, adding, “You can do it yourself. Call up the utility company and they can provide a 12 month average for the potential home.”
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The idea that the utility company might provide the numbers directly seemed to surprise the OP, who replied: “Ok sounds good. I had no idea you could call up and ask!”
Other commenters said the question of utility costs comes up often, particularly in markets where cooling or heating expenses surge during certain months. 
One person called sharing utility expenses “pretty normal in Arizona where electric in the summer can be very high.”
Considering a prospective home’s utility history can be especially important in places with extreme weather, older housing stock, or wide price differences among local energy providers.
A Southern California commenter pointed out that the utility provider alone can make a major difference, noting that homes served by municipal companies may have much lower power costs than those relying on private utilities such as SCE and PG&E.
Posters also cautioned that historical averages have limits. Final costs depend on factors such as household size, thermostat settings, and how residents use the property.
Additionally, with energy costs skyrocketing in recent years, the old adage that “past performance does not guarantee future results” holds especially true. 
As the commenters suggested, a practical next step for a prospective homebuyer is to contact the local utility company to see whether they can share a 12-month pricing average or other information. 
Knowing a property’s average utility expenses can help prospective buyers compare home prices more accurately, giving a more complete picture than relying on a mortgage calculator alone.
Utility costs can also give potential buyers a sense of future expenses by indicating whether the home needs energy-saving upgrades such as better insulation or more-efficient appliances.
Commenters said sellers can also take steps to streamline the process.
One recent home seller described setting out a binder during a home sale that included “my last years worth of power, garbage, water bills” along with other information about the house.
These articles cover average electricity costs, power-bill concerns, green plans, and unexpected utility charges.
• A new national Electricity Price Hub reveals average bills for major utilities since 2020.
• More than half of Americans are concerned about paying power bills in 2025.
• In South Carolina, a solar homeowner showed exports in the app but still got a $150 bill.
• Some households can tap green power plans with solar and wind for nearly free electricity.
• In southeast Michigan, residents should expect higher utility bills after an approved rate increase.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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Waaree Energies Secures 2 GW Solar Module Supply Order From Leading Domestic Solar Developer  solarquarter.com
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The solar plant is fully operational and supplies electricity to more than 390,000 homes in Colombia.
Ashmore Colombia, a subsidiary of the UK-based Ashmore Group, and its shareholder Patria Investments have agreed to sell Parque Solar Puerta de Oro, a solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Colombia, to energy company ISAGEN.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
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The project, with an installed capacity of 360MW-peak (MWp)/300MW-alternating current, is located in Guaduas, Cundinamarca.
The solar PV plant, said to be the largest in the country, is fully operational and supplies electricity to more than 390,000 homes in Colombia.
The Puerta de Oro facility consists of around 511,000 PV modules across 530 hectares (ha). It is connected to the National Interconnected System through a 22.4km, 230kV transmission line.
The project aims to reduce Colombia’s carbon emissions by approximately 370,000t of carbon dioxide per year, supporting efforts to diversify the national energy mix with renewable sources.
Ashmore Colombia said the sale demonstrates its approach to investing in and managing infrastructure assets in the region and noted the ongoing collaboration with Patria Investments during the project’s development and operation.
Ashmore Colombia CEO Juan Pablo Fonseca led the sale process, supported by the portfolio management and investment teams.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval.
Fonseca said: “The sale of Puerta de Oro is a significant milestone for Ashmore Colombia and confirms the merit of our infrastructure investment approach in the country.
“Participating in the development of Colombia’s largest solar asset allowed us to build on our track record in large-scale renewable energy projects and strengthen our relationship with key partners such as Patria.
“Puerta de Oro has set the benchmark for the sector and is a concrete demonstration of our ability to structure, support and successfully execute complex infrastructure assets in Colombia. We will continue delivering on our long-term commitment to develop quality infrastructure in the country and to generate sustainable value for our investors.”
Ashmore Colombia was established in 2009 and operates in Colombia, Peru and certain central American markets.
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A green switch for festive lights  Deccan Herald
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Buying refurbished equipment can be a smart way to access expensive technology for far less money.
Photo Credit: iStock
A discounted backup battery can make it seem like the toughest part of the purchase is done. That was the excitement around one EcoFlow buyer’s refurbished Delta Pro Ultra 6kWh for about $3,700, until other users pointed out that solar gear and wiring could still complicate the bargain.
In a post on Reddit, the original poster introduced themselves with a simple “noob here” before writing, “Just ordered along with the 400w solar panel. Refurb from their eBay store front, with discounts total about $3700 which appears to be a big savings.”
Much of the discussion focused on the buyer’s question about distance and cabling. They asked whether multiple 10-foot solar extension cables could be connected and whether a compatible 50-foot option was available.
Users pushed back on stacking extensions, with one commenter writing, “Don’t link multiple extensions together!” and advising “proper solar wire as needed and proper crimp connectors.”
Commenters also emphasized that the panel setup has to stay within the battery’s electrical limits. One user pointed out that the Delta Pro Ultra uses two solar inputs that each accept different voltage ranges, then delivered the thread’s strongest warning: “Just DO NOT exceed the voltage, you can exceed the wattage input because the DPU will only pull what it can but voltage is pushed to it and will let out the magic smoke.”
The cost-saving suggestions went beyond cables. Another commenter said people who want to add more panels later may be better off avoiding the company’s own options and instead looking at Facebook Marketplace for used panels or at cheaper new rigid panels.
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Buying refurbished equipment can be a smart way to access expensive technology for far less money, especially when it comes from a manufacturer storefront.
It follows the same logic as thrifting for everyday necessities, from clothing to home goods, where shoppers can save money while sometimes stumbling across unusually valuable finds at steep discounts.
That secondhand mindset can be especially useful with clean-energy equipment. A backup battery paired with solar can help households keep the lights on during outages and reduce reliance on fuel-burning generators, but cables, connectors, and brand-name accessories can quickly drive up the total cost.
The exchange underscored that the advertised deal on the main unit may be only one part of what a first-time buyer ends up paying. In this case, commenters said the refurbished battery drove the biggest savings, while extensions and branded panels were more likely to raise costs.
Refurbished listings, open-box sales, and manufacturer resale channels can meaningfully lower the cost of entry, much like secondhand shopping does in other parts of life.
Mixing solar components requires care. Buyers should verify a battery’s input limits, compare panel voltage specs, and make sure wire runs are sized appropriately rather than assuming extra extensions will solve a distance problem. If there is any uncertainty, checking manufacturer documentation or speaking with a qualified installer is the safest move.
For anyone trying to stretch a household budget further, secondhand shopping can do more than reduce the cost of big-ticket gear.
These stories look at used solar bargains, common solar pitfalls, portable panel setups, and installation costs.
• On Facebook Marketplace, homeowners found that used is 1,000% the way to cut solar costs.
• Across the solar industry, the most common scams still threaten homeowners with huge losses.
• One homeowner used 900W of portable panels instead of paying for a bigger upgrade.
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India based Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), Central Public Sector Enterprise has published a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) on September 8, 2026, through its Additional General Manager (AGM), Project Management Consultancy (PMC). The tender invites bids for the implementation of 15 MWp of grid-connected solar power plants for government buildings in different states and union territories of India under the RESCO model. Bidders must quote a levelised electricity tariff in INR/kWh for a 25-year period. Interested bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 45,000 per MWp. Any bid not accompanied by acceptable bid security shall be rejected. Bidders must submit their bids through the government e-procurement portal by September 29, 2026, at 17:00 hrs. The techno-commercial bids are scheduled to open on September 30, 2026, at 17:00 hrs. 
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Solar farm fire in P.E.I. is out after batteries burned for two weeks: city officials  Yahoo! Finance Canada
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Solar farm fire in P.E.I. is out after batteries burned for two weeks: city officials  Toronto Star
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Desert tortoise cited as reason to kill proposed solar project northwest of Las Vegas  KLAS 8 News Now
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Zelestra has started construction of its 38.5MWdc Detershagen solar project in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
The company said Detershagen is its second project to enter construction in Germany, following the 27.5MWdc Klevenow solar plant, which was recently fully energised.
Zelestra added that the project was awarded through Germany’s EEG tenders and will comprise approximately 62,000 solar panels.
Detershagen is expected to generate around 40,200 MWh of clean energy annually and help avoid approximately 13,300 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
Construction is expected to support around 55 jobs, with full commercial operation anticipated by the second quarter of 2027.
The project is one of two further solar developments, alongside Zelestra’s first German BESS project, due to enter construction in the second half of 2026.
Zelestra recently closed a tolling agreement with Centrica enabling a 297 MWh BESS project in Lower Saxony.
The company has also secured a hybrid solar-plus-storage PPA with Salzgitter covering two projects in Brandenburg and Thuringia with a total capacity of 200MWdc of solar and 100MW/300 MWh of energy storage.
Zelestra’s German pipeline exceeds 2GW of solar, hybrid, BESS and wind projects.
“Momentum is building in Germany. With Klevenow now in operation and Detershagen entering construction, our projects are moving quickly from plans to delivery, and we are proving our execution capabilities,” said Zelestra chief executive Germany Mathias Kuenicke.
“Recent contract wins for new BESS and hybrid projects mean even bigger builds ahead, and our team is ready for the challenge.”

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Energies Media
A research farm in central Jutland, a little over 56 degrees north, flat fields under a pale sky.
Across one of them run rows of solar panels standing straight up, one face turned east and the other west.
Between the rows grow winter wheat and a mix of grass and clover, planted and harvested like any other field.
A short walk away stand a second set of panels, tilted toward the south in the ordinary way.
The upright rows left the crop alone.
The tilted rows did not.
A panel tilted south is built to intercept as much sun as possible, and the light it catches is light the ground below never gets.
At a northern latitude the sun sits low for much of the year. A tilted row therefore throws a long shadow to its north, and that shadow lands on the same strip of ground hour after hour.
A vertical row behaves differently. Facing east and west, it presents only its thin edge to the midday sun, so the strongest light of the day passes straight down into the crop.
Its shadow moves instead. In the morning it falls to the west, in the afternoon to the east, and around noon it almost disappears, so no single strip stays dark for long.
Plants care about total light over the season, not about any one hour. Moving shade spreads the loss thinly, while fixed shade concentrates it.
Tilted panels park a shadow. Upright panels sweep one.
Over the 2023 growing season the researchers compared crops between the vertical rows, crops beside the tilted rows and an open reference field nearby.
Between the upright panels there was no significant difference in yield from the open field, either for winter wheat or for the grass clover mix. Wheat came in at roughly 63 bushels an acre.
Beside the south tilted panels the picture changed for the grass clover. Its August cut was significantly lower, which is the harvest that falls when the sun is already sinking and the shadows have lengthened.
The significant loss was reported for that grass clover cut, not for the wheat.
The panels themselves took up about a tenth of the field, which is the land the crop gave up outright to make room for them.
Wheat held in both. Clover slipped in one.
The rows changed the field in ways beyond light. Mean wind speed between the vertical panels fell by half, from about 5.4 miles an hour in the open to about 2.7.
Daytime air temperature between the panels ran significantly higher from April to September, and relative humidity was generally higher too while the crop was still sparse.
Those changes cut both ways for a farmer. Lower wind reduces water loss from leaves and can protect a young crop, and a warmer, damper corridor can also favor fungal disease.
The study recorded the shifts without tying them to yield, because one season cannot separate weather from structure. The authors call their findings preliminary.
Wind fell by half. Warmth rose between the rows.
Standing panels on edge costs output. The vertical system delivered about 914 kilowatt hours per kilowatt of capacity over the year, around 13 percent less than the tilted system’s 1,048.
What it gained was timing. Its two daily peaks arrive in the morning and late afternoon, which lines up better with when a grid actually needs power.
Combining food and power, the land equivalent ratio came out at 1.18 for wheat and 1.26 for grass clover under the vertical layout, against 1.08 and 1.03 under the tilted one.
The same two peak logic has been tried on a much smaller scale, with bifacial panels built into a garden fence.
At the other end of the scale, a plan near Rome sets out 90 megawatts of agrivoltaics with crops growing underneath.
Less power, better hours, more land.
The result comes from a single pilot of 89 kilowatts, split into two configurations of about 44 each, at one site and across one growing year.
The authors say directly that it is hard to extrapolate to other seasons with different water and nutrient stress, to crops with different shade and wind tolerance, or to other locations.
Public acceptance was the easier finding. In a virtual reality test with 102 Danish participants, the vertical layout scored 5.19 out of 7 against 4.59 for a conventional solar park.
The work was published in September 2025, and the yields, energy figures and microclimate data are set out in the paper.
The researchers, the funding and the field layout are described by the university.
The grass clover beside the upright rows held its ground, and one season is a start rather than a verdict.
Carlos is an engineer with strong expertise in technical and industrial topics. He previously worked at international companies such as Siemens and is multilingual.
Carlos is an engineer with strong expertise in technical and industrial topics. He previously worked at international companies such as Siemens and is multilingual.
Carlos is an engineer with strong expertise in technical and industrial topics. He previously worked at international companies such as Siemens and is multilingual.

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Procurement has started for what would be Nigeria’s largest-ever solar PV plant, which is being backed by a loan from a major development finance institution.
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Photo shows a fishery and photovoltaic complementary project at the Qingkou salt field in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu Province. (Photo/Si Wei)
China’s installed solar capacity overtook coal-fired capacity for the first time by the end of July, making solar the country’s largest power source by installed capacity, according to data released Sept. 1 by the National Energy Administration (NEA).
By the end of July, China’s installed solar capacity had reached 1.286 billion kilowatts, edging past coal’s 1.285 billion, and PV accounted for 31.5 percent of the country’s total installed generation capacity.
To put the figure into perspective, 1.286 billion kilowatts is roughly equal to the combined capacity of 57 Three Gorges Dams. China’s solar capacity is also the world’s largest, surpassing not only the U.S., India and Germany but the European Union’s combined total.
The milestone capped roughly three years of rapid growth. By the end of June 2023, China’s installed renewable energy capacity had surpassed that of coal-fired power for the first time, reaching 1.322 billion kilowatts, or 48.8 percent of the national total. By the first quarter of 2025, the combined installed capacity of wind and solar power had climbed to 1.482 billion kilowatts — 536 million from wind and 946 million from solar — surpassing coal-fired power capacity.
An NEA official attributed the shift to China’s energy resource base: a pattern that had held since the birth of the electric power industry more than a century ago — coal as the largest power source — has now been broken for the first time.
The official called it another landmark in China’s green and low-carbon energy transition. It follows an earlier historic first: in the first half of 2026, coal power’s share of total electricity generation fell below 50 percent.

Photo shows a view of the Shuofang new energy base in the Kubuqi Desert, Hangjin banner in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)
“From January to July this year, the country’s PV generation reached 802.4 billion kilowatt-hours, up 15.5 percent year on year. Solar now accounts for 13 percent of total electricity consumption nationwide, meaning that for every 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity used in China, more than one comes from the sun.
“Installed capacity does not equal actual generation capability,” said Liu Zhiqiang, deputy director of the planning and development department at the China Electricity Council. Solar power remains intermittent, dependent on daylight and weather, and its utilization hours still lag far behind those of coal.
Nevertheless, the rapid expansion of solar power reflects China’s firm commitment to a greener, low-carbon transition.
“As the world’s largest developing country, having installed solar power capacity surpass coal-fired power capacity shows China’s determination and our results in tackling climate change and shifting toward cleaner energy,” Liu said.
It also offers other developing countries “Chinese solutions” and “Chinese experience” they can learn from as they pursue their own energy transitions, Liu added.
Meanwhile, solar power also has an indispensable role to play. Solar output often peaks around midday, when demand is also high as air conditioners and factories run at full tilt. On July 10, when national electricity demand hit a record 1.518 billion kilowatts, solar supplied more than 35 percent of midday power, State Grid’s data showed.
China now has the world’s most comprehensive and competitive PV industrial chain, according to the NEA. Its module manufacturing spans a wide range of technological pathways — crystalline silicon cells lead the world in conversion efficiency, while research on next-generation technologies such as perovskite cells is progressing rapidly.
With Chinese solar modules accounting for about 80 percent of global output, the country is offering “Chinese wisdom” and “Chinese solutions” to support the green and low-carbon transformation efforts of nations worldwide.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, solar power generation will further explore diverse development models, including integrated PV-storage systems, PV-thermal hybrid plants, and solar-powered hydrogen production, said an official from the NEA.
These initiatives aim to shift solar power from a “weather-dependent” resource to one that is “dispatchable and predictable,” ensuring that solar energy is “generated reliably, transmitted steadily, and utilized effectively,” the official added.

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The United States has surpassed a major clean energy milestone, reaching enough operating solar capacity to power more than 50 million American households. The cumulative national solar footprint now stands at 299.4 GWdc across more than 6.2 million installed systems, meaning solar power generation can now cover the equivalent electricity needs of more than one-third of all households across the country.
The national landmark was highlighted in the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie. The report reveals that the domestic solar industry installed 11.4 GWdc of new generating capacity in the second quarter of 2026 alone. That quarterly deployment figure represents a 45% increase compared to the same period last year and a 43% step-up from the first quarter.
Utility-scale installations led the second-quarter expansion, accounting for 9.6 GWdc of new grid capacity, up 61% year-over-year. The surge was driven in part by developers expediting project timelines to bring capacity online ahead of the July 2026 safe harbor deadline for federal tax credit eligibility. Together, solar and storage technologies represented 70% of all new electricity generating capacity added to the national power grid during the first half of the year.  
The expanding deployment footprint reflects broader structural growth across the domestic solar economy. Today, solar supplies nearly 9% of total U.S. electricity generation, nearly seven times its grid share from a decade ago. The sector employs over 280,000 workers across more than 10,000 businesses nationwide, with private solar investment totaling $69.1 billion in 2025 alone.  
“Solar and storage have grown to a scale most Americans have yet to fully realize, and we simply can’t meet America’s growing energy needs without these technologies,” said SEIA President and CEO Tim Pawlenty.  
Deployment gains continue to concentrate heavily across Republican-led states. Geographically, states won by President Trump in the 2024 election accounted for 57% of total cumulative capacity and 71% of all new solar capacity brought online during the first six months of 2026. Eight of the top 10 states for new capacity additions this year were red states, driven by rapid project execution in major sunbelt markets.  
California and Texas continue to anchor national totals, holding 56,457 MW and 55,125 MW of cumulative solar capacity, respectively. Florida ranks third with 22,550 MW, followed by Arizona with 13,197 MW and North Carolina with 10,127 MW. Rounding out the top 10 markets are Illinois at 9,337 MW, New York at 8,410 MW, Nevada at 8,253 MW, Virginia at 7,868 MW, and Georgia at 7,786 MW.  
Alongside generation deployment, domestic clean energy manufacturing has scaled significantly. More than $18 billion has been invested in U.S. solar factory construction, expanding active facilities across 43 states. Operational U.S. module manufacturing capacity has reached 75.3 GW, with an additional 14.4 GW currently under construction. Domestic solar cell manufacturing infrastructure is also taking shape, with 10.6 GW of operational capacity and 19.1 GW actively being built.  
Despite macroeconomic pressures and the expiration of residential tax credits that temporarily cooled the rooftop sector, long-term industry projections remain robust. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that the domestic solar market will nearly double over the next five years, maintaining an average annual buildout of roughly 44 GWdc through 2031. Cumulative U.S. solar deployment is projected to reach 769 GW by 2036.  
Looking out toward mid-century grid projections, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that solar and storage will account for 67% of all planned grid capacity additions through 2030, with solar specifically representing 44% of new grid builds. By 2060, roughly half of all new annual power generation added to the national electrical grid is projected to come from solar energy.
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A solar farm in the Town of Lomira
A solar farm in the Town of Lomira
WATERTOWN — Microsoft is expected to receive 90% of the power generated by the proposed Sinnissippi Solar Energy Center, according to documents the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin released in July.
The Sinnissippi Solar Energy Center is a proposed 100-megawatt solar energy project on land in the towns of Watertown, Ixonia and Concord. The project has been in development since 2018, with construction slated to begin in April of 2027. Full operation has a targeted start of 2028.
According to the Payment and Cancellation Agreement entered into on April 27, We Energies officially executed the PCA and sold a majority of Sinnissippi’s power capacity to the Microsoft Corporation.
This is contingent on final project approval by the PSC. Upon approval, We Energies would own the project and control the power it produces. Invenergy is anticipated to be the construction firm and operations manager.
“(Microsoft) has requested electric service for the facilities (Microsoft) intends to construct in (We Energy’s) electric service territory in southeast Wisconsin,” the agreement states.
A spokesperson for Mueller Communications, a Milwaukee-based public relations firm handling local communications for Microsoft, gave a brief but comprehensive statement on the company’s position.
“As Microsoft continues to invest in Wisconsin, the company is committed to clean, affordable energy and to paying the costs its data center operations in Wisconsin require,” said the spokesperson. {span}”In May, Microsoft signed agreements with We Energies to bring 1.2 gigawatts of carbon-free energy projects online locally, including both solar and battery projects. The Sinnissippi Solar project was included in those agreements.”{/span}
Sinnissippi Solar Team Developer Dylan Lennie emphasized the independence of Invenergy when it came to developing projects and the benefits for the surrounding communities.
“As an independent power producer, Invenergy works with a variety of customers to develop, build and operate energy projects that meet their needs,” said Lennie. {span}“It’s important to note that all of the economic benefits stay here in the community, including construction jobs, long-term operations jobs, $500,000 in local tax revenue each year split between the host towns and Jefferson County and more. That’s a generational benefit for both the farming families participating in the project and all residents of the community.”{/span}
The PSC will hold a public hearing for the project on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Johnson Creek Community Center, 417 Union St.{/div}
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EU funded photovoltaic system operational at Mia Milia  stockwatch.com.cy
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The New South Wales government has opened consultation on a proposal that would create Australia’s first mandatory solar panel recycling scheme, according to pv magazine. The proposed product stewardship scheme is intended to keep valuable solar panel materials in circulation through recovery, reuse and recycling instead of disposal.
The measure is designed to divert thousands of tonnes of solar panel waste away from landfill. Under the proposal, solar manufacturers and importers that supply regulated photovoltaic panels into New South Wales would be required to help fund collection, recycling and resource recovery activities across the state.
Government data cited in the consultation shows New South Wales has more than 1.18 million rooftop solar systems. As those systems age and as households increasingly switch to higher efficiency panels, waste volumes from photovoltaic panels are projected to rise sharply over the next two decades. Around 14,000 tonnes of solar panel waste is generated in the state each year, and that figure is forecast to reach 89,000 tonnes by 2045.
The New South Wales Environment Protection Agency said in its consultation paper that existing disposal pathways are not sufficient to manage the growing waste stream safely and sustainably. It noted that most end-of-life photovoltaic panels continue to be sent to landfill, stockpiled or illegally dumped.
New South Wales Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the proposed regulation is about more than cutting waste. She indicated it is also aimed at capturing valuable resources and creating new economic opportunities, adding that the state has embraced rooftop solar and now wants to prevent those panels from becoming a future landfill problem. She noted that solar panels contain valuable materials that can be recovered and put back to use, and said a mandatory product stewardship scheme can help build a circular economy for solar panels while supporting new recycling and manufacturing opportunities in New South Wales.
Smart Energy Council Chief Executive David McElrea said the proposed legislation offers a strong foundation for a circular economy, but warned that state-level initiatives need to be matched by a unified national framework led by the federal government. He commented that states and territories should ideally not have to act alone because solar supply chains do not stop at a border, and that a patchwork of rules would be more inefficient and costly for consumers, business, industry and authorities.
McElrea said New South Wales is showing leadership, but argued that unless the effort is transitioned into a Commonwealth scheme, more than 70 percent of Australia’s decommissioned solar panels will remain uncaptured outside New South Wales. He added that the federal government must deliver a national product stewardship framework to provide the scale, consistency and certainty the country needs.
Alongside the opening consultation on the draft regulation, the New South Wales government has released an issues paper seeking feedback on how the state can support growth in solar panel recycling, remanufacturing and manufacturing industries. Submissions on both the draft regulation and the issues paper are open until 16 November.
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Kelag International, part of Austrian energy provider Kelag Group, which develops, operates, and manages renewable energy projects, has acquired eight photovoltaic projects in Italy with a total planned capacity of approximately 64.4 MW and expected annual electricity generation of around 107 GWh.
The projects are primarily located in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions. Seven have reached the ready-to-build stage, while the remaining project is at an advanced stage of development.
Following the acquisition agreement, Kelag International will assume responsibility for the projects’ further development, construction, and operation. The company expects the projects to be built over the coming years.
“Solar energy is an important pillar of our growth strategy, and Italy is a market with strong potential for further renewable development,” said Ingo Preiss, Managing Director of Kelag International. “With this acquisition, we are adding well-advanced PV projects to our pipeline and further strengthening our position in a market where we already have strong local expertise and an established presence.”
The acquisition expands Kelag International’s photovoltaic project pipeline in Italy, which the company has identified as one of its key growth markets.
From 2026, Kelag International is consolidating its international renewable energy activities under the Kelag International brand. The move includes companies and teams, including Interenergo, that were already part of the same international organization but previously operated under different names.
According to the company, the unified structure is intended to coordinate its activities across European markets and support renewable energy project development with local stakeholders.
Kelag International develops, operates, and manages renewable energy projects based on solar, wind, and hydropower across 14 European markets. Its activities also include wholesale electricity supply and the structuring and management of long-term power purchase agreements for industrial customers and energy markets.
According to Mercom’s 1H and Q2 2026 Solar Funding and M&A report, approximately 25.2 GW of solar projects were acquired in the first half of 2026, compared to 19.9 GW in the first half of 2025.
In September 2026, Enel, a multinational power company, completed the acquisition of a 625 MW solar portfolio in the United States from Excelsior Energy Capital for approximately $760 million through its wholly owned subsidiaries Enel Green Power North America and EGPNA Project Holdco 2.
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Perovskite-based solar cells are inching closer to market viability with the help of researchers at The University of Toledo.
As this promising thin-film photovoltaic technology now bests the silicon-based cells that are the industry standard in some categories, physicists are chipping away at the categories where it still lags. Three such researchers at UToledo’s Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization recently lent expert insights to research published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Materials, part of the prestigious Nature Portfolio, which breaks ground in improving the ability of these solar cells to withstand rain and other real-world environmental conditions.
From left, the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization’s Dr. Yanfa Yan, Dr. Jiahao Xie and Dr. Xiaoming Wang lent expert insights to research published in the journal Nature Materials.
“The best perovskite solar cells contain lead, which is highly toxic and can harm health and the environment,” said UToledo’s Dr. Jiahao Xie, a postdoctoral researcher who shares first-author credit with collaborators at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies. “Tin perovskites are the leading lead-free alternative, but their drawback is that tin oxidizes easily in the presence of oxygen and moisture. Our research is significant because it supports a solution to this central challenge for tin-perovskite photovoltaics.”
UToledo is a leader in the research and development of thin-film photovoltaic technology, including cells that rely on the category of compound materials known as perovskites. Perovskite photovoltaics have long attracted researchers for their powerful potential to be a lower-cost, higher-efficiency alternative to solar cells that rely on silicon.
Campus research tackling the lingering challenges related to perovskite photovoltaics — chief among them durability and stability — contributes to a broader distinction in materials science that positions UToledo among U.S. News & World Report‘s Best Global Universities.
With two physicists credited among the most highly cited researchers in the world working out of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, UToledo is further ranked No. 1 among all global universities for the percentage of total research publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers in the materials science category.
UToledo’s Dr. Xiaoming Wang, a research assistant professor, and Dr. Yanfa Yan, a Distinguished Professor of physics and Ohio Research Scholar Endowed Chair, join Xie as well as colleagues across the country as co-authors on the latest research in Nature Materials. Their research focuses on a type of photovoltaic technology that pairs perovskites with tin, which has lagged behind lead-perovskite technology as a result of stability challenges despite its powerful potential as a safer alternative to lead-perovskites.
To tackle stability challenges specifically related to oxidation, the research team advanced a previously established approach to protecting tin-perovskites by incorporating “spacer” molecules into the tin-iodide frameworks, creating thin layers that slow the entry of oxygen and water.
This advancement came by attaching chlorine to the standard spacer molecule. UToledo’s Xie, assisted by Wang and Yan, took the lead on the density functional theory calculations that explained the theory behind the approach.
“By mapping the pathways by which oxygen and water molecules move through the organic layer, we showed that the chlorinated spacer uniquely blocks the major pathways, suppressing oxygen and water diffusion by roughly seven to 11 orders of magnitude compared with the standard spacer,” he said.
The result?
The most air-stable tin-perovskite of its kind to date, which maintained its integrity for several months in air. The solar cells created with this material combined state-of-the-art efficiency with exceptional long-term stability, signifying a significant milestone on the path to market viability.
“It’s just as important as the results that we are able to explain why it works to use a chlorinated molecule as the spacer,” Xie said. “This gives us a clear design principle for future lead-free perovskites.”
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Tandem solar cells are widely viewed as a path to cheaper, more powerful solar electricity.
Photo Credit: iStock
A team of researchers in China appears to have cleared a major hurdle for next-generation solar power, pushing a tandem solar cell to 34% efficiency in the lab while also showing strong durability.
According to Interesting Engineering, scientists at Soochow University and LONGi Central R&D Institute built the device, and independent certification measured its open-circuit voltage at 2.014 volts — one of the highest readings reported for this kind of cell.
Clean-energy researchers have been watching perovskite-silicon tandem cells closely because they pair a perovskite top layer with a conventional silicon base, a setup that can capture more solar energy than standard silicon-only panels.
A big obstacle has been achieving strong performance at scale. Textured silicon surfaces are excellent for trapping light, but their uneven structure makes it harder to create smooth, high-quality perovskite films, and charge can also be lost at a buried interface inside the cell, reducing both efficiency and voltage.
Instead of using a flat insulating layer, the team placed ultra-thin monoclinic zirconia nanoparticles at the interface to manage that trade-off. 
“Second, the discrete nanoparticles form nanoscale localized contacts at the interface. The zirconia regions provide field-effect passivation that suppresses non-radiative recombination, while the exposed monolayer pathways preserve efficient hole extraction,” the researchers explained in a press release.
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In testing, the device reached a laboratory power conversion efficiency of 34.0%. Its steady-state efficiency was certified at 33.5%, and its open-circuit voltage was independently verified at 2.014 volts.
Tandem solar cells are widely viewed as a path to cheaper, more powerful solar electricity. If manufacturers can extract more energy from each panel, homes, businesses, and utilities could generate more power from the same roof or plot of land.
What makes this advance stand out is that earlier efforts to improve the buried interface often fixed one problem while worsening another: They reduced charge losses but also made it more difficult for electricity to move through the device.
The team also reported signs of improved longevity. After 2,000 hours of continuous simulated sunlight at room temperature, encapsulated cells still retained 84% of their initial efficiency. Time-resolved measurements found charge carriers lasting nearly twice as long, increasing from 1.46 to 2.81 microseconds.
Professor Jiang Liu, Prof. Xiaohong Zhang, and Dr. Hongbo Mo co-led the research at Soochow University, along with Dr. Bo He at LONGi Central R&D Institute. Huimin Zhang and Qingshui Zheng contributed equally as first authors.
At the nanoscale, the design used a speckled zirconia scaffold to help the perovskite spread more evenly, produce larger crystal grains, and stay better anchored through strong chemical bonding. Zirconia’s high dielectric properties also helped shield the device from electrical fluctuations and charge buildup.
While this remains a laboratory result rather than a product on store shelves, it points to a practical route for making tandem solar panels more efficient and durable.
“The results show that a carefully patterned insulating interface can improve perovskite film growth and suppress recombination without blocking charge extraction. This nanoscale interface design provides a practical strategy for developing more efficient and durable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells,” the press release concluded.
These stories explore tandem and perovskite solar cells, from efficiency records to new ways of improving performance.
• In Germany, scientists completed a years-long tandem solar project that could reshape the energy industry.
• Researchers built an antimony-selenide tandem cell that reached 20% efficiency and widened material options.
• In Singapore, engineers achieved certified world-record efficiency with a redesigned perovskite solar cell.
• Scientists unveiled a selenium-based performance boost that could make solar panels more effective.
• Researchers developed a pulse-shaped light treatment to lift solar-cell output and energy generation.
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Canada-based solar panel maker Heliene is poised to add U.S.-sourced solar glass to its products manufactured south of the 49^th Parallel. Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of Heliene, told pv magazine USA that it is receiving the first commercial shipments from Stewart Glass’ new production facilities in Ohio. The output will feed Heliene’s U.S. module factories in Minnesota.
Heliene has invested resources and research in Stewart’s effort to become a U.S. manufacturer of solar glass. According to Pochtaruk, the effort is a key aspect of the company’s strategy of establishing U.S.-source solar panels for the practical purpose of enabling developers and owners to meet domestic content requirements and avoid foreign entities of concern (FEOC) in order to make solar projects economically viable. Heliene offers customers a “drop down” menu approach to solar components so developers can pick and choose how much domestic content they need to move forward.
“Domestic content is percentages,” Pochtaruk said. The company could offer a client a module build outside the U.S.: zero domestic content. On the other side, Heliene could produce the same module with everything made in the U.S. except the glass because it wasn’t available. The partnership with Stewart Glass is changing that equation.
Pochtaruk said Stewart Glass approached Heliene a year ago with its plans to produce solar glass in the U.S. The Ohio facility it acquired had been making architectural glass and has since been converted to making laminated solar glass with the low iron content and high light transmission suitable for quality solar modules. Rather than simply waiting for the glass to roll, Heliene is invested in the startup process.
“When we engage with makers of U.S. wafers, for instance, they require a contract for a period of time at a minimum volume,” he said. “So, we have done the same with Stewart Glass. We have commitments to buy an annual volume from them going forward. And that means making prepayments: sending money and then being part of their startup.”
Glassmakers have to do a lot of groundwork to ensure that they will have pipelines of raw materials, customers for the finished product and a process that produces glass of high quality and low impurities before firing up the furnace. In April 2025, Stewart Glass, a maker of primarily automotive glass based in Michigan, acquired a facility in Ohio to begin produce solar glass and opened its first line in March 2026 that is capable of producing 150 tons per day. The company says it plans to open up a second production line in June 2027 with a projected output of 250 tons per day.
Pochtaruk points out that glassmaking is akin to steelmaking in that a manufacturer can’t let the furnaces go out without essentially destroying them. In the case of steel, countries turning to less energy intensive methods of steelmaking, principally using scrap in electric furnaces, risk making traditional blast furnaces capable of smelting steel from ore obsolete. This is fine as long as you have a supply of scrap. However, bricking the blast furnaces and losing the ability to produce steel from ore has strategic consequences.
The point is that glassmaking plants are not casually built.
Not all glass is created equal. Heliene specifies 3.2 mm glass for its products, which Pochtaruk says has the right mix of lightness, transmissibility, durability and hail resistance. Stewart has committed to this format. In addition, the company has been testing early runs of glass for PV properties and structural integrity using its extensive research and development capabilities. Heliene engineers and technicians are on-site at Stewart’s Ohio facility as it stands up operations.
That being said, while Heliene is counting on Stewart Glass output for its products, Pochtaruk readily admits that his company can’t possibly absorb 100% of its output. Other module makers will inevitably queue up for U.S. solar glass. This is even desirable as higher output and economic success means lower cost all around.
“In the current environment, solar project financeability is now more front and center than ever,” he said. “Manufacturing in the U.S. is one way to achieve some of that financeability. Glass is an important part of solar manufacturing.”
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“Gas prices matter because they’re one of the few economic indicators voters experience and see in real time.”
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For many drivers, higher gas prices are not an abstract economic talking point. In South Texas, Quinten Martinez, a 28-year-old Amazon delivery driver, said the rising cost of fuel can mean choosing between getting to work and paying for basic necessities as frustration over prices at the pump surfaces across party lines ahead of the midterms.
“Is it going to be groceries this week? Is it gonna be getting gas in our tank to go to work?” Martinez said, according to the Associated Press. 
President Donald Trump has described higher gas prices during the war with Iran as “a very inexpensive price to pay,” but Martinez said the increased cost of fuel is making everyday life harder. His frustration reflects wider anger over prices at the pump across party lines as voters weigh the economy ahead of the midterms.
Veteran Republican strategist Chris Wilson said, “Gas prices matter because they’re one of the few economic indicators voters experience and see in real time. The price is literally staring them in the face several times a week. So I wouldn’t minimize the frustration we’re seeing, particularly among working- and middle-class voters.”
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AAA put the national average at $4.48 a gallon.
If there is a silver lining for households, it is that cutting dependence on expensive fossil-fuel energy can lower monthly bills over time. One of the best ways to save money on home energy is going solar, and homeowners can use EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
A Fox News survey said 61% of voters consider gas prices a major problem for their household. Interviews with voters in Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina suggested many see fuel costs as part of a broader affordability squeeze that also includes groceries, housing, and health care.
Few expenses are as visible for drivers as gasoline. Unlike rent or insurance, it is a cost many people face almost every time they stop at a station.
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Martinez rejected the idea that higher prices are worth it, and some voters linked gas costs to a wider sense that the economy is becoming harder to manage.
“I don’t feel like it’s a good trade-off,” he said. “I don’t feel like this is good for anyone.”
For working people who commute long distances or run businesses that depend on gas-powered vehicles, even modest increases can add up quickly. That is especially true in rural and suburban areas, where driving is often unavoidable.
Reducing exposure to unpredictable fuel and energy costs can mean driving less, choosing more efficient vehicles, or lowering home energy bills. For homeowners, rooftop solar can be one of the strongest ways to stabilize monthly expenses.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Tools such as EnergySage’s solar map show the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state, helping homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
These stories look at gas-price pain, how households are responding, and fuel-policy changes affecting drivers.
• As prices climbed nationwide, 56,000 U.S. households switched to hybrids and EVs.
• In many communities, soaring fuel prices spark pump anxiety as drivers rethink car ownership.
• With gas near $5, EVs could start making sense even without home charging.
• In Washington, nationwide policy on gasoline sales could shape the availability of cheaper E15.
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US renewable energy developer NorthStar Clean Energy has completed construction of a 120MW solar PV project in Oceana County, Michigan.
The Hart Solar Project is expected to generate 200GWh of power annually and is backed by long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Executive Energy Services and Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA). NorthStar said it will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project next month.
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“Hart Solar is an important investment in Michigan’s energy future and demonstrates how strong partnerships can help deliver clean energy solutions to communities across our state,” said Brian Hartmann, president and CEO of NorthStar Clean Energy. 
“Through joint action, public power communities of all sizes can share in the economies of scale needed to make utility-scale renewable projects like Hart Solar a practical, long-term resource for the customers and communities they serve,” said Patrick Bowland, CEO & general manager at MPPA, a joint action agency for energy projects and supply.
NorthStar Clean Energy already has utility-scale solar projects under development in Michigan. In March 2025 it secured US$334 million for two projects in the state, the 200MW Branch solar project in Branch County, Michigan, and the 50MW Genesee Solar project in Genesee County. 
Earlier this year, the state utility DTE Energy issued a public tender seeking 1GW of new solar PV and wind power capacity across the state; in line with the company’s integrated resource plan and commitments to phase out coal use in the state, the projects must be operational by 2029. Elsewhere in Michigan, utility Consumers Energy began operations on the 250MW Muskegon PV plant, and Linea Energy finalised project financing for the 172MW Watertown solar PV project in Sanilac County.

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NorthStar Clean Energy has finished building a 120MW solar photovoltaic facility in Oceana County, Michigan, according to pv-tech. The Hart Solar Project is projected to produce 200GWh of electricity each year and is supported by long-term power purchase agreements with Executive Energy Services and the Michigan Public Power Agency.
NorthStar indicated that a ribbon-cutting event for the installation will take place next month. Brian Hartmann, the company’s president and chief executive, described Hart Solar as a significant commitment to Michigan’s energy future and pointed to partnerships as a means of bringing clean energy solutions to communities statewide.
Patrick Bowland, chief executive and general manager of the Michigan Public Power Agency, a joint action agency for energy projects and supply, commented that coordinated action allows public power communities of varying sizes to benefit from economies of scale, making utility-scale renewable projects such as Hart Solar a practical long-term resource for the customers and communities they serve.
NorthStar Clean Energy already has utility-scale solar projects in development in Michigan. In March 2025, the company secured US$334 million for two state projects: the 200MW Branch solar project in Branch County and the 50MW Genesee Solar project in Genesee County.
Earlier this year, state utility DTE Energy launched a public tender seeking 1GW of new solar photovoltaic and wind capacity across Michigan, consistent with its integrated resource plan and commitments to phase out coal use in the state. The projects must be operational by 2029.
Separately in Michigan, utility Consumers Energy began operations at the 250MW Muskegon photovoltaic plant, and Linea Energy completed project financing for the 172MW Watertown solar photovoltaic project in Sanilac County.
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Schematic illustration showing how underwater solar cells could supply clean energy to marine monitoring, communication and exploration equipment. Graphic: Courtesy of Yunnan University
China’s installed photovoltaic power generating capacity surpassed that of coal power for the first time, becoming the country’s …
The first phase of the Huaneng Nagu Photovoltaic Power Station, the world’s highest-altitude solar power project, was officially …
A total of 5,000 solar panels were put into use at an expressway section linking Southwest China’s Sichuan …

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The New South Wales (NSW) government has launched consultation on a proposal to introduce Australia’s first mandatory solar panel recycling scheme, aiming to ensure valuable solar panel materials are recovered, reused and recycled rather than being dumped.
Intended to divert thousands of tonnes of solar panel waste from landfill, the proposed product stewardship scheme would require solar manufacturers and importers supplying regulated PV panels into NSW to help fund collection, recycling and resource recovery across the state.
Government data shows NSW is home to more than 1.18 million rooftop solar systems and as they age, and as households increasingly upgrade to higher efficiency panels, waste volumes of PV panels are projected to increase sharply over the next two decades. About 14,000 tonnes of solar panel waste is generated in the state each year, and that figure is forecast to rise to 89,000 tonnes by 2045.
“Current disposal pathways are insufficient to safely and sustainably manage this growing waste stream,” the NSW Environment Protection Agency said in its consultation paper. “Most end-of-life PV panels continue to be landfilled, stockpiled or illegally dumped.”
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the proposed regulation is not simply about reducing waste, but is also about capturing valuable resources and creating new economic opportunities.
“NSW has embraced rooftop solar, and now we’re making sure those panels don’t become tomorrow’s landfill problem,” she said. “Solar panels contain valuable materials that can be recovered and put back to work.”
“A mandatory product stewardship scheme can help build a circular economy for solar panels, while supporting new recycling and manufacturing opportunities here in NSW.” 
Smart Energy Council (SEC) Chief Executive David McElrea said the proposed legislation provides a strong foundation for a circular economy but cautioned that state-level initiatives must be matched by a unified national framework led by the federal government.
“Ideally, states and territories won’t have to go it alone, because solar supply chains do not end at a border,” he said, adding that a patchwork of rules will be more inefficient and costly for consumers, business, industry and authorities.
“NSW is showing leadership, but unless transitioned into a Commonwealth scheme, over 70% of Australia’s decommissioned solar panels will remain uncaptured outside NSW,” he said.
“The federal government has to step up and deliver a national product stewardship framework to provide the scale, consistency, and certainty Australia needs.”
In addition to publishing the opening consultation on the draft regulation, the NSW government has released an issues paper seeking feedback on how the state can support the growth of solar panel recycling, remanufacturing and manufacturing industries.
Submissions on the draft regulation and issues paper are open until 16 November.
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A new solar-panel glass formula uses no antimony. Homerun Resources has a patent application.  Stock Titan
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R.I. judge reverses Trump administration’s cancellation of $7B solar grant program  The Boston Globe
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“The first thing I do is think layers. Both on you and the house.”
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A renter in a 325-square-foot unit said persistent snow and frigid temperatures pushed monthly power costs as high as $500 last winter. 
In an effort to avoid a repeat of those sky-high utility bills, the renter turned to the internet for advice about how they and their pet cat could stay warm during cold months while saving money on heating costs.
“My average monthly bill ranged from $350-$500,” the renter wrote. “I want to do all that I can now to avoid that happening again.” 
Posting to Reddit’s r/frugal forum, the original poster said that they kept their rental home at 68 degrees using the unit’s electric baseboard heater. Their electricity costs about $0.15 per kilowatt-hour. 
The renter further explained that, to help keep the heat in and the cold out, they already hang blankets over the windows and use a draft stopper at the front door.
As the OP has learned the hard way, resistance heat can be especially expensive during extended cold snaps, even in a very small space. This is because every hour the system runs adds directly to the monthly power bill.
For homeowners dealing with similarly shocking winter-heating bills, upgrading heating and cooling equipment is often one of the most effective ways to cut utility costs and protect against rising energy prices. Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and slash their energy bills through its Comfort Plan network, which connects customers with vetted installers.
As for the OP, because they are a renter, their options are much more limited. 
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As a result, much of the commenters’ advice focused on inexpensive renter-friendly steps, including dressing more warmly indoors, adding rugs to cover the floor, looking for air leaks around the windows, and using heavier curtains.
As one commenter put it: “The first thing I do is think layers. Both on you and the house.” 
Some commenters emphasized that insulated curtains would likely work better than blankets in preventing heat loss through the rental unit’s windows.
“Heavy insulated curtains is a good first step,” wrote one commenter. “Close in the night, open during the day if you get enough sun to heat things up. They work better than blankets in my experience.”
The renter further explained that their couch sits in front of the unit’s baseboard heaters. While the unit’s small size means there’s nowhere else for the couch to go, the OP acknowledged that this setup is less than ideal because it could be reducing airflow and making the heat less effective at warming their home.
The OP also noted that their pet cat remains home during the day, which limits the renter’s ability to simply turn off the heat when they are away. 
Some users suggested cat-friendly ways to cut back on heating without leaving the pet cold.
“60F + is still reasonable temp for the cat,” said one commenter.
Others recommended using a heated pet bed. The renter replied that their cat already uses a small heating pad with an automatic shutoff timer.
For renters, small, simple steps can add up. Warm people and pets directly with layered clothing, blankets, and heated bedding. Let in sunlight during the day, close insulated curtains at night, seal drafts, and move furniture away from baseboards when possible. 
Additionally, some utility companies offer level-pay or budget billing plans, which can make winter heating costs more manageable by spreading them throughout the year.
For homeowners, more options are available, with better equipment often delivering more savings on utility costs. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan includes $0 down options that can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50% while providing 12 years of free maintenance.
Going further, pairing solar panels with electric appliances such as efficient HVAC systems can drive bills even lower. EnergySage makes it easy to find the best solar system and installer for your home and budget, with potential savings of up to $10,000 on installations.
As for the OP, they are simply looking out for any small fixes that could make a difference once the cold weather returns. 
“I just want to know if there’s anything I can do now that might help prepare for winter months before the bills hit,” they wrote. 
These articles look at renter electricity savings, thermostat settings, winter heating habits, radiator tricks, and door weatherstripping.
• Across the United States, renters can cut bills with draft blocking and peak hour habits.
• HVAC experts say common thermostat habits can quietly drive up winter electricity costs.
• Energy pros recommend small winter thermostat tweaks to keep homes warm affordably.
• HVAC pros say foil behind radiators may change how efficiently rooms hold heat.
• Homeowners found front door weatherstripping gaps can send heating bills climbing in winter.
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Megan Hall: Welcome to Possibly. Where we take on huge problems, like the future of our planet, and break them down into small questions with unexpected answers. I’m Megan Hall.
Solar panels can help you power your home with renewable energy and save money on your electric bill. But they can be expensive, and take a while to set up.
Today, Juliana Merullo from our Possibly team is here to tell us about another option– plug-in solar panels.
Juliana Merullo: Hiya Megan!
Megan Hall: So what exactly is plug-in solar?
Juliana Merullo: Plug-in solar, which is also called balcony solar, is just what it sounds like. You plug solar panels into a small inverter, which then gets plugged into an outlet in your house. Instead of using electricity like most things you plug into the wall, this system generates it!
Megan Hall: Do these panels really work?
Juliana Merullo: They do! They’re a lot smaller than a conventional rooftop solar system, so they don’t generate as much electricity. It’s not going to power your whole home or apartment, but an average sized system that gets good sunlight during the day could power your refrigerator and save you over a hundred dollars a year on electricity costs.
Megan Hall: Ok, but that’s not that much. Why are people so excited about these?
Juliana Merullo: Well for one thing, plug-in solar panels are a lot cheaper than regular rooftop solar. And they’re a lot easier and faster to set up. Ben Paulos, a researcher with the Clean Energy States Alliance, says that on top of that,
Ben Paulos: A number of people can’t really do rooftop solar. They don’t own the roof. You know, if you are a renter, or if you live in an apartment building…a portable kit that you can move with you when you move one apartment to another is a good idea.
Megan Hall: That makes sense. But is it actually safe to just plug these panels into the wall?
Juliana Merullo: Yeah, it is! Most of the safety concerns get figured out between the manufacturer and the testing labs that certify the panels. Keep an eye out for UL labels, which mean your panel and inverter have been tested and certified as safe. Then, Ben says you just want to be careful where you plug them in.
Ben Paulos: You really don’t want to plug in your solar system into a circuit that’s already very busy and very crowded, like kitchens tend to use a lot of electricity, so you may not want to plug it into your kitchen.
Juliana Merullo: When he bought plug-in panels for his home, he plugged them into the garage.
Ben Paulos: I bought some used panels on Facebook Marketplace. And then my son hoisted those panels up to me on my garage roof and I plugged it in.
Megan Hall: So I can just go out and buy them? Why don’t more people have them?
Juliana Merullo: It depends where you live! In Germany you can find them at IKEA, and almost a million of them have been installed. In the US, it’s just starting to gain traction. It’s not technically illegal anywhere, and you can find the panels online. But only 9 states have laws that officially allow it. To make sure you don’t get in trouble with your utility company, it’s smart to wait until your state has passed a bill allowing it.
Ben Paulos: If you’re in one of the states that has passed legislation, then you’re probably going to be good to go as soon as that takes effect. If you’re not, then maybe you want to call your state legislature and ask them when it’s going to happen.
Megan Hall: What about here in Rhode Island?
Juliana Merullo: Well just this year, State Representative June Speakman introduced a bill that would allow Rhode Islanders to use plug-in solar without needing the utility company’s approval.
June Speakman: This was one of the most popular pieces of legislation that I had ever introduced, this was a love fest. Everyone thinks these are fabulous, I mean, I was getting emails. Please make sure this passes. Please make sure this passes.
Juliana Merullo: It passed unanimously in the House, but got held up in the Senate. June is going to re-introduce it next session and she thinks it has a good chance of becoming law.
Megan Hall: So if it does, should I go out and buy plug-in panels for my house?
Juliana Merullo: Yes! The impact of these panels might be small, but they still make a difference:
June Speakman: You know some people describe it as a feel good bill. Sure, makes me feel good, but it also does those two things, right? It brings us a little bit more into a cleaner, greener future, and it does bring costs down.
Juliana Merullo: There are over 20 other states like Rhode Island that are considering plug-in solar bills. So we’ll have to keep an eye out for more of these systems to be popping up all over the country!
Megan Hall: Great! Thanks Juliana. That’s it for today.
For more information, or to ask a question about the way your choices affect our planet go to askpossibly.org. You can also subscribe to Possibly wherever you get your podcasts or follow us on social media at “ask possibly”
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Vertically integrated PV manufacturer LONGi, which has entered the energy storage sector recently, has signed an energy storage cooperation agreement with Shanxi Dingxin Logistics. Under the agreement, it will supply a LONGiBank liquid-cooled energy storage system (ESS) for the logistics company’s heavy-truck charging station in Yuncheng, Shanxi province. LONGi describes the facility as the largest heavy-truck charging station in Shanxi, with daily electricity consumption of around 150,000 kWh.
A 3.2 MW rooftop distributed PV system at the site was connected to the grid at the end of 2025, using LONGi Hi-MO X10 modules and providing estimated average annual generation of approximately 4 million kWh. With the addition of the storage system and LONGi One OS energy management system, the site will integrate PV generation, energy storage and heavy-truck charging under a unified dispatch system. The storage system will absorb surplus midday solar generation, support time-of-use electricity price arbitrage and reduce grid impacts from high-power heavy-truck charging.
Huawei Digital Power’s SUN2000-506KTL-H1 smart string inverter has obtained certification under Germany’s VDE-AR-N 4110, 4120 and 4130 grid-connection standards, covering medium-, high- and extra-high-voltage networks, respectively. Huawei said it is the world’s first 500 kW-class smart string inverter to obtain all three certifications.
The inverter has a maximum efficiency of 99.1% and European efficiency of 98.8%. Its grid-forming capabilities include active transient overvoltage suppression, inertia response and wideband oscillation damping. The inverter series has also received a Grid-Forming Unit Certificate from TÜV SÜD based on the VDE FNN Guideline Version 2.1:2026, supporting grid stability in systems with high renewable penetration and weak-grid conditions.
Midea New Energy, the renewable energy business of Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea Group, has launched a 5.5 MW centralized aggregation PV demonstration project in Donglu Village, Zhangzhuang Township, Pei County, Xuzhou, Jiangsu province.
According to the company, the project uses a clustered residential rooftop PV development model, installing distributed PV systems on local households’ roofs and aggregating their output for centralized grid connection.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration, together with two other government departments, have launched applications for the 2026 national green computing facility program. The program will select facilities with high energy and carbon efficiency, low-carbon operations, appropriate siting, advanced technologies and sound management.
It covers computing facilities in sectors including industry, information and communications, energy, the internet, finance and public institutions. The share of electricity consumption supplied by wind, solar and other renewable energy sources must be no lower than the renewable electricity consumption responsibility weighting applicable to the province, autonomous region or municipality where the facility is located.
The authorities will also encourage new computing facilities to be planned and deployed in coordination with renewable power generation, provided they have stable supporting power supplies and flexible regulation capabilities, with the aim of improving the alignment between electricity demand and renewable generation.
TaiyangNews 2024

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After rebates and incentives, the homeowner’s out-of-pocket cost would drop to only $4,348.
Photo Credit: iStock
For one Denver homeowner, a rooftop solar quote went from pricey to surprisingly affordable once all of the available incentives were taken into account.
However, some commenters cautioned the homeowner that lower upfront costs could lead to higher expenses later if they decided to add a home battery to their system.
Posting to Reddit’s r/solar community, the Denver-area homeowner shared that they could save roughly $10,000 on a solar installation thanks to several available incentives. However, the homeowner was still undecided about whether going solar was worth it, so they asked fellow Redditors for their takes. 
According to the original poster, they obtained a quote of roughly $14,400 for a 4.86-kilowatt setup. However, after rebates and incentives, the homeowner’s out-of-pocket cost would drop to only $4,348.
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The proposed setup would include 12 Hyperion 405 panels and 12 Enphase IQ8+ micro-inverters. The homeowner said the discounts came via a 30% HDM rebate, $4,000 from a program funded by the City of Denver, and $1,740 through Xcel’s disproportionately impacted community program. In all, the savings would total more than $10,000.
The OP explained that the system would generate roughly half of their household’s typical electricity consumption. While this would not cover all of their home’s electricity use, it still would result in significant savings. 
Additionally, the homeowner said the quote included a production guarantee.
When considering whether a solar quote fits their budget, many homeowners calculate how long it will take the system to pay for itself. Put differently, they estimate how much they expect their solar system to save them in annual energy costs and compare that to the total cost of the system. 
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As an example, if a solar installation costs $4,000 and yields $500 in annual savings, it would take eight years for the system to “pay for itself.” ($4,000 divided by $500 is eight.) 
However, the OP conceded they were having a hard time determining their potential savings because of complicated time-of-use pricing. 
“I’m struggling with figuring that out due to the TOU rates,” the OP wrote.
As for the quote itself, several commenters said the out-of-pocket number looked favorable, particularly for a smaller installation. Still, they cautioned that certain aspects of the setup could make later upgrades more expensive.
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“If you think you ever want to add batteries, either get a Combiner 6C now, or go with a hybrid inverter and not micros,” advised one user. 
Another Redditor agreed, saying that making the change later would be “much more expensive.” 
“I’ve been investigating doing this for 6 months and am an engineer,” they continued. “Wish I had gone with a hybrid inverter instead of Enphase. It is at least $4k to DIY 1 rack battery. Would have been $1.5k if I had gone with a hybrid inverter instead.” 
With so many factors to consider, going solar can seem daunting. EnergySage can simplify the solar-installation process with free estimates and price comparisons from local installers. 
Saving a few dollars now could mean paying a lot more later, so it is important to consider your future plans when deciding which system is right for you.
The post also showed how much money you can still save by taking advantage of state and local solar incentives. 
EnergySage’s solar map can help identify available incentives while also showing the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners interested in backup power can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. That makes it especially valuable for people trying to balance a low upfront quote with the possibility of future upgrades.
These stories offer a deeper look at homeowner solar quotes, incentives, tax credits, and unexpected utility costs.
• A Chicago-area homeowner saw Illinois incentives cut net cost on a $37,000 solar quote.
• In El Paso, a new rooftop solar fee pushed one homeowner’s bill from $30 to $117.
• One homeowner got up to $9,000 off after timely advice on solar tax credits.
• A proud homeowner said he snagged $10,000 in incentives for brand-new solar panels.
• A new homeowner’s first bill hit $420 despite rooftop panels highlighted during the sale.
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Tandem solar cells are widely viewed as a path to cheaper, more powerful solar electricity.
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A team of researchers in China appears to have cleared a major hurdle for next-generation solar power, pushing a tandem solar cell to 34% efficiency in the lab while also showing strong durability.
According to Interesting Engineering, scientists at Soochow University and LONGi Central R&D Institute built the device, and independent certification measured its open-circuit voltage at 2.014 volts — one of the highest readings reported for this kind of cell.
Clean-energy researchers have been watching perovskite-silicon tandem cells closely because they pair a perovskite top layer with a conventional silicon base, a setup that can capture more solar energy than standard silicon-only panels.
A big obstacle has been achieving strong performance at scale. Textured silicon surfaces are excellent for trapping light, but their uneven structure makes it harder to create smooth, high-quality perovskite films, and charge can also be lost at a buried interface inside the cell, reducing both efficiency and voltage.
Instead of using a flat insulating layer, the team placed ultra-thin monoclinic zirconia nanoparticles at the interface to manage that trade-off. 
“Second, the discrete nanoparticles form nanoscale localized contacts at the interface. The zirconia regions provide field-effect passivation that suppresses non-radiative recombination, while the exposed monolayer pathways preserve efficient hole extraction,” the researchers explained in a press release.
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In testing, the device reached a laboratory power conversion efficiency of 34.0%. Its steady-state efficiency was certified at 33.5%, and its open-circuit voltage was independently verified at 2.014 volts.
Tandem solar cells are widely viewed as a path to cheaper, more powerful solar electricity. If manufacturers can extract more energy from each panel, homes, businesses, and utilities could generate more power from the same roof or plot of land.
What makes this advance stand out is that earlier efforts to improve the buried interface often fixed one problem while worsening another: They reduced charge losses but also made it more difficult for electricity to move through the device.
The team also reported signs of improved longevity. After 2,000 hours of continuous simulated sunlight at room temperature, encapsulated cells still retained 84% of their initial efficiency. Time-resolved measurements found charge carriers lasting nearly twice as long, increasing from 1.46 to 2.81 microseconds.
Professor Jiang Liu, Prof. Xiaohong Zhang, and Dr. Hongbo Mo co-led the research at Soochow University, along with Dr. Bo He at LONGi Central R&D Institute. Huimin Zhang and Qingshui Zheng contributed equally as first authors.
At the nanoscale, the design used a speckled zirconia scaffold to help the perovskite spread more evenly, produce larger crystal grains, and stay better anchored through strong chemical bonding. Zirconia’s high dielectric properties also helped shield the device from electrical fluctuations and charge buildup.
While this remains a laboratory result rather than a product on store shelves, it points to a practical route for making tandem solar panels more efficient and durable.
“The results show that a carefully patterned insulating interface can improve perovskite film growth and suppress recombination without blocking charge extraction. This nanoscale interface design provides a practical strategy for developing more efficient and durable perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells,” the press release concluded.
These stories explore tandem and perovskite solar cells, from efficiency records to new ways of improving performance.
• In Germany, scientists completed a years-long tandem solar project that could reshape the energy industry.
• Researchers built an antimony-selenide tandem cell that reached 20% efficiency and widened material options.
• In Singapore, engineers achieved certified world-record efficiency with a redesigned perovskite solar cell.
• Scientists unveiled a selenium-based performance boost that could make solar panels more effective.
• Researchers developed a pulse-shaped light treatment to lift solar-cell output and energy generation.
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Morocco’s Noor Ouarzazate complex, built at a cost of $3 billion a decade ago, reaches nearly 600 megawatts of capacity.
Morocco is home to one of the world’s largest solar energy complexes. Noor Ouarzazate is a vast facility built by Saudi company ACWA Power in one of the country’s sunniest regions. A decade after it began operating, the complex has just under 600 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity and can meet the electricity needs of more than one million people, according to World Bank figures.
The project, which required more than $3 billion in international financing, began operating in 2016 and became one of Morocco’s flagship initiatives in its drive to increase renewable energy production. However, Noor has one feature that sets it apart from a conventional solar farm. Part of the complex can store heat captured during the day and use it later to continue generating electricity after the sun has gone down.
The complex is not a single power plant but consists of four separate facilities. Noor I, which began operating in 2016, has a capacity of 160 MW and uses parabolic trough collectors. It was subsequently joined by Noor II, with 200 MW; Noor III, which produces 150 MW using solar tower technology; and Noor IV, a 70 MW photovoltaic facility. Together, the four plants have a total installed capacity of 580 MW.
The most striking sight at the complex is Noor III. Its distinctive tower stands approximately 800 feet tall and is surrounded by thousands of heliostats, mirrors that track the position of the sun and concentrate its rays onto a receiver at the top of the structure. The resulting heat is stored in molten salts and later used to produce steam, drive a turbine and generate electricity.
This technology helps overcome one of the main limitations of conventional solar power, since electricity production does not have to stop as soon as the sunlight disappears. Noor III has around seven hours of thermal energy storage, while Noor I and Noor II also have storage systems that allow some electricity generation to be shifted beyond daylight hours.
Morocco has abundant solar and wind resources but lacks significant oil and gas reserves of its own. When development of the project began, Morocco relied on imports for approximately 95% of its primary energy needs, leaving the country highly exposed to fluctuations in international fuel prices.
Morocco’s energy strategy has sought to capitalize on the country’s geographic advantages to reduce that dependence. Renewable sources currently account for around 44% of Morocco’s installed electricity-generating capacity, according to the country’s Ministry of Energy Transition, which has maintained an official target of surpassing 52% by 2030.
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Cumulative solar photovoltaic manufacturing capital expenditure in the United States is forecast to reach $12.2 billion by the end of 2026, according to Terawatt PV Research, a figure that would represent more than half of all solar PV manufacturing spending recorded in the country since 2001. The projection appears in the firm’s new Solar Manufacturing USA Quarterly report, released on the same day as the analysis, which was carried out by the company’s founder.
The research draws on the author’s experience examining the operations of more than 500 solar PV manufacturers worldwide across a period of more than two decades, spanning the industry’s shift from research and development to commercial activity.
The U.S.-focused report is built around the core building blocks needed to interpret quarterly metrics at individual PV manufacturing sites: effective ramped capacity, production output, technology segmentation and manufacturing capex. For the first time, coverage of PV manufacturing capex extends beyond equipment spending at the company level.
The analysis now breaks capex down quarterly for individual U.S. manufacturing sites and further divides company, site, value-chain and technology-specific spending across buildings and infrastructure, new production equipment, and maintenance and upgrades. The consolidated totals are intended to provide an accurate picture of the domestic solar PV manufacturing landscape, supporting forecasting out to 2030.
The report covers company-specific manufacturing sites in production since 2020, the period leading into the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, the subsequent rise in manufacturing capex from 2023 onward, and bottom-up forecasting to the end of 2030 that factors in new investments arising from Section 232.
U.S. solar PV manufacturing capex has exceeded $2.5 billion in each year since 2023. A record $4.14 billion was spent during 2024, with more than 60% of that total coming from just two companies: First Solar, mainly through spending on new factories in Alabama and Louisiana, and Qcells, part of Hanwha Solutions, through vertically integrated investments in Georgia.
Segmenting capex across buildings and infrastructure, new production equipment, and maintenance and upgrades highlights differing dynamics at domestic production sites. Allocations to buildings and infrastructure vary widely, from refitting an existing warehouse for module assembly to building a dedicated greenfield site for solar cell manufacturing, a difference of more than an order of magnitude on a per-installed-watt basis. Buildings and infrastructure costs accounted for about 60% of total spending during the 2023-2026 period.
Effective capacity levels for crystalline silicon cells and modules in the United States have grown quarter on quarter since the start of 2025, with effective-capacity-conversion rates varying considerably by site, from 15-20% during early ramp-up to 70-80% at a select group of companies. Forecasting cell and module production volumes to 2030 frames the additional upstream capex needed for a more balanced silicon-based value chain in the country.
Site-level analysis allows regional trends to be identified quickly, and production data is particularly useful in assessing where materials supplies could be strategically developed. Currently, this type of analysis can only be applied to module production in the United States; doing so for ingots, wafers and cells is considered too early.
At state level, Ohio was the dominant zone for module production volumes leading into the rollout of the Inflation Reduction Act, by virtue of First Solar’s manufacturing bases. Texas has become the leader in the post-IRA era, emerging as the top state for module production in 2026 with contributions from Canadian Solar, Sirius/Elin, Imperial Star, SEG Solar, T1 Energy, TOYO/Abalance and Waaree Energies. Much of the remaining activity is in the Southeast, with a geographic split between the gulf coast corridor of Louisiana and Florida and an advanced manufacturing region covering the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama.
The report’s final output is to rank and rate the companies analyzed. This step is intended to focus attention on the manufacturing decisions of the top 20 companies in the U.S. solar sector, a subset that typically accounts for more than 95% of all significant investment and production.
The report is built from a proprietary bottom-up database of U.S. solar manufacturing activity analyzed at site level by quarter. Production is tracked across the crystalline silicon value chain from polysilicon through modules, alongside segmented thin-film cell and module output equivalence. Capex is divided between buildings and infrastructure, production equipment, and maintenance and upgrades, while excluding research and development contributions. The underlying data draws on audited filings and company reporting where available, supplemented by market research based on operational and industry evidence and personal communications.
Production and capex are independently subjected to statistical transformation and normalization before being combined through a weighted methodology to generate a Manufacturing Strength score for each company. An operating-production screening process prevents companies with little or no realized output from being elevated solely by announced or early-stage capital spending. The scores determine company rankings, while a standardized Z-score analysis measures each qualifying manufacturer against the wider U.S. peer group and forms the basis of AAA-to-C Manufacturing Strength ratings presented as a truncated pyramid. Ratings are displayed annually, with each quarterly report updating production and capex assumptions and therefore the forecast full-year ranking and rating.
The first Manufacturing Strength Ratings Pyramid for U.S. solar PV manufacturers is scheduled to be revealed during an opening talk at the Solar Manufacturing USA 2026 conference in Austin, Texas, on 22-23 September 2026. The Solar Manufacturing USA Quarterly report is released today, with the first quarterly deliverable scheduled for the start of October 2026, when analysis for the third quarter of 2026 is completed. Report enquiries and subscriptions are managed exclusively by pv magazine USA, extending a working partnership that led to the launch of the Solar Manufacturing USA event in 2026.
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Zelestra, a global renewable energy developer, has started construction on its 38.5 MWdc Detershagen solar project in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is the company’s second solar project to enter construction in Germany, following the recently energised 27.5 MWdc Klevenow plant. Secured through Germany’s EEG tenders, Detershagen will feature approximately 62,000 solar panels. The plant is expected to generate 40,200 MWh annually and avoid approximately 13,300 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. Construction is expected to support around 55 jobs, with commercial operation anticipated by Q2 2027. Zelestra is also advancing a German development pipeline exceeding 2 GW across solar, hybrid, BESS and wind projects.
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The rooftop solar revolution will only succeed if city halls and capitals work together  Reuters
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“This is every day since day one.”
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A homeowner with a brand-new solar-panel system turned to the internet for advice after their actual production fell far below forecasts. 
Day after day, the app’s forecast was coming in 30% to 40% above the system’s actual production, leaving the homeowner wondering whether the shortfall was nothing to worry about or a sign of a real issue.
In a Reddit thread, the original poster explained that their week-old solar system had consistently been generating only about a third of the forecasted electricity production. 
“And this is every day since day one,” the original poster wrote, adding that they had been monitoring the forecasts and actual production using the Netzero app.
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As one might expect, Redditors flooded the comments with their takes. While some users cautioned that something could be off and others described the situation as normal, the general consensus was that the OP should keep monitoring to see whether the shortfall continued over the long term. 
On the side of OP having nothing to worry about, one Redditor wrote, “It happens – a forecast is just a forecast after all.”
Another agreed, saying their own estimates had been thrown off by changing weather and describing solar output as “unpredictable” at times.
Other commenters focused on the homeowner’s description of the panels as being spread across three different roofs, with the front and rear roof sections appearing to share one string, while the panels on the garage were on a second string.
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According to some Redditors, such a setup could cause output issues.
If the front and rear roof sections, which faced different directions, indeed shared a string, “One would drag down the output of the other,” one commenter warned.
Homeowners should remember that solar forecasts are only estimates, and many aspects of a system’s design can directly affect how much electricity a home actually produces.
If panels facing different directions are wired together improperly, one group can reduce another’s performance, especially when sunlight hits each roof section at different times of day.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Still, going solar remains one of the best ways to save money on home energy. If you’re interested in learning more about home solar, EnergySage can help you get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes before signing a contract.
While forecasts aren’t guarantees, system underperformance can significantly reduce solar-related savings and affect household budgets. Reduced production tied to temporary cloud cover is one thing, but a recurring shortfall caused by wiring or configuration issues is another.
For solar users concerned that their system is generating less power than expected, a useful first step is to monitor whether the shortfall keeps happening over time. It is also important to see whether shortfalls occur only on cloudier days or follow a repeatable pattern, especially on bright, sunny days.
Shopping carefully before installation can help homeowners avoid these problems down the line, while also potentially saving on both up-front and long-term costs. 
With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, these resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
For now, most Redditors advised the OP not to worry too much about the production shortfalls.
“Unless it’s consistently down over weeks or in a pattern (e.g. if it’s an east/west array, output drops to nothing on the west array at 13.00) I wouldn’t worry too much,” one Redditor wrote. 
These articles look at how homeowners are saving money with rooftop solar, battery backup, tax incentives, and utility programs.
• In Australia, a homeowner’s 20kW solar array made blackouts invisible and earned a $545 credit.
• Across the U.S., homeowners can still cash in on incentives and save thousands on solar.
• In the U.S., homeowners facing shrinking incentives get up to $9,000 off solar costs.
• In Texas, a new power deal offers home solar for free through a virtual plant program.
• Across the U.S., homeowners buy before the deadline as Congress slashes lucrative solar incentives.
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Legal battles over proposed Ottawa County solar farm intensify with dismissal efforts  MLive.com
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