Solar Now

We estimate that U.S. generation from small-scale or rooftop solar photovoltaic systems (smaller than 1 megawatt of capacity) has increased from 18,812 gigawatthours (GWh) to 92,979 GWh over the last decade. The four states with the highest generation of small-scale solar in the country—California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida—are in regions with more abundant solar resources. Even though it is in a region with lower solar resources, New York ranks as the fifth-largest rooftop solar generation producer as a result of capacity growth supported by technology improvements and state incentives.
The year-over-year change in generation was particularly high in 2022, when total generation grew by 25% compared with the previous year amid record capacity growth. Changes in different programs supporting rooftop solar partly explain this increase in generation. For example, California’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 program was available through April 2023. This net metering program offered higher export compensation than the subsequent Net Billing Tariff, or NEM 3.0. All the capacity built under the NEM 2.0 program was grandfathered in, incentivizing higher capacity installation before the current NEM 3.0 took effect.
California accounted for 37% (34,411 GWh) of total U.S. small-scale solar generation in 2025. Between 2024 and 2025, rooftop solar generation in the state grew by 8%, largely due to an increase in capacity. Small-scale solar capacity in California increased from 18 gigawatts in 2024 to 20 gigawatts in 2025.
The state with the next largest amount of small-scale solar power generation is Arizona, accounting for over 6% of total U.S. generation, or 5,795 GWh. Year-over-year generation in Arizona grew only 6% in 2025. The largest increase happened between 2022 and 2023 when generation from small-scale solar grew by 22% in the state. Arizona customers can access a 25% state income-tax credit and other incentives for adding rooftop solar to their properties.
States such as Florida and Texas have seen rapid growth in small-scale solar generation in the last decade as more capacity has been added. Generation in Texas grew from 391 GWh in 2016 to 5,408 GWh last year. Over the same period, Florida’s generation grew from 205 GWh in 2016 to 5,198 GWh in 2025. These two states provide incentives through property tax exemptions and other programs specific to each state and, in some cases, utility.
Programs in states with lower irradiance levels are also supporting growth in rooftop solar generation. New York offers incentives, which have encouraged small-scale solar growth in the state. Other states with similar programs include New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
Although generation from small-scale solar continues to grow year over year, the rate of growth has declined since 2022.
EIA uses its surveys of electric utilities to collect information on the number of customers with small-scale solar systems and the aggregated capacity. Electric utilities do not necessarily know how much electricity is generated by rooftop solar on their distribution systems, so generation must be estimated. To develop estimates of generation, we rely on tools such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s System Advisor Model and PVWatts. Data on commonly used tilt angles and orientations for small-scale solar systems in California were used as inputs to be representative of tilt angles and orientations in other states.
Article from Today in Energy. Principal contributors: Lindsay Aramayo, Marc Harnish
The EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
US Energy Information Administration has 353 posts and counting. See all posts by US Energy Information Administration

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Whether I’m camping or off the grid, a portable power station is my preferred way to stay charged up. But eventually, the battery runs out. I’ve found that one of the best ways to recharge small tech gadgets is with a solar panel. The exceptionally lightweight and portable Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air has become my favorite tool for keeping my phone and essential devices topped off off-grid.
Unlike power banks, solar panels don’t store power; they convert sunlight into usable energy in real time. Weighing under two pounds and folding down to the footprint of a book, this panel is built specifically for portability. It features a rugged IP68 waterproof rating, operates in extreme temperatures, and has direct USB-A and USB-C charging ports, making it an ideal companion for backpackers, campers, and field creators who need reliable power without added weight.
This ultra-portable solar panel folds down to the size of a book. It’s a great option for charging small devices, like a phone, while camping or hiking. In a pinch, it can also recharge small portable power stations and power banks, but it’ll be slow.
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Unlike most rigid and bulky solar panels, the Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air consists of four panels that fold down to a portable size — about 1 inch thick, with the footprint of a standard sheet of paper — that easily slips into a backpack. It only weighs about two pounds, and it comes with four mounting rivets and two carabiners to hang it off a backpack while hiking or attach it to the side of a tent while camping. Since it’s only about three feet long when unfolded, it sits well on my backpack without getting in the way.
On top of its portability, Jackery made this solar panel a cinch to use. Jackery included a solar charging cable with both a USB-A and USB-C port inside the box that can directly recharge devices from the solar panel, like phones, camera batteries, flashlights, and portable speakers. There’s also an adapter to recharge Jackery power stations via the solar panel and an accessory pouch to hold the cables.
Jackery added a bullseye indicator to the solar panel to help get maximum sun exposure. Once the shaded dot lands in the middle of the bullseye, you know the panel is positioned correctly to maximize sun exposure and will deliver the highest wattage output. While it has the rivets for hanging, it doesn’t have a kickstand to angle it in the sun. I typically draped it over a camping chair or found something sturdy to prop it up.
The SolarSaga 40W Air gets bonus points for being a bifacial model. Instead of absorbing light only from the front, the solar panel can absorb sunlight from both sides to deliver maximum power. Light reflected off the ground, snow, or surroundings can help to get the maximum 40 watts.
As long as you have access to full sun, the SolarSaga will pull in 40 watts of power. That’s enough to recharge smaller gadgets in almost the same amount of time as it would take with standard wall power at home. The USB-C port outputs up to 15W and the USB-A port up to 12W. On the SolarSaga, my Google Pixel 8 recharged in about 100 minutes—only 20 minutes slower than plugging into a standard wall outlet at home.
Many small devices need under 40W, like e-readers, earbuds, and camping accessories like walkie-talkies. Bigger tech items like laptops or more powerful phones like the iPhone 17 Pro need more than 40W for fast charging. Using only 40W from the Jackery will result in longer recharge times compared to plugging into a wall outlet. Instead, I use the solar panel to charge a portable power bank that can power higher-wattage devices like laptops.
The most obvious drawback is the maximum 40W input. This low amount is suitable for recharging small devices but struggles with larger ones. When testing the solar panel, it recharged my phone in the same amount of time as when plugged into the wall. It was a different story when I went to recharge the Jackery Explorer 600 Plus portable power station, which has a capacity of 632Wh. With the full 40W of solar input, it would take 15 hours to charge from 26% battery capacity back to 100% in direct sunlight. However, the Explorer 600 Plus is designed for a more powerful solar panel. It’s rated to recharge from 0 to 100% in four hours with a 200W solar panel.
My other complaint about the SolarSaga 40W Air is that the solar panel itself gets hot to the touch when left out in the sun. At times, it’s been hard for me to fold it up and touch the metal snaps to pack it up. That happened even after it sat in the intense Georgia sun for only about 15 minutes.
To test the Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air, I packed it along for a weekend camping trip and a day hike at my local park and have continued to use it on three camping trips. I also used it as much as possible outside, in the yard, to check recharge times and power input. I was happy to find that the panel could easily draw the stated 40W when I placed it in full sun. Even when the bullseye was slightly misaligned, I could get about 38W of input.
I used the panel to recharge my phone, portable power stations, a device aimed at repelling mosquitoes, and an Ember mug.
The $80 Anker PS30 solar panel is a more affordable alternative. The dimensions and weight are almost identical to the $109 Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air, but the Anker has a smaller input, maxing out at 30W.
But if you don’t need a solar panel small enough to fit in a backpack, going with a larger, higher-output model might make more sense. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Air offers over twice the solar input wattage but is still small and light enough to take camping or pack along on an RV trip.
If you’re not planning to travel with a solar panel and instead want one for your emergency kit or for use in the yard, even larger models, such as 200W or 400W, offer better performance. As a general rule of thumb, the more power a solar panel can provide, the more expensive it is. Larger panels also don’t support USB-A or USB-C charging directly, which is what gives the Solar Saga 40W Air an edge for small devices.
With a focus on durability and portability, I love packing along the Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air on outdoor adventures. It’s small enough to tuck into my backpack, and powerful enough to recharge my phone with sunlight. Plus, it’s much lighter than packing a power bank or a portable power station.
Buy if: you need a lightweight, compact way to recharge small devices. It also works well for recharging larger items like portable power stations as long as you’re not in a hurry.
Skip if you don’t need a compact solar panel; you can get a larger, more powerful model for a similar price. For example, the 100W Renogy solar panel costs $124.99 and delivers over twice the power and recharge capacity.
Beyond smartphones, the panel’s 40W output and direct USB-A and USB-C ports can power small trail electronics like handheld GPS units, satellite messengers, smartwatches, headlamps, camera batteries, e-readers, headphones, and camping fans. It’s also ideal for topping off small 10,000-20,000 mAh power banks during the day to power larger devices later.
The Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it’s both water- and dust-proof. It’ll be fine to leave outside and be exposed to morning dew or rain. It’s also fine in humid environments. However, it’s not suitable for submersion in water, and it will not charge if there is cloud cover and no direct sunlight.

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Sunrun is sliding toward a one-year low while the broader market climbs, and with earnings weeks away the question is whether the stock can hold before the next catalyst arrives.
Market Movers desk. Editor: David Moadel.

Selling in solar names is concentrating on Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN), the home solar and battery provider that’s falling harder than the rest of its sector. Sunrun stock is at $6.93, down 5% this afternoon after touching $6.91, its lowest price of the past year.
Meanwhile, Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:ENPH | ENPH Price Prediction) stock is down 1% to $30.30, a far softer slide than the one hitting Sunrun stock. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) shares are down 1% to $170.70, moving in step with Enphase Energy stock.
The Invesco Solar ETF (NYSEARCA:TAN) is down 2%, showing that the weakness extends across the solar group. Against that background, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is up 0.6%, leaving solar out of step with a rising broad market.
Sunrun stock is falling harder than Enphase Energy stock, First Solar shares and the Invesco Solar ETF, which sets its move apart from the sector’s broader slip. No fresh press release from Sunrun accompanied the decline, so the stock’s own trend carries more weight in reading the move. That makes the Q3 2026 results Sunrun is scheduled to report in early November the next clear checkpoint.
The three companies earn money differently, which explains why they don’t always trade in tandem: Sunrun installs home solar and battery systems, largely under long-term leases it finances, while Enphase Energy sells microinverters and First Solar makes utility-scale panels. Sunrun’s economics therefore hinge on borrowing costs as well as on what homeowners will sign.
For Sunrun, the no-upfront-cost subscription model is sold through power purchase agreements, leases and direct purchases. It is funded by non-recourse asset-level debt securitizations, tax equity partnerships and investment tax credit transfers, so higher capital costs flow straight into unit economics.
Customer agreements generate the recurring revenue that supports Sunrun’s business. Meanwhile, a third-party asset sale arrangement has driven rapid growth in product sales.
Home solar has faced softer residential demand and tariff and trade policy uncertainty on panels and batteries, along with the expiration of the federal Section 25D residential clean energy tax credit and modifications under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. Net metering changes remain another risk.
Facing that pressure, Sunrun trimmed its full-year outlook for subscriber value and cash generation, citing softer affiliate channel volumes and a slower-than-expected direct sales ramp. Management expects its expanded sales force to reach full productivity, which it says would let the company exit the year at a robust growth rate with higher unit margins.
Battery storage is the brighter spot for Sunrun, which describes itself as America’s largest provider of home battery storage and cites strong customer demand for storage-first offerings. Its distributed fleet also supplies on-demand dispatchable power through distributed power plant programs for utilities and hyperscalers. Beyond that, Sunrun is piloting a distributed AI data center program that places compute nodes in customer homes.
Sunrun’s early November results may indicate if the expanded sales force is reaching full productivity. A steadier read on subscriber additions and cash generation could help Sunrun shares find stronger ground.
It’s worth tracking whether Sunrun stock holds its one-year low before the report, and keeping position sizes modest. Strong home battery interest and new grid programs offer a credible upside case, but policy and demand risks weigh heavily on Sunrun shares.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
David Moadel is financial writer specializing in stocks, ETFs, options, precious metals, and Bitcoin. David has written well over 1,000 articles for leading online publications, helping investors understand markets, income strategies, and risk.His work has appeared in The Motley Fool, InvestorPlace, U.S. News & World Report, TipRanks, ValueWalk, Benzinga, Market Realist, TalkMarkets, Finmasters, 24/7 Wall St., and others.With a master’s degree in education, David has taught at the elementary, high school, and college levels. That teaching background shapes his writing style: clear, educational, and practical. David has also built a loyal social-media audience by providing trustworthy financial content on YouTube, X/Twitter, and StockTwits.
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LONDON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global perovskite solar cell market was valued at USD 58.2 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.73 billion by 2035, according to Credence Research. The report states a 40.41% compound annual growth rate for 2025-2035. Asia Pacific held the largest regional share at 70.0% in 2025, while North America is the fastest-growing region at a modeled 47.00% annual rate. Market sizes, segment shares and regional allocations are Credence Research estimates.
Key Takeaways
Scope & Segmentation – Perovskite Solar Cell Market
The market counts manufacturer selling value of single-junction perovskite modules and tandem products combining perovskite with silicon or other photovoltaic materials. It includes rigid, flexible and lightweight products used in utility projects, rooftops, building-integrated photovoltaics and specialized devices. It excludes conventional silicon modules, raw precursors, coating tools, licensing fees and research grants.
Read the full report and request a sample:  https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/perovskite-solar-cell-market 
Why This Report Matters
Market Overview
Perovskite materials can absorb light in a thin layer and be paired with silicon to improve the conversion efficiency of solar cells. The market is emerging from research and pilot production toward limited commercial orders, especially for tandem modules and specialty building surfaces.
Higher conversion efficiency can increase output from space-constrained rooftops and facades. Yet durability, moisture resistance, heat stability and long-term warranty support remain decisive for lenders and utility-scale buyers. A laboratory cell record does not by itself demonstrate a bankable 25-year field product.
Market Insights
Key Attributes
Attribute
Details
Historical reference
2018-2025 (source report)
Base year
2025
Market size, 2025
USD 58.2 million
Market size, 2026 (source estimate)
USD 80.3 million
Market size, 2035
USD 1.73 billion
Reported CAGR and measurement interval
40.41% (2025-2035)
Largest regional share
Asia Pacific (70.0%, 2025)
Fastest-growing region
North America (47.00%)
Segments covered
Cell and module type, Application
Geographic coverage
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa
Market Segmentation
The segmentation below follows the current report taxonomy and separates products, applications and buyers to avoid overlapping revenue definitions.
Market Drivers
Tandem designs capture more of the solar spectrum than conventional single-junction silicon cells. This creates a potential output advantage where roof or land area is constrained, although certified module performance must translate into real-world energy yield.
Chinese manufacturers have invested in early perovskite lines and demonstration projects. Large silicon manufacturers are evaluating tandem upgrades that could reuse parts of established production and distribution networks.
Third-party stress testing and intellectual property licensing can make commercialization easier by giving buyers more confidence in product durability and manufacturers clearer routes to scale.
Regional Analysis
The following regional shares represent Credence Research estimates of 2025 market value. They are not independently audited supplier sales totals.
Asia Pacific | 70.0% share in 2025
China hosts several early commercial lines and utility demonstration fields, while Japan and South Korea contribute research and flexible-module programs.
Europe | 15.5% share in 2025
Germany and other European markets support tandem pilot lines, intellectual property development and building-integrated applications.
North America | 11.2% share in 2025
Domestic module initiatives and specialty rooftop uses support the fastest modeled growth from a smaller base.
Middle East and Africa | 2.4% share in 2025
High-temperature outdoor testing and utility pilots assess durability under demanding solar conditions.
Latin America | 0.9% share in 2025
Early pilot projects in Brazil, Chile and Mexico create a small commercial base for future deployments.
Market Challenges
Perovskite cells can degrade under moisture, heat and prolonged exposure to sunlight. Commercial adoption requires long-duration field data and warranties that financiers consider credible.
Lead-containing chemistries raise encapsulation, handling and end-of-life recycling questions. Low-cost crystalline silicon modules also limit the price premium that early perovskite products can command.
Future Outlook
Tandem products are likely to gain commercial traction before stand-alone perovskite modules become a mass-market substitute for silicon. Large manufacturers with certification, warranty capacity and distribution channels have advantages.
The market forecast remains sensitive to module lifetime, production yield, intellectual property access and project finance. Early high growth comes from a very small revenue base and should not be interpreted as evidence of broad grid-scale deployment today.
Competitive Landscape
The supplier landscape includes perovskite specialists such as Oxford PV, UtmoLight, Microquanta and GCL Perovskite, alongside established photovoltaic manufacturers including LONGi, Qcells and Trina Solar. Caelux develops perovskite-coated glass for tandem applications. These businesses occupy different stages of commercialization; research records and announced capacity should not be treated as realized market sales. A reliable company revenue ranking is not available from comparable public disclosures, so the release does not assign individual supplier shares.
Key Players
Recent Developments
April 9, 2025: Oxford PV and Trinasolar announced an exclusive patent licensing agreement covering the manufacture or sale of perovskite photovoltaic products in China, with sublicensing rights.
May 2025: The Credence Research report records that Qcells tandem modules passed specified IEC and UL stress-test sequences. This is presented as a report-sourced milestone, not independent proof of a 25-year service life.  
Report Coverage
The study analyzes market size, the base-year product and application mix, regional demand, technology adoption, competitive positioning, constraints and dated industry developments. It also examines commercialization, customer economics and the factors that could change the pace of adoption through 2035.
Forecasts and regional shares are proprietary Credence Research model estimates. Company announcements and regulatory materials are used for industry context; they do not independently validate the modeled global revenue totals. The report’s market definition and exclusions should be considered when comparing it with broader adjacent industries.
Read the full report and request a sample:  https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/perovskite-solar-cell-market 
Related Reports
About Us
Credence Research Inc. is a global market intelligence and consulting firm founded in 2015. It provides quantitative market research, competitive intelligence and strategic advisory services to organizations assessing new products, investment decisions and regional opportunities. The firm combines primary and secondary research with industry interviews and structured market models.
Its research spans industrial technology, semiconductors, energy, health care, consumer markets and other sectors. Credence Research evaluates market size, segmentation, growth drivers, supply-chain risks, regional policy and competitive positioning to help clients make evidence-led decisions.
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The global 3d tsv and 2.5d market was valued at USD 9.46 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.50 billion by 2035, according to Credence…
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The San Joaquin kit fox has adapted to residing alongside solar panels in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Researchers discovered that a purposely designed gap in the fencing permits safe access for the foxes while keeping larger predators at bay. Their studies indicate that the survival rates and home ranges of these foxes are comparable to those in nearby habitats, highlighting the viability of renewable energy coexistence with wildlife.
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“Formula rate plans have resulted in large rate increases with very few rate decreases.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Arizona Southwest Gas customers could face another increase. The utility has asked state regulators to approve a $101 million hike that would raise residential bills by almost 10.5%, according to the Energy and Policy Institute. 
The request follows the Arizona Corporation Commission’s approval of a 7.5% increase.
In the same filing, Southwest Gas seeks to raise its authorized return on equity from the 9.47% the commission approved in 2025 to 10.25%.
Because Southwest Gas hasn’t had an Arizona rate case since the Arizona Corporation Commission adopted its 2024 policy statement on formula rates, the company is now asking to use that mechanism. 
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Consumer advocates argue the approach could allow rates to change more often between major rate cases while reducing oversight.
“A formula rate plan uses a pre-approved formula to adjust base rates between general rate cases, usually on an annual basis,” the Residential Utility Consumer Office said in testimony.
RUCO also held that Southwest Gas should receive a 9.2% return on equity if formula rates are approved, arguing that the system would reduce the company’s risk by giving it “guaranteed revenues and income” and more predictable cost recovery.
For homeowners worried about rising utility bills, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. EnergySage offers free solar installation estimates and quote comparisons to streamline the process.
A wider Arizona dispute over formula rates is also shaping this case. 
RUCO is among the plaintiffs challenging the commission’s policy statement, arguing that it adopted the policy through a policy statement rather than formal rulemaking and therefore bypassed stakeholder input, impact studies, and public comment.
Then-Chairman Jim O’Connor said the policy drew opposition in more than 600 comments, while Commissioner Kevin Thompson dismissed critics’ concerns as “alarmism.” 
“It’s part of the misconceptions that media and other people are feeding into that they just don’t understand,” Thompson alleged.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
RUCO also urged regulators to remove at least part of Southwest Gas’ dues to the American Gas Association and Western States and Tribal Nations from customer charges, citing advocacy for expanded gas use.
Coal and natural gas power plants contribute to air and water pollution linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. 
They keep household energy costs elevated for families that remain dependent on those fuels instead of more abundant energy sources such as wind and sunlight, while industry lobbying slows cleaner, cheaper energy solutions that would better protect families and lower costs.
RUCO and ACC staff also raised concerns about other costs Southwest Gas wants customers to absorb, including 56% of board expenses totaling $1,864,765, $400,000 in rate case expenses, and $565,061 in employee meal costs. 
In Nevada, the company faced scrutiny for trying to pass on costs for luxury hotels, alcohol, limo rides, and a $5,088 dinner attended by 13 guests for former President and CEO Karen Haller.
Consumer advocates are challenging the proposal directly in the case. 
RUCO recommended removing 100% of board fees from rates and argued that requiring customers to pay a return on the company’s own rate-case spending would “unfairly enrich shareholders.” 
ACC staff similarly said some executive perks are “beyond the normal compensation paid to employees.” Regulators and advocates in other states are also scrutinizing fast-tracked gas infrastructure spending. 
Southwest Gas wants to raise the annual cap on its Arizona system integrity mechanism from $50 million to $100 million, but a Future of Heat Initiative report found gas distribution spending climbed 200% over 15 years without measurable safety improvement. 
In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Utilities lowered a similar spending cap in 2025 to prioritize leak repair over full pipe replacement.
If higher gas costs are pushing you to look at alternatives, EnergySage is especially useful. It can help the average person 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 state-specific solar panel incentives; together, these resources get homeowners the best price on rooftop solar panels and allow them to take advantage of all 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. EnergySage provides information on home battery storage options and competitive installation estimates.
With Southwest Gas rebuttal testimony due Nov. 2 and intervenor responses due Nov. 20, ACC staff witness Michael Deupree of Acadian Consulting Group cited one of the central concerns.
“Formula rate plans have resulted in large rate increases with very few rate decreases and no measurable improvement in reliability of service.”
These stories show how utility decisions in several states affect what customers pay. They cover Arizona efficiency rollbacks, utility cost-recovery fights, and surging power bills.
• Arizona regulators gutted energy efficiency standards that had saved ratepayers $1.7 billion.
• In Oregon, lawmakers weighed major changes to how utilities operate as bills rise.
• PacifiCorp sought approval to bill customers for $1.7 billion in wildfire damages.
• In Missouri, cities fought pollution, then watched their power bills soar 191%.
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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Solar Power World
By Billy Ludt | October 19, 2026
Pepco approved ConnectDER‘s meter collar products for solar, battery storage and EV charging installations for installation across its service territory in Washington, D.C. D.C. joins ConnectDER’s national footprint of 54 utilities reaching nearly 40 million households, with further utility expansion in progress.
ConnectDER’s adapters plug directly into the existing meter socket on the outside of the home. By establishing a safe connection point at the meter, it bypasses the need for main panel upgrades, service upsizing, circuit relocations or adding backup loads panels and system controllers, which can cause labor costs increases and project timelines delays.
“Demand for residential solar, battery backup and electric vehicles across Washington, D.C. continues to surge, but the physical challenge of older electrical infrastructure slows down installations,” said Ivo Steklac, ConnectDER president and CEO. “With Pepco approving our adapters for installation outside the home at the meter socket, installers don’t need to re-engineer the entire panel and home wiring to get these systems up and running. They can deliver clean energy resilience to district residents more efficiently, saving them thousands of dollars off total costs and days of labor. That directly translates to increased installation capacity and fewer barriers—keys for achieving D.C.’s ambitious electrification goals.”
D.C.’s clean energy market is propelled by its Clean Energy DC mandates, which include a renewable portfolio standard with a dedicated 15% local solar carve-out. The District’s unique urban building stock — primarily historic row homes with aging electrical infrastructure — frequently features 100-A electrical panels that require main service upgrades costing thousands before solar, battery storage or EV charging equipment can be interconnected.
“ConnectDER’s approval by Pepco DC is a big win for district residents and installation companies, following dedicated work from several CHESSA members to pass enabling regulations,” said Robin Dutta, executive director of the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA). “This makes solar and battery storage more accessible for everyday homeowners, which is exactly the type of change we want to see more of.”
ConnectDER’s IslandDER MSA is engineered specifically for whole-home backup and battery storage, and integrates a Microgrid Interconnect Device, CTs, voltage sensing and real-time grid disconnect capability into a single compact device mounted outside at the meter. IslandDER is installed without reconfiguring panels or rerouting household circuits.
News item from ConnectDER
Billy Ludt is managing editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, inverters, installation and operations.

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Energies Media
A pond the size of a city lot now keeps an entire California winery running.
It sits behind the vines at a family farm in Mendocino County.
No new land was cleared for it.
No rooftop was torn up either.
Instead, panels went straight onto the water the vineyard already used for irrigation.
So how does a pond barely a quarter acre wide end up carrying the full electric load of a 1,800 acre farm?
A solar panel loses efficiency as it heats up, and a rooftop or a gravel field offers nothing to cool it. Floating the same panel a few inches above a pond changes that completely.
The water beneath acts as a natural heat sink, pulling warmth away from the panel’s underside and letting it keep converting sunlight efficiently through the hottest part of a Mendocino afternoon. A panel that runs cooler also degrades more slowly, which matters on a farm expecting decades of use from the same hardware.
That cooling effect is the entire reason floating photovoltaics has spread from reservoirs to quarry lakes to farm ponds over the past decade. The pond at Nelson Family Vineyards already existed as an irrigation source, so the array needed no new footprint at all.
Tyler Nelson, who owns the vineyard, put the land logic plainly: “Because the system floats on a pond, it does not take a single acre of land out of production.”
The hardware itself is modest by utility standards. The installer, a Sacramento area firm called Noria Energy, placed 252 solar panels on pontoons covering 0.28 acres of a retention pond, anchored to the bank, in water up to 10 feet deep.
That translates to a system rated at 136 kilowatts of capacity, which sounds small next to a utility scale solar farm. But paired with an existing rooftop array on the winery building, the combination now produces what the property needs to run.
Together the floating array and rooftop panels are expected to generate around 200,000 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power the winery, agricultural pumps, tasting room, shop and 12 on-site homes. For a 74 year old working farm, that is not a demonstration project. It is the entire electric bill, replaced.
The vineyard’s leadership did not frame this as an environmental statement first. The move toward renewable energy is expected to yield substantial financial benefits, with Nelson highlighting the impact of energy independence in an era of rising electricity costs, saying the shift would have “a major and immediate impact on our operation.”
That impact has a dollar figure attached. The project is projected to save Nelson Family Vineyards an estimated $90,000 annually, significantly reducing operating costs while also supporting its commitment to sustainable operation.
On a farm that has run for 74 years across 1,800 acres, that is real money taken straight off the utility ledger every year. Floating solar is still unusual enough in American agriculture that this winery’s installer calls it a milestone, marking one of the company’s first winery projects. Other growers watching the shift toward on site generation have seen similar logic play out elsewhere, including a Michigan solar farm built to help power nearby manufacturing demand.
The project’s second life is as a laboratory. Beyond the electricity, the installation is serving as a field site for an ecological study led by scientists from a university backed wild energy research center.
That matters because most floating solar research to date comes from much larger reservoirs and lakes, not farm scale ponds used for irrigation. Scientists from the UC Davis Wild Energy Center will use the system to examine how floating solar installations influence water quality, aquatic species, microclimates, and biodiversity in an agricultural setting. A major strand of that work, as the original project report describes, looks at whether the panels’ shade can curb invasive water fleas and weeds that clog the vineyard’s drip irrigation filters.
That data could shape how the next wave of American vineyards and farms decide where to put their own panels, whether that means a dedicated solar project or something closer to the scale of the Swan Solar build underway in Missouri.
Nobody is calling a quarter acre pond the future of utility scale solar. The project’s own backers describe it as a model for diversified operations rather than a template for gigawatt scale power plants.
A resource the vineyard already owned did double duty without displacing a single row of grapes. A 136 kilowatt floating array will never show up on a regional grid operator’s dashboard the way a far larger solar build does. Its significance is local, measured in one farm’s bill and one family’s margin, not in megawatts exported to the wider grid.
Still, the arithmetic is hard to argue with. A pond that once did one job now does two, and the vineyard’s own power bill is the proof. As more water rights holders and growers watch how that quarter acre performs, the real test will be whether researchers find anything in the water that complicates the picture, or whether the pond simply keeps doing what it was already doing, just with panels riding on top.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.
Hugo is an engineer with strong technical expertise. Multilingual from an early age, his writing combines technical clarity with a strong interest in science and energy.

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This farmer was promised a $20,000 grant to go solar. USDA changed the rules  Marketplace.org
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JinkoSolar has used its Global Tech Day in Shanghai to position itself at the intersection of solar, energy storage and artificial intelligence. The event brought together customers, academics and industry leaders to examine how photovoltaic and storage technologies can support higher energy yields, stronger project returns and more resilient power systems.
The company unveiled Tiger Neo 5.0, a residential module based on its new TAC, or TOPCon based Amorphous Si Passivating Cell, technology. The first commercial version is an all-black 48 cell module with maximum output of 510 W and module efficiency of 25.52%. Its power temperature coefficient is -0.24% per degree Celsius, which JinkoSolar says supports better energy production in hot climates.
TAC uses a 2 plus 1 architecture that combines two cell technologies with one structural optimisation. It applies heterojunction passivation to the p type emitter, tunnel oxide passivated contacts to the n type region, and places both electrodes on the rear of the wafer. This removes front side metallisation, reduces optical shading and allows greater light absorption.
JinkoSolar says the approach delivers peak cell efficiency of 28%, close to the theoretical limit for monocrystalline silicon. The company also reports that Tiger Neo 5.0 provides about 30 W more power than conventional back contact products, while offering a deeper and more uniform black appearance for villa and premium residential rooftops.
The launch reflects JinkoSolar’s move from a single technology approach toward application specific products. The company says Tiger Neo 3.0 TOPCon modules will remain central for utility scale plants, commercial and industrial projects, data centres, agrivoltaics, floating solar, desert installations, solar to hydrogen projects and other demanding applications. It argues that high power, high bifaciality and strong low light performance remain decisive for lowering levelised cost of electricity and improving project returns.
JinkoSolar also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in research and development. With more than 700 GW of TOPCon based installations worldwide, the company says it is using field performance data, installation conditions and climate information to build simulation models and accelerate technology development.
Jinko ESS
Jinko ESS, a subsidiary of JinkoSolar, is progressing a 220MWh battery energy storage portfolio in Germany. The portfolio combines green and grey battery energy storage systems with planned photovoltaic capacity under a hybrid power purchase agreement strategy.
The project is designed to shift energy across time, balance variations in solar output and respond to market signals. Jinko ESS says this can improve the commercial value of renewable generation while supporting grid stability.
The storage portfolio uses the Jinko Tera liquid cooled energy storage system, which has a capacity of 5.01MWh. The system offers three times grid forming capability for 10 seconds, black start capability and fast frequency regulation. Its tested round trip conversion efficiency is 94.1%, and it has a 20 year design life.
Roberto Murgioni, General Manager of Jinko ESS Europe, said the company was proud to support the 220MWh portfolio in Germany. He said the project demonstrated what close collaboration could achieve and reflected Jinko ESS’s technology, experience and long term support.
For African energy sector stakeholders, the announcements point to a growing focus on application specific solar technology and storage led commercial models. As utilities, developers and industrial users confront grid constraints and variable renewable generation, integrated solar and battery storage solutions are likely to become increasingly relevant across the continent.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal

 






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The new system has been designed for households unable to install traditional rooftop solar panels
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A new plug-in solar panel kit designed for renters and households without traditional rooftop solar is launching in the UK, just weeks after the technology was legalised.
Energy technology company Zendure has announced its SolarFlow 800 system, becoming one of the latest manufacturers to enter Britain’s emerging plug-in solar panel market.
The launch comes as households face higher energy bills, with Ofgem’s energy price cap rising by 4 per cent on 1 October to £1,723 a year for a typical household paying by direct debit.
Unlike conventional rooftop solar installations, which generally require professional installation and a substantial upfront investment, plug-in solar systems are designed to be easier to install and remove.
Zendure’s new kit includes two solar panels and an 800W microinverter, which converts the electricity generated by the panels into power that can be used by your household appliances. The system connects directly to a standard household socket, allowing the solar electricity to power appliances such as fridges, routers and televisions, reducing the amount of electricity you have to purchase from the grid.
Zendure says the panels can be mounted on the ground, a wall or certain balconies, potentially making the system suitable for renters and people living in properties without suitable roofs.
Unlike traditional rooftop solar panels, the plug-in versions can also be disconnected and taken to another property when its owner moves.
The UK government legalised compliant plug-in solar systems in Great Britain on 27 August 2026, allowing households to generate up to 800W of electricity through systems connected to ordinary sockets.
According to government estimates, plug-in solar could provide up to 20 per cent of an average household’s electricity consumption, potentially saving up to £110 a year on energy bills.
However, actual savings from plug-in solar panels will depend on factors including the panels’ position, available sunlight and how much of the electricity generated is used in the home.
Plug-in systems also have a much lower maximum output than conventional rooftop solar installations, meaning they are intended to supplement grid electricity rather than replace it.
Households will need a suitable location for the panels, while renters may require their landlord’s permission. Planning and installation restrictions can also apply, particularly to balcony-mounted systems.
Zendure has not yet confirmed a UK price for the SolarFlow 800. Pre-orders for the new plug-in kit are scheduled to open on 2 November.
Read more: Best solar panels, compared
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A new plug-in solar panel kit designed for renters and households without traditional rooftop solar is launching in the UK, just weeks after the technology was legalised.
Energy technology company Zendure has announced its SolarFlow 800 system, becoming one of the latest manufacturers to enter Britain's emerging plug-in solar panel market.
The launch comes as households face higher energy bills, with Ofgem's energy price cap rising by 4 per cent on 1 October to £1,723 a year for a typical household paying by direct debit.
Unlike conventional rooftop solar installations, which generally require professional installation and a substantial upfront investment, plug-in solar systems are designed to be easier to install and remove.
Zendure's new kit includes two solar panels and an 800W microinverter, which converts the electricity generated by the panels into power that can be used by your household appliances. The system connects directly to a standard household socket, allowing the solar electricity to power appliances such as fridges, routers and televisions, reducing the amount of electricity you have to purchase from the grid.
Zendure says the panels can be mounted on the ground, a wall or certain balconies, potentially making the system suitable for renters and people living in properties without suitable roofs.
Unlike traditional rooftop solar panels, the plug-in versions can also be disconnected and taken to another property when its owner moves.
The UK government legalised compliant plug-in solar systems in Great Britain on 27 August 2026, allowing households to generate up to 800W of electricity through systems connected to ordinary sockets.
According to government estimates, plug-in solar could provide up to 20 per cent of an average household's electricity consumption, potentially saving up to £110 a year on energy bills.
However, actual savings from plug-in solar panels will depend on factors including the panels' position, available sunlight and how much of the electricity generated is used in the home.
Plug-in systems also have a much lower maximum output than conventional rooftop solar installations, meaning they are intended to supplement grid electricity rather than replace it.
Households will need a suitable location for the panels, while renters may require their landlord's permission. Planning and installation restrictions can also apply, particularly to balcony-mounted systems.
Zendure has not yet confirmed a UK price for the SolarFlow 800. Pre-orders for the new plug-in kit are scheduled to open on 2 November.
Read more: Best solar panels, compared
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Kōwhai Park officially opens at Christchurch Airport, marking a major milestone for renewable energy, with around 300,000 solar panels expected to generate enough electricity to match the annual demand of 36,000 homes.
The South Island’s largest solar farm has officially opened in Christchurch adding 150MWac (168MWdc) of renewable generation capacity to New Zealand’s electricity system.
Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon opened Kōwhai Park today, marking a major milestone for the $273 million renewable energy project.
Developed through Contact Energy and Lightsource bp’s joint venture partnership, the Kōwhai Park solar farm at Christchurch Airport is expected to generate 275GWh of renewable energy a year. That’s the equivalent to the annual electricity demand of around 36,000 homes.
The solar farm is already supporting the electrification of New Zealand industry. Both Christchurch Airport and Synlait will source electricity from Kōwhai Park under long-term power purchase agreements. Synlait will buy 25 percent of the electricity generated to power its Dunsandel and Dairyworks sites.
Around 300,000 solar panels stretch across the 230-hectare site at Christchurch International Airport, creating one of the country’s largest solar farms.
Contact CEO Mike Fuge says the Kōwhai Park solar farm demonstrates the opportunity renewable energy presents for New Zealand.
“New Zealand has an incredible renewable energy advantage. Building new generation at scale gives businesses the confidence to electrify and strengthens our security of supply. That means a more resilient energy system, with more home-grown generation supporting a productive and prosperous New Zealand.
“Kōwhai Park is our first completed solar farm, and we have another two consented sites in Taranaki and Northland in joint venture with Lightsource bp.
“We have huge aspirations for what renewable energy can deliver for this country.”
Adam Pegg, Chief Operating Officer for Asia-Pacific (APAC) at Lightsource bp, comments: “Kōwhai Park is an important milestone for Lightsource bp as our first completed project in New Zealand. We are excited to bring our global experience and capability to this market and work with Contact Energy to deliver low-cost and reliable large-scale renewable energy projects.
“It also demonstrates what strong partnerships can deliver. Working alongside Contact Energy, Christchurch Airport, local businesses and the wider community, we have combined international capability with local knowledge to deliver a project that will provide renewable energy for decades to come.
“We see significant opportunity for large-scale renewables to support New Zealand’s growing electricity needs, industrial electrification and long-term energy security. Kōwhai Park demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved, and we look forward to building on that momentum across New Zealand.”
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson says: “Kōwhai Park shows what can happen when you think differently about how airport land can be used. The vision started here at Christchurch Airport and bringing Contact Energy and Lightsource bp together to help realise it has been a fantastic example of what strong partnerships can achieve.
“For us, this has always been about more than a solar farm. Our vision for Kōwhai Park is to create a renewable energy precinct that can support new opportunities and deliver long-term value for our region.
“Seeing the solar farm operating today is a significant step towards that vision and something we’re incredibly proud to have delivered together.”
Construction has also delivered significant local economic benefits, with 235 people employed at the project’s peak and 66 Canterbury businesses involved in helping to build the solar farm.
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South Australia advances almost 13GW of solar and wind in Whyalla West tender  PV Tech
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Chinese PV module maker JinkoSolar unveiled its TOPCon-based Amorphous-Si Passivating Cell (TAC) technology at its Global Tech Day event in Shanghai on Oct. 17. According to a technical white paper published by the company, the architecture combines TOPCon electron-selective contacts with heterojunction (HJT) hole-selective contacts and a rear-electrode layout.
The design uses an n-type crystalline silicon wafer with two alternating carrier-selective contact regions on the rear surface. Both positive and negative electrodes are located on the rear, eliminating front-side metallisation and the associated optical shading losses.
The electron-collecting n-type region retains the contact structure used in TOPCon cells, consisting of an approximately 1 nm to 2 nm silicon oxide tunneling layer and heavily doped polycrystalline silicon. This structure enables selective electron transport with low contact resistance while suppressing carrier recombination.
The hole-collecting p-type region uses intrinsic and doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si), drawing on HJT cell technology. JinkoSolar said the configuration improves surface passivation and open-circuit voltage. A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer facilitates lateral carrier transport, while the amorphous silicon passivation process takes place at temperatures below 200 C.
High-precision laser patterning and dielectric isolation separate the two contact regions. JinkoSolar describes the architecture as a “2+1” design, combining TOPCon electron contacts, HJT hole contacts and a rear-electrode structure.
TAC belongs to the broader back-contact (BC) cell category, which includes architectures using different passivation and carrier-selective contact technologies. Unlike conventional front-contact TOPCon cells, TAC eliminates front-side metal contacts to reduce shading losses. Its distinguishing feature among BC technologies is the integration of TOPCon and amorphous silicon heterojunction contacts on the same wafer.
JinkoSolar has also developed a full-area passivation approach, called the Global Passivation Process (GPP), to reduce recombination losses across the contact regions. Another process, Multi-Dimensional Charge Passivation (MCP 2.0), targets carrier recombination at cut-cell edges. It uses a cut-before-passivation sequence, followed by chemical, field-effect and hydrogen passivation of the exposed surfaces.
Other cell-level features include high-purity, low-oxygen n-type silicon wafers and a light-trapping structure combining surface texturing, antireflection coatings and rear reflection. The white paper specifies a bulk minority-carrier lifetime exceeding 2 ms and a bulk recombination current density below 5 fA/cm² for the silicon substrate.
JinkoSolar said TAC production cell efficiency has exceeded 27%, with a peak efficiency of 28%. The company’s Oct. 17 announcement identifies the 28% figure as peak cell efficiency. However, the white paper does not specify a third-party certification, test area or average production-line efficiency for the result.
In its first-half 2026 financial report, JinkoSolar separately reported a third-party-certified conversion efficiency of 27.2% for an n-type BC research cell. The company, however, did not identify that result as a TAC measurement.
JinkoSolar identified low-temperature metallisation, copper-containing contact materials and the potential use of TAC as a bottom-cell platform for perovskite-silicon tandem devices as areas for further development.
From pv magazine Global

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Solar rush: Why Filipino households are turning to the sun  Inquirer.net
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Nationwide, electric utility providers are in a bind. Surging demand driven by electric vehicles, massive data center expansions and severe weather events is pushing aging power infrastructure to its limits. Utilities routinely pass massive capital investment costs straight to rate payers, squeezing household budgets at a time when families can least afford it.
When every dollar counts, waiting for energy prices to magically drop simply isn’t a strategy. That urgency is why many states are looking at how Minnesota became the nation’s premier model for localized, affordable clean energy.
 Minnesota Built the Framework to Help Community Solar Programs Nationwide
Rather than waiting on regional grid updates, thousands of Minnesota households are taking advantage of the state’s pioneering Community Solar Garden program. Originally created in 2013 and subsequently updated, Minnesota’s community solar program is now named in honor of Melissa Hortman. The program serves as a policy blueprint for lawmakers across the country.
Minnesota consistently ranks as one of the largest community solar markets in the nation, boasting more than 800 megawatts of active community solar capacity. The modern legislation ensures that everyday families, not just corporations, directly benefit from grid transformation through guaranteed, income-qualified savings.
“Solar energy isn’t an expensive luxury anymore. It’s now one of the most affordable sources of new electricity generation in the country,” explained Eric Pasi, CEO of Enterprise Energy, a Minneapolis-based community solar developer. “Thanks to Minnesota’s modern energy policy, accessing those lower costs doesn’t require thousands of dollars in rooftop panels.”
Subscribers to local solar gardens can reduce energy costs by up to 15% with no upfront fees and zero equipment installations. Homeowners and renters simply subscribe to a nearby solar farm and receive savings credit on their energy statement beginning this fall.
Scaling a Local Fix Into a National Playbook
The strategy isn’t just cutting bills; it’s proving how local communities can modernize the power supply from the ground up.
“We are a locally owned company, based in Minneapolis, created to give local families direct relief from rising utility bills,” Pasi added. “Our community solar projects now power approximately 10,000 households while helping us build a cleaner, stronger power grid for our communities.”
The rapid growth underlines how hungry consumers are for alternatives. Named the #1 fastest-growing company in Minnesota on Inc.com’s 2026 5000 list, and #4 nationally within the energy sector category, Enterprise Energy projects it will power approximately 30,000 households within the next year alone.
The company is expanding its service into Illinois, where a similar state program exists. “We are providing a scalable blueprint for how the rest of the country can expand access to affordable electricity,” commented Pasi.
How Minnesota’s Solar Gardens Lower Electricity Bills
●      Local solar farms generate clean, affordable electricity for the power grid.
●      Households simply need to subscribe. Minnesota households served by Xcel Energy can subscribe, subject to program requirements and available capacity. There are no setup fees, credit checks or hidden costs.
●      With consolidated billing, subscription charges and solar credits appear together on the household’s Xcel Energy bill. There are no second invoices to manage. 
 
Community Solar Gardens are Better for the Environment and the Economy
Pasi estimated that the company’s community solar gardens currently offset close to 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
“We also go to great lengths to make each garden as beneficial environmentally as possible. Pollinator-friendly seed mixes are planted in all of our projects. This helps restore the health of the soil. Depending on the project, we may also plant low-growing crops below the solar panels to maximize use of the space. Some of our gardens are even used for sheep grazing.”
 Enterprise Energy also prioritizes American-made equipment for its projects. “It’s important to us to support the U.S. economy. In addition to sourcing from American vendors, we are committed to growing the overall solar energy industry because it will support many high-paying local green jobs.” 

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Power cables weave through palm trees high above Fiji's Rukurukulevu Village, linking residents to the national grid and a select few to solar panels.
The settlement of about 400 people finally electrified its last building this year — a kindergarten, just metres from the sea.
But residents are struggling to keep the lights on as the Middle East war and other factors push up energy bills in this Pacific paradise.
It is challenging Fiji's reliance on imported fossil fuels and driving a push towards renewables in the resource-scarce island nation.
"The prices of electricity here in Fiji (are) very high," village spokesman Vereniki Nalio told AFP.
"Some houses, they got FJ$100 (US$44) and over. The church, community halls and church minister's house, they've got about FJ$200, nearly FJ$300, for a month."
Nalio said he paid about FJ$60 per month for electricity — "very, very high".
Opposite his home stands another small house with one big difference: past the clothes hanging on the washing line lies a small array of solar panels.
Another home across the road boasts an even larger installation, showing how some in the village are seeking to move away from dependence on the grid.
Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February, fuel shipments from the Gulf have slowed.
Nalio said the subsequent global energy squeeze had led villagers to consider switching to renewables.
A basic solar power system costs around FJ$3,000, a higher up-front cost but an increasingly reasonable price to pay for theoretically unlimited, free electricity.
"They said we had no more fuel, no more petrol would come to Fiji. So at that time we think about solar," Nalio said.
He added that the village hoped to install solar panels on communal buildings to reduce the shared cost of powering them.
Pointing to the sky, Nalio said Rukurukulevu should not have to import its energy.
"Solar is already here."
– Rush for renewables –
Fiji hosted this month's "pre-COP" United Nations climate summit, where Pacific Island nations pressed for faster access to climate financing for projects such as renewable energy.
The event was a precursor to next month's main COP event in Turkey, where organisers will push for member states to commit to electrification — replacing technologies that burn fossil fuels directly, like diesel cars and gas heating, with electric alternatives.
Symbolising the challenges the Pacific faces, a major power outage on the second day of the event plunged the 4,000 attendees into darkness.
Government minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau blamed Fiji's rising energy prices on overreliance on fossil fuels and El Nino.
The cyclical climate phenomenon is particularly strong this year and has brought weather patterns that are drying up Fiji's hydroelectric dams.
They "will face a critical situation" if rainfall does not increase by mid-November, Tuisawau, whose remit covers public works, weather services and transport, told AFP.
"We would probably go into water rationing and power rationing in the next, maybe, four weeks if the situation doesn't change," he said.
"The hotels can enjoy (it) now, but we will cut off their water to the pool."
Fiji spends as much as 12 percent of its GDP on importing fossil fuels — "a huge drain on our resources", Tuisawau said.
The country is aiming for 90 percent renewable energy generation by 2035 and plans to spend FJ$2 billion on solar and hydropower development in the next decade.
That includes investing at least FJ$460 million in solar farms in the next four years, as well as FJ$650 million on two new dams and more than FJ$700 million to expand its main transmission lines.
For now, though, many islanders are still facing the sharp end of Fiji's energy crisis, Tuisawau acknowledged.
"With the price, with geopolitical issues, and in addition El Nino right now, it's a very difficult situation," he said.
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By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) – The US State Department said on Monday it has asked Americans to reconsider any travel to Kenya and raised its travel advisory for the African nation
By Kyu-seok Shim SEOUL, Oct 20 (Reuters) – South Korea on Tuesday vowed a stern response if North Korea acts on threats to strengthen its military posture along the border, which have fueled tensions
The Democratic pundit predicted a major purge if Republicans fall short in next month’s midterm elections.
Tech firms led heavy losses across Asian markets Tuesday as investors brushed off a rebound on Wall Street amid growing fears about the AI investment boom ahead of crunch earnings releases.Focus is now on the release of earnings results, with Meta and Tesla due this week.
By Christine Chen SYDNEY, Oct 20 (Reuters) – Australian barber Ricky Jefferies has been hailed as a hero for running out of his store to detain a man who authorities allege deliberately drove a car
Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has lost a leg after being struck by a car in a deliberate attack, local media said Tuesday.Australian media reported that he was known to police and that his name is Brendan Nugent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu basked in Donald Trump's endorsement on Monday ahead of close-fought elections, airing a phone call in which the US president predicted he would win and suggested they may again attack Iran together.- 'Polarising figure' – Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, had waited for years for a US president who would agree to attack Iran.
A disturbing video shows agents pinning down a Long Beach man, who is screaming in pain.
French officials are imposing localized curfews — including in parts of Paris — as the country reels from its worst rioting in years.
By Bo Erickson and Kanishka Singh PARK CITY, Kansas, Oct 19 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Monday the US Department of Agriculture will launch what he called a new "harvest fuel relief
A 6-year-old boy and 35-year-old man were killed and 10 others were injured when a truck drove onto a field during a youth soccer game in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, authorities said.
WASHINGTON, Oct 19 () – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced ‌visit to Israel on Monday, Axios reported, citing two ‌sources with knowledge. could not immediately confirm the meeting, but Hegseth said in ​a social media post that he had visited US service members in the Central Command area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia.
A Japanese spacecraft was on its way to one of Mars's moons on Tuesday on a world-first mission to retrieve samples, potentially helping unlock the origins of the Solar System and life on Earth.China's Tianwen-3 spacecraft is scheduled for launch around 2028 and hopes to return Mars samples to Earth as early as 2031 — potentially before the Japanese mission's return. aph-kh/abs
By Bo Erickson and Steve Holland PARK CITY, Kansas, Oct 19 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump on Monday used violent unrest in France as an argument against Democrats in his battle to defend a
A rural Australian town felt a mix of horror and disbelief on Tuesday after a highly respected lawmaker was gravely injured in what looked to be a targeted attack.Haines entered parliament as an independent lawmaker in 2019, representing the sprawling seat of Indi.
A presidential runoff between Brazil's incumbent leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro will decide the fate of Latin America's largest democracy on Sunday.The runoff victor will either preserve the vast country of 214 million people as a left-wing stronghold in Latin America, or usher it into the ranks of right-wing administrations loyal to US President Donald Trump.
Hardly a day goes by now in Ukraine without news of another Russian air strike on the country's energy sector, causing widespread blackouts, including in the capital, Kyiv.Last winter, Russian strikes knocked out power and heating in sub-zero temperatures.
By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, Oct 19 (Reuters) – US-based explorers who voyaged to a tiny South Pacific island seeking to solve conclusively the 1937 disappearance of famed aviator Amelia Earhart have
The EU is to unveil plans to bolster its foothold in the Arctic Tuesday, as it grapples with pressure from Russia and the United States in the key strategic region.-   Only recently a key ally in the region, the United States is listed among those who could participate, but the country is otherwise more noticeable for its absence from the remainder of the document.
"Nobody appreciates how great a president I am!’” Trump said at a Kanas rally.

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REG – Zenith Energy Ltd – Acquisition of 10 MWp PV & Production Update  TradingView
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ARENA opens $250m solar manufacturing round  Manufacturers’ Monthly
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[Ed: Though Sichuan as a whole has a poor solar resource for CSP, Aba County itself has excellent DNI. It is located in the northwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with a thin and clean atmosphere, and a high number of cloud-free days.]
Source: From CSTA
Sichuan Province is set to get its first concentrated solar power plant. The Aba Prefecture Ecological Environment Bureau has approved Phase I of the Aba Maikun “CSP + PV” Integrated Power Generation Demonstration Project (Azhou Environmental Approval No. 42 of 2026).
Across two phases, the project will total 2 GW: 200 MW of CSP and 1,800 MW of PV, with a total investment of about 9.2 billion yuan.
It is Sichuan’s first tower CSP project and its first large-scale CSP demonstration project. It is also the province’s first CSP + PV hybrid. Aba sits high on the plateau in northwestern Sichuan, where direct normal irradiance (DNI) is strong, unlike most of the province.
Phase I totals 1 GW: a 100 MW molten salt tower CSP plant with thermal storage and 900 MW of PV. The PV uses a “grass-solar complementary” approach, sharing the land with grassland. Phase I will cost about 4.425 billion yuan, excluding the outgoing transmission line and grid-side upgrades. It is located in Maierma Town, Anqiang Town and Maikun Township in Aba County, at an altitude of roughly 3,600 to 3,900 meters.
The CSP plant will have a 255-meter receiver tower and a heliostat field of about 400,000 square meters. Its molten salt thermal storage will provide both peak-shaving and stable output. Shouhang Energy Saving Solar Technology Co., Ltd. won the contract for the solar field and receiver system, worth 187 million yuan.
Phase I also includes a 110 kV step-up substation for the CSP plant, two 220 kV step-up substations for the PV, and energy storage facilities. A connection for centralized clean energy heating is built in. Once complete, it can heat about 500,000 square meters of buildings in Aba County town.
Sichuan Shudao Clean Energy Group Co., Ltd. leads the project, with CGN Wind Power and PowerChina’s Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited. In September, two PV EPC contracts were awarded. One went to Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited. The other went to The IT Electronics Eleventh Design & Research Institute Scientific and Technological Engineering Corporation Limited, in a consortium with Highland Build Co., Ltd.
The bureau said the site is in a highly ecologically sensitive area. Prefecture environmental officials worked with other departments to assess and refine the plans for grassland protection, impacts on wild plants and animals, and fit with the landscape. The bureau said this let it shorten the approval process while holding to its ecological protection limits.
The bureau said the project’s model of “CSP peak-shaving + PV generation + urban heating” will build practical experience for combining renewable energy sources in Sichuan’s high-altitude alpine regions. It added that the project will support the low-carbon transition of the Aba Plateau.
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Expanding renewable energy is not necessarily at odds with the economic interests of countries that depend heavily on oil and gas exports. On the contrary, replacing fossil fuels in domestic energy consumption with renewable electricity could allow these countries to increase export revenues while developing cleaner and more efficient energy systems at home.
These are the findings of a new study conducted by researchers at LUT University in Finland, who identified Norway as a particularly successful example of this approach. The country has combined substantial oil and gas production with extensive renewable electricity generation, widespread electric vehicle adoption, and increasing electrification of heating.
“The most clever oil and gas producing countries do so, see Norway,” Christian Breyer, professor for Solar Economy at Finland’s LUT University, told pv magazine, referring to investments in renewable energy and electrification.
He explained that reducing domestic fossil fuel consumption allows exporting countries to retain more of their oil and gas production for international markets. At the same time, electrification can improve the efficiency of domestic energy use and reduce emissions. “This allows them to export more fossil fuels whereas domestically they have a highly efficient and clean energy system,” he said, describing the strategy as economically advantageous.
However, Breyer argued that Norway remains an exception rather than the rule. Many fossil fuel exporters have yet to fully exploit the economic opportunities associated with their energy resources, particularly when it comes to developing renewable electricity generation and electrifying domestic demand.
The development of renewable energy in fossil fuel-exporting economies does not necessarily send contradictory signals to importing countries, according to Breyer. He noted that several Middle Eastern countries have begun investing in large-scale solar PV projects without undermining their oil and gas export businesses.
In his view, the continued demand for fossil fuels is largely independent of whether producing countries accelerate their own energy transitions. He compared fossil fuel dependence to other forms of addiction, arguing that consumers may continue purchasing products despite being aware of their long-term economic and environmental costs.
The situation in Russia presents a markedly different picture. Although the country has developed some solar and wind power capacity, renewable energy deployment has remained relatively limited compared with its resource potential. The expansion of the sector has also stalled since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Breyer suggested that Russia could, in principle, benefit from the same strategy pursued by Norway and increasingly considered by other fossil fuel-producing economies, including countries in the Middle East, the United States, and Canada.
Such a transition could reduce domestic fossil fuel consumption and create additional economic value from the country’s energy resources. Greater deployment of distributed renewable energy systems could also contribute to electricity supply diversification and, with appropriate grid design and storage, improve resilience against disruptions.
However, Breyer sees the main obstacles as political rather than technological or economic. He is skeptical that international sanctions or Russia’s increasing technological dependence on China would, by themselves, fundamentally change the country’s renewable energy prospects. Instead, he argued that progress would depend on policy decisions prioritizing long-term national economic interests.
“It would require clever policy making to the advantage of the country and its people,” he said.
Breyer was particularly critical of the economic and human consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that the destruction of economic value, loss of life, and damage to the country’s international reputation illustrate the consequences of political decisions that run counter to long-term national interests.
“Rational advantageous choice are often not considered if irrational ruling is prevailing,” he said.
For Breyer, the contrast between Norway and Russia illustrates a broader challenge facing fossil fuel-exporting countries. Their resource wealth provides an opportunity to finance renewable energy deployment, electrify domestic energy systems, and improve economic efficiency. Whether that opportunity is realized ultimately depends on political priorities and the willingness of governments to pursue long-term economic benefits.
Breyer and his colleagues presented the results of their research in the paper “Sustainable energy transition options for Russia,” published in Energy Reports.
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“During Hurricane Helene (no power for 14 days), we saved several neighbors big chest freezers full of venison.”
Photo Credit: YouTube
A YouTube video from a homesteading creator shows the last outbuilding on his property going off-grid, with enough capacity from a new battery backup system to keep 240-volt shop tools running.
His biggest flex: When grid power drops, he said the switch happens so fast that “the modem doesn’t even reset.”
He presented the project as a roughly $10,000 setup built around EcoFlow hardware. In the sponsored video, the creator behind the YouTube channel Wranglerstar (@wranglerstar) said his shop’s Titan Plus arrangement delivers 15 kilowatt-hours of backup power and can handle 40-amp 240V tools such as welders and plasma cutters. The package uses a smart panel, the Titan Plus itself, and batteries that stack onto the system.
Most of the work, he said, was designed to be handled by the owner; the only part he outsourced was the smart panel, which he said took an electrician about two hours to install. From there, the system can refill either with solar power or by drawing from the grid during lower-cost periods, and he said a Wi-Fi connection isn’t required for operation.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Because the Titan Plus can recharge from solar, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Homeowners who want to compare options can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
Unlike fixed home batteries, he said this one is meant to be moved. The main unit can be disconnected from the house and used on a job site, lent to a friend, used for camping, or relocated for other tasks while still serving as home backup when it’s plugged in.
On cost, he compared it to a Tesla Powerwall. Wranglerstar said his own math put a Powerwall installation at about $30,000, versus roughly one-third of that for the EcoFlow system, presenting the latter as the lower-cost and more adaptable option — though that comparison was his, not an independent test.
One commenter wrote: “During Hurricane Helene (no power for 14 days), we saved several neighbors big chest freezers full of venison.” Still, a $10,000 battery system is a major purchase, and a full off-grid lifestyle will not make sense for every household.
Wranglerstar said the system also has a more everyday role than emergency backup or total grid independence. Through the Titan Plus app, users can schedule it to store grid electricity when rates are low and then use that stored power for the home or shop during higher-priced daytime periods.
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 who want to compare home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates, can explore EnergySage.
That kind of comparison-shopping can make a major difference. 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, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives. For shoppers weighing batteries, panels, and installation costs at the same time, that can make a complicated project much easier to navigate.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Wranglerstar summed up the appeal, saying: “This is something that is not just sitting there not being used and just waiting for an emergency. This is something that is working with the grid, working with your system to automate and to actively buy power at a lower cost and feed that into your home or shop and save you money.”
For a closer look at what battery backup can do in real homes, these stories follow homeowners using batteries and solar to ride through outages and cut grid costs.
• One solar homeowner said power outages became invisible after adding whole-home battery backup.
• In Tennessee, an off-grid family said they may never need a generator again.
• Homeowners are installing game-changing home tech to keep lights on and bills lower.
• Appliance experts say next-gen backup batteries are replacing noisy generators in more homes.
• More homeowners are ditching aging generators for battery-backed power during blackouts.
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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China proposes export controls for 12 technologies used in photovoltaic equipment, citing national security  Informat.ro
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“Hook them up to an AC Outlet and start charging them right away to 100% charge.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A Florida Redditor bought a Jackery backup battery setup for hurricane season, left it in the box, and got an urgent warning that they needed to get it out of the box right away. 
Posting in r/jackery, the buyer said they had limited experience with “electricity, home projects, etc.” and explained that a Jackery 2000 with an extra battery, bought on sale, had stayed unopened. They were trying to determine which adapter would connect the two units for use at home.
A commenter responded with urgency, saying, “You need to unpack it and hope it’s not dead.” They also said power stations are “charged at about 30% in the box” and told the owner to get both units onto an AC outlet immediately.
Once they checked, the original poster reported, “The explorer 2000 plus has 28%, the battery pack 2000 plus has 30%.” They then added, “I have it plugged in the wall, and it’s charging. Woohoooo! Thank you for the input.”
The commenter was concerned that if the battery drained to 0% while sitting in the box, it would be dead forever. However, batteries are often shipped with between 40% and 60% charge, and only lose 1-5% per month, according to the manufacturer. So it should easily last eight months or more before draining completely. Jackery suggests charging it every three to six months. 
The problem for the original poster was not buying backup power. It was becoming comfortable enough to set it up. They described DIY work as “a limited option at best” and said they would “pay for a handyman when needed.”
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Their questions focused on three basics: connecting the Jackery 2000 to the added battery, using two folding solar panels for daytime charging, and figuring out whether a covered outlet by the porch could help without leaving the unit outside.
A battery setup like this can make blackout preparedness more manageable for households that do not want a whole-home installation.
The commenter’s instruction was direct: “Hook them up to an AC Outlet and start charging them right away to 100% charge.” While the battery can be used right out of the box, Jackery suggests charging it to 100% before any heavy or prolonged use.
These stories look at the same challenge of keeping power on when storms or outages hit.
• In Florida, a teen built a 282-pound battery that rivaled Tesla Powerwall at half the price.
• BioLite’s system offers backup power during outages in an ultra-thin package.
• A tech expert tested solutions for homes that want to be ready for the next outage.
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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China proposes ban on export of 12 solar manufacturing technologies  Business Standard
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Despite abundant sunshine, fossil fuels have long dominated the Philippines’ power grid. Now, soaring electricity costs and global supply shocks are driving a rooftop solar boom across the country.

Johanna L. Añes-dela Cruz, News Editor

Asia News Network

View all posts by Johanna L. Añes-dela Cruz, News Editor →

Asia News Network
View all posts by Johanna L. Añes-dela Cruz, News Editor →
A maintenance worker cuts grass next to solar panels at a solar energy farm owned and operated by Valenzuela Solar Energy Inc. in Valenzuela, suburban Metro Manila, on May 28, 2022. PHOTO: AFP
October 20, 2026
MANILA – Situated squarely within the tropical solar belt, the Philippines receives an average of 4.5 to 5.5 kilowatt-hours of solar radiation per square meter per day. Yet, fossil fuels continue to dominate the nation’s power grid, with coal alone generating roughly 62% of its electricity, according to Department of Energy data cited by engineering firm REURASIA.
Structural, financial, and policy bottlenecks kept solar on the margins, and it still accounts for under 4 percent of national power consumption, according to government data.
Then the US-Iran war, which began in late February, disrupted global fuel supplies and pushed up electricity prices. Meralco, the country’s largest distributor, has raised its rates by 10 percent since the conflict began. Filipinos responded by installing solar panels on their roofs.
A June 28 Reuters report, citing Chinese trade data, found that the Philippines has been the world’s biggest spender on solar panels since the war started. Panel imports reached $407 million in the three months through May, up 145 percent from a year earlier.
Why solar took so long
The sluggish pivot to solar was not due to a lack of sunshine or advocacy. It stemmed from how the power sector is built. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 largely privatised the industry and split it into generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. The law aimed to encourage competition, but it also created a fragmented system. Clean energy advocates must negotiate with dozens of private power producers, grid operators, and more than 120 electric cooperatives and other distribution utilities.
Renewable energy advocate Philline van der Wolk-Donggay tells  Asia News Network (ANN) that local governments supported early roadmaps, such as the 2012 Renewable Energy Pathways. The privatised market, however, was not yet ready for a full-scale clean energy transition.
Regional gaps persisted. Mindanao, for instance, has historically had among the country’s lowest electrification rates. Mindanao Goes Solar, which van der Wolk-Donggay leads, was formed to address this by organising local solar providers and teaching consumers about systems that can be installed quickly. With the rush underway, she says, “Mindanao is ready.”
Mindanao Goes Solar’s caravan in SM City Davao, Davao City, Philippines.
PHOTO FROM MINDANAO SOLAR
Persistent hurdles
Beyond market fragmentation, the main hurdle for households and small businesses is the high upfront cost of panels, inverters, and batteries. While conglomerates easily secure corporate financing for utility-scale developments, average Filipino families have few green loan options. Van der Wolk-Donggay notes that an equitable transition requires financing tailored to those unable to bear high initial costs.
“Imagine if the Philippines had loan products targeting the average Filipino to purchase solar as much as we have loan products targeting Filipinos to purchase motorcycles and scooters. That is the dream,” she tells ANN, noting that recent finance-sector developments reflect growing interest in solar.
Meanwhile, rooftop solar economics are rapidly improving. A report by global energy think tank Ember reveals that loan payback periods have dropped from four years to 3.1 years. Ember argues that shorter payback times, volatile electricity prices, and recent policy shifts make mass adoption increasingly viable—envisioning rooftop solar scaling up to 3,500 MW with batteries within 24 months, matching the scale of Meralco’s flagship Terra Solar project.
To achieve this, the report outlines three key policy moves: accessible loan schemes, simplified rules for plug-and-play systems, and government-backed battery infrastructure. Together, these measures would lower consumer costs, bolster grid reliability, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. While faster renewable energy auctions will help avert future energy crises, rooftop solar offers a far quicker path to security.
Energy democracy
Filipino households pay some of the highest electricity rates in Southeast Asia, driven by dependence on imported coal and gas and compounded by a weakening peso. In June 2026, the nationwide average reached P12.43 (about US$0.20) per kWh, the highest in ASEAN and slightly above Singapore’s, according to the DOE. The DOE attributed the June spike largely to tight supply in the Visayas, which forced the grid to rely on costlier plants. It also warned that renewed Middle East hostilities could push fuel prices and bills even higher.
Solar photovoltaic technology reduces this exposure by decoupling electricity generation from volatile global commodity markets. Van der Wolk-Donggay says the best thing about solar, and what mainstream media should discuss more, is “energy democracy”: the ability to produce your own electricity without relying on imported fossil fuels whose supply and prices swing. Paired with storage, she says, solar offers freedom from ever-rising rates.
She adds that solar also builds resilience against geopolitical shocks, extreme weather, and natural disasters. This independence extends from households and small businesses to cities, municipalities, and nations, and ultimately to the global scale.
Mindanao Goes Solar’s caravan in SM Downtown, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.
PHOTO FROM MINDANAO SOLAR
Promoting and sustaining the rush
Turning emergency adoption into lasting energy independence will take policy reform. The “Sayang Ang Araw: Gawing Mura ang Solar” campaign (roughly translated to “The sun is going to waste: Make solar affordable”) is calling on the national government to exempt solar equipment from value-added tax. That includes panels, batteries, and inverters for homes and small businesses. Cheaper equipment for installers means lower installation costs for consumers.
Mindanao Goes Solar also continues to promote solar power across the region through Bisaya-language campaigns, broadcasts, and remote community outreach, alongside city expos connecting consumers directly with providers. The organisation, for instance, has slated roadshows from October 23 to 25 at SM City Mindpro and SM City Zamboanga in Zamboanga City, as well as SM City Butuan in Butuan City.
Beyond public outreach, the initiative helps emerging local solar businesses professionalise, maintains a directory of verified installers, and collaborates with banks and policymakers to streamline solar financing and net metering.
At the national level, van der Wolk-Donggay argues the government should prioritise indigenous energy by pairing solar with wind, hydro, and geothermal. “Combinations of these renewable energy sources for electricity production can dramatically reduce electricity prices for Filipinos,” she says.
“Right now we have some of the highest electricity rates in Asia—easing the burden of households and businesses on something so basic as energy will reap great economic and societal rewards for the country moving forward.”
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Chinese PV module maker JinkoSolar unveiled its TOPCon-based Amorphous-Si Passivating Cell (TAC) technology at its Global Tech Day event in Shanghai on Oct. 17. According to a technical white paper published by the company, the architecture combines TOPCon electron-selective contacts with heterojunction (HJT) hole-selective contacts and a rear-electrode layout.
The design uses an n-type crystalline silicon wafer with two alternating carrier-selective contact regions on the rear surface. Both positive and negative electrodes are located on the rear, eliminating front-side metallization and the associated optical shading losses.
The electron-collecting n-type region retains the contact structure used in TOPCon cells, consisting of an approximately 1 nm to 2 nm silicon oxide tunneling layer and heavily doped polycrystalline silicon. This structure enables selective electron transport with low contact resistance while suppressing carrier recombination.
The hole-collecting p-type region uses intrinsic and doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si), drawing on HJT cell technology. JinkoSolar said the configuration improves surface passivation and open-circuit voltage. A transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer facilitates lateral carrier transport, while the amorphous silicon passivation process takes place at temperatures below 200 C.
High-precision laser patterning and dielectric isolation separate the two contact regions. JinkoSolar describes the architecture as a “2+1” design, combining TOPCon electron contacts, HJT hole contacts and a rear-electrode structure.
TAC belongs to the broader back-contact (BC) cell category, which includes architectures using different passivation and carrier-selective contact technologies. Unlike conventional front-contact TOPCon cells, TAC eliminates front-side metal contacts to reduce shading losses. Its distinguishing feature among BC technologies is the integration of TOPCon and amorphous silicon heterojunction contacts on the same wafer.
JinkoSolar has also developed a full-area passivation approach, called the Global Passivation Process (GPP), to reduce recombination losses across the contact regions. Another process, Multi-Dimensional Charge Passivation (MCP 2.0), targets carrier recombination at cut-cell edges. It uses a cut-before-passivation sequence, followed by chemical, field-effect and hydrogen passivation of the exposed surfaces.
Other cell-level features include high-purity, low-oxygen n-type silicon wafers and a light-trapping structure combining surface texturing, antireflection coatings and rear reflection. The white paper specifies a bulk minority-carrier lifetime exceeding 2 ms and a bulk recombination current density below 5 fA/cm² for the silicon substrate.
JinkoSolar said TAC production cell efficiency has exceeded 27%, with a peak efficiency of 28%. The company’s Oct. 17 announcement identifies the 28% figure as peak cell efficiency. However, the white paper does not specify a third-party certification, test area or average production-line efficiency for the result.
In its first-half 2026 financial report, JinkoSolar separately reported a third-party-certified conversion efficiency of 27.2% for an n-type BC research cell. The company, however, did not identify that result as a TAC measurement.
JinkoSolar identified low-temperature metallization, copper-containing contact materials and the potential use of TAC as a bottom-cell platform for perovskite-silicon tandem devices as areas for further development.
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
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Oct 19, 2026
Jim Warren is a recovering academic as retired adjunct professor and lecturer in environmental sociology at the University of Regina.
Solar panels. Storyblocks image.
 
When debating with emissions cutting environmental zealots, fans of fossil fuels frequently use China as a bad example to compare against Canadian emissions. Canada’s 1.5 percent share of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pales in comparison with the CO2 belched from China’s huge fleet of coal-fired electrical power plants.
In 2023, China generated 13.260 billion tonnes of CO2 making it the world’s largest emitter accounting for 34 percent of global emissions. Canada emitted just 575 million tonnes of CO2 in 2023. That’s 23 times less than China.
Canada doesn’t even make the top 10 list for emitters. First place China is followed by the US with 4.78 billion tonnes. Our one-half billion tonnes puts us way back in 12^th place.
The environmentally virtuous are irritated that supporters of conventional energy use China as a handy whipping-boy. They believe China has provided the friends of oil with an excuse for not getting on the green transition bandwagon. Our counterargument goes like this: “Our emissions are extremely low when compared with China’s, even if we cut them in half tomorrow it wouldn’t make much of a dent in climate change.”
 
Late this summer climate crusaders were taking a victory lap. They claimed China’s capacity to produce electricity using solar energy has exceeded the capacity of its coal-fired electrical generating plants. Therefore China’s role, as an excuse for our lack of emissions cutting enthusiasm, has presumably come to an end.
Not so fast tree huggers. It turns out that China’s alleged solar success is a statistical trick—a mirage based on a misleading interpretation of what “power generating capacity” means in relation to actual production.
It is possible that some environmentalists and climate crusaders were misled into thinking solar power had passed coal given a Reuters headline that ran on September 1 that reads: “Solar overtakes coal as China’s largest source of power capacity.”
The South China Morning Post ran a similar headline on September 2, “Beyond Coal: China’s installed solar capacity crosses historic threshold.” Albeit the following story includes a qualifying line of fine print stating it will require a multi-trillion yuan investment to actually make all that solar work. But, the article fails to explain why this is the case.
Climate crusaders want people to believe a solar generating installation’s nameplate capacity is the same thing as the total amount of electricity it produces in a given period.
According to climate alarmist math, if the total nameplate “capacity” of  China’s entire inventory of solar power generating installations is X, it means China is generating X times 365.25 days’ worth of solar power.
 
The calculation is faulty because it assumes that solar generating stations operate 24/7. It assumes the systems work in the dark of night. The total is additionally incorrect because it fails to account for China’s grid management problems.
A story identifying the calculation errors/deceptions being made by environmentalists and environmentally-sympathetic journalists appeared last week in the online weekly newsletter published by the Corporate Knights organization. According to the article, China’s electrical grid lacks the system switching technology and battery storage capacity required to balance the ups and downs of on-and-off-again solar and wind power generation. As noted, solar stations don’t produce at night. Similarly wind farms don’t produce when the wind doesn’t blow, and the windmills have to be shut down when winds become too strong. Renewables simply do not provided steady and reliable electricity on a year round 24/7 basis.
According to Corporate Knights, during the first six months of 2026 this meant that over one-quarter of China’s wind and solar power facilities went unused. That translates to 360 terawatt-hours of potential wind and solar power which could not be plugged into the grid. The amount of power that went unused in just six months is more “than the U.K.’s entire electricity use last year.”
The reality is that coal is still king in the competition with solar power. China’s coal-fired electrical generating plants beat solar power by miles. The burning of coal accounts for nearly 50 percent of the electricity consumed in China. Less than 13 percent of the electricity consumed in China is produced using solar power.
 
We’ve seen this before
Remember back in the 2010s when central planners from China’s Communist government decided China was in need of a housing boom? There were huge incentives for municipalities that facilitated new construction and easy credit was made available to real estate developers.
There was indeed a national housing shortage, but the problem was largely limited to China’s large fast-growing cities. Nevertheless, the incentive programs were extended to mid-sized communities on the Tibetan plateau and to entire new cities created by developers in locations that included the wilds of the Gobi Desert.
Thousands of apartment buildings that were built in places nobody wants to live have sat empty for years. The busted boom left a legacy of massive financial losses and a fiscal crisis for the government. Clearly, the builders had overbuilt.
We don’t know if the Communist government central planners who launched the real estate boom still have their jobs. However, Hui Ka Yan, founder of Evergrande, a bankrupt company that was formerly China’s biggest real estate development business, was sentenced to life in prison in 2025 for doing what the government told him to do.
Obviously, the planners did the same thing when it came to adopting green energy. The overbuilding of solar and wind facilities means the wasting of approximately 720 terawatts of potential electrical power annually. Presumably the losses will decline in conjunction with improved grid management and battery storage technology. But how long will that take? And what will be the condition of solar and wind installations that have gone unused for what may be decades?
 
One of the takeaways for supporters of conventional energy production on the Prairies is that we’ve been correct to suspect that climate crusaders will knowingly or unknowingly make use of weakly supported claims to attack conventional energy. The Chinese solar capacity fantasy is similarly employed in their assault on emissions. The misinformation has already appeared in analysts assessments of the crude oil supply shortfall caused by the US war with Iran.
There are energy market analysts who claim that one of the principal reasons the world prices for crude has not yet risen to the $120 per barrel range is because China has been able to reduce its crude imports by 40 percent. Some of oil’s environmentally-friendly detractors have claimed that China’s recently increased solar and wind power electrical generation has helped make its reduction in crude imports possible. That might be correct were it not for the fact China is unable to plug its unused solar and wind potential into the power grid.
China has been able to reduce its imports because it had large oil reserves in place prior to the war in the Persian Gulf and also because it has been able to amp up its coal-fired electrical production capacity.
The claim that Chinese renewables have saved us from higher gas and diesel prices contributes to another bit of mythical hyperbole—the claim that wind and solar are supporting permanent demand destruction for crude oil. That argument doesn’t ring true given the time and expense required to build wind, solar or nuclear capacity. An additional challenge would be the electrification of enough of the country’s electrical vehicle fleet to significantly reduce long-term demand for oil in the short-term.
No less challenging is trying to sort out what is actually happening with energy production in a country like China which is liable to fudge the numbers. It is difficult to put much faith in the data supplied by a country that jails journalists for writing reports that embarrass the government.
 
Editor’s note: SaskPower’s system map webpage lists 30 megawatts of grid-scale nameplate solar capacity for this province. SaskPower’s Where Your Power Comes From webpage shows the 24 hour average output for each type of power generation. On Oct. 7, a very sunny day in southern Saskatchewan, that average was 13 megawatts. If you go to X account @SkElectricity, you can find a log of these reports, including a regular summary on “Solar Saturday” of solar output. Here’s Sept 5 edition. It shows a solar capacity factor over the last year of 22.5 per cent.
Solar Saturday 🌞
(Only grid-scale facilities, not self-gen solar) pic.twitter.com/raxIhoEO3b
— Saskatchewan Electricity Mix (@SkElectricity) September 5, 2026

 
 
 
Details on that Korean/US deal for the same model of Westinghouse reactors Sask is considering

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Qcells plans to launch residential solar panels with US-made aluminum frames by the end of 2026
ALUKO Group’s Tennessee facility is expected to produce frames for 4 GW of solar modules annually
Qcells said these frames will help installers and TPOs qualify for domestic content bonus under US ITC
Solar PV manufacturer Qcells plans to launch new versions of its residential solar panels featuring aluminum frames manufactured in the US by the end of 2026, expanding its portfolio of US-made products.
Qcells said the products are designed to support projects meeting the 55% domestic content requirement applicable to projects beginning construction in 2027. 
The new panels are intended to help residential solar installers and third-party ownership (TPO) providers qualify for the domestic content bonus under the US investment tax credit (ITC).
“By keeping all three major stages of frame manufacturing in the U.S., Qcells is taking a rigorous, transparent approach to incorporating domestically manufactured components into its products,” stated Qcells.
The new versions of its Q.TRON AC and Q.PEAK DUO AC panels will use frames produced at the Tennessee facilities of aluminum manufacturer and Qcells’ supplier partner ALUKO Group. Qcells says these are the only facilities to carry out these processes in the US.
The frames will undergo extrusion, anodizing, and fabrication at ALUKO Group’s facility in Halls, Lauderdale County, Tennessee. The facility is expected to begin full production by the end of 2026, with an annual capacity to produce enough frames for 4 GW of solar modules.
ALUKO Group plans to invest more than $107 million in Tennessee over five years and create 285 full-time jobs as part of the manufacturing expansion.
Qcells has also invested in manufacturing facilities in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia, as it expands its US solar manufacturing footprint. Its total solar PV module production capacity at these locations is expected to reach 8.6 GW annually by the end of September 2026. In June this year, it launched solar cell production at Cartersville (see Qcells Launches US Solar Cell Manufacturing At Georgia).
TaiyangNews 2024

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The global photovoltaic market could experience an unexpected decline in new installations in 2026, according to BloombergNEF forecasts. The slowdown is largely associated with China, while solar capacity additions across the rest of the world are expected to continue expanding. Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, examines how these developments could reshape the geographical balance of the global solar industry.
Key takeaway: BloombergNEF expects worldwide solar installations to fall from 655 GW in 2025 to 584 GW in 2026. China's projected contraction is large enough to outweigh continued growth across other markets.
Why Could Global Solar Installations Decline in 2026?
The expected decline in global photovoltaic installations is primarily connected to developments in China, which has dominated the expansion of solar capacity for several years. According to BloombergNEF, worldwide additions could decrease by approximately 10.8% in 2026, marking a reversal after a period of exceptional growth.
The forecast highlights an unusual contrast between China and the rest of the world. While Chinese installations are expected to fall sharply, other countries could collectively register another year of expansion.
The figures illustrate this divergence:
Global installations: 655 GW in 2025, compared with a projected 584 GW in 2026.
China: 383 GW in 2025, compared with approximately 271 GW in 2026.
Rest of the world: 272 GW in 2025, compared with a projected 313 GW in 2026.
Expected global decline: Approximately 10.8%.
These numbers suggest that the global photovoltaic industry is entering a period of geographical adjustment rather than experiencing a uniform decline in demand.
"The direction of the global solar market cannot be understood by looking at worldwide figures alone. China's extraordinary weight means that changes within a single national market can conceal continued expansion across dozens of other countries," says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
China's Photovoltaic Market Enters a Different Phase
China's projected slowdown follows several years of exceptional growth in photovoltaic installations. The country added approximately 383 GW of solar capacity in 2025, reinforcing its position as the world's largest market for new solar installations.
Maintaining such extraordinary expansion rates indefinitely presents practical and economic challenges. As installed capacity increases, questions surrounding electricity demand, grid integration, project profitability, and energy storage become increasingly relevant.
BloombergNEF's projections suggest that China could add approximately 271 GW in 2026. Although considerably below the previous year's figure, this would still represent an enormous volume of new photovoltaic infrastructure.
What Explains the Slowdown in Chinese Solar Installations?
Several interconnected developments could help explain the expected contraction.
One concerns the maturity of the Chinese photovoltaic market. After years of rapid construction, the country's electricity system must accommodate an increasingly large volume of solar generation.
Another factor involves changes to electricity pricing mechanisms. Reforms affecting how renewable electricity is sold and remunerated can influence the economics of new projects, potentially encouraging developers to reassess investment decisions.
The figures for the first half of 2026 already indicate a pronounced slowdown. China reportedly installed approximately 71.8 GW of new photovoltaic capacity during this period, around 66% less than in the corresponding months of 2025.
Such a comparison must nevertheless be interpreted carefully. Exceptional installation levels in the previous year can make subsequent declines appear particularly dramatic.
"After a period of accelerated construction, the challenge increasingly concerns how effectively new and existing solar assets can operate within the electricity system. Installed capacity is only one dimension of a much broader energy transformation," explains Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
Solar Expansion Outside China Could Reach a New Milestone
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of BloombergNEF's forecast concerns developments beyond China.
Solar installations across the rest of the world are projected to increase from 272 GW in 2025 to approximately 313 GW in 2026. This would represent growth of around 15%, despite the anticipated contraction in the global total.
The geographical distribution of new photovoltaic capacity could therefore undergo an important change.
For the first time under these projections, countries outside China would collectively install more solar capacity than China itself in a single year.
This does not mean that another individual country is approaching China's scale. Rather, the combined expansion of numerous photovoltaic markets could begin to outweigh the contribution of the industry's longstanding leader.
How Could This Shift Affect the Global Solar Industry?
A more geographically distributed installation market could have implications for solar equipment manufacturers, project developers, electricity networks, and investment strategies.
Growing demand outside China may encourage companies to reconsider where future projects are developed and which regional markets offer the strongest opportunities.
At the same time, the distinction between manufacturing and installation remains important. China continues to occupy a central position in photovoltaic manufacturing and supply chains, regardless of changes in domestic deployment.
The evolution of installation figures should therefore not be confused with a comparable redistribution of industrial production.
Energy Storage and Grid Integration Gain Importance
As photovoltaic capacity expands, electricity systems face an increasingly complex challenge: matching variable solar generation with demand throughout the day.
Solar panels produce electricity according to sunlight availability, while consumption follows different daily and seasonal patterns. Without sufficient flexibility, periods of high renewable generation can place pressure on electricity networks and reduce the economic value of additional production.
Energy storage systems can help address some of these difficulties by absorbing electricity when generation is abundant and releasing it when demand increases.
Grid modernization, improved forecasting, flexible consumption, and stronger transmission infrastructure can also support the integration of renewable electricity.
China's growing interest in these solutions could reflect a broader evolution in the country's energy priorities. However, investment in storage should not automatically be interpreted as the direct cause of declining photovoltaic installations.
"The next stage of solar development will increasingly depend on the relationship between generation, storage, and electricity networks. Expanding photovoltaic capacity remains important, but the ability to use that electricity efficiently will shape the sector's long-term development," says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
What Do BloombergNEF's Forecasts Mean for Solar Energy?
Is the global solar industry entering a prolonged decline?
Not necessarily. The projected contraction concerns new capacity additions during 2026, rather than the total amount of solar capacity already installed worldwide. A decline in annual additions does not imply that existing photovoltaic capacity is shrinking.
Will China remain the world's largest solar installation market?
Under BloombergNEF's projections, China would retain its position as the largest individual national market, with approximately 271 GW of new installations in 2026.
Why is growth outside China particularly noteworthy?
The projected increase to 313 GW suggests that photovoltaic deployment is becoming more geographically diversified. Expansion across other markets could continue even when Chinese installations decline.
A More Complex Phase for the Global Energy Transition
BloombergNEF's forecasts offer a useful reminder that the development of renewable energy rarely follows a perfectly linear trajectory.
The global photovoltaic industry could experience a contraction in annual installations while simultaneously recording continued growth across much of the world.
China remains central to this picture. Its domestic market is sufficiently large to influence worldwide figures, even when other countries move in the opposite direction.
The projected changes also point toward a broader transformation in the solar sector. Alongside the construction of new photovoltaic facilities, greater attention is being directed toward electricity networks, energy storage, and the efficient integration of renewable generation.
The figures for 2026 may therefore reveal more than a temporary slowdown. They could mark a period in which the geography of solar deployment becomes increasingly diversified and the industry's priorities extend beyond the simple addition of generating capacity.
 
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Shaker Heights celebrates solar energy milestone at Public Works facility  Cleveland.com
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China’s Leapting, a developer of robotic automation solutions for the PV industry, has unveiled a new autonomous forklift for utility-scale solar construction sites.
Dubbed Auto-Navigation Forklift Robot (AFR), the system can transport pallets of solar modules weighing up to 3,000 kg from laydown yards to installation rows without a human operator.
“The AFR combines GPS-RTK, laser-based simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM), and 3D computer vision to locate pallets, identify fork-hole coordinates in real time, and auto-plan insertion paths,” the company said in a statement. “It further features 360-degree multi-line LiDAR, intelligent obstacle avoidance, and a three-tier braking system.”
The navigation system combines high-precision GNSS-RTK positioning with SLAM for local perception and positioning corrections. According to the manufacturer, the system can identify pallet locations, orientation angles and the three-dimensional coordinates of fork openings in real time. It then automatically calculates insertion and extraction paths and adjusts the mast and forks for pallet handling.
The company said the system can also detect whether pallets contain materials and recognise common pallet standards, including European EUR/EPAL and Japanese JIS specifications.
The AFR measures 4.8 m × 1.8 m × 2.15 m and weighs 5,500 kg. It has a standard load centre distance of 600 mm and a maximum lifting height of three metres. Its two-stage, full-free-lift mast features laterally adjustable forks for precise pallet alignment, the company said.
The forklift uses a tracked chassis with two independently driven 4 kW motors. It reaches a maximum speed of 3 km/h when fully loaded and 4 km/h when unloaded, with adjustable driving speeds. Differential track steering allows the machine to rotate on the spot.
“High-strength engineering-grade steel tracks, with low ground contact pressure, are suitable for diverse complex road conditions and provide stable loads,” the company said.
According to the technical datasheet, the AFR can negotiate gradients of at least 30 degrees on hard surfaces and has a maximum wading depth of 0.3 m. It also supports a maximum forward inclination angle of 4 degrees and a maximum pitch angle of 11 degrees. The manufacturer said the machine is suitable for hard roads, desert terrain, gravel surfaces and lightly uneven or muddy ground.
The AFR is powered by a 48 V, 400 Ah lithium battery, providing a nominal energy capacity of 19.2 kWh and at least eight hours of operation under standard conditions. It supports automatic charging and manual fast charging, with AC 220 V and AC 380 V charging connections. In addition to fully autonomous operation, users can select semi-automatic or manual remote-control modes.
For safety, the forklift incorporates multi-line LiDAR sensors for 360-degree obstacle detection, along with audible and visual warnings. Its three-tier braking system combines electronic, mechanical and parking brakes. Emergency stop buttons are installed at several points on the vehicle exterior.
An integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) continuously monitors the vehicle’s tilt angle and triggers an alarm and automatic stop if a preset threshold is exceeded.
The AFR offers an IP67 ingress protection rating, depending on the configuration. The company specifies an operating temperature range of -10 C to 50 C and a storage temperature range of -20 C to 60 C.
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Grid Corporation of Odisha (GRIDCO), a state owned PSU and the nodal agency has sought bids for undertaking an impact study for developing floating solar projects across the states, seeking Expression of Interests (EoIs) till November 17, 2026  
Through this tender, the developers are required to select solar developers to develop, operate and maintain three units of grid-connected floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) projects of 75 MW each, collectively, aggregating to 225 MW. Combined with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), together this project aims to supply power to GRIDCO.
GRIDCO through the latest consultancy tender requires the bidders to act as the solar park developer for developing solar park over the Upper Indravati reservoir (Upper Indravati Solar Park) under its renewable energy Renewable Energy Policy.   
Under the scope of work, the developer is expected to undertake the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), and prepare E&S with IFC’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards (2012). 
The deliverables include the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Occupational Health Safety (OHS) plan and associated management instruments including the Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP), Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and Grievance Mechanism (GM). 
A Livelihood Restoration Framework (LRF) and Stakeholder Engagement Framework (SEF) have been prepared at the scoping stage. The ESIA Consultant would be based on detailed impact assessment and identification of affected persons, prepare a Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) as part of the ESIA/ESMP documentation in accordance with the LRF  
The core AOI includes all areas directly occupied or physically disturbed by the Project components and associated facilities: 
The Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) project would be installed over the Indravati Reservoir (~6.5 sq. km) with a 33 kV transmission line and associated buffer. Launching pad, temporary storage areas.
The developer would also have to build a Power Substation (PSS), Right of Way (RoW) for the 220 kV transmission line up to Mukhiguda Grid Substation. The Reservoir area within Floating solar project area, where direct aquatic ecological impacts are anticipated. The scope of work covers 15 villages comprising of 8 project villages and 7
AoI villages)
These areas are anticipated to experience direct environmental and social interactions associated with the Project. Project footprint included within the following villages. The floating solar project is at Padepadar, Gaura Kurumuli and Paraja Kurumuli. The transmission Line would connect Padepadar, Uparchobari, Podapadar, Tikilipadar, Mahulpatna, Kamaridhi 
The developer is required ti review all existing project information and establish a baseline for climate and hydrological conditions. This includes an initial narrative review of all available documents and datasets to understand the project context, technical design considerations, and reservoir-dam operating environment. 
The following key documents and datasets will be collected and reviewed. The Project design reports and layout plans. It would be required to manage Bathymetry data, reservoir characteristics, and dam technical information and also develop Hydrological studies prepared as part of the project’s technical design.  
The tender also laid down rules for developing dam operation rules, including Full Reservoir Level, Minimum Drawdown Level, flood routing procedures, spillway operation and release protocols Based on this review, develop a baseline climate and hydrological profile, capturing trends and conditions related to: 
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How India is charting a new path into the electric age  World Economic Forum
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A new 5,000-panel solar energy facility covering about 37 acres in northwest Peoria is now online.
Ameren Illinois has activated the $20 million Peoria Renewable Energy Center, more than a year after breaking ground on the site just west of Pottstown along Prichard Road.
The site serves 2.5 megawatts of clean power onto Ameren’s electricity distribution grid. It is Ameren’s third solar generation facility constructed under the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act [CEJA], joining two sites in East St. Louis.
“At a time when electricity prices are rising nationwide due to increased demand and supply constraints, projects like this one can help reduce local energy costs by bringing much needed power to the grid,” said Ameren Illinois chairman and president Patrick Smith.
“We’re pleased to demonstrate to state policy makers and our customers that Ameren Illinois can build it better, stronger and faster.”
Under CEJA, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021, Illinois has established a goal of 100% clean energy use by 2050. Ameren said the Peoria facility will produce enough electricity to power 420 homes and businesses.
The facility also features a 1.5-megawatt battery energy storage system from ELM MicroGrid, a Texas firm that grew out of a Peoria-headquartered family of companies founded by native Peorian Lee C. Graves.
The system stores excess solar energy generated during peak production, making it available to the grid during periods of higher-than-normal demand.
“By integrating battery storage with solar generation, the Peoria Solar Energy Center is better managing energy production which supports grid stability and maximizes the benefits of renewable resources,” said ELM MicroGrid president Aron Bowman.
“This is especially meaningful to our team because we had the opportunity to work with [commercial solar installation company] Azimuth Energy and Ameren Illinois to bring this technology back home to Peoria, where ELM’s story began.”
Ameren said the Peoria solar facility continues the company’s commitment to strengthening the region’s electric grid, with more than $112.4 million invested in the Peoria metro area over the past seven years.
That includes new substations, high-voltage transmission infrastructure improvements, and technology to help detect outages and restore power faster. 
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10/19/2026 15:52
Solar glass is used as a transparent weather shield and substrate for photovoltaic modules. A coating technology developed by EXXERGY aims to increase the strength of solar glass to such an extent that significantly thinner panes become possible. While maintaining the mechanical properties, the glass mass could be reduced by up to 40%. In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, the process is being further scaled up. At Glasstec 2026, the EXXERGY subsidiary EXXOSQEL will present a demonstrator from this joint development in Hall 11 at Booth E12.
The expansion of photovoltaics is a key component of the energy transition. At the same time, the production of PV modules also requires significant amounts of raw materials and energy. Low-iron solar glass plays a major role in this; it protects the cells and the electrically conductive components in the module from the elements while also ensuring high light transmission. The stability requirements for large-area PV modules are also demanding. Depending on the design and mechanical requirements, the mass per unit area of today’s PV modules typically ranges from about 11 to 13 kg/m²; modules designed for particularly high durability can reach values of up to about 16 kg/m². This consumes resources, incurs transportation costs, and requires correspondingly massive substructures for installation. Less glass therefore means less material usage and process energy, as well as reduced weight during transport and installation.

Thin, but stable?

One possible solution is to use thinner glass for solar modules. Accounting for 70 to 80% of the weight, glass is one of the most important factors in today’s PV modules in terms of material usage and module weight. Reducing the glass thickness accordingly saves weight and resources during manufacturing, as well as during transportation and installation. In addition, less energy is consumed during production. The challenge lies in increasing the glass’s strength to the point where even thin glass panes are stable enough to withstand hail, snow, and wind loads.

Thermal tempering reaches its limits with thin glass

A standard method for increasing the stability and fracture resistance of flat glass is thermal tempering. Controlled cooling during the production process, achieved by blowing cold air onto the glass, results in a defined thermal stress. This creates compressive stresses on the surface that inhibit the propagation of cracks. The glass becomes more break-resistant. Glass toughened in this way is used, for example, as single-pane safety glass in architectural applications, automotive manufacturing, or the furniture industry. For solar glass, 3.2 mm is a common nominal thickness; however, further reduction to 2 mm and below can only be achieved to a limited extent—if at all—using conventional thermal tempering.

Another treatment, which is particularly suitable for thin glass, is so-called chemical toughening. Here, surface tension is achieved chemically through ion exchange at the glass surface, in which sodium ions are replaced by potassium ions. This generates high compressive stresses in the layer of glass near the surface. One advantage of this method is that it produces less optical distortion than thermal tempering. However, the process is relatively complex, energy-intensive, and time-consuming, and its application on a large scale is limited.

Crack Healing Through a New Coating

Since manufacturing-related microcracks in flat glass play a decisive role in the glass’s strength, this is where the new process from EXXERGY and EXXOSQEL comes into play. With a combination of a new coating material and an adapted application method, surface defects can not only be covered over but, in part, as it were, healed. “Specifically, we create a three-dimensionally cross-linked composite from several components, whose matrix forms covalent bridges within the microcracks at the molecular level after the coating is applied,” explains Thomas Sauer, CEO of EXXOSQEL. This significantly increases the energy required to break the glass. Laboratory tests have already shown significant improvements in glass strength: After several iterative improvements to the formulations and processes, the strength of 2-mm-thick glass samples was increased by a factor of up to 4, and that of 1-mm-thick glass samples by a factor of up to 7, in each case compared to a non-tempered reference. The company estimates that thinner glass substrates could significantly reduce material usage, energy consumption, and CO₂ emissions. A reduction in glass mass of up to 40% could, depending on the module design, reduce the total mass of the module by around 30%. For a heavy module weighing, for example, 16 kg/m², this would correspond to a reduction to around 11 kg/m². The supporting structures could also be designed to be correspondingly lighter due to the lower static loads.

From the laboratory scale to the prototype

The next steps in development aim to transfer the technology from small glass samples to larger formats and ultimately to commercial-scale solar modules. To date, material and coating development has been carried out primarily by EXXERGY in close collaboration with Fraunhofer ISC. “The steps from a laboratory prototype to a large solar module require a great deal of expertise in scaling up material synthesis, application technology, and module manufacturing,” says Thomas Sauer. Fraunhofer ISC contributes its experience in syntheses up to the 100-liter scale and in coating application. Here, both partners are working closely together on material formulation and technology development. The researchers in Würzburg are also supporting the automation of the coating process: “We want to design the application of the new coating so that it can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes,” says Dr. Ferdinand Somorowsky, head of coating technology at Fraunhofer ISC, emphasizing the application aspect. EXXERGY is also collaborating with the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) in Halle to adapt the technology to module formats and test larger formats. Together, the partners are now driving forward the next step in scaling up the technology. Thomas Sauer explains what this means: “With our coating development for flat glass, we are now moving toward TRL 6 on the internationally accepted Technology Readiness Level scale. This means we have already successfully produced the first prototypes in standard dimensions under real-world conditions, and stress tests are currently underway. With the next development step, we are aiming for TRL 7 and thus for the actual operating environment.” EXXOSQEL is now preparing the next steps regarding industrialization and marketing.

Project Information
—
The work to date has been funded, among other sources, by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through the projects Green Solar Modules (grant number 03EE1161E) and Green Solar Modules Glass II (grant number 03EEM1003), as well as financed by EXXERGY, a company affiliated with EXXOSQEL.
Ferdinand Somorowsky
Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC
Head of Chemical Coating Technology
ferdinand.somorowsky@isc.fraunhofer.de

Thomas C. Sauer
EXXOSQEL GmbH
Management
info@exxosqel.com
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Fig.1 A coating for healing microcracks—EXXOSQEL and Fraunhofer ISC aim to enable light-er, shatter- ...
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Fig.1 A coating for healing microcracks—EXXOSQEL and Fraunhofer ISC aim to enable light-er, shatter- ...
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Members of Norway’s Green Party (MDG) have put forward a proposal to legalise and facilitate plug-in solar and batteries. The six politicians were each elected to the Norwegian parliament, known as the Storting, for the 2025-2029 term.
Their proposal, published on the Storting’s website, calls on the government to remove “unnecessary restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles” to plug-in solar and batteries, which are currently prohibited in Norway.
It says the move would make it easier for consumers to choose safe and compliant facilities, strengthen the rights of landlords who want to produce their own electricity and remove taxes on clean energy production.
Their statement says plug-in solar and batteries would be able to reduce household electricity bills, remove power peaks from the power grid and reduce the need for the development of other renewable energy.
It adds the technology would also be useful for emergency preparedness purposes, estimating that an 800 W pluggable solar system, valued at around NOK 5,000 ($532), would produce enough electricity to provide a household with hot food and water in a crisis situation.
The group’s proposal introduces a series of recommendations for the Norwegian government, each with a deadline of the end of 2027, including making it possible to connect plug-in solar and batteries that meet established safety requirements directly to ordinary grounded sockets and preparing a national guide for the safe purchase and use of plug-in solar and batteries.
The measures also include establishing a digital registration scheme for plug-in solar and batteries and developing a Norwegian specification or similar national technical standard for plug-in solar and batteries with requirements that ensure electrical safety, fire safety, grid conformity and safe use for end users.
The proposal also calls on the government to investigate, with a view to introducing, an exemption from VAT for solar cell systems and batteries aimed at private households by Oct. 1, 2027.
The centre-left MDG does not form part of Norway’s current government coalition. Their proposal adds that Norway could look to build on the experience of European countries that currently permit balcony solar, naming Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Norway’s cumulative solar capacity surpassed 1 GW last month but the rate of deployment has been declining, with 2026 set to see the lowest annual figure since 2021. Growth has been particularly slow in the residential market, which analysts attribute in part to an optional fixed electricity price for households known as the Norgepris that has removed most of the financial incentive for rooftop solar.
The Norwegian Energy Regulatory Authority (NVE) recently proposed a simplified connection process for small renewable generation facilities it says is designed to make it easier for households, housing associations and other end customers to use PV systems.
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This farmer was about to get a $20,000 grant to go solar. Then the USDA changed the rules.  Marketplace.org
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ACME Solar signs 300MW/1,200MWh PPA in latest SECI FDRE tender  PV Tech
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Reserve EcoFlow’s new Titan 5000 home battery systems for $50 and get free solar panels  TechRadar
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Glasgow International Airport (GLA) has opened a new solar farm on its site that is expected to produce around a quarter of the airport’s electricity. This project forms a major part of AGS Airports’ sustainability strategy, known as Horizons, which is aimed at eventually achieving net zero across the group’s sites. The completion of this project means the group has met its sustainability target for 2026 by generating 25% of renewable energy for Glasgow Airport.
Located on airport land near Barnsfield Road, Glasgow International Airport (GLA) has opened a new solar farm that marks a significant milestone in the airport’s journey to improving its sustainability.
The solar farm is expected to be capable of generating enough renewable energy to meet a quarter of the airport’s on-site electricity demand. The multi-million-pound project was developed by the airport’s operator, AGS Airports, in partnership with energy transition advisor Ikiagi Group.
The project was funded and delivered by Zestec Renewable Energy, a supplier of renewable energy technology, who will also be responsible for managing and optimising infrastructure of the project over the long term.
AGS Airports is a private airport operator responsible for Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Southampton airports. The project is part of the group’s Horizons initiative, a sustainability and environmental, social and governance (EGS) strategy.
The solar farm is expected to save 1100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year through the energy it produces from the 14,300 photovoltaic panels on the site.
The project is underpinned by its collaboration with SP Energy Network (SPEN), the electricity operator for southern and central Scotland. Martin Maxwell, the SPEN District General Manager for Ayrshire and Clyde South, celebrated the opening of the farm:
“It’s fantastic to see this new solar farm now up and running – powering a cleaner and greener future for AGS and Glasgow Airport and kickstarting a new era for this thriving transport hub. We’re proud to have played our part in bringing this project to life and working with AGS to ‘look ahead and act together’.”
The successful development of the solar panel farm means that AGS Airports has met its 2026 target of generating 25% of on-site energy for its Glasgow site through renewable sources by the end of this year.
The Executive Director of ESG and Sustainability at AGS Airports made a statement regarding the opening of the solar panel:
“The launch of Horizons marks an important moment for AGS Airports as we set out a clear vision for building a more sustainable future for our airports. Looking ahead, acting together captures our belief that meaningful progress can only be achieved through collaboration. The solar farm is an example of that approach in action and a major milestone on our sustainability journey.”
Following the success of the project, assuming it is able to maintain generating a quarter of Glasgow Airport’s electricity, AGS have said that they are interested in looking at how the solar farm can be replicated at its other airport sites in Aberdeen and Southampton.
AGS Airports have also stated they are interested in being part of launching the UK’s first zero-emission passenger route. Trials completed earlier this year focused on how zero-emission aircraft could operate from existing and future aviation infrastructure in the years to come.
What do you think of this sustainability development at Glasgow Airport? Let us know in the comments below.
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Nationwide, electric utility providers are in a bind. Surging demand driven by electric vehicles, massive data center expansions and severe weather events is pushing aging power infrastructure to its limits. Utilities routinely pass massive capital investment costs straight to rate payers, squeezing household budgets at a time when families can least afford it.
When every dollar counts, waiting for energy prices to magically drop simply isn’t a strategy. That urgency is why many states are looking at how Minnesota became the nation’s premier model for localized, affordable clean energy.
 Minnesota Built the Framework to Help Community Solar Programs Nationwide
Rather than waiting on regional grid updates, thousands of Minnesota households are taking advantage of the state’s pioneering Community Solar Garden program. Originally created in 2013 and subsequently updated, Minnesota’s community solar program is now named in honor of Melissa Hortman. The program serves as a policy blueprint for lawmakers across the country.
Minnesota consistently ranks as one of the largest community solar markets in the nation, boasting more than 800 megawatts of active community solar capacity. The modern legislation ensures that everyday families, not just corporations, directly benefit from grid transformation through guaranteed, income-qualified savings.
“Solar energy isn’t an expensive luxury anymore. It’s now one of the most affordable sources of new electricity generation in the country,” explained Eric Pasi, CEO of Enterprise Energy, a Minneapolis-based community solar developer. “Thanks to Minnesota’s modern energy policy, accessing those lower costs doesn’t require thousands of dollars in rooftop panels.”
Subscribers to local solar gardens can reduce energy costs by up to 15% with no upfront fees and zero equipment installations. Homeowners and renters simply subscribe to a nearby solar farm and receive savings credit on their energy statement beginning this fall.
Scaling a Local Fix Into a National Playbook
The strategy isn’t just cutting bills; it’s proving how local communities can modernize the power supply from the ground up.
“We are a locally owned company, based in Minneapolis, created to give local families direct relief from rising utility bills,” Pasi added. “Our community solar projects now power approximately 10,000 households while helping us build a cleaner, stronger power grid for our communities.”
The rapid growth underlines how hungry consumers are for alternatives. Named the #1 fastest-growing company in Minnesota on Inc.com’s 2026 5000 list, and #4 nationally within the energy sector category, Enterprise Energy projects it will power approximately 30,000 households within the next year alone.
The company is expanding its service into Illinois, where a similar state program exists. “We are providing a scalable blueprint for how the rest of the country can expand access to affordable electricity,” commented Pasi.
How Minnesota’s Solar Gardens Lower Electricity Bills
●      Local solar farms generate clean, affordable electricity for the power grid.
●      Households simply need to subscribe. Minnesota households served by Xcel Energy can subscribe, subject to program requirements and available capacity. There are no setup fees, credit checks or hidden costs.
●      With consolidated billing, subscription charges and solar credits appear together on the household’s Xcel Energy bill. There are no second invoices to manage. 
 
Community Solar Gardens are Better for the Environment and the Economy
Pasi estimated that the company’s community solar gardens currently offset close to 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
“We also go to great lengths to make each garden as beneficial environmentally as possible. Pollinator-friendly seed mixes are planted in all of our projects. This helps restore the health of the soil. Depending on the project, we may also plant low-growing crops below the solar panels to maximize use of the space. Some of our gardens are even used for sheep grazing.”
 Enterprise Energy also prioritizes American-made equipment for its projects. “It’s important to us to support the U.S. economy. In addition to sourcing from American vendors, we are committed to growing the overall solar energy industry because it will support many high-paying local green jobs.” 

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Available to SunPower Partners in residential and commercial formats, with first deliveries expected before the end of 2026.
LYON, France, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL SunPower Global, a global leader in solar energy solutions, today opened orders across Europe for SunPower Origin, a new solar panel line built on the eighth generation of SunPower’s back-contact cell. SunPower pioneered its back-contact technology four decades ago and has been mass-producing it for more than twenty years. It holds more than 1,600 solar patents and has deployed more than 15 GW of back-contact panels worldwide. SunPower Partners can order Origin now. First deliveries are expected before the end of 2026.
“Back-contact is where solar mass market is heading, but very few companies can manufacture it at scale. We were the first to put it into commercial production, in 2004, and Origin is our eighth generation,” said Steven Zhang, General Manager, TCL SunPower Global. “Previous generations went onto real roofs and taught us something: about micro-cracks, about behaviour in shade, about what happens to a solder joint after twenty summers. That’s what you can’t buy by switching a production line over. Because we know how these cells age, we can put a 40-year warranty on the panel, and the TCL Group’s vertically integrated supply chain and financial strength stand behind it.”
Origin places all electrical contacts on the back of the cell, leaving the front free to collect light. The cells are patterned using lithography rather than laser processing, a method that TCL SunPower says reduces micro-cracks, and are joined by solder that withstands temperatures of up to 220°C. Shade is the hardest test for any panel: a chimney, a vent or a layer of leaves forces current through the shaded cell and heats it. A 54-cell Origin panel behaves as if it had more than 16,000 bypass diodes, so the shaded cell stays below 100°C and the rest of the panel keeps producing. Origin is certified Class A+ for shading resistance by TÜV Rheinland, and its broader spectral response helps output in the morning, the evening and under cloud.
“We describe SunPower Origin as the original, the safest, and the strongest,” said Karin Alberto-Burkhardt, Director PV Product Management, TCL SunPower Global. “Original, because SunPower was the first to industrialize back-contact cell technology in 2004 and has since built one of the industry’s broadest IP portfolios. Origin represents the eighth generation of this technology platform. Safest, because its back-contact architecture is engineered for superior thermal and mechanical reliability, minimizing hot-spot risk under partial shading while maintaining robust cell interconnections over time. Strongest, because the technology is backed by a 40-year warranty from a company with the scale, heritage, and financial strength to stand behind it. With Origin, installers deploy technology proven over decades, not an experiment.”
Across its 15 GW of installed capacity, SunPower reports a warranty return rate of 0.005%, based on an internal claims analysis conducted in June 2026. A study presented at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, drawing on 3.2 million module-years of field data, supports the company’s reported average degradation of less than 0.25% per year. Origin is warranted at that same level, with degradation not exceeding 0.25% per year, and has a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C.
Origin carries a complete 40-year warranty covering the product, its power output and service. The warranty is supported by SunPower’s legal entities in its main European markets, as well as by the company’s long track record of installing back-contact panels and monitoring their degradation and return rates. It is also backed by the financial strength of the TCL Group. TCL SunPower is recognized as a Tier 1 module manufacturer by BloombergNEF (Q3 2026).
The residential panel has 54 cells in a 1,800 × 1,134 mm frame and delivers up to 505 W at up to 24.7% efficiency, fully black. The commercial panel has 66 cells, measures 2,192 × 1,134 mm and delivers up to 615 W. It is bifacial, with up to 80% bifaciality, collecting reflected light on its rear side, and suits commercial roofs where vents, HVAC units, and corners limit how many panels fit.
SunPower Origin is available now to SunPower Partners across Europe. For more information about SunPower Origin, visit https://www.sunpowerglobal.com/uk/homeowners/products/sunpower-origin-back-contact-solar-panels.
Installers who want to become SunPower Partners can apply at https://www.sunpowerglobal.com/uk/become-sunpower-solar-partner.
About TCL SunPower Global
Backed by the global strength, financial stability, and technological leadership of the TCL Group, TCL SunPower Global is a leading solar energy provider committed to delivering high‑performance, reliable, and accessible solar solutions worldwide. The company combines advanced technology, vertically integrated manufacturing, and a strong focus on sustainability to drive the global energy transition. TCL SunPower Global brings together two complementary brands: SunPower, delivering premium, fully integrated residential energy solutions, and TCL-TCL Solar, providing high-performance, cost-effective solar and energy solutions. Together, they meet the diverse needs of the global solar market – from residential rooftop installations to commercial projects and utility‑scale developments.
More information: sunpowerglobal.com and LinkedIn.
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Anna Valeria Porta
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+39 345 7706205
 
TCL SunPower Global, a global leader in solar energy solutions, today opened orders across Europe for SunPower Origin, a new solar panel line built…
TCL SunPower, líder mundial en soluciones de energía solar, ha anunciado hoy que su sistema híbrido de almacenamiento energético para aplicaciones…
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“Storing it, moving it, and delivering it reliably every second of every day.”
Photo Credit: YouTube
At the center of Elon Musk‘s proposal is a single massive installation. It would cover a sunny 100-mile-by-100-mile section of Nevada with solar panels, and in theory it could supply all the electricity the United States uses.
An EcoBits (@EcoBitsOfficial) explainer says that scale is more believable on paper than it first sounds. The idea becomes much harder, however, once the feasibility of it is put under the microscope.
In a YouTube video, the concept is sized at roughly 4 billion panels over about 10,000 square miles. That is essentially a 100-by-100-mile field in a very sunny place like Nevada.
The argument begins with the sheer amount of incoming solar energy. EcoBits confirms that Elon’s math isn’t wrong in favorable conditions.
That is why utility-scale solar keeps attracting interest. If enough of that incoming energy were captured, it could help run the electric systems people depend on in homes, workplaces, and city services every day.
But the video treats generation as only the opening step, not the full solution. There is the matter of matching the grid to that generation, so you avoid blackouts and overloading the system.
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That day-night mismatch comes up first. Electricity demand does not stop after sunset, so any plan built around daytime solar production has to answer how to deliver energy at night. Battery storage is the potential answer to this dilemma.
EcoBits reveals that matching the necessary storage would also require a huge amount of land to house all the battery packs for a night, let alone all the other disturbances that could arise.
Geography complicates the proposal too. Even if Nevada hosted a huge concentration of panels and batteries, national use would still depend on solving the transmission problems raised in the video. Long story short, the logistics are quite complicated given America’s dated grid, and the various upgrades are immense to deliver energy everywhere.
Output would also vary with conditions on the ground and in the sky. A system this large would need both consistency and scale. There’s also the issue of securing all the land, solar panels, and associated raw materials.
Taken together, those points shift the argument away from whether sunshine is plentiful enough and toward whether the U.S. can assemble the batteries, grid links, and backup capacity required to make solar power dependable.
The video’s broader conclusion is that panels alone would not make Musk’s concept workable in the real world.
One requirement would be storage large enough to carry excess daytime generation into the evening, because the one-farm scenario breaks down if after-dark demand cannot be covered.
It would also require long-distance transmission. With an adequate network to move electricity efficiently from sunny regions to the rest of the country, cities and companies would not need to depend only on power produced nearby. And it would need safeguards against changing weather and other disruptions.
So while Elon’s premise that the sun could power the U.S. with a huge installation isn’t wrong, the truth is that there’s a reason it simply can’t realistically do so anytime soon, or maybe ever.
“The real difficulty is everything else that follows,” EcoBits concludes. “Storing it, moving it, and delivering it reliably every second of every day.”
The solar build-out looks different in practice than Musk’s lofty project.
• In Nevada, NV Energy’s Gemini project is now the largest solar and battery system in the United States.
• In Utah, Green River Energy Center pairs nearly a million panels with 484 Tesla Megapacks for after-dark demand.
• In Wyoming, the Cowboy-Solar project moved closer to reality with battery-backed power for homes.
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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Solar Power World
By Kelly Pickerel | October 14, 2026
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has found that the domestic solar panel manufacturing industry has been harmed by unfairly priced imports from India, Indonesia and Laos. The affirmative final determination by the ITC means that antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) will be placed on silicon solar cells and modules imported from the three countries.
The Dept. of Commerce issued its final tariff calculations in this AD/CVD investigation last month. Now with the ITC’s affirmative final decision, Commerce will issue its final orders on November 2, and then Customs and Border Protection will continue to collect these cash deposits on imports of subject solar cells and modules from India, Indonesia and Laos. Tariffs on these imports have been in place since the preliminary determinations were issued earlier this year. 
The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, a group of domestic solar manufacturers, petitioned the government in July 2025 for the AD/CVD investigation, alleging that solar panel manufacturers had relocated their operations to India, Indonesia and Laos to avoid existing tariffs placed on imports from other locations. Today’s ITC vote brings a conclusion to the 15-month investigation.
“Today’s vote confirms that U.S. solar manufacturers and workers have been harmed by dumped and subsidized imports from India, Indonesia and Laos. With these orders, fair competition is strengthened just as America needs more domestic energy production to power AI and data centers, secure its energy independence, and keep electricity reliable and affordable. U.S. manufacturers are ready to compete, and now they can,” said Tim Brightbill, co-chair of Wiley Rein’s International Trade Practice and lead counsel to the Alliance.
There are now AD/CVD orders placed on solar imports from a range of countries: China, Taiwan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Laos. Commerce is also considering tariffs on solar imports from Ethiopia and South Korea, and those investigations are ongoing.
Kelly Pickerel has more than 15 years of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.

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