Solar Now

Former NIU student on pretrial release following arrest for creating AI generated child sexual abuse material
Ears what’s coming to DeKalb’s 49th Corn Fest
Food Truck Wednesdays are back
NIU student facing attempted murder charge out on pretrial release, cleared by judge to attend classes
Health Technology Center’s design complete, completion aims for 2029
NIU has spent around $12 million on six new arrays of solar panels being installed across campus, which are expected to supply about 5% of NIU’s daily energy use. 
NIU’s collaboration with Trane Technologies is being implemented as part of the school’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The initiative will result in 50 buildings receiving significant upgrades to energy, water and lighting-efficiency while reducing carbon emissions. The whole plan will cost NIU $56 million. 
Two out of the six planned solar arrays have already been installed, which are located on the rooftops of the Stevens Building and DuSable Hall.
The third solar array, located in the Visitor Pay Lot, is expected to be completed in October. 
According to Sunrun, the number of panels in a solar array determines how much electricity that array can produce. 
Belinda Roller, director of Architectural and Engineering Services, said the remaining solar panels will be installed and fully operational this calendar year.
“Two are already open operationally and have been running and generating power since last November. And then the remaining four, we don’t have the exact dates that they will be turned on, but they will all be fully installed this calendar year,” Roller said. 
The visitor lot was selected as one of the spaces for a solar array because the university wanted the panels to be visible on the central campus, according to Roller
“We’re trying to find a place on central campus that was visible, so people could kind of know about it. Because oftentimes you have solar arrays on roofs, people don’t even know that they’re there,” Roller said.
Roller also said the elevated solar panels provide shade and shelter for those who park in the area.
“The advantage here is they’re on the elevated structures. They’re providing shade for the parking spaces in the visitor lot,” Roller said. “So when it’s 90 degrees outside and you’re parking your car in the visitor lot, you’ll have a little bit of shade, and then also shelter from wind and rain.”
NIU spends approximately $7 to $8 million dollars on electricity annually. The solar panels are set to lower the cost of this bill. According to Trane, the entire Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is set to save $5 million annually and cut down campus energy usage by 26%.
The solar panels have a max generating capacity of 3.2 megawatts, which is 3,200 kilowatts generated at any given point. According to Constellation, the average household uses 30 kilowatt-hours per day. 
If a solar panel was at max generating capacity for two hours, they would produce 6400 kilowatt-hours. This is enough to power 213 average households.
Temperature, clouds, the sun’s position in the sky and many other factors limit the solar panel’s generating capacity.
“On a daily basis, when we are buying power, we anticipate it will buy power for 5% on a daily basis,” Roller said. “The interesting thing to keep in mind is we will be generating energy obviously during the day, right? When it’s sunny outside and that is when electricity costs the most.”
The solar panels will limit the spending on electricity by powering buildings throughout the times that energy is most expensive.
The sustainability plan will have a large impact on the reduction of NIU’s carbon footprint by reducing carbon emissions by 11% while also limiting the University’s spending on electricity. The project is set to be completed by this calendar year.
Already have an account? Sign In
Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.
Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *

source

View or submit an obituary
Videos, Podcasts, & Gems
Stories, scores, & more
Support local journalism
The latest local listings
Engagements, weddings, anniversaries
Shirts, Mugs, & More
What can we help you find?

The past several months have shown the struggle between neighborhood concerns and the permittable uses of land
QUINCY–Adlerman Eric Entrup (R-Ward 1) announced a plan to avoid the neighborhood squabbles that have bubbled up recently over solar projects being shoehorned into properties with a special use permit.
It’s actually amending the existing city code, Chapter 162.030, to establish a special use permit with conditions for commercial solar energy properties in a RU-1 or rural zoning district.
He made a motion to send the amendment to the city’s plan commission, which was seconded and approved by the full council during Monday night’s weekly meeting.
Entrup has been working with city staff and fellow aldermen, Kelly Mays (R-Ward 4) and Laura McReynolds (R-Ward 5), for a couple of weeks on requirements to head off anticipated neighbor concerns.
“One was the distance between a solar-paneled occupied building,” Entrup said. “The other was increased landscaping. And then proximity to schools, which was a great idea that (Community Development Planner) David Adam came up with first. This is a mile radius around each school. This gives us a better way to plan out.”
Entrup says the protection around schools is especially important considering the taxpayer investment over the last several years into building new schools, and could encourage residential development, as opposed to industrial projects in those areas.
Earlier in the meeting, council members were split but ultimately approved ordinances for two solar projects proposed by Arena Cavern 1 Solar, LLC.
One is immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane, which is outside city limits, but near Ward 6. It had been zoned RU1, or rural.
The second is located immediately north of 2734 South 12th Street, at 2640 South 12th Street, and immediately west of 2640 South 12th Street. Again, outside city limits, but near Ward 6 and zoned as rural.
Alderman Richie Reis (D-Ward 6) moved for the following conditions, including:
The council approved the amendments, but the votes on the ordinance were as follows:
First Solar ordinance
An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development. (Construct and operate a 5.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane (Zoned RU1); immediately north of 2734 South 12th Street (Zoned RU1); at 2640 South 12th Street (Zoned RU1) and immediately west of 2640 South 12th.)
No votes:
Dave Bauer (D-Ward 2) abstained. Anthony Sassen (R-Ward 4) recused. Mike Adkins (R-Ward3) was absent.
The motion carried.
Second solar ordinance
An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development (Construct and operate a 3.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane.) 
According to City Planning Director Jason Parrott, he did not hear as many complaints about this portion of the project.
No votes:
Bauer abstained. Sassen recused. Adkins was absent.
The motion carried.
Ward 5 Solar Situation
Alderman McReynolds wanted to set the record straight, given the phone calls she has received and social media chatter.
The solar farm special-use permit request at 36th and Payson is back on the plan commission agenda for September 22.
This, after the city’s corporation counsel has received inquiries from lawyers representing the developer on clarification of the grounds by which the proposal was initially refused.
McReynolds also addressed concerns about the possibility of a solar farm at 36th and Harrison near Denman Elementary School. The company held an open house at a nearby park a couple of weeks ago, but Parrott said that no application has been submitted so far.
“If an application were to be submitted, it would through the standard plan commission process,” Parrott said. “This board would refer it to the plan commission, staff would review. At this point, we don’t even have an application.”
McReynolds, who attended the open house, had the impression that they are serious about the project and have had a lease agreement in place with the land owner dating back to 2023.

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.
Sunny. High 88F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Do you want to receive the Muddy River News newsletter in your inbox every morning at 8:00 AM?
Enter your email address, click “Subscribe,” and don’t forget to check your email to confirm your subscription.
Muddy River News LLC
535 Maine, Suite 4A
Quincy, IL 62301
Copyright © 2026 • Muddy River News • All Rights Reserved • Privacy and Use Policy

source

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies have assessed light- and elevated-temperature-induced degradation (LeTID) in industrial n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cells processed with and without laser-enhanced contact optimization (LECO) and have found that LeTID-related degradation in these devices is negligible compared with the levels historically observed in passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells.
“The previous generation of silicon PV was dominated by p-PERC cells, based on p-type Czochralski (Cz) Si wafers,” the study’s principal investigator, Paul Stradins, told pv magazine. “These wafers, if doped with boron (B), suffered from both light-induced degradation (LID) and LeTID. Replacing B with gallium (Ga) as the base dopant in the second p-PERC generation eliminated LID, but LeTID was still present. Transitioning to the current TOPCon cell generation was thought to eliminate these bulk degradation modes altogether. However, relatively recent research from the University of Konstanz found LeTID in n-Cz wafers as well, which raises potential long-term reliability concerns for TOPCon cells.”
“This potentially novel reliability concern motivated our work,” he continued. “We established that the LeTID effect is present in n-Cz wafers and TOPCon cell precursors, irrespective of dopant type. Nevertheless, the extent of degradation is relatively low due to the asymmetrical carrier capture of a LeTID defect, making it an effective recombination center in p-type Si, but less effective in n-type Si. When accelerated LeTID degradation was applied to the TOPCon solar cells, the degradation and subsequent recovery were still present. However, the effect was practically negligible when the cells were fired with sufficiently low cooling rates.”
For the tests, the scientists used n-type wafers doped with phosphorus (P), antimony (Sb), and arsenic (As). The wafers were symmetrically passivated with hydrogenated silicon nitride (SiNₓ:H), fired at 800 C, subjected to recovery treatment at 20 C under 2-sun illumination, and subsequently exposed to LeTID conditions at 120 C to 130 C under 1-sun illumination.
The researchers found that, although LeTID degradation and regeneration kinetics were similar across all three dopants, As-doped silicon exhibited approximately twice the maximum defect density of P- and Sb-doped material. They attributed this difference primarily to variations in grown-in defects and processing conditions rather than to the dopant species itself.
Overall, the team found that n-type Cz Si exhibited substantially less LeTID degradation than previously reported for p-type Ga-doped Cz Si, indicating greater intrinsic resilience to LeTID. Injection-dependent lifetime measurements further indicated that recovery is primarily associated with the disappearance or transformation of metastable bulk defects.
The analysis also revealed that regenerated samples achieved higher bulk carrier lifetimes than recovered samples, suggesting that the regeneration process can improve bulk material quality beyond the state reached after the initial recovery treatment.
The researchers also investigated recovery pre-treatment and LeTID in unmetallized and metallized TOPCon cells sourced from industrial production lines. They found that both phenomena remain observable at the cell level and can affect device performance if appropriate mitigation measures are not implemented. Their impact, however, can be substantially reduced by optimizing the firing profile and applying suitable post-processing treatments.
A direct comparison of TOPCon cells subjected to identical firing conditions, with and without LECO, showed that the process moderately suppressed changes in open-circuit voltage associated with recovery and subsequent LeTID. The researchers also found that an industrially manufactured TOPCon cell incorporating LECO experienced only limited LeTID-induced efficiency degradation, with the change remaining within acceptable warranty tolerances.
The research is described in the paper “Bulk degradation of P-, Sb- and As-doped Cz Si wafers and TOPCon cells due to light and elevated temperature,” published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
“We believe our findings provide some metrics and guidelines for producing LeTID-stable TOPCon cells,” Stradins concluded.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, October 26, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, September 10, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Thursday, October 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
pv magazine USA hosts its multi-day virtual event on U.S. solar and energy storage, covering domestic manufacturing, distributed energy and the growing role of solar-plus-storage in meeting AI-driven power demand.

You have no items in your basket.

source

The Group Captive Solar Project will help supply clean electricity to Tata group companies and reduce carbon emissions.
Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has announced the commissioning of its new 100MW Group Captive Solar Project in Kayathar, Tamil Nadu, India, taking its total operational capacity past 7GW.
The energy company, a subsidiary of Tata Power, now reports a utility portfolio of 12.3GW.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
Located across the Vellalankottai and Nalandhula villages, the new site is expected to generate 240.63 million units of electricity annually and is projected to offset around 150,000t of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Power generated from the project will be supplied to TP Solar (40.63MW), Tata Electronics (53.13MW) and Tata Realty and Infrastructure (6.25MW).
According to TPREL, the Kayathar plant marks the company’s first use of Flexible Terrain Compatible Single Axis Tracker technology on a project in India.
The plant is equipped with 261,660 Mono PERC bifacial solar modules to enhance generation efficiency across variable terrain.
Electricity from the site is transmitted through the Kayathar 400kV Grid Substation.
The company stated that its operational capacity consists of more than 5.7GW of solar and 1.3GW of wind assets.
TPREL also reported an additional pipeline totalling 5.3GW, comprising 3.1GW of wind projects and 2.2GW of solar projects. It is under various stages of development and scheduled for phased commissioning in the next six to 24 months.
It is among several companies aiming to contribute to India’s national target of 500GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Last month, TPREL commissioned a 190.5MW solar project in Kalasar, Rajasthan, under tranche one of the SJVN Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) initiative. The plant forms part of a broader 460MW FDRE development.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
Find out more
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.



Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.
Power industry news, data and in-depth articles on the global trends driving power generation, renewables and innovation
Powered by
© GlobalData Plc 2026

source

Gov. Sherrill signs bill aimed at expanding balcony solar  New Jersey Monitor
source

The DRC Commissions 233 MWp Solar-Storage Plant With CrossBoundary Energy  energynews.pro
source

Sep 01, 2026 16:06
Read More On:
See More >
See More »
Stocks
Mutual Funds
Investment Tracking
Home
Market News
Latest News
International Markets
Economy
Industries
Mutual Fund News
IPO News
Search News
My Portfolio
My Watchlist
Gainers
Losers
Sectors
Indices
Forex
Mutual Funds
Feedback

source

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced it would provide University of Sydney researchers with $7.25 million towards a $19.5 million project to develop more durable Silicon (Si)-perovskite tandem solar cells in order to maintain their high efficiencies for commercial use.
The University of Sydney team will partner with Brisbane-based solar panel manufacturing startup Unison Solar Energy and scientists from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University to take the next-generation technology from research towards commercial-scale production. 
“Our ambition is to pioneer a new era of Australian solar manufacturing and commercialise leading technologies here at home,” Unison Solar Chief Executive Officer Allen Guo said.
Si-perovskite tandem cell technology has demonstrated the potential to overcome the performance limitations of current solar technologies that rely on silicon as the sole semiconductor. Silicon’s conversion rate – the amount of solar energy it converts into electricity – currently peaks at about 25% but the researchers said Si-perovskite tandem cell technology could theoretically deliver conversion efficiencies of about 40%.
Team leader Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience at the University of Sydney Nano Institute and School of Physics, said the researchers’ efforts have focused on stacking perovskites, made from synthesising metal with halogens, on top of silicon to form a tandem solar cell, rather than using silicon as the sole semiconductor. 
“There isn’t much room for silicon to improve because its theoretical limit is only 30%, but for perovskite-silicon tandem, it is about 40%,” she said. 
The research team has already shown the greater efficiency of the Si-perovskite technology, achieving Australia’s first 30% efficient Si-perovskite tandems on small and large areas. The team has also reported tandem cells passing industry standard tests against thermal extremes and moisture.  
Despite the potential of the technology, scaling devices beyond the laboratory and ensuring their stability under real-world conditions has proven challenging. Perovskite materials can break down when exposed to light, heat, moisture and mechanical stress.
Ho-Baillie said the new funding will help the researchers prove the reliability of Si-perovskite cells under a series of industry standards and take tandem-cell technology one step closer to becoming commercially viable. The ultimate goal is to improve the cells’ ability to maintain their conversion rate over the life expectancy of solar panels. 
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to make research we’ve been doing at the university for the last six years translational,” she said. “Our next round of testing will prove this technology’s ability to cope with UV light and mechanical stresses.”
Unison Solar, which is establishing a solar panel production facility in Brisbane’s outer suburbs with an initial 500 MW manufacturing capacity, will work with the researchers during the commercialisation stage.
Guo, a former chief operating officer at Jinko Solar, said the Queensland-headquartered company will assess manufacturing costs, supply chains, customer needs and pathways to pilot production and scale-up.
“This project marks the beginning of collaboration with leading Australian research institutions for Unison Solar Energy,” he said, with the company aiming to establish gigawatt-scale production of advanced solar products in Australia.
Goa, a former chief operating officer at Jinko Solar, said Unison’s goal is to establish a manufacturing-ready technology platform capable of delivering next-generation tandem solar products with outstanding performance and long-term field reliability.
“Australia has been at the forefront of global solar research for more than 50 years, but local manufacturing remains limited and has not reached the scale our energy transition demands,” he said. “By combining Unison’s capability, technology and vision with ARENA’s support and the University of Sydney’s research expertise, we intend to deliver affordable, high-quality Australian-made solar products to Australian families. This is the start of our exciting journey.”
The project is one of 20 research and development initiatives to secure funded as part of a $105.6 million funding round announced by ARENA.
The funding will support projects spanning improved efficiency, cost and stability across advanced cells and modules, to innovations that can help improve solar farm deployment, operations and maintenance. and reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE).
“Australia has played a leading role in the development of solar technology, and these projects will help ensure we continue to strengthen that position,” ARENA acting CEO Chris Faris said.
“The portfolio brings together a mix of near-term improvements and breakthrough technologies that have the potential to lower costs, improve performance and accelerate the deployment of solar energy both in Australia and around the world.”
“Achieving ultra low-cost solar requires innovation across the entire value chain. From the solar cells and modules themselves through to the way solar farms are built, operated and maintained, these projects will help unlock practical solutions that support a faster, more affordable energy transition.”
The funding is to be delivered over five years, commencing in 2027.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Thursday, October 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid

You have no items in your basket.

source

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Small solar kits may be marketed as ‘plug and play’ or ‘balcony solar’, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can connect them to a household socket under Britain’s new rules
Removed from bookmarks
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Plug-in solar panels are now legal in Great Britain, opening the door to a new generation of compact solar systems that can be connected to a suitable household socket. But that doesn’t mean every small solar kit suddenly qualifies as “plug-in solar” under the new rules.
It’s important to understand the distinction because shoppers are already likely to come across products described as “balcony solar”, “plug and play” or “DIY solar” on retailer websites. These may all be perfectly legitimate solar products, but still not meet the definition of plug-in solar under the regulations that came into force on 27 August.
In other words, a product being small, modular or sold for domestic use does not automatically mean it can legally be plugged into a standard three-pin socket under the new system.
Read more: Best plug-in solar panels so far
The government’s new framework applies to a much narrower category of product. Under the new rules, a compliant plug-in solar device must be a complete approved system, typically including at least one solar panel, a grid-following microinverter, the manufacturer-supplied cable and plug, and a mounting system. It must also meet the government’s Interim Product Specification and have a maximum apparent output of 800VA, commonly referred to as 800W.
Just as importantly, the product must be assessed and listed through the Energy Networks Association’s Connect Direct system. That means consumers should be checking the exact make and model, rather than assuming a product is compliant just because it looks similar to one that is.
A good example of this distinction is EcoFlow’s stream solar system. EcoFlow sells the system in the UK and markets it as a compact solar product aimed at balconies and other small domestic spaces. At first glance, that might sound like the sort of product covered by the new plug-in rules.
But EcoFlow’s own UK guidance says that, in Britain, the stream microinverter must currently be connected to the home’s distribution board by a professional installer or electrician. In other words, it is not currently being presented as a three-pin-plug solar product that can be simply plugged into a standard socket under the new regime.
That doesn’t mean the EcoFlow system is banned or improper. Not at all. It’s an excellent product. It just means it falls into a different category. A hard-wired solar kit can still be legally sold and installed in Britain, but it doesn’t benefit from the simplified socket-connected route that was just introduced for compliant plug-in solar panels.
This is an important point for shoppers to understand because the language used by retailers and manufacturers can sometimes blur the lines. Terms such as “plug and play” or “balcony solar” may be catchy marketing shorthand, but they aren’t proof that a system has been approved under Britain’s new plug-in solar framework.
The safest approach is to verify the product before buying. Consumers should check that the exact system appears on the Energy Networks Association’s accredited plug-in solar register and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. If a product requires connection to the distribution board, or doesn’t appear on the register as compliant, it shouldn’t be treated as one of the new plug-in solar devices covered by the 27 August rule change.
As plug-in solar becomes more widely available, this is likely to become one of the biggest areas of confusion. The key thing to remember is that not every compact solar kit is ‘plug-in solar’. Some are approved socket-connected systems under the new rules, while others are still conventional solar products that need a different installation route.
Read more: Best solar panels, compared
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

source

N.J. just made it easier for renters to slash their energy bills with plug-in solar panels  Currently.com
source

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a US$12 million research and development (R&D) fund that will support projects that will lower the cost, and expand domestic manufacturing, of solar panels for use in space.
Led by the DOE’s Integrated Energy Systems Office (IESO), the Space Photovoltaics Research and Development Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) is open to university and industry research laboratories developing “advanced” space-based solar PV projects, initiatives that focus on “PV characterisation and stress testing” or “near-commercial pilot-scale space PV solutions”.
Get Premium Subscription
The PIA is split into two “topic areas”. The first, dubbed ‘Next-generation Cell Innovation’, will focus on the advancement of manufacturing methods and improvements in performance of durability of solar cells, while ‘Rapid Production and Demonstration’ will focus on manufacturing processes capable of scaling to “high-volume production” of module prototypes for space or near-space environments. Individual applicants can win up to US$1.5 million for projects in the first area and up to US$2 million for projects in the second area.
Applications are open immediately, and will close on 8 October. The DOE will also host a webinar in collaboration with TECHWERX, a hub that aims to connect researchers, industry and energy leaders, on 15 September to provide more information about the fund. The organisers expect to select winning applicants in December, and complete negotiations for fund awards between January and February next year.
While direct federal support for a relatively early stage clean energy sector like space-based solar power might be something of a surprise from the second Trump administration, the government has made it clear that investing in energy security, regardless of the generation technology used, has been a key priority. Assistant secretary of energy Audrey Robertson said, upon the launch of the funding, that “bolstering our national security” was a goal of the funding.
“The next frontier for solar PV power generation is in space,” said Robertson. “As demand for space-grade PV skyrockets, this investment will establish American leadership in next-generation, space-based PV, bolster our national security and enhance our economic competitiveness.”
Last month, PV Tech Premium heard from Hasan Nazar, head of policy at Crux, about how many of the current policy initiatives align under the priority of improving US energy security, and reducing reliance on parts and components made overseas.
Indeed, a report from Clean Tomorrow, published last year, found that the DOE would need to invest US$25 billion across a number of energy sectors in order to deliver greater energy security for the US, and while the US$12 million for the PIA is a small part of this total, it is nonetheless part of the government’s spending to strengthen energy security.
Space-based solar power has also attracted interest from the private sector this year. In April, tech giant Meta signed an agreement with space-based solar power startup Overview Energy to gain “early access” to a 1GW fleet of space-based solar panels that Overview plans to launch in 2030.
Space-based solar power will be a topic of conversation at this year’s PV CellTech USA conference. Hosted by PV Tech publisher Solar Media in San Francisco, US, on 13-14 October, the final day of the conference will include a presentation from Timothy Siegler, technology manager at the IESO, about how space-based solar power is driving the next generation of PV innovation. Read the full event agenda on the official website.

source

The Delhi government announced an ambitious plan on Tuesday to raise the state subsidy for residential rooftop solar installations in the national capital to ₹78,000, a move that would slash the upfront cost of setting up the clean energy system.
Chief minister Rekha Gupta said households with a monthly consumption of 400 units of electricity or less would effectively be eligible for a fully funded 3-kilowatt rooftop solar system under the revised Delhi Solar Policy.

Under the changes made to the 2023 policy, the Delhi government will offer subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for a 3-kw solar panel system. Paired with equal funding from the central government’s PM Surya Ghar initiative, the total incentives will effectively cover the setup cost for standard 2- and 3-kw units.
Gupta said the government has targeted installing rooftop solar systems in 230,000 households across Delhi by March 2027.
Also Read: The supply chain behind solar panels
Also Read: The supply chain behind solar panels
“The government not only wants to reduce people’s electricity bills but also to support the installation cost of solar panels. The government will provide free rooftop solar panels to all households with monthly electricity consumption of 400 units,” Gupta said at a press conference.
Apart from the state subsidy of ₹78,000 for a 3-kW system, the policy also proposes an additional state top-up of ₹19,000 for consumers using up to 400 units of electricity a month. This would cover the installation cost of ₹1.75 lakh for a 3-kw system.
Also read | ₹35/kg: Rekha Gupta”>Delhi receives 1,000 tonnes of onions from Centre for sale at ₹35/kg: Rekha Gupta
Households that consume more than 400 units would not receive the additional top-up of ₹19,000.

For households consuming 0-200 units a month, the proposed support will vary according to the size of the solar system. A 2-kW system, estimated to cost around ₹1.30 lakh, will receive ₹60,000 as central subsidy, ₹52,000 as Delhi government subsidy and an additional ₹18,000 top-up. The total support of ₹1.30 lakh would effectively cover the listed cost of the system.
The policy also takes into account the savings and income generated from rooftop solar systems.
For consumers in the 0-200 unit category installing a 2-kW system, the government estimates electricity savings of around 200 units a month, translating into a benefit of about ₹300 per month at ₹3 per unit.
For a 3-kW system, consumers are expected to save around 200 units a month and export another 100 units to the grid. Payment for the exported electricity is estimated at ₹650 a month, taking the average additional monthly benefit to around ₹950.
For households consuming 201-400 units a month, the upfront subsidy structure will remain the same — ₹60,000 central subsidy, ₹52,000 Delhi subsidy and ₹18,000 top-up for a 2-kW system, and ₹78,000 each from the Centre and Delhi, along with a ₹19,000 top-up for a 3-kW system. The estimated average additional monthly benefit for this category is ₹1,659.
For households consuming more than 400 units a month, a 3-kW system costing ₹1.75 lakh will receive ₹78,000 each from the Centre and Delhi, while there will be no additional top-up. The proposed consumer contribution will be ₹19,000. The average additional monthly benefit is estimated at ₹2,143, with surplus electricity eligible for payment at ₹6.50 per unit.
Group housing societies
The revised framework provides for support to group housing societies for installing solar systems in common areas. A proposed 100-kW system, estimated to cost ₹45 lakh, will receive ₹18 lakh as central subsidy and ₹11 lakh as Delhi government subsidy, leaving a consumer contribution of ₹16 lakh. The estimated average additional benefit is ₹81,247 per month.
Gupta said the rooftop solar programme is part of the government’s “Green Delhi” initiative. At present, around 10,000 buildings in Delhi have rooftop solar panels installed and most of them government buildings, she said.
…Read MoreSaloni Bhatia is a journalist with over 15 years of experience in reporting and storytelling, with a strong focus on the Delhi government and political developments in the Capital. Over the years, she has closely tracked policy decisions, governance issues, and political shifts. She started off as an entertainment journalist but then moved to covering beats like crime and education. Her experience on the crime beat helped her develop an eye for detail and accuracy, while education reporting allowed her to explore policy impact on students, teachers and institutions. Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction. She also has a keen interest in watching Bollywood films. Read Less

source

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed the the Garden State Balcony Solar Act (S2368/A4836) into law, enabling New Jerseyites to install and use portable solar generation devices of up to 1,200 watts without the need to apply for an installation permit or obtain their utility’s approval.
The law, which was passed by the state’s two legislative bodies on unanimous votes in late June, would require the portable solar devices to comply with provisions of the most recent versions of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the State Uniform Construction Code, in addition to becoming listed or certified under the UL 3700 Outline of Investigation for Interactive Plug-In PV (PIPV) Equipment and Systems.
The bill creates an exemption for devices with power output of 400 watts from the need to obtain the UL listing or comply with the NEC and state code.
“From day one, I’ve been laser-focused on driving down energy costs through an all-of-the-above approach, and that includes putting clean, affordable solar power that you can simply plug in directly into the hands of New Jerseyans,” said Governor Sherrill in a statement. “Balcony solar is a practical, easy-to-use tool that can help families save money while allowing more people to participate in our clean energy future. This bill cuts unnecessary red tape, expands access to affordable solar power, and proves that affordability and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Notably, the bill also contains provisions that restrict landlords and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from prohibiting the use of portable solar generation devices, so long as renters (or homeowners subject to HOA oversight) abide by “reasonable restrictions concerning the size, placement, or manner of placement of a portable solar generation device on the exterior of a unit owner’s or tenant’s premises.”
News of the law was celebrated widely among advocates and industry representatives. “By making solar more accessible, New Jersey is building a fairer, more affordable energy system where everyone can share in the benefits of clean power,” said Elowyn Corby, Senior Regional Director for the Mid-Atlantic, Vote Solar Action Fund. “We are grateful Governor Sherrill has stood with New Jersey families and taken a major step toward a clean energy future that delivers greater energy affordability and access to solar.”
“By signing this law, Governor Sherrill and legislative leaders have taken another big step in making solar energy more affordable and accessible for New Jerseyans,” said Stephan Scherer, CEO and co-founder of CraftStrom, a company that sells balcony solar equipment. “As the most densely populated state in the nation, New Jersey is built for plug-in solar: it takes just an hour to install, fits on apartment and condominium balconies, and cuts utility bills immediately. New Jersey is sending a clear signal that the future of solar is portable, affordable, and consumer-led.”
Plug-in solar bills in other states (such as the recently-passed California Plug and Play Solar Act) do not contain similar protections for renters and HOA members. 
With Sherrill’s signature, New Jersey becomes the ninth state in the nation to enact a plug-in solar law. Laws in two other states — New York’s SUNNY Act and the aforementioned California legislation — await action from governors in those states.
The Garden State Balcony Solar Act bill will take effect on March 1, 2027, giving the state Board of Public Utilities time to take action necessary to implement the law’s provisions.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, October 26, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, September 10, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Thursday, October 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
pv magazine USA hosts its multi-day virtual event on U.S. solar and energy storage, covering domestic manufacturing, distributed energy and the growing role of solar-plus-storage in meeting AI-driven power demand.

You have no items in your basket.

source

0
Powered by :
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), an Australia-based renewable energy agency, has announced new funding for solar research and development. ARENA will provide up to AUD 105.6 million (~$74.98 million) for 20 projects focused on advancing ultra low-cost solar. This represents the agency’s largest single investment in PV research and development to date. The selected projects are divided between research on cells and modules and work covering BOS, O&M. Across the two categories, each covering three focus areas, the program will address cell and module efficiency, cost and stability, alongside deployment costs, O&M expenses and solar yield. ARENA initially allocated AUD 60 million (~$42.60 million) before increasing the total funding pool to AUD 105.6 million (~$74.98 million). The program supports ARENA’s ambition to reduce installed solar costs to 30 cents per watt by 2030.
SOLARbytes brings you the latest news in solar world in bite size; essentially a gist of important solar news in few sentences.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Quick Links
© 2026 SOLARbytes | SOLARbytes is a publication of Wat(t) Bytes Media Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

source

0
Powered by :
Swiss solar manufacturer Megasol has upgraded its LEVEL Up roof-integrated photovoltaic system to feature its low-glare ZRM+ (Zero Reflect Matt+) microstructured glass as standard. Designed to mimic the low reflectivity of conventional clay tiles, the surface keeps reflection levels between 3,000 and 18,000 cd/m²—well under the 20,000 cd/m² regulatory threshold confirmed in tests by Bern University of Applied Sciences. The frameless glass-on-glass module delivers over 200 Wp/m² with Class 5 hail resistance and CEN/TR 15601 rain tightness, immediately replacing earlier product lines. LEVEL Up with ZRM+ replaces all previous product variants. It is also available immediately for residential, commercial and sensitive planning zones.
SOLARbytes brings you the latest news in solar world in bite size; essentially a gist of important solar news in few sentences.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Quick Links
© 2026 SOLARbytes | SOLARbytes is a publication of Wat(t) Bytes Media Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

source

 
ZAGREB, 1 September 2026 – Croatian households will be able to apply for a share of €38 million in government-backed renewable energy subsidies from Wednesday, with battery storage included in the scheme for the first time. 
Applications open at 9am on 2 September through the electronic system of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU).
The programme supports the installation of heat pumps, photovoltaic systems for household consumption and battery storage systems.
Households can receive up to 50% of eligible investment costs, while households at risk of energy poverty can receive up to 70%.
Depending on the investment, subsidies can reach up to €6,250 for a heat pump, €6,000 for a photovoltaic system and €5,600 for a battery storage system. For households at risk of energy poverty, the maximum combined support can be considerably higher.
The introduction of battery subsidies is one of the main changes this year. Batteries can be financed only together with a photovoltaic installation and are intended to allow households to store excess electricity for later use.
The Fund says applications will be accepted electronically and has urged potential applicants to prepare their documentation and ensure they have the required NIAS electronic identification credentials.
The scheme is part of Croatia’s wider efforts to increase household energy independence and renewable energy use.

source

Leadership In Law

By : Journal Record Staff//September 1, 2026//
Mass production at the 2GW solar cell facility in Oklahoma is expected to begin in March 2027. (Photo/Nextnova)
Solar company plans 300-job manufacturing facility near OKC
Mass production at the 2GW solar cell facility in Oklahoma is expected to begin in March 2027. (Photo/Nextnova)

By : Journal Record Staff//September 1, 2026//
OKLAHOMA CITY — Nextnova Solar, a new brand under Thornova Solar, has announced plans to build a 2-gigawatt n-type solar cell manufacturing facility outside Oklahoma City, adding to the state’s growing solar supply chain footprint.
The facility is expected to create about 300 jobs at launch, with construction set to begin in November. Mass production is slated to start in March 2027, and the company said the site is designed to scale up to 5 gigawatts of annual capacity as demand grows.
The announcement comes as the U.S. faces a supply gap between solar module and solar cell production capacity — the country currently has about 11 gigawatts of cell-making capacity compared with more than 74 gigawatts of module capacity, according to industry estimates. Recent tariffs on imported solar materials have added urgency to expanding domestic cell production.

The project adds to a string of solar manufacturing investments in Oklahoma in recent years, including NorSun‘s $620 million wafer facility in Tulsa.

Share this!
A private fire hydrant at an El Reno Bitcoin mining facility caused a three-million-gallon water leak, city of[…]
September 1, 2026
U.S. construction spending fell 0.5% in July as high mortgage rates weighed on homebuilding and pushed spendin[…]
September 1, 2026
Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs has opened its second Oklahoma location in Edmond, with a third location under co[…]
September 1, 2026
Tulsa job seekers can meet employers and access career resources at the free Back to Work Expresso Career Fair[…]
September 1, 2026
Renewal by Andersen, Esler Companies has partnered with OU athletics as part of a college sports marketing exp[…]
September 1, 2026
Oklahoma inmates worked in prison call centers making political and insurance calls, earning $2 per hour while[…]
August 31, 2026
Sign up for your daily digest of Oklahoma News.
The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon, alleging it secretly inflated advertising prices through manipula[…]
Several Tulsa metro law enforcement agencies have officers certified under the 287(g) program to mak[…]
Walmart settled a U.S. government lawsuit accusing its pharmacies of unlawfully dispensing opioids a[…]
Oklahoma City University School of Law launched a new public service center led by Rachel Moll to ex[…]
A U.S. military judge ordered Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants to stand trial at Guant[…]
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is accepting nominations for its 2027 Medal for Excellence ho[…]
Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs has opened its second Oklahoma location in Edmond, with a third locatio[…]
Tulsa job seekers can meet employers and access career resources at the free Back to Work Expresso C[…]
Oklahoma’s Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program has completed 500 homes with grants helping homeowner[…]
Comanche Cache Casino’s Paws and Play donation drive collects pet supplies in September to benefit[…]
Oklahoma faces a warmer, rainier winter as long-term warming, El Niño and fewer hard freezes could […]
Stillwater Regional Airport opens a new passenger terminal as the city marks a decade of commercial […]
Boeing sells its stake in Wisk Aero to focus on commercial aerospace, defense, and space, gaining a […]
Oklahoma is building a space industry hub through aerospace investments, manufacturing growth, hyper[…]
Tulsa travelers can save hundreds on flights and vacations this fall with lower prices and new tools[…]
The Journal Record is an award-winning daily general business and legal publication that includes a daily print newspaper and a 24/7 website. Both focus on local and statewide business trends and in-depth stories that convey the voice of the Oklahoma business community.
Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications!
Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions.
© 2026 BridgeTower Media. All rights reserved.
Use of this website is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy
This website uses cookies, web beacons, pixels, tags, software development kits, and related tracking technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, for purposes that may include website operation, analytics, analyzing site usage, enhancing site navigation optimizing a user’s experience, and third-party advertising or marketing purposes. Through these technologies, we and certain third parties may automatically collect information about your interactions with our website, such as your browsing behavior and page views. We also may share this information about your activity on our website with our social media, advertising, analytics, and other business partners. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of these technologies and that we can share information about your activity on our website with third parties in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. If you do not agree with our use of non-essential tracking technologies, please click “Reject All.” You may opt out of certain non-essential technologies by clicking “Cookie Settings.”
 

source

By commenting, you agree to the Prohibited Content Policy
By commenting, you agree to the Prohibited Content Policy
News
See whats happening in Energy sector right now
Exclusive
Read and get insights from specially curated unique stories from editorial
Leaders Speak
Business leaders sharing their insights
Events
Explore and discuss challenges & trends in India’s leading B2B events
Awards
Recognise work that not only stood out but was also purposeful
Webinars
Join leaders & experts for roundtables, conferences, panels and discussions
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms & Conditions
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
Download ETEnergyworld App
Save your favourite articles with seamless reading experience
Get updates on your preferred social platform
Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more.
About Us
Contact Us
Newsletters

source

Change the world
News
01/09/2026
More than 8 500 new solar photovoltaic (PV) panels/modules are set to significantly boost Nelson Mandela University’s renewable energy capacity across its seven campuses – six in Gqeberha and one in George.
 

Dr Andre Hefer: Sustainability Engineer, Infrastructure Services and Sustainability Department 
“The platform will generate 4.4 megawatts (MW) of solar power by the end of 2026 – enough to supply 25 – 30% of the University’s total electricity needs,” says the University’s sustainability engineer, Dr Andre Hefer, from the Infrastructure Services and Sustainability Department.
“Construction started in mid-November 2025, and we are already generating solar power on our Summerstrand North Campus and the Ocean Sciences Campus. All the campuses will be generating power by the end of November 2026.”
Extensive use is being made of car port roofs to accommodate the solar panels. Where necessary, old asbestos and timber carports are being replaced with smart aluminium, offering greater longevity and making better suited for the University’s coastal campuses.
The solar platform is a strategic investment project driven by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors to generate sustainable savings for the University in support of its long-term sustainability framework, including lowering its carbon footprint.
Melvin Syce: Senior Director: Infrastructure Services and Space Optimisation 
The project is being managed through the University’s Infrastructure Services and Space Optimisation Directorate, led by Melvin Syce, who explains: “The decision by the University leadership to significantly boost solar generation capacity came on the back of the major load-shedding experienced in 2023 when the University was without Eskom supplied electricity for what amounted to a third of the year. We had to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency, for both operational and financial reasons.”
Dr Hefer broke down the financial impact of the power outages, adding that the significant investment into this project would result in long-term savings.
“During the outages, for example, we were using 6000L of diesel per day in our generators at a cost of about R150 000 per day, which was not sustainable. With our new system we can downscale the diesel use to 10 – 20% of the previous use.”
Dr Hefer says the new solar platform is valued at R68-million and is being funded by the University.
“It is expected to save the University between R8-million and R10-million annually on our annual electricity bill of about R60-million.”
PVinsight (Pty) Ltd CEO physicist Prof Ernest van Dyk and the mobile lab for testing PV panels/modules
A sample of the panels was checked on arrival by PVinsight (Pty) Ltd – a specialist solar photovoltaic (PV) module testing, inspection and consulting company based on the Ocean Sciences Campus and led by its CEO, physicist Professor Ernest van Dyk.
PVinsight was spun out of the Photovoltaics Research Group (PVRG) in the University’s Department of Physics. PVinsight has the only SANAS-accredited ISO 17025 mobile laboratory testing service in South Africa for field testing.
“Solar plants at the commercial and industrial level are a major financial investment and it’s hugely important to have solar modules independently tested on arrival and on-site once installed to make sure they meet the manufacturer’s specifications,” says Prof Van Dyk.
“A documented, independently verified report of module condition can be compared against any future assessment of weather damage or degradation.”
South Africa’s largest insurers say claims for weather-related damage to solar assets have exponentially increased. As insurers tighten cover and claim conditions, the burden of proof on solar plant owners will increase.
“Over and above the solar platform, we have invested in a centralised generator system to ensure continuity of power throughout the University as our current generators only power up essential buildings, such as the main administration building, medical and science laboratory refrigerators and server rooms,” says Syce.
“Our residences were not powered which was a problem for students needing to study, although we always provide rechargeable lamps and gas stoves for cooking.”
The combined system will ensure that the University can continue operating during power outages and throughout the night, while reducing its carbon footprint in line with its value of environmental stewardship.
“We are also partnering with Etana Energy, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) that uses the Eskom grid to wheel wind and solar energy to users,” Hefer explains. “In combination, this will give us close to 80% of our total power needs from renewable sources. Etana will start to generate electricity from May 2027 as they already have approved and secured grid capacity.”
This is the second solar PV plant that the University has invested in. The first 1MW plant, installed on its Summerstrand South Campus, has been producing solar energy since June 2019 through a power purchase agreement where the institution pays for the electricity generated for the first ten years, after which it takes over ownership of the plant.
“We were the second-largest solar installation in the Nelson Mandela Metro at the time – the other one was at Volkswagen,” says Hefer. “This time around we realised a self-financing approach is a far better model for us. Owning the platform from day one is the way we will go for any future enhancements.”
 
Libraries
Work@Mandela
FindIt@Mandela

 
Tel: +27 (0) 41 504 1111
Fax: +27 (0) 41 504 2574 / 2731
Email: info@mandela.ac.za
PO Box 77000, Nelson Mandela University
Gqeberha, 6031, South Africa
Libraries
Faculties
Courses
Admissions
Research
Work@Mandela
FindIt@Mandela
Connect@Mandela

Privacy statement    BEE & Tax Certificate    PAIA    ISPA    FAQ    WCMS

source

Subscribe Now! Get features like
The Delhi government announced an ambitious plan on Tuesday to raise the state subsidy for residential rooftop solar installations in the national capital to ₹78,000, a move that would slash the upfront cost of setting up the clean energy system.
Chief minister Rekha Gupta said households with a monthly consumption of 400 units of electricity or less would effectively be eligible for a fully funded 3-kilowatt rooftop solar system under the revised Delhi Solar Policy.
Under the changes made to the 2023 policy, the Delhi government will offer subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for a 3-kw solar panel system. Paired with equal funding from the central government’s PM Surya Ghar initiative, the total incentives will effectively cover the setup cost for standard 2- and 3-kw units.
Gupta said the government has targeted installing rooftop solar systems in 230,000 households across Delhi by March 2027.
Also Read: The supply chain behind solar panels
“The government not only wants to reduce people’s electricity bills but also to support the installation cost of solar panels. The government will provide free rooftop solar panels to all households with monthly electricity consumption of 400 units,” Gupta said at a press conference.
Apart from the state subsidy of ₹78,000 for a 3-kW system, the policy also proposes an additional state top-up of ₹19,000 for consumers using up to 400 units of electricity a month. This would cover the installation cost of ₹1.75 lakh for a 3-kw system.
Also read | Read More

source

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — NV Energy will begin accepting applications Sept. 1 for its Expanded Solar Access Program, which provides income-qualified residential customers access to solar energy from utility-scale and community-based solar resources at a guaranteed lower rate without installing solar panels.
MORE ON FOX5: NV Energy files to cut electric rates for Southern Nevada Customers
Through the program, eligible customers receive a discount on the energy portion of their electric bill while supporting the development of additional clean energy resources in Nevada. In 2026, program participants are saving an average of 8% to 9% on electric consumption, depending on their customer rate.
Applications will be accepted online from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. Customers may also apply through MyAccount or by mailing a completed application and supporting documentation to NV Energy.
To qualify, customers must be a bundled residential NV Energy customer and have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or provide documentation demonstrating eligibility through a qualifying assistance program.
Customers currently enrolled in the program who wish to continue participating in 2027 must also complete the recertification process by Oct. 31, 2026, and submit updated eligibility documentation. Current participants will receive additional information by email and U.S. mail.
Applying to the program does not guarantee enrollment. The program has a set annual capacity limit. If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available capacity, a lottery will be conducted in December to determine participation.
As part of changes approved for the program, the Disadvantaged Business/Nonprofit and Eligible Premises categories will close effective Jan. 1, 2027, transitioning available capacity to income-qualified residential customers.
For more information about eligibility requirements and available savings, visit NV Energy.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.

source

THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
 
CATLIN — Starting today, Catlin Mayor Justin Bargo said, companies can submit special-use permit applications for wind and solar projects to the village.
Late last week, the village council approved a wind and solar ordinance to regulate such projects, including Earthrise Energy’s proposal for a 1,400-acre solar-farm project along Catlin-Tilton Road. And on Monday, a previous moratorium on solar-farm projects finally expired.
The ordinance outlines the special-use permit application and public hearing process for a proposed wind- or solar-energy system, which is to include a detailed site plan addressing site maintenance, setbacks and other issues. Relevant noise, shadow flicker, wildlife and environmental impact studies also must be completed, in addition to plans for site drainage and eventual decommissioning of the project.
Rural Catlin resident Patty Jones said it’s “very disappointing” that some language was taken out of the approved ordinance regarding water and well testing, as one of the biggest concerns voiced by the public has been regarding water safety.
 
FOR MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE PLEASE GO TO https://www.news-gazette.com/news/catlin-approves-solar-wind-ordinance/article_31732459-eb7b-480b-99d9-a4df0de6d3ad.html

source

Font Size
China
China’s installed photovoltaic (PV) power capacity has surpassed coal-fired power capacity for the first time, making PV the country’s largest power source by installed capacity, the National Energy Administration said on Tuesday.
China’s installed PV power capacity reached 1.286 billion kilowatts at the end of July, edging past coal-fired power capacity of 1.285 billion kilowatts, according to the administration.
By the end of July, PV power accounted for more than 30 percent of China’s total installed power generation capacity. Measured by newly added capacity, the share rose to more than 40 percent in the first seven months, underscoring the rapid expansion of the PV sector.
“This achievement marks a historic reshaping of China’s power supply structure. It ends coal-fired power’s long-held position as the country’s top power source. New energy is rapidly evolving from a backup resource into a core installed power source and the construction of a new-type power system centered on renewable energy is gathering pace,” said Hao Yingjie, secretary-general of China Electricity Council.
But constrained by day-night cycles and weather conditions, the utilization hours of PV power remain far lower than those of coal-fired power, industrial insiders noted. In the short term, coal fired power will remain China’s critical supporting resource and serve as the power system’s safety backstop. To turn the advantages of large-scale installed new-energy capacity into stable and reliable power supply, it is crucial to speed up the construction of the new-type power system.
“Efforts will be made to enhance the power system’s flexible regulation capability, strengthen the construction of a new-type power grid platform that promotes coordinated development of transmission, distribution, and microgrids, reinforce the large grid’s capability to accommodate, allocate, and regulate new energy, improve the reliable substitution capacity of new energy, and drive the transformation of photovoltaic power from weather-dependent to dispatchable and predictable,” said Hao.
China’s photovoltaic power capacity overtakes coal-fired power for first time
China’s photovoltaic power capacity overtakes coal-fired power for first time
Agreements signed between China and Kyrgyzstan at the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek are expected to inject fresh momentum into Kyrgyzstan’s growing technology sector, especially in digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) and clean energy, an expert said.
The summit, held Monday and Tuesday in the Kyrgyz capital, ran under the theme “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity” and brought together leaders from more than 20 countries.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Chubak Temirov, deputy director of the High Tech Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, said the SCO’s 25 years of trust now pave the way for joint technology ventures beyond Kyrgyzstan’s domestic market.
“The SCO spent 25 years building relationships and trust between our countries, between China and Kyrgyzstan and all other members. And I believe the next stage should be about building things together, in relation to technology; technologies, companies, research, products, and maybe new markets. Today, technology company in Bishkek doesn’t necessarily think only about our domestic market, which is only 7.4 million people. We think broader, in relation to all SCO countries, or even global market,” Temirov said.
In his meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Kyrgyzstan should work together to build the Belt and Road Joint Laboratory and strengthen cooperation in areas including AI.
Echoing President Xi’s words, Temirov identified local-language AI applications as the most immediate opportunity for Kyrgyzstan, while emphasizing that the best form of technology transfer lies in building local capacity to develop future products independently — a partnership model that could deepen bilateral collaboration following the summit.
“I think the immediate practical opportunities for Kyrgyzstan in AI would be the local language AI. For example, let’s imagine just a farmer in rural area, in some remote mountain in Kyrgyzstan, as you know, Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, could speak to an AI assistant in Kyrgyz language and receive information about weather, maybe agriculture. A student could have an AI tutor, for example, in his own language, in native language. Or a citizen could interact with digital public services, right? Digital public services now, in every country, are becoming a major trend of digitalization. Everyone now, just sitting from home, can get any public service s and get different things to make his life easier, right?” he said.
“China has a big scale from infrastructure and a mature AI ecosystem. The best technology transfer is not when you receive any finished product. As I said, it’s when your people gain capability to build already the next product themselves, right? This is the kind of China-Kyrgyzstan technology partnership I would see as a really good example. I truly believe that after this summit, we can go to a new layer of friendship and collaboration. And I see more opportunities between China and Kyrgyzstan in AI in general, and in other technologies,” he added.
China, Kyrgyzstan double down on tech innovation at SCO Summit
© 2023 Bastillepost. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Bastillepost. All rights reserved.

source

Published:  12:18 AM, 02 September 2026
AA News Desk
Go to Home Page »

source

source

A Native American investor says it was duped into providing a $2.5 million loan for a solar project that was never repaid.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is accused of cheating a Native American investor out of $2.5 million. He allegedly used money meant to fund a Texas solar project to instead pay back a company that had previously invested in his ventures.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Delaware’s Chancery Court, comes from Kituwah LLC, the tribally-owned investment and economic development arm of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It claims the former Cowboys running back, his longtime business partner David Mosley, and their commercial real estate company, 4 13 Solutions Inc., convinced Kituwah to provide a $2.5 million loan for the purported solar project. However, Kituwah says it has “not recovered a penny” despite the loan being more than two years past due and numerous requests for repayment.
According to the suit, the “ploy” began in early 2023. Kituwah was fed a “steady stream of lies,” about the deal, the suit says, including that it would be a partner in the planned Project Exodus solar farm, that the U.S. Department of Energy would eventually provide “permanent financing,” and that the solar farm would be “up and running” by the end of 2024. Kituwah was convinced to provide the loan due to “false projections and data” and a misrepresentation of the level of interest and potential investments from others. It was promised repayment “in a matter of months.”
In truth, the lawsuit alleges, Smith and the other defendants secretly earmarked the $2.5 million to “improperly pay” an entity called Wilson Holdings, which they have previously partnered with on other investments. Wilson Holdings is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
“Kituwah poured substantial time, efforts, and resources in the purported joint venture,” the suit says. “Not only has Kituwah not seen any returns on its investment, Kituwah has been forced to expend additional costs in efforts to reclaim the amounts it is still owed pursuant to its investment, including to investigate what happened to its money.”
The loan allegedly came due Feb. 1, 2024, but was not repaid. Additionally, Kituwah “has not seen any evidence that Project Exodus has made any meaningful progress towards completion.” It launched its own investigation, which led to the lawsuit, and as part of that probe it determined the defendants’ use of the $2.5 million was “essentially, like a Ponzi scheme.”
The suit includes six causes of action, including fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. It says close to $600,000 in interest has accrued on the loan, meaning the current balance is over $3 million. Kituwah says that last year it offered to waive that interest if the loan was repaid by Aug. 31, 2025, but this effort to “work out a resolution” was “effectively ignored,” like its other requests.
The lawsuit seeks at least $2.5 million, plus interest, costs, and expenses, as well as additional damages to be determined at trial. It also requests attorneys’ fees and other costs associated with bringing the lawsuit, plus “further relief as the court deems just and proper.”
A representative for Kituwah did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment. Representatives for the defendants could not immediately be reached.
Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.
Δ
A new weeknight TV show breaking down the business and culture of sports, premiering September 14th.

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source

Tesla’s abrupt decision to kill its Solar Roof has left the third-party contractors who sold and installed the product absorbing the fallout — including some who told Electrek they sank hundreds of thousands of dollars into the program and now have little to show for it.
Tesla stopped supplying the solar tiles in August, notifying its network of certified installers that it would ship only conventional solar panels going forward.
The scale of the retreat is striking. Over roughly seven years, Tesla installed only about 3,000 Solar Roof systems across the US, peaking at just 21 to 32 installations a week — more than 95% short of Elon Musk’s repeated promise of 1,000 weekly installations by 2019-2020.
We reported last month that Tesla discontinued the Solar Roof after deciding internally that the product “is not financially viable”. The tesla.com/solarroof page now redirects to the company’s solar panel page, and “Solar Roof” has been stripped from the Energy navigation menu. It was the quiet end of a product that had been on life support for more than a year.
The people left cleaning up are the certified roofers and solar contractors Tesla leaned on to actually put the product on houses.
In a report published this week, Roofing Contractor spoke to several of them, including Elevated Roofing & Siding in Dayton, Ohio, PGT Home Energy Solutions in Tempe, Arizona, Westfall Roofing in Florida, and Saguaro Solar, Electric & Roofing in Tucson.
Becoming a Solar Roof installer was not a weekend course. Contractors had to send crews to multi-week training on the West Coast, and some were required to complete three supervised installations before they were certified.
“It wasn’t simply taking a training; there was investment in learning the system,” Westfall Roofing president Ryan Westfall told the outlet.
That investment produced a product that took roughly two-plus weeks to install, versus about two days for a conventional rack-mounted solar system. Now contractors are scrambling to redesign active projects or swap in alternative systems mid-pipeline.
Electrek also spoke with installers who said they had poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into supporting the Solar Roof — building crews, tooling, and training around it — and are now left with almost nothing to show for it.
Several were reluctant to say so publicly. They still carry other Tesla energy products, including solar panels and Powerwall, and worried that criticizing the company openly could jeopardize those relationships.
That is the bind Tesla’s certified installers are in: dependent on a brand that just walked away from a product line they built a business around, while still needing to sell its remaining hardware.
Tesla has said it will honor existing warranties and continue to provide replacement parts for the existing Solar Roof systems already installed. Contractors aren’t convinced that will hold up over the 25-year life of these roofs.
PGT Home Energy Solutions owner Greg Field expressed skepticism about long-term parts availability, and Exact Solar’s Aaron Nichols warned of a “much higher labor cost for anyone needing help,” given how labor-intensive the tiles are to service and how complex their electrical connections are.
Todd Miller of Isaiah Industries argued Tesla treated the Solar Roof primarily as a piece of solar technology rather than a roofing product — and underestimated the complexity of the roofing business it was wading into.
Our earlier reporting that Tesla was phasing out its own installations in favor of third-party certified installers reads very differently in hindsight.
At the time, handing installation to a network of local certified contractors looked like a rational retreat from what Tesla itself called a “low-margin, labor-heavy, local business.” But the abrupt killing of the Solar Roof hurt those installers far more than it hurt Tesla — precisely because Tesla had already gotten out of the business of carrying and installing the product.
Tesla offloaded the hardest, least profitable part of the Solar Roof — the physical install and the customer relationship — onto small local companies, let them absorb the training and tooling costs, and then pulled the product out from under them. Tesla keeps a manageable warranty liability on 3,000 roofs. The installers keep the stranded investment, the abandoned pipelines, and the awkward job of servicing a discontinued product for the next two decades.
Building-integrated solar isn’t dead, and several of these contractors say they’d do it again — but only for a manufacturer that commits to long-term support and parts. After watching Tesla treat its partners this way, how many will trust the next company that comes knocking?
Thinking about rooftop solar despite Tesla’s exit? It makes sense because solar panels are much more affordable than solar roof tiles. A trusted, hassle-free way to go solar is through EnergySage. They provide free, no-obligation quotes from vetted, pre-screened installers in your area, so you can compare options with real transparency. Unbiased Energy Advisors help you every step of the way, at no cost to you. Plus, financing options like $0-down solar loans and leases/PPAs mean there’s no upfront cost to going solar. Get your free quotes here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
Tesla is a transportation and energy company. It…
Tesla and SolarCity developed a solar roof syste…
Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek.
You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com
Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas.
Get an edge on MMA with the best stats
EnergySage helps you get the best price possible on a home solar installation for free and without hassel.

source

Solar module overcapacity drags factory utilisation down to 35-40%: Report  Business Standard
source

If you design it right, a primarily solar-powered car is very much a possibility. That’s exactly what a team from Clemson University, which runs an automotive engineering graduate program, did. Better yet, they claim that their invention, developed with the aid of BMW, ends most days with more energy than it started with. The car is a product of Clemson’s Deep Orange program and bears the name Luminetta, a nod to what the car runs on: sunlight.
At first glance, it doesn’t immediately look like a solar-powered car. That’s because, unlike the handful of electric cars with solar panel roofs, the Luminetta’s solar cells are part of the outer body panels. These panels contain more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells that basically cover the whole outside of the car. The cells are co-engineered by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, a solar research lab. They’ve been specially designed to keep producing even when a tree or a garage pillar shades part of them.
The car can generate as much as 5.7 kWh over the course of a day. According to the team’s estimates, the energy generated is enough for roughly 31 extra miles of range on average, assuming a standard commute of 12 miles daily. The team came up with this estimate based on models of sunlight in Greenville, South Carolina; Frankfurt, Germany; Madrid, Spain; and Mumbai, India.
The Luminetta isn’t just clever; it’s also light. It weighs just 1,212 pounds, which is around a quarter of a similarly-sized production car. That odd shape contributes to its energy efficiency, too. The students drew inspiration from the boxfish, which has a blocky body that allows it to move through water with surprisingly little drag. The flat sides also give the solar cells far more room than any curved body would. None of this comes at the cost of safety; occupants are protected by structural steel, with aluminum, carbon fiber, and 3D-printed metal joints, also used for their lightweight and stiff nature.
While the numbers are impressive, it’s important to note that the Luminetta’s energy-positive claim rests mostly on Clemson’s modeling. For them to prove the energy figures survive in the real world, they’d have to log miles of real commuting, spread across the full year. Things like parking the car underground or the weather staying gray for a week or longer could very well wreck the math.
Regardless, Clemson will be showcasing the Luminetta at CES Las Vegas in 2027. While we may never see this specific project hit the streets, it’ll be interesting to see whether any of it will end up featuring on a future BMW EV. Something to rival Aptera’s solar-powered three-wheeler, perhaps?

source

source

September 01, 2026 10:30 ET  | Source: MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd.
Delray Beach, FL, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global Photovoltaics (PV) Market is projected to grow from USD 613.57 billion in 2025 to USD 968.32 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. Growth is being driven by rising government incentives and policy support for solar energy adoption, including subsidies, tax credits, feed-in tariffs, and net metering schemes that continue to improve the cost and return on investment of PV systems across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. The market’s installation-type segments include ground-mounted, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and floating PV systems.
Get PDF Brochure — Market Data & Segmentation:
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=428
Key Market Highlights
Why This Market Matters
Solar power has moved from a niche environmental choice to a mainstream energy source shaping how homes, businesses, and entire national grids are powered. As panel and battery prices keep falling and government incentives make the payback period shorter, photovoltaic systems are showing up everywhere — on rooftops, across utility-scale solar farms, floating on reservoirs, and increasingly built directly into the facades and windows of buildings through BIPV technology. That expansion matters well beyond the energy sector: it’s reshaping construction standards, corporate sustainability commitments, and national energy security strategies simultaneously. As climate goals push governments and industries to decarbonize faster, the photovoltaics market is one of the clearest real-time indicators of how quickly the world is actually shifting toward renewable power.
Market Overview
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process that occurs naturally in certain types of semiconductor materials, where electrons freed by solar energy are induced to travel through an electrical circuit, powering electrical devices or feeding electricity to the grid. The market is segmented by component (modules, inverters, balance of system), type (rigid, flexible), material type (silicon, copper indium gallium selenide/CIGS, cadmium telluride/CdTe, perovskite, organic photovoltaic, quantum dot), cell type (full-cell, half-cell), installation type (ground-mounted, building-integrated photovoltaics, floating), and application (residential, commercial & industrial, utilities), with the report covering North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World across 20 countries. Within installation type, building-integrated photovoltaics — where PV modules are incorporated directly into rooftops, windows, and building facades — represents a distinct growth segment alongside conventional ground-mounted and floating installations.
Analyst Perspective
According to MarketsandMarkets™, the decreasing cost of energy storage devices is a primary driver of the market, as improvements in solar panel manufacturing, enhanced module efficiencies, and economies of scale have sharply reduced the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar sources over the last decade, with advancements in materials such as PERC cells, bifacial modules, and thin-film technologies improving performance while lowering production costs. Analysts see rapid advances in perovskite PV technology as the market’s biggest opportunity, as perovskite materials promise higher solar cell efficiency, flexibility, and affordability through simpler manufacturing processes and cheaper materials, with their compatibility with flexible substrates opening new possibilities in lightweight, portable, and building-integrated photovoltaic applications. At the same time, a shortage of skilled workforce for PV installation remains a significant restraint, as global demand for solar energy rises faster than the pipeline of qualified technicians, engineers, and maintenance professionals, particularly in developing economies. Legal issues related to land allotment for solar deployment are also flagged as a key challenge, as large-scale solar farms require extensive flat, high-irradiance land, and procuring it often involves complex regulatory permits, prolonged negotiations, and land ownership and environmental disputes.
Inquiry Before Buying — Get Custom Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=428
Segment Analysis
By Component: Balance of System (BOS) is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period, given its high collective cost relative to other components and its critical role in supporting overall solar power infrastructure — encompassing inverters, mounting structures, wiring, switches, junction boxes, monitoring systems, and energy storage — with demand for advanced BOS solutions rising as installations grow in size and complexity.
By Type: Rigid panels are expected to hold the larger market share, owing to their widespread use in residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations, higher efficiency rates, lower maintenance requirements, and longer operational life compared with flexible alternatives.
By Material Type: Silicon is expected to dominate the market, given its widespread acceptance, proven performance, and cost-effectiveness; whether in monocrystalline or polycrystalline form, silicon remains the primary material for solar cell production due to its high energy conversion efficiency, long lifespan, and wide availability, further supported by advances such as PERC and bifacial modules.
By Cell Type: Half-cell PV modules are expected to hold the largest market share, due to their higher efficiency, lower resistive losses, and improved shade tolerance compared to traditional full-cell modules, making them well suited for both residential and utility-scale installations.
By Installation Type: Floating PV is expected to register the higher CAGR during the forecast period, given its ability to overcome land constraints by utilizing underused water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, and canals, offering the dual benefit of generating clean energy while reducing water evaporation and algae growth. Building-integrated photovoltaics, installed across residential and commercial building rooftops and windows, continues to expand as an architecturally integrated alternative to conventional ground-mounted systems.
By Application: Utilities is projected to capture the largest share of the market in 2030, driven by large-scale solar farm deployments, rising energy demand, supportive government policies, and declining installation costs. Residential is expected to record the highest CAGR between 2025 and 2030, supported by growing consumer awareness of reduced electricity bills, long-term cost benefits, and energy independence, along with net metering policies, tax rebates, and increasingly compact, aesthetically integrated PV system designs.
Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the global photovoltaics market in 2030 and is also projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, driven by robust solar deployment policies, growing energy demand, and strong manufacturing capabilities. Countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia are at the forefront of solar adoption, with China alone accounting for a significant portion of global PV module production and installations; India is expected to record the highest country-level CAGR in the region. The region benefits from high solar irradiance, large-scale land availability, and favorable policy frameworks, including feed-in tariffs, capital subsidies, and renewable energy targets supporting both utility-scale and rooftop solar projects. North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World also contribute to global demand, supported by net-zero emission targets, growing solar energy registrations, and expanding investment in renewable infrastructure across these regions.
Key Industry Trends
Competitive Landscape
MarketsandMarkets™ identifies Jinko Solar as a Star in the Photovoltaics Market Company Evaluation Matrix, leading with a strong market share and extensive product footprint. Star companies provide mature and reputable products and services that meet the requirements of most applications, industries, and regions worldwide. GCL-SI is recognized as an Emerging Leader, gaining visibility with its enhanced portfolio of photovoltaic products. Major market players — including Jinko Solar, JA SOLAR Technology, and Trinasolar — have adopted both organic and inorganic strategies, entering into partnerships and agreements to cater to growing global demand.
Related Reports
Thin-Film Photovoltaic Market
Perovskite Solar Cell Market
Delray Beach, FL, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global Data Center Liquid Cooling Manifolds Market is projected to grow from USD 0.94 billion in 2026 to USD 6.33 billion by 2033, at a CAGR…
Delray Beach, FL, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MarketsandMarkets™ projects the global respiratory care devices market will grow from USD 23.6 billion in 2025 to USD 33.6 billion by 2030, at a…

source

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Interior Department is pausing the Bureau of Land Management’s plans to allow a data center to be built near Boulder City.
On Tuesday, the Interior Department’s Board of Land Appeals issued a stay, in favor of Boulder City and environmentalists.
According to the new filing, Townsite Solar 2 LLC was granted a right-of-way (ROW) in 2023, which authorized the company to build a solar power plant with a battery storage system on BLM-managed land. To satisfy requirements with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BLM studied the potential environmental impacts of the power plant.
Townsite Solar 2 had originally planned to build a data center on a parcel of land near Interstate 11 and U.S. 95. However, the company withdrew its application due to public backlash and concerns from Boulder City officials.
That’s when company officials approached the BLM to change their ROW for the same site but instead of building a solar power plant, they requested authorization for a data center including computer servers, network equipment, and a battery storage system twice the size of the proposed power plant’s.
“BLM did not study the effects of the data center project in a new or revised EA,” filings read in part. “BLM determined the data center is ‘essentially like’ the solar plant project and that it would have ‘similar anticipated impacts.'”
According to the Interior Department, those projects are not “substantially the same.”
“CBD [Centers for Biological Diversity] has demonstrated that permanent and irreparable harm is likely to occur to its members’ aesthetic and recreational interests in the project site, and those harms outweigh the temporary financial harm to Townsite from the delay,” filings state. “Furthermore, the public interest in the timely development of data center infrastructure does not outweigh the benefits of a thorough and open consideration of the potential environmental effects of that development, as NEPA requires.”
In July, city officials and Boulder City residents pushed back against plans for the data center.
“I don’t know in any world how they could have made the statement that that project is in any way similar to the original solar energy production and battery energy storage application that they did the NEPA for in 2023,” councilman Steve Walton said. “This is absolutely out of line, just ridiculous. I don’t know how they could even come to that conclusion.”
“This was never a good faith negotiation,” resident Grant Turner said. “They had a gun to our heads at all times. … I recommend that we fight them tooth and nail.”
You can read the decision from the Interior Department below.

Report a typo

source

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation has announced a $12 million funding opportunity to accelerate technical innovation and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities for solar panels in space applications.
“The next frontier for solar PV power generation is in space,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. “As demand for space-grade PV skyrockets, this investment will establish American leadership in next-generation, space-based PV, bolster our national security, and enhance our economic competitiveness.”
Unlike terrestrial solar energy systems, which are subject to regular interruption by weather and the Earth’s rotation, space PV can deliver near-constant power. Space PV also has the potential to facilitate major advances in spaceflight and further the Trump Administration’s “space superiority” agenda.
Through the Space Photovoltaics (PV) Research and Development Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) opportunity, DOE and partnership intermediary TechWerx are seeking projects that address the following topic areas:
University and industry research laboratories developing advanced, space-applicable PV technologies or specialising in PV characterisation and stress testing, as well as industry teams advancing near-commercial, pilot-scale space PV solutions with testing partnerships and the capability to fly PV prototypes or panels in space are encouraged to apply.
Expected individual awards are up to $1,500,000 for Topic 1 and up to $2,000,000 for Topic 2.
A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2026.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 8, 2026.

The latest handpicked content, focusing on breaking developments and in-depth analysis from key research and innovation partners.
As a Crossref Sponsored Member, we are able to connect your content with a global network of online scholarly research, currently over 24,000 other organisational members from 166 countries. Crossref drive metadata exchange and support nearly 2 billion monthly API queries, facilitating global research communication.
Innovation News Network brings you the latest research and innovation news from the fields of science, environment, energy, critical raw materials, technology, and electric vehicles.
Disclaimer: This website is an independent portal and is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Please Note: Phone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.
©Pan European Networks Ltd
Riverside Mill | Mountbatten Way | Congleton | Cheshire | CW12 1DY | UK
Phone: +44(0)1260 273802
Email: [email protected]

source

N.J. just made it easier for renters to slash their energy bills with plug-in solar panels  nj.com
source

September 01, 2026 10:30 ET  | Source: MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd.
Delray Beach, FL, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global Photovoltaics (PV) Market is projected to grow from USD 613.57 billion in 2025 to USD 968.32 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. Growth is being driven by rising government incentives and policy support for solar energy adoption, including subsidies, tax credits, feed-in tariffs, and net metering schemes that continue to improve the cost and return on investment of PV systems across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. The market’s installation-type segments include ground-mounted, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and floating PV systems.
Get PDF Brochure — Market Data & Segmentation:
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=428
Key Market Highlights
Why This Market Matters
Solar power has moved from a niche environmental choice to a mainstream energy source shaping how homes, businesses, and entire national grids are powered. As panel and battery prices keep falling and government incentives make the payback period shorter, photovoltaic systems are showing up everywhere — on rooftops, across utility-scale solar farms, floating on reservoirs, and increasingly built directly into the facades and windows of buildings through BIPV technology. That expansion matters well beyond the energy sector: it’s reshaping construction standards, corporate sustainability commitments, and national energy security strategies simultaneously. As climate goals push governments and industries to decarbonize faster, the photovoltaics market is one of the clearest real-time indicators of how quickly the world is actually shifting toward renewable power.
Market Overview
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process that occurs naturally in certain types of semiconductor materials, where electrons freed by solar energy are induced to travel through an electrical circuit, powering electrical devices or feeding electricity to the grid. The market is segmented by component (modules, inverters, balance of system), type (rigid, flexible), material type (silicon, copper indium gallium selenide/CIGS, cadmium telluride/CdTe, perovskite, organic photovoltaic, quantum dot), cell type (full-cell, half-cell), installation type (ground-mounted, building-integrated photovoltaics, floating), and application (residential, commercial & industrial, utilities), with the report covering North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World across 20 countries. Within installation type, building-integrated photovoltaics — where PV modules are incorporated directly into rooftops, windows, and building facades — represents a distinct growth segment alongside conventional ground-mounted and floating installations.
Analyst Perspective
According to MarketsandMarkets™, the decreasing cost of energy storage devices is a primary driver of the market, as improvements in solar panel manufacturing, enhanced module efficiencies, and economies of scale have sharply reduced the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar sources over the last decade, with advancements in materials such as PERC cells, bifacial modules, and thin-film technologies improving performance while lowering production costs. Analysts see rapid advances in perovskite PV technology as the market’s biggest opportunity, as perovskite materials promise higher solar cell efficiency, flexibility, and affordability through simpler manufacturing processes and cheaper materials, with their compatibility with flexible substrates opening new possibilities in lightweight, portable, and building-integrated photovoltaic applications. At the same time, a shortage of skilled workforce for PV installation remains a significant restraint, as global demand for solar energy rises faster than the pipeline of qualified technicians, engineers, and maintenance professionals, particularly in developing economies. Legal issues related to land allotment for solar deployment are also flagged as a key challenge, as large-scale solar farms require extensive flat, high-irradiance land, and procuring it often involves complex regulatory permits, prolonged negotiations, and land ownership and environmental disputes.
Inquiry Before Buying — Get Custom Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=428
Segment Analysis
By Component: Balance of System (BOS) is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period, given its high collective cost relative to other components and its critical role in supporting overall solar power infrastructure — encompassing inverters, mounting structures, wiring, switches, junction boxes, monitoring systems, and energy storage — with demand for advanced BOS solutions rising as installations grow in size and complexity.
By Type: Rigid panels are expected to hold the larger market share, owing to their widespread use in residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations, higher efficiency rates, lower maintenance requirements, and longer operational life compared with flexible alternatives.
By Material Type: Silicon is expected to dominate the market, given its widespread acceptance, proven performance, and cost-effectiveness; whether in monocrystalline or polycrystalline form, silicon remains the primary material for solar cell production due to its high energy conversion efficiency, long lifespan, and wide availability, further supported by advances such as PERC and bifacial modules.
By Cell Type: Half-cell PV modules are expected to hold the largest market share, due to their higher efficiency, lower resistive losses, and improved shade tolerance compared to traditional full-cell modules, making them well suited for both residential and utility-scale installations.
By Installation Type: Floating PV is expected to register the higher CAGR during the forecast period, given its ability to overcome land constraints by utilizing underused water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, and canals, offering the dual benefit of generating clean energy while reducing water evaporation and algae growth. Building-integrated photovoltaics, installed across residential and commercial building rooftops and windows, continues to expand as an architecturally integrated alternative to conventional ground-mounted systems.
By Application: Utilities is projected to capture the largest share of the market in 2030, driven by large-scale solar farm deployments, rising energy demand, supportive government policies, and declining installation costs. Residential is expected to record the highest CAGR between 2025 and 2030, supported by growing consumer awareness of reduced electricity bills, long-term cost benefits, and energy independence, along with net metering policies, tax rebates, and increasingly compact, aesthetically integrated PV system designs.
Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the global photovoltaics market in 2030 and is also projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, driven by robust solar deployment policies, growing energy demand, and strong manufacturing capabilities. Countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia are at the forefront of solar adoption, with China alone accounting for a significant portion of global PV module production and installations; India is expected to record the highest country-level CAGR in the region. The region benefits from high solar irradiance, large-scale land availability, and favorable policy frameworks, including feed-in tariffs, capital subsidies, and renewable energy targets supporting both utility-scale and rooftop solar projects. North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World also contribute to global demand, supported by net-zero emission targets, growing solar energy registrations, and expanding investment in renewable infrastructure across these regions.
Key Industry Trends
Competitive Landscape
MarketsandMarkets™ identifies Jinko Solar as a Star in the Photovoltaics Market Company Evaluation Matrix, leading with a strong market share and extensive product footprint. Star companies provide mature and reputable products and services that meet the requirements of most applications, industries, and regions worldwide. GCL-SI is recognized as an Emerging Leader, gaining visibility with its enhanced portfolio of photovoltaic products. Major market players — including Jinko Solar, JA SOLAR Technology, and Trinasolar — have adopted both organic and inorganic strategies, entering into partnerships and agreements to cater to growing global demand.
Related Reports
Thin-Film Photovoltaic Market
Perovskite Solar Cell Market
Delray Beach, FL, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global Data Center Liquid Cooling Manifolds Market is projected to grow from USD 0.94 billion in 2026 to USD 6.33 billion by 2033, at a CAGR…
Delray Beach, FL, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MarketsandMarkets™ projects the global respiratory care devices market will grow from USD 23.6 billion in 2025 to USD 33.6 billion by 2030, at a…

source

0
By clicking the button, I accept the Terms of Use of the service and its Privacy Policy, as well as consent to the processing of personal data.
Don’t have an account? Signup
Powered by :
India has emerged as one of the world’s major solar manufacturing hubs after moving from near-total import dependence in solar photovoltaics (PV). However, the rapid expansion of domestic manufacturing capacity is creating a new challenge, with production growing significantly faster than demand.
India’s solar PV module manufacturing capacity reached approximately 233 GW by June 2026. However, manufacturers are operating at just 35–40% capacity utilisation, well below the 50–65% level generally considered necessary for sustainable operations, according to the latest analysis by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
The pressure is particularly acute at the module level, where capacity additions have significantly outpaced demand. The report estimates that around 135 GW of additional module capacity is backed by firm investment commitments and near-certain commissioning schedules, raising the risk of further overcapacity in the near term.
As demand catches up gradually, manufacturers could face increasing pressure on utilisation, margins and investment returns, with standalone module manufacturers particularly exposed to the risk of stranded assets.

India currently has approximately 135 GW of future capacity additions backed by firm investment commitments and near-certain commissioning schedules. According to the research, this pipeline raises a clear risk of overcapacity in the near term. As demand catches up gradually, manufacturers could face growing pressure on utilisation, margins, and investment returns, increasing the risk of stranded assets, particularly for standalone players.
Against this backdrop, exports could become critical to absorbing the country’s expanding production capacity. The timing could also favour Indian manufacturers, with leading Chinese producers absorbing losses amid persistent oversupply, while their Indian counterparts have remained profitable. This provides an opportunity to channel capital towards upstream integration, manufacturing efficiency, and research and development (R&D).
While this has established India as a major solar manufacturing destination, upstream segments such as cells, wafers, and polysilicon remain comparatively underdeveloped. The resulting mismatch has become one of the sector’s central challenges.
The gap is evident across the manufacturing value chain. Module assembly is the easiest segment to enter, requiring relatively modest capital, shorter commissioning timelines, and limited process complexity. Cell and wafer manufacturing, by comparison, require significantly larger investments, longer build-out periods, and specialised expertise.
India’s heavy reliance on the US, which currently absorbs the bulk of its solar shipments, has also increased exposure to trade-policy risks and underscored the need to diversify export markets.
Europe offers the most structured medium-term opportunity, as its policy frameworks increasingly favour supply-chain resilience and diversified sourcing. However, securing market access alone will not be enough; Indian manufacturers will also need to remain competitive on cost and technology.
The current Production Linked Incentive (PLI) framework primarily incentivises manufacturers based on their level of integration, rewarding those producing multiple stages of the solar PV value chain, including Polysilicon, Wafer-Ingot, Cell & Module (PWCM), Wafer-Ingot, Cell & Module (WCM), or Cell and Module (CM). However, capacity additions across these components have remained uneven, with module manufacturing growing much faster than upstream segments.
IEEFA suggested that a more targeted approach could restructure incentives at the component level, providing meaningful rewards for PWCM manufacturing independently through future PLI iterations. This would allow upstream investments without requiring manufacturers to achieve full vertical integration, lowering the entry barrier for companies seeking to specialise in a particular stage of the value chain.
Such a model could distribute supply-side incentives more evenly across the manufacturing chain, encouraging a broader and more resilient domestic industry.
The narrowing gap between Indian and Chinese solar module production is creating an opportunity for Indian manufacturers, but converting that opportunity into higher export volumes will depend on how effectively they can compete with China, the world’s dominant solar supplier.
Cost and technology remain the two major competitive gaps. However, financial conditions are currently creating more avenenues for Indian manufacturers. This opportunity is arising for India as some leading Chinese module producers witnessed operating under sustained financial stress, with the top five reporting combined net losses exceeding USD 4–4.7 billion (approximately ₹37,800–44,415 crore) in 2025, driven by persistent oversupply.
Indian manufacturers, in contrast, remained profitable through 2025 and the first quarter of (Q1) 2026, supported by domestic policy protection and higher export margins. But, solar module remain more expensive modules than Chinese products, the domestic policy support and market protection is attempting to reduce this. This is despite the narrowing price gap of roughly 28.6% from its earlier 2024 level.

Further additions in cell and wafer manufacturing are expected to reduce import dependence and improve cost competitiveness over time. Together with greater upstream integration, these investments could help Indian manufacturers strengthen their position in overseas markets and make exports a more important outlet for the country’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing capacity.
We are India’s leading B2B media house, reporting full-time on solar energy, wind, battery storage, solar inverters, and electric vehicle (EV)
Quick Links
© 2025 Saur Energy. All Rights Reserved.

source

TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Garden State Balcony Solar Act, a law designed to give New Jersey residents easier access to affordable, clean energy by removing regulatory obstacles for portable, plug-in solar panels.
The legislation, S2368/A4836, allows New Jersey residents to purchase and use plug-in solar devices to generate their own electricity and lower their utility bills.
Balcony solar devices connect to a standard 120-volt outlet, typically with a microinverter and adapter, and deliver electricity directly into a home’s existing electrical system, offsetting energy use and reducing costs. The devices and related equipment are widely available for purchase online and at local home improvement stores.
The new law exempts qualifying plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 watts, roughly equivalent to the power used by a microwave oven, from utility interconnection and metering requirements, including certain fees, approvals and equipment mandates. It also prohibits landlords, homeowner associations and similar entities from broadly banning the devices, and bars municipalities from prohibiting their use or requiring permits.
The signing builds on Sherrill’s broader energy agenda aimed at lowering costs for New Jersey residents. During her inaugural address, Sherrill signed executive orders freezing rate hikes and accelerating new energy generation, particularly affordable, clean energy that can be deployed quickly. Since then, the administration has approved 18 new solar and battery storage projects, expanded community solar to 3,000 megawatts, signed legislation holding data centers and utility companies accountable and fast-tracked advanced grid technologies intended to cut costs. Officials estimate the combined actions will save New Jersey ratepayers $1 billion annually.
“From day one, I’ve been laser-focused on driving down energy costs through an all-of-the-above approach, and that includes putting clean, affordable solar power that you can simply plug in directly into the hands of New Jerseyans,” Sherrill said. “Balcony solar is a practical, easy-to-use tool that can help families save money while allowing more people to participate in our clean energy future. This bill cuts unnecessary red tape, expands access to affordable solar power, and proves that affordability and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Senator John McKeon said the new law expands access to plug-in solar, particularly for renters and households without access to a private rooftop.
“With its signing today, we are greatly expanding access to plug-in solar, especially for renters and households without access to a private rooftop,” McKeon said. “By embracing innovative solutions like balcony solar, we can help households save on their utility bills and ensure the benefits of clean energy are accessible to all.”
Democratic Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak of Middlesex County said the law will make it easier for households, including renters, to access affordable solar energy without installing rooftop systems.
“This new law will make it easier for households, including renters, to access affordable solar energy without having to install rooftop solar systems,” Karabinchak said. “This is another step we are taking to help our residents save on their electricity costs.”
Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey, called the law a major step for renters and apartment dwellers who could not otherwise go solar.
“Plug-in solar is a simple concept, solar small enough to plug in but big enough to provide real environmental and bill benefits for residents who couldn’t go solar otherwise,” O’Malley said.
Jesse Sutherland, political and policy director for New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, said the act will help make the state’s clean energy transition more affordable, accessible and equitable.
Elowyn Corby, senior regional director for the Mid-Atlantic at Vote Solar Action Fund, said the measure builds toward a fairer energy system where more residents can share in the benefits of clean power.
Hannah Birnbaum, co-founder and chief of advocacy at Permit Power, said plug-in solar can save a family hundreds of dollars a year at no cost to ratepayers, adding that roughly 40 percent of New Jersey residents rent or live in apartments and have never had a way to lower their own power bill.
Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 37 years.
Submit Letters or Press Releases use drop down menu at top. We do not accept material by emails.
© 2025 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.

source

Inicio >  Comunicaciones > UIS Opens Applications for New Professional Technical Program in Photovoltaic System Installation and Maintenance
The Universidad Industrial de Santander expands its academic offering in renewable energy with a new in-person program to be offered in Bucaramanga, Barrancabermeja, and Puerto Carreño. The payment period for the application process will be open from August 31 to September 7. Meanwhile, online applications will be available from September 2 to 9.
The new Professional Technical Program in Photovoltaic System Installation and Maintenance is an educational initiative designed to address the needs of the energy sector and the challenges posed by the transition toward more sustainable energy sources.
The program has received qualified registration from the Ministry of National Education for a period of seven years, through Resolution No. 018864 of July 22, 2026. Its creation was approved by the UIS Academic Council through Agreement No. 337 of November 25, 2025.
Those interested may begin the application process for this new program, which will be offered in person in three regions of the country:
The program lasts four semesters and includes a curriculum comprising 57 academic credits. For each academic period, the projected admission capacity is 40 students in Bucaramanga, 40 in Barrancabermeja, and 30 in Puerto Carreño.
With the launch of this program, UIS strengthens its academic offering in a strategic field for the country’s energy development and expands its presence in the regions by providing an educational alternative that responds to local needs.
The training of professional technicians in the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems contributes to building capabilities for harnessing solar energy and opens new opportunities for education and employment in a sector moving toward more sustainable energy models.
This new achievement is also the result of the coordinated efforts of the academic communities of the School of Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering, whose knowledge and commitment made the creation and approval of the program possible.
The publication of admission results will take place on September 10, 2026.
Registration for the 15th UIS Mathematics Olympiad – Primary School 2026 will
The book *El rugir de un sueño: Atlético Bucaramanga, City and History*
The Universidad Industrial de Santander expands its academic offering in renewable energy
It’s time to reconnect, share experiences, reflect on our history, and continue
Starting next week, sedes regionales UIS will serve as the starting point

source

China’s oldest car brand has developed a solar energy-generating sunroof for its FAW Hongqi EHS7, whose technology can add up to 50 miles of range generated every day from sun rays alone when applied all across the electric SUV. This would cover the daily commute of 85% of people when integrated into the vehicle’s other body panels like the hood.
The solar panel-equipped sunroof of the EHS7 currently serves as a proof-of-concept prototype, solving certain encapsulation and curvature challenges. Hongqi eschewed the brittle silicon that the vast majority of photovoltaic panels currently use and developed the panoramic sunroof with perovskite elements instead.
The calcium titanium oxide mineral is flexible, allowing the storied automaker to integrate it into the curved panoramic sunroof of the electric SUV, and it can also come in various colors depending on the whims of the design team.
Mailuo Energy supplied FAW with 300×300 mm² flexible perovskite modules early on, later scaling to square-meter class ones through phases of performance testing, scheme validation, and vehicle integration. Mailuo’s modules support customization for semi-transparency, color, gradient effects, irregular shapes, voltage tuning, and high-curvature surfaces, all the prerequisites for an EV panoramic roof and hood installation.
The perovskite PV panels offer high sunlight conversion efficiency, too, with the panoramic roof alone generating 300W of output. This can return 400 kWh of energy to the battery annually, so the photovoltaic SUV roof would be enough for running the A/C or an in-vehicle fridge while the car is in sentry mode, for instance. Hongqi plans to integrate the perovskite solar cells into the rest of the vehicle’s surface, calculating that such a system will generate 10 kWh of electricity when conditions allow, and that will be enough to drive 80 km (50 miles) per day just on solar power.
Needless to say, the usual "sufficient sunlight" caveat still stands for the solar-powered range of the EHS7, yet Hongqi notes that the perovskite cells of the sunroof are comparatively low cost, so they wouldn’t add much to the price of the original SUV. The eventual higher pricing of an electric vehicle whose body surface is covered with perovskite solar panels would thus be offset from the free electric range that it gets every day, provided that there is enough sunshine to go around.
Get the Renogy 200W flexible solar panel for cars and boats on Amazon
China.com & Fast Technology

source

Ameren Plans 15-Mile, 138 kV Transmission Line to Enhance Power Reliability and Grid Resilience in Southern Illinois  SolarQuarter
source

Chinese State-owned carmaker FAW Group has developed a full-size vehicle roof prototype fitted with perovskite solar cells that could allow electric cars to generate power while sitting in the sun.
FAW said it was the first time perovskite photovoltaic technology had been integrated into double-curved automotive safety glass.
Under strong sunlight, the prototype can produce nearly 300 watts of power, with an estimated annual generation of about 400 kilowatt-hours, according to the company. The electricity could supply low-voltage systems, including air conditioning while parked, an in-car refrigerator, and vehicle security monitoring, reducing power drawn from the main battery.
Copyright 1994 – . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form.

source

Sweden’s annual volume of decommissioned solar panels could grow from 17 MT in 2021 to as much as 150,000 MT by around 2060, according to a new circular-economy roadmap published by Axfoundation, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and industry partners including Svea Solar, El-Kretsen, Stena Recycling, and REMONDIS.
The roadmap, developed through the CircSolar project and financed in part by Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, draws on scenario modeling by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. Depending on the pace of solar deployment and how much of the fleet is repowered – replaced with newer panels before reaching the end of its technical life – RISE estimates annual decommissioning volumes could range from 40,000 MT in a lower-deployment scenario to 150,000 MT in a rapid-expansion scenario by 2060, with larger volumes beginning to emerge from around 2035.
“This roadmap is not the end point, but a starting point for collective action,” said Johanna Olofsson Behrman, project manager for future materials at Axfoundation. “By bringing together actors from across the value chain, CircSolar has shown that circular solutions for solar panels require system innovation, shared responsibility and practical collaboration. The next step is to turn these recommendations into action.”
A typical panel weighs about 20 kg and consists of roughly 67% glass, 16% aluminum, 11% plastic, 4% silicon, and small amounts of metals including silver and copper, according to the roadmap. RISE estimates that dedicated PV recycling infrastructure would need a recurring annual inflow of around 10,000 metric tons to become economically viable – a volume Sweden has not yet approached.
The roadmap warns that panels currently removed from service are often handled together with general electronic waste, which limits opportunities for reuse and specialized recycling. Research led by KTH found that many panels taken out of service are still functional or repairable rather than genuinely at the end of their life.
“After years of exploring what a circular solar power system could look like in practice, we see this roadmap as an important step toward making the transition more tangible,” said Beatriz Pérez Horno, a KTH researcher and one of the roadmap’s authors. “It highlights the opportunities and barriers across the solar value chain and, importantly, helps identify where knowledge, collaboration and action are still needed to turn ambitions into circular and resource-efficient solar systems.”
Under the European Union’s WEEE Directive, member states must collect either 65% of the average weight of electrical equipment placed on their market over the preceding three years, or 85% of the WEEE generated domestically. Separately collected PV panels are subject to specific treatment targets of 85% recovery and 80% preparation for reuse and recycling by weight. Only six of 12 European countries reporting PV-specific treatment data met the 85% recovery target in 2021, according to the European Environment Agency.
The roadmap sets out five priority areas: circular design and responsible production, safer handling and transport of panels, extending the usable life of installed systems, higher-value material recovery, and stronger governance and data-sharing across the value chain. Proposed actions include establishing a dedicated PV waste category under the WEEE Directive, developing standardized testing and certification for second-life panels, and creating a national database tracking installed, decommissioned, and planned solar capacity.
“As the industry’s leading actor, we initiated this roadmap because we see both a responsibility and an opportunity to help shape a more circular future,” said Mattias Ringqvist, CEO of Svea Solar. “Extending the lifetime of solar panels and ensuring they are handled responsibly at end of life must become a natural part of how this industry grows.”
Similar challenges are expected elsewhere in Europe as larger volumes of PV modules reach end of life. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre estimates the EU could accumulate between 21 million MT and 35 million MT of cumulative photovoltaic waste by 2050, with global volumes potentially reaching 60 million MT to 80 million MT over the same period.
Some recyclers are already working to improve recovery economics. A pilot process using electrohydraulic shockwave fragmentation has recovered more than 99.5% of a panel’s original weight in testing, including pathways for silicon and silver recovery, while separate EU-funded projects have developed dedicated recycling lines for silicon-based modules.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Thursday, October 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid

You have no items in your basket.

source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced a $12 million research and development fund aimed at reducing costs and expanding domestic manufacturing of solar panels designed for space applications. The initiative, managed by the DOE’s Integrated Energy Systems Office, is open to university and industry research laboratories working on advanced space-based photovoltaic projects, including characterization, stress testing, and near-commercial pilot-scale solutions.
The fund is divided into two areas: one focusing on next-generation cell innovation, covering manufacturing methods and improvements in solar cell performance and durability, and another on rapid production and demonstration, targeting scalable manufacturing processes for module prototypes in space or near-space environments. Individual applicants can receive up to $1.5 million for projects in the first area and up to $2 million for those in the second.
Applications are open immediately and close on 8 October. The DOE, in collaboration with TECHWERX, will host a webinar on 15 September to provide more details. Winning applicants are expected to be selected in December, with negotiations for awards concluding between January and February next year.
While federal support for an early-stage sector like space-based solar power may seem unexpected from the current administration, the government has emphasized energy security as a key priority. Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson stated that the funding aims to bolster national security and establish American leadership in next-generation space-based photovoltaics, enhancing economic competitiveness.
A report from Clean Tomorrow, published last year, indicated that the DOE would need to invest $25 billion across energy sectors to achieve greater energy security. The $12 million fund is a small part of this broader effort.
Space-based solar power has also drawn private sector interest. In April, Meta signed an agreement with startup Overview Energy to gain early access to a 1GW fleet of space-based solar panels planned for launch in 2030.
The topic will be discussed at the PV CellTech USA conference, hosted by Solar Media in San Francisco on 13-14 October. Timothy Siegler, technology manager at the IESO, will present on how space-based solar power is driving photovoltaic innovation.
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
The Largest Destinations for Exports
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc

source

Australia’s replaced aging solar panels could hit 99,000 tons a year, prompting calls for bottle-like $10 upfront recycling fee  yahoo.com
source

Grid instability, growing electrification, and rising demand for energy resilience are reshaping Europe’s energy landscape. As developers, installers, EPCs, and asset owners seek solutions that go beyond power generation alone, integrated approaches combining solar and energy storage are becoming increasingly important.
Against this backdrop, JA will launch Journey Ahead: JA Roadshow 2026, an initiative designed to bring the company’s latest technology developments directly to customers and industry stakeholders across Europe. The roadshow will serve as a mobile showcase of JA’s expanding energy ecosystem, giving visitors direct access to JA experts and the company’s latest innovations.
A key focus of the tour will be battery energy storage systems (BESS). As energy markets evolve and grid constraints become more visible, storage is emerging as a critical technology for improving flexibility, increasing self-consumption, managing peak demand, and strengthening energy security. Product demonstrations and technical discussions will focus on how storage can support more resilient and reliable energy systems.
Among the solutions on display will be JAPlanet 2.0, JAPlanet Fusion, and JAGalaxy, showcasing JA’s growing presence across C&I and utility-scale storage. Together, these solutions reflect the company’s broader vision of delivering integrated energy systems that combine generation, storage, and intelligent energy management.
The roadshow will also feature a selection of JA’s latest PV technologies, highlighting the company’s continued focus on performance, reliability, and application-driven innovation.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore products from JA’s latest-generation TOPCon platform, DeepBlue 5.0, including JAM48D50/LR and JAM66D50/GB. The exhibition will also present the DeepBlue 4.0 Pro TOPCon portfolio, represented by JAM54D40/LR and JAM66D45/LB, featuring JA’s anti-glare solutions with both microstructured glass and acid-etched glass variants. Completing the lineup is the new HyperGen module JAT54S4F/GR, JA’s new back-contact technology with world-record certified cell conversion efficiency of 28.2%.
The event reflects JA’s continued evolution from a leading PV manufacturer into an integrated energy solutions provider. By combining high-efficiency modules, energy storage technologies, and application-focused innovation, JA is expanding its offering to address changing energy needs across Europe.
The roadshow will kick off in Poland on 2 September before continuing through Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. As the itinerary develops, the latest locations, schedules, and updates will be published on the dedicated roadshow microsite. The platform will serve as a central hub for information throughout the tour, ensuring attendees can stay informed as new stops and activities are announced.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Martedì, 22 Settembre 2026
11:00 – 12:00 CEST, Roma
Monday, October 26, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, September 10, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Our special edition for Intersolar South America 2026 is here!
Discover the latest insights into the Brazilian solar market – in Portuguese.
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
pv magazine USA hosts its multi-day virtual event on U.S. solar and energy storage, covering domestic manufacturing, distributed energy and the growing role of solar-plus-storage in meeting AI-driven power demand.
Thursday, October 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid

You have no items in your basket.

source

Income-Qualified Homeowners Among Those Eligible to Access Remaining State Solar and Battery Funds  Carmichael Times
source

0
By clicking the button, I accept the Terms of Use of the service and its Privacy Policy, as well as consent to the processing of personal data.
Don’t have an account? Signup
Powered by :
Solar O&M Market Reaches 348 GW, Top 15 Vendors Control 57%: Report Photograph: (AI)
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) operations and maintenance (O&M) market reached 348 GW of assessed capacity at the end of 2025, adding 61 GW during the year, as leading service providers continued to consolidate their position in the market amid divergent regional trends, according to Wood Mackenzie.
The top 15 O&M vendors collectively managed 200 GW at the end of 2025, accounting for 57% of the assessed global market. The companies added 41 GW to their portfolios during the year, highlighting the increasing concentration of the global O&M sector.
The findings are part of Wood Mackenzie’s Global Solar PV O&M Service Provider Dynamics 2026 report, which tracks fleet sizes, cost trends and service strategies across more than 130 O&M vendors operating in the Americas, Asia Pacific excluding China (APeC), and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
“The global O&M market is consolidating quickly around a core group of scaled providers, but the dynamics look very different depending on where you are,” said Khalif Ahmad Zikri, research analyst at Wood Mackenzie.
“In North America, a mature and competitive market is driving down costs while independent service providers strengthen their dominance. In the Middle East and Africa, we are seeing a near-doubling of volumes and a wave of new entrants chasing an underpenetrated opportunity. These are fundamentally different markets at very different levels of development,” he added.
Novasource Power Services retained its position as the world’s largest solar PV O&M provider, with 38.4 GW under management at the end of 2025. RES Energy Global Services, SOLV Energy, Solarig Energy Services and Recurrent Energy rounded out the top five providers. Several leading vendors expanded their portfolios across multiple regions as they sought to strengthen their market positions. BayWa r.e. Services and Origis Energy Services entered the global top 15, adding 2.6 GW and 1.8 GW, respectively, to their O&M portfolios.
The North American market continued to see strong competitive pressure, with full-wrap O&M contract costs declining 18% year-on-year. The decline reflects the maturity of the regional market and increasing competition among service providers. Independent O&M providers continued to strengthen their presence in North America, contrasting with the rapid expansion and entry of new players seen in less-developed markets.
O&M volumes in the Middle East and Africa nearly doubled in 2025, highlighting the region’s growing importance as solar installations expand and asset owners increasingly seek professionalized operations and maintenance services. The sharp increase in volumes has also attracted new entrants seeking to capitalize on what Wood Mackenzie describes as an underpenetrated O&M opportunity.
Engie and Sterling & Wilson recorded some of the strongest growth among individual vendors in 2025. Engie more than doubled its O&M portfolio, moving up six places to eighth in the global rankings. The growth was driven primarily by a 172% expansion in its Americas portfolio.
Sterling & Wilson recorded 53% year-on-year growth, taking its global O&M portfolio to 13.5 GW and moving it into sixth place globally. Its position was supported by a strong presence in the APeC region, where it leads the market with 12.2 GW under management.
Among second-tier vendors, megaom, FRV’s standalone O&M entity, recorded the fastest growth. Its portfolio expanded 243% to 3.8 GW globally, taking the company into the global top 30 for the first time. The overall growth of the solar PV O&M market, combined with increasing concentration among the largest providers, points to a sector undergoing rapid consolidation. At the same time, regional differences in market maturity, pricing and penetration are creating distinct growth opportunities for both established players and new entrants.
I have also *added the North America cost decline and Middle East & Africa growth as dedicated sections, because those are important news points from the original release and deserve more prominence in a news report rather than being buried in the opening bullets.
We are India’s leading B2B media house, reporting full-time on solar energy, wind, battery storage, solar inverters, and electric vehicle (EV)
Quick Links
© 2025 Saur Energy. All Rights Reserved.

source