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Published: 11:22 08 Jun 2026 EDT
SUNation Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNE) has signed a definitive reverse merger agreement with Suniva, the largest and oldest US-owned merchant manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells, in a deal that will give the domestic solar cell maker access to public capital markets and an established downstream distribution network.
Under the terms of the agreement, the combined company will operate under the Suniva name while maintaining SUNation’s Nasdaq listing. Pre-merger Suniva stockholders are expected to own approximately 98.2% of the combined entity, with pre-merger SUNation stockholders retaining approximately 1.8%.
The transaction pairs Suniva’s cell-making operations with SUNation’s installation and distribution footprint, creating a vertically integrated platform spanning cell production through end-market deployment. The combined company will accelerate Suniva’s US solar cell manufacturing expansion, backed by SUNation’s market presence, end-market relationships and Nasdaq-listed platform, the companies said.
The merger ties the combined entity’s growth to domestic solar manufacturing at a time when US-made solar cells have drawn policy support and customer demand for supply chains located outside Asia. Bringing Suniva under a Nasdaq-listed parent also gives the manufacturer access to public equity markets to fund capacity expansion, a route the companies framed as central to the combined entity’s growth strategy.
SUNation Energy is a provider of solar energy and storage solutions serving residential and commercial customers through its installation and end-market operations. Suniva is the country’s only US-owned and operated merchant solar cell manufacturer, producing high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic solar cells in the United States.
Shares of SUNation gained over 113% on Monday morning.
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By Patrick Lynn
STEVENS POINT — As utility costs continue to rise, local businesses will have an opportunity this week to learn whether solar energy could help save money in the long run.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Northwind Solar are hosting a presentation Tuesday afternoon to walk business owners through the incentives, tax credits and financing opportunities currently available for commercial solar projects.
Organizers say many businesses are unaware of the programs that can help offset the upfront cost of installing solar panels. The session will cover federal investment tax credits, group purchasing opportunities and other incentives available to commercial, agricultural and industrial property owners.
The presentation will also explain how some of those benefits could change in the coming years. New domestic-content requirements are scheduled to take effect for certain projects beginning after July 4, and projects completed after 2027 may no longer qualify for some of the current incentives.
In addition to businesses, the program may be of interest to nonprofits and churches, which can be eligible for federal Direct Pay benefits that provide payments similar to traditional tax credits.
Organizers say the goal is to give business leaders the information they need to determine whether solar makes financial sense for their property and operations. Attendees will be able to ask questions and learn more about available programs, local installers and the potential for lowering monthly electric bills.
The presentation will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, in the training room at the Stevens Point Transit Center, 2700 Week St. Attendance is free.
June 1 Who knows: A 38-year-old man called police to the 1400 block of Torun Rd. at 11:15 a.m. to report a property crime, but no other details
Copyright 2017-2026. Point/Plover Metro Wire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written permission.

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Global clean energy trade rebounded in 2025, despite rising tariffs and geopolitical tensions. BloombergNEF’s Energy Transition Supply Chains 2026 report found that shipments of clean-energy products, battery metals, and grid equipment reached $479 billion in 2025, a 1% rise from 2024.
This modest growth signals recovery after a 7% drop in volumes from 2023 to 2024. The rebound shows the growing need for clean technologies as countries seek better energy security.
In recent years, global supply chains have drawn attention from governments and businesses. Trade disputes and geopolitical conflicts have exposed weaknesses in fossil-fuel supply chains.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has added uncertainty. Tensions with Iran have driven up oil and gas prices, impacting energy-importing nations in Asia and Africa.
Countries are boosting investments in solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicles as fuel costs rise. BloombergNEF’s data shows that nations dependent on imported fuels often increase clean-tech imports when fossil-fuel prices spike.

Emerging economies are also adopting renewable technologies to reduce exposure to unstable fuel markets. Higher oil and gas prices strengthen the case for solar energy, batteries, and EVs. Demand for clean-energy equipment rises, even amid economic uncertainty.
BloombergNEF thinks that instability in fossil-fuel markets could raise global demand for renewable technologies. This is especially true in areas looking for energy independence.
“Many markets are doubling down on clean technology deployment to improve energy security,” said Antoine Vagneur-Jones, head of trade and supply chains at BloombergNEF.
Solar power has transformed electricity markets worldwide, but battery storage is now a crucial growth driver. In areas with high solar use, midday solar generation often lowers electricity prices. This challenges traditional power producers, as their revenues drop with increased solar output.
Instead of complex reforms, many countries are using battery storage to shift excess daytime solar generation to evening hours when demand peaks.
Battery systems are being deployed in utilities, businesses, and homes for better flexibility and grid stability.
The battery industry today resembles the solar industry from years ago. Manufacturing is competitive, products are standardizing, and prices continue to drop. This will lead to rapid battery deployment.
However, adoption rates will vary. China may rely more on pumped hydro and other solutions, while U.S. trade policies could limit access to low-cost batteries.

Despite rising demand, overcapacity remains a major challenge for clean-energy supply chains.
Global manufacturing capacity exceeds current demand by over 200% in many clean-tech sectors. Chinese investment drives much of this surplus, while new factories in India, Southeast Asia, Turkey, Egypt, and Ethiopia are adding to global production.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Europe are unlikely to become major clean-tech exporters soon. While both regions have increased manufacturing capacity, growth has focused on assembly rather than complete supply chains.
Many announced projects face delays or cancellations due to changing policies, slower demand, and rising competition.
Clean-energy equipment prices fell again in 2025, but the pace slowed compared to previous years. Similarly, solar module prices decreased, but higher silver prices limited further drops.
Wind equipment prices increased slightly, as some turbine manufacturers sought to recover losses from fierce competition. The slowdown in price drops means future growth will rely more on tech advances, policy support, and financing, not just lower equipment costs.
A key finding is solar energy’s growing dominance. Annual solar installations jumped from 75 gigawatts in 2016 to 655 gigawatts in 2025. That’s a nearly ninefold increase in less than ten years.
Another important finding is that the global solar trade is shifting toward solar cells rather than finished solar panels as more countries expand module assembly outside China.
Today, solar stands alongside wind and nuclear as a major source of zero-carbon electricity. The report shows solar deployment to stay high through the decade. Under its Economic Transition Scenario, solar will become the largest source of zero-carbon power before 2030.
By 2032, solar is projected to surpass all other energy sources, becoming the world’s largest electricity source. While China leads in solar manufacturing, countries like India, Egypt, Ethiopia, and several Southeast Asian nations are rapidly expanding production capacity.

The global energy transition attracted a record $2.3 trillion in investment in 2025. This includes spending on renewable energy, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, hydrogen, carbon capture, and related technologies.
However, much larger investments are needed to meet global climate targets.
Electrified transport represents the largest investment opportunity and the biggest funding gap. Emerging technologies, like carbon capture and storage, are set to grow quickly.
Here’s the chart to understand the investment:

The clean-energy sector began 2026 with strong momentum. Trade volumes are recovering. Battery storage is expanding quickly. Solar power will soon be the world’s largest electricity source.
Manufacturers are dealing with oversupply. Geopolitical tensions are shifting supply chains. Plus, trillions in investment are needed to reach climate goals.
A clear trend is emerging: clean energy is now about more than just the environment. Countries are focused on energy security, economic stability, and shielding themselves from fossil-fuel price spikes. Because of this, solar, batteries, and other clean technologies are essential for the global economy.












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Toyo Solar plans $357 million expansion at Houston-area manufacturing facility  The Business Journals
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MNRE forms panel to review ALMM-II exemption requests for solar projects  Business Standard
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Next-gen perovskite cells offer bright spot as government pulls back support
Workers at a Jinko Solar factory in Vietnam leave on their motorbikes at the end of the workday. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
HONG KONG — Companies in China's solar panel industry are struggling to generate profits amid overcapacity after subsidy-driven growth in exports.

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Bathgate quarry to be partially powered by solar farm on neighbouring lake  The Edinburgh Reporter
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British Ecological Society
image: 

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Meadow pipit perched on a solar panel
Credit: Wattmanufactur
Researchers in Germany have found that solar panels on rewetted peatland provide a unique habitat for bird species along with generating green energy and potentially locking up carbon. The findings are published in the British Ecological Society journal, Ecological Solutions and Evidence.
Installing solar panels on rewetted peatlands is a new type of land use, providing a way to generate green energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now, research from the University of Greifswald has found that this novel land use may also benefit nature.
In the study, researchers compared bird diversity at a solar park on a rewetted peatland site in Northern Germany. The site was surrounded by intensively farmed and drained peatland. They found the solar park was home to several threatened bird species and contained an unusual mix of species associated with agricultural, wetland and even woodland ecosystems.
Hanna Rae Martens, a peatland ecologist at the University of Greifswald and lead author of the study, said: “The presence of wetland species like reed bunting and the endangered meadow pipit shows that the solar park is truly re-wetted and has peatland species returning.
“But we also recorded species like Eurasian tree sparrow and tree pipit which are not typically found in peatlands. They all appear to use the structure of the solar panels. When I’m out on site, I see a lot of meadow pipits sitting on the panels, flying off to catch insects and then flying back to their perch.”
80% of peatlands in the UK are degraded. In Germany this number is even higher at 95%, primarily due to drainage and agriculture use. Globally, drained peatlands are responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Rewetting drained peatlands could slash these emissions and restore biodiversity, but there are two key problems. The first is that once rewetted, the majority of commonly grown crops can’t be produced on this land. The second is that it can take several decades to restore deeply degraded peatlands to a healthy, functioning state.
The study site is one of the first to build solar panels on rewetted peatlands. Under the scheme by the German Government, landowners are paid to install solar panels and rewet the site, providing an alternative source of income. The findings from the study suggest that, at least in the short term, this could also be boosting biodiversity.
“Where the alternative is a drained, intensively managed peatland, our research demonstrates that solar panels on rewetted peatland might benefit bird diversity.” said Hanna Rae Martens. “But we’re not suggesting that we should be turning all peatlands in Germany, the UK, or any other country into solar parks. Healthy peatlands or those with high restoration potential should be avoided. Solar parks are just one possible tool to support peatland rewetting.”
In the study, which took place between March and October 2024, the researchers used audio recorders and machine learning to compare bird diversity in a solar panel site on rewetted peatland with nearby drained peatland sites used to grow grass for livestock feed.
The researchers caution that their study presents just one case study for this novel land use type. Hanna Rae Martens said: “To date, there are approximately five rewetted peatland solar park sites in existence. More research is needed to draw robust conclusions as to whether these findings occur in other sites as well, and which factors are contributing to the species composition.”
The researchers are now looking to expand their research to include more sites, monitor other species like bats and insects, and identify which elements of the solar park structures can be optimised for biodiversity.
-ENDS-
Ecological Solutions and Evidence
10.1002/2688-8319.70259
Observational study
Animals
Bird diversity can benefit from rewetted peatlands with solar parks compared to drained grassland use – A case study from northern Germany
8-Jun-2026
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Davy Falkner
British Ecological Society
davy@britishecologicalsociety.org
Office: 07-525-966-919

British Ecological Society


Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2026 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

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Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd, India’s largest automotive components manufacturer, has commissioned its first ground-mounted captive solar power project in Uttar Pradesh. The plant was commissioned through its energy business company, Motherson New Energy Ltd, in partnership with ib vogt, an international renewable energy development company.
Located in Mahoba, the 15 MWp solar facility will supply renewable energy to multiple Motherson manufacturing plants across the state, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s clean energy transition strategy.
Developed as a group captive renewable energy project, the solar plant is expected to generate around 23.4 GWh of renewable electricity annually, reducing 17,000 MT of CO2 emissions each year.
ib vogt supported the project during the development phase through land acquisition and regulatory approvals, followed by technical designing and EPC execution.
The project aligns with Motherson’s broader sustainability ambitions, including increasing renewable energy adoption, reducing carbon intensity across operations and supporting global customers in achieving their decarbonisation objectives. It also strengthens the Group’s energy diversification strategy through long-term access to reliable and cost-competitive clean power.
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A worker at a new-energy enterprise in a local development zone steps up production of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for export markets on June 8, 2026, in Lianyungang, East China’s Jiangsu Province. Customs data shows that China’s cumulative export volume of PV products increased by about 43 percent year-on-year in the first four months of this year. Photo: VCG
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Australia’s Rooftop Solar and Battery Installations Are Surging Despite Broader Lag in Renewables  Bloomberg
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EDP Bets Big on Australia in $1 Billion Asia Renewables Push  Bloomberg
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Updated – June 08, 2026 10:29 pm IST – NEW DELHI
Installed solar capacity has crossed 144 GW and is growing about 40% a year, and module-assembly capacity has reached roughly 210 GW.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images
A group of solar manufacturers and developers has approached the Karnataka High Court to defer a rule that, from June 1, requires most new solar projects to use only domestically made cells. They cite the gap between what Indian solar-cell makers charge and international prices.
Cells listed under the government’s mandatory “ALMM List-II” sell at around ₹13 a watt, against an imported price of about ₹5 a watt, the petitioners say. “₹5 and ₹13 is unreasonable. That is what we are asking [the court to address],” Ramesh Shivanna of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Systems Manufacturers Association (KRESMA), which led the petition, told The Hindu.
ALMM is the government ratified Approved List of Models and Manufacturers and a list of domestic producer companies whose solar panels and constituent cells are mandatory for electricity distribution in India. ALMM-1 is a list of about 130 module manufacturers. ALMM-2 is a smaller group of about 17 companies that makes the solar cells for these modules.
The writ petition, filed on June 6 by solar industry associations from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, challenges Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) orders that enforce ALMM List-II — the approved list of domestic solar-cell manufacturers — for projects commissioned on or after June 1, 2026. Reportedly other state associations too have filed similar petitions in other courts. The petitioners say they do not oppose the list, but want its enforcement deferred, at least a year, until domestic cells are available in adequate quantity and quality, and at a competitive price.
The petitioners also point to the Finance Ministry’s classification of the West Asia conflict as a force majeure event, under which the MNRE allowed extensions of contractual deadlines to solar-cell makers; the same consideration, they say, should apply to developers.
Mr. Shivanna said the government must step in on price until domestic supply matures. “The government should regulate the price,” he said. “When something is available so cheap in the global market and here you are being made to pay [much more], it is the government’s responsibility to study what is happening globally and in India.” A handful of cell makers, he argued, were capturing the gain: by his estimate, at a 30 GW annual build and a roughly ₹8-a-watt premium, about ₹24,000 crore a year would flow to “four-five manufacturers,” several of whom had also received production-linked incentives.
According to an MNRE database, only six of the seventeen ALMM-2 companies carry “high-efficiency” solar cells cells — Emmvee, Premier Energies Photovoltaic, Mundra Solar PV, Tata Power Renewable Energy (a small 247 MW line), Waaree and Renewsys, Reliance and Jupiter Solartech.
The dispute exposes a structural gap at the heart of India’s solar expansion. Installed solar capacity has crossed 144 GW and is growing about 40% a year, and module-assembly capacity has reached roughly 210 GW. But upstream cell manufacturing — the step the new rule targets — stood at only about 27 GW at the end of 2025, according to Mercom India, a clean-energy research group. The ratings agency CareEdge estimates domestic cells meet just 25–30% of demand, leaving India reliant on imports, mainly from China. “Right now the whole capacity (of high efficiency cells) manufactured in India is not enough for our requirement,” Mr. Shivanna said. “When we ask for cell supply, [many] don’t have stock.” All companies that make cells make modules but many modules makers don’t make cells whereby about 14 companies make up 98% of India’s solar capacity addition.
MNRE has refused a blanket extension, saying in a May 25 order that industry consensus favoured “policy stability” to protect investor confidence in domestic manufacturing, and offering instead case-by-case relief for projects that are substantially built. On Monday (June 8, 2026), the Ministry constituted a four-member Expert Committee, to vet applications for time-extension.
 
Nearly 40-50 developers, who are not cell manufacturers, Mr. Shivanna said, have designed projects around TOPCon, however much of the listed domestic capacity is older Mono-PERC, which yields less power per panel and forces more land, mounting structures and cabling for the same output. Of the roughly 30 GW of listed cell capacity, only 8–10 GW is TOPCon and it is running below capacity, Mr. Shivanna said: “Annually, our country is able to do only 10 GW of TOPCon; the rest is Mono-PERC.” Being pushed back to the older cell, he said, was “like asking someone to use an [Ambassador] giving 4 km a litre when every vehicle today gives 25.”
The Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu bodies combined their challenge to share costs, Mr. Shivanna said: “When I initiated [the case] in Karnataka, these associations called and said they will join, because the expenditure is very high.” Other States were moving separately, he added: “Rajasthan independently filed; Gujarat has filed.” Similar petitions are pending in the Delhi and Rajasthan High Courts.
Published – June 08, 2026 10:18 pm IST
Karnataka / court / solar / renewable energy / energy resources / energy and resource
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The group previously won a legal challenge against the scheme in 2024
The overturned refusal of a solar farm will be challenged in the High Court, a community group has said.
Back in April, the Planning Inspectorate overruled Durham County Council's decision to turn down the proposal for land near Burnhope, despite hundreds of objections and an appeal.
Community group Keep it Green, which led the 2024 action, said it supported solar energy "in the right place", but could not accept a process which "overrides a community that has already been proved right once in the High Court".
The government has previously said its planning framework ensured renewable energy projects could be built without impacting the environment.
Lightsource bp's proposals will see up to 14 fields overlaid with panels, including areas near a nature reserve.
It has said the scheme had been "carefully" designed to minimise impacts and there were measures to "enhance" the environment.
But some residents said the village had been "betrayed" and warned the development would take away the only flat route out of the uphill village and affect curlew breeding sites.
Keep it Green said the site was created 25 years ago by planning conditions, and was promised as "compensation" to the community after being surrounded for years by opencast mining.
"We were promised this landscape back after the opencast. Now we are being asked to give it up again," said Ian Galloway, who leads the community group.
"It is the one safe, level, accessible place left for people here to walk – and for many, with poor health and no car, there is nowhere else to go."
Plans were initially approved by the council in 2023 – a year before Reform took control – but the campaign group won a judicial review, which saw the decision quashed by a high court judge.
An application was resubmitted in 2024 and turned down by the council, but the decision was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate, which said the need to tackle climate change and achieve net zero targets outweighed the concerns.
The planned solar farm will border some homes
The leader of the Reform-run local authority Andrew Husband has called on the government to review "overly permissive" planning policy wording after the decision.
Labour North Durham MP Luke Akehurst has also opposed the scheme, saying it was "incredibly unfair" the refusal had been overturned.
"While I recognise the need for solar energy, I do not believe Burnhope is the right location for this type of development, and I will not support it," he said.
"I have made representations to the Secretary of State and will work with Durham County Council and residents to challenge this decision."
Local Labour councillor Alison Gray added losing the only flat walking space for residents would impact negatively on the health and wellbeing of the village.
Keep it Green said the fresh challenge came as the government moves to fast-track major energy schemes and to restrict the grounds on which communities can seek judicial review of planning decisions.
It means solar farms above 100MW in England are now examined directly by the Planning Inspectorate with final decisions made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The number of attempts at legal challenge against government decisions on major infrastructure projects are also limited to one rather than three for cases deemed by the court as totally without merit.
Although it does not apply to the Burnhope solar farm – which will stand at 49.9MW – the campaigners warned under the reforms, a community like their's might never have had the chance to be heard.
"This is bigger than fourteen fields in County Durham. We exercised a basic democratic right – to ask a court whether a decision was lawful – and we won. If that right is closed off, it can happen anywhere, to anyone," said Kate Palmer from Keep it Green.
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VDE Group affiliate RETC has released its 2026 PV Module Index (PVMI) at a crucial time for the industry, as manufacturers around the world continue to face financial pressures and increasing demands.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration says it expects more than 43 GW of utility-scale solar to come online in the U.S. in 2026 alone. Thanks to the rise in AI data centers and utility electrification, the demand for large-scale solar is growing faster than ever in the U.S. The new PVMI report has found “signs of increasing reliability challenges” for PV modules, which could cause hiccups down the line for such massive projects.
Specifically, the PVMI notes that more than 10% of PV module samples returned failing results in “red-flag” tests in the 2,000 house damp heat test category. Additionally, RETC’s testing and reporting also identified modules with “unacceptable” levels of degradation when put under high levels of ultraviolet light.
“Certifications require products to meet a minimum baseline standard; however, they do not necessarily address how assets will perform throughout their projected lifetime in the field, specifically in recent years, under increasingly extreme conditions,” says Cherif Kedir, CEO of RETC. “In 2026, solar is now both critical infrastructure and a commoditized product, which makes quality differentiation paramount for long-term reliability, consistency, and performance.
“Stakeholders require more confidence that the products being deployed today will continue performing reliably over decades, especially as new manufacturing scales rapidly and new materials and supply chains hastily enter the market.”
The findings, and their deeper meanings for the solar manufacturing industry, are indicative of a wider change in thinking across the sector, RETC says.
The 2026 PVMI’s testing was conducted between Q2 of 2025 and Q1 of 2026, and evaluated PV modules using RETC’s testing protocols. Designed to identify reliability and performance risks, the testing report shed light on emerging trends that now shape solar procurement, manufacturing, and perhaps most crucially, risk management.
In total, 19 manufacturers in RETC’s customer portfolio earned recognition in the 2026 PVMI for any number of testing disciplines and award categories. Among those 19, 13 manufacturers — including big names like Jinko Solar and LONGi — achieved “Overall Highest Achiever” status. Many of those higher achievers, according to Kedir, have chosen to focus on long-term risk assessment in their manufacturing as a top priority.
“What we are seeing is an industry moving from a deployment story to a performance and risk management story,” says Kedir. “The PVMI gives developers, financiers, and asset owners a clearer view of which modules perform under extended stress conditions designed to reflect the realities they will face in the field.”
Newly identified reliability and performance trends in the PVMI state that companies are shifting to trying to better understand their products. The industry is moving away from trying to constantly scale up deployment, and moving toward understanding how their assets will perform in 25, sometimes even 35 years. Any performance deviations, the testers say, could affect long-term project economics, as well as asset values.
“Underperformance in operational solar assets often results from the accumulation of many small losses, some of which are difficult to isolate due to measurement uncertainty,” the downloadable report says. “The exception to this general rule is availability, as these losses are often episodic but potentially severe. This is especially true in utility-scale PV power systems, where the loss of a single central inverter can significantly reduce instantaneous power generation capacity and daily energy harvest.”

Top findings

Increased manufacturer and solar asset operator anxiety over severe weather has become a paramount concern in the industry, with special attention being paid to hail risks. The PVMI says that though far less frequent than rain or snow, these events count for massive losses in the U.S. solar space.
“These infrequent yet costly tail risk events underscore the growing importance of beyond-certification hail testing, particularly as solar deployments expand across high risk regions such as Texas and other markets east of the Rocky Mountains,” the company says. “Ensuring that PV modules can withstand severe weather exposure over a 25- to 30-year project life now requires more rigorous approaches to durability characterization than conventional qualification standards alone provide.”
Perhaps the other big finding in the report is the rise of light induced degradation (LID).
As previously stated, high levels of ultraviolet light can slowly degrade the efficiency of solar panels over time. Companies are taking notice of this, Kedir says, and while susceptibility varies greatly, bringing down LID levels has become a concern for manufacturers.
“Gallium-doped p-type silicon technologies generally exhibit low LID risk, whereas boron-doped p-type PV cells are more vulnerable to boron-oxygen light-induced degradation (B-O LID),” the report says. “Manufacturers can mitigate B-O LID in boron-doped p-PERC technologies using advanced hydrogenation processes, though these approaches may increase susceptibility to LETID. As a result, module designers must carefully balance B-O LID mitigation strategies against potential LETID risk exposure.”
The 2026 PVMI is available for download now.

Tags: manufacturing, products, PV Modules, reporting, RETC, testing, utility-scale, VDE Americas


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‘Why solar grazing should be taken seriously’ Reader’s letter  thestar.co.uk
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Major solar farm development unveiled for Fife farmland  Fife Today
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Your digital subscription includes access to all content on our agricultural websites across the nation. Access unlimited content and the digital versions of our print editions – This Week's Paper.
A proposed battery and solar hub in West Gippsland is facing fierce backlash from local farmers and landowners, who argue the project ignores the state’s own strategic transmission blueprint.

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Locals claim the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) and transmission infrastructure at Trafalgar East is located outside the designated renewable energy zone and does not align with the Victorian Transmission Plan.
Westbury landowner Trevor Nicklen said the transmission framework was intended to guide wind, solar and battery projects to appropriate locations based on strategic planning, environmental constraints and community considerations.
Mr Nicklen said the proposed location of the project, also known as the Giddi Battery Energy Storage System, was about 11.5 kilometres from the nearest renewable energy zone.
“Approving this proposal would undermine that approach and set a concerning precedent for further ad-hoc, poorly-sited development across rural Victoria,” he said.
Planning documents reveal project proponent, ib vogt Development Australia Pty Ltd, is seeking to develop a BESS and hybrid solar farm across two properties comprising 360 hectares.
The project’s proponent says the initial stage of the project will span about five hectares, similar to the footprint of existing sheds on the property used for a goat feedlot.

It is the third BESS project proposed for the Baw Baw Shire Council.
Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia is proposing a 200MW site at Shady Creek, while Zebre has selected a site at Yarragon North for additional renewable energy project.
Mr Nicklen said community consultation for the Trafalgar East project had so far been inadequate.
“Reliance on a single public drop-in session in Trafalgar does not represent an appropriate or meaningful level of engagement for affected communities, particularly those in Trafalgar East and Westbury who would experience the most direct impacts,” he said.
According to planning documents, the project is split into two stages.

The first features a 360-megawatt battery system, a substation, and a 220-kilovolt connection to the existing AusNet line.

The second stage would add another 200MW of battery storage alongside a 200MW solar array on land currently used for beef cattle grazing.
Mr Nicklen said the staged approach raised serious concerns about incremental development and the risk of cumulative impacts being assessed in isolation rather than as a whole.
“[It] would fundamentally and irreversibly alter the character, function and visual landscape of the area,” he said.
“Continuous operational noise in a quiet rural environment will adversely affect residents’ quality of life and these impacts are likely to negatively influence property values and disproportionately burden local landholders for infrastructure that primarily services the broader electricity network.
“More suitable locations exist within designated renewable energy zones or established infrastructure corridors in the Latrobe Valley, where impacts on high-value agricultural land and rural communities could be significantly reduced.”
Another landowner, Rachel Savige, Westbury, said her 37-hectare property would back onto the proposed battery and solar farm.
Ms Savige and her husband Anthony bought the property from Anthony’s parents four years ago and have plans to pass the property onto their children when they retired.
“Anthony’s parents have farmed in the area since they were very young and their parents farmed on the same farms more than 100 years ago,” she said.
“We are on generational farms that we want to leave to our kids, but these projects risk us being able to set our kids up for life because we have no idea what this project could do to the value of our land.”
She said the community consultation by ib vogt Development Australia Pty Ltd was held at 7pm on February 24, meaning many dairy farmers couldn’t attend the information session.

The session was held two months after a planning application was lodged for the project in December.
“We were made to feel stupid at the meeting because of the points we raised and it made us leave feeling angry and frustrated,” she said.
“Our farm insurance is already expensive enough as it is and we are not sure if this will lead to higher premiums down the track.”
A VicGrid spokesperson said renewable energy zones identified priority areas for development and were often supported by existing transmission infrastructure.

“By establishing these zones, we can better coordinate renewable energy projects and significantly reduce the need to build unnecessary transmission infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.

“Zones also enable VicGrid to set much clearer rules around how projects gain access to the grid, including expectations for how developers must engage with local communities and deliver economic benefits and social value.”
The spokesperson said all renewable energy project proposals inside or outside of a zone would be subject to detailed assessments against planning policies and relevant legislation.
“We want to ensure viable projects can connect in Victoria, while we deliver on reforms to improve community and Traditional Owner outcomes from the renewable energy transition,” the spokesperson said.

ib vogt Development Australia Pty Ltd senior development manager Terry Daly said the BESS containers and substation would occupy about five hectares of land, a similar size to the large agricultural sheds the infrastructure would replace.

Mr Daly said the project would replace nearby and “highly visible” coal-fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley.

He said the site was chosen for several reasons, including its immediate access to existing high-capacity transmission infrastructure.

“The site currently hosts large industrial scale agricultural sheds and infrastructure,” he said.

“These sheds are actually higher than the proposed BESS containers that will replace them.

“This means minimal impact on agricultural land and very limited overall visual impact.”
Mr Daly disputed claims the project would irreversibly alter the character, function and visual landscape of the landscape.

“I would suggest this is not an accurate assessment, given that no new transmission is required, the scale of the BESS facility is similar in size and visual impact to the infrastructure already at this location that will be replaced and the location of the facility is actually quite difficult to see from outside the property itself, and has significant separation from neighbours,” he said.
He said the proponents of the project had “undertaken numerous different engagement activities”, including a dedicated website, a community survey which received 92 responses, door knocking, media and meetings from local community groups, including nearby fire brigades.

“There are a number of members of the community that have specifically contacted as to express support for the project,” he said.

“This aspect does not seem to be included in the local press.

“These people are pleased that in an area that has supported very large and intrusive coal mines and coal generators for decades are being replaced with cleaner alternatives.”
The government was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media’s Stock & Land. He is ACM’s former national machinery and agricultural technology writer. Bryce is also an executive committee member and former president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media’s Stock & Land. He is ACM’s former national machinery and agricultural technology writer. Bryce is also an executive committee member and former president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
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Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..
Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Updated: June 8, 2026 @ 12:55 pm
GreenWave Solar owner Landon Cason attended the meeting, along with representatives from Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. 

GreenWave Solar owner Landon Cason attended the meeting, along with representatives from Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. 
A new solar farm is one step closer to setting up in Smithville after a public hearing was held by the Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals. The hearing was held on June 1, during which representatives from GreenWave Solar of Murfreesboro answered questions from the board and local residents.
GreenWave plans to locate its solar panel farm on 35 acres of a 100-acre site, with one portion in the city and another in the county, near an electrical substation. The site is located between Allen’s Ferry Road and West Main Street on land adjacent to the DCHS soccer and softball fields.
Officials say the 16,000 panels will be erected on land generally considered swampy, wet fields where homes could not be built. The project will undergo ground testing and an environmental study, and will also be subject to a review by the Smithville Municipal Planning Commission.
GreenWave Solar owner Landon Cason attended the meeting, along with representatives from Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative. Cason told the board that the power generated would be sold directly to the power companies and would not go towards any data center or other entity.
“TVA has a flexibility program where they will allow the local power companies to build their own sources of power. The utility companies reached out to us, and we identified a site near one of their substations. We’re going to provide them with some solar power as a cheap source of energy. They share this substation, so it’ll be both for Caney Fork Electric and for Smithville Electric System. They will each have a project of their own at the same site,” Cason explained.
According to their website, “Green Wave Solar delivers renewable energy solutions for homeowners, businesses, and large-scale energy partners throughout the Tennessee Valley. Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we have grown from a local installer into a regional solar provider supporting projects ranging from residential rooftops to multi-megawatt commercial and infrastructure installations.”
According to Cason, the company has purchased 100 acres at the site but will use only about 35-40 acres. The rest of the property will either be sold or leased for farming.
“We’re currently going through our environmental and geotechnical surveys, and that’ll determine the final location of it. The remaining portion of the land will be sold back to a farmer or leased for farming,” Cason explained.
“Our goal here is to be as close to the substation as possible, and the ultimate goal is to utilize the land that is the least desirable for farming or development in the future. The area we’ve identified is very swampy. It’s not a zoned wetland, but it is basically a wetland area that you couldn’t really build anything else on, so a solar project would be perfect for that location. It’s very near the substation. It doesn’t get a good crop when they farm it, so in a best-case scenario, we’ll cover that portion with the solar panels, and we’re close to the source, so we can tie into the substation, and we’re not taking away from good farmland or good developable land,” he said.
“There will be 16,000 solar panels on the site, and they will be raised probably 2 to 3 feet off the ground will be the bottom portion of it. They will stand about 10 to 12 feet at a 30-degree pitch, and they’re at a fixed tilt, so they’re not going to track the sun. They will be fixed to the ground, with post piles driven into the ground. Once they’re set, they’re set, and they’re just going to collect solar rays every day,” Cason said.
Cason said the panels will not produce any noise and pose no risk to wildlife. “This is just producing energy for the local community. You’ll notice them, but they are going to be tucked far away from the road. There are three lines on the east, south, and west sides of the property, so it’s really kind of out of sight and out of mind. It is relatively close to a school, but it won’t be problematic, and we’re very cautious about causing any issues for the local community. We’re going to work with them on spacing.”
“Since we have a lot of that land to work with, we’re going to keep it nice, tucked in, and clean as close to the substation as possible. Right now, the property splits between both the city and the county, so a portion of it will be in the city, and a portion of it will be in the county, and those environmentalists will determine how much of each,” said Cason.
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Egypt solar PV capacity set to reach 34.3GW by 2035  Utilities Middle East
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US solar installer SUNation Energy and merchant cell manufacturer Suniva have agreed to merge to create an integrated platform combining US-based solar manufacturing with residential and commercial installation services.
The combined company will operate under the Suniva name and maintain SUNation’s Nasdaq Capital Market listing, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2026.
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Under the terms of the reverse merger, pre-merger Suniva shareholders will own approximately 98.2% of the combined entity, while SUNation stockholders will hold around 1.8%, subject to adjustment for SUNation’s net cash at closing. SUNation shareholders are expected to receive equity with an implied value of approximately US$2.26 per share, representing a 100% premium to the company’s most recent closing price.
The merger brings together Suniva’s position as the largest and oldest US merchant manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon solar cells with SUNation’s established market presence in residential, commercial and energy storage services.
Announcing the deal, the companies said the move would allow Suniva to gain additional market presence and access to US capital markets to fund continued growth in American solar manufacturing. Suniva currently operates a 1GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Georgia and is expanding capacity by 4.5GW in South Carolina.
“By bringing together Suniva’s US-based solar cell manufacturing footprint with our high-growth residential, commercial and service businesses in some of the highest electricity-cost markets in the country, we believe we can deliver a unique domestic content offering for customers,” said Scott Maskin, CEO of SUNation.
Maskin said the combined company aims to support the US’s transition to a domestic solar supply chain by leveraging SUNation’s deep relationships with leading installers nationwide alongside Suniva’s manufacturing capabilities. Following the merger, the company will be led by a five-member board designated by Suniva.
Tony Etnyre, CEO of Suniva, added: “What we believe this combination gives us is the platform to execute our mission at the speed and scale the moment demands. Access to US public capital markets means we can move faster, invest deeper, and expand further into the domestic manufacturing capacity this country urgently needs. SUNation brings an established, customer-facing business that strengthens our foundation as we build toward that future together.”
Suniva has an agreement in place to produce fully ‘made in America’ modules with module producer Heliene and US-based wafer supplier Corning.
The future opportunities and challenges for the US PV manufacturing supply chain will be explored in depth at our annual PV CellTech USA conference on 13-14 October in San Francisco, California. For full details and booking, click here.

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Japanese solar manufacturer TOYO has announced plans to add 1.5GW of heterojunction technology (HJT) solar cell production capacity at its Houston, Texas manufacturing facility.
The company said the expansion is expected to begin initial pilot production within “20 months” – around early 2028 – and will constitute around US$357 million in investment. Engineering, design and procurement for the project are already underway, and construction will happen in structured phases.
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In a statement, Toyo said the choice to produce HJT cells in the US was driven by the technology’s superior performance compared with “legacy solar architectures” and the opportunity to maximise its access to domestic content and Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing tax credits. The company said that at full capacity, the facility could potentially provide up to US$60 million in annual production tax credits.
“Expanding into domestic cell manufacturing is the natural next step in our commitment to creating an integrated onshore solar supply chain from polysilicon to panels,” said Takahiko Onozuka, chairman and chief executive officer of Toyo.
“The new cell plant reflects TOYO’s long-term strategy to build a fully FEOC-compliant domestic manufacturing platform focused on serving the needs of the US utility-scale solar market,” added Rhone Resch, Toyo’s chief strategy officer.
The Trump administration introduced expanded Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions in its 2025 budget reconciliation bill that impose strict limits on the use of Chinese-made or Chinese-owned products in solar projects or manufacturing sites looking to earn federal tax credits.
“By producing premium solar products in the United States, we will be well positioned to meet the market’s evolving domestic content requirements while strengthening supply chain security and reliability,”Resch continued. “Looking ahead, we believe HJT is the optimal technology platform for integrating next-generation perovskite solar cells, which we expect will drive the next major advancement in solar conversion efficiency and support TOYO’s long-term technology roadmap.”
Despite framing this expansion as a technological choice, TOYO’s decision to produce US HJT cells comes amid stringent legal restrictions on tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) products in the US and an antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation into Toyo’s existing cell production in Ethiopia.
TOPCon is the dominant cell technology for most of the global solar industry, but an intellectual property lawsuit brought by First Solar (which produces cadmium telluride thin-film modules in the US) earlier this year sought general exclusion and cease-and-desist orders for TOPCon products entering or produced in the US. This is an extension of the existing patent battles over TOPCon technology in the US, as manufacturers have fought for the rights to produce the tech.
Additionally, last month a group of US solar manufacturers operating as the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade (AASMT) and including First Solar, filed an AD/CVD complaint with the US Department of Commerce against TOYO and fellow manufacturer Origin Solar for their cell production in Ethiopia.
The complaint alleged that the companies were “exploiting Ethiopia as the latest export platform to circumvent AD/CVD orders…by routing Chinese wafers and components through minimal Ethiopian solar manufacturing operations before shipping finished cells and modules to the United States”. This is the same type of allegation made against manufacturers in Southeast Asia back in 2022.
In comments to PV Tech, Resch refuted the allegations. He also told PV Tech Premium earlier this year that TOYO had existing plans for US cell manufacturing in Texas prior to the announcement of the AD/CVD case.
Moustafa Ramadan, head of market research at PV Tech Research, told us that TOYO’s HJT cell expansion is “the smart choice to avoid a legal action, not a technology choice”.
He added that the expansion of new AD/CVD cases from US-based manufacturers has shown that “the models of these companies [with module production in the US] will become harder and harder to maintain with manufacturing outside the US.
“It shows that if you want to be part of the US solar landscape, you need to have two things: 1: as much of your value and supply chain stateside as possible, and 2: to choose HJT, because TOPCon would mean either licensing from First Solar or a lawsuit.”
PV Tech Research is hosting its annual PV CellTech USA conference in the San Francisco Bay Area on 13-14 October 2026. The conference brings together the innovators, policymakers and supply-chain leaders driving the country’s next wave of wafer, cell and module capacity. You can find out more and get hold of tickets here.

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Photovoltaics testing laboratory Kiwa PVEL recently released the 2026 version of its PV Module Reliability Scorecard, which includes eight Top Performer categories that correspond to tests conducted by the laboratory under its Product Qualification Program (PQP) testing regimen.
The Scorecard’s newest top performer category looks at ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID), a problem that occurs when exposure to high-energy UV photons causes damage in the passivation layer applied to silicon solar cells, which can result in large decreases in the output power of solar modules as they are exposed to UV light in the field.
The mechanism behind UVID has been known for decades, but concerns surrounding about the degradation came to prominence in 2022, because the effects of UVID on solar cells can be particularly pronounced in modern technologies such as tunnel oxide passivating contact (TOPCon) and heterojunction (HJT) solar cells. 
Kiwa PVEL has actually been conducting the UVID testing on modules as part of the PQP since 2023, but the organization prefers to use the first few years of a new test to gather and share data with manufacturers. Based on that data, the test lab devises a benchmark for what constitutes best-in-class performance. 
For 2026, a top performer in the UVID test is any specific module build (known as a “bill of materials,” or BOM) that displays less than 2% power loss degradation after being subjected to 120 kWh/m² of ultraviolet light, which simulates approximately one year of outdoor exposure.
“Normally, we create a page of the scorecard to share our findings with the industry after a new test is released, so that manufacturers can learn from what we’re seeing and downstream (stakeholders) can understand how much risk is involved,” said Kiwa PVEL vice president of sales and marketing Tristan Erion-Lorico in comments to pv magazine USA. “We want to share our findings, but we (also) want to give manufacturers some time to improve their modules, (so) when calling out top performers, we’re not just saying one or two BOMs or one or two companies were a top performer in that new test.”
For 2026, Kiwa PVEL recognized 91 individual solar panel models (also known as “bills of materials” or BOMs) as UVID top performers, representing 19 of the 43 manufacturers whose modules were submitted for UVID testing.
Dark storage degradation
In addition to helping manufacturers understand the factors that lead to better performance in a new test, the waiting period before incorporating the test as a top performer category gives Kiwa PVEL a chance to examine and refine its test methodology to be sure it is fairly assessing module quality.
For example, in looking through the results of its past UVID tests, Kiwa PVEL engineers discovered that modules continue to lose significant power as they sit in storage after being subjected to UVID testing.
In the example shown above, the leftmost image shows a module’s performance under an initial “flash” test to determine its power output characteristics. The next image to the right shows that the module displayed 4.5% power degradation after the UVID sequence, and the third image shows how a flash test revealed an additional 4.4% of degradation after a period of dark storage.
The final image in the example displays the result of a flash test conducted after the module had been exposed to a short full-spectrum light soak for 0.1 kWh/m² under open-circuit conditions, essentially mimicking a brief period in the sun. The module recovered some of its lost performance, but at 4.3%, degradation was still more than double the limit necessary to qualify as a top performer.
Findings like these led the Kiwa PVEL team to develop a new standard of testing in which modules must be flash tested within 48 hours of their UVID sequence. The 48-hour threshold allows for testing that more accurately portrays a module’s performance.
Furthermore, not all modules are equally susceptible to dark storage degradation. The ones that are will be those that already exhibit higher UVID within the 48-hour period. 
“If the module is generally UV stable, it’s also more or less dark storage stable,” said Erion-Lorico. However, he said, “if you see, for example, 5% UV degradation, you might see 10% after a few weeks in dark storage. That dark storage power loss is greater on modules where the UVID power loss was greater.”
Kiwa PVEL and pv magazine USA webinar
Topics like UVID and all the other PQP top performer categories will be discussed in an upcoming webinar: Evaluating solar module reliability: Inside the Kiwa PVEL Scorecard. 
Tristan Erion-Lorico will join pv magazine USA editors Ryan Kennedy and Ben Zientara to discuss how major differences in module performance are shown through the PQP testing process, focusing on the most prevalent causes of module failure, including breakage, delamination, and Ultraviolet-Induced Degradation.People interested in attending can register for free at the webinar page.

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Stellantis Expands Decarbonized Energy Across Europe, with Solar Installations Covering Two-Thirds of Manufacturing Plants  Stellantis Media
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A hand-painted banner is at the heart of a campaign protesting solar farm plans.
The campaign centres around the River Alre, a rare chalk stream flowing through Hampshire, and objects to a proposed solar farm near Alresford and Bishop’s Sutton.
Created by artist Melissa Wall, the banner has become a striking symbol of community action and environmental awareness.
Melissa Wall said: “I wanted to create something that celebrates the River Alre and encourages people to appreciate what an extraordinary place it is.
“The river is part of the identity of this area.
“Whether you walk beside it, enjoy the wildlife it supports or simply value the landscape, it touches the lives of so many people.
“My hope is that the banner helps people understand why local residents care so deeply about protecting it.”
Plans for the solar farm, currently under consideration by Winchester City Council, have raised concerns due to the site’s proximity to the River Alre and adjoining wetlands, which feed into the protected River Itchen.
The River Itchen is designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Campaigners with the banner in front of where the solar farm is proposed to be built (Image: Jo Sellers)
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Campaigners enthusiastic about River Park lido plans after outdoor pool reopens
Of approximately 200 chalk streams globally, around 85 per cent are found in England, with many located in Hampshire.
The proposed development site has attracted significant public response, with 183 comments recorded on Winchester City Council’s planning portal, including 167 objections.
Many objections highlight the ecological importance of the River Alre, while others focus on landscape impact, tourism, and the loss of Grade 3a “Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land” identified in planning policy as important for food production.
Councillor Clare Pinniger, who represents Alresford and Itchen Valley, said: “This is an environmentally sensitive location and it is vital that planning decisions are based on robust ecological evidence.
“I have urged planning officers to undertake a site visit so they can properly appreciate the relationship between the proposed development, the valley landscape and the chalk stream.”
Concerns have also been raised about the estimated 9,000 to 15,000 solar panels that could be installed on the hillside, making them highly visible from surrounding areas.
Councillor Jackie Porter, Winchester City Council’s cabinet member for place and local plan, said: “The River Alre and wider Itchen catchment form part of one of the rarest freshwater environments in the world, which is why so many local residents care deeply about this landscape.”
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Photovoltaic encapsulation films are a critical intermediate input in solar module lamination, providing electrical insulation, moisture barrier, and structural adhesion between the solar cells, cover glass, and backsheet. The Asia-Pacific region is both the largest manufacturing hub and the fastest-growing demand center for these films, driven by China’s dominant solar photovoltaic (PV) supply chain and accelerating installation programs in India, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
The product archetype aligns closely with chemical intermediate materials: films are supplied in roll form to module manufacturers (OEMs), specified by technical grades (standard clarity, high transparency, high moisture barrier), and subject to contract and spot pricing. End-use sectors are exclusively energy materials, with applications in utility-scale, commercial, and residential solar modules. The market is characterized by recurring procurement cycles tied to module production schedules, with qualification processes that lock in supplier relationships over multi-year periods.
The value chain begins with petrochemical feedstocks (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyolefin elastomers, additives), moves through compounding and extrusion into film rolls, then undergoes slitting, inspection, and packaging. Buyers are primarily module OEMs and system integrators, with procurement teams evaluating films on optical transmittance, volume resistivity, cross-linking behavior, peel strength, and long-term durability in accelerated aging tests.
The market serves a narrowly defined but high-volume application—transparent moisture-barrier films for solar panel protection—that is essential for module reliability and warranty compliance. As module power outputs rise and cell architectures diversify, the technical specifications for encapsulation films become more demanding, creating clear separation between standard and premium product tiers.
The Asia-Pacific photovoltaic encapsulation films market is sizable, with estimated consumption of approximately 2.5–3.0 billion square meters in 2026. Volume is tightly correlated with regional solar module production, which exceeded 600 GW of nameplate capacity in 2025 and continues to expand. Market value is driven by both volume growth and product mix shifts toward higher-priced specialty grades. Demand growth is projected to remain robust through the forecast horizon, supported by renewable energy targets in China (1,200 GW solar by 2030), India (500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity), and Southeast Asian national plans. The market is expected to double in volume by 2035, reaching roughly 5–6 billion square meters, translating to a CAGR range of 8–12% over the 2026–2035 period.
Relative forecast statements: premium segment (POE and co-extruded films) could grow at a 12–16% CAGR, outpacing standard EVA grades, which are projected to expand at 6–9% annually. This divergence reflects the increasing adoption of bifacial and high-efficiency modules, which require transparent front-and-back encapsulation or improved moisture barrier properties. Among end-use sectors, utility-scale installations account for roughly 55–60% of film demand, distributed generation (commercial and residential) for 30–35%, and specialty applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics for the remainder. Module brand and technology shifts will influence replacement cycles: module warranty periods typically extend 25–30 years, but replacement film demand arises primarily from module manufacturing throughput rather than field replacement.
By product type, the market segments into standard EVA films, high-transparency EVA films, POE films, and co-extruded specialty films. Standard EVA remains the volume workhorse, accounting for 70–80% of square meters consumed, due to its cost-effectiveness, well-established processing parameters, and adequate performance for monofacial modules. High-transparency EVA and POE films together represent 15–25% share, with POE films gaining rapidly as they offer lower water vapor transmission rates and better adhesion to cell surfaces, critical for bifacial modules and glass-glass constructions. Co-extruded films, combining EVA and POE layers, hold a small but fast-growing niche, targeting premium module lines where reliability standards are highest.
By end application, utility-scale solar farms drive the bulk of demand, followed by commercial rooftop and residential installations. The application matrix also covers formulation and compounding activities: film producers must tailor formulations to match module lamination temperatures, curing times, and optical requirements of different cell types (PERC, TOPCon, HJT). Buyer groups include large OEMs (module manufacturers with >5 GW annual capacity), medium-scale producers, and specialized end users in off-grid and solar-plus-storage applications.
Procurement and technical buyers prioritize consistent quality, batch traceability, and certification compliance (IEC 62788-1-1 for encapsulation materials). Workflow stages involve specification and qualification (6–12 months), contract negotiation for volume pricing, just-in-time delivery during production runs, and post-lamination quality monitoring. The market’s intermediate-input nature means demand is derived directly from module output; any fluctuation in solar installation timelines or module inventory levels quickly propagates to film orders.
Pricing in the Asia-Pacific encapsulation film market is segmented by grade, volume contract terms, and additional service charges (fast-track logistics, technical support, testing certification). Standard EVA film prices have fluctuated in a range of USD 0.50–0.80 per square meter over the past few years, heavily influenced by upstream ethylene and vinyl acetate costs. Premium POE and high-transparency films command a 20–40% premium above standard EVA, with spot prices occasionally exceeding USD 1.00 per square meter during tight supply periods. Volume contracts (annual volumes above 10 million square meters) typically secure a 5–15% discount against spot prices, while validation and certification services add USD 0.02–0.05 per square meter.
The primary cost driver is feedstock exposure: ethylene prices, which correlate with crude oil and natural gas prices in North America, Middle East, and Asia, represent 40–50% of film production costs. Acetate monomer and polyolefin elastomer prices each contribute another 10–20%. Additives—such as cross-linking agents, UV stabilizers, and anti-corrosion additives—account for the remainder. Conversion costs (extrusion, slitting, packaging) are relatively stable and account for 20–25% of final cost.
Regional price differences arise from logistics, import duties, and energy costs: Southeast Asian buyers often pay a 5–10% premium over Chinese domestic prices due to shipping and handling, while Indian buyers face additional tariff costs of 7.5–10%. Longer-term, the shift toward co-extruded and multilayer films could increase average unit prices by 10–15% across the market as premium grades gain share.
The Asia-Pacific photovoltaic encapsulation film supply market is moderately concentrated, with the top five producers collectively holding an estimated 50–60% of regional volume. The leading suppliers include Hangzhou First Applied Material (a specialized film manufacturer), Changzhou Sveck, SKC (South Korea), Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), and STR (Singapore-based, part of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation). These companies operate large-scale extrusion lines in China (primarily in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces) and have established direct long-term supply agreements with major module OEMs such as LONGi, JinkoSolar, and Trina Solar.
A second tier of regional producers serves smaller module makers and provides backup capacity during demand surges; these include companies in India (e.g., Vishakha Renewable), Taiwan (e.g., Eternal Materials), and Thailand (local compounding firms).
Competition is driven by product consistency, technical support, price, and qualification portfolio. Supplier qualification processes are rigorous: a film supplier typically must pass 6–12 months of accelerated aging tests (damp heat, thermal cycling, UV preconditioning) and on-site audits before being added to an OEM’s approved vendor list. Once qualified, switching costs are high, giving incumbents a stable base.
Market competition is also shaped by capacity expansions: several Chinese producers have announced capacity additions of 1–3 billion square meters per year to meet growing demand, while Indian and Southeast Asian entrants are building smaller lines (0.2–0.5 billion square meters). Joint ventures and technology licensing arrangements between chemical companies and film extruders are common, often aimed at accessing proprietary additive packages or process know-how.
Production of photovoltaic encapsulation films in Asia-Pacific is overwhelmingly concentrated in mainland China, which hosts more than 80% of regional extrusion capacity. Key production clusters are located in the Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai) and Bohai Rim (Shandong, Hebei). These clusters benefit from proximity to petrochemical feedstock supplies, integrated port infrastructure, and agglomeration with downstream module assembly facilities. South Korea and Japan also have domestic production capacity (SKC in Korea, Mitsui Chemicals in Japan), collectively accounting for 8–12% of regional output. India and Southeast Asia have nascent film production industries, with aggregate capacity below 5% of regional total, though several projects are under development in Gujarat (India) and Rayong (Thailand).
Import-dependence characterization: markets outside China—especially India, Japan, Australia, and most Southeast Asian countries—rely on imports for 60–70% of their film requirements. Import supply chains are well-established, with sea freight transit times of 2–4 weeks from Chinese ports to major destinations, and air freight reserved for urgent orders at 3–5 times higher cost. Inventory management is critical: film has limited shelf life (6–12 months under recommended storage conditions) and is sensitive to humidity, requiring climate-controlled warehousing at destination.
Supply bottlenecks typically arise from raw material shortages (e.g., vinyl acetate tightness in 2021–2022), container logistics disruptions, or sudden demand surges when module manufacturers accelerate production to meet installation deadlines. The overall supply chain is resilient but concentrated, creating risk for buyers without diversified sourcing strategies.
China is the dominant exporter of photovoltaic encapsulation films within Asia-Pacific, shipping to India, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Australia as the leading destinations. Trade data patterns indicate that China’s film exports to the region grew at 12–18% annually from 2020 to 2025, driven by the scaling of module assembly operations in Southeast Asia and India’s solar component import requirements. Japan and South Korea also export limited volumes, primarily premium POE films to Chinese module makers that serve high-efficiency domestic and export markets.
Tariff treatment for encapsulation films varies by customs code (typically classified under HS 3920 or 3921—plastic sheets and films). India applies a basic customs duty of 7.5–10%; ASEAN members generally apply 0–5% under ASEAN-China Free Trade Area rules; Japan and South Korea maintain 0–3% rates under most-favored-nation or FTA schedules. No antidumping duties are currently in force for this product in the region, though trade remedy investigations have been considered in India.
Trade flows are largely intra-regional, with less than 5% of Asia-Pacific film trade destined for markets outside the region (primarily Europe and the Middle East).
Import dependence in the region is structurally high but is being moderated by two trends: first, Chinese module manufacturers are establishing overseas factories (especially in Vietnam, India, and the Middle East) that import films from China rather than producing locally; second, policy interventions such as India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme encourage domestic content, leading to cautious incumbents investing in local film lines. However, even with new capacity, the region’s overall import share is unlikely to fall below 50% before 2035, given the scale of demand and the head start of Chinese producers in scale and cost.
China: As the dominant production and demand center, China consumes approximately 60–65% of Asia-Pacific encapsulation film volume and produces 80–85% of it. The country’s module assembly capacity (over 600 GW annually) drives film demand; leading OEMs procure films from both domestic suppliers and a smaller volume of imported premium grades. China’s film export trade is concentrated among the top producers, who also supply captive module manufacturing lines. Policy support under the 14th Five-Year Plan for renewable energy and the dual-carbon target ensures sustained demand growth, with film consumption likely to double by 2035.
India: India is the second-largest demand center, consuming an estimated 10–15% of regional film volume, yet producing less than 3% domestically. The country imports 65–75% of its film requirements from China, with the balance sourced from South Korea and Japan. The government’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) and PLI scheme aim to boost domestic module assembly and, by extension, local film demand. Tariffs and import restrictions on finished modules have indirectly increased film demand in India as more assembly moves onshore.
Japan and South Korea: Both countries are mature solar markets with high module efficiency requirements. They consume 5–8% of regional film volume each, with a mix of imports from China and domestic production (Mitsui Chemicals, SKC). Their demand growth is moderate (2–4% annually) as solar deployment plateaus and module assembly scales down. They serve as technology leaders, pushing specifications for ultra-high-transparency POE films.
Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia collectively account for 10–15% of regional film consumption. Vietnam has rapidly scaled module assembly, making it a significant import destination for Chinese films. Thailand has some local film production. The region benefits from tariff-free intra-ASEAN trade and is attracting foreign module manufacturing investment, which will sustain film demand growth at 8–12% annually.
Photovoltaic encapsulation films in the Asia-Pacific market are subject to product safety and performance standards that are referenced in module certification protocols. The most important are IEC 61215 (crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules—design qualification and type approval) and IEC 61730 (PV module safety qualification), which indirectly regulate film properties such as moisture ingress, insulation resistance, and mechanical strength. Additionally, IEC 62788-1-1 provides specific test methods for encapsulation materials, including thickness, gel content, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Nearly all module OEMs require film suppliers to demonstrate compliance with these standards through accredited third-party testing.
National regulations add layer-specific requirements. China’s GB/T standards (e.g., GB/T 36567-2018 for encapsulation films) mandate minimum performance benchmarks. India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification is required for films used in modules eligible for government projects, though enforcement has been phased in gradually. Japan’s JIS standards demand high reliability for residential and utility modules. Environmental regulations, such as China’s restrictions on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in plastic films and RoHS-style substance restrictions, affect additive selection and manufacturing emissions.
Import documentation typically requires a certificate of origin, material safety data sheet, and test reports; tariff classification as plastic sheets (HS 3920/3921) may be subject to periodic reclassification. The regulatory landscape is stable and predictable, but any tightening of WVTR limits or new durability tests (e.g., combined UV and damp heat cycling) could shift demand toward higher-grade POE and co-extruded films, providing a structural boost to premium segments.
The Asia-Pacific photovoltaic encapsulation films market is expected to continue its growth trajectory through 2035, driven by aggressive solar deployment plans across the region. Total volume is forecast to double from approximately 2.5–3.0 billion square meters in 2026 to 5–6 billion square meters by 2035. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 8–12%, with the upper end contingent on sustained policy support and module output expansion in China and India. The product mix will shift materially: POE and co-extruded films could account for 25–30% of volume by 2035 (up from 15–20% in 2026), driven by bifacial module penetration rising from roughly 30% to 55–60% of new installations. Premium film segments are expected to grow at 12–16% CAGR, while standard EVA films expand at 6–9%.
On the supply side, Chinese capacity additions (estimated at 3–4 billion square meters in new lines by 2030) will likely sustain the region’s overall production dominance, but India and Southeast Asia may lift their combined share to 10–15% of regional output by 2035 through policy-driven investments. Imports will remain critical, with the overall import dependence of non-Chinese markets declining only modestly from 70% to 55–65% due to the scale mismatch between local production and demand.
Price trends are projected to remain moderate: average selling prices (blended across grades) could decline 10–15% in real terms by 2035 as manufacturing scale grows and process efficiencies improve, but the premium segment’s share expansion will partially offset this decline in value terms. Regulatory developments are unlikely to fundamentally alter the growth path, though any major tariff escalation or trade conflict could reshape supply patterns and accelerate localization.
Several structural opportunities exist within the Asia-Pacific photovoltaic encapsulation film market. First, the shift toward high-efficiency modules (TOPCon, HJT) creates a demand pull for ultra-high-transparency and low-WVTR encapsulation films. Suppliers that can develop POE or co-extruded formulations offering >91% transmittance and WVTR below 0.5 g/m²/day will command premium pricing and faster volume growth. Second, localization of film production in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East offers first-mover advantages for investors willing to establish extrusion lines and qualification infrastructure. These markets are import-dependent and policy-driven; domestic content rules (India’s ALMM, Vietnam’s local value requirements) make locally produced films more competitive for government-sponsored projects.
Third, the aftermarket and module repair/replacement segment, while small today (less than 2% of volume), could grow as older modules require refurbishment or as damage from severe weather events increases. Specialty films for rapid-field lamination kits or glass-glass repair represent a niche but high-margin opportunity. Fourth, sustainability is emerging as a differentiator: films with lower carbon footprint (bio-based ethylene, recycled content) or fully recyclable module designs could appeal to European and North American buyers who source modules from Asia-Pacific.
Finally, digitalization of quality assurance—blockchain-based traceability, AI-optimized extrusion processes—could provide competitive advantages in consistency and cost, enabling suppliers to offer premium products at narrow price gaps. Market participants that invest in R&D for next-generation encapsulation materials and local supply partnerships will be well-positioned to capture share in this high-growth intermediate-input market.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Photovoltaic Encapsulation Films market in Asia-Pacific, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
The study is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, investors, procurement teams, advisors, and strategy teams that need a consistent, data-driven view of the market in Asia-Pacific and a clear definition of the product scope used for market sizing and comparison.
The product scope is built around Photovoltaic Encapsulation Films and directly comparable product formats, grades, configurations, and specifications. The definition is kept narrow enough to support market sizing, trade analysis, price benchmarking, and competitive comparison, while still capturing the variants that buyers treat as part of the same commercial category.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
The market is segmented into decision-relevant buckets so that demand drivers, pricing logic, supply constraints, and competitive positions can be compared across the same analytical frame.
The analysis uses official trade and industry classification systems as a statistical framework. Where the product is not represented by a single customs code, the report applies analytical segmentation on top of available HS and product-level evidence.
Coverage includes the regional aggregate, member-country demand, supply capability where present, regional trade flows, import dependence, and country profiles for: Afghanistan, American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Fiji and French Polynesia and 37 more.
The report combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, product-level evidence, and analyst validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to keep market sizing, trade flows, pricing, and forecasts comparable across countries and time periods.
All indicators are mapped to a consistent product definition and reviewed against the segmentation framework used in the Table of Contents.
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Leading global supplier with strong R&D and production capacity.
Major producer of high-performance POE films for PV modules.
Offers durable, weather-resistant encapsulation solutions.
Supplies raw materials and films for PV encapsulation.
Innovates in high-efficiency and long-life encapsulation.
Key supplier of POE and EVA-based film solutions.
Provides raw materials used in encapsulation film production.
Major Asian producer with advanced film manufacturing.
Supplies high-quality films to global PV module makers.
Fast-growing Chinese manufacturer with expanding capacity.
Known for cost-effective and reliable encapsulation products.
Specializes in high-transparency and anti-PID films.
Offers customized film solutions for bifacial modules.
Focuses on cost-efficient EVA films for mass production.
Emerging player with growing market share in Asia.
Leading Indian manufacturer for domestic and export markets.
Supplies films to Indian and international PV module makers.
Known for high-durability PVB films used in building-integrated PV.
Supplies materials enhancing film performance and longevity.
Major raw material supplier for encapsulation film producers.
Integrated chemical and solar materials producer.
Develops advanced films for high-efficiency modules.
Supplies encapsulation materials with strong durability.
Provides high-barrier films for advanced PV applications.
Vertically integrated module maker producing own films.
Major module manufacturer with captive film capacity.
Leading monocrystalline module maker with film integration.
Vertically integrated module producer with film operations.
Uses proprietary encapsulation for its thin-film modules.
Major solar developer with strategic film supply partnerships.
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This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Photovoltaic Encapsulation Films market in the world, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Photovoltaic Encapsulation Films market in the European Union, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Photovoltaic Encapsulation Films market in Asia, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
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Star Catcher, a Florida-based developer of orbital solar collection and transmission technologies, recently increased its total capital raised to $88 million after receiving $65 million in financing from a group of investors led by California-based B Capital. Comparatively speaking, this is a lot of money for space-based solar development, if rather modest by terrestrial standards.
At the same time, space is booming and may become a solar market driver. Industry watchers report that a record 4,500 objects were launched into space in 2025, with the majority of these by far being satellites powered by solar arrays. Launches continue to climb exponentially, increasing the in-orbit demand for energy. Ever-expanding requirements for communications, Earth observation, science, security and, perhaps inevitably, space-based data centers are all crowding the dance cards of launch companies.
Andrew Rush, co-founder and CEO of Star Catcher, told pv magazine USA that his company’s focus on delivering solar power to consumers in orbit is what distinguishes it from other burgeoning space-based power providers.
“The challenges that our energy grid faces in space are the same as on the planet, but squared,” Rush said. “Every satellite has its own generator. When it sees the sun, it runs off solar. When it doesn’t see the sun, it runs off batteries. In space we’re basically at the equivalent of water wheels to power mills in the pre-industrial era.”
Thus: every satellite a microgrid. But while microgrids may offer energy independence and efficiencies on Earth, in space they are inhibiting. A grid electrified by a utility-scale solar array and battery storage installation permits on-demand access to energy resources. When every isolated load is running solely off what it generates locally this limits its capabilities.
Star Catcher is working to build an energy infrastructure for low-Earth orbit (LEO), where the vast majority of satellites operate. These typically function in rapid day-night cycles as the Earth’s shadow blocks a direct line-of-sight to the sun for half the time in an orbit, ranging from about one-in-a-half to two hours. Payload devoted to batteries is payload not available for the satellite’s mission systems.
Star Catcher is proposing a constellation of solar collection and distribution stations that would orbit slightly higher than LEO – at about 1,000 miles – giving them longer access to sunlight. Fresnel lenses concentrate the sunlight on the station’s solar collectors. Energy is converted to wavelengths for efficient reception by existing satellite solar panels and transmitted via laser. The company says client satellites can receive up to 10 times their intrinsic power collection capabilities without retrofit or design modifications.
Rush describes the intended Star Catcher Network as power nodes, distributing energy to client satellites in lower orbits.
“We need to be able to field power plants to service low Earth orbit consistently with just one or two power nodes up. And then as we grow, as we generate revenue from providing services, we use that revenue to finance the build-out of the architecture.”
In 2025, Star Catcher completed a series of optical power beaming tests at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The team used multi-wavelength lasers to deliver more than 1.1 kW of electrical power to commercial solar panels, beating the most recent record of 800 W set by DARPA. Among the demonstrations, Star Catcher wirelessly transmitted energy to Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Terrain Vehicle at the facility and recharged its onboard batteries.
In April, the company completed an on-orbit demonstration of its spacecraft tracking and pointing capability aboard a testbed satellite operated by Loft Orbital. Incidentally, Loft Orbital was one of the first companies to sign a power purchase agreement with Star Catcher for when its space-based network goes live. The company is planning a space-based optical power beaming demonstration later this year, although it has not yet announced a launch provider or date.
According to Rush, the selection of the region just above LEO to place the first power nodes serves two main purposes. The first is that it is relatively easy to get to with existing launch services. (“There aren’t a lot of bus rides to higher orbits,” he said.) Second, it enables the power nodes to serve approaching client satellites (lower orbiting satellites are faster relative to the ground than higher ones) from a roughly sun-facing direction.
“In addition to not requiring client satellites to have a custom receiver because we transmit in compatible wavelengths, they also don’t have to change their orientation because we’re just like a second variable sun in the sky for them,” Rush said.
While some analysts note that space-based solar power is “having a moment” and attracting more investment, in part because of the revolution in economical launch services has made it plausible, most of the projects moving toward deployment focus on space collection and distribution to terrestrial users. Such projects run the gamut from LEO sources to supply solar arrays via laser to tremendous stations in geo-synchronous orbit sending power to Earth via microwave to vast receiver complexes.
Without throwing shade on space-to-ground energy transmission, Rush says Star Catcher has its eye set firmly on the growing number of potential off-takers for the energy it will collect in orbit. Notably, retired General John W. Raymond, a former chief of the U.S. Space Force, has joined Star Catcher’s board of directors, indicating where the company is looking for growth.
“Essentially every satellite in space today and every satellite in the near future could at some point get value from receiving energy from the Star Catcher Network,” Rush said. “Satellites, just like solar farms on the ground, degrade in power generation over time. What we offer is the ability to put more flux on those arrays and keep the satellites operating at beginning-of-life availability.”
Perhaps more importantly, future satellites may see less of their mass devoted to power collection and storage and have more room available to do the jobs they were put up there for. In this sense, space-based solar is akin to other envisioned windfalls from space exploration and exploitation, such as asteroid mining, in that a space-based economy rather than an Earth-centric one is where the benefits ultimately will be realized. Resources collected in space for use in space may end up being the most transformative.
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Dormitory mini fridges, dishwashers in dining halls, and campus computer labs are just a few of the things that can create large utility bills for colleges and universities across the country. The SunShot Initiative is working to make it easier for col…
Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation
This array on the roof of Eastern Mennonite University’s library sets the stage for the school to add even more solar through Solar Market Pathways.
Dormitory mini fridges, dishwashers in dining halls, and campus computer labs are just a few of the things that can create large utility bills for colleges and universities across the country. The SunShot Initiative is working to make it easier for college campuses to use solar energy to help ease the financial burden of around-the-clock operation.
The Solar Market Pathways funding program has spurred two projects that have already made a big difference. In the first project, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia is working with 15 of its member schools to aggregate their purchasing power with the ultimate goal of installing 38 megawatts of distributed solar generation by 2020. This group purchasing structure will allow the colleges to negotiate better prices for their panels, which will save them money from the get-go. Colleges can expect the savings to continue, too—each of the planned solar installations will help reduce campus operating costs while carrying other economic and environmental benefits.
The second noteworthy project in the Solar Market Pathways program has enabled the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to make a positive impact for universities through their Solar University Network. This initiative to partner utilities and universities is being piloted at four schools to accelerate solar installations and encourage investment in solar energy. Through professional development events, the facilitation of campus solar development teams, and direct technical assistance, the Solar University Network is supporting the University of Minnesota, Illinois State University, Purdue University, and Missouri University of Science and Technology to define roadmaps for on- and off-campus solar investment.
For universities that are looking for in-depth technical assistance, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is doing its part to help through the SunShot National Laboratory Multiyear Partnership. The free program is designed to increase the deployment of mid-scale solar energy systems at universities by helping them to develop deployment solutions that can be shared with other schools across the country. NREL will provide screenings using its REopt renewable energy planning platform, which will help universities understand the best mix of renewable energy and other resources required to meet cost savings and energy performance goals. In addition, NREL will provide short-term solar photovoltaic implementation assistance to several universities that submit qualifying applications.
These SunShot-powered programs will help universities explore the benefits of using renewable energy to power their campuses. At the same time, these projects are inspiring students to take solar off campus: our Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment program, also known as GEARED, is training future utility sector professionals to operate the electric grid with increasingly higher levels of solar electricity. By adding solar into the generation mix, schools save money, utilize renewable energy, and advance student understanding of renewable energy technologies.
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Combined company to accelerate Suniva’s U.S. solar cell manufacturing expansion and market leadership, backed by SUNation's established market presence, deep end-market relationships, and Nasdaq-listed platform
Suniva to merge with SUNation, combined company expected to operate under the Suniva name and continue SUNation’s Nasdaq listing
Transaction expected to enhance domestic solar capacity, support margin expansion and broaden access to U.S. capital markets to fund future growth and strategic opportunities
RONKONKOMA, N.Y. and NORCROSS, Ga., June 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SUNation Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNE) (“SUNation”), a leading provider of residential and commercial solar energy systems, battery storage solutions, and comprehensive energy services, and Suniva, (“Suniva”) the largest and oldest U.S. merchant manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells, have signed a definitive reverse merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Suniva will merge with a wholly-owned subsidiary of SUNation, and the combined company is expected to operate under the Suniva name and continue SUNation’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon closing, pre-merger SUNation stockholders are expected to own equity with an implied value of approximately $2.26 per share. The transaction represents a premium of approximately 100% over SUNE’s most recent closing price.
By combining with SUNation's established downstream business in high-electricity-cost markets, Suniva, the country’s only U.S.-owned and operated merchant solar cell manufacturer, stands to gain additional market presence and access to U.S. capital markets to fund continued growth in American solar manufacturing. With a successful 1 GW nameplate cell facility operating in Georgia, Suniva is expanding capacity by 4.5 GW in Laurens County, South Carolina, supported by expected financing that is targeted to close later this month.
“We’ve spent the last two years transforming SUNation into a stronger, more disciplined and more resilient platform, and this proposed merger with Suniva is the next logical step in that journey,” said Scott Maskin, Chief Executive Officer of SUNation. “By bringing together Suniva’s U.S.-based solar cell manufacturing footprint with our high-growth residential, commercial and service businesses in some of the highest electricity-cost markets in the country, we believe we can deliver a unique domestic content offering for customers. SUNation’s residential and commercial capabilities, along with deep relationships with other leading installers across the country, should support Suniva and its module partners in accelerating American solar’s transition to a domestic supply chain.”
Tony Etnyre, Chief Executive Officer of Suniva, commented: “Suniva was built on the belief that America's energy future must be built here at home. As the first company to bring U.S. solar cell manufacturing back online, we believe we've proven the manufacturing model works – in metro Atlanta, and soon in Laurens, South Carolina. Along the way, we have learned from some of the best firms in the industry to develop American operating expertise in the highest-barrier layer of the domestic supply chain, the solar cell, and accelerate a productivity migration of solar manufacturing to the U.S. What we believe this combination gives us is the platform to execute our mission at the speed and scale the moment demands. Access to U.S. public capital markets means we can move faster, invest deeper, and expand further into the domestic manufacturing capacity this country urgently needs. SUNation brings an established, customer-facing business that strengthens our foundation as we build toward that future together.”
TRANSACTION OVERVIEW
The transaction, approved by both companies’ boards and targeted to close in the second half of 2026, is contingent on stockholder approvals of the issuance of SUNation shares to Suniva stockholders and other items, SEC effectiveness of a Form S-4 registration statement, Nasdaq listing clearance and other customary closing conditions.
The transaction combines Suniva’s U.S.-based solar cell manufacturing capabilities with SUNation’s established downstream installation, service and energy solutions businesses.
By pairing Suniva's domestic advanced manufacturing platform and domestic moduling relationships with SUNation's local-market presence, the combined company aims to strengthen domestic supply-chain resilience and expand access to domestically produced solar solutions.
Management believes this structure will enhance domestic supply-chain control, support margin expansions over time, and broaden access to U.S. capital markets for growth.
Under the Merger Agreement, SUNation Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SUNation, will merge with and into Suniva, with Suniva surviving and continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SUNation. SUNation is expected to change its name to Suniva, and the combined company is expected to operate under the Suniva name following closing.
Based on the merger consideration formula in the Merger Agreement, pre‑merger Suniva stockholders are expected to own approximately 98.2% of the combined company and pre‑merger SUNation stockholders approximately 1.8% upon closing, subject to possible adjustment for SUNation’s net cash at closing.

COMBINED COMPANY POSITIONING
The combined company is expected to operate as a Nasdaq-listed solar platform anchored by Suniva's American-owned and operated manufacturing capabilities alongside SUNation's proven installation and service businesses in high-demand regional markets.
SUNation’s leadership brings deep relationships across the U.S. residential and commercial solar landscape, and is anticipated to help Suniva and its moduling partners serve these markets with domestic-content cells.
The U.S. has roughly 59 gigawatts of solar module-assembly capacity but only about 3 gigawatts of operational cell capacity, leaving module makers heavily reliant on imported cells. Suniva intends to become the leading domestic solar cell supplier serving a more than 500 gigawatt market over the next decade.
This combined company structure is designed to align with U.S. industrial and clean energy policy priorities, leverage domestic manufacturing incentives and support continued expansion of American-made solar capacity with the nation's growing energy needs.

SUNIVA’S LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE MERGED COMPANY
Suniva brings the one capability the U.S. market has the least of and the parties believe need the most: operating, scaled, American-owned solar cell manufacturing at the highest-barrier point in the solar supply chain. In combination with SUNation’s downstream platform, the companies plan to create a differentiated, fully domestic solar company with both manufacturing and customer-facing depth. Key elements that support Suniva’s role at the helm of the new company include:
Scaled U.S. cell manufacturing base – About 1 GW of operating nameplate capacity in Georgia, with an advanced plan to add 4.5 GW in South Carolina for more than 5.5 GW total.
Market Leadership – Suniva has proven success in building and growing domestic solar cell manufacturing, the missing link in a U.S. market with operating solar cell manufacturing capacity that is less than 10% of deployed module capacity.
Domestic‑content advantage – Suniva’s US-made cells help customers meet domestic‑content and foreign‑entity‑of‑concern requirements.
Long‑term demand visibility – Substantial long‑term offtake commitments that support volume planning and capital deployment.
Downstream fit with SUNation – SUNation’s residential, commercial, storage and service business in high‑cost markets provides a ready channel to deliver Suniva’s American‑made cells to end customers.

OTHER IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
SUNation has filed a Current Report on Form 8‑K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission describing and filing the Merger Agreement and related matters, which investors are encouraged to review for additional information about the proposed transaction.
Closing, targeted for the second half of 2026, is subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals by SUNation stockholders of the issuance of SUNation stock to Suniva stockholders and other matters and Suniva stockholders of the proposed transaction, effectiveness of an SEC registration statement on Form S‑4, and Nasdaq approval of the listing of the shares to be issued in the Merger.
Following closing, the combined company’s board of directors is currently expected to consist of five members, all of whom will be designated by Suniva.
In connection with signing the Merger Agreement, certain key stockholders of SUNation holding approximately 10.4% of the company entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction.
Roth Capital Partners is serving as financial advisor to Suniva in connection with the transaction, and Kilpatrick Townsend is serving as legal counsel to Suniva. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is serving as legal counsel to Roth Capital Partners. Maxim Group is serving as financial advisor to SUNation, and Rimon P.C. is serving as legal counsel to SUNation.

ABOUT SUNIVA
Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, Suniva is the leading American manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. As the only U.S.-owned and operated solar cell manufacturer in the country, the company is known for its high-quality products, industry-leading technology, reliability, and high-power density. In April 2026, Suniva announced plans to invest approximately $350 million in a 4.5 gigawatt solar cell manufacturing facility in Laurens County, South Carolina, which, together with the company’s existing approximately 1 gigawatt nameplate operation in metro Atlanta, is expected to bring total annual nameplate cell capacity to more than 5.5 gigawatts once fully online in 2027.
For more information, visit http://www.suniva.com.
ABOUT SUNATION ENERGY
SUNation Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNE) is a leading provider of sustainable solar energy, battery storage, backup power and related energy services to households, businesses and municipalities, with a focus on high–electricity-cost markets. Through its portfolio of brands, including SUNation, Hawaii Energy Connection and E-Gear, SUNation offers an end-to-end product set spanning residential and commercial solar, battery storage, grid services, roofing and high-margin service and maintenance for both its own systems and “orphaned” systems installed by other providers. SUNation’s largest markets include New York, Florida and Hawaii, where it has grown sales to approximately $71.9 million in 2025, improved gross margins into the high-30-percent range, reduced total debt by roughly 64 percent versus year-end 2024 and delivered positive full-year adjusted EBITDA of about $2.5 million.
For more information, visit ir.sunation.com.
CONTACTS
SUNation Energy
Scott Maskin
Chief Executive Officer, SUNation Energy, Inc.
smaskin@sunation.com
James Brennan
Chief Financial Officer, SUNation Energy, Inc.
jbrennan@sunation.com
Investor Relations
Alliance Advisors IR
IR@sunation.com
Suniva
Media inquiries
info@suniva.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “design,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed merger of SUNation and Suniva and its anticipated benefits; the expected timing and completion of the transaction; the combined company’s strategy, Nasdaq listing and future operations; expectations regarding the merger’s effect on margins, market access, access to capital markets and strategic opportunities; the expected relative ownership of SUNation and Suniva stockholders in the post-merger combined company, which is subject to potential adjustment based on SUNation’s net cash at closing; the combined company’s expected post-closing leadership; Suniva’s planned 4.5 gigawatt manufacturing expansion in Laurens County, South Carolina, including its estimated cost, building size, contracted water and power, expected timing and total annual cell capacity; the availability and sufficiency of debt and equity financing; long-term offtake agreements and the share of production capacity they cover; Suniva’s plan to become the largest domestic supplier of solar cells; production yields at the Norcross facility; the Company’s PERC technology and its scalability and efficiency potential; and third-party forecasts regarding U.S. solar and data-center demand.
These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, among others: the risk that the proposed merger may not be completed on the anticipated timeline or at all; the failure to obtain required stockholder approvals, SEC effectiveness of the Form S-4 registration statement, or Nasdaq listing approval; the parties’ ability to satisfy the conditions to closing and to close expected financing; risks relating to constructing, equipping, permitting and ramping up the Laurens facility on time and on budget; the ability to convert offtake agreements into realized revenue; competition, tariffs, trade actions and changes in tax incentives, including the Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit; technology, supply-chain and execution risks; the accuracy of third-party market data and forecasts; the operating history of Suniva; potential net losses incurred as a result of the current expansion stage nature of Suniva, as well as net losses carried forward from SUNation’s long standing business operations; the ability to raise additional capital; the ability of Suniva to execute on its business plans and for the combined companies to integrate SUNation’s solar installation systems into Suniva’s solar cell manufacturing operations; the effects of the One Big Beautiful Act of 2025 on the residential solar industry, which has had a material negative impact on residential solar installations since the January 2026 effectiveness thereof; Suniva’s limited experience in operating a public company; the substantial competition Suniva faces in developing and selling its solar cell development products; the ability to attract, hire, and retain skilled executive officers and employees; the ability of SUNation or Suniva to protect their respective intellectual property and proprietary technologies; reliance on third parties, contract manufacturers, and contract research organizations; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transactions and the ability of each of the parties to consummate the proposed transactions; risks related to SUNation’s continued listing on Nasdaq until the closing of the proposed transactions; risks related to SUNation’s and Suniva’s ability to correctly estimate their respective operating expenses and expenses associated with the proposed transactions, as well as uncertainties regarding the impact any delay in the closing would have on the anticipated cash resources of the combined company upon closing and other events and unanticipated spending and costs that could reduce the combined company’s cash resources; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; competitive responses to the proposed transactions; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transactions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against SUNation, Suniva or any of their respective directors or officers related to the Merger or the proposed transactions contemplated thereby; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transactions; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transactions on SUNation’s or Suniva’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; the compliance and qualification for initial listing on Nasdaq related to the expected trading of the combined company’s stock on Nasdaq and the combined company’s ability to remain listed following the proposed transactions; the risk that as a result of adjustments to the Exchange Ratio (as set forth in the Merger Agreement, SUNation's stockholders and Suniva's stockholders could own more or less of the combined company than is currently anticipated; risks related to the market price of SUNation common stock relative to the Exchange Ratio; legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments and general market conditions, including those surrounding the viability of residential solar businesses following the loss of federal tax credits beginning in January 2026; and the other risks described in SUNation’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and to be described in the Form S-4 and related proxy statement/prospectus.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Except as required by law, neither SUNation nor Suniva undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute (i) a solicitation of a proxy, consent or approval with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transactions or (ii) an offer to sell or buy, or the solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, email, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PRESS RELEASE IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This press release is not a substitute for the registration statement or for any other document that SUNation may file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the proposed transactions. In connection with the proposed transaction, SUNation intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of SUNation and a prospectus (the “proxy statement/prospectus”). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents, when available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders should note that SUNation communicates with investors and the public using its website (www.sunation.com) and the investor relations website, (https://ir.sunation.com/), where anyone will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by SUNation with the SEC and stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed transactions.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
SUNation, Suniva and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from SUNation’s shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding SUNation’s directors and executive officers is set forth in SUNation’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including any information incorporated by reference, as filed with the SEC on March 23, 2026. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
Source: SUNation Energy, Inc.


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Funding Opportunities
Solar Automated Permit Processing+, known as SolarAPP+, is a web-based platform that automates solar permitting for local governments and other authorities having jurisdiction. The Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) funded the initial development and commercialization of the SolarAPP+ tool in 2019 through an award to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This collaborative effort fosters rooftop solar adoption by making it easier for local governments to quickly and safely approve standardized rooftop projects.
NREL published reports on the first year (PDF) and second year (PDF) of SolarAPP+ that detail the performance and impact of the platform on participating communities. 
On Sep. 12, 2022, DOE announced the SolarAPP+ Prize, a $1 million program designed to accelerate the adoption of SolarAPP+. SETO will award prizes of $15,000 to local governments that successfully adopt or pilot SolarAPP+ in about five months. The prize funding will help local governments lower the cost of the adoption process.
At the SolarAPP+ launch webinar on July 15, 2021, Energy Department Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm challenged 125 jurisdictions to sign up for SolarAPP+ by the end of the DOE Summer of Solar campaign. She also wrote a letter to mayors across the country encouraging them to adopt SolarAPP+. On September 28, 2021, the secretary announced the goal had been surpassed, with more than 125 jurisdictions signed up for the platform. The SolarAPP+ software is free for city and county permitting departments. Sign up your jurisdiction for SolarAPP+ by registering on NREL’s SolarAPP+ page.
SolarAPP+ provides local governments with a standard portal for receiving and processing permit information for residential solar and solar+storage systems. It can be incorporated into existing permitting systems used by jurisdictions. The portal conducts an automated permitting review for safety and code compliance, enabling local governments that adopt the tool to approve solar permits instantly. SolarAPP+ provides solar developers with a streamlined form that includes all the required specifications for permit applications, and it also will provide transparency into permitting timelines.
Reviewing and approving solar permitting applications requires time and resources for local governments. The sheer volume of solar permitting applications can cause a backlog and slow down solar deployment. Some local governments use paper permit applications, which can further delay the time it takes to install rooftop solar for customers.
SolarAPP+ can help to reduce this workload while accelerating solar deployment. SolarAPP+ allows developers to check code compliance of designs before submitting them for permit approval. Eligible permits are approved through automated code compliance checks while more technically complex systems are re-routed for manual review. Instant permitting enables contractors to speed up installation. Additionally, SolarAPP+ has the potential to significantly expand access to solar and battery technology and reduce soft costs associated with the installation process.
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Reverse merger puts Suniva atop SUNation Energy (Nasdaq: SUNE) solar platform  Stock Titan
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The Australia solar panel market is a crucial component of the country’s renewable energy transition, encompassing photovoltaic (PV) panels, residential solar installations, commercial solar systems, industrial solar projects, and utility-scale solar energy developments.
According to IMARC Group, the

Australia solar panel market size reached 9.9 Gigawatt in 2025 and is projected to reach 46.6 Gigawatt by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.13% during 2026–2034. The market is experiencing rapid expansion driven by rising electricity prices, supportive government policies, declining solar technology costs, increasing environmental awareness, and growing adoption of battery storage solutions.
Rising Residential Solar Installations
Australian households are increasingly adopting rooftop solar systems to reduce electricity expenses and improve energy independence. Federal incentive programs such as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) continue making solar installations more affordable for homeowners.
Growing Integration of Battery Storage Systems
The adoption of solar-plus-storage systems is accelerating as consumers seek reliable energy solutions and greater control over electricity consumption. Battery storage technologies enable users to maximize solar energy utilization while reducing dependence on the power grid.
Strong Government Support and Renewable Energy Policies
Federal and state governments continue implementing incentives, rebates, renewable energy targets, and feed-in tariff programs that encourage solar panel adoption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Increasing Commercial and Industrial Solar Investments
Businesses are increasingly investing in solar energy systems to lower operational costs, improve sustainability performance, and meet corporate environmental commitments. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) are further supporting large-scale commercial solar deployments.
Abundant Solar Resources and Favorable Climate Conditions
Australia benefits from some of the highest solar irradiance levels globally, creating highly favorable conditions for efficient solar power generation and long-term investment returns.
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Expansion of Utility-Scale Solar Farms
Large-scale solar energy projects are creating significant opportunities for solar panel manufacturers, developers, infrastructure providers, and renewable energy investors as Australia accelerates its clean energy transition.
Growth of Smart Energy Management Solutions
The integration of artificial intelligence, smart monitoring systems, predictive analytics, and energy optimization platforms is improving solar system efficiency and creating new growth opportunities across the sector.
Rising Demand for High-Efficiency Solar Technologies
Consumers and businesses are increasingly seeking advanced solar panel technologies that deliver higher energy output, improved durability, and better long-term performance.
Development of Distributed Energy Networks
The expansion of decentralized energy generation systems and community energy projects is creating opportunities for distributed solar infrastructure and localized energy management solutions.
Increasing Corporate Sustainability Commitments
Organizations across multiple industries are investing in renewable energy solutions to reduce carbon emissions, achieve sustainability targets, and strengthen environmental performance.
May 2026 : The Australia solar panel market continued expanding as households and businesses increasingly invested in renewable energy systems to reduce electricity costs and improve long-term energy security.
April 2026 : Battery storage adoption continued accelerating nationwide as consumers sought greater energy independence and improved utilization of solar-generated electricity.
March 2026 : Commercial and industrial sectors expanded solar investments through large-scale installations and power purchase agreements designed to lower operational expenses and support sustainability initiatives.
February 2026 : Government incentive programs and renewable energy targets continued encouraging new solar installations across residential, commercial, and industrial segments.
January 2026 : Technological advancements in solar panel efficiency, energy storage integration, and smart energy management systems further strengthened market growth and adoption rates.
December 2025 : Solar energy remained one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources in Australia, supported by strong consumer demand, favorable policy frameworks, and declining equipment costs.
November 2025 : Solar-plus-storage solutions gained significant traction as consumers increasingly prioritized energy resilience, lower electricity bills, and sustainable energy generation.
2025–2026 (Market Trend) : The Australia solar panel market is being shaped by rapid renewable energy adoption, increasing battery storage integration, expanding utility-scale solar projects, supportive government policies, and technological innovation. Industry participants are investing heavily in high-efficiency solar technologies, smart energy systems, and large-scale renewable infrastructure to meet growing energy demand and sustainability goals. At the same time, grid integration challenges, supply chain considerations, and evolving regulatory frameworks continue influencing market development.
The Australia solar panel market is becoming an increasingly important pillar of the country’s renewable energy, sustainability, and energy security ecosystem.
With projected growth from 9.9 Gigawatt in 2025 to 46.6 Gigawatt by 2034, the market demonstrates exceptional long-term potential supported by government incentives, abundant solar resources, declining technology costs, and increasing adoption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
As solar developers, technology providers, utilities, and consumers continue investing in renewable energy infrastructure, battery storage systems, and smart energy management solutions, the sector is expected to play a critical role in shaping Australia’s clean energy future and achieving long-term decarbonization objectives.

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Solar cells have always wasted their best light, but a molecular trick now pulls more than one electron from a single photon  Energies Media
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According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture.
The global Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules market is navigating a strategic inflection point as the solar industry shifts from pure volume toward value-driven deployment. Unlike the commoditized crystalline silicon (c-Si) segment, thin film technologies—primarily cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)—compete on differentiated performance attributes: superior temperature coefficients that reduce thermal degradation in hot climates, lightweight and flexible form factors enabling building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and semi-transparent options for architectural glazing. These properties allow thin film modules to command price premiums in applications where c-Si faces structural or aesthetic limitations. The market is bifurcating into two distinct demand poles: utility-scale projects in high-irradiance, high-temperature regions such as the Middle East, India, and the U.S. Sun Belt, where lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) from reduced thermal losses drives adoption; and premium BIPV installations in Europe and North America, where building codes, green certification standards (e.g., LEED, BREEAM), and architectural demands decouple pricing from a strict $/Watt metric. Supply chain concentration remains a critical vulnerability, with tellurium and indium sourcing heavily dependent on a few countries, while manufacturing scale and proprietary deposition processes create high entry barriers. The 2026-2035 forecast period will be shaped by perovskite tandem commercialization, recycling mandates, and evolving trade policies that could reshape regional production footprints.
The baseline scenario for the Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules market from 2026 to 2035 assumes steady but moderate volume growth, with value growth outpacing volume due to a favorable mix shift toward higher-margin BIPV and specialty applications. Global installed capacity of thin film modules is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6-8% through 2035, driven by utility-scale deployments in sunbelt regions and accelerating BIPV adoption in mature building markets. The market index (2025=100) is expected to reach approximately 185 by 2035, reflecting both volume expansion and price stabilization as manufacturing efficiencies improve. CdTe modules, led by First Solar, will continue to dominate the utility segment, benefiting from integrated manufacturing scale and long-term offtake agreements. CIGS modules, while smaller in volume, will capture disproportionate value in BIPV and portable applications, supported by product innovation from companies like Solar Frontier and Hanergy. The baseline scenario assumes no major disruptive technology shift before 2030, but anticipates that perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells could begin commercial penetration post-2030, potentially altering competitive dynamics. Key uncertainties include raw material price volatility, particularly for tellurium and indium; trade policy changes affecting module imports in the U.S. and Europe; and the pace of building code updates mandating energy-generating facades. The market remains highly concentrated, with the top three manufacturers accounting for over 70% of global thin film module shipments, limiting competitive intensity but also constraining supply diversification.
Utility-scale deployments remain the largest volume segment for thin film modules, particularly CdTe, due to their superior temperature coefficient and lower thermal degradation in high-irradiance environments. In regions like the U.S. Southwest, Middle East, and India, thin film modules can deliver 3-5% higher annual energy yield compared to c-Si, translating into meaningful LCOE advantages over 25-year project lifetimes. First Solar’s vertically integrated manufacturing model and long-term project pipelines (e.g., 5 GW+ annual capacity) anchor this segment. Through 2035, demand will be supported by continued utility-scale solar expansion in sunbelt markets, though competition from low-cost c-Si modules will cap volume growth. Key demand-side indicators include utility procurement auctions, corporate PPA volumes, and grid interconnection queues. The segment’s share may gradually decline as BIPV grows faster, but absolute volumes will increase. Current trend: Stable growth driven by high-temperature regions.
Major trends: Increasing project sizes (500 MW+ single sites) favoring large-scale thin film supply agreements, Integration with battery storage for hybrid renewable plants, Domestic content requirements in U.S. and India driving localized thin film manufacturing, and Long-term offtake contracts (10-15 years) stabilizing module pricing.
Representative participants: First Solar Inc, Solar Frontier K.K, Sharp Corporation, and Trony Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.
BIPV represents the highest-value segment for thin film modules, where form factor, aesthetics, and semi-transparency command significant price premiums over standard c-Si panels. CIGS and amorphous silicon modules are preferred for facade integration, skylights, and curtain walls due to their flexibility and customizable appearance. European markets (Germany, France, Netherlands) lead adoption, supported by EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) revisions and national mandates for net-zero buildings. In North America, LEED and BREEAM certification points incentivize BIPV integration in commercial real estate. Through 2035, BIPV demand is expected to grow at 10-12% CAGR, outpacing utility-scale, as building codes tighten and architectural demand for energy-generating facades rises. Key demand indicators include commercial construction starts, green building certification rates, and BIPV product certification timelines. The segment’s share will increase as thin film manufacturers develop dedicated BIPV product lines with integrated mounting systems. Current trend: Strong growth driven by building codes and green certification.
Major trends: Customizable module colors and patterns for architectural integration, Semi-transparent modules for window and skylight applications, Partnerships between module manufacturers and facade contractors, and Digital design tools enabling BIPV yield simulation for architects.
Representative participants: Avancis GmbH, MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp, Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, Solar Frontier K.K, and Kaneka Corporation.
Commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops represent a niche but stable demand segment for thin film modules, particularly where roof load-bearing capacity is limited. Lightweight CIGS and amorphous silicon modules (2-3 kg/m² vs. 10-15 kg/m² for c-Si) enable solar installations on warehouses, factories, and logistics centers with structural constraints. This segment is price-sensitive but values the reduced structural reinforcement costs that thin film can offer. Through 2035, demand will grow in line with C&I solar adoption, but thin film’s share within this segment will remain small (under 10%) due to competition from lightweight c-Si modules and bifacial panels. Key demand indicators include commercial construction activity, roof replacement cycles, and corporate sustainability targets. The segment’s growth is supported by net metering policies and corporate renewable procurement, but restrained by thin film’s lower efficiency requiring more roof area. Current trend: Moderate growth, niche applications for lightweight modules.
Major trends: Lightweight module solutions for logistics and distribution centers, Peel-and-stick adhesive mounting reducing installation labor, Integration with building management systems for energy optimization, and Corporate net-zero commitments driving rooftop solar procurement.
Representative participants: Global Solar Energy Inc, Ascent Solar Technologies Inc, MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp, and Hanergy Thin Film Power Group.
Thin film modules are well-suited for off-grid and portable applications due to their lightweight, flexibility, and durability in harsh environments. Applications include remote telecom towers, rural electrification in developing regions, military field power, and consumer electronics (e.g., solar backpacks, chargers). CIGS and amorphous silicon dominate this segment, with modules often integrated into portable power systems or building materials. Through 2035, demand will grow steadily as off-grid solar expands in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and as portable power demand rises for outdoor recreation and emergency preparedness. Key demand indicators include off-grid solar product sales, telecom tower deployment in remote areas, and military procurement budgets. The segment’s share is small but stable, with higher per-watt margins due to value-added integration. Current trend: Steady growth from remote power and consumer electronics.
Major trends: Integration with lithium-ion battery storage for portable power stations, Foldable and rollable module designs for camping and emergency use, Rural electrification programs in Africa and Asia using thin film solar home systems, and Military contracts for lightweight, rugged solar chargers.
Representative participants: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc, Global Solar Energy Inc, Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, and Solar Frontier K.K.
Thin film modules are finding emerging applications in agrivoltaics (co-locating solar with agriculture) and specialty uses such as vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) and floating solar. Semi-transparent thin film modules allow partial light transmission for crop growth underneath, enabling dual land use. CIGS modules are also being tested for integration into electric vehicle roofs and truck trailers to extend range. Through 2035, this segment will grow from a small base as agrivoltaic pilot projects scale and VIPV standards develop. Key demand indicators include agricultural land use policies, EV adoption rates, and floating solar project pipelines. The segment’s share remains minimal but offers high growth potential if agrivoltaics gain regulatory support in Europe and Japan. Current trend: Emerging growth from agrivoltaics and niche uses.
Major trends: Semi-transparent modules for greenhouse and shade-house applications, Vehicle-integrated solar for electric cars and commercial trucks, Floating solar installations using lightweight thin film modules, and Research partnerships between module makers and agricultural institutes.
Representative participants: Solar Frontier K.K, Kaneka Corporation, MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp, and First Solar Inc.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Asia-Pacific remains the largest market, driven by utility-scale deployments in India and China, and BIPV growth in Japan and South Korea. India’s solar targets and high irradiance favor CdTe modules, while Japan’s building codes support CIGS BIPV. China’s thin film production is limited but growing for domestic BIPV. Supply chain concentration for raw materials (tellurium, indium) in China and Japan creates both opportunity and risk. Direction: Stable.
North America is the second-largest market, led by First Solar’s dominant CdTe utility-scale installations in the U.S. Sun Belt. The Inflation Reduction Act’s domestic content adders and manufacturing tax credits strongly favor thin film production in the U.S. BIPV adoption is slower but growing in commercial real estate. Canada’s solar market is smaller but supports niche thin film applications. Direction: Growing.
Europe is the leading market for BIPV thin film modules, driven by stringent building energy performance directives and green certification standards. Germany, France, Netherlands, and Italy are key markets for CIGS and amorphous silicon BIPV products. Utility-scale thin film is limited but present in Southern Europe. Recycling mandates under the EU WEEE directive add compliance costs but also create circular economy opportunities. Direction: Growing.
Latin America is a small but growing market for thin film modules, primarily in utility-scale projects in Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. High solar irradiance and desert conditions in Chile’s Atacama region favor CdTe modules. Political and economic instability in some countries limits large-scale deployment. BIPV adoption is minimal but could grow with green building trends in major cities. Direction: Stable.
The Middle East and Africa represent an emerging opportunity for thin film modules due to extreme heat and high irradiance. Utility-scale projects in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Morocco are increasingly specifying CdTe modules for their lower thermal degradation. Off-grid thin film applications are growing in Sub-Saharan Africa for rural electrification. Political risk and grid infrastructure limitations remain key barriers. Direction: Growing.
In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 7.2% compound annual growth rate for the global thin film photovoltaic modules market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 185 by 2035 (2025=100).
Note: indexed curves are used to compare medium-term scenario trajectories when full absolute volumes are not publicly disclosed.
For full methodological details and benchmark tables, see the latest IndexBox Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules market report.
This report is an independent strategic market study that provides a structured, commercially grounded analysis of the global market for Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules. It is designed for battery and storage manufacturers, power-electronics suppliers, system integrators, EPC partners, developers, utilities, investors, and strategic entrants that need a clear view of deployment demand, technology positioning, manufacturing exposure, safety and qualification burden, project economics, and competitive structure.
The analytical framework is designed to work both for a single specialized storage or conversion component and for a broader renewable energy generation product category, where market structure is shaped by chemistry, duration, project economics, system integration, safety requirements, route-to-market, and grid-interface logic rather than by one narrow customs heading alone. It defines Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules as A type of solar panel manufactured by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate, enabling lightweight, flexible, and semi-transparent applications distinct from traditional crystalline silicon modules and examines the market through deployment use cases, buyer environments, upstream input dependencies, conversion and integration stages, qualification and safety requirements, pricing architecture, commercial channels, and country capability differences. Historical analysis typically covers 2012 to 2025, with forward-looking scenarios through 2035.
This report is designed to answer the questions that matter most to decision-makers evaluating an energy-storage, battery, renewable-integration, or power-conversion market.
At its core, this report explains how the market for Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules actually functions. It identifies where demand originates, how supply is organized, which technological and regulatory barriers influence adoption, and how value is distributed across the value chain. Rather than describing the market only in broad terms, the study breaks it into analytically meaningful layers: product scope, segmentation, end uses, customer types, production economics, outsourcing structure, country roles, and company archetypes.
The report is particularly useful in markets where buyers are highly specialized, suppliers differ significantly in technical depth and regulatory readiness, and the commercial landscape cannot be understood only through top-line market size figures. In this context, the study is designed not only to estimate the size of the market, but to explain why the market has that size, what drives its growth, which subsegments are the most attractive, and what it takes to compete successfully within it.
The report is based on an independent analytical methodology that combines deep secondary research, structured evidence review, market reconstruction, and multi-level triangulation. The methodology is designed to support products for which there is no single clean official dataset capturing the full market in a directly usable form.
The study typically uses the following evidence hierarchy:
The analytical framework is built around several linked layers.
First, a scope model defines what is included in the market and what is excluded, ensuring that adjacent products, downstream finished goods, unrelated instruments, or broader chemical categories do not distort the market boundary.
Second, a demand model reconstructs the market from the perspective of consuming sectors, workflow stages, and applications. Depending on the product, this may include Large-scale solar farms in high-heat/diffuse-light regions, Building facades, skylights, and roofing materials (BIPV), Commercial rooftops with weight or flexibility constraints, and Off-grid and mobile power for transportation & remote sites across Utility Power Generation, Commercial Real Estate, Industrial Manufacturing, Residential Construction (premium/BIPV), Transportation & Mobility, and Consumer Electronics & IoT and Site Suitability & Irradiance Analysis, BIPV Architectural Design & Integration, Structural & Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing & Lamination, Installation & Grid Connection, and Performance Monitoring & Degradation Analysis. Demand is then allocated across end users, development stages, and geographic markets.
Third, a supply model evaluates how the market is served. This includes Cadmium (Cd), Tellurium (Te), Indium (In), Gallium (Ga), Selenium (Se), Silane gas (for a-Si), Glass & flexible substrate materials, and Transparent conductive oxides (TCO), manufacturing technologies such as Vacuum deposition (sputtering, evaporation), Chemical bath deposition (CBD), Close-space sublimation (CSS), Laser scribing & monolithic integration, and Encapsulation & lamination for durability, quality control requirements, outsourcing, contract manufacturing, integration, and project-delivery participation, distribution structure, and supply-chain concentration risks.
Fourth, a country capability model maps where the market is consumed, where production is materially feasible, where manufacturing capability is limited or emerging, and which countries function primarily as innovation hubs, supply nodes, demand centers, or import-reliant markets.
Fifth, a pricing and economics layer evaluates price corridors, cost drivers, complexity premiums, outsourcing logic, margin structure, and switching barriers. This is especially relevant in markets where product grade, purity, customization, regulatory burden, or service model materially influence economics.
Finally, a competitive intelligence layer profiles the leading company types active in the market and explains how strategic roles differ across upstream material suppliers, component and controls providers, OEMs, storage-system integrators, EPC partners, project developers, and distribution or service channels.
This report covers the market for Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules in its commercially relevant and technologically meaningful form. The scope typically includes the product itself, its major product configurations or variants, the critical technologies used to produce or deliver it, the core input categories required for manufacturing, and the services directly associated with its commercial supply, quality control, or integration into end-user workflows.
Included within scope are the product forms, use cases, inputs, and services that are necessary to understand the actual addressable market around Thin Film Photovoltaic Modules. This usually includes:
Excluded from scope are categories that may be technologically adjacent but do not belong to the core economic market being measured. These usually include:
The exact inclusion and exclusion logic is always a critical part of the study, because the quality of the market estimate depends directly on disciplined scope boundaries.
The report provides global coverage. It evaluates the world market as a whole and then breaks it down by region and country, with particular focus on the geographies that matter most for deployment demand, battery-material processing, cell and component manufacturing, power-conversion capability, renewable integration, and project delivery.
The geographic analysis is designed not simply to rank countries by nominal market size, but to classify them by role in the market. Depending on the product, countries may function as:
This study is designed for strategic, commercial, operations, project-delivery, and investment users, including:
In many energy-transition, storage, power-conversion, and project-driven markets, official trade and production statistics are not sufficient on their own to describe the true market. Product boundaries may cut across multiple tariff codes, several product categories may be bundled into the same official classification, and a meaningful share of activity may take place through customized services, captive supply, platform relationships, or technically specialized channels that are not directly visible in standard statistical datasets.
For this reason, the report is designed as a modeled strategic market study. It uses official and public evidence wherever it is reliable and scope-compatible, but it does not force the market into a purely statistical framework when doing so would reduce analytical quality. Instead, it reconstructs the market through the logic of demand, supply, technology, country roles, and company behavior.
This makes the report particularly well suited to products that are innovation-intensive, technically differentiated, capacity-constrained, platform-dependent, or commercially structured around specialized buyer-supplier relationships rather than standardized commodity trade.
The report typically includes:
The result is a structured, publication-grade market intelligence document that combines quantitative modeling with commercial, technical, and strategic interpretation.
Energy-Storage Market Structure and Company Archetypes
The Key National Markets and Their Strategic Roles
Largest thin-film PV manufacturer
Multiple CIGS technology subsidiaries
Formerly Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.
Hybrid thin-film technology
Owned by Hanergy
Owned by China National Building Material
Amorphous silicon modules
Specializes in portable and BIPV
Focus on niche and consumer applications
Lightweight modules for mobility
Specialist in organic thin-film
Perovskite thin-film technology
Lightweight modules
Also produces CdTe modules
Historically significant in thin-film
Distributor and project developer
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