Solar Now

New customer additions and capacity of solar PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS) have all fallen quarter-on-quarter in the latest financial results from US residential solar-plus-storage installer Sunrun.
All of these metrics have fallen consistently since a peak in the third quarter of 2025; the company added just 18,948 customers in the first quarter of 2026, down from 27,773 in the previous quarter and 32,833 in the third quarter of 2025. Similarly, Sunrun installed 1542.MW of new solar PV capacity in the most recent quarter, alongside 282.3MWh of batteries, both of which are the lowest quarterly additions reported for more than a year.
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The decline in customer and capacity additions is shown in the graph below. However, Sunrun has consistently posted growth in what it calls ‘storage attachment rate’, the percentage of residential solar projects that are co-located with a BESS. Sunrun has been operating under what it describes to be a “storage-first strategy” since last year, and the record 73% storage attachment rate reported in the first quarter of this year is a positive development for this approach.
“Many companies are struggling to navigate the changes reshaping our industry; these market dislocations occurring around us present opportunities that play directly into Sunrun’s strengths,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. While Powell did not go into detail on these challenges, the US solar sector has endured significant disruption in recent years, primarily through president Trump’s slashing of Biden-era tax incentives for renewable energy projects.
Indeed, Sunrun has seen its proceeds from the transfer of Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), one of the core components of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that has seen the imposition of strict time limits by Trump, almost halve in the last year. Between the first quarter of 2025 and 2026, the company’s proceeds from ITC transfers have fallen from US$624.8 million to US$340.1 million.
These challenging macroeconomic conditions and declining installation figures have combined to drive a quarter-on-quarter decline in many of Sunrun’s financial metrics. Total revenue fell from US$1.16 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 to US$722.2 million in the first quarter of this year, while net losses increased from US$277.2 million to US$297.3 million over the same period.
However, Sunrun’s leadership remains bullish about the company’s prospects, with Powell saying that the company is “well positioned” to take advantage of demand for home battery products in the US.
“Cash generation came in below our expectation due to a shift of certain project finance transaction activity from Q1 into Q2,” added Sunrun CFO Danny Abajian. “Our full-year 2026 outlook for cash generation of US$250 million to US$450 million excluding our equipment safe harbour investments is unchanged.”
Sunrun was also one of four residential installers investigated by the Texas Attorney General last month over alleged “fraudulent and deceptive practices” in the residential solar space. Just four of the complaints, which numbered “over 100”, were levied at Sunrun, and the company told PV Tech that these instances are “rare events”, and that “all have been resolved”.
“We take issue with being lumped in with other companies that don’t operate with the same strict standards that put Texas consumers first,” Sunrun told PV Tech.

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The Indonesian state-owned power utility
PT PLN
has launched the
Mentari Nusantara I solar programme
, a
1,225 MW tender
(PT PLN press release, 01/05/2026). The auction process officially began on 30 April 2026. The solar capacity will be distributed across several regions, including Java (600 MW), Kalimantan (340 MW), eastern regions such as Maluku and Papua (120 MW), West Nusa Tenggara (80 MW), Sulawesi (50 MW), and Sumatra (35 MW). All projects are targeted to reach commercial operation by
2029.
The initiative is being implemented through a new integrated procurement model, “
GIGA ONE
,” which consolidates multiple projects into a single package. Beyond capacity additions, the programme aims to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities by increasing local content (TKDN) and supporting the development of a national clean energy supply chain.
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Editorial
In short, what has happened while Rome burns and our president urges fossil fuel companies to “drill, baby, drill!” is that solar energy has become mainstream elsewhere with astonishing rapidity. China is the industrial superpower leading the way, Mr. McKibben told his audience last fall. China is manufacturing the equipment at a huge scale, making it available at lower than ever costs not just to power companies but also to individual customers. According to Carbon Brief, a British journal that covers energy and climate news, China’s solar-panel exports to the Global South more than doubled between 2022 and 2024. Suddenly, solar is a main power source in places such as Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, and Uzbekistan.
It is nothing short of a solar revolution and — other than efforts by environmentalists like Mr. McKibben to spread the good news — citizens of the United States have been left almost completely in the dark about it. We are firmly on the wrong side of this transition to a new and better way.
Key to this energy revolution — which promises not just to free us from the chains of high fuel costs but is the brilliant new light that may, quite literally, save the earth from climate catastrophe — is something called “balcony solar” or “portable solar.” We as Americans are generally familiar with fields of solar arrays, and we’ve all seen the familiar rooftop panels (which are right now too expensive for many power customers); balcony solar is something cheaper and more accessible. It is a small, affordable system that the customer puts outside on a balcony railing, patio, yard fence, etc., and, via a micro-converter, plugs straight into their regular, standard outlet, allowing the household to draw less power from the grid. If the sun is shining, all your appliances — refrigerator, lights, computer — can draw power from your mini solar unit, reducing your bill and reducing your so-called footprint. Fill a town or city with these small units and the impact is transformative.
Mr. McKibben’s talk in September was followed by a question-and-answer period from the audience. One question on that memorable night was: Well, okay, but how can someone here on Long Island get their hands on balcony solar? That was only six months ago, and the answer then was basically: Sorry. Balcony solar isn’t available here yet. Yes, America has been left behind. A customer in Dakar or Delhi can happily buy a balcony solar unit and begin saving money, and saving the planet, but New Yorkers cannot.
Well, hallelujah! That may soon change. The Solar Up Now NY (SUNNY) Act sponsored in the New York State Senate by Liz Krueger and in the Assembly by Emily Gallagher was passed unanimously in the Senate on April 22; a companion bill is active in the Assembly Energy Committee. The bills would legalize and regulate these small plug-in systems.
Perhaps we should not be surprised that the power companies — and sellers of traditional solar-panel — in New York State are less than thrilled with these developments.
In Newsday on Sunday, a representative for PSEG, astonishingly, played dumb. This is, apparently, the strategy of our primary power company here on the South Fork: to pretend it’s not happening. “PSEG Long Island is not familiar with this technology,” a spokeswoman named Elizabeth Flagler told Newsday in a statement: “We have not received any applications to these specifications.”
Call State Senator Anthony Palumbo to express thanks for his “yes” vote on the SUNNY Act and to urge further action. Call PSEG. Call Town Hall. We need balcony solar and we need it now.
 
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U.S. District Court Judge Annemarie Carney Axon granted a motion from the Alabama Public Service Commission and Alabama Power to dismiss the lawsuit.
Photo Credit: iStock
In late March, a federal district court ruled that Alabama Power, a utility serving over 1.5 million homes, can continue to charge an additional fee for homeowners with rooftop solar panels. 
According to a report from the Alabama Reflector, U.S. District Court Judge Annemarie Carney Axon granted a motion from the Alabama Public Service Commission and Alabama Power to dismiss the lawsuit filed by plaintiffs aiming to rescind the fee.   
Alabama Power said the charge is meant to ensure customers with solar who rely on the grid “pay their share” of system costs. Over the lifetime of an average solar system, homeowners would incur about $9,000 in additional costs, depending on their system’s output. 
Fees like this can change the math on a solar investment, but they do not necessarily outweigh the benefits. Even with added charges, many homeowners still see significant long-term benefits, and some even earn six figures in savings over the lifetime of their system. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
To see how solar panels can transform your home’s energy and your wallet, connect with the experts at EnergySage for more information, quick solar estimates, and competitive quotes. 
The plaintiffs of the federal case expressed their disappointment with the ruling. 
“I am frustrated that Alabama Power solar customers like me have to pay an extra monthly fee in order to reduce our power bills,” Mark Johnston, an Episcopal priest and retired executive director of Camp McDowell, said. 
“I want lower electricity bills and a better environment for my children and grandchildren,” he added. 
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This was “a disappointing day for Alabama Power customers who want to use solar energy to get relief from some of the highest electricity bills in the nation,” Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney who represented the plaintiffs, said. 
Critics said that the charges discourage homeowners from installing solar panels, which, especially when paired with battery storage, can help reduce strain on aging grids.
Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows that solar power in Alabama accounts for less than 1% of total energy production, while neighboring states generate 3.8% of their electricity from solar.
Regardless of your location or utility provider, more often than not, solar panels can help you save big on energy costs. 
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
If you’re curious about making an upgrade, EnergySage has free tools to help you get started. Homeowners can save up to $10,000 on installation costs by consulting with EnergySage experts. 
To see the average cost of solar in your area as well as details on local incentives, check out EnergySage’s helpful mapping tool. It can help you lock in the best price for your home and budget. 
Pairing solar panels with battery storage may be worth exploring if you want to keep your power on during outages, reduce reliance on the grid, or further lower your electricity bills by avoiding peak rates. Check out EnergySage’s battery resources to learn more.
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Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged at the forefront of photovoltaic innovation, rapidly escalating to power conversion efficiencies (PCE) exceeding 27%, rivaling and often surpassing traditional silicon-based solar cells. Their potential to revolutionize renewable energy technology stems from their low-cost fabrication, versatile composition, and exceptional light-harvesting capabilities. Yet, despite these promising attributes, PSCs confront persistent challenges that impede their widespread commercialization, most notably their degradation under environmental stressors such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, thermal fluctuations, and moisture. The complex interplay of these factors accelerates device failure through intrinsic chemical and mechanical pathways, preventing PSCs from reliably achieving long-term operational stability.
A critical yet underexplored dimension of this degradation is the coupling between photoinduced chemical instability and mechanical stress evolution within the perovskite lattice. Under the harsh assault of prolonged UV exposure, the perovskite structure succumbs to ion migration, defect proliferation, and chemical decomposition. This degradation does not merely alter electrical properties; it also induces microstructural strain. The volatilization of breakdown products causes localized volume shrinkage, generating tensile stresses that exacerbate cracking, fracture propagation, and irreversible phase separation in the material. Importantly, conventional electrical performance diagnostics tend to lag behind these mechanical changes, registering efficiency losses only once severe, irreversible damage has occurred. This latency underscores the pressing need for real-time, operando monitoring tools capable of mapping the evolving chemo-mechanical stresses in PSCs before catastrophic failure.
Addressing this challenge, a team of researchers has pioneered a cutting-edge diagnostic technique that integrates dual fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded directly into the carbon layers of PSCs. These sensors enable continuous, in situ tracking of mechanical stress during device operation, offering unprecedented insights into the temporal evolution of strain under UV irradiation. Their findings reveal a biphasic stress response: an initial rapid accumulation of tensile stress followed by a relaxation phase. Crucially, by correlating these stress signatures with concurrent power delivery metrics, the team identified a pivotal PCE threshold where internal stresses and efficiency declines intersect. This threshold serves as a diagnostic benchmark indicating the critical time window during which the device retains reversible functionality and can potentially recover from degradation.
Building on this insight, the researchers devised a self-healing strategy informed by the real-time stress data, embedding 5 weight percent methylammonium iodide (MAI) into the carbon paste layer. This additive acts as a dynamic chemical reservoir, facilitating the in situ diffusion of protective ions during early degradation phases when UV-induced damage begins to manifest. The MAI replenishes iodine vacancies created in the lattice and restores volatile organic cations lost through photochemical reactions, effectively repairing the microstructure and stabilizing the perovskite matrix. Devices employing this intervention demonstrated a remarkable 12% boost in PCE following a 30-minute dark recovery period, accompanied by an extended recoverable operational window—an increase of approximately 140%. This dual approach of stress monitoring combined with targeted chemical healing marks a paradigm shift in managing PSC lifespan and efficiency.
The ramifications of these findings extend well beyond laboratory-scale devices. The demonstration of integrated FBG sensing within carbon-based PSCs opens the pathway for embedding distributed optical fiber networks into large-area modules. Such architectures would enable spatially resolved stress mapping across entire solar panels, facilitating the early detection of localized strain hotspots that presage failure. Autonomous control systems could harness these real-time diagnostics to initiate restorative interventions on demand, transitioning photovoltaic management from reactive repairs to proactive lifecycle stewardship. This intelligent, feedback-oriented design aligns with the broader industry goal of developing smart, self-sustaining energy harvesters with minimized downtime and extended operational life.
Moreover, the researchers emphasize that the reversibility thresholds and stress dynamics elucidated in this study exhibit universal qualities that transcend specific perovskite formulations. The identified diagnostic metrics and chemical healing methodologies show promise for adaptation to a wide spectrum of perovskite compositions, including mixed-halide variants and all-inorganic systems. This flexibility broadens the applicability of their approach across the diverse material landscapes explored within the fast-evolving PSC field, enhancing the generalizability and impact of their findings.
In addition to providing a blueprint for durable PSC design, the integration of fiber-optic stress sensors catalyzes novel research into the fundamental mechanisms underpinning chemomechanical coupling in hybrid photovoltaic materials. The precise, operando detection of sub-microscopic strain changes bridges the gap between nanoscale lattice dynamics and macroscale device performance. This insight paves the way for refining theoretical models of perovskite degradation, informing the rational engineering of next-generation compositions with optimized mechanical resilience and photochemical stability. The study thereby contributes a critical piece to the puzzle of achieving commercially viable perovskite solar technology.
From a commercial perspective, the methodology established in this work could accelerate the deployment of stress-monitored PSC modules in real-world environments where they are subjected to complex, fluctuating conditions. The implementation of embedded stress sensors will allow manufacturers to rigorously monitor device health throughout the operational lifecycle, enabling predictive maintenance schedules and preemptive remedial action. Such operational intelligence could significantly reduce the cost of ownership and enhance investor confidence in perovskite photovoltaics as a reliable, large-scale renewable energy solution.
Looking ahead, the convergence of precise stress diagnostics with automated power management systems heralds the advent of autonomous solar arrays capable of self-optimization and self-repair. By benchmarking live stress data against established reversibility thresholds, these smart arrays could dynamically modulate their operating parameters or initiate chemical regeneration protocols, thus maximizing energy yield while minimizing degradation. This holistic approach epitomizes the visionary integration of materials science, photonic sensing, and intelligent control algorithms, fundamentally redefining sustainable energy generation paradigms.
Beyond perovskites, the demonstrated synergy between fiber-optic sensing and in situ chemical healing may inspire analogous strategies in other emerging materials systems plagued by chemo-mechanical instabilities. From flexible electronics to catalysis and battery technologies, the principles outlined here underscore the value of coupling real-time internal state monitoring with adaptive material responses. This convergence embodies the frontier of smart materials research and signals a new era of durability-enhanced functional devices across disciplines.
In summary, the breakthrough achieved by embedding fiber-optic stress sensors within perovskite solar cells and coupling these with targeted chemical self-healing unleashes new dimensions in photovoltaic resilience and intelligence. This pioneering work not only illuminates the intertwined pathways of chemical and mechanical degradation under UV stress but also translates this understanding into practical, scalable strategies for extending device lifetime. It heralds a future where solar cells are no longer passive energy harvesters but active, self-aware components of an adaptive, sustainable energy infrastructure.
Subject of Research: Operando stress monitoring and self-healing mechanisms in UV-degraded perovskite solar cells.
Article Title: Operando stress monitoring reveals critical reversibility thresholds in UV-degraded perovskite solar cells.
News Publication Date: 21-Apr-2026.
Web References: DOI link.
References: Weijin Chen, Zhengyang Ke, Junjun Jin, Jiahong Cheng, Qidong Tai, Ning Wang. Operando stress monitoring reveals critical reversibility thresholds in UV-degraded perovskite solar cells. Materials Futures. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5724/ae628f.
Image Credits: Qidong Tai from Wuhan University and Ning Wang from Wuhan University of Technology.
Keywords
Perovskite solar cells, ultraviolet irradiation, operando stress monitoring, fiber Bragg grating sensors, chemomechanical degradation, self-healing, methylammonium iodide, photovoltaic efficiency, lifecycle management, autonomous solar arrays, optical fiber sensing, renewable energy.
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Medline unveils new commercial solar installation  HME News
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“The Blevins project reflects Geronimo’s commitment to building energy infrastructure that delivers real value to communities,” said Gemma Smith, Vice President of Operations at Geronimo. “Working alongside partners such as Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb, we’re delivering dependable power and meaningful economic investment—while advancing our shared commitment to community-focused, responsibly built clean energy.”
Blevins will service two previously announced power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb.
“Blevins reflects how Bristol Myers Squibb is embedding sustainability into the core of our operations, not as a singular initiative, but as a strategic lever that strengthens resilience and advances performance,” said Briana Marvuglio, Executive Director, Environment & Sustainability Enablement. “By investing in renewable energy at scale, we are redefining how environmental stewardship supports long-term business continuity and drives better outcomes for the patients we serve.”
In celebration of the addition of Blevins to its ERCOT portfolio, Geronimo hosted a community event last fall with landowners, community members and project partners to highlight the many benefits the project will bring to local and state communities.
Over the first 20 years of operation, Blevins is expected to generate approximately $33.8 million in direct economic impact, including $32.5 million in new tax revenue for Falls County and the local school and emergency districts. The project supported roughly 400 construction jobs and will sustain three to four full-time operational positions over its lifetime. Above and beyond tax revenue and job creation, Blevins has pledged approximately $1.3 million in charitable giving during the project’s first 20 years of operation.
In addition to the economic benefits provided by the project, Blevins is anticipated to offset more than 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the first 20 years of operation  – the equivalent of removing roughly 101,700 vehicles from the road for one year. The project will also generate enough clean energy to provide the equivalent electrical usage of 88,900 homes annually.

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The commissioning of the solar farm demonstrates a scalable and repeatable model for delivering commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy projects in India. Ampyr Energy is building a growing renewable energy portfolio in the country, with over 500 MW of operational and under-construction capacity, alongside a pipeline of projects under development.
Located in Ballari District, the 67.5 MWp (50 MWac) open access solar PV project supplies renewable electricity to C&I offtakers, enabling businesses to access long-term, predictable clean power while reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based grid electricity. Following completion of development in August 2025, the project progressed through construction, grid connection and regulatory approvals, and is now fully operational.
Somasamudra Phase 1 is expected to generate over 118 GWh of clean electricity annually, avoiding over 97,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, which is equivalent to the power used by approximately 125,000 people in India. The project supported around 250 jobs during construction and is expected to sustain approximately 45 jobs during operations.
India’s C&I sector is a key driver of electricity demand growth, with businesses facing rising and increasingly volatile power costs alongside growing pressure to decarbonise operations. In Karnataka, many businesses rely on grid electricity with a significant fossil fuel component and limited access to scalable renewable alternatives. By providing a grid-connected open access solar solution, Somasamudra enables C&I customers to secure lower-cost, lower-carbon electricity while supporting corporate decarbonisation targets.
“The commissioning of Somasamudra Phase 1 highlights the strength and repeatability of the platform approach, moving projects efficiently from early-stage development through to operations” said Jirong Lim, Investment Director at Climate Fund Managers. “As the fourth project delivered under the Ampyr platform, it also marks the first to be constructed using recycled capital, demonstrating how we can deploy capital more efficiently to scale investment in India’s commercial and industrial renewables sector.”
The project supports a Community Development Programme in the neighbouring community. To date, the programme has provided medical check-ups and distributed medicine to 142 villagers. It is expected to expand following ongoing stakeholder consultations.
Climate Fund Managers and Ampyr Energy will continue to scale the platform across India, supporting the delivery of additional renewable energy projects for commercial and industrial customers and contributing to the country’s energy transition.
For additional information:
Climate Fund Managers
Ampyr Energy

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“I check my app constantly.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Watching your energy bills get lower after installing solar panels can be an exciting and almost addictive experience. That’s why one homeowner was so excited to share that their spring electricity bills were down to zero thanks to a new system.
The original poster took to the r/solar subreddit to explain their situation after upgrading to solar in September of last year. 
“I didn’t get much time to bank credits before winter hit,” they said. “[I] ended up with a small electric bill for a few months. But now we’re in March, the days are getting longer, and I’m finally back to $0 electric bills while watching my system absolutely crush it every day.”
This homeowner isn’t alone. As electricity rates soar across the United States, more homeowners are looking to clean energy upgrades to reduce their power bills. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
According to the solar experts at EnergySage, homeowners who install solar can save up to six figures on their power bills over the lifetime of their system. Check out the free tools from EnergySage to see how much you can save, receive quick installation estimates, and compare quotes. 
“I literally can’t stop checking the Enphase app to see the daily kWh rolling in,” the OP said. “It’s so fascinating seeing it all happen in real time! The numbers just keep climbing and it feels oddly satisfying.” 
“Does the novelty wear off eventually?” the OP asked. 
According to the comments under the post, the answer to that question is “no.”
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To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
“It’s been over a year,” one user wrote. “Every single sunny day, I check my app constantly. I love seeing the big solar numbers come in.” 
“I’ve had mine 5 years,” another added. “Anytime someone says ‘Wow, it’s a nice day today,’ I have to pull out my phone and check production.” 
These testimonials offer a stunning example of just how transformative a clean energy upgrade can be for home power bills. If you’re curious about upgrading with solar panels, EnergySage experts can help you save up to $10,000 on installation costs. 
Plus, you can see the average cost of solar in your area and details on local panel incentives by checking out EnergySage’s helpful mapping tool. It ensures you lock in the best price available for your solar upgrade. 
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
For homeowners looking to save even more on energy, keep the lights on during blackouts, or go entirely off the grid, pairing solar with a battery backup is a worthwhile investment. 
Luckily, EnergySage’s battery resources can get you all the information you need, as well as competitive installation estimates.
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Colorado approves balcony solar, but approved units aren’t widely available yet  Colorado Public Radio
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A key piece of legislation on solar energy passed the state Senate on Wednesday, the last day of the 2026 legislative session.
The bill, known as House Bill 5340, will extend solar incentive programs, put a one-year moratorium on siting large-scale solar array projects in East Windsor and Enfield and pave the way for the use of plug-in solar panels.
Democratic Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, said it’s important the programs stay cost-effective while demand for electricity grows.
“This bill modernizes Connecticut’s renewable energy programs by introducing measures meant to make them more reliable, consistent, and flexible to economic fluctuations,” Steinberg wrote Wednesday in a joint statement with Democratic Rep. Jamie Foster, a co-sponsor of the bill.
Under the legislation, state-level incentives for residential, commercial and communal solar programs, which were set to expire next year, will now continue until 2035. Federal incentives for rooftop solar panels expired last year.
Advocates praised the bill’s passage saying it will help families choose to reduce their electric bills by going solar. “Solar reduces the cost of our electric grid, cuts pollution from power plants, and helps families and businesses slash their electric bills,” wrote Chris Phelps, state director of Environment Connecticut.
Republicans, however, said extending the incentives will add $850 million to the public benefits charge on electric bills over 10 years.
Republican Rep. Arnold Jensen said solar’s popularity makes the continued subsidies hard to justify.
“Solar is no longer an emerging technology — it is mature, affordable, reliable and widely adopted,” he wrote on social media days after the bill passed the House. “I support renewable energy and believe it is a critical part of our future. However, I do not support expanding costly subsidy programs that further raise utility bills for Connecticut residents.”
“Ratepayers hoping the legislature would tackle high electric bills this session are in for not just disappointment, but a gut punch,” wrote Rep. Tracy Marra on social media.
Other parts of the bill will expedite solar permitting, create a statewide program to support agrivoltaic projects and establish a pilot program to install low or no-cost solar panels for 100 homes in environmental justice communities.
The bill now goes to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.
Áine Pennello is a Report for America corps member, covering the environment and climate change for Connecticut Public
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Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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This is the third such deal between EDP Renewables and Meta, bringing the total procured energy between the two companies to 545 MW.
Meta has reached a long-term power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables North America to offtake energy from Cypress Knee Solar, a 250-MW solar project EDP plans to build in southeast Arkansas, the companies announced Monday.
EDP anticipates that the project will be completed in 2028, according to the release. EDP said in a fact sheet about the project that it is estimated to begin commercial operations next year.
Cypress Knee Solar is “expected to contribute more than $25 million in additional funding to Chicot County over the project’s 30-year life through an Industrial Revenue Bond agreement with the County,” the company said in an open house presentation.
This is the third such deal between EDP Renewables and Meta, according to the release, bringing the total procured energy between the two companies to 545 MW. 
“The agreement supports Meta’s efforts to add new generation to the grid as it continues to match 100% of its annual electricity use with new clean and renewable energy,” the release said.
Meta says on its website that the company “routinely” partners with energy providers on long-term PPAs “to match our electricity use with clean and renewable energy.” In December, the company announced a deal with NextEra Energy for 11 PPAs to facilitate the offtake of 2.1 GW.
Chicot County, where Cypress Knee Solar will be built, borders Louisiana, where Meta is making significant investments in energy infrastructure to support its $27-billion Hyperion data center in Richland Parish in the northeastern part of the state. In March, Entergy Louisiana announced that it reached a deal with Meta to deliver 5.2 GW of natural gas capacity to help support the Hyperion project.
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Active managed charging can delay costly system upgrades while saving individual customers money on their bills, utilities, automakers and aggregators say, but a lack of standardized data-sharing is slowing adoption.
The utility will supply a 1.4-GW Oracle data center under construction now, and it has submitted contracts to regulators for a 1-GW Google project also in the works.
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The utility will supply a 1.4-GW Oracle data center under construction now, and it has submitted contracts to regulators for a 1-GW Google project also in the works.
The PJM Interconnection’s planned backstop auction is flawed, said CEO Brian Tierney. Separately, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration will oppose rate hike requests that fail to meet affordability criteria.
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A growing number of floating solar projects are reshaping energy infrastructure across the industrial Midwest, as cities and developers look for new ways to meet rising electricity demand driven by data centers, utility costs and broader energy market pressures.
In Lima, a floating solar installation at Twin Lake Reservoir is emerging as a model for how municipalities can integrate renewable energy into existing infrastructure. Engineers and construction crews are installing more than 3,400 solar panels across roughly four acres of water, generating power for a nearby water treatment plant that operates around the clock.
The project reflects a broader transition in the Midwest from traditional manufacturing toward diversified energy solutions. Electricity demand has surged in recent years, driven in part by the expansion of data centers and rising utility rates tied to global energy market disruptions.
Developers are increasingly turning to floating solar technology to avoid competition for land, particularly in agricultural regions where farmland remains a critical economic resource. Florida-based D3Energy, which is leading the Lima project, has more than 25 installations underway and recently completed a larger project elsewhere in the region.
“Across most of the Midwest, and in Ohio in particular, agricultural land is a critical piece of the economy – you don’t want renewable energy and food production fighting each other for the same acres,” said Stetson Tchividjian. “Floating solar resolves that equation.”
Floating systems also offer efficiency advantages. According to developers, a one-megawatt floating solar installation typically requires about two acres of water, compared with roughly five acres for a ground-mounted system of similar capacity.
Beyond land efficiency, floating solar projects are delivering cost savings and environmental benefits. In Lima, the installation is expected to save approximately $10 million over its lifetime while reducing water evaporation and algae growth by limiting sunlight exposure.
“It keeps the water cooler; we’re not using any additional land,” Weekley said. “People like the idea that it’s not taking up any land and of us trying to save money.”
However, the rapid expansion of solar energy is not without challenges. Some rural communities have raised concerns about large-scale solar developments, particularly when they compete with agricultural land or alter local landscapes. Extreme weather risks have also drawn attention, following storm damage to a major solar installation in neighboring Indiana.
At the same time, rising energy costs and shifting global dynamics — including geopolitical tensions affecting fuel prices — are accelerating interest in domestic energy production. Industry leaders say renewable energy, including floating solar, plays a key role in strengthening energy independence.
“What it’s done is remind people why energy independence matters,” Tchividjian said. “Domestic generation that isn’t exposed to a single geopolitical event is more valuable, not less, in this kind of environment. Solar is a key cog in that wheel.”
The Midwest’s solar expansion is also supported by manufacturing growth. Companies like First Solar have invested heavily in production and research facilities in the region, helping to advance next-generation solar technologies.
As demand for electricity continues to climb, particularly from energy-intensive sectors like data centers, floating solar projects are expected to play an increasingly important role in balancing land use, cost efficiency and sustainability across the region.
Originally reported by The Guardian.
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The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has inaugurated a new laboratory aimed at accelerating the commercialization of tandem perovskite-silicon photovoltaic technology, according to the institute.
The facility, named ‘Pero-Si-SCALE’, is designed to provide research and development infrastructure for companies within the German and broader European PV sector. Its stated purpose is to expedite the market introduction of industrial tandem PV products while mitigating technological and financial uncertainties.
Fraunhofer ISE explained that the lab will enable solar cell and module manufacturers to access industry-standard production methods. This will allow them to scale new tandem cell architectures to larger formats, conduct analysis, and integrate them into modules.
During the opening, Fraunhofer ISE emphasized the potential of combining silicon and perovskite technologies. The institute noted that placing a perovskite cell, which is only 500 nanometers thick, onto a standard silicon solar cell could raise the cell’s theoretical efficiency ceiling from 29.4 percent to 43.3 percent.
Stefan Glunz, who heads the photovoltaics division at Fraunhofer ISE, stated that photovoltaic research is far from complete. He added that tandem solar cells are instrumental in achieving higher efficiency, which translates to more solar energy generation per unit area and reduced material consumption.
The Pero-Si-SCALE lab builds upon earlier laboratory developments, transferring novel cell designs to industrial formats—up to a wafer size of 210 by 210 square millimeters—through scalable, high-throughput manufacturing techniques. Alongside production technologies for perovskite-silicon cells and modules, the lab also offers a comprehensive characterization and analysis platform.
Fraunhofer ISE described its approach as following a ‘hybrid route’, which integrates vacuum and wet chemical processes in the production of perovskite-silicon tandem cells. The institute reported that this technology has already yielded peak efficiencies exceeding 33 percent on a laboratory scale.
A key advantage of this method, according to Fraunhofer ISE, is that standard, textured silicon solar cells from the industry remain usable. This allows for direct compatibility with existing solar cell standards and results in a higher energy yield from the tandem modules.
The lab’s opening occurs during a challenging period for Europe’s PV manufacturing sector, which has been losing market ground to China despite revival efforts.
Andreas Bett, institute director of Fraunhofer ISE, stated that perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells present an opportunity for European industrial PV manufacturing to re-enter or enter the market.
Fraunhofer has previously achieved notable progress in this field. In 2024, the institute disclosed details of a full-sized tandem module developed with perovskite specialist Oxford PV, which achieved a record efficiency of 25 percent.
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This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in Germany, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in Germany.
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for Germany. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Germany. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in Germany.
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
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This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of solar cells and light-emitting diodes dynamics in Germany.
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Nature Energy (2026)Cite this article
Perovskite solar modules, particularly those using ultrathin self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-based hole transport layers, suffer from reverse-bias instability. Here we identified that discontinuous SAM distribution causes shunting and a lower breakdown voltage, while indium tin oxide-triggered electrochemical deprotonation of formamidinium ions leads to reduced long-term stability under reverse-bias conditions. To address these issues, we developed a molecular-templated pre-assembly strategy driven by hydrogen-bonding interactions between the SAM and a polycarbazole template. This approach ensures homogeneous clusters in solution and strong substrate interactions, yielding dense and uniform layers. Subsequently, we prepared minimodules with 24.0% efficiency (certified steady-state efficiency of 23.2%) and improved reverse-bias stability. Small-area devices retained 95% efficiency after 300 h at −4.8 V, while minimodules exhibited a T₉₈ lifetime of 312 h under negative open-circuit voltage stress. We showed that a single bypass diode can protect at least 16 subcells, setting a new reliability benchmark for scalable perovskite photovoltaics.
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Best research-cell efficiency chart. NLR https://www2.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency (2026).
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Y.H. acknowledges the support from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) through an MTC IRG Grant (M23M6c0108). The authors of this paper are affiliated to the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), a research institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS is supported by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (EMA) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). We acknowledge that the computational work involved in this research was fully supported by NUS IT’ s Research Computing group (grant no. NUSREC-HPC-00001). We acknowledge J. Zheng and V. Kumar for their help with the lock-in thermography measurements. We acknowledge support of the MD simulations by Huasuan Technology. J.A.S. acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Research Council (DE230100173). We thank the staff of the BL11 NCD-SWEET beamline of ALBA Synchrotron for their assistance in recording the synchrotron X-ray scattering data.
These authors contributed equally: Xi Wang, Ran Luo, Nengxu Li, Jia Li, Tao Wang.
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Xi Wang, Ran Luo, Nengxu Li, Tao Wang, Zihao Zhu, Jinxi Chen, Yuduan Wang, Jingcong Hu, Zhenrong Jia, Zijing Dong, Zhuojie Shi, Xinyi Du, Xiuxiu Niu & Yi Hou
Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Xi Wang, Ran Luo, Nengxu Li, Jia Li, Tao Wang, Zihao Zhu, Jinxi Chen, Yuduan Wang, Jingcong Hu, Zhenrong Jia, Zijing Dong, Zhuojie Shi, Xinyi Du, Xiuxiu Niu & Yi Hou
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Julian A. Steele
School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Julian A. Steele
NCD-SWEET Beamline, ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Eduardo Solano
China-Australia Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM), Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
Xinxing Yin
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
Sreedhar Unnikrishnakurup & Andrew Ngo
Future Energy Acceleration & Translation (FEAT), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
Sreedhar Unnikrishnakurup & Andrew Ngo
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Y.H., X.W., R.L. and N.L. conceived the idea and designed the experiments. Y.H. supervised the project. X.W. and J.L. fabricated the solar cells and modules. R.L. performed the DFT calculations and theoretical analysis. S.U. and A.N. conducted the lock-in thermography and analysed the data. X.Y. synthesized PolyCz-C4H9. X.W., T.W., Z.Z., Y.W., J.H., J.C., Z.J., Z.S., X.D., X.N., J.A.S., E.S. and Z.D. assisted with the device and materials characterizations. X.W., R.L., N.L., T.W. and Y.H. analysed the data and wrote the paper. Y.H., X.W., R.L., N.L., T.W. and J.L. reviewed and edited the paper. All authors read and commented on the paper.
Correspondence to Yi Hou.
Y.H. is the founder of Singfilm Solar, a company commercializing perovskite photovoltaics. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.
Nature Energy thanks the anonymous reviewers for their contribution to the peer review of this work.
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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Wang, X., Luo, R., Li, N. et al. Molecular-templated pre-assembly of self-assembled monolayer for perovskite solar cells and modules with improved reverse-bias stability. Nat Energy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02014-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-02014-9
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Flexible Solar Cell Modules Market Set for Strong Growth Through  openPR.com
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Turkish solar energy manufacturer Kalyon PV opened on Thursday a new facility in the capital Ankara, which will produce next-generation solar cells and panels using TOPCon Plus technology.
TOPCon Plus (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) is an advanced N-type solar cell technology offering higher efficiency and better performance than traditional PERC cells (high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic cells) by reducing electron recombination using an ultra-thin tunnel oxide layer.

The facility, which opened in Ankara, marks a significant step in Türkiye's renewable energy capabilities. The same company opened in 2023 a large solar power plant in the central province of Konya, dubbed Europe's largest.
The opening ceremony for the new solar facility was attended by high-level officials, including Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır.

With this new investment, Kalyon PV's total cell production capacity increased from 1 gigawatt (GW) to 2.1 gigawatts, the company said.
In a statement to Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), Kalyon recalled that it had earlier in 2025 disclosed plans about the project and that it “has been completed as planned, and the cell production line has been commissioned and production has commenced.”
“This investment will reinforce our company's commitment to innovation and sustainability, while also making significant contributions to increasing domestic production capacity and supporting the energy transition in our country,” it added.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bayraktar said that the share of renewable energy in Türkiye's installed electricity capacity has risen to 63%.

He also mentioned that in March, a record was set with the highest ever renewable-sourced electricity production at 20 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh).
“In just 13 years, we reached nearly 26,478 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity in solar energy alone,” the minister said.
“By the end of this year, solar will surpass hydro and take the lead in total installed capacity. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IEA), we are in the Top 5 in Europe and rank 11th in the world in renewable energy installed capacity,” he added.
Bayraktar also touched upon the importance of Renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA) tenders to achieve their goal in the renewables domain and suggested that they aimed to conclude this year’s tenders in September or October, before COP31.
“In addition to YEKA in the renewable energy field, we are developing large-scale projects with even more competitive prices through intergovernmental agreements. Within this framework, our intergovernmental agreement with Saudi Arabia will see the establishment of 1,000-megawatt solar power plants in Sivas and Karaman Taşeli during the first stage. The electricity produced from these plants will be purchased at the lowest price ever in Türkiye,” he suggested.
Cemal Kalyoncu, chairperson of the board of Kalyon Holding, stated that Kalyon PV is first in Europe and one of the few production centers in the world, suggesting that with the new facility, solar cells with TOPCon Plus technology in G12R size will be produced for the first time in Türkiye.
Kalyoncu emphasized that the new investments will provide cost advantages and increased performance in energy production.
“With this new investment of approximately $55 million, Kalyon PV's total domestic solar cell production capacity reaches 2.1 gigawatts,” he noted.
“As the Kalyon family, with our investments in the energy sector, we are realizing high value-added production in our country and continue to make strong contributions to the economy, employment, exports and the reduction of the current account deficit.”

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Greece passed a sweeping renewable energy bill yesterday, as the minister pointed to the country’s top-three global ranking in solar power and new regional energy deals as signs of its expanding influence.
A rapid expansion of solar power and energy storage across the European Union could prevent up to €223 billion in natural gas imports for electricity generation between 2026 and 2030, according to a new report by SolarPower Europe.
The findings highlight the growing economic and strategic importance of renewable energy as Europe continues to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels amid energy market volatility and geopolitical tensions.

Lower Electricity Prices Through Renewables

The report suggests that accelerating the deployment of photovoltaic systems and battery storage could lead to immediate reductions in electricity costs for both households and businesses.

Depending on the level of renewable energy penetration, wholesale electricity prices across selected EU countries could fall by up to 14%, reaching an average of €63.4 per megawatt-hour under the most ambitious scenario. A more moderate pathway still projects a 7% decrease compared to 2025 levels.

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Energy storage is identified as a key factor in stabilizing supply, reducing peak price fluctuations and allowing better use of low-cost solar generation.

Major Savings on Gas Imports

One of the report’s central findings is the scale of avoided fossil fuel imports. In 2025 alone, solar generation prevented an estimated €27.4 billion in natural gas imports for electricity production in the EU.

Looking ahead, annual savings could rise to €44.4 billion under a baseline scenario and up to €53.3 billion with stronger renewable expansion and storage capacity.
Overall, the study estimates that between 2026 and 2030, solar energy could help the EU avoid €223 billion in natural gas imports for electricity generation.

Rising Share of Renewables in the Energy Mix

Under the most ambitious scenario, solar and wind power would supply more than half of the EU’s electricity demand by 2030, reaching around 52%. Total renewable energy could account for up to 68% of electricity production, significantly reducing the role of fossil fuels.
This shift is supported by a major increase in battery storage capacity, which is projected to grow several times over current levels, enabling the system to better manage fluctuations in renewable generation.

Lower System Costs and Greater Stability

The report also highlights a sharp reduction in the overall operating costs of the EU electricity system. Compared to 2025, costs could fall by 29% under a baseline scenario and by nearly 50% under the most ambitious renewable pathway.
This decrease is largely driven by reduced reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation, which currently represents the majority of system operating expenses.

At the same time, the expansion of storage is expected to limit disruptions such as negative electricity pricing, while improving grid flexibility and reliability.

A Shift in Europe’s Energy Future

Researchers conclude that accelerating the transition to solar energy is not only environmentally necessary but also economically advantageous and strategically essential.
By reducing exposure to imported fossil fuels and stabilizing energy costs, large-scale investment in renewables and storage could reshape Europe’s electricity system into a more secure, affordable and resilient network by the end of the decade.

The Greek PM also opened the door to limited amendments to the electoral law, citing the introduction of a unified ballot paper.
A large-scale police operation involving drones and special units targeted illegal activity in western Athens, resulting in arrests, traffic violations, and the removal of illegal power connections
Infectious disease experts did not issue guidance on mask wearing for the general public or travel restrictions or protocols for cruise ships and airlines.
A Greek court has handed long prison sentences to both parents after finding them guilty of repeatedly abusing their infant, who now suffers permanent brain damage requiring lifelong medical treatment
A 15-year-old girl was pulled from the waters of the Corinth Canal after a late-evening emergency rescue operation involving police and coast guard units
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Thieves Are Stealing Chile’s Solar Panels and Cashing In on the Black Market  Bloomberg.com
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The team developed a chemical-hardness strategy to control crystal growth.
Chinese scientists have pushed perovskite tandem solar cells past the critical 30 percent efficiency mark after developing a new way to control how the materials crystallize during manufacturing.
The research team was led by Ge Ziyi, PhD, and Liu Chang, PhD, from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE), under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The team hit a certified power conversion efficiency of 30.3 percent in rigid all-perovskite tandem solar cells, and 28 percent in flexible versions.
They believe that the achievement can speed up the development of lightweight, high-efficiency solar technologies that are far cheaper and easier to manufacture than traditional silicon-based panels.
“The findings provide a pathway to simultaneously improve efficiency and durability in both rigid and flexible devices, thereby advancing the development of lightweight, scalable photovoltaic technologies,” the scientists pointed out.
All-perovskite tandem solar cells are considered among the most promising PV (photovoltaic) technologies, because they can harvest sunlight more efficiently than conventional single-junction solar cells. They can also be produced using low-temperature solution processing, potentially reducing manufacturing costs.
However, asynchronous crystallization remains one of the biggest challenges in multicomponent perovskite films. During production, different parts of the films often crystallize at different rates, creating structural defects and compositional inconsistencies that reduce efficiency and long-term stability.
To address the issue, the team created an additive design strategy based on hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory, which predicts how acids and bases interact. They introduced carefully selected additives into both wide-bandgap and narrow-bandgap perovskite layers to synchronize nucleation and crystal growth.
This not only suppressed uneven vertical phase distribution but also improved film uniformity across the devices. The team used difluoro(oxalato)borate (DFOB⁻) additives for wide-bandgap perovskites and tetrafluoroborate (BF4⁻) for narrow-bandgap layers. 
Structural and optical analyses showed that the method promoted homogeneous crystal growth and prevented halide redistribution. This commonly causes defects and stress accumulation inside the solar cells.
The improvements also boosted the overall performance of the tandem devices. The efficiency of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells increased from 18.5 to 20.1 percent, while narrow-bandgap devices improved from 21.6 to 23.3 percent.
What’s more, when integrated into monolithic two-terminal tandem architectures, the optimized rigid tandem device reached a peak efficiency of 30.3 percent, with an open-circuit voltage of 2.16 volts (V) and a fill factor of 85.2 percent. Moreover, the flexible tandem cells also delivered strong results. They achieved 28.2 percent efficiency, with a certified value of 28.0 percent.
The devices also featured strong operational stability. This is the most significant and high-stakes bottleneck for the commercial adoption of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). 
The optimized rigid device retained 92 percent of its initial efficiency after 1,000 hours of maximum power point tracking. At the same time, the flexible tandems maintained 95.2 percent of their original efficiency after 10,000 bending cycles.
The result highlighted their potential for wearable electronics, lightweight power systems, and flexible solar applications. “This study establishes a general chemical principle for regulating crystallization in compositionally complex perovskite systems,” the researcher concluded in a press release.
The study has been published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
Based in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.
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CEA’s 2026 manufacturing quality report finds that yield rates vary widely based on the age of solar module assembly facilities, with mature Chinese firms nearing 100% and U.S. outlier facilities ranging all the way down to 30%.
Image: Smallman12q / Wikimedia Commons
Intertek CEA’s Global PV Manufacturing Quality Report 2026 suggests there is much work to be done to improve the quality of solar module manufacturing. The report states that more than 70% of factories were rated in the lowest two tiers — C or D — in 2025 factory audits, and none achieved an A+.

Source – Intertek CEA
One of the report’s central points is that most issues arise during factory ramp-up after construction, and again during capacity expansions. Solar panel re-work, a process in module manufacturing, is hiding these issues though. Typical re-work rates are around 10-15%, but outlier factories pushed far higher: an Indian facility hit 56% in 2024, and a U.S. facility reached 62% in 2025.
Overall, the U.S. has the highest critical issue rate of any surveyed country. While certain Chinese manufacturing facilities are yielding near 100%, some U.S. factories fall in the 30-60% yield range.
CEA explicitly noted:
U.S. capacity expansion is exposing early-stage execution risks.

Source – Intertek CEA
The number-one defect category is soldering — both within solar cells and between them. The trend is being driven by increasing busbar and ribbon counts, which shrink contact areas and make soldering more prone to defects. Electroluminescence (EL) imaging – a now-standard QA technique that uses an applied current to reveal internal cell defects invisible to the eye – is the primary tool catching these issues.
CEA notes that the ability to re-work modules and fix issues catches most problems before shipment. But stable average re-work rates can mask wide factory-level variability – meaning a fleet-wide number that looks fine may hide individual facilities running far above the norm.
The specific issues EL imaging reveals include cold soldering, grid breaks (gaps in the screen-printed metallization on the cell), oversoldering, and cell scratches. Cold soldering – when soldering temperature, time, or pressure are insufficient to fully bond the cell-to-ribbon connection – is a particular concern because the joint can look intact while the metal structure underneath is incomplete, leaving a weak connection that can fail in the field.

Source – Intertek CEA
Other issues exist both before and after EL scanning.
The first is the lay-up process, where the components of the module – front glass, encapsulant, cell strings, bussing ribbons, back encapsulant, and backsheet or rear glass – are stacked in order before lamination fuses them together. Common findings here include encapsulant misalignment, cell string spacing errors, ribbon misalignment, foreign material trapped in the stack, and cell handling damage.
The second is packaging and delivery. Damaged packing is by far the most common finding during container loading inspections, accounting for 47% of issues – pallet damage, torn fixing ties, and damaged outer wood shingling. Missing labels and incorrect fixing each account for another 19%. Factory location can compound the problem: bumpy roads leaving the facility can shift pallets in transit and damage modules before they ever leave the country.
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HOUSTON, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SEG Solar ("SEG"), a leading U.S. solar module manufacturer, today announced that it will establish a new 4-gigawatt (GW) solar manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas.   Building on the success of its first 2 GW solar module factory, this expansion will increase SEG’s total annual U.S. module production capacity to approximately 6 GW. Commercial operations at the new facility are expected to commence in Q3 2026.


The new facility includes nearly 500,000 square feet and represents an investment of over $200 million and the creation of up to 800 new jobs. This expansion is part of SEG’s long-term localization strategy and will result in SEG becoming one of the largest 100% U.S.-owned module manufacturers. The domestically-produced modules will provide greater product quality, traceability and delivery speed to increase value for partners and customers.
"This new facility marks an important milestone for SEG," said Timothy Johnson, VP of Operations of SEG Solar. "It will further strengthen our U.S. manufacturing capabilities while supporting ongoing technology innovation. The plant is designed with the flexibility to integrate next-generation technologies, including HJT, as the industry evolves."
The announcement follows SEG’s previously disclosed plan to develop a 5 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Indonesia, which is expected to begin construction in Q2 2026. Once completed, SEG will be positioned to deliver modules through a fully integrated supply chain spanning ingots, wafers and cells — an increasingly important capability in today’s evolving policy and trade environment. SEG has been validated as a non-PFE for FEOC compliance purposes by multiple independent third parties and currently provides modules with non-PFE solar cells.
About SEG Solar
Founded in 2021, SEG is a leading vertically integrated PV manufacturer headquartered in Houston, Texas, U.S., and is dedicated to delivering reliable and cost-effective solar modules to the utility, commercial, and residential markets. By the end of 2025, SEG had shipped over 7.5 GW of solar modules worldwide and have achieved a module production capacity of 6.5 GW.

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Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.
The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.
Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”
Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.
Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.
Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.
But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 
Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.
Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.
If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its data centers. 
As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.
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De Chant is also a lecturer in MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing, and he was awarded a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT in 2018, during which time he studied climate technologies and explored new business models for journalism. He received his PhD in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California, Berkeley, and his BA degree in environmental studies, English, and biology from St. Olaf College.
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Last month, state regulators passed an unusual order that put a pause on Duke Energy’s new solar energy development in North Carolina.
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a motion with the North Carolina Utility Commission to reconsider the order, calling it “arbitrary and capricious.”
The order was unusual for a few reasons: only Utilities Commission Chair William Brawley issued it, and the commission didn’t hold a public hearing before making a decision.
It also paused solar procurements that the commission greenlit during the last Carbon Plan, which the commission approved in 2024.
The SELC argued that an expedited review of the order is in the public interest, as these solar “missing megawatts” risk the reliability and affordability of Duke Energy’s service.

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Overview Energy has won its first Air Force contract, which will allow the startup to study using the sun to power remote military installations.
The details: Overview Energy, which emerged from stealth in December, is aiming to collect solar power in GEO and deliver it to solar panels on Earth. The system will allow solar panels to continue to produce power at night, without any need for retrofitting existing ground-based infrastructure. 
Military applications: Power is required for military operations. As a result, fuel lines can be a strategic vulnerability—and fuel deliveries can become a target for enemies. Overview claims it can avoid those potential threats by ensuring military bases have continuous power with solar power harnessed in space, day or night. 
The contract, for an undisclosed amount, will study how solar power from space can be used in two types of environments:
“We admire the Air Force’s leadership in exploring new approaches to energy resilience,” Overview CEO Marc Berte said in a statement. “In many of these environments, energy is defined by how fuel can be delivered. Transforming that expands what the warfighter can do, and how long they can operate.”
Anotha’ one: The announcement comes hot on the heels of Overview’s agreement with Meta to provide up to 1 GW of power—derived from solar power-beaming sats—for the tech company to power its terrestrial data centers. 
Anduril is one of 12 primes working on the SBI aspect of the Golden Dome missile defense architecture.
If confirmed, Schiess will be just the third person to serve as the chief of space operations since the Space Force was established in 2019.
Asked what a Golden Dome satellite bus would have that a commercial satellite bus doesn’t, Apex Space CEO Ian Cinnamon’s answer was simple—”Hopefully, nothing.”
True Anomaly has raised a $650M Series D, announced on the heels of its Golden Dome award for space-based interceptor tech—a new product for the four-year-old company. 
Astranis has raised a $300M Series E to continue development of its GEO spacecraft, the company announced today.
Snowpoint Ventures and Franklin Templeton co-led the round, which valued the company at $2.8B, according to a source close to the deal. The round also included participation from Andreessen Horowitz, as well as through funds managed by Blackrock, Baillie Gifford, and Fidelity Management and Research Company. 
But wait, there’s more: In addition, Astranis also secured a $155M delayed-draw credit facility from Trinity Capital. The new capital brings the company’ s total raised to $1.2B+. Its last fundraise was a $200M Series D in July 2024.
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Solar PV Glass Market Size to Hit USD 140.62 Billion by 2035 | Research by SNS Insider  Yahoo Finance
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SEG Solar unveils plan for 4-GW solar panel factory in Texas  Renewables Now
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Solex Energy Ltd has announced an investment of approximately INR 4,000 crore to develop an integrated renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem in Gujarat, comprising a 5 GW solar cell facility and a 10 GW battery energy storage system (BESS) project. The Surat-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government to undertake the development in phases. The solar manufacturing unit will be executed in two stages, beginning with 2 GW capacity, followed by an additional 3 GW. The project is expected to support industrial growth, employment generation, and strengthen Gujarat’s position in clean energy manufacturing, while contributing to India’s renewable energy capacity expansion.
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Solex Energy Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Gujarat to invest approximately INR 4,000 crore in developing an integrated solar cell manufacturing facility and a large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the state, as part of its expansion in the renewable energy sector.

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The proposed development includes the establishment of a 5 GW solar cell manufacturing facility, which will be executed in phases. The first phase will involve the development of 2 GW capacity, followed by an additional 3 GW in the subsequent phase, according to a company statement issued in the past week.

In addition to manufacturing, the company plans to develop a 10 GW battery energy storage system project, aimed at supporting grid stability and enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy integration. The combined investment is intended to create a comprehensive renewable energy ecosystem encompassing both production and storage capabilities.

The Surat-based company indicated that the project would be developed as a large-scale integrated facility, contributing to the state’s industrial ecosystem. The investment is expected to support Gujarat’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies.

According to the company’s chairman and managing director, Chetan Shah, the agreement with the state government reflects a broader commitment towards advancing India’s clean energy transition, with a focus on long-term infrastructure creation rather than a standalone investment initiative.

The development is also expected to generate employment opportunities and support ancillary industries linked to renewable energy manufacturing. By integrating solar cell production with energy storage infrastructure, the project aims to address both supply and storage requirements within the renewable energy value chain.

Gujarat has emerged as a key destination for renewable energy investments due to its industrial infrastructure, policy support, and access to logistics networks. The addition of large-scale manufacturing and storage capacity is expected to further strengthen the state’s position in the sector.

The phased execution of the solar cell facility allows for capacity expansion aligned with market demand and technological advancements, while the battery storage project is expected to play a role in balancing intermittent renewable energy supply.

The proposed investment aligns with India’s broader renewable energy targets, which include scaling up domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on imports for critical components such as solar cells and storage systems.

Overall, the project represents a combined manufacturing and infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening the renewable energy ecosystem, with Gujarat continuing to attract large-scale investments in clean technology and associated industries.

Source – PTI
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Connecticut News from your locally owned & operated news source at the state Capitol since 2005.
HARTFORD, CT — As energy costs continue to place a strain on households, the legislature has passed a bill supporters say will renew focus on making renewable energy more affordable.
The bill, House Bill 5340, establishes targets for megawatts and budgets each year, creates dedicated solar rates for low-income households, creates successor programs for residential and non-residential and community solar programs and standardizes successor tariff programs for 20 years.
“Renewable energy provides strong benefits across our communities, but our systems and programs need to be updated regularly, making sure we’re delivering benefits to all, not just some,” said state Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex. “This legislation takes a detailed view of our solar outlook and makes significant adjustments preserving current programs and extending their availability and opportunities further across the state.”
The bill passed the Senate 27-9 Wednesday, with two Republicans voting with the Democrats in support. It had previously cleared the House 99-43 last week. It now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk.
State Sen. Jeff Gordon, R-Woodstock, said he was concerned that the bill extended several programs that are funded by the public benefit charges on consumers’ monthly utilities bills. The programs had been set to expire in 2028 but will now run for 20 more years.
“Each year these programs are extended, ratepayers will continue to be tagged with public benefit taxes on their already high electric bills,” Gordon said. “We must put ratepayers first. Electric bills should only be about the electricity you use and nothing else. Connecticut is already unaffordable for too many hard-working people, their families, seniors, and job-creating small businesses. We should not be making things more unaffordable for them.” 
Connor Yakaitis, deputy director of the Connecticut League Conservation Voters applauded the bill’s passage, saying it would stabilize costs and promote locally generated power that would “help pave the way for a cleaner and more affordable energy future for our residents and businesses across Connecticut.”
Sunrun, a company that advertises itself as the nation’s top home solar and storage provider, also praised the bill in a statement issued shortly after passage.
“Connecticut is a step closer to diversifying its energy portfolio and protecting ratepayers from the high cost and volatility of fossil fuels with the passage of a bill that authorizes the next generation of clean energy programs in the Senate tonight,” said Sr. Director Kyle Wallace. “Tens of thousands of households and businesses across the state have taken part in the current program and reduced energy costs, while supporting thousands of clean energy jobs. This next generation program will pair solar with batteries that can provide backup power to customers, and dispatch clean energy back to the grid when it is most needed, reducing costs even further.”
Donald Eng is an award-winning local news veteran. He has covered multiple communities for various news organizations since 1995.
In his spare time he is a recovering cheer dad and a New York Mets, red wine, and adult rec tennis enthusiast.
















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Bifacial Solar Market Expected to Hit US$ 22.16 Billion by 2033 as Double-Sided Efficiency Drives Renewable Boom  openPR.com
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LAFAYETTE, IN — An 11-month moratorium on large-scale solar developments in the county ended Monday with the adoption of a new zoning ordinance 11 months after Tippecanoe County commissioners banned any unfiled developments from advancing.
The new ordinance limits commercial solar developments to no more than 400 acres. It also moves setbacks to 500 feet from adjacent property lines and caps the total number of commercial solar developments in the county to a total of no more than 6,000 acres.
“As the resident farmer up here,” commissioner Dave Byers said, “… don’t think I don’t cringe every time we agree to a 40-acre development or an 80-acre development. I know that’s good ground disappearing.
“I was against this from the beginning,” Byers said. “I see this as a compromise. Can this still happen? Yes. But we’re setting the parameters.”
Byers said this ordinance doesn’t ban solar, and he’d rather see solar farms placed atop large buildings or factories.
“They’ve already took 20 or 40 acres to build a cement shed. They could have it (solar panels) sitting on top of it,” Byers said.
The ordinance had its share of public support for the compromise, and it also had a few detractors who opposed more restrictive regulations on solar power.
“This is a start,” commissioner Tom Murtaugh said. “Any ordinance can be amended in the future if we learn more, if there’s an appetite for making amendment to any ordinance. We do it quite frequently.”
The moratorium on the county’s solar power ordinance became an issue last year when Rainbow Trout Solar planned a commercial solar farm on 1,700 acres in northwestern Tippecanoe County. The moratorium, however, came after Rainbow Trout Solar filed its plans, so it was too late to stop that development. However, Rainbow Trout Solar was stopped in the approval process.
Rainbow Trout Solar has a pending lawsuit against the county in an attempt to reverse the county’s rejection of the project.
Kenny McCleary, who led a grassroots effort to stop Rainbow Trout Solar, favored the revisions.
Steve Shelby, a farmer in Shelby Township, which was named after his ancestor, supported the ordinance, too.
“We support solar energy as part of our energy future, just not on prime farmland,” Shelby said as he thanked everyone for their hard work to reach a compromise ordinance. “Your support has exempted prime farmland from being destroyed and taking out an important part of our environment.”
Susan Schecter opposed the changes.
“It’s a curious process to just take comments from everybody and take it all as … valid,” Schecter said. “I would encourage you in the future to have a better process when you make decisions. It kind of scares me that you all are making decisions about the county when you have such poor process.”
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

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California’s first-of-its-kind solar project could save 63 billion gallons of water annually  Yahoo
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PUBLISHED ON May 5, 2026
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Solar grazing has largely been associated with sheep, but a Virginia-based farmer and entrepreneur believes cattle may be the next frontier if they are bred and managed correctly.
During a recent My Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference session, Jess Gray, CEO of Gray’s LAMBscaping, LLC and board member of the American Solar Grazing Association, introduced the concept of inverter cattle, a purpose-built composite breed designed specifically for grazing solar energy sites.
“We spend a lot of money mowing things that cows would love to eat,” Gray said. “So, Marcus and I got to thinking, what would it take to get our cows out onto solar?”
Gray explained that solar sites present a unique challenge: they combine agriculture with an energy workforce that is often unfamiliar and uncomfortable with livestock. “If people are afraid of my sheep, they’re going to be afraid of cows,” she said. “We wanted animals that honestly couldn’t care less who’s in that pasture.”
To meet that need, the Grays began selectively breeding cattle with traits suited for solar environments. These included docility, disease resistance, moderate size, heat tolerance and the ability to thrive on pasture with minimal intervention. “We are 100% pasture-based,” Gray said. “We want animals that can make the most out of whatever is present there.”
The result is inverter cattle, a composite breed drawing from Dexter, Belted Galloway, Piney Woods, and American Milking Devon genetics. Gray said the goal is longevity and efficiency rather than maximum size. “We’re looking at about 1,000 pounds,” she said. “Not miniature cattle, but also not full-size animals that intimidate people.”
Gray stressed that management is key. “This idea that cattle are a bull in a China shop—that’s constantly being proven wrong,” she said. “If animals have food, water, minerals, and good management, they’re not likely to find themselves in trouble.”
Solar grazing also offers economic and environmental benefits. As a third-party vegetation manager, Gray is paid per acre to control plant growth under panels. She noted that industry payments typically range “up to $600 depending on location and expectations.”
Beyond revenue, Gray said livestock performance can actually improve on solar sites. “Our animals on solar thrive and grow better, faster, and cheaper for us than the ones we have on pasture at home,” she said, pointing to consistent shade, longer green forage, and protection from extreme weather.
Gray also emphasized the value of multi-species grazing. “I want to see our cows go out on sites with our sheep,” she said. “You get better pasture utilization, parasite control, predator abatement, and stacked enterprises.”
Looking ahead, Gray believes cattle could also improve public acceptance of agrivoltaics. “A lot of people recognize cattle as farming,” she said. “Pairing cattle with solar helps people see this land as productive, not lost.”
Her message to farmers and developers alike was clear: “There isn’t a whole lot that needs to be changed,” Gray said. “It’s about working with what’s already there and managing it well.”
If you have questions about agrivoltaic opportunities, please contact Charles Gould, Michigan State University Extension Bioenergy Educator, at 616-834-2812 or [email protected]. The MSU ExtensionAgricultural Bioenergy and Energy Conservation website has additional information on renewable energy.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.
— M. Charles Gould, Michigan State University Extension
LAKE CITY, Mich. — On a chilly, early June morning in Lake City, Mich., Jason Rowntree is in his element. The native Texan isn’t a fan of the sub-50 degree temperature, but there are few places he’d rather be. More than 40 members of a $19 million project he co-leads are at the Michigan State […]
BRIMLEY, Mich. — Michigan State University Extension will be conducting an Advanced Grazing School Feb. 24, and 25, 2022, at Waishkey Bay Farm, 10135 W. Mills Rd, Brimley, MI 49715. This workshop is for graziers who have multiple years of experience, use a system of rotational grazing, and want to further enhance the outcomes of their grazing efforts. […]
FARGO, N.D. — Currently 36% of North Dakota is experiencing some level of drought as drought conditions continue to persist in the western part of the state. “Drought impacts are at the forefront of many rancher’s minds as we head into the 2022 grazing season,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension livestock […]
EAST LANSING, Mich. — With the start of spring, farmers should get ready for a new season of highs and probably some lows as the growing season starts to unfold. Farmers prepare during fall, winter and early spring for what lies ahead, but it’s always the unknown that keeps it interesting and fresh. Ultimately, the fact […]
2026 Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference Returns to Campus
In the Cattle Markets: Check In on the Choice-Select Spread








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In the latest article of a new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world, pv magazine presents SoliTek’s solar manufacturing facility in Vilnius, Lithuania. The company recently commissioned an upgraded 200 MW production line, as it transitions from semi-automated to fully-automated processes for critical assembly stages.
SoliTek’s production line in Vilnius, Lithuania
Image: SoliTek
Lithuania-headquartered solar company SoliTek was founded in 2009. It launched the SoliTek brand in 2014, at which point it began to produce its first glass-glass solar modules. Today, the company manufactures solar modules at its Vilnius factory using 100% renewable energy, offering customers European-made solar solutions. According to figures on its website, 80% of its panels are exported to European markets including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.
SoliTek began commissioning an upgraded solar manufacturing line during the past winter, funded through its own investment. In an exclusive update to pv magazine, it announced the 200 MW production line is now fully operational and producing at full scale.
A spokesperson for the company explained that the primary driver behind the upgrade was the transition from semi-automated to fully-automated processes in critical assembly stages. 

“By integrating a fully automated framing station and autobussing equipment, SoliTek has significantly reduced manual intervention, ensuring consistent cycle times and eliminating human-related variability,” the spokesperson said. “The automated system utilizes high-accuracy machine vision and uniform thermal bonding, which enhances the long-term durability of the modules. This shift allows for tighter process control and repeatability across all production batches.”
As part of the upgrade, SoliTek has transitioned from using outsourced pre-cut cells to an integrated, high-precision in-house laser cutting unit. The company says the change allows for total quality control over the cutting process and minimizes the risk of microcracks that can occur during the transport of pre-cut cells from external suppliers.
SoliTek’s new production line is also specifically optimized for the industry-standard G12R cell format. “The rectangular format of these cells enables improved packing density within the module, increasing the total active area and resulting in higher power output compared to traditional square wafers,” the company explained.
Beyond technological improvements, SoliTek says the full-scale operation of the new line optimizes the cost per Watt by increasing the speed of the assembly cycle and decreasing manual labor requirements. “The high precision of the new equipment also contributes to SoliTek’s sustainability goals by lowering material waste through reduced breakage and optimized cutting processes,” the company also told pv magazine.

Following the upgrade of its production line, SoliTek has introduced a new module series designed to meet applications ranging from agrivoltaics to rooftop installations.
The new portfolio features four distinct production lines. It includes SoliTek’s 300 W Agro solar modules, with efficiencies between 14.87% to 15.01%, that are designed for agrivoltaics and capable of withstanding hail of up to 50 mm. Meanwhile, SoliTek’s 445 W solar module series, with efficiencies of 22.56% to 22.77%, and anti-glare 445 W Satin solar modules, with efficiencies of 22.06% to 22.27%, are designed primarily for residential markets.
Each of these product lines are available in frameless, framed and Solrif configurations, the latter of which integrates the solar panel directly into a rooftop structure via a collaboration with Swiss mounting solutions company Schweizer.

SoliTek’s new series is rounded out by the 510 W Magnus solar module, an up to 22.93%-efficient, transparent, framed glass/glass module capable of withstanding hail of up to 40 mm, which is designed for C&I applications.
A spokesperson explained that the Made in Europe-modules are currently being manufactured and available to SoliTek’s partners across all markets. “As part of this portfolio, SoliTek has also introduced heat-strengthened glass technology,” they told pv magazine. “This material provides lower internal stress levels and is highly valued in several European markets, including Germany, for reducing the risk of falling particles.” All of SoliTek’s product range also comes with a 30-year warranty, as listed on its website.
Previous articles in pv magazine‘s new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world covered United Solar’s polysilicon factory in Oman, Belga Solar’s module production facility in Belgium, and Midsummer’s CIGS factory in Italy.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
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Solar has been described as a “shining star” of Europe’s clean transition, rapidly boosting interest in battery storage systems.
Amid the war on Iran, home-grown renewables are helping cushion European households from volatile fossil fuel shocks, with recent analysis showing that solar power saved Europe more than €100 million per day throughout March by reducing gas imports.
If gas prices remain high, which is mainly due to Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, experts say that total savings in 2026 could reach a staggering €67.5 billion.
In the UK, new government data shows that more than 27,000 solar installations were completed in March 2026, the highest monthly total since 2012. It means solar capacity has increased by 11.7 per cent over the past year, adding 2.3 GW of clean, homegrown electricity to Britain’s energy mix.
To put that into perspective, a power plant with a capacity of 1 GW could power around 876,000 homes for one year, based on typical US household consumption rates.
In Germany, energy firm Enpal BV found that inquiries for solar panels and heat pumps have spiked by around 30 per cent since the US-Israel conflict began in the Middle East, while solar firm 1KOMMA5° GmbH has also reported an almost doubling of interest in solar.
The UK is the latest European country to also greenlight the commercial sale of plug-in solar panels, for households who cannot afford to install traditional rooftops – or for those living in shared/rented accommodation.
These mini devices, which don’t need to be professionally installed, could save a typical UK household £1,100 (around €1,261) during their 15-year lifetime, according to an analysis by Carbon Brief, and have long been a staple of homegrown energy in Germany.
Battery storage allows households to keep electricity stored and ready so it can be used when needed.
These batteries are charged using excess electricity generated from solar power or other forms of home generation, or can even be charged through your mains electricity supply.
Most people use less electricity during the day (due to being out at work or school). But this is when solar panels will be generating the majority of electricity.
Batteries therefore allow households to use the stored energy at night or during very cloudy days when their solar panels aren’t generating much electricity. You can also export electricity generated by solar panels back to the grid, and get paid to do so.
“Batteries, when combined with smart tariffs, can significantly lower energy bills,” Phil Steele, of UK energy firm Octopus Energy, tells Euronews Earth.
“Rather than paying the same flat rate around the clock, smart tariffs like Agile Octopus automatically charge the battery when electricity is at its cheapest and discharge it when prices are at their highest, so customers get the most out of every unit of energy stored.”
According to the International Energy Agency, average battery costs have plummeted by 90 per cent since 2010 due to advances in battery chemistry and manufacturing.
In the past five years, more than 2,000 GWh of lithium-ion battery capacity has been added worldwide, powering 40 million electric vehicles and thousands of battery storage projects.
The price of a battery depends on your home’s needs. For example, a 5kWh battery from Octopus Energy, which can power a typical British home for around six to eight hours, starts at £3,447 (around €4,028). Batteries with a larger voltage, such as a 10kWh model, can cost more than €7,000 – but can store enough energy for around a day and a half.
The typical lifespan of a battery, depending on how you use it, tends to be around 10-12 years – but as research into the devices improves, this could soon be extended.
Europe is currently facing a rising trend of negative electricity prices, where supply outstrips demand. This has reiterated calls to bolster industrial battery energy storage systems across the continent.
Last year, the EU installed 27.1 GWh of new battery storage systems – marking 12 consecutive years of record growth. However, a report by Solar Power Europe says the EU must repeat its tenfold growth once again to meet its 2030 targets.
Five EU markets delivered more than 60 per cent of all new BESS capacity in 2025, with Germany and Italy leading the race. Bulgaria became the fastest-growing market, bumping up to third place, followed by the Netherlands and Spain.


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Plug-in panels are getting popular—how do we make sure they’re safe?
Dozens of US states are considering legislation to allow people to install plug-in solar systems, often called balcony solar. These small arrays require little to no setup and could help cut emissions and power bills.
Balcony solar is already popular in Europe, and proponents say that the systems could make solar power more accessible for more people in the US, including renters. As popularity rises, though, some experts caution that there are safety concerns with how balcony solar would work with existing electrical equipment in homes.
Let’s talk about what balcony solar is, why it’s unique, and how new testing requirements could affect our progress toward deploying the technology in the US.
Plug-in solar systems are designed to be simple to install, often requiring no electrician or specialized worker at all. They’re small, and many can be plugged into existing outlets.
People across Germany have installed over a million balcony solar systems. They generally measure up to roughly two square meters or about 20 square feet, and can generate up to 800 watts—enough to power a standard microwave.
Now the plug-in solar wave is coming to the US. Many Americans have already installed DIY balcony solar without the permission of their utilities—it’s something of a regulatory gray area. In late 2025, Utah became the first state to explicitly allow people to install and use balcony solar systems. Over two dozen other states are now considering similar legislation.
Generally, utilities require users to sign an interconnection agreement before they can plug in large arrays of solar panels that generate power for the grid. There can be fees and permits, and it all amounts to an expensive and lengthy process.
Utah’s law ditched the interconnection requirement for panels that have a low power cap and that are certified by a national testing facility. (Legislation under consideration in other states, including New York, includes the same requirements.) The thinking is that since the panels produce very little power, which would be used to meet a home’s own energy demand and probably not get sent back to the grid, the same requirements shouldn’t apply. 
As for that certification piece, in January the national testing and certification lab UL Solutions released UL 3700, a testing protocol to certify balcony solar systems and ensure that they’re safe. 
There are three main safety considerations to address for these plug-in solar systems, says Joseph Bablo, manager of principal engineering, energy, and industrial automation at UL Solutions. First, there’s the possibility of overloading a circuit. Generally, electrical circuits have circuit breakers, which can trip and interrupt current if necessary. But if there’s a solar panel adding extra power to a circuit, a traditional breaker might not be able to respond to overload. Over time, overloaded circuits can damage equipment or even start a fire. 
Second, these small systems are typically installed on the outside of homes, and outdoor power outlets generally have ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI). Basically, if an outlet or its surroundings are wet, it can shut down to prevent electric shock. Many GFCI systems may not work if there’s power going back into an outlet from a solar panel.
Finally, there’s touch safety: If a plug gets disconnected from the wall, the blades of the plug may still have power running through them for a short time. If a panel is getting sunlight, those blades could be energized for longer than is typical.
The new UL Solutions testing framework aims to address these concerns. One of the key recommendations is that plug-in solar panels should use a special outlet that’s designed specifically for them. The safety measures included in that connection, and within a panel, would ensure that the panels are safe.
The need for a special outlet means that currently, people who want to plug in a solar panel array would probably need to have an electrician come and update their wiring in order to comply with the protocol, Bablo says. “I know they want to say ‘No electrician, no permits’—we’re not there.”
Today, anyone can buy products like solar panels and inverters, some of which carry their own component UL certifications, and string them together. (Inverters are covered under UL 1741, for example.)
But the gold standard is to have an entire system that meets the safety requirements, and that means adhering to the new standard, Bablo says. As of early May, there aren’t any plug-in solar systems that have been fully certified by UL Solutions. And Bablo said he couldn’t share information about what, if any, are in the pipeline.  
Even with the new certification requirements, Bablo still thinks plug-in solar still has the potential to help more people access the technology. “There’s a way for it to work, but we want it to work safely,” he says.
This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here. 
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May 7, 2026
HubSalt has signed an agreement with China’s Livoltec to install a hybrid solar and battery storage system in Karachi. The company says the project will reduce diesel use, lower emissions and improve energy efficiency.
News Desk
May 7, 2026
KARACHI: HubSalt has entered into an agreement with Chinese company Livoltec to install a hybrid solar and battery storage system, in what the company described as a step towards greater energy self-reliance in industry.
The agreement was signed in Karachi by HubSalt Chief Executive Officer Ismail Sattar and Livoltec Asia-Pacific Director Max Ma. Under the arrangement, the project will be carried out on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction basis, with Optimizen assigned responsibility for execution in collaboration with its Chinese technology partner, Livoltec.
According to the details shared at the signing, the project includes the installation of a 1.44-megawatt solar photovoltaic system integrated with a 2.35MW-hour battery energy storage system. The company said the move is expected to sharply cut its dependence on imported diesel.
Speaking on the occasion, Sattar called the initiative a transformative step and said it could serve as a model for Pakistan’s industrial sector. He said the use of advanced renewable energy technologies would improve operational performance while also setting a benchmark for the promotion of green energy in the country’s industrial landscape.
Sattar said the project forms part of the company’s long-term strategy aimed at supporting sustainable industrial growth and contributing to national energy objectives. He noted that HubSalt had previously depended on diesel generators for its operations and is now shifting to a modern hybrid energy setup.
He said the project would enable annual savings of around 360,000 litres of diesel, reducing import costs and easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
Sattar said the environmental gains from the project were also substantial. According to him, the system is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes each year, which he said is equivalent to planting around 90,000 trees.
He added that the initiative would also position HubSalt to participate in international carbon markets, where carbon credits may be earned under standards such as Verra and Gold Standard.
The hybrid system has been designed to maximise the use of renewable energy, improve efficiency and provide uninterrupted electricity supply for operations.
Livoltec’s Asia-Pacific Director Max Ma and Optimizen’s CEO also underscored the significance of the project and reiterated their commitment to completing it ahead of schedule. They said they were confident the partnership would strengthen Livoltec’s footprint in Pakistan and demonstrate its capability to deliver large-scale projects in collaboration with Optimizen.
The agreement marks a notable industrial renewable energy initiative involving solar generation combined with battery storage, with the participating companies presenting it as a first-of-its-kind arrangement for the sector.
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Solar Panels Market 2026- 2033 Overview: Share, Size, Value,  openPR.com
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Richland County voters on Tuesday backed a move by their three county commissioners and preserved a ban on wind and solar power by a thinner margin than partisan politics may suggest. 
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In a tight contest, 12,189 voters (52.9%) voted to uphold a ban on industrial-scale wind and solar in most of the county, while 10.853 (47.1%) voted to overturn it, according to preliminary election results.
This means the north-central Ohio county will maintain its prohibition on renewables in 11 of 18 townships there, a restriction imposed by the county’s three Republican commissioners. 
Solar power in Ohio is often polarized along political lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed. But only about 1 in 4 primary voters in Richland County picked a Democratic ballot, meaning a broad swath of Republican voters wanted to reverse the ban.
The referendum campaign tailored its messaging around Republicans, framing the issue as one of government overreach and not global climate change. 
Regardless, the effort fell short. 
Ask us — we may dig up the answer through our reporting.
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Morgan Carroll, a central figure in the repeal campaign, said in a phone call Tuesday evening that the result was disappointing, but proved that solar isn’t a clean-cut partisan issue. 
“It wasn’t that far off from being 50-50,” she said. “It’s telling from such a Republican county that we’d even have that close of a result.”
Darrell Banks, a county commissioner who supported the ban, said the county won despite the outside money that poured in.
“This is an affirmation by the voters that their Township Trustees and County Commissioners are aligned with the best interest of their communities,” he said. “We appreciate the support of Richland County voters.”
Several interests from far outside Richland County sought to move the needle there. The Natural Resource Defense Council, a national environmental nonprofit via its political arm, and Ohio Citizen Action, a grassroots organization from Columbus, spent heavily in support of a repeal. 
On the other side, known Republican operatives backed the campaign in support of the wind and solar ban. 
The election was the second test in state history of a 2021 law that gives local governments broad powers to block renewable energy projects in their jurisdictions – powers they don’t have when it comes to coal, gas or nuclear energy projects. 
You can read Signal Ohio’s more comprehensive coverage on the referendum here.
An earlier version of this story mislabeled the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has commissioned the second phase of its Itimpi solar PV IPP, Zambia’s largest solar plant yet. Financed by CEC’s green bond, the plant is part of a wave of PV projects being added to the Zambian grid.
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US solar PV and energy storage system component manufacturer, Shoals, has opened a new manufacturing facility in Portland, Tennessee.
The 638,000-square-foot “Mega Facility” will be used to produce Shoals’ electronic balance of system (eBOS) products for solar PV, energy storage, and data-centre related projects. The facility is backed by a US$30 million investment, with a total planned commitment of US$80 million over the coming five years.
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The site is a consolidation of Shoals’ three existing manufacturing facilities in Tennessee into one location, which the company said would enable it to “significantly” expand production capacity, increase automation in production and packing and increase efficiency.
“As demand for energy infrastructure continues to accelerate, this new Mega Facility allows Shoals to scale alongside our customers and meet the needs of a rapidly evolving energy landscape,” said Brandon Moss, chief executive officer at Shoals Technologies Group. “By expanding our domestic manufacturing footprint and bringing increased capacity, we are strengthening the American energy supply chain and enabling faster, more efficient energy deployment.”
The company also announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. It recorded quarterly revenues of US$140.6 million, a 74.9% increase on the equivalent period in 2025. This was “driven by strong underlying demand of products, the impact of market share capture initiatives, and an increase in volume of projects in the current year,” Shoals said.
Gross profit was US$41.0 million, with a margin of 29.2% – down from 35% in Q1 2025. “The decrease in margin is attributable to US$3.8 million in additional tariffs paid in comparison to the prior-year quarter, an increase of US$1.4 million in right-of-use asset amortisation arising from the opening of our consolidated operations facility, along with an increase in material costs,” the company explained.
Adjusted EBITDA was US$21.1 million, compared with US$13.5 million in the prior-year period.
Earlier this year, Shoals was involved in a patent litigation dispute with fellow manufacturer Voltage Energy over Shoals’ ‘big lead assembly’ (BLA) solution, an aluminium trunk bus system that combines cable assemblies, combiner boxes and fusing. PV Tech explored the implications of the dispute in February, after both parties appeared to claim victory (subscription required).

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