Solar Now

Home > Knowledge & Innovation > Knowledge Bank > Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability
Solar PV R&D
Report: Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability (PDF 3MB)
This project examined the effect of weather on distributed solar PV, in order to determine how much l PV could be installed within a network without impacting grid stability.
Photovoltaic (PV) technology has in recent years become a significant form of power generation on many electricity networks. Electricity utilities who manage these networks have raised concerns regarding the impact of high penetration by photovoltaics into these distribution grids. These concerns generally focus on issues of grid management, and operation and planning, particularly where there is variability in PV system output due to cloud cover. Variability in PV irradiance is often cited as a major impediment to high levels of PV penetration into existing electrical networks.
This report is the result of a research project undertaken by CAT Projects and ARENA during 2013 and 2014. The project investigated the impacts of solar radiation variability on PV power output in existing electrical grids. The key aim was to develop an improved estimate for the maximum penetration of grid-connected solar generators achievable without energy storage. The research took into account the solar generators’ distribution across the geographical area of the grid based on the hypothesis that the impact of weather variation is mitigated by the distribution of solar generators across the geographical extent of the grid – i.e. clouds passing across the area will not affect all generators simultaneously.
The study aimed to quantify the mitigation of geographical distribution on instantaneous weather effects by comparing the data from an array of pyranometers, anemometers and temperature sensors installed across the extent of the Alice Springs electricity grid.

Investigating the Impact of Solar Variability on Grid Stability (PDF 3MB)
 
 
We support global emissions reduction by accelerating innovation and the deployment of renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency technologies, to the benefit of all Australians.
We present knowledge sharing from experts in energy technology, innovation and business.
Stay up to date with this valuable knowledge by following us on social, or by signing up to ARENAWIRE or the ARENA Insights newsletter.

Get the latest in energy innovation straight to your inbox.
Sign up

source

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Swipe for next article
The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. If you submit a form or click links to other sites on this page, we will earn commission. 
The government’s Warm Homes Loan Scheme is now live, offering no- and low-interest finance for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps
Removed from bookmarks
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member? Log in
Households can now apply for government-supported loans to help cover the upfront cost of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps following the launch of the Warm Homes Loan Scheme.
The scheme, which launched on 27 October, offers no- and low-interest finance for home energy improvements, allowing households to spread the cost over several years rather than paying for an installation upfront.
Ten lenders are participating initially, with some offering interest-free finance and repayment periods extending to as long as 30 years in certain cases. More lenders and products are expected to join the scheme as it develops.
The government has committed £300m of grant capital to the scheme, which is used to reduce the cost of finance offered by participating lenders.
The scheme could be particularly significant for solar panels, where households have traditionally had to find several thousand pounds upfront or take out relatively expensive finance.
Lloyd Greenfield, founder and CEO of solar installer Glow Green, told The Independent that cheaper finance could make rooftop solar accessible to a much wider group of homeowners.
“I think this is going to open up a massive part of the market,” Greenfield said. “There are so many people out there who aren’t as fortunate to have savings of £10,000 or £15,000.”
Read more: Best solar panels, compared
Despite being government-supported, the loans themselves do not come directly from the government.
Instead, participating banks, credit unions and specialist lenders provide the finance. Government support helps them reduce the interest rate they would normally charge, with borrowers able to benefit from reductions of up to five percentage points.
The rate you are offered will depend on the lender and product you choose. Some of the first loans available through the scheme are interest-free, while others charge interest, so it’s important to compare products rather than assuming every Warm Homes Loan will cost the same.
The government gives the example of a homeowner borrowing £10,000 over seven years. At an interest rate of 8 per cent, repayments would currently be around £155 a month. It says support through the Warm Homes Loan Scheme could reduce repayments by as much as £285 a year.
Repayment periods also vary. While some borrowers may repay their loan over a relatively short period, terms of up to 30 years are available in some cases.
You don’t have to apply to the government for a Warm Homes Loan. Applications are made through a participating lender, either directly or, where available, through an installer or retailer arranging the work or through your mortgage provider.
“There’s nothing that the homeowner needs to do,” Greenfield explains. “They don’t need to apply for a grant or jump through loads of hoops.”
However, you will still need to pass the lender’s normal credit, affordability and eligibility checks.
The government advises borrowers to look at the total amount they will repay over the lifetime of the loan, as well as the monthly payment and interest rate. A longer repayment term can reduce monthly costs, but could increase the total amount of interest paid where the loan is not interest-free.
The amount you can borrow under the Warm Homes Loan Scheme depends on the technology being installed.
For solar PV, the maximum supported loan is £15,000. A separate limit of up to £15,000 applies to electrical battery storage, which means households installing solar panels and a battery together may be able to finance both through the scheme.
The other maximum loan amounts are:
Homeowners installing a heat pump may also be able to combine a Warm Homes Loan with a grant of up to £9,000 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Home Energy Scotland support can also be used alongside the loans in Scotland.
With the exception of heat network connections, installations through the scheme must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer. You cannot carry out the work yourself.
To qualify, you must own the property you are applying for, either outright or with a mortgage. The property must be residential and located in the UK.
This means the scheme can be used by eligible homeowners and private landlords, although individual lenders may impose additional eligibility requirements.
Unlike some solar panel grants and funding schemes specifically targeted at households on lower incomes, applicants must be able to pass their lender’s normal affordability and credit assessments.
People on lower incomes may instead qualify for free or subsidised energy-saving improvements through schemes such as the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
Greenfield believes affordable finance will broaden the appeal of rooftop solar beyond households that can afford to buy a system outright.
He described the market to date as being in an “early adoption phase”, dominated by households that are able to spend their savings on solar in return for lower electricity bills over the following years. “I think we’ll move from this early adoption phase into what I think will be more of a mass adoption,” he said.
One potentially attractive feature of cheaper, longer-term borrowing is that some households could find the savings from their solar panels cover a significant part of their loan repayments.
The government estimates that installing a combination of solar panels, battery storage and a heat pump could save a household up to £550 a year on its energy bills, potentially increasing by a further £300 a year when used with a time-of-use energy tariff.
However, these figures apply to a combination of technologies rather than solar panels alone, and actual savings will vary considerably between homes.
Greenfield said that, in theory, some households could find their savings exceed their financing costs, although he stressed this was not something Glow Green could promise customers.
Whether this happens will depend on the cost and size of the installation, the interest rate and length of the loan, how much electricity the panels generate, how much is used in the home and how much is earned from exporting surplus electricity to the grid.
Households should therefore compare the total cost of borrowing with their likely energy savings rather than assuming that lower monthly repayments automatically make an installation profitable.
Ten lenders are initially offering loans through the Warm Homes Loan Scheme:
However, more lenders and finance products are expected to join the scheme as it develops.
You can apply directly to a participating lender or, depending on the finance product, through an installer or retailer when arranging your home energy improvements. Some mortgage providers may also offer Warm Homes Loan products.
You should note that not every lender offers the same interest rate, repayment period or even choice of installer. Some work with selected installers, while others allow borrowers to choose any eligible MCS-certified installer.
It’s therefore worth comparing both your installation quote and finance before signing an agreement. Check the interest rate, monthly repayment, length of the loan and total amount repayable, as well as whether you are tied to a particular installer.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

source

The decision comes shortly after the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen, where energy security and the importance of home-grown energy featured prominently in policy discussions, highlighting the role that renewable energy projects can play in strengthening Scotland’s energy system.
“At a time when strengthening Scotland’s energy security and unlocking investment in home-grown renewable energy is more important than ever, we’re delighted that councillors have recognised what Bonnyknox Solar Farm can offer Angus and have given the project the green light” said Claire Chamberlain, Senior Development Project Manager at RES. “We’ve listened carefully to local feedback throughout the project’s development, and we look forward to working with residents and businesses to deliver meaningful benefits for the area.”
The consented 49.9 MW solar farm will deliver local benefits, including construction investment, opportunities for local businesses and contractors, and a tailored community benefit package shaped by local priorities. This could include RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme, which provides annual electricity bill discounts for eligible nearby properties.
Alongside these economic and community benefits, Bonnyknox has been designed to support nature recovery, while adding clean, low-cost generation to Scotland’s energy mix. Research1 shows that well-managed solar farms can support a wide range of wildlife, including 27 butterfly species and numerous red-listed birds. The project’s landscaping and habitat measures are intended to create valuable habitat and foraging opportunities for birds, mammals, pollinators and other insects.
The development has also been designed as a dual-purpose project, enabling agricultural use to continue through sheep farming, alongside renewable energy generation. Other measures associated with the project include upgrades to the local private water supply and highway improvements, delivering wider benefits beyond the site.
Construction of the solar farm is expected to take around 12 months. RES will continue to keep stakeholders and the local community informed as plans progress.
For additional information:
RES

source

Author : Manoj Joshi
Having moved from imitation to the frontier in AI, biomedicine, and solar, Beijing is now deciding who may follow it there, and India may be among those left waiting
Image Source: Getty Images

China is marking its arrival as a technology power in the customary fashion: by deciding who may not have its technology. By joining the United States and other advanced economies in erecting export controls around key technologies, Beijing is signalling that it now has something worth guarding. The legal architecture, too, is being assembled swiftly and in sequence.
On 16 October, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Science and Technology proposed adding AI, biomedicine, and photovoltaic technologies to China’s catalogue of technologies that are prohibited or restricted from export. The proposals are drafts and will be finalised after consultation. Once they are, restricted items will require an export licence, and prohibited items will be barred outright. Exporters will also have to disclose any transfer of covered technology before it takes place, which gives the state a window to intervene and hands it a standing view of who is seeking what.
The aim is not to block products built with these technologies; Chinese solar panels, drugs, and AI services will continue to sell. The aim is to stop transfers that could cause the loss of the underlying know-how: the process recipes, the model architectures, the production lines. Beijing is, in effect, trying to keep the capability at home while exporting the output.
Three days later, on 19 October, MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs placed certain tunnel boring machines and their components, dredgers, and specialised excavators designed for use above 3,000 metres under export control. The altitude threshold is the giveaway. Civilian demand for such equipment at that height is slight, except where roads and tunnels are being driven through the Himalayas. India is doing exactly that, building and upgrading infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border. The measure never names India, but its timing is instructive. The two sides have spent the past year in a cautious thaw, marked by patrolling arrangements, resumed dialogue, and talk of an “early harvest” on the boundary. Beijing is showing that thaw and leverage are not mutually exclusive.
The logic behind the technology lists is subtler than that of a simple embargo. The aim is not to block products built with these technologies; Chinese solar panels, drugs, and AI services will continue to sell. The aim is to stop transfers that could cause the loss of the underlying know-how: the process recipes, the model architectures, the production lines. Beijing is, in effect, trying to keep the capability at home while exporting the output.
The regulatory loophole that Beijing is closing was exposed by the Manus affair. Meta was able to acquire the Chinese-founded AI agent app, a transaction that moved valuable technology and talent offshore without tripping any existing export control. Chinese authorities subsequently blocked the deal. The new draft rules are meant to ensure that no future Manus slips through on a technicality.
The wider purpose is to retain control over the technology needed to replicate Chinese industrial capacity abroad, and thereby to bind global supply chains more tightly to China. This is where the measures concern India directly. Countries pursuing a “China+1” strategy, which seek to diversify manufacturing away from China without leaving the Chinese ecosystem entirely, depend on importing not just components but also process knowledge, equipment, and engineers. A factory in India or Vietnam making solar cells or biologics needs more than a purchase order; it needs the know-how. Restrict that, and the “+1” remains a showroom rather than a competitor. India, with its production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes in electronics, solar modules, and pharmaceuticals, is the most obvious casualty.
China has acquired the means to monitor, slow, or block the flow of its AI technology whenever it chooses. A licensing regime requires no dramatic announcement, only discretion. Delays can be passed off as bureaucratic, and refusals can be left unexplained. 
The AI provisions in the new notifications run to 23 proposed technologies. They cover large models, agents, chip design, computing clusters, and cyber and information-processing capabilities. The proposals are framed around safety and risk, the vocabulary Washington has also adopted for its own restrictions. For now, however, the restrictions target capabilities rather than the riskiest systems, and rules written around capabilities apply to nearly anyone building anything useful.
To promote its World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), Beijing proposes additional facilitation and support for technology exports that advance cooperation among members. Membership brings access; non-membership brings paperwork. It is a familiar structure: a club whose benefits are defined partly by what non-members cannot get.
According to an analysis by Bharat Reddy, nothing changes immediately, “but the basis for leverage exists.” That is the crux of the matter. China has acquired the means to monitor, slow, or block the flow of its AI technology whenever it chooses. A licensing regime requires no dramatic announcement, only discretion. Delays can be passed off as bureaucratic, and refusals can be left unexplained. 
For the biomedicine list, five technologies are proposed, covering cell and gene therapies and small interfering RNA (siRNA) drugs. These are high-value fields in which Chinese firms have moved from imitation to the frontier within a decade, and in which licensing deals with Western pharmaceutical companies have multiplied. Control over them lets Beijing decide who gets to commercialise Chinese science.
The photovoltaic list, which contains 12 technologies, is the most consequential for the industry. Production technologies for thin-wafer fluidised-bed polysilicon and for perovskite cells would be prohibited outright, while others, including TOPCon and heterojunction, would need a licence. China dominates every stage of the solar supply chain, and these are the technologies that determine who will make the next generation of cells cheaply. Prohibiting the newest means competitors cannot leapfrog; licensing the rest means they can follow, but only at a pace Beijing approves.
Effectively, Beijing could be curbing exports of solar manufacturing technology to India. Analysts say China is seeking to preserve its dominance as India builds up its domestic manufacturing capabilities and tries to shake off its dependence on China. Earlier this year, New Delhi eased certain rules governing Chinese investment to encourage cooperation between Indian and Chinese companies in areas such as polysilicon and silicon wafer production. The new Chinese regulations, however, will create uncertainty for the planned collaborations.
One provision deserves particular notice. Even an overseas factory built with Chinese equipment may remain within the scope of the controls after the machines are installed. The restriction thus follows the technology across the border and persists after delivery. A plant in India or elsewhere would not simply own its machines; it would operate them under the continuing shadow of Chinese regulatory reach, which would affect upgrades, servicing, and the re-export of what they produce.
The 19 October order also recalibrated drone export controls. Covered items now include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that fly beyond natural line of sight with an endurance of three hours or more, or a range of 300 km or more. They also include radios above 30 dBmW or capable of controlling more than 10 aircraft, aerosol dispersal systems above 80 litres, high-power brushless motors, carbon-fibre propellers, and technologies for flight control, autonomous navigation, sense-and-avoid, whole-system design, and counter-UAS operations. Taken together, the list covers nearly every element from which an indigenous drone industry could be assembled, which matters to an India that is trying to build precisely that after the lessons of recent conflicts.
The pattern is unmistakable. Beijing is following Washington’s playbook, and applying it with the advantage of owning the chokepoints in several of the sectors concerned. For India, the message is that diversification away from China will be permitted only on terms that leave China indispensable.
Manoj Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.

Manoj Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the ORF. He has been a journalist specialising on national and international politics and is a commentator and …
ORF © 2026
Website Design and Development by Sterco Digitex

source

India’s BESS pipeline needs bankable tenders and diversified revenue streams  Energy-Storage.News
source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
Avaada Group has introduced a 745 W n-type TOPCon solar module that complies with domestic content requirement rules, presenting it at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2026. The module was unveiled by Heeralal Nagar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Energy Department in the Government of Rajasthan, according to pv magazine.
The glass-to-glass module offers power output of up to 745 W and module efficiency of 23.98%. Avaada said the product uses a 132 half-cell configuration and an 18-busbar architecture intended to raise power density and energy generation while supporting long-term performance.
Nagar commented that progress in solar technology, energy storage and decentralised power solutions is supporting India’s clean-energy transition, and he indicated that advanced modules, rooftop solar offerings and storage technologies from companies such as Avaada can help widen renewable-energy adoption and reinforce energy security.
Vineet Mittal, Chairman of Avaada Group, said India should move beyond being among the largest consumers of solar technology to become one of the leading creators and manufacturers of it. He described the 745 W DCR TOPCon module as a reflection of that ambition to produce high-performance, globally competitive solar products on Indian soil.
During the three-day REI exhibition, Avaada also displayed ready-to-install rooftop solar kits aimed at simplifying adoption for households, shops, farms and commercial establishments. The kits bundle key installation components, including solar inverters, electrical protection systems, earthing equipment and connectors.
Alongside the rooftop offering, the company showcased Avaada HALO, an integrated battery energy storage system intended to let customers store electricity and draw on it when needed. HALO combines a hybrid inverter, lithium iron phosphate battery technology and smart monitoring through the Avaada mobile app, supporting backup power, better use of rooftop solar generation and greater control over electricity consumption.
The modular system allows configurations of up to four stacked units and provides up to 10 kW of continuous power. With solar support during outages, output can reach up to 11.5 kW, depending on operating conditions.
Avaada has 8.5 GW of operational solar module manufacturing capacity. Its solar cell manufacturing capacity is 6 GW, made up of 3 GW of operational capacity and an additional 3 GW production line that is at an advanced stage of commissioning.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Major integrated solar manufacturer
India's largest solar module manufacturer
Part of Adani Group, integrated manufacturing
Leading manufacturer, part of Tata Group
Major PV module and cell producer
Historical leader in solar manufacturing
Makes solar cells, modules, encapsulants
Module and cell manufacturer
Solar PV module manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer and distributor
Manufactures solar modules and inverters
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar cell and module manufacturer
Major LED lighting products manufacturer
Leading electrical goods co, major LED player
Major manufacturer of LED lights and fixtures
Major player in LED lighting segment
LED lighting manufacturer
Manufactures LED displays and lighting
Indian subsidiary, major LED mfg in India
Manufactures LED lights and fixtures
Major Indian electrical brand, produces LEDs
LED lighting products manufacturer
Manufactures LED bulbs and lighting
Major player in consumer LED lighting
Leading LED lighting solutions provider
Manufactures LED lights under Finolex brand
Wires & cables major, also manufactures LEDs
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — India
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

India seeks $220 billion clean energy push to meet 2030 target  Reuters
source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
First Solar is inaugurating the first phase of a new manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina, on October 28, 2026, according to Solar Power World. The $330 million plant onshores final production steps for the company’s Series 6 Plus modules.
The Gaffney site currently employs roughly 500 people, and First Solar anticipates that figure reaching 700 by mid-2027, once the facility’s second phase is finished.
The South Carolina plant adds to First Solar’s three fully vertically integrated manufacturing sites in Ohio and one each in Alabama and Louisiana, alongside research and development centers in Ohio and California. The company will hold 3.7 GW of annual manufacturing capacity in South Carolina, lifting its total U.S. manufacturing capacity to 17.7 GW per year.
The Series 6 Plus module uses First Solar’s thin-film cadmium-telluride base to deliver 480 W at 19 percent efficiency. It carries aluminum under-mount frames and dual junction boxes. First Solar is developing a bifacial version of the panel that would absorb light on both sides.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Solar Panels market in the United States, covering market size, growth trajectory, demand structure, supply capability, trade flows, pricing, competitive landscape, and forecast to 2035.
The study is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, investors, procurement teams, advisors, and strategy teams that need a consistent, data-driven view of market dynamics and a transparent analytical definition of the product scope.
This report covers photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. It encompasses the global market for finished modules, including all major product technologies and form factors designed for a wide range of end-use applications.
The report combines the standard market-statistics backbone with strategic chapters that are useful for commercial planning, sourcing decisions, market entry, competitor monitoring, and portfolio prioritization.
The market is segmented into decision-relevant buckets so that demand drivers, pricing logic, supply constraints, and competitive positions can be compared across the same analytical frame.
The market data is classified and analyzed according to international trade codes, primarily under the Harmonized System (HS) headings for photovoltaic cells and electric generating sets. This ensures consistent tracking of trade flows for assembled solar modules and relevant apparatus across global markets.
Coverage focuses on United States and includes demand, supply capability where present, trade flows, pricing, competition, and outlook.
The report combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, product-level evidence, and analyst validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to keep market sizing, trade flows, pricing, and forecasts comparable across countries and time periods.
All indicators are mapped to a consistent product definition and reviewed against the segmentation framework used in the Table of Contents.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Specializes in cadmium telluride thin-film module technology
Operates a major U.S. solar module manufacturing facility in Georgia
Markets its back-contact panel technology under the SunPower brand
Operates the G1_Dallas solar module manufacturing facility
Manufactures its solar panels in San Antonio, Texas
Operates U.S. module manufacturing facilities in Washington and South Carolina
Produces modules at its U.S. facility in Minnesota
Offers bifacial and monofacial module product lines
Offers bifacial modules for utility-scale and commercial projects
U.S. solar module manufacturer with production in California
Provides solar modules under its proprietary Lumio brand
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — United States
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

India requires $220 bn for renewable energy expansion by 2030: MNRE secy  Business Standard
source

Western Australia is set to become the first Australian state to legalise plug-in solar and batteries, beginning consultation on safety standards and integration.
In September, Australia’s energy ministers agreed to work towards making plug-in solar and batteries available to all Australians, exploring pathways to support their safe deployment.
Overseas, plug-in solar and batteries are widely used in Great Britain, Germany, and many American states by renters, low-income households, and those living in apartments.
Related article: Aussies could soon plug in solar and battery systems
Plug-in solar refers to small solar units that can be plugged into power points to help offset the cost of fridges, TVs, and other appliances. They can be attached to apartment balconies or installed in backyards and can be taken by renters when they move to other residences. They do not require electricians to install the appliances.
“For too long, the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof. That isn’t fair,” Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
Experts say Western Australia’s move to allow plug-in solar could be the first step towards a national shift, opening renewable energy to renters and apartment residents traditionally locked out of rooftop solar.
However, Swinburne University of Technology energy expert Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian said getting the safety and regulatory settings right would be critical.
“Western Australia’s move to allow plug-in solar panels and batteries is a positive step towards making renewable energy more accessible and affordable, particularly for renters and apartment residents who have traditionally been excluded from rooftop solar,” he says.
“While these systems are relatively small and their contribution to overall electricity generation will be limited, they can help households reduce their daytime electricity consumption from the grid and lower energy bills.
“As adoption increases, network operators will also need to understand the cumulative impacts of these systems on local voltage and power quality.
Related article: Australia backs plan to double world’s solar homes by 2030
“With appropriate national standards and regulatory frameworks, I believe this approach could be successfully adopted in other states, including Victoria.
“Ultimately, the key is to enable innovation and greater consumer participation without compromising the safety and reliability of our electricity networks.”
Click Here to Subscribe
Sign up to receive the latest Energy News emailed directly to your Inbox
Click Here to Subscribe
New research from UNSW Sydney has found that smoke from major bushfires can significantly reduce solar electricity generation, even from more than 150km away. #bushfires #solarfarm #renewables #solarPV #climatechange

Internal documents from WA’s EPA warn Woodside’s proposed Browse gas project risks ‘significant, serious, and irreversible’ environmental consequences. #browsegas #woodside #environment #gas #LNG #fossilfuels


* indicates required

source

German farmers weigh solar power, flower strips and the future of their land
German farmers are broadly enthusiastic about generating renewable energy on their land, but they are deeply sceptical about one of the most talked-about ideas for combining energy production with nature conservation: installing photovoltaic panels on flowering strips. That is the central picture emerging from a case study in northwest Lower Saxony, Germany, published in the journal Energy, Sustainability and Society, which combined an online survey of 51 farmers with five in-depth narrative interviews conducted on their farms.
The study area, the Weser-Ems region of Lower Saxony, encompasses 14,986 square kilometres, of which 9,119 square kilometres are agriculturally used. Across Lower Saxony as a whole, 2.6 million hectares are under arable cultivation, and around 30 percent of farms already use photovoltaic systems, mostly on rooftops, to generate additional income.
The survey revealed that renewable energy installations are already widespread among respondents. Seventy-nine percent of farms had established renewable energy systems, 5 percent were planning additional systems, and 19 percent planned to obtain them for the first time. Of the farms with existing installations, 64 percent had photovoltaics, while 21 percent ran wind, biogas or other systems only. Among the farms planning new installations, every single one chose photovoltaics, with a small share also aiming for wind energy. The average farmer in the survey was 44.6 years old, 79 percent were male, and the average farm covered 70.4 hectares, of which 66.3 hectares were arable land.
When asked why they had installed renewable energy systems, the farmers’ answers were strikingly pragmatic. Income generation was the main motivation for 66 percent, followed by the wish to be energetically independent at 29 percent. Contributing to climate and nature conservation came in last, cited by just 5 percent. The authors note that this aligns with findings from Swedish farmers and with research showing that climate mitigation measures are often appreciated for offering farm-beneficial functions other than climate change mitigation itself. In the interviews, self-determination emerged as a powerful theme: one farmer spoke of wanting his own energy sources to be more self-sufficient, while another described generating electricity, self-sufficiency and participation as motivations, adding that she deliberately took no subsidies because she could do better on her own without extensive specifications.
Flowering strips told a different motivational story. Just over half of the surveyed farmers, 52 percent, had established flowering strips on their farms, covering an average of 2.3 hectares per farm, or about 1.4 percent of those farms’ total area. Among farmers who had established them, the top motivation was a personal contribution to biodiversity, cited by 56 percent, with funding a distant second at 25 percent. Among those who had not established them, the main reasons were seeing no benefit, cited by 42 percent, an expected increase in workload at 31 percent, and too much bureaucracy at 12 percent. The interviews suggested that for many farmers, biodiversity and sustainability were simply seen as a natural part of the job rather than a distinct project, with one interviewee remarking that using resources sparingly was how farmers had always thought.
The most consequential finding concerned the hypothetical dual-use scenario in which photovoltaic systems would be installed on flowering strips. Under the current remuneration system, 95 percent of participating farmers said they would not, or would probably not, install such a combination. The main disadvantage, seen by 53 percent of farmers, was the withdrawal of land from agricultural production for a longer period, followed by increased maintenance effort. More than a third, 35 percent, could see no advantage in the combined use at all, and 27 percent saw economic profit as the top advantage, but only on the condition that both the photovoltaic system and the flowering strip would be financially supported. Notably, 46 percent of farmers said they did not feel qualified to assess the effect of photovoltaic systems on the biodiversity of flowering strips, 28 percent assumed a negative effect, 26 percent assumed no effect, and none assumed a positive effect.
The interviews also laid bare the bureaucratic and legal obstacles that discourage farmers from adopting renewable energy. All five interview participants mentioned the immense administrative effort required, and several described frustrating encounters with local authorities. One farmer had his application for a small photovoltaic system on unused land rejected outright because the district feared a flood of similar applications. Another, who operates a biogas plant, was sued by the district because the plant’s performance differed from its registered performance, and described feeling anxious and unfairly treated despite doing what everyone talks about in terms of environmental protection and sustainability. The authors conclude that clear and simple workflow structures and designated contact persons at district level could meaningfully improve support for farmers.
The study’s authors argue that successful adoption of dual-use systems combining photovoltaics with flowering strips would require reducing bureaucratic obstacles, designing landscape-integrated solutions, and respecting fertile land, while also taking farmers’ emotions and observations into account. Farmers in the survey preferred high-mounted or medium-high photovoltaic systems beneath which agricultural management could continue, indicating an effort to mitigate land-use conflicts. Aesthetic considerations also played a role: 26 percent of farmers thought the combination would be detrimental to the landscape’s aesthetic value, and one interviewee expressed a clear preference for small-scale energy systems over large parks that dominate the landscape, describing the barren areas created under large panel arrays as bad for both landscape and biodiversity.
Looking ahead, the researchers propose several policy directions, including amending national laws to better consider the intersection of energy law and environmental law, creating a single main contact point for renewable energy and biodiversity issues, developing a practical guide for farmers covering legal, tax and inheritance aspects, and exploring whether state agencies could lease land from farmers to set up renewable energy combined with biodiversity measures. They stress that understanding the different motivations of farmers is essential for developing future policies that support rural transformation processes in economic, environmental, social and aesthetic terms, since farmers shape rural areas economically, ecologically, socially and aesthetically and are therefore central to any transformation process.
The authors caution that their findings come from a single case study region in northwest Germany with a modest sample size, so the results should be read as a detailed portrait of one farming community rather than a nationally representative picture. Nevertheless, the study offers a rare combined quantitative and qualitative view of how farmers weigh income, independence, bureaucracy, land stewardship and landscape aesthetics when deciding what to do with their fields. As Germany pursues targets of 400 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity, an expansion estimated to require some 280,000 hectares of agricultural land by 2040, the attitudes of the farmers who work that land may prove decisive for whether energy and biodiversity goals can be reconciled in the countryside.
Subject of Research: Farmers' attitudes towards renewable energy, biodiversity and combining photovoltaics with flowering strips in northwest Germany
Article Title: German farmers’ attitudes towards renewable energies, biodiversity, and a combination of both – a case study based on results from an online survey and in-depth interviews
Article References: Baumann, K., Scheffler, M., Aka, C., & Kayser, M. (2026). German farmers’ attitudes towards renewable energies, biodiversity, and a combination of both – a case study based on results from an online survey and in-depth interviews. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 16(1), Article 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-026-00613-8
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s13705-026-00613-8
Keywords: renewable energy, photovoltaics, biodiversity, flowering strips, farmers, Germany, Lower Saxony, agriculture, dual land use, online survey, in-depth interviews, energy policy
News Source: Faith Mcneil. (October 28, 2026). German farmers weigh solar power, flower strips and the future of their land. Scienmag.
We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Email Address
Subscribe
Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Login to your account below


Remember Me

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.


Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

source

A leading solar PV engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is listing in Casablanca to raise funds for regional market expansion and vertical integration.
Subscriber only content
An active subscription is required to view this article
Subscribe to African Energy
View subscription options
Tagged with:
Power, Strategy & risk
Benin, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire
African Energy is a brand of
©Copyright 2026 African Energy
Head Office
4 Bank Buildings
Station Road
Hastings
TN34 1NG
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1424 721667

source

Solar Cells Inspected on NASA’s NEO Surveyor  NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (.gov)
source

e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters

Sign up for email newsletters
e-Edition
Waverly Twp. officials will hear requests for solar panels on two properties Wednesday.
Ann Pelicci is seeking a special exception to install a nearly 4,000-square-foot ground-mounted solar panel system on her property on Lynnwood Road, according to a legal notice published in The Times-Tribune.
The Jewish Discovery Center, which filed its application under the name Chabad of the Abingtons, is looking for a special exception to install a ground-mounted solar panel system that is 3,000 square feet on its property at 216 Miller Road.
Both would exceed the maximum length of 750 feet permitted in the township for a ground-mounted solar panel system.
Rabbi Benny Rapoport said the panels will be used to power the home and synagogue on the property. He hopes it will offset their electric costs and cover their electric bills, which cost around $2,000 a month.
“We want to offset the carbon footprint and try to generate the same amount of usage to be able to cover that,” Rapoport said.
If approved, the panels will be built on the 20-acre property in an open field behind the synagogue, the same area where they plan to put in a dozen cabins. He said the trees and forests surrounding the property ensure the array will be hidden from neighboring properties, while still getting lots of sunlight.
He believes everyone should have solar panels to offset carbon emissions.
“We have to move towards a more sustainable, renewable source through wind and solar,” Rapoport said. “Solar is really inexpensive, and I think that’s sort of our duty in a sense. Everyone, everyone should be doing this.”
Efforts to reach Pelicci were unsuccessful.
The township’s zoning hearing board will hear Pelicci’s request at 5:30 p.m. and the Jewish Discovery Center’s plans at 6:30. The hearings will be held in the Waverly Community House.
Copyright 2026 Scranton Times-Tribune. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.

source

The Gangaikondan facility aims to reduce India’s solar cell imports and integrate manufacturing across the supply chain.
Indian company Vikram Solar has announced that its 9GW N-type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing unit in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, is on schedule to begin production in December 2026.
The company stated that the full 9GW capacity will be brought online in phases following the initial output.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
Located within the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Tirunelveli district, the plant aims to address India’s ongoing reliance on imported solar cells, which currently make up a significant component in the majority of domestically manufactured modules.
Vikram Solar indicated that the Gangaikondan facility, once fully operational, will supply high-efficiency TOPCon cells for most of its own module production, supporting both domestic projects and international supply chains.
The first stage of Vikram Solar’s integration strategy at Gangaikondan was the inauguration of a 6GW module facility on the same site, which took place in August 2026.
Vikram Solar revealed that the cell manufacturing facility is phase two of its three-phase plan for the campus.
The third phase, already approved by the board and targeted for financial year 2029, is a 9GW ingot and wafer facility.
The company said there are also plans to expand cell manufacturing capacity to 12GW in the future.
Employment generated by the campus is expected to exceed 2,000 positions, including both direct and indirect roles.
The site, which covers nearly 200 acres, will host production of wafers, ingots, cells and modules in one location, which the company says will streamline supply chains, maintain quality control, and reduce logistics costs.
The project is being developed by Vikram Solar’s wholly owned subsidiary, VSL Green Power.
Vikram Solar chairman and managing director Gyanesh Chaudhary said: “Indian module makers, including us, have built their businesses around imported cells. Gangaikondan ends that for Vikram Solar.
“Cells are where the value, the technology and the risk in a module sit, and in December we start making them here. It is the most important step in our integration journey, and not the last: our roadmap runs from wafer to module, on Indian soil.”
Vikram Solar plans to seek ALMM List-II enlistment for its cells produced at Gangaikondan in due course.
The facility is expected to support government-backed initiatives such as utility-scale, PM Surya Ghar, rooftop, and PMKUSUM programmes where domestic content is required, and to serve global clients diversifying procurement sources.
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Find out more
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
Find out more
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

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

source

RWE (ISIN DE0007037129) commissioned a 3.7 MW battery storage system at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on October 26, 2026, completing its joint energy concept with Borussia Dortmund, according to RWE. At 10:47 a.m. CET on October 28, 2026, the stock was trading at EUR 57.61 at Lang & Schwarz, 0.09 percent above the Xetra close of October 27, 2026 at EUR 57.56.
The battery can supply 3.7 megawatts for just over an hour. RWE says the connected photovoltaic system includes 11,132 solar modules and has a capacity of more than 5 MWp. The battery allows electricity generated during daylight to support the stadium when solar output is unavailable.
The project also gives the partnership a measurable operating target. The photovoltaic system can cover up to 45 percent of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK’s electricity requirements, while the six-year partnership aims to improve energy management, efficiency and decarbonization at the venue, according to RWE.
The new storage unit changes the project from solar generation into a more flexible local energy system. RWE’s release says the photovoltaic plant was commissioned in December 2025, making the October 26 battery commissioning the third dated step in the site plan. The company had also secured 119 MW of onshore wind capacity in Germany on September 18, 2026, according to its press information.
In December 2025, the stadium’s photovoltaic system was commissioned. On September 18, 2026, RWE secured 119 MW of German onshore wind capacity. On October 26, 2026, the 3.7 MW battery system became operational, as reported by RWE.
RWE plans to publish results for the first three quarters of 2026 on November 11, 2026, with an investor and analyst conference call led by CFO Michael Muller, according to RWE. That date is the next company-specific reporting checkpoint after the stadium project announcement.
The small premium over the Xetra close leaves the market quotation broadly stable around EUR 57.61 on October 28, 2026. The new project supplies a concrete operating example of RWE’s renewable and storage strategy, while the November reporting date will provide the next broader financial update.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of RWE stock.
Market context: Market report DAX.
More news and analyses on RWE stock

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center
image: 

view more 
Credit: Bin Li, Zhejun Guo, Qin Wang, Maoshu Yin, Xianglei Shi, Lu Yao, Chongjing Lu, Yanpeng Zhang, Wenwei Xu, Liying Jiang, Lijie Sun*, Feng Shao*, Xuan Liu*, Nantao Hu*
As aerospace systems, satellites, and emerging flexible electronics demand increasingly lightweight power sources, solar-cell substrates must deliver exceptional mechanical strength without adding unnecessary mass. Although polyimide (PI) films offer excellent thermal stability and flexibility, their relatively high density limits the specific power of thin-film solar cells, while introducing porosity can weaken their mechanical integrity. Researchers from Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, the Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Shanghai Institute of Technology have developed an ultralight, mechanically robust composite film by integrating covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The resulting substrate enables flexible gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells to achieve exceptional specific power while maintaining performance during repeated bending. 
Why This Lightweight Solar-Cell Platform Matters
For space-based and other weight-sensitive applications, increasing power output relative to device mass is critical. Conventional PI substrates combine good thermal stability with mechanical strength, but their density can exceed 1.3 g cm^-3. Simply introducing pores to reduce weight often compromises strength, while conventional CNT reinforcement may suffer from aggregation and weak interfacial bonding with the polymer matrix. Overcoming this strength–density trade-off is therefore essential for developing flexible solar cells that are both lightweight and mechanically reliable.
Innovative Design and Mechanism
The researchers constructed a coaxial MWCNT–COF hybrid by growing a porous COF layer directly onto carboxylated carbon nanotubes through a solvothermal process. These hybrids were then incorporated into a PI matrix through in situ polymerization to form an interconnected, layered porous network. The CNTs provide mechanical reinforcement, while the covalently bonded COF shells improve interfacial compatibility and facilitate stress transfer between the nanotubes and polymer. This architecture helps suppress CNT aggregation, strengthens the composite interface, and introduces porosity that reduces density. Combined with PI’s thermally stable molecular structure, the design achieves lightweight construction without sacrificing mechanical integrity.
Outstanding Performance
The optimized MWCNT–COF/PI film achieves a tensile strength of 97.53 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 1.53 GPa, while its density falls to just 0.73 g cm^-3—a 45.1% reduction compared with the unmodified PI film. The composite also exhibits improved hydrophobicity and maintains thermal stability, with no significant mass loss below 500 °C. Using an ultrathin, 6 μm-thick composite film as the substrate, the researchers fabricated flexible dual-junction and triple-junction GaAs solar cells with power-conversion efficiencies of 26.6% and 31.5% under AM0 illumination, respectively. Their corresponding specific powers reached 8,998 and 7,749 W kg^-1. The devices also retained excellent photovoltaic performance after 2,000 bending cycles at a 10 mm radius, demonstrating their mechanical durability.
Applications and Future Outlook
This COF-anchored nanotube strategy offers a promising route toward lightweight, durable substrates for flexible photovoltaics. By combining high mechanical strength, low density, thermal stability, and reliable photovoltaic performance, the composite films could support the development of power systems for satellites, aerospace vehicles, and other mass-constrained applications. More broadly, the work demonstrates how rational interfacial engineering and three-dimensional network design can address competing requirements in advanced polymer composites, providing a useful materials-design strategy for next-generation flexible electronic and energy devices.
Nano-Micro Letters
10.1007/s40820-026-02326-1
News article
Covalent Organic Framework‑Anchored Carbon Nanotubes Enabling Ultra‑Thin Robust Polyimide Films for High‑Specific‑Power Flexible GaAs Solar Cells
10-Aug-2026
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Bowen Li
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center
qkzx@sjtu.edu.cn
Office: 021-62800059

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center


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

source

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

28.10.2026 12:20
Konradsreuth/Hof – How can agricultural land be used for farming while simultaneously generating solar power, and which photovoltaic system makes the most economic sense under specific site conditions? A research project conducted by the Institute of Hydrogen and Energy Technology (iwe) at Hof University of Applied Sciences is investigating these questions. Since 2024, the research team has been examining various concepts for so-called agrivoltaics (Agri-PV) as part of the EnerKMU programme. These systems allow agricultural land to be used simultaneously for electricity generation and activities such as grazing.
The study focuses on a site in Konradsreuth near Hof. Until the planned completion of the project in June 2027, the research team will compare three different system designs: a conventional south-facing ground-mounted solar installation, a vertical bifacial east-west system, and a vertically tracking system. Bifacial modules can absorb sunlight from both sides, while a tracking system adjusts the orientation of its modules according to the position of the sun.

“Our research clearly shows that the highest energy yield does not automatically translate into the best economic solution. What matters is when the electricity is generated and how much it is worth on the market at that time,” explains Oliver Stark, a project researcher at iwe at Hof University of Applied Sciences, summarising one of the project's key findings.

Electricity prices change the equation

A key feature of the research project is that it looks beyond the amount of electricity generated. The simulations also incorporate actual electricity market prices and site-specific weather data. In addition, the research team is investigating various battery storage concepts, including so-called green and grey storage systems.

The results reveal significant differences between the systems. Although the vertically tracking concept achieved the highest specific energy yield, the vertical east-west system proved to be the most economically attractive option. One reason is its characteristic generation profile: rather than producing a pronounced peak around midday, the system generates more electricity in the morning and afternoon. These periods can offer more favourable prices on the electricity market.

“When planning future Agri-PV installations, we should therefore ask more than just how many kilowatt-hours a system produces. It is equally important to consider when those kilowatt-hours are generated and how this affects the system's economic viability,” Stark explains.

Research directly informs the planning of a new installation

The project has a direct practical application. The simulations are serving as the planning basis for a 1-megawatt-peak (MWp) Agri-PV installation being developed at the site under investigation. MWp refers to the maximum electrical output of a photovoltaic system under standardised test conditions. The project partner is WiesenSonne Agri PV GmbH, based in Konradsreuth.

The selected vertical system allows the land to remain in agricultural use and is particularly well suited to grazing. It also has no moving components directly within the grazing area, making agricultural operations easier to manage.

The researchers have also developed a dedicated simulation methodology for evaluating vertical Agri-PV systems. This enabled them to compare the different system designs under identical site conditions. In addition to technical performance indicators, the study examined how different electricity generation profiles affect a system's economic performance.

The location ultimately determines the optimal system

The project's central finding is also relevant to other Agri-PV developments: there is no universally “best” system based on energy yield alone. Weather conditions, land use, technical characteristics, electricity market prices and potential storage solutions must all be considered together.

“Site-specific simulations of this kind can provide a sound basis for technical and economic decisions at an early stage when planning future installations,” explain Alfred Caspar and Sebastian Unglaub, Managing Directors of project partner WiesenSonne Agri PV GmbH.
Oliver Stark, Hochschule Hof
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Lehrer/Schüler, Studierende, Wirtschaftsvertreter, Wissenschaftler, jedermann
Energie, Ernährung / Gesundheit / Pflege, Tier / Land / Forst, Umwelt / Ökologie, Wirtschaft
überregional
Forschungsergebnisse, Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Suche in Pressemitteilungen Suche in Terminen

Anfangsdatum

Enddatum



Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).

source

Singapore targets 4GWp of cumulative solar PV by 2035, up from 2.3GWp today  PV Tech
source

Non-profit. Reader-funded. Independent.
GREATER NOIDA, India, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tongwei Solar showcased its TNC series high-efficiency solar cells at Renewable Energy India Expo (REI) 2026, held from October 22–24 in Greater Noida, India. The company also hosted industry presentations and technical discussions on India’s PV manufacturing landscape, advanced solar cell technologies and quality assurance, engaging with customers and industry partners from India and around the world.
Advancing Cell Technology and Manufacturing Performance
At the exhibition, Tongwei presented its latest developments in the TNC series. Through the coordinated application of TPE, Poly Tech and multi-cut technologies, TNC 3.0 multi-cut cells help reduce cutting losses and enable a module power gain of more than 10W, creating additional value for downstream module manufacturers.

The event featured insights from Priyadarshini Sanjay, Managing Director of Mercom, on India’s PV manufacturing industry and market outlook. Tongwei representatives also shared perspectives on China–India solar industry collaboration and introduced the company’s high-efficiency cell technologies, manufacturing practices and quality control measures.
These sessions provided an opportunity for industry participants to exchange views on market development, technology advancement and opportunities for cooperation across the solar value chain.

TÜV Rheinland Recognizes Tongwei’s PV Cell Manufacturing Excellence
A key highlight was Tongwei Solar receiving the “Global Benchmark in PV Cell Manufacturing Award” from TÜV Rheinland. The award recognizes Tongwei’s manufacturing scale, technological capabilities and product quality in high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing.

The recognition adds to Tongwei’s achievements in advanced manufacturing and sustainable development. The company’s PV cell manufacturing operations include a Lighthouse Factory designation and recognition from the World Economic Forum’s MINDS initiative for AI application, alongside TÜV Rheinland’s Zero Carbon Factory certification.
Strengthening Global Partnerships

Throughout the exhibition, Tongwei’s team met with customers and partners to discuss product performance, manufacturing capabilities, technical support and potential collaboration. These exchanges reinforced the importance of high-efficiency technologies, consistent product quality and responsive technical services in meeting the evolving needs of global PV markets.

Tongwei Solar will continue to advance technological innovation, intelligent manufacturing and quality assurance while working with global partners to support the development of the photovoltaic industry.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR
This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Your contributions can help us provide in-depth reporting on social, political, and economic issues that affect our daily lives.
©2025 All rights reserved. Foundation for Independent Journalism (FIJ)

source

A new federal rule could make it harder for Utah farmers to finance projects related to clean energy.
The regulations require farmers to complete projects and document a year of energy savings before applying for funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the changes are intended to streamline its Rural Energy for America Program and ensure funding decisions reflect actual project performance.
Chad Hughes, senior associate attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said requiring farmers to cover costs up front could put federal assistance out of reach for smaller operations.
“Only those that can afford to carry those costs for over a year without knowing whether or not they’re going to be reimbursed are going to be able to apply for [the program]. So it’s going to make the program just much less accessible,” Hughes contended.
Hughes pointed out the changes also limit wind projects on certified cropland. They took effect Oct. 16.
Farmers and rural businesses can comment on the rule online through Nov. 2. Although the rule is already active, the Department of Agriculture said the feedback could influence future program revisions.
The guidelines follow earlier agency restrictions on solar funding, which applied retroactively to pending applications. The Environmental Law and Policy Center sued the agency in September, arguing the policy conflicts with Congress’ intent for the program to support renewable energy projects. Hughes stressed the agency cannot restrict renewable energy to favor fossil fuels.
“The law has these basic principles of fairness baked in. You can’t just change the rules in the middle of the game like that unless you have a really good reason to do so, and [the Agriculture Department] just has not identified such reason,” Hughes underscored.
From 2023 through 2025, the program supported nearly 7,000 projects and generated an estimated $2.75 billion in rural economic development. A Department of Agriculture report showed the bipartisan program generated or saved enough energy in 2024 to power more than 300,000 homes.

source

Emergency
Backstory
Newsletters
中文新闻
BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
By Nicolas Perpitch
Topic:Solar Energy
Western Australia is set to become the first state or territory to lift the ban on plug-in solar and batteries. (Supplied: Holger's Pictures)
Western Australia has announced the start of consultation on a safety standard for plug-in solar panels and batteries, including how to ensure they do not overload power circuits.
Last month, Australia's energy ministers agreed to explore how to safely roll out plug-in solar across the nation.
The national first will help renters and apartment dwellers save hundreds of dollars on their power bills. 
Renters and apartment dwellers could save hundreds of dollars on their power bills when Western Australia becomes the first state to legalise plug-in solar panels and batteries.
WA is set to unlock access to the technology commonly known as "balcony solar", used by millions of people in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Overseas, the technology is usually attached to apartment balconies or installed in backyards, typically costing up to $1,300, plus extra for a plug-in battery.
In September, Australia's energy ministers agreed to explore how to safely roll out plug-in solar across the nation.
But WA is the first state or territory to give the technology the green light, announcing consultations on a safety standard for the energy-saving devices, including how to ensure they don't overload power circuits.
Plug-in solar panels are a popular choice for people who live in apartments or those who do not own their home. (Unsplash: Yuma Solar)
"For too long, the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn't own their roof. That isn't fair," Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
As the name suggests, they plug into regular power points and don't require an electrician to install.
The panels feed power into the home network via an inverter and a standard plug, helping offset electricity used by appliances.
Thousands of households with batteries installed under the federal government's scheme are choosing not to sign up to be a so-called virtual power plant that sells stored energy back to the grid.
That means renters, who have no incentive to spend thousands putting solar panels on their rental's roof, can now benefit from solar energy.
People living in apartments with a balcony or another reliable spot in the sun can also benefit.
The state government estimated a typical plug-in solar system could save households $240 a year on their electricity bill, and up to $500 if they have a battery as well.
But industry experts believe the payback period for plug-in solar systems ranges from four to 10 years.
Solar Citizens, a community organisation that has been pushing for the legalisation of the technology, has previously said an average plug-in solar panel would save people $300-400 a year, and double that with a plug-in battery.
On top of that, renters can take the device with them when they move out.
An apartment building with plug-in solar panels on the balconies. (Supplied: AlexGo)
Ms Sanderson said WA was leading the nation in technology uptake. 
"Western Australians are already taking up solar and batteries in record numbers, and this will ensure even more families can see the savings from the energy transition."
Amber-Jade Sanderson says people who don't own their home deserve access to the benefits of cheap solar. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas welcomed the move and called for plug-in solar to be made safely available across Australia by mid-2027.
"WA's announcement starts a 'race to the top', and puts a rocket up the need for the federal government to announce a nationally coordinated approach for the release of this money-saving technology across Australia by July next year," she said.
"Plug-in solar and batteries are an anti-inflationary energy reform … At scale, these technologies could help lower energy system costs for everyone, not just those who own them."
More than 40 per cent of homes in the South West Interconnected System, WA's main electricity grid, have solar panels.
The state government will now need to bring landlords and body corporates on board to allow plug-in solar to be hung on balconies or set up in backyards.
The UK legalised plug-in solar earlier this year, and New Zealand is looking to do the same within 12 months.
Germany is a world leader in plug-in solar, with an estimated one in 10 households having a system installed.
Topic:Archaeology
Topic:Archaeology
Topic:Greenhouse Gases
Topic:Feel Good
Topic:History
See more ABC coverage in your search results
Topic:Rail Accidents and Incidents
Topic:Federal Government
LIVE
Topic:World Politics
Topic:Economy
Topic:Solar Energy
Topic:Batteries
Climate Change
Electricity Production and Distribution
Government Policy
Greenhouse Gases
Perth
Renewable Energy
Solar Energy
Topic:Rail Accidents and Incidents
Topic:Federal Government
LIVE
Topic:World Politics
Topic:Economy
Topic:Music Awards
Topic:Federal Government
Topic:Rail Accidents and Incidents
Topic:Travel and Tourism
Your home of Australian stories, conversations and events that shape our nation.
This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.
Get the latest ABC News delivered to your email inbox
Stay informed and connected with the ABC. Covering a wide range of topics and brands including News, iview, listen, and more.

source

Renewables Now is a leading business news source for renewable energy professionals globally. Trust us for comprehensive coverage of major deals, projects and industry trends. We’ve done this since 2009.
Stay on top of sector news with with Renewables Now. Get access to extra articles and insights with our subscription plans and set up your own focused newsletters and alerts.

source

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A solar project planned for the closed Haley Pike Landfill will include direct funding for community programs to help low-income households with high energy costs.
The Urban County Council approved the Community Benefits Agreement Oct. 22 as part of its contract with developer Social Impact Solar.
Under the agreement, the company will also fund environmental education programs and workforce development workshops.
City leaders say the Haley Pike project is notable nationally for its size and for redeveloping a brownfield site rather than farmland.
The agreement also requires the company to report occupational license fees tied to the project, allowing the council to track additional revenue.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source

Facebook Twitter Print Email
During his two-day visit to India this week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited a model project site in Gujarat state, designated the country’s first solar-powered village. He commended villagers there on the shift towards renewable energy, which he said is not only changing lives in the community, but also combating climate change. 
Gadvi Kailashben, a 42-year-old widow, lives in Modhera, home to the centuries-old Sun Temple and now the first village in India that runs on solar energy.
She earns a meagre income from agriculture which she uses to take care of her family. The Government has installed solar panels on her house which has given her much-needed relief from household expenses.
“Earlier, when solar was not there, I had to pay huge amount for the electricity bill – close to 2,000 rupees. However, with the installation of the solar, my electricity bill is now zero. Everything from the refrigerator to washing machine now runs on solar in my house. I am not paying even 1 rupee electricity bill now,” said Ms. Kailashben.
“The extra money is now saved in my account. I use that money for daily house expenses, and for the education of my children,” she added.
Conversion to a clean, renewable energy source is not only enabling the villagers to run more electrical household gadgets to make life comfortable, without worrying about the electricity bill. It is also becoming a source of income for them.
Ashaben Mahendrabhai, 38, lives with her husband and two children. “We work in our farm and used to pay huge electricity bill for agriculture. Since solar installation in our village, we are now saving a lot of electricity. Earlier our electricity bill used to come around 2,000 rupees. Now it is in minus,” she said.
With the electricity bill in minus, Ashaben is not only saving the money that she used to spend on electricity, but the excess electricity generated is sold back to the grid and she gets money in return.
“When the first time the project team came to us with the idea of solar, we didn’t understand the concept, so we refused to get it installed. We were not literate to understand what solar energy was and had little knowledge about it. But slowly, the team made us understand the concept and the advantages of solar, how we will save electricity and money, then we got interested in it,” she said.
Local farmers Pingalsinh Karsanbhai Gadhvi and Surajben Gadhvi, who are married, got  solar rooftops installed on their house six months ago.
Pingalsinh Karsanbhai feels that this project has not only given them freedom from electricity bills, but the savings will hold them in good stead in old age.
“Earlier we used to get electricity bill of 3,000 rupees and after solar it is zero now. Now we are saving those 3,000 rupees every month,” he said.
“These solar panels have benefited the entire village. All the institutions like schools, public institutions, all have benefited from the solar in the village. In my individual capacity I am saving 3,000 rupees. Now we don’t require extra energy. The entire house runs on solar.”
He exclaimed that “this saving is like a pension for our old age. We are really happy about it.”

His wife Surajben was all smiles and eager to recommend it for other villages.
“If this solar is installed across the country it would be really advantageous. It feels like the Sun God is providing us energy through its light. This benefit that our Modhera village has got, should reach the entire country,” she said.
Interacting with the villagers of Modhera during his visit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the efforts of the Government and the residents.
“Here where the Temple of Sun was built 1,000 years ago, there is a new Temple of Sun. It’s based on solar energy. And the fact that solar energy is transforming the lives of the people of this village, making it more healthy, giving them more prosperity, but at the same time, contributing to rescue our planet from climate change that is still riding without control.”
Home to the iconic Sun Temple of Gujarat, Modhera village is approximately 97 km from the city of Ahmedabad in the Mehsana district of Gujarat.

With the vision of powering the Sun Temple and the entire village through Sun God (solar energy), this project is the first of its kind, where rural residents are envisaged to be self-reliant through green energy.

“The idea behind this project is that since the Modhera temple is the Temple of the Sun God, so the entire energy of this town and community should come from solar energy,” said Mamta Verma, Principal Secretary, Energy and Petrochemicals in the Government of Gujarat.
The Sun Temple now runs a 3D light show entirely on solar power, its premises run on solar energy and the parking area also boasts electric vehicle charging stations.
Armed with a large array of solar panels on the rooftops of houses, on Government schools, bus stops, utility buildings, car parks and even the premises of the Sun Temple, Modhera benefits from the six-megawatt installed capacity power plant in nearby Sujjanpura village.
With the village consumption merely one to two megawatts, the excess is added to the transmission grid.
“There are three major components to this entire project. One is our ground mounted 6-megawatt project. The second is the 15-megawatt battery storage system and the third is the one-kilowatt rooftops installed on 1,300 houses,” the Chief Project Officer of Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL), Rajendra Mistry, explained.
“Out of the 1,000 rooftops we have provided in the village, the electricity that comes out is first consumed by the people of the village, and the excess electricity is then given to the grid.”

Funded by the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, the estimated cost of the entire project is $9.7 million. What sets it apart is the fact that Modhera is also the first village to become a net renewable energy generator.
“This is the first village in India where even during the night, the energy consumed by the villagers comes from the solar component. That’s the speciality of this project,” said Vikalp Bhardwaj, Managing Director of Gujarat Power Corporation Limited.
This demonstration project is expected to provide learning to resolve bottlenecks related to renewable energy. If the project proves to be economically viable, the plan is to replicate it in other rural areas in Gujarat.
Said Mr. Bhardwaj: “This kind of project acts as a demonstration project for other villages and towns in India. And similarly, the other villages and towns can adopt this model to become self-dependent, self-sufficient in the energy needs.”

Modhera resident Ashaben Mahendrabhai summed up the benefits.
“I would encourage the other villages also to put solar as it is beneficial in all aspects, from saving money to saving electricity,” she said.
POWERED BY THE SUN
 
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is in India, and he began his official visit on Wednesday by attending a tribute to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attacks that took place at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai.
Facebook Twitter Print Email

source

We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy Manage cookies
Search across reports, market insights, and blog stories.
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) have devised a catalytic method that may prolong the working life of perovskite solar cells without sacrificing high power conversion efficiencies.
According to the team, the hole transport layer (HTL) in such cells is usually treated with lithium-based salts and additives whose solubility is enhanced to boost electrical conductivity and ease charge transport. Yet these additives are volatile, which poses a serious obstacle to long-term device stability. Under real-world conditions, especially heat and moisture, the compounds may evaporate or migrate out of the HTL, damaging the interfaces between neighboring layers. The voids and structural defects that result can speed up degradation and cut short the cells’ operational lifespan. The researchers further noted that at elevated temperatures and high humidity, lithium ions released from lithium salts spread into the cell interior in an uncontrolled fashion, shortening lifespan even more, and that no alternative routes to the same efficiency gain—whether dropping lithium salts and additives altogether or substituting other agents—had been proposed until now.
To tackle these problems, the team created a catalyst-assisted process in which lithium salts serve temporarily to drive the needed chemical reactions before the lithium ions and the catalyst are filtered out of the solution. The academics said the key is nickel oxide (NiOx) acting as a catalyst: added to the hole-transport layer solution, the nickel oxide powder interacts strongly with lithium ions and draws them in. This mechanism separates lithium ions from lithium salts and binds them to the nickel oxide surface without additives—something the researchers described as a major difficulty in conventional processes.
The process was evaluated in solar cells comprising a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate, a tin oxide (SnO2) electron transport layer (ETL), a formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3)-based perovskite absorber, a spiro-OMeTAD HTL and a gold (Au) electrode. The best device reached a power conversion efficiency of 25.24%, an open-circuit voltage of 1.175 V, a short-circuit current density of 25.83 mA/cm2 and a fill factor of 83.21%, along with a stabilized power output of 25.1% under one-sun illumination. After 500 hours of continuous operation the cells kept more than 90% of their initial efficiency, and 95% under accelerated damp-heat testing at 85 C and 85% relative humidity, pointing to better operational stability.
Per the scientists, the method oxidizes spiro-OMeTAD in under five seconds without the conventional additive 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP). NiOx also helps dissolve lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) while trapping lithium ions, which are then removed together with the NiOx particles by filtration. Electrical conductivity of the HTL rose by a factor of 2.5, and films came out more uniform with better charge extraction.
The work appeared in the study published in Advanced Science. Se Jin Ahn, principal researcher at KIER and project leader, said the research went beyond commonly accepted ideas and strategies in conventional perovskite solar cell fabrication by proposing a novel catalytic and filtration process in which the catalyst only induces the necessary chemical reactions and is then removed, together with the target material, through filtration. Ahn added that the technology would represent a significant milestone in tackling persistent lifespan issues for perovskite tandem solar cells and in paving the way to commercialization.
In related work, another KIER team recently set a record power conversion efficiency of 26.7% for a tandem solar cell pairing a perovskite top cell with a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) bottom cell. The researchers said Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) confirmed the result, which was included in the Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart kept by the US Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Tell us where to send the sample and whether you want this report customized.
Thank you. Our team will review your request and reply to your business email.
Our team will review your request and route it to support@indexbox.io.
IndexBox, Inc.
2093 Philadelphia Pike #1441
Claymont, DE 19703, USA
Contact us
© 2026 IndexBox, Inc
Instant access. No credit card needed.
Online access to 2M+ reports, dashboards, and tables. Trusted by Fortune 500 teams.
Free Data: Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes — South Korea
Instant access. No credit card needed.

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source

Home » News » NLC India Awards 289.87 MWp Solar Module Order to Vikram Solar for Rajasthan Project 
New Delhi: NLC India Limited has awarded an order to Vikram Solar Limited for the supply of 289.87 MWp of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for an 810 MW solar power project at the RUVN Solar Park in Pugal, Bikaner, Rajasthan. The order supports the development of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure in the state, which has significant potential for solar power generation.
The contract covers the supply of advanced N-type Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar modules to NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited. The modules are intended for deployment in the utility-scale solar project at the RUVN Solar Park.
The solar modules supplied by Vikram Solar will use N-type TOPCon cell technology, which is designed to improve energy generation efficiency and deliver reliable performance under demanding environmental conditions.
The technology offers several benefits for large-scale solar installations, including:
These features are particularly relevant to western Rajasthan, where intense sunlight and high temperatures create challenging operating conditions for solar power installations.
Located in the Thar region, the RUVN Solar Park is among the major solar developments in the country. The project forms part of Rajasthan’s efforts to harness its abundant solar energy resources and expand renewable power generation capacity.
Read also: NLC India Clears 1,272 Tonnes of Scrap, Generates ₹3.12 Crore Under Special Campaign 6
The order from NLC India strengthens Vikram Solar’s position as a supplier of high-efficiency solar modules for large grid-connected projects in India. It also adds to the company’s order book amid growing demand for advanced solar technology and domestically manufactured PV modules.
For utility-scale solar projects, consistent product quality, module reliability and timely deliveries are essential to achieving long-term energy generation targets. The performance of solar modules directly affects the electricity output and operational efficiency of large solar installations.
Commenting on the order, Sameer Nagpal, Chief Executive Officer of Vikram Solar, said the contract for nearly 290 MWp of solar modules reflected confidence in the company’s TOPCon technology and its ability to supply large-scale renewable energy projects.
He added that Vikram Solar remained focused on strengthening its manufacturing capabilities while ensuring performance certainty and supply reliability for utility-scale solar developments.
Headquartered in Kolkata, Vikram Solar is an Indian solar photovoltaic module manufacturer with an international presence across 39 countries.
The company said it had been recognised as a Top Performer in PVEL’s PV Module Reliability Scorecard for the ninth time. It also reported being included in BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 solar PV module manufacturer list for 10 consecutive quarters.
Vikram Solar has established a nationwide distribution network comprising 119 authorised distributors and more than 750 dealers.
The company’s manufacturing capabilities, product portfolio and distribution network support its participation in India’s expanding solar energy market, including large-scale utility projects.
The latest order for the Rajasthan project further adds to its business in the solar module segment as developers continue to invest in renewable energy generation capacity.
NLC India Limited is a Navratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. Headquartered in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, the company has traditionally operated in lignite mining and thermal power generation and is expanding its presence in renewable energy. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, NLC India Renewables Limited, the company is pursuing renewable energy projects as part of its broader energy portfolio.
Read also: NLC India Signs MoU with TNPL for Eucalyptus and Acacia Pulpwood Harvesting Under Green Belt Programme

Never miss an important bureaucracy or governance story.
© 2026 Indian Masterminds. All rights reserved.

source

Western Australia has launched consultations on a safety standard for plug-in solar panels and batteries. The state is preparing to become the first among Australia’s states and territories to lift the ban on such systems, known as balcony solar power, ABC News reports.
The safety standard under consultation is intended to determine how to prevent electrical circuits from being overloaded by panels and batteries. Such devices are plugged into a standard power outlet, while electricity generated by the panels is fed through an inverter into the home network and offsets part of the electricity used by household appliances. According to the publication, an electrician is not required to install the system.
Western Australia’s Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Amber-Jade Sanderson, said that the benefits of affordable solar energy had long been unavailable to people who do not own the roof of their home. In September, Australia’s energy ministers agreed to explore the possibility of safely expanding such systems across the country.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The systems may benefit tenants who have no incentive to spend thousands of dollars on permanent panels on the roof of a rented home, as well as apartment residents with a balcony or another sunny location. Tenants will be able to take the equipment with them when they move.
The state government estimates that a typical plug-in solar system can save a household about $240 per year, and up to $500 when combined with a battery. Industry experts estimate the payback period for such systems at four to ten years. State authorities will also need to engage landlords and apartment building management bodies to allow equipment to be installed on balconies or in courtyards.
Balcony solar systems are already used by millions of households in Europe and the United Kingdom. In Germany, such installations are estimated to be used by approximately one in ten households.
Use of materials from the websites https://ua.news/ is permitted only if a reference (or, for online publications, a hyperlink) to UA.NEWS is included no later than the third paragraph.
Use of materials is permitted only upon receipt of written permission from the UA.NEWS editorial board and the mandatory placement of a direct hyperlink to the original publication https://ua.news/ in the first paragraph of the material, which must be open to indexing by search engines.
Materials marked with the “Advertisement” label are promotional and are published as advertisements. The editorial board may not share the views promoted therein. The editorial staff is not responsible for the facts and opinions published in advertising materials. In accordance with current Ukrainian legislation, the advertiser is responsible for the content of the advertisement.
Materials in the “Blogs” section represent the personal opinion of the blog author; the editorial staff may not share the author’s views.
Copyright infringement is prosecuted in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine and the norms of international law.
The online media outlet UA.NEWS serves only an audience aged 21 and older. Online media entity; media identifier – R40-05225.
LLC “NEWS FLASH INFORMATION AGENCY.” All rights reserved.

source

In an Australian first, Western Australia is on the path to legalise plug-in solar panels and batteries based on German standards, which can plug in to a household wall outlet, offering clean energy for homes and apartments/units unable to benefit from rooftop solar installations and can also be moved when a resident changes address.
WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof.
“That isn’t fair, and the Cook Labor Government is doing something about it,” Sanderson said.
“I’m proud that our State is leading the nation on this issue – millions of European households already use these systems every day, and WA families should be able to do the same.”
The WA department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Building and Energy Division (LGIRS) are consulting on the proposed legalisation pathway and a new technical standard.
The proposal would mean plug-in systems are classed as standard electrical appliances through a new Technical Bridging Standard (TBS), which proposes to enable plug-in systems with solar panel combinations up to a rated capacity of 2 kW (DC), and with inverters up to a rated capacity of 800 VA (AC).
The TBS does not propose to set an upper limit on plug-in battery storage capacity.
Balcony solar advocacy organisation Solar Citizens Chief Executive Officer Heidi Lee Douglas said it agrees it isn’t fair that the benefits of cheap solar are out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their own roof.
“WA’s announcement starts a ‘race to the top’, and puts a rocket up the need for the federal government to announce a nationally coordinated approach for the release of this money-saving technology across Australia by July next year,” Douglas said.
“We support the Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announcing a date for the legal safe sale of these money saving devices that are already legally and safely available in the United Kingdom, Germany and 10 states of America.“
“Plug-in solar and batteries are an anti-inflationary energy reform. They put downward pressure on household electricity bills, allow more Australians to use cheap solar power, and can reduce demand for expensive electricity during peak periods,” Douglas said.
According to the WA plug-in solar and batteries consultation website, DEED and LGIRS will continue to work with safety experts, other states and territories, and the Australian Government to support nationally consistent requirements for plug-in systems.
“For this reason, the final TBS is likely to have two separate parts, one each for product-specific requirements and another for installation requirements. This would make the TBS more consistent with AS/NZS technical documents,” the site says.
The department will also work on other changes that might be needed to support renter access to the systems once they are available.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!

You have no items in your basket.

source

From pv magazine Australia
In an Australian first, the state of Western Australia (WA) is on the path to legalize plug-in batteries and solar panels based on German standards.
The systems is well-known in parts of Europe and is becoming legalized in the US, and UK (though without storage), and known as plug-in solar plus storage or balcony solar. With strict limits on operation, the systems can plug directly into a standard household wall outlet generally without an electrician or license, offering clean energy and storage for homes and apartments unable to benefit from rooftop installations, and can also be moved when a resident changes address.
The WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and the state’s Building and Energy Division are consulting on the proposed legalization pathway and a new technical standard.
The proposal would mean plug-in solar-plus-storage systems are classed as standard electrical appliances through a new Technical Bridging Standard (TBS). The standard proposes to enable plug-in systems with solar panel combinations up to a rated capacity of 2 kW (DC) and inverters up to a rated capacity of 800 VA (AC).
Notably for the residential storage market, the TBS does not propose to set an upper limit on plug-in battery storage capacity.
WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson noted that the benefits of cheap solar and storage have previously been out of reach for anyone who does not own their roof.
“I’m proud that our State is leading the nation on this issue – millions of European households already use these systems every day, and WA families should be able to do the same,” Sanderson said.
Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive officer of advocacy organization Solar Citizens, welcomed the move toward a nationally coordinated approach for the technology across Australia, noting that the devices are “already legally and safely available in the United Kingdom, Germany and 10 states of America.”
“Plug-in solar and batteries are an anti-inflationary energy reform. They put downward pressure on household electricity bills, allow more Australians to use cheap solar power, and can reduce demand for expensive electricity during peak periods,” Douglas said.
According to the WA plug-in solar and batteries consultation website, state regulators will continue to work with safety experts, other states and territories, and the Australian federal government to support nationally consistent requirements for plug-in systems.
“For this reason, the final TBS is likely to have two separate parts, one each for product-specific requirements and another for installation requirements. This would make the TBS more consistent with AS/NZS [Australian/New Zealand Standard] technical documents,” the site says.
The department will also work on other regulatory changes that might be needed to support renter access to the plug-in solar and battery systems once they become available.
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.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This website uses cookies to anonymously count visitor numbers. View our privacy policy. x
The cookie settings on this website are set to “allow cookies” to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click “Accept” below then you are consenting to this.
Close

source

0
Powered by :
Netherlands-based research organization TNO, Perovion Technologies and Japan’s Toyo Seikan Group Holdings have signed a Statement of Intent to advance the industrialization of lightweight, flexible perovskite solar cells. Announced on 23 October 2026, the agreement establishes a joint development roadmap covering materials, manufacturing processes and module integration. Perovion will contribute flexible perovskite technology and scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing expertise developed from TNO research. Toyo Seikan will provide advanced encapsulation materials and manufacturing expertise through its MiraNeo brand. TNO will continue supporting technology development and production scale-up. The collaboration aims to address performance, durability and manufacturing challenges before commercial deployment.
SOLARbytes brings you the latest news in solar world in bite size; essentially a gist of important solar news in few sentences.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

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

source

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

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

source

Solar farms should prepare for bushfire effects, which can reduce output by 70%  UNSW Sydney
source

India’s solar and energy storage industry has grown to massive proportions, reflected in the more than 54,000 visitors that descended on Greater Noida’s India Expo Center this week for Renewable Energy India Expo (REI) and the Battery Show India, and the more than 1,000 exhibitors that filled the center beyond its capacity, with temporary buildings added and exhibits flowing out into the car park.
After three days navigating the halls and meeting with companies from up and down the solar supply chain, pv magazine has these three key takeaways from REI 2026.
Previous years at REI saw a PV industry highly focused on bringing module assembly to India. And now, analysts estimate the country has more than 200 GW of annual module capacity – far beyond its expected demand for 50-60 GW of PV installations per year out to 2030.
This has many predicting a market shakeout beginning in 2027, where manufacturers operating module capacity only will struggle to find demand, and also to source cells since the country extended its domestic content requirements to the cell sector earlier this year.
Many manufacturers at the show were keen to emphasize their ability to supply “domestic content requirement” modules. Nonetheless, 2027 may be a difficult year for some. India’s market is led by those companies that have been able to invest early in building out local cell manufacturing capacity – expected to reach 80 GW by the end of 2027.
Quality is also emerging as a key differentiator as module manufacturing heads into a highly competitive period. And speakers at pv magazine’s Insight session on day 2 were keen to emphasise their sophisticated quality control procedures, as well as work to ensure their modules are prepared specifically for the varying and often harsh climates found in India.
Atanu Samanta of Kosol Energie, Pirmin Preis of ISC Konstanz, Sai Charan Kuppli of Premier Energies and Mahesh Murthy of Waaree Energies joined a panel discussion moderated by pv magazine. | Image: pv magazine
The next step for India’s domestic content plans is adding solar wafers to the list of components that must be produced in India for modules used in projects receiving government assistance. And many of those same companies are now announcing plans to produce wafers locally as well – Saatvik, Grew, Solex, Zetsol, Navitas, Reliance, Adani, and more all shared plans to have wafer production up and running by the time policy takes effect in 2028.
While India’s ambition to host the entire PV supply chain is clear, opportunities for international collaboration are still there, with some manufacturers happy to discuss OEM deals in place with established manufacturers in China, as well as collaboration with technology suppliers in Europe and the United States.
India’s PV market has long been utility-scale led, and so favored those with the ability to supply and operate at megawatt or even gigawatt scale. Many manufacturers that pv magazine spoke with this year, however, also expressed optimism about the country’s commercial and industrial sector, where companies are keen to secure long term energy prices away from the grid, and to meet decarbonization goals. Several also spoke of new demand from the residential sector, and particularly the opportunity that adding residential batteries to the PV offering will add in the next year or two.
Virtually all of India’s cell manufacturing buildout is focused on tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology. And those manufacturers expect this to remain the mainstream for several years at least.
Reliance Industries, which is building out a 20 GW supply chain focused on heterojunction technology, is the most notable exception. A few others still have older passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) production lines that they expect to be able to keep running for a few more years at least. And mentions of back contact were few, and confined to those sourcing cells from abroad or working on OEM deals with Chinese manufacturers.
Most manufacturers told us that they have perovskite tandem cells on their radar, but still see this technology as at least five years away from commercial. Others though, including Grew Solar, Navitas Solar, Rayzon Solar and INA Solar, are partnering with US-based perovskite producer Caelux, and plan to have hybrid perovskite-silicon modules commercially available in India by 2028.
Indian PV manufacturers are focused on cell capacity this year, and beginning investments in wafer as well. | Image: pv magazine
Moves to cover more of the supply chain also extend far beyond the cell and wafer segment. Other module components like encapsulant films, glass, aluminum are not covered by domestic content requirement, nonetheless several manufacturers are investing in capacity to produce these locally as well, while Indian solar glass maker Borosil is itself expanding into module production.
Many manufacturers are also expanding into projects sector, developing and building projects with their own modules. Waaree Energies and other companies more known in the PV module sector have begun producing inverters. Others including Gamechange Energy and Delta Electronics are expanding into production of transformers and other system components in India.
Some on the projects side of the industry said that the shock of the domestic content requirement for cells has pushed prices upward and temporarily slowed plans for new projects, all expect this to be a short-term issue though as India demonstrates that it has the scale and the capital to support an energy system based on components made in India.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!

You have no items in your basket.

source

Please enable JavaScript to proceed.

source

Now
45°
Thu
68°
Fri
63°
by WJAC staff
CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A public information meeting was held Tuesday morning to discuss ongoing plans for a solar energy project that is being proposed in Lower Yoder Township.
Project officials say the proposal involves a property, owned by Piney Run Coal Company, located off of Saint Clair Road.
The project is a six megawatt round-mount solar project which will be placed on a single axis tracker.
Officials with Bear Peak Power say some of the benefits of the project include paying for any utility-required upgrades and providing energy to the local distribution system.
“Part of being a good developer is making sure that we're not impacting our neighbors. This project is very well-cited in that it's completely surrounded by essentially a forest, so it will not be able to be seen from the road and will be blocked; essentially there's no glare that would impact neighbors or nearby roads.”
Organizers add that someone would be monitoring the site 24/7, and that they are working with local emergency services to make sure they're trained to handle an emergency situation.
It is unclear if the project will be approved.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.

source

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 74° Today’s Paper
By Chip Cox
Today • Updated 6:44 p.m.
Chip Cox is a retired civil engineer and a member of Carbon Cashback Hawaii.
MEGHAN MARIN / NEW YORK TIMES
Joshua Spodek packs up a portable solar panel in New York’s Washington Square Park on Oct. 22, 2024.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
From as low as $12.95 /mo.
Hurricane season is a reminder that Hawaii’s electrical grid is vulnerable to high winds. Several hurricanes have come close to the islands this year. Many communities have experienced blackouts, and parts of Kauai have faced prolonged outages.
What would you do if the electricity went out in your neighborhood — not for a few hours, but for days or even weeks? Could you keep your refrigerator running, turn on the lights, run your computer, charge your phone and power other essential devices?
For the roughly 20% of Hawaii residents who have rooftop solar, the answer may be relatively simple. Properly designed solar-and-battery systems can continue supplying electricity when the utility grid goes down. But what about the other 80%?
Now they, too, have an option: a portable power station paired with solar panels.
A portable power station is essentially a rechargeable battery with an inverter that converts the battery’s direct-current electricity into the alternating current used by ordinary household appliances. Solar panels charge the battery during the day, and the stored electricity can then power essential devices day or night.
The system can provide some of the benefits of rooftop solar without installing a rooftop system. It isn’t useful only during emergencies, either. Hawaii has the highest residential electricity rates in the nation, more than twice the national average. A portable power station charged by solar panels can power selected appliances, reducing the amount of electricity purchased from the utility.
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
Consumers should compare the features of different systems. Pass-through charging allows a power station to receive electricity from solar panels while simultaneously supplying electricity to appliances. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can automatically switch to battery power when the grid fails, keeping connected equipment operating with little or no interruption.
A system with a 3,000-watt-hour battery and 300 watts of solar panels can cost roughly $2,500, although prices and configurations vary.
Acquiring a portable power station in Hawaii can be more difficult than on the mainland. Many use lithium batteries, which are subject to transportation restrictions. Some retailers — including Home Depot, RevoluSun, Battery Bill’s, Costco and Lowe’s — have carried portable power stations, although availability and selection vary.
Safety is essential. Consumers should look for appropriately certified portable power stations, such as products certified to UL 2743, and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Solar panels also need to be secured against high winds. Ground-mounted panels can become dangerous projectiles if they are not properly anchored. Panels attached to lanai railings require strong railings and mounting hardware designed to withstand severe weather.
Hawaii needs a stronger, more resilient electric grid. But building that grid will take time, and the next hurricane won’t wait for it to be finished. Families can take steps now to become less vulnerable to prolonged power outages.
A portable power station paired with solar panels won’t replace the electric grid or power an entire home indefinitely. But it can give households without rooftop solar something they currently lack: the ability to generate and store at least some of their own electricity. That can mean keeping food cold, lights on, phones charged and essential equipment operating when the grid fails. When the grid is working, the same system can reduce electricity bills.
Hawaii’s energy future shouldn’t depend entirely on a vulnerable grid — or on waiting for that grid to become more resilient. Every household that is able to generate and store some of its own electricity is better prepared for the next hurricane and the next prolonged outage.
Energy independence begins at home.
Chip Cox is a retired civil engineer and a member of Carbon Cashback Hawaii.
500 Ala Moana Blvd. #2-200
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 529-4747
Our Company
Subscribers
More

source

Fibe Partners With Hygge Energy To Expand Rooftop Solar Financing Across India  SolarQuarter
source

A proposed 1,200-acre solar farm off Skyway just outside Chico could bring hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to Butte County. But some residents say it could come at an environmental cost.
The project’s developer — Cenergy Power — presented a proposed benefits package to the Butte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. It includes up to $300,000 a year for the county, land for a fire station and a $250,000 grant for the Sheriff’s Office.
About 20 residents attended Tuesday’s meeting, raising concerns about the loss of oak trees and potential fire risks from the project’s batteries. Some pointed to the 2025 Moss Landing battery plant fire in Monterey County.
Elizabeth Devereaux said she’s concerned about how the project could change the landscape she’s known for decades.
“When I first drove up Skyway about 45 years ago, I thought ‘this is like a mini Grand Canyon,’” Devereaux said. “And there are many of the blue oaks that grow very slowly that would be gotten rid of.”
Following pushback from residents at a meeting in September, Cenergy Power agreed to set aside nearly 600 acres of land as an ecological preserve for blue oaks.
But despite those concessions, Supervisor Tami Ritter said it’s too early to consider the developer’s proposed benefit package without first seeing an environmental review.
“While I appreciate the applicant being here to discuss this … it seems very premature to me,” she said.
Tuesday’s meeting was informational, and supervisors took no action. While the county could eventually decide whether to accept the proposed benefits agreement, the state would have final say on whether the solar farm gets approved to be built.
A representative for Cenergy Power said it plans to file its application in November, and that it will continue to take community input into consideration.

source

AI-translated article with transliterated names. Read original Chinese article here.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has launched a whole-of-government framework to aggregate public-sector demand for solar energy and identify more sites for solar panels, accelerating deployment at public facilities. Installing solar panels on the roofs of historic buildings is also being explored.
Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry (Energy), announced the initiative at the 13th Asia Clean Energy Summit on Tuesday (27 October).
EMA will aggregate government agencies’ demand for solar energy through a new tender to expand deployment and create more opportunities in the sector.
The government has installed solar panels on the rooftops of more than 5,000 HDB blocks and public buildings through deployment programmes such as SolarNova. However, Gan said, “there is room to solarise more public spaces beyond rooftops.”
Under the new solar demand aggregation framework, EMA will appoint a panel of solar installers to help government agencies assess their solar potential and develop deployment plans. These could include solar carports and integrating solar technology into building designs.
Gan said more should also be done to encourage solar deployment in private homes.
More than 8,000 homes in Singapore already have solar panels. To make it easier for other private homeowners to get started, Gan announced that EMA would work with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore to establish a one-stop online platform connecting homeowners with solar installers.
EMA will use advanced technology to open up more sites for solar panels. Gan said, “To truly maximise our solar potential, we must look beyond conventional surfaces such as rooftops and open land, which are limited.”
She cited heritage buildings as potential sites for solar deployment. EMA will work with the Singapore Land Authority and Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM to explore piloting solar roof tiles on these buildings without compromising their distinctive character, contributing to solar power generation.
EMA will also work with the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore at the National University of Singapore to assess the feasibility of deploying solar technology on different surfaces and chart a path towards maximising deployment in the medium to long term.
This will inform an update of the Singapore Solar Photovoltaic Roadmap to support the country’s solar energy goals.
Developing renewable energy requires a stronger electricity grid. EMA will therefore work with the Energy Research Institute at Nanyang Technological University to study and map Singapore’s electricity network, gaining a deeper understanding of the grid to prepare for future demand.
Gan pointed out that although Singapore continues to push past constraints and seize every opportunity to deploy solar technology, the space available remains limited. Solar energy is expected to meet at most 10% of Singapore’s electricity demand by 2050.
“At the same time, many of the low-carbon options we are considering are still nascent and will not be ready for deployment soon. This makes low-carbon electricity imports from the region an important option for Singapore.”
However, developing electricity import projects is highly complex. Gan noted that these projects span multiple jurisdictions and require long-term regulatory certainty from the governments involved.
Electricity imports must also be commercially viable to compete with decarbonisation options such as solar energy and carbon credits.
“Electricity imports remain a key thrust in our efforts to decarbonise the power sector and diversify our energy supply. We are pressing ahead with our efforts to build a pipeline of promising projects, while strengthening the ecosystem needed to support them.”
For example, a feasibility study on building a second interconnector between Singapore and Malaysia is making steady progress and is expected to be completed early next year.
Gan stressed that clear rules for regional electricity trade are also essential to reduce uncertainty for developers and facilitate project financing.
ASEAN is developing regulatory guidelines for submarine cable activities to establish best practices, including seabed surveys and the installation, maintenance and protection of submarine power cables. ASEAN energy ministers expressed support for the guidelines this month.
Gan said Singapore would work with ASEAN member states to endorse the guidelines when it assumes the bloc’s rotating chairmanship next year.
As Singapore expands solar deployment and advances low-carbon energy imports, businesses will have more opportunities to use renewable energy certificates to achieve their sustainability goals.
According to Gan, the government had updated the SS673 standard for renewable energy certificates in response to industry feedback seeking greater clarity on the different types of certificates.
Under the update, renewable electricity claims must be backed by certificates for renewable electricity actually supplied to Singapore’s grid.
This is an AI-translated article and some names may be transliterated. The original Chinese text remains authoritative, and SPH Media is not responsible for translation errors.
MDDI (P) 042/10/2026, MDDI (P) 043/10/2026
Copyright © Singapore Press Holdings Limited (Company Registration No: 202120748H)
Users in China please visit zaobao.com
Notice: All content on this Zaobao website is owned by SPH Media and/or its licensors. Any unauthorized use, copying, reproduction, or republication of such content is strictly prohibited and SPH Media reserves the right to take legal action against all infringing parties.
This Zaobao website may display advertisements or promotions for third-party goods or services. SPH Media does not make any endorsement, warranty or guarantee in respect of these goods or services, and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever arising from third party transactions or your reliance on the advertising or promotional content.

source

The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has developed about 200 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity within its operational area since 2020, as part of efforts to expand Ghana’s renewable energy generation and diversify the country’s energy mix.
Beyond this, the Authority has delivered a 50MWp solar plant at Galgu in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region. The Yendi plant is BPA’s first solar project developed outside its operational area.
Senior External Relations Officer of the Authority, Mawuli Fui Kwadzovia, disclosed this on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, October 28, while outlining BPA’s investments in solar energy and its progress in building renewable energy infrastructure.
Expanded mandate
Mr Kwadzovia explained that the solar programme followed an amendment of the Authority’s enabling Act by Parliament, which broadened BPA’s mandate beyond hydropower to include the development of green and clean energy resources. Since 2020, the Authority has been rolling out solar developments under that expanded mandate.
Phased development within the operational area
The first phase, commissioned in 2021, comprised a 50MWp solar plant together with a 1MWp floating solar installation on the Black Volta. The floating system was a pilot to test whether power could be generated and evacuated efficiently from panels mounted on the water, and it proved viable.
In 2023, the Authority added 4MWp of floating solar, bringing the floating installation on the Black Volta to 5MWp. A further 50MWp was developed between 2023 and 2025, and additional capacity added this year has taken BPA’s total solar capacity within its operational area to about 200MWp.
The Authority says the newest capacity will soon be commissioned into the national grid, strengthening Ghana’s generation capacity and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Yendi: first project outside the operational area
The 50MWp Galgu plant in the Yendi Municipality cost about US$50 million. It was executed under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing (EPC+F) arrangement with Ghanaian company First Sky Limited, which financed the project and undertook its planning, installation and construction.
According to Mr Kwadzovia, the investment will be recovered through payments linked to the electricity the plant generates, with the financing expected to be repaid over a period of five to seven years.
He noted that although solar projects require substantial upfront investment, they offer long-term operating cost advantages over thermal plants because they do not depend on continuous fuel purchases. Renewable sources such as solar and hydropower, he said, are more cost-efficient to run over time and more environmentally friendly.
The Yendi plant is expected to improve electricity supply in the Yendi Municipality and communities along the Eastern Corridor, while extending BPA’s renewable energy footprint beyond its traditional operational area.
BPA solar capacity at a glance
CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana’s leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.


© 2024 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.
© 2024 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

source

The decision follows a multi-year planning, consultation and examination process. The Development Consent Order (DCO) application was submitted on 27 June 2025, accepted on 22 July 2025 and examined between November 2025 and 28 April 2026.
The project has a grid export capacity of up to 800 MW AC. Annual generation is modelled at around 1.1 TWh, equivalent to the annual electricity use of around 400,000 homes. The project will connect into the existing Staythorpe 400kV substation.
GNR also includes 440 MW, 880 MWh battery storage. This will allow electricity to be stored and exported when needed.
The project is expected to add a significant new source of home-grown renewable electricity to Great Britain’s energy system at a time when geopolitical uncertainty and volatile international energy markets have reinforced the importance of energy security. Construction is anticipated from 2027, with first electricity export expected from 2028. This demonstrates the role large-scale solar can play in bringing substantial new generating capacity onto the system within a relatively short timeframe.
“Development consent for the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park (GNR) is one of the most significant milestones in Elements Green’s UK development programme” said Rasmus Friis, CEO of Elements Green, said: “It marks a decisive step forward for one of our largest and most strategically important projects, moving GNR into its next phase and bringing its potential benefits closer to realisation. This consent reflects years of sustained work by our dedicated team, as well as contributions from the many organisations, landowners, local stakeholders and individuals in the surrounding communities. We are grateful for their engagement and recognise the responsibility that comes with delivering a project of this scale and importance. Britain needs a more secure supply of home-grown renewable electricity as demand grows and the energy system becomes increasingly electrified. Solar generation and battery storage can be deployed quickly and at scale. GNR offers a major opportunity to deliver new renewable power to the grid, strengthen the UK’s energy resilience and reduce exposure to volatility in international energy markets. Our focus is now on turning this consent into responsible delivery. We’re committed to creating long-term value through new energy infrastructure, investment, jobs and meaningful opportunities for communities around the project, while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and engagement.”
Alongside renewable energy generation, 323 hectares (approximately 800 acres) are dedicated to biodiversity areas outside the solar panel areas. Current project commitments include planting 64,500 trees, around 31 hectares of new woodland and over 50 kilometres of new hedgerow. The project will deliver Biodiversity Net Gain increases of 41.7 percent in habitat units, 26.5 percent in hedgerow units and 11.05 percent in watercourse units.
These measures are designed to create and connect habitats for wildlife, including pollinators and the insects that form an important part of the food chain for birds and other species. New wildflower grassland, hedgerows, trees, woodland and wetland habitats will provide more varied places for wildlife to feed, breed and move through the landscape.
The landscape measures also have a practical purpose for people living around the project. New and strengthened hedgerows, woodland and tree planting have been designed to screen views of solar infrastructure, reduce visual impacts and retain important views where possible, and create a greener landscape as planting matures. The scheme has also been designed with low-profile panels and changes to panel locations in response to landscape and visual assessments and consultation feedback. 
GNR has also been designed to enable farming and energy generation to coexist. The project has sought to avoid the highest-quality agricultural land, sheep grazing is proposed beneath and around solar arrays, and 144 hectares of arable land will be retained with conservation management for birds. The land remains a temporary use, with an operational life of around 40 years before decommissioning and restoration. 
Periods of hotter and drier weather have also increased attention on how water is managed across the landscape and how healthy soils are maintained. GNR includes sustainable drainage measures, grassed areas, swales and constructed wetlands designed to slow and absorb surface water. Tree planting and vegetation will also help water absorption, reduce erosion and support soil stability. The project has worked with Trent Rivers Trust on Natural Flood Management measures intended to ensure GNR does not increase existing flood risk.
22 new permissive footpaths and 6 new permissive bridleways are proposed, along with a 50.6 km circular recreational route around the Order Limits, including 12.5 km of new permissive path, improving opportunities for access across and around the site. 
“Consultation has played an important role in shaping GNR” added John Hetherton, UK Managing Director, said: “We listened attentively to feedback on issues including landscape, biodiversity, access and construction traffic, and made practical changes to the design in response. That approach was recognised nationally when we were awarded Campaign of the Year at The Energy Awards 2026, which reflected the quality of our consultation and engagement work. For us, biodiversity and landscape measures need to deliver benefits that people can see and understand. That means creating more diverse and connected habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife, managing water more effectively, enabling continued agricultural use and using trees, hedgerows and woodland to reduce views of the energy infrastructure. The decision gives us a clear framework to move forward, and we will continue working with local communities, councils, landowners and our specialist partners as we prepare for delivery.”
Elements Green’s NG+ community benefit programme is planned to provide around £1 million every year. More than £150,000 has already been distributed through smaller local projects, pre-existing flood mapping and EG Academy activity. More than 430 EG Academy courses have been completed.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, subject to the discharge of relevant requirements and final delivery arrangements. The planned construction period is approximately 24 months, with first electricity export modelled from 2028.
Around 180 full-time equivalent jobs are expected during the construction phase, associated with approximately £10.4 million of GVA. During operation, GNR is expected to support 48 full-time equivalent jobs, with further local employment supported through the wider supply chain.
Elements Green will now work through the requirements of the consent and progress detailed delivery planning ahead of the anticipated start of construction in 2027.
For additional information:
Elements Green

source

From ESS News
Anker announced the S5000 on October 9. I tested a pre-release unit in Northern California, focusing on charging, usable capacity, idle consumption, portability, and backup during a multi-day power outage.
Read on to see how my father-in-law’s legendary homemade pasta sauce survived a real three-day outage, and what my mother-in-law said!
(Previously, I also tested out the Anker Solix E10 back in May, a whole-home backup, and the Anker Solix S2000 as well.)
The S5000 is a wheeled power station with 5,024 Wh of LFP storage and a 4,500 W inverter that supplies both 120 V and 240 V.
According to Anker, the L14-30R keeps supplying 240 V while the S5000 charges from a 120 V outlet or generator. I didn’t test that.
Source: Anker
The S5000 charges four ways: AC, solar, Anker’s Smart Generator, and a vehicle alternator. I tested AC and solar.
I ran two full 0–100% charges from a standard U.S. 120 V, 60 Hz outlet with an energy meter at the wall: one at the app’s 1,800 W maximum and one at 1,000 W. I didn’t test 240 V charging.
AC charging from a standard 120 V outlet. The AC input, on the rear next to the wheels, uses an E10-style locking connector, though the receptacle is specific to the S5000 and doesn’t take E10 cables.
Wall draw held at about 1.79 kW for 2 h 49 min, then stepped down to about 1.43 kW for the last 50 minutes. That matches a footnote in Anker’s specs: at 120 V, the 1,800 W rate is limited to under three hours when current exceeds 12 A. The 1.43 kW stage sits just under 12 A, or 80% of a 15 A circuit.
That final stage delivered 19% of the charge. Averaged over the full charge, the S5000 drew about 1.7 kW from the wall, not 1.8 kW.
Wall draw stayed flat at about 1 kW for the whole charge, with no step-down. Compared with the 1,800 W setting, the charge took 65% longer and used 1.7% less energy from the wall. The lower setting is useful on a shared circuit or a small generator, but the efficiency gain is small.
On both charges, the final taper at 100% lasted only 1–1.5 minutes. The app and display read lower than the wall meter, and the gap grows with charging power. I don’t know where in the power path the S5000 takes its reading, so I can’t attribute the gap to charger losses. Each 1% of displayed charge took 61–62 Wh from the wall.
The app during the 1,800 W-setting charge, reporting 1.677 kW of input while the wall meter read about 1.79 kW.
Charging was very quiet, surprisingly quieter than the smaller S2000. Anker lists noise as under 30 dB without stating conditions; I didn’t measure it. There was a faint warm-electronics smell during the first few charges, though it never bothered me.
The S5000 has two solar inputs, rated for 3,000 W combined:
I wired two Anker Solix PS400 panels, each rated 400 W at 48 V and 8.33 A, in series to the high-voltage input. The PS400s are rugged and paired well with the S5000: hookup was simple, and output peaked at 680 W on a sunny October day, 85% of their combined rating of 800 W. The panels, not the input, set that limit.
The S5000 with two PS400 panels.
The high-voltage PV input, with the low-voltage input below it. The panel to its left is just a blank cover.
The S5000’s DC input accepts up to 4,500 W from Anker’s Smart Generator, a multi-fuel AC/DC generator; Anker rates charging into a single S5000 at 4,300 W. The same port connects expansion batteries.
The DC input uses the same connector style as the Anker Solix E10. These connectors work well once seated, but I’ve seen their plastic locking tabs break off. On the S5000, the receptacle sits somewhat close to the ground, and its orientation directs the cable downward with limited clearance.
The S5000’s DC input, with its A, B and C inputs above a 16-pin connector.
Unfortunately, the E10’s Smart Generator cable wouldn’t fully seat in the S5000. The receptacle’s non-circular A, B and C inputs seem to prevent full insertion. I’m not sure whether that’s specific to this pre-release unit or something else, but it meant I couldn’t test generator charging. It’s a reminder of the risk with proprietary connectors: cables from the same product family that look interchangeable may not be.
The E10’s Smart Generator cable, with the orange seal still exposed: the plug stops short of full insertion in the S5000.
Anker’s 800 W Alternator Charger, sold separately, wires to a vehicle’s 12 V battery and charges the S5000 through the low-voltage input while the engine runs. It’s aimed at RVs and vans and I didn’t test this functionality.
In my testing, the app reported 4.87 kWh delivered on a full discharge, 97% of nameplate. Against the 6.24 kWh drawn from the wall to charge it at the 1,800 W setting, that’s a 78% round trip. I didn’t meter the output, so the capacity and round-trip figures rely on the app’s discharge reading.
Anker rates discharge efficiency at 96% at 1,000 W and 90.5% at 4,500 W. Those figures cover only the battery-to-outlet step; a round trip also includes the losses from charging.
On battery, with the 120 V output on and nothing connected, the S5000 lost 5% state of charge in 24 hours. That’s about 10 W, consistent with Anker’s 8.8 W figure given that the display only shows whole percentages. That works out to about 20 days on a full battery. Anker rates standby at 21 days (512 hours) at 120 V and 14 days (341 hours) at 240 V.
Plugged in and full, the S5000 drew about 7 W from the wall, or about 60 kWh ($18 at 30¢/kWh) over a year on the charger.
All discharge testing used the 120 V outlets; I didn’t test the 240 V output. A portable air conditioner ran for more than four hours at about 1 kW without issue.
During a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), when the utility cuts power to reduce wildfire risk, the S5000 ran my in-laws’ large refrigerator, plus phones and other small devices, for 61.5 hours, going from 100% to 18%.
My father-in-law’s legendary homemade pasta sauce survived, and my mother-in-law summed it up: “That was amazing, it was Wednesday night, Thursday night, Friday night and it’s still going!”
The S5000 set up next to my in-laws’ refrigerator ahead of the PSPS event.
Using 82% of the battery works out to about 4 kWh, based on the 4.87 kWh full-discharge figure. That’s roughly 65 W on average, including the S5000’s own draw. At that rate, a full charge would last about 75 hours. Anker rates the S5000 at up to 86 hours for a 700 L fridge alone at 25°C, so my result, with extra devices on the load, is close, and mileage may vary if the fridge or freezer aren’t opened at all.
The S5000 is solidly built, and its sturdy telescoping handle makes it easy to wheel around on flat ground. On grass or rough ground, it gets wobbly and is prone to tipping; it’s only 27 cm wide. At 44 kg, it’s hard for one person to lift; two people, as the instruction card recommends, can manage stairs or loading it into a car.
Anker’s home backup products follow two tracks: permanently installed whole-home systems and portable power stations. The E10 is the first: an inverter, stackable 6,144 Wh B6000 battery modules, and a Power Dock that handles transfer switching and per-circuit control. The S5000 is the second: it plugs in where it’s needed, or feeds a house through a transfer switch or inlet box on its L14-30R outlet.
The two share one piece of hardware: the Smart Generator, which can charge either one. Beyond that, the S5000 has no integration with the E10 system, including the Power Dock.
The line between them has to be drawn somewhere, and the S5000 sits right on it: it holds 82% of what a B6000 module does. It can already back up selected circuits through an inlet box, but Power Dock support would add automatic switchover and let it double as E10 storage you can unplug and take elsewhere. It isn’t rated for outdoor use like E10 equipment, but a Power Dock in a garage would be within reach.
The S5000 is portable, it has wheels, and it stands up to testing. At 44 kg and 5 kWh, it’s about as much as you can pack into a high-output power box.
For portable home backup, it can run a fridge and essentials from its outlets, or feed selected household circuits at 240 V through an inlet box. Heavier loads like central air or electric cooking would drain 5 kWh quickly, which is where Anker’s expansion batteries come in: about 5 kWh each, up to 30 kWh in total. I didn’t test them.
Contractors and tradespeople get 4,500 W continuous and 8,000 W peak, enough on paper for most corded tools, plus 240 V for heavier ones. On a job site, the weight and the potential for tipping on rough ground are the bigger concerns. A shop vac drawing about 1 kW ran without issue, but I didn’t test other tools.
For areas with long outages, or anyone who wants to be prepared, the range of charging options stands out: solar or a generator can keep topping up a battery that already runs a fridge for days.
An RV can plug into the S5000’s TT-30R, with the battery covering high loads like an air conditioner. It lacks the 12 V DC output common in RVs and similar setups.
But for basic camping, it’s overkill: a two-person lift, with far more output than most campsite loads need.
In many ways, the S5000 is a larger-capacity S2000 with 240 V output. One small difference that I found useful is that the S2000 has outlets on both the front and rear, which I like, while all of the S5000’s outputs are on the front.
Two S2000s are an alternative worth considering. Together they hold about 4 kWh, in two 16 kg units that can sit in different places, each rated at 1,500 W continuous and 3,000 W peak. The S5000 makes more sense when a single load needs more than 1,500 W, when you need its 240 V and TT-30 outlets, or when you simply want longer runtime from one unit.
The S5000 delivered nearly all of its rated capacity and kept a large refrigerator running through a real multi-day power outage.
At the $2,499.99 launch price, it costs just under $500 per nameplate kWh; at the $3,599.99 MSRP, about $720.
S5000 pros:
S5000 cons:
5 kWh on wheels goes a long way: through three nights without power, it did what it needed to do when put under a real test, which was keeping the fridge/freezer cold and the phones charged, and parents-in-law more than happy.
In previous tests, I’ve said storage buys back normalcy, and the S5000 was portable enough for me to take it to where it was needed to deliver that ‘normal’ feeling during a significant power outage.
Being able to help yourself is a win, but helping others as well is where the real heartwarming effect comes in.
Andrew Riha is a computer engineer based in Northern California, where he writes about home energy and other technical hobbies. This review reflects the author’s personal experience.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect those held by pv magazine.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.

You have no items in your basket.

source