Researchers in China found that PV plants in arid regions create a measurable cool island effect that varies strongly with season, location, and plant design, influencing surrounding vegetation in complex and spatially uneven ways. They showed that cooling intensity and distance differ widely across sites, are driven mainly by plant morphology,
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Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have investigated the photovoltaic plant–induced cool island effect (CIE) in arid regions and found that it significantly influences surrounding vegetation, with the direction and magnitude of its impact governed by geographical context and seasonal factors..
CIE refers to a condition in which a specific area is cooler than its surroundings due to differences in surface properties and energy balance. In PV plants, this may occur due to panel shading, reduced ground-level solar absorption, conversion of sunlight into electricity, and enhanced convective heat dissipation.
“We analyzed eight PV plants in the arid regions of China using Landsat-8 land surface temperature, kernel normalized difference vegetation index, buffer analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM),” the group explained. “Eight PV power plants were selected for this study, which are located in the arid regions of China, specifically in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Qinghai.”
The scientists used land surface temperature (LST) data from 2022, derived from seasonal imagery captured by the Landsat 8. These LST datasets were used to quantify the photovoltaic (PV) plant–induced cool island effect through two key metrics: cooling intensity (XD), defined as the temperature difference between the PV plant area and its surrounding environment, and cooling distance (Dist), which describes how far the cooling influence extends outward from the installation.
In addition, the same remote sensing data were used to calculate vegetation indices, particularly kernel-normalized difference vegetation index (kNDVI), to evaluate vegetation responses both within the cooled zone and in adjacent areas beyond its influence. This allowed the researchers to assess not only the spatial extent of the cooling effect but also its ecological impact on plant growth dynamics across different zones.
The results showed that the cooling intensity (XD) reached its highest value of 3.1 C in summer in Wuzhong City (WZ), while the lowest value of 0.02 C was observed in autumn at Hongshagang Town, Minqin County, Gansu Province (HSG). In addition, the cool island effect (CIE) was not present in certain seasons at several sites, including Urad Banner (WLTQ) in spring, Huanghuatan Town (HHT) in autumn, and Hami (HM) in winter.
Moreover, the results indicated that summer generally exhibited elevated XD values, including 2.1 C at Dalad Banner (DLT) and a peak of 3.1 C at Wuzhong City. In contrast, winter conditions showed greater spatial variability: Gonghe County (GH) recorded a relatively high XD of 2.6 C, whereas Huanghuatan Town and Dalad Banner remained considerably lower, at 0.31 C and 0.9 C, respectively.
Across all eight study locations, the cooling distance was found to vary substantially, ranging from 120 m to 540 m, highlighting strong site-specific differences in the spatial extent of the cool island effect.
Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) further revealed that morphological complexity is the dominant driver of the cooling effect, while larger photovoltaic plant size exerts a strong suppressing influence. Climatic conditions were also found to contribute positively, albeit to a lesser extent. Collectively, these factors explained approximately 63% of the observed variation in cooling intensity and extent.
The analysis additionally suggested that vegetation responses are highly heterogeneous across sites and seasons, depending on both local climatic conditions and the strength of the cooling effect.
“We proposed a geographically differentiated ‘PV CIE–vegetation response’ framework. Medium-scale, decentralized plants with superior shape complexity are preferable in relatively dry and warm regions,” the academics concluded. “However, in cold, high-altitude areas, adjusting tilt and reducing panel density may mitigate vegetation risks.”
Their findings appeared in “Quantifying photovoltaic power plant–induced cool island effect and vegetation response in arid regions,” published in Ecological Indicators. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China’s Huadian Gansu Energy Corporation, PowerChina Beijing Engineering Corporation, and the United Kingdom’s University of Reading have contributed to the study.
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The Talapi finca in Sa Pobla. There has been much local opposition to the installation of a photovoltaic plant. | Photo: Juanjo Roig
The Balearic Government is proposing a moratorium on new renewable energy projects on rural land in Mallorca and the Balearics. An amendment will be made to the law on strategic projects that will suspend current regulations until a new and specific plan is approved for the energy sector.
As solar is overwhelmingly the main source of renewable energy in the islands, this suspension will chiefly apply to photovoltaic plants. The amendment also has in mind energy storage systems, plans for which have created a good deal of controversy.
The plants themselves have run up against local and environmentalist opposition, the government appreciating that there has been social conflict. It is therefore looking to regulate the growth of renewable energy facilities. These have proliferated in rural areas and on rustic land by urban centres; there is one such case in Sa Pobla, for instance. The hope is that a more “consensual” model can be arrived at.
The government is to give itself a maximum of two years to approve a new territorial plan for renewable energies and energy storage. This must establish clear criteria regarding location and dimensions of facilities in seeking a reconciliation between the need for energy transition and the protection of rural land.
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Indian state-owned energy company GAIL will invest INR38 billion (US$408 million) to develop 700MW of solar projects across Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The investment includes a 600MW solar project at the TUSCO Solar Park in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which will be integrated with a 550MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
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GAIL expects to complete the project within 15 months following the award of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. The facility is primarily intended to meet the captive energy requirements of GAIL’s petrochemical plant at Pata in the Auraiya district.
In Maharashtra, the company will develop an additional 100MW solar project in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district. This project will include a 22MWh BESS and is designed to serve the captive energy needs of the PDH-PP plant at Usar in the Raigad district.
According to GAIL, the integration of energy storage systems is expected to address intermittency challenges associated with solar generation, enabling more reliable and round-the-clock renewable power supply.
Speaking on the development, Deepak Gupta, chairman, said: “GAIL’s installed renewable energy capacity shall increase substantially to over 1,000MW from the current 147MW upon commissioning of these projects.” He added that the expansion reflects the company’s strategy of aligning growth with environmental responsibility while supporting long-term energy security.
The projects form part of GAIL’s broader efforts to achieve its net zero targets and contribute to India’s energy transition. GAIL currently operates approximately 29MW of solar capacity at full utilisation, alongside around 118MW of wind assets.
The company is targeting a renewable energy portfolio of up to 3.4GW by 2035, while pursuing reductions in scope one and scope two emissions as part of its ambition to achieve net zero by 2040.
BRAZIL
(MissionNewswire) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, provided donor funding for a new photovoltaic system at the Salesian Missionary Inspectorate of the Amazon Salesian School of Work, located in Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. The institution now generates clean and renewable energy, reducing electricity costs and strengthening its environmental sustainability actions. The system includes 197 photovoltaic modules, a 75-kw inverter, a metal mounting structure installed on a zinc roof and copper cabling.
Approximately 1,000 students and 22 collaborators are direct beneficiaries of the project. This includes youth aged 14-24 as well as adult collaborators. Many students come from situations of social and economic vulnerability in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará.
Jorge William de Sousa Santos, from the school, said, “At the Salesian School of Work, we believe that education must walk side by side with example. By implementing renewable energy on our roof, we are helping the financial health of the institution. We have already saved 32% in costs in the first month, which is key to enabling further improvements for the school.”
He added, “This change is also allowing us to train professionals. We have the course available for photovoltaic roof assembler, making our roof a living laboratory. The student learns theory in class and sees the school itself being driven by this technology. Green energy and economic sustainability are no longer just the future. They are the now. With this economy, we are gaining momentum to strengthen our sustainability policies and invest in what matters most — the quality of education for youth.”
Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development and social services throughout the country and specifically focus on children with disabilities within several programs. Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of poor youth, including street children, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty and lead productive lives.
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The new provisions published by the country’s energy regulator are aimed to adjust the technical and administrative criteria for distributed generation, particularly with regard to energy storage, installed capacity limits, and interconnection procedures.
Image: Chantel/Unsplash
From pv magazine Mexico
Mexico‘s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has opened a consultation on proposed changes to the provisions for distributed generation, redefining key elements of the current regulatory framework. The draft introduces technical and operational changes affecting both photovoltaic systems and hybrid configurations with storage.
One of the most relevant updates is the explicit inclusion of energy storage within distributed generation facilities. This change formally recognizes battery-equipped systems, which were not clearly defined under the previous framework focused primarily on stand-alone generation.
The proposal also revises capacity limits and classification criteria. While the general threshold of up to 500 kW is maintained, it clarifies how capacity is measured (AC or DC) and how hybrid systems are accounted for, addressing ambiguities in the current regulation.
In terms of interconnection, the draft introduces more detailed procedures and technical requirements, including clearer guidance on required studies and stakeholder responsibilities. It also strengthens criteria for grid impact assessments compared to the more general provisions in force today.
The update further modifies metering and settlement rules, including provisions for surplus energy in systems with storage. This adds operational complexity relative to the existing framework, which is oriented toward instantaneous generation without integrated energy management.
Additionally, the draft aligns technical definitions with broader electricity-sector regulations, improving regulatory consistency. Several terms are updated to reflect developments in storage technologies and demand-side management.
Finally, the proposal adjusts timelines and administrative processes for interconnection permits and contracts, clarifying roles for users, suppliers, and grid operators. While these changes aim to reduce procedural uncertainty, they also introduce stricter documentation and technical compliance requirements.
Mexico’s National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (CONAMER) recently outlined requirements for obtaining generation permits for interconnected self-consumption at power plants between 0.7 MW and 20 MW.
In February, President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the National Electric System Expansion Plan 2025-30, designed to add 13.02 GW of new power capacity over six years.
The plan includes nine photovoltaic projects totaling 4.67 GW with a $4.9 billion investment, expected online between 2027 and 2028, and seven wind projects for 2.47 GW requiring $3.2 billion in investment.
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The Indian solar power sector continues to grow, with new installations taking place across both large utility projects as well as smaller distributed systems. As more capacity comes into the system, conversations within the industry are gradually moving beyond how much is being added to how this power is actually handled once it is generated.
In recent months, there has been more discussion around grid integration. Solar generation depends on sunlight and can vary across regions and different times of the day. This variation is now becoming more visible as solar contributes a larger share to the overall electricity mix. As a result, developers and utilities are paying closer attention to how this energy fits into the grid on a day-to-day basis.
Mr. Abhishek Garg, Head of Operations, Shweta Solar Pvt Ltd said, “The scale of solar adoption in India has been significant, but the next phase is not only about adding capacity. At the same time, managing variability in generation has become an important part of grid operations.”
The country’s solar capacity has grown steadily, supported by both utility-scale developments and decentralised installations. In addition to the increasing number of solar facilities, the emphasis will now shift to their reliability. In contrast to other sources of power, the generation of solar power depends on various factors; thus, predicting and scheduling become imperative.
Earlier, much of the focus was on installation and commissioning. Now, there is more attention on how systems perform over time. Output consistency, degradation behaviour and the impact of environmental conditions are being looked at more closely. According to industry participants, this change is also leading to better coordination across different parts of the ecosystem.
Developers, manufacturers and grid operators are increasingly working together to understand how systems behave in real conditions. The emphasis is slowly moving from initial specifications to actual performance in the field.
Mr. Garg added, “As solar capacity increases, the focus is gradually moving towards how reliably this energy can be delivered. Consistency in performance and better predictability will become important as solar integrates more deeply into the grid.”
For companies working in the sector, this means that long-term performance is becoming as important as installation itself. Systems are expected to run for more than two decades, and their behaviour over that period can influence how effectively they contribute to the grid.
Shweta Solar believes that as installations continue to grow across different regions, the need for stable and predictable output will become more important. Module designs that are able to maintain consistency in their performance regardless of climatic variations may be more preferred, particularly in those regions where climatic changes can be quite drastic.
India is looking to have an installed capacity of 500 GW from sources other than fossil fuels by the year 2030, where solar energy is set to make up most of it.
Image for illustrative purposes
Botswana: Oman-based renewable energy company Naqaa Sustainable Energy has reportedly been selected as the lead developer for a 500 MW solar PV project in Botswana.
According to local media citing Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy, the company will design, finance, construct and operate what is expected to be the country’s largest solar power facility. The project is planned for development near Maun in northern Botswana and is expected to include integrated battery energy storage.
While detailed information remains limited, the project forms part of a broader cooperation agreement signed last year between Omani and Botswanan authorities. The agreement targets the development of up to 3 GW of combined solar, wind and storage capacity in Botswana.
The initiative is linked to O-Green, a clean energy company backed by Oman’s sovereign wealth fund, which was established in 2025 to support renewable energy development domestically and internationally. O-Green owns Naqaa Sustainable Energy, which is tasked with delivering a portfolio of gigawatt-scale renewable and storage projects across Oman, the Gulf region and Africa.
O-Green also operates other subsidiaries focused on wind technology and renewable project development, supporting its wider clean energy strategy.
Botswana is currently expanding its renewable energy sector and attracting international investment. Recent developments include cooperation with Indian and European partners on large-scale solar and wind projects, as well as ongoing PV developments such as the Mmadinare Solar Cluster and a project near Jwaneng.
Further details on the Maun project are still expected as discussions progress between the relevant parties.
Source: PV Tech
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The Government say renters and flat owners can benefit from the eco-friendly technology – but it could be different in reality
Most renters and flat owners will not be able to take advantage of new “plug-in” solar panels without changes to UK housing laws, green energy campaigners in Germany have warned.
The UK Government is promoting plug-in solar as a solution to lower household energy bills, promising that £400 panels will be available from shops such as Lidl “within months”.
But a green energy group in Germany, where plug-in solar is already widely used, told The i Paper that UK households will struggle to obtain permission from building owners to alter their homes.
Law changes in Germany mean renters now have a right to install solar, but the UK Government has yet to confirm whether it is planning such a move.
Questions also remain over how flat owners in England and Wales will be able to take advantage of the technology due to the challenges of leasehold ownership.
Plug-in solar is a type of DIY kit that can be plugged directly into a plug socket and offers a cheaper alternative to the renewable technology, with panels currently costing around £400.
They have been promoted as a particularly good solution for flat owners, as they can be mounted on balconies.
Safety regulations have prevented the technology from taking off in the UK, but ministers recently confirmed these rules would be changed within months.
The Government has pointed to Germany as an example of a country where plug-in solar has taken off, with an estimated four million households now using the technology, according to the German association for plug-in solar, Balkon Solar.
Of these four million, it is estimated that around 70 per cent are homeowners and 30 per cent are renters.
The surge in popularity in Germany has largely been thanks to a series of legal changes introduced in 2024, including new laws granting tenants and flat owners the legal right to install plug-in solar.
This means landlords and building owners cannot refuse installations without specific reasons, such as safety risks or concerns over the structural integrity of the building.
Despite these rules, renters in Germany can still struggle to get permission for plug-in solar, according to Sebastian Müller, chair of Balkon Solar.
“Probably half the email volume from our association is people emailing us with letters they get from their landlord after they said they want to use plug-in PV, and either the landlord puts in some conditions that are difficult to meet, or that are very expensive to meet, or are clearly intended to make it nearly impossible to do it,” he said.
Flat owners in Germany can also face challenges as they need to obtain permission from the residents’ association that manages their block.
Some homeowners have been forced to take their residents’ association to court in order to get permission.
As it stands, renters and flat owners in the UK need to obtain permission from their landlord or building owner in order to make alterations to their property.
Typically, plug-in solar must be securely mounted to a surface, such as a roof or balcony railing.
In England and Wales, the issue is complicated by the fact that most flat owners live in leasehold properties, meaning the building is owned by a freeholder rather than being jointly owned by the flat owners.
Freeholders can often be difficult to reach, as many are owned by investment funds or offshore entities.
Unlike in Germany, renters and flat owners in the UK do not have any specific rights to install solar and landlords are able to refuse without giving specific reasons.
While the UK Goernment has said it will change the safety regulations around solar, it has not said whether it plans to change the rules for renters and leaseholders.
“I don’t really understand what the UK Government wants to change in the law at this point,” Müller said.
“Do you say ‘we legalise it’ but you have to come to terms with your landlord? Because coming to terms with your landlord is quite a difficult thing. Or is it legal in the sense that you have a right to put it onto your balcony?”
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the Government was “making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops”.
They added: “We are seeking to offer access to renters, flat‑dwellers, households without suitable roofs, and anyone seeking a low‑cost, easy self‑install solar option.”
Müller encouraged UK households who are able to get permission to use plug-in solar to take advantage of the technology.
He created his own DIY set-up during the pandemic and said his apartment now runs fully on solar the majority of the time.
Müller is unable to provide a comparison of his energy bills as he also bought an electric car at the time which he charges at home and thus pays for through his electricity bill.
“What I can say is if I didn’t have a car, I would probably save quite a lot on my energy bill,” he said.
His advice to homeowners was to research and buy a good-quality solar panel and to secure it properly to their property.
“It’s not that difficult. You have to make sure it doesn’t fall onto people’s heads, which most people are sensible enough to do that, and to attach it properly, and then plug it in, and then you can enjoy it all,” he said.
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Indian solar manufacturer Vikram Solar has surpassed 10GW in cumulative solar module deployments globally.
The West Bengal-based company said it has doubled its cumulative module deployments from 5GW to 10GW within two years, underscoring a period of accelerated growth.
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Vikram Solar added that the 10GW milestone equates to roughly 25 million solar modules installed, with the majority of deployments concentrated in the domestic market. Of the total capacity, around 1.5GW of modules were exported to international markets.
“Crossing the 10GW deployment milestone is not just a moment of pride for Vikram Solar, but also a reflection of how rapidly solar energy is reshaping the global energy landscape. At Vikram Solar, our focus remains on advancing high-efficiency technologies, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and deepening backward integration as we enter the next chapter of our growth,” said Gyanesh Chaudhary, chairman, Vikram Solar.
Headquartered in Kolkata, Vikram Solar operates across 39 countries. Recently, the company transitioned its module portfolio to the G12R format, based on large rectangular silicon wafers.
It said the shift to a G12R-based portfolio responded to the industry’s move toward larger wafer formats, n-type technologies and bifacial modules, which have reshaped expectations around performance, reliability and bankability. The transition was executed through a phased approach.
Vikram Solar has established 9.5GW of module manufacturing capacity across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, including a 5GW facility in Vallam equipped with advanced automation and next-generation manufacturing systems.
As part of its backward integration strategy, the company said its Gangaikondan site would be expanded to 6GW of module capacity alongside 12GW of cell capacity. It is also diversifying into energy storage through VSL Powerhive, with plans for a 5GWh BESS facility by FY2027, in addition to VION, its lithium battery brand targeting residential and mobility backup applications.
Of late, the company has entered into a series of supply agreements, underscoring its growing presence in India’s large-scale solar sector. In September 2025, Vikram Solar secured a contract to supply 200MW of modules to AB Energia, a domestic solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions provider.
The company also signed a 336MW module supply agreement with L&T Construction for the 2.3GW Khavda solar park in Gujarat, alongside a separate 326.6MW supply deal with Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL).
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(Yicai) April 14 — Chinese consumer electronics giant Skyworth Group is expanding its solar power generation and energy storage business in Southeast Asia to better meet local demand for renewables, as the energy supply tension due to the Middle East conflict has accelerated the region’s energy transition plans.
Skyworth Photovoltaic Technology will enter the Malaysian distributed PV market, the firm announced on April 10 at a press conference where it signed deals with 16 local enterprises to provide customers with a one-stop rooftop PV and energy storage solutions covering branding, supply chain, design, digitalization, operation, and financial support.
Skyworth PV had announced its entry in the Vietnamese distributed PV market a week earlier.
The Malaysian government’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy to 70 percent by 2050 is expected to continuously unleash market growth potential for Skyworth PV’s ‘solar + energy storage’ business in the region, Wang Chundan, general manager for Asia Pacific at Skyworth PV, told Yicai.
Encouraging policies from the Malaysian government can enhance the return on investment of local rooftop PV projects and help improve the economic viability of residential and commercial rooftop energy storage projects in the country, Wang noted.
Vietnam is a strategic market for Skyworth PV, Wang said, adding that with robust economic growth, rising electricity demand, and favorable policies, the country is entering a critical stage for solar energy development.
The penetration rate of rooftop PVs in Vietnam is only about 2.7 percent, according to Wang. To quickly expand in the market, Skyworth PV has launched a ‘national service provider + regional agent’ model in Vietnam, signing agreements with over 30 local agents. Moreover, the company has teamed up with local financial institutions, including Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam.
Skyworth PV has been laying out its Southeast Asian market strategy since last August, Chairman Fan Ruiwu told Yicai. The Middle East conflict is prompting countries to place greater emphasis on the development of new energies, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for the company to accelerate its expansion in the Southeast Asian market, he added.
Last year, Skyworth PV became the largest revenue-generating subsidiary of Skyworth, which is planning to spin it off for listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. According to Skyworth’s 2025 financial statement, Skyworth PV had built and put into operation solar power stations with a total installed capacity of over 29.3 gigawatts as of the end of last year.
Southeast Asian countries face relatively scarce electricity supply and higher electricity prices, Wen Jianping, founder and president of Indonesian big data analytics firm AVI Data, told Yicai.
Moreover, the local climate conditions are very favorable for the installation and use of PV power stations, and China’s PV and energy storage industry has strong competitive advantages, providing significant opportunities for Chinese companies to collaborate in the region, Wen noted.
However, the successful operation of PV power stations requires a well-developed and standardized service network, along with many trained personnel to support operations, which call for additional investment, Wen pointed out. Due to the relatively underdeveloped power grids in Southeast Asia, developers also need to provide complementary energy storage solutions for local distributed PV power stations, he added.
Therefore, even though there are growth opportunities in the Southeast Asian PV market, there are still challenges compared to China, so developers need to exercise more patience in cultivating the market, Wen warned.
Editors: Tang Shihua, Futura Costaglione
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SEMINOLE, Fla. — As energy prices continue to climb, more Florida homeowners are turning to solar power as a way to reduce long-term costs and gain more control over their monthly bills.
In Seminole, homeowner Dave Henegar says his investment in solar is already delivering significant savings — and helping him plan ahead for retirement.
Five years ago, Henegar installed solar panels on his home. Before making the switch, he says his electric bill was about $4,500 a year. Today, that cost has dropped to between $500 and $900 annually.
“It was pretty much a must,” said Henegar. “Down here where the ratio of sunny days to cloudy days are so much better than anywhere else in the country. It made sense for me. And also, I was preparing for retirement and I’m just looking at knocking my monthly costs down while in retirement. And this was a great way to sort of prepay my electricity bill for the next 25 years.”
Henegar says the benefits are not just financial — they also provide a sense of stability in the face of fluctuating fuel and energy prices.
“Any fluctuation in gas seems to set everybody in an uproar around fuel prices and things like that. And I don’t need to really worry about that with my electric vehicle,” he said.
He has also expanded his use of solar-powered energy beyond his home.
“So I’ve changed all of my mowing equipment, all of my yard equipment to electric. I have an electric vehicle that my wife commutes to and from the airport every day,” he added.
Solar power is not without drawbacks, though. One of the major impediments for many people is the cost — according to information from TECO, the average solar system in West Central Florida will cost a homeowner $32,000.
In years past, 30% of that cost could be deducted from a homeowner’s federal income taxes in the form of a Residential Clean Energy Credit. President Donald Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" ended that credit, so any system installed after Dec. 31, 2025, will not qualify.
Henegar said the long-term benefits of solar, though, outweigh any drawbacks.
“Managing my own destiny with regards to anyone that I have to buy services from, or power from,” he said. “I’ve been paying electric bills all my life and now I don’t have to anymore.”
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Atmoce’s new MI microinverter series connects two PV modules per unit while still providing module-level power optimization.
Image: Atmoce
Amsterdam-based household renewables company Atmoce has a new microinverter series that allows two photovoltaic modules to be connected to a single device.
The MI inverter has a maximum output power of up to 1,250 W, with a nominal output ranging from 800 W to 1,200 W depending on the model.
The system operates at a DC voltage of 60 V, which is intended to improve safety by reducing the risk of electric arcing. Connecting two modules per inverter also reduces installation effort and material use, the company said.
Despite the shared inverter, module-level optimization is maintained, as the device is equipped with two independent MPPTs, allowing each PV module to operate separately.
The manufacturer specifies a maximum efficiency of 98.2%. The unit weighs 2.1 kg and is designed for high power density. Its polymer housing is intended to support heat dissipation. No additional grounding is required.
According to the manufacturer, the IP67-rated devices comply with relevant standards, including IEC 62109 and VDE-AR-N 4105, and are suitable for outdoor installation and operation across a wide temperature range.
The microinverters are designed for both single-phase and three-phase systems, enabling use in larger installations.
The system also supports module-level monitoring. The manufacturer provides a proprietary tool for fault diagnostics. Communication is based on power line communication with a range of up to 350 m.
The new product comes with a 25-year warranty. Market launch is planned for the second quarter of 2026.
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Virginia to legalize ‘balcony solar’ as more states advance legislation: ‘Removes all kinds of barriers’ Yahoo
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Anker has launched its SOLIX Earth Day Sale with up to 65% discounts on power stations, three tiers of FREE gifts on orders over $3,500, as well as our ongoing exclusive 5% bonus savings code on orders over $1,000. Among the many options to power your needs, a personal favorite is Anker’s SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station down at $429 shipped, which matches the price we’re seeing over at Amazon. Listed for $799 at full price, you can more often find it around $560 at the highest since 2026 began, with discounts this year having only gone as low as $429 since Christmas Sales in 2025 ended. During this event, you’re looking at a $131 markdown off the recent going rate ($370 off the MSRP) for the best price we’ve tracked since December. You can learn more about it in our hands-on Tested review, and browse the full lineup of Earth Day deals below.
As I mentioned, there are a few additional promotions available during Anker’s SOLIX Earth Day Sale, starting with our exclusive bonus 5% savings code 9TO5DEALS5 that you can use on any order over $1,000. The brand is also offering three different tiers of free gifts, with orders over $3,500 receiving a FREE 192Wh C200 DC compact power station ($199 value), orders over $5,000 getting a free 400W portable solar panel ($899 value), and orders over $8,000 getting two free 400W solar panels ($1,798 value).
The second-generation Anker SOLIX C1000 power station has been quite popular since hitting the market in 2025, with my own uncle now utilizing one to power various devices on his boat as he meets up with friends on the water for “redneck yacht club gatherings.” I’ve also found it a handy companion for my personal devices, as its smaller size is easy to manage while still giving me a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 battery to tackle short-term power outages, trips to parks, the beach, and more. There are 10 port options for connections (5x AC, 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A, and a car port) and regular 2,000W of max steady power that can surge higher to 3,000W.
It brings along much faster AC charging for its own batteries than the predecessor C1000 station, with additional options to recharge with a gas generator (including passthrough charging), up to 600W of solar panel input, simultaneous AC and solar charging, or from your car’s auxiliary port (which steps up to faster speeds with an alternator charger). You can get a full rundown on how I’ve used mine in my hands-on Tested review here.
***Note: Our exclusive bonus savings code 9TO5DEALS5 has not been factored into any of the prices above $1,000 below, so be sure to use it whenever your cart hits that threshold so you can guarantee you’re getting even lower prices during this sale.
While we have collected all the major power station and electric cooler deals above, you can find Anker’s SOLIX accessory deals and refurbished model deals on the sale’s main landing page here (just scroll to the bottom). And be sure to also head over to our dedicated power stations hub for even more savings from alternate brands.
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Indian scientists have fabricated perovskite mini-modules with reduced graphene oxide interface engineering, achieving 16.6% efficiency and over 1,300 hours of stable operation. The graphene oxide layer improves film quality, reduces defects, enhances charge transport, and enables scalable fabrication, offering a promising route toward efficient and durable perovskite solar modules.
Image: Prabhat Kumar College
Researchers at Prabhat Kumar College in India have fabricated mini perovksite solar modules with over 1,300 hours of operational stability.
“We demonstrated a scalable interface engineering approach using reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) to significantly enhance the performance of perovskite solar mini-modules,” the research’s lead author, Asim Guchhait, told pv magazine. “The r-GO interfacial layer improves perovskite film quality, reduces defect-driven recombination, and enhances charge transport.”
The scientists developed an interface passivation strategy intended at applying r-GO is to self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-based hole transport layers (HTLs) to improve surface properties and control perovskite crystallization. They explained that, although SAMs are valued for stability, transparency, and good energy-level alignment, they suffer from low hole mobility and surface defects. The introduction of r-GO mitigates these limitations and enhances hole extraction efficiency, while also improving perovskite film coverage and device stability by acting as a barrier layer.
The research group spin coated reduced r-GO nto the SAM to modify the interface before depositing the perovskite layer using a two-step spin-coating method with anti-solvent treatment. It then built the solar cell type used for the modules by using a substrate made of glass and indium tin oxide (ITO), a sputtered nickel oxide (NiOx) as the seed layer of SAM, the SAM, a perovskite absorber, an electron transport layer (ETL) based on a buckminsterfullerene (C60), a transparent back contact made of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), a bathocuproine (BCP) buffer layer, and a copper (Cu) metal contact.
The 22.59%-efficient cell was assembled through a monolithic interconnection via a P1–P2–P3 laser scribing process. Initially, P1 scribing creates isolation lines in the ITO layer, followed by cleaning and deposition of NiOx, SAM, and r-GO layers. The perovskite absorber is then deposited using a two-step spin-coating method with anti-solvent treatment and thermal annealing. P2 scribing removes selected layers to enable electrical connection between adjacent subcells after copper electrode deposition. P3 scribing then isolates the top electrodes, preventing electrical cross-talk and completing the module.
The photovoltaic performance of the 5 cm x 5 cm mini modules fabricated with the proposed cell structure was evaluated using J–V measurements under standard illumination conditions with a calibrated solar simulator and source meter. Unencapsulated perovskite modules with an active area of 9.2 cm2 were found to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 16.6%, which compares to 15.13% in control devices built without the r-GO layers.
The scientists explained that the r-GO-modified substrates exhibited improved perovskite film quality with fewer defects and better growth kinetics, which in turn reduced grain boundaries and trap densities, leading to better charge transport. Electrical analyses confirmed reduced defect density, improved recombination resistance, and enhanced carrier dynamics. Moreover, the r-GO-treated devices demonstrated excellent stability, retaining over 95% efficiency after 1,300 hours of operation and storage, far outperforming control devices.
“These results demonstrate that r-GO interfacial passivation combined with optimized transport layers is an effective route toward more efficient and durable perovskite modules,” the academics stated.
The new cell and module concept was introduced in the study “Interface engineering for stabilization of efficient perovskite mini-modules with over 1300 hr operational stability,” published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. “This work provides a promising pathway for bridging the gap between laboratory-scale devices and commercially viable perovskite solar modules,” said Guchhait.
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by Suhasini Srinivasaragavan
13 Apr 2026
From left: Minister Jerry Buttimer, TD; Brian Warren, Greenvolt Next; Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport; Minister Darragh O’Brien, TD; Seamus McGrath, TD; and John Carty, Greenvolt Next. Image: Darragh Kane
Around 3,700 solar panels and five inverters are expected to generate 1.5GWh of renewable energy annually.
Cork Airport has announced a new solar-power-roofed car park that could generate up to 20pc of the airport’s electricity needs. Construction for the 1.7MW ‘carport’ – Ireland’s largest-ever – is expected to conclude by August 2027.
The project is a part of the DAA Group’s €200m investment commitments across Cork Airport. The Irish government has backed the project with €2m in exchequer funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme.
The new carport is being built over the existing Holiday Blue car park, in collaboration with Greenvolt Next, a Lisbon-based renewable energy solutions provider. The company’s Irish wing, based out of Waterford, has installed photovoltaic panels for the likes of pharmaceutical company Temmler, AW Ennis, fintech Fexco and Dublin Airport.
The first phase of the carport rollout is expected in early summer, with a second expected in October. Current plans envisage around 3,700 solar panels and five inverters generating 1.5GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport. The installation is also expected to lower CO2 emissions by more than 350,000kg.
The carport will be followed up by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue car park with an additional 669 parking spaces; 32 of these will be dedicated spaces for people with reduced mobility. The project comes just after Cork Airport experienced its busiest ever year in 2025 with 3.46m passengers.
The Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme “was developed in 2024 to support regional state airports to reach their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against climate change”, said Minister for Transport, and Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien, TD.
Niall MacCarthy, the managing director of Cork Airport, added: “We understand the need for more sustainable operations at airports, which is why Cork Airport is investing in Ireland’s largest solar carport today.”
Last September, Cork Airport was caught in a cyberattack that targeted a number of other European airports including Dublin, Brussels, Berlin and the UK’s Heathrow. The attack disrupted the airports’ baggage tagging and handling systems.
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Suhasini Srinivasaragavan is a sci-tech reporter for Silicon Republic
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Farmers in Ohio face challenges in adopting renewable energy despite its benefits.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:38pm
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In Canfield, Ohio, farmer Wayne Greier watches his teenage son Blake plow a field, but Greier is also considering installing solar panels on his land to offset rising energy costs. While solar power could provide significant savings for farmers, local opposition to large-scale solar projects remains a major obstacle in many rural communities across the United States.
Farmers are increasingly turning to solar energy as a way to reduce their operating costs and become more self-sufficient, but community resistance to solar developments on agricultural land has slowed adoption in many areas. This tension highlights the broader challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources, even in industries that stand to benefit the most.
Greier is exploring the possibility of leasing part of his land to a solar developer, which could provide him with a steady income stream and reduce his electricity bills. However, some of his neighbors have voiced concerns about the visual impact of solar panels and the potential loss of farmland. Similar debates have played out in rural communities across the Midwest as solar companies seek to develop large-scale projects on agricultural properties.
A farmer in Canfield, Ohio who is considering installing solar panels on his land to offset rising energy costs.
Wayne Greier’s teenage son who was driving a tractor and plowing a field on the family’s farm.
The challenges faced by farmers like Wayne Greier in adopting solar power highlight the broader difficulties of transitioning to renewable energy sources, even in industries that stand to benefit the most. Overcoming local opposition and finding ways to balance agricultural needs with renewable energy development will be crucial as more farmers explore solar as a way to reduce costs and become more self-sufficient.
Apr. 17, 2026
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Reliance Industries Ltd has become the first company to secure the inclusion of heterojunction solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) published by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Reliance Industries Ltd’s solar cell line at Jamnagar complex
Image: Reliance Industries
From pv magazine India
Reliance Industries Ltd has become the first company to secure inclusion of heterojunction (HJT) solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) issued by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), marking a milestone for the country’s solar manufacturing sector. The listed cell manufacturing capacity is 1,238 MW per year, covering 210 mm × 105 mm formats with zero-busbar designs. The cells are rated at efficiencies of up to 25.6% and power outputs ranging from 5.28 W to 5.66 W.
Reliance’s HJT modules were previously included in ALMM List I for modules. The listed module manufacturing capacity is about 1,716 MW per year, comprising monofacial and bifacial glass-to-glass configurations, with power ratings of up to 720 W.
Under MNRE rules, from June 1, 2026, all government-supported solar projects must use modules manufactured with cells sourced from ALMM List II. Reliance’s HJT cell manufacturing facility at Jamnagar is part of its compliance strategy, enabling modules to meet domestic content requirement (DCR) norms for both cells and modules.
HJT cells produced at Reliance’s Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex are positioned as an upgrade over conventional PERC and TOPCon technologies. The company’s HJT modules offer efficiencies of up to 23.12%, while cell-level roadmaps target efficiencies of up to 26.5% through perovskite-tandem integration. HJT technology also offers a lower temperature coefficient, improving performance in high-temperature conditions, and reduced degradation of around 25% over the lifetime compared to conventional silicon modules, the company said.
Reliance Industries is developing an integrated solar manufacturing facility with an initial capacity of around 10 GW per year, scalable to 20 GW. The company is also building an integrated battery manufacturing ecosystem covering cell production to pack assembly and containerized energy storage systems (ESS), with an initial capacity of 40 GWh, expandable to 100 GWh in later phases.
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India's solar development represents more than large-scale solar installations in Rajasthan and Gujarat; the entire country will participate through a well penetrated distribution network, which connects small shops, warehouses, service vans, and distributors and channel partner network.
April 14, 2026. By News Bureau
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Reliance Industries Ltd has become the first company to secure the inclusion of heterojunction (HJT) solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The enlisted cell manufacturing capacity stands at 1,238 MW per year, covering 210 mm × 105 mm formats with zero-busbar designs. The cells are rated with efficiencies of up to 25.6% and power outputs ranging from 5.28 W to 5.66 W.
Reliance Industries Ltd’s solar cell line at Jamnagar complex
Reliance Industries Ltd
Reliance Industries Ltd has become the first company to secure the inclusion of heterojunction (HJT) solar cells in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, marking a major milestone for India’s solar manufacturing sector. The enlisted cell manufacturing capacity stands at 1,238 MW per year, covering 210 mm × 105 mm formats with zero-busbar designs. The cells are rated with efficiencies of up to 25.6% and power outputs ranging from 5.28 W to 5.66 W.
Reliance’s high-efficiency HJT modules had previously been included in ALMM List-I (modules). The listed module manufacturing capacity is approximately 1,716 MW per year, comprising both monofacial and bifacial glass-to-glass configurations, with power outputs reaching up to 720 Wp.
MNRE has mandated that, from June 1, 2026, all government-backed solar projects must use modules manufactured with cells sourced from the ALMM List-II. Reliance’s integration of HJT cell manufacturing at Jamnagar is a key part of this compliance, ensuring that their modules meet the “domestic content requirement” (DCR) for both cells and modules.
HJT cells produced by Reliance at the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex represent a significant upgrade over traditional PERC or TOPCon technologies. The company’ HJT modules feature efficiencies of up to 23.12%, with cell-level roadmaps aiming for even higher efficiencies of up to 26.5% through perovskite-tandem integrations. HJT cells offer a better temperature coefficient (meaning they perform better in high temperature environments) and roughly 25% lower degradation over their lifespan compared to conventional panels.
Reliance Industries Ltd is developing a fully integrated, end-to-end solar manufacturing facility with an initial annual capacity of around 10 GW, with plans to scale this up to 20 GW. In parallel, the company is establishing an integrated battery manufacturing ecosystem, spanning cell production to pack assembly and containerized energy storage systems (ESS), with an initial capacity of 40 GWh, expandable to 100 GWh in subsequent phases.
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Ameresco installs solar panels at Miami-Dade county buildings By Investing.com Investing.com Australia
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Backed by Standard Bank and developed by Anthem, the 475MW project in the Free State represents a significant expansion of large-scale renewable infrastructure. With an estimated value of around R9bn, the project underscores growing private-sector investment in energy assets as South Africa accelerates its transition away from coal.
From a construction perspective, the Notsi project is notable for both its scale and complexity. Spanning more than 1,000ha and incorporating approximately 860,000 solar panels, the development requires extensive civil works, grid integration, and transmission infrastructure, including a dedicated substation to connect to the national grid.
Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) responsibilities have been assigned to a joint venture involving China Energy Engineering Corporation and the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute, with completion expected within roughly 26 months. This places the project firmly within South Africa’s pipeline of mega-infrastructure builds, alongside transport and water projects, in terms of scale and co-ordination demands.
Beyond its physical footprint, the project highlights a shift in infrastructure funding and delivery models. Standard Bank’s role as lead arranger and financial structurer reflects the increasing importance of sophisticated financing mechanisms in unlocking large energy projects.
The project will supply approximately 1.5 million MWh of electricity annually—enough to power around 140,000 homes—primarily serving commercial and industrial users through a wheeling model. This model, which transmits privately generated electricity across the national grid, is reshaping how infrastructure is planned, financed and utilised.
For the construction sector, Notsi signals a sustained pipeline of renewable energy builds requiring multidisciplinary expertise, from large-scale site development to grid-ready engineering. As South Africa continues to liberalise its electricity market, projects of this magnitude are expected to drive demand for specialised infrastructure capabilities while reinforcing the role of private capital in national energy delivery.
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NTPC REL Invites Bids For 1450 MWp Solar PV Module Supply In Uttar Pradesh Projects SolarQuarter
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The National System Control Centre has requested rooftop solar system owners to voluntarily switch off their solar inverters today (14 April 2026) until 3:00 PM, citing significantly low electricity demand during the festive season.
In a notice issued to Solar PV customers, the authorities said the measure is intended to ensure the reliable and stable operation of the national grid during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period, when electricity consumption typically declines.
The request was made on behalf of EDL (Private) Limited and NSO (Private) Limited, who noted that excess solar generation during periods of low demand can create operational challenges for grid stability.
The National System Control Centre said cooperation from rooftop solar users would help maintain a continuous, secure, and stable electricity supply across the country during the festive period.
Solar system owners were therefore encouraged to voluntarily switch off their solar inverters until 3:00 PM today to support grid management efforts. (Newswire)
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Accelerating solar deployment and electrification offers Australia’s most effective defence against volatile global energy markets, according to a new Climate Council report released.
This comes as petrol prices surge nearly 50% and the current US-Iran conflict costs motorists more than AU$1 billion (US$710 million) in March alone.
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The community-funded not-for-profit’s analysis reveals that strategic investment in renewable energy, battery storage, and electrification can provide structural protection against international energy shocks.
The report comes as petrol prices have reached 253.4 cents per litre and diesel has climbed above AU$3 per litre, with modelling by Griffith University estimating the conflict could add an extra 5% to existing inflation.
“This is the second major global fuel shock in just four years,” the report states, highlighting how Australia’s dependence on importing more than 90% of its refined fuels creates immediate vulnerability – a vulnerability that renewable energy deployment directly addresses.
Approximately 400,000 Australian homes with rooftop solar paired with battery systems are achieving power bill reductions of up to 90% while insulating themselves from fossil fuel price volatility.
The Climate Council notes that these solar-plus-storage households represent a growing segment that has effectively decoupled from fossil fuel markets.
The Australian government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program has been key to this uptake, supporting adoption alongside Australia’s world-leading rooftop solar deployment of over 3.6 million installations.
As such, the Climate Council urges the government to maintain strong support for the home battery scheme in the May budget.
Climate Council analysis shows that by the end of February 2026, renewable energy paired with large-scale battery storage had offset 30 petajoules of gas use in Australia’s main electricity grid. In just four months leading up to the report’s release, renewables combined with storage reduced gas consumption by 8.1 petajoules.
During the recent summer period, solar and wind generation paired with battery storage contributed to a 30% reduction in wholesale electricity prices compared to the prior year.
In addition, the Climate Council notes that the coupling of renewables, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles (EVs) could also boost energy security and protect households.
With 1.3 million electric or hybrid vehicles now on Australian roads, the country is avoiding almost 15 million litres of petrol and diesel weekly – a saving that has tripled in three years.
During March’s fuel price spike, EV and hybrid owners avoided approximately AU$50 million in additional fuel costs.
EV sales surged in March 2026, with battery-electric vehicles capturing 14.6% of the market. The integration of EVs with rooftop solar creates a powerful combination, allowing households to charge vehicles during peak solar generation and maximise self-consumption of renewable energy.
Australia’s mining industry receives almost half of the AU$13 billion annual Fuel Tax Credit scheme.
The Climate Council recommends capping rebates for large mining corporations at AU$50 million, redirecting excess amounts to support zero-emissions machinery powered by renewable energy.
The report firmly rejects fossil fuel expansion as a solution, noting Australia has depleted 90% of its conventional crude oil reserves and exports 80% of its gas production despite domestic price increases.
The Climate Council’s budget submission calls for strengthening the Household Energy Upgrades Fund with zero-interest finance for solar and battery installations, and for implementing a gas exports tax to fund accelerated renewable energy.
You can read the full article on Energy-Storage.news.
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Many consumers find solar-powered gadgets a bit of a difficult sell. Those who live in an area with intermittent sun, for instance, may well just assume that they won’t get the most use out of a product. What we often need to do, though, is temper our expectations and choose products with solar technology that fit into our lifestyle. For instance, a solar-enabled bike computer can be a perfect design to top up its own power between rides, while decorative yard lights or similar can, essentially, care for themselves by charging during the day and freeing themselves from the grid.
While you might not necessarily save much on your bills with solar tech, a gadget with a built-in backup solar power source can be a very practical purchase, with the solar bonus extending its battery life and potentially saving money on battery replacements in the long run. There are some useful, cheap solar-powered gadgets for emergencies, but others aren’t so cheap.
The thing to be wary of with solar gadgets is that the technology can be very expensive, so you need to be choosy and realistic about the kind of use you’re likely to get out of a given gadget relative to the upfront cost (especially compared to a non-solar alternative). Like EVs, they can come with a hefty price tag, but maintenance, battery costs, and not running them on the grid (or having less reliance on it) can all be savings that become more prominent the more you use your devices. If you’re looking for a long-term commitment to your gadgets, then something that’s solar-powered can absolutely be worth considering. Here are some different types of gadgets that truly benefit from their solar label.
While small strings of outdoor lighting might not contribute much to your energy bill, it’s easy to go overboard, and anyway, every little bit helps. This is why, if you’re a fan of decorative outdoor lighting, you might want to consider replacing any existing sets with solar-powered ones.
Solar lights charge during the day and emit light at night, a nice, convenient cycle that makes them a more eco-friendly option, too. If you would like to dive in with them, this Brightech set is particularly well regarded. Currently, a 27-foot-long string of 12 1W lights costs $26.52 at Home Depot, competitive pricing for an all-solar model. They’re widely recommended by the outlet’s customers, scoring 4.7 stars out of 5 based on almost 240 reviews, and the popular magazine Better Homes & Gardens also awarded them its Best String Lights, Classic spot in a December 2025 roundup.
2700K light is offered for approximately 6 hours on a full charge, and the magazine concluded that “at their full brightness and in a warm color mode, they cast a pleasing, reliable light that doesn’t disturb neighbors or shine at all into our tester’s home.” The lights are not dimmable and don’t have USB charging, but the solar base is easy to place, and their hardy plastic design, in tandem with Brightech’s WeatherTite, makes them suitable for almost all conditions. A versatile and affordable option that ticks a lot of the boxes for solar light customers.
This portable solar panel from Austrian brand Sunnybag is rather more versatile than a potentially very bulky solar backpack. It’s extremely portable, measuring 11-by-10 inches and weighing just 0.8 pounds, while being extremely thin. Its 7 W power is delivered by a network of 80 micro solar panels that make up its body, and along with an assortment of attachment options (including suction, carabiner, and Velcro), you can affix it to your backpack, a car window, or simply place it on a surface. It’s bendable and resistant to water and drops, making it usable almost anywhere.
After it’s attached, you can set off on your journey, with the compatible device of your choice charging in the single USB slot. A simple red, green, and blue indicator light system allows users to see how much light the device is currently taking in, and so how quickly the attached device may charge. It also features an auto-restart capability, so it can resume charging on its own should charging be interrupted by the shade. When available on Amazon, the Sunnybag Leaf Pro can be picked up for $119.92 as of this writing. The Leaf Pro and the smaller Leaf Mini, as well as refurbished models, can also be purchased, where available, directly from Sunnybag.
Again, you may not get the value from the system if you’re only an occasional walker or hiker, and so it’s important to consider your habits and your needs before investing in what could be a premium product. As Iridium242 put it after putting the device through its paces on YouTube, “I would highly recommend it […] there are cheaper options; however, they may not last as long.”
Solar-powered security cameras can offer some significant advantages over their entirely grid- or battery-reliant counterparts. You’ll find that offerings from some of the bigger brands, such as Eufy, don’t require a subscription to access video-logging features. Expandable local storage, instead, offers users more freedom to retain the content they want, rather than relying on the cloud.
For the purchase to make sense for you, you’ll need to consider the usual issues with solar gadgets: they are often pricier than their counterparts at the initial purchase. Another critical caveat, though, is that the user will always get the best results from a device that is best positioned to access as much light as possible. This can be particularly difficult with outdoor solar security cameras, because the device’s positioning depends on the areas you need them to monitor.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area that often basks in sunlight and you have a perfect spot to mount a solar camera, Eufy’s EufyCam 3 S330 comes highly recommended for its all-around functionality. Our review of the model praised its ease of setup, the integrated hub’s communications features, and the system’s overall ability to charge effectively using the incorporated solar panel, which remains somewhat effective when overhead conditions aren’t optimal.
It’s technology that’s becoming increasingly accessible and more effective, so it’ll be important to consider other models and determine which one suits your needs best. In the right circumstances, though, a solar security camera can be an excellent wallet-friendly choice, particularly over time. Eufy’s EufyCam S3 Pro is also an excellent alternative, sporting a larger solar panel and the brand’s SolarPlus 2.0 technology, both at approximately $549.99.
It can be tricky with solar-powered gadgets. Often, the novelty value and complex technology can lead to an inflated price, making the buyer better off with a more conventional counterpart. For this reason, it was important to select product types for which it made sense to include solar functionality in the first place. Solar lights, for instance, aren’t typically needed while the sun is out, so they can often happily recharge without using any power, simply basking in it.
Another big factor is the price; after all, your wallet won’t thank you if you spend much more on the initial outlay than you would realistically spend on electricity over the product’s life. This is an easy pitfall to fall into with solar products, so we took care to select items where solar is truly beneficial and practical, without a dramatically inflated price.
Reliability is another critical factor, so we sought expert reviews and feedback from verified owners to better gauge how the products perform not only on paper but also in people’s yards and wherever they are used. In a Reddit thread discussing the EufyCam S330, for instance, a user praised the system’s low running costs, which are vital to the system.
5W Solar Panel Charger For Security Camera – IP66 Waterproof With Adjustable Mount & 9ft Cable RuhrkanalNEWS
source
Waaree Energies, the largest solar PV manufacturer in India is launching an Australia subsidiary.
Coy in its disclosure forms, the Indian manufacturer said the new subsidiary, dubbed Waaree Renewable Energies Australia “will focus on renewable energy in Australia.”
The new business will be based in Parramatta, in Sydney.
The company’s solar modules are already CEC Australia approved.
Waaree manufactures a number of different solar PV modules, including N-Type TOPCon, P-Type Mono PERC, Bifacial, BIPV, Flexible, and Polycrystalline modules. It also makes smart inverters, which can provide data monitoring and advanced utility controls.
This time last year, Waaree announced plans to invest up to US$1 billion to build a solar panel factory in Texas, in the United States.
The planned facility, once completed, would be one of the largest in the country, employing more than 1500 people.
The Australian move comes only a few months since Waaree Energies debuted on the Indian stock exchanges, on 28 October, already rising 16 per cent since its initial listing.
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A new report from Pollinate Group shows that “energy access” isn’t always about big infrastructure. In many communities across India and Nepal, it still comes down to small, practical products — delivered by local entrepreneurs who are building incomes at the same time.
SolarQuotes has been supporting Pollinate Group for nearly seven years, and we check in from time to time to see how that support is translating on the ground. Each genuine quote request contributes $1, helping fund Pollinate’s work in off-grid communities.
Pollinate Group runs a grassroots distribution model built around local entrepreneurs — mainly women — who sell clean energy and essential household products in their own communities.
These “Pollinators” are trained, supported, and supplied with products that address basic needs such as lighting, cooking, and household safety.
Rather than a traditional aid model, the focus is on income generation and local ownership. This approach allows communities to access useful technologies while also creating reliable small business opportunities for the entrepreneurs involved.
It’s a simple structure: products are sourced centrally, but delivered locally by people who understand the needs of their own communities.
For Australian readers, solar usually means rooftop systems and batteries. But in many parts of South Asia, even a basic solar light can make a noticeable difference.
Around 59% of surveyed communities still lack electricity. As a result, many households rely on kerosene lamps — expensive to run, harmful indoors, and unreliable.
Switching to solar lighting brings immediate benefits: lower ongoing costs, safer homes, and more time for children to study or adults to work after dark.
In 2025 alone, Pollinate reached around 23,000 people and distributed more than 12,000 products, showing the scale of these practical interventions.
A consistent theme in the 2025 report is the expansion of Pollinate’s entrepreneur network, with 557 women engaged and 469 actively running businesses.
The product range is also gradually expanding beyond solar lighting. Clean cookstoves, water filters, and basic household items are now part of the mix — all aimed at reducing daily costs or improving health.
Cookstoves reduce fuel use and indoor smoke. Water filters address basic health risks. These additions build on the existing solar range rather than replacing it, using the same trusted local networks to deliver more useful products.
That trust is reflected in how customers are reached — around 75% come through word of mouth.
Hamida, a micro-entrepreneur in Hogla, West Bengal, now earns a steady income selling clean energy and household products in her community.
Hamida lives in the Hogla community in West Bengal, where steady work for women is rare. Before joining Pollinate, she had no reliable income. After becoming a micro-entrepreneur, she began selling solar lamps and fans to households in her area.
The change wasn’t dramatic, but it was steady. She now earns enough to contribute more consistently to household expenses and support her daughters’ education. With training and ongoing support, she’s grown in confidence and is now thinking about helping other women in her community start similar work.
The model continues to work even in difficult conditions. Despite higher costs and supply chain pressures, demand remains steady because the products address immediate, everyday needs rather than non-essential ones.
They also save time — more than 82,000 hours in 2025 — and reduce emissions by nearly 4,000 tonnes of CO₂.
Just as importantly, the structure itself is resilient. Because distribution relies on local entrepreneurs rather than external sales teams, it continues to function in areas where infrastructure is limited or inconsistent.
Manu runs a meat shop and grocery store in Milijule Tole, Nepal, alongside a small clean energy and household product business.
Manu lives in Milijule Tole in Nepal. She previously ran a small meat shop that provided only a modest and unstable income. After joining Pollinate Group in 2019, she received training, mentorship, and digital support that helped her expand her work.
She now runs two small businesses — a meat shop and a grocery store — and sells essentials like sanitary pads and LED bulbs.
Together, these income streams have created something she didn’t have before: stability. She’s now a trusted local source for affordable household goods and a clear example of how small changes can build real stability over time.
If you use SolarQuotes, you’re already part of this.
Every genuine quote request automatically contributes $1 to Pollinate Group. It’s a small amount, but across thousands of households it adds up to steady support for training, products, and expansion into new communities.
If you’re considering solar, it’s another good reason to get three quotes and compare your options properly.
Alternatively, if you want to donate a larger amount directly, go to Pollinate’s donation page.
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A solar installer and electrician in a previous life, Kim has been blogging for SolarQuotes since 2022. He enjoys translating complex aspects of the solar industry into content that the layperson can understand and digest. He spends his time reading about renewable energy and sustainability, while simultaneously juggling teaching and performing guitar music around various parts of Australia. Read Kim’s full bio.
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Sunshine and clouds mixed. Near record high temperatures. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..
Mostly clear skies. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: April 14, 2026 @ 12:20 am
Many homeowners are going solar to save money, to go “off the grid,” or to make a positive impact on the environment. No matter the reason, installing a solar system is a big purchase with many aspects to consider.
Be cautious when evaluating installation offers, as scammers may use misleading sales tactics to trick homeowners out of money and personal information.
You may be contacted by someone claiming to represent a solar company through email, phone, social media or even in person. They promote a special deal, offering to install solar panels at little or no cost.
In reality, those offers often involve financing that is not clearly explained. What sounds like a free or low cost installation may actually be a long term loan with monthly payments. Some offers may also require credit checks or quick contract approvals, which can be a sign to slow down and review the details carefully.
One Ohio consumer reported they were told they could get solar panels at no cost. After asking more questions, they learned they had actually been approved for a $52,000 loan with monthly payments. The consumer said the offer was misrepresented and the financing details were not clearly explained.
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What a few weeks we have had in the world of renewables and the wider electrical sector. With the government policy shifts around balcony solar and training changes around apprenticeship units for EV, PV and such, it’s all very much up in the air!
Let’s start with balcony solar. As it stands, the government is working to develop and bring to market systems with supermarkets and online retailers. Circa 400W-1200W in production power, this brings options into the marketplace where currently PV isn’t practical. I am thinking high rise flats and such, which for me is a good thing.
But of course, we need to ensure its safe and functional. We have seen the electrical sector react with statements and such, but it looks very much that government and market forces are moving without the involvement of traditional electro technical sector management and oversight.
Equally we have some changes to the training sphere with new apprenticeship modules that sit outside of the recommended routes aligned with the EAS model and direction from TESP. Again, it appears government and market forces are moving outside the normal controls of the electrical sector. This is both concerning and eye opening.
For those interested in safety and some of the measures we can take in the provision and installation of solar PV we have a huge range of options. Many of which I have shared on my YouTube channel and within these articles before.
The fabulous PV ultra both plain and in particular SWA variations to minimise the risk or rodent and wider damages. Again, we had voices from within the industry against this type of installation method. This cable is also coming out with more updates to include earthing conductors and more.
We also have bifacial panels; these are not only stronger than class C plastic backed panels but also lots more fire resistant. We have a really interesting government released testing document from November 2025 which points this out very clearly.
In my own installation business, we direct consumers towards these huge benefits every week. It is assumed on roof that bifacial panels bring little benefit from reflected light and in part this can be true. However, they cost the same as single sided options and resist fire and impacts a lot better. It’s a no brainer and I find it flabbergasting how some share views that bifacial panels are not stronger or more fire resistant. This is when damage towards wider messaging and true safety are eroded and diminished. It is interesting to observe some panel manufacturers moving towards a purely bifacial range of offerings. You can read the report here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693aeb43c72b0f8ccf33d63e/fire-spread-over-pitched-roofs-fitted-with-solar-panels.pdf
The performance aspect is the really interesting one, of course we have been running side by side testing of bifacial and single sided options when on roof. Because I am a nerd and it’s interesting. The data is clear, over winter the bifacial panels in multiple locations around the UK were 5% more productive even on roof. You can watch a video I made recently about this over on the YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDKGHKC2d_M through the summer the gap widens.
Finally panel level optimisation. Again we have messaging from some places that these bring increased risks due to the number of connections and extra equipment that can also fail. Again elements of this are true, however the data and incidents from the USA and Canada speak clearly. Optimisation and rapid shutdown reduces the instances of fire and is why with so many timber framed homes is mandated. These devices monitor for temperature increases, arcs, panel performance and some can use that data to see if performance is below what it should be. Raising flags for maintenance and servicing before something goes wrong.
My message towards the industry of things is to become faster, more engaged with sector dynamics and work with installers before the field of play moves away from us all. We need that governance to establish safety and opportunities for electricians.
I hope you all had a great easter and I am not the sort to promote my own training offerings here, but that is all doing its thing and google is your friend!
Do not forget to let me know any topics you would like covered in the articles via the below links.
@electrician_247 on twitter
@apprentice121 on Instagram
@Mark The Sparky Allison on YouTube
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The project combines 1.35 GW of photovoltaic capacity with 150 MW of molten-salt tower concentrated solar power. It is located in Xinjiang and requires an investment of $950 million.
Construction on the CSP unit began in late 2024
Image: China Energy Engineering Corp
China Energy Engineering Corp. (CEEC) has officially started construction of the photovoltaic component of its Hami 1.5 GW solar demonstration project in Xinjiang, China. The project is part of a large multi-energy base combining solar PV with tower-based concentrated solar power (CSP) and molten-salt thermal storage.
The full project, formally known as the CEEC Hami 1,500 MW Multi-Energy Complementary Integrated Green Power Demonstration Project, is located in Santanghu Town, Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami. It is described as the world’s largest single-phase solar-thermal-storage project under construction, as well as the largest molten-salt tower CSP project currently being built in Xinjiang.
The hybrid plant will ultimately become the largest single-phase PV–CSP facility upon completion. At present, the largest operating hybrid plant is the China Three Gorges Hami PV–CSP plant in China, with a total capacity of around 1,000 MW, including approximately 900 MW of PV and 100 MW of CSP. It is followed by Noor Energy 1 in the United Arab Emirates, which has a total capacity of about 950 MW, combining 700 MW of CSP with 250 MW of PV.
With a total investment of approximately CNY 6.5 billion ($951.9 million) and a site area of about 33 km², the CEEC Hami project is expected to generate about 2.9 TWh annually, including around 200 GWh from CSP and about 2.7 TWh from PV.
Image: China Energy Engineering Corp
Construction on the CSP unit started in late 2024 and is now approaching completion, according to CEEC. The whole project is scheduled to reach grid-connection conditions by June 2026, with full-capacity commissioning planned for October.
As for the PV unit, it will use large-size n-type modules suited to desert conditions with strong ultraviolet radiation, wind, and sand exposure. The name of the provider was not disclosed.
Together, the two solar technologies are designed to form what CEEC said a round-the-clock generation loop, with PV supplying daytime output and CSP with thermal storage providing nighttime balancing and firm power. The plant is also intended to provide grid services including primary frequency regulation, reactive power support, and peak shaving.
CEEC said the project was designed for extreme desert conditions including high winds, cold weather, and saline soils. Protective structures have reportedly been added to heliostats to reduce mirror breakage by 90%, while the 219-m tower is described as a benchmark design for large-capacity tower CSP projects in China.
In strategic terms, the project is being presented as a model for China’s second batch of large “desert, Gobi and arid land” renewable bases and as a template for combining PV, CSP, and long-duration thermal storage at scale.
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Scientific Reports volume 16, Article number: 2370 (2026)
1418
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The nonlinear and intermittent nature of Photovoltaic (PV) systems introduces dynamic disturbances that negatively impact the stability of the DC bus voltage (Vdc) between PV sources and shunt active power filters (SAPFs). These fluctuations pose significant challenges to the performance of SAPFs, especially when the reference DC bus voltage (Vdc*) is constant and not adapted to the instantaneous operating conditions. In this study, a Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm is employed within the PV subsystem to perform Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), further contributing to the time-varying behavior of Vdc. To address this problem, this paper proposes a real-time optimization strategy based on the Mantis Shrimp Optimization Algorithm (MShOA) for continuous Vdc* adjustment. This method relies on real-time Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) feedback to dynamically determine the optimal Vdc*, thereby improving harmonic mitigation and maintaining voltage stability. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MShOA-based approach effectively reduces THD from 3.59% to 2.85% obtained with conventional methods to 2.33% before PV injection, and maintains 4.19% after PV injection, remaining within the IEEE 519 − 92 standard limits. To confirm its superiority, a comparison with the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) was performed, which achieved 2.65% before and 5.78% after PV injection. These findings validate the higher accuracy, faster convergence, and better adaptability of the proposed MShOA in ensuring robust voltage regulation and improved power quality under PV injection conditions.
The integration of renewable energy sources, particularly photovoltaic (PV) power systems, into the electrical grid has led to a noticeable increase in harmonics, undesirable distortions in voltage and current waveforms, and a decrease in power factor, which weakens power quality. Due to the intermittent nature of solar irradiation, the energy input from PV sources to the grid can fluctuate significantly over short time periods, which may cause difficulties in maintaining grid stability1. Moreover, in PV systems, environmental variations such as partial shading can create multiple local maxima in the power-voltage curve, complicating the tracking of the global maximum power point. Metaheuristic optimization algorithms, such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), have shown strong capability in overcoming such nonlinear challenges, further demonstrating their relevance for improving control performance in PV systems. To address these negative phenomena associated with PV power injection, especially in systems that contain nonlinear loads, the Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) emerges as an effective solution for improving power quality by injecting compensating currents into the grid2.
Control strategies significantly influence the performance of the SAPF. The Predictive Direct Power Control (PDPC) strategy is often used due to its structural simplicity and fast response3. This strategy relies on calculating the instantaneous flow of active and reactive power to control the compensating currents, without the need for explicit current control loops or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) blocks, thereby maintaining compensation quality4. The choice of DC bus reference voltage (Vdc*) greatly affects the effectiveness and stability of the active power filter, especially under variable load conditions and power disturbances. The appropriate selection of the Vdc* ensures sufficient voltage headroom for the Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) to generate the necessary compensating current waveforms that oppose the harmonic currents and reactive power components generated by nonlinear loads5. If the value of Vdc* is set lower than what is suitable for the system, the inverter cannot produce the required output current, particularly in high harmonic content conditions, leading to degradation in filtering performance and an increase in Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). In extreme cases, the inverter may completely lose its ability to inject compensating currents. On the other hand, a significant increase in the value of Vdc* raises the voltage stress on power electronic components such as IGBT or MOSFET transistors, increasing the likelihood of thermal failures and reducing the overall reliability of the system. Moreover, high DC voltages lead to increased switching losses and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), which reduces the energy efficiency of the SAPF and necessitates stricter solutions for thermal management. Therefore, the value of Vdc* must be considered carefully to achieve a balance between providing sufficient dynamic range for harmonic compensation and minimizing energy losses and stress on power electronic components6.
The DC bus voltage (Vdc) is regulated using a PI controller. However, the efficiency of the controller is highly sensitive to the reference voltage value Vdc*. The injection of PV power into the grid causes dynamic disturbances, these disturbances directly affect the DC link voltage and may cause instability in its regulation if Vdc* is not properly adjusted in real time. This leads to an increase in harmonic content and a reduction in the overall power factor. To address these issues. The research7 proposed an Equilibrium Optimized (EO) PI controller to regulate the Vdc in grid connected PV systems. The EO algorithm was employed to minimize Vdc variations during dynamic conditions, such as irregular PV power generation caused by insolation fluctuations. While the technique showed improved THD and power factor compared to traditional methods, its controller tuning was performed offline, limiting adaptability to real-time changes. Additionally, this study focused mainly on improving the performance of the controller itself, ignoring the impact of the Vdc* on the overall system performance, resulting in reduced voltage error and improved power quality under dynamic disturbances. In8, a robust control strategy was proposed to regulate the Vdc of shunt active power filters without requiring load current measurements. The method, based on adaptive pole placement combined with a variable structure control scheme. However, the approach assumes a fixed Vdc* and does not address the sensitivity of system performance to its value. This limitation may lead to suboptimal harmonic compensation and power quality degradation under varying operating conditions, particularly in systems with high PV penetration, where real-time adaptation of Vdc* becomes essential. In contrast, the research9 introduced a theoretical approach to determine the appropriate value of Vdc*, relying on the system’s load capacity and the highest-order harmonic to be compensated. Although systematic, this method neglected essential factors such as the internal resistance of the SAPF, which affected the precision of the calculated Vdc*. Moreover, some techniques rely on parameters such as the Maximum Filter Terminal Voltage (({V_f}_{ – max })) that are typically obtained through simulations, making them highly sensitive to environmental changes and system reconfigurations. Such dependencies can result in inaccurate estimation of the Vdc*, ultimately impairing the effectiveness of harmonic compensation and degrading overall power quality.
Despite these contributions, several critical research gaps remain unaddressed and are the focus of the present study:
Poor performance under dynamic conditions: Most existing analytical approaches for determining Vdc* are designed with fixed parameters and do not adapt in real time to variations caused by nonlinear loads or renewable energy injections.
Neglect of Vdc* optimization in controller design: While previous research has focused on adjusting the gains of PI controllers using intelligent algorithms, the optimal selection of Vdc* itself remains insufficiently explored.
Insufficient consideration of real-time power quality indicators: Previous strategies often fail to incorporate real-time indicators, such as THD, as part of the control strategy to determine Vdc*. limiting the system’s responsiveness to actual power quality conditions.
Limited validation in realistic disturbance scenarios: Many studies validate their approaches only under steady-state conditions, without taking into account the grid disturbances common in PV integrated environments.
In response to these identified gaps, the present work proposes a real-time Vdc* optimization strategy by leveraging the Mantis Shrimp Optimization Algorithm (MShOA), aiming to enhance the harmonic mitigation and power quality performance of SAPF.
Considering the abovementioned challenges in view, particularly those arising from the dynamic behavior of PV power injection, this research makes the following key contributions:
Development of a novel real-time optimization strategy for dynamically adjusting the Vdc* in a three-phase SAPF, using the MShOA. This strategy includes an online adaptive mechanism that continuously selects the optimal Vdc* based on real-time THD feedback.
A comparative evaluation with existing theoretical approaches for determining Vdc*, highlighting the superior performance of the proposed strategy in reducing THD and maintaining power quality.
An additional evaluation of control efficiency, in which the proposed method is benchmarked against the WOA, highlighting enhanced convergence behavior and adaptability.
Comprehensive simulation-based validation, demonstrating the robustness of the proposed method under PV conditions.
The remaining sections of this paper are organized as follows: Section II presents the overall system configuration and control structure of the SAPF. Section III discusses the influence of PV power injection on the stability of the Vdc. Section IV introduces the proposed approach for selecting the optimal Vdc* using the MShOA. Section V illustrates the simulation results obtained under various operating scenarios. Section VI provides a comparative evaluation between traditional methods and the proposed technique. Finally, Section VII concludes the paper and outlines future research directions.
The system integrates PV power with the electrical grid, as shown in Fig. 1, focusing on improving power quality and reducing harmonic distortions caused by nonlinear loads. This is achieved using SAPF. The harmonic components present in the load current ({i_l}left( t right)), as shown in Eq. (1), significantly contribute to the THD, which can be measured using Eq. (2). The SAPF generates a compensating current ({i_f}left( t right))aimed at reducing these harmonic components, ensuring that the source current ({i_s}left( t right))remains as close as possible to a pure sinusoidal waveform10.
Configuration of the studied system.
Where:
({i_1}) Fundamental current at frequency ,
({i_n}) Current harmonic at frequency ,
({varphi _n}) Phase shift of each harmonic component.
The control technique is a fundamental element in enhancing the performance of the SAPF, as it is carefully selected to ensure the highest levels of efficiency in improving power quality11.
Predictive Direct Power Control (PDPC) is considered one of the most effective control techniques for improving the performance of SAPF. The PDPC strategy relies on predicting changes in active power (P) and reactive power (Q) at each time instant. The overall structure of the PDPC-based control algorithm is illustrated in Fig. 2. This schematic diagram presents the interaction between the PI controller, the reference voltage optimization block, the power prediction module, and the cost function evaluation, highlighting the sequential flow of control signals within the SAPF system.
Overall structure of the PDPC control strategy.
The cost function in this strategy compares the total of active and reactive powers with their predicted values to ascertain the ideal action that minimizes tracking errors and ensures the system’s optimal performance12, as seen in Eq. (3).
Where, (Delta {P_i}) and (Delta {Q_i})represent the active and reactive power errors resulting from the application of vector(overrightarrow {{v_i}}). The optimal voltage vector is chosen as follows:
The proposed control strategy has been shown to be effective in enhancing system performance under a variety of conditions, as previously discussed in the literature. Nevertheless, its capacity to consistently improve power quality may be restricted by its dependence on a calculated Vdc*, which may not account for real-time variations in system parameters. To address this challenge, implementing an optimization method to dynamically update the Vdc* offers significant potential for reducing THD and ensuring more stable system performance.
A PI controller with anti-windup correction keeps Vdc at a steady level. The anti-windup technique is based on a second integrator with a high loop gain (1/) to stop the output from becoming too high and make sure the voltage comes back quickly. The goal of this controller is to smooth out the changes and make sure that the PDPC method works at its best. To provide a clear insight into the implementation, Fig. 3a presents the detailed anti-windup PI structure used to regulate Vdc. In addition, Fig. 3b shows how the PI controller generates the active power reference (P*), which is a key input in the PDPC control scheme for achieving effective compensation.
Block diagram: (a) PI Controller with Anti-windup Compensation for Vdc Regulation, (b) Outer Control Loop for Vdc using a PI Controller.
The transfer function of the PI controller is represented by Eq. (5). Where ({k_P})denotes the proportional constant that promptly responds to discrepancies between the actual and reference voltages, while the integral constant ({k_i})corrects for steady state errors13.
The values of ({k_P})and ({k_i})can be calculated using Eq. (6) and Eq. (7), respectively.
Where, ({omega _n}) represents the natural frequency and (xi)denotes the damping coefficient.
To support the operation of the filter, PV power is used to supply the filter with the necessary electrical power, reducing the need for energy consumption from the main grid.
The PV cell is the fundamental unit in PV systems. It can be represented by several mathematical models, with the single-diode model, as shown in Fig. 4, being the most common. This model is represented by Eq. (8)14.
Single-diode equivalent circuit model of a PV Cell.
Solar cells are connected in series and parallel to form a photovoltaic array. Uniform solar irradiation of 600 W/m² is incident on the PV array, resulting in a power-voltage (P-V) curve with a single peak representing the Maximum Power Point (MPP). This study employed the Perturb and Observe (P&O) to optimize the performance of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)15, which facilitates the extraction of maximum available power16.
The integration of PV systems with the grid provides a high energy level in the system, which raises several technical challenges affecting power quality. Among the most significant challenges is maintaining the stability of the Vdc under these dynamic conditions17. When the system is in a stable state without PV power injection, the DC-link power balance is:
Where, ({P_{in,0}})represents the power input to the DC-link from the DC source, while ({P_{out,0}})denotes the power drawn from the DC-link by the inverter.
The introduction of a PV source results in the injection of additional Ppv into the grid, leading to a power imbalance, as expressed in Eq. (10):
If there is no immediate adjustment in the ({P_{out,0}}), the Vdc increases due to excess energy accumulating in the DC-link capacitor (Cdc). This can be expressed using the Eq. (11):
Where, ({P_{out,new}})represents the new power drawn from the DC-link by the inverter after the injection of Ppv. If ({P_{out}})is not adjusted, the accumulated energy causes a rise in Vdc, resulting in a new ideal Vdc*:
This imbalance in power leads to an increase in the Vdc value, causing a rise in THD due to rapid voltage fluctuations. Figure 5 presents a heat map that helps illustrate the impact of Vdc* on power quality in grid-connected PV systems. Before injecting PV power, an optimal value of Vdc* is clearly observed, corresponding to the lowest THD. However, after PV power injection, this optimal Vdc* shifts to a higher value than before. This change occurs due to variations in power flow within the system and its effect on the energy balance at the DC link.
Heat map illustrating the impact of Vdc* on THD before and after PV power injection.
The impact of the Vdc* value on system quality highlights the need to determine this value accurately to maintain a minimum of harmonic distortions.
In this study, two conventional methods are applied to calculate the Vdc* in a SAPF system when integrating PV power, and the impact of each method on system quality is analyzed. Subsequently, a new technique is proposed to determine the optimal Vdc* with higher accuracy, and its effectiveness is evaluated by comparing it with conventional methods.
In previous studies, approximate methods based on mathematical equations have been used to calculate the value of Vdc*. These equations rely on a set of fundamental system parameters, including the source voltage (Vs). For example, the value of Vdc* is calculated according to the first method using Eq. (13)18:
Additionally, there are other methods to determine the value of Vdc* that require data extracted from simulations, such as the inverter output voltage (Vf−max) value. In the second method, Eq. (14) illustrates how to calculate the value of Vdc*, providing a different approach based on the system’s operational characteristics16.
Despite the effectiveness of these traditional methods, they lack the ability to adapt to dynamic changes in the grid, which are exemplified by the injection of PV power. This is due to the reliance of these traditional methods on fixed mathematical models for determining the Vdc*, making them less efficient in handling sudden changes that the system may experience.
Given the PV energy injection into the SAPF system, and the resulting fluctuations that affect the stability of Vdc, the Mantis Shrimp Optimization Algorithm (MShOA) is dynamically adapt to the Vdc*. This metaheuristic algorithm is inspired by the complex visual system of this marine creature, which has exceptional light polarization analysis capabilities. The algorithm relies on three intelligent behaviors: foraging, attacking, and sheltering. Its primary goal is to minimize the THD in the grid current by instantly selecting the optimal value for the Vdc*.
The following steps are used to implement the MAShA algorithm for Vdc* optimization in real time:
Population initialization.
An initial population of solutions ({X_i})is generated for =1,2,…,, within a defined search range bounded by (lb) and (ub):
Additionally, an initial Polarization Type Indicator (PTI) is assigned to each individual ({X_i}):
Eye angle and polarization type computation.
To ascertain the polarization type detected by each eye, two polarization angles are computed, the left polarization angle (LPA) is calculated, which is determined by its similarity to the optimal solution, and the Right Polarization Angle (RPA), which is generated arbitrarily. The Left Angular Deviation (LAD) and Right Angular Deviation (RAD) are calculated by the algorithm from these values, which assess the degree to which each angle corresponds to predetermined polarization directions. The dominant eye is then identified for decision-making by comparing these deviations.
Then, the polarization types are assigned as follows19:
LPT:
RPT:
Ultimately, the effective polarization type (PTI) is determined by the lesser angular deviation:
Position update based on behavior.
According to the value of PTI, each individual’s position is updated using one of the following behavioral rules:
If PTI = 1 (Foraging behavior):
If PTI = 2 (Attacking behavior):
If PTI = 3 (Sheltering behavior):
Where:
(X_{i}^{t}) The current position of the ({i^{th}}) ith individual at iteration t,
(X_{i}^{{t+1}}) The updated position,
({x_{best}}) The best solution,
({X_r}) A randomly selected individual from the population,
(rand) A uniformly distributed random number.
This mechanism enables the algorithm to adaptively explore and exploit the search space in accordance with the behavior dictated by PTI.
Evaluation and best solution selection.
The objective function value (THD level) for all individuals is assessed during each iteration. The optimal candidate solution is revised in accordance with:
This process repeats until a maximum number of iterations is reached or a minimum THD value is achieved. Finally, the optimal solution ({X_{{text{best}}}})is adopted as the final Vdc* used in the SAPF system. To provide a clearer view of the implementation procedure, the pseudo-code corresponding to the proposed MShOA-based is presented in Fig. 6.
Pseudo-code of the MShOA for Optimal Vdc* Determination in SAPF.
This section presents a series of simulation results to study the effect of the Vdc* value in the SAPF system under the influence of PV energy injection. To accurately capture the harmonic dynamics and switching behavior of the system, a detailed switching model of the three-phase VSI and SAPF was used, incorporating Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and nonlinear load modeling. The simulation is designed to reflect realistic operating conditions, and all simulations were performed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment using the system parameters shown in Table 1.
In this analysis, the efficacy of two conventional approaches utilized to determine Vdc* in the SAPF system is assessed. It is also investigated how the Vdc* value affects the grid current’s THD. Additionally, these two conventional approaches will be evaluated in the context of PV power injection.
The first method used Eq. (13) to obtain the correct value of Vdc*. The result was a Vdc* value of 100 volts, As illustrated in Fig. 7. Before activating the active filter, the distortion level in the grid is high due to the absence of any effective correction for these distortions caused by nonlinear loads. THD of the current was measured at 16%. After activating the filter at T = 2 s, the Vdc closely follows its reference value Vdc* during the initial phase, maintaining a relatively stable level. Additionally, THD is effectively reduced to 3.59%, as shown in Fig. 8a. Indicating the efficiency of the PDPC technique. However, since the value of Vdc* was calculated using the first approach, the system’s performance remains constrained by the accuracy of this method and its effectiveness under dynamic operating conditions or when external disturbances are applied to the system. at T = 15 s, a noticeable fluctuation in the Vdc curve is observed, indicating the system’s struggle to maintain stability under the dynamic conditions introduced by PV power injection. In parallel, the THD rises again to 9.76%, as illustrated in Fig. 8b., revealing a significant deterioration in power quality.
Performance of the SAPF using the first conventional method before and after PV power injection.
Grid current THD evolution using the first conventional method: (a) Before PV injection, (b) After PV injection.
By transitioning to the second conventional method while maintaining the same previous test conditions, the impact of the Vdc* value on the system is assessed. Initially, the Vdc* value is calculated using Eq. (13), resulting in a reference value of 106 V. As shown in Fig. 9, after activating the filter at 2 s, an improvement in the stability of the Vdc* observed, leading to a reduction in the THD to 2.85%, as illustrated in Fig. 10a. However, when PV power is injected at T = 15 s, similar challenges arise. The Vdc is affected by sudden changes, and the THD increases to 7.10%, as seen in Fig. 10b. Indicating the impact of dynamic conditions on the efficiency of the second approach. second.
Performance of the SAPF using the second conventional Method before and after PV power injection.
Grid current THD evolution using the second conventional method: (a) Before PV injection, (b) After PV injection.
The simulation results for both the first and second approaches for calculating the value of Vdc* reveal that their effectiveness is limited in accurately determining this value, especially under dynamic conditions or external disturbances affecting the system. This is particularly evident during PV power injection, where the THD increased significantly in both methods. In light of these findings, it becomes evident that more flexible and intelligent techniques are required, ones that can perform real-time optimization and account for power quality indicators.
To validate the effectiveness of the proposed optimization-based control strategy, this section presents a detailed analysis of the applied algorithms used to determine the optimal reference voltage Vdc*. Two intelligent optimization methods were considered: the MShOA, which forms the basis of the proposed approach, and the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), implemented for comparison and verification purposes. Each algorithm is analyzed separately under identical operating conditions to evaluate its capability in minimizing THD and maintaining Vdc stability.
To overcome the limitations of traditional methods, the proposed technique, which relies on the MShOA, was applied to dynamically determine the optimal Vdc* in real time. To ensure a fair comparison, the simulation was conducted under the same test conditions as those used for the first and second conventional approaches, including PV power injection at T = 15 s As shown in Fig. 11, the evolution of both Vdc and Vdc* over time is presented, along with their impact on the THD.
Before activating the active filter, the THD was high, and the Vdc* was unstable at its reference value Vdc*. After activating the filter at T = 2 s, the MShOA initiated the search process for the optimal Vdc*. At the beginning of this process, an increase in THD is observed, which corresponds to unsuitable Vdc* values for the system. As the MShOA continued its search, the value of Vdc* was gradually adjusted, positively impacting the THD by reducing it to 2.33%, as shown in Fig. 12a. This is achieved by relying on the objective function of the MShOA, which guides the search process to select the Vdc* value that corresponds to the lowest THD.
In the second phase, PV power is injected at T = 15 s. The MShOA is programmed to restart the search process at T = 20 s to highlight the difference in THD levels before and after applying the algorithm under changing conditions. Initially, after PV injection, a significant increase in THD to 6.35% is observed, as shown in Fig. 12b. This rise in THD is attributed to the fact that the previously determined Vdc* value is no longer suitable for the system under these new conditions.
Subsequently, the MShOA begins searching for the appropriate Vdc* value that matches the new conditions. Initially, fluctuations in THD values appear, as the search process continues, the Vdc* values gradually adapt to the new operating conditions, leading to a reduction in THD to 4.19%, as illustrated in Fig. 12c. This confirms the effectiveness of the proposed technique in determining the optimal Vdc* value and its ability to dynamically adapt to real-time operating changes, thereby improving power quality efficiently under these varying conditions.
Real-Time evolution of Vdc* and Vdc with the proposed MShOA under PV injection conditions.
THD improvement using MShOA: (a) Before PV injection, (b) After PV injection, (c) Post re-optimization.
To expand the scope of the analysis, the WOA was applied to determine the optimal Vdc*. The WOA mimics the bubble-net hunting behavior of humpback whales and alternates between exploration and exploitation phases to locate the optimal solution within a defined search space. In this study, the same system parameters, operating conditions, and objective function used with the MShOA were maintained to ensure consistency in evaluation.
Simulation results obtained using the WOA demonstrate its ability to converge toward a feasible Vdc* value and effectively reduce the THD of the source current, as illustrated in Fig. 13. Before activating the active filter, the THD level was high; once the filter was activated at T = 2 s, the WOA began its optimization process, reducing the THD to 2.65%, as shown in Fig. 14a. In the second phase, when PV power was injected at T = 15 s, a noticeable increase in THD to 7.16% was observed, as illustrated in Fig. 14b. This increase occurs because the previously determined Vdc* no longer matches the system’s new operating conditions. As the WOA continues its iterative search, Vdc* adapts to the new conditions, resulting in a reduction of THD to 5.78%, as shown in Fig. 14c.
These results confirm the capability of the WOA to dynamically adjust Vdc* and maintain acceptable harmonic distortion levels, although its convergence speed and final performance remain lower than those achieved with the proposed MShOA-based method.
Real-Time evolution of Vdc* and Vdc with the WOA under PV injection conditions.
THD improvement using WOA: (a) Before PV injection, (b) After PV injection, (c) Post re-optimization.
To validate the effectiveness of the proposed MShOA-based technique in determining the optimal value of Vdc*, a comparative analysis was conducted with another optimization-based approach using the WOA. The inclusion of the WOA method serves to further verify the superiority of the MShOA strategy under identical conditions. Additionally, two conventional methods were analyzed for reference and benchmarking purposes.
As illustrated in Fig. 15, the proposed MShOA-based technique demonstrates a distinctly superior performance compared to all other approaches. When the filter is activated at T = 2 s, the MShOA achieves the lowest THD value of 2.33%, followed by the WOA-based method at 2.65%, while the conventional techniques record significantly higher distortion levels of 3.59% and 2.85%, respectively. This initial result clearly indicates the higher precision and faster convergence of the MShOA in identifying the optimal reference voltage. During PV power injection at T = 15 s, the advantage of the MShOA becomes even more evident. While both optimization algorithms adapt to dynamic variations, the WOA-based method reduces THD to 5.78%, whereas the proposed MShOA achieves a superior reduction to 4.19%, maintaining distortion within the acceptable limit defined by the IEEE 519 − 92 standard (< 5%).
Comparative Analysis of THD Reduction.
To provide a clearer quantitative comparison, Table 2 summarizes the THD values obtained for all evaluated methods, both before and after PV power injection.
These outcomes confirm that, although the WOA improves upon conventional approaches, the MShOA-based strategy consistently provides the best dynamic adaptability, faster optimization response, and lowest harmonic distortion, proving its higher robustness and effectiveness in real-time voltage control and power quality enhancement.
Figure 16. presents a comparison of the ({i_s}left( t right)) waveform after PV power injection into the system using two conventional methods, as well as two optimization-based techniques. The WOA-based approach and the proposed MShOA-based method. It is evident that the conventional methods fail to effectively correct the current waveform, as noticeable distortions remain, negatively impacting the overall power quality.
Improvement of source current waveform using the proposed MShOA Technique under PV injection.
In contrast, the optimization-based approaches provide a much smoother and more sinusoidal waveform. Among them, the proposed MShOA-based technique delivers the best performance, producing a source current waveform that is the closest to the ideal sinusoidal form. This confirms its superior ability to minimize harmonic distortion and maintain stable operation under dynamic conditions, surpassing both the WOA and conventional approaches in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
This work presented a novel real-time optimization strategy for dynamically adjusting the DC bus reference voltage (Vdc*) in a three-phase Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) under photovoltaic (PV) power injection conditions. The proposed technique is based on the Mantis Shrimp Optimization Algorithm (MShOA).
The simulation results confirmed the limitations of existing approaches in adapting Vdc* under dynamic operating conditions. Both conventional analytical methods and the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) achieved acceptable performance only under steady state, but they failed to maintain power quality when sudden PV power injections introduced disturbances, leading to noticeable increases in Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and voltage instability. In contrast, the proposed MShOA-based strategy demonstrated a superior ability to accurately and adaptively adjust Vdc* in real time, achieving lower THD values, enhanced system stability, and full compliance with IEEE 519 − 92 harmonic standards under PV injection.
Future research will explore the integration of experimental validations and hardware implementation of the proposed approach, as well as extending the optimization framework to multi-objective scenarios involving power factor correction and energy efficiency.
Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Afghoul Hamza.
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Laboratory of Technologies of Energetic Systems E3360100, Department of EEA, National Higher School of Technology and Engineering, Annaba, Algeria
Alla Eddine Boukhdenna
LAS laboratory, Automation and intelligent systems department, Faculty of Technology, University of Setif 1- Ferhat ABBAS, Setif, Algeria
Hamza Afghoul
LI3CUB Laboratory, University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
Djallal Eddine Zabia
LEPCI laboratory, Department of Electronics, Setif 1 University- Ferhat ABBAS, Setif, Algeria
Feriel Abdelmalek
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Turkey
Yakoub Nettari
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Baha University, Alaqiq, 65779, Saudi Arabia
Salah S. Alharbi & Saleh S. Alharbi
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Alla Eddine Boukhdenna, Hamza Afghoul: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Visualization, Investigation, Writing- Original draft preparation. Djallal Eddine Zabia, Feriel Abdelmalek: Data curation, validation, Supervision, Resources, Writing – Review & Editing. Yakoub Nettari, Salah S. Alharbi, Saleh S. Alharbi: Project administration, Supervision, Resources, Writing – Review & Editing.
Correspondence to Hamza Afghoul or Salah S. Alharbi.
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Boukhdenna, A.E., Afghoul, H., Zabia, D.E. et al. Enhancing power quality of pv grid-connected system through mantis shrimp optimization algorithm for optimal Dc bus voltage control. Sci Rep 16, 2370 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32058-y
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