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The developer Soltage plans to build on this 157-acre site located at the intersection of Route 50 and 113 in Berlin. The company submitted this image in its application to the Maryland  Public Service Commission.

The developer Soltage plans to build on this 157-acre site located at the intersection of Route 50 and 113 in Berlin. The company submitted this image in its application to the Maryland  Public Service Commission.
(April 10, 2026) A proposal to build Worcester County’s largest solar project is moving through the state approval process, with construction possibly beginning as early as next year.
New Jersey-based developer Soltage is proposing six solar arrays on an industrially zoned site at the northwest corner of Routes 50 and 113. It would produce up to 18 megawatts of electricity, enough to power thousands of homes. The site includes two parcels totaling about 157 acres, with solar panels planned on roughly 112 acres.
Maryland usually limits community solar projects to 5 megawatts each. However, state rules allow multiple projects to “co-locate” on the same property if the land is zoned industrial.
It means, unlike a single large solar farm, this project is structured as six smaller, independently operated solar arrays, with each connected separately to the grid.
Property owner Adham Abouassali, whose company Berlin Living LLC will continue to own the land, said interest from many solar developers has been growing for years.
“I get probably at least two letters a month just asking to lease the farm,” he said by phone this week. “They got in touch with me maybe three years ago and we’ve been working on it for quite some time.”
In October, the developer filed its application with the state, seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which is required for all energy generation projects in Maryland.
If approved, the project would break ground by 2027 following additional permitting and site plan approvals, according to Zac Meyer, a project manager with Soltage.
He estimates the project could serve between 5,000 and 7,000 households that subscribe to community solar programs through Delmarva Power, particularly among moderate- and low-income families.
“Big picture, it’s providing energy at a time when energy demand is rising quickly,” Meyer said.
Meyer also said construction period, estimated at 9 to 18 months, would generate more than 100 jobs, along with long-term property tax revenue for the town. Soltage estimates lifetime tax revenue for the project could total about $8 million.
While the site is now being used for farming, Meyer said its industrial zoning makes it well-suited for solar, which he described as a relatively low-impact use compared to potential industrial uses like manufacturing or heavy industry.
Plans call for a vegetative buffer of more than 1,200 trees, agricultural-style fencing, and provisions to preserve topsoil. The developer has also committed to a decommissioning plan, backed by a bond, to return the land to its pre-development condition after the solar farm’s estimated 30-year lifespan.
The company agreed to other stipulations sought by Berlin officials, including making good-faith efforts to hire local workers and avoid impacts to nearby Bunting’s airfield. The town also could purchase renewable energy credits from the project.
Soltage is also exploring educational programming related to solar power for local schoolchildren, Meyer added.
Moving forward, state and local agencies will need to grant stormwater and final site plan approvals. Meyer said Soltage hopes to complete permitting later this year, with construction to follow.
While the project falls under the jurisdiction of the Town of Berlin, when completed it would be the largest solar installation in Worcester County. The county’s largest solar farm in operation generates 7.6 megawatts and is located off Old Ocean City Road, where Route 90 branches off from Route 50.
Maryland has set aggressive targets for clean energy, including getting half its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with at least 14.5% coming from solar.
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New Zealand’s Electricity Authority has introduced a 10 kW default export limit for residential solar and battery systems to standardize grid access and support higher penetration of distributed energy.
Image: SolarZero
From pv magazine Australia
New Zealand’s Electricity Authority  Te Mana Hiko has updated its generation and storage connection rules to streamline the ability of grid-scale and residential solar energy systems to supply local networks.
Rooftop solar, batteries and utility-scale solar farms will be able to export more power while staying within safety and reliability limits.
Electricity Authority General Manager Networks and System Change Tim Sparks said more efficient export limits support lower network costs that flow through to consumers’ bills over time.
“Currently about 75,000 households with solar, and more than 14,700 of those with batteries, can feed into local networks, but the amount of electricity they can supply has been capped at levels lower than it needs to be, which means, at times, higher-cost electricity is being used instead of these cheaper sources of power,” Sparks said.
An EA statement said under the new rules, lines companies must set a default export of 10 kW for “straightforward, small-scale distributed generation, such as household solar and battery systems.”
“Recent regulatory changes have enabled lines companies to voluntarily increase their export limits for residential connections – and it’s great to see most of them taking advantage of that already,” Sparks said.
“These new rules will ensure all lines companies are setting at least 10 kW limits for residential connections where they can – although this won’t be possible everywhere on networks.”
Sparks added that the new rules are important for locking in the progress already made and ensuring any network extensions have export limits that maximize benefits for consumers.
“Following feedback, we’re also allowing lines companies to offer a dynamic or flexible export limit for residential connections, as an alternative to the fixed 10 kW limit.”
“This makes the export limit even more efficient. Lines companies will be able to flex above or below the 10 kW as conditions on the network change – rather than setting a lower limit that must always apply,” Sparks said.
The rules future-proof regulations that pave the way for adoption of smarter, more flexible technologies, including vehicle-to-grid charging.
Assessment tools
Under the new rules, industry must also develop assessment tools for establishing when a limit below 10 kW is needed for safety or reliability reasons, or where a dynamic or flexible limit is appropriate.
The rules also create a nationally consistent and transparent approach to export limits for solar installations, wind farms and other distributed generation that supply more than 10 kW.
“We’re requiring industry to develop an assessment tool for lines companies to use when setting exports for larger-scale distributed generation,” Sparks said. “This will standardize the approach across each of the 29 lines companies and streamline the process for those connecting larger distributed generation to networks. It could also encourage the installation of larger systems, as people will be clearer from the outset about their potential return on investment for exporting electricity.”
The 10 kW default export limit for residential connections comes into effect in late April 2026, followed by staged changes through to mid-October.
The new rules are the first part of stage two of the regulator’s broader network connections project.
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India Climbs To Rank 3rd Globally In Renewable Energy Capacity, Surpasses Brazil  SolarQuarter
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Top Stories Of The Day: Top Stories Of The Day: India Ranks 3rd in RE Capacity; OM Power Transmission IPO Opens and More…  SolarQuarter
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Environment More Important Than Local Scenery: Constitutional Court Lifts Ban on Visible Photovoltaic Systems  Vienna.at
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UAE renewable capacity rises to 7.9 GW in 2025 as solar drives additions  ZAWYA
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Week in Africa: Benin Targets Energy Security; Voltalia Commissions 148 MW Solar and More…  SolarQuarter
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Home – Energy – Say goodbye to the idea that your balcony is yours to install solar panels: a court orders their removal even with the support of most neighbors
Can a small solar kit on an apartment balcony be treated like a personal upgrade, the way you might add a satellite dish or a window air conditioner? A first instance court ruling in Gdańsk, Poland suggests it can be much more complicated.
The case revolves around a balcony solar setup meant to cut one household’s electricity costs, but it ended with an order to take the panels down. The decision is not final, yet it puts a spotlight on a legal gray area that could affect other apartment residents who want “balcony solar” to help with the monthly bill.
In late February 2026, a district court in Gdańsk ordered a resident to remove photovoltaic panels installed on his balcony, even though he said he had collected support from a majority of eligible neighbors.
The court backed the housing cooperative after finding there was no dependable way to verify who had signed in favor of the installation, and the resident has said he plans to appeal in a space where rules for balcony solar in multifamily buildings remain unclear. The case was first reported by Wyborcza.biz.
The resident, identified in reports as Mr. Krzysztof, began in March 2023 with two 400-watt panels and later expanded the setup to about 1.2 kilowatts, roughly 1,200 watts. Reports say the first kit cost about 3,500 Polish zloty, roughly $980, and a later purchase pushed the total investment to around 5,000 zloty, about $1,400, using recent average exchange rates from Poland’s central bank.
After he upgraded the system, he notified the local grid operator, Energa-Operator, and the reports say his electricity bills dropped by more than one third.
Balcony solar is a small-scale version of rooftop solar, usually one or two panels attached to a railing or wall. It can look almost like a piece of balcony furniture, but electrically it is still a power system connected to the home.
Most kits include a microinverter, a small box that converts the panels’ electricity into the kind used by household outlets. When a home can export power back to the grid, it also needs a bidirectional meter, which is what makes someone a “prosumer,” a customer who both uses electricity and produces some.
The signatures were the turning point. The resident says he was told he needed approval from more than half of the cooperative’s members, and he collected signatures from about 60% of eligible people before installing the panels.
The cooperative later argued it could not confirm whether each signer was a member with voting rights, as opposed to a tenant or a temporary occupant. That may sound like bureaucracy for its own sake, but it is also how shared property rules are enforced in many apartment buildings.
Balcony systems are popular for a simple reason. They promise savings without needing access to the roof, and that matters in cities where most people live in multifamily buildings.
A recent analysis led by Kajetan Nowak at Poland’s Instrat Foundation estimated that balcony solar owners can save around 700 zloty a year on average, about $200, with payback in under four years in many cases. The same analysis warned that balcony direction is key, so two neighbors can buy the same kit and see different results on their electric bills.
Even small systems raise safety and responsibility questions. Panels have to be secured against strong winds, wiring needs to be protected from rain, and building managers worry about who is liable if something fails.
That is why boards often treat balcony solar as more than a consumer gadget. If a panel comes loose during a storm, it is not just the owner’s problem, and that tension shows up quickly in building meetings.
Germany has pushed balcony solar into a clearer category, with standardized limits and lighter bureaucracy. In April 2024, Germany’s Federal Network Agency simplified the registration process for plug-in balcony solar units, cutting down the number of details people had to enter.
Germany’s solar trade group, the German Solar Association, estimated the country would reach about one million registered plug-in devices in June 2025, after roughly 135,000 new units were added from January through April 2025.
Germany’s regulator also spells out what qualifies as a plug-in device under special rules, including a cap of 2,000 watts of solar modules and about 800 watts of inverter output.
If you are considering balcony solar, the lesson is straightforward and a little unglamorous. Get written permission, confirm who is eligible to approve it, and keep records that can be checked later if someone challenges the process.
The Gdańsk appeal could still change the final outcome, but the broader message is already clear. Balcony solar can be a practical tool for lower bills and cleaner power, yet in many apartment buildings the rules and the technology are still learning to live together. The main court decision was issued by the District Court of Gdańsk-Północ in Gdańsk.
The official court information was published on the District Court of Gdańsk-Północ in Gdańsk.

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In June 2025, for the first time in history, solar PV was the single largest power generation source in Europe’s energy mix. That summer was the culmination of massive growth in the industry over the preceding ten years, which accelerated after the 2022 energy crisis that followed the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine.
But last year also saw the first contraction in market growth for a decade. And as another war is gearing up to wreak havoc on energy markets, and SolarPower Europe doesn’t forecast a return to 2025 deployment levels until 2030, the mood in the sector has changed.
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We sat down with Jan-Philip Kock, chief of staff at German independent power producer Encavis, to discuss the state of the European solar market, what impact the conflict in Iran might have and why a number of European solar companies might be in for a difficult few years. Kock is speaking at the SolarPlus Europe conference in Milan later this month, hosted by PV Tech publisher Solar Media.
“The mood, on a broad level, is definitely worse than two or three years ago when everybody was popping champagne,” Kock says, as we begin our discussion. We are speaking at the very end of March, over a call from his office in Munich.
“But,” he continues, “In my and in Encavis’ view, this is a development that has been in the making for a couple of years.” The signs were there, he says, in the explosion of PV development in 2022 after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and even rooted in the COVID-19 pandemic – and while some were external factors, some blame lies at the solar industry’s own door.
“I guess the industry has been a victim of its own success, because deployment rates have been exceptional for several years,” Kock says. “On the supply side, there has been a big reorganisation taking place.” But, he explains, energy demand has not kept pace and has actually declined.
Germany’s total industrial output has not hit late-2019 levels since the COVID pandemic, and has been on a steady, gradual decline since 2023, according to the country’s Federal Statistical Office. And the most energy-intensive industrial branches have declined significantly more than the economy-wide average. As the EU’s industrial heart and its largest solar market, the continent’s fortunes are interlinked with Germany’s.
“This is something the industry can only influence to a certain extent,” says Kock, “But I guess we have part of the blame because we haven’t been adept as an industry to build the kind of solutions that customers really want.”
By Kock’s estimation, the solutions that have been built are “nice, shiny development projects that also worked for project financing banks, and that’s it…We wanted to pass off as many risks as possible to the customer.”
This means there is a “scarcity” of PV projects in Europe that can add real value or go beyond simple energy production when the sun is out. “The whole industry knows that something needs to change,” he says.  
What Europe does have is an abundance of rooftop PV and a lot of capacity in certain markets. For Kock, this also explains the current slump in fortunes, as rooftop installations “often don’t work in the way that’s most helpful for the overall energy system. They are a bit like an isolated, standalone asset, and they don’t really behave in line with other market participants,” he says. Europe saw a massive spike in rooftop solar installation after the Ukraine invasion, as citizens and companies understandably sought cushioning from gas prices.
Kock says this is one of the various reasons for “negative prices, the crowding out of PV and cannibalisation, which are a threat to all owners and operators of PV plants.
“There are a lot of projects that have been killed,” he continues, “and I guess some of them to the right extent. And we see a lot of development platforms in the market that have not yet made a successful sale. Some of them have been offered to us for the second or even third time, and this is something totally new. If you were an average developer in 2022 you would have found 10 buyers on the street in front of your office.
“Just having the abilities to develop and build a solar plant is not really something people pay for anymore,” he says.
It’s difficult, and maybe foolish, to bank on a return to 2019 levels of industrial production and energy demand (Kock points out that “If energy is too expensive, people just stop producing” – the Iran war won’t help this). But there are industries – like data centres and the defence industry – where solar development can play a strategic and growing role.
The shifting demands upon the solar industry are starting to change its makeup. As the call for simple solar project development has dwindled and broader geopolitical uncertainty has affected power demand and financial certainty, solar companies have to change tack.
“It’s something nicely captured by Pexapark and their ‘Next-Gen IPP,” says Kock. “IPP 1.0 was about winning the race to 1GW or 2GW of portfolio so you have something to offer a customer and not just think from plant A to plant B. The next step is now to actually build up a credible and competitive commercial organisation to play with the big boys and become competitive against the likes of Centrica, RWE and so on.”
He says that providing straightforward PPAs to companies in Europe (previously a staple diet for PV developers) has become complicated, and the demand for those products has seemingly stalled in the last year, partly due to macroeconomic changes and partly due to the shifting dynamics of energy.
“We cannot be just the provider of one small part of the solution,” Kock says. His company has apparently taken steps “to become a utility-like company ourselves” and aim to cover 100% of a given customer’s power demand.
“Not necessarily doing this by just 100% Encavis-generated electricity,” he says. “There will always be an element of electricity produced from third parties at the market. And there will always also be the need to balance between what you forecasted in terms of production and what you actually can produce.”
This is a major shift which would put renewables developers in much closer competition with utilities like RWE.
“This is an ongoing race at the moment, and where we expect to see maybe 10-12 companies able to master it by 2030,” he says. “But there are also a lot of smaller competitors that, I guess, will be forced to set off their portfolios, or forced to exit the market.
“In the last couple of years it has often just been about becoming bigger, entering new countries, scaling up and so on. Now there’s a bit of a recomposition of the competitive landscape.”
He suggests that a “couple of big players” may not be around by 2027-28: “This is, of course, a fundamental shift.”
The war in Iran (which is under a tentative ceasefire at the time of writing) may not have the same stimulatory effect on solar and other renewables as the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine had.
For Kock, the dynamics of energy have changed such that, “At the moment, I wouldn’t expect something dramatic to happen on the utility scale”. He says that in 2022, “every renewable plant got a free ride because the overall price level just got so high.
“First of all, we haven’t seen similar spikes yet, which could change day by day depending on what the Americans and Israelis do in the Middle East. But second, the capture rates have deteriorated so much that even a very high price back on the wholesale market is not translated one-to-one to the renewables plants. The effect is, I would say, very insubstantial at the moment.”
The conflict over Iran is currently paused under a two-week ceasefire. While it might not cause a market-based rush to install renewables, he says the Iran war may have a more circuitous impact on renewables deployment.
“If we look at the immediate fallout of the war, on wholesale prices in different European jurisdictions, you see that they are clearly skewed towards gas intensity. The effect has been most sustained in the UK and the Netherlands, and also Italy: those economies that have a high amount of gas in them”
By contrast, Spain has seen comparatively small wholesale price increases, which may indicate the success the Spanish have had in decoupling from imported gas.
“It also shows that investing in solar and wind is no green craze or no sustainability-only play. It’s really something that helps you make your economy more resilient towards geopolitical shocks.”

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Everyone’s worrying about their energy bills, and it’s easy to see why. Thanks to Donald Trump’s war with Iran (now stopped with an uneasy conditional ceasefire) and the fact that the price of gas is ludicrously high compared to February, household bills will definitely go up when the next energy price cap comes into effect on 1 July 2026.
The question is: by how much? While we can’t say for certain, it will likely be by at least 10-20%, which would mean billpayers will be shelling out hundreds of pounds for energy. We can only be grateful that it’s spring and not winter. 
It’s not all bad news though. Renewables are coming to the rescue, in particular solar panels… at least that’s the hope. Last week we wrote about plug-in solar panels that can live on your balcony, creating cheap and clean energy. Experts think the households could save UK billpayers £1,100 in 15 years by using plug-in solar panels. This is an amazing opportunity for people to really cut down on their energy bills. 
But are plug-in solar panels the long-term answer to ballooning energy bills? We’ll have to wait and see. What we do know is that demand for solar panels more generally is booming, with one company reporting its orders doubling in March and some households having to join waiting lists for installation. 
Clean energy as a whole is also seeing massive growth, with renewables accounting for more than half of all the electricity the UK generated in 2025, before the war started. Will this continue? We can only hope so as the power of renewables to create cheap energy is clearer than ever before. Industry experts Ember have gone as far to say that the UK has saved about £7m a day due to higher gas prices. 
The demand for solar panels and clean energy is there. The government just needs to make sure it’s met. 
The US-Iran war has meant a massive increase in the price of gas, but the UK’s growing fleet of solar and wind farms has saved £7m every day since the war has started. According to Ember, the cost of gas-fired power generation has increased 42%, reaching £110.42/megawatt per hour (MWh) – up from £77.75/MWh the week before the war began. 
In that time, wind and solar supplied 40% of the UK’s electricity demand, while gas accounted for only 23%.
Energy analyst Josie Murdoch says this shows the potential for wind and solar to cut the country’s dependence on gas. 
The war, for the next two weeks, has come to a conditional ceasefire, and the Strait of Hormuz is open again, but what will this mean for our energy bills? Most still predict a huge increase in July, but will it be as bad as we first thought? We won’t know until the 27 May when the next energy price cap gets announced. 
Last week we told you about plug-in solar panels and that if you have a balcony you can simply plug it into your wall and get cheap and clean energy. This week we can tell you that they can save £1,100 over the course of their lifetime, according to analysis from Carbon Brief.
This is potentially great news for billpayers. Right now, the average solar panel is about 24% efficient. That means only 24% of the sunlight that hits the panel is converted into energy. An efficiency of 130% means your panel will be generating more power for your home, meaning you can get your bills down to £0 much faster. The real question is if and when households will be able to install solar panels that are 130% efficient? We explain more about solar panel efficiency here.
That’s how much some believe plug-in solar panels can save over their lifetime. 
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Yunnan Energy Investment Approves 20 MW Sejia Solar Project In Qujing  SolarQuarter
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According to the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India was ranked third in the world for renewable energy installed capacity in IRENA’s ‘Renewable Energy Statistics 2026’ report, ahead of Brazil with 250.52 GW recorded as of December 2025. The PIB release said the country’s total non-fossil installed capacity stood at 283.46 GW as of Q1 CY2026, including 274.68 GW of renewable energy and 8.78 GW of nuclear power. That renewable energy total was made up of 150.26 GW of solar, 56.09 GW of wind, 11.75 GW of bio energy, 5.17 GW of small hydro, and 51.41 GW of large hydro. In FY 2025–26, India has added 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity, while solar additions reached 44.61 GW, including 16.3 GW from distributed solar, 7.6 GW under PM KUSUM, and 8.7 GW from rooftop solar. The release has also added that the renewables met 51.5% of the 203 GW electricity demand in July 2025, while non-fossil generation reached 538.97 billion kWh, which was 29.2% of the total 1,845.921 billion kWh generated in 2025–26.

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Trinasolar Powers One of Australia’s Largest Community-Owned Solar-Plus-Storage Projects at Goulburn Community Solar Farm  SolarQuarter
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Italy is the most attractive European country for solar PV development, according to the chief of staff of German independent power producer (IPP), Encavis.
“For PV only, it’s definitely Italy,” Jan-Philip Kock told PV Tech in an exclusive interview. “It’s a big market with lots of industrial customers that you want to cater to.”
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Italy also still has a high density of gas in its energy mix, which generally raises power prices to the benefit of project developers and owners.
Kock is speaking at the SolarPlus Europe 2026 conference in Milan, Italy, later this month. The conference, hosted by PV Tech publisher Solar Media, brings together the leading figures in the European solar sector for discussions on the key subjects affecting the industry today.
As well as industrial demand and power prices, Kock said that “Italy has found quite a mixed balance between true subsidies and enforcement schemes that help both the customer and the solar industry. For example, Energy Release.”
The Italian government’s Energy Release scheme incentivises high-intensity industries to support renewable energy projects by offering subsidised electricity tariffs in exchange for investments in renewables. We have also seen a range of notable solar project developments and financing in Italy this year, including investments from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and plans for a 300MW+ agrivoltaics portfolio.
Despite a slight decrease in 2025, Italy’s solar PV additions have soared in the last three years.
By contrast, he says that Spain and Germany have been “difficult” markets for solar developers of late. In the case of Spain, he said: “There has been just too much solar added in too little time,” and that companies now have to focus on diversified portfolios and offerings.
“This is a trend we see all over Europe. Solar-only companies are facing more and more difficult times.”
He also points to British solar funds, like NextEnergy Solar Fund, which are moving away from solar-only assets across the UK and Europe and refocusing on energy storage and other renewables, as they have traded consistently below their net asset value (NAV).
A rise in co-location of solar and battery energy storage assets has become a talking point across the industry, particularly in Europe. In February 2026 alone, PV Tech heard from industry players who said that the opportunities for integrating energy storage were growing in the face of volatile power prices, and that storage integration was “overhyped” and should not be seen as a “silver bullet” for success.
On a big-picture level, Europe’s solar industry has entered a cooling period after its white-hot expansion between 2022 and 2024.
As Kock explained in the full version of our interview, available now with a PV Tech Premium subscription, this has brought about changes to the way companies operate. He identified three major challenges facing the sector in 2026.
“Not all the players have the long-term vision you need to be successful. So the next couple of years probably won’t be too much fun for everybody in the industry. It is what it is. You have to accept that.”
His second concern is that “Not everybody is ready to become a real industrial player.” In our full conversation, he described the change from the “old world” of solar development, where companies sought profits project-by-project, to a more mature, integrated, industrial model.
“I guess many liked the old world of solar, where it was about hunting financial cash flows that, I would say, by coincidence, were generated by green assets,” he explained.
Finally, he said there needs to be a recognition that “sustainability alone doesn’t add value anymore.
“It’s not enough to produce green electricity. You have to produce something that is cost competitive, and also actually adds to Europe’s energy independence.”
You can find the full version of this interview with a PV Tech Premium subscription, here.

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Expanding access to certified solar training to power a low-carbon future
 
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9 April 2026: The European Union (EU), through the Accelerated Industries Climate Response Sri Lanka (AICRSL) Project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), facilitated the handover of advanced Solar PV training and demonstration equipment to five Technical Colleges across Sri Lanka. The ceremonial event was held today at the Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET) in Colombo.
This timely intervention, carried out in response to a request by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), represents a significant step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s renewable energy workforce. By equipping Technical Colleges in Gampaha, Matara, Badulla, Warakapola, and Jaffna with modern, hands-on training systems, the initiative directly contributes to national efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean energy while addressing critical skills gaps in the sector.
A key impact of this support lies in enabling Technical Colleges to meet formal accreditation requirements for delivering Solar PV training programs. With access to industry-standard equipment, including on-grid and off-grid demonstration systems, solar panel structures, and installation tools, institutions are now better positioned to offer certified, high-quality training that aligns with national standards. This not only enhances the credibility of these institutions but also ensures that graduates enter the workforce with practical, job-ready skills demanded by Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
A senior representative of PUCSL noted, “This initiative comes at a crucial time as Sri Lanka scales up renewable energy deployment. As the sector regulator, it is essential to ensure the safety of electrical systems, and high-quality workmanship is critical to achieving proper installations. In this context, strengthening technical training capacity is vital to meeting national energy targets while ensuring the sustainability of the Solar PV industry in Sri Lanka.”
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka initiated efforts in 2023 to strengthen Solar PV training within the national technical education framework, recognising it as an effective pathway to establishing a sustainable education system for the solar PV sector. These training programs are designed to support the development of a skilled workforce capable of delivering safe, efficient, and standards-compliant Solar PV installations across the country.
With the addition of solar PV training facilities at these five centres supported by the EU, the total number of centres facilitated by PUCSL on Solar PV training will increase to eight, expanding access and ensuring more equitable training opportunities for students across Sri Lanka.
Ms. D. Wathsala Marambage, Director General of DTET, emphasised the transformative impact of the equipment, stating, “Meeting accreditation requirements has been a major challenge due to limited access to modern training infrastructure. With this support, we can now deliver accredited Solar PV courses with improved quality, expand our training programs, and ensure our students gain hands-on experience that meets industry expectations.”
The EU’s support under the AICRSL Project underscores its continued commitment to promoting sustainable industrial development and climate action in Sri Lanka. By linking accreditation, skills development, and renewable energy adoption, this initiative will create a strong foundation for long-term impact, empowering institutions, enhancing workforce readiness, and advancing the country’s transition to a low-carbon future. The project is a Rs. 2.8 billion (€7.56 million) contribution funded by the European Union under the Global Climate Change Alliance+, and in partnership with the Sri Lankan Government and UNIDO. It is designed to help the country’s industrial sector cut its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 13 per cent by 2035. This project is also supported by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and the Ministry of Energy.
The event featured remarks from DTET, PUCSL and AICRSL project representatives, followed by the symbolic handover of equipment to the participating Technical Colleges.

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Natural Resources Council of Maine
Protecting the Nature of Maine
Posted on April 9, 2026 by Rebecca Schultz
A new plug-in solar law passed in April 2026 clears the way for Maine renters, homeowners, and local business owners to take advantage of clean, cheap solar power to reduce their electricity bills. These small, portable solar panels are expected to generate a lot of interest because they’ll give Mainers the opportunity to generate solar power right at home to offset electricity use. 
 Here’s what you need to know about Maine’s new plug-in solar law: 
When will plug-in solar be available to consumers in Maine? Plug-in solar systems won’t be available to consumers until updates to product safety codes and standards have been made. This is expected to happen later this year. By the fall, Mainers should be on the lookout for products that advertise themselves compliant with UL3700.  
What is plug-in solar? Plug-in solar, also called balcony solar, lets a person plug a solar paneldirectly into their home through a standard outdoor outlet, generating clean, renewable energy and reducing the amount of electricity they need to buy from the grid.  
A typical kit consists of between one and up to four to six solar panels, an inverter, and a plug, with the option of a battery.  
The technology has taken off in Europe in recent years, especially in Germany, where there are now a million registered balcony units in use with a combined capacity of one gigawatt—roughly equivalent to the size of two U.S. coal plants. They’re even sold at Ikea! 
Part of the reason for this success is the huge appeal of these systems.   
What does the new law do? Mainers can already purchase these kits online, but legally they’d be required to apply for interconnection with their utility to get approval before plugging them in. The new law exempts plug-in solar from these costly interconnection rules intended for larger rooftop installations 10-20 times the size.  
The law prohibits utilities from making their customers get approval, pay fees, or install additional equipment or controls.  
Plug-in solar isn’t eligible for net energy billing. So, any energy sent to the grid—after consumption on-site by the refrigerator, heat pumps, other lights, and appliances in the house—would be minimal, well within the safety margins of utility equipment, and wouldn’t earn generation credit for the customer. 
The law further specifies home safety codes and standards, distinguishing between systems up to 420 W and those between 420 and 1,200 W.  
Up to 420-W kits. Smaller units must be installed in a way that’s consistent with the electrical code for other power generation sources, like backup generators. Article 705 of the National Electric Code may require, for instance, having a dedicated circuit breaker in the main panel. For most of us without technical know-how, we recommend having a qualified electrician certify that the installation is up to snuff to protect your home.  
420-1,200-W kits. For larger systems exceeding 420 W, the law requires that a licensed electrician install the equipment and use a dedicated circuit with only a single outlet. This is a protective measure given the diversity of electrical wiring across Maine’s housing stock.  
One chief concern this provision aims to address is that the plug-in solar device would be back-feeding into a branch circuit, introducing additional current that is not protected by the upstream panelboard circuit breaker. So, if other appliances are on that same circuit drawing power from the grid, the combined current could exceed the breaker’s capacity but go undetected by the breaker, posing a risk of fire or shock. By requiring an electrician for larger kits, the law seeks to ensure home wiring is configured to effectively mitigate risks like these.
Electrical and product safety standards will be specified in UL3700, issued by UL Solutions, an independent product certification laboratory. Importantly, the law requires that plug-in solar of any size complies with these product safety standards, which are expected to be finalized in the coming months. So, after the law goes into effect in July (90 days after the Legislature wraps up later this month), Mainers should be on the lookout for certification of product compliance before purchasing.    
Customers with larger systems exceeding 420 W need to notify their utility within 30 days of installation, to let the utilities track use of these systems within their service territories.  
As a related safety provision, the law also requires systems of any size to have inverters that are configured to shut off after 0.2 seconds if power from the grid is disrupted. This is a function called “anti-islanding” protection that serves to protect utility line workers in the event of an outage. A shut-off time of 0.2 seconds is 10 times faster than current requirements for much larger rooftop arrays and therefore more protective. This can also reduce the risk of touch shock at home if a plug becomes partially unplugged.  
While the 0.2-second standard is in effect in Europe, it hasn’t been incorporated into inverters in the U.S. yet, so manufacturers will need to adjust. It’s unlikely that products currently available online to Mainers satisfy this requirement.  
In 2025, Utah was the first state to legalize plug-in solar. Now Maine, and with more than 20 states around the U.S. considering similar bills this year, more are expected to follow.  
Passing this bill was a true team effort! A Climate to Thrive, Maine Climate Action Now, and the Natural Resources Council of Maine worked together with other partners in the Environmental Priorities Coalition to get it done. 
With demand in the U.S. set to surge, prices are poised to come down steeply to E.U. levels, as local retailers start stocking their shelves. Now Mainers will be well positioned to make their own energy decisions, reduce their high electric bills, and take direct advantage of the cheapest energy on the planet.   
—Rebecca Schultz, NRCM Senior Advocate, Climate & Clean Energy
Filed Under: Clean Energy, Climate, Nature of Maine Blog Tagged With: renewable energy, solar
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Clean Energy Slate Wins Control of Arizona’s Biggest Utility  The New York Times
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EIB And Societe Generale Provide €153M Financing For 137 MW Sand Solar Project In Sicily To Support Italy’s 2030 Green Goals  SolarQuarter
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada’s largest utility says it will need three times the electricity required to power Las Vegas just to handle proposed data centers — and it probably can’t do that without fossil fuels.
That means the utility could miss Nevada’s clean energy targets requiring 50% renewable power by 2030.
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“I can’t remember a time in the history of the industry where we’ve seen as much interest in adding load, which is primarily driven by data centers,” said Shawn Elicegui, senior vice president of regulatory and resource planning for NV Energy, which provides electricity to 90% of the state.
It’s one of many utilities across the country grappling with how to meet the exploding electricity demand for data centers to power artificial intelligence without sacrificing long-term plans to move away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable and zero-carbon sources.
In North Carolina, which is also seeing a surge of data centers, the largest utility is revising its long-term plans to delay the retirement of coal plants and to build more natural gas plants. Legislators removed an interim goal for utilities to cut carbon emissions, spurring concern from environmentalists that the state might miss its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
NextEra Energy, which serve commercial electricity in over a dozen states, completely dropped its goal to reach zero emissions by 2045 due to the “demand for all forms of power generation,” the company said in a recent business filing.
The Trump administration has encouraged states to use coal to meet the demands from manufacturing and data centers. Tech companies are also slowing down on their own climate goals to meet the consumer demands for artificial intelligence.
“It’s very alarming, and it’s probably the single largest natural resource issue of our time,” said Olivia Tanager, director of the Sierra Club’s Toiyabe chapter covering Nevada.
Nevada is one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the U.S. thanks to its lack of a corporate income tax, cheap land and tax breaks for data centers. There are dozens already with more on the way. Now lawmakers are eyeing more regulations and debating how to balance both the state’s clean energy goals with the economic benefits data centers bring.
Some data centers say they want to be part of the solution; the industry was responsible for half of all corporate clean energy procurement in 2024, said Dan Diorio, vice president of state policy for the Data Center Coalition.
But renewable energy’s contribution to the power grid is not growing fast enough. Nationally, orders for gas turbines are backlogged and processing renewable energy projects take time, industry experts say.
South of the Las Vegas Strip, the Switch data center stretches for nearly a square mile (kilometer). It’s the largest data center in Southern Nevada, and it runs entirely on renewable energy, according to Jason Hoffman, chief strategy officer. Unlike other data centers, Switch is licensed to build its own sources of renewable energy at the scale of a utility company. It has built 1 gigawatt of solar energy and is in the process of building more solar fields, he said. The company only uses NV Energy’s grid for the delivery of electricity, and it sources its own power from third-party suppliers.
Inside of the massive buildings, hundreds of servers hum within gigantic soundproof and waterproof chambers. They contain vital information for Switch’s clients, including major banks, streaming services, online shopping websites, casinos and state and local governments.
During the summer heat, when more energy is required to keep the equipment cool, Switch can remove itself from the grid and be self-sufficient, Hoffman said. The data center is designed to require minimal air conditioning during the rest of the year.
Many other utilities and tech companies are turning to gas-fired generation to power data centers, including the controversial xAI data center near Memphis that is using mobile gas turbines strapped to semitrucks.”
Tanager, of the Sierra Club, said multiple proposed data centers in Northern Nevada would use hundreds of low-quality diesel-powered backup generators that will worsen air quality. Data centers have backup generators in case the power goes out and are not used often.
At a recent seven-hour legislative meeting, Nevadans complained to lawmakers about the noise data centers produce, and their worries about how the centers will affect water supply and energy bills. Residents of Boulder City, home of the Hoover Dam, are also opposing a proposed center for similar concerns.
NV Energy requires data center developers to agree to fund their own infrastructure and energy needs — but it doesn’t have to be renewable.
Nevada designed a volunteer funding model that allows companies to put up money for NV Energy’s clean energy development then count it toward their corporate energy goals. It was the first such model of its kind in the country and led to the development of a geothermal plant in Northern Nevada with Google as a partner.
Environmental groups want the state to make that model mandatory, but still worry it wouldn’t bring enough clean energy to meet demand. They also worry NV Energy could expand its reliance on fossil fuel without the guarantee that all the proposed data centers will be built.
NV Energy will require companies to sign contracts ensuring their commitment to the state before energy is built, Elicegui said. The utility’s philosophy is that “growth is welcomed,” but that companies need to be responsible for power load added on their behalf “whether they show up or not.”
The public utilities commission in Nevada may impose a fine, grant an exemption or take some other action if it determines NV Energy failed to meet the state’s clean energy goals. The utility is set to publish a report with more specifics by the end of the month.
Democratic Assemblymember Howard Watts of Las Vegas said it is “unacceptable” to bring forward projects that will threaten the state’s renewable energy portfolio. Watts wants to see it required that data centers take on the costs of clean energy development. While many companies are already taking those steps, putting those guardrails in statute is necessary, he said.
“Building more gas plants seems like going in the exact opposite direction of what we need to do as a state,” he said, noting the state has “tremendous solar and geothermal energy potential.”

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A German-Turkish research team has developed a solvent-free method using ultrasonic cavitation to delaminate end-of-life crystalline-silicon PV modules, fully separating the glass and front EVA layer while partially releasing c-Si fragments. The proposed approach achieved an 82.2% mass-based delamination efficiency, highlighting ultrasonic cavitation as a sustainable alternative for PV module recycling.
The two solvent-free methods
Image: Asli Birtürk,
Researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) and Turkey’s Ege University have developed a novel approach for end-of-life crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic modules delamination that uses ultrasonic cavitation to fully separate the glass and the front ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) layer, and partially release c-Si fragments from the back EVA layer.
Ultrasonic cavitation occurs when high-frequency sound waves pass through a liquid, creating tiny bubbles that rapidly form and collapse. This collapse releases intense local pressure and heat, producing powerful mechanical and chemical effects. It can generate shockwaves, microjets, and localized heating, which can break apart solids or remove contaminants. Ultrasonic cavitation is widely used for cleaning delicate items, promoting chemical reactions, and improving emulsification or nanoparticle dispersion. Essentially, it harnesses imploding bubbles to create strong microscopic forces for cleaning, mixing, or material processing.
“This study introduces ultrasonic cavitation as an alternative solvent-free delamination mechanism,” corresponding author Aslı Birtürk told pv magazine. “It is the second method in a series of eco-friendly, solvent-free PV delamination approaches developed during my doctoral studies under the supervision of Prof. Melih Soner Celiktas. The first method, developed in 2024, achieved a mass-based delamination efficiency of 98.4% using only distilled water without any chemical solvents.”
Birtürk added that both studies are proof-of-concept process evaluations that explore sustainable delamination strategies for end-of-life PV modules. “There is potential to explore further scaling up these proof-of-concept methods from laboratory to pilot scale, considering life cycle assessment (LCA), optimizing operational parameters for industrial applicability, and improving recovery rates for critical raw materials (CRMs),” she added.
In their most recent research, the scientists began by preparing small c-Si PV module pieces measuring 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm and weighing 25 g. They were placed in a jacketed glass reactor containing 100 ml of distilled water, set to 85 C. Ultrasonic cavitation was initiated using an ultrasonic probe at 20 kHz and 50% amplitude. The samples were exposed to ultrasonic cavitation for 20, 40, and 60 h, with intermediary checks occurring at the end of each hour.
In addition, the group has used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to understand how cavitation physically interacts with materials. They further used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for material characterization. LCA was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of the process.
“One notable finding was that delamination could be achieved without any chemical additives, driven primarily by mechanical effects,” said Birtürk. “The significant role of EVA deformation and the associated emission benefits were particularly encouraging outcomes. It’s both a surprise and not, but we demonstrated the chemical-free delamination effect in two separate articles.”
The researcher added that “using this method, a mass-based delamination efficiency of 82.2% was obtained. The process works by mechanically weakening the interfacial EVA layer, and the experimental results show that the deformation behavior of EVA plays a dominant role in the clean separation. The life cycle assessment indicates a net emission benefit of -5.75 kg CO₂ equivalent, highlighting the environmental potential of this approach.”
Their findings were presented in “Solvent-free ultrasonic approach for delamination of end-of-life crystalline-silicon PV modules,” published in Sustainable Materials and Technologies.
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The UK government, has introduced rules requiring solar panels and low-carbon heating systems in all new homes across England. According to the article, ministers have presented the measure as part of Britain’s response to the Iran war energy shock and the wider economic fallout from oil supply disruption. Under the Future Homes Standard, new-build regulations from 2028 are to require on-site renewable electricity generation, with the government expecting most of it to come from solar power. The rules also include heat pumps and heat networks, while plug-in solar panels, including balcony units for homeowners, are to become available in shops over the coming months. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the Iran war had shown why clean power was essential for energy security.

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According to Power Technology, construction has commenced on two solar photovoltaic projects in the United States with a combined capacity of 206 megawatts. The developer, Heelstone Renewable Energy, which is part of Qualitas Energy, expects both facilities to start commercial operations by the end of 2026.
The 104-megawatt Alligator Creek Solar project is situated in Wheeler County, Georgia, while the 102-megawatt Murch Solar project is located in Van Buren County, Michigan. Both initiatives are backed by long-term corporate power purchase agreements with a hyperscale data center developer based in the US.
Financing for the construction and long-term operation of the projects is non-recourse and at the project level. The Alligator Creek project achieved financial close in December 2025, and the Murch project closed in March 2026, with each securing debt and tax equity commitments.
For the Alligator Creek financing, Heelstone received advisory services from Paragon Energy Capital. Zions Bancorporation served as the sole coordinating lead arranger for a construction-to-term loan. Stonehenge Capital provided syndication and asset management services to the production tax credit buyer.
Regarding the Murch project, CG/CRC-IB advised on the financing. Stonehenge Capital supplied the tax equity investment, and ING Capital together with Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale acted as coordinating lead arrangers and lenders, providing a tax equity bridge facility and a construction-to-term loan.
The move into construction follows final investment decisions and the execution of engineering, procurement, and construction contracts. Heelstone selected Pure Power Contractors for the Alligator Creek project and Greensol Renewables for the Murch project, advancing them from late-stage development.
The company’s chief executive stated that these projects, supported by long-term power purchase agreements and complete project financing, demonstrate its capability to originate, finance, and construct utility-scale renewable assets. He noted that beginning construction represents a significant step in expanding the company’s presence in important US markets.
These developments follow Heelstone’s recent completion of a senior secured corporate credit facility valued at 200 million dollars, which the company indicates will support its wider development and operating pipeline.
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US independent power producer (IPP) Origis Energy has secured US$118 million in tax equity financing for the Chalan solar-plus-storage project in Kern County, California.
The project is currently under construction, and will pair a 65MW solar PV facility with a 25MW/100MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The latest round of financing comes from RBC Community Investments, which describes itself as a “syndicator” of investments across a number of sectors, including renewable energy.
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The transfer of tax credits had emerged as a key driving force behind US solar project financing under the Biden administration. According to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the tax equity investor will typically receive 99% of the tax attributes—alongside a share in the project’s cash of between 5-30%—until a “specific predetermined benchmark” is reached. At that point, the investor’s tax allocation decreases, usually to around 5%, with the project developer then taking on the remaining 95% of the tax benefits.
This deal structure allows tax equity investors to shoulder more of a project’s start-up costs than a developer—which investors are often in a position to do—and receive the majority of the tax attributes once the project starts commercial operation. The developer is incentivised by this structure as they can meet the project’s initial capex needs, and can start to benefit from its tax attributes later in the project’s operational life.
However, the Trump administration has since sought to cut back many of these tax credits, aiming to phase out investment tax credits (ITCs) and production tax credits (PTCs) by 2028. Last year, a report from the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) found that uncertainty regarding the future of tax credits could stifle “billions of dollars” of potential private sector investment into the industry.
Origis, meanwhile, expects to begin commercial operations at the Chalan project in the fourth quarter of 2026, and has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Pioneer Community Energy, a not-for-profit electricity provider in California, to sell power generated at the project.
The news follows several project advancements for Origis, which have been centred predominantly in Texas. Last month, the company secured US$545 million for a 413MW solar portfolio in the state and in January, Origis signed a 303MW offtake agreement with Meta for a project expected to come online later this year.
This week has also seen other financing arrangements in the US solar sector, with consumer energy platform Palmetto announcing plans to complete a transfer of US$300 million in investment tax credits (ITCs) to two “Fortune 1,000” partners. The platform did not provide further details on the transaction, aside from a note that the ITCs would “accelerate deployment of solar and storage projects,” particularly for residential customers facing higher energy bills.

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The National Health Fund (NHF) has taken a significant step towards improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs with the commissioning of a multimillion-dollar solar energy system at its Marcus Garvey Drive warehouse in the Corporate Area.
The project features a 535-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system at the warehouse, along with a 12-kilowatt grid-tied system at the Greater Portmore Drug Serv in St Catherine. Both were officially unveiled on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton said the initiative reflects a broader push to modernise Jamaica’s healthcare infrastructure through “smart” and resilient facilities. However, he noted that further assessments are needed, particularly following the damage to health facilities in western Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa.
He described the NHF project as both a milestone and a model for future development.
“So today’s NHF unveiling is a good thing for the NHF and for the millions of Jamaicans the NHF serves, but it is also, hopefully, an idea or a vision into the future of how we intend to build out our health facilities along the theme of being smart and resilient,” said the health minister.
Tufton added that the Marcus Garvey Drive and Greater Portmore locations are now leading examples of sustainable healthcare operations. Work is also progressing on a similar system at the Union Square Drug Serv in Cross Roads, St Andrew, which forms part of the same pilot initiative.
The Marcus Garvey Drive installation includes approximately 950 solar panels, supported by battery storage and inverters to provide a stable and reliable energy supply.
The project was implemented through a partnership between the NHF and Direct Relief, with funding secured in mid-2024 from private donors. Sun Terra Energy Solutions was contracted to execute the installation at a cost of just over US$1.3 million.
Tufton said the initiative aligns with the Government of Jamaica’s broader commitment to sustainability and energy security. He noted that recent experiences, including Hurricane Melissa, exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare system, particularly when power outages disrupted essential services in affected areas.
“We saw firsthand the impact when sections of the western parishes were left without electricity, disrupting critical health services and affecting the lives of many Jamaicans. These experiences have reinforced a simple but powerful truth – energy resilience is essential to healthcare delivery.”
In his remarks, NHF Chairman Shane Dalling also underscored the importance of environmentally friendly energy solutions.
“ … This project aligns directly with Jamaica’s national energy policy to provide 50 per cent of the country’s energy with renewables by 2030, reducing ependence on imported fuels and increasing our energy security. Public-sector entities must lead by example in this regard. And today, we are doing just that,” he said.
Dalling noted that renewable energy solutions can help stabilise operating costs, allowing more resources to be directed towards patient care. He also underscored the link between environmental sustainability and public health, pointing out that cleaner environments contribute to improved health outcomes.
Established in 2003, the NHF provides subsidies for prescription drugs and treatments for 28 chronic illnesses, including cancer, hypertension, asthma and depression.
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Rystad Energy says capital expenditure on data centers reached USD 770 billion in 2025, matching investment levels in photovoltaic infrastructure and surpassing upstream oil and gas.
Image: Rystad Energy
From pv magazine España
Global investment in data center infrastructure reached $770 billion in 2025, surpassing upstream oil and gas spending and reaching levels comparable to the broader energy sector, according to Rystad Energy.
The analysis highlights a structural shift in global energy investment flows, with data centers emerging as a major new source of demand. Since 2024, capital expenditure on data centers has exceeded investment in solar, positioning the sector as a capital-intensive asset class with direct implications for power generation, grids, and supply chains.
Rystad said data center investment is split between IT infrastructure and energy-related systems. Servers and computing hardware account for about 40% of total spending, while energy infrastructure – including cooling systems, power distribution, and thermal management – now represents investment volumes comparable to global PV capex.
The expansion of data centers is also driving additional investment across the energy sector, including power generation, grid infrastructure, and industrial equipment. This multiplier effect is accelerating at a pace that Rystad said exceeds previous industrial expansion cycles, driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Large-scale facilities with capacities above 100 MW are becoming the dominant format. These projects require infrastructure-level investment similar to large energy assets, but with significantly shorter timelines for grid connection and commissioning, creating challenges for permitting, grid planning, and equipment availability.
Investment is increasingly concentrated among large technology companies and artificial intelligence developers, mirroring patterns seen in upstream oil and gas, where major firms dominate capital allocation.
Geographically, deployment remains concentrated. The United States accounted for 42% of installed capacity in 2025, roughly double that of China, with India ranking third. However, Rystad expects broader geographic diversification as power demand from data centers exceeds 10% of national electricity consumption in some markets, creating constraints on grid access, land availability, and infrastructure capacity.
Countries with strong energy resources and stable regulatory frameworks, including Finland, Portugal, and Thailand, are emerging as potential hubs for future data center investment toward 2030.
Rystad said the impact is already visible across supply chains, with rising demand for equipment such as gas turbines, transformers, and fuel cells supporting growth among original equipment manufacturers.
Artificial intelligence is expected to remain the primary driver of demand in the near to medium term, although Rystad said the market may move toward a more balanced alignment of investment, capacity, and demand as it matures.
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Published
April 9, 2026
Country
Greece
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Harry Aposporis
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Published:
April 9, 2026
Country:
Greece
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Harry Aposporis
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The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, together with Grant Thornton, conducted a study on behalf of the Independent Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE). Professor Pantelis Biskas said this week during the Power & Gas Forum in Athens that one of the most important goals was to determine the optimal storage capacity, while keeping in mind system costs.
The first battery storage facilities are making their entrance into the Greek energy market. The country’s goal is to install upwards of 4.3 GW by the end of this decade, although the sector expects something closer to 4 GW. At the same time, 15 GW to 16 GW of photovoltaics is expected to operate.
Natural gas to become commercially unsustainable
Biskas revealed that the best scenario for storage is 37.5 GWh. This keeps the cost of developing storage to acceptable levels, while providing coverage for many hours each day. On the contrary, if Greece wanted to cover 97% of its needs exclusively through the combination of solar and storage, it would raise the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) to levels equal to natural gas units.
It was also mentioned that, as a result of the mass introduction of storage, natural gas plants would become commercially unsustainable. Therefore, the introduction of a capacity mechanism to support their availability is among possible solutions.
As things stand right now, storage investments are vastly profitable, since the daily arbitrage between the lowest and highest wholesale power price stands at about EUR 200 per MWh. However, their gradual growth is expected to reduce margins and it is uncertain whether later projects will be sustainable.
Aurora Energy Research said that risk management will be essential from now on. Tools such as tolling agreements, day-ahead spread swaps and hybrid power purchase agreements (PPAs) can improve project financing.
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Farmers also benefit from the passive revenue stream that energy generation can provide.
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A new study has revealed that agrivoltaics may hold the key to a trio of challenges for farmers. It could allow for maintaining enough food production, cutting down on water use, and optimizing output through energy generation.
HortiDaily reported on research by teams from the University of Seville and the Polytechnic University of Madrid that examined growing tomatoes in a variety of scenarios. The study, published in Agricultural Water Management, indicates that agrivoltaics has the potential to enhance land-use efficiency while promoting sustainable farming.
To explore the issue, the teams experimented with reduced water supply for tomato crops, both with and without solar panels, as well as fully irrigated crops as a control. As expected, reducing water negatively impacted tomato yields.
Fully irrigated plants produced the highest yields, but on the positive side, the water used for tomato crops under panels was more efficient at growing fruit. 
To properly account for these variables, the team came up with a Land Equivalent Ratio that measured the combined efficiency of energy production, water usage, and tomato yield.
Both the Seville and Madrid areas with solar panels scored well over 1, which indicates that combining energy production and agriculture was a significantly better use of land than keeping them separate. 
The study also showed that using less water overall could be an important strategy if growers can more precisely track the state of the plants. Despite cutting water by 50%, yield fell just 20%, and the researchers feel there is room for improvement.
The research demonstrated the efficiencies of agrivoltaics. While tomatoes did have a bit of a drop-off in yield with the panels and reduced water use, many crops, like olives, thrive in the added shade.
Farm workers and livestock also appreciate it, and farmers benefit from a passive revenue stream as well. With drought increasingly threatening agriculture, examining reduced water usage is a greater consideration for scientists.
Solar-powered farming could help mitigate these issues, allowing society to generate clean energy that reduces pollution while sustainably supporting farmers. 
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To truly optimize solar panels and tomatoes, the researchers suggested that refining irrigation management with newer technology could help preserve yields while reducing water use.
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Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE reduced silver consumption in TOPCon solar cells to 1.1 mg per W peak. Current TOPCon cells typically require 10 to 12 mg per W, creating cost pressure for manufacturers. The research team tested an electroplating-based inline metallization process developed with RENA Technologies GmbH. The approach combined ultrashort UV laser structuring with nickel, copper, and minimal silver deposition. The team produced M10-sized TOPCon solar cells with 24% efficiency, matching conventional screen-printed reference cells. A fill factor of 82.1 ± 0.3% was achieved across 186 solar cells. Nickel acted as a diffusion barrier, copper handled electrical conduction, and silver served as oxidation protection. Electroplated copper contacts could nearly replace silver requirements in TOPCon solar cells. Fraunhofer ISE expects nickel-copper electroplating to be adopted within two to three years. The process may also reduce reliance on silver paste supply chains concentrated in China. The research was conducted under the EURO and SHINE PV projects, demonstrating industrial-scale feasibility.

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Last Wednesday, Energía Estratégica held its Virtual Summit, bringing together key stakeholders from the solar PV and energy storage sectors to analyse current conditions and market prospects in Latin America.
Marcos Donzino (JA Solar), Miguel Covarrubias (Jinko Solar), Ángela Castillo (Black & Veatch) and Juan Fernando Ramos (Ventus) discussed the sector’s current situation during the first panel. One of the central topics was the strong impact of module prices on the photovoltaic industry.
Relive the Energía Estratégica Virtual Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1RX_HH0yMU&t=1318s

Marcos Donzino, Head of Sales South LATAM at JA Solar, stated that solar panel prices have increased by 40% over the past three to four months, triggering a sharp shift in cost dynamics and project evaluation across the region.
“Three factors came into play. One was the change in taxation. Another was the rise in raw material costs globally across the industry. And the third was the reduction in production capacity among all manufacturers,” the executive explained.
It is worth recalling that China eliminated the value-added tax (VAT) rebate on photovoltaic product exports as of 1 April 2026, a measure that has already come into effect and marks a turning point in global solar pricing.
This tax incentive, which had previously been reduced from 13% to 9% for wafers, cells and modules, was completely withdrawn, further increasing cost pressures.
This situation also triggered a phenomenon that intensified the impact and strained the global supply chain: a surge of advance orders during the first quarter (Q1) of the year.
In this regard, Miguel Covarrubias, Sales Director for Latin America at Jinko Solar, noted:
“Although the tax change officially started on 1 April, it began affecting us as early as January. It gave both manufacturers and clients time for what I would call a Q1 rush. It was quite chaotic, with everyone trying to place orders before the regulatory changes took effect.”
The executive added that this context had a direct impact on costs, albeit with mixed effects:
“Clearly, this additional 9% on modules has impacted prices. There is an effect on CAPEX (capital expenditure), but there is also a positive impact in terms of energy yield (GWh generated),” he said, highlighting efficiency improvements as part of the sector’s response.
For his part, Donzino warned that the impact was not only technical but also financial:
“Previously, we saw variations of 1%, 2% or 5%, which did affect CAPEX. But a 40% increase in three months was something no one expected. All projects had to be reassessed without hesitation.”
“Purchasing accelerated towards March, saturating manufacturing capacity across all producers ahead of April. A production bottleneck emerged, with everyone competing for production lines. Prices rose and everyone wanted to buy as quickly as possible out of fear they would continue to increase. Now the focus is on how the market stabilises for the rest of the year,” the JA Solar executive added.
Beyond the immediate cost impact, the panel made it clear that this scenario has accelerated a shift in how solar projects are analysed in the region.
The discussion is no longer limited to CAPEX, but increasingly focused on the ability of assets to sustain long-term performance and value.
“The question is no longer just how much it costs to build a photovoltaic project, but how capable that project is of sustaining its economic performance under real operating conditions,” said Ángela Castillo, Business Development Director at Black & Veatch.
She emphasised the need to consider variables such as transmission constraints, curtailment and compliance with power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Castillo further explained that this shift involves incorporating factors that were not previously decisive in early development stages, such as hourly generation profiles, dispatch capability and the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) or hybrid solutions.
“The most successful solar project is not the one built at the lowest cost, but the one that can sustain its value in operation throughout the lifetime of the PPA,” she warned.
This change in approach also responds to new market requirements, particularly in PPAs, which now demand greater predictability and alignment with specific hourly delivery profiles. In this context, more integrated solutions and earlier-stage engineering are gaining prominence.
From an execution perspective, Juan Fernando Ramos, Commercial Manager at Ventus, explained that the market shows differentiated dynamics depending on the country, with public tenders coexisting alongside private PPAs.
One concrete opportunity lies in Guatemala, where “there is an upcoming opportunity to build 1,500 MW that already have PPAs”, as well as in markets such as Colombia, where both models complement each other.
Additionally, Ramos detailed the company’s regional positioning, with a strong presence in Uruguay—its home market—and growth in Colombia, where it has nearly 1 GW under construction.
The company is also expanding into Central America and the Caribbean, with activity in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, as well as projects in Ecuador and Peru, reflecting a diversified regional strategy aligned with each market’s development cycle.
“PPA requirements today no longer ask only for energy during solar hours, but also outside those periods,” revealed Covarrubias of Jinko Solar, highlighting the growing role of energy storage.
He pointed to clear scenarios in Argentina, as well as more incipient developments in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, underscoring the rapid regional expansion of BESS solutions as a complement to the solar business.
For his part, Donzino noted that JA Solar is already identifying concrete opportunities for energy storage integration in the region, both in utility-scale projects and in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, particularly in markets such as Argentina and Brazil, where demand for these solutions is beginning to grow.
Towards the close of the panel, speakers agreed that the market is leaving behind several long-standing assumptions that have guided the industry for years but are no longer valid.
These include expectations of continuously declining module prices, the idea that CAPEX dominates decision-making, and the concept of solar projects without the need for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
by info strategicenergycorp Keep reading
The new Energy Minister, Ximena Rincón, presented a legislative agenda focused on restoring regulatory certainty, modernizing power distribution, and enabling distributed generation and electrification across Chile’s power sector.
by Lucia Colaluce Keep reading
Future Energy Summit Caribbean will gather leading market players as bids triple the planned 600 MW with storage, while new BESS rules emerge and the grid faces pressure following blackouts.
by Emilia Lardizabal Keep reading
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal are urging the European Union (EU) to introduce a new windfall tax on extraordinary profits in the energy sector following the impact of the war in Iran. The proposal comes amid a global crisis that, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), has already surpassed the severity of those seen in 1973, 1979 and 2022.
by info strategicenergycorp Keep reading
The new Energy Minister, Ximena Rincón, presented a legislative agenda focused on restoring regulatory certainty, modernizing power distribution, and enabling distributed generation and electrification across Chile’s power sector.
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Construction follows the achievement of final investment decision and the execution of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction agreements with Pure Power Contractors, LLC for Alligator Creek and with Greensol Renewables, LLC for Murch, marking the transition of the portfolio from late-stage development into the construction phase. Commercial operation of the two facilities is expected by the end of 2026.
The launch of construction has been underpinned by the successful structuring and closing of non-recourse project financing at asset level, securing the required debt and tax equity commitments to fund construction and long-term operations. Financial close for Alligator Creek was reached in December 2025, while Murch closed in March 2026.
Both projects are backed by long-term corporate power purchase agreements with a leading U.S. hyperscale data center developer, together with associated benefits.
Alejandro Ciruelos, Partner, US at Qualitas Energy, commented, “Reaching FID and commencing construction on these projects demonstrates the strong execution capabilities of the Heelstone team and the continued momentum of the platform. This milestone accelerates Heelstone’s transition into a fully integrated independent power producer, strengthening its ability to deliver a growing portfolio of renewable energy projects across the United States.”
Mike Weich, CEO of Heelstone Renewable Energy, added, “Backed by long-term PPAs and fully structured project financing, these projects reflect our ability to originate, finance, and build high-quality utility-scale renewable assets. The start of construction on Alligator Creek and Murch marks another important step in scaling our platform across key U.S. markets.”
These milestones follow Heelstone’s recent successful closing of a $200 million senior secured corporate credit facility, further advancing the company’s strategic growth objectives and supporting its expanding development and operating pipeline.

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French renewables company Voltalia has fully commissioned the 148MW Bolobedu solar farm in South Africa.
According to Voltalia’s CEO, Robert Klein, the project is the ‘first’ large-scale PV project to be developed in the country for a private client.
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Located in the northeastern province of Limpopo, the project has already secured a long-term corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Richards Bay Minerals, a heavy minerals sand extraction and refining subsidiary of mining group Rio Tinto.
This agreement aligns with Voltalia’s strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed in October 2025 and which aims to accelerate the deployment of sustainable energy solutions in the African mining sector.
During the construction of the project, the French renewables company employed nearly 800 local residents, more than half of whom were youth workers. Local workers were trained on-the-job in engineering support, solar panel installation and health, safety and environment (HSE) awareness.
Installation of solar PV capacity continues to rise in South Africa, as shown with the latest commissioned project from Voltalia. According to data from think tank Ember, 2GW of solar PV capacity was added in 2025, doubling the volume added in 2024.
In the first two months of this year, 400MW of operational PV capacity was already added, while the “largest” single-phase solar project began construction last month, with a 475MW capacity. Developed by South African independent power producer (IPP) Anthem, the project is located in the central Free State province and is expected to finish construction in summer 2028. Cumulatively, the country has 14.2GW of installed solar PV as of February 2026, according to Ember’s data.
Utility-scale projects such as the Bolobedu solar farm from Voltalia will be key to the country reaching its target to add 28.7GW of new solar PV capacity by 2039, 10.3GW of which will be added between 2026 and 2030.

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Abundant sunshine. High around 55F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..
Some clouds. Low 34F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: April 9, 2026 @ 11:23 am
The master plan rendering for the Kirkbrae solar panel project. The panels would go behind Kirkbrae’s tennis courts, and would be accessed from the right, on Old River Road. The top right side of the project, and the top of the project, abuts residential homes, while the left side abuts town-owned land.

Valley Breeze Staff Writer
The master plan rendering for the Kirkbrae solar panel project. The panels would go behind Kirkbrae’s tennis courts, and would be accessed from the right, on Old River Road. The top right side of the project, and the top of the project, abuts residential homes, while the left side abuts town-owned land.
LINCOLN – Residents of Hickory Lane and Old River Road told the Planning Board they have concerns about Kirkbrae Country Club’s proposal to install a “ground-mounted solar array.”
At the March Planning Board meeting, the board held a discussion and public hearing on Kirkbrae’s proposed master plan for a “ground mounted solar array,” which would consist of around 880 12-foot-tall solar structures, and would generate approximately 88 percent of Kirkbrae’s annual energy needs.
The solar panels would be surrounded by a 6-foot fence, and would be located behind Kirkbrae’s tennis and pickle ball courts, bordering several residential properties, as well as town-owned land.
Representatives from Kirkbrae said that site is currently a wooded area, and is used by Kirkbrae to dump plants and clippings from the golf course.
Though the area would have to be cleared for the installation of the solar panels, project representatives noted in the proposal that they would plant trees between the solar fields and neighboring residential properties to act as a visual and sound buffer.
Per Town Planner Stephanie Davies, this project falls under the use of “renewable energy minor scale ground mount,” as all power generated will be used only by Kirkbrae, and would be considered an accessory to these existing facilities. However, she said this project is a bit complicated, as a special use permit, as well as a dimensional variance, would have to be granted.
Resident Dennis Martel, whose property would directly abut the proposed project, said he is opposed to the solar field, as it is “fundamentally inconsistent with the RS-12 residential district.”
“It’s not residential accessory use, it’s a utility scale installation,” he stated, adding that he feels a project of this size does not belong in a low-density residential neighborhood, and that allowing this would set a precedent for additional non-residential uses.
“The applicant has not demonstrated hardship that justifies use variance. Reducing operating cost and generating energy or a desire to become more eco-friendly is not meeting legal standards for hardship. Reasonable alternatives do exist, including rooftop panels on existing Kirkbrae buildings, or a structure over the parking lot,” said Martel.
Martel, along with fellow abutters Chris Behlke and Michael Provost, emphasized the negative visual impacts of the solar field.
“(My) house has 18 windows in the back, two glass doors, and a deck all facing the empty lot. From mid-spring through early fall, it’s nothing but green … I’ve been living there for 14 years. In a short time, that’s going to change, and all we’re going to see from our second floor bedroom windows is 12-foot-high solar panels surrounded by six-foot high chain link fences,” Provost said.
Provost and other nearby neighbors also noted that even if trees are planted around the perimeter as proposed, it would take a significant amount of time for the trees to grow tall enough to mask the panels. And, if trees aren’t evergreen, they will lose leaves in the fall and winter, further exposing visibility of the solar farm.
Behlke added that the trees wouldn’t totally hide the solar farm, and that it would ultimately still be visible from the second floor of the homes.
Behlke went on to say that the wooded area as it currently stands acts as a sound buffer not just from Kirkbrae, but from Route 295 as well; he said he is concerned no noise study has been conducted yet.
While the solar panels would allow Kirkbrae to save on energy, Behlke said they could potentially cause neighboring homeowner electricity usage and costs to increase. He explained that the trees provide substantial shade in the summer, and without them, surrounding homes might need to use more air conditioning to cool their homes.
Another abutter, Dennis Medetski, echoed his neighbors, saying that in addition to aesthetics, noise, and environmental impacts, he worries destroying the wooded area will ruin the habitat, and cause a mouse or rat problem for nearby residents.
The neighbors who spoke agreed that the solar farm would negatively impact their current living situation, and expressed concerns over the solar panels eventually impacting the overall property values of their homes as well.
Project representatives said that they are more than willing to work with local officials and nearby residents to find compromises, adjust plans, and complete studies to help alleviate concerns.
One abutter did express support during the public comment, saying that they believe Kirkbrae has been and will continue to be a good neighbor.
Ryan Polumbo of Revity Energy said his company has experience installing these solar structures, and assured residents that they have not had any issues with rodents or pests.
He also said that Kirkbrae will not be able to profit off of these solar structures, and that even if Kirkbrae reduces energy consumption over the years, the energy will not be able to be sold to the grid.
Project attorney Joelle Rocha noted that the proposed project meets all of the standards set forth by the town and state – panels are not taller than 15 feet, panels will not generate more than 125 percent of energy needs, etc. – and emphasized that this particular use is permitted.
Members of the Planning Board issued a continuance, and are expected to revisit the topic at the April Planning Board meeting.
Valley Breeze Staff Writer
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Did I read this right- 880 12 foot structures? So, they propose to clear cut all the trees from this area and install an industrial solar array in an area abutted by single family homes? Doesn’t seem to “green” to me. I’m sure the flora and fauna in that area would have something to say, could they speak. I hope this is rejected for the money grab it appears to be.

This town is getting away with things they should not be aloud to.

This is not the Town wanting something. This is Kirkbrae applying for something that needs special use permitting. I passed an ordinance many years ago NOT allowing this type of installation in residential neighborhoods, (only commercial and industrial zones) unfortunately, the State of RI, once again in their vast knowledge of knowing what is best for our communities, pasted legislation making this a “special use” in residential zoned neighborhoods. The applicant needs to receive this permit from the planning board. I personally do not support this unsightly installation in the backyards of these residents. It’s a shame that the State continues to force this type of stuff on all of us.

This is a private land owner wanting to develop on their own private property to the betterment of their operations—decreasing their energy bills and investing in their future. However, is clear cutting a forest the best use of that land for a bunch of solar arrays? Solar panels are better suited on parking lots, rooftops, and undesirable lands (like former landfills for example) not pristine forest that will certainly have a negative impact on the quality of life for their neighbors.
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Gurugram-based solar panel manufacturer Saatvik Green Energy Ltd on Thursday (March 9) said its material subsidiary, Saatvik Solar Industries Private Ltd, has received and accepted orders worth ₹108.75 crore from leading domestic independent power producers and EPC players.
The orders are for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and are scheduled to be executed by September 2026. The company confirmed that the contracts are commercial in nature, awarded by domestic entities, and do not fall under related party transactions.
In February this year, Saatvik Green Energy said it is confident about sustaining its strong growth momentum, supported by rising demand for solar equipment, capacity expansion, and a broader product portfolio.
Also Read: Saatvik Green Energy arm receives ₹178 crore solar PV module orders from domestic client
Prashant Mathur, CEO of Saatvik Green Energy, said, “We have continuously focused on expanding our customer base… on quality and hi-tech products. We are not only getting into backward integration of cell manufacturing, but we are also getting into ancillaries and allied businesses. We have expanded our portfolio, not only in model manufacturing, but inverter, pumps, EPC and more."
In the October-December quarter (Q3FY26), Saatvik Green Energy reported a revenue of ₹1,257 crore, profit after tax of ₹98 crore with margins at 12.15%. Capacity expansion is a key driver of the company’s forward outlook. Saatvik’s Odisha project is progressing as planned. It will almost double its manufacturing capacity from 4.8 gigawatts to 8.8 gigawatts.
Module manufacturing from the new facility is expected to begin in the first quarter of the next financial year. Cell manufacturing is scheduled to start in the second half of the year and is expected to improve profitability, even if its revenue contribution is initially limited.
Also Read: Saatvik Green arm wins ₹486-crore order for solar PV modules
Shares of Saatvik Green Energy Ltd ended at ₹421.35, up by ₹2.80, or 0.67%, on the BSE today, April 9.
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A law requiring compensation for surplus electricity generated by photovoltaic systems has been referred back to parliament on Thursday by President Nikos Christodoulides.
The decision was taken following the law’s passage in March and centres on provisions that would have obligated the state to cover the cost of compensating households and small businesses for excess solar energy.
The legislation, proposed by Diko MP Michalis Yiakoumis, aimed to address distortions in existing photovoltaic schemes by ensuring that surplus energy fed into the grid would be compensated rather than written off.
It required the cabinet to determine compensation rates through a decree, while explicitly preventing those costs from being passed on to electricity consumers or incorporated into system charges.
In a letter to House speaker, Annita Demetriou, Christodoulides outlined three main grounds for referral.
He argued that the exclusion of cost recovery through the electricity market effectively leaves the state budget as the only source of funding.
This, he said, conflicts with Article 80 of the constitution, which prohibits parliament from imposing expenditure without the consent of the executive.
According to the president, the structure of the law “necessarily leads to a burden on the state budget”, making it constitutionally problematic.
The president also raised concerns over the law’s retroactive application.
He insisted that its provisions extend to support schemes that were already in place before the legislation entered into force.
While retroactively amending a decree is not explicitly prohibited under case law of the supreme court, he stated that it is considered undesirable and creates legal uncertainty.
The inclusion of earlier schemes within the scope of the law was therefore identified as a second point requiring reconsideration.
A third objection relates to the principle of separation of powers.
Christodoulides argued that the legislature had overstepped its role by directing the government to act in a specific manner.
By obliging cabinet to issue a decree setting compensation terms, the law was seen as intervening in executive functions.
The president stated that this constitutes an infringement on the constitutional balance between the branches of government.
Christodoulides stated that the proposed measure would affect existing policies governing self-consumption and “could create inconsistencies with current energy support schemes”.
The legislation was designed to correct perceived inequities in residential photovoltaic programmes, where surplus electricity is often not remunerated.
Under the proposed law, the cabinet would have been required to establish a mechanism for compensating surplus generation from residential and small commercial installations.
However, by excluding the possibility of recovering costs through tariffs or market mechanisms, the financial responsibility would fall entirely on public funds.
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Zocipro 10Pcs Solar Panel Mounting Z Brackets – Aluminum Adjustable End Clamps With Bolts For RV, Roof, Off-Grid  RuhrkanalNEWS
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Dutch-based solar developer Novar has acquired a 100MW solar PV plant in Baden-Württemberg, a southern state in Germany.
The Untermünkheim solar project is spread across three locations and was acquired from German developer Stromernte, which will remain involved in the project through a development service agreement to support the development of the plant.
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The project also has the potential to be co-located with a battery energy storage system of 160MWh capacity.
The next step for the project will be its presentation to local municipalities and the developer targets to begin generating electricity at the PV plant within the next two years.
This is Novar’s first project in southern Germany and its first merger and acquisition (M&A) by its German subsidiary.
“We are thrilled to develop our first major project in southern Germany together with our local partner Stromernte,” said Kerim Eraksan, country manager for Germany at Novar. “This project demonstrates how we combine strong development expertise with trusted local partnerships.”
Currently, the company has 1.3GW of operational renewable energy and aims to generate 4GW of renewable energy by 2030.
In its home country, the Dutch developer recently commissioned the 74MWp Bellingwolde solar park, pictured above.
Leaders in the European solar sector are turning their attention to this year’s SolarPlus Europe event, to be held in Italy on 15-16 April by PV Tech publisher Solar Media. Information about the event, including the full agenda and options to purchase tickets are available on the official website.

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Premier Energies Ltd bagged orders worth ₹2,577 crore during the fourth quarter of FY26 for the supply of 1,600 MW of solar cells and modules. According to the company, the execution of these orders will take place over FY27 and FY28, strengthening its forward order pipeline and reinforcing its position in India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing sector.
Orders from Leading Industry Players
The contracts have been awarded by a diverse group of domestic customers, including independent power producers (IPPs), module manufacturers, and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors. The mix of clients highlights the continued confidence in Premier Energies’ integrated manufacturing capabilities and project execution track record. Moreover, the new orders further strengthen the company’s growing footprint in the Indian renewable energy ecosystem.
Expanding Manufacturing Capacity
The latest order inflow also reflects the company’s rapid scale-up in manufacturing capacity. Premier Energies expects its solar cell manufacturing capacity to reach 10.6 GW by September 2026. At the same time, the company has recently expanded its solar module manufacturing capacity to 11.1 GW, enabling it to cater to increasing demand from large-scale renewable energy projects across the country.
Management Highlights Customer Confidence
Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director of Premier Energies, emphasized that the orders demonstrate strong market confidence in the company’s capabilities. “This robust order inflow underscores the trust placed by our customers in our manufacturing capabilities and technology roadmap,” he said. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, with rising investments in renewable energy and government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing, companies like Premier Energies are playing a crucial role in supporting India’s solar power expansion and energy transition goals.

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“It makes clean energy more accessible.”
Photo Credit: iStock
While upgrading to solar energy can be worthwhile to save money on home utility costs, installing panels usually requires professional installation, home rewiring, and a large upfront investment. 
However, according to a report by Canary Media, this dynamic is changing in Virginia after lawmakers passed a bill legalizing small plug-and-play solar panels, usually referred to as “balcony solar.”
Balcony solar was designed to plug directly into a home outlet and offset some household energy usage. These small units have long been used in Europe, but laws requiring utility permission to install prevented widespread adoption in the United States. 
Set to take effect in January of 2027, law SB 250 will make Virginia only the second state in the country, behind Utah, to allow balcony solar panels for homeowners. The bill will essentially allow consumers to buy the units, like any large appliance, in their local big-box store. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
This is part of a wave of state legislation proposals giving homeowners an easy path to take control of their household energy consumption with quick-install solar panels. 
Even though these small units can help reduce some of your bills, if you’re looking to fully secure your family’s energy while saving big, consider installing rooftop solar with the help of TCD partner EnergySage. You could be surprised by just how much you can save by upgrading. 
With these new laws filtering through U.S. states, homeowners are no longer the only ones who can curb rising energy costs with solar power. Because balcony-sized panels don’t require any complicated rewiring, renters can also purchase and install the money-saving units. 
Victoria Higgins, Virginia director for the lobbying arm of Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund, was quick to show support for the rule change. 
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Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
“[This] removes all kinds of barriers — not just cost barriers, but time and bureaucracy barriers,” Higgins told Canary Media. “It makes clean energy more accessible to so many more Virginians, whether they live in apartments, or condos, or just don’t have the funding to put up a whole rooftop system.” 
“This legislation is about putting practical energy solutions in the hands of Virginians,” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell added in support of the bill.
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While it may take some time for the rest of the U.S. to catch up to Virginia and Utah, you can slash your energy bills right now by upgrading your home with a rooftop solar array. 
If you’re interested in learning just how much you can earn by switching to solar, check out the free resources at EnergySage. The average homeowner can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases by consulting these services. 
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EnergySage even offers a helpful mapping tool that provides insight into the average cost of solar in each state while giving you detailed information on all of the incentives you qualify for. 
Plus, to fully secure your energy and even cut ties entirely with the grid, EnergySage can help you understand what battery backup solutions are available to you. A solar and battery pairing can give you peace of mind knowing your lights will stay on in the event of a blackout.
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Published on April 8, 2026 10:06 am
Last Updated on April 8, 2026 10:09 am
Kavi Chintham of Voter Solar gestures at a 391-watt plug-in solar panel and battery at a news conference about a bill to expand access to plug-in solar panel systems. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Nikoel Hytrek)
A bill to make solar power more accessible to renters and others who face barriers to the alternative energy source is moving through the Illinois Senate.
The plug-in solar bill allows people to install small solar panel systems that can be plugged into normal wall outlets for personal use. Instead of a rooftop, the panels could be set up on a balcony, in a yard, or on a porch or patio. 
“Plug-in solar is exactly what it sounds like: small, low-cost solar panels that plug directly into a standard outlet and help offset the energy use,” said Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, who is the lead sponsor of the bill. “No expensive installation, no major construction, no waiting months for approval.”
Because most residential solar requires rooftop installation, people who live in apartments or who rent their homes have been unable to take advantage of solar power to cut down on electricity bills. Lawmakers said this was a major motivation for the bill. 
Under current Illinois law, people would have to get an interconnection agreement before using plug-in solar systems, but the bill removes that requirement. Customers who use a plug-in solar system would also not be required to get the electricity provider’s approval before installation, pay a fee related to installation, or install additional equipment.
“Illinois has been a leader in renewable energy, and this legislation keeps us moving forward by making solar more available, more affordable, and more achievable for everyone,” said Rep. Daniel Didech, D- Buffalo Grove, the sponsor for the House version of the bill. 
Further, landlords and homeowners’ associations would not be able to ban or “unreasonably restrict” or regulate plug-in solar systems . 
Instead, users would only have to notify the electricity provider about the solar panel system within 30 days of installation. The law would require those providers to develop simple online notification forms.
“Right now, outdated rules are getting in the way,” Ventura said. “Senate Bill 3104 cuts through the red tape by exempting these small systems from the same requirements designed for large scale solar. That means faster access, lower costs, fewer barriers for everyday people.”
These exemptions apply to small systems that usually have between 300-400 watts of power output, but the bill grants permission for systems up to 1,200 watts — those would just be subject to more rules. The greater rules kick in for systems with an output of 392 or more watts.
In general, the bill allows for solar panel systems that are: 
Plug-in solar systems also normally include batteries, which allow people to save excess energy to use later in the day and avoid using the grid power. For safety, the systems have built-in protections like automatic shutoffs in case of power outages. 
“This is a carefully designed policy that makes sure we’re preserving safety while updating rules that were written for these large rooftop systems. It removes this one-size-fits-all regulatory approach,” said Kavi Chintam, Illinois campaign manager for Vote Solar, a nationwide organization that seeks to reduce barriers to solar power. 
Utah is the only other state to have passed plug-in solar legislation, but lawmakers in multiple other states like Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New York have introduced bills. 
The bill passed in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee on March 12 and is now waiting on an amendment to address questions and concerns from utilities and labor unions.
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Figures from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority indicate that the country had a record year for solar deployment in 2025. Cumulative capacity surpassed 2 GW, leading to Singapore’s 2030 solar target being increased to 3 GW.
Image: Justin Lim/Unsplash
Singapore added 504 MW of solar last year, according to a report published by the country’s Energy Market Authority (EMA).
Figures from the authority’s Singapore Solar Photovoltaic Report Q4 2025 state that cumulative solar capacity reached 2,093 MW by the end of last year, up from 1,589 MW at the end of 2024.
The result continues an upward trajectory in yearly capacity growth, compared to annual additions of 397 MW in 2024 and 370 MW in 2023.
Image: Energy Market Authority of Singapore
The number of solar installations in Singapore increased by 3,400 last year, EMA’s figures add, from 11,225 at the end of 2024 to 14,625 by the end of 2025.
Image: Energy Market Authority of Singapore
Singapore’s solar market is dominated by rooftop solar, which makes up more than 80% of total capacity. Lam Pham and Alnie Demoral, energy analysts at Ember specializing in Asian markets, told pv magazine a key market driver continues to be solar’s increasing cost-competitiveness, with payback period falling to as short as five years and consumers also able to sell excess solar to the grid.
They added that the market is supported by government-led programs, such as SolarNova from the Housing and Development board, which had installed solar on 5,300 blocks as of December last year.
Other government support programs include SolarRoof and SolarLand from JTC, a government agency for industrial development under the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Supported projects include Singapore’s largest ground-mounted solar project to date, the 118 MW Sembcorp Jurong Island Solar Farm, which was completed last year. The installation, spanning 60 hectares across six plots of interim vacant land, was built by Singaporean state-owned energy and urban development company Sembcorp.
Pham and Demoral said the main market driver in 2026 will be electricity prices due to Singapore’s large reliance on gas power plants.
“The current fuel shock will intensify gas price volatility. Fuel price is already up and electricity will likely be affected soon,” the pair said. “Coupled with the continuous decline of solar costs and batterys, this will drive the residential consumers to install solar panels.”
As a result of surpassing 2 GW of cumulative solar capacity last year, Singapore surpassed its original 2030 target and subsequently increased the goal to 3 GW by the end of the decade. Pham and Demoral said that while the 3 GW target will be a key market driver, it remains unclear if this year’s deployment level with surpass that seen last year.
“Demand will be growing certainly and costs will become more affordable, but the issue with Singapore is limited land availability,” they explained. “As projects with suitable land have been largely developed, those remaining will be more complex, take more time and constraint the pace of deployment.”
They pair also told pv magazine that Singapore could focus more on interconnection with neighbouring nations, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, to import solar electricity from other nations. “This will help unleash the land constraint and access large-scale solar resources abroad,” they said.
Last October, Singapore conditionally approved a 1 GW hydropower import project from Malaysia and last June, partnered with Indonesian on a solar supply chain initiative to be located in the Riau Islands as part of broader plans to enable cross-border clean energy trading.
Pham and Demoral also suggested regulators in Singapore could introduce more robust incentives for cross-border renewable energy procurement, such as counting imported solar electricity to renewables targets or carbon reduction commitments, and enhancing market structures to support flexibility with policies that promote energy storage, demand response and grid modernization.
EMA’s latest figures add that Singapore had 213.4 MW of operational energy storage systems by the end of last year.
UK consultants GlobalData are expecting Singapore to add between 300 MW and 400 MW of solar annually through to 2035, taking cumulative capacity past the 5 GW threshold.
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AFRY has been selected by Cenergi Aeropolis Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd (CARE) to act as Owner’s Engineer for a 36 MWp (30 MWac) solar photovoltaic plant combined with a 10 MW / 40 MWh battery energy storage system in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. This project marks an important step in the country’s shift toward cleaner and more reliable energy solutions, especially through the use of solar power integrated with storage.
The project is located within the KLIA Aeropolis zone and will supply renewable electricity directly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport under the Solar for Self-Consumption program. It is expected to generate around 46 GWh of clean energy every year and reduce about 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This reduction is comparable to removing nearly 8,000 vehicles from the roads or providing electricity to more than 13,000 homes.
The addition of a battery energy storage system will help improve energy reliability and ensure stable power supply, making it one of the early large-scale solar projects in Malaysia with integrated storage for self-consumption.
As Owner’s Engineer, AFRY will support the project across all stages, including tender assistance, engineering design review, project management, construction supervision, and battery system testing and commissioning.
The company brings strong global experience in solar and energy storage, with over 30 years in solar projects and more than 20 years in battery storage. AFRY has worked on hundreds of projects worldwide, supporting the development of sustainable and efficient energy systems across different regions.
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Renewable Energy
The Ministry of Defense has completed the installation of a modern photovoltaic generation system to provide clean energy in Maturacá, a community located in São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM), at the base of Pico da Neblina.
The initiative is part of the strategic actions of the Calha Norte Program and benefits over 2,500 indigenous people from the Yanomami tribe and soldiers from the 5th Special Frontier Platoon (PEF). The new solar park breaks the historical dependence on fossil fuel-powered generators, which operated with time restrictions and high logistical costs.
Now, the community enjoys electricity 24 hours a day, allowing for food preservation, the operation of health centers, and digital connectivity in one of the most isolated areas on the planet. In addition to promoting social development, the plant prevents the emission of tons of carbon dioxide into the Amazon atmosphere and eliminates the risk of oil spills in local rivers.
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Billion-dollar strategic alliance: Brazil and China join forces in infrastructure and technology projects to lead the creation of a global green corridor in the energy transition.
Research reveals that the vast majority of national consumers are not willing to pay more for renewable energy despite their support for sustainability.
This project serves as a model for energy sovereignty and environmental preservation, demonstrating that solar technology reaches the most remote points of the Amazon rainforest by 2026.
The Calha Norte Program acts as the main infrastructure arm of the federal government in border areas. By implementing clean energy in Maturacá, the Ministry of Defense fulfills its mission to bring dignity and state presence to hard-to-reach regions.
The project involved complex logistics, transporting tons of solar panels and batteries via barges and aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) through the dense jungle.
The Brazilian Army coordinated the assembly of the metal structures and the connection of the electrical grid. The presence of the 5th Special Frontier Platoon in Maturacá ensures basic maintenance of the system and the security of the facilities.
This collaboration between the Armed Forces and the indigenous community strengthens territorial protection and provides basic resources that transform the socioeconomic reality of the Yanomami people.
The installation of clean energy in Maturacá required specific equipment to withstand the extreme conditions of the Amazon. The high humidity levels and frequent rainfall require solar panels with certification for high durability and inverters protected against corrosion.
The system uses monocrystalline silicon modules, which have higher efficiency even on partially cloudy days.
A state-of-the-art lithium battery bank stores the excess energy generated during the day. This technology ensures that the lights do not go out at night or during prolonged rainy periods.
The smart management system monitors the consumption of the village and the military platoon in real-time, prioritizing critical loads such as vaccine freezers and satellite communication equipment.
Did you know that before clean energy in Maturacá, transporting diesel to the village was a Herculean challenge? Fuel drums traveled for weeks through winding rivers and dangerous rapids.
Often, low river levels prevented supplies from arriving, leaving the Frontier Platoon and the indigenous people in the dark for days.
Besides the risk of accidents, the cost of this transportation was extremely high for public coffers. With solar energy, operational costs drop drastically. The sun, an abundant resource along the equator, works for free for the community.
The savings generated by eliminating diesel allows the Ministry of Defense to redirect resources to other areas, such as indigenous health and environmental patrolling.
The arrival of clean energy in Maturacá drastically changes local public health. With constant electricity, the community health post now keeps refrigerators running without interruption.
This allows for the safe storage of vaccines against malaria, yellow fever, and snake bites, as well as vital antivenoms for those living in the jungle.
Food security also improves significantly. Previously, the indigenous people had to consume all the game or fish immediately or salt the meat to prevent spoilage.
Today, community freezers allow for long-term food preservation. This reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases and ensures a more balanced diet for the village children, who now have lighting to study during the night.
The decarbonization of the military base and the indigenous village directly contributes to the preservation of the surroundings of Pico da Neblina. The old diesel generators produced constant noise and toxic smoke, driving away local wildlife and polluting the clean air of the forest.
The silent operation of the clean energy in Maturacá plant thus respects the natural balance of the region.
The project eliminates the risk of soil and groundwater contamination from spills of lubricants and fuels. Maturacá becomes a technological “Green Island,” proving that it is possible to integrate human development with the maintenance of the standing forest.
The initiative aligns with Brazil’s global commitments at COP-30, demonstrating concrete actions of sustainability in practice.
Stable electricity serves as the foundation for digital inclusion in 2026. The school in the Maturacá community now uses computers and high-speed satellite internet. The clean energy in Maturacá thus allows Yanomami youth to access educational content, training courses, and territorial management tools without needing to travel to the municipal seat.
This connectivity strengthens local culture, as it allows indigenous people to document their traditions and report invasions of their lands instantly. Access to information transforms the school into a center of coexistence and innovation, where modern technology meets ancestral knowledge to build a more prosperous future for the new generations of the Amazon.
The provision of clean energy in Maturacá opens doors for sustainable entrepreneurship in the region. The Yanomami community works with the management of forest products, such as native cocoa and mushrooms. With electricity, they can install small processing and drying machines, adding value to products before sale.
This increases family income and reduces the need to rely solely on government aid. Electricity allows the community to organize more efficient cooperatives, with electronic weighing and packaging systems.
The goal focuses on transforming Maturacá into a hub of bio-extractive economy, using the power of the sun to drive ethical and fair trade of Amazonian products.
The sustainability of the project depends on proper maintenance. Therefore, specialized technicians and military personnel trained a group of indigenous people to operate the basic systems of the solar plant. These “solar agents” from Maturacá learn to clean the panels and monitor the battery charge levels.
The 5th Special Frontier Platoon acts as advanced technical support. The partnership ensures that any technical failure receives quick repair, preventing the community from being left without assistance.
This transfer of technical knowledge values local labor and creates a sense of belonging and care for public assets, ensuring that clean energy in Maturacá operates for decades.
The project in Maturacá is part of a larger strategy by the Defense Ministry to green all military units in the Amazon. The government understands that renewable energies are fundamental to national sovereignty, as they reduce the logistical vulnerability of troops in combat or humanitarian missions.
By adopting clean energy in Maturacá, the Ministry of Defense signals to the international market that Brazil invests in low-carbon solutions even under the most challenging conditions.
Other Special Frontier Platoons (PEFs) along the Calha Norte are already receiving studies for the implementation of similar systems, thus transforming the Brazilian border into a belt of renewable energy and environmental protection.
The inauguration of the solar plant and the delivery of clean energy in Maturacá represent a victory for national engineering and social policy.
Thus, the project proves that technological progress does not need to conflict with the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest. On the contrary, solar technology acts as the necessary tool to protect indigenous life and territory.
The smiles on the faces of Yanomami children as they turn on the lights in their homes symbolize the success of this initiative in 2026. Maturacá ceases to be a forgotten place to become a global example of how sunlight can transform darkness into opportunity.
Finally, may this model of clean energy and respect for indigenous peoples spread throughout the Amazon basin, ensuring a sustainable future for the green heart of Brazil.
Jornalista há 20 anos, especialista em produção e planejamento de conteúdos online e offline para estruturas do marketing digital. Jornalista, especialista em SEO para estruturas do marketing digital (sites, blogs, redes sociais, infoprodutos, email-marketing, funil inbound marketing, landing pages).
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