Solar Now

Western Australia is consulting on a draft technical standard that would class plug-in solar and battery systems as ordinary electrical appliances, opening them up to renters and apartment dwellers.
In an Australian first, Western Australia is on the path to legalizing plug-in solar panels and batteries based on German standards. The systems plug into a household wall outlet, offering clean energy for homes and apartments unable to benefit from rooftop solar installations, and can be moved when a resident changes address.
Western Australian Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof.
“I’m proud that our state is leading the nation on this issue – millions of European households already use these systems every day, and WA families should be able to do the same,” said Sanderson.
The state’s Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and the Building and Energy Division of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) are consulting on the proposed legalization pathway and a new technical standard.
The proposal would class plug-in systems as standard electrical appliances through a new Technical Bridging Standard (TBS). The draft is based on DIN VDE V 0126-95, the German technical specification for plug-in solar devices, with local changes for Australian plugs and wind loading. It would allow systems with a combined solar and battery output of up to 2 kW (DC) and inverters of up to 800 VA (AC).
The TBS does not propose to set an upper limit on plug-in battery storage capacity, but limits batteries to lithium iron phosphate or sodium-ion chemistries. It also allows only one plug-in system per household and none at homes that already have a fixed installation such as rooftop solar.
Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive of Australian solar advocacy group Solar Citizens, said the group agrees it isn’t fair that the benefits of cheap solar are out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their own roof.
“WA’s announcement starts a ‘race to the top’, and puts a rocket up the need for the federal government to announce a nationally coordinated approach for the release of this money-saving technology across Australia by July next year,” Douglas said.
“We support the Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announcing a date for the legal safe sale of these money saving devices that are already legally and safely available in the United Kingdom, Germany and 10 states of America.”
“Plug-in solar and batteries are an anti-inflationary energy reform. They put downward pressure on household electricity bills, allow more Australians to use cheap solar power, and can reduce demand for expensive electricity during peak periods,” Douglas said.
According to the state’s plug-in solar and batteries consultation website, DEED and LGIRS will continue to work with safety experts, other states and territories, and the Australian government to support nationally consistent requirements for plug-in systems.
“For this reason, the final TBS is likely to have two separate parts, one each for product-specific requirements and another for installation requirements. This would make the TBS more consistent with AS/NZS technical documents,” the site says.
The departments will also work on other changes that might be needed to support renter access to the systems once they are available.
From pv magazine Australia
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From specialised solar markets, to farmers abandoning diesel-powered irrigation, an unreliable grid is driving a new economy in Pakistan’s Dera Ismail Khan – but not everyone can afford to join it.

Manzoor Ali

Dawn

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Aerial view of Dera Ismail Khan city around the city centre, known as Chowgalla, in June 2026. PHOTO: DAWN
October 29, 2026
ISLAMABAD – In May 2026, Islamabad-based vlogger Muhammad Mobeen filmed Dera Ismail Khan’s famous Chowgalla, the British-era town centre where four bazaars intersect, using a drone.
The video glides over the crowded bazaars in the heart of Dera Ismail Khan before pulling back to reveal buildings packed tightly together. As the camera pulls back, rooftops fill the frame, covered not in the usual clutter of water tanks and laundry lines but in sleek black and blue solar panels, stretching as far as the eye can see.
The video has garnered roughly a million views and more than 25,000 likes on TikTok alone. Its popularity has spawned a host of copycat videos, with some content creators dubbing the city “Solar Ismail Khan.”
The city’s urban area covers approximately 40 square kilometres and has a population of roughly 210,000, according to the 2023 census. Beyond the spectacle of thousands of solar panels covering the city’s rooftops, Dera Ismail Khan’s solar transition is beginning to reshape the local economy. It is creating new opportunities while making some traditional trades less viable in this dusty, conflict-affected city in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, roughly 300 kilometres from Peshawar.
A SOLAR BOOM
Over the past few years, three specialised solar markets have emerged in the city, at Khushal Market, Bannu Adda and Tank Road. Circular Road alone has up to 70 shops dealing exclusively in solar equipment, serving as a major distribution hub for neighbouring Tank, and Upper and Lower South Waziristan.
The boom has extended beyond retail, creating work in solar installation, electrical wiring and the supply and maintenance of batteries, tube wells and related equipment.
Muhammad Saeed, a local solar appliances dealer, says that, by his estimates, the majority of households in the city have adopted solar power. “Those who installed solar [systems] earlier are now upgrading to lithium batteries as prices fall,” says Saeed.
The solar transition has also created ancillary jobs in supply chains and logistics, as well as work for solar-panel cleaners and wiring technicians. At the same time, traditional electricians are seeing a decline in conventional electrical-appliances repairs.
“If consumers use solar energy instead of grid electricity, there is less need for repairs,” electrician Muhammad Naveed tells Eos. To supplement his income, Naveed now also takes on jobs involving solar systems, including for tube wells, alongside specialised wiring work.
THE PRICE OF POWER
Saeed and other solar traders say the city’s crippling, year-round power outages are the biggest driver of the transition. Data from the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) show that 43 of the city’s 83 electricity feeders record line losses of at least 80 per cent. Pesco also identifies widespread electricity theft as a problem in the area. A spokesperson for the power utility tells Eos that such areas may face outages lasting 16 to 18 hours a day.
Rising temperatures add to the pressure on residents. During summer, daytime temperatures in Dera Ismail Khan frequently reach 40–45 degrees Celsius, adding to the incentive to seek alternatives.
Dera Ismail Khan’s solar boom is part of a wider shift across Pakistan, driven in part by falling prices for Chinese-made panels and rising electricity tariffs over the past four years. A report by the UK-based energy think tank Ember, titled The Solarisation of Pakistan’s Energy Economy, estimates that Pakistan’s solar power generation rose by 21 terawatt-hours (TWh) in just two years, taking the total increase to 33 TWh. Distributed solar accounted for 28 per cent of Pakistan’s electricity generation in FY25, up from 10 per cent in FY23, the report says.
Eight 585-watt panel solar systems have a combined rated capacity of 4.68 kilowatts (kW). According to local traders, a system of this size can power an air conditioner, refrigerator, lights and fans, with battery storage providing back-up when solar generation is insufficient.
According to solar trader Ali Jan, an individual panel that sold for Rs75,000 not long ago now costs roughly Rs16,000, following a global glut that drove down solar-panel prices. The price per watt has fallen from Rs128 to around Rs28, he says. The cost of an eight-panel set-up fell to around Rs220,000, says Jan, adding that households could recoup the investment within one to two years through savings on electricity.
The imposition of general sales tax on solar imports last year, along with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has pushed prices back up, Naveed explains. “Today, solar panels sell for up to 32 rupees per watt in Dera Ismail Khan, bringing the cost of an eight-panel installation to approximately 280,000 rupees,” he says.
THE UNEVEN DIVIDENDS
Dr Aijaz Ahmed has had small solar panels installed at his home and clinic for more than a decade. “In most months, I do not have to pay for electricity,” he tells Eos. “At the clinic, too, the electricity bill is a fraction of what it used to be,” he says.
The savings extend beyond households. Small industries and commercial enterprises, facing high grid-electricity tariffs and rising fuel costs, have also embraced solar power.
One businessman estimates that running a stone-crushing plant on a diesel generator costs up to Rs1.8 million a month. Converting it to solar would require an initial investment of around Rs10.5 million, he says, which could be recovered in just under three years.
Commercial markets and wedding halls are also installing solar systems, with some businesses seeking to reduce or eliminate their dependence on grid electricity. Farmers are following a similar trend. A solar-powered irrigation system, capable of serving 10 acres of farmland, now costs around Rs9 million, according to Ali Jan.
Rising fuel costs are also encouraging farmers to switch to solar-powered tube wells, reducing their dependence on diesel-powered irrigation. Local solar-equipment prices are now closely tied to those in Karachi. Dealers say that a one-rupee-per-watt increase in Karachi is quickly reflected in local prices. Freight charges from Karachi to Dera Ismail Khan have also risen, from around Rs270,000 to Rs350,000 per container since the conflict involving Iran began.
The city’s newer commercial markets, including Gomal, Khyber, Anarkali, Mian Commercial and Gulf Plaza, also face the challenge of keeping shops lit and cooled. Their enclosed spaces and cooling requirements make reliable electricity particularly important. Rising electricity tariffs and fuel costs have made diesel generators increasingly expensive to operate, encouraging businesses to invest in solar power.
WHO GETS LEFT BEHIND
But the transition has also created a divide between those who can afford solar installations and those who cannot. While households and businesses with sufficient resources can reduce their dependence on an unreliable grid, poorer residents remain reliant on electricity they may struggle to afford — or continue to endure long power outages.
Amir Khan, a social worker who runs the “Amir Bhai” Facebook page to help families in need, says poor single women are particularly disadvantaged when it comes to accessing solar power. Khan, who has more than 500,000 Facebook followers, began financing his welfare work himself in 2018.
He says he now receives numerous requests from low-income families seeking help with solar installations.
The solar panels that now dominate Dera Ismail Khan’s rooftops tell only part of the story. Beneath them, new businesses are emerging and old trades are adapting, while families unable to afford the transition remain dependent on an unreliable grid.
In a city increasingly known as “Solar Ismail Khan”, access to electricity is becoming a question not just of supply, but of purchasing power.
From landlord pioneers to TikTok tutorials: Inside the off-grid solar boom in Pakistan’s Punjab
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Laser processing for high-efficiency PV cells: ATW’s solutions for advanced cell manufacturing  PV Tech
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Renewable energy developer Jinko Power has established an AI infrastructure business unit as it expands from green power supply into green computing services. The company said the unit will draw on its renewable energy asset operations and listed-company capital platform to oversee the development, O&M, R&D, and commercialization of its intelligent computing business. It will advance artificial intelligence data center (AIDC) projects in China and develop overseas intelligent computing nodes.
The move follows Jinko Power’s acquisition of a controlling stake in NetBank earlier this month. NetBank provides data center operations, server hosting and GPU computing services, and operates three self-built data centers in Hangzhou and surrounding areas.
Jinko Power has experience supplying green power to computing facilities, including through renewable energy microgrids built for Tencent’s Huailai Ruibeiyun data center in Hebei province and Gaoxinyun data center in Tianjin.
In July, Jinko Power signed a strategic cooperation agreement with AI software company SenseTime to jointly develop ‘Green Power + Intelligent Computing’ projects (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
PV tracker maker Arctech (previously Arctech Solar) plans to build a 15 MW PV project in Changyi, Shandong province, as a demonstration site for its flexible trackers. The company plans to use RMB 63.12 million in remaining proceeds from its previously terminated Western Tracker Manufacturing and Demonstration Base project in Inner Mongolia. The new project is expected to achieve full-capacity grid connection by December 31, 2027.
The company said it will use the demonstration site to test and validate the power-generation gains, reliability, stability, and environmental adaptability of its tracker products.
Arctech reported Q3 2026 revenue of RMB 2.40 billion, up 78.77% year on year (YoY). Net profit attributable to shareholders excluding non-recurring items reached RMB 5.29 million, compared with a loss of RMB 37.47 million a year earlier.
For the first nine months of 2026, revenue declined 1.28% YoY to RMB 5.31 billion. The company reported a net loss excluding non-recurring items of RMB 205.85 million, compared with a profit of RMB 103.26 million in the same period last year. The company also reported a net loss for the first half of 2026 (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Perovskite solar manufacturer Renshine Solar has completed a Series B financing round worth more than RMB 100 million. The round was led by the Jiangsu Strategic Emerging Industries Fund, with participation from Suzhou Venture Capital Group and other local industrial funds and investment institutions.
The company plans to use the proceeds to support its future production-line plans, improve mass-production efficiency for perovskite PV, expand capacity, and advance core technologies for space photovoltaics. Renshine Solar is targeting applications in power-station PV, building-integrated PV (BIPV), and space-based PV.
On the technology front, Renshine reported achieving a certified power conversion efficiency of 26.4% for a large-area all-perovskite tandem module last month (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Energy storage battery maker Energy Infinity has begun construction of an energy storage battery manufacturing project in Chuanshan district, Suining, Sichuan province, with a planned investment of RMB 5.5 billion.
According to local media, the project includes two production lines compatible with lithium-ion and sodium-ion energy storage cells, along with supporting facilities. Once complete and fully operational, the facility is expected to generate over RMB 8 billion in annual output value and create about 1,000 jobs.
TaiyangNews 2024

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Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic Holdings announced it will start full-scale mass production of glass-based perovskite solar panels for applications in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) one year ahead of schedule.
The company had originally planned to start production in fiscal year 2030, which in Japan runs from April 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031.
“Ahead of full-scale mass production, we began commercial activities in September 2026 by selling pre-production products manufactured at Panasonic HD’s development facility in Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture,” the company said in a statement. “Going forward, we aim to establish mass-production technologies at our Nagahama facility and accelerate market development through the commercial deployment of these initial products.”
“Panasonic HD was selected for a Green Innovation Fund project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in September 2025 and has since been developing mass-production and installation technologies for glass-based perovskite solar cells,” it went on to say. “Given the progress in these technologies, growing market demand, and supportive government policies, the company has decided to bring forward the start of full-scale mass production from its original schedule.”
The modules’ graphic patterns
Panasonic said its pre-production glass-based perovskite solar panels feature a laminated-glass structure, with maximum dimensions of 1.8 m × 1.0 m and glass thickness configurations of 3+3 mm or 6+6 mm. The products are available with float glass or high-strength glass and support customized decorative designs.
The mass-produced products, scheduled for launch in April 2029, will feature larger dimensions of up to 1.8 m × 1.2 m and additional glass thickness configurations of 4+4 mm and 5+5 mm. They will also be available in laminated insulating glass configurations, with tempered glass offered as an additional option.
According to the company, both product generations comply with Japanese building standards and have passed internal tests based on IEC 61730 and IEC 62790. Panasonic also said it plans to pursue module certification in line with customer requirements and market developments.
The company uses inkjet coating, laser processing and glass encapsulation technologies in the manufacturing process. It said the technology enables customized dimensions, transparency levels and decorative patterns, making the products suitable for building-integrated photovoltaic applications, including windows and facades.
Panasonic did not disclose the modules’ power conversion efficiency, rated power output, temperature coefficient, expected service life or pricing.
The Japanese electronics manufacturer has been developing perovskite solar technology for more than a decade. In 2020, the company unveiled a lightweight perovskite solar module with a power conversion efficiency of 16.09% and an area of 802 cm², manufactured using an inkjet coating process.
In 2023, it began testing glass-based perovskite solar panels in a building in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, in cooperation with property developer Mitsui Fudosan Residential. The company subsequently achieved a certified efficiency of 18.1% for an 802 cm² device.
More recently, in December 2025, Panasonic and Japanese building materials manufacturer YKK AP tested the technology in office windows, focusing on installation methods and design flexibility.
The commercialization efforts come as the Japanese government seeks to establish a domestic perovskite solar industry. In November 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced a target of deploying around 20 GW of perovskite solar capacity by 2040.
The government also outlined plans to support domestic manufacturing and reduce production costs to JPY 14 ($0.09)/W by 2030 and JPY 10/W by 2040. In September 2025, the Ministry of the Environment introduced subsidy programs to support early deployment of perovskite solar cells and their integration with battery storage systems.
Japan has since stepped up its support for the technology. In May 2026, NEDO opened a supplementary funding call under its Green Innovation Fund to advance mass-production technologies for single-junction perovskite solar cells.
In September, the Ministry of the Environment announced plans to exclude conventional silicon solar panels from newly introduced subsidy programs starting in fiscal 2027, prioritizing perovskite and other next-generation solar technologies. The policy shift is intended to strengthen Japan’s industrial competitiveness and accelerate the commercialization of emerging photovoltaic technologies.
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Solar-Powered Microgrid in Russia Produces 213 kg of Hydrogen a Year
A modelling and performance study of a household-scale solar microgrid in Ashukino, in the Pushkinsky District of Moscow, Russia, has quantified how much hydrogen a combined off-grid and grid-tied photovoltaic system can produce and store in a year. The interactive PV system, with 11.9 kWp of stand-alone panels and 10.24 kWp of grid-tied panels, was evaluated against the IEC 61724 performance standards, and the results were compared with simulations in PVsyst and with data from the real installation.
The system supplies a detached two-floor house with 100 square metres of floor area, where the off-grid panels sit on the rooftop and the grid-tied panels on the ground. Together the arrays reach a maximum rated power of 22.14 kWp dedicated to hydrogen production. Electricity feeds a 2 kW LEANCAT PEM water electrolyzer, and the hydrogen produced is stored in metal hydride tanks at a low pressure of 30 bars, avoiding both high-pressure compression and cryogenic liquefaction.
The annual energy accounting shows that the stand-alone part generated 5149.7 kWh and the grid-tied part 7297.1 kWh over the year. Of these totals, 4901.214 kWh and 6583.090 kWh respectively were available for hydrogen production. Converting this energy through the electrolyzer’s output of roughly 0.89 kg of hydrogen per 48 kWh of input, the researchers calculated that about 213 kg of hydrogen can be stored annually: approximately 91 kg from the off-grid plant and 122 kg from the grid-tied plant.
Performance was assessed using the standard IEC 61724 metrics, including array yield, final yield, performance ratio, reference yield, and capacity factor. For Ashukino, the annual performance ratio was 53.6%, the capacity factor 5.7%, and the system efficiency 6.79%. The grid-tied portion achieved a much higher performance ratio, around 80%, than the off-grid portion, which reached only 27.19%. The authors attribute the low off-grid ratio to the extreme geographic latitude, constant snow cover, and severe seasonal mismatch, with low sun angles, heavy cloud cover, and short winter daylight hours restricting energy yield and driving battery cycling losses.
The study also examined how battery sizing shapes hydrogen output. Supplying the full 7300 kWh annual load requires a maximum of 59 batteries. If the battery bank is cut to just 8 batteries, the energy the system can supply falls to 891 kWh for hydrogen production, and annual hydrogen output drops to roughly 17 kg. Battery lifetime and degradation were modelled as well, with Ashukino’s battery lifetime figures of 81.2% and 94.7% placing it behind the colder Arctic sites of Murmansk and Norilsk, where low ambient temperatures reduce thermal degradation.
To test how location matters, the team compared Ashukino with Murmansk, Norilsk, Orenburg, and Lensk, cities spanning very different solar exposures across Russia. In the grid-tied ranking, Murmansk produced the most energy for hydrogen production at 6697.610 kWh, followed by Ashukino at 6583.090 kWh and Orenburg at 6521.550 kWh. For the stand-alone system, Orenburg led with 4973.972 kWh, ahead of Ashukino and Lensk. In Norilsk, at 69.35 degrees north, the long polar winter meant the stand-alone system produced no hydrogen energy at all in December, and very little in January.
Counterintuitively, the sites with the lowest solar radiation showed some of the best conversion efficiency. Ashukino and Murmansk recorded the highest performance ratios, 53.81% and 53.59%, despite having the least irradiation, which the authors link to cold Arctic temperatures improving the modules’ electrical efficiency. Orenburg, despite very high solar radiation, had the lowest performance ratio at 49.08% but the highest capacity factor at 5.86%, reflecting an advantageous combination of sunlight, temperature, and atmospheric clarity in the Southern Urals.
The electrolyzer itself operates in three states across the year: producing hydrogen from March through the end of September, switching off from December through February when its energy is instead stored in batteries, and standing by in October and November. Based on the electrolyzer efficiency curve simulated for five Russian cities, the study reports that in the grid-tied PV system, system efficiency is higher in colder weather regions, consistent with the pattern seen in the city comparison.
The techno-economic assessment, built on an initial investment of $10,000 and a loan of $100,000, yields a levelized cost of hydrogen of 7.34 to 11.71 dollars per kilogram while loan costs are being paid off over ten years. After the loan is cleared, the calculated LCOH falls to 1.4 to 3.5 dollars per kilogram, a range the authors say aligns with large-scale, low-carbon hydrogen and would be economically viable for industrial use and heavy transport. The financial model also reports a return on investment of 1889% over the 25-year horizon, meaning $18.89 of net profit for every dollar invested under the modelled assumptions.
The system was modelled in PVsyst and the simulated data compared with the real installation; despite differences in how the panels are arranged, the results match. The authors frame the work as a step toward operational criteria and standards for hydrogen production from interactive solar plants under IEA-PVPS Task 20, and note that the approach, designed for cold climates, could be extended to warm regions as well. As a single-household modelling and validation study, its economic conclusions rest on the assumed costs and financing structure rather than measured market performance, but it offers a detailed, standards-based template for microgrid-scale solar hydrogen storage in northern latitudes.
Subject of Research: Performance and techno-economic analysis of a microgrid-scale solar hydrogen production and storage system in Russia
Article Title: Performance analysis of the microgrid-scale hydrogen energy storage in Russia
Article References: Pezeshki, Z., Sultanguzin, I., Yavorovsky, Y. V., & Skorobatyuk, A. (2026). Performance analysis of the microgrid-scale hydrogen energy storage in Russia. Carbon Neutral Systems, 2(1), Article 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44438-026-00032-4
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1007/s44438-026-00032-4
Keywords: hydrogen storage, photovoltaics, microgrid, PEM electrolyzer, metal hydride, Russia, PVsyst, IEC 61724, performance ratio, levelized cost of hydrogen, battery storage, renewable energy
News Source: Faith Mcneil. (October 29, 2026). Solar-Powered Microgrid in Russia Produces 213 kg of Hydrogen a Year. Scienmag.
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First Solar inaugurates 1.7GW initial phase of South Carolina module manufacturing facility  PV Tech
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Nine Thousand Europeans Reveal Eight Distinct Energy Citizen Personas
A survey of 9,414 people across 16 European countries has been distilled into eight distinct “energy citizen personas,” each representing a statistically separate group of people who differ in what they know about the energy transition, what they are willing to do about it, and what kind of information they need to act. The study, published open access in Energy Informatics, used a Research in the Wild approach from human-computer interaction research to turn raw survey data into design-ready profiles that researchers say can guide the development of energy interfaces, services and local policies.
Energy citizenship describes the participation of individuals and communities in energy ecosystems, whether by adopting green energy solutions, being energy efficient, or forming and joining energy communities. Policymakers view positive and active manifestations of this citizenship as a vital part of the green transition, giving everyone a role in achieving climate targets. But the authors note that not everyone has the same circumstances, willingness or capacity to act. Someone in an apartment block may have no control over installing solar panels yet could agree with other tenants to enroll the building in a demand response scheme, while two low-income households with identical solar potential differ sharply if only one has access to a municipal grant covering the initial outlay.
The research team, led by Ajesh Kumar and colleagues, began with proto-personas, hypothetical profiles created through brainstorming rather than user research. Six of these were positioned on a ladder of participation that conceptualizes energy citizens as progressing from unawareness of energy issues to awareness, activity or advocacy. The proto-personas were tested in an in-situ workshop with 17 participants drawn from six different energy communities across Europe, held at a community-owned renewable biofuel-based power plant. Working in six groups, participants searched through more than 50 types of energy data cards, covering categories such as electric vehicles, solar, heating, smart meters, building informatics and demographics, and matched them to personas to design energy interface scenarios. Most participants found they could conveniently identify information needs this way, validating the approach before the team moved to a broader, data-driven stage.
The survey itself contained 104 questions grouped into six themes, designed by a multidisciplinary team spanning energy and electrical engineering, computer science and social science. It was run online by a professional survey company selected through an open tender, remained available for one month, and was translated into local languages. Respondents were residents of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain, chosen to give a geographical spread across Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Europe. The sample was checked against 2021 Eurostat data, with age and gender quotas set for each country so that it was representative of the adult population in terms of those two dimensions. Participation was voluntary, with incentives provided by the third-party vendor after completion.
To convert the responses into groups, the researchers used ClicoT, a clustering method for mixed-type data that follows the minimum description length principle. It starts with a single cluster and iteratively splits the costliest cluster into two until the total cost, defined as the sum of coding costs for numerical and categorical features plus the model encoding cost, cannot be improved. A key feature is its use of concept trees that preserve semantic relationships, so that, for example, solar PV and wind remain related under the category of renewables, which the authors say acts as a guardrail preventing arbitrary or noise-driven partitions. Before clustering, the data was pre-processed into 163 features, 59 numerical and 104 categorical, from an original set of 101 numerical and 474 categorical variables. Demographic and background information such as age, income, gender, family composition and occupation was deliberately excluded from the clustering parameters to prevent bias, then reintroduced later as explanatory factors.
The clustering produced eight interpretable clusters, which a six-member expert panel then contextualized over three iterations into personas. The panel analyzed 62 cluster snapshots, visualizations of responses to 62 selected questions covering aspects such as background, relationship with energy and environment, attitude, proficiency, policy context, information sources and trust, emotion, personal experience and satisfaction, using color-coded notes on a shared board to record the most prominent attributes of each cluster. Each final profile includes a label, a position on the ladder of participation, a summary description with potential motivators, persona-specific statements and aspirations, and information guidelines for designing intuitive interfaces.
The eight personas span the ladder from unaware to advocate and differ along five dimensions: motivation, whether environmental concern, social belonging or financial reasoning; resource constraints such as income, tenure and technological access; perception of agency, meaning belief about whether individual action matters; trust and information practices; and energy and digital literacy. Among them, the Energy Practical and Energy Advocate personas are the most involved in energy transition activities and both are likely to advocate for climate topics in their social circles, though Energy Practical personas think more frugally about investments given their economic situation. The Energy Indifferent persona is typically unaware of the harmful impacts of fossil fuel-based energy consumption and believes individual contribution is insignificant, whereas the Energy Skeptic is aware of environmental issues but appears deterred by a lack of trust in both official and unofficial information sources.
Other contrasts are telling. Energy Constrained and Energy Mindful both sit at the aware level, but Energy Constrained is the largest cluster with the greatest share of older people, constrained by circumstances from participating, while Energy Mindful is the smallest cluster with the most younger respondents, who may lack independence or resources now but whose circumstances have more potential to change over time. Energy Social and Energy Investor are both active without necessarily advocating to others: Energy Social personas participate because they enjoy the social aspects of green action and give more time to initiatives, while Energy Investor personas care about the environment but prefer to contribute through investments. Geographically, Energy Investor personas are most prominent in Southern European countries such as Portugal and Spain, which receive more sunlight and saw more energy transition investment, and less common in Finland, where northern latitudes limit the scope for solar energy.
The authors are careful about scope. The survey was conducted only in a European context and does not reflect energy citizenship beyond these geographical boundaries, so the personas should not be used to inform global policy; new research would be needed to extend their applicability. The survey was also written to identify positive actions people take or intend to take toward the green transition, so no cluster mapped to the active-negative part of the scale, meaning personas representing opposition, such as people framed as NIMBYists who resist wind farms for aesthetic, visual or ecological reasons, are not captured. The team argues such personas may be particularly important for revealing conflicts between the positive actions of one group and the negative actions of another. They also note the personas should remain valid even as individuals move between levels of participation, since the profiles capture information needs rather than fixed populations.
The personas are framed as design-led tools rather than marketing segments, intended for the pre-design phase to elicit energy information needs rather than to target customers after acquisition. The authors suggest applications ranging from co-creation workshops for Positive Energy Districts, where the personas have already been tested in two settings as gamified characters, to communication of energy information, gamified energy transition games, and policy design such as identifying where and to whom grants should be offered. The survey data and model may be made available on request, and the process, from questionnaire design through clustering to contextualization, is described as transferable to other contexts with similar datasets.
Subject of Research: Development of eight energy citizen personas from a 16-country European survey to identify people's energy information needs
Article Title: Identifying people’s energy information needs through Energy Citizen Personas
Article References: Kumar, A., Kuronen, T., Naqvi, B., Annala, S., Lensu, L., Massari, M., Boulanger, S. O. M., & Wolff, A. (2026). Identifying people’s energy information needs through Energy Citizen Personas. Energy Informatics, 9(1), Article 76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42162-026-00691-0
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s42162-026-00691-0
Keywords: energy citizenship, personas, energy transition, survey, clustering, ClicoT, Research in the Wild, energy information, human-computer interaction, Europe, energy communities, green transition
News Source: Denise Maddox. (October 28, 2026). Nine Thousand Europeans Reveal Eight Distinct Energy Citizen Personas. Scienmag.
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“Basically making a profit at this point.”
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For one Pennsylvania homeowner, loving solar came easy. On Reddit, they shared that adding solar cut their monthly electric bills by hundreds of dollars. 
“This is Why I love Solar!” they exclaimed, noting that their September electric bill has dropped to $37 from the $308 they initially paid when they purchased the house. They saw similar results in October, paying $28 for electricity instead of $164. 
What’s more, their current balance due was -$616.49. They posted a bar graph showing how drastic their savings became with 1:1 net metering.  
A commenter from Virginia described a similar return, with their highest electric bill being $135. They attributed that bill to the fact that they had “energy sucking equipment for my home based business and was using it a LOT the first year.” 
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, and pairing solar with energy-efficient equipment can enhance those returns.
Solar leases, in particular, can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings with no upfront costs. Homeowners curious about their potential savings can use EasyHome‘s free explorer tool to see offers from vetted installers in their area.
Policy and production shape solar savings, with the value of sending extra power back to the grid varying widely by state. As the Pennsylvania homeowner explained, their 1:1 net metering and SRECs — or Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, a performance-based incentive —  resulted in a $1,000 payout in May. 
While the Virginia homeowner said their region’s rules weren’t as favorable to solar customers, they said their system was “basically making a profit at this point anyway.”
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
“Love my solar panels and what they do for me,” they added. 
“Feels great don’t it!  Plus you know your electricity is not increasing any pollution other than what was done to produce the equipment!” another remarked. 
Because they saved earlier utility statements, the homeowner could compare the installer’s projected payback with real-world results over time. 
They said, “Luckily I kept my old bills so I have been able to do a lot of analysis.”
If you’re shopping around, EasyHome‘s free explorer tool can help you compare solar options from vetted installers and explore backup battery storage. Pairing solar with a battery lets homeowners maximize savings and keep the lights on when the grid goes down.
Homeowners across the country have seen solar transform their electric bills. 
• In Pennsylvania, one homeowner headed into winter with 3,054 kWh banked and no bill.
• In New Hampshire, solar made $200 power bills fall to about $4 monthly.
• One homeowner’s solar and mini-split erased a $100 electric bill while still exporting power.
• In Texas, a homeowner said the electric balance hit -$7,000 after payoff.
• In Massachusetts, one homeowner expected a $0 solar bill but waited on National Grid.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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Bordeaux Métropole and GreenYellow Inaugurate a 3.65 MWp Solar Plant in Bacalan  energynews.pro
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Scatec has signed $217 million in non-recourse loans with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the first phase of its Dandara project in Egypt, and has started construction.
The first phase combines 569 MW of solar with 100 MWh of battery storage and has a capital cost of USD 271 million, the Norwegian developer said. It is due to begin commercial operation in the first half of 2028, with construction of the second phase expected to start in the first half of 2027. Scatec will act as engineering, procurement and construction contractor, and will provide asset management and operations and maintenance services.
Scatec will hold 56% of the project, while National Bank of Egypt is joining with a 20% stake.
The plant is expected to generate about 1.4 TWh a year and avoid more than 550,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Scatec said it will help Egypt Aluminium meet evolving trade-related environmental standards.
Egypt signed a preliminary $650 million financing agreement for the full Dandara project earlier this week, according to Reuters.
Scatec signed the power purchase agreement with Egypt Aluminium in March 2025. In August, it completed its 1.1 GW Obelisk solar-plus-storage plant in Egypt, and in January it signed a power purchase agreement for a 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery project in the country.
Egypt aims to source 42% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Its electricity ministry said in February that it planned to add 3 GW of solar and 600 MW of battery storage in 2026.
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C&I rooftop activity is tapering off in some places, while other European markets are experiencing strong growth. Racking systems, the metal components that attach solar panels to rooftops, for example, are easy to overlook, but they are nonetheless a very important part of a solar installation. For the PV industry, they’re also an important indicator …
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ILLINOIS ROUND-UP: Arevon finances Big Muddy project, developers advance community solar projects  PV Tech
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A worker looks at a solar module at a factory in Huaian in China’s Jiangsu province on December 17, 2025. / AFP
Beijing’s latest export-control proposals mark a significant shift in how it intends to manage its technological rise. China’s ministries of commerce and of science and technology proposed adding 40 technologies across AI, advanced gene and cell technology, and solar power to a catalogue of prohibited or restricted exports. Fourteen would be subject to complete export bans and another 26 to restrictions. A public consultation will run until Nov. 15, but registration requirements for certain technology transfers have already taken effect.
China has spent years expanding its manufacturing base, attracting foreign investment and building expertise in technologies that other economies are now trying to develop domestically. Having established a strong position in several of these, China is growing more and more chary of them.
The shift is particularly visible in solar manufacturing. China dominates the global supply chain for solar panels and the equipment to produce them. Restricting access could preserve that advantage as the U.S., India and European countries attempt to build competing production capacity.
Beijing portrays the proposed measures as necessary for national security and the responsible management of sensitive technologies, and these concerns cannot simply be dismissed, but the breadth of the measures raises larger questions.
Solar power provides the clearest example. China accounts for more than 80 percent of global solar-panel component production and is home to the world’s leading suppliers of solar manufacturing equipment. Its dominance extends across much of the supply chain, from polysilicon and wafers to cells and finished modules. This concentration has helped drive down the cost of solar power worldwide, but it has also made other countries dependent on Chinese production and expertise.
This April, Chinese officials were already considering restrictions on exports of advanced solar manufacturing equipment to the United States. following reports that Tesla was seeking to buy approximately US$2.9 billion worth of equipment from Chinese suppliers as part of its plans to establish large-scale solar manufacturing in America. The proposed restrictions could have affected equipment used to manufacture so-called high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells.
The concern in Beijing was not simply that the technology might be transferred to a strategic rival: a successful American manufacturing expansion could also create a formidable competitor for Chinese producers at a time when their domestic industry was already struggling with overcapacity and financial pressure.
The October proposals now give this concern a broader institutional form. Rather than relying only on tariffs or restricting access to imported foreign technology, China is considering tighter control over the export of its own technological capabilities.
In 2023, Beijing introduced licensing requirements for exports of gallium and germanium, two materials used in semiconductors, defense electronics, fiberoptics and other advanced technologies. It subsequently tightened controls on graphite, a key material for battery anodes. In December 2024, it prohibited exports of certain dual-use items to U.S. military users or for military end uses and tightened restrictions on several critical materials destined for the U.S.
The effects were not confined to diplomatic statements. Chinese gallium exports fell sharply after the introduction of controls, while restrictions on germanium disrupted established supply relationships. By May 2025, gallium prices in Rotterdam had reportedly reached US$687 per kilogram, more than 150 percent above pre-control levels.
The controls did not permanently deprive foreign industries of these materials: buyers adjusted procurement, accumulated inventories and explored alternative suppliers. But substitution takes time, particularly where production depends on specialized refining processes and limited alternative capacity.
The episode demonstrated that China does not need to ban every export to influence another country’s industrial calculations. Licensing requirements, uncertainty over approvals, and the possibility of delayed shipments can themselves affect investment decisions. The new technology proposals extend this logic beyond raw materials toward the knowledge and equipment required to manufacture advanced products.
The new controls on AI are particularly significant because they go beyond physical equipment. China wants to restrict 23 technologies including certain models, AI agents and computing-cluster technologies. The measures would regulate their overseas transfer or deployment, while access through application programming interfaces, websites, applications and software-as-a-service platforms would remain exempt. Publicly available technologies, like those found in academic papers or open-source projects, would also fall outside the proposed controls.
That would suggest Beijing is not seeking to prevent all international use of Chinese AI. What it wants is greater control over the underlying technology that companies might otherwise transfer to foreign partners. For firms such as DeepSeek and Alibaba, the rules could allow continued international expansion while placing tighter limits on the transfer of proprietary capabilities. Yet they also introduce uncertainty over which technologies can be licensed, transferred or incorporated into overseas operations.
Restricting technology transfers may help China retain commercially valuable intellectual property. But it could also complicate collaborations, licensing agreements and the movement of research capabilities between countries. The eventual effects will depend on how the rules are defined and enforced, but the direction is clear: Beijing wants greater authority over the international movement of technologies it considers strategically important.
There are ironies here. China has long benefited from foreign investment, international research collaboration and access to overseas markets. Its industrial development was supported not only by domestic policy but also by the movement of capital, equipment, expertise and intellectual property across borders. Now that Chinese companies have established competitive advantages of their own, Beijing is suddenly becoming more selective about which technologies can travel across borders and which cannot.
China is of course also taking the risk that tighter controls will encourage other countries to accelerate efforts to reduce their dependence on Chinese technology. U.S. investment in domestic solar manufacturing, India’s production-linked incentives for solar equipment and Europe’s bid to strengthen clean-technology supply chains all reflect that desire. In other words, measures intended to preserve China’s technological lead could make foreign governments less willing to depend on it in the long term.
The restrictions are not yet a settled policy. The consultation process could change the scope of the controls, and the distinction between prohibited exports, licensed transfers and permitted commercial access will determine their practical impact.
Nevertheless, they reveal an important change in Beijing’s priorities. Technological success is no longer only about producing goods more cheaply or capturing larger shares of global markets but increasingly about controlling the capabilities that allow other countries to produce those goods themselves.
In many ways thatt is a logical response to American technology restrictions and intensifying strategic competition. But the approach also carries costs. The central question is whether China intends to remain the world’s leading supplier of advanced technologies or to use its position to determine how far others can advance. The two objectives are not necessarily incompatible, but the more Beijing relies on export controls to preserve its lead, the more likely it is that other economies will treat dependence on Chinese technology as a liability.
Chandu Doddi is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Chandu Doddi is an assistant professor at the Centre for Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
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Romania’s largest shopping mall owner launches 56 MW PV park  Romania Insider
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The Autumn issue of 2026 is available now! The new issue begins with a regional report on Asia Pacific, looking at the region’s transition from building capacity to building systems. The issue also explores topics such as offshore wind foundations, solar maintenance, training the new workforce, inspection & maintenance, and more! With insights from experts such as Everllence, BW Ideol, EM&I, Watson Farley & Williams, and many more, make sure to check out this issue now.
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Qualitas Energy has secured US$286 million in financing for a 259 MW renewable energy portfolio with 840 MWh of storage in Chile.
Qualitas Energy, a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on investment and development in renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure, has secured a US$286 million non-recourse financing package covering its entire Chilean portfolio under Qualitas Energy Fund V (QE V), comprising 259 MW of renewable energy generation capacity and 840 MWh of battery storage.
The portfolio financing encompasses eight assets across three renewable generation technologies: 66 MW of operational run-of-river hydroelectric assets; a 154 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) project incorporating 840 MWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS); and 39 MW of onshore wind capacity.
The solar PV, BESS, and wind projects are currently under construction and are expected to achieve commercial operation in 2028. The portfolio is backed by long-term power purchase agreements with leading offtake companies, providing revenue visibility and supporting the financing structure. Together, these assets reinforce Qualitas Energy’s renewable energy platform in Chile, diversified across technologies and geographies.
The US$286 million green financing package includes senior non-recourse project financing, letters of credit, and a VAT facility. The financing was provided by BNP Paribas and Banco Santander, with BNP Paribas acting as Sole Structuring Bank, Global Co-ordinator, and Green Loan Co-ordinator, and Banco Santander as Administrative Agent, Joint Lead Arranger, and Joint Bookrunner.
Cristóbal Santa Cruz, Managing Partner, Co-Chief Investor Relations Officer, Strategy & Chile at Qualitas Energy, commented: “This transaction reflects Qualitas Energy’s ability to create value by integrating technologies and building diversified portfolios, capturing the portfolio benefit across hydroelectric, solar PV, BESS, and wind projects in a single financing. Supported by leading international banks, we continue to manage our assets throughout their lifecycle and to advance the energy transition in Chile.”
Qualitas Energy was advised by White & Case (New York) and Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría (Chile). Milbank (New York) and SCLB Abogados (Chile) acted as legal advisers to the lenders.
For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.
The Autumn issue of 2026 is available now! The new issue begins with a regional report on Asia Pacific, looking at the region’s transition from building capacity to building systems. The issue also explores topics such as offshore wind foundations, solar maintenance, training the new workforce, inspection & maintenance, and more! With insights from experts such as Everllence, BW Ideol, EM&I, Watson Farley & Williams, and many more, make sure to check out this issue now.

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Thailand’s cabinet has approved a 50 billion baht (approximately USD 1.48 billion) rooftop solar programme as part of the government’s energy transition policy. The scheme aims to help one million households install rooftop solar panels within a year, according to an earlier statement by the country’s energy minister. The initiative is intended to reduce households’ exposure to rising energy prices linked to the Iran war. The programme’s approval marks a step in Thailand’s plans to expand household solar adoption, although further implementation details were not included in the supplied report.
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Thailand’s cabinet has approved a 50 billion baht (approximately USD 1.48 billion) rooftop solar programme aimed at helping one million households install solar panels within a year. A finance ministry official confirmed the approval, according to Reuters. 
The programme is part of the government’s energy transition policy and is intended to help households manage rising energy costs. Thailand’s energy minister had outlined the plan last month, saying the initiative would help protect citizens from soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war. 
The scheme is expected to expand household access to solar power by supporting installations across the country. The government’s target is to help one million households adopt rooftop solar systems within a year, although the supplied report does not specify the eligibility criteria, subsidy amount per household or registration process under the approved programme. 
The approval follows earlier government discussions on financial assistance for household solar installations. Before the cabinet decision, officials had discussed a proposed subsidy of 50,000 baht per household, alongside measures intended to help households reduce electricity expenses and encourage greater use of renewable energy. 
The programme’s implementation will depend on the detailed rules governing household eligibility, financial assistance and the installation process. Clear guidance on registration and the timeline for accessing support will be important for households considering solar power. The one-year target also makes the pace of implementation a key factor to watch. As Thailand seeks to expand renewable energy use and reduce exposure to imported energy costs, the scheme’s reach will depend on how effectively the government translates cabinet approval into installations for eligible households.
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CHANGSHA — In remote northwestern Zambia, a new job related to a solar project has put steady food on the table and provided a little extra cash for 26-year-old Green, an orphan who has been unable to speak since birth.
Green lives in Jifumpa Village, beside the Ruida Mine. Formal work is scarce there. He once scraped by helping neighbors harvest corn and taking casual odd jobs, with no reliable income.
That changed in October 2024, when Chinese firm Sany Microgrid began building a solar-plus-storage facility nearby. Green was hired to clear land, haul materials and carry out other basic tasks. He often signals his thanks to his Chinese co-workers with smiles and hand gestures.
The site combines solar panels, battery storage and diesel generators. It delivers consistent power to the mine while trimming fossil fuel reliance.
“Beyond building power facilities, energy projects in many remote parts of Africa can also create opportunities for local disadvantaged groups to improve their lives through work,” said Guo Ruiguang, chairman of Sany Microgrid.
The company now runs microgrid work across Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and other African nations. It has developed more than 60 installations for industrial parks, ports and other sites.
A June 2026 report from United Nations agencies estimates roughly 655 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, including more than 560 million in sub-Saharan Africa.
For communities receiving their first dependable electricity supply, this green energy partnership carries wide-ranging impact.
Chen Jiequn, chairman of Chinese company Leiming Technology, still recalls one family’s reaction when workers fitted a solar system to their home in rural West Africa: five children stared wide-eyed at bulbs hanging from the rafters, as light flooded their thatched hut for the first time.
Since 2016, backed by the World Bank and the UN Development Program, the firm has rolled out off-grid solar schemes across Africa, bringing power to about 13 million people.
“Seeing lights dispel the darkness gives us a strong sense of fulfillment, when our products are used in local homes, schools and hospitals,” Chen said.
China-Africa green energy ties have moved beyond simple equipment sales into workforce training.
In Nigeria’s Bayelsa State, Hunan Red Solar New Energy Science and Technology Co Ltd reworked corrosion-resistant solar hardware and materials to withstand the region’s hot, humid, rainy conditions. It trains local staff to run and maintain solar and battery systems and has built up a domestic team for warehousing, technical support and after-sales care.
The effort aligns with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-27). The document urges broader renewable energy cooperation covering solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and green hydrogen, plus more skills exchanges and training for African professionals, entrepreneurs and community members.
China-backed schemes are turning the plan into reality. In Mali, China Geo-Engineering Corporation’s solar demonstration village project has installed more than 1,000 solar power facilities, reaching more than 10,000 residents. At Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, solar power enables a small cinema that broadcasts football matches.
“China-Africa green energy cooperation has not only supported Africa’s industrialization but also addressed the everyday needs of ordinary people,” said Xiao Hao, executive dean of the Institute of African Studies at Hunan University.
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Robots take over delicate coating tasks in solar cell labs, raising hopes for faster perovskite research and commercialization
4:20 p.m. Oct 29, 2026

“Robots now assist with experimental processes that are difficult for humans to control manually.”

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology showcased the future of an “automated laboratory,” where robots assist human scientists in performing solution processes, at “Smart Energy Plus 2026,” held on the 29th at Hall B of COEX in Seoul Samsung-dong.

The Photonic Energy Research Center at the institute is building an “AI-automated laboratory” that incorporates robots into the solar cell development process. Solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. The center is developing perovskite-based solar cells. Unlike silicon, which loses efficiency in the absence of light, perovskite is a new material that maintains high energy efficiency even at low illuminance levels and is lightweight and flexible enough to be installed on curved surfaces.

In particular, it can be mass-produced relatively easily and cheaply by coating solutions onto substrates, drawing attention as a next-generation solar cell technology.

However, the path to finding an “optimal design” is not easy. Even in solution processing alone, numerous variables exist. If the solution application speed, the gap between the pipette (a glass tube used for transferring liquids) and the substrate, or the time between process stages varies even slightly, experimental results can be significantly affected.

A six-axis robotic arm being developed by the research team is deployed in this process. The robot performs the processes of thinning the solution into a film and stacking the films.

Kim Beom-soo, senior researcher at the Photonic Energy Research Center who leads the research, explained, “When humans conduct experiments, there are variables that cannot be controlled through manuals alone, and it is also difficult to 100% perfectly transfer the know-how gained from previous experience when continuing subsequent experiments.” He added, “Introducing robots will improve the accuracy and reproducibility of experiments and ensure the continuity of research.”

The team has also built a digital twin system that simulates the solar cell device fabrication process to collect necessary learning data. This project is scheduled for completion this year. Senior researcher Kim stated, “We have collected tens of thousands of experimental data points accumulated over four to five years,” adding, “An AI model trained on this data can quickly identify and report issues in solar cell processes or materials.”

Through these efforts, the institute’s research team aims to improve the efficiency of perovskite solar cell research and take a step closer to commercialization. Senior researcher Kim stated, “We will actively develop and introduce AI and automation systems for the early commercialization of perovskite solar cells.”
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“We should be giving every resident of the state of New York the option to reduce their bills.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A bill in New York could let residents get some of the benefits of solar by plugging a solar panel into a standard wall outlet, though the savings may not match the simplicity.
The SUNNY Act passed both chambers of the New York Legislature in May, and advocates are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign it, News12 Hudson Valley reported after a rally outside Kingston City Hall. If enacted, the measure would legalize plug-in solar panels, also known as balcony solar panels.
SOLAR IN A SOCKET? ☀️ Advocates rallied in Kingston today, urging Gov. Hochul to sign a bill allowing plug-in solar panels to help cut electric bills. But how much could they really save — & what about safety concerns? The costs, controversy & push for change on @News12HV. https://t.co/ZqqpPAiGWk
These systems are smaller than standard rooftop solar installations, and they rely on an inverter to turn sunlight into usable electricity. Supporters say this technology could give both homeowners and renters a lower-cost way to ease the pressure of rising utility bills.
“We should be giving every resident of the state of New York the option to reduce their bills,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
A panel rated at roughly 390 watts may generate about one to two kilowatt-hours on a sunny day. Based on federal energy data, that’s about 5% to 10% of a typical New York household’s daily electricity use.
Advocates said plug-in solar systems can cost from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on size and features. 
However, for households with a suitable roof, getting a full solar setup is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Solar leases can also deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings without any upfront costs. Readers can use EasyHome‘s free explorer tool to see their potential savings from vetted installers in their area.
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said the appeal of plug-in solar opens a door that would otherwise be shut for many in the city.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
“We have so many Kingstonians who do not have access to their own rooftops and may not be able to qualify for some of our solarized programs,” Noble said, pointing to the role the systems could play for apartment dwellers and others in buildings that cannot support rooftop solar.
Woodstock homeowner Bennet Ratcliff brought his own setup to the demonstration and showed how the panel connects through an inverter before going into a wall outlet.
Because he is still disputing earlier usage with his electric company, Ratcliff said he cannot yet say exactly how much electricity the system is producing or how much money it is saving him. He noted that while the systems may help reduce a bill, the payoff depends on actual output, local electricity rates, and the upfront cost of the equipment.
With the bill already through the Legislature, supporters in Kingston are focused on persuading Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act. They argued that legalizing plug-in solar would open a lower-cost option for people who cannot install full rooftop systems.
Whether the savings are worth it depends on comparing the one-to-two-kilowatt-hour output of a roughly 390-watt panel in sunny conditions with a household’s daily power use and the upfront cost of the equipment.
EasyHome‘s free explorer tool can simplify solar comparisons, especially for readers weighing a small plug-in setup against a larger rooftop system. EasyHome can also help readers explore backup battery options, and pairing solar with a battery lets homeowners maximize savings and keep the lights on when the grid goes down.
If the law changes, plug-in panels could help residents without a workable roof, as Noble suggested. But for households looking for dramatic cuts to their electric bills, the figures shared at the Kingston rally indicate the benefits would likely be limited, and a full rooftop setup may be a better option.
As Ratcliff put it at the demonstration, “This isn’t going to take care of all your energy, but it will take care of some of it.”
For more on how plug-in and DIY solar rules are playing out, these stories cover utility approval fights, permitting rules, legalization efforts in other states, and the hardware making balcony systems possible.
• In New York City, officials pushed for plug-in solar without utility approval as Hochul weighs the SUNNY Act.
• A New York homeowner learned local permits decide the rules when DIY solar legality looked uncertain.
• Another New York resident found permits come before the inverter when planning a backyard solar setup.
• In California, regulators tested balcony solar in a legal gray area for renters facing steep bills.
• As eight states moved to legalize balcony systems, the first U.S.-certified plug-in inverter reached the market.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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Top Portable Power Station Manufacturer Qingdao Chenyang Expands Energy Storage Solutions  EIN News
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In Chapel Hill, access to clean energy often depends less on your environmental values than on whether you own a roof.
As a student at Chapel Hill, I pass buildings powered sustainably every day. But the gap is hard to ignore: many of the people who need lower energy bills the most, like students, renters and working families, are least likely to benefit from rooftop solar. 
According to the United States Census Bureau, only 47.4 percent of Chapel Hill’s occupied housing units are owner-occupied ⁠— yet, most clean-energy policies assume that people own their own homes. Renters often cannot install solar panels because they do not own their rooftops and even if they have the authority to do so, rooftop solar does not work for buildings that are too old or lack enough space for solar panels. According to UNC sustainability staff, even if every suitable rooftop on campus were covered with solar panels, it would provide only about 5 percent of the University’s total energy demand. 
There is also a problem: the incentives do not align. Property owners have to pay for the installation, but tenants are the ones who get to save money. So why would property owners want to invest? This split incentive problem has slowed down the use of solar energy in rental homes all over the country.
However, the solution already exists: Community Solar. 
Community Solar lets multiple families share one solar project and receive electricity bill credits without installing rooftop panels. These credits reduce the amount participants pay on their electricity bills. This model directly addresses the barriers faced by renters ⁠— it does not rely on rooftop ownership, circumvents structural constraints, and, most importantly, gives access to people who have been excluded for a long time. 
Research shows that community solar can reach renters and low-income households more effectively than rooftop solar. But policy design is crucial, because renters could still be left behind if programs are not properly designed. Therefore, electricity savings must be accessible to renters and low-income households, bill credits must be clearly explained and joining or leaving a program must be simple and transparent. 
Chapel Hill has already taken steps toward clean energy, but current policies still favor those who own property. That is not only inefficient, but also inequitable.
This matters because energy policy is not just about abstract climate targets, but affects real households, real monthly bills and whether ordinary residents can participate in the town’s clean-energy future. For students, renters and working families facing high living costs, bill credits and cleaner power can make daily life more affordable while helping Chapel Hill move toward its climate goals.
We can do better. Local leaders should expand access to community solar programs and
prioritize renters and students in their design. They need to work with utilities, developers and UNC to create accessible, affordable and scalable projects. This is not just about solar panels, but about who gets to participate in the energy transition. If Chapel Hill wants a sustainable future, renters, students and working families must be part of it.
Clean energy should not depend on whether you own a roof, but on whether you are part of the community.
— Ningxi Li, UNC sophomore studying Business Administration and Economics 

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Solar panels belong on the roof? The Vienna start-up Spectral is turning entire facades into power plants and has just unveiled its “Structural Solar Façade.” The system replaces conventional facade cladding with semi-transparent photovoltaic modules and, according to the company, can be retrofitted to existing buildings with little effort.
The first installation hangs on the Eisfabrik, an ice factory in Vienna’s Brigittenau district, where it has been producing electricity since September, according to Spectral’s press release. The key figures of the pilot project:
The City of Vienna supports the project in principle as part of its solar power initiative, without direct funding. The engineering firm Bollinger + Grohmann handled the structural engineering, Werner Sobek did the detailed planning, and Montron GmbH carried out the installation.
At the heart of the system is a proprietary mounting system that allows the modules to be attached to existing buildings quickly and with minimal intervention. In addition to generating electricity, the facade is meant to act as sun protection, shading buildings during increasingly hot summers while light still reaches the interior through the semi-transparent modules. Spectral is targeting industrial, logistics and office buildings, public buildings and multistory residential buildings, both in new construction and in renovation.
Spectral was founded by the architects Zsuzsa Péter and Anna Gulinska, who set up the company as spectral design GmbH in early 2024 and each own half of it. Their approach is that solar systems should be part of the architecture and have their own aesthetic quality. The two founders say systems like this could help shape the look of buildings and cities in a more sustainable future.
Spectral is not alone in the market for building-integrated photovoltaics. In Austria, Ertex Solar in Amstetten has been producing solar glass for facades and glass roofs for years. In Switzerland, Megasol offers colored facade modules, and the Canadian manufacturer Mitrex sells solar panels that look like brick, stone or metal. Spectral, by contrast, relies on a visible, semi-transparent structure that covers existing facades instead of imitating them.
The solar facade is not a sure-fire success, however. The pilot project’s figures work out to about 77 watts peak per square meter. Conventional crystalline silicon roof modules now achieve more than 200 watts peak per square meter. One reason is the 50 percent transparency: Light that passes through the facade is not converted into electricity. In addition, vertically mounted modules capture less sunlight over the year than optimally tilted rooftop systems, although they perform comparatively well in winter when the sun is low. Spectral has not yet disclosed costs or prices.

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As PV cell designs become more advanced, manufacturers face growing demands for precision, throughput and production consistency. Laser processing plays a key role in critical steps, from metallisation and xBC patterning to selective PN-junction removal, edge passivation and cell cutting. ATW (Wuxi Autowell Technology Co., Ltd.) provides equipment for these applications, combining precise laser processing, high throughput, cell-breakage control and production-line integration to support stable manufacturing of advanced PV cells. 
The Role of Laser Processing in PV Manufacturing 
New cell architectures bring new manufacturing challenges. Manufacturers must control processing quality, handle different cell sizes and maintain consistent output at production scale. Achieving these goals depends on both cell design and the equipment used to manufacture it. 
Laser processing offers a way to address these challenges. It enables targeted material processing across several stages of cell production. Each application has its own requirements. Metallisation calls for speed and flexibility. xBC patterning demands precise processing and good edge quality. Selective PN-junction removal and edge passivation require control over the processed area. Cell cutting must deliver consistent dimensions while limiting breakage. 
Equipment must also work as part of a wider production system. High processing speed alone is not enough. Manufacturers need reliable handling, effective inspection and smooth integration with neighbouring processes. 
ATW’s PV equipment portfolio covers these key stages. Each solution is designed around the demands of its application, with a focus on processing quality, throughput and production-line compatibility. 
Equipment Solutions for Key Manufacturing Processes 
Laser-Assisted Sintering (LEM): Flexible, High-Efficiency Solutions Across Cell Designs 
ATW offers a comprehensive portfolio of laser-enhanced metallisation (LEM) equipment, featuring an industry-first integration of primary and secondary sintering processes. Designed for diverse cell architectures, the solutions support SMBB, 0BB, and dedicated back-contact (BC) configurations, with both area-scan and line-scan processing modes available. Their modular architecture also enables seamless integration with passivation equipment and inspection systems. 
High throughput and production stability are central to the equipment design. Supporting cell sizes from 182 mm to 230 mm, the systems achieve cycle times of ≤0.65 s and throughput of up to 9,500 UPH. An industry-first dual-cell simultaneous loading and unloading system, combined with mid-cell pressurisation, reduces beat time by 50% compared with conventional single-cell handling. The equipment maintains a cell breakage rate of ≤0.01%, supporting stable, high-volume production. 
Efficiency gains are delivered through both primary and secondary LEM processes. Primary LEM achieves an efficiency improvement of >0.3%, while secondary LEM provides an additional gain of 0.05%. For TOPCon cells, the combined efficiency improvement reaches ≥0.35%, based on BSL. Validated in mass production by leading industry manufacturers, with cumulative equipment installations approaching 40 GW, ATW’s mature multi-spot processing technology also supports retrofitting existing production lines, offering manufacturers a practical route to efficiency improvement while controlling investment costs. 
xBC Laser Patterning: Precision and Heat Control 
Back-contact cell designs require precise patterning to form the intended electrode regions. For xBC cells, edge quality and control of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) are key process considerations. Manufacturers must achieve the required pattern quality while maintaining throughput and supporting automated material handling. 
ATW’s xBC laser patterning  equipment uses a UV picosecond laser optical system and a shaped-beam design. These features support precise pattern opening and help control thermal effects. The equipment also supports carrier loading and automated guided vehicle (AGV) docking, making it easier to connect the process with automated production lines. 
For 210R cells, the specified throughput is at least 4,000 cells per hour. The equipment supports cell sizes from 182 mm to 230 mm and thicknesses from 110 μm to 180 μm. Specified edge-jaggedness is no more than 10 μm, and the HAZ is no more than 10 μm. 
These capabilities address key xBC manufacturing needs: pattern quality, edge consistency, thermal control and automated handling. Results depend on the cell design, pattern geometry, materials and process settings, and should be validated under the intended production conditions. 
Selective PN-Junction Removal and Passivation: Meeting the Needs of Multi-Cut Cells 
As photovoltaic cell designs evolve towards half-cut and multi-cut formats, including three-piece and four-piece configurations, cut-edge processing becomes increasingly important. Cell segmentation can create parasitic shunt paths and increase edge recombination, potentially reducing electrical performance. Manufacturers must therefore control edge-related losses while maintaining low cell-breakage rates, high throughput and reliable equipment operation. 
ATW’s laser processing solution selectively removes the PN junction along the cut edge, forming an electrically isolating region that helps suppress parasitic shunting and reduce edge leakage current. When combined with subsequent ALD side-edge passivation, the process can also help mitigate surface recombination. By addressing these distinct edge-related loss mechanisms, the two processes offer complementary approaches to preserving cell performance and improving power output. 
ATW’s solution supports different process strategies according to cell architecture, segmentation format and investment priorities. 
Component power gain of ≥2 W: Selective laser PN-junction removal alone can deliver a component power gain of ≥2 W under the specified process conditions. 
An alternative for half-cut cells: The laser process is already in mass production. ALD side-edge passivation can deliver an average component power gain of more than 6 W, while requiring a higher initial capital investment. Laser PN-junction removal offers an alternative for manufacturers seeking edge-loss control with lower upfront investment. 
Flexible integration for multi-cut cells: For three-piece and four-piece formats, laser PN-junction removal can be implemented independently or combined with ALD side-edge passivation. The combined approach addresses both parasitic shunting and surface recombination, with the overall benefit depending on cell architecture and process conditions. 
These capabilities help manufacturers balance edge-processing quality, production throughput and equipment availability. The appropriate configuration depends on cell architecture, segmentation format, processing position and downstream process requirements. Validation under actual production conditions is essential to establish the achievable efficiency gains and confirm compatibility with the wider manufacturing line. 
Laser Cell Cutting: Throughput with Integrated Inspection 
Cell cutting prepares cells for module assembly. The process must deliver consistent dimensions while limiting breakage. Inspection is also important: cracks, edge chipping and cutting defects need to be identified before cells move to the next stage. 
ATW’s PV cell laser cutting equipment uses a dual-track configuration and supports inspection before and after cutting. Pre-cut inspection can cover corner and edge chipping, cracks, cell orientation, photoluminescence (PL) and microcracks. Post-cut inspection can identify cutting or splitting failures, cracks, chipping and strip-width variation. 
This combination of cutting and inspection helps manufacturers monitor cell quality throughout the process. Inspection coverage and acceptance criteria can be tailored to production and quality-control requirements. 
In dual-track configuration, the equipment has a specified throughput of at least 11,000 full cells per hour in online operation and at least 14,000 full cells per hour in offline operation. It supports cell sizes from 156 mm to 230 mm and thicknesses from 110 μm to 180 μm. The specified cell-breakage rate is no more than 0.03%. Equipment uptime is at least 99.5%, and cutting accuracy for strips of unequal width is ±0.1 mm. 
These specifications help manufacturers assess the equipment’s suitability for their throughput and quality targets. Actual results depend on operating conditions, equipment configuration and inspection criteria. 
Integrating Equipment into the Production Line 
Machine specifications are only part of the picture. Actual production output also depends on loading, unloading, inspection, material handling and the cycle times of upstream and downstream processes. Processing quality must be assessed under defined operating conditions and against agreed inspection methods. 
Three factors deserve particular attention when selecting laser equipment. 
Process fit. Different cell designs and manufacturing steps require different levels of precision and thermal control. Equipment should be selected according to the target process and cell architecture. 
Line integration. A machine must work at a pace that fits the surrounding production line. Material-transfer systems, automation interfaces and inspection processes all affect overall performance. A machine’s rated throughput does not necessarily reflect the output of the complete line. 
Quality validation. Cell-breakage rate, edge quality, cutting accuracy and equipment uptime should be measured under agreed test conditions. For new installations or line upgrades, manufacturers should define equipment configuration, process windows, test methods and acceptance criteria before deployment. 
ATW’s equipment solutions address different process requirements across PV cell manufacturing. Their suitability depends on the target application and the needs of the production line. Testing under actual operating conditions remains essential to confirm performance. 
Supporting Advanced PV Cell Manufacturing 
Laser processing serves several important functions in PV cell production. It supports metallisation, pattern opening, selective PN-junction removal, edge passivation and cell cutting. As cell designs evolve, manufacturers must balance processing precision with throughput, product compatibility and automation. 
ATW offers equipment solutions for these critical manufacturing stages. By addressing specific process requirements and supporting production-line integration, its equipment gives manufacturers options for implementing different cell designs and production strategies. 
The key is to match equipment capabilities to the intended process. Clear performance targets and validation under defined production conditions help manufacturers assess how a laser-processing system will perform in their own manufacturing environment. 
About ATW 
ATW supplies intelligent manufacturing equipment for the photovoltaic, lithium battery and semiconductor industries. Its PV portfolio covers equipment for cell and module manufacturing, with solutions addressing different production stages. The company focuses on matching equipment design to process requirements, including precision, throughput, yield control and production-line integration. Its PV equipment supports applications such as laser-enhanced metallisation, xBC laser patterning, selective PN-junction removal and passivation, and laser cell cutting, helping manufacturers implement advanced cell designs in volume production.  

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We’ve seen solar spread all over the last few years, and several states in the U.S. have seen widespread adoption of solar panels with people in houses and even apartments adopting the energy solution. While plug-in kits are being considered in more than 30 states, solar panels still mostly sit at one fixed angle all day while the sun moves across the sky, and that plays a big part in what time of day is best for solar panels to actually generate power. One way to improve how much sun solar panels are getting is to use trackers that can tilt a panel to follow the sun. And now, a 13-year-old in Massachusetts has built one for around $25.
Jason Chang, a seventh grade attending Worcester Academy built his own solar tracker that moves using water and gravity instead of a motor. He got the idea from the solar-powered Christmas lights his family has, since his mom was always asking him to move them around so they’d get sun. “What if I could fix this problem?” Chang asked himself. So he set out to find that answer.
The tracker has a set of containers filled with water on a frame that rocks like a seesaw, and the water drips out slowly into a bucket on one side. Once the bucket gets heavy enough, it pulls that side down and the panel tilts with the sun as the day goes on. “All you have to do is pull on the plug and the water starts flowing,” he told CBS. He says it didn’t make sense to have to use electricity to generate electricity. Another exciting aspect of Chang’s tracker is that he used mostly recycled and simple parts to create it.
Chang tested it outside against a regular fixed solar panel and his tracker put out about 20% in additional voltage. Chang says he worked on the tracker for more than a year and wrote down every step in a notebook. The most difficult part, according to his comments to CBS, was figuring out the fluid control frame, as the measurements had to be very precise. Unfortunately, the current version of the tracker doesn’t do well in the cold since the water freezes, and it evaporates when it’s hot, so he’s working on another version that could work for year-round use.
A regular single-axis tracker can increase production by 25% to 35% and dual-axis trackers can get up to around 40%, but they cost anywhere from $500 to more than $1,000 per panel and utilize motors and moving parts that require maintenance. Adding a couple more fixed panels usually costs less than that,  but, with a tracker like Chang’s, it could become more viable.
Plug-in solar is more aimed at renters who can’t put panels up on a roof. Because all you need to do here is set the panel up on a balcony and plug it into a regular outlet. While kits can be expensive, there are some ways to get them for as low as $285, though the company that offers this does require a monthly membership to unlock that discount. Still, having a tracker attached to one could help make it easier to track the sun from an apartment balcony. California legalized plug-in solar on September 30, and the law goes into effect at the start of 2027. But if you’re curious whether one would pay off, there’s a free tool that calculates exactly how much plug-in solar saves on your electric bill. 
Chang thinks his tracker could also help off-grid communities, developing regions and disaster zones, and this project was enough to get him named one of 55 National STEM Champions this year, along with a trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C. The festival’s co-founder, Jenny Buccos, called him “one of the 55 reasons to believe the future is in incredible hands.” Right now, the tracker is only a prototype, and there’s no guarantee a real version of it will ever be sold.

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Haridwar- based Luno Solar has embarked on a major manufacturing expansion at a fresh location in energing solar hub, Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh. The company marked the groundbreaking of its proposed Luno Renewable Park on 12 October 2026 at the Mohasa-Babai Industrial Area in Narmadapuram. The planned 45-acre facility will combine solar-cell and module manufacturing with inverter and battery-storage production.
Luno Solar has the backing of Dr. Vivek Bindra, investor and entrepreneur of Bada Business’s Idea to IPO initiative. The company’s proposed investment in cell, module, inverter and battery storage manufacturing highlights how the the emergence of solar has cataysed  the growth of individual enterprises looking to contribute to the wider development of the domestic clean-energy supply chain.
An expanding solar sector in India has created demand for not only new installations but also a dependable supply of the equipment and components that make them possible. With a roughly 330 GW solar garget for 2030, the country is looking to almost double it’s existing 168 GW capacity over the next 4 years, a number many feel will not only be achieved comfortably but exceeded significantly with the right policy backing. 
Luno’s proposed park is intended to contribute to the manufacturing side of this transition. It includes 2.4 GW of solar-cell capacity using TOPCon technology, 2.4 GW of solar-module capacity, 1.2 GW of inverter capacity and 1.2 GW of battery energy storage system capacity.
The company estimates that the module line could produce approximately 3,500 modules per day, or 12.6 lakh modules annually, during the first phase. The proposed module facility will operate alongside the cell line, giving Luno planned capabilities across two important stages of solar manufacturing.
Energy, or battery storage has emerged as a critical catalyst for solar growth, helping tackle the issue of curtailment, as well powering non-solar hours with solar energy. Luno’s proposed BESS manufacturing line is intended to complement its solar production plans.
The company expects module manufacturing to begin within three months of the groundbreaking, with the first batch of cells targeted within nine months, subject to project execution.
“India’s solar ambitions require a strong manufacturing ecosystem behind the installations. Domestic production of cells, modules and supporting equipment, alongside storage capabilities, can contribute to a more dependable clean-energy supply chain,” said Dr Vivek Bindra, entrepreneur and investor.
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JI has launched the DJI Power Auro 2000 Elite, its new 2kWh power station with output power of up to 2 kW continuous, and 2.2 kW peak. 
DJI is packing all of its ports and outlets on the front, which include three AC outlets, a car charger, MPPT for solar PV input via two of DJI’s proprietary SDC ports, a 140 W USB-C cable, and DJI also said it can be expanded up to 12 kWh with a “soon-to-be-planned” additional battery.
Compared to the DJI Power 2000, the Auro 2000 Elite is 2.5 kg lighter at around 19 kg, and has a 24 percent smaller volume, using LFP battery cells. All ports are on the front side.
The company said the device was “efficiency optimized” for everyday loads from 100W to 400W.
In terms of safety, the system’s BMS can monitor 13 temperature sensors, and 40 fuses and trigger an automatic shutoff if faults occur. DJI said it also replaced standard conformal coating on the core components with a thinner sub-nano layer to aid heat dissipation while still remaining protective. The unit is rated for altitudes up to 5,000 meters.
Users can monitor the battery, power flows, and enable fast charging through the updated DJI Home app. According to the company, the unit offers a 10-millisecond switchover time in UPS mode, though this will draw more standby power, and operates below 30 dB under low-load discharge.
Although DJI doesn’t make it clear that this is a balcony storage product, the company does say in combination with a solar panel and a microinverter set which it sells separately, it also supports grid-connected operation with up to 800 W in selected regions. That ties-in with a launch it announced for IFA 2026 but didn’t go through with, for unknown reasons.
DJI is leaning into its ecosystem as well, noting that it offers “SDC fast charging” at up to 240 W for some of its compatible drone batteries.
Price and availability
The DJI Power Auro 2000 Elite will be available from October 28, 2026 at a price of 1,099 euros through the DJI, and retail partners. DJI has said it offers five years warranty.
DJI is unable to offer the power station in the US.
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The funding will support Navitas’ backward integration strategy as the company expands across India’s domestic solar manufacturing value chain. Navitas currently operates in solar module and encapsulant manufacturing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable power generation.
The Surat-headquartered company also plans to enter wafer and ingot manufacturing. Its proposed solar cell facility is expected to deepen its upstream presence as India seeks to increase local production and reduce dependence on imported components. Centrum Capital’s Infrastructure Advisory arm acted as Navitas’ exclusive financial adviser for the transaction.
Founded in 2013, Navitas manufactures Mono PERC and N-Type TOPCon solar modules ranging from 40 Wp to 720 Wp. The company is also developing advanced technology capabilities, including work on TOPCon technology and a partnership with Caelux for Perovskite-TOPCon Hybrid Tandem modules.
The investment expands responsAbility’s clean-energy exposure in India, where its portfolio includes Ampin Energy Transition, August Energy and Euler Motors. Navitas said the capital would improve financial flexibility, help scale operations and strengthen manufacturing capabilities, while the company intends to focus on governance, environmental practices and responsible employment during its expansion.
Navitas has secured growth capital of up to US$20 mn from Swiss impact asset manager responsAbility to support its expansion into solar cell manufacturing, including a planned 2.2 GW facility in India. The investment is being made on behalf of responsAbility’s investors through its Asia Climate Fund. The funding will support Navitas’ backward integration strategy as the company expands across India’s domestic solar manufacturing value chain. Navitas currently operates in solar module and encapsulant manufacturing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable power generation. The Surat-headquartered company also plans to enter wafer and ingot manufacturing. Its proposed solar cell facility is expected to deepen its upstream presence as India seeks to increase local production and reduce dependence on imported components. Centrum Capital’s Infrastructure Advisory arm acted as Navitas’ exclusive financial adviser for the transaction. Founded in 2013, Navitas manufactures Mono PERC and N-Type TOPCon solar modules ranging from 40 Wp to 720 Wp. The company is also developing advanced technology capabilities, including work on TOPCon technology and a partnership with Caelux for Perovskite-TOPCon Hybrid Tandem modules. The investment expands responsAbility’s clean-energy exposure in India, where its portfolio includes Ampin Energy Transition, August Energy and Euler Motors. Navitas said the capital would improve financial flexibility, help scale operations and strengthen manufacturing capabilities, while the company intends to focus on governance, environmental practices and responsible employment during its expansion.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on October 24 inaugurated the Satna-Devendranagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections under the Lalitpur-Singrauli Railway Project in Madhya Pradesh. He also flagged off the new Devendranagar-Churhat passenger train service through video conferencing. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav attended the event. The new Rewa-Churhat railway line, which extends approximately 65 km, was built at a cost of over Rs. 10 bn. The 53 km Satna-Devendranagar line was constructed at a cost of over Rs. 8 bn. The passenger service is expected to provide improved rail access to residents in..
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will inaugurate the Satna-Devendra Nagar and Rewa-Churhat rail sections in Madhya Pradesh on October 24. The two sections have a combined length of 118 km and are intended to improve passenger and freight connectivity across the region. Vaishnaw will also flag off a new train service between Devendra Nagar and Churhat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the inauguration programme, according to information released by the Ministry of Railways. The 53-km Satna-Devendra Nagar section is expected to improve rail access to Satna, Nagod, Devendra..
ARSS Infrastructure Projects said its joint venture, ARSS SCPL JV, has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract valued at Rs. 2.4 bn from East Central Railway. The project involves railway doubling works in Jharkhand and forms part of the Koderma–Arigada railway doubling initiative. The contract covers a 29.5-km railway stretch between Kathuatia and Hazaribagh Town stations in the Dhanbad Division. The work is intended to add a second railway line along the identified section and includes the construction and installation activities required for the upgraded corrid..
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By Colleen Howe
BEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) – China’s clean technology exports this year will cut carbon emissions outside its borders by an amount equivalent to Brazil’s annual emissions from consuming fossil fuels, an analysis finds, ahead of next ​month’s COP31 climate summit.
China’s exports of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles ‌and batteries will help the world to avoid 450 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions, according to the analysis by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
The avoided emissions are equivalent to 2% of the world’s annual emissions outside China, which dominates clean energy supply ‌chains ​from electric vehicles to lithium batteries.
China is the world’s ⁠largest emitter of carbon dioxide overall, ⁠but the US is the biggest per capita emitter and also the biggest historical producer of greenhouse gases. Brazil is a top-10 emitter.
China’s clean technology exports are helping the world to avoid emissions especially in the Global South, where they ​are decarbonising fossil-heavy grids, the analysis found.
The impact of those exports is growing — avoided emissions are up from 370 million tons of CO2 last year, more than the ⁠UK emitted from fossil fuel consumption.
The bulk of ⁠the avoided emissions came from countries in the Global South, as ​they have increased imports from China and cleaned up dirty power grids, the analysis found. ​Many are in sunny regions with rich potential for solar power, by ‌far the biggest source of avoided emissions among China’s exports.
The climate savings outweighed the carbon dioxide emitted in manufacturing the solar panels, turbines and other equipment, the report said, estimating it took around six months for clean tech imports to “pay back” the manufacturing emissions.
The ⁠amount of avoided emissions over the lifetime of the equipment exported from China in 2026, which in the case of wind and solar farms can be used for decades, ⁠is forecast at 8,400 million ‌tons of CO2 — as much as the US and India ⁠together emit in a year from fossil fuels, the report said.
Despite ​global ‌concerns about China’s industrial overcapacity and its impact on manufacturers ​in other countries, ⁠the analysis found that China’s clean tech exports have, in the aggregate, created new markets rather than displacing existing producers.
However, the surge in green exports drove down per-unit prices and cut into the revenues of incumbent producers.
China has labeled clean tech tariffs the new problem for climate action and vowed to push back against them at COP31.
(Reporting by Colleen Howe; ​Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
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SHAH ALAM, Oct 29 – Any proposal to set the credit rate for excess solar energy under the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP) as a percentage of the total retail electricity tariff requires a comprehensive evaluation.
Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that under the current mechanism, excess energy exported to the grid can be used to offset electricity bills, subject to the rates and conditions stipulated in the programme guidelines.
Fadillah said the Solar ATAP mechanism was designed to encourage rooftop solar installations based on the principle of self-consumption, with the current offset rate for domestic consumers based on the energy charge component of the electricity tariff.
“This approach accounts for the fact that the retail electricity tariff also includes other cost components related to the provision and use of the electricity supply system, such as grid infrastructure and system services, which remain necessary for solar users when their solar generation is insufficient.
“Consequently, any proposal to set the credit rate for excess energy at 100 per cent or 75 per cent of the total retail tariff requires a comprehensive evaluation.
“Such an assessment must consider the impact on the costs of the electricity system, as well as the risk of ‘cost shifting’ between solar users and non-solar users,” he said in a written parliamentary reply dated October 28.
He was replying to a question from Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan, who wanted to know whether the government intended to revise the credit rate for excess solar energy under the Solar ATAP scheme to 100 per cent, or at least 75 per cent, of the retail electricity tariff to increase bill savings and encourage the installation of residential solar systems.
Fadillah said the government would continue implementing the Solar ATAP scheme under the existing mechanism while monitoring the programme’s performance, consumer participation and impact on the grid.
He added that any future improvements would be based on implementation data and appropriate technical and economic studies.
Solar ATAP was introduced on January 1 as part of the government’s energy transition initiative. The programme succeeds the Net Energy Metering (NEM) Programme, which ended on June 30, 2025.
Fadillah said the government had also introduced the Sustainable Rebate and Incentive Assistance (SuRIA) Home rebate initiative to help reduce the upfront costs of installing residential solar systems.
“This approach enables the government to enhance the ability of the public to install solar systems without placing the entire burden of the incentive costs on other electricity consumers,” he said.

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Waaree Energies shifts solar module production to the US as tariffs close the export route  energynews.pro
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The 103 MW Huatacondo solar plant and its 98 MW/312 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), located in Chile’s Tarapacá region, have remained out of service for two months following a cyberattack. The Chilean National Electricity Coordinator’s daily report for Oct. 27 lists both facilities as subject to forced disconnection, with 0% availability. The report continues to cite an incident reported on Aug. 27 under forced disconnection request SDCF 2025.1000.
The incident was recorded on Aug. 27 at 1:10 p.m., when the RNE control center requested the forced disconnection of the solar plant and its battery storage system. The reported cause was a “cyberattack on the Huatacondo facilities,” which left both installations disconnected from Chile’s National Electric System (SEN).
At the same time, RNE requested the forced disconnection of the 220/23 kV TR1 transformer at the Santa Rita substation, also citing a cyberattack, according to SDCF request 2026100746.
The same daily report records two other incidents attributed to cyberattacks. At 9:30 p.m., the Espinos (Power) control center reported that the Olivos and Espinos thermal power plants, located in Los Vilos in the Coquimbo region, were unavailable for dispatch following the loss of monitoring and remote-control capabilities.
The report does not establish whether these incidents were related to the earlier incident at Huatacondo or resulted from the same attack.
The Huatacondo solar plant, inaugurated in 2019, is owned by a consortium comprising Japan’s Sojitz Corp., with a 60% stake; Shikoku Electric Power, previously reported as holding 30%; and France’s Eiffage, with 10%.
The battery storage project, developed by AustrianSolar Chile Four SpA, began construction in 2025. Canadian Solar subsidiary e-Storage solution was selected to supply the BESS, while Tritec-Intervento was contracted to carry out the balance-of-plant works.
The battery system was still undergoing commissioning when the incident occurred and remained in that phase as of Oct. 27. Its unavailability therefore does not represent a two-month interruption of an established commercial operation.
A review of the National Electricity Coordinator’s daily reports covering Oct. 28, 2025, through Oct. 27, 2026, examined 360 of the 365 reports published during the period.
The review identified no other new incidents explicitly attributed to cyberattacks beyond those reported on Aug. 27. Subsequent references concerned the continued disconnection of the Huatacondo facilities.
The reports for Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, 2025, and March 30, Aug. 31 and Sept. 8, 2026, could not be reviewed. The findings therefore do not establish that the August incidents were the only cyberattacks during the period or the first incidents of their kind. They are limited to documented operational incidents explicitly described using those terms in the reports examined.
In October 2025, Patricio Leyton, director of the National Electricity Coordinator’s Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Unit, told Mining Report that Chile had not recorded cyberattacks with a significant impact on its electricity infrastructure, despite the millions of attempted attacks detected by the organization.
The Coordinator has a cybersecurity incident notification protocol that establishes reporting obligations for entities operating within the electricity system.
On Aug. 28, one day after the reported incidents, Chile’s National Energy Commission (CNE) opened a public consultation on a draft technical standard for cybersecurity and information security in the electricity sector.
pv magazine contacted the National Electricity Coordinator and AustrianSolar Chile Four SpA seeking information about the circumstances of the reported attack, its operational consequences and the expected timeline for restoring the facilities. Neither organization had responded by the time of publication.
No public statement was identified that clarified the origin of the incident, the computer systems affected, any potential connection between the incidents reported on Aug. 27, or the reasons for Huatacondo’s prolonged unavailability.
The Coordinator’s daily reports record the causes communicated by plant operators but do not constitute technical investigations establishing the nature or extent of the reported cyberattacks.
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
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Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
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India’s new PM-SSY scheme aims to add 5 GW of floating solar backed by 10 GWh of storage by 2030-31. The technology is no longer the main question. Industry executives say approvals, financing, standards and execution will determine whether the country can turn its reservoirs into a globally competitive clean energy market.
October 29, 2026. By Abha Rustagi

Dhash’s Bhupendra Singh Rawat on Building India’s Solar Component Ecosystem

Kimbal Targets Australia and Southeast Asia for Global Expansion

Prassann Daphal, CEO, Recyclekaro, on Building India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Ecosystem

Evolving Climate Risks Are Reshaping RE Insurance: Amitabh Dewan, Policybazaar for Business

Power Asset Management is Shifting from Capacity to Performance: Kota Bhanu Prakash

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“Don’t want to make it complex for future buyers.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A Colorado homeowner bought 12 panels for $130 apiece and planned a DIY ground-mount setup, but uncertainty set in when the grid-tie inspection and fee came up.
The homeowner also plans to sell in about five years and wondered if a grid tie-in and net metering would make more sense than battery storage.
The dilemma appeared in a Reddit thread on r/SolarDIY, where the homeowner said 12 newly delivered 585-watt panels for a ground-mounted system left them choosing between two paths: a grid-tied setup with net metering and no battery, or a battery-based setup without net metering.
They also said the home’s quality insulation keeps the power bill around $100 a month, and they expect to sell in four to five years.
The original poster wanted to avoid the $375 interconnection charge and a utility inspection, but they also worried that a hybrid inverter and battery system could make the property feel more complicated to future buyers.
They also floated the idea of using only four panels in a plug-in solar setup on its own 20-amp circuit. But, as they put it, “That kills my idea of getting an EV though.”
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Solar leases, in particular, can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings with little upfront cost. Readers can use EasyHome to see their potential savings from vetted installers in their area.
Much of the discussion in the comments shifted toward permits and how the system could affect a later home sale.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
One commenter focused on the holistic cost, writing, “You will need that permit when selling- might as well get it now,” highlighting the headaches unpermitted work can cause when a house changes hands.
Backup power came up as another key factor, with another commenter saying batteries are useful if you want solar to keep working during a grid outage. The original poster answered, “I’m not worried about power outages at all.” They added elsewhere in the thread that nearby residents told them outages were rare over the prior two years.
After reviewing the utility policy, the homeowner said Black Hills Energy offers 1-for-1 net metering with rollover, and they came around to the idea that the grid would be the cheaper battery.
Net metering matters because a roughly 7-kilowatt system on a home with a modest monthly electric bill could send extra daytime generation back to the grid and use that credit later. Unlike time-of-use plans, net metering makes it easier to avoid the higher upfront cost and added complexity of battery storage.
In this situation, 1-for-1 net metering with rollover made batteries less ideal because the homeowner was trying to solve for monthly cost rather than backup power in the first place.
Even if the fee and the inspection feel frustrating, getting the system permitted may still be worthwhile for someone expecting to sell in four to five years, especially since commenters repeatedly treated proper documentation as part of protecting resale value.
For homeowners weighing the complexities of solar, like time-of-use plans, net metering, and battery backup, EasyHome‘s free explorer tool can help compare local offers before making a final equipment decision. EasyHome can also help readers explore backup battery options, and pairing solar with a battery lets homeowners maximize savings and keep the lights on when the grid goes down.
Ultimately, the conversation centered on a tradeoff between resilience and an easy resale. As the original poster put it, “Yes, hybrid is best, but don’t want to make it complex for future buyers.”
These articles cover stories of other homeowners who ran into similar issues with solar costs, utility rules, and surprise fees. 
• In Colorado, a utility customer was baffled by a $195 bill after solar credits fell short.
• In California, a homeowner considered skipping a $3,000 contractor fee while pricing a 6-kilowatt system.
• In Connecticut, a homeowner said solar credits vanished despite stronger output and rising buyback worries.
• In Denver, a cheaper quote for solar came with warnings about higher prices down the line.
• After spending $41,000, one homeowner learned 13 more panels could trigger costly electrical rework.
Get TCD’s free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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The European Commission has launched the T-MED Investment Platform, backed by up to €4.5 billion in EU guarantee capacity, to mobilise private investment in renewable energy and clean technologies across the Mediterranean. The platform aims to reduce investment risks and accelerate projects involving renewable electricity, green hydrogen, energy storage, electricity grids and cross-border interconnections.
Presented by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica at a stakeholder event in Brussels, the platform is part of the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED), a flagship initiative under the Pact for the Mediterranean. The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) will provide the guarantee capacity to help attract private capital and connect project developers with potential sources of financing.
T-MED is supporting several projects across North Africa. In Egypt, the initiative is enabling the modernisation and expansion of the national electricity grid through investments worth €1.6 billion, including new substations and transmission lines designed to integrate solar and wind power generated in the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez regions.
The initiative has also enabled a €575 million green ammonia project in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, which uses a European electrolyser and exports its production to the EU market. In addition, an EU guarantee has supported the construction of a hybrid solar photovoltaic project in Egypt worth around €430 million. The Niat and Rasgha wind projects will add 500 MW of onshore wind capacity in the Gulf of Suez, supporting Egypt’s future hydrogen production through European wind technology.
In Tunisia, T-MED is supporting two 100 MW solar photovoltaic plants and their associated transmission infrastructure. EU support amounts to approximately €92 million for the plants and €80 million for the transmission infrastructure, with the projects intended to encourage private-sector participation in the power sector and strengthen the country’s energy security and resilience.
Beyond financing, the platform will support efforts to improve regulatory frameworks, permitting procedures, grid access and power purchase agreements (PPAs). It will also promote skills development and local clean technology value chains to help address barriers that can delay project deployment.
By 2035, T-MED aims to mobilise up to €25 billion in expected investment in renewable energy production, electricity grids, interconnections and clean technologies. The initiative also aims to train and upskill up to 100,000 workers.
The platform forms part of the EU’s broader ambition to build a connected, prosperous, resilient and secure Mediterranean region through closer cooperation with Southern Mediterranean partners.
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DartSolar LLC, a clean technology firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, has finalized production plans for its vehicle-integrated solar array, designed to mount onto standard vehicle roof racks and truck beds without structural modifications.
The company reports that its system utilizes modular 500 W units measuring approximately 23 inches by 6 feet (58.4 cm × 182.9 cm) when contracted, which expand to a deployed length of 15 feet (457.2 cm) when stationary. The setup allows multi-unit configurations: two modules yield up to 1,000 W on standard sedan crossbars, while three to four or more modules can be joined side-by-side on light trucks, vans, trailers, and campers to generate between 1,500 W and over 2,000 W of capacity.
According to technical specifications released by the company, the expanding array is intended to supply off-grid electricity for portable power stations, jobsite tools, and auxiliary battery systems rather than serving as a primary electric vehicle (EV) charging solution. DartSolar estimates daily solar generation will add approximately 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 km) of driving range to an EV under typical exposure conditions. 
To improve durability during transit, the array is housed under a 4 mm polycarbonate protective shell designed to mitigate impact damage from hail and road debris. High-speed stability testing was conducted at speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h) in standard and lateral configurations, though operational guidelines recommend travel speeds under 70 mph.
The system incorporates a multi-angle quick-release locking mechanism to facilitate deployment from different access points around larger vehicles. In line with an open-hardware model, DartSolar has released 3D CAD files (STEP format) for structural plastic components under a share-alike license, enabling end users to manufacture replacement parts locally via 3D printing.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
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Monday, November 2, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Missed pv magazine USA Week 2026?
Catch up on three days of expert discussions on U.S. solar manufacturing, distributed energy, and solar-plus-storage.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Monday, November 23, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
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Cornell University researchers have launched an innovative solar grazing initiative aimed at optimizing vegetation management in solar farms. Their experiment evaluates the potential of using sheep to graze beneath solar panels, fostering a dual benefit for energy production and farming. This sustainable method enhances biodiversity and diminishes reliance on traditional vegetation management practices, presenting a promising opportunity for harmonizing agriculture with renewable energy advancements.
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Sheep graze near solar panels, showing how livestock and renewable energy production can share the same land through solar grazing (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Solar panels installed at a working farm create space where sheep can graze beneath the array while the land continues supporting agricultural activity (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

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VIOLA and HAVERHILL TOWNSHIPS, Minn. — Last week’s decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve the site permit for the 180-megawatt Lemon Hill Solar Project means the project has cleared one of its biggest hurdles.
But there are still more steps before any dirt is moved and solar panels start sprouting up on the roughly 1,700 acres in Haverhill and Viola townships in northeastern Olmsted County.
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For Ranger Power, the Chicago-based developer behind the project, the next steps include getting construction permits from responsible government units, including Olmsted County.
In a statement after the PUC decision, Sergio Trevino, vice president at Ranger Power, said the permit represents “a significant milestone in the project’s development.”
Touting the investment in the county and potential of $33 million in property tax benefits over the life of the project, he added it was developed in partnership with private landowners.
A statement from PUC after Thursday’s decision said construction on the project is planned for 2027. The utility-scale solar project would then be operational in 2028.
“Lemon Hill Solar is poised to make a meaningful contribution to Minnesota’s clean energy goals while delivering substantial economic benefits to the surrounding community,” Trevino said. “Once operational, the project will generate clean, low-cost electricity with the capacity to power tens of thousands of Minnesota homes.”
But not all landowners are part of the Ranger Power deal, and many in the area are unhappy with PUC’s decision, especially as it disregarded the ruling from administrative law judge Ann C. O’Reilly, who recommended on Sept. 8, 2026, that PUC should deny the permit application or, if not denying the application, should require more environmental review.
O’Reilly added that further environmental review should focus on the project’s impact on human settlement — specifically paying attention to aesthetics, cultural values/character and property values — land use conflicts, loss of agricultural resources and groundwater risks associated with the karst terrain and the project’s location.
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While several landowners in the area who oppose the project were contacted by the Post Bulletin, all declined to comment at this point until a next step could be determined.
Still, their willingness to continue to fight the project is apparent on the group’s “Save Viola — Protect Viola’s Groundwater” Facebook page. Members of the group called out PUC Commissioner John Tuma and his comments in favor of the project during Thursday’s PUC hearing.
While he would not comment since the PUC decision, Clint Mulholland, a landowner whose 5-acre property is in the middle of the project, said in 2025 that he will “be surrounded on all four sides.”
Mulholland believes his property values will plummet, but more importantly, the land on which he built his dream home will become like living in the middle of an industrial site.

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Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares are headed for their best week in a month as its Neutron hardware reached its test site and Electron approached 100 launches, while even a NASA spotlight on its solar cells failed to erase valuation concerns among some retail investors.
RKLB stock rose 0.5% on Wednesday to end the session at $58.60, with shares up 11% for the week and putting it on track for its best week in over a month.
Neutron Moves Toward Testing As 2027 Debut Awaits
Neutron moved closer to its next round of testing after its second stage and thrust module arrived at Wallops Island, Virginia, following a short barge trip from Rocket Lab’s factory.
The hardware is undergoing arrival checks. “Next up: integrated fluids testing and launch mount interface checkouts for the Thrust Module, with Stage 2 to follow on the test stand beside it soon after,” Rocket Lab said on X.
The progress follows Rocket Lab’s recent announcement that Neutron’s debut would slip from late 2026 into 2027 after a manufacturing issue left air pockets in the carbon-composite layers of a first-stage tank dome.
Rocket Lab said it fixed the manufacturing process and was moving ahead with a replacement dome. The company still needs to assemble the first-stage tank and run pressure and cryogenic tests before it can provide a more specific launch date. The reusable medium-lift rocket can carry 13,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit.
Electron’s 100th Launch Comes Into View
Meanwhile, Electron is closing in on its 100th launch after its latest successful mission, “We’re Not Hawking Around,” delivered three HawkEye 360 satellites into a 520-kilometer orbit.
The mission, announced last Friday, marked Electron’s 98th flight, its 19th launch of 2026 and its third dedicated launch for HawkEye 360. The satellites collect radio-frequency signals to support maritime tracking, jamming detection and defense operations.
“Up next: Our 99th launch is scheduled next week and our 100th rocket is close behind, scheduled for delivery to Launch Complex 1 soon,” Rocket Lab said on X.
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems Take The Spotlight
Rocket Lab’s solar hardware also earned a NASA spotlight for its role in NEO Surveyor, a spacecraft designed to hunt potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. Featured in NASA’s Image of the Day, the spacecraft’s 20-foot sunshade carries panels manufactured by Rocket Lab’s Albuquerque team using its high-efficiency, quad-junction Z4J+ solar cells.
“The array delivers up to 2 kW and is the spacecraft's only power source as it hunts hazardous asteroids and comets,” Rocket Lab said.
The recognition comes after last week’s launch of Viasat’s Maxwell spacecraft, which Rocket Lab built. Maxwell supports Viasat’s two NASA communications demonstration awards totaling $81 million, with testing planned through March 2027 as the agency moves toward commercial satellite-relay services.
Rocket Lab also recently reported progress on its $515 million Space Development Agency (SDA) satellite program. “Eight of 18 spacecraft are on the floor right now, in build,” the company said of its Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta work.
The company builds key components internally, including solar panels, structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, radios and flight software. A separate $816 million contract covers 18 Tranche 3 Tracking Layer satellites for missile warning and tracking, bringing the two SDA awards’ potential value above $1.3 billion.
How Do Retail Traders Feel About RKLB?
On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for RKLB improved to ‘neutral’ from ‘bearish’ levels a week ago amid a 47% decline in 24-hour message volumes.
One user said, “Still waiting on $19.00. Price is baked into 2040 will not hold up on a bear market We’ll wait. Wait and wait.” Another user said, “Only news from company is going to fight the overbought situation we are in. If not, profit taking will bring us to our knees again.”
A separate user said, “dead cats bounce as always,” questioning the recovery’s staying power. Another user blamed the broader market, saying, “Markets seems nervous.”
RKLB stock has declined 16% year-to-date.
Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2026 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2026, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC filings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2026 TradingView, Inc.

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2-aminobenzothiazole improves longevity and photovoltaic conversion efficiency of lead-free quasi-two-dimensional tin perovskite solar cells
Sophia University
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Researchers from Japan used 2-aminobenzothiazole as an additive in quasi-two-dimensional SnPSCs to regulate crystal growth, passivate defects, and suppress tin oxidation and iodide migration, resulting in more efficient and longer-lasting lead-free solar cells.
Credit: Professor Yuko Takeoka from Sophia University, Japan
Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaics due to their high efficiency and low manufacturing cost. While lead-based perovskite devices achieve high power conversion efficiencies, the toxicity hinders their commercialization. Researchers are now exploring the use of tin as a lead substitute to develop eco-friendly alternatives. However, tin-halide (SnPSCs) are prone to rapid degradation through oxidation, limiting both efficiency and long-term stability.
 
To mitigate this issue, researchers from Sophia University, Japan, and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan utilized an additive engineering approach. Their study introduces 2-aminobenzothiazole (2-ABZ) into quasi-two-dimensional (q-2D) Ruddlesden–Popper tin perovskites, creating a multifunctional passivation strategy that enhances both photovoltaic performance and device longevity. The study was led by Professor Yuko Takeoka, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Sophia University. Dr. J. Obila, affiliated with Sophia University at the time of this research and now at North-West University, South Africa, as well as Dr. Yasuhiro Shirai and Dr. Masatoshi Yanagida from NIMS were also a part of the research team. The study findings were made available online on May 27, 2026, and published in Volume 10, Issue 11 of the Solar RRL journal on June 15, 2026.
 
“I've been researching perovskite compounds for over 25 years, and I wanted to use that knowledge to make safer solar cells, so I applied to JST ALCA-Next with the NIMS group. The acceptance of our proposal was the kick-off for this research,” mentioned Prof. Takeoka.
 
2-ABZ is a heteroatom molecule containing nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, and hydrogen. Unlike many additives that target a single degradation mechanism, 2-ABZ performed several complementary functions throughout the formation and operation of the perovskite film. The researchers propose that the additive functions as a multifunctional molecular stabilizer throughout the entire device architecture. By regulating crystallization, reducing trap formation, preventing ion migration, inhibiting tin oxidation, and improving interfacial energy alignment, 2-ABZ addresses several of the intrinsic weaknesses that have limited the efficiency of SnPSCs.
 
Prof. Takeoka explains, “The buildup of 2-ABZ at the interface is crucial for decreasing buried defects in the perovskite layer by creating densely populated nucleation sites at the base of the layer, resulting in the production of a high-quality and stable film.”
 
These molecular interactions have important consequences for device operation, translating into a substantial increase in solar cell performance. The optimized devices achieved a power conversion efficiency of 9.07%, compared with 6.60% for control devices used for the experiment. The additive also improved open-circuit voltage, photocurrent generation, and device reproducibility while reducing hysteresis during operation.
 
Besides increasing the efficiency, the molecular approach significantly enhanced the stability of the devices. Surface analysis revealed that 2-ABZ suppressed the oxidation of Sn²⁺ to Sn^4+, a major degradation pathway for tin perovskites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy also showed a substantial reduction in oxidized iodine species, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed that the migration of iodide was greatly inhibited.
 
The benefits were reflected in long-term performance tests. Unencapsulated solar cells containing 2-ABZ retained 84.94% of their initial efficiency after 100 days of storage, whereas untreated devices retained only 48.95%. During continuous operation under simulated sunlight, treated devices maintained nearly 89% of their original performance after 10 hours, while control devices degraded rapidly within the first hour.
 
Installing Si-based solar cells requires wide, flat land, but PSCs are lightweight, flexible, and shape-controllable, making them a promising next-generation solar cell. However, ensuring their efficiency and longevity is important to improve their commercial viability. “The findings from our research showed the way for developing safer lead-free solar cells, which could help expand the use of photovoltaic cells,” mentioned Prof. Takeoka.
 
Overall, the study highlights how carefully designed molecular additives can simultaneously improve multiple aspects of device performance. The findings provide a practical framework for engineering more stable, efficient, and environmentally friendly lead-free PSCs and may accelerate their development for the future photovoltaic applications.
 
About Professor Yuko Takeoka from Sophia University
Dr. Yuko Takeoka is a Professor in the Department of Materials and Life Sciences at Sophia University, Japan. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering from The University of Tokyo in 2001, and leads research at the interface of polymer chemistry and advanced energy materials. Her research focuses on functional polymers, organic–inorganic hybrid materials, perovskite solar cells, fluorescent materials, biodegradable polymers, biomaterials, and biosensors. Professor Takeoka has authored more than 200 scientific publications and has received several prestigious recognitions, including being named among the Top 5% of Highly Cited Authors with RSC Journals, Royal Society of Chemistry in 2020.
 
About Sophia University
Established as a private Jesuit affiliated university in 1913, Sophia University is one of the most prestigious universities located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan.  Imparting education through 29 departments in 9 faculties and 25 majors in 10 graduate schools, Sophia hosts more than 13,000 students from around the world.
Conceived with the spirit of “For Others, With Others,” Sophia University truly values internationality and neighborliness, and believes in education and research that go beyond national, linguistic, and academic boundaries. Sophia emphasizes on the need for multidisciplinary and fusion research to find solutions for the most pressing global issues like climate change, poverty, conflict, and violence. Over the course of the last century, Sophia has made dedicated efforts to hone future-ready graduates who can contribute their talents and learnings for the benefit of others, and pave the way for a sustainable future while “Bringing the World Together.”
Website: https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/
Solar RRL
10.1002/solr.70388
Experimental study
Not applicable
Molecular Passivation with 2-Aminobenzothiazole Enables Efficient and Stable Ruddlesden–Popper Tin Perovskite Solar Cells
15-Jun-2026
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Media Contact
Office of Public Relations
Sophia University
sophiapr-co@sophia.ac.jp

Expert Contact
Dr.Yuko Takeoka
Sophia University
y-tabuch@sophia.ac.jp

Sophia University


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

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Singapore will pilot the use of photovoltaic roof tiles at state-owned heritage buildings to expand solar power generation while preserving traditional architecture.
Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore will pilot the use of photovoltaic roof tiles at state-owned heritage buildings to expand solar power generation while preserving traditional architecture.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on October 27 that it will work with Switzerland’s CSEM technology innovation centre and the Singapore Land Authority to implement the project.
The new tiles are designed to resemble traditional terracotta roof tiles, allowing larger roof areas to be used to generate clean electricity while retaining the buildings’ original architectural appearance.

According to the EMA, terracotta tiles are a distinctive feature of heritage districts, restricting the installation of conventional solar panels to certain areas of rooftops.

In addition to the pilot project, the EMA has signed a memorandum of understanding with CSEM on cooperation in solar energy research and development, helping Singapore develop and adopt advanced energy solutions through public-private partnerships./.
Singapore currently imports more than 90% of its food. According to Grace Fu, increasing domestic production alone would not be enough to protect the island nation from global disruptions. Singapore needed to diversify its sources of supply, build resilient supply systems and strengthen its ability to respond to unexpected events.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore attributed the growth largely to Singapore’s role as a regional transshipment and distribution hub for electronic components and equipment within regional supply chains.
With government business support information and services integrated into a single platform, BizSG uses AI to recommend support programmes tailored to each business and guide users step-by-step to the appropriate service or support. The entire Singapore government subsidy system is expected to be gradually integrated by 2027.
According to the US Department of State, Vietnam’s decision extends the US–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new frontier.
Vietnam stressed the need to respect Cuba’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, and the Cuban people’s rights to self-determination and to choose their own development path, free from external interference or coercion.
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth approved the Investment Framework for Haze-Free Sustainable Land Management 2026-2035, which proposes 15 projects with a combined estimated investment of 690 million USD, reported The Phnom Penh Post.
It is part of the Indonesian Government’s programme to build 3 million homes, aimed at expanding access to adequate affordable housing based on buyers’ financial means.
The number of Vietnamese visitors fell 28% year-on-year to 651,486, while Chinese arrivals dropped 27.6% to 643,314. Visitors from the US decreased 5.6% to 140,276, the report showed.
Under EnterpriseSG’s Champions of AI programme, companies will obtain support to build long-term AI transformation roadmaps, tap experts and tech solutions, and reskill workers. It starts with 24 companies across sectors, targeting firms that want AI to become a core growth engine and reshape operations system-wide.
According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Hercules and CN-295 military transport aircraft dispersed dry ice and sodium chloride into cloud formations during a projected multi-day period of favourable atmospheric conditions.
Under the draft regulation being prepared by the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Control Agency, producers will be responsible for waste arising from products, packaging and containers they place on the market, from product design to post-consumer management.
Cambodia is focusing on improving agricultural quality and production capacity to meet international market requirements, an agriculture official has said.
Rising consumer demand, coupled with disruptions to domestic production caused by El Niño and a series of storms, has left rice supplies insufficient to meet demand.
Running until November 1 under the theme “City of New Lights”, the event combines fashion shows, emerging talent development and cultural exchange.
The outlets also assessed that the signing of a joint statement, a five-year action plan for 2026–2030, and agreements in a range of fields will establish a solid political framework for the two countries to promote comprehensive cooperation.
Lukman F. Laisa, the ministry’s Director General of Civil Aviation, said all airports remain open, with flight schedules adjusted to weather conditions in affected areas.
Heavy overnight rain triggered flash floods across Thailand’s Phuket island on October 26, hitting all its three districts, including the Phuket City, reported the local media.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also approved a 72-million-USD financing package to help Cambodia strengthen rural agriculture and increase women’s participation in the sector.
The initiative aims to bring together policymakers, financial institutions, payment networks and technology providers to advance the use of digital money in cross-border financial activities.
TAT will focus on families and shopping in Vietnam, while its Malaysian campaign will emphasise food, shopping and travel to secondary cities.
Vietnam holds important mineral resources used in batteries, electronic equipment and energy infrastructure, and closer cooperation could help the EU diversify its supply chains.
According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the country’s total trade rose 30.1% to 2.91 trillion MYR (713 billion USD), while imports increased 25.7% to 1.34 trillion ringgit (328 billion USD). The trade surplus reached 232.38 billion MYR (57 billion USD).
In its Asia-Pacific Climate Outlook 2026: Coastal Risks on the Rise – Actions for a Resilient Future, ADB warns that climate hazards will intensify between now and the end of the 21st century, threatening Cambodia’s port operations, fisheries, foreign trade and tourism.
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Hybrid bee–genetic algorithm tames power flow in renewable and EV grids
Engineers have unveiled a new computational framework that plans how electricity should flow through power grids crowded with wind farms, solar panels, and plug-in electric vehicles, even when the output of those resources is inherently unpredictable. The study, published on 1 September 2026 in the open-access journal Carbon Neutral Systems, was carried out by Abhishek Bajirao Katkar and Himmat Tukaram Jadhav and tackles a problem known as stochastic multi-objective optimal power flow, or MOOPF. In such problems, grid operators must simultaneously juggle conflicting goals—keeping costs low, cutting emissions, reducing transmission losses, and holding bus voltages close to their reference values—while wind speed, solar irradiance, and the charging and discharging behavior of electric vehicles fluctuate in ways no scheduler can fully control.
The core of the proposed method is a hybrid optimization algorithm that fuses two well-established search techniques. The first is the Artificial Bee Colony algorithm, which mimics honey-bee foraging: candidate solutions are treated as food sources, employed and onlooker bees refine them through stochastic neighborhood moves, and scout bees replace sources that stagnate beyond a trial limit. The researchers added a global-best-guided term that pulls each update toward the current best solution found so far, strengthening exploitation without abandoning exploration. The second component is NSGA-II, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm, which supplies elitist selection, Pareto-dominance ranking, and crowding-distance diversity preservation. By running the bee phases to generate candidates and then applying non-dominated sorting and elitist replacement to the combined pool of parents and offspring, the hybrid gbestABC–NSGA-II algorithm aims to balance convergence toward the best trade-offs with a well-spread set of solutions.
Uncertainty is handled explicitly rather than ignored. Wind speed is modeled with a two-parameter Weibull distribution, solar irradiance with a lognormal distribution, and the charging or vehicle-to-grid discharging power of plug-in electric vehicles with a normal distribution. These probabilistic models are evaluated through Monte Carlo scenarios, with a sample size of 400 chosen after a preliminary convergence analysis: increasing the scenarios from 300 to 400 changed the expected objective values by only about 0.46 percent, and pushing from 400 to 500 changed them by less than 0.20 percent. The same scenario realization was kept identical across all test systems and all comparison algorithms, so that differences in results could be attributed to the algorithms rather than to different random samples of uncertainty.
The framework was stress-tested on modified versions of the IEEE 30-, 57-, and 118-bus benchmark networks, upgraded with a wind generator, a solar photovoltaic plant, and a plug-in electric vehicle system at designated buses. Twelve case studies spanning two, three, and four simultaneous objectives—total cost, total emissions, active power loss, and voltage-magnitude deviation—were solved under a common computational budget. Against five comparator algorithms, namely MOABC, NSGA-III, MOEA/D, standard NSGA-II, and MOPSO, the reported results show that the proposed method yields competitive Pareto solutions. Active power loss was up to approximately 27 percent lower and voltage-magnitude deviation approximately 18 to 52 percent lower than the corresponding values of selected comparators in the reported cases.
The quality of the Pareto fronts themselves was also quantified. The proposed algorithm achieved generational distance values more than 25 percent lower, indicating closer convergence toward the reference front, and spacing values up to 28.5 percent lower, indicating a more evenly distributed solution set, while its diversity metric was up to 37.3 percent higher than the stated comparator values. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests applied to the aggregated Pareto-quality observations returned p-values below 0.05 for all five pairwise comparisons, providing statistical support for the observed differences. The authors are careful to note, however, that these comparisons apply to the stated benchmark cases and parameter settings and should not be read as a universal performance guarantee across other systems or configurations.
Constraint handling received particular attention. Classical approaches such as penalty functions, superiority of feasible solutions, and the constraint-dominance principle each carry drawbacks: penalty methods require hard-to-calibrate coefficients, feasibility-first rules can discard promising infeasible candidates, and strict dominance rules risk premature convergence in fragmented feasible regions. The study instead employs an enhanced diversity-maintenance epsilon-constraint method, in which solutions with violations within a decaying tolerance are treated as feasible, and a composite fitness measure blends a Tchebycheff aggregation of objectives with the constraint violation. An adaptive weight shifts emphasis from broad exploration toward feasibility as generations progress. An external archive based on epsilon-dominance and crowding distance keeps the stored Pareto set bounded, removes redundant entries, and always preserves the extreme boundary solutions in each objective dimension.
Choosing a single dispatch from a whole front of trade-offs is handled by a transparent decision pipeline. The Analytic Hierarchy Process converts expert pairwise judgments into criterion weights, with consistency checks requiring a consistency ratio below 0.10; the reported matrix achieved a ratio of 0.0115. TOPSIS then ranks each Pareto solution by its relative closeness to an ideal operating point and distance from the worst one, and the highest-ranked alternative becomes the Best Compromise Solution. A one-at-a-time sensitivity assessment perturbs each active weight by plus or minus 10 percent and renormalizes the vector to confirm that the selected compromise is preference-robust. Every step—the pairwise matrix, the weights, and the distance scores—is meant to be reported so that operators can audit and discuss the decision before finalizing a dispatch.
The most computationally striking element is a physics-informed neural network, or PINN, that acts as a rapid screening layer for power-flow calculations. Stochastic MOOPF normally demands repeated nonlinear AC power-flow evaluations for every candidate solution and uncertainty scenario, a burden that grows quickly. The PINN predicts bus voltages, phase angles, reactive powers, and line flows while its training loss combines data-fitting error with active- and reactive-power balance residuals and operating-limit penalties, keeping its predictions physically consistent. Trained on 3,000 Newton–Raphson-verified operating samples with four hidden layers of 128 neurons, the network reduced the mean root-mean-square error by roughly 84 percent relative to a conventional backpropagation predictor for cost, emissions, and power loss. In the reported Case 3 experiment on the modified IEEE 30-bus system, screening 5,000 local candidates forwarded only 60 to the exact solver, cutting the number of exact evaluations by approximately 98.8 percent and the total computation time from 19.84 seconds to 0.325 seconds, a saving of 98.36 percent.
Crucially, the PINN never has the final word. Every candidate dispatch retained for implementation is verified with the complete Newton–Raphson AC power-flow model before acceptance, and the same power-balance equations enforced in the optimizer also appear in the PINN’s physics residuals, eliminating inconsistencies between the optimization and prediction layers. In the Case 3 refinement, all four Newton–Raphson-verified alternatives generated around the initial compromise solution dominated the pre-refinement point on cost, emissions, and power loss, so the archive was updated and a new Best Compromise Solution with a closeness coefficient of 0.817 was selected after reapplying the decision pipeline. Aggregate active-power balance audits are also reported for the cases in which power loss is explicitly listed, confirming that generation, renewable injections, vehicle power, demand, and losses sum consistently.
The authors frame the work within clear limits. The uncertainty model uses fitted marginal distributions and 400 Monte Carlo samples, so correlated forecast errors, distribution shift, and sensitivity to the realized sample remain to be validated separately. The PINN refinement is demonstrated as an offline or near-real-time screening layer and is not claimed as a substitute for energy-management-grade AC security assessment, and the IEEE benchmarks do not reproduce the protection, market, communication, and contingency constraints of a real utility network. Future work, the study says, will pursue hardware-in-the-loop evaluation with real-time digital simulators and integration with SCADA-driven energy-management systems and digital twins. For now, the framework offers a statistically validated, feasibility-checked template for planning power dispatch in grids where wind, sun, and millions of electric vehicles all refuse to sit still.
Subject of Research: Stochastic multi-objective optimal power flow optimization for power grids integrating wind, solar, and electric vehicles
Article Title: Physics-informed prediction with hybrid gbestABC–NSGA-II metaheuristics in stochastic multi-objective optimal power flow for renewable-EV grids
Article References: Katkar, A. B., & Jadhav, H. T. (2026). Physics-informed prediction with hybrid gbestABC–NSGA-II metaheuristics in stochastic multi-objective optimal power flow for renewable-EV grids. Carbon Neutral Systems, 2(1), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44438-026-00035-1
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1007/s44438-026-00035-1
Keywords: optimal power flow, multi-objective optimization, Artificial Bee Colony, NSGA-II, electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid, wind power, solar photovoltaic, physics-informed neural network, Monte Carlo simulation, IEEE test systems, Pareto optimization
News Source: Juliet Wilcox. (October 29, 2026). Hybrid bee–genetic algorithm tames power flow in renewable and EV grids. Scienmag.
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Residents of Kamput Tarente on Nain Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia have received a 2,200 W solar charging station made from repurposed solar panels delivered by Singapore-based developer Vena Energy employee volunteers.
Joining local residents, volunteers from Vena Energy’s 21 MW Minut Solar Project in Likupang, also North Sulawesi, and volunteer contractors spent three weeks completing the project and improving the community’s access to electricity.
Located approximately 1,670 kilometres north of Darwin, the remote Nain Island community has no connection to the Indonesian national grid and residents have relied on expensive diesel-powered generators to access electricity.
Initiated by a local resident who had interned with Vena Energy, the Vena team designed a 2,200 W solar charging station from repurposed solar panels in good working condition.
Kampung Tarente resident Alfaro Randaria said when he was growing up accessing electricity in the village was challenging.
“For the local fisherman, one of the key priorities is charging their flashlights, which are essential for their activities at sea,” Randaria said.
“Now fisherman and community members are able to use solar energy to charge their batteries.”
To support the installation’s long-term operation, three community members received training in basic maintenance, with Vena Energy providing ongoing remote technical support.

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Corning’s solar sales rise 37% year-on-year to US$436 million in Q3 2026  PV Tech
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British naval architecture studio Dixon Yacht Design has revealed OXO, a 48.27-metre solar-powered superyacht concept designed to combine luxury cruising with significantly improved energy efficiency. Developed in collaboration with interior design studio Design Unlimited, the project integrates more than 100 square metres of solar panels into the yacht’s architecture.
According to its designers, the solar installation could generate between 70 and 90 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day in Mediterranean conditions, supplying approximately 20% of the vessel’s hotel load. That includes electricity used for onboard accommodation and guest facilities rather than propulsion.
Unlike conventional superyachts that add renewable-energy equipment after the initial design stage, OXO has been developed around a broader efficiency strategy. Its slender hull, carefully engineered stern, integrated solar panels and advanced propulsion options are intended to work together to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing luxury or comfort.
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OXO’s solar array is one of the project’s defining features. More than 100 square metres of photovoltaic panels are integrated into the yacht’s exterior design rather than mounted as a separate addition.
The designers estimate that the panels could produce 70–90 kWh of electricity daily under favorable Mediterranean conditions, covering approximately one-fifth of the vessel’s hotel energy requirements.
This would help reduce reliance on onboard generators for everyday electricity consumption, although actual output would depend on sunlight, weather, operating patterns and equipment demand.
The concept also includes a substantial battery system, with a proposed capacity of 1.5–2.0 megawatt-hours.
OXO measures 48.27 metres in overall length, with a waterline length of 44.59 metres and a beam of 8.93 metres.
Its relatively long, slender hull is designed to reduce wave-making resistance, one of the forces that increases energy consumption as a vessel moves through water.
Dixon Yacht Design has also used computational fluid dynamics to optimize the stern sections, reducing transom immersion and associated drag.
These refinements are intended to improve efficiency during cruising, complementing the energy generated by the yacht’s solar panels.
The proposed propulsion system features twin MAN engines rated at approximately 1,050 horsepower each, connected to controllable-pitch Hundested propellers.
A hybrid propulsion arrangement is available as an option, giving a prospective owner flexibility when selecting the final machinery configuration.
The yacht is designed to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 16 knots.
Its aluminium hull and superstructure contribute to the project’s weight-conscious engineering approach.
British studio Design Unlimited has created a contemporary interior concept emphasizing natural light, understated luxury and comfortable living at sea.
The accommodation is designed for 10 guests in five staterooms, with spacious communal areas and a layout intended to support extended voyages.
Organic shapes, bespoke details and natural materials create a warm atmosphere, while large windows provide expansive views of the surrounding water.
The owner’s suite features a restrained palette of neutral tones, contemporary furnishings and carefully integrated lighting.
Outdoor areas include a spacious aft deck, foredeck lounging spaces and areas designed for alfresco relaxation and entertaining.
Despite its length of more than 48 metres, OXO has been designed with an internal volume of 499 gross tonnes.
The yacht’s principal dimensions include a hull length of 45.60 metres, a waterline length of 44.59 metres and a beam of 8.93 metres.
Keeping the project below 500 GT is a significant design consideration because some maritime regulatory requirements vary according to a vessel’s gross tonnage, flag and operating status.
OXO is currently presented as a ready-to-build design concept rather than a completed superyacht.
Dixon Yacht Design introduced the project around the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show, providing prospective owners with an opportunity to examine the design and its proposed engineering systems.
The final specification, shipyard selection, construction schedule and delivery date would depend on a future commission.
The project illustrates a growing direction in superyacht design: integrating energy efficiency into the hull, propulsion system and onboard architecture from the earliest planning stages.
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NEPI Rockcastle marks another milestone in its energy transition strategy with the inauguration of the second photovoltaic park in its portfolio, located in Ariceștii Rahtivani (Nedelea), Prahova County. The project is part of NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy investment programme, with a budget of over 100 million euros, dedicated to the development of photovoltaic capacity across the region.
Located on an area of 75.5 hectares, the Ariceștii Rahtivani (Nedelea) photovoltaic park has an installed capacity of 56.2 MW. The project incorporates more than 90,000 bifacial solar panels.
With an estimated annual output of approximately 73,000 MWh, the park will generate enough renewable electricity to cover the equivalent annual consumption of more than 40,000 households in Romania.
”The Ariceștii Rahtivani (Nedelea) photovoltaic park is a concrete example of how we turn sustainability into investments with long-term impact. Green energy investments help us increase the efficiency and resilience of our portfolio while, at the same time, generating sustainable value for tenants, communities and the entire ecosystem surrounding our shopping centres,”, said Andrei Radu, Group Development Director, NEPI Rockcastle.
With the commissioning of the Ariceștii Rahtivani (Nedelea) project, alongside the Group’s first photovoltaic park inaugurated last year in Chișineu-Criș (Arad County) and the systems installed on the rooftops of its shopping centres, NEPI Rockcastle will increase the share of its total electricity consumption covered by its own renewable energy sources to 31% by the end of 2026. This represents a significant increase from the 6% level recorded two years ago.
The Ariceștii Rahtivani (Nedelea) photovoltaic park was built on a former mineral aggregate extraction site, giving a new economic purpose to previously degraded and unproductive land. Currently, the land between the rows of solar panels is used as pasture for sheep belonging to local farmers, an environmentally friendly vegetation management solution that directly supports the rural economy in the area.
The project was designed with a long-term vision, with the existing infrastructure, which includes its own transformer station, allowing for future expansion through the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
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OMV Petrom and Renovatio have commissioned three photovoltaic parks that supply energy and can power more than 110,000 households  Informat.ro
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