Solar Now

South Korea has extended investment tax credits to solar module manufacturing facilities meeting carbon footprint thresholds, in the latest step in a policy trajectory that increasingly uses procurement and tax measures to support domestic manufacturers.
Image: Hyundai Energy Solutions
South Korea has expanded its tax support framework for low-carbon solar module manufacturing, clarifying that facilities producing PV modules with carbon emissions at or below 655 kg CO₂/kW are eligible for investment tax credits under revised enforcement rules that took effect April 1.
The Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) told The Electric Times this week that the revision covers the full production ecosystem rather than individual processes, adding that it provides a basis for domestic companies with strong technological capabilities to compete on quality and carbon performance rather than price. The South Korean energy trade publication reported that the changes are intended to increase incentives for domestic manufacturers to adopt low-carbon production processes and secure high-efficiency technologies.
The revisions also expand eligibility to solar module design and manufacturing facilities meeting specified carbon thresholds. The revised rules specify eligible manufacturing equipment across the full solar value chain – polysilicon production facilities, silicon wafer manufacturing equipment, solar cell lines, and module production lines – rather than targeting single processes or specific products.
South Korea has applied carbon grading to public solar procurement since at least 2019, when the government first moved to preference low-carbon, high-efficiency modules in project tenders. The system classifies modules into three tiers by lifecycle CO₂ emissions per kilowatt of capacity, with the lowest-emission products receiving the highest grade and preferential treatment in Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) auctions. Chinese-origin modules typically fall into the lowest tier. The new tax credit rules extend the same carbon-threshold logic from procurement into the manufacturing investment framework.
Chinese solar cells accounted for 95% of South Korea’s market in 2024, up from 38% in 2019, according to South Korean media reports citing data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), leaving domestic manufacturers with a 4% share.
In October 2025, South Korea’s National Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) introduced new national standards for photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panels. The government-run agency said the new standards apply to modules that combine photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in a single device, noting that separate standards for each technology already exist.
“This regulatory improvement system accelerates the development of certification standards for new products that cannot be certified under existing systems due to a lack of appropriate standards,” KATS said in a statement. “The move is also intended to help domestic manufacturers enter this emerging market.”
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Solar panels operate on a farm near homes, Jan. 14, in Lancaster, Ky.
Morgan Carroll, right, relaxes at home with her son, River, center, and husband, Hunter, left, March 10, in Shelby, Ohio.
Wayne Greier, left, talks with his son, Blake, 13, right, as they move farm equipment, March 10, in Canfield, Ohio.
A sign opposing a nearby solar development sits near a pasture, April 3, in Manchester, Ind.
Wayne Greier poses for a portrait, March 10, in Canfield, Ohio.
CANFIELD, Ohio — Through the window of his combine, Wayne Greier watches his teenage son Blake drive a tractor across an empty field. He’s towing a plow into position for another uncertain season of spring planting.
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Wayne Greier hoped to sign a deal with a utility to host solar on his acreage for some $540,000 in annual lease payments. But his community bl…
Solar panels operate on a farm near homes, Jan. 14, in Lancaster, Ky.
Morgan Carroll, right, relaxes at home with her son, River, center, and husband, Hunter, left, March 10, in Shelby, Ohio.
Wayne Greier, left, talks with his son, Blake, 13, right, as they move farm equipment, March 10, in Canfield, Ohio.
A sign opposing a nearby solar development sits near a pasture, April 3, in Manchester, Ind.
Wayne Greier poses for a portrait, March 10, in Canfield, Ohio.
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Perovskite photovoltaic technology specialist Oxford Photovoltaics has joined a UK-led project to integrate solar panels into electric vehicles to improve efficiency and range.
Named Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EV (SUITE), the project is part of the latest round of Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) supported initiatives receiving funding through the Department for Business and Trade’s DRIVE35 Collaborate programme, which is delivered in partnership with APC and Innovate UK.
The consortium brings together Nissan Technical Centre UK, specialist engineering companies and UK universities to accelerate solar innovation for EVs.
Oxford Photovoltaics (Oxford PV) will contribute its perovskite PV expertise, building on its research and industrialisation of perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar technology. Within the SUITE project, this expertise will be applied to vehicle integrated solar, where high performance, low weight, and design flexibility are necessary.
“We are excited to be working with such a strong consortium of automotive and technology partners on the SUITE project,” David Ward, Oxford PV CEO said in a statement. “Perovskite photovoltaics offer a step change in solar performance and open up new possibilities for vehicle integrated solutions. This collaboration allows us to bring our technology leadership to a new class of applications that can deliver real world benefits for electric mobility.”
Vehicle integrated solar can supplement energy generation during normal vehicle operation, supporting improved overall efficiency and helping to extend range. High-efficiency perovskitesolar cells are said to offer high power density in lightweight format, making them suited for EV integration where maximum power per area and weight are critical.
“By combining cutting edge PV technology with automotive grade design and manufacturing expertise, SUITE represents an important step towards commercially viable solar assisted electric vehicles,” said Ward. “We’re proud to contribute to a project that supports the UK’s net zero ambitions while advancing the performance and sustainability of future transport.”
The DRIVE35 Collaborate programme is a UK government-backed funding scheme that supports late-stage, collaborative research and development (R&D) projects in the automotive sector, with a particular emphasis on zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and the shift towards a net-zero automotive industry.
It sits within the wider DRIVE35 (Driving Research & Investment in Vehicle Electrification) framework, a £2.5bn commitment running to 2035 to strengthen the UK’s automotive supply chain and accelerate electrification.
 
I suspect that the risk factor in Czechia is underwritten by the UK government. Prototype nuclear power stations have a terrible record of over…
Nice to see a sensible energy conversion scheme being built. The concept of a thermal accumulator linked to a boiler is simple, well established…
Though stressing the importance of weight there is no mention of how approaching to this important issue. Is it going to include multifunctionality…

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Townships urge court to strike down rules limiting local control of solar, wind farms  MLive.com
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EIA for 100 MW DC solar project in Japan: Macquarie Asset Management-backed Blueleaf Energy Japan has launched an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a 100 MW DC/50 MW AC solar project in Japan’s Hokkaido. It is planned to be located on the former site of the Ashibetsu Coal Mine. According to the summary document in Japanese, available on the company website, the project will deploy close to 154,000 crystalline silicon solar panels with a maximum power output of 650 W and measuring 2,382 x 1,134 mm in size. A storage component on-site is also under consideration. On completion, it is proposed to be grid-connected to the Hokkaido Electric Power Network via the Ashibetsu substation. On August 1, 2025, the company submitted a Primary Environmental Impact Consideration for the proposed project with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), along with a Consideration Document. 
VH Global’s hybrid project in NSW: London, UK-based investment firm VH Global Energy Infrastructure has announced the commissioning of a solar and energy storage hybrid system in Australia. The project was commissioned on time and on budget, it added. The asset situated in New South Wales (NSW) comprises a solar PV site of undisclosed capacity, with DC-coupled 2-hour 4.95MW battery energy storage system (BESS). VH Global plans to energize another hybrid asset in Q3 2025. On its completion, the total capacity of the Australian program will be 37MW/60MWh across 7 assets in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, stated the company. 
Western Power’s access offers for solar & storage: Electric utility Western Power of Australia has issued network connection offers to 759 MW of clean energy capacity. It has approved Access Offers for the 120 MW solar and 80 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) Waroona Renewable Energy Project of Frontier Energy’s Stage I solar farm and battery. Merredin BESS with 100 MW capacity, jointly developed by Nomad Energy and Atmos Renewables, is the other project to have received clearance. Western Power says in 2024-25, it has issued network access offers for 7 new generators. “Looking ahead Western Power’s pipeline of connection-ready projects as of June 2025 is 12.81 GW,” shared Western Power’s Executive Manager Energy Transition and Sustainability, Matt Cheney. 
4.99 MW floating solar plant in the Philippines: Carmen Copper Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation, has launched a 4.99 MW floating solar PV plant in the Philippines, calling it the country’s 1st such operational MW-scale PV project. Located on the Malubog Reservoir within its mine site in Toledo City of Cebu, the 3-hectare facility is equipped with 8,540 solar panels that can meet 10% of the demand from the mining operations of Atlas. It can be scaled up to 50 MW, and was built by the US’ Black & Veatch. It also comprises a prefabricated substation and a distribution line that connects to Carmen Copper’s 34.5 kV substation, reported Power Philippines. 
IFC backing for CleanMax in Thailand: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced its maiden debt investment in the renewable energy sector of Thailand that’s focused exclusively on the commercial & industrial (C&I) sector. It has made an investment of THB 1,476 million ($45 million) in CleanMax Energy (Thailand) Company Limited. A subsidiary of Brookfield-backed Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Private Limited (CMES), CleanMax Energy will use the proceeds to develop 35 MW greenfield solar capacity and refinance 41 MW of operating solar projects. CleanMax Managing Director Kuldeep Jain said, “Through our partnership with IFC we will strive to build a sizeable portfolio, attract interest from commercial lenders, and seek to collectively contribute to developing renewable energy assets in Thailand.” The IFC expects the Thai C&I solar market to triple over the next decade.  
CaaS and rooftop solar: In Vietnam, SP Group has announced a partnership with Hoa Sen Group for the ‘1st’ industrial Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) offering in the country. Under the partnership, SP Group will install up to 1,900 refrigeration tonnes (RT) CaaS systems, alongside 17.6 MW rooftop solar capacity at the 2 largest steel sheet manufacturing facilities of steel producer Hoa Sen Group in Ho Chi Minh City’s Phy My and Nghe An provinces. While the CaaS systems will be fully operational by Q2 2026, the rooftop solar system is already online, according to a company statement reported by local media. “By offering integrated, innovative and cost-effective cooling and solar deployment models, we help customers like Hoa Sen decarbonise while maintaining operational performance. We look forward to scaling this model across Vietnam’s industrial sector,” said SP Group’s Managing Director for Sustainable Energy Solutions (Southeast Asia), Brandon Chia. 
DAS solar strengthens presence in Australia: Bunnings Warehouse, a leading retailer for home improvement and outdoor living in Australia, is launching Zelora, a zero-upfront rooftop solar and home battery subscription offer in Australia. The program is designed to offer Australian households a transition to renewable energy without initial installation costs. It has selected Chinese n-type solar module manufacturer DAS Solar as the module supplier for the program, following a competitive evaluation of several tier I solar brands. DAS Solar says this program expands its presence in Australia. 
TaiyangNews 2024

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Suniva is establishing a new solar cell manufacturing plant in South Carolina, according to a report from PV Tech. This facility in Laurens will have a capacity of 4.5GW and will operate alongside the company’s existing 1GW plant in Atlanta, significantly increasing its overall production footprint in the United States.
The move represents a continued resurgence for the manufacturer, which had previously filed for bankruptcy and later resumed cell production. The company’s chief executive stated that the expansion supports the growth of domestically produced renewable energy.
An investment of $350 million is planned for the new site, which will occupy 6,000 square meters and is expected to generate more than 550 jobs. The facility will manufacture monocrystalline silicon solar cells for sale to module producers. Suniva has also established collaborations with a wafer producer and a module maker to create a module entirely produced within the country.
While module manufacturing capacity in the US has grown substantially in recent years, cell production capacity has not kept pace. Other companies are also developing new cell manufacturing facilities, including a planned 4GW plant for a specific cell technology in Texas.
An industry analyst noted that Suniva’s announcement is a major development in efforts to build a stronger domestic solar manufacturing base. The new factory is seen as a key step in addressing the imbalance between cell and module production capacities. Current forecasts suggest that by 2027, US cell capacity will remain significantly lower than module capacity, underscoring the need for more cell production investment.
The analyst further highlighted that supply chain verification and transparency have become crucial, particularly given restrictions on a large portion of the global module and cell supply entering the US market. Expanding domestic cell production is viewed as a necessary measure to enhance self-reliance and meet trade and regulatory requirements.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in the United States, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in the United States.
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for the United States. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United States. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in the United States.
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of solar cells and light-emitting diodes dynamics in the United States.
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United States.
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Major US solar manufacturer
Residential & commercial solar
Former Cree LED business
Spin-off from SunPower
Specialty & high-power LEDs
LED technology & solutions
Advanced photonics
Residential solar panels
CIGS solar technology
US & Canadian manufacturing
North American manufacturing
US-made solar panels
US operations of Korean parent
3D architecture LEDs
High-quality lighting
High-brightness microdisplays
Disinfection & purification
US crystalline silicon solar
Next-generation tandem cells
Tandem cell technology
Manufacturing equipment
Turnkey production lines
Distributor & assembler
Residential & commercial
Former Philips business
Specialty & horticultural
Military & commercial
Aluminum nitride substrates
Materials for UV LEDs
US division of Kyocera
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A joint venture between Jupiter International and Ampin Energy Transition has commissioned a solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Odisha. According to a report from PV-Tech, the facility has a capacity of 1.3 gigawatts.
The joint venture was formed in 2023 and the project is part of a government incentive program. Output from the plant will mainly be used for Ampin Energy Transition’s own projects in India, with remaining production available to other developers in the domestic market.
Jupiter International, based in Kolkata, has significantly increased its manufacturing footprint. The company recently brought a one-gigawatt production line online in Himachal Pradesh, raising its total solar cell capacity to approximately two gigawatts.
This expansion was completed by a subsidiary and represents the company’s third manufacturing unit. The firm is also planning further development at the same site, involving a new production line for a more advanced solar cell technology.
Interactive table based on the Store Companies dataset for this report.
This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in India, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in India.
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for India. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for India. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in India.
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of solar cells and light-emitting diodes dynamics in India.
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for India.
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.
Report Scope and Analytical Framing
Concise View of Market Direction
Market Size, Growth and Scenario Framing
Commercial and Technical Scope
How the Market Splits Into Decision-Relevant Buckets
Where Demand Comes From and How It Behaves
Supply Footprint and Value Capture
Trade Flows and External Dependence
Price Formation and Revenue Logic
Who Wins and Why
How the Domestic Market Works
Commercial Entry and Scaling Priorities
Where the Best Expansion Logic Sits
Leading Players and Strategic Archetypes
How the Report Was Built
Major integrated solar manufacturer
India's largest solar module manufacturer
Part of Adani Group, integrated manufacturing
Leading manufacturer, part of Tata Group
Major PV module and cell producer
Historical leader in solar manufacturing
Makes solar cells, modules, encapsulants
Module and cell manufacturer
Solar PV module manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer and distributor
Manufactures solar modules and inverters
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar panel manufacturer
Solar cell and module manufacturer
Major LED lighting products manufacturer
Leading electrical goods co, major LED player
Major manufacturer of LED lights and fixtures
Major player in LED lighting segment
LED lighting manufacturer
Manufactures LED displays and lighting
Indian subsidiary, major LED mfg in India
Manufactures LED lights and fixtures
Major Indian electrical brand, produces LEDs
LED lighting products manufacturer
Manufactures LED bulbs and lighting
Major player in consumer LED lighting
Leading LED lighting solutions provider
Manufactures LED lights under Finolex brand
Wires & cables major, also manufactures LEDs
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Amazon Signs 9 Renewable Energy Deals in Australia, Adds 430 MW to Power Data Centres  SolarQuarter
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Homeowners opposed to a 6,100-acre solar farm near Manhattan scored a legal win Wednesday with an order granting them ability to present evidence and cross-examine the developer, pushing back a Thursday vote on the project.
Will County Judge Victoria Breslan granted a temporary restraining order that effectively bans the Will County Board from voting until an attorney for the homeowners is given a chance to present evidence and cross-examine representatives from Earthrise Energy. The County Board was scheduled to vote on Earthrise’s Pride of the Prairie solar farm Thursday.
The decision stems from a lawsuit filed on behalf of 16 homeowners who live near the proposed solar farm that will cover areas of Green Garden, Manhattan and Wilton townships. Attorney Steven Becker argued his clients were denied the ability to present their own evidence and cross-examine witnesses from Earthrise Energy, the developer, during a two-day public hearing before the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
An official with Earthrise said they do not plan to appeal Breslan’s decision and said the company looks forward to answering Becker’s questions.
“We are confident in our application and this permit’s ultimate success which will deliver significant benefits to Will County, its residents, and the state of Illinois,” Earthrise said through an email.
During court proceedings Wednesday, attorneys for the county and Earthrise argued sufficient time was allowed for residents to express their concerns during the March 30 and 31 public hearings. They also noted that at the conclusion of the lengthy public comment, Earthrise responded to several of the questions residents posed.
Earthrise’s attorney, Ben Jacobi, also argued that he offered an opportunity to have Becker cross-examine witnesses on the second day of the public hearing but Becker was not present. Becker noted representatives of the state’s attorney’s office and the county’s Land Use Department informed him cross-examination would not be allowed.
Breslan ruled that Becker relied on the information from the county representatives and said the last-minute offer for cross-examination did not “provide a meaningful or realistic opportunity to exercise the right to cross examination.”
In her ruling, Breslan found that though the Planning and Zoning Commission allowed each public participant five minutes to speak, Becker appeared on behalf of multiple interested parties and limiting him to the same five-minute period did not provide a meaningful opportunity to be heard. That contributed to the denial of effective participation, she wrote.
She also found that while homeowners could challenge the County Board’s ultimate decision after the fact, any legal challenge would be based on an incomplete record because Becker was limited in what he could present.
“This court finds that such a deficiency cannot be cured after the fact,” she wrote.
Though Breslan approved a temporary restraining order, she also wrote the county is not required to hold a new public hearing. Rather, she said, the county can allow Becker and his clients an opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Pyles said Earthrise’s proposal will be sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a continued hearing. Pyles said a date has not yet been finalized, but public notice will be provided.
Residents have opposed the 600-megawatt solar farm saying it will adversely affect the agricultural landscape they sought out when they bought their homes and could negatively affect the environment.
While Earthrise may not get a vote on its Pride of the Prairie solar farm near Manhattan this week, the County Board is still expected to vote Thursday on Earthrise’s Plum Valley proposal for a 2,400-acre solar farm near Crete. That proposal was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The board will also reconsider six smaller projects they’d already rejected. They’re doing so after the solar operators involved sued, and a judge ordered the county to issue the permits.
County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne shared a memo with board members Tuesday saying their hands are completely tied in reconsidering the previous six denials.
He said the Will County state’s attorney’s office advised board members they could face contempt charges, punishable by fines or jail time, if they defy the court order and vote no when the projects are reconsidered, and that a no vote could result in fines or sanctions against the county that would be passed on to taxpayers.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter.
Copyright 2026 Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. The use of any content on this website for the purpose of training artificial intelligence systems, algorithms, machine learning models, text and data mining, or similar use is strictly prohibited without explicit written consent.

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Tesla’s Solar Ambitions at Risk as China Eyes Export Limits  Supply Chain Digital Magazine
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Energy retailer and technology company Amber Electric has secured $10 million in new funding to continue scaling its residential solar and battery automation tech into overseas markets.
Amber founders and co-CEOs Dan Adams and Chris Thompson
Image: Amber Electric
Melbourne-headquartered Amber Electric is looking to further expand its home battery and electric vehicle (EV) automation technology into global markets after landing $10 million (USD 6.62 million) in international funding.
Amber’s platform gives customers access to real-time electricity prices and the technology needed to automate and optimise their solar and battery assets.
The company said by giving households direct access to the wholesale energy market, it enables them to use, store and sell electricity at the most valuable times, turning solar, batteries and EVs into assets that deliver maximum value.
“Customers capture the full value of their household batteries and EVs in the energy market while accelerating the renewable transition,” it said.
Amber said it serves more than 40% of the growing domestic solar and battery automation market and the new capital will accelerate the licensing of its platform to utilities internationally, enabling more households in new markets to benefit from automation.
The new funding, featuring equal investment from United Kingdom energy supplier E.ON Next and Australia-based climate investor Virescent Ventures, comes after Amber banked a separate $45 million round earlier this year.
Amber co-Chief Executive Officer Chris Thompson said the new backing highlights the growing global demand for the company’s Australian-built platform.
“Having both E.ON and Virescent invest in Amber shows the strength of support for our technology at home and abroad,” he said.
“From one of Europe’s largest utilities to a leading Australian climate technology investor, this backing demonstrates that our model resonates globally. It also reflects the growing recognition that households can take an active role in the energy market, reducing costs and supporting a more flexible system.”
E.ON is already piloting Amber’s technology with up to 1,000 UK homes under its “Next Solar Max” trial, combining a dynamic tariff with automated solar and battery optimisation.
Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said by opening up direct access to the energy market it will allow households to capture the full value of their solar and batteries while supporting a smarter, more flexible grid.
“Giving people the technology to access dynamic pricing and to optimise the energy generated by their solar panels or stored in their home batteries means you can not only lower energy bills in the short term but also turn everyday households into a driving force of the energy transition,” he said.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, New York (WWNY) – There’s news that more solar projects, covering thousands of acres, could be on the horizon for Jefferson County, and it has officials concerned.
“We’re talking about probably one of the biggest developments in probably the history of Jefferson County,” said Ryan Piche, county administrator.
Piche said there are 16 proposed solar projects in the county. Five of those projects are large-scale solar farms, and would cover around 1,000 acres each, likely using good farmland.
The county is doing what it can to give local municipalities a say in these solar discussions.
For the last two years, the county’s planning and community development department has been gathering data for municipalities, arming them with arguments against projects in their backyards if local officials feel they aren’t a good fit and could negatively affect the area’s character and economy.
“Communities that don’t have that have seen their regulations struck down as arbitrary and capricious. So our job at the county level is to give our communities as much tools and data to make those kinds of strategies around actual data points,” said Hartley Bonisteel Schweitzer, director of the county’s planning and community development.
County officials say they aren’t against solar projects or the state’s clean energy initiative, but worry that local opinion doesn’t always count.
If the state wants the project to meet its goals, a solar farm can get the green light from Albany, bypassing local officials.
“The state has taken away local government’s authority to assess and tax these parcels. The state has created its own assessment model, which shall be applied to solar projects,” Piche said.
Piche said it’s unlikely all of these projects will go forward, but odds are several will. The county’s goal is to get the state to work with and listen to local municipalities.
Copyright 2026 WWNY. All rights reserved.

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Thursday, April 16, 2026
The owner of a major portfolio of utility sale solar projects says it remains hopeful that a sales agreement can be secured this year, although it has indicated it may need to throw in some battery storage to boost their earnings profile.
The Greek-based energy and industrial giant Metlen, formerly known as Mytilineos – has had the “for sale” sign out for its portfolio of operating Australian solar farms, and its development pipeline, since it retained Macquarie as an advisor in mid 2024. But is yet to secure a buyer.
In a call with analysts following its latest earnings report late last week, Metlen insisted that it expects to conclude the sale of the portfolio, along with its assets in Spain, in 2026.
CEO Christos Gavalas was asked by an analyst about the company’s asset rotation policy in countries such as Australia, Chile and Spain, and noted its efforts to add battery storage to its solar sites in Chile.
“Chile has been landmark for us. It has been hybridized,” Gavalas said. “We put batteries next to the solar, which is the answer to what the solar issue globally is and the zero pricing.
“This is the way forward, and this is the reason why we are so believers in that way for the green energy transition enabling, which is going to go through batteries and storage.
“Yes, Australia and Spain will follow. We do expect both of them to be sold this year, probably through the hybrid way, increasing the margins, increasing the PPAs, increasing the profitability, and providing an answer to that structural problem.”
Metlen has a portfolio of 527 megawatts (MW) of operating assets in Australia, the most it has in any country, plus around 183 MW of “ready to build” projects and another 345 MW of projects in late stage development.
Despite being the largest portfolio, Metlen revealed little more about the Australian assets in its annual report, other than to note that it recognised a gain of €36.2 million in the last year from the fair value movement of virtual Power Purchase Agreement contracts, primarily located in Australia.
“The fair value of PPAs is determined using discounted cash flow models, which estimate the present value of expected future cash flows over the contractual term of each PPA,” it noted.
Last year, it announced the refinancing of a portfolio of seven solar farms located across New South Wales and Queensland, including Corowa (40 MW), Junee (40 MW), Wagga (64 MW), Wyalong (75 MW), Moura (110 MW), and Kingaroy (53 MW), as well as the then soon to be completed 150 MW Munna Creek solar farm.
Solar farms have struggled on the earnings front because of the dilution of wholesale electricity prices in the middle of the day, and because many are forced to be curtailed when prices go negative.
There are now few, if any, standalone solar projects still being built in Australia, and solar-battery hybrids – where solar farms and big batteries are built behind the same connection point to store excess solar for more lucrative evening peaks – have now become the preferred project model.
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Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.
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By Finn Peacock, Chartered Electrical Engineer, Fact Checked By Ronald Brakels
Last Updated: 11th Mar 2026
The federal battery rebate is changing on May 1, 2026. The rebate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will fall nearly 20% and it will also become a tiered system, with only the first 14kWh of usable battery storage receiving the full rebate. Storage from 15-28kWh will receive a reduced amount, and from 29-50kWh will get very little.
It will be difficult to get batteries installed before May 1, but if you’re trying to lock in the best value before the cuts, but still need to brush up on battery basics, this no-nonsense guide has you covered.
I will walk you through solar battery prices, paybacks and brands in Australia so you can decide whether a battery is worth it for you. Then, I’ll show you how to pick the right home battery and get it installed by a reputable sparky, ensuring you make a savvy investment rather than a costly mistake.
Here’s a table of all the major home batteries on the Australian market. As you can see, there’s a lot of choice. The solar battery brands below are arranged according to how frequently they’re searched for on Google, with the most popular appearing first. Scroll left to right to see them all, then scroll past the table to learn more… 
Sungrow SBR HV 16 kWh
SigenStor Single-Phase (16 kWh)
Fox-ESS EQ 13.98 kWh
AlphaESS Smile-M5 (10 kWh)
BYD Battery Box Premium HVM 16.6
SolarEdge Home Battery
Neovolt 10 kWh
Growatt APX HV 10.0
Goodwe ESA 16 kWh
ESY Sunhome HM6-10
Anker SOLIX X1 15 kWh
iStore Smart Battery (10 kWh)
Fronius Reserva 12.6
Pylontech Force H3X Hybrid (10 kWh)
SOFAR PowerAll (10 kWh)
SolaX TSYS-HS51 10.2 kWh
FranklinWH aPower X-01-AU (13.6 kWh)
PowerPlus Energy Whispr 12.7
Yes, here.
Yes, here
Claims to have a plan to manage the risks, but details have not been provided.
Yes, here.
Yes, here.
Yes, here.
Yes, here.
Failed to respond
Yes, here.
Yes, here
Yes, here
Yes, here
Yes, here
Yes, here.
Yes, here
Yes, here.
Yes, here (covered under Shell’s).
No response from manufacturer.

One product per row, with no images
(Easy to browse)
One product per column, with product images
See the glossary for an explanation of each row on the table.
Every year, I ask hundreds of Australian battery installers to vote on the best home batteries based on what they’d install on their own homes. For the best home batteries in 2025, Tesla and Sungrow tied for first place, marking a big shift – Tesla had dominated the top spot since 2021. Sigenergy made an impressive debut in second place, and BYD slipped to third after being the runner-up last year. However, it might be the last year for BYD, since Fronius has released its own Reserva battery.
Now you know which batteries installers prefer, but what brands do the Australian people like? Find out on our top 10 best solar battery brands according to Australian reviewers.
A reasonably sized battery of around 12-15kWh, of a brand we recommend, starts at around $6,000 before installation. You can check pre-installation prices using our solar battery price grid. This can be used to rearrange brands from our comparison table above according to price, rating, popularity, and name.
The prices include the current Federal Battery Rebate. This cuts the cost of installed batteries by around 25% and is available throughout Australia. WA also has a state rebate that can give additional savings.
Besides rebates, the main factors affecting price are:
On top of the hardware cost, batteries must be installed professionally. DIY electrical work is not allowed in Australia because the results can be shocking.
A typical battery installation normally adds around $3,000 or more to a quote. A complicated battery installation (longer cable run, bollards for a garage, fire rated backing, etc.) can increase installation costs to $4,000 or more.
Many batteries also require a hybrid inverter. These usually start at around $2,000 but a hybrid inverter can be shared by the solar panels and a battery. So if you get solar and a battery at the same time, it can save the cost of buying a normal solar inverter. 
If you’re in WA, the WA battery rebate can make these prices even lower.
Wondering if a battery is worth it? Check out the full battery cost analysis.
Cheap deals on giant 30-50 kWh batteries are everywhere now, thanks to the federal rebate. The sting in the tail is that many of them are paired with a tiny 5 kW inverter. That small inverter throttles how fast the battery can charge from solar and how much power it can supply at once. In the real world, that means you can be sitting on a massive battery, but still dragging plenty from the grid whenever the house or EV needs a decent burst of power.
If you’re looking at a “big battery, small inverter” quote, don’t just check the storage size (kWh) – make sure the inverter power (kW) matches how you actually use energy at home, especially for air conditioning, hot water heating and EV charging. Read our in-house installer Anthony’s full breakdown of this “big battery with a small inverter” trap.
Not sure if you need to replace your existing solar system to add a battery? The flowchart below will help you quickly figure out if your current setup can work with the federal battery rebate — or if you might need some upgrades.
With a solar battery setting you back thousands of dollars, the next question is – how quickly will those dollars return to your pocket?
Battery payback can vary from ‘no-brainer’ to ‘not bloody worth it’ depending on a range of factors, with one of the most important being location. They’re more likely to pay for themselves in SA, WA, QLD, and NSW. It’s difficult to make a battery pay in VIC and extremely difficult in TAS. But because batteries can provide backup power in blackouts, you may consider one worthwhile even if it doesn’t fully pay for itself through electricity bill savings.
Other considerations are:
Be wary of aggressive sales tactics. Always do your research before making a decision. Don’t buy from door-knockers or unsolicited mailings.
If you already have solar and want to know if adding a battery is worth it financially, my ‘add-a-battery calculator‘ is your go-to. Using your smart meter data, it’ll work out how much spare solar you have for charging and how much energy you use overnight to give you an accurate battery payback period.
But if you’d rather skip the number-crunching, I’ll walk you through some ballpark payback figures.
For example, if you pay $11,000 to have a Sungrow SBR HV battery with 16kWh of storage installed, here are the savings and payback periods a household in NSW could expect to see in a best-case situation, as well as a more realistic outcome for a typical household¹.
In the more realistic situation with a time-of-use tariff, the savings will be roughly similar in NSW, SE QLD, SA and WA.  In the ACT and VIC, savings will be roughly one-third less.  In Tasmania, the savings will only be around one-third as much as in NSW, making it the state with the lowest financial return from installing a battery.  
The results show how battery households are normally much better off on a time-of-use tariff than a flat tariff.

Changes in guidelines now allow for more flexible solar setups, making it easier to install a large solar system at the same time as a battery. The larger your solar system, the better your battery payback will generally be.
In simple terms, a flat rate tariff means you’re charged the same price for electricity, no matter what time of day it is – usually around $0.35 for each unit of electricity (or kWh).
With a solar battery, you can store solar energy during the day and use it at night. Each unit of stored solar energy you use saves you the cost of buying that unit from the grid. However, keep in mind that using your stored energy means you’re also missing out on the money you’d earn by sending that energy back to the grid – a.k.a. the feed-in tariff.
A flat rate tariff charges one rate all day, every day.
So, if you pay $0.35 for grid electricity and your FiT is $0.07, you save $0.28 per kWh of battery energy used at night. Many people – and some dodgy sales folk – forget to subtract the foregone feed-in-tariff when calculating their savings.
Time-of-use (ToU) tariffs have two or more rates, the most expensive being in the late afternoon and evening when electricity can be as high as $0.75 per kWh. Most of your battery savings will come from avoiding the peak price period.
Some ToU tariffs charge as little as $0.08 for daytime electricity, so you can top up your battery cheaply, even if there is not enough solar power available.
With some ToU tariffs, late-night rates can be around 20 cents cheaper than in the morning. On these plans, you can top up your battery overnight to ride through the morning peak.
This particular ToU plan is Synergy’s Midday Saver, available in WA.
Some compellingly cheap time-of-use tariffs are only available to owners of specific brands. For example, Energy Locals’ Tesla Energy Plan is for Powerwall owners only.
One electricity retailer (Amber) exposes you to wholesale electricity pricing that varies every fifteen minutes. The price can go over $18 per kWh – which is terrible if you need to use grid electricity – but great for selling back to the grid.
On the flip side, prices can go so low they go negative, which means you get penalised for exporting energy and paid to use energy (a great time to charge a battery). It’s a high-stakes game for serious players only. But if you want to play it, I know people who have made over $2,000 in one year using Amber tariffs.
This is what your average hourly rate could be on a wholesale-exposed plan such as Amber Electric.
Now you know how batteries save you money, we can answer the $10,000 question…
On a flat tariff – not so much.
As you can see in the table above – a 14.5 year payback with a Powerwall on a flat tariff is typical. In my experience, that’s too long for most, although you can improve your payback by getting a rebate, joining a VPP, optimising your tariff or buying a cheaper battery (but don’t go too cheap).
But on a time-of-use tariff, it’s much better.
If you are on a time-of-use tariff and can get a 6-7 year payback, home energy storage starts to look like a good investment – especially if you value any of these bonus reasons for investing in a battery:
I’ve written a detailed answer to ‘Are Solar Batteries Worth It?‘, which considers where you live, what tariff you are on, and what local VPPs are available to you.
Battery rebates make batteries cheaper, improving payback.
National Battery Rebates?
An Australia-wide federal battery rebate aims to lower home battery costs by around 30%. The overwhelming popularity of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program threatened to deplete the allocated funding early. That is why the rebate has been adjusted, with restrictions on bigger-than-necessary batteries. In a nutshell:
The rebate value drops faster: it now steps down twice a year (not yearly) starting 1 Jan 2026.
In May, the scheme changes again. Not only the value drops, but big batteries get less support: the rebate becomes tiered, so larger capacities attract a much lower $/kWh subsidy (especially the 30–50 kWh “package deal” sizes).
Caps still apply: systems can be 5–100 kWh nominal, but the rebate only applies to the first 50 kWh usable.
Bottom line: normal household-sized batteries lose some value, but oversized batteries lose a lot more once the May 2026 tiers kick in.

State/Territory Rebates?
The federal battery rebate to be compatible with state and territory rebates. Currently, WA is the only state that offers a rebate.
Subsidised Battery Loans
Find out more about how these rebates and loans work on our in-depth Battery Rebates page.
VPP Rebates
Local government subsidies aren’t the only way to get a cheaper battery. Some virtual power plants give you an upfront discount on a new battery:
The downside is you lose control of your battery, and it is is worked harder – which can shorten its lifespan.
Nerd Fact: A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a collection of internet-connected residential batteries controlled by an energy company. This army of batteries charge and discharge in unison to support the grid.
Pro-tip: My Virtual Power Plant comparison table details every VPP available in the country.
I’ve been talking a lot about costs and returns, but let’s not lose sight of another massive perk – resilience. In an age of wild weather and unpredictable blackouts, a solar battery can be your home’s safety net, keeping the lights on when the grid throws in the towel.
You’ll be surprised to learn that not all batteries come with backup, and not all backup is equal. Here’s what you need to know if blackout protection is important to you…
Pro-Tip: The New South Wales Government has an additional VPP incentive of $55 per kWh of battery storage up to 10 kWh. This VPP incentive is what remains of the NSW battery rebate that got scrapped.
Finn’s house during a blackout
Most solar batteries available in Australia promise to keep you powered up during a blackout. But not all are created equal. Here are the must-know features that could make or break your blackout resilience:
An experienced installer is your best mate in navigating these intricacies. And remember, if you’re eyeing a budget battery, scrutinising these features is even more crucial.
Pro-tip: Some cheaper battery systems can interrupt the grid power to your essential circuits if the inverter hardware fails. Always install a $100 battery bypass switch to override it and keep the lights on if there’s a problem.
Buying a battery system to back up an entire Australian home costs big dollars. I recommend saving thousands by choosing a handful of essential circuits and backing those up. For example:
By zeroing in on these essentials, you’ll get the most bang for your buck and still keep things civilised when the grid goes down.
Wondering why Lithium-ion is the go-to for solar batteries? Let’s delve into that next.
Almost all grid-connected solar batteries in Australia are lithium-ion because they:
✅ store more energy by weight and volume
✅ are higher power by weight and volume (can charge and discharge faster)
✅ are more efficient – typically only losing 10% of energy when charged and then discharged
✅ are maintenance-free
✅ last longer than older lead-acid battery technology
✅ don’t require excessive amounts of space, fitting easily into most homes

The biggest disadvantage of Lithium-ion batteries is:
❌ in the unlikely event they catch fire, they burn like hell
Unless you want to go mega niche, you can choose from 3 types of solar batteries (all sub-types of lithium-ion):
High capacity.
High power.
Less capacity loss in the first year.
Catch fire more easily
Catch fire less easily.
~30% cheaper³.
Life = ~15% longer than NMC⁴.
Lower capacity than NMC.
Lose more capacity in the first year.
Claimed to last twice as long as NMC or LFP.
It is claimed to be one of the safest lithium chemistries, but at least one is reported to have caught fire in NSW
Lowest capacity⁵.
Most expensive.
Niche manufacturer.
Insider-tip: The Powerwall 2 is an NMC battery, but the Tesla Powerwall 3 has LFP battery cells and an integrated 11.3kW solar inverter – making it a true all-in-one battery system (see below).
Your solar battery’s aesthetics will depend on whether it is:
An all-in-one solar battery system contains almost everything you need in one big box:
In the marketing materials, you’ll see them with zero wires attached. Reality is not as neat:
In reality, you need isolating switches, power, comms cables, warning stickers and – if in a garage – a bollard. Install: JCW Electrical
A separate battery and battery inverter won’t look as tidy as a well-installed all-in-one, but a good installer can keep everything neat:
A separate Battery (bottom) and hybrid solar/battery inverter (top). Note the use of ducting and hard conduit to keep it neat. The grey box is a small switchboard for backup circuits and breakers.
The Powerwall 3 is almost all-in-one. It has a built-in solar inverter, so you can plug up to 20 kW of solar panels into it. However, it still needs the same Gateway box as the Powerwall 2 to handle backup and monitoring. Powerwall 3 is a good choice if you are buying your battery and solar array at the same time.
A Tesla Powerwall 3 safely installed in a South Australian garage. Install Credit: Goliath Solar and Electrical
Modular batteries are stackable or connectable units that you can add to over time as your energy needs grow. Unlike monolithic systems like the Powerwall 3, which come in one fixed size, modular batteries are designed to be lightweight, compact, and easier to install.
These batteries don’t just perform well – they look good too. Most resemble sleek building blocks that can stack vertically or connect horizontally, depending on the design. Popular modular battery brands include BYD and Sungrow.
This Sungrow SBR HV modular battery, undergoing installation, currently has a stack of four 3.2kWh battery modules.
Australia has strict standards for how and where batteries are installed – specifically Australian Standard AS5139. You don’t need to understand the electrical details, that’s the sparky’s job – but you do need to know how it affects where you can put it.
For example, places you can’t put a battery include:
And you definitely can’t put one in your dining room, like some battery brochures would have you believe:
Don’t do this. Image: Soltaro battery brochure
Australia’s a big country, and where you live can factor into which battery is best for you…
The closer you live to Melbourne or Hobart, the lower your annual solar production, so you’ll need a larger solar system to reliably charge a battery all year.
At the other extreme, heat is the #1 thing that will shorten your battery’s life. So keep it cool if you live in a particularly sunburnt part of Australia, and check its ambient temperature range in the battery comparison table at the top of this page before buying.
‘Solar sponge’ electricity plans, which can boost battery payback, and allow you to charge cheaply from the grid on low solar days are currently only available in WA, SA and QLD. But they’re likely to appear in other states soon.
Certain government battery rebates, interest-free loans, or Virtual Power Plants are area-specific.
Some local DNSPs (Distributed Network Service Providers), like Essential Energy, still make it hard to add a battery inverter if you already have a solar inverter. A good local installer will be all over these rules.
Installing a solar battery isn’t just a matter of connecting a few wires and it usually takes two people one day. It’s a precise job that requires planning, compliance with Australian standards, and a licensed electrician. Whether you’re upgrading your current solar setup or going hybrid, the goal is to keep your home running smoothly – even during a grid outage.
The battery is mounted securely (on the wall or floor) and connected to an inverter – either your existing hybrid one or a new battery inverter. The key is seamless integration with your solar panels and grid for maximum safety and performance.
Want to see how it’s done? Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at a professional installation, from setup to final handover.
My solar & battery calculator estimates the savings and payback of solar and batteries for your situation. Crucially, it separates out the solar and the battery savings, so you can decide if home energy storage is worth the extra dollars.
If you already own a solar panel system but want to calculate the potential savings of adding a battery, you can use my “Add a battery” calculator.
Read expert solar battery reviews and browse customer reviews for most battery brands sold in Australia.
Installing a hybrid inverter to control both your solar panels and your solar battery can save you money because you only need one expensive (~$2000) inverter. Here is a table comparing all hybrid inverters we know of available in Australia. If you choose one of these for your solar installation, adding batteries can be cheaper and easier in the future.
Understanding Batteries 101: This is a more in-depth guide aimed at technical understanding of home batteries, delving into how they work and comparing different technologies like lead-acid and lithium-ion. It also explains the difference between power and energy in the context of batteries and discusses integrating a battery with a solar system using AC or DC coupling.
Buying Batteries 101: If you are serious about buying a solar battery – you should read this guide (or watch the video) so you can go toe to toe with any salesperson and get the right battery system at the right price.
Owning Batteries 101: Once your solar battery is installed, here’s what you need to know for a decade or two of cheap, secure power.
If you are on a single-rate tariff, you want enough capacity to get you from sunset to sunrise. If you are on a Time-Of-Use tariff, you must get through the evening peak – typically 4 pm – 10 pm. You can usually see your hourly usage through your electricity retailer’s online portal.
Remember that most battery owners keep a 20% ‘reserve margin’ on top of that in case of a blackout. So a 10 kWh battery would have 2 kWh reserved for blackouts and 8 kWh for powering your home.
Some prefer to maximise the financial return from their batteries by not setting a reserve. There will usually be some energy in the battery when a blackout occurs, but it runs the risk you’ll wind up sitting in the dark.
Smaller batteries cost more per kWh of usable storage. This means you may be better off getting a larger one despite your low electricity usage.
Here’s an even more detailed answer: How many solar batteries do you need?
If you have access to a grid connection, do not go off-grid. Grid-connected solar and battery systems start at around $6,000. Dependable off-grid systems for typical Australian homes start at around $60,000 and require regular checks, careful energy management, and generator backup.
The size of home batteries depends on their energy capacity and their ‘specific energy’, which measures how much capacity they can squeeze into a given volume. If space is an issue, Tesla and Sungrow make space-efficient batteries, whereas the Enphase solution is bloody huge. More details on battery dimensions here.
A study in the journal Energies says in moderate climates (20–32°C) with daily use, lithium batteries should last 14–16 years. In climates up to 40°C, expect 12–14 years. Warranties range from less than two years (if you read the small print on some cheap batteries) to 15 years for some NMC and LFP batteries and 20 years for more expensive LTO chemistry. More details on how long batteries last here.
Those who join the Tesla Energy Plan VPP and stick with it will have their Powerwall 2 warranty extended by 5 years. This suggests Tesla expects their home batteries to last at least 15 years.
Every year, I survey our network of ~600 installers and ask them. In 2025, Tesla and Sungrow tied for the best battery, followed by Sigenergy and BYD.
Yes. Home battery recycling is an emerging industry – because there are not many at the end of their life yet – but the technology exists to recycle over 90% of a home battery. When yours finally dies, contact your installer or the manufacturer for details.
Yes. Although extremely unlikely, I’m not gonna lie. If a lithium-ion solar battery catches fire, it will burn ferociously and can release nasty gases, which may include phosphorus pentafluoride, phosphoryl fluoride and hydrofluoric acid vapours.
You do not want to breathe these in – so evacuate the area and contact emergency services. Remain upwind and notify those downwind. No one should go near a smoking or burning home battery without full protective equipment, including Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
I’ve written a whole page on home battery safety if you are concerned.
NO! A battery will only lose money if your feed-in tariff exceeds your usage tariff — provided the solar system is a reasonable size. If it’s only small, you can be better off with a large new solar system and a battery.
Yes. They usually go on your home insurance, not your contents insurance, because they are hardwired into your home. Just call your insurer and let them know you’ve added a home battery.
No. You can happily use a single-phase battery on one phase of a three-phase home, but there are some 3-phase battery details you should know.
A ‘battery-ready’ solar system is a grid-connected solar power system designed for easy future integration of batteries.
It depends entirely on the size of your house, how you condition the spaces, how you heat water, and how many residents. The best way to know is measure your existing overnight consumption either with a solar consumption meter, monitoring like CatchPower or data from your utility smart meter.
Sizing a battery to cover your average demand from around 3 pm to 9 am is the normal approach, but you must also ensure there is enough solar yield to power the daytime loads and enough surplus to fill the battery.
It’s especially critical to consider winter. When heating loads are high and solar generation is low you’ll want a lot more panels on the roof.
A battery under 10 kWh can suit households with low overnight electricity consumption or those who want the fastest payback period possible. But for most households, I recommend over 10 kWh because – so long as you have enough solar – it will minimise your grid electricity consumption and allow you to live through most blackouts with ease.
A solar battery is any battery designed to store energy from solar panels. That includes everything from small off-grid setups to large commercial and utility-scale systems. A home battery is simply a type of solar battery made for residential use. So, while all home batteries are solar batteries, not all solar batteries are home batteries. On SolarQuotes, when we talk about solar batteries, we’re almost always talking about home batteries: the kind you can install at your place to store excess solar and use it later.
Price: Our best retail price estimate includes GST. For the required hardware only.
Battery Type: Either LFP, NMC or LTO. See here for an explanation of the differences.
All-in-one-unit: See here for a pictorial explanation of the difference between an all-in-one, a separate battery and inverter and a Powerwall.
Nominal Storage: How many kWh a battery can store in theory. In practice, most won’t let you use all their energy capacity in order to prolong their lifespan.
Usable Storage Capacity: How many kWh you can store in a battery in practice.
Power (kW): The speed at which a battery can charge and discharge. Check yours doesn’t limit this in backup mode.
Round Trip Efficiency: When you put a kWh in, how much do you get back out? Typically 90%.
Ambient temperature range: What air temperature is the battery rated for? If it gets too cold or too hot, performance can take a hit, or the warranty can be reduced, or both.
Off-grid capable: Does the manufacturer warrant the battery for off-grid?
IP Rating: How well sealed from the elements is the battery? Can it go outside?
Compatible Hybrid Inverters: A hybrid inverter is required for some battery systems – these are compatible ones. A hybrid inverter can also manage your solar panels – potentially saving a couple of thousand bucks.
Warranty: the headline warranty – before caveats. Sometimes this is shortened depending on how hard you work the battery.
Battery capacity remaining at end of warranty:This is how much of the original capacity you can pull from the battery under warranty. For example, a 10kWh battery that warrants 70% capacity at the end of 10 years would give you 7kWh.
Warranty length (1 cycle per day): How long is the warranty if you fully discharge the battery every day? Those on a flat tariff rarely cycle theirs more than once per day.
Warranty length (1.5 cycles per day): If you fully discharge the battery 1.5 times every day, how long is the warranty? This is typical for time-of-use tariffs where you charge during the day to get through the evening peak, and then again at night to get through the morning peak.
Cost Per Warranted kWh: 1 Cycle Per Day: If the battery cycles once per day, this is how much each warranted kilowatt-hour of stored electricity will cost. It exposes good and bad warranties.
Modern Slavery/Forced Labour: Does the manufacturer have policies addressing modern slavery/forced labour risks.
If you’re ready to buy a solar battery, I can help you get quotes for quality home energy storage systems from pre-vetted installers quickly and easily:

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Light rain this morning. Breaks of sun this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..
A stray thunderstorm is possible throughout the evening. Some clouds. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: April 16, 2026 @ 4:13 am

Questions, concerns and approvals were voiced Tuesday night, April 14, during a public hearing concerning SB Energy’s special use permit application for the Shawnee Energy Project. Approximately 65 people filled the large courtroom of the Massac County Courthouse. Located on the border with Johnson County, the Massac County portion of the project will feature a 150 megawatt solar farm on 650 fenced-in acres. Further comments about the project are being accepted through Thursday, April 23, and can be submitted in writing only to the Massac County Clerk on the Massac County Clerk Facebook page. Via state statute, the Massac County Commission has 30 days to review the application before voting on it. The article concerning Tuesday’s hearing will be published in the April 23 edition of the Metropolis Planet.
Voices heard during solar hearing
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All-in-one system for balcony solar & PV systems launches with discount  Notebookcheck
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Citicore Energizes 125MWp Solar Project in Pangasinan, Boosting Philippines’ Clean Energy Capacity  SolarQuarter
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This Stoughton Utilities map shows local solar connections.

This Stoughton Utilities map shows local solar connections.
Stoughton Utilities is marking Earth Day 2026 by highlighting two milestones that put the community on the national map for clean energy: Stoughton ranked sixth in the nation for 2024 green power participation rate and ninth for green pricing sales rate, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies, and local solar connections exceeded 200 projects in 2025.
According to a company news release, as Stoughton’s locally owned, not-for-profit electric utility, Stoughton Utilities works with customers and the City of Stoughton to expand renewable energy options, improve energy efficiency, and support conservation – helping residents and businesses lower their environmental impact while keeping service reliable and affordable.
Stoughton Utilities has supported customers interested in adding solar to their homes and businesses for over a decade. In 2008, the utility installed a 6.8-kilowatt photovoltaic system on its administration building – an early local investment in modern solar technology.
Today, the city and surrounding townships served by Stoughton Utilities include more than 208 customer-sited solar projects interconnected with the distribution system, a total that exceeded 200 projects in 2025 and has more than doubled over the last five years. Customers can view the locations of these projects by visiting stoughtonutilities.com/solar.
Choose Renewable
For customers who cannot install solar panels where they live or work, Stoughton Utilities’ Choose Renewable program – launched in 2003 – offers a simple way to support clean energy. Participants can add a few dollars to their monthly bill to ensure some or all of their electricity use comes from renewable resources such as wind, solar and biogas. One 300 kilowatt-hour block costs $2 per month; most households can offset all of their monthly usage with two to three blocks.
To lead by example, Stoughton Utilities and the City of Stoughton each purchase enough Choose Renewable blocks to ensure that 100% of the electricity used for their operations is from renewable sources.
Stoughton has consistently ranked among the top 10 communities nationwide for green power program participation and sales, driven by local adoption of Choose Renewable. Most recently, Stoughton ranked sixth in the nation for its green power participation rate (6%) and ninth for its green pricing sales rate (5.5%), according to NLR. The rankings, measured as of December 2024, were released on February 3, 2026.
Stoughton Utilities is also working to increase renewable energy use through its wholesale power supply. WPPI Energy’s membership has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 45% since 2005. In 2024, nearly 25% of the power purchased by WPPI Energy on behalf of member communities came from renewable sources including wind, solar and biogas.
Beyond renewable generation, Stoughton Utilities promotes practical steps the community can take to save energy and water. The utility regularly connects residents with programs such as Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy, which offers incentives for qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, which encourages water conservation. With Earth Day approaching, customers are encouraged to explore these options and identify upgrades that can reduce both utility bills and environmental impact.
Stoughton Utilities also offers customer incentives to help make efficiency upgrades more affordable, including incentives for ENERGY STAR® appliances, EV chargers, smart thermostats, and home energy assessments. Learn more, view current eligibility requirements, and find application details at stoughtonutilities.com/incentives.
Stoughton Utilities has been recognized as a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association for demonstrating a commitment to and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service. The utility was also recognized as a Dane County Climate Champion in 2023 for their promotion of renewable and energy efficiency programs and initiatives.
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By the People, for the People
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Institutional investor reduces position in solar cell manufacturer
Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:50am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. reduced its stake in First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) by 3.2% during the fourth quarter, according to a recent SEC filing. The fund now owns 242,496 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock, valued at $63.3 million.
First Solar is a leading U.S. solar technology company, and institutional investors’ trading activity in its stock can signal broader market trends and sentiment around the renewable energy sector.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group sold 7,956 shares of First Solar stock during the fourth quarter. The fund now owns a 0.23% stake in the company. Several other institutional investors have also recently adjusted their positions in First Solar, with some increasing and others decreasing their holdings.
A major Japanese financial services group that manages over $1 trillion in assets globally.
A U.S. solar technology company that manufactures thin-film photovoltaic modules and provides solar energy solutions.
Institutional investors’ trading activity in solar stocks like First Solar can provide insights into the overall health and direction of the renewable energy industry.
Apr. 16, 2026
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Intertek buys Mitsui Chemicals’ solar testing laboratory in India  London South East
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Amazon Australia has announced nine new power purchase agreements, that include three utility-scale solar and battery hybrids, four distributed solar-battery projects, and a new battery at the Mokoan Solar Farm, committing stable revenues to 430 MW of renewable energy.
Image: Amazon
Amazon Australia has signed nine power purchase agreements (PPAs) that include three utility-scale solar and battery hybrids, four distributed solar-battery projects, and the new battery at Mokoan Solar Farm, committing stable revenues to 430 MW of renewable energy.
Danish renewables developer European Energy had previously signed a PPA with Amazon for the Mokoan solar farm in June 2025, when the tech giant had also pledged $20 billion (USD 14.3 billion) to 2029 to expand Australian cloud computing,
Three of the nine new projects are located across New South Wales (NSW) and include the Sweden-headquartered developer OX2’s 135 MW Muswellbrook solar farm and 135 MW / 270 MWh battery storage.
Also in NSW, PPAs are signed with the Spain-based developer X-ELIO’s 90 MW Forest Glen solar farm and 25 MW / 25 MWh  battery energy storage system (BESS), and Sydney-based Anza Power’s 4.95 MW Stanbridge solar farm with 20 MWh battery storage.
Along with three wind farms in Victoria, two Anza-owned 4.95 MW solar farms and 20 MWh BESS have new Amazon Australia PPAs at Barnawartha North and Mooroopna, as does the 40 MW / 80 MWh BESS being added to Denmark-headquartered clean energy company European Energy Australia’s 58 MW Mokoan solar farm.
Once operational, the 20 renewable energy projects will provide almost 1 GW (990 MW) of new renewable energy capacity, which is enough to power the equivalent of more than 500,000 Australian households annually.
The company said it has invested an estimated $2.8 billion in renewable energy projects across Australia since 2020, making it the largest corporate purchaser of carbon-free energy in Australia for 2025, according to BloombergNEF data.
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3rd International Integrated-PV Workshop  Solarbe Global
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Partly sunny and continued very warm and mainly dry. Once again there is the smallest of chances of a stray shower or thunderstorm sneaking into parts of the area, mainly north. Record highs are possible. .
Partly to mostly cloudy overnight. Stray shower or t-shower. Continued very mild.
Updated: April 16, 2026 @ 3:06 am

AMITY TWP., Pa. – A statewide environmental group looked to learn more about one of the first businesses in Berks County to go solar.
Officials with PennEnvironment toured Manatawny Creek Winery in Amity Township.
The winery installed solar panels in 2007, and now those panels are near the end of their life span.
The panels offset 25% of the winery’s annual energy usage.
PennEnvironment says the business could be an inspiration to others.
“Pennsylvania currently gets only 4% of its electricity from those kind of renewable sources, I think even less than 1% from solar itself,” said Belle Sherwood, climate and clean energy advocate with PennEnvironment. “So there’s a lot of room to grow. Manatawny is a great example of, you know, someone that’s had solar for a long time, but can be an inspiration to other businesses in the area.”
Officials say solar technology has come a long way since the winery installed the panels.
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Iran war sparks “fundamental energy transition” in Seoul toward renewables: Energy minister  CNBC
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US based Suniva, solar cell manufacturer, has signed agreements to establish 4.5 GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Laurens, South Carolina. The project is expected to begin operations in Q2 2027 and with an investment of over $350 million. The facility will span 620,000 square feet and is projected to create more than 550 jobs. With this addition, Suniva’s total US solar cell manufacturing capacity will exceed to 5.5 GW annually. The company will also combine the new site with its existing operations in metro Atlanta. The expansion focuses on domestic solar manufacturing and reducing reliance on external supply chains.

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Solar Tech Weekly: Grid-Free Hydrogen Tech; Dinto Solar HJT Roadmap; Perovskite Stability Breakthrough and More…  SolarQuarter
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This article features deals sourced directly by Gizmodo and produced independently of the editorial team. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on the site.
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Keeping your outdoors secured doesn’t have to be a hassle. The most convenient security cameras are the ones that don’t require complicated installation or batteries to keep going. These usually pair with a small solar panel to stay powered. If you own one or are planning to pick one up, Amazon is currently offering a 1.9W solar panel for Ring cameras for less.
It usually goes for $40, but a nice 20% discount has now dropped the price to just $32. The offer applies to both white and black color options. Note that the retailer has marked the discount as a limited-time one, so it’s likely to wrap up soon. It’s best to place your orders without wasting time!
See at Amazon
This tiny solar panel uses the same upgraded solar tech as Ring’s larger panels, but in a much smaller frame. Setup is pretty straightforward. The included 6.5-inch cable lets you comfortably position the panel in an ideal sunlight spot without feeling tied to the camera. Plus, even when it’s installed in place, you’ll still have the option to rotate and tilt it, so you get the best angle throughout the day. This is especially great for cloudy days, where the sun is trying to play hide and seek!
Once it’s up, the solar panel keeps your camera running smoothly with just a few hours of direct sunlight each day. Compatibility is just as impressive, as it plays nicely with a bunch of Ring’s wireless cameras, including Outdoor Cam Plus, Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam), Stick Up Cam Pro, Spotlight Cam Plus, and Spotlight Cam Pro. There’s also a USB-C to Barrel plug adapter included, which means the solar panel is backwards compatible with older models like the Ring Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam) and Spotlight Cam Battery.
Included in the box are the solar panel with a USB-C cable, an adjustable mounting base with cable management, a USB-C to Barrel plug adapter, mounting screws with anchors, cable clips, and a user guide.
You can now grab the Ring small solar panel for just $32, down from $40. That’s thanks to a 20% discount that saves you a nice $8. But again, note that the offer won’t be around for long. We highly recommend grabbing it now if you want to avoid paying the full price later. Both colors are discounted, so you pick the one that matches your Ring camera.
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Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has opened tendering for a grid-connected 20 MW floating solar photovoltaic project at Chilwa Taal, Gorakhpur, including five years of operation and maintenance.
Image: Novus Green, SCCL
From pv magazine India
Coal India is now accepting bids to develop a 20 MW (AC) floating solar facility at Chilwa Taal in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
The scope includes design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning, with a minimum 40% (DC) overload capacity. The selected contractor will operate and maintain the plant for five years after commissioning. The total contract spans 72 months: 12 months for construction and commissioning, followed by 60 months of ongoing O&M.
CIL plans to leverage floating solar technology to optimize water-body use, reduce land requirements, and expand its renewable energy portfolio. Bidding closes on Jan. 14, 2026.
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April 16, 2026
Rural Nebraskans are more supportive of home- or community-based wind and solar production than large-scale production models, and more supportive overall of solar energy production versus wind, according to the 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll.
Fifty-six percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed support home-based systems for solar energy production, such as solar panels installed on private property and owned by the landowner. Fifty-one percent also support community-based production, which often works as cooperative models. In both cases, excess energy can often be sold to local power companies. But support for either home- or community-based wind production systems is mixed, with about equal preference for or against.
When it comes to large-scale operations, however, most respondents strongly or somewhat oppose large-scale energy production through wind (59%) and solar (52%). These operations are generally private companies that install wind turbines or solar panels on land leased from local landowners, and they supply electricity to an entire region.
“Rural Nebraskans’ preferences show a clear desire to keep energy production local,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. “People are open to renewable energy, especially when it’s owned and operated close to home, where the benefits stay in the community. The hesitancy toward large-scale projects suggests that rural residents want to be sure those projects really serve local interests.”
Some regional differences exist when examining the support for these various energy production scenarios. Respondents in the north-central region tended to be least supportive of any of the scenarios, while those in the Panhandle were most likely to support each of the farm- or community-based systems.
When asked about positive and negative impacts of wind turbines, the poll found 53% of respondents believe they can create visual or aesthetic problems. Many respondents also agree that wind turbines cause other problems, such as harming birds and bats (48%) and creating noise pollution (46%). But many also agree they have positive impacts on job creation and economic benefits for local communities (45%). 
Opinions are divided on whether wind turbines can help keep land in agriculture. Forty-two percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed are uncertain about that statement, while 33% disagree and just 24% agree. 
“We see varying opinions about the impacts of wind turbines, which is likely contributing to the lower support for those energy production systems,” said Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension specialist based in the Panhandle. “Other than a general agreement that they’re aesthetically displeasing, these mixed opinions from region to region suggest that if wind energy is going to become more prevalent across the entire state, communities will need to start having open conversations about local priorities, land use and economic impact.”
Not many rural Nebraskans surveyed have direct experience with wind and solar energy production. Just 13% can see wind turbines from their home, or land they own or farm. Five percent own or lease solar panels. Only 3% can hear wind turbines from their home, or land they own or farm. 
When considering whether to locate small wind turbines on their own land, to power a home, farm or ranch, most respondents rate factors such as the reliability of turbines or panels, the cost to install them, having backup power during outages, energy savings and fit in the landscape as very important: 
Thirty-three percent of respondents rate that turbines or panels would show their commitment to sustainability as very important.
“For most rural Nebraskans, renewable energy is still more of an idea than a personal experience,” said Becky Vogt, manager of the Rural Poll. “People are more interested in the practical benefits — reliability, cost savings, trusted service — than in symbolic or environmental reasons alone. As more residents see these technologies in action, confidence in their value within rural communities may continue to grow. That’s to be seen.”
To read the full report, “Rural Nebraskans’ Perspectives on Energy Resources,” visit the Rural Poll website.
The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll marks the 30th year of tracking rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life, making it the largest and longest-running poll of its kind. Last summer, questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,700 Nebraska households, with 943 households from 86 of the state’s 93 counties responding. The poll carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%. Conducted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska with funding from Nebraska Extension, the Rural Poll provides three decades of data on the voices of rural Nebraskans. Current and past reports are available here.
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‘Maybe it’s not science fiction’: Solar panels are causing rainwater to fall in one of the driest places on Earth  techradar.com
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Hildisrieden, LU – April 03, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Oekoboiler Swiss AG, a Swiss manufacturer specializing in energy-efficient heat pump boilers, continues to expand its sustainable hot water solutions that seamlessly integrate with photovoltaic systems across Switzerland. The company’s advanced systems combine heat pump and solar technology to deliver significant energy savings while reducing CO2 emissions in residential and commercial buildings.
The company’s innovative approach addresses the growing demand for sustainable building technologies as Switzerland moves toward stricter energy-efficiency standards. Oekoboiler’s systems utilize a dual-energy approach that draws approximately 75 percent of the required energy from ambient air and only 25 percent from electricity, resulting in up to an 80 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional water-heating methods.

The company’s heat pump boilers operate independently from central heating systems, making them particularly suitable for both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings. This flexibility has positioned Oekoboiler as a key provider of sustainable hot water solutions throughout Switzerland, where the company plans, installs, and maintains systems tailored to individual building requirements. Learn more here: https://pressadvantage.com/organization/oekoboiler-swiss-ag.
As Switzerland prepares for the implementation of EnEV 2025 energy efficiency standards, Oekoboiler’s technology offers building owners a pathway to compliance while maintaining comfort and reliability. The systems feature smart controls that optimize energy usage based on demand patterns and available solar energy, ensuring maximum efficiency throughout the year.
The integration capabilities extend beyond basic functionality, with WiFi-enabled models allowing remote monitoring and control. This connectivity enables property owners and facility managers to track energy consumption, adjust settings, and receive maintenance alerts, contributing to long-term system efficiency and reliability.
Oekoboiler’s product range includes storage capacities from 150 to 450 liters, accommodating various building sizes and hot water demands. Each system undergoes rigorous testing in Switzerland, ensuring quality and performance standards that meet the country’s stringent building regulations.
The environmental benefits of Oekoboiler’s technology extend beyond energy savings. The heat pump operation naturally dehumidifies basement spaces where units are typically installed, preventing mold formation and eliminating the need for separate dehumidification equipment. This dual functionality adds value for property owners while contributing to healthier indoor environments.

Oekoboiler Swiss AG maintains its commitment to Swiss engineering excellence through continuous product development and comprehensive service support. The company’s focus on quality consultation and customized solutions has established its reputation as a trusted partner for sustainable building projects throughout Switzerland. Additional information about Oekoboiler Swiss AG can be found at https://oekoboiler-swiss-ag.localo.site.
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For more information about Oekoboiler Swiss AG, contact the company here:
Oekoboiler Swiss AG
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+41 41 511 21 77
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Mülacher 6
6024 Hildisrieden
Switzerland
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Alok Nigam, CEO of UPC Renewables, Honoured as Visionary Leader of the Year at India Solar Week 2026  SolarQuarter
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Spain’s Naturgy plugs in 300 MW of storage-ready solar farms in Andalusia  Renewables Now
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A massive solar tower in the Moroccan desert is the beacon of an ambitious push for a clean energy future. But fossil fuels and grid constraints stand in the way.
The Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of Marrakech, lies on the edge of the Sahara and is known as the “door to the desert.”
Ouarzazate is probably best known for the Atlas Film Studios, where blockbusters from “The Mummy” to “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones” have been filmed. But a new industry is taking shape.
Near the city, lying on a high plateau hemmed by the Atlas Mountains, one of the world’s largest solar power plants is being built. It is named Noor, meaning light in Arabic.
Stretching over nearly 500 hectares (some 1,200 acres), the solar facility produces enough energy to power more than a million homes. But this is not a typical solar farm.
Instead of commonly seen black PV panels, Noor uses concentrated solar power. A field of 2 million giant mirrors reflects the sun’s rays onto a central receiver that sits at the top of a 247-meter (810-foot) tower. The concentrated sunlight melts molten salt to 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 degrees Fahrenheit). That makes steam, which spins turbines, generating electricity even hours after sunset.
In Ouarzazate, however, electricity remains expensive. Most households are not dependent on solar, but on butane gas. So why hasn’t clean energy arrived for the local community?
One reason is that Morocco’s energy grid is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and especially coal-fired power generation. Intissar Fakir, a senior fellow and founding director of the North Africa and the Sahel program at the Middle East Institute in Washington D.C. said this has slowed the nation’s clean energy transition.
“Fossil fuel-generated electricity contributes about 48% of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
Moroccans spend around $110 (€94) of their $550 average monthly income on electricity. This is in a hot and dry country, where residents rely on air conditioning or a fan to stay cool. It’s regularly over 40 degrees Celsius in Ouarzazate during the summer, and the number of hot days and nights has roughly doubled in the region since the 1970s.
This expense is partly down to the fact that Morocco does not produce any fossil fuels domestically, and imports about 90% of its coal, oil and gas, Fakir explained. Energy market and price fluctuations mean fossil fuel imports consume a major portion of the national budget, making the switch away from planet-heating coal, oil and gas increasingly urgent.
That said, Morocco has made more progress on renewables than most North African countries.
“Even by global standards, Morocco’s transition plan is pretty ambitious,” said Fakir. By 2030, the country plans to be able to power its economy with 52% of renewable electricity. By 2050, it’s aiming for 70% clean power capacity. And considering that the country has ample sun and coastal wind, the conditions seem right.
The Noor solar plant might be the star of Morocco’s shift to renewables, but it’s just one of around two dozen solar, wind and hydro megaprojects already built. Another several dozen are in the pipeline.
The country has also recently pledged to phase out coal power entirely by 2040 as part of its clean energy transition.
But it has some catching up to do. While it currently has enough renewable technology to generate 46% of its electricity, in 2023 the nation only achieved a little over half of that. 
“The actual output in the country’s ability to integrate what Noor produces remains quite limited,” said Fakir. “Morocco still needs to invest in its grid capacity so they can integrate more of these renewable energies into daily use.” This includes investment in ways to store energy.
She said more investment is also needed if the country is to realize its goal of selling its clean power abroad — especially to Europe.
“Even as solar panels and wind turbines get cheaper, building large-scale, clean energy systems like Noor still takes serious upfront investment for low income countries,” she explained.
Researchers and civil society organizations have also been critical of the government’s focus on megaprojects like Noor instead of more decentralized, small-scale clean energy schemes, including rooftop PV panels for homes, businesses and farms.
One critique is that concentrated solar power is very water intensive. Its millions of mirrors need to be cleaned with water to remove sand and dust that get in the way of their ability to reflect light. In addition, a lot of grazing land was appropriated from local farmers to host Noor, with little consultation.

The project has divided locals, many of whom have seen few benefits. Imrane, an 83-year old resident, said electricity is still very expensive for villagers, adding that the solar tower’s mirrors and concentrated sunlight has driven up temperatures in their villages.
Fakir said that, despite the expense, the Noor solar project was an experiment.
“These are great flagship projects that prove the extent of Morocco’s technical capabilities,” she said. “But they also again highlight the challenge that even with these massive investments, renewables are still struggling to displace the entrenched coal and fossil fuel generation.”
Edited by: Stuart Braun
This article was adapted from a DW Living Planet radio series on solar energy. Click here to listen.

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Credit: AFP
Chinese officials have held early-stage discussions on potential restrictions on exports of advanced solar panel manufacturing equipment and technology to the US, Reuters reported, citing five people familiar with the matter. The reported move…
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EXPLAINER: How to keep your solar panels safe from fire  Inquirer.net
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Current solar feed-in tariffs in South Australia are Voluntary Retailer Contributions. This means SA electricity retailers don’t have to pay anything for solar electricity exported to the grid, although they usually do.
Here are some electricity plans with better-than-average feed-in tariffs, available as at January 2025:
For plans that offer a higher rate for the first 8 or 10kWh exported per day, it’s actually for the first 8 or 10kWh multiplied by the number of days in the billing period.  The retailer doesn’t actually look at each individual day.  This is to your advantage, as solar exports can vary considerably from day to day.
For the most up-to-date rates from these retailers and others, use our electricity retailer comparison tool.
Note that plans with higher feed-in tariffs won’t always result in the lowest electricity bills. You need to carefully compare the FiT rate with other charges, such as the supply charge and consumption rates. Always check the fine print for other details that may affect whether a plan is best for you.
Also note that while feed-in tariffs are a nice bonus, the most value you’ll get from your solar panels is through maximising consumption of the electricity they generate.
To find current SA solar feed-in tariffs offered by a wide variety of retailers in your area, you can enter your postcode into the retailer comparison tool below:

South Australians who applied to install solar panels before the 30th of September 2011 could lock in a 44 cent feed-in tariff until the Jult 1, 2028.
Those who applied from the 1st of October 2011 to the 30 of September 2013 could lock in a 16 cent feed-in tariff until the Octorber 1, 2016. This 16 cent feed-in tariff is now over.
If a household increases the size of its solar inverter or the capacity of its solar panels beyond what was already approved by SA Power Networks, they will lose the high feed-in tariff.

If you are in SA, on the 44c FiT and are thinking of upgrading your solar power system, you need to find out what size system your installer received permission for to connect to the grid.
You can upgrade your system up to the size that is on your ‘permission to connect’ notice from SA Power Networks without forfeiting your 44c solar feed in tariff.
If you go over this size, you lose your 44c FiT and have to go onto the current FiT (1c – 11c depending on retailer).
Just to be clear, here’s an example:
You’re in South Australia and have an 8kW inverter and 5kW of solar panels. Your installer applied for and received permission to connect an 8kW PV system. You can add another 3kW of panels and keep your existing 44c tariff. If you add more than 3kW of panels, you will lose the 44c FiT for the entire system and will get paid the current FiT rate.
If you are considering upgrading, I’ve written a detailed page on how to avoid getting burned when upgrading your solar power system.
The SA government’s official solar feed in tariff information is here.
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April 16, 2026 Karsyn Larsen Opinion 0

The energy crisis in Europe, inflation, price fluctuations and ever-accelerating digitization have changed the way homes consume, manage and consume energy.
But the most important thing is not only this context, but the change in mentality it brought about. The consumer is not limited to the cheapest option. You want to understand what you consume, how you consume it and how you can optimize it.
In addition to this change, there is a clearer wish: gain energy and digital independence. It is decided, less on external factors, to have a greater decision-making capacity and to rely on tools that allow better control of consumption.
For years, energy was little more than a hard-to-interpret fact for many people. There was little information, little room for decision-making and a clear sense of dependency.
Now the scenario is different. The consumer compares, questions and demands more clarity.
The combination of photovoltaic solar energy with a reflective air heater is good in this development. Not only does it make it possible to increase self-consumption, but it also reduces dependence on gas for air conditioning and water heating.
Accustomed to consulting data and managing many aspects of his life from his mobile, he is determined to pursue the same level of visibility in the energy sector as well. Horror is still important, but it is not the only criterion.
It weighs more each time stabilityelectricity comfort and the possibility of reducing exposure la uncertain.
In the long term, we reach residential consumers with higher criteria and a broader vision of what they expect from energy in their home. You don’t want to limit yourself to a pre-bill reaction. You want to be better at consumption, predict it and have more control over your decisions.
This change is clearly visible in the residential market. Installing solar panels has become seen only as a way to lower your electricity bill.
Each time more consumers come on board, they see it as the start of a more complete home energy transition.
Combination photovoltaic solar energy with air heat they reflect this development well. Not only will it allow you to increase own consumptioneven reduces addiction to gas steam la air conditioning y el hot water. The plan is not only what can be achieved with the concrete installation, but also how to make it as efficient as possible and as little exposed to price fluctuations as possible.
Again, it is clearer to us that the domestic consumer is not only looking for a photovoltaic installation. You are looking for a more complete picture of your energy, greater control over consumption and greater independence in all areas.
And that’s one of the fundamental changes we need to understand as an industry: horror continues to be important, but it’s not enough to simply explain to the customer what’s going on today.
There is another clear sign of this new customer profile. Every now and then, most people ask about climate control teams, as well as conductive machines, radiant floors or split systems, something that has been happening for a long time without being planted.
For a long time, many consumers have given up a certain level of comfort because of the impact they might have to work to make these devices work.
Now this perception is changing. Thanks to photovoltaics and batteries, many customers can build air conditioning into their home without automatically associating it with hard-to-consume monthly overhead.
So comfort is not necessarily a dream, but a rational decision when accompanied by more efficient energy management. And that says a lot about the type of consumer we care about today.
This transformation does not happen without a digital component. A true consumer not only wants to consume more, but also knows what he is doing at any given moment.
Please monitor your installation, understand your habits and make decisions with clear information. For this reason, digital independence puts a heavy strain on energy. Technology delivers value when it simplifies, not when it complicates. Consumers want useful, simple and understandable items that help them manage energy better.
Ultimately, energy independence and digital independence respond to the same need: more control, more visibility, and less uncertainty.
All they see is a more informed, more discerning consumer with a broader idea of ​​what they expect from the energy in their home. You’re looking for terror, yes, but also control, comfort and less dependence on external factors.
For companies in this industry, the network we encounter responds to this new expectation with clear, integrated and easy-to-understand solutions. No more talking about technology or income.
What we want to do is translate this completeness into useful propositions, sought after and in line with what today’s consumer really hopes for.
Energy transformation is not just about changing available technology. It also changes the mentality of the consumer. And understanding this new profile will be key to responding to a re-independence-oriented residential market.
*** Albert Serra, Director of Eltex Operations
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In the Central African Republic, where only about 15 to 17% of the population has access to grid electricity, reliable power supply remains a major constraint on healthcare delivery. This is now being addressed through a solar energy intervention delivered by Aptech Africa, which has equipped three medical facilities with photovoltaic systems designed to ensure continuous electricity supply for essential clinical operations.
The project covers Bégoua Health Center, Bédé Combattant Health Center and Boye Rabe Hospital, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 102 kWp. The systems combine solar PV generation with battery storage and inverter technology, enabling round the clock power availability for lighting, medical equipment and cold chain infrastructure.
At Bégoua Health Center, a 38 kWp hybrid solar system has been installed, consisting of high efficiency solar panels paired with a Victron inverter charger system and lithium ion battery storage of approximately 15 kWh. A similar 38 kWp installation has been deployed at Bédé Combattant Health Center, also supported by battery storage of around 30 kWh. These systems allow both facilities to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply after sunset, ensuring that essential services such as laboratory testing, lighting, oxygen support equipment and vaccine refrigeration remain fully operational.
Image credit: Aptech Africa
At Boye Rabe Hospital in Bangui, a 26 kWp rooftop solar PV system has been implemented alongside approximately 20 kWh of battery storage using modular lithium ion technology. The installation is supported by an advanced remote monitoring platform that enables real time tracking of energy generation and consumption. This capability improves system performance management and supports proactive maintenance, ensuring higher reliability for a facility that serves as a key referral hospital in the capital.
The impact of these installations is significant in a context where diesel generators have traditionally been the fallback option for healthcare facilities facing unreliable or absent grid supply. Solar powered hybrid systems are now enabling continuous operation of critical health services, improving patient care outcomes and strengthening immunisation programmes through more reliable cold chain management.
Evidence from similar deployments in the region has shown measurable improvements in healthcare delivery when reliable electricity is introduced, including increased diagnostic capacity and expanded service hours. In the Central African Republic, these benefits are particularly important given the low national electrification rate and the high dependency on donor supported health infrastructure.
Aptech Africa also integrated local capacity building into the project, training technicians to operate and maintain the installed systems. This approach supports long term sustainability and reduces dependence on external technical support, reinforcing local ownership of energy infrastructure in the health sector.
The deployment of solar PV systems across these three facilities highlights the growing role of decentralised renewable energy in strengthening healthcare systems in fragile and energy constrained environments. By replacing unreliable and costly diesel generation with clean solar power, the project demonstrates how energy access can directly improve health service delivery and operational resilience.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal






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Independent power producer Voltalia has announced the full commissioning of the 148 MW Bolobedu solar power plant in Limpopo, marking a major milestone for corporate renewable energy procurement in South Africa. The project is the first large scale photovoltaic installation in the country developed specifically for a private industrial offtaker.
The plant is expected to generate approximately 300 GWh of clean electricity each year. All output is supplied to Richards Bay Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, under a 20 year corporate power purchase agreement. Electricity is transmitted to the mining operations in KwaZulu Natal through a wheeling arrangement using the national grid operated by Eskom.
The project is expected to avoid more than 237,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, reinforcing the growing role of renewable energy in decarbonising energy intensive industries in Africa.
Related news: Powered by LONGi HPBC 2.0 cell technology, redefining a new era of photovoltaic value – the HiMO X10
Construction of the facility generated employment for approximately 800 local residents and incorporated structured training programmes aimed at building long term technical capacity in solar installation, engineering support, and safety operations. The project is also notable as the first large scale renewable energy development in South Africa backed exclusively by women investors in partnership ith Black Economic Empowerment stakeholders, highlighting an evolving investment landscape in the regional energy sector.
The commissioning aligns with a broader strategic partnership between International Finance Corporation and Voltalia, signed in October 2025, focused on accelerating decarbonisation in the African mining sector through power to mine initiatives.
The project also reflects the expanding role of energy wheeling in South Africa’s electricity market. Wheeling enables privately generated electricity to be transported across the grid from independent power producers to remote consumers without the need for direct dedicated transmission lines. In this model, electricity is injected into the grid at the point of generation and an equivalent amount is accounted for at the point of consumption, with financial settlement managed through utility billing systems and use of system charges.
South Africa is also advancing toward virtual wheeling frameworks that aggregate consumption across multiple sites and simplify corporate procurement structures. Under this model, smart meter data is consolidated and renewable energy certificates are issued to support verified emissions reductions, an increasingly important mechanism for export oriented companies seeking compliance with international carbon border adjustment requirements.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal

 






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The expansion will bring the company’s total domestic cell capacity to 5.5 GW, cementing its position as the largest merchant solar cell manufacturer in the United States.
Image: Suniva
From pv magazine USA
Suniva has announced plans to invest $350 million in a new manufacturing facility in Laurens, South Carolina. The project is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027 and will have an annual production capacity of 4.5 GW. When combined with the output from its existing headquarters and factory in Norcross, Georgia, the expansion will bring Suniva’s total annual capacity to more than 5.5 GW.
The Laurens facility is expected to create 564 new full-time jobs. The company indicated that the site will focus on producing advanced solar cells that allow module manufacturers to meet the stringent domestic content requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act. Matt Card, president and COO of Suniva, stated that the question of where energy comes from and who controls the supply chain is a consequential issue facing the country.
Suniva remains a unique player in the domestic landscape as one of the few merchant cell suppliers, meaning it sells cells to various third-party module assemblers rather than consuming all production for its own branded modules. Historically, the U.S. solar industry has suffered from a bottleneck in cell production. While module assembly capacity has grown rapidly due to lower capital requirements, cell manufacturing has lagged. By expanding its cell capacity, Suniva provides a pathway for smaller and mid-sized U.S. module assemblers to qualify for the 10% domestic content bonus investment tax credit. 
While U.S. module assembly capacity has surged to over 65 GW, domestic cell manufacturing has historically hovered at less than 10% of that volume. This massive imbalance has created a strategic bottleneck where American-made panels remain reliant on imported internal components. SEIA data suggests that without a rapid scaling of merchant cell capacity, most U.S. manufacturers will struggle to meet the “Domestic Content” thresholds required for federal tax bonuses, especially as “Foreign Entity of Concern” (FEOC) rules tighten supply chains through 2026 and 2027.
Suniva’s technology is rooted in research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy at Georgia Tech’s University Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics. The company highlights its American-owned and American-operated status as a differentiator from foreign-headquartered competitors that have recently established U.S. footprints.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Suniva’s history. Founded in 2007, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 amid a surge of imports. After years of being inoperative, the company announced a restart in late 2023, bolstered by the manufacturing credits provided by federal policy. In early 2025, Suniva began shipping its first cells from its Georgia facility to Canadian-American module manufacturer Heliene.
Tony Etnyre, CEO of Suniva, said the expansion means that domestically produced renewable energy will do more to secure the energy future of the United States. The Laurens County project has received support from the state of South Carolina, which has become an emerging hub for clean energy manufacturing following recent major investments from several global technology and automotive firms.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
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Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy has launched its sixth licensing round for private sector solar energy development, reinforcing the country’s long-term strategy to scale up renewable electricity to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2035.
The latest round targets 200 MW of photovoltaic capacity and invites private developers to finance, build and operate solar plants under a licensing framework designed for smaller to mid-sized utility scale projects. All electricity generated will be sold to the national utility, STEG, under standardised power purchase agreements typically structured over 20 years.
Related news: JinkoSolar launches mass production of Tiger Neo 3 as global pre-orders exceed 15GW 
The initiative places a particular focus on attracting investment from small and medium enterprises as well as regional project developers, reflecting a broader policy effort to diversify participation in Tunisia’s power generation market and accelerate deployment outside of large-scale centralised developments.
The launch follows strong recent momentum in the country’s renewable energy programme. In February 2026, the ministry awarded 187 licenses totalling 287 MW under the fifth licensing round, with individual projects ranging from 1 MW to 10 MW. This has helped expand a distributed generation pipeline across multiple governorates.
Tunisia has also recently reached new operational milestones, including the inauguration of four 2 MW solar plants in Medenine and the commissioning of its largest single photovoltaic installation to date, a 120 MW facility in Kairouan. These projects underscore the increasing scale and execution capacity of the national programme.
Alongside the new licensing round, Tunisia is advancing a parallel competitive procurement process for a 300 MW solar project combined with 150 MW of battery energy storage in Kebili. The bid submission deadline for that tender has been set for 14 October 2026, signalling growing integration of storage solutions into the country’s power system planning as renewable penetration increases.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
Link to the list of JinkoSolar distributors in Africa HERE 

 






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