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Free solar panels are rare, but eligible low-income households can often access full funding through the ECO4 (until the end of 2026), Warm Homes: Local Grant, and other schemes. 
All homeowners can pay 0% VAT on solar panels right now. New low-interest loans are coming soon that anyone can apply for, with interest-free options available for lower-income households. 
It’s a great time to consider whether solar panels are right for you. Find out everything you need to know below.
If you’re hoping to reduce your energy bills, you might be looking at free solar panels. While solar panel grants aren’t available to everyone in the UK, there are some incentives open to all households. Government funding is split into two categories:
Even if you aren't eligible for solar panel grants and funding, they are a smart energy choice. Compare solar panel quotes now.
Announced this year, the Warm Homes Plan is the government’s overarching £15bn "Rooftop Revolution" scheme. It aims to upgrade millions of homes with solar panels, insulation, batteries, heat pumps, smart meters and more. 
This umbrella scheme offers two main support routes to solar funding.
The primary grant mechanism for eligible low-income households, offering fully funded (free) solar panels and batteries. See below for full details.
Government-backed and available to every homeowner who doesn't qualify for the free grant. These loans (expected to be available from 2027) will aim to remove the upfront cost barrier for solar power.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant aims to lift families out of fuel poverty by improving energy-inefficient homes, with £500m available until 2028. 
Launched in 2025 as part of the wider Warm Homes Plan, this solar panel government grant is now available. It's aimed at eligible low-income and vulnerable households, normally with an income under £36,000.
Only those living in private accommodation, whether owned or rented, are eligible. Your home must have an EPC rating of D-G. 
Households can get funding for insulation, heat pumps and more. However, the most popular measures so far have been solar panels (37%) and solar batteries (11%), according to government data.  
Important to know: The scheme is run by local councils, so eligibility may differ by area. They will send someone to assess your home and recommend which measures will be best; you can’t just request solar panels. 
The scheme only runs in England, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have equivalent options.
Aimed at the most vulnerable households, the government-mandated ECO4 scheme sees energy suppliers fund improvements for eligible homes. However, you’ll have to act soon if you want to apply. The scheme will end in December 2026. 
ECO4 covers solar panels and sometimes batteries. Solar is normally offered only alongside other measures, such as heat pumps and insulation. 
Eligible households can often get 100% funding, while some borderline cases may be offered partial funding. You typically qualify if someone in your family receives eligible benefits and your home has a poor EPC rating of D-G. 
Those at risk of fuel poverty may also be eligible. LA Flex, or Local Authority Flexibility, allows councils to approve ECO4 funding for those who aren't on benefits. For instance:
Don’t forget, ECO4 ends in December 2026. You must apply before then to be considered.
Important to know: ECO4 is often oversubscribed, and homes that are easier to upgrade are sometimes prioritised. These include those with electric heating, south or west-facing roofs and no shade. 
You must own your home or have your landlord's permission to apply. 
If you aren’t eligible for free solar panels using government grants, there are still some options to save money. VAT on solar panels and batteries are being cut from 20% to 0%. According to gov.uk, you have until March 2027 to get the special rate (before it reverts to a reduced rate of 5%). 
All UK homeowners are eligible (as long as you get your solar panels from a certified installer), and the cut applies to both materials and labour. The VAT break means you could save between £1,000 and £1,500 on solar panels alone, or between £1,000 and £2,000 on a combined solar and battery system, compared to paying the standard rate.
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) is now closed to new applications. Aimed specifically at homes not on the gas grid, these solar panel government grants were delivered by local councils. 
Solar panels were often 100% funded under the scheme, and you could sometimes access solar batteries. Your property had to have an EPC of D, E, F, or G, and your household income needed to be under £36,000. 
A similar solar energy grant in the UK is expected to be announced. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is now available.
Not sure where to start with solar panel grants? Here are the most important stages, step-by-step:
Your EPC rating is often the first stage if you’re looking for free solar panels. You usually need a D or lower rating for funding. 
You can check yours using the UK government EPC register. If your home doesn’t have one or it has expired, you’ll need to apply for a new certificate.
If applying for an eligibility-based solar energy grant in the UK, you may need proof of benefits or low income. 
Documents you may need include recent benefit award letters, payslips or bank statements. Remember, even if you’re not on eligible benefits, you may still qualify for the Warm Homes: Local Grant via LA Flex.
Most solar energy grants in the UK require you to use a certified professional. You’ll also need to use one to get the 0% VAT rate. 
Check the MCS website for a certified installer near you.
Solar panels are a big investment, with high initial costs if you’re unable to get government funding. However, with 0% VAT and no/low-interest loans coming in the future, there are big benefits to consider:
It’s important to weigh up both the initial investment and any benefits when buying solar panels for your home. However, with solar panel government grants and incentives available, plus more coming, it’s a great time to consider solar power.
This will depend on the scheme or incentive and who is providing it. You can currently pay 0% VAT on solar panel batteries. While details of the Warm Homes Plan are still being confirmed, it will probably include them. 
The Warm Homes: Local Grant can cover batteries, if an assessor thinks they’re right for you. ECO4 will depend on the supplier and what they offer.
Yes, receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a qualifying benefit for ECO4. This means you could potentially get 100% funded solar panel if your property meets the EPC requirements.
Remember, you may also qualify for ECO4 via LA Flex, even if you don’t receive the eligible benefits. This includes if you’re a carer or have a large family with high energy needs.
Track, save and make smarter choices for your home, in one place.
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The recognition for the DESERV EXTREME solar module series underscores RenewSys’ commitment to quality, reliability and manufacturing excellence in the global solar market.
June 02, 2026. By News Bureau
RenewSys, an integrated manufacturer of solar PV modules and key components, has been recognised as a Top Performer in the 2026 PV Module Reliability Scorecard published by Kiwa PVEL, a solar industry’s independent testing laboratory. This marks the second consecutive year that RenewSys has earned the prestigious Top Performer distinction, reinforcing the company’s commitment to manufacturing high-quality, reliable and high-performance solar PV modules for global markets.

The recognition was awarded to RenewSys’ DESERV EXTREME series after successfully meeting the stringent requirements of Kiwa PVEL’s Product Qualification Programme (PQP), an industry-leading bankability and reliability assessment program for photovoltaic modules. 
The Top Performer recognition extends across multiple variants of the DESERV EXTREME series, ranging from 415 Wp to 650 Wp. 
Kiwa PVEL’s annual PV Module Reliability Scorecard is widely regarded as one of the solar industry’s most authoritative benchmarks for module durability, long-term performance and bankability. The Product Qualification Programme (PQP) subjects PV modules to rigorous reliability and performance evaluations under accelerated stress conditions designed to simulate real-world operating environments. RenewSys’ DESERV EXTREME modules demonstrated strong performance across critical test categories, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality and reliable solar solutions for global markets. 
Commenting on the achievement, Avinash Hiranandani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, RenewSys India, said, “Being recognised as a Kiwa PVEL Top Performer 2026 for the second consecutive year is a significant milestone for RenewSys and a strong endorsement of our focus on quality, reliability and manufacturing excellence. In an increasingly quality-conscious global solar market, consistent performance and long-term durability are critical. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and strengthens the confidence that customers, developers, EPCs and investors place in RenewSys products worldwide.” 
Tristan Erion-Lorico, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kiwa PVEL, said, "We are pleased to recognise RenewSys's solar modules in Kiwa PVEL's 2026 PV Module Reliability Scorecard. This achievement reflects RenewSys's continued focus on quality, reliability, and product performance.” 

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China’s Solar Industry Launches Space Alliance With Few Details  Bloomberg.com
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UK solar and storage developer Anesco has received planning approval from Cumberland Council for 13 MW solar project in Maryport, Cumbria. This solar farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 4,000 homes. The project will also contribute additional renewable energy capacity to the UK electricity network. According to Anesco, the development is designed to support long-term energy security and affordability and site is also expected to deliver an estimated 116% biodiversity net gain. Habitat improvements are planned to support local bird, insect and wildlife populations and construction timelines have not yet been disclosed.

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Jun 02, 2026
Dwayne Page
GreenWave Solar of Murfreesboro is a step closer to developing a solar farm project here.
The Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals  Monday afternoon held a public hearing and then voted unanimously on a request for a special exception in order for GreenWave to locate its 16,000 solar panel farm on 35 acres of a 100 acre site which lies partly within and outside the city limits between Allen’s Ferry Road and the TVA substation on West Main Street near the DCHS campus. The project will also be subject to a review by the Smithville Municipal Planning Commission.
“Green Wave Solar delivers renewable energy solutions for homeowners, businesses, and large-scale energy partners throughout the Tennessee Valley,” according to the company website.
According to Landon Cason, owner of GreenWave Solar, who attended Monday’s BZA meeting, this project is a joint venture between his company, TVA, Smithville Electric System, and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative sought by the utility companies to provide a cheaper source of energy for them.
“TVA has a flexibility program where they will allow the local power companies to build their own sources of power. The utility companies (Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative) reached out to us and we identified a site near one of their substations and we’re going to provide them some solar power as a cheap source of energy. They share this substation (on West Main Street) so it’ll be both for Caney Fork Electric and for Smithville Electric System. They will each have a project of their own at the same site,” said Cason.
Although GreenWave Solar has acquired 100 acres for its solar farm here only about 35 or 40 acres will be used. Some of it is in a wetland area. Land not used will be sold or leased for farming
“We’ve got the property. It’s about a 100 acre plot right now, but we only need about 35 to 40 acres for the solar project so we’re currently going through our environmentals and our geotechnical surveys, and that’ll determine the final location of it. The remaining portion of the land will be sold back to a farmer or leased for farming,” Cason explained.
“Our goal here is to be as close to the substation as possible and the ultimate goal is to utilize the land that is the least desirable for farming or development in the future. The area we’ve identified is very swampy. It’s not zoned wetland, but it is basically a wetland area that you couldn’t really build anything else on so a solar project would be perfect for that location. It’s very near the substation. It doesn’t get good crop when they do farm it so in a best-case scenario, we’ll cover that portion with the solar panels and we’re close to the source so we can tie into the substation and we’re not taking away from good farmland or good developable land,” he said.
“There will be 16,000 solar panels on the site and they will be raised probably 2 to 3 feet off the ground will be the bottom portion of it. They will stand about 10 to 12 feet at a 30 degree pitch, and they’re at a fixed tilt so they’re not going to track the sun. They will be fixed to the ground. Post pile driven into the ground. Once they’re set, they’re set, and they’re just going to collect solar rays every day,” explained Cason.
According to Cason, the Solar farm will not generate any noise and its not being tied to or developed for any data centers. He said the only customers will be Smithville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.
“This is just producing energy for the local community. You’ll notice them, but they are going to be tucked far away from the road. There’s tree lines on the east, south, and west side of the property so it’s really kind of out of sight and out of mind. It is relatively near a school, but it’s not going to be problematic and we’re very cautious of causing any issues for the local community. We’re going to work with them on spacing. Since we have a lot of that land to work with, we’re going to keep it nice, tucked in and clean as close to the substation as possible. Right now, the property splits between both the city and the county so a portion of it will be in the city, and a portion of it will be in the county and those environmentals will determine how much of each,” said Cason.
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25 per cent cut in electricity rates for Bartica to begin in July  Guyana Chronicle
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The right solar software can give your business a growth boost! In a highly competitive and dynamic solar industry, solar professionals can face a lot of challenges and need now more than ever flexibility and a smooth workflow to seize new opportunities and close deals. The right solar software can solve many of these issues and significantly speed up the design process of large-scale PV projects.

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The right software can give you a competitive advantage and gives companies a head start on PV projects. Virto.MAX does just that. This cutting edge web application is built for sales teams and project developers of Commercial & Industrial PV to efficiently create compelling conceptual designs of roof, ground and carport projects which are both sales-ready and technically accurate.
Key features include:

Take control of the early design phase and enjoy the benefits of PV design software at its best:

In addition to all these benefits and features, Virto Solar aims to continuously innovate and introduce new opportunities on a regular basis. More exciting features are being introduced at Intersolar Europe 2026:

Virto.MAX is mainly used by EPC sales teams and project developers, is available worldwide for Commercial & Industrial rooftop projects for flat and sloped roofs, as well as ground applications and carport PV. However, this user-friendly tool can be used by anyone needing quick and compelling designs of their PV projects. Join the Virto PV ecosystem and experience a new way of PV design.
Virto.MAX, including the newest features and other Virto Solar PV design software options, will be showcased at Intersolar Europe, Booth A3.630. Visit us or check the website for more information on our website.
Try Virto.MAX for free for 14 days via https://virtomax.com/.

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From pv magazine India
Eastman Auto & Power has opened an 800 MW solar module manufacturing facility in Sonipat, Haryana, as part of efforts to expand its domestic solar manufacturing footprint.
The company said the new plant supports its strategy to offer integrated solar solutions, combining PV modules with grid-tie, off-grid and hybrid inverters as well as energy storage batteries.
Modules produced at the Sonipat facility comply with India’s domestic content requirement (DCR) rules and standards set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), making them eligible for government-supported solar programs.
Eastman said the expansion aligns with the government’s “Make in India” manufacturing initiative and its push to scale distributed solar and storage solutions.
The company also aims to support rooftop solar deployment under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana program, which promotes residential solar installations across India.
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A partial view of Zone A of the solar farm in Mount Coffee, Mont. County/ DayLight/ Harry N. Browne.
 

A partial view of Zone A of the solar farm in Mount Coffee, Mont. County/ DayLight/ Harry N. Browne.
 
BENTOL, Montserrado – Under the scorching sun in Mount Coffee, Lower Montserrado County, rows of nearly 40,000 solar panels stretch across rocky ground. Liberia’s first-ever solar farm is part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen electricity supply, and transition toward renewable energy.
The facility’s 40,000 solar panels produce 710 watts each, along with 52 inverters connected to stations and substations that transfer electricity into the national grid. Crushed rocks spread across the facility help trap and redistribute heat energy to support power generation efficiency.
The 20-megawatt facility, funded by the World Bank under its Regional Emergency Solar Intervention (RESPITE) project, is expected to increase Liberia’s energy generation capacity by 15 percent, while reducing the country’s dependence on heavy fuel and diesel-powered electricity generation.
“I think we have a great opportunity to improve our energy capacity and the economy. All we need is to muster the courage and work hard for it to happen,” said Dominic Gono, RESPITE’s project manager. 
Construction of the solar farm began in October 2024. Initially estimated at US$15.8 million, the project cost later increased by US$5.7 million because of additional operational and infrastructure expenses.
The first phase of the project complements Liberia’s hydroelectric power generation,  supplying solar energy to Montserrado County and surrounding communities, particularly during the dry season when water levels at the Mount Coffee hydropower plant usually decline. It is already supplying electricity to the national grid, even as construction continues, Gono said.
It is also intended to enhance economic growth in Montserrado, an urban settlement with nearly 2 million people.
Ophelia Vah is a resident of the Mount Coffee community, a petty trader who sells water and beverages. She believes that solar energy would help them once it starts to power the national grid, mainly during the dry seasons.
“When the solar energy becomes stable, it will be a blessing to us and to Liberians in general because we will not be suffering from the heat,” she said.  “With the coming of the solar system, we are hopeful the situation will change.”
The World Bank has described the Mount Coffee solar project as a significant public-private partnership capable of strengthening Liberia’s energy sector and accelerating economic growth.
Pascal Donohoe, a World Bank official, said the initiative demonstrates the type of energy investment the institution intends to support in Liberia.
“This project will serve as an example of the type of initiative and partnership that the World Bank Group aims to support in Liberia’s power generation sector,” Donohoe said, per the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Liberia’s climate gains thus far
Valued at over US$21 million, it is also seen as a major step toward helping Liberia fulfill its international climate commitments.
Liberia has a moderate emission rate of 4.3 tonnes per capita per year, a level consistent with the climate action requirement, according to Global Climate Change data. Despite the country’s low emissions, it made commitments to the international community, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It has committed to add 150 megawatts of clean energy to its national energy plant.
“If we want to implement our NDC, we have to go to renewable energy. That’s why that Mount Coffee project is important, but not only that project; we have smaller projects like the one at EPA,” said Dr. Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of the EPA.
Emissions caused by fossil fuels—in coal, oil/gas and other things—hurt the climate and are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for around 68 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists say greenhouse gas emissions blanket the earth, trap the sun’s heat and, subsequently, warm up and change the climate.
Liberia’s contribution to climate change is negligible, but, like other African countries, it bears the brunt of climate change, such as changes in rainfall, crop failure and coastal erosion. The country needs US$2.5-3 billion to fulfill its climate pledges, but it requires more financing and technology.
“Renewable energy is very important to Liberia and the global community,” Yarkpawolo said. “The traditional way of generating power through fossil fuels has been detrimental to environmental sustainability
This story first appeared in The DayLight, and now here as part of an editorial collaboration. 
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Sungrow Renewables, a division of Chinese inverter and storage system manufacturer Sungrow, has launched its first solar module at on June 1 at its 2026 smart technology conference in Shanghai.
Dubbed Pulson, the new product is described as a smart PV module designed to function as an active terminal within photovoltaic power plants rather than as a passive power-generating component.
The panel is based on what Sungrow Renewables calls a “5S” architecture comprising self-diagnosis, self-rapid shutdown (RSD), self-cleaning, self-cooling and self-logging functions. It also integrates power electronics, advanced materials and artificial intelligence algorithms to improve safety, energy yield and lifecycle management in PV plants.
According to Sungrow Renewables, the self-diagnosis function relies on a module control box with embedded chips that collect voltage, current, temperature and other operating data from individual modules. Moreover, AI-based analysis enables module-level fault detection and localization, allowing operators to move beyond plant-level monitoring.
The self-RSD function provides both module-level and system-level protection, which means faulty modules can be isolated to limit the impact on the rest of a string. In emergency situations, the system can also reduce site-wide DC voltage to a human-safe level within 25 seconds, according to the manufacturer.
The module also incorporates self-cleaning and self-cooling technologies. Sungrow said nano-hydrophilic surface treatment and its proprietary “Silver Ant” cooling technology help reduce power losses caused by dust accumulation and elevated operating temperatures. The company claimsthe two features can increase energy generation by about 6%.
The self-logging function assigns each module a digital record, or “electronic passport,” containing carbon footprint data, health status, operating logs and other lifecycle information. Sungrow Renewables said the feature is intended to support operation and maintenance activities, asset evaluation and long-term plant management.
During the event, TÜV SÜD issued what Sungrow Renewables described as the industry’s first certificate for a high-efficiency smart PV module. The company also said Pulson is the first product to achieve the L2 “active safety intelligence” level under the smart module classification framework proposed in the new white paper. The framework categorizes smart PV modules into four levels, ranging from L1 sensing and optimization capabilities to L4 autonomous decision-making.
The module will initially be deployed in PV plants developed by Sungrow Renewables. Chairman Zhang Xucheng said the product emerged from a development cycle involving “power plant application, pain-point identification, technology accumulation, hardware iteration and power plant feedback.”
More technical details about the new product were not revealed.
Sungrow Renewables is the renewable energy project development arm of Sungrow. The company develops, invests in, designs, builds and operates PV, wind, energy storage and other renewable energy projects. It said it has developed and constructed a cumulative 59 GW of renewable energy projects across more than 10 countries and regions.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
Thursday, June 11, 2026
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm CEST, Berlin, Paris, Madrid
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The new pv magazine Global May issue is now available!
Mountains to climb
Available in print and digital formats.
Be part of the high-level European conference on solar and energy storage, exploring bankable BESS projects, warranties, and energy management for residential and C&I sectors
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
A two-day conference in Austin, Texas, bringing together leaders in US solar manufacturing, equipment specification, and factory execution.
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its clean energy transition—join the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference 2026 in Riyadh to explore how solar PV and energy storage are powering its digital economy.
Showcase your brand across all our platforms: from 13 websites in 7 languages to our magazines, daily newsletters, industry events and more. Reach your audience the right way!
We are participating in Intersolar 2026 again this year! Visit us at our Booth Hall 2 A2.250 to discuss the latest trends within the photovoltaic industry with the pv magazine team.
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Solar Power World
By Billy Ludt | June 1, 2026
Solar tracker and electrical balance of systems manufacturers GameChange Solar and eBOS are now operating its brands and technologies under the name GameChange Energy. The company stated in a press release that this rebrand better reflects its product offerings, including trackers, solar racking, transformers, eBOS and remote monitoring technologies.
GameChange Energy
“The GameChange Energy name tells the full story of what we offer now,” said Andrew Worden, founder of GameChange Energy. “Utility-scale projects are growing more complex, so developers need partners who can reduce risk and streamline installation for all project scales and types. Unifying our tracker, eBOS, asset monitoring and transformer offerings under a single platform positions us to deliver integrated capabilities with the reliability, speed, and service our customers expect.”
GameChange Energy claims this change will not affect existing company operations or personnel.
GameChange Solar was founded in 2012 and produced fixed-tilt and tracking solar racking technologies. GameChange Energy launched in 2023 as a transformer business, and parent company to GameChange Solar and GameChange BOS. The brand entered the eBOS market in 2025.
Gibraltar Industries sold subsidiary Terrasmart’s eBOS business to GameChange in February. Terrasmart, a competing diversified solar racking manufacturer, was acquired by Gibraltar in 2021.
“The biggest challenge we hear from customers is vendor coordination. Managing multiple suppliers across trackers, eBOS, monitoring, and transformers adds cost and time to every project,” says Phillip Vyhanek, CEO of GameChange Energy. “Consolidating under a single brand simplifies and speeds that process for our clients, maintaining our commitment to excellence, high-performance products and long-term customer relationships.”
News item from GameChange Energy
Billy Ludt is managing editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, inverters, installation and operations.

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The international research group led by Professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia has published Version 68 of the “Solar Cell Efficiency Tables” in Joule.
“One major change is that the Tables will be appearing ‘open access’ in the July 2026 issue,” Green told pv magazine. “This change reflects the growing photovoltaic impact in mainstream energy and the scientific progress achieved over the 33 years of publications of these tables. The biannual publication of the open access Tables will continue in Joule on the regular schedule of January and July. The authors are excited by this opening to a broader readership and by the continued growth of the photovoltaic community.”
Version 68 reports 21 new results. “Two of the most exciting are new records for both large area silicon cells and modules, with 28.1% efficiency reported for a large cell, 140-cm2 in area, and 26.4% for an encapsulated 1.9-m2 module,” Green added. “The cell and the module were both fabricated by Longi, with both positive and negative polarity contacts on the rear of all the cells involved.”
Both records were measured with masking that shades the edges of the cell and module. In the case of the module, this means that, to set a record, a module does not have to artificially skimp on either the isolation zone required around the module perimeter or on the strength of the frame. For a cell, it allows more direct comparison with other cell technologies where such masking during measurement is routine or even essential to get accurate results. “However, for comparison with other silicon cells fabricated with alternative approaches with different tolerances to edge effects, unmasked ‘total area’ measurements are more sensible,” Green emphasized. “Compared to the above 28.1% result, efficiency drops only slightly to 27.8% when a different cell from Longi was measured unmasked, also a new record for such ‘total area’ measurements.”
Another interesting new result was measurement of 28.0% efficiency for a very small 0.05-cm2 lead halide perovskite cell fabricated by Hainan University, the smallest cell size accepted for inclusion in the Tables. Although this cell is over 2,500 times smaller, it is now close to matching the performance of the best silicon cells, somewhat of a landmark in perovskite cell development. “However, perovskite module efficiencies still lag well behind silicon, with recent improvements reported to 19.3% efficiency for a 0.72-m2 module and 22.1% for a smaller 0.08-m2 module, both fabricated by RenShine Solar, the latter in conjunction with Nanjing University,” Green said.
Remarkable progress is also reported with perovskite-silicon tandem cells and modules. Efficiency was increased to 35.2% and 34.3% for small (1-cm2) and much larger (261-cm2) cells , respectively, and to 31.4% and 29.4% for small (0.17-m2) and large (1.7-m2) modules, with all these cells and modules fabricated by Longi. Finally, 34.4% is reported for a much smaller 0.08-m2 module using triple-junction GaInP/GaInAs/Ge tandem cells, fabricated by the Fraunhofer Institute in conjunction with Azur Space and temicon (sic). “This is a new record for any module not relying on concentrating the sunlight,” Green stated.
Version 67 presented 17 new efficiency results.One of the most representative was a 27.9%-efficient interdigitated-back-contact (IBC) device developed by Longi, which received validation by Germany’s Institute für Solarenergieforschung (ISFH).
In Version 66 of the tables, the team presented 21 new results, including the then record efficiency of 27.81% achieved by Chinese manufacturer Longi for its hybrid interdigitated back contact (HIBC) crystalline silicon solar cell.
In Version 65, the researchers added 17 new results.
The group has seen major improvements in all cell categories since 1993, when the tables were first published. It ncludes scientists from the European Commission Joint Research Centre, Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and the Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH), Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
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Energy Ministry and national lottery invite municipalities to go solar with $135 million in loans  The Times of Israel
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It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that the world has become battery-powered. We’re long past the days of batteries being something you needed for a flashlight or a Walkman. Our computers, smartphones, and even our cars rely on battery technology to work. Energy storage matters on an industrial scale, too. Renewable energy from solar and wind, for example, has to be stored if you can’t use it right away. Solar power isn’t much use when the sun goes down, but with great battery technology, you can store it for later.
The problem is that our mass-produced lithium-ion battery technology has a few significant issues. It’s pretty volatile and requires robust safety measures to prevent violent flameouts. It’s why you should know the warning signs that your lithium-ion battery might catch fire!
Current lithium-ion batteries also have relatively low durability, which is why you need to replace your phone or laptop battery every few years, since each recharge wears it out a little. All around the world, scientists and engineers are working on battery technologies to improve safety, durability, charging speeds, and other aspects of battery technology. These 10 emerging technologies are either already entering the market or appear poised to revolutionize our lives.
Your first question, of course, is probably “What is a solid-state battery?” and the answer is both simple and complicated. For the long answer, you should check out our more in-depth explainer, but the short, simple definition is that it is a battery without a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte is the medium through which ions pass from the anode to the cathode and back again, as the battery charges and discharges.
Most of the problems with current batteries stem from the use of a liquid electrolyte. If you could replace it with a solid material, you would get a battery that’s safe, extremely durable, and with an even higher energy density. We’ve been able to make these batteries for some time; the challenge comes from mass production. Whoever cracks the nut of cheap, mass-produced solid-state batteries has the potential not only to become an enormously successful company almost overnight but also to literally change the world. 
As of this writing, a company called Donut Labs claims to have made the “World’s first all-solid-state battery in production vehicles.” There’s a lot of skepticism around this claim, though, and third-party verification has yet to fully happen with the batteries not yet on sale. A Chinese firm named Greater Bay Technology has produced samples of solid-state EV batteries and claims they are headed for mass production. Likewise, a company called Prologium is also fielding this tech, so hopefully we’ll see it in things we can actually buy sooner rather than later.
Lithium-ion batteries use, well, lithium ions to function. However, lithium is a problematic metal for a number of reasons. It’s energy-intensive and polluting to mine, and there are questions about the exploitation of workers in some developing parts of the world where lithium is mined. It’s also not clear whether the world’s lithium supply can even meet future demand if, for example, all cars became electric or most electricity came from renewable sources that have to be stored.
So imagine what a game-changer it would be if you could swap out lithium for sodium, an abundant and cheap metal. We can extract sodium from salt, which isn’t in short supply by any measure. The main downside of sodium-ion batteries is that they’re not quite as energy-dense as lithium. This means the technology isn’t as attractive for devices like smartphones or for high-performance EVs.
However, for mass-market EVs where some extra weight or a little less range doesn’t matter much, it’s set to be the battery technology of choice. The Chinese battery giant CATL has launched the “world’s first mass-production sodium-ion passenger vehicle,” which already has some great on-paper numbers. With an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, it’s competitive with lithium-ion packs, and as production methods improve, this number is expected to go up. A final piece of the puzzle in sodium-ion battery research was slow charging, but engineers seem to have figured it out.
We’ve mentioned the words anode and cathode, but now’s a good time to explain them. These are the battery electrodes, where electric current enters and leaves as it flows through the battery. The anode is the negative terminal, and the cathode is the positive terminal. At least this is the case when the battery is discharging. The labels technically flip when the current flows in the opposite direction. 
While replacing a battery’s electrolyte obviously has a major impact on its performance and character, the materials used for the anode and cathode are also crucial. In a silicon-anode battery, you’ve probably guessed that the anode material is mainly silicon instead of the more usual graphite. By implementing this, you can increase the energy density of a lithium battery by a huge amount, more than double in practice, though theoretically it could be much more. It’s how one company made a 600,000-mile EV battery.
This would be a major advance for EVs, where energy density matters more than anything. Doubling the range of your EV without adding any extra weight is an upgrade most people would take without a second thought. The big problem is that silicon expands and contracts as the battery charges and discharges, which isn’t ideal. However, engineers are working on various potential solutions, mainly silicon composites that limit this behavior, such as retaining some graphite in the anode.
The better we can get at storing energy to use later, the easier it becomes to generate that energy efficiently. After all, you can pick the time and method of generation, and you can avoid using things like diesel-burning emergency generators when the grid is under strain. It makes sense for renewable energy, but even capturing excess energy from nuclear or fossil-fuel generation is on the table if it would otherwise go to waste. A leading candidate for this energy storage solution for power grids is the iron-air or metal-air battery.
These batteries store and release power through a reversible oxidation process. Yes, they rust and then de-rust as iron binds with or releases oxygen. These batteries are enormous and heavy, so they aren’t useful for EVs or your laptop, but they are much cheaper and easier to scale on a grid level.
It sounds so simple, but the fact is that rusting (and reversing the process) releases and stores energy. What was too slow and heavy for any other use could now be the answer for storing energy cheaply over multiple days. Air and water are everywhere; iron is abundant and cheap; and we need somewhere to store all the power we’re going to generate.
For some inexplicable reason, it seems we’ve decided not to call these “brimstone batteries,” which would have been infinitely cooler. Missed opportunities aside, this variation on lithium battery chemistry holds plenty of promise. Sulfur is cheap, abundant, and perhaps most importantly, very lightweight.
Sulfur also promises a much higher energy density than conventional lithium batteries. One Chinese research team managed to create lithium-sulfur batteries with an energy density of 549 Wh/kg, effectively doubling the flight time of a drone compared to when using just lithium. That wasn’t the breakthrough, though. What made this research interesting was the battery’s endurance. 
So far, a major issue with lithium-sulfur batteries has been rapid degradation, but these batteries claim to retain 82% of capacity through 800 cycles. That puts them on par with the best regular lithium batteries in devices like drones. Given that other technologies have far higher endurance rates than 800 cycles in competition, this is unlikely to be a dominant battery technology. However, for certain applications where density matters much more than total lifespan, sulfur could be a “fire” solution, as the kids like to say.
In an EV, batteries are the power source, but they are also heavy. They serve only to store energy. What if you could store that energy in parts of the vehicle that also do other jobs? So parts like the frame, chassis, or even the body panels could store power. It’s a similar idea to using engines as a stressed member of the vehicle. The engine provides both power and structural rigidity to the car, saving weight.
In 2024, we first heard about the “world’s strongest battery,” in which engineers managed to make a battery from carbon fiber. The same light and strong material is used to make components for supercars and professional racing machines. According to these researchers, this battery material is as stiff as aluminum and can store enough energy to be commercially viable.
This type of technology is likely to be crucial for electric airplanes. Weight is still a major issue here, but if you turned the airframe itself into a battery, it would improve the range and performance of these aircraft immensely. Structural batteries aren’t just about vehicles either. Scientists are making energy-storing concrete. This means the actual structure of a building could be used to store power from the grid or from solar panels. With this tech, there’s no need to have a basement full of enormous batteries. Imagine turning your entire basement into a power-storage medium!
In the “Back to the Future” trilogy, Doc Brown meets his time machine’s 1.21 gigawatt energy needs by using nuclear energy, eventually switching to future cold-fusion devices rather than (stolen) plutonium. Here in the real world, far beyond the future dates in the movies, the only vehicles and devices that use nuclear power are naval ships, submarines, and deep-space probes.
However, nuclear batteries could change everything and help solve the nuclear waste problem caused by nuclear fission power stations. Now, nuclear energy doesn’t produce much waste in absolute terms, but the material has to be sealed and stored underground, where it remains hazardous for centuries. Some of this waste can be recycled, but scientists’ work on nuclear microbatteries suggests we could use some of it more productively.
The batteries work with crystals that emit light when absorbing radiation, which is then converted to electricity using what’s essentially a solar panel cell. The power generated is small but potentially sufficient to power sensors or other very small devices, and, most importantly, it can do so for decades. But why go nuclear when you can go quantum? A company called Casimir is making waves with claims of a chip that harvests power from the environment using the Casimir effect. Again, there is some skepticism, except perhaps for the investors pouring money into that project.
We’ve been hearing about the wonders of graphene ever since it was discovered over two decades ago. Since then, there have been multiple setbacks to making it work the way science says it’s supposed to. One of the big issues is mass production of the stuff, which is something we’ve only recently started to achieve.
But what’s the big deal? Graphene is incredibly conductive, so in theory, if you infused a battery with the stuff, it could charge much faster and dissipate heat far more efficiently. That’s useful everywhere, but EVs in particular need a fast-charging solution that doesn’t excessively wear out the battery. Graphene would make for a formidable solid-state battery, but so far, this has eluded scientists and engineers.
You can, however, find batteries on the market today that are infused with graphene. Just adding some of this wonder material to, for example, a power bank increases charging speed, reduces battery wear, and helps the battery manage thermals better. Unfortunately, it also makes these devices much more expensive. Arguably more expensive than the benefits of using graphene as an additive. Once cheap mass production becomes possible, expect graphene batteries to be a cornerstone of future energy storage technology.
While we’re chasing solid-state batteries that eliminate liquid electrolytes, there’s another type of battery that, rather ironically, leans into the nature of liquid electrolytes. It’s called a flow battery, and instead of having an electrolyte trapped between two electrodes, the electrolytes are kept in tanks. So these batteries look more like small chemical plants than traditional batteries.
Electricity is generated by pumping electrolyte so that it circulates on either side of a membrane, allowing for ion transfer. You can charge a battery like this up with electricity from sources like solar or wind, but you can also instantly get more power by removing the spent electrolyte and replacing it with fresh liquid. If you want the battery to have more storage capacity, all you have to do is make the tanks bigger.
This makes it perfect for a similar job to the iron-air battery we looked at earlier. That is, acting as a grid-scale energy storage system. Like iron-air batteries, flow batteries have not been considered practical for smaller systems like EVs, largely because the energy density doesn’t make sense. However, the recent development of nanoelectrofuel, with an energy density 15 to 25 times that of the electrolytes used in flow batteries, could change that. It opens the potential for an EV that can be recharged like any other, or simply topped up with new liquid electrolyte in minutes.
Of all the battery technologies on this list, gravity batteries have the most sci-fi name. It sounds like something from “Star Trek,” doesn’t it? Well, brace yourself, because all a gravity battery is is a huge weight pulling on a cable that turns an alternator. But wait! It’s actually even cooler than it sounds.
How it works is that you use an energy source, like solar or wind power, to lift something very heavy, like a few tons of concrete, to a good height. Then, when you want the power back, you slowly release the weight through a geared system that turns the aforementioned alternator. In practical terms, these gravity batteries operate in underground shafts, including reused abandoned mining shafts. You’re storing the energy as potential energy instead of chemical energy. You’ve done work to push against the gravity well of the Earth, and later, you get a good chunk of it back by giving gravity what it wants.
A leading company in this area was Gravitricity, but sadly, it went out of business in 2025. Gravity batteries are just one example of a kinetic battery. There’s also the flywheel battery. Here, power is used to spin up a heavy flywheel to immense speeds, carefully balanced inside a container that minimizes friction. Hours later, you can apply the brake to the wheel and use it to generate electricity. Simple, yet ingenious!

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PUBLISHED : 2 Jun 2026 at 14:33
WRITER: Post Reporters
The Industry Ministry plans to announce an industrial standard for solar rooftop panels and related equipment within three months.
Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said at Government House on Tuesday that he would accelerate the introduction of an industrial standard to ensure the safety of the increasing number of households switching to home solar power.
He planned to impose the new standard no later than September. 
He said the standard would apply to solar rooftop panels, direct-current circuit breakers, fuses and wiring for solar power systems, lithium batteries to store power from solar rooftops, combiner boxes and MC4 solar cable connectors.
“When the law takes effect, all solar panels available in Thailand will have to pass tests set by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, to ensure they are safe and pose no fire risk or other danger to people’s lives and property,” Mr Varawut said.
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Renewables developer Lightyears announced construction is now underway on the 13.5 MW Reefton Solar Farm being developed on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island with JA Solar revealing the project also marks the first overseas deployment of its DeepBlue 5.0 modules.
The Chinese solar tech manufacturer will supply nearly 21,000 modules for the project being built across a 20-hectare site near the town of Reefton. Mechanical installation work is being led by contractor New Energy.
 JA Solar said the deployment of its DeepBlue 5.0 modules in the “challenging conditions” of New Zealand’s West Coast demonstrates the capability of the n-type product in utility-scale applications.
“Reefton represents an important step in bringing our latest high-efficiency module technology to international markets,” the company said.
The 13.5 MW Reefton Solar Farm is expected to generate about 18 GWh of clean electricity annually, supplying energy to nearly 3,000 homes and businesses on the West Coast. New Zealand electricity gentailer Meridian Energy will purchase the project’s output under a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Lightyears co-founder and Director Matt Shanks said the Reefton solar project will support regional energy security and New Zealand’s long-term renewable energy transition.
“Building generation in this area helps improve electricity security for West Coast communities and businesses,” he said, adding that the company is “keen to work alongside local industry to better understand future energy needs and support opportunities for electrification and economic growth.”
For Lightyears, which specialises in distributed solar and energy projects, the Reefton project is its largest development to date and its fifth community-scale solar project.
Operational facilities include the 2.4 MW Waiuku and the 4.7 MW Carterton solar farms on New Zealand’s North Island, and the 7.2 MW Ashburton and the recently livened 5 MW Waimakariri solar farms on the South Island. It is also planning to break ground on additional projects this year.
Shanks said Lightyears’ solar farms, typically spanning between eight and 20 hectares, are designed to fit the scale and character of local landscapes and are intended to integrate with surrounding land uses.
“We complement the larger-scale solar farms, slotting into communities around the country and connecting to the local distribution networks,” he said.
“The size of our solar farms also mean they can be constructed quickly to provide renewable energy to the grid at a time when it’s desperately needed.”

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Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM
By Kathy Bottorff

The Marshall County Plan Commission met Thursday evening, May 28th, with a single agenda item: a proposed amendment to the county's solar ordinance to add a definition for a concept gaining traction in the solar energy industry — agrivoltaics.
Agrivoltaics refers to the simultaneous co-location of agricultural production and solar energy generation on the same piece of land. The practice eliminates the traditional "food vs. energy" debate by pairing working farms with solar arrays, maximizing the productivity of the land. It is particularly beneficial in hot climates where irrigation is needed, as solar panels can provide shade to animals or shorter-grown crops beneath them.

County Plan Director Nick Witwer said the term was brought to the attention of the ordinance subcommittee by County Council member and Plan Commission President Deb Johnson, who noted the term had not been included in the county's existing solar ordinance. Johnson said the Technical Review Committee (TRC) gave a favorable recommendation to add the definition.
Johnson emphasized that while the county continues to work on a broader new solar ordinance, adopting this amendment in the interim helps protect the county from large-scale solar projects until the new ordinance is finalized. The Plan Commission and Commissioners had previously approved an amendment limiting solar projects to five panel-acres on a single piece of property.

The meeting also prompted questions from County Surveyor Craig Cultice, who asked Purdue Extension representative and Plan Commission member Breezy Slonaker how far sheep would graze vegetation under solar panels — raising concerns that overgrazing could increase surface water runoff. Slonaker also referenced a 2023-24 soil analysis that showed elevated zinc levels, though she clarified there has been no evidence of elevated zinc in the meat of grazing animals.
Following a public hearing that drew no public comment, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve the amendment, with all nine members present in favor.

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Gülermak buys 19.3MWp UK solar project  reNEWS.BIZ
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Australian solar manufacturer Tindo was first established in 2011 before opening its current factory in Adelaide in 2022, by which time it had already produced 284,000 solar panels for both domestic use and export sales. Its current solar manufacturing plant is situated in the heart of Technology Park, a 65-hectare site in the northern part of Adelaide.
The company’s CEO, Richard Petterson, told pv magazine the factory’s current production line combines machinery, robotics, artificial intelligence and human expertise to produce solar panels.
He added that as Australia’s lone solar manufacturer, the business is focused on staying current with global technology innovations while ensuring its own capacity to improve and innovate.
“Tindo resources an internal design and engineering function which allows the company to remain at the forefront of technology developments and respond to users’ feedback,” he said. “To do this, we promote specific skills in management, production, finance, sales and marketing, distribution, installation and servicing.”
Tindo’s product portfolio of Australian-made solar panels features products tailored to both households and businesses, with all panels designed to withstand the extremes of Australia’s climate. The panels are powered by N-Type TOPCon technology integrated into laser-cut 16 busbar bifacial cells.
Its product range includes the Tindo Walara Series, a ninth generation of solar modules available in 440 W and a 475 W black panel option that uses black busbar technology. All of Tindo’s solar panels come with a 25-year warranty. According to data on the company’s website, Tindo solar panels fail once in every 200,000, compared to a global average of once in every 1,000.
“Every Tindo panel is engineered, manufactured and tested in Adelaide using top quality componentry, and processes validated against Australian conditions,” Petterson said. “This approach delivers extraordinary field performance and durability that continues to set the benchmark for locally installed solar modules.”
The company undertakes a zero-defect manufacturing process that guarantees each panel undergoes testing at seven predetermined quality checkpoints. Petterson added that the company also develops its own sealing technology, allowing the panels to perform excellently in humid and salt-mist environments, making them popular exports to the Southeast Asian and South Pacific markets.
“Tindo panels are exported to Vietnam. They also power landing stations in the East Micronesia Cable (ESM) project in Nauru, and Tarawa in Kiribati,” Petterson said. “The ESM is a 2,250 km undersea data cable that links Tarawa in Kiribati to Nauru and to Kosrae and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Pohnpei already has an international data connection. Tindo panels will be used at the Pacific Technical and Further Education (TAFE) school in Suva, Fiji, which is training people of the Pacific in solar-battery installations.”
Last year, Tindo was granted a $34.5 million (USD 24.5 million) assistance package from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), allowing the company to expand its production facilities and workforce towards an increased capacity of 180 MW. Petterson said Tindo is now readying and expanding the facility to produce even higher-rated solar panels that will be powered by upsized 210R cells.
ARENA’s assistance package is also funding a feasibility study for a planned Gigafactory, a greenfield facility capable of producing up to 1 GW of high quality Australian-made panels per year that would employ more than 200 people.  “This level of output will make Tindo a serious part of the Australian energy transition,” Petterson said.
Previous articles in pv magazine‘s new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world covered SoliTek’s fully-automated line in Lithuania, United Solar’s polysilicon factory in Oman, Belga Solar’s module production facility in Belgium and Midsummer’s CIGS factory in Italy.
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Free-On-Board (FOB) China TOPCon cell prices held steady amid stable week-on-week indications, as market participants continued to assess price direction ahead of the upcoming Shanghai International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition, commonly known as SNEC, in early June.
According to the OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released on May 26, FOB China TOPCon M10 cell prices maintained at $0.0482/W with price indications between $0.0460-0.0499/W.
Meanwhile, the newly launched FOB China 210R TOPCon cell assessment averaged $0.0484/W, with indications ranging from $0.0465-0.0505/W.
Trade sources said TOPCon cell prices are expected to remain under downward pressure, weighed by weak end-user demand and higher wafer production, which could pressure downstream cell and module prices.
Despite weaker silver prices over the past two weeks, some cell manufacturers said they continue to expect volatility in the precious metals market. This has led producers to hold offer prices steady as they monitor potential changes in raw material costs.
Silver prices have maintained around the same level over the past two weeks, but remain more than 25% higher over the past six months and around 125% higher year on year.
Some sources added that the market is also watching upstream price movements as potential weakness in polysilicon and wafer prices could help ease cell production costs.
Upstream EXW China Mono Premium polysilicon and FOB China n-type M10 wafer prices have fallen 36.1% and 22.8%, respectively, on a year-to-date basis.
In contrast, downstream cells and module prices have not come under the same degree of downward pressure seen in upstream markets. FOB China TOPCon M10 cell prices have fallen around 2.4% year-to-date, while FOB China mainstream TOPCon module prices remain around 24.5% higher over the same period.
In patent updates, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has invalidated TetraSun’s Chinese invention patent CN201080027881.6 titled “High-efficiency solar cell structures and methods of manufacture”, according to a notice seen by OPIS. TetraSun is a subsidiary of First Solar.
The ruling is viewed by industry participants as a China-side countermeasure by Jinko Solar, following First Solar’s initiation of a Section 337 investigation in the U.S. into TOPCon solar cells, modules and related products against Jinko Solar and other manufacturers.
Industry sources said that while the CNIPA decision does not directly affect the validity of First Solar’s U.S. patent or the ongoing U.S. litigation, it could support Chinese manufacturers’ arguments around the prior art, technology ownership and patentability in related disputes.
A Chinese industry source added that the ruling offers good support for Chinese solar companies and the wider industry, though it remains unclear whether the China decision will have any influence on the U.S. patent investigation.
According to the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA), weak end-user demand persists, making it difficult to reverse the oversupply situation in the near term. The association said wafer production output in May is expected to rise by 8-9% month-on-month. CNMIA added that end-user demand has shown no signs of improvement, while downstream buyers continue to push aggressively for lower prices, with current market transactions driven by low-priced inventory and rigid replenishment demand.
OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides energy prices, news, data, and analysis on gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG/NGL, coal, metals, and chemicals, as well as renewable fuels and environmental commodities. It acquired pricing data assets from Singapore Solar Exchange in 2022 and now publishes the OPIS APAC Solar Weekly Report.
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Lead-Free Perovskites Push Solar Cells Toward Safer High-Efficiency Designs  AZoM
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A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has developed a nanoscale device they say could improve the performance of PV systems by preventing the loss of solar energy before it can be utilised.
The researchers said the mechanism is designed to capture photons of low-energy infrared and red light – wavelengths that carry less energy and are typically wasted in conventional PV cells – and upconvert them into higher-energy visible light that can be put to practical use.
An upconversion layer placed behind a solar cell can convert otherwise wasted infrared photons into higher energy visible light that can be reflected back into the solar cell to boost its efficiency. The focus has been on commercially viable solid-state upconverters but these have been plagued by efficiency losses.
The team from the UNSW science faculty has now devised a strategy to overcome that energy loss, fabricating a “liquid triplet fusion medium” that behaves as a solid on excitonic timescales. This material fills the pores of an alumina nano-scaffold to which sensitiser molecules are stuck, preventing the back transfer that plagues solid-state systems.
Study Lead Author and UNSW Researcher Dr Thilini Ishwara said the mechanism allowed the device to achieve photon conversion efficiencies of 8.2%, among the strongest reported for this type of architecture.
“This work demonstrates a big step forward,” she said. “Achieving high efficiencies in films is difficult in these ultrathin molecular systems – good light absorption is needed and energy loss needs to be minimised.”
Ishwara said the development could have wide-ranging implications for industries looking to recover or reuse wasted infrared light, including solar energy where large amounts of low-energy light pass straight through conventional silicon cells unused.
“Converting some of that light into visible wavelengths could improve overall performance,” the researchers said, adding that the approach may also be relevant to infrared sensing, photocatalysis, optical communications and next-generation additive manufacturing technologies such as volumetric 3D printing.
One of the key aspects of the research is that the system operates in a solid-state structure. This makes it compatible with semiconductor-style manufacturing, increasing its commercial viability compared to earlier liquid-based approaches.
‘We are keen to commercialise our technology,” Ishwara said.
The research paper, Structural exciton localization drives efficient solid-state sensitized triplet fusion upconversion, is published in Nature Photonics.
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Mountains to climb
Available in print and digital formats.
Entries open in seven categories: Modules, Inverters, BoS, BESS, Manufacturing, Sustainability, Projects.
April 01 – August 31, 2026
Energy-hungry data centers open new doors for solar and storage.
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FGEN targets end-2026 completion of NKC Cebu solar  Daily Tribune
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Sheep graze under solar panels in Lanai, Hawaii.
Rethinking how we use the land means American farms can stay in business, producing food and energy that remains local while we invest back into our communities.
America’s farmers are in big trouble. Despite the recent politically timed purchase of 12 million metric tons of US soybeans by China, after months of cancelled or stalled sales, the market remains volatile and uncertain. China now publicly favors cheaper Brazilian soybeans, and US soy exports to China have fallen to their lowest level in more than two decades.
The decline of this important market compounds other struggles farmers like me are facing, including falling commodity prices and rising costs. The number of farm bankruptcies remains troublingly high.
But there’s a solution that can help farmers lower their costs and reduce dependence on volatile foreign markets, while producing cheaper, cleaner energy for all Americans. It’s called agri-energy, and it offers a viable pathway to both food and energy independence.
American farmers were hurting long before the tariffs were put in place. Despite record yields, farming accounts for less than 1% of the American GDP and we have now entered an agricultural trade deficit.
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation.
Any healthy economy relies on diversity, but we put all of our eggs into the corn and soy baskets long ago. Corn and soy are the top two agricultural commodities produced in the United States. This means that any shift in global markets—like the current trade war—can leave farmers with full silos and empty bank accounts.
Now, we’re scrambling to figure out how to recover our investments when we’ve already put so much money, time, and generational resources into these monocultures. Our yields might be excellent, but with corn and soy prices declining sharply relative to production costs, that may not matter much.
The Trump administration’s “solution” is to provide assistance to farmers in the form of relief checks and subsidies, which is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bleeding femoral artery. Might look okay for a minute, but it’s not going to stop the flow (in this case, the flow of bankruptcies and foreclosures).
What we need to do is start focusing on whole-systems approaches. That’s where agri-energy comes into play.
Agri-energy, also known as agrivoltaics or dual-use solar, involves growing crops or grazing livestock under solar panels, allowing farmers to double dip on their land. By leasing their land for solar energy production, farmers get a nice bumper crop each year—with lease payments averaging $1,000 or more per acre. It’s consistent, reliable income that’s not dependent on the global commodity market.
Because solar leases are long—20 to 30 years or more—there’s more predictability and stability in this kind of setup than perhaps any other agricultural model. If a farmer is ready to lease his land and get out of farming entirely, agri-energy allows for another farmer to manage that land in his place. That’s the case for our family farm—we receive payment from the solar company for vegetation management services on other sites.
On a broader scale, practices like rotational grazing (typically the go-to on solar farms) improve soil quality and leave the land healthier than it was prior to the solar farm’s installation. The animals benefit, too, from improved forage and shade, reaching heavier finishing and weaning weights at a lower cost to the farmer. This, too, we’ve seen firsthand on the solar farms we graze.
Rethinking how we use the land means American farms can stay in business, producing food and energy that remains local while we invest back into our communities.
Some worry that agri-energy will take good land out of agriculture. But the reliable income from solar leases can actually keep farmers on the land. This is especially important for small farmers like me who were once told to “get big or get out.”
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation. Remember: Prime farmland doesn’t remain farmland if it’s not farmed.
If we really want to reduce our reliance on global trade, agri-energy—not tariffs—may be the silver bullet we’re looking for.
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It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits.
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America’s farmers are in big trouble. Despite the recent politically timed purchase of 12 million metric tons of US soybeans by China, after months of cancelled or stalled sales, the market remains volatile and uncertain. China now publicly favors cheaper Brazilian soybeans, and US soy exports to China have fallen to their lowest level in more than two decades.
The decline of this important market compounds other struggles farmers like me are facing, including falling commodity prices and rising costs. The number of farm bankruptcies remains troublingly high.
But there’s a solution that can help farmers lower their costs and reduce dependence on volatile foreign markets, while producing cheaper, cleaner energy for all Americans. It’s called agri-energy, and it offers a viable pathway to both food and energy independence.
American farmers were hurting long before the tariffs were put in place. Despite record yields, farming accounts for less than 1% of the American GDP and we have now entered an agricultural trade deficit.
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation.
Any healthy economy relies on diversity, but we put all of our eggs into the corn and soy baskets long ago. Corn and soy are the top two agricultural commodities produced in the United States. This means that any shift in global markets—like the current trade war—can leave farmers with full silos and empty bank accounts.
Now, we’re scrambling to figure out how to recover our investments when we’ve already put so much money, time, and generational resources into these monocultures. Our yields might be excellent, but with corn and soy prices declining sharply relative to production costs, that may not matter much.
The Trump administration’s “solution” is to provide assistance to farmers in the form of relief checks and subsidies, which is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bleeding femoral artery. Might look okay for a minute, but it’s not going to stop the flow (in this case, the flow of bankruptcies and foreclosures).
What we need to do is start focusing on whole-systems approaches. That’s where agri-energy comes into play.
Agri-energy, also known as agrivoltaics or dual-use solar, involves growing crops or grazing livestock under solar panels, allowing farmers to double dip on their land. By leasing their land for solar energy production, farmers get a nice bumper crop each year—with lease payments averaging $1,000 or more per acre. It’s consistent, reliable income that’s not dependent on the global commodity market.
Because solar leases are long—20 to 30 years or more—there’s more predictability and stability in this kind of setup than perhaps any other agricultural model. If a farmer is ready to lease his land and get out of farming entirely, agri-energy allows for another farmer to manage that land in his place. That’s the case for our family farm—we receive payment from the solar company for vegetation management services on other sites.
On a broader scale, practices like rotational grazing (typically the go-to on solar farms) improve soil quality and leave the land healthier than it was prior to the solar farm’s installation. The animals benefit, too, from improved forage and shade, reaching heavier finishing and weaning weights at a lower cost to the farmer. This, too, we’ve seen firsthand on the solar farms we graze.
Rethinking how we use the land means American farms can stay in business, producing food and energy that remains local while we invest back into our communities.
Some worry that agri-energy will take good land out of agriculture. But the reliable income from solar leases can actually keep farmers on the land. This is especially important for small farmers like me who were once told to “get big or get out.”
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation. Remember: Prime farmland doesn’t remain farmland if it’s not farmed.
If we really want to reduce our reliance on global trade, agri-energy—not tariffs—may be the silver bullet we’re looking for.
America’s farmers are in big trouble. Despite the recent politically timed purchase of 12 million metric tons of US soybeans by China, after months of cancelled or stalled sales, the market remains volatile and uncertain. China now publicly favors cheaper Brazilian soybeans, and US soy exports to China have fallen to their lowest level in more than two decades.
The decline of this important market compounds other struggles farmers like me are facing, including falling commodity prices and rising costs. The number of farm bankruptcies remains troublingly high.
But there’s a solution that can help farmers lower their costs and reduce dependence on volatile foreign markets, while producing cheaper, cleaner energy for all Americans. It’s called agri-energy, and it offers a viable pathway to both food and energy independence.
American farmers were hurting long before the tariffs were put in place. Despite record yields, farming accounts for less than 1% of the American GDP and we have now entered an agricultural trade deficit.
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation.
Any healthy economy relies on diversity, but we put all of our eggs into the corn and soy baskets long ago. Corn and soy are the top two agricultural commodities produced in the United States. This means that any shift in global markets—like the current trade war—can leave farmers with full silos and empty bank accounts.
Now, we’re scrambling to figure out how to recover our investments when we’ve already put so much money, time, and generational resources into these monocultures. Our yields might be excellent, but with corn and soy prices declining sharply relative to production costs, that may not matter much.
The Trump administration’s “solution” is to provide assistance to farmers in the form of relief checks and subsidies, which is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bleeding femoral artery. Might look okay for a minute, but it’s not going to stop the flow (in this case, the flow of bankruptcies and foreclosures).
What we need to do is start focusing on whole-systems approaches. That’s where agri-energy comes into play.
Agri-energy, also known as agrivoltaics or dual-use solar, involves growing crops or grazing livestock under solar panels, allowing farmers to double dip on their land. By leasing their land for solar energy production, farmers get a nice bumper crop each year—with lease payments averaging $1,000 or more per acre. It’s consistent, reliable income that’s not dependent on the global commodity market.
Because solar leases are long—20 to 30 years or more—there’s more predictability and stability in this kind of setup than perhaps any other agricultural model. If a farmer is ready to lease his land and get out of farming entirely, agri-energy allows for another farmer to manage that land in his place. That’s the case for our family farm—we receive payment from the solar company for vegetation management services on other sites.
On a broader scale, practices like rotational grazing (typically the go-to on solar farms) improve soil quality and leave the land healthier than it was prior to the solar farm’s installation. The animals benefit, too, from improved forage and shade, reaching heavier finishing and weaning weights at a lower cost to the farmer. This, too, we’ve seen firsthand on the solar farms we graze.
Rethinking how we use the land means American farms can stay in business, producing food and energy that remains local while we invest back into our communities.
Some worry that agri-energy will take good land out of agriculture. But the reliable income from solar leases can actually keep farmers on the land. This is especially important for small farmers like me who were once told to “get big or get out.”
When small farmers are forced to “get out,” our land is typically sold to large farm corporations, to real estate developers, or, God forbid, to the Dollar General corporation. Remember: Prime farmland doesn’t remain farmland if it’s not farmed.
If we really want to reduce our reliance on global trade, agri-energy—not tariffs—may be the silver bullet we’re looking for.

source

GameChange Solar and GameChange BOS have combined to form GameChange Energy, a new global energy infrastructure company, the newly-minted firm announced June 1.
The integration consolidates four of GameChange’s major assets: the original tracker company, the recently acquired eBOS division from Terrasmart, a new transformer factory in India, and its remote asset monitoring partnership with Raptor Maps. The company says that for solar developers and EPCs alike, the move “streamlines procurement and vendor coordination.”
Andrew Worden, the company’s founder, says the rebrand will allow GameChange to cover the full lifecycle of any given solar asset.
“The GameChange Energy name tells the full story of what we offer now,” he says. “Utility-scale projects are growing more complex, so developers need partners who can reduce risk and streamline installation for all project scales and types.
“Unifying our tracker, eBOS, asset monitoring, and transformer offerings under a single platform positions us to deliver integrated capabilities with the reliability, speed, and service our customers expect.”

A sound foundation

Forming a singular identity under the GameChange Energy name allows the company to better serve not only solar developers and EPCs, but utilities seeking an integrated approach as well. Bolstered by the strong business foundation the consolidation creates, the unified company will be able to scale across a number of markets, and support increasingly complex solar and storage projects.
Phillip Vyhanek, CEO of GameChange Energy, says the company’s recent set of acquisitions will play a critical role in the rebrand. GameChange Solar also provides another pillar of the new foundations will more than 63 GW of solar deployed on six continents since its foundation in 2012.
“The biggest challenge we hear from customers is vendor coordination. Managing multiple suppliers across trackers, eBOS, monitoring, and transformers adds cost and time to every project,” he says. “Consolidating under a single brand simplifies and speeds that process for our clients, maintaining our commitment to excellence, high-performance products, and long-term customer relationships.”
The company has been preparing this change since the launch of GameChange BOS in 2025, when it expanded its portfolio with a new facility. Located in Mumbai, that facility has combined with GameChange’s recent Terrasmart acquisition to make the firm’s BOS selection even more robust.

Tags: eBOS, GameChange Energy, GameChange Solar, Terrasmart, utility-scale


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New solar sourcing rules come into effect in India as the government pushes for self-reliance. Consumers may face higher rooftop solar installation costs
India’s solar sector entered a new phase on June 1 as the government enforced stricter domestic sourcing rules aimed at reducing dependence on imported solar equipment, particularly from China. While the move is expected to strengthen local manufacturing and boost self-reliance, industry stakeholders remain divided over its immediate impact on costs, supply chains and project execution.
Under the revised policy, solar projects operating through net-metering and open-access mechanisms must now use solar cells manufactured by government-approved domestic producers. The requirement expands existing regulations that already mandated the use of Indian-made solar modules.
The new rule applies to rooftop solar installations, including those under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, as well as open-access projects used by commercial and industrial consumers.
A solar panel is made up of multiple solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. While India has significantly expanded its solar module manufacturing capacity in recent years, a large portion of the solar cells used inside those modules continues to be imported, mainly from China.
With the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II framework, developers can now source solar cells only from approved domestic manufacturers for eligible projects.
The government has rejected industry requests for a blanket extension, making compliance mandatory from June 1.
The move is part of India’s broader strategy to develop a fully integrated domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.
Although India currently possesses nearly 200 GW of annual solar module manufacturing capacity, domestic solar cell production stands at only about 30 GW. The government believes the new requirement will encourage fresh investments in solar cell manufacturing, reduce import dependence and support India’s long-term clean energy goals.
Officials also see the policy as a strategic step towards strengthening energy security and reducing exposure to global supply chain disruptions.
Industry experts expect rooftop solar installations to become more expensive in the short term.
According to estimates, the use of domestically manufactured cells could increase installation costs by around ₹3,000 per kilowatt. For a typical 5-kW residential rooftop system, consumers may have to spend approximately ₹15,000 more than before.
Developers have also expressed concerns about potential supply constraints as domestic cell manufacturing scales up to meet rising demand.
However, consumers installing systems under the PM Surya Ghar scheme will continue to receive government subsidies, although compliance checks and documentation requirements are expected to become more stringent.
Despite higher upfront costs, solar energy remains financially attractive over the long term due to substantial savings on electricity bills over the lifespan of the system.
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MORE than 30 homes on Great Cumbrae are being fitted with solar panels and battery storage systems through the benefits of a North Ayrshire Council partnership project.
The Millport Solar PV and Battery Project is a community-led, phased programme aimed at reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty and building local energy resilience.
It is part of the Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) Project, which is a Scottish Government programme supporting six islands with the aim of demonstrating the climate-resilience and low carbon potential of islands.
The latest phase alone is expected to mitigate approximately 24 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in its first year, contributing to the island’s decarbonisation goals as well as financial savings of over £20,000.
A NAC project has seen more than 30 homes on Great Cumbrae being fitted with solar panels and battery storage systems. (Image: Alan Cawley Photography)
The link-up, managed by the council’s energy and sustainability team, is locally led by Carbon Neutral Cumbrae and supported by Scottish Government Islands Programme funding.
Installation works have been carried out by energy services company Union Technical, who completed 31 installations during the latest phase.
Councillors Alan Hill and Eleanor Collier visited Millport to celebrate the progression of energy resilience on the island and see first-hand its impact.
Cllr Collier, cabinet member for green environment, said: “There are many benefits to Millport Solar PV and Battery Project. It will produce clean energy, help islanders to cut their energy bills and drive the local effort to cut residents’ carbon footprint.”
The systems installed are equipped with an emergency back-up power supply, providing continued access to essential electricity during outages.
Cllr Hill, cabinet member for communities, housing and islands, added: “I am delighted that we have been working in partnership with Carbon Neutral Islands project and I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their ongoing work.”
As a community benefit, Union Technical has gifted a defibrillator to Millport Community Fire Station that will serve more than 300 households.
A council project has seen more than 30 homes on Great Cumbrae fitted with solar panels and battery storage systems (Image: Alan Cawley Photography)
Defibrillators were originally installed following the passing of Colin McCuaig – known as Coldo – when his partner Jane and local firefighter Stewart Cape spearheaded a fundraising campaign in his memory.
Scott Watson, Carbon Neutral Cumbrae’s community development officer, has worked closely with residents and Union Technical ensuring positive outcomes and satisfaction within the local community.
He said: “We are delighted to have been working with the council and Union Technical on the latest phase of this partnership project.
“Their contribution of a defibrillator, which replaced the dated public unit at Millport Community Fire Station, alongside the care and time taken to work with local residents and their engagement with the wider community, will have a lasting and positive impact on Cumbrae well beyond these installations.”
Since the CNI project started locally in January 2023, Cumbrae has seen a 632 per cent increase in the total generating capacity from rooftop solar PV, saving over £100,000 annually in combined energy bills and mitigating an estimated 123 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
This is helping the community to be well on its way towards the local target of one megawatt of rooftop solar PV by 2030.
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A partial view of Zone A of the solar farm in Mount Coffee, Mont. County/ DayLight/ Harry N. Browne.
 

A partial view of Zone A of the solar farm in Mount Coffee, Mont. County/ DayLight/ Harry N. Browne.
 
BENTOL, Montserrado – Under the scorching sun in Mount Coffee, Lower Montserrado County, rows of nearly 40,000 solar panels stretch across rocky ground. Liberia’s first-ever solar farm is part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen electricity supply, and transition toward renewable energy.
The facility’s 40,000 solar panels produce 710 watts each, along with 52 inverters connected to stations and substations that transfer electricity into the national grid. Crushed rocks spread across the facility help trap and redistribute heat energy to support power generation efficiency.
The 20-megawatt facility, funded by the World Bank under its Regional Emergency Solar Intervention (RESPITE) project, is expected to increase Liberia’s energy generation capacity by 15 percent, while reducing the country’s dependence on heavy fuel and diesel-powered electricity generation.
“I think we have a great opportunity to improve our energy capacity and the economy. All we need is to muster the courage and work hard for it to happen,” said Dominic Gono, RESPITE’s project manager. 
Construction of the solar farm began in October 2024. Initially estimated at US$15.8 million, the project cost later increased by US$5.7 million because of additional operational and infrastructure expenses.
The first phase of the project complements Liberia’s hydroelectric power generation,  supplying solar energy to Montserrado County and surrounding communities, particularly during the dry season when water levels at the Mount Coffee hydropower plant usually decline. It is already supplying electricity to the national grid, even as construction continues, Gono said.
It is also intended to enhance economic growth in Montserrado, an urban settlement with nearly 2 million people.
Ophelia Vah is a resident of the Mount Coffee community, a petty trader who sells water and beverages. She believes that solar energy would help them once it starts to power the national grid, mainly during the dry seasons.
“When the solar energy becomes stable, it will be a blessing to us and to Liberians in general because we will not be suffering from the heat,” she said.  “With the coming of the solar system, we are hopeful the situation will change.”
The World Bank has described the Mount Coffee solar project as a significant public-private partnership capable of strengthening Liberia’s energy sector and accelerating economic growth.
Pascal Donohoe, a World Bank official, said the initiative demonstrates the type of energy investment the institution intends to support in Liberia.
“This project will serve as an example of the type of initiative and partnership that the World Bank Group aims to support in Liberia’s power generation sector,” Donohoe said, per the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Liberia’s climate gains thus far
Valued at over US$21 million, it is also seen as a major step toward helping Liberia fulfill its international climate commitments.
Liberia has a moderate emission rate of 4.3 tonnes per capita per year, a level consistent with the climate action requirement, according to Global Climate Change data. Despite the country’s low emissions, it made commitments to the international community, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It has committed to add 150 megawatts of clean energy to its national energy plant.
“If we want to implement our NDC, we have to go to renewable energy. That’s why that Mount Coffee project is important, but not only that project; we have smaller projects like the one at EPA,” said Dr. Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, the Executive Director of the EPA.
Emissions caused by fossil fuels—in coal, oil/gas and other things—hurt the climate and are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for around 68 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists say greenhouse gas emissions blanket the earth, trap the sun’s heat and, subsequently, warm up and change the climate.
Liberia’s contribution to climate change is negligible, but, like other African countries, it bears the brunt of climate change, such as changes in rainfall, crop failure and coastal erosion. The country needs US$2.5-3 billion to fulfill its climate pledges, but it requires more financing and technology.
“Renewable energy is very important to Liberia and the global community,” Yarkpawolo said. “The traditional way of generating power through fossil fuels has been detrimental to environmental sustainability
This story first appeared in The DayLight, and now here as part of an editorial collaboration. 
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Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy plan to merge to form the largest utility in the U.S. Clean Virginia, a nonprofit advocacy organization, urges extreme caution that this mega-merger does not put corporate profits ahead of customers. The deal is all about supplying the gigantic energy needs of data centers that run AI.
Virginia farmers are finding that, not only sheep, but cattle also thrive among solar panels. That’s good news because our state has 15 times as many cattle as sheep, many of them in small herds on family farms. It’s a way to save our family farms and provide our state with low-cost solar energy.
The State Corporation Commission has denied Dominion Energy’s request to slash rooftop solar reimbursements for excess energy they send to the grid. Known as net-metering, customers now get a one-on-one credit for such energy. Dominion wants them to receive less credit for the energy they send to the grid than what they pay for the energy they pull from the grid.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has begun to monitor air pollution connected to data centers in Loudoun County, which has the largest concentration of data centers in the world. Most of the pollution is created by diesel generators.
The Blue Ridge Power Agency, which serves a string of nonprofit utilities in central and western Virginia, is set to come online this summer with a collection of five small grid batteries of about 5 megawatts each.
The Virginia Department of Energy has announced a new round of funding for EV charging infrastructure in underserved communities.
Dominion Energy has announced plans to build a new 3-gigawatt gas plant in Cumberland County. If permits are approved, they anticipate the plant will come online in 2033 or 2034.
Dominion Energy has converted a closed landfill in Albemarle County into a 7,000 panel solar farm. They see this as the first of many such projects utilizing degraded land.
A massive heat wave in the Pacific Ocean is alarming scientists because it could set off a particularly powerful super El Niño weather pattern later this year, amplifying wildfire risk, heat waves, and flooding worldwide as global temperatures continue to rise. It would have significant impacts on food security in vulnerable regions.
New Orleans should immediately start the process of relocating people. A new study shows that ongoing sea-level rise and the rampant erosion of wetlands in southern Louisiana will swallow up the area surrounding the city within a few generations.
Record flooding pushed Michigan’s dams to the brink of disaster last month. The near miss reflects the national problem of infrastructure that is not suited to the challenges of a warming world.
Despite many frustrating obstacles, especially the freezing of federal funding, the public-private program to build EV charging stations increased its reach and accomplishments last year. States have more than doubled their investments.
More than 150 onshore wind farms across the U.S. are on hold because the Trump administration has delayed military reviews that were once considered routine.
Nations are back on track to adopt a framework for curbing global shipping emissions, following the latest International Maritime Organization meeting. Last year the Trump administration had pressured other countries to stall the agreement.
Ocean Winds took a Trump administration payout to abandon two U.S. offshore wind leases, even as it’s staying the course on large projects in Europe.
As part of efforts to relieve the energy bill pressure, some Democrats are planning to slash energy-efficiency programs because utilities pass along the costs to customers. The irony is that those programs are meant to lower people’s energy use, and thus reduce their bills.
The Trump administration forced a Canadian-backed renewable energy company to abandon its landmark wind power project in U.S. waters. It is now demanding an equivalent investment in U.S. fossil fuel development if it wants to recoup the $120 million it paid in offshore wind leases.
As electricity rates continue climbing across West Virginia, lawmakers have failed to deliver relief while voting to grow data centers and support coal.
The Trump administration is easing restrictions on hydrofluorocarbons, the potent planet-warming chemicals used in air-conditioners and refrigerators.
The American epoch of oil is collapsing, while China is dominating the transition to clean energy with astonishing results.
Hydropower in the U.S. needs a refresh. The average dam in the U.S. is 65 years old and operators will have to choose between spending millions of dollars on infrastructure upgrades or simply shut down. Upgrades involve huge challenges including necessary federal funding.
Vineyard Wind — Massachusetts’ first utility-scale offshore wind project — will stabilize prices for 20 years and cut a projected $1.4 billion from customer electricity bills over that period.
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids displaced 2.3 million barrels of oil consumption per day in 2025. That should more than double by 2030 as sales of battery-powered cars continue to climb globally.
Solar energy is booming in the industrial U.S. Midwest as the energy crisis persists. Electricity has become one of the most important commodities in the region thanks to demand from datacenters, the Iran war, and rising utility costs.
Nuclear power is back. After years of no new construction in the U.S., two companies broke ground on nuclear reactors last month. Other projects are also moving ahead.
California’s grid battery array is now as powerful as 12 nuclear power plants. Those batteries can produce as much as 40% of the peak capacity requirements during evening hours.
Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company, netted about $1.9 billion as it went public, valuing it at roughly $7.7 billion. That signals investor confidence that the technology can be scaled up to help meet rising electricity demand.
Some states are considering using abandoned oil and gas wells and repurposing them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. At present these abandoned wells are a huge financial and environmental liability.
Solar is set to overtake coal on the Texas grid for the first time ever this year.
Wind and solar hit a major global milestone as, for the first time ever, they generated more electricity than gas did in the month of April.
India, the world’s most populous nation is on the verge of becoming the first major country to power its rapid industrialization predominantly with solar energy.
Because of surging concentrations of carbon in the atmosphere many of our most important food crops — including wheat, potatoes, beans, chickpeas, and rice — are less nutritious and contain fewer vitamins and minerals than they did a generation ago.
American farmers and ranchers are diversifying their income with renewable energy projects. Revenue from rural solar and wind energy has become significant in some states, and at the national level is approaching the scale of major agricultural commodities.
The world needs far more protein and far less pollution. A new study on integrated aquaculture suggests that seaweed and fish, grown together, can deliver both.
Indonesia wants to rehabilitate 30 million acres of degraded land ​and potentially integrate new tree-planting efforts ‌with carbon offset projects.
The scramble for precious metals — including lithium, cobalt and nickel — is deepening poverty and creating public health crises in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Mercury emissions from coal-burning electric plants in the U.S. increased by roughly 9% last year. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that settles into waterways and accumulates in the food chain, particularly in fish, and can cause severe health problems for both adults and children.
In a geoengineering gambit, an Israeli company hopes to spray tiny particles of silica into the atmosphere to cool the planet. Scientists and academics are calling for a ban because it could tamper with weather patterns, damaging food production and local economies.
New Mexico is the second largest oil producing state in the U.S. and prices are surging from the war with Iran. The money flooding into the state treasury is creating an uncomfortable situation for state Democrats who oppose the war and would rather reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
The Trump administration’s cut of nearly all of USAID’s food aid has devastated many of the world’s most food-insecure and climate-besieged regions — leading to hunger, forced migration, and increased violence.
The first-of-its-kind international conference on moving away from fossil fuels wrapped up in Colombia last month. Each of the 56 participating countries was tasked with creating its own roadmap to phase out oil, gas and coal. Financing emerged as one of the biggest challenges.
Simply planting more trees in urban areas can provide huge temperature benefits, not to mention how the additional plant life boosts biodiversity and improves mental health.
A Princeton University team erected a cottage made from straw, which they said is more sustainable than bricks or concrete. They used compressed straw bales to create sturdy building blocks that do not require a house frame or a plaster coating.
Use of EVs in Africa is surging as soaring prices and fuel shortages compel countries to opt for cleaner and cheaper transport. Ethiopia is leading the way with more than 115,000 EVs now on its roads, accounting for about 8% of the national fleet.
U.S. politicians across the political spectrum want more housing. Building more apartments is a great answer because they also slash carbon emissions in a big way. A typical high-rise apartment emits only one-third as much greenhouse gases as a detached house.
A lab experiment shows that making Portland cement from silicate rocks instead of limestone could cut its carbon emissions by 30%.
The African country of Uganda is targeting completely fossil-free electric transit by 2030.






Earl Zimmerman is a member of the steering committee of the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley.
The weeks of decline in viewership for AEW “Dynamite” that coincided with the illogical move to put the world title on a skateboard goofball saw a reversal after the title switch at “Double or Nothing.”
No surprise here, that Matt Augustin, a 6’3” righthander who was only used seven times in 2026 by the new UVA Baseball coaching staff, is in the transfer portal – one of three ‘Hoos to enter the portal on Monday.

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Austrian renewable energy company PÜSPÖK has completed what it describes as Europe’s second-largest super-hybrid power plant in Nickelsdorf, combining wind power, photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage through a shared infrastructure system.
The project, supported by financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Erste Bank, is designed to strengthen the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid while contributing to Austria’s energy independence and climate-neutrality goals. The EIB is providing €57 million in new financing, bringing its total commitment to PÜSPÖK projects to approximately €200 million.
According to the company, the super-hybrid facility integrates wind turbines, solar generation and battery storage in a single system, allowing existing grid connections to be used more efficiently while increasing flexibility within the energy system. The combination of the three technologies is intended to improve grid stability and support a more reliable supply of renewable electricity.
“With the Nickelsdorf super-hybrid park, we are demonstrating what the energy supply of the future looks like: renewable, flexible and independent of fossil fuels,” said Lukas Püspök, Chief Executive Officer of PÜSPÖK.
A key component of the project is agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural production with solar power generation by installing photovoltaic systems on farmland and grassland. The approach enables dual land use while maintaining agricultural yields and generating renewable electricity.
PÜSPÖK said its agrivoltaic and wind power installations already supply clean electricity to more than 338,000 households. The company is also developing what it describes as Austria’s largest battery storage facility at the Nickelsdorf site. Once operational, the storage system is expected to add significant flexibility and energy storage capacity to the project.
Across all currently planned developments, PÜSPÖK expects to deploy 336.4 megawatt-peak (MWp) of agrivoltaic capacity and 246 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage capacity. The battery storage facility is scheduled to enter operation in June 2026, with an official inauguration planned for July.
During a visit to the site, EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer, Erste Bank Chief Executive Officer Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller, State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner and Burgenland provincial councillor Heinrich Dorner reviewed the progress of the project and its role in Austria’s energy transition.
“The expansion of renewable energy and modern storage technologies is crucial for Europe’s competitiveness, energy security and climate goals,” said Nehammer. He added that the combination of wind, solar and storage technologies strengthens Europe’s energy independence and supports the transition to a climate-neutral economy.
Erste Bank said its participation reflects its commitment to financing energy infrastructure projects that support both security of supply and decarbonisation.
“This project strengthens Austria’s energy independence and demonstrates how the energy transition can be implemented in practical terms,” Holzinger-Burgstaller said.
PÜSPÖK is one of Austria’s leading private renewable electricity producers. The company operates 114 wind turbines and several large-scale solar parks, generating more than one terawatt-hour of electricity annually, equivalent to around 2% of Austria’s total electricity demand.
The company said the Nickelsdorf project illustrates how supply security, grid stability and economic efficiency can be combined within modern energy systems. PÜSPÖK also announced that additional hybrid power plants are under construction in Gattendorf, Mönchhof and St. Andrä and are expected to enter operation progressively in the coming months.
The project forms part of the European Union’s REPowerEU programme, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, accelerate renewable energy deployment and support private-sector investment in the energy transition.
State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zehetner said future progress would depend not only on increasing renewable generation capacity but also on integrating it more effectively into the electricity system. She highlighted the importance of energy storage in improving security of supply, reducing pressure on the grid and ensuring that domestically produced electricity is available when needed.
Burgenland provincial councillor Heinrich Dorner described the project as another important step toward climate neutrality and energy independence, highlighting the region’s long-standing role in renewable energy development and its efforts over recent years to accelerate the energy transition.
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Michigan township says no to large-scale solar proposal after months of dissent  MLive.com
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CLINTON – More solar farm projects could be coming to East Feliciana Parish after the Police Jury approved new regulations governing where and how solar farm projects can be operated.
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury says it currently has a contract with one company for a solar farm in the parish, and multiple companies are looking into getting one.
It believes that by adopting the ordinance, which had a couple of amendments added to the original ordinance Monday night, it could bring even more.
“They’re going to be placed on private property, the parish can regulate the placement of the solar farms. By requiring some green frontage, they can require a certain fee,” 20th JDC District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla told WBRZ.
Under the ordinance, once a company or group submits a permit application, it will pay the parish $5,000 for a solar farm that is 500 acres or less. If it is more than 500 acres, the fee rises to $10,000 plus an additional $5 for each acre in excess of 500.
“The Police Jury and the parish will benefit from solar farms in our area, by the ad valorem taxes they will pay after they’re established, and the sales taxes they’re going to pay on the equipment when it’s purchased for the solar farm,” D’Aquilla said.
However, D’Aquilla says East Feliciana has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.
I asked several Police Jurors if they would ever consider increasing the tax rate to bring in more money.
“No. No,” Jurors Chrissie O’Quinn and Louis Kent said.
One of the changes proposed at the meeting that was adopted was an addition to buffer zone regulations.
The plan for a proposed solar farm must include a buffer zone around the perimeter of the solar farm. The proposed solar farm must be at least 200 feet from the property line, which was originally just 75 feet. Another change was that the buffer zone shall now include a minimum of 100 feet of area of trees or shrubbery between the operational area of the solar farm.
WBRZ asked if this would be collected from the ad valorem tax.
“No, that would be at the expense of the company that is creating the solar farm. It would not be taxpayer money; it would be a portion that they would fund fully,” Juryman Kyle Fleniken said.
Several residents brought up concerns at the public hearing, with some fearing the parish isn’t making enough money on it compared to what it could be.
“During the last meeting, one of the jury members brought up the permit fee we proposed. The Washington Parish permit fee in their ordinance, which is 1% of the final construction cost. East Feliciana Parish is based on acreage. I propose rather than getting rid of construction cost and acreage, charging by the solar panel, and I used two cents per solar panel as an example,” Parish resident Debbie Kemp said.
The development standards and regulations also require that the company have traffic and drainage plans, such as including a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis that establishes the solar farm will not have any impacts on the parish drainage system or adjacent property owners.
The proposal for a solar farm must also include a decommissioning plan once the solar farm has ceased operations and address maintenance, secured access and lighting, and economic impact. 

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According to the State of the Global Climate 2024 report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the continued rise in global temperatures is driving a measurable increase in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Among these, tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, as well as extreme precipitation events, have emerged as leading contributors to global economic losses associated with climate-related disasters. These evolving climatic patterns are fundamentally reshaping the risk landscape for energy infrastructure, particularly for renewable energy systems that are inherently exposed to environmental stressors.
For the solar power sector, the implications are especially significant. Research conducted by the U.S. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL]) indicates that extreme weather conditions, particularly those associated with tropical cyclones, can lead to substantial structural damage, foundation instability, and site flooding. In severe cases, solar power asset losses may reach up to 60%. As solar deployment continues to scale globally, ensuring system resilience under extreme climatic conditions has become a critical determinant of project bankability, operational continuity, and long-term asset performance. In this article, we explore resilience-oriented planning, design, construction, and operations and maintenance (O&M) of solar power projects in Taiwan, a natural disaster–prone area.
Situated within the highly active typhoon belt of the Northwest Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is frequently subjected to high-intensity wind events and torrential rainfall. In recent years, multiple typhoon events have demonstrated the vulnerability of solar power plants. During Typhoons Kong-rey, Shanshan, and Gaemi in 2024, flooding in coastal and low-lying areas of central and southern Taiwan caused damage to solar power plants. In 2025, Typhoon Danas followed an atypical trajectory along the Taiwan Strait before making landfall in central and southern Taiwan, bringing maximum wind speeds of up to 40 meters/second (m/s, 144 kilometers/hour [km/h]). The typhoon impacted approximately 135,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules, resulting in significant financial losses.
In response to these escalating risks, resilience-based engineering and operational strategies are increasingly being integrated across all stages of solar project development. From site selection and system design to construction execution and long-term O&M, ECOVE employs a holistic and systematic approach to strengthen system resilience, reduce vulnerability, and ensure stable long-term performance.
In regions such as Taiwan, where land availability for solar development is inherently constrained, site selection becomes a critical factor influencing the safety, durability, and long-term viability of solar power plants. Consequently, comprehensive and systematic site assessment has become a critical factor in resilience-oriented planning.
During the site evaluation phase, project teams integrate historical meteorological datasets, advanced academic modeling tools, and publicly available government data to assess both climatic and geotechnical risks. For flood risk analysis, flooding potential maps and soil liquefaction maps published by the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR) are extensively utilized (Figure 1). These datasets enable a retrospective assessment of flood occurrences over the past five years and support scenario-based simulations of extreme rainfall events, such as cumulative precipitation of 500 millimeters within a 24-hour period. Such analyses provide critical insights into potential flood depths and soil liquefaction susceptibility. To complement these regional-scale assessments, site-specific geotechnical investigations are conducted to validate subsurface conditions. These investigations typically include soil drilling and standard penetration tests (SPTs), which provide essential information on soil density, stratification, and groundwater levels. The resulting data serve as key inputs for foundation design, particularly in areas characterized by soft soil conditions or high groundwater tables.

For sites identified with high flood vulnerability, a series of engineering adaptation measures are incorporated during the design phase. These include the implementation of stormwater diversion and detention systems, elevation of foundation structures, and raising of electrical equipment platforms to effectively mitigate localized flooding during extreme rainfall events.
In addition to flooding, wind loading from typhoons represents a major design consideration for solar power plants. For sites located along typhoon landfall trajectory, structural systems are designed to exceed the requirements specified in the Building Wind-Resistant Design Code issued by the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Taiwan. In practice, site-specific design wind speeds are increased by an additional 10 m/s (equivalent to 36 km/h) to provide enhanced safety margins against strong wind. Structural analyses incorporate worst-case wind directions, terrain-induced acceleration effects, and aerodynamic influences from surrounding structures, ensuring that the design reflects realistic wind field conditions.
To further enhance system resilience, mounting configurations are designed to exceed the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications for two-rail installation. In practice, a three-rail racking configuration is adopted to reduce localized stress concentrations and enhance overall structural stability. This configuration facilitates more effective load distribution, thereby mitigating bending moments and occurrence of wind-induced vibrations. As a result, the risk of module deformation, uplift, or detachment under extreme wind conditions is significantly reduced (Figure 2).

Material durability is equally critical, particularly for coastal installations exposed to salt-laden environments. Site-specific corrosion risk is assessed using the Harbor Environment Information Platform issued by the Institute of Transportation, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Taiwan (Figure 3), which provides a basis for evaluating salt spray corrosion levels and guiding material selection. For environments classified as C4 or higher, indicating high corrosion exposure, mounting structures are typically fabricated using aluminum-magnesium-zinc coated steel. The coating thickness is further specified based on the severity of the corrosive environment to ensure adequate long-term corrosion resistance. Fasteners are selected as 304 or 316 stainless steel to enhance resistance to oxidation and ensure long-term durability. These material strategies play a vital role in preserving structural integrity and extending the service life of solar power plants operating under harsh environmental conditions.

During the construction phase, foundation systems are selected based on detailed geotechnical assessments, with common options including H-pile foundations, ground anchors, and reinforced concrete foundations. Construction activities are executed in strict accordance with structural calculation reports derived from prior risk assessments and engineering analyses, ensuring alignment between design assessment and field implementation. Upon mechanical completion, internal standardized inspection checklists are first implemented to conduct quality verification, ensuring that construction works are executed in full compliance with design specifications. In addition, independent third-party organizations, such as SGS Taiwan, are commissioned to perform verification of structural safety and material durability. These evaluations include field pull-out tests to confirm the mechanical strength of foundation systems, as well as compressive strength testing of concrete foundations. Such third-party validation enhances quality assurance credibility and strengthens overall system reliability.
Beyond construction, a comprehensive O&M strategy is essential for maintaining long-term resilience. Prior to typhoon and heavy rainfall seasons, standardized preventive inspections are conducted across the site, including:
For coastal solar power plants, inspection frequency is further increased to address elevated risks associated with atmospheric corrosion. Monitoring efforts focus on corrosion of mounting structures, cable trays, and fasteners, as well as module frame degradation, corrosion at dissimilar metal interfaces, and moisture ingress along module edges. Electrical system maintenance includes frequent cleaning of inverter air intake filters, along with rigorous inspection of enclosure sealing integrity and anti-corrosion treatments at electrical terminals. These proactive measures mitigate the deleterious effects of salt mist and high humidity, significantly enhancing system durability and long-term reliability.
Following extreme weather events such as typhoons or heavy rainfall, post-event inspection protocols are promptly activated. These procedures integrate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)–based aerial surveys for rapid site-wide reconnaissance, complemented by infrared thermography and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)–based performance diagnostics. Based on inspection results, identified deficiencies and potential degradation issues are systematically addressed through targeted repair and improvement measures.
For example, contact resistance at PV string connectors is highly susceptible to environmental corrosion and oxidation, leading to reduced power transmission efficiency. By applying super crystalline nanomaterials to cables and connectors, contact resistance can be effectively reduced, oxidation suppressed, and electrical conductivity enhanced. Field applications have demonstrated that such improvements can reduce power generation losses by more than 6%.
Each corrective action is further incorporated into a structured lessons learned framework, enabling continuous improvement of O&M strategies. In recent years, conventional monitoring systems have been upgraded into intelligent platforms equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)–based early warning and structural monitoring capabilities. This transition represents a shift from reactive alarm-based systems to predictive, data-driven asset management. By leveraging AI models to analyze historical operational data, degradation trends in PV modules can be effectively identified, enabling early detection of string-level anomalies. This allows potential faults to be addressed proactively before impacting energy generation performance (Figure 4).

In addition to electrical diagnostics, indirect structural health monitoring is employed to evaluate the system’s mechanical stability. By analyzing subtle fluctuations in inverter output power in conjunction with wind speed measurements, it is possible to estimate wind-induced loads on mounting systems and evaluate the risk of micro-deflections or structural misalignment. This integrated monitoring and analytics approach not only enhances operational visibility but also significantly improves the resilience and structural reliability of solar power systems operating under extreme environmental conditions.
As climate change continues to intensify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, integrating resilience into solar power plants planning has become imperative. ECOVE implements a comprehensive approach that combines site assessment, resilient engineering design, high-quality construction practices, and proactive O&M strategies to ensure system reliability under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. By systematically addressing climate-related risks through both engineering and data-driven operational measures, the solar power plants can enhance asset durability and safeguard energy production.
—Li Pei-Chen is an engineer in the Development Division at ECOVE Environment Services Corp., Liu Chi-Chia is the assistant Chief Engineer in the Operations Division II at ECOVE Environment Services Corp., and Yen Hsin-Hui is the assistant Chief Engineer in the Development Division at ECOVE Environment Services Corp.
Modern process industries are experiencing fluctuating market conditions and tight operational margins, leading chemical engineers to rely on real-time data to boost efficiency and reduce costs. Yet, many organizations are at different stages in their digital transformation journey. Some are just starting, while others are looking to optimize existing solutions. This webinar explores practical ways […]
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States Where The Most People Have Solar Panels  Yahoo
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CSIRO Briefs Committee on Solar Panel Initiatives  Mirage News
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In this webinar sponsored by Brooklyn SolarWorks, learn how installing solar panels is helping NYC homeowners reduce Con Edison bills.
Photo via Brooklyn SolarWorks
Join Brooklyn SolarWorks on Thursday, June 4, at 3 p.m. for a free webinar, “Going Solar in the City.”
Steve Nelson, vice president of sales for Brooklyn SolarWorks, will be on hand to answer questions from homeowners, such as:

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In this session, Nelson will walk attendees through the consultation and installation process.
Closed captioning will be available. Those who wish to access it may do so by selecting “live transcript” after joining the webinar.
Space is limited. Register now to save your spot and get the facts about going solar in NYC.
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From pv magazine Global
Chinese PV manufacturer Trina Solar has unveiled a 907 W n-type TOPCon-perovskite tandem solar module.
According to the company, the module achieved a full-panel conversion efficiency of 29.2% in testing by Germany’s TÜV SÜD. The product is reportedly designed for mass production, rather than a laboratory-scale sample.
The module uses a two-terminal tandem cell architecture combining an n-type TOPCon crystalline silicon bottom device with a perovskite top cell. The design is intended to absorb a broader part of the solar spectrum than conventional single-junction silicon modules.
The module measures 2,384 mm by 1,303 mm and is based on 210 mm wafer technology. It incorporates large-area perovskite film deposition, tunnel recombination contact technology, and high-reliability encapsulation.
The company said its slot-die coating and vapor-assisted crystallization process improved film uniformity in large-area perovskite layers, while a composite indium tin oxide (ITO) tunneling layer wass used to reduce recombination losses between the top and bottom cells.
The panel also utilizes dual-layer co-extruded polyolefin elastomer (POE) encapsulation and a low water-vapor transmission backsheet, along with perovskite-specific sealing materials. According to Trinasolar, the product has passed International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 and IEC 61730 reliability testing, including potential-induced degradation (PID), damp heat, thermal cycling, and ultraviolet (UV) aging tests.
Trinasolar said it plans to accelerate production of its perovskite-silicon tandem module line in 2026, though large-scale commercial shipments are expected to begin in 2028–2029, according to a recent investor communication.
In December, the manufacturer announced that an industrial-scale tandem solar cell using a 210 mm half-cut format achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 32.6%, while a standard-size tandem module integrating the cells delivered a peak power output of 865 W. It said both results have been independently verified by European testing bodies and represent world-record performance for industrially relevant formats.
Trina Solar said the latest results build on a series of tandem milestones reported over the past two years, including certified tandem modules exceeding 800 W and tandem cell efficiencies above 31% on industrial wafer formats. The company claimed it has now created or broken global benchmarks in solar cell efficiency or module power output 37 times.
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11,000+ projects in Latin America.
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Vesper Energy closes a $236 million financing package for Nazareth Solar, a 201 MW photovoltaic project in Swisher County, Texas. Construction is set to begin in June 2026.
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For years, the global solar industry focused almost entirely on expansion. Massive solar farms were built across continents, installations surged and photovoltaic (PV) panels became one of the fastest-growing energy technologies in the world. Now, the industry is entering a very different phase – dealing with what happens when those panels begin reaching the end of their life, particularly the growing challenge of recovering valuable materials such as aluminium from ageing solar infrastructure.
A growing number of ageing solar assets, combined with falling module efficiency and large-scale repowering projects, is creating a new stream of solar waste across global markets. Industry projections indicate that discarded PV modules could reach several million tonnes by 2050, turning end-of-life management into one of the sector’s most urgent emerging issues.
At the same time, aluminium recovery is emerging as a major opportunity, with aluminium accounting for around 10-15 per cent of a typical solar panel alongside glass, silicon cells and trace metals such as silver and copper.
Old solar panels become valuable material banks
Most of the world’s solar installations are built using crystalline-silicon (c-Si) modules, which account for more than 90 per cent of installed capacity globally. These panels contain large volumes of reusable industrial materials, with glass typically representing around 65-75 per cent of a solar panel.
Recovering those materials, however, is far more complex than ordinary recycling.
Modern PV recycling systems now combine mechanical, thermal and chemical technologies to separate different layers and recover usable materials. Mechanical processing helps extract glass and metals, thermal treatment removes polymer layers, while chemical refining is used to recover higher-value materials including silver and copper.
Under optimised conditions, these systems can recover nearly 85-95 per cent of total panel material content, allowing recovered resources to flow back into manufacturing supply chains instead of ending up as landfill waste.
Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032
Recycling becomes part of long-term solar strategy
The conversation around solar recycling is also changing rapidly. What was once viewed mainly as a waste-management issue is increasingly becoming a strategic supply-chain priority.
As global demand rises for materials such as silver, aluminium and high-purity silicon, recovering materials from ageing solar panels is becoming increasingly important for long-term resource security and cost stability.
The pressure is also growing because solar deployment itself continues accelerating. More installations today also mean more decommissioned modules tomorrow, particularly as older systems are replaced with higher-efficiency technologies.
That shift is gradually changing how solar projects are planned. Instead of treating recycling as a final-stage disposal issue, many companies are beginning to integrate end-of-life management into early project planning and asset management strategies.
Within this evolving landscape, companies such as GBP are integrating recycling solutions into solar asset management and repowering strategies, helping connect infrastructure upgrades with circular economy goals and long-term resource efficiency.
Explore our e-magazine Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium’s Dual Commitment for the latest industry insights and trends

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Europe aluminium recycling facts: Amidst 8MT demand and 66% scrap export surge, recycling grows over 80%
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SEG Solar announces third US solar panel factory in Texas  TradingView
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Thanks to new state laws, Maryland and Virginia residents will be allowed to use plug-in “balcony” collar systems with a maximum output of 1,200 watts.
Marylanders can take advantage as soon as today, while Virginia’s law goes into effect on January 1, 2027.
Balcony solar has been popular in Europe for years, with an estimated four million units installed in Germany alone. Since Utah passed legislation paving the way for plug-in solar in 2025, lawmakers in 34 states and DC have filed bills to advance the technology. Nine states have passed legislation. 
While balcony solar isn’t yet available in DC—more on that below—here’s what Virginians and Marylanders need to know:
The term describes small solar electric systems that can be installed on balconies, fences, or in backyards. These panels plug directly into a standard outlet and allow homes to use less energy from the power grid. The systems are designed for people who may not be able to afford or install rooftop solar panels, but are still interested in using solar energy or saving money.
“It allows people with potentially lesser means, and lesser control on their living circumstances, to actually produce clean energy,” says Mike Tidwell, the founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a climate nonprofit working in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
While balcony solar wasn’t technically illegal in the past, the new Maryland and Virginia laws provide clear rules and regulations for its use, and prohibit utility providers from banning the systems. In Virginia, landlords will be allowed to set “reasonable” restrictions on their size and placement. Maryland has no such restrictions.
Depending on wattage, balcony solar systems currently retail from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The average rooftop solar system costs around $2.58 per watt, and currently balcony solar panels cost under $2 per watt in the US. 
Bob Soule, who founded Go Electric DMV, which provides free coaching for those wanting to switch to solar power, said that he thinks as the technology becomes more popular, prices will decrease: “[When] there’s more entrance into the marketplace and competition, we’ll start to see something like what they’ve seen in Germany, where they are paying way under $1 a watt per install.”
How much a consumer can save on their electrical bill depends on the wattage of their system. For instance, when it’s sunny, an 800-watt balcony solar unit can generate power equivalent to running a fridge or some small appliances. While power bills vary from home to home, experts say that the units can save consumers between 10 and 25 percent on their energy bills. 
Based on the current price of most units, Solue says, they will pay for themselves within five years. 
Brett Matulis, a coach with Go Electric DMV with an electrical engineering background, says that balcony solar systems are overwhelmingly safe—and will become safer through new regulations in both states.
Though some systems currently on the market are unregulated with no safety certifications, Maryland and Virginia’s news laws specify that systems must meet UL certification or an equivalent safety standard.
Virginia will convene a working group to study and adopt safety standards for the devices before January 1, 2027.
“One of the advantages of having these laws is to set up procedures so that the manufacturers make them with the appropriate safety devices … so that the homeowner can buy these things and plug them in without having to worry about all sorts of technical details that they shouldn’t have to worry about,” Matulis says.
In Maryland, users must notify their electric company before installing a system and provide the wattage and safety certification of their device. If the device requires an automatic locking disconnect switch—which cuts off the flow of electricity during maintenance—users must install one (they retail around $100). Utilities are not allowed to impose interconnection fees, or require extra equipment from customers. 
By September, Virginia regulators will publish a notification form that residents will be required to fill out and deliver to their electric provider for safety purposes. 
Kits are available through online retailers, and in Utah—where balcony solar has been regulated longest—they also can be purchased at local stores. Eventually, Soule says, local retailers will offer them: “My hope is that you can go to Costco and Home Depot and Lowes and Best Buy and get these things, or order them and have them delivered. That’s what would make them go mainstream.”
Not yet. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen has introduced the Guiding Renewable Interconnection and Distribution (GRID) Act, which, along with other new energy regulations, would allow residents to install balcony solar systems up to 1200 watts. A public hearing for the bill was held in late March, but the legislation has yet to pass. 
Tidwell is confident that it will. “We brought this idea to Charles Allen, he enthusiastically and quickly embraced it, and it’s going to become law with the same overwhelming support that the law saw in Virginia and Maryland,” he says.
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Solar panels could lose nearly 45% of their output over a lifespan of 25 years
January 13, 2026
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Around a fifth of the solar panels examined in a news study by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) were found to fail much faster than expected, with some likely to last for only half of their lifetime.
Researchers identified the reason behind the so-called ‘long tail’ in the probability distribution of the performance data after analyzing information obtained from nearly 11,000 different photovoltaic samples globally.
When the researchers plotted yearly degradation rates from a large global dataset, they observed a long tail of outliers in which systems performed far worse than expected.
According to the report, the typical decline across the dataset is around 0.9% per year, and nearly 20% of all samples perform 1.5 times worse than the average.
For some, the useful life is around 11 years, and they could lose nearly 45% of their output over a 25-year lifespan.

The report attributed the ‘long tail’ bad performers mainly to the cascading effect, which means that one defect triggers other failures. Also, some modules fail early due to manufacturing defects that slip past quality control.
The researchers found that there are interconnected failures, when different types of failures can interact with each other on an individual panel. The domino effect, when issues don’t just add up but multiply, can be seen as making modules degrade faster than expected.
Also, there are minor initial flaws that may not cause problems at first but can lead to severe performance degradation over time.
The researchers added that climate alone doesn’t explain the ‘long tail,’ as degradation patterns persist even when very hot climate regions are excluded.
Shukla Poddar, a co-author of the paper, said: “A subset of the data shows information specifically related to solar modules in very hot climates, which we know causes higher degradation.”
“However, in other climates, when those hot regions are being excluded from the analysis, we see a similar long-tail pattern in the probability distribution of performance degradation rate. This suggests that the issue is consistent regardless of where the panels are operating.”
The researchers added that even if 20% are bad outliers, a utility-scale project has thousands of modules, and the ‘long tail’ becomes a major financial and energy-yield risk.
The report adds that current tests are not enough, as real-world operations involve many interacting features, so the industry needs better testing standards and more real-world data from large farms to reduce these surprise failures.
In 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE found that ultraviolet tests rate degradation of TOPCon solar modules significantly higher than performance reduction in real-life conditions. The research shows that common UV tests can significantly exaggerate the degradation effect.
Earlier this year, researchers from UNSW and the Chinese solar module manufacturer LONGi found that the rear side of TOPCon cells, particularly the silicon nitride layer, is prone to chemical degradation when exposed to sodium-based salts, leading to a significant loss of open-circuit voltage.
Rakesh Ranjan
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