Solar Now

Allu Cinemas and Freyr Energy have installed one of the region’s largest solar power systems for a cinema complex, aiming to cut energy costs, improve operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
May 11, 2026. By News Bureau
In a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure in the entertainment sector, Allu Cinemas, Kokapet (Narsingi) and Freyr Energy – a rooftop solar company have partnered to commission a 727kW solar power system at the facility with an investment of INR 2,27,60,000. This installation marks one of the largest solar deployments for a cinema facility in the region, reinforcing the growing shift towards renewable energy adoption in cinema complexes.
The newly installed solar system is designed to meet approximately 60 percent of the cinema’s energy requirements, resulting in a reduction in electricity costs from INR 52 lakh annually to approximately INR 5 lakh. This translates into estimated annual savings of INR 77–80 lakhs, showcasing the strong financial viability of solar adoption for large-scale commercial establishments.
The installation is expected to significantly reduce an estimated 750 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Equipped with a high-pressure sprinkler system for automated solar panel cleaning, the installation ensures optimal performance and efficiency with minimal manual intervention.
Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder, Freyr Energy, said, “In an age where sustainability is paramount, solar system for movie theatres emerges as a strategic choice. Operating energy intensive spaces like a movie theatre involves substantial energy expenses, switching to solar reduces dependence on traditional grids, resulting in significant cost savings. They can generate a considerable portion of their power, offsetting rising energy costs. We are proud to be a part of this initiative that makes the future of entertainment sustainable.”
Producer Allu Aravind from Allu Cinemas said, “This is an important initiative for us. With the solarisation of Allu Cineplex by Freyr Energy, we are taking a practical step towards integrating clean energy into our operations. Cinemas are high energy-consuming spaces, and this transition allows us to significantly optimise electricity usage while improving long-term operational efficiency. It’s a forward-looking move that aligns both with business sense and evolving energy needs.”
This collaboration between Freyr Energy and Allu Cinemas sets a new benchmark for sustainable entertainment infrastructure in Hyderabad, dedicated to enhancing the cinematic experience while minimising its impact on the planet.

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Panels using a light-sensitive film hold out promise that facilities can go solar unobtrusively, the Fraunhofer Institute says.
Modules that can mimic the look of tile and other building materials can help facilities embrace solar energy sources while keeping their property visually aligned with the surrounding area, a material developed by the Fraunhofer Institute promises. 
Researchers at the nonprofit organization in Freiburg, Germany, have developed a light-sensitive film that can be applied to photovoltaic modules and etched using a laser, according to a summary of the research findings released by the institute. 
Sunlight reflects off the etchings in patterns that, depending on the angle and depth of the cuts, gives designers flexibility to mimic materials they want the building to display. 
“The technology is particularly interesting for modules intended for integration into facades, roof-integrated PV, or even railings — especially on historic buildings,” says Martin Heinrich, group leader for encapsulation and integration of photovoltaics at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. “Modules with [the film] can look like masonry or roof tiles and blend in perfectly in terms of color.”
Fraunhofer ISE was founded in 1981 for research into solar power. Last month it introduced a type of solar cell that lowers the amount of silver needed to convert the sun’s rays to electricity by a factor of 10, promising lower-cost cells.
“It would offer many advantages for solar cell manufacturers, even if they have to integrate electroplating equipment into their production process as an initial investment,” Sven Kluska, group leader for electrochemical processes at Fraunhofer ISE, said in announcing the research findings last month. 
The technology hasn’t been commercialized yet, but it shouldn’t take long, according to Kluska. “So-called nickel/copper electroplating could be firmly established in the photovoltaic market within two to three years,” he said.  
The film-coated PV modules work on the same principle as Morpho butterflies, whose colorful wings are the result of reflected light. 
“Color is produced through microscopic structures, which are tiny surface patterns that bend and reflect light, rather than through traditional pigments,” a summary of the findings in Tech Briefs says.  
“The 3D photonic structures … create an intense and angle-stable color impression through a fundamentally low-loss interference effect,” the institute said.  
Adding the film to PV modules reduces their efficiency by a few percentage points, leaving them about 95% efficient, the institute says. That means they’re about the same efficiency, or in some cases more efficient, than standard modules, the Tech Brefs article says. 
“The technology [is] superior to comparable solutions on the market,” Tech Briefs says. 
The film can be applied to any standard photovoltaic and solar thermal module, so existing structures can be modified visually, the institute says. That’s “particularly attractive for applications in which aesthetic considerations limit solar panel adoption,” it says. 
The technology hasn’t been commercialized yet, but in an interview with EE Times, an executive at the institute says translating research into products is part of its mission. 
“There must be someone between scientific research and industry who transfers the knowledge and the technology, and that is where Fraunhofer comes into play,” Michael Scholles, corporate business development manager, told the publication.
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Mineral silicate-based masonry paint won’t strengthen the exterior granite or keep water out, as President Trump has claimed, 25 specialists say in a Q&A prepared by preservationists suing to stop the renovation project.
University facility teams are responding to drought warnings by upgrading their institutions’ water management systems and irrigation practices, reports show.
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Mineral silicate-based masonry paint won’t strengthen the exterior granite or keep water out, as President Trump has claimed, 25 specialists say in a Q&A prepared by preservationists suing to stop the renovation project.
University facility teams are responding to drought warnings by upgrading their institutions’ water management systems and irrigation practices, reports show.
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Solar Takeoff: How Airports Are Harnessing the Power of the Sun  Bluedot Living
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Desert Rainbow Mega Solar Farm Targets 5,000 Acres In Goodyear  Hoodline
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Construction proper is set to begin on one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy projects after the developer locked in a long-term energy offtake deal with mining giant Rio Tinto.
Image: Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) announced it will begin building the up to 150 MW Jinbi Solar Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region after signing a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rio Tinto and reaching financial close on the development.
YEC, a partnership between the Yindjibarndi People and Philippines-based renewable energy developer ACEN Corporation, said under the PPA, that follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023, it will supply 100% of the electricity generated by Jinbi to Rio, supporting decarbonisation of the miner’s Pilbara operations.
Stage 1 of the Jinbi project, being developed about 55 kilometres south of Karratha in Western Australia’s northwest, will comprise a 75 MW solar facility, with an option to expand to 150 MW, including the potential addition of a battery energy storage system.
Early works have already commenced on site but YEC Chief Executive Officer Craig Ricato said the agreement with Rio has allowed the developer to issue a notice to proceed to its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, DT Infrastructure, and its construction accommodation provider, Rapid Camps.
“This milestone enables us to immediately progress with the construction phase of the project,” Ricato said.
“All subsequent stages will continue to proceed deliberately and in accordance with regulatory requirements, approvals and ongoing engagement processes, with commercial operations expected to commence in mid-2028.”
Jinbi is YEC’s first project to progress through to financial close, three years after the partnership was established, and forms part of a broader plan to develop more than 3 GW of solar, wind, and battery storage within approximately 13,000 square kilometres of Yindjibarndi country in the Pilbara region. YEC’s current development portfolio includes more than 1.5 GW of solar, wind, and battery projects.
Yindjibarndi Nation Chief Executive Officer Michael Woodley said the success of the Jinbi project represents a pivotal step in translating renewable energy developments into enduring outcomes for traditional owners.
“Jinbi is about more than a renewable energy project – it is about Yindjibarndi people exercising authority on Country and building an economic future that reflects our law, culture and responsibilities,” he said.
“Reaching financial close demonstrates that when development is Yindjibarndi‑led, underpinned by strong governance and the right partnerships, it can deliver outcomes that are both commercially sound and culturally grounded.”
Patrice Clausse, ACEN Group Chief Investment Officer Patrice Clausse said the Jinbi project demonstrates what is possible when traditional owner leadership, long-term vision and disciplined project development come together.
“ACEN is proud to partner with Yindjibarndi on a project that meets rigorous commercial standards while setting a strong benchmark for responsible and respectful renewable energy development in Australia,” he said.
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Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..
Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated: May 11, 2026 @ 3:23 pm
Solar panels sit atop a section of First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City on April 29, as the church becomes the first in its denomination in Eastern North Carolina to go to solar energy. (Cheryl Burke photo)

Solar panels sit atop a section of First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City on April 29, as the church becomes the first in its denomination in Eastern North Carolina to go to solar energy. (Cheryl Burke photo)
MOREHEAD CITY — First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City has become the first church among its denomination in Eastern North Carolina to switch to solar energy to save on electricity bills.
The church has installed 138 solar panels on sections of its buildings, and if the project produces the savings they expect, Dianna Downey, a church elder that helped move the project forward, said they may consider adding more panels in the future. The current panels, installed April 20-27, serve two sections of the church.
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Top Stories Of The Day: ACME Expands Platform; Gujarat Adds Battery Storage; India Boosts Energy Shield and More…  SolarQuarter
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ESPE Expands Utility-Scale and Agrivoltaic Pipeline with €9.3 Million Contracts  TipRanks
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Renewables developer Australian Solar Enterprises (ASE) confirmed that its Tumuruu solar and battery energy storage project planned for Queensland’s South Burnett region has been given the green light under federal government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
In its decision notice, the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) said the Tumuruu solar hybrid project has been cleared as “not a controlled action,” moving the project closer to construction.
The Tumuruu project, to be built on a 673-hectare site just north of the Queensland town of Blackbutt, comprises a 400 MW solar farm supported by a 2,000 MWh battery energy storage system featuring grid-forming inverters.
The site is some 160 kilometers from the city of Brisbane. A key feature of the project is that the PV array will be mounted on lightweight steel rods and plates barely a metre from the ground, a decision that ASE said will ensure minimal ground disturbance and preserve agricultural land.
The Brisbane-headquartered developer said the lightweight system works with the site’s topography and retains high-value elements and still delivers a project that will generate at scale.
“From day one, ASE set one rule: the project fits the land, not the other way around,” the company said. “When your design is right, the federal process gets easier, because you’re not asking the regulator to accept compromises. You’re showing them a project that already respects what’s there.”
ASE said the EPBC decision allows the project to advance the grid connection process and ultimately to construction and operations.
ASE is targeting a final investment decision later this year with construction expected to begin soon after. It is anticipated the Tumuruu solar and battery system will commence operations in 2028.
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Record French Solar Power Output Pushes Prices Below Zero  Bloomberg
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Solar Power World
By Kelly Pickerel | May 11, 2026
Amicus O&M Cooperative has launched an online course to advance solar and battery storage O&M technicians from supervised helpers to well-rounded professionals.
The Solar PV and BESS O&M Tech 2 Training Program is a 30-hour online course now available through Amicus O&M Cooperative and on HeatSpring.com.
“Many people end up in O&M roles without formal training. There’s a lot to be said for hands-on learning, but training on the issue of the day is opportunistic rather than structured — and it can leave gaps in a person’s knowledge,” said Amanda Bybee, CEO of Amicus O&M Cooperative. “This program is designed to fill in those gaps and help technicians connect the dots between theory and practical application.”
Tech 2 goes deeper into the skills that define a proficient O&M technician: electrical and PV theory, advanced diagnostics, testing and system performance, troubleshooting, battery systems and cybersecurity. As a self-paced program, it allows companies to support their employees’ training when and as needed.
The Solar PV and BESS O&M Tech 2 program satisfies the educational requirements for NABCEP’s PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist certification and fulfills all continuing education requirements for NABCEP recertifications. It is aligned to the SEIA 301 ANSI standard, the industry’s benchmark for O&M technician competency.
News item from Amicus O&M 
Kelly Pickerel has more than 15 years of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World. Email Kelly.

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Vietnam Faces Explosive Heatwave Energy Demand as Electric Bikes and Rooftop Solar Rapidly Transform Urban Transport and Power Consumption Across Cities  Travel And Tour World
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India is witnessing growing momentum around the adoption of Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) cells, with the mandate set to come into effect in June 2026. Companies such as Vikram Solar Limited are expanding their solar cell manufacturing capacities to cater to rising demand from the commercial and industrial (C&I), utility-scale and rooftop DCR markets. 
Reflecting on the anticipated surge in demand ahead of the implementation deadline, Sameer Nagpal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vikram Solar, said during the company’s investor call, “We see strong structural tailwinds going forward, with over 80 GW of grandfathered non-DCR demand over the next two years, along with approximately 28 GW of live utility-scale DCR tenders, providing a robust runway for the core utility segment and around 25 GW of inherent DCR demand driven by the C&I and rooftop segments. Put simply, the demand environment is the strongest and most durable we have seen.” 
The company attributed the rapid growth in the solar cell market to three major factors critical to the long-term competitiveness of industrial companies — rising domestic demand, increasing localisation of manufacturing, and deeper integration across the value chain, which is gradually becoming a competitive advantage rather than merely a cost consideration. 
Management indicated that India’s DCR-linked solar demand could rise to around 20–25 GW in FY27, compared with around 10 GW in the previous year, driven by stricter enforcement of localisation norms from June 2026 onward. Management further added, “Even in fiscal ’27 and fiscal ’28, you will have a much larger demand number versus what the supply could provide.” 
According to the company, DCR demand is expected to more than double in FY27 as domestic cell procurement mandates begin taking effect across utility-scale, C&I and rooftop segments. Management also indicated that a large portion of the existing non-DCR market is expected to transition toward DCR due to the evolving policy framework, adding that the company is “well placed with this staggered demand setup.” 
Addressing concerns around FY27 margins ahead of commissioning its captive cell manufacturing capacity, management said around 75% of Vikram Solar’s FY27 execution is expected to continue coming from the non-DCR segment, which is expected to generate EBITDA of around ₹1.75–2 per watt. 
The company also noted that it has secured a procurement agreement with a large cell supplier, with the remaining 25% of execution expected to deliver EBITDA of around ₹2–2.5 per watt. The company said these numbers, combined with economies of scale, are expected to support strong growth going forward. 
The company said its FY27 execution plan would remain largely dependent on non-DCR volumes, which are expected to contribute nearly 75% of total execution and generate EBITDA of around ₹1.75–2 per watt. 
A company representative said, “We already have a procurement deal with a large cell supplier, and that segment of 25% of the execution plan is also going to yield us slightly better margins, between ₹2 and ₹2.5 per watt. Hence, these steady numbers at the scale at which people operate will yield phenomenal growth.” 
The company also spoke about its global expansion plans, particularly in the United States market. Management said, “Exports from India to the US have slimmed down to an almost negligible level. The current export order book that we carry is with reputed IPPs that we have worked with in the past. These are long-term conversations, and we still believe we will be able to execute them.” 
The company added that it is working on building a traceable and compliant supply chain that avoids prohibitive tariffs and duties. It said it is exploring sourcing opportunities in North Africa, where some cell manufacturing capacity is available without attracting excessive tariffs. It further highlighted plans to diversify into other international markets.
“Yes, absolutely. We are exploring Europe as a market. There are some non-Chinese supply tenders underway in a couple of countries. We are also focusing on Australia and the Middle East. The conversations are very encouraging,” management said. 
Nagpal further stated that the company’s 9 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing plant remains on track for phased commissioning through Q4 FY27, with the first cell expected to roll out by December 2026. He noted that the development would take the company to nearly 70% backward integration, significantly strengthening its manufacturing capabilities amid India’s accelerating push for domestic solar production. 
Nagpal further said that the company plans to add another 3 GW of cell capacity in FY28, which would complete its cell manufacturing stack and enable full cell-level integration. 
Moving ahead in its backward integration roadmap, Vikram Solar is also preparing to enter the wafer and ingot manufacturing segment. Nagpal said the company plans to develop the first phase of its proposed 12 GW wafer and ingot facility at its existing site in Gangaikondan. The investment for the initial 6 GW phase was approved during the company’s board meeting held yesterday, with an estimated investment of around ₹3,700 crore and commissioning targeted for FY29. 
Discussing the increasing integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with solar projects, management explained that storage requirements depend heavily on project configurations and end-use applications. 
Management noted that current storage tenders range between 2-hour and 6-hour durations, while applications such as commercial and industrial facilities or data centres could require round-the-clock power supply with significantly higher storage capacities. 
The company said that although it is difficult to assign a fixed multiplier to storage demand, a broad estimate suggests that 80 GW of solar capacity paired with four-hour storage could require nearly 320 GWh of battery energy storage deployment. 
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In July 2012 I bought some solar panels and registered for a Feed in Tariff (FiT) from Scottish Power linked to the RPI (retail prices index) measure of inflation and guaranteed for 25 years. I put my husband’s name next to mine on the form. For the best part of two years the FiT statements were addressed to me but then, for no apparent reason it changed to my husband’s name. This did not concern me at the time, as we had been married for over 40 years.
My husband died on December 1, 2024. Nothing had changed concerning the account — I stayed in the same house, with the same panels and meters, with payments going into the same bank account. We even shared an email address, but at this point I didn’t think his name should be on the envelopes and statements. So I rang Scottish Power.
I was shocked at the reaction. The company would not check the name on the original paperwork and immediately shut down the account, meaning that I was no longer getting paid for the electricity I was generating. It said nothing could be done until it had sight of probate.
Finally in October 2025 I received my grant of probate to give me authority to manage my husband’s estate and since then I have been corresponding with Scottish Power, filling in forms, finding numbers and sending photographs. I am a 74-year-old widow, my computer skills are limited and I feel I am getting nowhere. I just don’t know what to do next. How many photos of my meter do they need? 
Kathryn, Cambridgeshire
I was appalled to read your letter about how Scottish Power has treated you over an amend to your account name. I was also very sorry to read of the loss of your husband. While you have been trying to cope with this, you have been out of pocket because your FiT payments have been frozen. 
The FiT scheme, which closed to new applicants on April 1, 2019, pays homeowners with registered renewable technology (like your solar panels) for the electricity they generate and export to the grid. 
You have suffered two harsh winters without any payments, all while battling to get the matter resolved. Even once you had your grant of probate, you appeared to be no closer to getting the account reopened.
My involvement, however, triggered fast action by Scottish Power to make the name change and restart your payments. It told me that the problem was rooted in that when you called to amend the name on the account, Scottish Power deemed it to be a “change of responsibility” request, rather than a change of name following bereavement. These involve two different processes and unfortunately the former was the more complicated. Why this hadn’t been picked up along the way is another matter. That would have saved you considerable stress and hassle.
Scottish Power has confirmed that backdated FiT payments of £1,806 will now be paid and offered you £500 compensation, which you have accepted. Its initial offer was just £100, which was far from a fitting amount. Since FiT payments are tax-free the money will be all yours to keep.
You said: “You are a genius! I have been approved, invoices generated, and my money is on its way. Thank you for your help.”
Scottish Power said: “We’re sorry for the difficulties and delays our customer experienced in resolving account issues following the loss of her husband. While this has taken longer than it should, we’ve now updated the FiT account to her name and processed the payments in full. In recognition of the inconvenience and distress caused — especially at such a difficult time — we have also offered an additional goodwill payment, which our customer has accepted, and the matter is now fully resolved.”
Changing names on a utilities account can be problematic when someone has died, so if you are in a couple, it may be worth keeping your accounts in both your names.
The FiT scheme is overseen by the energy regulator, Ofgem, but any issues with money owed should be raised with your energy supplier. If after eight weeks you have not reached a solution you can refer it to the Energy Ombudsman. 
On the first day of a three-night break to Norway at the end of February my husband took a turn too fast and fell in our beginner’s ski class. He broke both bones in his lower left leg and shattered his knee.
It was a horrendous freak accident and he ended up getting compartment syndrome too. Cue an extended stay (although our son, 19, flew home at the planned time) and four operations — one in Voss and three in Bergen after being transferred. My husband’s recovery is going to be a long journey but what’s not helping is the fact that our travel insurer, Coverwise, keeps fobbing us off each time we try to chase up our out-of-pocket expenses claim. 
The Norwegian health service covered all the medical bills (thank goodness for GHIC — global health insurance cards), and Coverwise automatically arranged for an extended hotel stay (apart from one night I had to pay for while I waited for the team to make arrangements) and the hotel in Bergen. However, it is really stalling in coming back to us on our claim for expenses totalling about £1,500. I have all the receipts, but six weeks after submitting the claim there’s no resolution in sight.
Nikki, London
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What rotten luck to have such an awful accident — and on the very first day of skiing. You told me that he is making a slow and steady recovery. 
While the GHIC did the trick for medical expenses, unfortunately your insurer wasn’t quite so efficient when it came to paying your out-of-pocket expenses. 
There was the unused ski pass, taxis to and from the hospital, a hotel stay for you in Voss while your husband was in hospital and your train fare from one hospital to the other in Bergen because you couldn’t be accommodated in the ambulance. 
Your claim also included the £50-a-night hospital allowance included in the policy. This is designed to cover comforts such as snacks, magazines and books to keep a patient occupied during their stay.
Claims on Coverwise travel insurance are dealt with by Axa Partners UK, which looked into your case after my call. It found that the documentation for your claim had been assigned to the wrong team.
Your expenses of £1,228.72 have now been approved and paid. There was a £50 excess on your single-trip policy that had cost you £52.67.
The amount paid out was a little less than your original claim because some expenses were not accepted, including new clothing you had to buy for your husband’s journey home — you needed shorts rather than trousers, and sliders because his foot was so swollen he couldn’t wear shoes.
You were also told that the insurance policy did not cover replacement costs for the clothes that were cut off him at the hospital or the temporary car insurance to enable your son to drive the family car back from Gatwick airport when he flew home on your original flight.
Oddly it wouldn’t reimburse you for the unused ski equipment hire even though it was included in the policy. I challenged this and Axa paid up an extra £44, as well as £150 compensation. 
You said: “We didn’t expect to have to fight so hard for these expenses to be reimbursed. We are really grateful for your help.”
Axa Partners UK said: “We apologise for the delay the family experienced during the claims process. The claim has now been settled. We acknowledge that this experience did not meet the high standards we set ourselves. Feedback has been provided to the relevant teams to strengthen our processes and reduce the risk of similar situations in the future.”
If your claim is taking longer than it should, submit a formal complaint. After eight weeks you can ask your insurer for a “deadlock” letter and take the issue to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
It’s also worth noting that this tale illustrates the importance of a GHIC when travelling in Europe — even for a short trip. Don’t jet off without it.

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Credence Solar Secures BIS Approval for Solar Modules Up to 745 Wp, Targets ALMM Photograph: (Archive)
Credence Solar Panels Private Limited has received Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approval for additional crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) module models, including variants rated up to 745 Wp, as the company prepares for upcoming ALMM inclusion and expansion into integrated solar cell manufacturing.
According to the BIS inclusion document dated May 8, 2026, the approval has been granted under the company’s existing BIS Licence for  “Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules (Si wafer based)” in compliance with IS 14286 and associated IEC standards.
The approval includes multiple high-wattage module variants across the company’s CS-HBT, CS-QBT and CS-QU series. While the BIS certification now covers modules up to 745 Wp, the company indicated that commercially available modules currently range up to around 725–730 Wp, with nearly 150 MW capacity already operational for these higher-wattage products.
The company told Saur Energy that that the newly certified products are expected to be included in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) soon, potentially strengthening the company’s position in India’s utility-scale solar market. Credence Solar currently operates around 2.2 GW module manufacturing capacity at its Rajkot facility in Gujarat. The company is also planning to enter upstream manufacturing with a proposed 2 GW solar cell production line at the same location, targeted for commissioning in the first quarter of 2027.
The company’s manufacturing facility covered under the BIS approval is located at Padadhari in Rajkot district along the Rajkot-Jamnagar Highway. The expansion comes at a time when Indian manufacturers are increasingly moving towards higher-efficiency and higher-wattage module formats amid rising demand from utility-scale solar developers seeking lower balance-of-system costs and improved project economics.
Apart from the domestic market, the company is also understood to be exporting modules to the United States, reflecting the growing international ambitions of Indian solar manufacturers amid ongoing diversification of global solar supply chains away from China.
BIS certification remains mandatory for supplying solar modules in the Indian market and is closely linked with ALMM approvals and participation in government-supported solar projects. The latest approval further reflects the ongoing capacity expansion and technology upgrades underway across India’s domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem.
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The OFW Solar Project in Virginia submitted an application to connect to powerlines run by the wrong power company, instead of a second set of nearby transmission lines, necessitating a total restart of the PJM interconnection process that could push construction back to 2032.
Image: Energix
A solar power project based in Mount Jackson, Virginia submitted interconnection documentation with the wrong electric pole specified. They estimate that the project will be delayed by five years.
Based on the Mount Jackson Town Council Agenda Report on the session from April 21st, 2026, “OFW Solar Project LLC” could potentially be delayed from starting construction until 2032. The developer of the OFW project was initially granted approval in 2017, and then received a special permit in March of 2022. They recently determined that the powerline they specified to connect to their interconnection application was the wrong powerline. The special permit expires July 1.
The ‘wrong’ powerline is owned by local municipal utility Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, while the project hopes to connect to powerlines owned by Dominion Energy.
The developer noted that resubmitting the interconnection application, and going through the process with PJM, will add three years to the timetable. Once the interconnection process is complete, Energix suggested it will likely take two years for Dominion Energy to construct the substation upgrades for them to connect the 75 MWac facility to the power grid.
When the project was discussed in the April 21st town meeting, the developer simply explained, “That’s our mistake.”
The developer is seeking a five year extension of the current special use permit. The town council has said that a short term extension allows for expert advice before considering a full extension, and then a vote will be held at a public hearing.

Source – Mount Jackson Town Agenda
The developer presented the updated timetable and an updated revenue sharing program with the town. Mount Jackson would start receiving an annual $10,000 as the project moves through development, assuming the project moves forward in the PJM interconnection queue, and then gains construction permits to start commercial operation. 
The town will be granted two payments totaling an amount of one million dollars, firstly for $250,000 upon receipt of building permit and then $750,000 upon commercial operation start. By 2032, when the project reaches commercial operation, payments of $1,694/MW – over $127,000/year in total – will follow as part of the formal tax assessment. These payments will increase by 10% every five years.
After thirty years of operating the power plant, aside from rents made to the landowners, Mount Jackson will receive more than six million dollars in tax and site payments. 
The site actually has two solar power plants. An initial 15 MW facility, connected to Dominion Energy powerlines, which was completed in July of 2021.
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by Rahul Kumar | May 11, 2026 9:00 pm
Synopsis: Solar module maker closes its best fiscal year yet, more than doubling EBITDA and tripling net profit, even as it breaks ground on a multi-year capacity buildout that could reshape its competitive position 
India’s solar manufacturing landscape is entering a new phase of scale, integration, and policy-backed expansion. As domestic demand accelerates and government incentives push companies toward deeper localization, solar manufacturers are racing to build capacity across the value chain. Against this backdrop, one company is emerging as a key beneficiary, combining strong operational execution with an ambitious long-term expansion roadmap spanning solar modules, cells, wafer-ingot manufacturing, and battery energy storage systems. 
Vikram Solar Limited posted revenue of ₹4,802 crore in FY26, a 40% jump over the previous year’s ₹3,423 crore. More telling than the top line, though, is what happened further down the P&L. EBITDA grew 86% year-on-year to ₹917 crore, lifting EBITDA margins from 14% in FY25 to 19% in FY26. Profit after tax came in at ₹470 crore – a 236% increase from the ₹140 crore reported in FY25. The company also sharply reduced its debt-to-equity ratio, from 0.19x to just 0.03x, while improving return on equity from 16.6% to 21.3%.
The fourth quarter alone saw revenue touch ₹1,453 crore, the highest the company has ever recorded in a single quarter. Quarterly production hit 971 MW in Q4 FY26, up from 526 MW in Q4 FY25. For the full year, total production stood at 3,220 MW, compared to 1,286 MW in FY25, a 150% increase. Sales volume for FY26 reached 3,342 MW, up 76% year-on-year from 1,900 MW. The company also reported an effective capacity utilization rate of 75% for FY26, with the Vallam plant still in ramp-up phase.
The order book as of March 31, 2026 stood at 8.2 GW, with 1.9 GW secured in Q4 alone – the highest single-quarter booking so far. The order mix is predominantly domestic at 87%, with independent power producers making up 69% of the segment split. Concentration risk has reduced sharply: the top-five client share dropped from 80% in FY25 to 47% in FY26, pointing to a wider and more stable customer base.
Beyond the immediate results, the company’s expansion blueprint is the real long-term story. A 9 GW solar cell plant is slated for first output by December 2026, with 12 GW of wafer-ingot manufacturing targeted by FY29-30 to achieve full vertical integration. Module capacity is planned to scale to 15.5 GW. 
The company has also entered the battery energy storage space through its VSL Powerhive subsidiary, launching the VION brand and targeting 15 GWh of BESS capacity by FY30 – beginning with assembly operations in FY27 and scaling to integrated cell manufacturing by FY29. A 100 MWh BESS order has already been secured, and advanced discussions are underway with cell technology licensors.
The company has received board approval for a ₹3,726 crore capital expenditure to set up a 6 GW backward-integrated wafer and ingot facility at its Gangaikondan site in Tamil Nadu. Scheduled to be commissioned by FY30, this is the first phase of a planned 12 GW wafer-ingot roadmap that will transform the company from a module assembler into a fully integrated solar manufacturer.
The government is backing solar and battery storage hard. India has set aside ₹18,000 crore under its PLI scheme to support local battery manufacturing. The PM-KUSUM scheme, which funds solar installations for farmers, has been extended till March 2027 and is set to get even bigger under KUSUM 2.0. Rules also now require solar and battery projects to use locally made components, which directly benefits Indian manufacturers like this one.
The one dark cloud is the United States. American authorities have slapped import duties of over 250% on Indian solar modules, making it nearly impossible to sell them profitably. The company has already had to walk away from a 0.6 GW order from a US-based customer as a result.
Vikram Solar Limited is a Kolkata-based solar module manufacturer with over two decades in the industry. It operates manufacturing facilities in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu with a combined installed capacity of 9.5 GW. The company sells modules in India and international markets, serving IPPs, government agencies, EPC players, and commercial and industrial customers.
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Rahul Kumar is a finance professional and CFA Level III Candidate with four years of active experience in the Indian stock market. As a junior news analyst, he translates complex market movements into clear, data-driven narratives for everyday investors and seasoned traders alike. Armed with a BBA in Finance and hands-on expertise in equity valuation, financial modelling, and investment research, Rahul brings both analytical rigour and real-world market insight to his writing. His work bridges the gap between financial analysis and accessible journalism, helping readers make sense of the numbers that move India’s markets.
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Chinese solar manufacturing major Trinasolar has received supply chain traceability certifications from the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) for two of its manufacturing facilities in China.
Trinasolar’s module manufacturing sites in Yiwu and Yancheng, in eastern China, have been certified Silver in the SSI’s Supply Chain Traceability standard – the highest level awarded to any solar manufacturing facility to date. The standard was certified by German technical expert TÜV SÜD.
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Gonzalo de la Viña, president of Trinasolar Europe and Latin America & Caribbean, said the certification is a “crucial step in our efforts to ensure comprehensive traceability of our entire supply chain, and proves we are ahead of the game in this respect.”
The SSI created the Supply Chain Traceability standard to certify the provenance of the materials in the solar supply chain. As with its environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) standard (which covers ethical, climate and other practises), it relies on manufacturers volunteering specific facilities for inspection and certification, in order to put the SSI certification on their products.
The silver certification means that Trinasolar was able to trace sources in its supply chain from metallurgical-grade silicon through polysilicon, ingot, wafer and cell to module production at the sites in Yiwu and Yancheng. The company has passed the “initial” certification for silver status for the sites, which means they have undergone one assessment each.
In the public summary of the assessment, the SSI revealed that traceability at the sites “was implemented on a transaction-dependent basis, with traceable material flows occurring where customers request SSI-traceable products.” This means that the silver certification only covers specific products produced at the two facilities in Yiwu and Yancheng.
Both factories have already passed the SSI’s ESG Standard.
In March, the SSI awarded its first bronze level Supply Chain Traceability certifications to Chinese manufacturer Astronergy for two module assembly facilities in China.
The involvement of major manufacturers in the formulation of the SSI’s standards – which are designed to assess manufacturing transparency – has drawn some criticism from the European solar industry (subscription required). JinkoSolar, Astronergy, JA Solar, Aiko, Canadian Solar, LONGi and Trinasolar are all SSI members and paying members of its parent organisation, SolarPower Europe.
Trinasolar has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Australian solar panel wholesaler Solar Juice.
The company will supply 1GW worth of its 515W Vertex S+ G3 modules, designed for residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop installations. Trinasolar said the module is exclusive to Australia, made with n-type i-TOPCon cells that give a top efficiency of 24.7%.
Demand for rooftop solar in Australia remains strong; Trinasolar said that 442MW of sub-100kW rooftop PV was registered across Australia in April 2026, the strongest month on record. “The market here is highly sophisticated, with installers focused on system optimisation, long-term performance and maximising generation within roof constraints,” said Edison Zhou, Trinasolar’s head of Australia.
“Demand for high-efficiency rooftop solar modules continues to remain strong across both the residential and C&I sectors,” Rami Fedda, co-founder & supply director of Solar Juice said. “This agreement with Trinasolar strengthens our ability to support our installer network with reliable supply, proven technology and products designed specifically for the Australian market.”

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The applicant says the proposed solar farm could generate electricity to power about 10,000 homes
Plans for a solar farm near a village in Leicestershire are set to be decided at a council meeting.
Melton Borough Council's planning committee is recommended by officers to approve a planning application on Thursday from Downing Renewable Developments to build a solar farm on land east of Waltham Road near Freeby.
The applicant states the proposed development would produce up to 42 MW of renewable energy and could provide enough electricity to power about 10,000 homes.
In planning documents, the applicant said the scheme would make a "significant contribution" to local and national energy goals.
The solar farm is planned for fields near the village of Freeby
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans also included proposals for a battery storage system, new tracks, fencing, lighting and CCTV.
The applicant says the proposed project, which would be built on a site spanning 81 hectares (200.2 acres), would be decommissioned in 40 years time.
A report submitted by the applicant states: "This project will generate renewable energy.
"It will also facilitate additional renewable energy generation on the UK grid network, as well as performing grid stability and balancing services, through importing and exporting electricity at times of high and low demand and network system stress."
The report submitted by the applicant added there would be "significant environmental enhancements" included in the project.
A report by Melton Borough Council planning officers concluded the benefits of the proposal "outweighs" the harms.
Additional reporting by Dan Hunt
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Waaree Energies, an India-based solar module manufacturer, may consider building a solar cell manufacturing facility in the US after completing its local module expansion. Chairman and managing director Hitesh Doshi said Waaree must first raise its US module capacity from 1.6 GW to 4.5 GW over the next six months. The US solar market has annual demand of 50 GW to 60 GW and remains 80% to 85% dependent on imports, while Waaree’s current market share there is still small. Waaree Solar Americas acquired Meyer Burger’s US assets last September for $18.5 million, including a 1 GW HJT module assembly line. In India, Waaree has a 15% to 18% market share and is expanding across battery storage, electrolysers, inverters, transformers, solar glass, smart meters, and transmission and distribution. Waaree has 28 GW of global module capacity, with 5 GW operational from a 15 GW expansion and another 10 GW expected this fiscal year.

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Aerial view of solar panels on a solar farm(Image: Getty Images )
Planning permission has been granted for a new solar farm in East Cork, expected to generate enough power to meet the energy needs of hundreds of households. The development in Carrigogna, a rural townland around 2.5km north of Midleton, is one of several solar farms proposed for the region as Cork continues its push towards renewables.
The planning application was lodged by Amarenco, a Cork-headquartered renewables company co-founded in 2013 by the late John Mullins. The company employs over 200 people across Ireland and the EU, with more than 800 projects under its belt.
This latest development near Midleton will see solar panels installed across an 8.85-hectare site just north of the East Cork town. Once built, Amarenco estimates the site will generate up to 8MW of electricity, depending on weather conditions.
Amarenco was granted permission for a large array of photovoltaic panels on ground-mounted frames, a single-storey delivery station and a single-storey transformer station. The application also included plans for new site entrances, CCTV monitoring, security fencing and all associated site works.
However, the plans faced their fair share of pushback from local residents, with many raising concerns about construction noise, glare from the panels, and broader visual impacts on the quiet, rural area.
One resident who submitted an objection said they feared the development could drive down property values and destroy the 'peaceful country environment' that locals currently enjoy. Another objector raised concerns about the glint and glare from the solar panels potentially causing issues for road users.
Flooding and the ecological impacts of the development were the most common objections raised by locals, and while these were taken into consideration by Cork County Council, planning was ultimately granted at the start of the month.
Planning was granted subject to 19 conditions, including measures to reduce environmental risks during construction and operation, the commissioning of an archaeologist during the clearing works, and the site being fully restored after the panels finish out their lifespan. Amarenco will be required to decommission and restore the site to its natural state after 35 years.
Elsewhere, the company has received approval for a major solar project in North Cork that will generate enough electricity to power 4,500 homes.
Amarenco has secured permission for a development at Castlelyons, near Rathcormac. The project will cover 47 hectares across four sites and is expected to generate enough electricity to power 4,500 homes.
A Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for the major power project, located just south of Fermoy, in an area that has seen significant investment in renewables in recent years.
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Researchers in Brazil have developed and simulated a hybrid tidal–PV floating farm concept for estuarine channels, analyzing wake effects, turbine spacing and hybrid energy trade-offs. Results show that integrating PV with hydrokinetic turbines improves overall energy yield by offsetting wake-related losses and optimizing modular farm configurations.
Model of the system
Image: Federal University of Maranhão
Researchers from Brazil have developed a hybrid tidal–PV generation concept for modular renewable energy deployment in estuarine channels.
In their simulation study, the team investigated longitudinal wake recovery, its effect on array efficiency, and the trade-offs between turbine spacing, installed capacity and energy yield. Wake refers to the turbulent water flow downstream of a turbine after energy extraction, which can reduce the performance of downstream turbines.
“Although the present work is illustrated through a case study in the Boqueirão Channel, the proposed methodology is not site-specific and can be extended to other estuarine channels with similar characteristics, such as geometric constraints, large tidal ranges, strong currents and favorable solar resource availability,” the team said. “Therefore, the framework provides a useful basis for the pre-feasibility assessment of modular hydrokinetic and hybrid energy farms in estuarine environments.”
According to the researchers, the tidal regime in the Boqueirão Channel is semidiurnal, with a period of approximately 12.4 hours. The region experiences tidal ranges above 6 m and current velocities often exceeding 2.5 m/s, resulting in a maximum power density of 7.63 kW/m² and an annual energy density of 17.96 MWh/m². Around 82.5% of annual current velocities fall within the turbine’s 0.5–2.0 m/s operating range. For the PV component, the area receives strong solar irradiation of around 5–5.5 kWh/m² per day, or about 1,900 kWh/m² annually.
The tidal current generation component was based on the Yarama hydrokinetic turbine, a six-blade horizontal-axis diffuser-augmented turbine designed for low-speed estuarine and river conditions. It has a rated hydraulic power of 5 kW, an effective electrical output of 4 kW, a cut-in speed of 0.5 m/s, and a cut-out speed of 2.4 m/s. The turbine features a 1.21 m throat diameter, a 1.64 m external diameter, and a 1 m diffuser length.
Before incorporating PV into the system, the researchers first estimated the turbines’ wake using numerical simulations. Based on this, they found that a lateral spacing of 3D (where D denotes the turbine diameter) resulted in almost no performance loss. In contrast, longitudinal spacing had a strong effect: when turbines were placed 40D apart along the flow direction, the downstream turbine’s power coefficient dropped from 0.88 to 0.64 due to wake losses. Increasing the spacing to 50D and 60D improved the downstream power coefficient to 0.76 and 0.80, respectively, showing that greater spacing allows better wake recovery and higher energy yield.
However, spacing the turbines lowers the number of units that can be installed within the available area, creating a trade-off between energy yield and installed capacity. Therefore, the scientists decided to install solar panels on top of each turbine on a catamaran-type floating platform. Each hybrid unit is 4.5 m long and 2.0 m wide, with 0.45 m diameter pontoons and a 1.5 m vertical strut connecting the floating structure to the submerged turbine. The PV system consists of four panels mounted above the platform, with a combined capacity of 2.48 kW and an efficiency of 23%.
The researchers simulated the hybrid system as a floating farm installed in a 0.5 km × 3 km pilot area in the Boqueirão Channel. Each farm contained between one and 17 columns, with each column consisting of 138 hybrid tidal-PV units arranged side by side across the channel. For each farm configuration, the team also tested longitudinal spacing of 40D, 50D, and 60D between columns.
The simulation series showed that a farm with a longitudinal spacing of 40D and three columns would generate 5.186 GWh of energy per year, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.36/kWh. Expanding the layout to four columns would increase annual generation to 6.401 GWh, with an LCOE of $0.37/kWh, while a five-column configuration would reach 7.468 GWh/year with an LCOE of $0.38/kWh.
For the 50D configuration, six columns would generate 10.043 GWh/year at an LCOE of $0.33/kWh, eight columns would generate 12.466 GWh/year at $0.33/kWh, and the 11-column layout would generate 15.605 GWh/year at $0.35/kWh. For the 60D configuration, nine columns would generate 15.002 GWh/year at $0.30/kWh, 12 columns would generate 18.680 GWh/year at $0.31/kWh, and the maximum 17-column layout would generate 23.956 GWh/year at $0.32/kWh.
The results also indicated that, while wake effects lead to reduced energy output from downstream hydrokinetic turbines, the integration of photovoltaic generation helps to partially compensate for these losses. As a result, the hybrid configuration improves the overall productivity of the site, enhancing total energy yield and making more effective use of the available environmental resources.
“Overall, the study confirms that hybrid hydrokinetic-photovoltaic systems represent a technically feasible and economically promising solution for modular renewable energy deployment in estuarine channels,” the academics concluded. “The proposed methodology provides a robust decision-support framework for early-stage project assessment, enabling realistic comparisons between array layouts, spacing strategies, and hybridization levels.”
The system was presented in “Design and techno-economic assessment of a hybrid diffuser-augmented hydrokinetic–PV array in an estuarine channel,” published in Energy Conversion and Management. Scientists from Brazil’s Federal University of Maranhão, Federal University of Itajubá, Federal Institute of Maranhão, and the University of Campinas have contributed to the research.
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(Noa Ratinsky / Shutterstock.com)
The demand for clean solar energy is rising. Around the world, governments and communities are finding creative solutions to expand solar power.
This includes Israel, where abandoned fish ponds are being transformed into solar energy farms, The Times of Israel reports. Emek HaMaayanot, a verdant but hot valley along the country’s eastern border, is about to become a solar energy hub.
Abandoned Fish Ponds
The Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council was a major center in Israel’s fishpond industry. Eighty-five percent of Israel’s fishpond industry is concentrated in this regional council, which is home to around 17,000 residents. But changes to water regulations about a decade ago hit the industry hard, and now many of the ponds eventually dried up and were abandoned. The buildup of chemicals and salts made the land unsuitable for returning to agricultural use, leaving parcels unused.
Now, however, a new initiative to turn 1,000 acres of these ponds into solar farms, while rewilding another 500 acres, is bringing change and new life to the area. The solar panels are expected to generate 500 megawatts of clean energy, while the rewilded ponds will help support migratory birds that pass through the region each year.
“The restored nature will support millions of migratory birds. This is a model that transforms reality. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first project of its kind in the world,” Dan Alon, CEO of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, tells The Times of Israel.
Floating Solar Panels
Though most of the ponds in the Emek HaMaayanot project will be dried up and transformed into solar farms, this is not the only way bodies of water can be used for solar energy.
According to Israel Science Info, the solar energy company EDF Renewables commissioned a floating solar power plant in the fish ponds of Kibbutz Lochamei HaGetaot, which is located north of Emek HaMaayanot. The floating solar farm includes 44,000 photovoltaic panels and has a 19-megawatt capacity. In addition, EDF Renewables commissioned a smaller floating solar power plant with a 2-megawatt capacity in a water reservoir in Holga in northern Israel.
Both of these projects are a testament to the fact that creating clean energy requires creativity and a willingness to think outside the box. Many solar energy plants are located in the desert, where there are vast expanses of empty, sunny space. However, as the innovative projects in Israel show, sometimes it doesn’t take a desert — all it takes is a fish pond.
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ACEN to start building Australian solar farm  Manila Standard
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Faced with an increasingly congested grid and skyrocketing energy demands, data center developers are shifting toward solar-plus-storage as a logistically viable, essential solution for securing reliable power on a market-ready timetable.
Image: Fluke
There is a particular kind of meeting happening more frequently in data center development right now. It involves a site that has planning, has land, has a committed customer – but no clear answer on grid power within the window the program requires. The options on the table are not comfortable ones: wait for interconnection, redesign around what is available, or look seriously at generation assets that weren’t in the original plan. Solar keeps coming up in those conversations, and it’s no longer being brushed aside.
The scale of the pressure behind that shift is worth stating plainly. U.S. data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023 – up from 58 TWh in 2014 to 176 TWh – and the Department of Energy projects that figure could reach 325 to 580 TWh by 2028. For developers and operators, that trajectory has made power availability a first-order problem, not a planning assumption.
Solar’s moment
Solar’s appeal in this context is logistical. It’s one of the few generation sources that can still be built at meaningful scale on a timetable the market can actually use. The EIA projects 86 GW of new utility-scale capacity will come online in the US in 2026, with solar accounting for 43.4 GW and battery storage another 24 GW. Those aren’t technologies that data center developers are tentatively exploring – they’re what the grid is predominantly being built from right now.
The storage pairing is what turns solar from an interesting option into a serious one. Utility-scale storage is now cost-effective, making it economical to charge batteries at peak solar times and discharge them later.  For data centers specifically, that matters beyond simple load-shifting – batteries respond almost instantaneously to the short, sharp demand spikes that characterize high-density compute loads, reducing grid burden without compromising availability. On both speed and cost, the solar-plus-storage combination is about as close to a practical default as the current market offers.
A congested grid and a workable path through it
None of that makes the grid problem go away. The interconnection queue tells you how constrained the system already is – nearly 2,300 GW of generation and storage capacity was actively seeking connection at the end of 2024, according to Berkeley Lab’s latest data, more than the entire existing US generating fleet. That backlog predates recent federal policy; the current administration has slowed the process further, but it was already severely congested. If you can’t interconnect, you can’t deploy – and that applies to solar as much as anything else.
Solar-plus-storage gives developers another way to build a workable power mix while interconnection constraints remain in force. A co-located or nearby array paired with storage can reduce peak grid draw and buffer against supply volatility. Fault isolation in a solar array tends to be sectional – a string or a block goes down, rarely the whole system – which means the resilience profile looks different from pure grid dependence. For developers navigating a congested interconnection environment, it changes the risk calculation.
Megawatts don’t run themselves
A solar asset only becomes useful to a data center strategy when the operating model around it is tight enough to trust.
That means thinking through the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) model before construction starts, not after. Who’s doing the work, with what tools, against what monitoring thresholds, and with what plan when something goes wrong — those questions need answers before the system goes live. The baseline you establish at commissioning matters too. I-V curve testing at that stage creates a performance reference you can actually measure drift against later; without it, you’re troubleshooting without a baseline.
The spare parts question is less obvious but just as consequential. A colleague who runs an O&M company put it plainly: by the time you’ve finished building a utility-scale system, the manufacturers have often already moved on. Module formats change, inverter lines update, racking evolves – and within two or three years, the exact components you specified may no longer be readily available. At scale, that’s a serviceability risk that belongs in the project economics from day one.
The skilled labor constraint sits alongside all of this. The US solar workforce hasn’t kept pace with deployment, and that gap shows up in O&M availability. Long-term performance depends on whether the operating discipline is genuinely in place; capacity on its own doesn’t get you there.
The install-it-and-forget-it myth
For years, parts of the industry sold solar on terms that didn’t hold up. Install it, connect it to monitoring, trust it to perform. I hate to admit it, but that included selling residential solar as an install-it-and-forget-it proposition – which has turned out to be very much not true. At utility scale, with generation feeding into a critical power strategy, the consequences of that mindset are larger.
The clearest signal that serious operators have internalized this is where O&M shows up in their financials. The companies getting this right are accounting for operational expenditure, labor, and maintenance cycles in their project models before financial close. That is the dividing line between a project that looks convincing on paper and one that keeps delivering in service.
Where the value holds or erodes
The power problem data center developers are navigating isn’t going away, and the grid alone isn’t going to solve it on the timelines the market needs. Solar-plus-storage has earned its place in that conversation – on economic grounds and on the resilience profile it brings to a critical power strategy.
What that requires from developers is a different kind of discipline than the industry has historically applied to solar. The financial model has to account for O&M from the start. The operating decisions made at commissioning shape what the asset can do years later. And the gap between what gets built and what gets maintained is where the value either holds or quietly erodes.
Will White is the senior product manager at Fluke Corporation. 
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Solar energy is an important piece of the renewable-energy puzzle. Installing solar panels for your home is a great way to lower your carbon footprint while saving money in the long run. However, even though they are a great way to lower reliance on fossil fuels, solar farms are massive and impact the surrounding environment. According to a study published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews by Murdoch University researcher Patricia A. Fleming, birds and bats are particularly threatened by large-scale solar farms, as they can mistake the panels for bodies of water, a phenomenon called the Lake Effect.
Many animals, including birds, have polarization vision, which essentially means they can gain information from light and use it for things like navigation. As explained in the paper, the smooth, dark, and flat surfaces of solar panels “can mislead and lure animals to entrapment,” and “have potentially lethal consequences for birds and bats.” Not only does the Lake Effect cause birds to collide with and sustain burns from the panels, it also confuses migrating birds, who rely on the information they get from light as a compass.
More research is necessary to fully understand the impact of solar farms on wildlife, but the outcomes of this study are consistent with similar research published by the California Energy Commission in 2024. Both posit that solar panels polarize light similarly to water, pointing to the presence of aquatic birds near solar farms as support for the Lake Effect hypothesis.
The Murdoch University study makes clear that more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of solar farms on the surrounding environment. In addition to the Lake Effect, animals can end up trapped in the fencing with no way to escape. Possible solutions include applying antireflective coatings to panels to prevent birds from mistaking them for water, new fencing design, and removing vegetation to make the area less appealing to birds and bats. More extreme is proposing facilities suspend operations during migration periods.
With all that in mind, not all of the environmental impacts of solar farms are necessarily bad. China’s largest solar farm is changing the desert around it, allowing the soil to retain moisture and encouraging plant growth on previously barren land. Studies have also shown that solar panels are saving lives by reducing air pollution. Clean energy sources like solar are vital for addressing climate change, and the benefits of solar farms certainly outweigh the downsides. Still, the impact on birds and other wildlife is a reminder that renewable energy solutions can and should be more environmentally friendly.

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Built around a hybrid vacuum and wet-chemical process, the Pero-Si-SCALE laboratory of the Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg gives industry partners a shared platform to test perovskite-silicon designs at full wafer size.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has opened a new research facility in Freiburg dedicated to scaling perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells from the laboratory bench to industrial cell formats. Named Pero-Si-SCALE, the laboratory will be available to German and European module manufacturers as an independent R&D environment, equipped to handle wafers up to 210 by 210 millimetres using production-grade processes.
Fraunhofer-led project scales up charging for heavy-duty transport
While technically exacting, the architecture at the heart of the work is conceptually simple: A perovskite cell roughly 500 nanometres thick is deposited onto a conventional silicon solar cell, lifting the theoretical efficiency limit from 29.4 to 43.3 percent. For an industry that has spent two decades squeezing fractions of a percent from silicon, the prospect of a step change of that magnitude has, not surprisingly, focused minds across the sector.
“Photovoltaics is far from being ‘fully researched’,” said Prof. Dr Stefan Glunz, head of the photovoltaics division at Fraunhofer ISE, at the opening. “On the contrary, there is still a great deal to be gained here, and tandem solar cells are the key to achieving even greater efficiency. This means more solar energy in a smaller area and with less material usage.“
Pero-Si-SCALE is intended to bridge the awkward gap between laboratory proof-of-concept work, conducted at low Technology Readiness Levels, and commercial production. Designs developed at TRL 1 to 4 can be lifted onto industrial wafer formats and put through scalable, high-throughput manufacturing, with characterisation, analysis and module integration handled on the same site.
Germany – colour films mark a step change in PV aesthetics
On the processing side, Fraunhofer ISE has settled on what it terms the “hybrid route”, combining vacuum deposition with wet chemistry. The approach has already delivered laboratory peak efficiencies above 33 percent, and crucially permits the perovskite top cell to be applied to standard textured silicon wafers of the kind already produced in volume. That compatibility matters: it preserves the optical and electrical advantages of textured silicon, supports higher energy yields at module level, and avoids asking manufacturers to rip up their existing bottom-cell lines.
Fraunhofer ISE
The new facility builds directly on existing infrastructure. “The new laboratory infrastructure builds on 20 years of experience in industry-oriented development of silicon photovoltaics at the Photovoltaic Technology Evaluation Center (PV-TEC),” explained Priv.-Doz. Dr Ralf Preu, also head of the photovoltaics division at the institute. PV-TEC will continue to supply optimised silicon bottom cells to Pero-Si-SCALE, ensuring that the tandem work remains tethered to current production realities rather than drifting into a parallel laboratory universe.
Agri-PV and berry crops – measuring the shading effect
The remaining challenge is integration at scale. Bringing a varied set of thin-film deposition steps into line with established wafer-based silicon manufacturing is, by the institute’s own account, the chief hurdle to industrial implementation. Pero-Si-SCALE is an attempt to work through that hurdle in public – with industry partners alongside.
With TOPCon now the dominant cell architecture and heterojunction and back-contact designs jostling for position, perovskite-silicon tandems represent the most credible route to a meaningful efficiency uplift this decade – now with a neutral European facility geared explicitly to industrial transfer. (TF)

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A Florida Salesperson Thought He Was Helping People Go Solar. Now He Complains To Dave Ramsey He’s Really Selling Loans, Not Solar Panels  Yahoo Finance
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This lightweight three-wheeled vehicle is covered with solar panels.
“Let the Sunshine In” is a catchy song from the late-1960s musical “Hair.” It also is apropos today, as more people drive cars equipped with panoramic roofs instead of traditional metal hardtops.
Glass-roofed vehicles appeal to motorists who value improved interior illumination, prefer the feel of a spacious cabin or simply like the look of upscale aesthetics. A roof made from glass also makes it easier for engineers to integrate next-generation photovoltaic technology into cars.
Automakers and suppliers are actively exploring solar-integrated vehicle technologies to extend driving range, improve energy efficiency and reduce dependence on grid-based charging infrastructure. In addition, solar modules can help power auxiliary systems such as infotainment, lighting and ventilation systems to enhance vehicle performance while lowering overall energy consumption.
The sun is a free, powerful source of energy that has intrigued automotive engineers for decades. However, attaching solar panels to a bus, car or truck is much more challenging than simply putting them on the roof of a house. That’s because vehicles are subjected to constant vibration and are more likely to be hit by pebbles or other types of road debris.
“[Mobile] modules need to be adjusted to be lighter or better fitting for the application, such as curved surfaces,” says Martin Heinrich, Ph.D., group manager for encapsulation and integration in the photovoltaics division of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. “In addition, vehicle safety measures and crash worthiness issues need to be taken into consideration. But, mobile solar modules are usually operated at lower voltages than stationary installations.
“Today, solar cells are cheaper and more efficient than in the past, due to technology developments in the photovoltaic industry,” explains Heinrich, who has conducted R&D projects involving solar-powered commercial vehicles. “Technologies for vehicle applications have been developed which are specifically suited and easy to implement.
“This includes things such as curved modules with crystalline silicon solar cells, lightweight modules for commercial vehicles fulfilling harsh environmental tests, new module technologies for hood integration of cars and power electronics,” notes Heinrich. “Substantial work in measurement of curved modules and prediction of yield has also been achieved.”

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“Both the automotive and solar panel industries are changing dramatically and making huge strides in technology and efficiency,” adds Robert Fisher, senior manager at SBD Automotive Germany GmbH. “The cost to build a highly efficient solar panel has come down so dramatically that many automakers can now consider integrating them into vehicles.”
 
An extendable roof-mounted solar panel charges this EV while it is in motion and when it’s parked. Photo courtesy Nissan Motor Co.
According to Fisher, a former engineer at Honda Motor Co., recent technological advancements include lightweight photovoltaic materials, flexible solar panels, higher conversion efficiencies and improved durability. Automakers and suppliers are also investing in design innovations to seamlessly incorporate solar panels into vehicle roofs, hoods and body surfaces without compromising aerodynamics or aesthetics.
“Photovoltaics in vehicles face significantly harsher operating conditions than stationary systems,” says Sebastian Erhart, director of product strategy and innovation at Webasto Group, a 125-year-old company that specializes in battery, thermal and roof systems for electric vehicles. “A moving vehicle is constantly exposed to vibration, mechanical stress and aerodynamic forces. These factors place higher demands on the durability, encapsulation and attachment of solar modules.”
Solar-powered vehicles are still a niche market that faces unique challenges, such as the relatively high upfront cost of integrating solar modules into vehicles and the limited surface area available for energy generation, which can restrict overall power output. Efficiency challenges under varying weather conditions, including reduced performance in low sunlight regions, may also impact adoption rates.
In addition, design complexities, durability requirements, and the need to balance vehicle weight and aerodynamics can increase manufacturing challenges.
Erhart claims that several factors have limited early adoption of mobile solar cells. “Vehicle surfaces offer only a small area, which means the total energy yield is modest compared to household photovoltaic installations,” he points out.
“Integrating solar modules into complex roof structures adds design, engineering and cost challenges,” explains Erhart. “Additionally, car manufacturers have historically focused on priorities such as battery development, range extension through drivetrain improvements and digitalization, pushing solar integration further down the list.”
Despite numerous benefits, solar power has failed to catch on with mass-produced vehicles in the past. A handful of legacy automakers, such as Hyundai and Toyota, have dabbled with optional solar panels on vehicles such as the IONIQ 5, the Sonata and the Prius Prime.
Before it went bankrupt, Fisker Automotive also offered a SolarSky roof on some of its models. But, consumers were underwhelmed by the overall performance of those vehicles.
Several new developments may lead to next-generation automotive applications, however. Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan recently unveiled concept vehicles that feature integrated solar panels.
Earlier this year, Hyundai showcased a van in Europe called the Staria Electric Camper. It features a 520-watt solar panel system integrated into the roof. The automaker claims that five hours of sunlight per day can generate up to 2.6-kilowatt-hours of electricity. That energy can be stored and used to run onboard systems or add small boosts to range during extended off-grid trips.
At last October’s Japan Mobility Show, Nissan Motor Co. launched a version of its best-selling EV with an optional solar panel. The roof-mounted Ao-Solar Extender can charge the compact Sakura Kei both while driving and when parked. Its name is derived from the Japanese word “aozora” (blue sky).
When stationary, an additional panel extends outward from storage, increasing the solar panel surface area and power generation potential to approximately 500 watts. The expanded panel also creates shade and helps block sunlight from entering through the windshield, reducing cabin temperature and lowering the need for air conditioning power consumption.
The system has been designed to minimize drag and integrate with the Sakura’s overall appearance. Nissan claims that, on an annual basis, it can generate enough solar electricity to power up to 1,864 miles of driving.
This concept car features a thin coating of solar cells that are integrated into its bodywork. Photo courtesy Mercedes-Benz Group AG
During the 2025 IAA show in Munich, Mercedes-Benz Group AG turned heads with a concept car called the Vision Iconic. One of its most unique features is a coating of solar cells integrated into the vehicle’s body.
“[We are] researching innovative solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodywork of electric vehicles, similar to a wafer-thin paste,” says Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer at Mercedes-Benz. “The photovoltaic-active surface could be adaptable to various substrates.
“When applied to the entire vehicle surface of the Iconic Vision, additional range could be harnessed from the sun, depending on geographical location and local condition,” explains Schäfer. “As an example, an area of 11 square meters (equivalent to the surface of a mid-size SUV) could produce energy for up to 12,000 kilometers a year under ideal conditions.”
Schäfer claims the coating does not contain any rare-earth materials or silicon and can be easily recycled. The solar cells have a high efficiency of 20 percent and generate energy continuously—even when the vehicle is switched off.
“The solar paint could be a very effective future solution for longer ranges and fewer charging stops,” Schäfer points out. “The solar paint contains only nontoxic and readily available raw materials. It is easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules. At 5 micrometers, the solar paint is extremely thin and at the same time very hard.
“Our research department is working hard to enable its use on all exterior surfaces of the vehicle, regardless of their shape and angle,” says Schäfer. “Our aim is to be able to apply solar paint to all exterior surfaces to maximize the energy yield.”
“It sounds to me like solar modules are applied as a thin film to the body panels in this application,” says SBD Automotive’s Fisher. “Then the paint is sprayed on top. The magic in the paint is that it can transmit solar radiation while reflecting specific colors, ensuring that the customer can still customize the paint to their liking.
“While there is some value in solar panels, it’s still not something ready for mass adoption,” warns Fisher. “It continues to be more of a niche option.”
Fisher believes the technology makes more sense with large commercial vehicles, such as heavy-duty trucks, because they contain a lot of unused rooftop space.
Large commercial vehicles contain a large amount of unused roof space that is ideal for solar panels. Photo courtesy Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
“Things like air conditioning and refrigeration units need to stay powered continuously,” notes Fisher. “The roof of a 53-foot semi-trailer has enough rough for about eight full-sized solar panels, which would generate around 4 kilowatts worth of power.”
Fisher claims that widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) technology will ultimately depend more on geography than technology. “For optimal results, you have to orient your vehicle in the right angle and direction—toward the south—to get the most sun exposure,” he points out. “During the winter months, that can be a big challenge in many parts of Asia, Europe and North America.
“So, there will always be parts of the world where the technology will be less appealing,” says Fisher. “Solar-powered mobility may work great in Arizona, California or Florida, but it doesn’t make as much sense for people in the Midwest.”
While solar-powered cars have been slow to catch on in many parts of the northern hemisphere, the technology is appealing in Africa and South America.
Solar panels enable this small delivery van to drive more than 31 miles a day without charging. Photo courtesy Bako Motors
Using Chinese technology, a start-up company in Burkina Faso (a small land-locked country in West Africa) called Itaoua is producing electric cars equipped with solar panels for extended range and reduced dependence on charging infrastructure.
Another start-up called Bako Motors is currently producing a two-seat microcar called the Bee that’s equipped with a solar roof. It also makes a commercial version dubbed the B-Van. The company operates factories in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
According to the company, the solar panels can supply more than 50 percent of daily energy needs. It claims that the B-Van generates enough power for approximately 31 miles of driving per day.
 
The solar-powered vehicle that many people in the United States are keeping their eyes on is the much-anticipated Aptera. In March, the first $40,000 microcar rolled off the assembly line at the company’s factory in southern California. It marked a major milestone as it progresses toward regulatory certification and initial customer deliveries.
The three-wheeled vehicle, which has been in development for more than 15 years, uses multiple solar panels to reduce reliance on grid recharging. The panels wrap around the body, hood and roof of the funky vehicle, which boasts a range of up to 400 miles from a single charge in under 1 hour.
Aptera’s aerodynamic carbon-fiber composite body is covered in 3 square meters of solar cells. At least 90 percent of the power produced by the solar panels goes toward propelling the lightweight two-passenger vehicle, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds and has a top speed of 101 mph.
Aptera integrates its custom solar panels at an in-house facility. It plans to sell them to Telo Trucks, a start-up company that hopes to soon ramp up production of a mini electric pickup truck dubbed the MT1.
Aptera’s vehicle achieves its efficiency via power electronics that convert solar energy into cylindrical battery cells made by LG Energy Solution. CTNS Co. produces the modules, which are integrated into battery packs by Aptera.
“We just completed the first vehicle off of our low-volume validation assembly line,” says Chris McCammon, head of marketing at Aptera Motors Corp. “We are targeting initial customer deliveries by the end of this year, with production ramping up in 2027. As noted in our SEC filings, this timeline is dependent on securing the necessary funding.”
Aptera’s 77,000-square-foot facility in Carlsbad, CA, will eventually produce up to 20,000 vehicles per year, with one car rolling off the assembly line every 12 minutes. 
“Our facility uses a light assembly, microfactory approach,” explains McCammon. “This allows us to produce cars without the need for welding robots, massive machinery or a paint shop, as our vehicles are wrapped instead of painted. The layout is compact and flexible. [Eventually, we plan to] replicate it in other locations with roughly 100,000 square feet of space to scale vehicle deliveries around the world.
“Our validation assembly line currently has 14 workstations,” McCammon points out. “Within this facility, we assemble batteries, solar panels and vehicle bodies. The chassis line meets the body line in station five, [then] moves through station 14 to become a complete vehicle. All other components are designed to arrive as prebuilt subsystems from our supply chain.
“For our initial low-volume production, we will not use automated guided vehicles (AGVs),” adds McCammon. “However, [we eventually plan to rely on] AGVs for high-volume production.”
Aptera plans to mass-produce solar powered microcars at a factory in southern California. Photo courtesy Aptera Motors Corp
Several Tier One automotive suppliers are bullish on the future of solar-powered vehicles. In fact, their engineers have been busy developing next-generation technology.
AGC Automotive Europe has developed a panorama-style glass roof that features a glass-glass design with high-efficiency back contact solar cells and a uniform full black appearance. Solar cells are laminated between the two sheets of thin glass.
“This vehicle-integrated photovoltaic panoramic sunroof enables plug-free charging, both when driving and when parked in the sun, growing vehicle mileage all year long,” says Loïc Tous, R&D project manager at AGC Automotive. “This offers real value to customers by improving daily comfort and convenience, while reducing the dependency on charging stations and the associated CO₂ emissions.
A combination of back-contact solar cells and a low-emissivity coating on the inner glass pane optimizes thermal comfort within EVs and ensures a uniformly black appearance. Illustration courtesy AGC Automotive Europe
“[It] enables more headspace and significant weight savings compared to roofs equipped with a traditional roller-blind syste,” claims Tous.
Because the majority of traditional rooftop solar panels use silicon-based cells, they tend to be heavy and hard. To address demand for subassemblies that are lighter and more flexible, engineers at Aisin Corp. are developing perovskite solar cells.
Perovskite is a type of crystalline structure. Materials with this structure have a variety of electrical and magnetic properties. Because it has a simple structure, perovskite can be synthesized from a variety of substances.
The next-generation solar cells have a power-generating layer made of an organic material with a perovskite structure and are only about 0.001-millimeter thick. In addition to being thin and light, they are flexible and bendable.
The efficiency of perovskite solar cells has now increased to a level comparable to that of silicon-based solar cells. They can also generate electricity even in dimly lit environments, such as indoors or on cloudy days. And, because they can be easily manufactured by painting or printing the material on a substrate, they enable automotive solar panels to be cost-effectively mass-produced.
Perovskite solar cells (right) are lightweight, flexible and inexpensive to mass-produce. Illustration courtesy Aisin Corp.
Earlier this year, Metyx Composites received a JEC Composites Innovation Award for its new automotive PV modules. 
According to Ugur Ustunel, CEO of Metyx, conventional glass-based PV modules are heavy, fragile and difficult to integrate onto curved vehicle surfaces. “Vehicle-integrated photovoltaics require materials that are lightweight, impact-resistant and adaptable to complex geometries.” he points out.
To address the issue, Metyx engineers replaced glass with lightweight, impact-resistant composites, developing PV modules that behave as structural, vehicle-ready components, not add-on panels.
Metyx developed a completely glass-free PV module made from fiber-reinforced composites with a highly transparent glass fiber-reinforced polymer front sheet and a lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sandwich back sheet. Instead of being produced via multistep lamination like traditional PV systems, Metyx’s PV modules are built using a single-step vacuum infusion process.
“Lightweight composites combine structural performance, optical functionality and design flexibility, making them ideally suited to transform vehicle surfaces into active energy-generating components without compromising weight or safety,” claims Ustunel.
“By enabling lightweight, durable and shape-adaptive PV integration, this technology removes one of the main barriers to solar vehicles: the incompatibility of glass modules with vehicle design,” explains Ustunel. “Composite PV modules allow energy generation on roofs, hoods and side panels, supporting off-grid operation, extending driving range and powering auxiliary systems.
“This paves the way for new mobility architectures where energy generation, structure and design are developed as a single, integrated system,” says Ustunel.
At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Solarstic received an award for its injection-molded vehicle solar module. The South Korean start-up has already worked with Hyundai to develop a PV-integrated hood and roof.
Solarstic uses a low‑pressure injection-molding process to safely encapsulate fragile solar cells. The result removes glass weight and design constraints, enabling seamless integration on curved or complex exteriors. It enables automotive engineers to preserve original character lines while adding embedded solar functionality.
When installed on vehicles, Solarstic’s solar module generates energy while driving and while parked. This supplemental charging extends driving range, reduces visits to charging stations and lowers overall charging costs.
The module accommodates multiple types of solar cells and can be customized to specific vehicle models and design requirements, providing automakers with a flexible, scalable path to next‑generation, solar‑integrated mobility.
A low pressure injection molding process safely encapsulates fragile solar cells, enabling seamless integration on curved or complex vehicle exteriors. Photo courtesy Solarstic
Webasto is another automotive supplier developing new types of solar technology for electric vehicle applications. It recently unveiled EcoPeak, a roof concept designed to demonstrate how lightweight construction and solar energy can be combined in a roof system.
“We’re using up to 80 percent sustainable and recycled materials,” says Erhart. “[It] also delivers weight savings of up to 40 percent compared to conventional roof systems. The concept expands the functional solar area by covering not only the roof, but also the rear window, enabling the system to supply the vehicle with up to 350 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per year, equivalent to roughly 1,553 miles of driving range depending on vehicle type and climate conditions.
“By integrating the rear window into the solar-capturing area, EcoPeak offers a larger active surface than typical solar roofs,” claims Erhart. “The system replaces glass and aluminum components with bio‑mass balanced polycarbonate and lightweight polymers, achieving substantial weight reduction, and improving energy efficiency and driving dynamics.
“The concept also includes an advanced integrated roller-blind system made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles, which enhances comfort and shading while supporting circular material flows,” explains Erhart. “Its rapid CO₂ amortization—around two years in favorable conditions—further differentiates it from earlier-generation automotive solar [systems].”

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Top solar companies, banks and insurers have stopped doing business with at least a half dozen recently built ⁠U.S. panel factories because of uncertainty over whether their ties to China could disqualify them from clean-energy subsidies.
The emerging effects dovetail with U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to block Chinese companies from the U.S. market and to slash government support for green energy. The shift, driven by new Trump administration policies, jeopardizes more than a third of U.S. solar capacity in factories initially built by Chinese firms.

The policy could backfire by imperiling growth in U.S. manufacturing jobs and power generation at a time of rising utility bills and soaring electricity demand from data centers serving the artificial intelligence industry, industry experts ​say.
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Plug-in solar panels can be fitted to balconies, walls and gardens, but safe installation depends on the right location, permissions and connection method.
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Plug-in solar panels could soon give households a simpler way to generate their own electricity, without paying for a full rooftop solar installation. Instead of a large array of panels fixed to the roof and wired into the home by an installer, these smaller systems are designed to be mounted on a balcony, wall, terrace or garden frame and connected to the property using an approved plug-in setup.
It could make solar power accessible to people who have traditionally been locked out of the market, including renters, flat owners and homeowners whose roofs are unsuitable for conventional panels.
But while the name makes the technology sound straightforward, “plug-in” does not mean risk-free or completely hands-off. The panels still need to be positioned properly, fixed securely and connected safely. This guide explains how plug-in solar panels work, what comes in a typical kit and what fitting one is likely to involve.
Read more: Best solar panels 2026 for UK homes, reviewed by experts
Use our comparison tool to get free quotes from leading solar panel installers.
Plug-in solar panels are small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems designed to generate electricity for use in the home. In parts of Europe, they are often described as balcony solar panels because they are commonly installed on apartment balconies and connected to the property’s electricity supply.
A typical plug-in solar kit may include one or two solar panels, a microinverter, mounting brackets or a frame, connecting cables and a plug or connection unit. Some systems may also include a monitoring app, allowing users to see how much electricity the panels are generating, or a small battery for storing some excess power.
They work on the same basic principle as rooftop solar panels, but on a smaller scale. A plug-in system isn’t designed to power an entire home. Instead, it is intended to offset some of your daytime electricity use, reducing the amount of power you need to buy from the grid.
Read more: Are plug-in solar panels worth it for UK homes?
Like standard solar panels, plug-in panels use photovoltaic cells to turn daylight into electricity. When sunlight hits the panel, the cells generate direct current electricity. Solar panels work best in strong, direct sunlight, but they can still produce electricity on cloudy days, although output will be lower. For a fuller explanation of the technology behind solar PV, read our guide to how solar panels work.
The electricity produced by the panel cannot be used directly by most household appliances. UK homes use alternating current electricity, so the power first passes through a microinverter. This small device converts the direct current from the solar panel into alternating current that can be used by the home.
Once safely connected, the electricity can feed into the household circuit. If appliances are running at the same time, they can use the solar power first. This might include background electricity use from a fridge, a wifi router, a laptop charger, a television or a washing machine.
In practical terms, this means the home imports less electricity from the grid while the panel is generating. The benefit depends on how much electricity the system produces and how much of that electricity you use at the time it is generated.
Read more: Do plug-in solar panels save you money?
The exact equipment will vary between manufacturers, but most systems are built around a few core components.
The solar panel is the part that captures daylight and generates electricity. Many plug-in systems use one or two panels, making them much smaller than a typical rooftop array.
The microinverter is usually fixed near the panel and converts the electricity into a form that the home can use. Mounting equipment holds the panel in place, whether that means clamps for a balcony railing, brackets for a wall or a frame for a patio, garden or flat surface.
Cables connect the panel to the inverter and the system to the home. This is one of the most important parts of the setup. The UK-approved systems should use a connection method designed for domestic electrical circuits, rather than improvised wiring or unsuitable extension leads.
Read more: Lidl to sell £400 plug-in solar panels – here’s everything you need to know
Plug-in solar panels are likely to be most useful in places where rooftop solar is not practical. This could include flats with balconies, homes with small gardens, terraces, sheds, garages, outbuildings or exterior walls that receive a good amount of sunlight.
The best location is usually one with strong exposure to daylight for much of the day. A south-facing position will generally produce the most electricity. But east- and west-facing panels can still be useful, particularly if they match when your home tends to use electricity.
Shading is one of the biggest factors to watch. Trees, neighbouring buildings, balcony railings, walls and even nearby objects can all reduce output. A panel that is easy to fit but shaded for much of the day may generate far less electricity than expected.
The position also needs to be safe. A panel fixed to a balcony or wall must be secure enough to withstand wind and bad weather. Cables need to be routed carefully so they are not damaged, trapped in doors or windows, or left where someone could trip over them.
The fitting process will depend on the product and where it’s installed, but the broad steps are likely to be similar.
First, you must choose a suitable location. This means checking the amount of sunlight, the direction the panel will face, whether anything will cast shade over it and how the cable will reach the connection point.
Next, the mounting system is assembled. On a balcony, this may involve clamps or brackets that attach the panel to the railing. In a garden or on a patio, the panel may sit on an angled frame. On a wall, it may need brackets fixed into masonry or another suitable surface.
The panel then needs to be secured. This is a crucial step, especially for balconies, upper floors and exposed locations. Even a relatively small solar panel can become dangerous if it is not properly fixed.
Once the panel is in position, it is connected to the microinverter. The inverter is usually mounted close to the panel, protected from unsuitable conditions and connected using the manufacturer’s cabling.
The final step is connecting the system to the home’s electricity supply using the approved method provided with the kit. This is the part of the process that UK rules are being updated to enable. Homeowners should only use products approved for use in the UK and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
After connection, many systems allow users to monitor generation through an app or display. This can help you understand when the panels are producing the most electricity and shift some usage into daylight hours.
The appeal of plug-in solar is that it should be easier to install than a conventional rooftop system. A full rooftop solar array normally requires a professional installer, scaffolding, electrical work and certification. A plug-in system is intended to be simpler and cheaper to set up.
However, there are two separate issues: physical fitting and electrical connection. Mounting a panel on a balcony, wall or outbuilding still needs care. If the location is high, exposed or difficult to access, professional help may be sensible even if the electrical side is designed to be simple.
The safest approach is to buy a UK-approved kit, avoid modifying any cables or sockets, and follow the instructions exactly. Households should not use imported products that are not designed for the UK market, plug systems into extension leads, or attempt DIY wiring to get around the rules.
Permissions may be just as important as the technology itself.
Renters should check with their landlord before attaching anything to a balcony, wall, shed or exterior space. Flat owners may need permission from a freeholder, managing agent or residents’ association, especially if the panel affects a shared wall, balcony, roof terrace or the building’s external appearance.
Planning rules may also matter in some cases. Small solar installations are often straightforward, but listed buildings, conservation areas and flats can be more complicated. If the panel is visible from the street or fixed to a shared structure, it’s worth checking before buying.
Home insurance is another consideration. If the panels are fixed to the property, the insurer may need to know. Leaseholders and renters should also check whether balcony railings, external walls or shared areas are allowed to carry extra equipment.
The main risks are poor performance and safety. A badly positioned panel may produce less electricity than expected. Too much shade, a poor angle or the wrong orientation can all reduce output. That doesn’t make the system unsafe, but it may make it disappointing.
More serious problems can arise from poor mounting or unsafe connections. A panel that is not fixed securely could come loose in high winds. Damaged cables could create an electrical hazard. Running cables through windows, across walkways or near water can also create risks if the system hasn’t been designed for that setup.
This is why plug-in solar should be treated as a home energy product, not a casual gadget. It may be much simpler than rooftop solar, but it still needs to be installed with care.
The main difference is scale. A conventional rooftop system usually has six or more panels and is designed to cover a larger share of a home’s electricity demand. It is fixed permanently to the roof and connected by a certified installer. For more on the price of a larger rooftop system, see our guide to solar panel costs.
Plug-in solar panels are smaller, more portable and easier to fit. They are better suited to households that can’t install rooftop panels or people who want to try solar at a lower upfront cost.
The trade-off is output. A plug-in system will not usually generate enough electricity to run a whole home, and it is unlikely to match the long-term savings of a well-sized rooftop array. Its role is more modest: to reduce some daytime grid use and make solar accessible to more households.
Plug-in solar panels work in the same way as other solar PV systems. They capture daylight, convert it into usable electricity and feed it into the home so appliances can use solar power before drawing from the grid.
What makes them different is the installation. Rather than requiring a full rooftop system, they are designed to be fitted to smaller spaces such as balconies, walls, terraces and gardens. That could make them especially useful for renters, flat owners and households without suitable roofs.
But “plug-in” should not be confused with “anything goes”. The panel still needs a sunny, secure location, the right permissions and a safe, approved connection method. For the right household, plug-in solar could be a practical first step into home-generated electricity, but getting the fitting right will be essential.
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Simply bringing 2D and 3D materials in contact changed the optical properties of the 3D layer, even when heat and pressure were not applied.
A team of scientists from Korea University, the University of Toledo, and Seoul National University has built a three-dimensional perovskite solar cell with an efficiency of over 26 percent and an operational lifetime of over 24,000 hours under laboratory test conditions. The researchers also used halide perovskites in their work, which have been difficult to fabricate in the past. 
As silicon-based solar cells reach their maximum energy-conversion potential, scientists have turned their attention to perovskites, which promise not just higher-efficiency solar cells but also more economical ones. While multiple attempts have been made to commercialize pervoskite-based solar cells, their stability has raised questions about long-term deployment. 
Jun Hong Noh, a professor at Korea University, has been working on a concept for solar cells in which charge-transport layers are placed on both sides of the absorber to passivate surfaces and interfaces. This approach has been used in silicon heterojunction (HIT) solar cells, but Noh’s idea uses halide perovskites, which are difficult to fabricate in this fashion. 
To overcome architectural challenges, Noh and colleagues turned to two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites with a wide bandgap. These materials can absorb higher-energy light, such as blue or ultraviolet, but not lower-energy light, such as red or infrared. In their previous work, the researchers developed a method that requires no chemicals to form a 2D/3D junction. 
By applying heat and pressure to a 2D film brought into contact with a 3D film, the researchers grew a crystalline 2D layer on the 3D surface. The research team sought to understand how these parameters, including the carbon chain length of the organic cation in 2D halide perovskites, influence film growth, but found something they weren’t expecting. 
The team found that simply bringing 2D and 3D materials into contact altered the optical properties of the 3D layer, including its photoluminescence, even without heat or pressure. 
“Interestingly, these changes were reversible and strongly dependent on the organic cation,” said Noh in a press release. “When we further found that this contact interaction significantly influences phase transitions in the 3D perovskite, and that it originates from interactions between the organic cations of the 2D and 3D layers, we were genuinely excited.”
Adding thermal treatment to the two films in contact that are already interacting possibly leads to structural evolution in the 3D layer, the researchers hypothesized. To prove this, the team applied it in FAPbI₃ perovskite films, which typically see imperfect crystallization. Their hypothesis proved correct, when the films reached lattice parameters very close to the theoretical values, the team had computed. 
Even powders of the FAPbI₃ films made by the research team maintained a more stable phase than FAPbI₃ made through conventional methods. 
“Efficiency losses originate from trap states at surfaces and within the bulk, which are directly linked to defects. Likewise, phase transitions are known to initiate at defects. Therefore, achieving a near-perfect crystal structure is one of the most critical challenges in this field,” added Noh in the press release. 
The researchers integrated their perovskite films into conventional solar cells and found efficiency improved to 26.25 percent. While perovskite-based solar cells typically face durability challenges, these cells demonstrated an operational lifetime of 24,000 hours under accelerated testing. 
The 2D/3D film contact process is highly scalable and can be used to manufacture larger films with fewer defects. The team is now working on applying this approach to all perovskite tandem solar cells in which low-bandgap perovskites need to be deposited on top of wide-bandgap layers at low temperatures. 
The research findings were published in Nature Energy. 
Ameya is a science writer based in Hyderabad, India. A Molecular Biologist at heart, he traded the micropipette to write about science during the pandemic and does not want to go back. He likes to write about genetics, microbes, technology, and public policy.
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The CEO of Irish PV association Solar Ireland, Ronan Power, told pv magazine that despite a healthy project pipeline and investor appetite, ground-mounted PV projects are not being delivered as fast as they could be. A national clearing house to provide more defined communication at the early stages would help developers deliver faster.
Image: Thomas Coker/Unsplash
Solar Ireland has called on the government to set up a national clearing house to act as a central coordination mechanism, liaising with key stakeholders such as government departments, planning authorities, developers and contractors, and grid operators to ensure all interests are aligned and solar power projects are not held up by a lack of clarity.
Solar Ireland’s CEO Ronan Power noted that Ireland has proven it can deliver renewable energy projects, adding that now is the right time to ramp up ambition and deliver more solar, faster.
“Ireland is making progress on solar development,” he told pv magazine. In April, solar generation from grid-scale parks surpassed 1 GW and the country’s total cumulative deployed solar capacity has surpassed 2.3 GW across all market segments.
“But the planning and grid system has not evolved at the same pace, and that is where the current bottlenecks are emerging,” said Power. “Planning timelines can be inconsistent across local authorities with different interpretations of requirements and limited visibility on decision timelines. Even where projects are well progressed, they can face delays linked to information requests, resourcing constraints, or other processes that could be run in parallel.”
Connection processes are another major constraint. “Projects are often dependent on batch-based connection rounds, which can introduce long lead times and uncertainty,” Power went on to say. “There are also challenges around coordination between planning and grid timelines where projects may secure one but remain delayed by the other. What this creates is a system where viable projects are not being rejected, but they are not moving forward at the pace required.”
While he acknowledged that a clearing house would not change standards or requirements, it would help speed up coordination and delivery. “It would bring together the relevant stakeholders to identify where projects are being delayed, provide consistent guidance, and resolve issues in real time,” said the CEO.
Solar Ireland’s view is that a clearing house would provide a structured way to identify issues early, resolve them quickly, and ensure that viable projects are not delayed unnecessarily.
“If we are serious about meeting our renewable energy targets, we need to focus on how projects move through the system, not just how they are approved,” said Power.
Solar Ireland is also asking the government to provide a longer-term strategic framework for solar, including defined targets beyond 2030.
Power said that a clear long-term strategy combined with a clearing house would provide structure and certainty for Ireland’s solar industry. “The capability is there. The projects are there. The demand is there. The focus must now be on enabling delivery at the speed and scale required,” he added.
Several Irish developers have recorded large investments and backing for their projects in recent months. Independent power producer (IPP) Power Capital Renewable Energy secured €260 million from the European Investment Bank for four new utility-scale projects across the country totaling 395 MW of clean energy.
In December 2025, German-headquartered IPP ILOS announced a portfolio of six projects with a combined capacity of 217 MW following €143 million ($168.4 million) in financing from Danske Bank and partners.
Norwegian renewables giant Statkraft accounts for 40% of Ireland’s total installed utility-scale PV capacity, having surpassed 500 MW in March with the connection of two large solar parks. It energized the 174 MW Clonfad park in Westmeath and the 32 MW Irishtown project near Dublin.
Kevin O’Donovan, Statkraft Ireland’s managing director said this was the energization of Clonfad and Irishtown means the company has now installed 560 MW of solar energy, all contributing to Ireland’s electricity grid.
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Tesla has rolled out a new bundled home energy offering in the United Kingdom. 
In partnership with certified installer BOXT, Tesla is now offering a Renewable Energy Bundle that provides an eight-panel solar installation and a Powerwall 3 home battery for £199 per month. 
For buyers looking to get into a Model 3, Tesla is also offering a three-way package that includes a Model 3, along with the solar and battery setup, for a combined £494 per month. 
The standalone energy bundle operates on a four-year financing plan at zero percent interest and requires an initial deposit of £1,747. 
This promotional pricing tier is currently available exclusively to existing Tesla vehicle owners. The program is designed to reward brand loyalty while making renewable energy adoption more accessible for households already charging electric cars. 
While the promotional interest rate is locked to the Tesla ecosystem, non-Tesla drivers can still purchase solar panels and a Powerwall 3 through BOXT, or join the ecosystem by leasing a Model 3.
BOXT offers Powerwall 3, Gateway, and Tesla solar panels in tailor-made mixes to customers based on their particular home and energy usage. Pricing and rates are available on BOXT’s Tesla promotion page.
This pricing and bundling strategy is a change in how Tesla sells its energy division products. Tesla previously launched a solar and Powerwall lease program in the United States late last year, and this appears to be an extension of that effort to reduce upfront costs for customers.
The primary barrier to residential solar and battery adoption is often the high upfront cost for professional installation. By spreading the fixed costs over a four-year term with zero percent interest, Tesla is eliminating one of the biggest hurdles for prospective buyers.
Including the Model 3 in the package may also tempt new customers who want the full experience, offering a single monthly payment of £494. The Powerwall 3, which stores energy from the solar panels and provides backup power, can also reduce customer bills by lowering peak energy use and leveraging Charge on Solar to charge an EV instead of selling energy back to the grid when prices are low.
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Looking for the right solar operation and maintenance vendor for your setup? Here is the ultimate handbook on everything you need to consider
May 11, 2026
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Choosing the right O&M vendor in India plays a key role in determining whether your system delivers consistent performance or gradually loses efficiency over time. With rising adoption of solar operation and maintenance services, selecting the right partner has become critical for long-term ROI. Whether you’re debating outsourcing O&M or just researching for the best one for your business, we have you covered.
As the Press Information Bureau notes, “solar capacity addition reached 34.98 GW, compared to 20.85 GW during the same period last year,” with total installed solar capacity rising to “132.85 GW in November 2025.” This scale of growth signals a clear shift: solar is no longer a peripheral investment but core infrastructure for businesses. And yet, for all the attention that goes into selecting the right panels and EPC partners, the question of who keeps that system performing over its 25-year life (U.S Department of Energy) rarely gets the same deliberation. So before diving into how to choose the right solar O&M vendor, it helps to first understand why having a dedicated one matters in the first place.
A solar O&M vendor is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and optimizing solar power systems to ensure consistent energy generation and long-term performance. For businesses, this directly impacts returns, since a solar power system is a long-term financial asset whose performance depends on how well it is managed over time. Solar panels are built to last 25 years or more, but that lifespan and the energy output that comes with it is never guaranteed without structured, professional upkeep.
The challenge is that efficiency loss is gradual and rarely obvious. Even a thin layer of dust can reduce panel efficiency by 10 to 20% (Assessing the Effects of Dust on Solar Panel Performance: A Comprehensive Review), and that is before factoring in inverter wear, loose connections, or undetected degradation. A dedicated solar O&M vendor helps you stay ahead of these issues rather than react to them.
What the right vendor helps you achieve:
In short, the value of a good solar O&M vendor is not just in fixing what breaks, but in ensuring very little breaks in the first place. But if you think solar is just about simple maintenance, you’re missing the main point. 
For most businesses operating at any meaningful scale, outsourced solar O&M is the more reliable and accountable choice. That said, the right model ultimately depends on the scale and complexity of your solar setup, and it is worth understanding what each approach actually delivers before evaluating vendors.
It can be, but only under specific conditions. In-house management works when the system is small, the internal team carries genuine technical expertise, and monitoring demands are limited. As system size grows, so does the complexity, and most internal teams are simply not resourced in most cases, to handle that consistently over time.
 A reliable solar O&M vendor helps ensure long-term system efficiency through regular inspections
Because it brings structure, expertise, and accountability that in-house setups rarely match. A dedicated O&M contractor is completely focused on those services and can provide guarantees regarding system availability and response times. Outsourced solar O&M services also bring advanced monitoring infrastructure and defined SLAs that internal teams find difficult to replicate at scale.
For most commercial and industrial businesses deploying solar outsourced O&M is the more reliable and scalable choice over the life of the asset. The real cost of underperformance, whether from delayed fault response, missed maintenance cycles, or lack of real time visibility, tends to far outweigh what a professional solar O&M vendor charges. Beyond cost, there is also the question of consistency; a dedicated vendor operates to defined processes and SLAs regardless of internal bandwidth constraints or team changes. For businesses with growth plans or multiple sites, that structural reliability becomes even more critical
When choosing a solar O&M vendor, the factors that matter most are relevant experience, service scope, real time monitoring capability, response time, clear SLAs, safety and compliance standards, and the ability to scale (the provided/listed factors and related sub-factors are primary and critical, but not exhaustive and can vary basis expectations). Getting these right upfront is what separates a vendor who merely maintains your system from one who actively protects your investment over its full lifecycle.
At its core, choosing the right solar O&M vendor comes down to evaluating:
Relevant system experience

Scope of services

Monitoring capability

Turnaround time (TAT)

Service reliability and consistency

SLA strength and accountability

Safety and compliance standards

Scalability across sites and growing capacity

Experience with systems similar to yours matters more than years in the industry alone. A vendor who has managed comparable system sizes, technologies, and site conditions will handle challenges more efficiently and with far less trial and error on your asset.
What to check:
A comprehensive scope of solar O&M services is one of the most important things to verify upfront. What appears thorough on paper can sometimes leave out critical elements that only surface later as performance gaps or unexpected costs.
What to check:
Real time monitoring is the backbone of effective solar operation and maintenance. Without it, inefficiencies can go undetected for weeks, directly affecting generation and returns.
What to check:
Beyond monitoring, it is also worth asking what diagnostic tools the vendor uses on the ground. Thermal imaging for hotspot detection, IV curve analysis for panel level performance, and AI based predictive maintenance are increasingly standard among serious solar O&M services providers in India. The more sophisticated their toolkit, the earlier they can catch issues before they affect generation.
Response time is one of the clearest indicators of a vendor's operational readiness. A reliable vendor will have defined timelines for service calls and clear processes for how ongoing maintenance is handled. Even minor faults can have a measurable impact on generation if resolution is slow.
What to check:
Yes, and they matter more than most businesses realize. O&M involves live electrical systems and regular on-site work, which carry inherent risks if not managed under structured safety protocols. A vendor who takes safety seriously protects not just your asset, but your people and your liability.
What to check:
Yes, and this is non-negotiable. A trustworthy solar O&M vendor will put their commitments in writing, giving you measurable benchmarks to hold them accountable throughout the contract period.
What to check:
Your solar requirements today may look very different three or five years from now. Choosing a vendor who can grow with your portfolio saves you the disruption of switching providers mid-lifecycle.
What to check:
Taken together, these factors give you a structured lens through which to evaluate any solar O&M vendor, not just on what they promise, but on what they can demonstrably deliver.
On-ground engineering support helps maintain consistent solar performance
Shortlisting vendors is straightforward. Comparing them meaningfully takes a bit more structure. Here is what to focus on when putting proposals side by side.
Ask for evidence, not assurances. A vendor confident in their work will readily share sample reports, diagnostic methods, and how they have handled past issues on similar systems.
What to check:
Proposals can look similar on the surface but differ significantly in what they actually cover. Scope gaps and hidden costs are where most businesses get caught out.
What to check:
Past performance is the most honest indicator. Speaking to other system owners who have worked with the vendor gives you a far more accurate picture than any sales pitch.
What to check:
The lowest quote is rarely the best deal in solar O&M. Consistent solar operation and maintenance saves far more in avoided downtime and efficiency losses than a cheaper vendor ever will in upfront costs. When evaluating proposals, factor in what poor service actually costs: lost generation, premature component replacements, and the operational disruption of switching vendors mid-contract.
Once you have a clear framework for evaluating vendors, the next step is finding one that actually measures up. In the Indian solar O&M market, where quality and consistency vary widely, few providers combine the technical depth, operational scale, and long-term reliability that a serious solar asset demands. Tata Power is one that does.
Together, these components form the foundation of solar O&M, ensuring that solar installations continue generating electricity efficiently while maintaining reliability and safety over the long term.
Tata Power stands out as a solar O&M partner by bringing together scale, technical expertise, and operational reliability, all of which directly influence long-term system performance.
With decades of experience and the trust of the Tata brand, Tata Power has built a strong presence across 700+ cities. Its renewable utility capacity of 10.9 GW, along with a solar EPC portfolio exceeding 15 GWp across ground-mounted and rooftop systems, reflects the depth of its execution capabilities.
This scale becomes especially relevant in solar operation and maintenance, where on-ground service strength, faster response times, and the ability to manage diverse system conditions make a measurable difference.
What sets Tata Power apart as a solar O&M vendor?
Tata Power’s approach to solar operation and maintenance is built around prevention rather than reaction, identifying and addressing performance gaps before they impact generation.
For businesses looking for a long-term partner to protect and optimize their solar investment across its lifecycle, this proactive and process-driven approach makes a meaningful difference.
Without the right O&M, losses go unnoticed. Stay ahead with expert monitoring
Choosing the right solar O&M vendor comes down to one thing: long-term performance over short-term cost. The factors covered in this guide give you a structured way to evaluate any vendor objectively, but the right partner is ultimately one who treats your solar asset with the same seriousness you do. Tata Power's solar O&M services are built around exactly that, combining proactive maintenance, real time monitoring, and a nationwide service presence to ensure your investment delivers through every year of its lifecycle.
The frequently asked questions section is a reliable source for unlocking answers to some of the most crucial inquiries. Please refer to this section for any queries you may have.
 
Solar O&M in India refers to the ongoing solar operation and maintenance of a solar power system to ensure it performs efficiently over its lifecycle. It typically includes real-time monitoring, preventive inspections, cleaning, fault detection, and corrective repairs. Given India’s dust-heavy and high-temperature conditions, structured O&M is essential to maintain consistent energy output.
 
The cost of solar O&M services in India typically ranges between ₹3–₹7 per watt annually for rooftop systems, and depends on system size, location, and service scope. Larger or utility-scale projects may have lower per-unit costs due to scale. Pricing also varies based on inclusions such as monitoring, spare parts, and SLA commitments.
 
Solar panels should be maintained every 3 to 6 months, depending on site conditions. In high-dust regions, cleaning may be required more frequently to prevent efficiency losses. Beyond cleaning, solar operation and maintenance also involves periodic inspections, electrical checks, and performance monitoring to ensure the system operates at optimal levels.
But there is more to maintenance than just meets the eye. Read now to find out what your system needs
 
A solar O&M contract outlines the scope of solar operation and maintenance, including preventive and corrective services, monitoring, reporting, and performance commitments. It typically defines SLAs, response times, maintenance schedules, and responsibilities for repairs or spare parts. A well-structured contract ensures accountability and long-term system reliability.
1. How Proper Operations & Maintenance Affects Solar Panel Efficiency: What You Need to Know, Vikram Solar
2. Solar O&M: What Solar Contractors Need to Know, Aurora Solar
3. How to Choose a Solar Panel (Photovoltaics) Vendor, Penn State Extension
4. Understanding Solar O&M: How Maintenance Impacts Energy Output and System Lifespan, Rayzon Green
5. Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025-2029: Focus on India, Global Solar Council
6. How to Choose the Right Operations and Maintenance Provider, Voltalia
7. How to Choose the Best Solar Provider: A Detailed Guide, Mahindra Solarize
8. How to Choose the Right Solar Operation and Maintenance Service Provider, Intello
9. Advantages of Outsourced O&M for Solar Plants, Thermax
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Mascot Dynamics Integrates Amrut Energy to Accelerate Growth in India’s Solar Water Pumping and Rural Infrastructure Market  SolarQuarter
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SolarPanelsAndBatteryPackage.com Becomes Australia’s Fast and Easy Best Package Providers  openPR.com
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Nigeria’s rising solar imports signal a search for alternatives to unreliable grid power and high fuel costs. But adoption is being held back by steep upfront prices, limited financing and policy uncertainty.
Inside a music studio in Owerri, the capital of Nigeria’s southeastern Imo State, there is no generator noise, no lingering fuel smell, and no flickering lights. That’s considered a rarity in a country where chronic electricity shortages are commonplace.
Music producer Somik Chris Ikesom told DW that since switching to solar power, he no longer needs to rely on backup generators around 80% of the time. He described his experience with the public power supply as “whenever it comes, we use.”
Ikesom, who has worked in the music industry since 2007, told DW that counting on generators during frequent blackouts is a reality familiar to millions of Nigerians, many of whom are now actively seeking alternatives to faltering power grids. 
Nigeria has overtaken Egypt to become Africa’s second-largest importer of solar panels, behind only South Africa, according to data published by Global energy think tank Ember. 
But while the numbers suggest momentum, the reality on the ground is more complex.
Installers, analysts, and users note that solar adoption in Nigeria is accelerating unevenly — often limited by cost rather than interest. 
“You know what goes with generators,” Ikesom said. “It can just begin to fumble at any time, you know, and you have the cost of fuel to worry about and the noise that goes with it.” 
Beyond inconvenience, unstable power was damaging his business. “My equipment, they’re sensitive to power fluctuations,” he explained.
“Over the years, I was losing some of my equipment … because sometimes when the generator wants to go off, it just goes off.” 
Solar offered something different. “I wanted something steady and reliable,” he told DW. “So that I can just walk into the studio and do whatever I want to do at any time.” 
The change was immediate. “I don’t have power outages anymore,” Ikesom said.
His experience, however, also illustrates a central constraint. “Installing solar these days is not cheap,” he said. “It’s very costly. Very, very costly. It runs into millions.” 
That constraint is echoed by solar companies themselves. 
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Gbenga Kogbe, CEO of Lagos‑based energy company Sunhive, says interest in solar has grown, but higher diesel prices have not produced a mass shift. 
“Over the past 12 to 18 months, we’ve seen massive growth in demand for solar,” he told DW.
But the number of inquiries, he added, has “stayed relatively stable” largely because “people’s purchasing power has shrunk.” 
“The alternative is non‑consumption,” Kogbe said. “I’ll just stay in darkness.” 
For many households and small businesses, the choice is not between generators and solar, but between power and no power at all. Solar costs have fallen sharply over the past decade, but the upfront investment remains out of reach for most Nigerians. 
One response has been a shift away from selling systems outright towards providing electricity as a service.
“So solar, in my view, is if you look at solar as an asset class that individuals have to purchase, it becomes inaccessible for a vast majority of Nigerians,” Kogbe said. “But if you look at it as a service, then everybody can get access to it.” 
“The heart of renewable power is the battery,” Kogbe said. “Lithium is at the forefront of energy storage.” 
Sunhive is now moving towards owning solar assets and selling power directly, focusing on commercial users, battery storage, electric mobility and rural mini‑grids.  
Scaling remains difficult.
“The cost of capital in Nigeria is quite high,” Sunhive’s Kogbe said, noting that bank loans can reach the low- to mid‑30% range. Currency volatility also matters. “As soon as the naira depreciates, the cost of solar energy goes up immediately.” 
Government policy has added another layer of uncertainty. Officials at the Rural Electrification Agency have spoken publicly about encouraging local assembly of solar components and reducing reliance on imported panels. Industry players say capacity remains limited. 
“There’s no Tier 1 Nigerian solar panel manufacturer as yet,” Kogbe said. “The solar panel manufacturers in Nigeria probably have the capacity to meet maybe 5% of the demand.” 
For that reason, he argues that sweeping import bans would be counterproductive.
“Banning imports of solar energy will only raise the cost of solar energy, not bring it down,” he said. “Banning might destroy the industry to a large extent as opposed to helping the local industry grow.” 
Global factors also shape the market.
Godson Ikiebey, a sustainability and climate change specialist at PwC Nigeria, warns that recent changes in China could push prices higher. 
“While the government has put a hold on import duties on solar panels and associated accessories … and tax incentives for solar production, we need to pay attention to what the removal by the Chinese government of its subsidies on solar panel production would mean to Nigeria in relation to cost,” he told DW. 
Ikiebey added that Nigeria’s clean energy industrial policy is still evolving.
“I do not think the industrial policy as it relates to clean energy production is deliberate yet,” he said. “There is no clear sustainable financing roadmap for solar energy production.” 
Back in Owerri, Ikesom says that solar has transformed how he works.
“It’s over two years that I’ve been using solar actively,” Ikesom told DW. “If I calculate properly, I know I have made back my capital, at least to some extent.” 
But he is clear about the barrier to entry. Ikesom says he is honest when other small studio owners ask about switching. 
“The truth still remains that I would tell the person it is costly, but it is worth it,” he said.
Nigeria’s solar imports are rising, and the technology is increasingly visible on rooftops and in small businesses like Ikesom’s studio.
Yet the transition remains uneven, shaped less by enthusiasm than by economics. 
For many Nigerians, the question is whether it is affordable, and whether policy, financing and industrial capacity can align quickly enough to turn demand into access. 
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Edited by: Keith Walker

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Source: Rolf Otzipka
By Michelle Sandbrink2026-05-11T09:00:00+01:00
Michelle Sandbrink, Corporate Strategy and Sustainability Management at Fraport AG answers audience questions received during IAR’s energy revolution webinar.
Fraport engages all stakeholders in the energy transition through continuous, target group-specific information and regular dialogue. Comprehensive information on sustainability goals, climate protection measures, and current projects is provided via the corporate website, the annual environmental statement, and the annual report, with milestones communicated through targeted press releases. Employees stay informed through internal platforms such as the intranet, while specific initiatives like subsidised public transport passes and company bikes for staff and infrastructure projects for partners encourage active participation. Furthermore, Fraport maintains various exchange formats with key partners such as Lufthansa to ensure ongoing collaboration and mutual learning in the energy transition process.
Hydrogen production for aviation would require fundamental changes to airport infrastructure. These changes require extensive space as well as infrastructure adjustments for delivery, storage facilities and fuelling.
At our airport, photovoltaic systems are installed both to make a significant contribution to achieving our decarbonisation targets and to take advantage of generating electricity directly on site. By producing energy locally, we increase our independence from fluctuating electricity prices and also secure certificates of origin for the green electricity generated. Only PV systems that are demonstrably economically viable are implemented, including both vertical ground-mounted systems and rooftop installations.
Fraport does not have direct influence over the airlines’ choice of aircraft fuel, as decisions regarding fuel type and quantity are made by the airlines themselves. However, we actively support the introduction and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and preparations for alternative propulsion systems, such as hydrogen-powered flights.
Key priorities for sustainable airport development include establishing refuelling infrastructure to enable high SAF blending ratios, closely tracking advancements in electric and hydrogen-powered aviation, and fostering zero emission mobility on the ground. The use of renewable energies is essential, for example through installing photovoltaic systems. Electrification of the apron fleet requires optimising operational areas and expanding charging infrastructure. Additionally, emerging trends like robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are shaping airport strategies and are increasingly becoming integral to operations and planning for the future.
Vertically oriented PV systems are very efficient in their electricity production. They achieve their highest yields primarily in the morning and afternoon hours, which complements rooftop systems that reach their production peak mostly at midday. Our experience so far shows that the total yield of vertical PV installations is almost identical to that of “classic” south-facing PV systems.
The main difference lies in the required area. To avoid shading between the rows of modules and to capture the optimal sunlight, vertical ground-mounted PV systems need a minimum row spacing of about 6 metres. In contrast, classic south-facing ground-mounted systems require significantly less spacing, usually only enough for maintenance paths. As a result, more PV capacity can be installed on a given area with a classic ground-mounted system than with a vertical installation.
However, classic systems almost completely cover the ground, which leads to more shading and, due to the lack of rainfall distribution, tends to have a negative impact on biodiversity. Vertical installations, on the other hand, allow much more light and rain to reach the ground, which offers ecological advantages.
The research project ReSkaLa@Fra (real-world laboratory for scaling bi-directional charging infrastructure at Frankfurt Airport) is currently progressing, with the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles continuously being expanded. By 2027, as part of the ‘Electro-Mobility’ project, up to 92 bi-directional charging points and a total of up to 950 charging points will be established at the airport. Over the next few years, bi-directional charging and other innovative solutions will be further tested and developed before full implementation.
The susceptibility to dirt accumulation on vertical PV systems is generally very low. Due to their upright orientation, dirt particles are much less likely to settle, and any dirt that does accumulate is usually washed away by the next rainfall. Additionally, we use only frameless modules, which are not only more efficient but also minimise the risk of dirt deposits, as there are no frame edges or gaps where dirt can collect.
Our experience so far shows that proximity to the runway does not lead to increased soiling of the modules. Aircraft movements or airside operations have not had any noticeable negative impact on the cleanliness of the PV modules.
However, the installation has only been in operation for a relatively short period, so it is not yet possible to make long-term, reliable statements about cleaning frequency. At present, everything indicates that increased cleaning will not be necessary.
Vertical PV systems achieve their highest energy yields primarily in the morning and afternoon hours. Due to their orientation, they produce what is known as a “double-peak” generation profile: production rises sharply in the morning and reaches its first peak, drops significantly around midday, and then increases again in the afternoon, resulting in a second production peak.
In combination with our rooftop systems oriented east-west, this creates a very balanced generation profile throughout the day. While the rooftop systems focus more on midday production, the vertical modules reliably deliver energy during the early and late hours. Together, both types of systems ensure continuous PV power generation from morning to evening.
The vertical PV system was installed near Runway 18 West. The first row of PV modules is located approximately 100 metres from the runway centreline and has a height of about two metres. The subsequent rows are higher, as two modules are mounted on top of each other in those sections. It is important to note that, for take-off runways, such as Runway 18 West, shorter distances are permitted for the construction of facilities compared to landing runways.
We are in ongoing communication with air traffic control regarding our photovoltaic installations. For the vertical ground-mounted PV system near Runway 18, detailed co-ordination took place in advance with both the experts for ground-based radar systems at Fraport and the German Air Traffic Control (DFS). Neither party raised concerns about possible interference with navigation, surveillance systems, or radar. During the construction phase, test measurements were also carried out to detect potential impacts early on. According to current findings, these measurements show no negative effects on systems relevant to air traffic control. Furthermore, the risk of glare from the PV modules was thoroughly examined by an external expert office. Due to the vertical orientation of the modules, no glare risks for pilots or tower staff are expected.
The installation has only recently been put into operation, therefore, long-term results are not yet available.
The currently installed PV systems at the airport cover only a portion of our total electricity demand. The remaining required energy is supplied through power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy, primarily from wind power. A major long-term offshore wind PPA is set to commence this summer and will play a key role in meeting our overall demand for renewable electricity. In parallel, we are planning to deploy battery storage systems to optimally utilise short-term surpluses from on-site renewable generation. The first larger battery storage projects are already in concrete planning and are expected to be implemented in the near future. This will provide additional flexibility in our energy system.
2026-02-24T08:36:00
Sponsored by AtkinsRealis
2026-03-18T00:47:00
Sponsored by AtkinsRealis, Copenhagen Optimization and +impact, By International Airport Review
2025-04-01T09:00:00
Sponsored by IDEMIA, By International Airport Review
2025-01-20T07:19:40
Sponsored by RJ Steenstra, By Holly Miles
2024-12-16T14:37:20
Sponsored by Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
2025-06-20T10:00:00
Sponsored by Smiths Detection, By Holly Miles, Louie Orbeta, Patrick Cuschieri, Sylvain Lefoyer – International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Trevor Strome

2026-04-13T12:54:00Z By Davide Bassano

2026-04-07T08:36:00Z By Davide Bassano
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The applicant says the proposed solar farm could generate electricity to power about 10,000 homes
Plans for a solar farm near a village in Leicestershire are set to be decided at a council meeting.
Melton Borough Council's planning committee is recommended by officers to approve a planning application on Thursday from Downing Renewable Developments to build a solar farm on land east of Waltham Road near Freeby.
The applicant states the proposed development would produce up to 42 MW of renewable energy and could provide enough electricity to power about 10,000 homes.
In planning documents, the applicant said the scheme would make a "significant contribution" to local and national energy goals.
The solar farm is planned for fields near the village of Freeby
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans also included proposals for a battery storage system, new tracks, fencing, lighting and CCTV.
The applicant says the proposed project, which would be built on a site spanning 81 hectares (200.2 acres), would be decommissioned in 40 years time.
A report submitted by the applicant states: "This project will generate renewable energy.
"It will also facilitate additional renewable energy generation on the UK grid network, as well as performing grid stability and balancing services, through importing and exporting electricity at times of high and low demand and network system stress."
The report submitted by the applicant added there would be "significant environmental enhancements" included in the project.
A report by Melton Borough Council planning officers concluded the benefits of the proposal "outweighs" the harms.
Additional reporting by Dan Hunt
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Moroccan researchers say floating PV (FPV) installations on the country’s dams could simultaneously cut evaporation losses and generate electricity, but the country lacks a regulatory framework to enable large-scale deployment.
Image: Selina Bubendorfer, Unsplash
Morocco’s 58 monitored dams lose approximately 909 million cubic meters of water per year to evaporation across a total surface area of around 433 square km, according to a new floating PV (FPV) study in npj Clean Energy by researchers at Abdelmalek Essaadi University and Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (USMBA) in Morocco.
The paper, “Techno-economic feasibility analysis of floating photovoltaic systems on 58 Moroccan dams: energy potential, economic viability, and water evaporation,” finds that covering just 1% of that surface with floating solar panels could make a substantial contribution to Morocco’s energy needs, while covering 40% could theoretically meet the country’s entire electricity demand of 42.38 TWh recorded in 2023.
Lead researcher Prof. Aboubakr El Hammoumi said water conservation may represent a stronger immediate policy argument for floating solar than energy generation given Morocco’s prolonged drought.
“Given Morocco’s current context of recurrent drought and increasing water stress in recent years, we believe that water conservation represents a particularly compelling policy driver for FPV systems,” El Hammoumi told pv magazine. “In the Moroccan context, water conservation could arguably constitute the strongest immediate policy argument for FPV deployment, particularly for reservoirs experiencing significant hydrological stress.”
Water first
Morocco’s water reserves have fallen sharply over the past decade compared with earlier decades, according to official Moroccan data cited by Agence France-Presse. The government is pursuing large‑scale desalination as its primary response, targeting 1.7 billion cubic meters of annual desalinated‑water production by 2030. Morocco’s water ministry has said floating solar represents an important gain given the country’s increasingly scarce water resources.
The most advanced floating PV installation in Morocco is a pilot at the Oued Rmel reservoir near Tangier, launched by Tanger Med Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, targeting 13 MW and around 14% of the port complex’s energy needs, said El Hammoumi. Last year, Agence France-Presse reported that more than 400 floating platforms supporting several thousand panels had been installed, with the government planning to expand to 22,000 panels covering approximately 10 hectares of the 123-hectare reservoir.
Solar panels are estimated to reduce evaporation at the site by around 30%. Separately, Energy Handle Maroc commissioned Morocco’s first floating solar pilot – a 360 kW installation in Sidi Slimane – with around 800 panels and an estimated annual output of 644 MWh, according to El Hammoumi.
Regulatory gap
Despite these projects, Morocco has no dedicated regulatory or procurement framework governing floating PV on public hydraulic infrastructure, El Hammoumi said. Procurement models, regulatory guidelines, and coordination between water authorities, energy regulators, and developers still need to be defined before large-scale deployment becomes bankable, he added.
The study’s return on investment projections are described as speculative due to limited operational data. El Hammoumi said a bankable financial model would require documented long-term operations and maintenance costs under real conditions, mooring and anchoring system reliability data under fluctuating water levels, performance degradation rates in aquatic environments, and insurance and lifecycle costs specific to floating PV – none of which are currently well-documented. The Oued Rmel project has not yet produced publicly available operational data to validate or challenge the national model’s assumptions, he said.
The research paper identifies pumped hydro storage linked to existing dam infrastructure as a pathway to address floating PV intermittency. Morocco already operates pumped storage through the 350 MW Abdelmoumen pumped hydro station and the Afourer facility, primarily to support grid flexibility, said El Hammoumi. The specific coupling of floating solar with pumped hydro storage remains at an early or conceptual stage in Morocco, he said.
Morocco deployed 204 MW of new utility-scale solar capacity in 2025, taking cumulative utility-scale capacity to 1.29 GW, and began construction on the 305 MW Noor Atlas solar program in March 2026. The country is targeting a 52% share of renewables in installed electricity capacity by 2030.
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Add quotation marks to find an exact phrase (e.g., “offshore wind”).
ISO New England continues to expand its ability to forecast the growth and impact of “behind-the-meter” resources, including solar panels and batteries.
These kinds of resources are not visible to the ISO-NE control room and do not participate in the region’s wholesale electricity markets. It’s important to keep track of them because they affect both how and when consumers use electricity from the grid.
One way the ISO keeps track is with its annual Forecast Report of Capacity, Energy, Loads, and Transmission (CELT Report), a foundational resource for system planning and reliability studies. The 2026 edition was published May 1. Additional detail on BTM and other kinds of distributed energy resources is presented in the Final 2026 DER Forecast.
This is the first time the CELT Report has included forecast data for behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems (BTM BESS). Specifically, these are systems with nameplate capacity of less than 1 megawatt (MW) that are co-located with rooftop solar panels. The ISO’s innovative load forecasters have been developing methods to account for BTM BESS over the last few years.
BTM BESS is an emerging technology, and the ISO’s forecast indicates it’s likely to remain a small portion of the region’s electricity landscape over the next decade. Factors that could lead to stronger growth in this area include declining technology costs and new incentive programs.
Though the data are incomplete, surveys of retail electricity providers indicate there is about 111 MW worth of BTM BESS that is less than 1 MW in size and co-located with PV across the region today. The ISO expects about 173 MW of BTM BESS to be added over the next 10 years, most of it in Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, the ISO expects continued growth in behind-the-meter photovoltaics (BTM PV).
The BTM PV forecast is somewhat more conservative than in previous years, reflecting the expiration of the federal Investment Tax Credit, which incentivized residential and commercial solar installations. State-level incentives, however, will continue to drive growth of behind-the-meter and other solar resources.
New England’s BTM PV capacity is expected to reach about 5,500 MW by the end of 2026 and 7,950 MW in 2035.
BTM PV is projected to reduce consumption of grid electricity by 7,056 gigawatt-hours (GWh) this year, rising to 10,197 GWh in 10 years. In other words, without BTM PV, annual energy use would be about 6% higher in 2026 and 8% higher in 2035.
The impact of BTM PV on peak demand — the highest amount of electricity used in a single hour — varies by season.
Under average conditions, BTM PV will reduce the peak by an average of 1,936 MW each summer through 2035, the forecast indicates. Although in past years the summer peak typically occurred in the afternoon, widespread adoption of BTM PV has pushed the peak toward sunset. This means that even as more BTM PV comes on line, its impact on summer peaks will not significantly increase.
In winter, demand tends to be highest after sunset, and so BTM PV traditionally has not reduced winter peaks. But after 2030, winter peaks are increasingly likely to happen in the morning when the sun is rising. That’s because wider adoption of heat pumps in homes and businesses is expected to create greater electricity use for heating near the start of the business day. The forecast indicates BTM PV will reduce peak demand by 316 MW in winter 2035/2036.
Winter days in the mid-2030s may see a mix of morning and evening peaks. This could present a challenge for BTM BESS. Retail “peak shaving” programs instruct batteries to discharge around the times when demand for grid electricity is expected to be highest. Uncertainty arises when demand reaches similar levels in both morning and evening. For example, batteries activated in anticipation of a morning peak may not have any energy left to discharge if the evening peak turns out to be higher.
The ISO’s BTM BESS forecast accounts for this uncertainty. It indicates a 2035/2026 winter peak reduction from BTM BESS of 0 MW, reflecting a 50% chance that BTM BESS dispatch misses the peak load during winter peak conditions. For the summer of 2035, the peak reduction value is 124 MW.
BTM BESS is expected to increase annual energy use by 5 GWh in 2035. In contrast to behind-the-meter solar, BTM BESS increases overall demand for grid electricity. That’s because a portion of the energy used to charge a battery is always lost. Essentially, batteries always put out less energy than they take in. Batteries play an important role, however, in shifting demand away from peak hours by storing energy produced at times of low demand.
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