Day
2026-11-06
33 stories published.
Solar perovskite finds a way to overcome one of its major commercial hurdles: light-induced degradation
Researchers from PolyU and Zhejiang University identified a mechanism for light-induced degradation in perovskite solar cells and developed a treatment to repair inter-crystal defects. This advance is significant for solar professionals as it addresses a major obstacle to the large-scale commercialization of this high-efficiency photovoltaic technology.
Solar glass survives ~20J hail impacts, but modules crack at lower energy when ice hits near the edge
Sandia National Laboratories research demonstrates that solar module glass withstands impacts up to 20 joules, but modules crack at lower energies when ice strikes near the edge. This finding is critical for engineers and installers to understand the specific mechanical vulnerabilities of large-format modules under severe weather conditions.
Solar Panel Prices in Egypt Rise Amid Dollar Surge (Exclusive)
Solar panel prices in Egypt have risen significantly, with some categories seeing increases of over 70% compared to previous lows. This price volatility impacts the total cost of residential, commercial, and industrial solar projects, affecting budget planning for developers and installers in the region.
Grid access cuts solar adoption odds in Cameroon, study finds
A new study published in Discover Energy finds that grid access in Cameroon reduces the probability of residential solar PV adoption by 25.3 percentage points. This highlights the critical role of off-grid solar as a primary energy source for communities not yet reached by the national electricity network.
China activates world’s highest grid-connected solar thermal plant
China has connected the first unit of a 150 MW hybrid solar project in Gar County, which combines 100 MW of photovoltaics with 50 MW of solar thermal generation. This milestone demonstrates the feasibility of operating large-scale renewable energy facilities at extreme altitudes of over 4,000 meters.
Brazil: C&I Leads Battery Market, But Residential Contracted Volume Triples
Greener's 2027 Strategic Energy Storage Study projects Brazil's cumulative contracted battery storage capacity to reach 2.8 GWh by the end of 2026, with C&I systems leading the market. This expansion highlights the growing role of load shifting and backup power in commercial and industrial applications across the region.
Brazil: Commercial and industrial sector leads battery market, but residential customers triple contracted volume
Greener's 2027 Strategic Energy Storage Study reports that Brazil's contracted battery storage capacity reached 1,227 MWh in 2026, a 50% increase from 2025. This growth is notable because the residential sector tripled its contracted volume, indicating a significant shift in market dynamics beyond the commercial and industrial segment.
Italy Installs 4.83 GW of Solar Power in First Nine Months of 2026
Italy added 4.83 GW of solar capacity in the first nine months of 2026, with new installations increasingly concentrated in utility-scale and commercial and industrial segments. This shift highlights the growing importance of storage and grid flexibility rules for integrating renewable energy into the power system.
Battery Overseas Expansion, A Bill Paid in Advance
The article details how Chinese battery manufacturers are facing rising costs and regulatory hurdles while expanding production into Europe. It highlights the financial impact of these overseas investments on recent quarterly earnings for major industry players.
Batteries Take Over BOE: Nearly 930 MW of BESS Advance in Spain as 700 MW of Renewables Decline
The article reports that 928.81 MW of battery storage advanced in Spain's Official State Gazette during October, while 699.92 MW of renewable energy projects were withdrawn or dismissed. This shift highlights the growing importance of operational flexibility and energy timing for new investment models in the face of curtailment and negative prices.
$156 million for Mass. solar projects in limbo after courts say EPA illegally withheld funds
Two federal judges ruled that the EPA illegally canceled the Solar for All program, leaving $156 million in Massachusetts grants in limbo. This legal uncertainty impacts project developers and low-income communities relying on federal funding for solar access.
IEA: Solar PV To Drive 75% Of Renewable Growth Through 2031
The IEA's Renewables 2026 report projects that solar PV will account for 75% of global renewable capacity growth through 2031, with India emerging as the second-largest market after China. This analysis highlights the critical need for grid investment and battery storage to support the rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.
Study raises alarm over cybersecurity of solar PV systems
A new study by the European Commission’s Smart Energy Expert Group identifies critical cybersecurity risks in solar PV systems, including vulnerabilities in inverters and potential state-sponsored backdoors. This matters to professionals because the report highlights how internet-connected installations can cause grid imbalances and power outages, urging strict traffic controls and supply chain restrictions to ensure system security.
Thailand: Northern Solar Boom: Small Contractors Face Skill Upgrades, 600-800 Baht Daily Wages, No Accident Insurance
The article details the labor conditions in northern Thailand's rooftop solar sector, noting that day laborers earn 600 to 800 baht daily without accident insurance. It highlights the gap in worker safety protections despite new requirements for installers to provide workmanship warranties and fire insurance for homeowners.
China: Bettery Surges Over 80% in a Week as Copper Paste Technology Resonates with US Battery and Solar Demand
Bettery shares surged over 80% in a week as expectations for reinstated U.S. clean energy subsidies following the midterm elections boosted sentiment in China's A-share solar and storage sectors. This volatility highlights how geopolitical policy shifts and export control regulations directly impact investor confidence and supply chain dynamics for solar and energy-storage professionals.
China wafer prices steady on firm polysilicon amid weak fundamentals
Wafer prices in China remained stable in early November, supported by firm polysilicon costs and improving supply-demand dynamics in the cell segment. This stability is significant for professionals because it highlights how upstream cost pressures and inventory levels continue to influence midstream pricing despite reduced operating rates.
Germany: Lake Constance: Solar roof over apple trees to be profitable without subsidies
A new agrivoltaic project in Kressbronn, Germany, combines solar panels over apple trees with a 3.4 MWh battery storage system to supply a nearby sorting facility. This setup is notable because it is designed to operate profitably without subsidies, offering a potential model for sustainable farm energy integration.
Italy: After Refrigerators, Will Solar Power Systems Be the Next Target?
A cyber intelligence analysis highlights that solar inverters and related OT devices share the same vulnerability profile as recently compromised industrial refrigeration units, with a demonstrated exploit achieving root access in under 30 minutes. This matters to solar and energy-storage professionals because unpatched, internet-reachable OT assets pose an immediate risk of physical damage, production loss, and potential grid instability.
The Philippines’ ‘solar surge’ leaves many Filipinos behind
The article details how rising energy costs in the Philippines are driving increased adoption of rooftop solar and battery storage systems among households and businesses. It highlights that high upfront costs remain a significant barrier for lower-income residents, while noting that international funding from the New Zealand embassy has supported community solar projects to improve access.
Solar in Spain: Wholesale Prices Hit Lows
Spain's wholesale electricity prices averaged 44 euros per megawatt-hour in early 2026, significantly lower than neighboring markets due to high solar penetration. This shift highlights the impact of renewable energy on market pricing and the emerging challenges for grid stability and producer revenues.
Kevlar textile stores solar energy and powers motion sensing in one fabric
Researchers developed a Kevlar textile that integrates molecular solar thermal storage and a triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered motion sensing. This demonstrates a new approach to wearable energy harvesting that could influence future smart textile and building-integrated photovoltaic applications.
South Korea: EZ Analysis: Hanwha Solutions Rides the Blue Wave... Solar Power Expectations, When Will Results Follow?
Hanwha Solutions is adjusting module sales to prepare for price increases while awaiting the depletion of market inventory. This matters because the timing of actual shipments and profit realization is critical for translating policy expectations into sustained earnings for solar professionals.
United States: Samsung SDI to Repurpose US EV Battery Line for ESS, Reusing Underutilized Equipment
Samsung SDI is converting its underutilized U.S. EV battery production lines at the Indiana plant to manufacture LFP batteries for energy storage systems. This strategic shift allows the company to leverage existing infrastructure to meet growing ESS demand while improving operational efficiency in a slowing EV market.
Study Finds 0.5-Meter Row Spacing Improves Cooling in Floating Solar Farms
A computational fluid dynamics study on a floating solar project in Italy identified a 0.5-meter row spacing as the most effective configuration for reducing panel operating temperatures. This research highlights the critical role of airflow management in floating photovoltaic design, challenging the assumption that proximity to water alone ensures optimal cooling for system efficiency.
Africa Renewable Energy Market to Add Over 120 GW by 2031 as Solar Power Drives Growth in South Africa and Nigeria: IEA
The IEA's Renewables 2026 report forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa will add over 120 GW of renewable capacity by 2031, with solar PV accounting for more than 80 percent of new installations. This significant upward revision highlights the critical role of solar in meeting rising electricity demand and supports strategic planning for energy professionals in the region.
IEA's Latin America Renewable Energy Market Report: Brazil to Add 90 GW, Chile 20 GW as Solar Power Overtakes Hydropower by 2030
The IEA's Renewables 2026 report forecasts that solar PV will become the largest source of renewable electricity capacity in Latin America by 2030, with Brazil and Chile leading new installations. This projection highlights the critical need for grid integration solutions and policy adjustments to address transmission congestion and curtailment issues in the region.
United States: Samsung SDI Shakes Up ESS Market Amid Carbon Neutrality Push
Samsung SDI has secured over 60 GWh of ESS battery orders and is converting U.S. production facilities to focus on energy storage systems. This expansion is significant for professionals as it highlights the growing demand for storage capacity driven by renewable energy integration and AI data centers.
Vietnam: Solar power company formerly controlled by Dragon Capital raises 320 billion VND in 10-year bonds
BECIS Vietnam has completed a 320 billion VND bond issuance with a 10-year tenor and a 7.4% fixed interest rate. This financing supports the expansion of rooftop solar projects within the BECIS system, marking a significant capital raise for the sector in Vietnam.
The Solar Panel Recycling Dilemma: How to Sacrifice Value for Environmental Protection (Report)
Researchers evaluated the environmental and economic performance of three recycling strategies for frameless, double-glass solar panels encapsulated with flexible polyolefin. This analysis is critical for professionals as it highlights the trade-offs between material recovery value and environmental impact in next-generation panel designs.
Lithium-Ion Batteries and Capacitors Converge as Electrode and Electrolyte
A new review in Discover Electrochemistry maps how electrode and electrolyte advances are converging lithium-ion batteries and capacitors into complementary storage solutions. This matters to solar and energy-storage professionals because it clarifies which chemistry suits grid storage versus fast-cycling applications, guiding safer and more sustainable system design.
Solar and Wind Account for 95% of New U.S. Power Capacity in Q1 2026; FERC Forecasts 133 GW Expansion by 2029 - GreentechLead
FERC's Energy Infrastructure Update reports that solar and wind accounted for over 95 percent of new U.S. power capacity in Q1 2026, with solar adding 6,034.4 MW. This data highlights the accelerating dominance of renewables in the U.S. grid, which is critical for professionals planning long-term infrastructure and investment strategies.
Vietnam: Hanoi Spends 158.76 Billion VND to Support Residents in Installing Rooftop Solar Power
Hanoi has approved a resolution allocating 158.76 billion VND to support households with rooftop solar and energy storage installations through 2030. This policy provides financial incentives for self-consumption systems, which is significant for professionals tracking the adoption of distributed solar and storage in Vietnam.
Australia is headed for its biggest year of rooftop solar growth ever – and the mid-scale boom is yet to come
SunWiz data indicates that rooftop solar installations in Australia are on track for their highest annual growth on record, with October volumes up 16% year-on-year. This surge is significant for industry professionals as it highlights the strong consumer demand for distributed solar and battery storage, driven by the current regulatory and market environment.