Section
Policy Desk
Tariffs, auctions, subsidies, permitting and trade rules that shape solar and storage economics. This desk tracks how governments and regulators change the cost of building, owning and financing clean-power assets.
United States: Grant County Projects Nearly $200 Million in Tax Revenue From Solar Developments
Washington State House Bill 1960 creates a new excise tax structure for renewable energy facilities that could generate nearly $200 million in tax revenue for Grant County. This shift from production-based to capacity-based taxation provides a stable long-term funding source for local public entities supporting solar development.
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.
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.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spain: Valencia Prosecutor's Office Opens Investigation into Document Fraud and Malfeasance in the Processing of Three Photovoltaic Plants
The Valencia Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into document fraud and administrative malfeasance regarding the processing of three photovoltaic plants in the Los Serranos district. This legal scrutiny highlights the critical importance of regulatory compliance and transparent administrative procedures for solar project developers operating in Spain.
India's Battery Storage Push Brings Bidding and Localization Frictions Into Focus
India's Union Cabinet approved a Viability Gap Funding scheme for 92 GWh of energy storage by 2030-31, including 30 GWh of BESS, with a 40% domestic content requirement. This policy framework is critical for professionals as it defines the financial and supply chain conditions for future grid-scale storage projects in the region.
Brazil to Install More Rooftop Solar: Where Are the Energy Storage Opportunities?
Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy released a study projecting 91.7 GW of distributed solar capacity by 2036, highlighting the need for storage to address temporal mismatches. This matters to professionals because the plan's focus on self-consumption and evolving net metering rules creates specific opportunities for battery storage integration in distributed systems.
India: Indian Government Approves 8.35 Billion Reais for Clean Energy Storage
The Indian cabinet approved a 145 billion rupee program to finance 92 gigawatt-hours of energy storage, with the subsidy remaining in effect until 2031. This initiative addresses the grid's inability to absorb peak renewable generation by shifting production to high-demand hours, which is critical for maximizing the utilization of existing solar and wind assets.
Italy: Photovoltaics: Incentives and Bonuses in 2027, What Changes
The 2027 Italian Budget Law allocates 1.2 billion euros to fund small and medium-scale solar plants up to 1 MW, with coverage reaching 40% of eligible costs. This matters to professionals because it defines new grant mechanisms and confirms the continuation of 50% tax deductions for residential installations, directly impacting project financing and client advisory strategies.
Italy: Constitutional Court Upholds Ban on Ground-Mounted Solar Farms on Agricultural Land: What Changes
The Italian Constitutional Court has upheld the ban on ground-mounted solar farms on agricultural land, confirming the legitimacy of national regulations that restrict such installations. This ruling is significant for solar professionals in Italy as it clarifies that only agrivoltaic systems with elevated modules remain permitted on agricultural soil, impacting project planning and land-use strategies.
34% Efficiency Solar: China Bans Export of Its Future Cells
China has proposed export restrictions on 12 photovoltaic technologies, including TOPCon and heterojunction architectures, citing national security concerns. This move impacts the global supply chain for high-efficiency solar cells, which are essential for advancing the performance and cost-effectiveness of future solar installations.
United Kingdom: How delay to next CfD auction affects UK solar
The UK government has announced a pause before Allocation Round 9 of the Contracts for Difference scheme to reassess the program's structure. This decision introduces uncertainty for developers and raises questions about the stability of the energy transition pathway in the region.
Wafer Prices Fall as Cost Drag Weakens, Inventory Drawdown Continues; Module Prices Expected to Stabilize
Wafer prices have declined again while polysilicon quotations remained stable, with N-type 183 wafers quoted at 0.949-0.952 yuan per piece. This price movement is significant for supply chain professionals as it reflects continued inventory drawdown and stable module pricing expectations in the market.
Brazil: Solar Panels: Just Energy Transition and Forecast for the Coming Years
The article analyzes how the October elections in Brazil will impact the legislative process for distributed generation, noting that while government policies may continue, specific regulatory changes will require fragmented legislative negotiation. It highlights that BNDES credit lines for solar projects are contingent on Aneel issuing the necessary resolutions to define eligibility and compensation mechanisms under Law 15,269/2025.