Section
Solar Applications
Rooftop, agrivoltaics, floating solar, building-integrated PV and off-grid use cases. This section looks at where solar is deployed outside the conventional utility plant and what makes those models work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Switzerland: Swiss blueberry farm extends harvest 4 weeks with 5,220 solar panels elevated 10.5 feet over 4.4 acres
A Swiss blueberry farm has installed 5,220 solar panels elevated 10.5 feet over 4.4 acres to extend the harvest by four weeks. This agrivoltaics project demonstrates how elevated solar infrastructure can protect crops from weather extremes while generating electricity for the grid.
Rooftop solar offers cheaper alternative to gas-fired power generation
A paper presented at the Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 indicates that rooftop solar generation costs are lower than gas-fired power, with specific cost comparisons provided for industrial applications. This cost advantage is significant for energy professionals as it highlights the economic viability of distributed solar for reducing grid reliance and lowering operational expenses in the garment sector.
Raspberries and Electricity from the Same Land: How Uzbekistan Is Testing Agrivoltaics
A Master Fruit is expanding its agrivoltaics pilot in Uzbekistan to a megawatt-scale project to test economic viability against conventional shading and solar plants. This matters to solar professionals as it provides real-world data on dual-use land efficiency and crop protection benefits.
Solar skin powers new $1.1bn CBUS Bourke St tower
The 48-storey 435 Bourke St tower in Melbourne features a 491kW building-integrated photovoltaic system covering three sides, generating 20% of its base energy needs. This large-scale BIPV installation demonstrates how solar skins can significantly reduce grid demand and support tenant occupancy in urban high-rises.
Unblocking the Rooftop Solar Power Mechanism
The article details how households and businesses in Vietnam are reducing electricity costs by integrating rooftop solar with battery energy storage systems. This approach is significant for professionals as it demonstrates a practical method to manage peak loads and enhance local energy self-sufficiency through combined generation and storage.
Quang Ngai Promotes Rooftop Solar Power Development
Quang Ngai Province reports 437.11 MWp of installed rooftop solar capacity by late October 2026, including 6.74 MWh of battery storage. This data highlights the scale of distributed solar adoption and the integration of storage in Vietnam's provincial energy landscape.
These cranberry bogs come with a side of solar
Two cranberry bogs in Massachusetts are the first in the country to harvest berries beneath operating solar arrays. This demonstrates a viable agrivoltaics model that supports local agriculture and renewable energy generation.
Sweden: Solar Panels and Home Batteries Face Tough Test – This Was Revealed About Profitability
A Swedish study by Rise evaluated the economic viability of residential solar and battery systems, finding payback periods of 13 to 22 years. This data is critical for professionals advising homeowners on the realistic financial returns of distributed solar and storage investments.
Shared Energy and Local Economy: The CER Sicilia Solidale Project
CER Sicilia Solidale in Mussomeli operates as a Third Sector Entity, blending grassroots participation with the technical expertise of Energy Project. This model demonstrates how renewable energy communities can reinvest profits to support local social initiatives and mitigate energy poverty.
Rice and solar panels in the same field: Japanese study reveals optimal panel tilt to boost crop yield (and energy production)
Researchers from the University of Tokyo and IRRI developed a system to estimate joint rice and electricity yields in agrivoltaic farms. The study shows that tilting panels vertically can increase light for crops and help meet harvest targets, which is critical for balancing energy production with agricultural viabilit
As Diesel Costs Surge for Farmers & Rural Businesses, Solar Offers a Lifeline
The article details a specific pilot in Tanzania where solar irrigation doubled farmer income by replacing expensive diesel. It illustrates the economic viability of solar for agricultural applications in regions facing fuel price instability.
Solar panels over farmland can cool crops and reduce heat stress for workers
This study presents computational evidence that agrivoltaic shading reduces heat stress for both crops and workers in a simulated New Jersey tomato plantation. It highlights the dual benefit of improved agricultural resilience and enhanced worker safety, which is critical for professionals evaluating the viability of d
Floating Solar Panels: Clean Energy That Is Not Without Risk
Recent studies highlight that large-scale floating solar installations can reduce water temperature and dissolved oxygen, affecting aquatic habitats. This information is critical for professionals to assess environmental risks when planning FPV projects on reservoirs or lakes.
askST: Should I install solar panels at home? How much can I save on electricity?
The article reports that the number of private homes in Singapore with solar panels increased from 5,817 to 8,086 between mid-2025 and mid-2026. This growth is significant for professionals as it highlights the rising adoption of distributed solar in a market with high electricity tariffs and limited domestic generation capacity.