Topic · 85 stories
solar-pv
The solar-pv tag covers photovoltaic technology developments, market trends, and policy impacts shaping the future of renewable electricity generation.
Deep Learning Models Reveal Accuracy Tradeoffs in Arid Solar Grid
Researchers in Oman evaluated deep learning models for solar forecasting, finding that Temporal Fusion Transformers outperform LSTM networks in cross-location accuracy. This study provides critical benchmarks for grid operators to improve long-term capacity planning in arid regions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Czechia: Czech grid data reveal a small share of solar connections drives most
An analysis of 156,000 solar connection applications in the Czech Republic reveals that 93 percent of low-voltage projects required no new grid investment, while a small minority drove nearly all reinforcement spending. This data helps energy professionals understand how connection costs are distributed across the grid and informs strategies for managing network reinforcement budgets.
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.
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.
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.
Mexico adds 447 MW of distributed generation in the first half of 2026 and exceeds 5600 MW of installed capacity
Mexico's National Energy Commission reported that distributed generation capacity reached 5,675.47 MW in the first half of 2026, with photovoltaic systems accounting for the vast majority of this installed base. This data highlights the scale of capital investment and the rapid growth of small-scale interconnections, which are critical for understanding the evolving grid integration challenges and market dynamics in the region.
Electric batteries are buying cheap energy and selling it at a much higher price
The article analyzes how battery storage operators in Spain are profiting from buying electricity during negative price hours and selling it during peak demand. It highlights the potential market distortion this creates for power plant viability and the need for robust forecasting to ensure long-term project financing.
France: Reflex: Learning New Risks to Connect More Solar Energy, Faster (2/7)
Enedis has generalized the Reflex mechanism to accelerate solar connections by offering capacity that exceeds standard substation sizing in exchange for occasional curtailment. This approach is critical for solar professionals as it addresses grid bottlenecks and provides a framework for managing the trade-off between connection speed and energy injection limits.
Türkiye: Cengiz Holding Builds Solar Power Plant in Gazipaşa: Massive Investment
Cengiz Holding has initiated the environmental impact assessment for a solar power plant and energy storage facility in Gazipaşa, Antalya. This project represents a significant investment that was relocated from Elmalı after facing regulatory obstacles at previous sites.
Romania: Three bills regulate apartment solar panels; prosumer group says balcony systems can cut bills up to 40%
Three draft laws in Italy regulate the installation of balcony photovoltaic systems and rooftop solar in condominiums, allowing prosumer status for common area consumption. This matters to solar professionals as it clarifies the legal framework for small-scale residential installations and their integration into existing building structures.