Markets

The Tunisian government says concession and authorization frameworks are advancing multiple PV projects, while new entrants including SoleCrypt plan additional plants, boosting capacity, self-generation, and panel imports.

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has developed a new way to quantify PV self-consumption in Germany using national register and grid-operator data, amid a steady rise in onsite use as installations and storage capacity expand.

UK energy regulator green-lights transmission network operator budgets for five-year period. Initial budget of GBP 10.3 billion ($13.7 billion) approved with an upper-bound estimate of GBP 70 billion transmission investment by 2031. At least GBP 44 billion of transmission spend has already been committed, according to the regulator.

German start-up SPH has installed its ThermBooster heat pump at Philip Morris International’s Italian factory, producing high-temperature steam at 139 C. The system boosts energy efficiency, cuts gas use by up to 50%, and recovers 20–30% of water from exhaust.

The EU’s third hydrogen auction is open for applications until Feb. 19, 2026, alongside a pilot auction for decarbonizing industrial process heat. The 2025 edition of the Net-Zero Technologies call is also underway, accepting applications until Apr. 23, 2026. Together, the three funding streams have a budget of €5.2 billion ($6.07 billion).

UK government-owned energy company’s first strategic plan sets GBP 15 billion private finance target and commits to support for more than 1,000 local and community energy generation projects.

Following reports of fraudulent solar inspections, Poland’s energy regulator has issued an announcement clarifying who is authorized to conduct such assessments. 

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has started accepting submissions for new road-surface PV technologies, with field verification planned in pedestrian areas at roadside stations to test performance and electricity use ahead of societal implementation.

Grid operator Fluvius says that 80% of all homes, apartments and small businesses in the Belgian region of Flanders, including 89% of all solar panel owners, have now converted to digital meters as the company begins the final phase of the mandatory switch over.

AirWater and Luxor Solar K.K. have launched a 178 kW vertical PV system at a Tottori parking lot, operating under an on-site PPA. The Verpa-based system, a first for the San’in region, maximizes space, avoids snow damage, and reportedly delivers power equivalent to rooftop solar installations.