Night-time in solar PV systems averages 16 hours, requiring significant storage or alternative generation to meet demand. Pumped hydro and batteries are key, with pumped hydro offering long-duration, low-cost storage for cloudy or windless periods. Complementary strategies include wind power, load shifting, and dispatchable generation, while high solar and wind penetration reshapes grid operations and pricing.

With South Africa’s solar industry moving toward a phase of market-led growth, Sim Khuluse, from the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), says the challenge for the forthcoming year is moving ahead with grid modernization and expansion.

Rethinking module geometry beyond the traditional rectangle could increase rooftop PV capacity on irregular buildings by improving packing efficiency and expanding placement options.

Solar module prices increased by €0.01 ($ 0.012)/W to €0.015/W in February, lifting levels 15% to 18% above the December 2024 low despite falling wafer costs, as manufacturers seek to restore margins after prolonged losses.

Small-scale behind-the-meter storage is beginning to reshape peak demand in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM), raising the prospect of a “Bactrian camel curve” in which evening load is split. Within six months of Australia’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, small-scale storage capacity could supply up to half the peak output of the Eraring coal-fired power station.

A new decree issued by the Bolivian government amends regulations in force since 2021, enabling renewable projects between 1 MW and 6 MW to connect to medium-voltage networks. The provisions also establish a remuneration scheme with a stabilized price for energy injected into the system.

A new report calculates the average power loss of 373 GW of utility-scale and commercial and industrial solar assets in the U.S. at 5.08%, more than double the level five years ago. The power loss average among projects deploying robotics and automation falls to 3%.

Canadian researchers conducted the first nationwide survey on public attitudes toward agrivoltaics, finding strong support across provinces with 85.8% of respondents in favor, although preferences varied by configuration. Opposition mainly stemmed from resistance to change, aesthetic concerns, and lack of awareness, highlighting the need for public education and updated policy frameworks to enable wider adoption.

The New South Wales government in southeastern Australia has granted priority status to two large-scale pumped hydro projects, providing long-duration energy storage (LDES) to strengthen grid reliability.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued preliminary findings that solar manufacturers in India, Indonesia and Laos benefited from government subsidies, paving the way for countervailing duties of up to 143.30%.

The lab-scale, near-white heterojunction solar cell uses nanoclay-based scattering layers combined with dielectric multilayer films to preserve power conversion efficiency while enhancing visual appeal. The researchers report optical losses of less than 1% at a 50% clay volume fraction, which are significantly lower than those observed with textured glass.

Poland’s cumulative solar capacity reached 24.8 GW by the end of 2025, with last year’s growth led by C&I and large-scale installations.

A zoning masterplan for agrivoltaics in Israel specifies solar panel coverage must not exceed 30% of the cultivated area. The lower edge of panels must be at least 1.5 m above the ground for field crops, increasing to 4.5 meters for orchards and other crops.

Vattenfall says it will connect a 7.6 MW solar plant to a 17 MW wind farm in Germany, allowing both to operate through a single grid connection point.

Researchers in Germany assessed lightning risks in livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems, identifying key injury mechanisms and establishing safe step and touch voltage limits. Their simulations showed edge strikes and conductive structures pose the highest hazards, highlighting the need for livestock-specific earthing designs and mitigation strategies.

Artificial intelligence can accelerate the planning, construction, and operation of photovoltaic systems, as shown at the recent Solar Quality Summit in Barcelona, Spain. But its effectiveness depends on data quality, as poor data, unclear responsibilities, and weak documentation can become major cost drivers.

A new review examines the impact of large hail on PV systems, covering damage, testing methods, and mitigation strategies. Researchers highlight risks across Europe and the U.S. and explore ways to improve module resilience.

Weidmuller USA has launched the WM4 C PV Connectors, designed for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. The connectors support up to 1,500 V, feature crimp contacts, an anti-tampering lock, and IP67 protection.

The inverters offer up to 99.2% efficiency, 200% PV oversizing, dual battery inputs, IP65 protection, and support for installations up to 144 kWh of storage capacity.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) researchers have used operando X-ray imaging to reveal why sodium-zinc molten-salt batteries, operating at around 600 C and promising for stationary energy storage due to low-cost, abundant materials, experience persistent capacity loss.

New research from France shows that PV panel height critically influences airflow and evapotranspiration in agrivoltaic systems, with panel heights of less than 3 m affecting crops through altered airflow. The scientists highlighted the need for site-specific measurements and computational fluid dynamics to accurately estimate water and energy exchanges beneath PV panels.

TU Delft researchers developed a novel hexagonal microtextured glass that enhances light scattering up to 50%, improving optical performance in thin-film silicon solar cells. The technology shows promise for multijunction, flexible, and low-power solar applications.

Under the terms of the deal, Germany’s NexWafe will supply its ultrathin solar wafers to Talon PV’s planned 4.8 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing plant in Texas. Initial qualification work will take place at a pilot production line at Fraunhofer ISE’s Photovoltaic Technology Evaluation Center.

Germany’s SolarEnvelopeCenter project has launched a web-based planning guide for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), offering standardized design solutions for roofs and facades that comply with building codes and industry standards.

U.S. researchers are testing regenerative agrivoltaics at a farm in Southern California, combining solar panels with soil-restoring practices like composting, cover cropping, and no-till farming to enhance crop yields, soil health, and water-use efficiency. The pilot evaluates technical, ecological, and economic viability while exploring how this land-sharing approach can optimize food and energy production, reduce irrigation needs, and inform larger-scale deployment and policy frameworks.

New rules from Mexico’s Secretaría de Energía require battery energy storage systems (BESS) to submit social impact assessments for the first time, with stricter obligations above 250 MWh.

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to put sodium batteries at the center of its EU industrial strategy work, calls for swift action. Opinions, stakeholder debates and a dedicated study planned.

The South Korean government has announced plans to invest KRW 321 billion ($222.6 million) in 2026 to upgrade regional distribution networks, deploy 85 energy storage systems, and expand solar integration while piloting microgrids and market reforms.

Analysis from BloombergNEF finds the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a typical fixed-axis solar farm increased by 6% year-on-year in 2025 to stand at $39/MWh, but innovation and competition are expected to see costs fall by 30% through to 2035.

The ClearAir air-to-water heat pump is designed for hydronic heating in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Capable of generating hot water up to 80 C with integrated controls, it supports hybrid configurations across diverse applications.