San Marino's public utility AASS is launching a program to acquire solar assets or development-stage companies to increase domestic renewable generation and energy security. The program aims to reduce the country's reliance on imported electricity and expand the share of electricity generated from renewable sources. Eligible projects include ground-mounted solar installations, with a maximum value per project set at €15 million.
Inlyte Energy plans pilot projects in Switzerland and the US to demonstrate its iron-sodium battery technology for data centers and utility-scale energy storage. The company aims to prove the systems' viability as a safe, long-duration backup power source, targeting the rapidly growing data center market. Inlyte plans to deploy up to 2 MW of iron-sodium battery capacity across Swiss data centers by 2028.
Fortescue begins construction of a 690 MW solar farm in Western Australia's Pilabara region, with a planned 74 MW/650 MWh battery energy storage system to support its "real zero" decarbonization goal. The project is expected to deliver over 1.4 GW of renewable power and will be the final solar installation needed to achieve this objective. Fortescue aims to eliminate diesel and gas from its iron ore operations, with the Turner River solar farm being a key component of its plan.
The US solar industry employs approximately 280,000 people and the energy storage industry employs around 80,000, making them a significant economic engine for the United States. Solar and storage manufacturers are highlighting their global leadership and job opportunities in Washington D.C. The growth of these industries is not well-known to many people.
Contact Energy has brought online a 100MW/200MWh battery storage system at New Zealand Steel's Glenbrook site. The system is the company's first grid-scale energy storage installation and is located in New Zealand. It was activated to support the operation of its 200MWh power generation facility.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and DAS Solar developed a new technique for optimizing metal grid design in tunnel oxide passivated back-contact silicon solar cells, resulting in efficiencies exceeding 27% and reducing silver consumption by 3-4 mg/W. This zero-busbar design cuts silver paste consumption significantly compared to traditional multi-busbar schemes. The technique is expected to support the large-scale industrialization of TBC solar cells by stabilizing production costs amidst frequent fluctuations in silver prices.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong University in China have developed a low-temperature method to recycle end-of-life solar panels by selectively breaking down polymers into useful chemical feedstocks using hydrogen peroxide. The process reduces energy consumption, eliminates hazardous solvents, and minimizes landfill waste compared to traditional recycling techniques. This novel approach uses oxidative liquefaction at relatively low temperatures to exploit selective oxidative degradation chemistry.
Solar energy prices have remained stable, with the Global Polysilicon Marker (GPM) increasing only 1% over two months and polysilicon prices in China falling by 33%. In contrast, oil prices have surged significantly, more than doubling in Asia due to restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz trade artery. The solar industry's stability is largely unaffected by global energy market volatility.
The US clean energy manufacturing sector saw a slowdown in investment, with Rhodium Group reporting $8 billion in investments for the sixth consecutive quarter, its lowest level in almost three years. The American Clean Power Association (ACP) reported a different perspective, highlighting the economic benefits of new energy projects and boosting industry. ACP noted that US clean energy manufacturing is "ramping up", but does not explicitly mention the impact of federal policy changes under the Trump administration.
Understanding time-of-use electricity pricing can help individuals save money on their bills by taking advantage of lower rates during off-peak hours, which can range from 2 to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour compared to peak rates. By adjusting usage patterns, such as doing laundry and dishwashing during off-peak hours, households can reduce their energy costs. Implementing smart pricing strategies can result in significant financial savings for those who switch from traditional fixed-rate plans.
PV Magazine