Author: solarenergy
The Planning Inspectorate has accepted a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) application for The Droves solar project in East Anglia. If ultimately approved for development, the site would have approximately 500 MW of solar capacity and a battery energy storage system (BESS) of unknown size. The Planning Inspectorate is now carrying out the pre-investigation phase, which includes consultation and examination of the proposed project. The Droves Solar Farm Limited is a subsidiary of large-scale solar and BESS developer Island Green Power (IGP). The site is proposed to cover approximately 840 hectares of land north of Swaffham and south of Castle…
The US energy storage market continued steady growth in the third quarter of 2025, with 5.3 GW installed nationwide, pushing 2025 totals higher than 2024 combined installations, according to the latest figures. report ‘US Energy Storage Monitor’ released today by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Wood Mackenzie. This forward momentum has continued despite changing supply chains and continued policy uncertainty. Overall, installations rose 31% year-over-year in the third quarter, although the market fell 6% from record highs in the second quarter of 2025. The utility-scale storage segment drove the growth with 4.6 GW installed in the third quarter,…
An Oxford researcher has found that transparent conductive electrodes can reduce the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells by more than 2%, with losses related to electrical resistance, optical effects and geometric trade-offs. Using a unified optical-electrical model, the scientist showed how careful optimization of TCE stacks, coatings and cell design is critical to closing the gap to the 37%-38% efficiency limit. December 17, 2025 Emiliano Bellini A University of Oxford researcher has investigated the impact of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) on the performance of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells and found that they can significantly reduce the device’s efficiency. It…
The Chinese PV manufacturer is ramping up its energy storage efforts with a new subsidiary in Beijing, capitalized at RMB 300 million ($42 million). December 17, 2025 Marija Maisch Earlier in December, JA Solar installed a 2.61 MWh battery energy storage system combined with solar energy in Sicily Image: YES Solar By ESS news While PV manufacturers continue to spill red ink, major players are accelerating their push for energy storage. On December 12, JA Solar formally established a dedicated energy storage subsidiary – Beijing JA Solar Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. – with a registered capital of RMB 300…
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has powered the world’s largest battery-electric ship – and the largest electric vehicle of any type in the world – successfully completing its first e-motor trial in Hobart. December 17, 2025 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia Australian-based shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has achieved a world first with the largest battery-electric ferry built to date, completing its first trial of e-motor propulsion on the River Derwent. The 130-metre ship, identified as Hull 096, was operating on 100% battery power on December 14 after Incat activated the largest battery-electric propulsion system ever installed on a ship. From the…
Bihar State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (BSPGCL) says it has awarded two pumped storage systems totaling 2.12 GW to private developers under its 2025 policy, aimed at faster grid balancing and sustainable integration. December 17, 2025 Uma Gupta Image: PlayMistyForMe, Wikimedia Commons By pv magazine India BSPGCL has selected GreenCo Energies and Sun Petrochemicals to develop 2.12 GW of pumped storage capacity under the Bihar Pumped Storage Project Promotion Policy-2025, the state-owned utility said. The projects are planned in the hilly areas of Nawada district, where elevation changes support the design of pumped storage. The project development will be done…
Nelson family vineyards in Mendocino County, California, is powering 100% of its operations with renewable energy after installing a floating solar system on an irrigation pond. The innovative project allows the 74-year-old, 1,800-hectare family farm to operate entirely on clean energy without taking any agricultural land out of production. Together with an existing solar system on the winery’s roof, the floating photovoltaic (FPV) system is expected to generate approximately 200,000 kWh of electricity annually – enough to power the winery, agricultural pumps, tasting room, retail store and 12 homes on site. This is expected to save Nelson Family Vineyards an…
France’s certification body says it has revoked eligibility for a lower solar VAT rate for four Chinese-made modules after discovering traceability errors that changed their carbon footprint calculations. December 16, 2025 Gwénaëlle Deboutte By pv magazine France Four solar panels from Chinese cell and module manufacturer DMEGC have been removed from France’s list of products eligible for the reduced 5.5% VAT rate after an error was discovered in the traceability of components, French certification body Certisolis said. The reduced rate only applies to modules that meet a carbon footprint threshold of less than 530 kg of carbon dioxide per kilowatt…
The Chinese manufacturer has launched a new series of three-phase hybrid inverters ranging from 80 kW to 100 kW. The new products feature eight MPPTs with an input current of up to 42 A. December 16, 2025 Lior Kahana Chinese inverter and energy storage manufacturer GoodWe has launched three new three-phase hybrid inverter models for commercial and industrial (C&I) applications. The new inverters are part of the company’s ET series and have an output power of 80 kW, 99.99 kW and 100 kW respectively, and a maximum PV input of 160 kW, 200 kW and 200 kW respectively. The 80…
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry sailed into Edo Bay with four coal-powered warships and turned their guns on Japan. The ships belched black smoke, rattled the coastline and terrified a nation that had never seen an industrial war up close. Perry called it diplomacy. The Japanese called them the Kurofune – the black ships. They worked. Japan opened its ports not because it agreed, but because it was forced to confront an overwhelming, dirty power. America likes to tell itself that story as a triumph. But almost two centuries later, we sail a new series of black ships – and…