Author: solarenergy
Germany has connected the world’s first supercapacitor-based STATCOM to the grid, with Siemens Energy and transmission system operator TenneT positioning it as a blueprint to replace fossil fuel generators by providing instant reserve and reactive power. December 15, 2025 Marian Willuhn By pv magazine Germany A supercapacitor-based grid stabilization system has been put into operation in Mehrum, Germany, marking a world first in power system control technology. Siemens Energy and transmission system operator TenneT have installed an electronic static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) with supercapacitor storage, which the companies describe as the first system of its kind to be deployed on…
Fylde Council has unanimously approved the construction of Vattenfall’s 49.9MW solar power station near Preston, Lancashire.Vattenfall, a Swedish state-owned energy company, said it will now consider the consent decree in detail before confirming the future schedule for its Clifton Marsh project.The company said it designed the project to deliver biodiversity benefits. As a result, Clifton Marsh delivers a net gain of 61.32% for area-specific habitats, a net gain of 14.20% for hedgerow habitats and 11.75% for watercourse habitats.Vattenfall also confirmed that a community benefits fund is in development and that it has had early discussions with the solar plant’s local…
This is evident from data from Solar Media Market Research Battery Storage: UK Pipeline & Completed Assets Database Report.Pre-application submissions for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in November totaled 615 MW/1,230 MWh of capacity, while full planning applications reached a capacity of 870 MW/1,740 MWh.Submitting a pre-application is a voluntary process that allows developers to talk to local councils and decision-makers about a project, while a full submission of a planning application is the final submission and requires the inclusion of much more project information.The figures are in stark contrast to October, when there were only 100 MW/200 MWh…
Maxeon has filed a lawsuit in Germany alleging that Aiko Solar and four of its German product distributors have infringed a patent relating to their back-contact solar technology. It is the third lawsuit that Maxeon has filed against Aiko. December 15, 2025 Patrick Jowett Singapore-based solar manufacturer Maxeon solar technologies has filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against the Chinese solar cell and module manufacturer Aiko Solar. The lawsuit, filed in the Regional Court of Munich I in Germany, alleges that Aiko and its European distribution network have infringed Maxeon’s core back contact (BC) solar technology patent EP2297789B1 in Aiko’s…
Blue Current, which has a pilot production line in California, will use funding from an $80 million financing round led by Amazon to advance the commercialization of its silicon solid-state battery technology for stationary storage and mobility applications in the United States. December 15, 2025 Blathnaid O’Dea Image: Coolcaesar, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-4.0T By ESS news Tech giant Amazon is backing U.S. domestic battery manufacturing efforts, taking a leading role in California-based silicon solid-state battery maker Blue Current’s latest funding round. Blue Current announced that it has closed a Series D financing round of more than $80 million led by Amazon,…
China Power Construction Corp. (PowerChina) has launched a 31 GW solar module tender for 2026 projects across n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), heterojunction (HJT) and back-contact (BC) technologies as part of a broader 97 GW renewable energy and grid equipment program. December 15, 2025 Vincent Shaw PowerChina has launched its 2026 centralized equipment procurement program, launching tenders for 97 GW of renewable energy and network equipment to ensure supply chain stability through framework agreements. The program includes 35 GW of wind turbines, 31 GW of solar panels and 31 GW of solar inverters for projects before 2026, with bids…
Chinese battery manufacturer Hithium unveils a 1300Ah cell, long-term integrated system and lithium-sodium LDES solution for AI data centers. December 15, 2025 Vincent Shaw By ESS news At its annual Ecosystem Day on December 12, Hithium Energy Storage signaled a strategic improvement over conventional four-hour batteries, positioning long-term storage as both a grid asset and a foundation for energy-intensive artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company introduced three interconnected products with a clear hierarchy: a purpose-built eight-hour battery cell, a proprietary eight-hour storage system designed around that cell, and a hybrid lithium-sodium solution aimed at AI data centers. Together, Hithium has shaped…
By Brad Kramer December 15, 2025 This edition of Projects Weekly highlights an initiative to bring rooftop solar to an affordable housing complex and community library in Milwaukee. Plus, Enel North America has completed its largest solar power plant in the United States, GreenSpark has begun construction on a rooftop solar array at the headquarters of one of the oldest foodbanks in the United States, BayWa r.e. has secured funding for the JVR Energy Park to provide solar for 57,000 homes in California, BridgePeak Energy Capital has facilitated a construction loan for a Gum Swamp solar project in North Carolina, Sunstone Credit has…
A new workforce trends report from talent consultancy root/edge and Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) finds mixed views from the US clean energy and sustainability sectors. The majority of respondents are optimistic about long-term careers in the renewable energy sector, but a significant proportion have considered leaving the sector in the past year. The “2025 Salary and Sentiment Report’ is based on the responses of more than 500 professionals and captures how changing market conditions are influencing both talent expectations and employer decision-making, during a year described in the foreword as a ‘moment of recalibration’, shaped by…
A Guide to Solar Energy Behavior When the power goes out and the lights go dark, many homeowners with solar panels often wonder, “How does solar work when you lose power?” This is an important question because it impacts your home’s energy supply and safety during an outage. Solar panels are typically connected to the grid, meaning they rely on grid power to function when the electricity is down. Without additional features, solar panels will shut off during an outage to prevent backfeeding, which could be dangerous for utility workers trying to restore power. When combined with battery storage, solar…