Author: solarenergy

The German Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE (Fraunhofer IEE) says in a new position paper that large-scale battery storage systems in medium-voltage grids must be technically prepared for future grid-forming operation, with the aim of bridging the gap between current regulations and potential system stability requirements. February 25, 2026 Marian Willuhn By pv magazine Germany The German Fraunhofer IEE has published a new position paper calling for early technical preparation of distribution networks for network-forming functions. Under the term ‘grid-forming readiness’, the authors outline a concept in which large-scale battery storage systems connected to medium-voltage…

SolarPower Europe has released new technical due diligence guidelines for large-scale solar-plus-storage projects, covering the risks, engineering and lifecycle standards for co-located PV and battery systems. February 25, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina SolarPower Europe has published two reports aimed at strengthening best practices for large-scale hybrid projects combining solar photovoltaics and battery energy storage systems. The association said the documents provide a framework for due diligence, risk management and technical standards to ensure technical, financial and operational performance before commercial operation. The first report, “Technical Due Diligence Best Practice Guidelines for Utility-Scale Hybrid Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems”,…

By Charles W. Thurston February 25, 2026 Business Renewables Center Canada (BRC) provided its vision on the solar energy market in Canada for the period 2025-2026 via an open webinar on January 28. While the power purchase agreement (PPA) market in Alberta plummeted in 2025, BRC offers hope for growth in other provinces – most notably Nova Scotia – in 2026. BRC is a Calgary-based renewable energy PPA facilitator that claims more than 90% of renewable PPAs in Canada to date have been executed by a BRC member, either on the buyer or developer side. The agency operates the Deal…

Global industrial company MacLean-Fogg has acquired domestic roll-forming manufacturer OMCO and its solar racking and tracker businesses. “We are excited about this opportunity to take OMCO Solar to the next level, now with the support of a great partner in MacLean-Fogg. We look forward to growing our team and adding even more value to our customers.” said Eric Goodwin, vice president of business development for OMCO solar energy. Following the acquisition, OMCO Solar will continue to operate under its name and retain control of the company. OMCO Solar has produced factory-grade fixed-tilt racking and single-axis trackers for the major commercial…

Shanghai-listed polysilicon maker Tongwei says it plans to acquire 100% of Qinghai Lihao in a stock-and-cash transaction, as consolidation in China’s polysilicon sector increasingly shifts to mergers and acquisitions. February 25, 2026 Vincent Shaw Tongwei said it plans to acquire 100% of Chinese rival Qinghai Lihao in a transaction combining share issuance and cash, in addition to a planned supporting fundraise, according to a Feb. 25 trading suspension notice. Tongwei said the deal is at a preliminary stage. It signed a letter of intent with the proposed sellers – Duan Yong and two limited partnerships, Hainan Zhuoyue Enterprise Management Partnership…

German startup Solarsecure Tech has introduced a gateway designed to disconnect PV inverters from manufacturers’ clouds and block unauthorized remote control commands. February 25, 2026 Marian Willuhn By pv magazine Germany Solarsecure Tech said the SolarSecure Vision gateway is installed at the meter connection point and interrupts direct communication between the inverter and the manufacturer’s cloud. The device analyzes incoming control commands and only forwards signals that are classified as secure or cryptographically authenticated, blocking unverifiable instructions. Legitimate signals from the grid operator, such as power reduction orders under Article 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act, are sent…

Canadian researchers conducted the first nationwide survey of public attitudes toward agricultural voltaics and found strong support across the provinces, with 85.8% of respondents in favor, although preferences varied by configuration. The 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 acceptance. February 25, 2026 Lior Kahana Researchers from Western University in Canada conducted a nationwide survey to investigate community attitudes toward agricultural voltaics. “In this study, we conducted one of the first nationwide assessments of public attitudes toward agrivoltaic energy in Canada,…

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the future policy will ensure domestic consumers and the electricity grid are protected amid the country’s data center expansion. This could include using the ASEAN Power Grid project to address any supply shortfalls. February 25, 2026 Blathnaid O’Dea Kuala Lumpur. Image: indragunawan/Pixabay Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said data centers have contributed to the increase in energy and water consumption and confirmed during a parliamentary question and answer session that the government has already restricted the entry of new data centers that have nothing to do with AI. The restrictions are expected…

Ofgem’s cap-and-floor support scheme for long-term energy storage (LDES) is not innovation funding, the regulator stressed today.Senior policy advisor at Ofgem, Mark Horley, noted this during a presentation at the Energy Storage Summit today the UK scheme is the first in Europe to offer investment support specifically for LDES.Notably in defining the scheme and how it will work, Horley was keen to emphasize that the scheme is not a grant but an investment aid, “not here to develop early stage technologies; there are other schemes for that”.“It’s here to ensure that there is a meaningful scale of flexibility assets that…

A systems approach is essential for smart energy standardization, ensuring interoperability, avoiding overlaps and addressing complex interactions between the electricity grid, devices and infrastructures. The IEC System Committee for Smart Energy (SyC SE) applies systems-level thinking, using tools such as reference architectures and roadmaps to coordinate standards, support innovation and address emerging areas such as EV integration, digital twins and zero-emission technologies. February 25, 2026 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) A systems approach is indispensable for the standardization of smart energy-related technologies, to avoid overlaps and ensure that the right requirements are met. As electrical technology evolves and becomes more complex,…