Author: solarenergy

In this blog, Toby Virno, investment manager at Foresight Solar Fund, examines the structural curtailment pressures facing a saturated renewable energy market.Curtailment has gone from a theoretical concern for the renewable energy sector to a practical reality. For years, the conversation around the economics of solar has focused on the level of deployment, subsidies and long-term energy prices. Today, the limitation is no longer generation capacity, but the ability of the system to absorb that energy and use it efficiently where and when it is produced.Electricity networks around the world are under pressure. Renewable capacity continues to grow, often in…

The lab-scale near-white heterojunction solar cell uses nanoclay-based scattering layers in combination with dielectric multilayer films to maintain energy conversion efficiency while increasing visual appeal. The researchers report optical losses of less than 1% at a 50% clay volume fraction, which is significantly lower than that observed with textured glass. February 25, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers at Nagaoka University of Technology in Japan have fabricated a heterojunction (HJT) solar cell with a near-white appearance for applications in building-integrated solar photovoltaics (BIPV). “This is still a laboratory-scale proof of concept, but the key processes we used, such as large-area coating and…

Oxford PVa solar perovskite company operating in Europe has opened its patent portfolio to the US panel manufacturer First solar energy. First Solar has signed a patent licensing agreement with Oxford PV, which gives First Solar access to Oxford’s existing issued patents and currently pending patent applications. First research and development in solar thin film The non-exclusive license allows First Solar to continue its development of solar PV devices using a perovskite semiconductor for potential applications in the U.S. utility, commercial and residential markets. The scope of the license includes the potential manufacturing and distribution of such products in the…

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) wants to put sodium batteries at the heart of the EU’s industrial strategy and calls for rapid action. Opinion papers, debates with stakeholders and a specific study are planned. February 24, 2026 Matthew Lynas Image: Carl Grüner, Unsplash By ESS news Sodium-ion batteries are becoming a new focus for the European Union, and according to EESC President Séamus Boland, the next EU budget should provide funding for the sodium batteries sector. “Sodium batteries, and batteries more broadly, are crucial for the EU’s competitiveness, and it is urgent that the next Multiannual Financial Framework…

GreenSpark solar energy And Encore renewable energy have completed a capacity of 13 MWdirect current portfolio of solar projects for the agricultural voltaic community in New York and Vermont. The three-project portfolio includes the 3.8 MW Constable Solar (Constable, New York), 2.9 MW Boardman Hill Solar (West Rutland, Vermont) and 6.3 MW Danyow Solar (Sheldon, Vermont). This portfolio includes Encore’s first completed solar project in New York and GreenSpark Solar’s first completed projects in Vermont, expanding each company’s geographic footprint while strengthening its shared commitment to community-based renewable energy development. Under the partnership model, Encore conceives, develops and designs the…

By Martin McConnell February 24, 2026 Last year’s Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA) flagship show took place in something of a limbo period. With President Trump having just retaken office a month prior — and promising to “drill, baby, drill,” largely doing away with the renewable energy policy advancements of the previous Biden administration — many feared the solar space, even as a mature market, was on unsteady ground going into 2025. So far, 2026 has been largely more of the same, with good vibes abound, but that sinking feeling that the other shoe could always drop very…

The Massachusetts House released its redesign of a climate omnibus bill (H.4744). The bill contains provisions recommended by advocacy groups, including Vote for solar energyThat would make the electricity grid more resilient and affordable, but it still calls for dramatic cuts to the Commonwealth’s flagship energy efficiency program. While many of the solar provisions in the bill will help meet Massachusetts’ climate goals, the bill misses an opportunity to rein in costs by reducing spending on fossil fuels and utilities, Vote Solar officials say. Instead, the bill cuts Mass Save by $1 billion, focusing on a short-sighted cut rather than…

Weidmuller USA has launched the WM4 C PV connectors, designed for residential, commercial and utility-scale solar systems. The connectors support a maximum of 1,500 V, are equipped with crimp contacts, an anti-tampering lock and IP67 protection. February 24, 2026 Lior Kahana The WM4 C PV connectors Image: Weidmuller VS Virginia-based industrial connectivity and automation products manufacturer Weidmuller USA has introduced a new connector designed for solar applications. The WM4 C PV connectors are equipped with crimp contacts that support a maximum of 1,500 V. “These UL-approved PV connectors are compatible with residential, commercial and utility-scale photovoltaic systems,” the company said…

Zenobē received the first Gate 2 Phase 1 connection offer, the company’s public affairs and policy leader Georgina Morris-Rowbottom announced this afternoon at the Energy Storage Summit.Rowbottom announced the news at a panel entitled ‘The UK’s new market design: opportunities for storage’. She later confirmed that Solar energy portal that the company received the bid for one of its Scottish projects. We reported last week that the first official offer had been made.Zenobē did not reveal which project is involved, but there are only three major projects underway in Scotland. They are: The 400MW/800MWh Eccles project, under constructionThe 100MW/200MWh phase…

Vattenfall says it will connect a 7.6 MW solar power plant to a 17 MW wind farm in Germany, allowing both to operate via a single grid connection point. February 24, 2026 Sandra Enkhardt By pv magazine Germany Barrel trap plans to build a 25 MW hybrid power plant in the southern Eifel region of Germany. The “Hommerdingen-Biesdorf” project will include four wind turbines with a combined capacity of 17 MW and a solar power plant with approximately 12,000 PV modules totaling 7.6 MW. The wind farm will be built in the municipality of Hommerdingen, while the solar panels will…