Author: solarenergy
Sun run has formed a distributed power plant partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), leveraging more than 1,000 customers’ solar and storage systems to export energy to reduce grid constraints. Sun run “Sunrun’s groundbreaking program with PG&E shows that distributed power plants can help communities avoid the high costs of adding more poles and wires to accommodate load growth,” said Sunrun CEO Mary Powell. “We saw time and time again that our customers’ batteries delivered location-specific load lighting with high precision and consistent performance.” Sunrun’s Local PeakShift Power distributed power plant is part of PG&E’s Seasonal Aggregation of…
An agrivoltaic energy zoning plan in Israel specifies that solar panel coverage should not exceed 30% of the built-up area. The bottom edge of panels should be a minimum of 1.5 meters above the ground for field crops, increasing to 4.5 meters for orchards and other crops. February 24, 2026 Patrick Jowett Israel’s National Planning and Construction Council has approved an outline plan for agricultural voltaics. The plan, prepared under the guidance of Israel’s Planning Administration and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, represents the country’s first attempt to define rules that comprehensively regulate agricultural installations. It specifies that solar…
Looking for a real deep dive into the most pressing battery storage topics? Visit us at BBDF 2026. After the first successful and sold-out BBDF last July, the event returns Frankfurt on March 31 and April 1, 2026 for two impactful days dedicated to Europe’s fast-growing market for grid-scale battery storage. Investors, developers, manufacturersAnd policymakers will dive in investment trends, regulatory frameworksAnd technologies shaping the future of BESS. Regarding sustainability, supply chains, security and resilience of the grid, the forum provides sharp insights, expert panels and valuable networking opportunitiess for those actively involved in the energy storage transition in Europe.…
Artificial intelligence can accelerate the planning, construction and operation of photovoltaic systems, as evidenced by the recent Solar Quality Summit in Barcelona, Spain. But its effectiveness depends on data quality, as poor data, unclear responsibilities and weak documentation can become major cost drivers. February 24, 2026 Marian Willuhn “Are you ready for artificial intelligence?” With this question, David Moser, head of the Becquerel Institute Italy, opened the recent Solar Quality Summit in Barcelona. The two-day conference, attended by 250 representatives from project development, operations, financing and monitoring, focused more intensively than ever on AI. The event, organized by SolarPower Europe…
Researchers in Germany assessed lightning risks in livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems, identifying key injury mechanisms and establishing safe step and touch voltage limits. Their simulations showed that collisions at edges and conductive structures pose the greatest hazards, highlighting the need for livestock-specific grounding designs and mitigation strategies. February 24, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Ilmenau University of Technology have assessed lightning-related hazards in livestock-integrated agrivoltaic systems and proposed a range of mitigation strategies and protection measures to reduce risks to animals. “Project developers are generally aware that lightning can pose risks to livestock, especially as protective measures against lightning have already…
Independent energy producer Cero Generation and developer Enso Energy have reached financial close on a 78MW solar plus storage project in Doncaster.The Bumble Bee project will be combined with a 120 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), with construction expected to begin in the coming months. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the solar-plus-storage project will be carried out by Greek developer Metlen, while Chinese manufacturers JA Solar and Sungrow will supply the solar panels and BESS containers respectively.A financial close has been reached with a group of lenders including ING, NORD/LB, Rabobank and Santander UK.This is the second…
A new review examines the impact of large hail on PV systems, covering damage, testing methods and mitigation strategies. Researchers highlight the risks in Europe and the US and explore ways to improve module resilience. February 24, 2026 Lior Kahana A European research group has published a comprehensive overview of hail-induced damage to PV modules, examining laboratory tests, simulation studies and outdoor analyses. “Large hail causes billions in economic losses annually, affecting crops and property worldwide. An emerging concern is the impact of hail on renewable energy plants, especially PV, with significant damage reported in Europe and the US, increasing…
Despite significant efforts to build domestic production, U.S. solar projects are still powered by imported solar panels. World of solar energy import data from the US International Trade Commission and found that the United States imported 33 GW of silicon solar panels in 2025, along with 21 GW of silicon solar cells. The cell count is important because it indicates that domestic solar panel manufacturers are ramping up production, and perhaps the majority of installed solar panels in the United States will soon be assembled in America. It is interesting to follow the import trends throughout the year. In 2024,…
An analysis by BloombergNEF shows that the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a typical solid axis solar farm increased 6% year-over-year to $39/MWh by 2025, but innovation and competition are expected to reduce costs by 30% through 2035. February 23, 2026 Patrick Jowett The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar energy will fall by 30% by 2035, an analysis by BloombergNEF. The analyst’s Levelized Cost of Electricity 2026 report says that while benchmark solar costs are all set to rise by 2025, due to a combination of supply chain constraints, poorer resource availability and market reforms in China,…
By Martin McConnell February 23, 2026 This week on a post-Intersolar Projects Weekly, New England—and especially Maine—have taken center stage. Swift Current Energy, Onyx Renewables, PowerFlex, and beverage giant Primo Brands have all put serious work into projects in Maine, to the tune of about 135 MWdc. Outside of Vacationland, the Coventry Landfill Solar Project has reached completion in Rhode Island. Elsewhere in the U.S., Tigo Energy has completed 1,500 installer engagements in its Green Glove program. Radial Power has commissioned two new rooftop projects in Texas, and Lydian Energy landed $689 million in financing for projects across the south…