Author: solarenergy

New UNSW research has found that around 20% of solar panels in large PV installations are deteriorating much faster than expected. They recommend holistic strategies such as robust materials, advanced designs and proactive monitoring to decouple degradation pathways and prevent cascading failures. January 9, 2026 Emiliano Bellini A group of researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) studied the ‘long tail’ phenomenon in large-scale photovoltaic installations and found that about 20% of solar modules used in the field deteriorate much faster than expected. The “long tail” occurs when a significant number of modules in the same facility underperform…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineOPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a brief overview of the major price trends in the global PV industry. January 9, 2026 OPIS N-type wafer prices increased across the board this week compared to the previous assessment on December 16, 2025. FOB China prices for n-type M10 wafers rose 13.92% to $0.180 per unit (pc), while G12 wafers rose 10.82%, to $0.215/pc, according to the OPIS Solar Weekly Report released on January 6. According to market participants, manufacturers’ declared prices for n-type wafers in the Chinese domestic market have increased above CNY 1.4…

Following a record year for energy storage procurement in 2025, projects awarded since mid-2023 are expected to enter service in 2026, reflecting a typical development time of 18 to 24 months. January 7, 2026 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India India’s energy storage system industry is expected to move from tender to implementation by 2026, according to a new report from the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). As of December 31, 2025, a total of 224 GWh of energy storage capacity had been tendered, of which 92 GWh was in battery energy storage systems and 132 GWh in pumped hydro…

Treaty Oak Clean Energy, a U.S. independent energy producer, has completed financing and begun construction on two solar projects in Louisiana: the Beekman Solar Project in Morehouse Parish and the Hollis Creek Solar Project in Sabine Parish. Together, these projects will add 385 MW of new renewable capacity to the state. “Closing financing for these two projects during a challenging economic year for renewable energy projects underscores our strong business model and commitment to making states like Louisiana energy independent,” said Chris Elrod, CEO of Treaty Oak. “I am incredibly proud of our teams and grateful to our financing partners,…

A startup led by scientists from the University of Cambridge and the former chairman of Oxford PV is trying to commercialize flow battery electrolytes with greater energy density than vanadium-based batteries. Kodiaq Technologies claims that its electrolytes can be used as a drop-in solution for redox flow batteries. January 8, 2026 Matthew Lynas Image: Jean-Luc Benazet, Unsplash By ESS news Kodiaq Technologies is developing organic electrolytes for redox flow batteries that it claims can achieve 300% of the energy density of vanadium-based alternatives. The UK-based startup has developed an organic electrolyte that can currently store energy up to 50 Wh…

US startup Quilt has introduced a new three-zone ductless heat pump for residential use, providing independent temperature control in three areas with a single outdoor unit. The system uses R32 (difluoromethane) as a coolant and can reportedly achieve a coefficient of performance of 4.2 at 8°C. January 8, 2026 Emiliano Bellini American startup Quilt has launched a new three-zone heat pump system for residential applications. A three-zone heat pump is designed to provide independent temperature control in three separate areas of a house or residential building. The system consists of a single outdoor heat pump unit connected to three indoor…

After passing through the Illinois State Legislature late last year, Governor JB Pritzker today signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act. As energy-intensive data centers expand and capacity prices continue to rise, Illinois expects significantly increasing electric bills for communities across the state. The CRGA Act addresses these challenges by strengthening the state’s renewable portfolio standard and ensuring the state stays on track to achieve its clean energy goals. By encouraging new storage structures and VPP programs, Illinois communities will be better protected from rising energy costs and a stressed energy grid. Solar Powers Illinois – a partnership…

By Brad Kramer January 8, 2026 Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a new law aimed at lowering energy bills and securing the state’s long-term energy future. The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25includes measures to expand energy storage capacity and create a “Solar Bill of Rights” in Illinois. Building on the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), CRGA is addressing rising electricity costs caused by private grid operators, expanding cost-effective energy sources and continuing to grow Illinois’ renewable energy economy across the state. “In Illinois, we are pursuing every…

JinkoSolar has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with XtalPi, an ‘AI for Science’ platform company, to pursue high-throughput R&D in the field of perovskite-crystalline-silicon tandem solar cells using an AI platform and quantum physics-based models. January 8, 2026 Vincent Shaw Chinese PV module manufacturer JinkoSolar has entered into a strategic partnership with XtalPi, an ‘AI for Science’ platform company, to promote high-throughput research and development of perovskite-crystalline-silicon tandem solar cells through the use of an AI platform in combination with quantum physics-based models. Under the terms of the deal, the companies plan to form a joint venture and develop what…

France’s energy regulator says wider use of flexible grid connections is becoming essential as solar and battery projects compete for limited grid capacity, with queues for storage connections now totaling 2.8 GW. January 8, 2026 Marie Beijer Image: Roman Soto, Pixabay By ESS news France’s energy regulator, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE), said meeting the country’s energy transition goals will require building flexibility into renewable energy projects from the start, according to its 2025 report on smart grids. The biennial report assesses the digitalization and operational readiness of the French energy system and identifies network constraints that could…