Author: solarenergy

On November 24, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) issued its final order in Dominion Energy’s Shared minimum solar billing process – delivering a long-awaited solution that will make the program much more workable for customers. The ruling represents a major improvement for Virginians who are not exempt from the minimum bill and will help expand access to one of the state’s most effective tools for lowering energy costs. The Shared Solar program aligns with that of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger Affordable Virginia Planensuring that all Virginians have access to affordable, reliable energy. However, the Commission has not recognized the full…

Bernreuter Research says nine of the world’s 10 largest polysilicon manufacturers are based in China, with Tongwei, GCL Technology, Daqo New Energy and Xinte Energy holding a combined 65 percent share of global production by 2024. November 25, 2025 Patrick Jowett Bernreuter Research said in a new report that nine of the world’s 10 largest polysilicon manufacturers are based in China, with Tongwei, GCL Technology, Daqo New Energy and Xinte Energy holding a combined 65% share of global production by 2024. According to findings from Bernreuter Research, all but one of the world’s ten largest polysilicon manufacturers are based in…

UK energy company ep Group has announced a partnership with global smart energy company GridBeyond to deliver AI-powered optimization for a 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in North Baddesley.The partnership will see GridBeyond’s energy management system (EMS) and AI-driven optimization platform deployed to manage ep Group’s battery storage operations, enabling real-time optimization, design, forecasting and trading capabilities. The partnership also includes registering the facility on the capacity market. The duration of the battery storage system has not been disclosed.GridBeyond’s platform provides access to multiple revenue streams within the UK energy market through accurate energy price forecasting, enabling strategic charging…

Naturgy and BlueNewables are developing a 1 MW floating solar power plant off Spain’s Mediterranean coast, with two 500 kW units, designed for use on the open sea and scheduled to start testing in 2026. November 25, 2025 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain Naturgy, through its innovation platform Innovahub and Spanish startup BlueNewables, is promoting a project to develop floating photovoltaic technology for open sea environments. This initiative, which has received a grant from the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Savings (IDAE) under the Renmarinas program, aims to explore new renewable solutions that contribute to the decarbonization…

By Brad Kramer November 24, 2025 The Illinois State Legislature has clarified rules for solar sites, allowing disputes from a city that objects to a project outside its boundaries to be resolved. Following the state Legislature’s passage of the Energy Omnibus Bill on Oct. 30, Grundy County and ECA Solar leaders say the new statutory language reaffirms county authority over the siting of solar projects in unincorporated Morris. ECA Solar is developing a large-scale solar energy project in Grundy County. However, the city of Morris has filed a lawsuit against the county, a private landowner and a subsidiary of ECA…

What factors influence the increase in value? Several factors determine how much your solar energy system increases the value of your home. 1. System ownership Proprietary systems add full value because buyers know they will not inherit lease payments. Leased systems still add value but may require transfer arrangements. 2. Energy saving Homes that provide significant annual savings, especially with high energy rates, attract more interest from buyers. 3. Aesthetic integration Modern black-on-black panels, such as those installed by Solarise Solar, enhance the facade’s attractiveness and blend naturally with the rooflines. A longer manufacturer’s warranty of 30 years also reassures…

Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has used sheep to maintain vegetation at the solar energy site next to the coal-fired Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, West Virginia. The 18.9 MW solar panel with the coal-fired power plant on the right. Credit: FirstEnergy “We operate this site with an innovative approach that combines renewable energy and agriculture for the benefit of our community,” said Dan Rossero, VP of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia Generation. “Solar grazing allows us to keep the site running efficiently, while supporting local farmers and reducing our carbon footprint. By working with sheep farmers and promoting…

A research team in Spain has built what it claims is the world’s most efficient perovskite solar cell using MXenes or other types of 2D materials. The device is based on a Mxene interlayer that suppresses non-radiative recombination and enhanced charge extraction at the interface between the perovskite absorber and the electron transport layer. November 25, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Spain’s University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) have fabricated a perovskite solar cell based on a light absorber containing two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx), also known as MXeen. MXeen compounds take their name from their graphene-like morphology and are made…

Global deployment of grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) has reached 156 GWh to date. More than 153 GWh is still planned for commissioning in 2025, although delays and cancellations are likely to reduce that total by the end of the year. November 25, 2025 Marija Maisch By ESS news Global grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) installations have reached 156 GWh through October 2025, up 38% year-on-year compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Rho Motion. China saw an increase of 27%, while Europe and North America both recorded growth…

Just months after inaugurating the world’s largest sand battery – a 1 MW/100 MWh heat storage system – Polar Night has committed to building a project twice as large. November 25, 2025 Marija Maisch By ESS news Polar Night Energy will deploy an industrial-scale thermal energy storage unit for Lahti Energia’s district heating network in Vääksy, Finland. The sand battery will provide a thermal power of 2 MW and a storage capacity of 250 MWh, making it the largest sand-based thermal energy storage system in the world when completed. The plant will supply heat to Vääksy’s district heating network and…