Author: solarenergy

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have reduced silver consumption in the metallization of solar cells to 1.1 mg/Wp using an electrodeposition-based process, compared to current levels of 10-12 mg/Wp. April 10, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina Tunnel oxide passivated contact cells (TOPCon), which currently dominate global crystalline silicon production, consume more silver than previous technologies such as PERC, making them particularly sensitive to price volatility. The silver price, on the other hand, has remained at a high level in recent months. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) have now significantly…

State energy developer CECEP has raised CNY2.95 billion ($431.8 million) for PV and storage projects, while China’s Metal Industry Association says polysilicon prices fell for the seventh week in a row. April 10, 2026 Vincent Shaw China Group for Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection (CECEP) has issued 29.5 million convertible bonds at CNY 100.00 per bond, raising a total of CNY 2.95 billion. The money will be used for the construction of six PV power plants and associated energy storage projects with a combined capacity of 900 MW. Total investments in the projects are estimated at CNY 4.566 billion. Zhejiang…

Solar energy, driven by excellent resource conditions and rapidly improving economic attractiveness, is expected to develop as a bulk energy supplier in future energy systems. The self-limiting effects of solar energy can be circumvented by hybrid solar solutions, such as hybrid PV-geothermal configurations. April 10, 2026 LUT University Security of supply is often cited as an issue in energy systems dominated by weather-dependent renewable energy sources, especially solar energy. In this context, most scenarios have highlighted the value of Hybrid configurations with PV batteries. Researchers from LUT University propose a new PV-geothermal hybrid solutionas geothermal energy could benefit countries with…

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. April 10, 2026 OPIS Free-On-Board (FOB) China TOPCon spot charging modules dropped lower this week. Trading activity has slowed sharply since the New Year holidays, with buyers left on the sidelines amid significant price volatility in China’s module market in the first quarter of 2026. According to the OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released on April 7, the Chinese Module Marker (CMM), the OPIS benchmark rating for TOPCon modules from China, fell 0.83% to…

BMW says the new hydrogen tank will enable longer range and flexible production, while South Korea has unveiled plans to develop large-scale liquid hydrogen storage systems. April 10, 2026 Sergio Matalucci BMW Group has introduced a 700 bar high-pressure hydrogen tank for its iX5 Hydrogen model, which enables a range of up to 750 km. The company said fuel cell vehicles can be built on the same production line as other powertrain types, supporting production flexibility. The system uses multiple interconnected chambers controlled by a central valve and can store up to seven kilograms of hydrogen, with refueling completed in…

Adana-based WHS introduced a PV-powered water heating system that works without an inverter, using 1.6 kW direct DC solar input with integrated MPPT. The system supports hybrid operation with 2 kW AC backup, operates at an extra-low voltage of less than 50 V, provides approximately 3 kWh/day of thermal energy and heats water up to 65–85 C for residential and small commercial use. April 10, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Turkish heating solutions provider Water Heating Systems (WHS) has presented its DC Sunboil range of photovoltaic water heating systems, aimed at residential and small commercial applications, at the SolarEX Istanbul trade fair…

Tokyo Corp. and partners will supply Tokyu Railway with newly built solar power under a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA), covering approximately 30% of traction electricity demand. April 10, 2026 Brian Publicover Tokyo Corp. and partners have unveiled plans to supply Tokyu Railway with solar energy under a corporate PPA, in a move that underlines the shift towards new-build renewable sourcing in Japan’s corporate energy market. Tokyu Railway will source electricity from approximately 98 MW (DC) of newly built solar power plants under a corporate PPA structure, with supply commencing in FY 2026 and continuing for 25 years. The transportation…

More than half of the energy used in Britain came from domestic sources by 2025, with renewable energy accounting for more than a third of Britain’s total electricity supply.This is evident from the latest data from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), which showed that the UK’s electricity supply would be “increasingly British” by 2025, due to a greater reliance on domestically generated electricity, as opposed to importing fossil fuels from abroad.The ECIU reports that domestic electricity generation accounted for 53% of the UK energy mix in 2025, up from 51% the year before. Imported energy accounted for 46%…

For now, the US-Israeli conflict with Iran is unlikely to have a material impact on solar energy production projects in the Middle East, as most of these investments are still in the early stages. OPIS analyst Brian Ng sees the most immediate risk in logistics. If disruptions continue, shipments of solar products to the region could be delayed and export prices could become volatile. April 10, 2026 OPIS From the magazine The Middle East remains a key destination for Chinese module exports and an increasingly important market for new investments in photovoltaic manufacturing. Recent clashes have so far had limited…

One Planet Developments has been granted planning permission for a 40MW solar PV installation in Nottinghamshire.The development was approved by the Planning Inspectorate after One Planet filed a disqualification appeal, with an investigation carried out in January this year. The 56 MWp Normanton Larches Solar Farm was first submitted to Bassetlaw District Council in April 2024 and the project was due to be connected to the grid in December 2025.However, no decision has yet been made for the location, which will also include a battery energy storage system (BESS), by the determination date of April 11, 2025. In allowing the…