Author: solarenergy
US-based SEG Solar is building a 3 GW billet and wafer factory in Indonesia. The new production will take place at the existing cell manufacturing facility, completing an end-to-end solar energy production chain for the company. December 16, 2025 Patrick Jowett US solar manufacturer SEG Solar has completed construction of a 3 GW rod and wafer factory in Indonesia. The facility will be located in Batang regency on the north coast of Central Java province in Indonesia. The project covers an area of approximately 50,000 m² and is expected to start production in the third quarter of 2026. SEG also…
Scottish tidal energy company Nova Innovation will install a floating solar project on an artificial lake at an industrial sand quarry in Cheshire. The company will install a 400kW solar array with 450 solar panels at North Arclid Lake, at the Arclid Quarry site in Cheshire, operated by Bathgate Silica Sand. Nova won the contract through its AquaGen365 joint venture (JV) with engineering firm RSK. The JV bills itself as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for floating solar projects, covering feasibility studies, design, consents, installation and operation. This deal saw AquaGen365 carry out investigations and obtain approval for the project from Cheshire East…
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a thermoacoustic Stirling heat pump prototype that offers high thermal performance, a peak coefficient of performance of 1.68 and potential applications in high-temperature industrial processes, enabling carbon-free heating for sectors such as petrochemicals and metallurgy. December 17, 2025 Emiliano Bellini The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced this week that a group of its researchers have developed a prototype thermoacoustic heat pump that can reach an output temperature of more than 200 C. Acoustic heat pumps transfer heat using sound waves instead of traditional mechanical parts such as compressors. A loud…
The Planning Inspectorate has accepted a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) application for The Droves solar project in East Anglia. If ultimately approved for development, the site would have approximately 500 MW of solar capacity and a battery energy storage system (BESS) of unknown size. The Planning Inspectorate is now carrying out the pre-investigation phase, which includes consultation and examination of the proposed project. The Droves Solar Farm Limited is a subsidiary of large-scale solar and BESS developer Island Green Power (IGP). The site is proposed to cover approximately 840 hectares of land north of Swaffham and south of Castle…
The US energy storage market continued steady growth in the third quarter of 2025, with 5.3 GW installed nationwide, pushing 2025 totals higher than 2024 combined installations, according to the latest figures. report ‘US Energy Storage Monitor’ released today by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Wood Mackenzie. This forward momentum has continued despite changing supply chains and continued policy uncertainty. Overall, installations rose 31% year-over-year in the third quarter, although the market fell 6% from record highs in the second quarter of 2025. The utility-scale storage segment drove the growth with 4.6 GW installed in the third quarter,…
An Oxford researcher has found that transparent conductive electrodes can reduce the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells by more than 2%, with losses related to electrical resistance, optical effects and geometric trade-offs. Using a unified optical-electrical model, the scientist showed how careful optimization of TCE stacks, coatings and cell design is critical to closing the gap to the 37%-38% efficiency limit. December 17, 2025 Emiliano Bellini A University of Oxford researcher has investigated the impact of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) on the performance of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells and found that they can significantly reduce the device’s efficiency. It…
The Chinese PV manufacturer is ramping up its energy storage efforts with a new subsidiary in Beijing, capitalized at RMB 300 million ($42 million). December 17, 2025 Marija Maisch Earlier in December, JA Solar installed a 2.61 MWh battery energy storage system combined with solar energy in Sicily Image: YES Solar By ESS news While PV manufacturers continue to spill red ink, major players are accelerating their push for energy storage. On December 12, JA Solar formally established a dedicated energy storage subsidiary – Beijing JA Solar Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. – with a registered capital of RMB 300…
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has powered the world’s largest battery-electric ship – and the largest electric vehicle of any type in the world – successfully completing its first e-motor trial in Hobart. December 17, 2025 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia Australian-based shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has achieved a world first with the largest battery-electric ferry built to date, completing its first trial of e-motor propulsion on the River Derwent. The 130-metre ship, identified as Hull 096, was operating on 100% battery power on December 14 after Incat activated the largest battery-electric propulsion system ever installed on a ship. From the…
Bihar State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (BSPGCL) says it has awarded two pumped storage systems totaling 2.12 GW to private developers under its 2025 policy, aimed at faster grid balancing and sustainable integration. December 17, 2025 Uma Gupta Image: PlayMistyForMe, Wikimedia Commons By pv magazine India BSPGCL has selected GreenCo Energies and Sun Petrochemicals to develop 2.12 GW of pumped storage capacity under the Bihar Pumped Storage Project Promotion Policy-2025, the state-owned utility said. The projects are planned in the hilly areas of Nawada district, where elevation changes support the design of pumped storage. The project development will be done…
Nelson family vineyards in Mendocino County, California, is powering 100% of its operations with renewable energy after installing a floating solar system on an irrigation pond. The innovative project allows the 74-year-old, 1,800-hectare family farm to operate entirely on clean energy without taking any agricultural land out of production. Together with an existing solar system on the winery’s roof, the floating photovoltaic (FPV) system is expected to generate approximately 200,000 kWh of electricity annually – enough to power the winery, agricultural pumps, tasting room, retail store and 12 homes on site. This is expected to save Nelson Family Vineyards an…