Author: solarenergy
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…
If ever there should be an industry that supports the use of Made-in-America products in construction, it would be the federal government. For decades, the government had a kind of “Buy American” provision for projects funded with federal dollars. More recently, the Build America Buy America (BABA) Act of 2021 requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and building materials purchased for projects with federal funds must be made in the United States. Manufactured products are required to have 55% of their production costs sourced from America. In August 2025, a 13 MW solar project was completed for the US…
New research from France shows that the height of PV panels has a critical impact on airflow and evaporation in agrivoltaic systems, with panel heights of less than 3 meters affecting crops through altered airflow. The scientists emphasized the need for site-specific measurements and computational fluid dynamics to accurately estimate water and energy exchanges among PV panels. February 23, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Cerea, a joint laboratory of French energy giant EDF and the École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), and the The Laboratory for Dynamic Meteorology (LDM) has investigated how solar panels affect airflow in agrivoltaic installations,…