Author: solarenergy

California is taking steps to adopt virtual power plants (VPP) to compete in statewide reliability markets. The Senate Energy, Utilities and Commerce Committee today voted to approve the Clean Local Power Act (SB 913). Introduced by Senator Josh Becker (Menlo Park), SB 913 would give solar-charged batteries, electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps and other on-site energy devices greater access to California’s Resource Adequacy program so they can help meet peak demand and reduce costs for everyone. A FranklinWH system installation in California completed by Simply Solar. “Californians are struggling with rising electric bills, we need to use our electric grid…

Lambda Wärmepumpen GmbH said the Eureka heat pump range uses a patented fluid mechanical system that is said to improve heat transfer four to six times, while maintaining a temperature difference of only 3 K between the air and the coolant. The seasonal coefficient of performance ranges from 4.50 to 6.10. April 7, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Austrian heat pump manufacturer Lambda Wärmepumpen GmbH has presented a new range of air-to-water heat pumps designed for residential, commercial and industrial projects. “Our Eureka-Luft (EU-L) heat pump models – EU10L, EU13L and EU15L – are manufactured in Austria, while the EU20L and EU35L…

Statements made by the company in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicate that the company will seek an arrangement between itself and creditors that will allow it to survive “as a going concern.” April 7, 2026 Ben Zientara From pv magazine USA In a recent Form 6-K filing posted on the company websitemade solar cell and module manufacturer Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. announced that it has applied to be placed under judicial management in its home country of Singapore. In the filing, the company detailed the efforts it has made over the past two years to…

Battolyser Systems and VDL Hydrogen Systems have merged to form Alquion, while Ming Yang Smart Energy Group plans to invest more than $10 billion in hydrogen and renewable energy projects in Ethiopia. April 7, 2026 Sergio Matalucci Battolyser systems and VDL Hydrogen Systems have completed their merger to form Alquion, a new company focused on the development of flexible alkaline electrolysers for industrial applications. The company said its system can operate intermittently without additional degradation. It targets a final investment decision of 0.5 MW for a demonstration project in the second quarter, followed by a unique system from 5 MW…

IT security firm Jakkaru has identified a vulnerability in AP Systems microinverters that could enable a ‘kill switch’ scenario, potentially shutting down tens of thousands of inverters simultaneously and disrupting grid operations. April 7, 2026 Marian Willuhn Cybersecurity company Jakkaru has disclosed a critical security flaw in microinverters manufactured by Chinese manufacturer AP Systems. According to Jakkaru, the flaw allowed the devices to be completely compromised over the Internet, including the ability to shut down systems selectively and simultaneously. AP Systems patched the vulnerability after being alerted by Jakkaru. The hack targeted the EZ1-M microinverter, which is also sold as…

GCL Technology says its subsidiary GCL Optoelectronic is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong in 2026, alongside a potential 500 MW factory in the United States and a roadmap for space-based solar power. April 7, 2026 Vincent Shaw GCL Technology has outlined plans to bring its perovskite subsidiary, GCL Optoelectronic, to Hong Kong in 2026, while also detailing expansion into the United States and development of space-based solar energy applications. Chairman Zhu Gongshan said the company is accelerating the shift away from reliance on a single business line, with a future portfolio focused on granular silicon, perovskites…

Plug-in solar systems plug into an electrical outlet instead of plugging into a home’s electrical panel. Although available for residential use in mainland Europe, plug-and-play solar panels are not offered in Britain due to regulations that make it illegal to plug a solar panel into a standard UK socket. These regulations (wiring regulations BS 7671) have now been amended.Plug-and-play solar systems are small, mains-connected DIY systems that come as a complete package (panels and microinverter) that plug directly into the standard 3-pin socket in Britain and can be used to power household appliances. Ecoflow, Lidl, Iceland and Amazon already plan…

kWh analysis has launched a pilot data-sharing program to reward renewable energy sources for efforts to limit extreme weather events. kWh Analytics expands its risk modeling capabilities by using data from solar projects that employ advanced resiliency measures that go beyond the information typically captured in standard insurance submissions. Credit: Nextpower The initial focus of the pilot is to improve the way project-level resilience data is captured and communicated to insurance companies. Advances in tracker technology, including 70° stowage capabilities, automated stowage procedures and the increasing availability of historical stowage performance data, are creating new opportunities to give insurers a…

Aroma Solar has opened a 1.2 GW tunnel oxide passivated contact module (TOPCon) module facility in the northern Indian state of Haryana, using automated manufacturing and AI-based quality control. April 7, 2026 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India Aroma Solar, the renewable energy arm of agricultural exporter Aroma Agrotech, has commenced operations at a 1.2 GW solar panel manufacturing facility in Karnal, Haryana. The company said the factory is North India’s first fully automated, AI-powered production line based on TOPCon technology. The facility produces TOPCon modules with power ratings from 620 W to 635 W, with an efficiency of 23.51%.…

Asset manager Capital Dynamics and renewable energy developer Solo Renewables have formed a joint venture (JV) to build a long-term energy storage project (LDES) in Northern Ireland.Located in Islandmagee, the 150MW battery will provide up to eight hours of storage capacity (1,200MWh) and was approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council earlier this year.According to Capital Dynamics, the £100 million LDES project will be one of the first large-scale LDES power stations to be developed in Ireland’s internal electricity market.Solar energy portal contacted Capital Dynamics about the project’s technology, but the company did not clarify which technology it will…