Author: solarenergy
Advances in semi-transparent solar cell technology drive future energy solutions for buildings Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have succeeded in setting a new benchmark for semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (ST-OPV) technology, an innovation that enables the integration of solar cells into windows, screens and other surfaces for urban environments. ST-OPVs address the crucial challenge of balancing transparency with high energy conversion efficiency, combining attractive visual design with effective energy generation for smart building integration. A major achievement of the PolyU team was the development of the dimensionless parameter FoMLUE, which screens photoactive materials by combining visual transmittance, band gap and…
The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority is looking for a project developer to build a solar and battery mini-grid facility. The deadline for registration is December 3. October 28, 2025 Patrick Jowett Image: Aboodi Vesakaran, Unsplash The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) is inviting private mini-grid developers to bid for a solar-plus-battery project. The tender details declare that the chosen developer will be responsible for designing, co-financing, building, operating and maintaining the mini-grid, which will be built in Bulimeni, southern Eswatini. The tender document states that the community has at least 168 potential customers and is remote and currently without access…
OMC Power and Honda Motor will jointly develop energy storage solutions using recycled batteries for electric vehicles, enabling mini-grid, rooftop and telecom applications to support India’s clean energy transition. October 28, 2025 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India OMC Power, a distributed renewable energy (DRE) company targeting a 1 GWp clean energy portfolio in India, and Honda Motor are collaborating on energy storage solutions and battery reuse from the electric mobility ecosystem. Building on preliminary studies conducted in recent years, Honda and OMC have demonstrated the potential of repurposing Honda’s detachable and portable batteries, originally used in electric two- and…
A German research team has developed a semiconductor-based security concept, tailored to sustainable energy systems, that forces a permanent short circuit in less than 1 millisecond in the event of a fault. The generated short circuit remains intact during the fault and reliably protects the components against overcurrent. October 28, 2025 Ralph Diermann Fraunhofer IMWS office in Halle, Germany Image: Fraunhofer IMWS by pv magazine Germany. A joint research project between the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Infineon Bipolar and the Technical University of Dresden has developed a semiconductor-based protection concept tailored to the specific requirements…
Enphase Energy has announced support for complete off-grid system configurations which can operate without an electricity connection if necessary. The system requires the IQ Battery 5P with built-in grid shaping microinverters, IQ8 series microinverters with Sunlight JumpStart capability, and a third-party standby AC generator, all working together to power the home. Enphase’s comprehensive off-grid solution is designed to meet the unique energy needs of homeowners. For off-grid use cases, the Enphase Energy System components work together to power loads and charge batteries efficiently, with intelligent software that optimizes generator use when needed and prevents generator damage from feeding back power.…
Enphase Energy has introduced a complete off-grid solar and storage system that integrates batteries, microinverters and generator control, with an international rollout set for 2026. October 28, 2025 Lior Kahana Enphase Energy, a California-based provider of solar inverters and energy storage systems, has announced a new, complete off-grid solar and battery solution. The system is currently available in the United States and will be expanded to other markets in 2026. “With the launch of our off-grid solution, we are offering homeowners a reliable path to complete energy independence,” said Nitish Mathur, SVP of customer experience at Enphase Energy. “Today there…
Ampt and Hiringa Energy plan to deploy a 27 MW (DC) solar panel with 30 MWh battery storage to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for a low-carbon cotton company in Australia. October 28, 2025 Ev Foley By pv magazine Australia The American Ampt is working with the New Zealand green hydrogen company Hiringa Energy on an initiative for the production of low-carbon cotton. Ampt’s string optimizer technology will support a solar plus storage system for the Hiringa hydrogen and ammonia plant, part of the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project near Moree, eastern Australia. The project includes a…
U.S.-made perovskite tandem cells from Swift Solar were used in a U.S. Department of Defense hybrid microgrid as part of a recent cybersecurity demonstration. October 28, 2025 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA Swift Solar, a US manufacturer of perovskite tandem solar cells, has revealed that its technology has been deployed in a US Department of Defense cybersecurity demonstration, marking one of the first operational deployments of perovskites. The perovskite solar cells were integrated with the Rapid Deployment Hybrid MicroGrid (RDHM), developed by Resilient Energy & Infrastructure. The modular microgrids are designed for rapid installation and movement and are built…
Saudi Power Procurement Co. (SPPC) has concluded the sixth phase of the country’s National Renewable Energy Program with the award of four solar projects and one wind farm. This includes the 1.4 GW solar power plant in Najran, which has the second lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar energy to date. October 28, 2025 Patrick Jowett SPPC has awarded contracts for four new solar energy projects in Saudi Arabia with a combined capacity of 3 GW. The project awards are under the sixth phase of the country’s National Renewable Energy Program, which is supervised by the Saudi Ministry…
A bipartisan group of more than a dozen governors released a message package of reform priorities to improve federal permitting and regulatory processes for critical energy infrastructure projects. In a letter to congressional committee leaders, the National Governors Association, co-chaired by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, called on Congress to enact reforms to ensure that federal permitting processes are streamlined and managed in a technology-neutral and apolitical manner, allowing all types of energy projects to progress. “This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. Every American needs to heat their home and power their vehicle,” said…