Author: solarenergy

Guatemala’s Generation Expansion Plan 5 (PEG-5) tender has attracted 51 bids for a total of almost 4.7 GW – more than triple the 1.4 GW sought – with around 2 GW of solar projects, including hybrids with storage, competing for long-term supply contracts starting between 2030 and 2033. February 17, 2026 Luis Ini By pv magazine LatAm Guatemala’s PEG-5 electricity tender has attracted 51 companies offering almost 4.7 GW of capacity – more than three times the requested 1,400 MW. About 2,000 MW of the proposals concern solar energy projects, including hybrid systems with storage. The Ministry of Energy and…

An international research team used high-resolution electroluminescence imaging to quantify type-C cracks in 100 PV modules after 11 years of operation, linking crack distribution to real-world power loss. Concentrated cracks in individual cells were found to cause disproportionately high losses, highlighting the importance of cell-level crack analysis for effective PV maintenance. February 17, 2026 Lior Kahana An international team of researchers has performed a quantitative assessment of the power loss of PV modules affected by type-C cracks using electroluminescence (EL) imaging. “This study uses high-resolution EL imaging and automatic crack segmentation to quantify type-C cracks in a sample of 100…

Spain installed 339 MWh of storage linked to self-PV consumption in 2025, an increase of 119% year-on-year, according to APPA Renovables. The country added 1,214 MW of new self-consumption capacity, bringing the total to 9.6 GW. February 17, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina By ESS news PV self-consumption in Spain has proven itself as a structural driver of the energy transition, even though the sector has experienced three consecutive years of contraction and is currently lagging behind the pace needed to achieve the objectives of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). This is evident from the fourth edition of…

The so-called basis risk associated with cross-border virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) was declared by Finergreen in March 2024, when many corporate buyers reportedly signed such agreements to hedge their pan-European electricity consumption and decarbonize their energy mix. For example, a business buyer can enter into a cross-border VPPA in Spain to cover its pan-European consumption, which could be spread across France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium and possibly Spain itself. At first glance, the main advantage of cross-border VPPAs lies in the ability to limit allocated resources by negotiating a single offtake agreement, rather than entering into…

Emerging energy technologies are transforming the electric grid by adding flexibility, reliability and expanded power generation, but can also increase cyber risk because many older devices are not built to meet today’s cybersecurity expectations. Credit: Titan Solar UL Solutions has been launched a new certification program which creates the first industry-wide cybersecurity baseline for distributed energy resources (DER) and inverter-based devices, such as microgrids, batteries, hydrogen systems and electric vehicle infrastructure. This certification program provides manufacturers, utilities, regulators and grid operators with a consensus-based framework to mitigate that risk. “Our new cybersecurity testing and certification program brings clarity and common…

The US company said its Power Control software is designed to help installers reduce costs and streamline interconnection. One of its features is the ability to control total system exports via software-based limits. February 17, 2026 Lior Kahana IQ9N microinverter (277 V) Image: Enphase Enphase Energy, a California-based provider of solar inverters and energy storage systems, has introduced new control software for its IQ8 and IQ9 commercial microinverter systems. The new software, called Power Control, is designed to help installers save costs and simplify interconnection. “Enphase Power Control software is designed to help installers work faster and stay within budget…

Renvolt, a subsidiary of French renewable energy developer Voltalia, has signed a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 124.2 MW solar PV project in Ireland.The Wexford Hub project, which has been signed with ESB, Ireland’s semi-public energy services company, will be located in County Wexford, in the south east of Ireland. Once operational, Renvolt will also carry out the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the PV installation.Commercial operation of ESB’s Wexford Hub solar project is expected before spring 2027, according to the energy services company.This also marks the fourth collaboration – both for completed and under-construction projects…

As part of its investment, Octopus Energy will acquire a solar and storage project in California that is expected to be operational in July. The British-based company, which operates in key markets in Europe, Australia, China and the United States, says California’s clean technology sector will “bring innovation, growth and returns to Britain.” February 17, 2026 Blathnaid O’Dea UK-based Octopus Energy Generation is investing nearly $1 billion in clean technology innovation, concentrated in California’s Bay Area. The investment is part of London-based Octopus’ strategy to grow its business in the United States and ensure its established UK operations can benefit…

A 150MW/300MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) has been approved for development in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.The project was proposed in July 2025 by Northern Ireland developer Valor Power.A LinkedIn message by Donna Lyle, deputy director of planning consultancy Turley Belfast, states that planning permission was granted by Antrim and Newtonabbot Borough Council at a meeting on the evening of February 16. The planning portal has not yet been updated to reflect this.According to Lyle’s post, the project will “play a key role in supporting the SONI-identified Kells Grid Cluster, helping to strengthen grid stability, enable greater integration of renewables…

Fraunhofer scientists have announced two efficiency records for III-V tandem modules. The team says its III-V germanium PV module with an efficiency of 34.2% is the most efficient solar panel in the world, while its III-V silicon PV module with an efficiency of 31.3% is a record in its class. February 17, 2026 Patrick Jowett Germany Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed two III-V tandem PV modules with a world record energy conversion efficiency. The team’s modules each contain solar cells based on III-V semiconductor compounds, composed of elements from the third and fifth groups of the…