Author: solarenergy

An American research team has developed completely solid sodium batteries that maintain their performance at temperatures below freezing. The systems use a special chloride-based, solid electrolyte-coated cathode. November 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Y. Shirley Meng, Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering at UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering Image: UChicago PME By ESS news As lithium-ion batteries continue to improve in both performance and cost, it is becoming increasingly difficult for alternative technologies to challenge the incumbent. However, interest in solid-state batteries, which promise better energy density and safety, has increased significantly recently. Like lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries store and…

RWE has announced that it has completed construction on its first project in Louisiana, the 100 MW Lafitte Solar project in Ouachita Parish. The project will be fully online and generating energy by the end of this year. Lafitte Solar was made possible through a long-term PPA with Meta, which also sees Meta receive all environmental benefits associated with the project, including RECs. This follows another Louisiana PPA of 385 MW for Meta earlier this fall. The project was celebrated Nov. 13 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, local officials from the Ouachita Parish Police Jury…

The South Korean government says all public parking lots larger than 1,000 square meters will be required to install solar energy systems from the end of this month, as part of a nationwide policy to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in urban areas. November 13, 2025 Brian Publicover South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) has revealed that it will enforce a new rule requiring solar installations in all public parking lots over 1,000 square meters from November 28, 2025, following Cabinet approval of an amendment to the country’s renewable energy law. The decree stipulates that all…

RenewSys India unveiled its M10R n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells at the recent Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo 2025 in Greater Noida, India. November 13, 2025 Uma Gupta Image: RenewSys, pv magazine By pv magazine India RenewSys India showcased its M10R n-type TOPCon solar cells at the recent Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo 2025 in Greater Noida. The solar cells, made in India by RenewSys, meet the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) for government-backed projects. These have dimensions of 182.2 mm x 183.75 mm ± 0.25 mm with an average thickness of 130 ± 10 µm. The company…

The University of Freiburg has secured four coveted Synergy Grants from the European Research Council, strengthening its role as a leader in collaborative science and technology innovation. These grants will fund bold new research projects in areas ranging from solar photovoltaics and cellular biology to cancer treatment technologies, mobile network efficiency and early medieval European archaeology. Professor Stefan Glunz leads the project ‘UltimatePV – Ultimate Photovoltaics’, which plans to transform the design and efficiency of solar cells. Glunz and his team, in collaboration with institutions such as EPFL in Switzerland and CNRS in France, want to develop ultra-thin photovoltaic devices…

Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy says it has established a state-owned solar panel manufacturer with support from the Swedish government to deliver domestic sustainable programs and strengthen local production. November 13, 2025 Luis Ini By pv magazine LatAm Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Edwin Palma has announced the creation of the country’s first national company dedicated to the production of solar panels, with technical and financial cooperation from the Swedish government. The ministry said the company will be based in Colombia and will aim to meet domestic demand for PV modules used in electrification and rooftop solar programs.…

Poland’s parliament, the Sejm, has adopted amendments to the Construction Act to abolish the requirement for building permits for the construction of energy storage facilities with a capacity of up to 30 kWh. November 13, 2025 Marija Maisch Image: Aliaksandra Yadzeshka, Unsplash By ESS news Poland’s Sejm, the lower house of parliament, has adopted an amendment to the Construction Act that introduces more favorable conditions for the development of small-scale energy storage systems than initially proposed. The original draft of the regulation set a capacity threshold of 20 kWh for energy storage systems exempt from building permit requirements. However, lawmakers…

New research from Finland shows how the distance between solar panels plays a key role in determining power and crop yield. The scientists found that crops at a distance of 8 meters received at least 75% of the irradiation, which is expected to have minimal impact compared to a no-shade scenario. November 13, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Scientists from the University of Turku in Finland have investigated the impact of solar panel row spacing on power and crop yield in vertical two-sided agrivoltaic projects at high latitudes and found that a spacing of at least 8 meters is necessary to ensure…

By Brad Kramer November 13, 2025 Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural gas utility is inviting solar developers to submit proposals for new projects in the state to deliver renewable energy to customers. PECO reopens its doors competitive request for proposals (RFP) to purchase long-term renewable energy, capacity and associated solar PV alternative energy credits (SPAECs). PECO, headquartered in Philadelphia, provides power to approximately 1.7 million electric customers and more than 545,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. The utility is a subsidiary of Exelon Corp., one of the largest regulated utilities in the United States with more than 10 million…

Energy producer Drax has entered into a strategic partnership with price information platform Pexapark in a move the pair say will support price transparency in the UK PPA market.Drax has buyers of business power purchase agreements (PPAs) from a “broad spectrum” of industries, the company said, allowing it to understand the demands companies have on the PPA process.It will provide insight into its customers’ activities, enforcing confidentiality and data privacy agreements, so that Pexapark can better assess the UK market environment. Pexapark, which monitors the PPA market across Europe, will provide Drax customers with ‘an appetite for PPAs’ with GB…