Author: solarenergy

May 7, 2026 | This content is sponsored. Sponsored content is authorized by the customer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Solar builder magazine of Benjamin Media, Inc. Check out our privacy policy. Advanced technologies and design innovations are creating new opportunities for solar energy, even under the toughest conditions. In the past, the combination of ridges, rocky ground, persistent frost, undulating topography, steep hills, frigid temperatures and high winds could completely rule out a location. The level of difficulty of construction was too high and the risks too great. Image provided by Nexamp While all of these…

In the final article of a new series on solar energy production facilities around the world, pv magazine presents SoliTek’s solar energy production facility in Vilnius, Lithuania. The company recently commissioned an upgraded 200 MW production line as it transitions from semi-automated to fully automated processes for critical assembly stages. May 7, 2026 Patrick Jowett Lithuania-based solar company SoliTek was founded in 2009. It launched the SoliTek brand in 2014, after which it started producing its first glass-glass solar panels. Today, the company produces solar panels at its Vilnius factory using 100% renewable energy and offers customers European-made solar energy…

Project owner said ESS news that fire at one of Britain’s oldest grid-scale BESS projects was caused by a flaw in the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) technology used in some early British BESS projects. The fire occurred days before the planned expansion to upgrade the Rufford Colliery BESS site. May 7, 2026 Matthew Lynas Nottinghamshire fire crews from Mansfield, Ashfield, Ed winstowe and Clay Cross were called to attend the Rufford BESS fire Image: Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service By ESS news Gresham House has confirmed that the fire that broke out at the 7MW/9MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project at…

The German manufacturer launched two mounting systems for utility-scale solar projects and small and medium-sized installations respectively. Both are designed to streamline installation with simplified components and modular layouts. May 7, 2026 Lior Kahana K2’s Pi rack Image: K2 systems German PV mounting specialist K2 Systems has introduced two new products for ground-mounted solar installations. The new K2 Pi-Rack is designed for large-scale PV projects, while the N-Rack Kits target small and medium-sized systems. “By expanding its ground-mounting portfolio for large-scale projects, K2 Systems continues its strategic development,” the company said in a statement. “Following the addition of facade solutions…

By Martin McConnell May 7, 2026 ESA Solar Energy LLC has sold its 150 MW / 600 MWh Salzburg Battery Energy Storage Project to Fredericia, a Denmark-based energy company Ørsted. The project, located in Midland Township in central Michigan, first received approval in early 2025 and is strategically located to help the Mitten State meet its utility needs, the companies say. The project’s new owner is targeting a commercial energy delivery date between 2029 and 2030, with the project already making progress on permitting and progress milestones. Michigan is quickly becoming a hot spot market for energy storage, sales enablement…

BlackRock-backed developer Akaysha Energy says lenders need 60% to 80% of contracted revenue before they can assign project debt to battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Germany – a threshold that structured offtake products borrowed from the domestic market can meet. May 7, 2026 Brian Public BlackRock’s Australian BESS developer Akaysha Energy has formed a joint venture with Copenhagen Energy to develop large-scale battery storage sites across Germany. The partnership is backed by a AUD300 million ($217.8 million) corporate debt facility raised in September 2025 from a syndicate including Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, ING, SMBC and Westpac. Paul Curnow,…

Bentley Motors has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with private wire specialist Sonaura to supply its UK manufacturing headquarters in Crewe.Under the agreement, Sonaura will develop and operate a 7 MW solar project to directly power Bentley’s buildings via a private wire connection. Sonaura finances, develops and manages renewable assets, from land acquisition to energetic energy supply. Sonaura CEO Ed Pateman-Jones said: “By supplying locally sourced clean power directly to Bentley’s manufacturing headquarters in Crewe, we are helping to protect the business from continued market volatility by securing a reliable energy supply.”The US-Israeli invasion of Iran earlier this year…

The Austrian manufacturer said its new glass-glass module has 108 TOPCon half-cells with back contact and an energy conversion efficiency of 23.52%. May 7, 2026 Sandra Enkhardt By pv magazine Germany Austrian solar panel manufacturer Sonnenkraft this week launched a new back-contact TOPCon panel for roof applications. The glass-glass module, called 480GG2RNE, is based on 108 TOPCon half-cells. It offers a power of 480 W and an efficiency of 23.52%. The new product measures 1,800mm x 1,134mm x 35mm and weighs 24.5kg. It is designed for a maximum system voltage of 1,500 V and an operating temperature range of -40…

London-based renewable energy developer Elements Green has acquired the 300MW/600MWh Newarthill Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Scotland from developer Geocore. The transmission-connected project, located near Motherwell, was granted planning permission in February 2025 and is designed to last for two hours, with the potential to extend to four hours. The project is expected to be completed in October 2029. A network connection has been established via an adjacent 275 kV substation, with a network offer obtained from the UK National Energy System Operator (NESO) as part of the ongoing network reform process. Elements Green said the acquisition strengthens…

The European Commission has allocated €1.09 billion in support through the third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank, with nine projects selected in seven countries. The tender round was significantly oversubscribed with 58 bids from 11 countries. It awarded fixed hydrogen production incentives ranging from €0.44 ($0.51)/kg to €3.49/kg. May 7, 2026 Emiliano Bellini The European Commission allocated 1.1 GW of electrolysis capacity during the third hydrogen auction it launched in December. The tender, conducted by the European Hydrogen Bank, has selected nine projects across seven countries and earmarked €1.09 billion ($1.28 billion) in EU funding. “The auction rewards successful…