Author: solarenergy
Newly implemented rules for the Ukrainian energy market introduce solar-plus-storage systems as a separate auction category, ease regulatory barriers for standalone storage projects and establish processes for renewable energy facilities in the occupied territories of Ukraine. March 16, 2026 Patrick Jowett Ukraine adopted Law No. 4777-IX which includes amendments to legislative acts related to energy markets, electricity production and strengthening energy resilience. The law, which formally entered into force last week, covers a total of fifteen legislative acts on the electricity market. Vladyslav Sokolovskyi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Solar Energy Association (SEAU), told pv magazine…
Three companies are partnering to build a community solar portfolio of eight projects and 48.4 MW of capacity in New Mexico. These arrays are among the first to be built in New Mexico’s new community solar program. A 7 MW community solar project in Tularosa, New Mexico. Pluma construction Pluma construction of New Mexico is developing the community solar portfolio with support from ForeFront Power. Standard solar energy has acquired the projects and will own and operate them upon completion. Solstice energy technologies will handle customer subscriptions during the activities. “Making New Mexico’s Community Solar Program a reality will greatly…
Intertek CEA says tariffs tied to a Section 232 polysilicon probe could drive up U.S. solar panel prices through 2027, despite growing domestic production capacity. March 16, 2026 Ben Zientara By pv magazine USA Tech consultancy Intertek CEA has released its market intelligence reports for the fourth quarter of 2025, outlining its expectations for an extended period of higher solar panel prices in the United States – a trend likely to be exacerbated by, among other things, tariffs levied under the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Section 232 investigation into polysilicon imports. The analysis, which can be found in the company’s…
By 2025, back-contact solar panels from Aiko Solar and Longi would account for more than 50% of the Swiss market, driven by strong demand for high-efficiency rooftop PV systems, according to a new report from Eturnity and the Bern University of Applied Sciences. March 16, 2026 Emiliano Bellini The market shares of back-contact (BC) solar panel manufacturers in Switzerland have increased significantly between 2023 and 2025, according to a new report from the Bern University of Applied Sciences and Swiss software company Eturnity. The Photovoltaic barometer 2026 A report shows that Chinese solar panel manufacturers were in B.C. last year…
An international research team has developed CyberSentry, a software framework that uses advanced deep learning and optimization techniques to improve cybersecurity in SCADA systems for power plants and critical infrastructure. It combines feature selection, hybrid anomaly detection and dynamic parameter tuning to detect various cyber attacks with 99.5% accuracy while minimizing false alarms. March 16, 2026 Emiliano Bellini An international research team has developed a new software-based framework to increase cybersecurity in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in power plants, electrical grids and other infrastructure facilities. In large-scale solar power plants, SCADA systems are a crucial element…
The system enables measurements under controlled irradiation, spectrum and temperature conditions. According to Ciemat, it can combine 0.4% spatial radiation uniformity, 500 ms illumination pulses and dynamic IV acquisition to accurately test high-capacity photovoltaic modules in a single pulse. March 16, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain Spain Center for Energy, Environment and Technological Research (CIEMAT) has commissioned a state-of-the-art large-area solar simulator designed for the electrical characterization of commercial photovoltaic modules and the experimental study of emerging PV technologies, the institute said. pv magazine. The new system, developed by CIEMAT’s Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, enables highly accurate…
The Chinese manufacturer said its new Star Shine I system is already available in Europe and can operate at speeds of 10-18 m/min, covering cleaning routes of up to 3 km round trip and 9 km in one direction. March 16, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina Chinese solar tracker manufacturer Arctech Solar has introduced its Star Shine I cleaning robot for photovoltaic installations to the European market, with an autonomous control system designed for utility-scale solar installations. The system operates in a timer-controlled dry cleaning mode and can travel at speeds of 10 to 18 meters per minute. “It achieves a…
US-based Pii Energy has launched a plug-in solar-plus-storage kit designed for renters and apartment dwellers, priced around $2,400. March 16, 2026 Ben Zientara By ESS news New Mexico-based Pii Energy announced the launch of its Edge 2000 plug-in home energy system during a live demonstration on March 14, colloquially known as “Pi Day” for the US date style of 3/14. The Edge 2000 system is a kit that combines 1.2 kW of solar panels with an inverter, 2,000 watt-hour battery backup, 10 smart outlets, a Raspberry Pi-powered smart system controller, and all the necessary wiring to connect the components to…
TNO has launched Perovion Technologies to industrialize lightweight, flexible perovskite solar cells, aimed at niche applications for which conventional panels are not suitable. The company plans to build the first roll-to-roll production facility for perovskite solar cells in the Netherlands by 2030. March 16, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina The Dutch research institute Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) has announced the establishment of Perovion Technologiesa new company dedicated to the industrialization of solar cells based on lightweight and flexible perovskite materials. The spin-off aims to take the technology from laboratory-scale development to large-scale industrial production. According to Sjoerd Veenstra,…
The UK government has launched what it called the ‘biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade’, with £1 billion in funding to unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for young people. In addition to several new reforms and plans, the program also includes the creation of new apprenticeships in the areas of ‘Installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points’ and ‘Installation and maintenance of solar PVs’. Apprenticeship units are a new training format introduced by the government that are shorter in duration than traditional apprenticeships and designed to fill skills gaps in the most urgent areas. There are huge…