Author: solarenergy

Solar manufacturer Swift Solar has acquired Meyer Burger’s heterojunction technology (HJT) intellectual property and manufacturing assets to ramp up domestic cell production. March 12, 2026 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA California-based Swift Solar has announced the acquisition of core manufacturing assets and the heterojunction (HJT) patent portfolio from Swiss company Meyer Burger. The deal includes the transfer of Meyer Burger’s specialized engineering team and executive leadership to Swift Solar as the company transitions to gigawatt-scale manufacturing in the United States. The acquisition provides Swift Solar with a vertically integrated path for silicon-perovskite tandem cells. HJT is a high-efficiency silicon…

German multinational energy company Uniper is developing plans for an onshore solar project near Sutton Bonington and has launched pre-application consultations with the local community and key stakeholders. The proposed development would cover approximately 72.9 hectares, of which approximately 30 hectares would be dedicated to solar panels. The project is expected to have a total installed capacity of 71.42 MWp (49.7 MWac). If planning permission is granted, a community fund will be established once the site becomes operational. The PV project is expected to operate for approximately 40 years, after which the site will be decommissioned and the land restored…

Heat pumps are quickly becoming a standard solution for hot water (DHW) production across Europe. Driven by decarbonization targets, electrification policies and the rapid growth of rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV), many buildings are replacing conventional gas boilers with efficient electric systems. The technology offers clear advantages. Heat pumps require much less electricity than direct electric heating and significantly reduce CO2 emissions2 emissions and can be easily integrated with modern building management systems. In combination with PV systems, they can shift hot water production to periods of solar energy surplus, increasing self-consumption and reducing demand on the electricity grid. However, the…

Speaking to the Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, Solar Ireland warned that the proposal’s definition of private cables could inadvertently delay Ireland’s rollout of household rooftop solar.Solar energy deployment has expanded rapidly in Ireland under current grid and safety standards; it now contributes significantly to the country’s sustainable energy mix. Rooftop solar represents 50% of solar technology deployed in Ireland, alongside utility-scale projects.Should the proposal go through, Solar Ireland is concerned that the definition of private cables could result in rooftop installations being subject to full licensing requirements, slowing the progress of Ireland’s renewable energy implementation. “Rooftop solar…

Conventional solar farms can support sheep and cattle grazing because the vegetation under and between PV modules provides sufficient feed quality, according to a new research report analyzing five installations in Germany. March 12, 2026 Marian Willuhn By pv magazine Deutschland Grassland in conventional solar farms can be used for grazing sheep and cattle, according to a study by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne). The study found that vegetation within solar installations provides sufficient feed quality, indicating that agricultural use is possible without special cultivation agrivoltaic systems. The study is based on research by scientists from the…

GlobalData says Russia added an estimated 100 MW of solar power last year, bringing its total installed solar power to about 3.1 GW. The consultancy forecasts an annual addition of about 200 MW over the next decade, bringing the country’s cumulative solar capacity to 5.3 GW by 2035. March 12, 2026 Patrick Jowett Russia according to analysis published by. approximately 100 MW of solar energy installed by 2025 Global data. The British consultancy estimates that the country’s cumulative solar capacity will increase from 3 GW in 2024 to 3.1 GW in 2025. GlobalData expects to add approximately 200 MW of…

Researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer FKIE Institute have developed PowerRange, a virtual simulation platform that helps power grid operators safely test cybersecurity measures and respond to realistic cyber attacks. The platform supports both traditional and renewable networks and provides immersive training for IT, OT and control systems, while emphasizing the importance of coordination, communication and practical defense strategies. March 12, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Germany’s Fraunhofer FKIE Institute have developed a virtual simulation platform to help power grid operators defend against cyber attacks by testing security strategies in realistic, controlled scenarios. “PowerRange is designed as a flexible and scalable cyber…

By pv magazine Australia Like any business, defense forces are researching the most efficient, easily deployable and cost-effective technologies to power armies, navies and air forces. As modern militaries increasingly rely on uninterrupted power supplies for communications, surveillance and autonomous technologies, the need to protect energy sources from disruption is growing. This is where perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are beginning to play an important role in strengthening energy independence in a range of existing and emerging technologies. Current applications PSCs are known for their ultra-lightweight composition, application flexibility and highly efficient performance properties – even in low light conditions. Laboratory…

Bifacial PV modules, string inverters and advanced trackers are becoming the technologies of choice when designing utility-scale solar projects, according to new data from RatedPower. March 11, 2026 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia RatedPower data shows that bifacial modules are now part of more than 90% of utility-scale PV projects prepared on the cloud-based solar design platform, while string inverters account for more than 50% of project simulations. RatedPower, part of US-based data analytics provider Enverus, says technology trends are reshaping the industry, with bifacial modules expected to reach a 95% market share by 2032. “Market share is expected…

By Martin McConnell March 11, 2026 Next Google’s acquisition of energy producer for AI data centers Cutting and a subsequent corporate spin-off by Intersect investors, IPX power has announced its formation and launch as an independent energy producer. IPX already has a portfolio of 4.4 GW of solar assets and 8.8 GWh of battery storage, serving utilities and other customers in California and Texas. The recently spun-off company will play a “critical role” in the US energy future, representatives say, as experts say the country’s energy demand could require 250 GW by 2030. The company’s portfolio already includes Intersect’s former…