Author: solarenergy

The UK National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published a preliminary regional energy strategic plan for distribution network operators (DNOs) to use in their business plans for 2028-2033.The publication of the Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) was described by Julian Leslie, director of strategic energy planning and chief engineer at NESO, as “a key moment in the implementation of strategic energy planning”.NESO said it has spoken to 2,800 local stakeholders across three rounds of RESP forums since March 2025, making submissions to help NESO understand the strategically important energy needs in every region of Britain. The tRESP, as the…

French researchers have developed a high-resolution computational framework to model the microclimate effects of large floating solar PV systems, enabling accurate predictions of heat transfer, ambient temperatures and water evaporation based on panel configuration and wind conditions. The model can inform thermal performance and environmental impacts and optimize designs for utility-scale floating PV, as well as ground-mounted and agrivoltaic installations. February 2, 2026 Valerie Thompson French researchers have developed a framework to model the microclimate effects of large floating PV systems. The new model can be used to determine wind-dependent convective heat transfer coefficients (CHTC) and ambient temperatures and to…

Bulgaria installed more than 1 GW of solar energy for the third consecutive year in 2025 and is expected to add more than 2 GW of solar energy this year thanks to a large pipeline of utility-scale projects. February 2, 2026 Patrick Jowett Bulgaria Last year, 1,416 MW of solar energy was added, according to official data published on the ENTSO-E Transparency Platform. The result marks the third year in a row that Bulgaria has deployed more than 1 GW of solar energy and brings the country’s cumulative capacity to 5,984 MW. Desislava Mateva, project manager at the Sofia-based Association…

Researchers in Iraq have developed biomimetic leaf vein-inspired fins for photovoltaic panels, with reticular (RET) veins reducing panel temperatures by 33.6 C and increasing efficiency by 18% using passive cooling. Their research combines 3D CFD simulations and electrical evaluations to optimize fin geometry, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional cooling methods. February 2, 2026 Lior Kahana A research group from Iraq’s Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University has numerically investigated the thermal and electrical performance of PV panels integrated with leaf vein-inspired fins. They simulated four types of veins used by plants, namely pinnate veins (PIN), reticulate veins (RET), parallel veins along…

The cumulative energy storage capacity of China’s energy sector reached 213.3 GW at the end of 2025, up 54% year-on-year, according to data from the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA). Pumped hydro accounted for 31.3% of the total, while “new type” energy storage accounted for 67.9% – about 144.7 GW. Based on the CNESA DataLink 2025 annual energy storage data set, presented at a press conference in Beijing on January 22, a total of 66.43 GW/189.48 GWh of new energy storage systems were deployed in 2025. Added power and energy scales increased 52% and 73% year-over-year, respectively, tying CNESA to…

The Clean Technology Training Trust (CTTT) is establishing its National Advisory Council, a cross-sector group of union leaders, industry partners, workforce experts and educators to develop training and apprenticeship pathways for the country’s clean transportation and advanced manufacturing economy. Clean Technology Training Trust The advisory board will advise CTTT on its mission to scale careers in zero-emission vehicle maintenance, battery manufacturing, advanced manufacturing 4.0, semiconductor and chip manufacturing, and industrial manufacturing engineers. “Employers need skilled talent, and workers deserve clear, supported pathways to good jobs,” said Dave Reaves, Chairman of the Clean Technology Training Trust and International Vice President, International…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that in January, most of East Asia experienced normal to above-average solar radiation, with southeastern China seeing peaks due to reduced cloud cover and low aerosol levels under persistent La Niña effects. In contrast, the Philippines experienced below-average insolation from early Tropical Storm Nokaen, while other regional cities such as Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei posted modest gains. January 30, 2026 Solcast Most of East Asia recorded normal to above-normal solar radiation in January as weak La Niña conditions continued to influence regional weather patterns. The biggest gains were…

Turn energya national renewable energy provider headquartered in Denver, and the University of Denver (DU), have completed the state’s first off-site net-metered solar project. From left to right: Matt Brenn, Director of Community Solar Subscriptions, Pivot Energy; James Pedric, account manager, Xcel Energy; Lynn Bailey, director of Energy, Sustainability and Utilities, DU; Mark DeLorenzo, senior vice chancellor for business and finance affairs, DU; Stephanie O’Malley, associate vice chancellor for public relations, DU; Mat Elmore, SVP, Strategic Accounts, Pivot Energy; Marci Grossman, director of communications, Pivot Energy. This project contributes to DU’s goal to offset 100% of its electricity with renewable…

This week, Women in Solar+ Europe gives the voice to Alba Sande, lawyer at the Spanish law firm ASande Legal. She argues that despite progress, women are still underrepresented in the renewable energy sector. “As a wife and mother, I have often encountered the unspoken assumption that professional ambition should take a back seat to family life, a bias rarely applied to men,” she says. January 30, 2026 Women in Solar+ Europe The solar energy, energy storage, EV charging and network infrastructure sectors are at the core of the energy transition. What makes these industries particularly suited to and in…

Kiwa PI Berlin has released its latest report assessing the quality of solar panel manufacturers, noting that new manufacturing regions (especially the United States) are reporting more production defects. “The 2026 PV Module Manufacturing Quality Report” summarizes Kiwa PI Berlin’s quality assurance findings from factory audits, production surveillance and pre-shipment inspections. The organization discovered new defect patterns in high-impact processes, including lay-up precision, lamination integrity and junction box assembly. These deficiencies demonstrate weaknesses in the panel manufacturer’s ability to manage bills of materials and process controls. Kiwa PI Berlin noted that US factories exhibit the highest critical and major quality…