Author: solarenergy
No country has influenced global solar panel supply chains as much as the United States. Since the rise of solar energy in the early 2010s, the U.S. government has pursued Chinese companies around the world, initiating tariffs on products that are “dumped” into the U.S. market at uncompetitive prices. Elite solar cell factory in Egypt. Credit: Solar Power World When the Commerce Department first imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels in 2012, manufacturers shifted production to Taiwan and then to Southeast Asia. Regardless of China’s involvement, Southeast Asia became the main production location for solar panels until the United…
Sunlight has a wide range of wavelengths, but many solar technologies utilize only part of that spectrum, limiting their efficiency. Researchers have now shown that small self-assembled gold spheres known as supraballs can capture almost all wavelengths in sunlight, including those that conventional photovoltaic materials often miss, and can significantly increase the absorption of solar energy when used as a coating on standard devices. Gold and silver nanoparticles are attractive for solar energy applications because they are relatively simple and cost-effective to produce. However, the light absorption of conventional metal nanoparticles is largely limited to visible wavelengths, meaning they affect…
New 2.4 GWh Adiabatic Energy Storage Plant (CAES) now operational in Jiangsu Province. The large-scale CAES uses molten salt and pressurized thermal water storage to achieve high efficiency, with power generated via two 300 MW units. January 27, 2026 Matthew Lynas Image: Harbin Electric Corp. By ESS news The world’s largest compressed air storage facility in a salt cave in China has been switched on, significantly strengthening the region’s renewable energy storage capacity, according to a statement from Harbin Electric Group. The Guoxin Suyan Huai’an salt cave compressed air energy storage demonstration project consists of two 300 MW non-combustion compressed…
Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a safer and cheaper alternative to lithium-ion, with a recent international study highlighting their competitiveness in stationary energy storage. The research shows that continued investment and supply chain development could enable wider adoption within the next decade. January 28, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are increasingly seen as a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion (Li-ion) storage, especially as global demand for lithium is expected to exceed supply by 2028, according to a recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Despite this potential, achieving broad commercial success, especially outside niche applications, remains a challenge.…
New data from the Rhodium Group and MIT/CEEPRs Clean Investment Monitor shows that investments in clean technology manufacturing in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have reached their lowest point in almost three years. Credit: Keystone Research Center Established investments in clean technology manufacturing in the region fell to $1.35 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 – a 21% decline from the peak of $1.69 billion just two quarters earlier. This represents the lowest quarterly investment since the second quarter of 2023. “These numbers tell a clear story of missed economic opportunity for Appalachia,” said Diana Polson, senior policy…
In Maine, the Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County (HFHWC) has installed a solar energy project in the recently opened ReStore that will offset 100% of the facility’s electricity consumption. The 18.92 kW system was installed in collaboration with a non-profit solar energy supplier Everyone solar energy. The solar project will allow HFHWC to direct more resources to building and repairing homes for low-income families. “When a nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County saves energy, those savings are reflected where it matters – in safer homes, stronger repairs and greater accessibility for people in the community,” said Myriam…
Pila Energy offers a sleek, sleek home battery that requires no approvals or permits and works in coordination. What’s the catch? January 28, 2026 Tristan Rayner By ESS news A new startup was introduced at CES 2026 ESS news was Pila Energy, a home battery maker hoping to bring an Apple Watch-esque cool and sleek design and tech features to the sector. Pila energy offers a long and flat battery style, which can be placed horizontally or upright in the home. Using lithium iron phosphate or LFP chemistry, each battery weighs 20.4 kg and measures 38 cm by 67.5 cm…
New documents reveal that the US government found only two cases of communications in Chinese inverters that differed from official documentation. The discrepancies were deemed “non-malicious” and “non-intentional” by investigators. January 28, 2026 Matthew Lynas A US government analysis of Chinese-made inverters found “no definitive evidence” of malicious wireless functions, a report finds pv magazine research into the scope of wireless communication in inverters and the risks they entail. The US Department of Energy (DOE) shared its analysis with energy industry partners following media reports pointing to the presence of undocumented wireless communications in Chinese-made inverters, which was first broken…
By Brad Kramer January 28, 2026 Power Bank Corp. will complete final commissioning of its SFF-06 battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Ontario, Canada. The project had previously been announced in August 2025 and will include 4.99 MW of energy storage. The SFF-06 project is in the final phase of “hot” commissioning with EVLO. The project commissioning includes several milestones with technical partners to ensure safe installation, interconnection and commissioning with the hydropower grid for the nine EVLO battery containers. PowerBank expects the commercial operation date for the SFF-06 project to occur in January, subject to receipt of all…
Israel-based IPP Econergy has secured £21 million in project funding for its 40MW/120MWh Dalmarnock battery energy storage system (BESS) in Scotland.With this money from Santander UK, Econergy has completed the Dalmarnock project financially.The company said this was an “important milestone” in its transition from a developer to an independent power producer (IPP) model, where it develops, owns and operates its projects. It claimed the transaction “paves the way for the wider commercialisation” of its UK pipeline, which includes almost 3GW of projects.Econergy also entered into a long-term optimization agreement with EDF for the Dalmarnock project to improve revenue visibility and…