Author: solarenergy

Researchers in Canada found that semi-transparent PV modules made from 69% transparent crystalline silicon can improve yields in tomato greenhouses by up to 38%, while maintaining healthy plant growth through favorable partial shade. Their simulations also showed that combining rooftop agrivoltaic energy with heat pumps can completely eliminate fossil fuel heating. April 28, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Western University in Canada investigated different types of semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) modules with different levels of transparency in tomato greenhouses in an attempt to identify the best panel configuration. “Experimentally, we tested a number of semi-transparent PV configurations for greenhouses growing Red…

CATL completed a roughly $5 billion share sale in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chinese inverter and battery maker Sungrow is making a second attempt at an IPO after its initial bid, launched in October 2025, expired. April 28, 2026 Marija Maisch By ESS news The world’s largest battery maker CATL completed a stock placement in Hong Kong on Tuesday, raising about $5 billion in a deal that marks the stock market’s largest stock offering so far this year. CATL sold 62.385 million new foreign capital shares (H shares) for HK$628.20 each, raising HK$39.2 billion ($5 billion), according to a…

Aurora’s new hub, called Flexplorer, integrates into the company’s existing intelligence platform, EOS. The new tool found that UK battery assets more than doubled their revenues (+126%) between February and March 2026, due to the conflict in the Middle East and the price impact on fossil fuels. According to Aurora, Flexplorer highlighted how BESS quickly transitioned from providing system stability services to wholesale electricity trading during the price spike, underscoring their growing role in capturing value during periods of volatility.Victor Yip, senior research associate at Aurora Energy Research, said: “What this highlights is the structural advantage that batteries have in…

According to data collected by solar buyer Black Bear Energy, the U.S. real estate sector has surpassed 1 GW of installed on-site solar capacity. The 2025 Solar Rankings for Real Estate shows 1,086 GW installed in 2,157 projects owned by more than 65 owners and managers. The Solar Leaderboard collects data on U.S.-based projects facilitated by Black Bear Energy, along with information voluntarily submitted by property owners and managers and supplemented by third-party sources. The dataset reflects the most comprehensive information available to Black Bear Energy at the time of publication, covering a wide range of project-level data and sources.…

A Vietnamese research team has developed a low-cost passive cooling system for PV modules based on hydrogel-coated paper that combines water flow and interfacial evaporation to reduce operating temperatures. Outdoor tests showed temperature reductions of up to 14 C and efficiency gains of up to 16.8%, achieving stable operation using both freshwater and natural seawater. April 28, 2026 Lior Kahana A research group in Vietnam has proposed a new passive cooling technique for PV modules that relies on hydrogel-coated paper as a cooling medium. The approach enables convective heat transfer through flowing water, while removing latent heat via interfacial evaporation.…

French utility EDF is working with energy storage developer BW ESS on the first phase of the Hams Hall battery energy storage system (BESS) in North Warwickshire.Through its PowerShift platform, EDF will optimize the 350 MW/1,243 MWh BESS plant, under a ten-year floor agreement. This allows the battery to provide flexibility to the electricity grid by balancing supply and demand, supporting grid stability and promoting the integration of new renewable energy generation.The project is currently under construction and is expected to be commercially operational in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a second phase expected to add 50MW/210MWh of capacity…

New federal data shows that solar and batteries will make up nearly 80% of all new utility-scale energy additions planned for the U.S. electric grid this year. April 28, 2026 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA The US power grid is on track for a record year, with developers planning to add 86 GW of new utility-scale capacity in 2026, according to the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Clean energy technologies are expected to dominate the expansion, with solar and battery storage accounting for the vast majority of planned additions. According to the April 2026 Electric…

Beijing has introduced a stricter national carbon assessment system that formally holds provincial governments accountable for emissions reduction and energy transition targets. April 28, 2026 Vincent Shaw China has released a new national framework for assessing progress toward its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, formalizing what was previously policy direction into a structured accountability system for provincial governments. The “Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment Measures for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality” was approved at a meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee on February 26, 2026, jointly issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of…

The iSkim Ultra uses a 24W monocrystalline solar panel and a 10,000mAh battery for 24/7 surface cleaning via an autonomous dual-path navigation system. April 28, 2026 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA Beatbot has introduced the iSkim Ultra to the residential pool market, a device that aims to reduce filtration loads by capturing surface debris before it sinks. The device is powered by a top-mounted 24W solar panel that supports continuous use, supplemented by a 10,000mAh battery for overnight cleaning cycles. For environments with limited sunlight, the system includes a 24W magnetic wireless charging pad. The hardware is built around…

China’s first large-scale salt cavern hydrogen storage demonstration project has been put into operation in Henan Province. The 1.5 million m³ facility validates geological hydrogen storage technology and supports the integration of renewable energy. April 28, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Image: Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has put into operation China’s first large-scale hydrogen storage demonstration project in Pingdingshan City, Henan Province. The project was jointly developed by the Wuhan Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Pingmei Shenma Group, with the participation of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and…