Author: solarenergy
China’s solar industry has launched its first TOPCon-focused patent pool, led by Trina Solar, JA Solar and JinkoSolar, to streamline licensing, reduce disputes and strengthen IP coordination at home and abroad. April 23, 2026 Vincent Shaw China’s photovoltaic industry has formally launched its first patent pool, a move that could reshape how intellectual property is licensed and enforced across the country’s solar energy manufacturing value chain. The platform was unveiled in Beijing on April 21 at an event led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), with organizational support from…
The EU is moving ahead with a plan to restrict financing of PV projects using inverters from high-risk suppliers, citing cybersecurity concerns and issuing new guidelines to phase them out. Some projects linked to the EU network will be subject to a transition period, while others will have to exclude such suppliers by 2027. April 23, 2026 Emiliano Bellini The EU has moved forward with a plan to stop financing PV projects built with inverters supplied by high-risk suppliers. The move was initially reported by the German news channel The Mirrorstating that the measure will take effect immediately. “We are…
American scientists have developed a method to predict solar radiation at any location using a single high-resolution hemisphere image captured on site. By extracting information about the sky, sun and surrounding scenes from visual cues, this approach enables accurate long-term energy forecasts without relying on detailed 3D city models. April 23, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers at Columbia University in the United States have developed a new technique to measure solar radiation at any location using a single rectangular image. The method uses a single hemispherical image taken at the panel location to infer scene geometry, sky visibility and lighting conditions,…
Solx’s Aurora hybrid module with Caelux’s perovskite glass aims to compete on performance beyond the federal tax burden. April 23, 2026 Michael Puttré By pv magazine USA The agreement between two American solar technology companies to production of new generation photovoltaic modules will expand production of products using domestic components, including cells, frames and glass. The principals said the partnership between solar manufacturer Solx and perovskite glass maker Caelux will meet U.S. demand for domestic content while producing more powerful modules that will compete internationally after the elimination of federal tax credits. Caelux, based in Baldwin Park, California, completed the…
The system integrates a battery, a hybrid inverter and a home energy management system into one device. It supports the integration of additional devices including heat pumps via SG-Ready interfaces. A connection to Tesla’s own wallbox is also planned. April 23, 2026 Marian Willuhn Tesla is expanding its offering in the residential energy storage market with a new three-phase system. The Powerwall 3P system is now available and integrates a battery, hybrid inverter and home energy management system into a single unit. The new product has a storage capacity of 13.4 kWh and delivers up to 15.4 kW of AC…
In this blog, Viridian Solar’s KT Tan examines the fire safety data gap in the UK solar sector and introduces BRE’s PV-FIN research project, which addresses outdated evidence.The solar PV industry is currently experiencing a flurry of activity – a common feature of a fast-growing sector – but a clear theme is beginning to emerge. Recognizing the crucial role of solar PV in achieving energy security and decarbonising the economy, the UK Government recently announced the Future Homes Standard, which makes solar PV mandatory for all new-build homes. At the same time, a revision of Approved Document B was launched…
Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a film-based system that applies color patterns and cutouts to PV modules using the institute’s MorphoColor technology, allowing modules to imitate roof tiles, brickwork and facades with an efficiency loss of around 5%. April 23, 2026 Brian Publicover Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a technique for applying colored films with transparent cutouts to solar panels, allowing complex visual patterns while retaining approximately 95% of the power of an uncoated module. The ShadeCut technology uses laser or CAD-controlled processes to cut patterns…
Dutch thermoacoustic heat pump developer BlueHeart Energy has announced that its thermoacoustic heat pump engine technology is currently being tested in residential environments and is expected to hit the European market in spring 2027. “This first launch will be deliberately modest,” says CEO Michiel Hartman pv magazine. “Early units will be delivered in limited volumes, allowing partners to validate performance in real-world conditions as production capacity increases. A broader rollout will follow gradually, with scale-up expected to take at least another year. In other words, while some customers may purchase systems within the next twelve months, widespread availability will come…
A Massachusetts federal judge has halted five separate orders from the Trump administration that hampered the development of federally overseen renewable energy projects. Chief Judge Denise Casper of the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts filed a request preliminary injunction on Tuesday blocked those orders, saying they violate an administrative procedure law and harm renewable energy developers. Credit: EDP Renewables North America “Today the courts rightly blocked illegal regulatory attacks that drive up energy costs and delay the development of new electricity sources we urgently need,” said Sandra Purohit, federal advocacy director at E2. “Wind and solar energy remain the cheapest…
Zendure is expanding its business to focus on whole-home living space, expanding its plug-in balcony storage roots. April 23, 2026 Tristan Rayner By ESS news Zendure, long associated with Europe’s plug-in solar boom on balconies, has launched the SolarFlow Mix Series, new home storage systems that push the company beyond its 800W roots, with modular options. In February this year, Zendure unveiled three SolarFlow models in a major new launch that has re-established its position in the market, and the new Mix series marks a shift towards whole-home energy management for European households. The three new products are the SolarFlow…