Author: solarenergy

Norwegian developer Scatec ASA has commissioned the first phase of the 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Egypt, backed by $479.1 million in development finance institution (DFI) debt and a fully contracted storage revenue model. April 17, 2026 Brian Public Scatec ASA has commissioned its largest project to date in Egypt with a capital structure that combines multilateral development bank debt with tiered equity from a Norwegian climate fund and a French energy company, and a power purchase agreement (PPA) that fully contracts the BESS dispatch without exposure to vendors. The $590 million Obelisk…

For two years, the European PV manufacturing story was straightforward, and grim. Chinese oversupply pushed module prices below €0.10 ($0.11)/W, European production lines halted one after another, and announced gigawatt-scale projects stalled at the financing stage. That story is shifting. Firstly, the energy prices are rising again. The Iran conflict is one driver, but the underlying pattern is structural uncertainty in our globalized economy, the kind that makes governments and utilities rethink where their supply chains actually sit. Shipping costs remain volatile, adding another layer of unpredictability to the landed cost of imported modules. Secondly, and for the first time,…

Renewables accounted for 48.8% of the Irish grid’s electricity demand in March 2026, while grid-scale solar contributed almost 1 GW by the end of the month.This is evident from the latest figures from the Irish grid operator EirGrid, which were published this week. The figure of 48.4% is a record for the network, and an increase from the 48.1% reported the previous month. Perhaps most strikingly, the contribution of solar energy has increased significantly, from 1.2% in February to 3.3% in March; Although this is still less than a tenth of the contribution of wind energy, the growth is remarkable.Changes…

A study by Federico II of the University of Naples shows that hydrogen production in Mediterranean ports could cost €5.7 to 8.6 per kg if only renewable energy sources are used, and €2.5 to 13 per kg in hybrid systems, with solar energy becoming the most reliable resource and wind energy performing better in certain locations. In addition to these findings, key developments in the sector include new hydrogen and e-fuel projects, advanced electrolyser technologies and EU-backed infrastructure expansion to support large-scale decarbonisation. April 17, 2026 Sergio Matalucci PV capacity factor for the analyzed ports in the Mediterranean Image: Energy…

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has invalidated all claims of two TOPCon solar cell patents previously filed by Trina Solar against Canadian Solar subsidiaries. April 17, 2026 Emiliano Bellini The headquarters of the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia, United States Image: Coolcaesar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Chinese-Canadian PV manufacturer Canadian Solar has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued final written decisions invalidating all claims of two TOPCon solar cell patents previously filed by the China-based competitor. Trina Solar. “This ruling reinforces Canadian Solar’s long-standing, successful track record in…

Hoshine Silicon reported 2025 revenues of CNY20.499 billion ($2.82 billion) and a net loss of CNY2.991 billion due to solar disruptions and impairments. Meanwhile, polysilicon and wafer prices continued to decline in mid-April due to high inventories and weak demand. April 17, 2026 Vincent Shaw Hoshine Silicon reported 2025 revenues of CNY20.499 billion ($2.82 billion) and a net loss attributable to shareholders of CNY2.991 billion ($411 million). The company attributed the loss mainly to a severe disruption of its PV business, which resulted in significant shutdown and operating losses, as well as CNY1.699 billion in impairment charges on PV-related and…

Researchers in the UK have found that, when used correctly, thermostatic radiator valves can reduce energy consumption for space heating with air source heat pumps by 6 to 8% without affecting system efficiency. TRVs should be used carefully in well-designed, balanced systems with at least one open flow path because they serve primarily as a secondary aid to room-level comfort control and not as a substitute for good heat pump design and operation at low supply temperatures. April 17, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the University of Salford in the UK have investigated how thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) could improve…

South Korea has extended investment tax credits to solar panel manufacturing facilities that meet carbon footprint thresholds, in the latest step in a policy path that increasingly uses purchasing and tax measures to support domestic manufacturers. April 16, 2026 Brian Publicover South Korea has expanded its fiscal support framework for low-carbon solar panel production, clarifying that facilities producing PV modules with carbon emissions of 655 kg CO₂/kW or less are eligible for investment tax credits under revised enforcement rules that came into effect on April 1. This was reported by the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA). The electric times this…

BMW Group tells pv magazine its iX5 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) will enter series production in 2028 using a third-generation fuel cell system co-developed with Toyota, but says hydrogen pump prices will need to match those of diesel for the vehicle to succeed commercially. April 16, 2026 Brian Publicover BMW Group has confirmed that the iX5 Hydrogen FCEV will enter series production in 2028, powered by a third-generation fuel cell system developed in collaboration with Toyota Motor, which BMW says delivers greater efficiency, higher output and lower energy consumption compared to previous iterations. BMW Group said improvements in…

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) cyber attacks are an important category of cyber threats that target digital and cyber-physical systems that rely on network availability, especially when systems rely on continuous communications for monitoring and control. In these attacks, a target system, server, or network is overwhelmed by a massive amount of traffic generated by multiple compromised devices. Rather than intercepting communications like other types of attacks, DDoS attacks aim to deplete system resources, making services unavailable to legitimate users. As a result, operators may lose visibility and control over critical infrastructure. DDoS attacks can also target PV systems and solar power…