Author: solarenergy

By Martin McConnell January 19, 2026 An Illinois utility company Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) has presented a second multi-year network plan (MYGP) to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which outlines future “critical investments” in the Land of Lincoln’s electricity grid for the period 2028-2031. The new plan was developed with feedback from both stakeholders and customers in mind and is now aligned with the state’s renewable energy goals. The company plans to “make cost-effective investments in infrastructure that simplifies and accelerates the interconnection of solar and wind energy” with the ComEd system’s broader energy network, in addition to the system’s already…

The 300 MW solar and 1,200 MWh storage Pioneer Clean Energy Center is under construction in Arizona. The project was developed by BightNight and partner Cordelio Power and will use Fluence Energy Gridstack Pro BESS. “Pioneer will provide reliable, available clean energy that Arizona needs to support its rapid growth,” said Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight. “This project shows how large-scale renewables combined with advanced storage can deliver robust capacity and true grid resiliency. We are excited to work with partners who share our commitment to building the next generation of energy infrastructure.” Fluence’s Gridstack Pro solution will include U.S.-manufactured…

Egypt’s Kemet signed three agreements with Chinese companies in the past week, covering plans for a 5 GW solar cell complex, a 5 GWh battery energy storage factory and Egypt’s first solar inverter factory. January 19, 2026 Patrick Jowett Image: Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy Egyptian company Kemet has signed a cooperation agreement with Chinese clean energy conglomerate GCL to develop an industrial complex for the production of solar cells in Egypt. According to a statement published by the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the industrial complex will have a production capacity of 5 GW, cover…

The non-recourse debt will support Egg Power’s 250MW pipeline of solar and wind projects under construction, with capacity expected to be scaled to 500MW in the UK. Three UK solar projects – Grange, Rainsbrook and Rag Lane – are currently under construction.Egg Power acquired all three projects in 2025, with the Grange solar farm was last added to his portfolio in December.The portfolio is expected to become commercially operational between the second quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, with projects also planned across Europe.Once operational, the initial UK portfolio, supported by long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), is…

TCL Zhonghuan has entered exclusive talks to acquire a controlling stake in module manufacturer DAS Solar. This marks one of the most significant consolidation moves in China’s photovoltaic manufacturing sector as the industry faces continued financial pressure and overcapacity. January 19, 2026 Vincent Shaw TCL Zhonghuan has signed a framework agreement to acquire Chinese module manufacturer DAS Solar. The proposed transaction would involve a combination of existing share transfers, a voting rights allocation arrangement and a subsequent capital increase, giving TCL Zhonghuan effective control of the company. The parties have agreed to a 90-day exclusivity period to negotiate final terms,…

Aazzum Yassir, director of technology & operations at Pulse Clean Energy, discusses the technological shift in BESS applications over the past decade as the importance of energy storage has been proven. When the Paris Agreement was finalized in 2015, it set the world on course to limit global temperature rise to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and ideally to 1.5°C. Few could have predicted how central battery energy storage systems (BESS) could achieve these goals. This groundbreaking agreement required a transformation in the way we generate, distribute and consume energy. Ten years later, we are witnessing the rise of…

China’s PV manufacturing sector is running at full capacity ahead of an April 1 export tax change, contributing to module price increases of 20% to 30% in parts of the supply chain and increasing risks for price-sensitive commercial and utility-scale European projects in early 2026. January 19, 2026 MARTIN SCHACHINGER, PVXCHANGE.COM I would like to start the new solar year with a brief overview. 2026 is already shaping up to be a year of radical change, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Last year ended relatively quietly, especially in terms of module prices, which remained largely stable…

The Abu Dhabi-based developer has secured $225 million ($193.6 million) to develop a 300 MW solar power plant coupled with 75 MWh of energy storage in Uzbekistan, as part of its commitment to deploy 2 GW of renewables in the country. January 19, 2026 Patrick Jowett Future Energy Company of Abu Dhabi (Masdar) announced it has reached financial close of a 300 MW solar energy storage project and 75 MWh battery energy storage project Uzbekistan. Masdar will design, build and operate the Guzar solar-plus-storage project, located in the southern Kashkadarya region, under a public-private partnership agreement with JSC National Electric…

Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said on Tuesday it was halting operations at an under-construction battery factory and laying off all 75 employees there after failing to find a partner for the company. Volvo Cars, majority-owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, last year took full control of NOVO Energy, a subsidiary it previously shared with Northvolt, a battery maker that went bankrupt in March. Northvolt’s failure, one of the biggest in Swedish corporate history, highlights the difficulties for EU battery makers facing high costs and Chinese competition. Last month, the European Commission said it would provide 1.5 billion euros ($1.76 billion) to…

FranklinWH Energy Storage announced its participation in two battery programs serving Arizona residents. FranklinWH partners with EnergyHub to… Salt River Project (SRP) Battery Partner Program and the Arizona Public Service (APS) Storage Rewards Pilot. Homeowners with a FranklinWH system can receive financial incentives to help utilities manage electricity demand during peak periods while ensuring their homes remain powered during power outages. “When outages occur in Arizona, especially during the summer, the impact can be immediate and severe,” said Justin Hopkins, senior director of strategic accounts at FranklinWH. “These programs provide homeowners with a way to stay connected and reduce their…