Author: solarenergy

Independent energy producer Cero Generation and developer Enso Energy have reached financial close on a 78MW solar plus storage project in Doncaster.The Bumble Bee project will be combined with a 120 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), with construction expected to begin in the coming months. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the solar-plus-storage project will be carried out by Greek developer Metlen, while Chinese manufacturers JA Solar and Sungrow will supply the solar panels and BESS containers respectively.A financial close has been reached with a group of lenders including ING, NORD/LB, Rabobank and Santander UK.This is the second…

A new review examines the impact of large hail on PV systems, covering damage, testing methods and mitigation strategies. Researchers highlight the risks in Europe and the US and explore ways to improve module resilience. February 24, 2026 Lior Kahana A European research group has published a comprehensive overview of hail-induced damage to PV modules, examining laboratory tests, simulation studies and outdoor analyses. “Large hail causes billions in economic losses annually, affecting crops and property worldwide. An emerging concern is the impact of hail on renewable energy plants, especially PV, with significant damage reported in Europe and the US, increasing…

Despite significant efforts to build domestic production, U.S. solar projects are still powered by imported solar panels. World of solar energy import data from the US International Trade Commission and found that the United States imported 33 GW of silicon solar panels in 2025, along with 21 GW of silicon solar cells. The cell count is important because it indicates that domestic solar panel manufacturers are ramping up production, and perhaps the majority of installed solar panels in the United States will soon be assembled in America. It is interesting to follow the import trends throughout the year. In 2024,…

An analysis by BloombergNEF shows that the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a typical solid axis solar farm increased 6% year-over-year to $39/MWh by 2025, but innovation and competition are expected to reduce costs by 30% through 2035. February 23, 2026 Patrick Jowett The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from solar energy will fall by 30% by 2035, an analysis by BloombergNEF. The analyst’s Levelized Cost of Electricity 2026 report says that while benchmark solar costs are all set to rise by 2025, due to a combination of supply chain constraints, poorer resource availability and market reforms in China,…

By Martin McConnell February 23, 2026 This week on a post-Intersolar Projects Weekly, New England—and especially Maine—have taken center stage. Swift Current Energy, Onyx Renewables, PowerFlex, and beverage giant Primo Brands have all put serious work into projects in Maine, to the tune of about 135 MWdc. Outside of Vacationland, the Coventry Landfill Solar Project has reached completion in Rhode Island. Elsewhere in the U.S., Tigo Energy has completed 1,500 installer engagements in its Green Glove program. Radial Power has commissioned two new rooftop projects in Texas, and Lydian Energy landed $689 million in financing for projects across the south…

If ever there should be an industry that supports the use of Made-in-America products in construction, it would be the federal government. For decades, the government had a kind of “Buy American” provision for projects funded with federal dollars. More recently, the Build America Buy America (BABA) Act of 2021 requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and building materials purchased for projects with federal funds must be made in the United States. Manufactured products are required to have 55% of their production costs sourced from America. In August 2025, a 13 MW solar project was completed for the US…

New research from France shows that the height of PV panels has a critical impact on airflow and evaporation in agrivoltaic systems, with panel heights of less than 3 meters affecting crops through altered airflow. The scientists emphasized the need for site-specific measurements and computational fluid dynamics to accurately estimate water and energy exchanges among PV panels. February 23, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Cerea, a joint laboratory of French energy giant EDF and the École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), and the The Laboratory for Dynamic Meteorology (LDM) has investigated how solar panels affect airflow in agrivoltaic installations,…

The ClearAir air-to-water heat pump is designed for hydronic heating in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. It is capable of generating hot water up to 80 C with integrated controls and supports hybrid configurations for various applications. February 23, 2026 Emiliano Bellini US industrial heating company Cleaver-Brooks has launched a new air-to-water heat pump for hydronic heating applications. Hydronic systems circulate hot water through pipes to radiators, baseboards or underfloor heating pipes, heating spaces efficiently. The water, heated by a boiler or heat pump, flows in a closed circuit and provides energy-efficient heat. These systems are widely used in residential,…

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have used operando X-ray imaging to reveal why sodium-zinc molten salt batteries, which operate at around 600 C and hold promise for stationary energy storage due to cheap, abundant materials, experience persistent capacity loss. February 23, 2026 Jochen Siemer By ESS news A research team from HZDR in Germany has directly observed previously hidden aging processes in sodium-zinc-molten-salt batteries for the first time, using operando X-ray radiography to image the cells while they were actively working at around 600 C. The technology has long been considered promising for stationary energy storage, given its low cost…

By Martin McConnell February 23, 2026 Renewable Energy and Decarbonization Platform Origis energy On February 19, the final commissioning and operation of three was announced Swift Air Solar facilities in west Texas. Origis officials say their company has planned and developed the facilities in three phases, with the final phase scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. The 500 MWdc project will give Origis’ partner a boost Western operations throughout the Lone Star State, including the STRATOS Direct Air Capture facility for air decarbonization. “We are proud of our partnership with Occidental, an industry leader with unparalleled technical depth…