Author: solarenergy
Trade association Solar Energy UK has published recommendations to the government for policy support that would establish and support a domestic solar energy supply chain.Solar energy generation has constituted a significant portion of energy production government response to the energy crisis as a result of the American-Israeli invasion of Iran. Solar Energy UK (SEUK) said a domestic supply chain would further protect Britain from global energy shocks.The trade body already works closely with the government, with CEO Chris Hewett part of the government’s Solar Taskforce and has worked closely on the Solar road map. The roadmap itself states that the…
Photovoltaic module prices have risen for the fourth month in a row, driven by strong demand for energy independence, despite falling upstream costs such as polysilicon. At the same time, production cuts in China and tighter supply conditions are limiting availability, amplifying price increases for all technologies. April 16, 2026 MARTIN SCHACHINGER, PVXCHANGE.COM For the fourth month in a row, prices for photovoltaic modules have increased across all technologies. Although the pace of increase has slowed compared to the beginning of the year, the upward trend remains intact. Between March and April, average prices rose by 5.5%, with all-black modules…
UK perovskite solar company Oxford PV has joined the Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EV (SUITE) project, a UK-led joint R&D initiative supported by the Advanced Propulsion Center UK (APC). The SUITE project aims to develop next-generation vehicle-integrated solar technologies aimed at improving EV efficiency and increasing driving range. The consortium includes the Nissan Technical Center UK, engineering firms and UK universities, bringing together automotive industry expertise and research to accelerate the development and commercialization of solar electric cars. It is part of the latest wave of Advanced Propulsion Center (APC)-backed initiatives, funded through the The UK Department for…
Figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency show that Vietnam’s cumulative solar capacity reached 19,252 MW at the end of last year, pointing to an increase of 586 MW by 2025. April 16, 2026 Patrick Jowett VietnamCumulative solar capacity stood at 19,252 MW at the end of 2025, according to figures published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), compared to 18,666 MW at the end of 2024. The increase of 586 MW included in IRENA’s 2026 Renewable Capacity Statistics is higher than the 79 MW added in 2024, but lower than the almost 1.6 GW added in 2023, as…
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island examined why citizens who expressed pro-solar sentiments voted against the development of a solar energy project in a 2019 municipal referendum. Their analysis found that land use concerns far outweigh concerns about proximity. April 16, 2026 Patrick Jowett Land use concerns outweigh concerns about proximity when it comes to local public support for new solar developments, new research suggests. A research team from the University of Rhode Island used the example of a 2019 municipal referendum on a utility-scale solar proposal in the city of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to understand why citizens…
Researchers in Spain have identified a new source of underperformance in utility-scale PV installations, caused by “suboptimal backtracking” on slightly uneven terrain. The study shows that real tracker control systems deviate from ideal flat terrain assumptions, reducing radiation capture and causing measurable energy losses compared to simulations. April 16, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid claim to have identified a new source of underperformance in ground-mounted PV installations using solar trackers. “We started this work after receiving several questions at IES-UPM wondering why the radiation gain of trackers in utility-scale PV installations was lower than estimated…
A Spanish-Chilean research team has found that microbial biofilms in the Atacama Desert can significantly contribute to the contamination of photovoltaic modules, reducing short-circuit current by up to about 30% under accelerated laboratory conditions. The study highlights microorganisms as active agents in PV pollution and suggests that they may influence optical losses, cleaning efficiency and future mitigation strategies in arid, highly exposed solar regions. April 16, 2026 Jose Pedrosa A Spanish-Chilean research team has investigated the role of microorganisms in the contamination of photovoltaic surfaces in the Atacama Desert and found that microbial biofilms can significantly affect the performance of…
The US solar sector reached a historic milestone in late 2025, officially surpassing 10 GWdirect current of cumulative national installations, according to a new report issued by Wooden Mackenzie in collaboration with the Coalition for Community Access to Solar Energy (CCSA). While the market experienced a 25% contraction in 2025 due to a slowdown in mature markets such as New York and Maine, national installed capacity is expected to recover with 12% growth in 2026. The market installed 1,435 MW in 2025. “Overall, we expect national installed community solar capacity to shrink by an average of 5% annually through 2030…
The German manufacturer has launched an integrated energy system that combines inverter, storage and energy management in a modular, scalable solution for new and existing PV installations. The system supports AC/DC coupling, backup power and smart energy optimization. April 15, 2026 Sandra Enkhardt Germany-based Varta has released its first all-in-one battery energy storage system (BESS). The Varta.hybrid.wall solution integrates an inverter, battery storage and energy management into one system configuration. This approach allows installers to configure flexible, scalable packages for a range of system sizes and performance classes. All components are “Made in Europe” and are technically compatible, the company…
The government of Togo is conducting a tender for the construction of solar mini-grids in 27 rural areas. The deadline for registration is May 26. April 15, 2026 Patrick Jowett Image: Aboodi Vesakaran/Unsplash The Togolese government has opened a tender for the construction of solar mini-grids in 27 rural areas of Togo. The invite you to register divides the work into two lots. The first will cover mini-grids in eleven locations in the Plateaux region, south of the central region of the country. The mini-grids will have a cumulative solar capacity of 1,295 kW, in addition to 2,2520 kWh of…