Author: solarenergy

Neoen has announced two battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in France and Japan, expanding its footprint in both markets with installations totaling 348 MW and 896 MWh. April 6, 2026 Marie Beijer By pv magazine France Neoen has announced two new BESS projects in France and Japan, as part of the French-Japanese Economic Forum in Tokyo during an official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. The company, a subsidiary of Canadian asset manager Brookfield, is developing its first large-scale installation in Japan while expanding its storage portfolio in France. The French project, located in Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine in the Seine-et-Marne department,…

The first bid period of Zambia’s new Carbon Feed In Premium program plans to develop 300 MW of solar energy in projects connected to on-site battery energy storage systems. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is May 31. April 3, 2026 Patrick Jowett Image: Oskar Kadaksoo, Unsplash The Zambian government is inviting applications for its Carbon Feed In Premium Program (CFIP), a new results-based financing mechanism aimed at large-scale, grid-connected solar installations. The program, implemented by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Energy, is open to both national and international independent energy producers, the…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that North America experienced a large solar gap last month, with southern regions such as northeastern Mexico, southeastern Texas and much of California experiencing insolation 20 to 25% above average, while Canada, the Great Lakes and the northeastern US experienced persistent cloud cover and below-normal solar conditions. This contrast was caused by high-pressure systems and a southwestern heat dome to the south versus a polar vortex that brought cold air and storms to the north. April 3, 2026 Solcast North America saw a pronounced gap in solar conditions…

Reports from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (IEA-PVPS) show that Malaysia added more than 1.4 GW of solar energy by 2025, with more than 5.7 GW now deployed across multiple government schemes. April 3, 2026 Patrick Jowett According to figures from the International Energy Agency’s IEA-PVPS, Malaysia’s solar capacity stood at 5,777 MW at the end of 2025. The figure includes the solar energy used in the large-scale solar energy systems (LSS), the feed-in tariff (FiT) and the net energy metering systems (NEM). An IEA PVPS 2024 report estimated the country’s cumulative solar capacity at 4,329 MW…

TCL Zhonghuan has agreed to acquire the majority stakes of Chinese solar manufacturer DAS Solar, a producer of advanced n-type modules based on tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and back-contact (BC) technologies. April 3, 2026 Vincent Shaw TCL Zhonghuan has signed a definitive agreement to acquire control of DAS Solar through a combination of share transfers, capital injection and delegation of voting rights, in one of the most closely watched solar industry consolidation deals of 2026. The Shenzhen-listed company, a unit of TCL Technology, said on March 30 that it had completed the transaction documents after securing a 90-day exclusive…

Sungrow says energy storage systems will overtake PV inverters as the largest business segment by 2025, as the company achieved double-digit revenue and profit growth. April 3, 2026 Vincent Shaw Image: Siyuan Hu, Unsplash Sunny said revenue reached CNY89.184 billion ($12.95 billion) in 2025, up 14.55% year-on-year, with net profit attributable to shareholders increasing 21.97% to CNY13.461 billion. Energy storage systems generated revenue of CNY 37.287 billion, up 49.39%, accounting for 41.8% of total revenue, while global storage deliveries reached 43 GWh. PV inverter revenues totaled CNY 31.136 billion, with global deliveries of 198 GW and an estimated market share…

Japanese researchers developed a molybdenum-based spin-flip emitter that efficiently harvests triplet excitons from singlet fission tetracene dimers, producing strong near-infrared emission. This approach could increase the efficiency of solar cells and enable new quantum technologies by converting otherwise ‘dark’ excitons into usable light. April 3, 2026 Emiliano Bellini A research team from Kyushu University in Japan has reported a breakthrough that could drive photovoltaic technology past long-standing efficiency barriers by using a quantum process known as singlet fission (SF). Singlet exciton fission is an effect observed in certain materials where a single photon can generate two electron-hole pairs when absorbed…

An international research team has developed two deep learning-based IDS models to improve cybersecurity in SCADA systems. The hybrid approach is said to improve the detection of complex and novel cyber threats with high accuracy, adaptability and efficiency, outperforming traditional methods across multiple data sets. April 3, 2026 Emiliano Bellini A Saudi-British research team has developed two new deep learning-based intrusion detection systems (IDSs) that can reportedly improve the cybersecurity of SCADA networks. In large-scale solar power plants, SCADA systems play a crucial role by overseeing energy generation, monitoring solar panel performance, optimizing output, identifying potential faults and maintaining smooth…

The German manufacturer said its new back-contact solar panel has an energy conversion efficiency of up to 23.52%. April 3, 2026 Sandra Enkhardt By pv magazine Germany German module manufacturer Bauer Solar is expanding its product portfolio with a new back contact panel. Initially, it will launch an all-black glass-glass version with a power of 480W. It is built on 108 bifacial half-cells and measures 1,800mm x 1,134mm x 30mm, with a stated weight of 24.8kg. The energy conversion efficiency of the module is 23.52%. The company said both the front and rear windows are 2mm thick and feature anti-reflective…

Hydro-Québec has introduced a subsidy of up to CAD 1,000 ($718.40) per installed kilowatt, covering up to 40% of eligible costs to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar and shorten payback times for residential and commercial customers in the Canadian province of Québec. April 3, 2026 Brian Publicover Provincial utility Hydro-Québec has launched a new subsidy program aimed at residential and commercial customers installing PV systems, as part of its broader strategy to expand solar energy generation in Québec, Canada. The program offers CAD 1,000/kW of installed capacity and can cover up to 40% of eligible project costs. According to…