Author: solarenergy

CATL announced that it expects a new trend where “sodium and lithium batteries shine brightly together.” December 29, 2025 Tristan Rayner By ESS news Chinese battery giant CATL has outlined broader and more widespread deployment of its range of sodium-ion batteries across multiple sectors, including battery storage. According to Chinese media reports, CATL confirmed its 2026 plans for its sodium ion batteries (SIBs) at its supplier conference in Ningde, Fujian Province of China, held on December 28, 2025. They include an expansion of applications to include energy storage, plus use in battery swapping systems, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. CATL…

By Brad Kramer December 29, 2025 This edition of Projects weekly highlights the CPV Backbone Solar project, a 160 MW facility developed by a subsidiary of Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) that has launched in Maryland. Additionally, BorderPlex Digital Assets plans to build one of the largest renewable energy facilities in New Mexico with the development of the 1 GW Project Green. And in M&A news, Altus Power has purchased a 234 MW portfolio of solar generation and storage assets in 18 states from investment firm Greenbacker, while Solar EPC acquired Moss Ellison Construction to strengthen its presence in Central Florida.…

Silver prices rose to record levels last week, surpassing $80 an ounce, after China said it plans to restrict silver exports in 2026. December 29, 2025 Patrick Jowett The price of silver has skyrocketed over the past week, reaching an all-time high of $83.62 per ounce on December 28. Silver prices rose for much of 2025, reaching a ten-year high of $44.86 per ounce in September. For comparison, the average silver price in 2024 was $28.27 per ounce. The upward trajectory has accelerated over the past week, with the price of silver reaching $70 for the first time in history…

China has brought online a 1GW offshore solar power plant off the coast of Dongying, Shandong province, combining PV with energy storage and aquaculture in what is now the world’s largest open sea solar project in commercial operation. December 29, 2025 Vincent Shaw China has launched the 1 GW HG14 offshore PV project, developed by Guohua Investment under China Energy Investment Corp. (CHN Energy), off the coast of Dongying, Shandong Province, fully commissioned. The plant reached full grid capacity at the end of December 2025 and covers approximately 1,223 hectares of shallow coastal waters, 8 km offshore, with a depth…

By SB staff December 29, 2025 Data shows that agricultural voltaic energy benefits farmers by increasing yields and reducing water consumption, while encouraging rural participation in the renewable energy transition. In the United States, energy demand is rising after decades of stagnant growth, driven by electrification efforts, data centers and artificial intelligence. As demand increases, the economy continues to favor wind and solar energy, which consistently rival gas and coal in terms of affordability. As rural communities look to increase renewable energy, a unique opportunity presents itself. Flat, sunny and easily accessible land that is ideal for solar parks is…

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced that it will acquire Intersect, a sustainable energy developer. Google already owns a minority stake in Intersect van a previously announced financing round, but will buy the company for $4.75 billion in cash, plus the assumption of debt. The Oberon Solar + Storage project completed by Intersect Power in 2023. The acquisition will allow Google to more quickly bring more electricity generation capacity online for the development of its data centers. Included in the transaction are Intersect’s team and several gigawatts of energy and data center projects in development or under construction…

The South Korean startup develops organic solar cell technology made using a proprietary roll-to-roll process. It focuses on integrated PV applications indoors and outdoors. December 29, 2025 Valerie Thompson Image: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology South Korea-based thin-film PV specialist Leecell is developing an organic solar cell technology for a range of integrated indoor and outdoor PV applications, with the first products planned for mid-2026. Founded by faculty members from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Leecell has proprietary technologies for both organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPV) and perovskite solar cells. “However, our primary focus for commercialization is…

In 2025, the UK government moved quickly with legislation and reforms to support the country’s renewable energy efforts.“With the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan as the impetus,” said Shraiya Thapa, senior clean energy thought leader at law firm Freeths, “the government has picked up the pace this year.”Thapa emphasized both Roadmaps for solar energy and clean flexibility as markers of progress, alongside changes to grid connections and the Planning and Infrastructure Act.This included changes to the UK planning system to make it harder for local authorities to reject solar projects on false grounds. In December, the government introduced a revised…

Scientists in Thailand have simulated a photovoltaic-thermal assisted indirect expansion heat pump and measured its performance under different cold water temperatures and tank sizes. December 29, 2025 Lior Kahana Researchers from Chiang Mai University in Thailand have evaluated the performance of a photovoltaic-thermal assisted indirect expansion heat pump system (IDX-PVT-AHP) designed for hot water production in the tropical climate of Chiang Mai. “The application of the IDX-PVT-AHP system in the tropical climate of Chiang Mai poses a notable challenge due to the high humidity in the region, which can lead to moisture accumulation on PVT panels,” the team said. “To…

India could need nearly 230 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2030 as peak power demand approaches 300 GW and electricity consumption grows at 6% to 7% annually, a former government official said. December 29, 2025 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India With peak energy demand expected to approach 300 GW in the coming years and electricity demand growing at 6% to 7% annually, India will need nearly 230 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2030 to ensure the stability, flexibility and reliability of the power grid, said Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, former secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable…