US study maps utility-scale solar land use with new AI framework
US researchers say a deep-learning framework provides the most detailed picture yet of how utility-scale solar uses land, revealing unexpected efficiency gaps and clearer pathways for agrivoltaics and brownfield development.
Belgium’s Virya Energy acquires BayWa re’s Japan solar business
Virya Energy will leverage BayWa re’s local team in Japan to strengthen its position in the country’s lucrative power purchase agreement (PPA) market. The Belgian company will also rely on its Asian affiliate, Constant Energy, headquartered in Thailand.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: PowerChina launches 31 GW solar procurement
China Power Construction Corp. (PowerChina) has launched a 31 GW solar module tender for 2026 projects, split across n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), heterojunction (HJT) and back-contact (BC) technologies as part of a wider 97 GW renewables and grid equipment program.
Italy clears 710 MW of solar in Puglia, challenges regional PV rules
The italian government says it is fast-tracking utility-scale solar, approving about 710 MW of mainly agrivoltaic projects in Puglia while moving to curb regional limits on where PV plants can be built, sharpening tensions over land use and energy policy.
Hithium pushes into long-duration storage and AI data centres with 1,300Ah cell, 6.9 MW/55.2 MWh system, and lithium-sodium hybrid
Chinese battery maker Hithium unveils 1300Ah cell, integrated long-duration system, and lithium-sodium LDES solution for AI data centers.
Amazon leads funding round for US silicon solid-state battery maker
Blue Current, which has a pilot production line in California, will use funding from an $80 million financing round led by Amazon to advance commercialization of its silicon solid-state battery technology for stationary storage and mobility applications in the United States.
India sees dramatic plunge in battery storage costs, ministry reports
Market trends suggest battery energy storage systems (BESS) will likely operate 1.5 cycles per day, bringing the effective storage cost down to just INR 2.8/kWh (0.031/kWh), the Ministry said on Monday.
UK government backs more than 180,000 heat pump installations
Subsidy support has driven heat pump adoption, with the pace of deployment increasing since early 2024. Second largest subsidy scheme to be wound down in 2026 leaving expanded boiler upgrade scheme as dominant support mechanism. Full details on UK government’s Warm Homes plan expected in early 2026.
Shenzhen First Tech releases 15 kWh LFP battery
The battery is rated at a nominal 48 V and 314 Ah, with an ingress protection level of IP20.
Gokin Solar launches new back-contact solar module series
Gokin has launched back-contact solar modules ranging from 480 W to 780 W for residential, C&I and utility-scale projects. The series supports 1,500 V systems and reaches efficiencies of up to 24.8%.
