The country’s National Institute of Technology and Standards said the new standards apply to modules that combine photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in a single device, noting that separate standards for each technology already exist.

The researchers said their new discovery could open the way to the manufacturing of simpler solar panels made from a single material.

The Chinese manufacturer stated that its new heat pump system is the first on the market to achieve a coefficient of performance of 7. The product offers a nominal capacity ranging from 11 kW to 16 kW and uses propane as its refrigerant.

The Chinese manufacturer claims back-contact Hi-MO 9 modules outperformed TOPCon counterparts in a six-month offshore test, showing higher power yield, better low-light performance, and lower operating temperatures.

The Japanese electronics manufacturer said its new heat pump system is an ideal solution for centralised heating and domestic hot water installations. It offers a heating capacity of 9 kW to 16 kW and a seasonal coefficient of performance of up to 4.31 at low temperatures.

At the Modules and Material Worksop in Konstanz, organized by solar manufacturing engineering company RCT Solutions and ICS Konstanz, experts from the European PV equipment production industry gathered to discuss the current and future trajectory of manufacturing costs, technology advancements and equipment and raw material capabilities. RCT Solutions CEO, Peter Fath, told pv magazine that a European 1 GW module assembly facility using the same supply chain as Chinese Tier 1 counterparts could reach module manufacturing costs of €0.11-0.12/W.

South African utility Eskom is urging consumers with grid-tied rooftop solar to register their systems and integrate them with the national grid, waiving registration fees until March 2026.

The energy regulator of the Philippines has approved an increase in the feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-All) to PHP 0.2073 ($0.004)/kWh from PHP 0.1189, with the new rate set to take effect next month.

pv magazine spoke with energy and environmental law expert Anatole Boute about the past and future role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in regulating trade disputes related to clean energy technologies amid current geopolitical tensions. He noted that despite recent protectionist efforts to revive the solar manufacturing industry, the European Union still strives to remain compliant with WTO rules.

Romania plans to amend its energy law to require the National Cybersecurity Directorate (DNSC) to define technical standards for PV and cogeneration systems up to 1 MW, aimed at preventing data breaches and safeguarding grid operations.