Lightsource BP secures financing for 115 MWp fishery solar project in Taiwan
Financial package announcement coincides with groundbreaking ceremony for Project Budai in Chiayi County, Taiwan. The 115 MWp project is expected to be complete in 2026, according to Lightsource BP.
UK government mandates solar panels for new homes in England
Future Homes Standard to include solar panel mandate for new homes, UK government confirms. New building regulations are expected to make PV a requirement for almost all homes, with only “rare exceptions” where impact would be negligible, according to UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
New UK planning rules for heat pumps come into effect, one meter rule scrapped
Change to planning law could simplify heat pump installation process for thousands of households in England. Limits on the size and number of heat pumps that can be installed have also been raised. The changes have been introduced as the UK government pursues 600,000 installations per year by 2028 target.
Startup Check – Who’s shaping the future of solar?
pv magazine editor Matthew Lynas toured the startup corner at Intersolar Europe 2025, highlighting emerging businesses focused on flexibility, smart meters, software, and PV integrated with glass.
Hidden devices found in Chinese-made inverters in the US, reports Reuters
US officials are reassessing the risks posed by Chinese-made devices in renewable energy infrastructure according to news agency. Reuters cites two unnamed sources, who would only provide a few details.
UK grid operator streamlines grid connection process for renewables up to 5 MW
Regulator Ofgem approves higher threshold for a transmission system impact assessment requirement applying to distributed generation projects in England and Wales. The move is expected to lower development costs for projects with capacity between 1 MW and 5 MW.
Heat pump deployment requires massive amounts of storage, finds UK researcher
Researchers in the United Kingdom found that approximately 175 TWh of hydrogen and compressed air storage capacity will be needed to fully decarbonize heating in the United Kingdom. Lead researcher Bruno Cardenas told pv magazine that, when domestic heat demand is 100% electrified, average annual electricity demand and peak load in the grid are 26% and 70% higher than current levels.
Low Carbon, ElectroRoute sign four PPAs covering 140 MW of UK solar
Four balancing PPAs will see ElectroRoute trade Low Carbon solar assets in UK electricity market. The agreements are set to run until 2028.
Roofit Solar switches to TOPcon, adds color, and pitches PV to Prince of Wales
Integrating monocrystalline solar cells with metal standing seam roof panels, Roofit Solar sees opportunity in retrofit and new-build properties. pv magazine catches up with chief growth officer Greg Grace to discuss switching to TOPcon, adding color, energy security, and pitching rooftop solar to the Prince of Wales.
UK rooftop solar has strongest Q1 since 2012, new record for generation in April
Building regulations in England support growth in demand for rooftop solar as new-build properties make up significant share of small-scale PV installations. Strong installations in first quarter of 2025 were followed by a new single-day record for UK solar generation in April.
