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Germany’s solar sector is reporting a surge in inquiries following the military escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran, with E.ON citing a doubling of demand for solar installations. Other industry participants are more cautious, attributing much of the increase to seasonal patterns rather than geopolitical anxiety.

The Japanese government has set 2026 feed-in tariff (FIT) terms for solar below 250 kW, set the renewable energy levy at JPY 4.18 ($0.026)/kWh, and confirmed that feed-in premium (FIP) auctions for large-scale solar will end after 2026.

Conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing because vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality, according to a new research report that analyzes five installations in Germany.

Solar accounted for 54% of new US generation capacity in 2025, retaining its position as the top technology for the fifth straight year, while PV and storage together made up 79% of new electrical capacity, according to the latest report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.

Greece’s solar producers are facing rising curtailments that are cutting revenues and driving interest in energy storage, even as regulatory and financing challenges slow deployment.

A new review examines the impact of large hail on PV systems, covering damage, testing methods, and mitigation strategies. Researchers highlight risks across Europe and the U.S. and explore ways to improve module resilience.

Weidmuller USA has launched the WM4 C PV Connectors, designed for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. The connectors support up to 1,500 V, feature crimp contacts, an anti-tampering lock, and IP67 protection.

A study of 1,000 sub-Saharan African households using off-grid PAYG solar systems found that 77% reduce their electricity use after the first year, leading to underused, often oversized systems. This persistent decline is driven by behavioural changes as well as economic constraints and highlights the need for solar designs and pricing that better match actual household energy needs.

A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-led initiative has installed hybrid solar-plus-storage systems at five health facilities in Burundi. A second phase of the scheme, due for completion this year, will power an additional nine district hospitals.

A global study finds climate change will sharply increase high-temperature risks, accelerate degradation, and raise costs for rooftop PV, with economically disadvantaged regions hit hardest. Researchers warn current IEC standards underestimate future risks, urging urgent updates to avoid stranded assets and rising electricity costs.