Residential PV

U.S. scientists have developed a method to forecast solar irradiance at any location using a single high-resolution hemispherical image captured on-site. By extracting sky, sun, and surrounding scene information from visual cues, the approach enables accurate long-term energy prediction without relying on detailed 3D city models.

In the latest article of a new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world, pv magazine presents Belga Solar’s solar manufacturing facility in Wallonia, Belgium.

A new report from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) estimates that building façades could offer up to 36 GW of technical solar PV potential, representing a significant but largely untapped resource. However, high costs, regulatory complexity, and lower performance compared to rooftop systems limit widespread adoption, currently making façade PV a niche solution for specific building types.

The European Commission has launched the AccelerateEU strategy to address high energy prices driven by the Middle East conflict and its impact on fossil fuel markets. While specific measures for solar, renewables and storage are not yet clearly defined, the package includes the introduction of an Electrification Action Plan by summer.

Ireland recorded more than 10,000 applications for solar PV as part of its home energy upgrade program from January to March 2026, an increase of 65% on the same period for last year.

Peru’s energy ministry has proposed market-based reforms for complementary electricity services to improve grid stability amid rising solar and wind generation.

The Enwex Germany Solar (GSM) contract, launching April 23, brings exchange-cleared solar irradiance hedging to a market that has until now operated largely over the counter (OTC), a development Munich Re’s weather derivatives team says could broaden participation and formalize risk management.

Researchers in the United States reviewed claims about PFAS in solar panels and found that while fluoropolymers may be used in limited components like backsheets or coatings, there is no confirmed evidence of PFAS leaching from commercially deployed modules. The study highlights widespread confusion between different PFAS types and emphasizes the need for clearer communication and transparency around fluoropolymer use in PV technologies.

Ocean 2 brings a more versatile large-scale and expandable, modular home storage solution, capable of handling both small and large solar PV input.

Researchers in the United Kingdom developed a scheduling model for residential heat pumps that reduces electricity costs while maintaining thermal comfort under dynamic tariffs and uncertain rooftop PV generation. It optimizes when to use grid power, PV energy, and building thermal storage.