Utility Scale PV

A 620 MW solar project to be constructed in South Africa’s Free State has reached financial close. The milestone follows the signing of a more than 20-year multi-offtaker wheeling agreement with commercial and industrial clients. 

Iran is widely known for its oil and gas resources, but its strongest long-term energy asset may be the sun. New research shows how solar PV could drive a cost-competitive transition across power, heat, transport, industry, and desalination, while opening the door to a broader Solar-to-X Economy.

China’s 2026 to 2030 policy plan elevates clean electricity as a central driver of economic growth, with greater emphasis on system integration and industrial use.

Analysis from GlobalData finds the UAE’s cumulative solar capacity increased from 5.7 GW to around 6.7 GW last year. The country’s annual solar deployments are forecast to increase in the coming years, with 20 GW of installed solar expected by the end of the decade.

Researchers analyzed 16 years of data from over 1 million PV systems in Germany and found annual degradation is just 0.52–0.61%, roughly half prior estimates. Environmental factors like heat, frost, and air pollution affect performance, while smaller systems degrade less than larger ones, boosting long-term reliability and profitability.

The European Union’s NIS2 Directive is pushing PV operators to strengthen both cyber and physical security, treating solar assets as critical infrastructure. It also highlights the need for stronger physical protection measures, such as site surveillance, access control, and perimeter security to prevent tampering and intrusion.

Swiss analytics firm Pexapark finds February saw the highest monthly volume of new European power purchase agreements (PPAs) since February 2024, including the longest PPA observed in the European market to date.

Crisil Ratings says rapid renewable energy additions and slow grid expansion could expose more than 35 GW of capacity to curtailment in India.

The Italian energy regulator is requiring PV and wind plants over 100 kW to install central controllers with remote active power control, with staggered compliance deadlines up to 2028. The rules, coupled with rising digitalization, are driving cybersecurity upgrades, AI-based monitoring, and grid-aware operational practices across the renewable energy sector.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new Star Shine I system is already available in Europe and can operate at speeds of 10–18 m/min, performing cleaning routes of up to 3 km round trip and 9 km in a single direction.