Overvoltage, chain reaction, improper disconnections behind Spain’s blackout
Spain’s Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has presented an official report on the April 28 blackout. She also announced 11 measures to strengthen grid stability and prevent future incidents.
Philippines reveals timeline for 10 GW renewables auction
The Philippines government has kicked off its fourth green energy auction (GEA-4), targeting more than 10 GW of solar and wind capacity.
Agrivoltaics for cherries
Switzerland’s Energie360° and solar tech specialist Insolight have agreed to build a 1,300-panel agrivoltaic plant on a cherry farm in Leuggern, Switzerland. The facility will combine crop protection and dynamic light management.
France, Spain raise interconnection link capacity from 2.8 GW to 5 GW
France and Spain have driven up the planned capacity of their Bay of Biscay electricity interconnection from 2.8 GW to 5 GW, with €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) in financing approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Different dust, different impact on PV module performance
Scientists in Germany have collected dust from Qatar, Morocco and Thailand to analyze the impact on the performance of uncoated solar glass and uncoated PV mini-modules. Their analysis has shown that dust coverage could range from 4% to 60%.
Despite low gas prices, solar, wind remain cheapest sources of power in US
Renewables remain cost-competitive in the United States despite rising natural gas competitiveness, according to Lazard’s 2025 “Levelized Cost of Energy+” report, which estimates combined cycle gas at $0.048/kWh to $0.107/kWh, solar at $0.038/kWh to $0.212/kWh, and nuclear at $0.141/kWh to $0.220/kWh.
The Hydrogen Stream: UK researching hydrogen storage nodes
Ofgem has awarded GBP 500,000 ($677,000) to a consortium led by National Gas and Gravitricity to develop a lined shaft system for storing up to 100 tons of green hydrogen underground. The six-month project aims to assess feasibility ahead of a potential demonstration in 2026.
Brunei to host 30 MW solar plant
A joint venture partly owned by a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Solarvest will build Brunei’s first utility-scale solar plant under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Brunei government.
Romania updates grid connection rules
Romania’s energy regulator ANRE has adopted new grid connection rules, introducing changes to the solution study process, financial guarantee requirements, and connection agreement terms to prioritize mature projects and ease grid congestion.
Ecological impact of ground-mounted PV depends on previous land use
Researchers in the Netherlands have identified all major solar power plants in the Dutch Province of Gelderland and have analyzed all of their spatial measures in an effort to assess their impact on landscape. They have specifically focused on land use competition, biodiversity, and landscape experience.
