First Solar wins key round in TOPCon patent dispute
The U.S. federal patent office rejected separate challenges from JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar and Mundra Solar to invalidate intellectual property that First Solar claims is fundamental to the manufacturing of crystalline silicon solar cells.
‘True leadership comes from listening’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Bárbara Linares Turnkey Engineer Director Iberia & Latam at Sunotec Iberia. She says diverse and inclusive teams in the renewable energy sector drive innovation, resilience, and long-term success by combining technical expertise with collaboration, empathy, and clear communication. “I have encountered subtle biases, particularly in international and multicultural environments. At times, there was scepticism linked to being a young woman, assumptions that I was not the decision-maker, or complex discussions being directed toward male colleagues,” she states.
Canadian Solar wins U.S. patent litigation against Maxeon
The patent infringement case was related to an unspecified TOPCon solar cell technology.
Australian solar installer fined $6,000 over unsafe battery installs
A solar installation company has been fined $9,000 by an Australian court after pleading guilty to unsafe installation of residential battery energy storage systems at five properties, including one that caused a minor house fire.
Voices of leadership: How inclusion is powering innovation forward
This article of the Women in Solar+ Europe series brings together experts and leaders featured throughout 2025 to reflect on why leadership must be redefined for today’s realities. Their insights highlight inclusion not as an add-on, but as the very heart of effective, future-ready leadership.
China strengthens intellectual property protection in solar industry
Chinese authorities are planning to implement a series of policy measures to introduce stronger intellectual property protection to the country’s photovoltaic sector. Chinese enterprises are being encouraged to accelerate technological advancements and reserve basic patents for developing technologies.
China files WTO complaint against Indian solar subsidies
China’s commerce ministry has raised a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding India’s solar subsidies, claiming they give the country’s domestic industry an unfair advantage and harm Chinese interests.
‘We have to hire on merit, but ensuring merit is truly visible’
This week, Women in Solar+ Europe features Sonia de Sales, Director of Development at Spain’s Altano Energy. She emphasizes that implementing an equal-opportunities plan is key to ensuring open and fair recruitment, including balanced shortlists and actively sourcing female candidates when they are underrepresented, while hiring on merit and making it clearly visible
Greek solar producers petition EU over repowering and storage rules
Two complaints to the European Commission allege Greek repowering policies and high performance bonds for battery storage projects block upgrades, raise costs, and hinder energy transition, according to industry association Pospief.
European solar manufacturers urge Italy to revise heterojunction tax rule
Eleven European solar module makers say Italy’s 2026 tax incentive unfairly favors heterojunction (HJT) technology, risks higher costs and limits competition across the PV market.
