Taiwan shifting to regionalized approach for solar permitting
Taoyuan’s Department of Economic Development says its new guidelines for solar projects are designed to make photovoltaics “reliable and trustworthy neighbors.” Solar operators will be required to inspect environmentally-sensitive areas during the planning of future projects and prepare plans for storing damaged solar panels as a result of any natural disasters.
Spain, France set benchmark in renewables expansion without biodiversity loss
A research from Switzerland has compared how France, Italy and Spain integrate biodiversity into renewable energy planning, spatial policy, and ecological impact monitoring under the European Green Deal. The findings show France and Spain have more advanced frameworks, while Italy remains more regionally fragmented, with major gaps in cumulative impact assessment across all three countries.
Toyo denies Ethiopia duty evasion, confirms 4 GW ramp and U.S. cell plant
Toyo Co. says a new anti-circumvention petition targeting its Ethiopian solar cell facility is “riddled with misinformation.” The Japanese manufacturer tells pv magazine that the site reached 4 GW of capacity last year and that it is planning a U.S. onshore cell plant.
GCL Technology expands beyond PV with new energy storage business
GCL Technology is expanding into lithium-ion battery storage based on LFP materials as part of a shift toward a “multi-product” new energy platform.
Rechargeable zinc batteries: Overcoming challenges and finding opportunities
Josef Daniel-Ivad from the Zinc Battery Initiative updates the current scaling of zinc battery manufacturers and technology.
Romania moves from solar to storage rebates
Romania is not planning to run a grant scheme offering non-repayable funds for home solar installations for a second year running, instead aiming funds at existing solar prosumers looking to install battery storage systems. The Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association expects strong growth in Romania’s rooftop PV market to continue despite the absence of solar-specific installation grants.
Hydrostor launches 4 GWh advanced compressed air energy storage project in Ontario
The first 4 GWh phase of the Canadian developer’s Quinte Energy Storage Centre is expected to be operational in the early 2030s, with subsequent phases targeting 8 GWh to 16 GWh.
Spain, Denmark could develop European green hydrogen corridor for €2/kg by combining solar and offshore wind
The complementarity between Spanish photovoltaics and Danish offshore wind power could underpin a European green hydrogen market by enabling renewable hydrogen production and exports at costs close to €2/kg.
PV power generation to surpass coal in Texas
Utility-scale solar power is projected to surpass coal-fired generation in the ERCOT grid this year as massive capacity additions continue to reshape the state energy mix.
Japan awards 1.25 GW of battery storage in capacity market auction
Third long-term decarbonization auction sees significant drop in BESS bids due to new rule on storage duration. However, awarded capacity for battery storage remained relatively strong.
