Japanese utility launches residential battery demand response pilot
Kyushu Electric Power Co. will begin a demonstration project on March 1 using remotely controlled home batteries supplied by Sharp Energy Solutions to ease solar curtailment in southern Japan.
Intertek acquires German PV inspection specialist AePVI
Intertek CEA has acquired German PV inspection specialist Aerial PV Inspection GmbH (AePVI) to expand high-speed drone and ground-based quality assurance for utility-scale solar assets across Europe.
ADB backs $350 million for three solar-plus-storage projects in Thailand
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $350 million loan to Gulf Renewable Energy to build 194 MW of solar capacity, including two battery-integrated projects, in central Thailand.
Idemitsu switches on 2 MW of solar above rice paddy
Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan has announced its 2 MW agricultural solar power plant, installed 3.8 meters above a rice paddy, has begun operating. The project features a community-based model that returns a portion of the profits from power generation to the farmers.
Zeo Energy signs MoU for 280 MW of solar plus LDES at Utah data center hub
Zeo Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Creekstone Energy to supply 280 MW of behind-the-meter solar plus long-duration energy storage (LDES) for a new AI-focused data center campus in the US state of Utah.
Dominican Republic updates net metering rules for rooftop solar
The Dominican Republic has approved new regulations for rooftop solar, shortening approval times, digitizing processes, removing penetration caps, and increasing annual compensation for surplus energy to 100%.
Space-based solar could be competitive by 2040, UK government finds
Investment and support could make small-scale space-based solar power (SBSP) viable, with potential for electricity generated in orbit to participate in UK contracts for difference (CfD) scheme according to new report. Launch costs have biggest impact on levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), according to analysis.
Rotterdam port advances 96 MW floating solar project for local use
A 96 MW floating PV project is set to be built at a dredging depot at the Port of Rotterdam. The array will not feed energy to the grid, instead serving local businesses. It is scheduled for operations in 2027.
Global utility-scale battery capacity rises 12-fold in 2020-24 period
The global capacity of utility-scale batteries increased more than 12-fold between 2020 and 2024 to 124 GW, while average battery costs fell 58% over the period, according to the Electricity 2026 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
ACME Solar signs 190 MW hybrid PPA with SECI in India
ACME Solar Holdings has signed 25-year 190 MW wind-solar hybrid power purchase agreement (PPA) with Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) requiring 50% annual capacity utilization factor and 80% daily peak supply obligation.
