Markets

Osaki Electric says it has signed an agreement to formalize joint development of its AI-based energy management system (EMS), integrating solar generation and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage. It aims to sign a final contract by December 2026.

Silver prices have resumed their climb, reaching $95 per ounce this morning. Silver analyst Philip Newman tells pv magazine that escalating tensions in the Middle East are expected to continue driving investment demand for safe-haven assets such as gold and silver.

RENA Technologies says it will supply advanced wet chemical processing systems for Celloraa Energy’s 1.2 GW tunnel-oxidized passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell line in Gujarat, India, with water consumption cut by 50%, H₂O₂-free processes, and start of cell production targeted for the end of fiscal 2026–27.

Solar battery installers have been warned to “do it once and do it well” as the number of batteries installed across Australia under the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program surges past the 250,000 milestone, delivering a combined 6.3 GWh of capacity.

EnergySage says the looming expiration of the federal residential solar tax credit drove a 205% surge in homeowner engagement in the second half of 2025, with median pricing of $2.49/W, an average system size of 11.8 kW, and a decline in storage attachment rates as customers rushed to install systems before the end of the year.

Premier Energies Ltd today unveiled India’s first zero-busbar (0BB) TOPCon solar cell at Intersolar India. The 0BB design marks a structural shift from traditional 10BB and 16BB architectures, replacing thick silver busbars with a dense matrix of ultra-fine silver lines to collect current.

India installed around 37.8 GW of solar capacity in 2025, according to JKM Research. This comprised about 28.6 GW of new utility-scale solar, a 54.6% increase from 2024, and 7.9 GW of rooftop solar, up 72% year on year. Off-grid additions stood at 1.35 GW, compared to 1.48 GW in 2024.

As transformer lead times double and US prices surge 79%, a manufacturing “supercycle” struggles to keep pace with the explosive growth of AI data centers and renewable energy.

As primary silver grades decline and solar demand surges, the industry must transition from viewing retired panels as waste to treating them as high-grade mineral reserves essential for the energy transition.

Department of Energy (DOE) order sets out new rules for mandatory energy storage, including a minimum capacity of at least 20% of the generating plant’s installed capacity. DOE also calls forenergy storage systems (ESS) installations to have grid supporting capabilities, such as grid-forming inverters to help stabilize voltage and frequency.