An ever-changing market: Delving into the heart of power purchase agreements
Cross-border VPPAs expose corporates to Basis Risk, causing settlement price gaps and weakening confidence in these hedging tools, contributing to a 35% drop in European PPA signings in 2025 amid complex market conditions. The market is shifting toward more structured, domestic, and hybrid PPAs, supported by BESS and modern IPPs, to better manage risk and realign buyers, sellers, and lenders.
Spain’s behind-the-meter storage grows 119% in 2025
Spain installed 339 MWh of storage linked to PV self-consumption in 2025, up 119% year on year, according to APPA Renovables. The country added 1,214 MW of new self-consumption capacity, bringing the total to 9.6 GW.
Fraunhofer ISE achieves 34.2% efficiency with III-V germanium PV module
Fraunhofer scientists have announced two efficiency records for III-V tandem modules. The team says its 34.2% efficiency III-V germanium PV module is the most efficient solar module in the world, while its 31.3% efficiency III-V silicon PV module is a record in its class.
World’s largest solar-plus-storage project completes initial grid synchronization
The first phase of the MTerra solar project in the Philippines, set to be the world’s largest solar-plus-storage site once completed, has achieved initial synchronization and energization to the Luzon grid. Project developers are anticipating the project to being exporting power by the end of the month.
Guatemala PEG-5 tender draws 51 bidders for 4.7 GW of capacity
Guatemala’s Generation Expansion Plan 5 (PEG-5) tender has drawn 51 bids totaling nearly 4.7 GW – more than triple the 1.4 GW sought – with around 2 GW of solar projects, including hybrids with storage, competing for long-term supply contracts starting between 2030 and 2033.
Chinese Academy of Sciences unveils 101 MW compressor for compressed air energy storage
The new compressor is described as the world’s most powerful single-unit compressed air energy storage (CAES) system, with a maximum discharge pressure of 10.1 MPa and an efficiency of 88.1%.
Slovenia adds 146.5 MW of solar in 2025
Slovenia installed less solar in 2025 than in 2024, largely down to a sharp drop in residential installations. The country’s cumulative solar capacity now stands at 1.57 GW.
Silver-saving efforts ramping up in solar industry, says Heraeus
Rising silver prices are putting pressure on solar manufacturers, prompting greater focus on copper and other alternatives to reduce costs. Heraeus says it expects silver demand from photovoltaics to decline this year despite stable global installations.
Key takeaways from Solaire Expo Maroc
A pavilion dedicated to electric vehicles, a dominant Chinese presence and limited European representation shaped the solar trade show held Feb. 10 to 12 in Casablanca, Morocco. Local distributors warned of rising prices for Chinese solar equipment, while a booming commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, a nascent residential market, emerging storage demand and largely untapped solar potential underscored the sector’s direction.
The prospects for ultra-high-temperature heat pumps
An international research team has reviewed emerging solid-state and gas-cycle heat pumps capable of reaching temperatures of up to 1,600 K, assessing their challenges, applications, scalability, and technology readiness levels. The researchers say these systems could outperform conventional high-temperature heating technologies by achieving coefficients of performance above 1.
