Markets

Heat pumps are increasingly used for domestic hot water in Europe due to their efficiency and compatibility with solar power, but their lower operating temperatures can create conditions where Legionella pneumophila may grow if systems are poorly designed. Proper hydraulic design, temperature control, and periodic thermal disinfection ensure both high efficiency and safe, hygienic operation.

Conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing because vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality, according to a new research report that analyzes five installations in Germany.

GlobalData says Russia added an estimated 100 MW of solar last year, taking total installed solar to around 3.1 GW. The consultancy is forecasting annual additions of about 200 MW over the next ten years, taking the country’s cumulative solar capacity to 5.3 GW by 2035.

Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has started accepting bids to develop 1 GW of round-the-clock renewable power projects, with energy storage systems required to ensure continuous supply.

Researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer FKIE institute developed PowerRange, a virtual simulation platform that helps power grid operators safely test cybersecurity measures and respond to realistic cyberattacks. The platform supports both traditional and renewable grids, offering immersive training across IT, OT, and control systems while highlighting the importance of coordination, communication, and practical defense strategies.

Eskom says it is issuing notices against around 14 municipalities in South Africa over outstanding municipal debts. The company warns that if the municipalities do not take corrective action, it will take credit control measures that may include interrupting electricity supply at predetermined times.

Nearly 20 years after the first perovskite solar cell was developed, its efficiency and durability are drawing interest from industries worldwide. The defense sector is among the most active, as rising geopolitical tensions drive record government spending to protect critical systems from disruption and attack.

Eastman Auto & Power has started production at an 800 MW solar panel factory in the Indian state of Haryana.

Solar accounted for 54% of new US generation capacity in 2025, retaining its position as the top technology for the fifth straight year, while PV and storage together made up 79% of new electrical capacity, according to the latest report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.

The European Court of Auditors says in a new report that EU policies supporting energy communities are progressing slowly and that the bloc’s goal of establishing one renewable energy community in every municipality with more than 10,000 residents by 2025 is unlikely to be met.