JA Solar, ARTsolar agree to expand PV module manufacturing in South Africa
JA Solar has set up a manufacturing partnership with South Africa’s ARTsolar to annually produce 340 MW of PV modules, supporting domestic content rules under South Africa’s procurement programs and reducing reliance on imports.
US Senate panel advances bill to phase out clean energy tax credits
A US Senate committee has advanced a bill to phase out the investment tax credit by 2028 and end the residential solar tax credit by the end of this year, proposing major rollbacks to clean energy incentives. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” includes broader tax code changes that could impact project economics across the renewable energy sector.
University of Queensland advances grid testing for hybrid renewables
Researchers at the University of Queensland are leading a project aiming to improve how hybrid renewable power plants – typically including solar and/or wind, along with battery energy storage – connect to Australia’s electricity grid.
Perovskite tandem specialist Swift Solar to explore telecom tower integration
Swift Solar, a US-based perovskite tandem solar cell manufacturer, has partnered with American Tower Corp. to assess the integration of high energy density perovskite-silicon solar panels into telecommunications towers.
Despite low gas prices, solar, wind remain cheapest sources of power in US
Renewables remain cost-competitive in the United States despite rising natural gas competitiveness, according to Lazard’s 2025 “Levelized Cost of Energy+” report, which estimates combined cycle gas at $0.048/kWh to $0.107/kWh, solar at $0.038/kWh to $0.212/kWh, and nuclear at $0.141/kWh to $0.220/kWh.
UAE integrates solar into district cooling plants
An inauguration ceremony has taken place for the installation of solar panels at two district cooling plants in Abu Dhabi belonging to the UAE’s Ministry of Defence.
Brunei to host 30 MW solar plant
A joint venture partly owned by a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Solarvest will build Brunei’s first utility-scale solar plant under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Brunei government.
Romania updates grid connection rules
Romania’s energy regulator ANRE has adopted new grid connection rules, introducing changes to the solution study process, financial guarantee requirements, and connection agreement terms to prioritize mature projects and ease grid congestion.
India launches 2 GW solar, 4 GWh storage tender
Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has launched a tender for 2 GW of solar generation capacity paired with 4 GWh of energy storage, requiring bidders to install a minimum of 500 kW/2 MWh storage per megawatt of solar awarded.
Ahaan Solar to start 600 MW TOPCon module factory by mid-2025
Ahaan Solar, part of Airox Nigen Equipments, plans to start production from the first 600 MW phase of its 2 GW solar module factory in Haryana, India, by mid-2025. The facility will use tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology to produce high-efficiency modules for domestic and export markets.
