Gas-fired electricity two to three times costlier than renewable backups
A study by Forum Ökologisch‑Soziale Marktwirtschaft (FÖS), commissioned by Green Planet Energy, says electricity from gas plants could reach €0.67 ($0.78)/kWh, largely due to externalized costs, while renewable-based backups remain far cheaper.
Financial sponsors increasingly back European battery storage platforms
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are now an investable asset class, and infrastructure funds are acquiring developer platforms and financing large portfolios to accelerate deployment across Europe. Carlos Candil and Carlo de Haas of Lincoln International break down the trend
Involtics unveils GTSI single-phase hybrid inverter for homes
India-based Involtics has launched its GTSI series of single-phase hybrid inverters in 3 kW, 3.6 kW, 5 kW and 6 kW sizes for residential solar systems.
Australia fast-tracks solar ingot, wafer plant with ‘major project’ status
Plans to build Australia’s first large-scale silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Queensland have been put on the fast track by the federal government in a nod to the project’s potential to play a key role in supporting a domestic solar supply chain.
Chemical incidents halt Silfab Solar factory as US probe begins
South Carolina regulators and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are investigating Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill manufacturing plant after releases of potassium hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid within the same week.
Japan’s 27th solar auction concludes with average final price of $0.029/kWh
Japan has allocated 79 MW of PV capacity in its latest procurement exercise. The lowest price in the auction was JPY 0/kWh.
‘Battery Atlas 2026’ maps Europe’s cell, pack and battery manufacturers
The “Battery Atlas 2026” report shows consolidation in Europe’s battery market. More than 2,000 GWh of cell production capacity was announced in 2023, but the realistic forecast for early 2026 is around 1,190 GWh, including approximately 673 GWh led by Asian companies.
Midsummer secures second order for CIGS production line equipment
Swedish thin-film solar manufacturer Midsummer has secured its largest-ever order for production equipment, covering a complete solar cell factory. It follows an initial order in May 2025 for a 15 MW line producing thin-film copper, indium, gallium and selenide (CIGS) solar cells.
Small 24/7 clean power commitments could cut costs for long-duration storage
TU Berlin researchers say early demand for round-the-clock carbon-free electricity could help bring advanced energy technologies to market faster through technology learning effects. Grant funding for the research was provided by Google, which has since announced plans to build the world’s largest iron-air battery.
Rooftop solar rebounds in Australia, home battery demand surges
Australia’s rooftop solar market has bounced back into record-setting territory with 281 MW of new capacity registered across the country last month, marking the largest February total on record.
