Markets

The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is unlikely to materially affect solar manufacturing projects in the Middle East for now, as most of these investments remain at an early stage. OPIS analyst Brian Ng sees the most immediate risk in logistics. If disruptions persist, shipments of solar products into the region could be delayed and export pricing may turn volatile.

This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Ilse Cappelle, Head of Marketing & E-commerce at Netherlands’ Libra Energy. She explains how returning from maternity leave directly into a leadership role showed her the company’s strong support for career growth and work-life balance.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences say a polymerizable non-flammable electrolyte improves safety in sodium-ion batteries while maintaining performance.

Tokyu Corp. and partners will supply Tokyu Railway with newly built solar power under a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA), covering about 30% of traction electricity demand.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.

Data from the Swedish Energy Agency finds there are now approximately 314,600 grid-connected solar plants in Sweden, the majority of which are systems smaller than 20 kW. The agency’s latest analysis also notes the rate of installations is slowing.

Solar energy, driven by excellent resource conditions and rapidly improving economic attractiveness, is expected to emerge as a bulk energy supplier in future energy systems. The self-limiting effects of solar power can be circumvented through solar-hybrid solutions, such as PV-geothermal hybrid configurations.

The Canadian province of Ontario has shared the results of what it has called its largest public power procurement exercise in its history, offering contracts to 12 solar projects and two wind projects with a cumulative capacity in excess of 1.3 GW.

A review of 60 renewable energy studies finds that by 2050, solar PV and wind could supply 80–100% of electricity, but overly conservative Capex assumptions and simplified PV modeling often underestimate deployment potential. While future PV costs depend on supply chains and geopolitical risks, historical experience suggests medium-term risks are manageable, and material constraints are being resolved.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Saharan dust caused widespread panel soiling in southern Europe in early May, while much of central and eastern Europe benefitted from above-average solar resources. Favourable conditions broke down later in the month as cold polar air and a powerful storm system brought cloud, snow and damaging winds to many parts of the continent.