Markets & Policy
In highly regulated energy markets, policy decisions can make or break new technologies, strategies, and even entire industries.
Support from policymakers, in the form of procurement exercises, priority dispatch, tax incentives and a wealth of other instruments, has been vital to the global solar industry’s success, and new mechanisms to support growth in energy storage are an increasingly important part of the story today.
Advertisement
Latest News
Ireland’s leap of faith to power data centers
Under Ireland’s Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP), 10 MW-plus data centers must provide at least 80% of their energy demand through new onsite renewable energy generation and storage. But whether data centers can meaningfully contribute to Ireland’s decarbonization depends on the success of its grid buildout, reports Blathnaid O’Dea.
Aug 12, 2026
Advertisement
Brazil’s curtailment compensation offer attracts 1,539 solar and wind plant operators
A total of 1,539 solar and wind power plants representing around 53 GW have applied to Brazil’s compensation mechanism for eligible curtailment events. The final compensation amounts will be determined by the applicable methodology, project contracts and assessment of eligible curtailment events.
Global South Utilities completes 50 MW solar, 15 MWh BESS project in Central African Republic
The solar-plus-storage project has been billed as the largest infrastructure project in the Central African Republic’s history. The government says it is undergoing a phased implementation beginning with an initial 15 MW supplied to the plant’s neighbouring districts.
Guatemala updates regulations for distributed solar up to 5 MW
Guatemala has updated its regulatory framework for renewable distributed-generation projects of up to 5 MW, introducing new connection procedures, grid-capacity mapping and technical requirements. The new rules take effect Aug. 17, while projects already under application may remain under the previous regime unless developers opt into the new framework.
France sees sharp rise in solar module recycling
France collected 13,760 tonnes of end-of-life solar modules in 2025, up 40% from the previous year, as recycling activity accelerates. Government agency Soren expects annual volumes to reach nearly 180,000 tonnes by 2040, underscoring the growing importance of recycling to Europe’s industrial supply chain.
Unlimited long duration, long-lived pumped hydro storage
Solar- and wind-dominated grids need abundant long-duration storage, and off-river pumped hydro offers enormous potential, with 800,000 sites worldwide and storage capacity vastly exceeding global requirements. Pumped hydro is mature, low-cost, long-lived, and locally deployable, complementing batteries by providing economical deep storage for periods of low wind and solar generation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
All Markets & Policy news
Colombia: Earthquake affects power grid, but no damage reported at solar plants
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake in Colombia disrupted electricity supplies, leaving up to 20% of demand unmet in some affected regions. No damage has been reported at utility-scale solar plants, with the main impacts concentrated on transmission and distribution infrastructure.
US eases transport rules for portable lithium batteries, raising limits and cutting regulation
The shift to battery-powered tools and portable power stations in the trades has been hampered by hazardous materials regulations set before the battery revolution. A new US ruling better clears the way for the portable storage industry.
European Patent Office revokes Hanwha’s long-disputed passivation patent
The European Patent Office has revoked Hanwha Solutions’ 689 patent covering passivation technology used in silicon solar cells, citing a lack of inventive step. The decision follows years of patent litigation between Hanwha Q Cells and solar manufacturers including JinkoSolar, Longi and REC across Europe, the US and Australia.
Advertisement
Ireland’s leap of faith to power data centers
Under Ireland’s Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP), 10 MW-plus data centers must provide at least 80% of their energy demand through new onsite renewable energy generation and storage. But whether data centers can meaningfully contribute to Ireland’s decarbonization depends on the success of its grid buildout, reports Blathnaid O’Dea.
Philippines eases rules for own-use solar systems
The Philippines has streamlined guidelines governing the use of micro-solar and zero-export solar systems. These PV systems no longer require certificates of compliance, while plug-and-play solar less than 1 kW in size is now exempt from building permits.
Beyond modules: Why cell manufacturing will shape India’s next solar growth story
In just a year, ALMM-listed solar PV cell manufacturing capacity has increased from around 13 GW to roughly 31 GW across eight revisions. With a substantial pipeline of commissioned, under-construction and announced projects, capacity is expected to cross 100 GW by June 2027.
Advertisement
Market intelligence, innovation, and trust: The manufacturer’s new playbook for staying ahead in Europe’s storage market
Europe’s energy storage market is becoming increasingly segmented, with residential, C&I, and utility-scale growth following distinct country-level policy, economic, and market dynamics. For manufacturers, success increasingly depends on combining market intelligence, downstream partnerships, brand trust, and technological innovation to identify priorities and capture growth through 2027–2028.
Five decades of research leads to solar PV’s emergence as the world’s dominant energy source
A systematic review finds that solar PV emerges consistently to the backbone of future energy systems, yet many models still underestimate its role. Across the globe, solar PV is projected to supply about 61% of the world’s electricity by 2050. Major milestones within 100% renewable energy systems research over five decades created the modern understanding of solar PV’s pivotal role for global energy supply. Milestones cover various categories such as visionary scoping, advances in PV system applications, expanding economic insights, and methodological improvements.
Cuba receives another 5,000 solar systems from China, expands renewable energy incentives
The photovoltaic systems will be used for rural homes and essential services. Cuba has also introduced new renewable energy incentives, including a $3.30/kWh payment rate and tax exemptions for clean energy equipment and investments.
Advertisement
Advertisement