Policy

In its first monthly column for pv magazine, experts from UK-based consultancy Ricardo, part of the WSP Group, explain how UK will soon allow low-cost plug-in solar panels under 800 W to be installed without a qualified electrician, making home solar more affordable and accessible. These portable systems, expected on sale by summer 2026, could significantly boost household solar adoption while complementing the country’s wider renewable energy growth.

Brazil installed 2.3 GW of solar capacity in January and February, as centralized generation more than doubled while distributed growth declined.

Greece installed around 1.9 GW of new solar capacity in 2025, bringing total installed solar capacity to roughly 11.5 GW, according to industry estimates.

In an interview with pv magazine, Carolina Novac, Secretary of State at Moldova’s Ministry of Energy explains how the country raised its solar capacity to 1 GW while advancing wind, storage, and regulatory reforms to strengthen energy security and reach 30% renewables by 2030. The Moldovan government is now focusing on scaling BESS, modernizing the power market, and enhancing cybersecurity through stronger policies and international cooperation.

Researchers in Moroco analyzed cybersecurity challenges in smart grids, highlighting AI-driven detection and defense strategies against threats like distributed denial-of-service, false data injection replay, and IoT-based attacks. They recommend multi-layered protections, real-time anomaly detection, secure IoT devices, and staff training to enhance resilience and safeguard power system operations.

Hydro-Québec has introduced a grant offering up to CAD 1,000 ($718.40) per kilowatt installed, covering up to 40% of eligible costs to accelerate rooftop solar adoption and reduce payback periods for residential and business customers in the Canadian province of Québec.

This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Margarita Licht, Product Manager BESS & Charging at Germany’s Goldbeck Solar. She says diverse perspectives and cognitive styles are essential in the solar and energy storage sector, enabling smarter solutions, effective problem-solving, and long-term planning. She also emphasizes that creating inclusive environments, fostering allyship, and choosing workplaces that value authentic strengths empower growth and drive meaningful impact.

An international reserch team developed two deep learning-based IDS models to enhance cybersecurity in SCADA systems. The hybrid approach reportedly improves detection of complex and novel cyber threats with high accuracy, adaptability, and efficiency, outperforming traditional methods across multiple datasets.

The French authorities announced they will assign 288 MW of PV in the 2026 tender for projects ranging from 100 kW to 500 kW in size and 925 MW in the procurement exercise for PV systems exceeding 500 kW. The tenders will include cybersecurity requirements as well as provisions to support European manufacturing.

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association has welcomed the utility’s decision to extend its registration fee waiver for solar systems until the end of September, as it calls for the country’s municipal distributors to streamline their own processes for small-scale embedded generation systems.