New US rules support solar supply chain, manufacturing
New US incentives support solar manufacturers and encourage the domestic build-out of the earlier stages of the solar supply chain.
Belgian grid operator accelerates smart meter deployment for PV system owners
Belgian grid operator Fluvius plans to install around 403,000 smart meters in solar-powered homes by 2025, when their use becomes mandatory. So far, the company has installed 553,500 smart meters in Flemish homes with PV systems.
China’s NEA unveils new draft rules to reshape distributed solar market
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) has released new draft rules to reshape the distributed-generation solar market.
With or without PV, air-source heat pumps are among cheapest residential heating sources
New research from Germany shows that identifying the cheapest residential heating source remains challenging, as the final results depend on the assumptions made and energy prices. The scientists, however, demonstrated that air-water heat pumps and gas heating systems are currently the most cost-effective solutions.
Philippines may terminate 50-plus solar projects for missing deadlines
The Philippines’ Department of Energy says that at least 105 renewable energy projects, including 53 solar projects, face termination for failing to comply with timelines.
Tunisia launches 200 MW solar tender
Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has kicked off a new procurement exercise for large-scale solar.
Indonesia’s installed solar capacity surpasses 700 MW
The Institute for Essential Services Reform says Indonesia’s solar industry has faced a downturn over the past two years, but policy reforms should accelerate solar deployment in the coming years. The think tank’s latest report states that 16.92 GW of projects are currently in the pipeline across the country.
‘Beyond keeping the lights on, solar builds community resilience’
This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Nataliia Cherepovska, communication manager at Poland’s Menlo Electric. She says that especially in Ukraine, where she comes from, solar is more than a green initiative – it’s a lifeline. “Solar-powered crucial facilities keep running even when the grid falters, ensuring critical services,” she states. “Solar energy doesn’t just power buildings – it powers hope, security, and progress.”
California farmers developing 20 GW solar-plus-storage plan
The Golden State recently signed AB 2661, granting the Westland Water District authority to develop transmission lines that will enable solar energy and storage projects on 130,000 acres of drainage-impaired farmland.
Grid defection is profitable in some solar-rich U.S. locations
Researchers from Canada’s Western University assessed eighteen case studies across thirteen US states and found in areas an economic case for disconnecting from the electricity grid in some areas with high solar irradiation and high electricity rates. They say economic grid defection and utility death spirals are becoming salient issues in the US.
