Ofgem approves GBP 10.3 billion investment in UK transmission grid
UK energy regulator green-lights transmission network operator budgets for five-year period. Initial budget of GBP 10.3 billion ($13.7 billion) approved with an upper-bound estimate of GBP 70 billion transmission investment by 2031. At least GBP 44 billion of transmission spend has already been committed, according to the regulator.
Polish energy regulator warns against fake solar inspections
Following reports of fraudulent solar inspections, Poland’s energy regulator has issued an announcement clarifying who is authorized to conduct such assessments.
Japan launches call for road-surface solar technologies
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has started accepting submissions for new road-surface PV technologies, with field verification planned in pedestrian areas at roadside stations to test performance and electricity use ahead of societal implementation.
Belgian grid operator enters final phase of digital meter rollout
Grid operator Fluvius says that 80% of all homes, apartments and small businesses in the Belgian region of Flanders, including 89% of all solar panel owners, have now converted to digital meters as the company begins the final phase of the mandatory switch over.
Key takeaways from China-EU Solar & Energy Storage Industries Dialogue 2025
Solar and storage industry leaders from China and Europe gathered in Germany this week to advance cross-border partnerships, launch a bilateral storage collaboration platform, and coordinate strategies for scaling PV and battery deployment amid surging demand, grid pressures, and intensifying market competition.
Italy’s first Fer X solar auction allocates 7.7 GW at average price of €0.05682/kWh
The procurement exercise had initially attracted 1,387 project proposals with a combined capacity of 17,537 MW, according the Italian energy agency GSE.
France deploys 1.5 GW of solar in Q3
The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 29.7 GW at the end of September.
U.S. extends solar manufacturing tariff exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has extended the exclusion of 178 items from the Section 301 import tariffs that were put in place by the prior administration in 2024. The still standing tariffs include a 50% increase on solar cells.
California lawmakers urge CPUC to enforce utility interconnection timelines
A coalition of 18 California legislators has formally urged the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to enforce regulations under “Rule 21” regarding the interconnection of customer-sited solar and energy storage systems.
More than 100,000 applications for UK heat pump subsidy
Latest boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) data reveals more than 100,000 applications for heat pump grants have been made since support scheme launched in May 2022. Demand has significantly increased in 2025, and the scheme was expanded in early November to include an air-to-air heat pump grant.
