France exempts energy communities up to 1 MW from excise duty
France’s 2025 Budget Law exempts energy communities with projects up to 1 MW from excise duty on electricity consumption. The measure applies retroactively from Jan. 1, 2025, and remains in effect until Jan. 1, 2027.
Lithuania launches 800 MWh energy storage tender
Only a day before cutting ties with the Russian power grid, Lithuania announced the launch of a major energy storage procurement exercise.
Germany allocates 2.15 GW in latest PV tender, final average price for first time under €0.05/kWh since 2019
Germany’s latest auction for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0388 ($0.0400)/kWh to €0.0495/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.
Estonia deploys 513 MW of solar in 2024
Estonia added a record 513 MW of new solar capacity in 2024, bringing its total installed PV capacity to more than 1.3 GW, according to the Estonian Chamber of Renewable Energy (Eesti Taastuvenergia Koda).
Cyprus installs 159 MW of new PV in 2024
Cyprus installed 159 MW of new solar capacity in 2024, bringing its total to 797 MW by year-end, according to the latest data from the Cypriot transmission grid operator.
France reduces VAT to 5.5% for solar up to 9 kW
The French Senate has approved France’s 2025 Budget Law, cutting the value-added tax (VAT) to 5.5% for PV systems up to 9 kW from October 2025. Industry professionals say the delay might prompt homeowners to postpone installations to secure the lower rate.
Australia installs 234 MW of rooftop solar in January
SunWiz says that about 234 MW of new rooftop solar was registered across Australia in the first month of 2025, a 6% increase on the same time last year.
India hits 100 GW solar milestone
India has hit 100.33 GW of cumulative installed solar capacity, crossing a critical threshold as it moves toward its 2030 goal of 500 GW of non-fossil energy.
China imposes export controls on critical minerals for thin-film PV
China has announced new export restrictions on materials essential for the thin-film solar industry, including critical minerals such as tungsten, tellurium, and indium.
Flanders adds over 646 MW of solar in 2024
Belgium’s Flanders region installed at least 646 MW of solar in 2024, bringing total installed capacity to nearly 7 GW. The region marked its 1 millionth solar panel installation this month, driven by industrial rooftop projects.
