Brazil opens consultation on nationwide smart meter deployment
Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has launched a consultation that could lead to the installation of 3.6 million smart meters as part of efforts to modernize the power sector and cut losses.
European electricity spot market shifts to 15-minute trading blocks
The European Power Exchange (Epex Spot) will switch its day-ahead market from hourly to 15-minute intervals on Sept. 30, a change mandated by the European Union that is expected to improve solar and wind integration, boost battery trading opportunities, and support dynamic tariffs.
Key takeaways from Solar & Storage Live UK
Solar & Storage Live UK 2025 took place over three days from September 23 to 25 at the NEC venue in the outskirts of Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city. pv magazine spoke to hundreds of industry players keen to optimize existing solar and storage capacity and be at the forefront of the nationwide rooftop PV expansion.
California enables flexible interconnection for solar and storage
California has introduced a flexible interconnection option allowing distributed solar and storage projects to connect without waiting for costly grid upgrades, though the required control hardware is not yet widely available.
Netherlands to accelerate permitting procedures for electricity projects
The Netherlands has proposed amendments to its Environmental Decree to fast-track permitting for electricity transmission and distribution projects above 21 kV, aiming to expand grid capacity and ease congestion through 2032.
Brazil tenders 50 MW of battery, solar and hybrid sites for isolated areas
Two lots were tendered, to serve communities in Amazonas and Pará, with BRL 312 million ($58 million) of equipment. In Amazonas, 20,165 MW will be installed via five solar and diesel-fired thermal generation sites. Pará will get a 30.1 MW battery, solar and diesel facility.
South Africa awards energy trading license to largest private bank
Investec has become one of the first financial institutions in South Africa to be awarded a license to buy and sell energy, beginning with a 50 MW solar project currently under construction. There are now 14 private companies with an energy trading license in South Africa.
Chad plans 520 MW of solar by 2030
Chad plans to raise $1.1 billion to add 886 MW of power capacity, the majority of which is expected to be solar.
Sweden switches on 89 MW hybrid wind, solar project
The first hybrid power project belonging to Danish renewables developer European Energy is a 39.3 MW solar array tied to a 49.6 MW wind facility in southern Sweden.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: New PV additions for August total only 7.3 GW
China installed 7.36 GW of new solar in August, bringing year-to-date capacity additions to 230.61 GW and total power generation capacity to 3.69 TW.
