Policy

The Australian opposition has released energy plan modeling showing nuclear power could be up to 44% cheaper than current government projections, while forecasting that renewable generation will continue to dominate electricity production.

While the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshoring solar manufacturing in the United States, raising import tariffs may slow momentum. The actions of the incoming Trump administration are tough to forecast at this point.

The Jakarta-based Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) says 2025 will be a pivotal year for Indonesia’s energy transition, as the nation has fallen behind targets in recent years. It seeks to shift fossil fuel subsidies to renewables and is urging the government to implement a clear, measurable plan for the upcoming national energy policy.

This week, Women in Solar Europe gives voice to Eyerusalem Mekuria Wondemu, Project Engineer at Switzerland’s Gruner Stucky SA. She says changes in career paths are slow due to entrenched cultural norms and unconscious prejudices, but growing advocacy and representation drive progress. “Mentorship, continuous learning, and networking are critical,” she states.

Manufacturers and suppliers of batteries for photovoltaic energy storage must meet more extensive requirements under the new EU battery regulation. Many companies are still unsure what this means for their product design, processes, and management systems. Yalcin Ölmez, head of the operational and investment risks department at German testing body TÜV SÜD, explains what companies now need to consider.

UK government to increase solar capacity threshold for nationally significant infrastructure projects, handing local planners consent power for projects up to 100 MW. Projects with capacity greater than 50 MW in England are currently subject to approval from central government.

The Czech lower house of parliament has approved plans to retroactively cut feed-in-tariffs (FIT) for solar projects built between 2009 and 2010. The local solar sector has continued to criticize the planned law changes, which still need approval from the upper house.

The US government has doubled Section 301 tariffs on imported solar polysilicon and wafers from China to 50%. The materials are vital for manufacturing solar panels, from refining polysilicon to assembling modules.

The European Commission will publish guidance on agrivoltaics as part of a wider document covering innovative technologies, attendees at pv magazine Roundtables Europe 2024 heard. More than 1,300 guests joined pv magazine’s live event on Dec. 5, which covered topics ranging from quality and European manufacturing to energy storage and solar cell technology.

Battery prices continue to tumble on the back of lower metal costs and increased scale, squeezing margins for manufacturers. Further price declines are expected over the next decade.