Spain, France set benchmark in renewables expansion without biodiversity loss
A research from Switzerland has compared how France, Italy and Spain integrate biodiversity into renewable energy planning, spatial policy, and ecological impact monitoring under the European Green Deal. The findings show France and Spain have more advanced frameworks, while Italy remains more regionally fragmented, with major gaps in cumulative impact assessment across all three countries.
Toyo denies Ethiopia duty evasion, confirms 4 GW ramp and US cell plant
Toyo Co. says a new anti-circumvention petition targeting its Ethiopian solar cell facility is “riddled with misinformation.” The Japanese manufacturer tells pv magazine that the site reached 4 GW of capacity last year and that it is planning a U.S. onshore cell plant.
Romania moves from solar to storage rebates
Romania is not planning to run a grant scheme offering non-repayable funds for home solar installations for a second year running, instead aiming funds at existing solar prosumers looking to install battery storage systems. The Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association expects strong growth in Romania’s rooftop PV market to continue despite the absence of solar-specific installation grants.
Japan awards 1.25 GW of battery storage in capacity market auction
Third long-term decarbonization auction sees significant drop in BESS bids due to new rule on storage duration. However, awarded capacity for battery storage remained relatively strong.
Women’s leadership is everywhere in Ukraine
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Yuliana Onishchuk, founder and CEO of the Charitable organisation Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation. She explains how Russia’s full-scale invasion transformed solar energy in Ukraine from a green technology into a vital tool for survival, powering hospitals, schools, and communities during blackouts and attacks. Through the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, decentralized renewable energy and women-led initiatives are helping build resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and shape a more secure and sustainable future for Ukraine.
Solar PPAs raise Spanish spot prices, not suppress them
A new peer-reviewed study of Spain’s electricity market shows that physical bilateral contracts (PBC) from wind and solar increase wholesale power prices during high-penetration phases, reversing their price-suppressing effect during earlier periods.
India installs 15.3 GW of solar capacity in Q1
India installed 15.3 GW of solar capacity in the first quarter of 2026 – the highest quarterly addition on record – representing a 143% year-on-year increase, according to Mercom India.
France’s collective solar self-consumption model hits regulatory wall
A roundtable recently held by solar panel manufacturer Dualsun and the GoodPlanet Foundation in Paris highlighted the organizational and regulatory barriers holding back collective solar self-consumption in France, a model its proponents say is technically ready to scale.
Sweden lacks national strategy for utility-scale solar
Research from Lund University has explored how Sweden is building out utility-scale solar in the absence of an overarching national strategy. The researchers told pv magazine that without clearer national direction, projects will cluster in areas with favorable conditions while stalling elsewhere.
German storage industry back on growth path, says BVES
After a significant decline in 2024, revenues for energy storage companies based in Germany grew substantially last year and are expected to rise further this year, according to market analysis from BVES. However, industry uncertainty continues to rise.
