Solar springs eternal
Introducing pv magazine’s summer 2025 edition – examining the early impacts of the US policy turnaround, and looking at the latest technologies integrating solar generation into other industries and walks of life.
Solar stocks find no safe harbor
The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) outperformed major indices in June, bolstered by strong performance from independent power producers (IPPs), but turbulence may lie ahead. Jesse Pichel of Roth Capital Partners warns US developers to watch for US Treasury announcements and move quickly to secure disappearing tax credits.
Tax credit cliff tightens project deadlines
US project developers face a shrinking timeline as federal investment and production tax credits are set to end early, and new import restrictions target Chinese components.
Risking progress
While changes to US clean energy tax credits and other restrictions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) create a new level of uncertainty, US solar and energy storage manufacturers vow to march on with the previously planned buildout of domestic solar manufacturing capacity.
Turbulent times for US energy storage
US President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4, dealing a blow to clean energy. The OBBBA kills many of the provisions in the US Inflation Reduction Act that were most impactful for the energy storage industry, and while no one is fully sure what comes next, many are bracing for turbulence, as Phoebe Skok reports.
Southeast Asia gaining ground
The power mix in Southeast Asia is heavily reliant on coal and natural gas for baseload generation, with hydropower dominating in countries such as Laos and Cambodia. However, the region’s dependence on fossil fuels is increasingly challenged by rising energy import costs, growing regulatory and corporate pressure to cut emissions, and heightened concerns about energy security amid accelerating demand from industry and cities.
Spotlight on supply chain as India’s BESS demand soars
India is demonstrating ambition in developing a domestic supply chain for battery systems, but it is still at an early stage. Crisil analyst Sehul Bhatt argues that for India’s energy storage industry to emulate the country’s success in PV module manufacturing, multiple areas require attention, including research and development.
Mega projects driving Middle East demand
The Middle East’s solar market is set to grow in 2025, provided stakeholders can navigate geopolitical, financial, and grid challenges that may delay or derail projects. InfoLink’s Jenny Lin examines key markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and spotlights emerging ones such as Oman and Iran.
Downward trend returns for module prices
Module market trends remained unclear in June, but a picture has since begun to re-emerge. July was a landmark month, but the air was apparently too thin up high, and prices have now begun to fall again. The underlying reasons and wider market context suggest this downward movement could develop into a longer-term trend.
Floodplains and fault lines
With the early expiration of key US solar tax credits in 2026 and 2027, solar developers from the United States and Europe are looking to diversify, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region represents attractive prospects for many. But unpredictable site conditions can defy even the most experienced developers’ assumptions, causing delays and cost hikes. Upfront due diligence is vital, argue Clean Energy Associates engineers Nicholas Hudson and Evan Woolard.
