US trade barriers take their toll
The United States has stepped up its use of tariffs on international trade partners, alongside the removal of many renewable energy incentives. Most imports from China are now subject to 30% tariffs and other barriers, along with further measures specific to solar products. InfoLink’s Alan Tu examines key changes in US policy and their likely impact on the domestic PV market.
Solar stocks rally
The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) outperformed the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average in July. Jesse Pichel of Roth Capital Partners attributes this to expedited project plans as developers in the United States adapt to the accelerated removal of incentives.
New risks for US solar
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a related executive order and other policy developments introduce new risks to the solar and energy storage industries in the United States. Changes to tax law affect everything from residential rooftop systems to utility-scale projects. Jesse Pichel and Lev Seleznov of Roth Capital Partners examine the key provisions in recent US policy announcements and their likely impact on the industry.
The path forward for the solar industry
The significant shifts experienced in 2025 by solar in the United States mean the industry must renew its focus, adaptability, and resolve. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper vows to keep fighting for energy freedom and a brighter future.
Indian battery buildout begins
India has built gigawatts of PV installations in recent years and taken big strides to establish a domestic supply chain. Now it is turning its attention to energy storage. Cutting dependence on battery imports won’t be easy, but commitments from the government mean the pieces are falling into place, as Wood Mackenzie analyst Harshul Kanwar tells pv magazine.
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.
Nurturing nature
The impact of PV on rural landscapes is an emotive issue, but good evidence is emerging that when managed correctly, solar farms can enhance biodiversity. At Lancaster University, the impact of solar installations on ecosystems is a key area of research – pv magazine caught up with the researchers uncovering how PV affects plants, pollinators, soil health and more.
On the road with pv magazine
A look at some key recent and upcoming industry events for our team.
Deeper underground
At several sites in southwestern England, Cornish Lithium is moving forward with plans to produce lithium hydroxide, ready to supply the battery industry from both hard rock mining and extraction from geothermal brine. With planning permission in place for expanded drilling and a commercial production facility, the company is exploring supply agreements with battery companies, as well as potential opportunities to supply geothermal heat and potable water to the local population.
From niche to norm
It is now possible to deploy PV on buildings, roadsides, farms, mobile structures, lakes, and even vehicles. This should, in theory, make it the obvious answer to decarbonizing urban environments, ensuring that societies can produce their own clean energy affordably. So, why is integrated PV still a relatively niche market? In this series, pv magazine showcases some of the most exciting current research and development trends in integrated PV.
