Argentina commissions 305 MW solar farm
The $220 million project has a capacity of 305 MW and is located in the province of Mendoza, in the sunny Cuyo region.
The Hydrogen Stream: Ireland’s LCOH on par with Morocco, Brazil
Fraunhofer ISE, in collaboration with Irishi energy company ESB, developed a methodology showing that Ireland is a competitive location for renewable power-to-X and green hydrogen production with costs comparable to Morocco, South Africa, and Brazil, supported by strong wind resources, policy backing, and infrastructure potential.
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.
Blocking pattern lifts irradiance from France to Finland while storms hit the east
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that a persistent high-pressure system over the North Sea created a major April solar irradiance surplus across western and northern Europe by suppressing clouds and boosting GHI well above average. At the same time, displaced storm tracks reduced irradiance in the eastern Mediterranean and parts of Eastern Europe, producing deficits in Greece, Turkey, and Ukraine while maintaining a sharp west–east contrast.
German scientists explore whether solar power plants can induce rain in deserts
The research project combines LiDAR measurements with advanced meteorological simulations to assess the climatic impacts of large-scale photovoltaic installations in desert regions.
Brazil deploys 4.4 GW of solar in Q1
Brazil added 4.4 GW of solar capacity in Q1 2026, led by 2.3 GW of utility-scale and 2.2 GW of distributed generation, with continued strong expansion expected if current rates persist.
Heterojunction PV modules with low silver content tested in world’s sunniest region
Chilean company Atamostec is testing low-silver heterojunction solar modules under real desert conditions at the Atacama Desert Solar Platform (PSDA) in partnership with France’s CEA-Ines. The ALPACA project has so far achieved up to 70% silver substitution with copper.
Fraunhofer ISE achieves 31.3% record solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in CPV electrolysis
Researchers at the German institute built a photovoltaic water electrolysis system based on micro-concentrator photovoltaics coupled to proton exchange membrane electrolysis. Outdoor testing demonstrated a record solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 31.3%, achieved by a four-junction CPV system driving two PEM cells in series under real operating conditions.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Daqo, Tongwei, Aiko Solar post Q1 losses
Chinese solar manufacturers reported sharply mixed Q1 results amid ongoing polysilicon and module price pressure, with output increases, weak demand-driven margin compression, and continued net losses.
