Japan sets FIT terms for small PV, rooftop solar as large-scale auctions end
The Japanese government has set 2026 feed-in tariff (FIT) terms for solar below 250 kW, set the renewable energy levy at JPY 4.18 ($0.026)/kWh, and confirmed that feed-in premium (FIP) auctions for large-scale solar will end after 2026.
Panasonic claims world’s first trial of cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale BESS
A Japanese joint-pilot will test grid-scale BESS with a range of local and remote attack vectors, with cybersecurity monitoring to watch for indications of anomalies.
Spanish researchers develop ultra-thin solar cells for any surface
The Silicon and New Concepts for Solar Cells (SyNC) research group at the Institute of Solar Energy (IES) of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) has produced high-efficiency two-dimensional solar cell prototypes using the “hot-pick-up” technique, with simulations suggesting the cells could meet up to 30% of a building’s energy needs when applied to facades.
Pakistan’s solar boom is bigger than official data shows
Pakistan’s Renewables First has explored the implications of a lack of official data collection from the country’s distributed solar market segment, which is estimated to have reached over 24 GW of installed capacity by the middle of last year.
Japan finances 130 MW solar project in Tunisia
The latest round of Japan’s carbon financing program, which provides financial support for low-carbon infrastructure projects in partner countries, is backing a 130 MW solar project being built in southeastern Tunisia.
New PV inverter efficiency metric reflects local solar conditions
Researchers in Brazil have developed a weighted PV inverter efficiency methodology that accounts for country-specific solar irradiance and operating conditions. The approach is designed to address the limitations of international metrics by incorporating variables such as input voltage and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance.
What happens when malware hits PV systems
A random malware variant affected about 800 remote monitoring devices at ground-mounted PV plants in Japan in May 2024. Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Girasol Energy has told pv magazine what happened and how PV asset owners can protect themselves against such incidents.
SolarEdge launches Nexis hybrid inverter and high-voltage battery for residential PV
The Nexis solution combines a flexibly configurable hybrid inverter with a modular high-voltage battery offering up to 14 kW charging capacity per stack. The inverter delivers 8–20 kW AC power, supports up to 200% DC oversizing, and features IP65-rated design with integrated backup power.
India extends solar manufacturing mandate to wafers and ingots
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework to include solar ingots and wafers, with mandatory compliance for new project bids taking effect from June 1, 2028.
EPFL, CSEM achieve world record efficiency of 30.02% in perovskite-silicon triple-junction solar cell
An international research team boosted triple-junction solar cell performance by enhancing perovskite crystal growth, increasing middle-cell light absorption, and adding reflective nanoparticles.
