Storm-proofing your solar data
Extreme weather is no longer a rare event for PV sites across the United States. It’s a costly, recurring reality eroding performance, reliability, and profitability. Wayne Burnett, chief strategy officer and chief technology officer at sensor equipment supplier EKO Instruments, offers insights from projects in hard-hit regions. With lessons learned from the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, he examines how these are shaping best practices for long-term energy yield and resilience.
‘Preaching to the unconverted’ – EUPVSEC 2025 kicks off in Bilbao
The annual European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) got underway today, this year in Bilbao. Conversations on the first morning focused on the need for strong policy support across multiple areas of renewable energy. While the week is sure to be filled with new ideas on the technological side, it’s clear that ensuring policies to support further growth in renewable energy is a growing challenge. Those working in the solar industry and research community need to reach a wider audience, and one that may not be as easy to convince.
Iraq inaugurates first phase of largest solar plant to date
The first phase of the Karbala solar power plant, totaling 22 MW, is now online. Its capacity is expected to reach 75 MW within the next two moves, ahead of a final 300 MW target.
Renewables supply record 77.9% of power in Australia’s main grid
The share of renewables in Australia’s main electricity grid continues to reach new highs, delivering 77.9% of electricity demand on Sunday with solar power contributing more than 55% of the record-breaking clean energy mix.
Optimum tilt angle for PV systems ranging from 0° to 90°
A Slovak research team has developed a mathematical model for determining the optimum tilt angle of a solar system ranging from 0° to 90°. Their framework was tested on an experimental setup in Czechia and attained 93.9% accuracy in predicting the system’s energy balance.
Japan launches subsidies to accelerate perovskite solar deployment
The Japanese government has launched applications for two targeted funding schemes to accelerate deployment of lightweight perovskite solar tech and incentivize battery-backed systems that enhance grid resilience and economic viability.
EBRD to support solar, storage, wind tenders in Jordan
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is working with Jordanian authorities to support three renewable energy tenders in the country, including a 200 MW solar project and a 100 MWh storage project.
Brookfield, Solarvest partner on 1.5 GW of solar-plus-storage in Malaysia
The two parties have signed a joint investment framework agreement to develop, construct and operate 1.5 GW worth of solar-plus-storage projects in Malaysia over the next three to five years.
US steel crunch puts solar deployment plans at risk
With US domestic steel mills booked solid through 2025, a sudden doubling of tariffs on imported steel has created a critical bottleneck for American industries. The move, which hits specialized Indian steel particularly hard, is now delaying projects for builders and renewable energy developers who rely on steady, affordable supply.
Seven projects pulled from EU hydrogen fund
The projects, equivalent to 1.88 GW of electrolyzer capacity, were withdrawn after choosing not to continue with the agreement procedure or for being unable to provide a signed completion guarantee. As a result, ten hydrogen projects representing 774 MW in capacity from the reserve list have been invited to prepare grant agreements.
