Australian researchers accelerate silicon wafer recycling using AI, robotics
Scientists from the University of New England’s Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using artificial intelligence and powerful supercomputers to assess potential solvents to separate silicon wafers with minimal contamination.
Texas PV module production to exceed 15 GW in 2026
Propelled by a select group of high-capacity manufacturers including T1 Energy and Canadian Solar, Texas is set to exceed 15 GW of solar PV module production in 2026, accounting for nearly half of all U.S. silicon-based manufacturing and serving as the primary hub for the inaugural Solar Manufacturing USA conference in Austin this September.
Egypt’s National Bank takes 20% stake in Scatec’s Obelisk project
National Bank of Egypt has acquired a 20% equity interest in Scatec ASA’s 1.1 GW Obelisk solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project, reducing the Norwegian developer’s economic interest to 40% while leaving it in majority control through a layered ownership structure.
There are now more than 2 million UK solar installations
March 2026 saw a return to installation volumes not seen since 2012 as rooftop and large-scale deployment drove UK solar to a new milestone. Even greater monthly installation volumes are expected as further government support kicks in.
Firm solar and storage costs fall to $54/MWh, says IRENA
A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that round‑the‑clock solar and wind paired with battery storage deliver power at lower cost than new fossil fuel generation in high‑quality resource regions.
Dutch partners explore bringing silicon PV into space
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is working with solar manufacturer MCPV and aviation giant Airbus to adapt terrestrial-proven silicon technology for space operations. It is envisaged the technology could serve as a lower-cost alternative to the gallium arsenide solar cells used in most space solar arrays today.
Norwegian startup testing hybrid solar, wave, wind system
Norway’s Flex2Future has begun testing a scaled-down model of its offshore energy system in collaboration with research firm SINTEF. The startup’s CEO says the system, integrating solar, wave and wind energy, can deliver power at a relatively low cost per kWh.
Sinovoltaics launches free tool for project-specific PV module test scopes
Dutch-German quality assurance firm Sinovoltaics has released a free browser-based tool that generates project-specific reliability testing strategies for utility-scale solar projects, sorting recommended lab tests by priority and producing downloadable scope reports.
PV module recycling technologies ‘progressing’, says IEA-PVPS
Latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) finds measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance compared to its prior studies, including higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
Angola switches on Africa’s largest off-grid solar-plus-storage park
The off-grid solar project, encompassing 31.85 MW of solar connected to 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage, will supply energy to over 90,000 people in eastern Angola.
