Rooftop solar surges to new high in Australia on back of battery boom
Australia’s rooftop solar market climbed by 31% in the past month with the latest data revealing that a record 442 MW of small-scale PV capacity was installed across the country in April 2026.
New technique measures water ingress in PV modules without disconnecting them
A German research team has developed a nondestructive, on-site method to quantify water ingress in photovoltaic modules using near-infrared absorption (NIRA) spectroscopy calibrated with Karl–Fischer titration (KFT). The approach enables precise measurement of absolute moisture content in sealed modules without disassembly, improving inspection, failure analysis, and lifetime prediction.
Western Australia backs grid buildout ahead of coal exit
Western Australia plans to establish a clean energy fund to support transmission and network projects, as state-owned coal-fired power plants approach retirement, according to the state government.
Pumped storage project advances at 1.35 GW hydropower plant in India
GE Vernova has secured an order from Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) to deliver nine 150 MW pumped-storage units for the 1.35 GW Upper Sileru hydropower plant in India.
Fluorine use in PV backsheets dropped sharply over past three decades
Researchers in Austria found that fluorine and fluoropolymer content in PV backsheets has significantly decreased over the past three decades, driven by a shift from fluorine-rich multilayer structures to fluorine-free or coated alternatives. Despite this decline, fluoropolymer-containing backsheets remain important for end-of-life management due to environmental persistence concerns.
Enphase moves into AI data center power with solid-state transformer
Enphase Energy has detailed the architecture of its IQ Solid-State Transformer (IQ SST), a distributed power conversion system designed to supply regulated 800 VDC power to AI data center infrastructure.
EU funding ban on high-risk inverters, including Chinese suppliers, extends to BESS
The new policy has already applied, and impacts billions in funding from the European Investment Bank on renewable projects including standalone and co-located storage.
IFC, Norfund back 315 solar hybrid minigrids in Nigeria
The solar minigrids, to be developed by five renewable energy service companies, are expected to facilitate over 494,000 new electricity connections in Nigeria.
Heat pump sales rise 17% across Europe in Q1 as energy prices surge
Residential heat pump sales increased 17% across 11 European countries in the first quarter of 2026, following a sharp rise in gas and oil prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in March, says the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).
Solar on canals reduces water evaporation by 70% and algae growth by 85%
The 1.6 MW Nexus pilot project in California has demonstrated that solar panels installed over irrigation canals can significantly reduce water evaporation and algae growth by 85%, while also showing operational efficiency.
