Why strategy is key: Lessons from real-world benchmarks
Maximizing value from battery energy storage systems (BESS) isn’t just about having the right hardware – it’s about executing the right strategy. Lennard Wilkening, CEO and co-founder of Germany’s suena energy, explores what makes standalone BESS profitable in increasingly competitive and volatile market, and what real-world benchmarks, such as suena energy’s monthly revenue update, reveal about the role of dynamic multi-market optimization.
Perovskite rollout gathers pace
Perovskite’s growing visibility at industry events in 2025 is a sign that perovskites have progressed beyond the small lab-made devices seen earlier this decade. The focus is now on developing materials, processes, and a supply chain ready for large-scale manufacturing and deployment.
Gallium arsenide solar cells radiation-resilient for space applications
A group led by Cambridge University has developed an adhesive-free method of bonding ultra-thin gallium arsenide solar cells to borosilicate glass. The proposed technique is reportedly compatible with standard planar device processing.
TotalEnergies starts building 1 GW solar plant in southern Iraq
France’s TotalEnergies has broken ground on a 1 GW solar project in Iraq. The first 250 MW phase is due to come online before the end of this year.
Solar on the tracks
Swiss startup Sun-Ways inaugurated its railway PV project in April in Neuchatel, Switzerland, after more than two years of planning. Joseph Scuderi, founder of Sun-Ways, tells pv magazine that the pilot is attracting international attention.
Arctech to supply trackers for 2.3 GW Shanghai Electric project
Arctech will supply its SkyLine II tracking system to Shanghai Electric’s 2.3 GW Sadawi Solar Project in Saudi Arabia under a new deal.
Solitek launches anti-glare black bifacial solar modules
Lithuania’s Solitek has launched full-black 425 W bifacial solar modules with matte, satin-textured glass for glare-sensitive sites such as airports, road barriers, and buildings.
Sun King secures $156 million to expand off-grid solar in Kenya
Sun King has secured a $156 million deal backed by Kenyan banks and international development finance institutions to expand off-grid solar access in Kenya, financing the purchase of about 1.4 million solar products and smartphones.
High-temperature co-annealing step could cut TOPCon cell costs
Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have proposed combining the two high-temperature steps used in producing tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells into a single co-annealing process. Initial results show promising outcomes in boron concentration, passivation quality, and contact resistivity.
US states advance energy storage and grid reforms in Q2
The “50 States of Grid Modernization” quarterly report from NC Clean Energy Technology Center identified policy trends related to US grid modernization across the 2025 legislative session.
