Thermoacoustic heat pumps on the verge of commercial breakthrough
Dutch startup BlueHeart Energy is testing its thermoacoustic heat pump engine in residential settings, with a limited European launch expected in spring 2027, followed by gradual scaling. The system uses sound waves instead of refrigerants, aiming for quiet, flexible, low-maintenance heating suited especially for retrofits and renewable integration.
Forecasting solar irradiance in urban environments with just one 360° image
U.S. scientists have developed a method to forecast solar irradiance at any location using a single high-resolution hemispherical image captured on-site. By extracting sky, sun, and surrounding scene information from visual cues, the approach enables accurate long-term energy prediction without relying on detailed 3D city models.
Multi-pyranometer tech improves solar irradiance measurements in the Arctic
Norwegian researchers have developed a multi-pyranometer method to more accurately estimate global tilted irradiance (GTI) in the Arctic by separating beam, diffuse, and reflected solar components. Validated in the world’s northermost settlement, the approach was found to outperform conventional models in high-latitude conditions and improve PV system design for extreme environments.
Inside PV Manufacturing: Belga Solar’s module factory in Belgium
In the latest article of a new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world, pv magazine presents Belga Solar’s solar manufacturing facility in Wallonia, Belgium.
Dutch buildings could host 36 GW of façade solar capacity
A new report from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) estimates that building façades could offer up to 36 GW of technical solar PV potential, representing a significant but largely untapped resource. However, high costs, regulatory complexity, and lower performance compared to rooftop systems limit widespread adoption, currently making façade PV a niche solution for specific building types.
EU responds to energy price shocks with ‘homegrown’ clean energy push
The European Commission has launched the AccelerateEU strategy to address high energy prices driven by the Middle East conflict and its impact on fossil fuel markets. While specific measures for solar, renewables and storage are not yet clearly defined, the package includes the introduction of an Electrification Action Plan by summer.
U.S. court blocks ‘de facto moratorium’ on federal solar permitting
A U.S. federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against a Department of the Interior policy that required Trump-appointed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum’s approval for all renewable energy projects on public lands, effectively stalling tens of gigawatts of capacity.
Solar leads Ireland’s home energy upgrade grant scheme in 2026
Ireland recorded more than 10,000 applications for solar PV as part of its home energy upgrade program from January to March 2026, an increase of 65% on the same period for last year.
German utility deploying 30 MW heat pump for district heating
Enercity has begun constructing a 30 MW wastewater-based heat pump in Hanover as part of its shift away from coal-based district heating, replacing capacity from the Stöcken coal plant alongside biomass, power-to-heat, and waste-heat systems.
Peru opens complementary services market to support renewables
Peru’s energy ministry has proposed market-based reforms for complementary electricity services to improve grid stability amid rising solar and wind generation.
