World’s largest 1 MW/100 MWh sand battery commissioned in Finland
Finnish startup Polar Night Energy has commissioned the world’s largest sand battery in Pornainen, southern Finland. The industrial-scale system delivers 1 MW of thermal power with 100 MWh storage capacity, covering up to a month’s summer heat demand and nearly a week’s winter demand for the local district heating network.
Avalon ST acquires PASAN to expand solar testing operations
Avalon ST, a Swiss LED-based solar simulation and metrology company, has acquired xenon-based solar simulator firm PASAN for an undisclosed sum. The companies will integrate operations and staff in Switzerland China, aiming to expand global reach and product innovation.
NOA secures financing for 349 MW solar project in South Africa
South African independent power producer NOA has reached financial close with Standard Bank on its 349 MW Khauta South Solar PV project near Welkom, Free State. The project will be the country’s largest single-asset solar facility once operational.
Simultaneous optimization of plant design and control unlocks cost-competitive green hydrogen
Achieving cost-competitiveness for green hydrogen produced via water electrolysis using intermittent renewable energy sources remains a significant challenge. Researchers from LUT University in Finland have shown that considerable cost reductions can be achieved by simultaneously optimizing plant control and design, based on specific hydrogen demand targets and local weather conditions.
Evert launches wallbox with bidirectional EV charger, PV inverter
Evert has unveiled technical and availability details of its new power management unit, a wallbox that integrates a 22 kW bidirectional DC electric vehicle charger, a 20 kW PV inverter, and a home energy management system. The Norwegian startup targets residential users seeking integrated EV and solar energy solutions.
Repurposing unused satellite dishes into solar systems
Switzerland-based utility CKW has installed PV systems on disused satellite dishes at telecom company Leuk TDC’s headquarters, using SolarEdge’s DC-optimized inverters and power optimizers to maximize system output.
Irish solar records new monthly solar generation peak for May
Grid-scale solar accounted for 6.5% of electricity generated in May, with Ireland’s transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid recording 173,163 MWh of solar output. Meanwhile, regulators are working to streamline the grid connection application process, a move welcomed by the solar industry.
Tiering markets, evaluating offtakers’ risk: Strategic value in Europe’s C&I solar segment
EUPD Research projects that between 2025 and 2029, the European C&I solar segment will expand from 33 GW of annual installations in 2025 to over 40 GW in 2029, leading to an aggregated new C&I installation of 185 GW in the next five years. By the end of 2029 alone, this surge in capacity is expected to prevent approximately 88 million tons of CO₂ emissions equivalent to saving around 204 million barrels of oil in a single year.
Denoising outdoor electroluminescence images of PV panels through deep learning
Researchers in Australia have developed a simplified residual network-based architecture method to filter out noise from electroluminescence images of PV modules. The proposed technique reportedly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of automated inspection systems for utility-scale PV plants.
Pakistan proposes 18% tax on foreign panels in wake of solar imports surge
The Pakistan government has proposed an 18% general sales tax on imported solar panels in its budget for the new 2025-26 financial year. Pakistan Solar Association has warned the tax risks slowing solar adoption in the country.
