Ideal Energy commissions AI-enabled flexible HJT pilot line for space
China-based PV equipment supplier Ideal Energy (Shanghai) Sunflower Semiconductor has completed an AI-enabled pilot line for ultra-thin, flexible heterojunction (HJT) solar cells, targeting lightweight power systems for space and near-space applications.
New design specifications for sodium-ion batteries
U.S. scientists used density functional theory to reveal how sodium ions are stored in nanoporous carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries, identifying dual ionic and metallic storage mechanisms within the pores. Their findings provide practical design guidelines to improve battery voltage, safety, and commercial viability for stationary energy storage.
China completes first full-scale underwater pumped storage trial at 65 m depth
DEC’s “Dongchu No. 1” prototype completed more than 100 charge-discharge cycles at 65 meters depth in a freshwater lake.
More PV manufacturers expected to adopt copper metallization in 2026
Rising silver prices are pushing PV manufacturers toward copper-based metallization, with DK Electronic Materials targeting 2026 for large-scale deployment of high-copper paste solutions, while Fraunhofer ISE warns efficiency trade-offs remain unacceptable.
Guyana plans three utility-scale solar parks
The three new utility-scale projects in region ten of Guyana, with a combined capacity of 15 MW, form part of wider plans to deploy 33 MW of large-scale solar with accompanying energy storage across four of the country’s regions.
The impact of sand erosion on mounting structures in large-scale PV plants
Researchers in Spain have tested the erosion resistance of common galvanized coatings using both free-falling sand and forced-air sand-impingement methods. The study found that continuously galvanized steel coatings showed the lowest erosion rates, outperforming HDG and Zn-Al-Mg coatings.
Battery storage in Spain could become unviable beyond 32 GWh
Scientists from the University of Seville have developed real-time optimization models showing that electricity storage in Spain may be approaching its economic limit, with cumulative capacities above 32 GWh depressing prices and undermining project profitability.
Global solar corporate funding reached $22.2 billion in 2025
While global solar corporate funding in 2025 fell to the lowest level recorded since 2020, deal count rose to its highest level since 2017. Mercom Capital Group says investors favored smaller, lower-risk, execution-ready projects last year amid policy uncertainty, trade pressures and higher financing costs.
GoodEnough Energy starts production at 7 GWh BESS factory in India
India-based energy storage company GoodEnough Energy sazs it has commissioned a 7 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) factory in Noida, with plans to expand capacity to more than 25 GWh over the next three years.
Easing the transformer procurement bottleneck
Anza’s Transformer Procurement Service aims to help solar developers meet new deadline requirements imposed by US federal policy.
