Amazon leads funding round for US silicon solid-state battery maker
Blue Current, which has a pilot production line in California, will use funding from an $80 million financing round led by Amazon to advance commercialization of its silicon solid-state battery technology for stationary storage and mobility applications in the United States.
India sees dramatic plunge in battery storage costs, ministry reports
Market trends suggest battery energy storage systems (BESS) will likely operate 1.5 cycles per day, bringing the effective storage cost down to just INR 2.8/kWh (0.031/kWh), the Ministry said on Monday.
UK government backs more than 180,000 heat pump installations
Subsidy support has driven heat pump adoption, with the pace of deployment increasing since early 2024. Second largest subsidy scheme to be wound down in 2026 leaving expanded boiler upgrade scheme as dominant support mechanism. Full details on UK government’s Warm Homes plan expected in early 2026.
Shenzhen First Tech releases 15 kWh LFP battery
The battery is rated at a nominal 48 V and 314 Ah, with an ingress protection level of IP20.
Gokin Solar launches new back-contact solar module series
Gokin has launched back-contact solar modules ranging from 480 W to 780 W for residential, C&I and utility-scale projects. The series supports 1,500 V systems and reaches efficiencies of up to 24.8%.
Mauritius opens 2 MW hybrid solar tender
Mauritius’ Central Electricity Board is running a tender for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of rooftop solar systems, with an added option to procure battery energy storage systems. The deadline for applications is Feb. 2, 2026.
Germany brings world’s first supercapacitor STATCOM online
Germany has connected the world’s first supercapacitor-based STATCOM to the grid, with Siemens Energy and transmission system operator TenneT positioning it as a blueprint to replace fossil-fuel generators in providing instantaneous reserve and reactive power.
Maxeon expands legal action against Aiko and its distributors in Germany
Maxeon has filed a lawsuit in Germany claiming Aiko Solar, and four of its German product distributors, breached a patent related to its back contact solar technology. It is the third such lawsuit Maxeon has opened against Aiko.
Quality, bankability and how to reduce solar project failures
Leading experts from quality assurance and balance-of-system manufacturing were joined by a trio of CEOs at pv magazine Week Europe for a revealing discussion on building bankable projects. From glass breakage and soldering errors to significant variations in EPC quality, panelists found detailed auditing, a commitment to processes and an active approach to fault prevention are key to solar project quality in Europe and beyond.
Hebei Juhang Energy Technology plans solar panel factory in Pakistan
China’s Juhang Energy Technology met with representatives from Pakistan’s Board of Investment to discuss implementation of a solar panel manufacturing facility in Pakistan, aimed at both domestic demand and potential exports.
