When solar meets next-gen nuclear
Scientists in China have proposed a novel scheduling framework for microgrids based on hybrid PV and a small modular nuclear reactors. The framework uses multi-objective distributionally robust optimization with a real-time reinforcement learning mechanism and is reportedly able to reduce operational costs by 18.7%.
US energy offices folded into new structure at Department of Energy
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has removed renewable energy, grid modernization, and carbon-management units from its organizational chart and consolidated them into the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, a shift confirmed in newly published federal documents.
Sharp offers space-qualified solar cells, plans perovskite-silicon tandem production
The Japanese technology company is offering three types of space-grade compound solar cell designs for satellites and spacecraft.
Italy issues new rules for PV project siting, solar fiscal breaks
The Italian government has reduced the regions’ influence on permits for photovoltaic and wind energy by centralizing the decision-making process. It has also issued new rules for tax relief under the so-called Transizione 5.0 Decree.
Brazil distributed solar market set for lower annual additions in 2025
Brazil installed 6.4 GW of distributed solar capacity between January and September 2025, down 12% from the same period in 2024, and current installation rates point to about 8.5 GW for the full year as residential and commercial segments weaken and regulatory reporting delays persist.
Japan’s PV module shipments hit 1.28 GW as residential demand accelerates
Japan’s solar module shipments reached 1.28 GW in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, supported by strong residential demand and ongoing dominance by foreign manufacturers, with domestic production limited to just 5% of total output, according to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA).
Massive 20 GWh sodium-ion battery manufacturing plant announced in China
After last year’s slowdown, investment in China’s sodium-ion battery sector is rebounding in 2025, and one of the biggest projects yet has now entered the development pipeline.
Kuwait broadens bidding pool for 500 MW PV tender
The selected independent power producer will be awarded a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) by the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Renewable Energy.
Capture price exposes true performance of solar plants
French solar engineering firm kiloWattsol says technical assessments show that capture-price analysis provides a more accurate measure of photovoltaic asset performance than France’s monthly M0 benchmark, as price volatility and negative wholesale prices increase.
Residential installations lead Dutch storage boom
The phasing out of net-metering for solar installations is incentivizing a growing number of citizens to install residential battery storage systems in the Netherlands. Analysts are predicting the upward trend will accelerate in the coming years.
