U.S. extends solar manufacturing tariff exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has extended the exclusion of 178 items from the Section 301 import tariffs that were put in place by the prior administration in 2024. The still standing tariffs include a 50% increase on solar cells.
California lawmakers urge CPUC to enforce utility interconnection timelines
A coalition of 18 California legislators has formally urged the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to enforce regulations under “Rule 21” regarding the interconnection of customer-sited solar and energy storage systems.
Astronergy and JA Solar end global patent disputes with cross-licensing deal
Astronergy and JA Solar ended all global litigation and signed a cross-licensing agreement covering tunnel-oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell patents, resolving a major intellectual-property dispute affecting markets in Europe and beyond.
Spain awards 133 energy-storage projects totaling 2.4 GW and 10 GWh
Spain’s Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy confirmed €827 million ($961.4 million) in European Regional Development Fund co-financing for 133 energy-storage projects with a combined capacity of about 2.4 GW and 10 GWh.
Saudi Arabia secures financing for 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity
A consortium led by Acwa Power, Water and Electricity Holding Co. (Badeel) and Saudi Aramco Power Co. has secured a $5.9 billion senior debt facility for seven Saudi Arabia renewable energy projects totaling 15 GW across solar and wind.
Indonesia think tank seeks partner for offshore floating solar study
Indonesia’s Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) is seeking proposals by Dec. 3 for a preliminary feasibility study on offshore floating solar development in Sulawesi, including techno-economic assessments and regulatory analysis.
Morocco opens tender for 1,000 km UHV transmission line
Morocco is seeking pre-qualified bidders for a 1,000 km ultra-high-voltage alternating current line to transmit about 2 GW between Boujdour and Tensift, with applications due Jan. 15, 2026.
Dominican Republic brings Caribbean’s largest solar plant online
The Dominican Republic has switched on the 162.6 MW Cotoperí Solar complex, developed by Acciona Energía and local investors. It is the largest PV installation in Central America and the Caribbean.
More than 100,000 applications for UK heat pump subsidy
Latest boiler upgrade scheme (BUS) data reveals more than 100,000 applications for heat pump grants have been made since support scheme launched in May 2022. Demand has significantly increased in 2025, and the scheme was expanded in early November to include an air-to-air heat pump grant.
JinkoSolar achieves 34.76% efficiency for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell
JinkoSolar says it has increased the efficiency rating for its perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells from 34.22% to 34.76%, confirmed by China’s National PV Metric & Testing Center (NPVM).
