Grid bottlenecks threaten 120 GW of planned renewables in Europe
Latest analysis from Ember finds major grid bottlenecks in transmission and distribution networks across Europe, threatening the viability of both future utility-scale and smaller-scale residential solar in the most impacted countries.
Tracker-based agrivoltaics turn fields into wind-safe zones
Cornell University researchers demonstrated that tracking solar panels in agrivoltaic systems can protect crops from wind damage while allowing airflow, outperforming traditional single-row tree windbreaks. They also proposed a new lowered-first-row panel design that improves wind protection, achieving up to 86% reduction in shelter-zone wind speeds under extreme conditions.
ClearVue secures IEC certification for metal-backed solar panels
Building-integrated PV (BIPV) company ClearVue Technologies is a step closer to commercial deployment of its metal-backed solar panels after securing International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification for the integrated rooftop system.
US small-scale solar hits record 1.9 GW in Q4 2025
Distributed solar accounted for 15% of all new US power capacity in 2025, as residential and community projects reached record installation levels.
Ion beam technology offers pathway to low-defect silicon solar cells
Researchers in India demonstrated that ion beam implantation enables precise boron doping in silicon solar cells, reducing defects and improving charge transport. The proposed approach could support more efficient and reproducible p–n junctions, offering a pathway to higher-performance silicon photovoltaics.
BBDF 2026: Finance, tolling, and getting the merchant balance right
As Europe prepares to roll out 200 GWh of battery storage over the next five years, discussion at the Battery Business & Development Forum 2026 turns to how financing models are rapidly shifting. Bankers, developers and stakeholders shared key pain points with the audience, as well as practical advice.
Middle East conflict lifting PPA valuations, says Pexapark
Swiss analytics firm Pexapark says the latest developments in the Middle East are having a visible effect on long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) valuation in Europe, as the market begins to reprice the coming years.
Azerbaijan commissions 500 MWh battery storage project
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has inaugurated a major battery energy storage system (BESS) project as part of a 500 MWh rollout to strengthen grid stability and support renewable energy integration.
BBDF 2026 Opening Session: Optimism, caution, and grid fees
Investors at the Battery Business & Development Forum (BBDF) 2026 signaled continued confidence in the energy storage market, while warning that regulatory uncertainty, particularly around grid fees in Germany, could affect project economics and investment decisions.
TerraSpark, Dcubed to test space solar on SpaceX 2027 mission
Following the closure of its €5.4 million ($6.23 million) pre-seed funding round, Luxembourg’s TerraSpark aims to carry out its first space-to-earth power transmission in 2028 using radio frequency-based wireless energy transmission. The company has also been selected to join Germany’s Dcubed on a mission scheduled for early 2027.
