Europe

Axen, Syensqo and IFPEN establish new company to produce high performance sulfide solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries in Europe. New company Argylium will develop its electrolyte portfolio at facilities in France.

France-based DOTSun has developed an on-site repair solution for solar panels with degraded backsheets, compatible with PA, PVDF, and PET types. The system uses a compact laminator to apply a protective film to the rear side of the module, reportedly restoring insulation and extending the service life of up to 2,000 panels per site.

Serbian utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) is seeking bids for a feasibility study and design of a solar plant on an existing thermal power plant’s ash disposal site, with applications due by Jan. 23.

Researchers from Spain found that semi-transparent PV systems are commercially viable only up to about 50% transparency, as higher transparency sharply reduces efficiency and increases system costs. Their analysis shows that declining power density, and not balance-of-system or financing factors, is the main driver of higher LCOE, even in high-irradiation regions.

Germany installed about 17.5 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, taking cumulative installations past 117 GW by year end, according to preliminary data from the German Solar Association.

Spain will provide €90 million ($105.3 million) in funding for nearly 1 GW of pumped hydro projects, adding 7 GWh of long-duration energy storage (LDES) by 2035. Each project will be eligible for a maximum €50 million grant and all work must be completed by June 30, 2035.

Researchers led by Michael Grätzel at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland have recently led efforts to improve perovskite optoelectronic properties using small-radius rubidium ion chemistry to enable more stable and efficient perovskite solar cells.

The Poland-based module manufacturer has developed Photonwall, a building integrated solution for ventilated façades. It also offers Photonroof, a ceramic PV roof tile solution. Both BIPV products are available in colors and finishes that match the aesthetics of modern and historic buildings.

Storio Energy has enabled behind-the-meter (BTM) industrial battery systems to participate in the automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve (aFRR), a service that has until now been dominated by front-of-the-meter storage in France.

AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s latest analysis finds Germany broke its record for solar production on a day in December on Christmas Day, reaching 87 GWh, while Italy and France achieved the same feat three days later, registering 66 GWh and 54 GWh respectively.