How to combine mechanized farming with agrivoltaics
An international study finds that successful agrivoltaic projects require farm-specific, holistic co-design that integrates PV layout with agricultural mechanization from the earliest planning stages. Without proper alignment between machinery, crops, and PV systems, agrivoltaics risk major land loss, lower field efficiency, and higher operating costs, undermining farm profitability.
Brookfield explores sale of solar developer X-Elio
Brookfield has appointed Santander and Barclays to manage the sale of X-Elio, valued at more than €4 billion ($4.7 billion) including debt. If completed, it would be the company’s second major divestment in Spain in two years.
French railway operator tests solar on train tracks
Swiss startup Sun-Ways is testing removable solar panels installed on an operational railway line through a pilot project with French railway operator SNCF in Switzerland.
Latvia’s largest single-site solar plant begins operating
The 120.8 MW project, built by Lithuanian renewables developer Green Genius, is the largest single-site project in the Baltics. Work is currently underway on constructing a 50 MW/100 MWh battery energy storage system on-site.
Hong Kong–based startup launches glass-fiber composite solar module frames
Xilia Group has introduced composite frames for solar modules made from glass fiber–reinforced polyurethane. The company says the frames reduce weight, resist corrosion, and eliminate the need for grounding.
Made in Europe: Sungrow builds first European factory in Poland
Sungrow says it plans to invest €230 million ($274 million) in its first European factory in Wałbrzych, Poland, to produce inverters and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Armenia adds around 615 MW of solar in 2025
Armenia enjoyed a record year for solar deployment last year, surpassing 1 GW of cumulative solar capacity. The market is currently led by autonomous solar producers, of which there are now more than 50,000 in the country.
German researchers develop sodium-ion battery based on lignin
German researchers have developed a sodium-ion battery technology using lignin-based hard carbon as the negative electrode. The 1 Ah battery cell prototype showed no significant degradation after 100 charging and discharging cycles.
SMA releases new storage system for C&I solar
German inverter and battery manufacturer SMA Solar Technology AG has unveiled a modular lithium iron phosphate battery system for commercial and industrial applications, with capacities ranging from 89 kWh to 197 kWh and integrated cybersecurity features.
100 MW Hertz 1 battery enters operation after Estonia–Finland grid incident
The 100 MW/200 MWh battery energy storage project in Kiisa began operation on Feb. 3 as scheduled – just two weeks after a testing fault at the facility caused the most significant disturbance to the regional power grid since Estonia’s desynchronization from the Russian electricity system.
