Spain’s self-consumption solar boom leaves trail of technical faults in C&I installations
A survey of more than 800 Spanish C&I PV installations following the 2019–2022 self-consumption boom found significant administrative, technical and monitoring deficiencies in all audited systems, with 13.2% of businesses reporting savings far below expectations.
UK solar hits 21.8 GW
State support for solar should result in a record year for PV deployment in the United Kingdom, with strong provisional January data putting market on a good footing. Pipeline of CfD plants due in 2026 plus ramping up of support for rooftop set the stage for accelerated capacity additions.
Ideal Heating launches new monobloc propane heat pump for commercial buildings
The UK-based manufacturer has expanded its Ecomod 290HT range with a new 65 kW monobloc air-source heat pump using R290 refrigerant, offering flow temperatures up to 70 C, a COP of 4.6, and cascade capability of up to 7 units.
Latvia deploys 258 MW of PV in 2025
With Latvia’s cumulative solar capacity reaching 920 MW by end of 2025, the Latvian Renewable Energy Alliance says the 1 GW threshold may now have been surpassed. The country also appears on track for a record year in solar deployment this year, as some of the largest projects in the pipeline materialize.
Ireland adds 1 GW of solar in 2025
Ireland reached 2,345 MW of installed solar capacity by December 2025, more than tripling installed capacity since 2023, according to Solar Ireland data. The country’s development pipeline has currently reached 1.7 GW.
Engie to buy UK Power Networks in $14 billion deal
French utility acquiring one of United Kingdom’s largest electricity distribution networks. Deal subject to regulatory approval with completion expected mid-2026. Engie says transaction in line with company’s broader electricity network infrastructure ambitions.
Austria’s Salzstrom unveils sodium-ion storage system for commercial applications
The new SALT 110 battery storage system from the Vienna-based company has a usable capacity of up to 110 kWh. The storage system is reportedly capable of 6,000 charge cycles at a depth of discharge of 95%.
Why BESS operators are losing time and revenue — insights from the 2026 BESS Pros Survey
This pv magazine Webinar, produced in partnership with TWAICE, puts that question to the test, drawing on the findings of the 2026 BESS Pros Survey to offer a peer-benchmarked view of how grid-scale BESS organisations are really operating today.
Germany’s battery sector calls for faster grid connections amid backlog
Germany’s large-scale battery industry is urging regulators and grid operators to speed up utility-scale connection approvals as applications outpace available grid capacity.
New solar tracking strategies aim to maximize crop yield in agrivoltaics
Swedish researchers developed two novel single-axis solar tracking strategies that dynamically adjust panel tilt based on crop light requirements, balancing photosynthesis and energy production. One strategy prioritizes daily light integral targets before shifting to energy capture, while the other uses the light-response curve to optimize photosynthesis, offering improved dual-use efficiency compared with conventional tracking methods.
