Ford launches battery storage business, repurposing EV manufacturing capacity
The automotive giant will leverage its plants in Kentucky and Michigan, along with its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology know-how, to provide solutions for energy infrastructure and the expanding data center market. The company plans to begin shipping battery energy storage systems (BESS) in 2027.
SEG Solar starts building 3 GW solar ingot, wafer factory in Indonesia
U.S-headquartered SEG Solar is constructing a 3 GW ingot and wafer factory in Indonesia. The new production is located at its existing cell manufacturing facility, completing an end-to-end solar manufacturing chain for the company.
US study maps utility-scale solar land use with new AI framework
US researchers say a deep-learning framework provides the most detailed picture yet of how utility-scale solar uses land, revealing unexpected efficiency gaps and clearer pathways for agrivoltaics and brownfield development.
Amazon leads funding round for US silicon solid-state battery maker
Blue Current, which has a pilot production line in California, will use funding from an $80 million financing round led by Amazon to advance commercialization of its silicon solid-state battery technology for stationary storage and mobility applications in the United States.
Inlyte proves out first full-scale iron–sodium battery system in factory test
According to Inlyte, the tested unit incorporates what it describes as the world’s largest sodium metal chloride battery cells and modules built to date, with each module capable of storing more than 300 kWh of energy.
Extreme cold weather preparedness for renewable energy facilities
The devastating impact of Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 fundamentally transformed how the electric power industry approaches cold weather preparedness, exposing critical Bulk Electric System vulnerabilities and catalyzing sweeping regulatory changes, including new mandatory NERC standards, that renewable energy facilities must now navigate.
US space solar startup proves wireless power system works in motion
Overview Energy has proven its solar power beaming satellite system works in motion, which it claims is a world first for high-power wireless energy transmission. The company is targeting megawatt transmission from space in 2030.
California study finds electrification can ease electric rate pressures
A new analysis from the Public Advocates Office of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) says large-scale adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps could moderate rate increases if grid upgrades are delivered efficiently.
U.S. research finds PV can support bird, bat activities
A pair of research studies led by the Argonne National Laboratory have demonstrated how “ecovoltaic” installations in the midwestern United States are home to more bird and bat activities than nearby fields used for agriculture.
Industry addresses UV degradation, hail risk in European solar modules
Industry leaders at pv magazine Week Europe 2025 said manufacturers are implementing measures to limit ultraviolet-induced degradation in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar modules and strengthen resilience to hail damage to protect performance and reduce financial risk.
