Silver prices resume upward trend
Silver prices have resumed their climb, reaching $95 per ounce this morning. Silver analyst Philip Newman tells pv magazine that escalating tensions in the Middle East are expected to continue driving investment demand for safe-haven assets such as gold and silver.
Indian researchers build transparent perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with 30.2% efficiency
The transparent four-terminal perovskite solar cell employs an ion-modulated spiro-MeOTAD hole transport layer, which passivates interfacial defects, enhances carrier dynamics, and allows for a tunable work function in wide-bandgap perovskites. When integrated into mechanically stacked 4T tandems with an n-TOPCon cell, the device achieved an overall efficiency of 28.4–30.2%, along with improved open-circuit voltage and fill factor.
Premier Energies unveils India’s first zero-busbar TOPCon solar cell
Premier Energies Ltd today unveiled India’s first zero-busbar (0BB) TOPCon solar cell at Intersolar India. The 0BB design marks a structural shift from traditional 10BB and 16BB architectures, replacing thick silver busbars with a dense matrix of ultra-fine silver lines to collect current.
India expected to install about 42.5 GW of new solar capacity in 2026
India installed around 37.8 GW of solar capacity in 2025, according to JKM Research. This comprised about 28.6 GW of new utility-scale solar, a 54.6% increase from 2024, and 7.9 GW of rooftop solar, up 72% year on year. Off-grid additions stood at 1.35 GW, compared to 1.48 GW in 2024.
Philippines mandates energy storage for renewables plants over 10 MW
Department of Energy (DOE) order sets out new rules for mandatory energy storage, including a minimum capacity of at least 20% of the generating plant’s installed capacity. DOE also calls for energy storage systems (ESS) installations to have grid supporting capabilities, such as grid-forming inverters to help stabilize voltage and frequency.
Tropical downpours cut northern irradiance as southern heat lifts sunshine in South America
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that January in South America featured dramatic weather contrasts with persistent floods and cloud cover in northern regions sharply reducing solar irradiance, while extreme heat, drought and wildfires in the south boosted sunlight yet also generated aerosol smoke that complicated irradiance outcomes. Severe storms, tornadoes and industrial fires further punctuated the month’s highly variable irradiance patterns across the continent.
Greece to open applications for 130 MW agrivoltaics plan
Greece’s distribution grid operator will begin accepting applications for agrivoltaic systems on March 4, marking the first step in implementing a new law targeting 130 MW of capacity nationwide.
FOB China TOPCon solar cell prices hold steady as market awaits post-holiday reassessment
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
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.
