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.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Polysilicon prices slide amid low operating rates
The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) says polysilicon production has fallen to 32% of capacity, sustaining oversupply, while wafer prices weaken as post–Chinese New Year demand fails to recover.
Chinese Academy of Sciences achieves world record efficiency of 15.45% for kesterite solar cell
The cell was fabricated using a new interfacial phase equilibrium strategy that suppressed uncontrollable metal ion migration. The device achieved an exceptionally high open-circuit voltage of over 600 mV at a bandgap of 1.10 eV.
Chinese scientists build ‘ultra-stable’ polymer solar cell with 19.1% efficiency
The polymer solar cell is able to retain 97% of its performance after 2,000 hours in air. By blending small-molecule acceptors into polymeric matrices, the research team improved molecular packing, enhancing both stability and charge transport for “ultra-stable” flexible devices.
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.
New model reveals pathway for land-efficient U.S. solar expansion
McGill University researchers used deep-learning computer vision to analyze 719 solar projects across the Western U.S. The study establishes a new “land-sparing” benchmark, providing developers with precise data to balance rapid capacity expansion with conservation and land-use priorities.
