French solar developer Everwatt goes bankrupt
EverWatt, a French solar developer, entered receivership this summer after investors withdrew support, leading to layoffs and the sale of its assets while the company seeks buyers for regional solar projects.
China completes 1 GW solar-wind-storage complex in Qinghai desert
Chinese conglomerate CRRC has commissioned a 1 GW hybrid project in Qinghai, combining 700 MW of solar, 300 MW of wind, and 100 MW/400 MWh of storage with Trinasolar’s Vertex tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules.
PV-powered thermal distillation device with self-cleaning, cooling
Scientists in Hungary have built a prototype of a thermal distillation device, supported by PV power. The PV panels use an IoT component that self-cleans when dust is detected and cools itself when the temperatures are too high. The system achieved a daily freshwater yield of 6.1 L/m2⋅day.
NREL researchers warn of unexpectedly high UV-induced degradation in n-type solar modules
A research team from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has analyzed n-type modules deployed in a 3 MW commercial PV project in an effort to assess the high degradation rate reported by the plant owner. The scientists found that ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) was a major factor affecting the facility’s performance.
Hands-on with the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station
A hands-on with the Apex 300 reveals it has unique strengths for those looking for portable power in a design that is made to expand through accessories.
Germany adds 1.95 GW of new solar in August
Germany installed 1.95 GW of solar in August, bringing total additions to 10.8 GW in the first eight months of 2025.
Floating PV system with ring-like floater geometry
Scientists in China have investigated the hydrodynamic performance of a novel modular floating photovoltaic system. They did so using a novel hybrid approach, which integrates viscous-flow effects from computational fluid dynamics into a potential-flow solver. They analyzed the new system with varying numbers of panels, either in a single chain or a parallel configuration.
Saudi Arabia launches 3.1 GW solar tender
Saudi Power Procurement Co. (SPPC) has announced a request for qualification (RFQ) for 3.1 GW of solar capacity across four projects in the seventh round of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy tender program.
Chinese Academy of Sciences developing thermoacoustic heat pump for industrial applications
The researchers developed a heat-driven thermoacoustic heat pump that can purportedly achieve a temperature lift of 125 C. It uses a thermoacoustic heat pump to stably release the heat from the engine unit. The system also includes a thermoacoustic engine unit and acoustic resonators.
California now hosting canal top solar-plus-storage plant
California has completed the 1.6 MW Nexus canal-top solar pilot, adding a 75 kW iron-flow battery system as part of a $20 million state-funded project to test water and energy benefits.
