SMA releases new storage system for C&I solar
German inverter and battery manufacturer SMA Solar Technology AG has unveiled a modular lithium iron phosphate battery system for commercial and industrial applications, with capacities ranging from 89 kWh to 197 kWh and integrated cybersecurity features.
Saudi Arabia could hit net-zero emissions by 2060, with 151 GW of solar
Saudi researchers outlined pathways for Saudi Arabia to reach net-zero power sector emissions by 2060, requiring up to 3.6% of land – mostly for onshore wind – with 151.3 GW of solar PV covering only 0.16% of the country.
Chad’s installed PV capacity hits 110 MW, supplying 37% of electricity
Chad has one of Africa’s highest solar penetration rates, a result of a small power system with just 12% electrification, as large-scale solar and storage projects gather pace around N’Djamena, even as political uncertainty over oil revenues constrains faster deployment.
Growatt launches 5 kWh AC-coupled balcony storage system
The IP66-rated Aura 5000 system features bidirectional inverter functionality and an AC output of up to 2.5 kW.
Spain deploys 1.13 GW of solar for self-consumption in 2025
Spain installed 1.14 GW of solar capacity for self-consumption in 2025, lifting cumulative capacity to 9.3 GW, as residential and commercial installations declined while industrial and off-grid segments showed greater resilience, according to data from the Spanish Photovoltaic Union.
Early tropical storm cuts solar in Philippines, while East Asia sees La Niña gains
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that in January most of East Asia experienced normal to above-average solar irradiance, with southeastern China seeing surges due to reduced clouds and low aerosol levels under lingering La Niña effects. In contrast, the Philippines faced below-average irradiance from early Tropical Storm Nokaen, while other regional cities like Seoul, Tokyo, and Taipei recorded modest gains.
Dutch utility testing ‘silent’ residential heat pumps
Dutch utility Eneco is testing low-noise air-to-water heat pumps from startup Whspr in around 20 homes, aiming to ease installation constraints near property boundaries. The systems reportedly achieve coefficients of performance of up to 5 and show up to 80% noise reduction in laboratory testing.
A closer look at Tesla’s new residential solar panels
The new Tesla Solar Panel and mounting system pairs with the company’s inverter, Powerwall battery, EV charging and vehicles, creating an all-Tesla residential solar offering for the first time.
France’s largest rooftop solar project begins construction
The largest single-unit rooftop solar power plant in Europe, developed by French independent power producer Urbasolar, is under construction on the Delta 3 multimodal logistics platform in Dourges, in France’s Hauts-de-France region.
France installs 5.9 GW of PV in 2025
The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 31.1 GW at the end of December.
