Solar PPAs raise Spanish spot prices, not suppress them
A new peer-reviewed study of Spain’s electricity market shows that physical bilateral contracts (PBC) from wind and solar increase wholesale power prices during high-penetration phases, reversing their price-suppressing effect during earlier periods.
Blocking pattern lifts irradiance from France to Finland while storms hit the east
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that a persistent high-pressure system over the North Sea created a major April solar irradiance surplus across western and northern Europe by suppressing clouds and boosting GHI well above average. At the same time, displaced storm tracks reduced irradiance in the eastern Mediterranean and parts of Eastern Europe, producing deficits in Greece, Turkey, and Ukraine while maintaining a sharp west–east contrast.
German scientists explore whether solar power plants can induce rain in deserts
The research project combines LiDAR measurements with advanced meteorological simulations to assess the climatic impacts of large-scale photovoltaic installations in desert regions.
Brazil deploys 4.4 GW of solar in Q1
Brazil added 4.4 GW of solar capacity in Q1 2026, led by 2.3 GW of utility-scale and 2.2 GW of distributed generation, with continued strong expansion expected if current rates persist.
Heterojunction PV modules with low silver content tested in world’s sunniest region
Chilean company Atamostec is testing low-silver heterojunction solar modules under real desert conditions at the Atacama Desert Solar Platform (PSDA) in partnership with France’s CEA-Ines. The ALPACA project has so far achieved up to 70% silver substitution with copper.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Daqo, Tongwei, Aiko Solar post Q1 losses
Chinese solar manufacturers reported sharply mixed Q1 results amid ongoing polysilicon and module price pressure, with output increases, weak demand-driven margin compression, and continued net losses.
HY Solar unveils 670 W TOPCon modules with 24.8% efficiency
HY Solar has launched the HT3.0 quad-cut module at its Jiangyin base, marking an upgrade to its n-type portfolio built on TOPCon 3.0 cell technology with up to 27.5% cell efficiency. The manufacturer said the new product features PSP quad-cut architecture, high bifaciality and low degradation.
Mitsubishi launches propane air-to-water heat pumps for large homes, light commercial applications
Mitsubishi has expanded its Hydrolution EZY R290 heat pump series with two models with capacities of 10 kW and 14 kW. The new products use R290 refrigerant and can deliver up to 75 C flow temperatures.
Inox Clean buys U.S. PV manufacturing assets of Boviet Solar for $750 million
Through this million asset purchase, Inox Clean acquires 3 GW of operational TOPCon solar module manufacturing capacity in the United States, aligning with the “Make in America, For America” initiative.
Sweden lacks national strategy for utility-scale solar
Research from Lund University has explored how Sweden is building out utility-scale solar in the absence of an overarching national strategy. The researchers told pv magazine that without clearer national direction, projects will cluster in areas with favorable conditions while stalling elsewhere.
