Fraunhofer CSP warns some cleaning agents may reduce PV module performance by up to 5.6%
Researchers at the German institute found that some widely used PV cleaning agents can damage anti reflective glass coatings, significantly reducing solar module efficiency. Their tests showed that while some cleaners are safe, others cause visible and permanent coating degradation, highlighting the need for careful selection of cleaning products to avoid long term performance loss.
Why BESS insurers are sweating transformers and contractor errors over battery fires
The BESS insurance risk profile is shifting. In an exclusive interview, Tokio Marine GX underwriter Michael Carrington explains why insurers are looking past battery fires and sweating over supply chain bottlenecks, high-voltage transformers, and costly EPC integration errors.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: JinkoSolar appoints new CEO
JinkoSolar has appointed Cao Haiyun as chief executive, while PowerChina has shortlisted 26 suppliers for a 31 GW solar module tender for 2026.
The case for ground-level agrivoltaics
German engineering firm BEC Energie Consult has developed a substructure for low-mounted agrivoltaics designed to provide cost-efficient installation while supporting crop growth and livestock management, with the potential to enhance economic viability.
Canadian startup unveils AI tool for solar panel cleaning optimization
Swish Solar has an AI-driven tool that optimizes solar panel cleaning schedules to reduce soiling losses and operating costs. The platform uses data analytics and forecasting models to help operators time cleaning based on financial impact.
‘The barriers I encountered were never dramatic, they were cumulative’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Delfina Muñoz, Research Director & Strategic Project Manager at France’s CEA. She says diversity is a catalyst for faster, fairer clean energy innovation. Inclusion, mentorship, and authentic leadership don’t just support people, they build stronger, more resilient teams that power the energy transition forward.
Why technical due diligence is becoming the backbone of Europe’s solar-storage boom
Europe’s hybrid solar-plus-storage projects are growing rapidly, but increasing complexity means treating technical due diligence as a formality is now a serious risk. Rigorous, lifecycle-based technical due diligence (TDD) – covering financial, supply chain, digital, and ESG factors – is essential to ensure project reliability, investor confidence, and a resilient clean-energy transition.
Clean Winter air drives major irradiance surplus across China and Taiwan in February
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that February saw a sharp East Asia solar divide, with southern China and Taiwan experiencing record-high irradiance due to clear skies and low aerosols, while maritime Southeast Asia faced heavy rainfall and below-average irradiance from enhanced tropical convection. The surplus in China was driven by atmospheric cleanliness, whereas Taiwan’s boost came mainly from persistently clear days, contrasting with widespread deficits across Indonesia, the southern Philippines, and nearby islands.
Key takeaways from Solar Solutions Amsterdam
The fourteenth edition of Solar Solutions Amsterdam showcased the latest technologies across solar, storage, electric vehicle charging and green HVAC. This year saw energy storage systems dominate the show floor, ahead of the event’s rebrand to Sustainable Solutions Amsterdam from next year onwards, reflecting the Dutch market’s position as a mature market increasingly focused on flexibility and the connectivity of different technologies within a single system.
China wafer prices unchanged as resumed purchases fail to lift market
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.
