The current state of U.S. polysilicon production
Despite rising tariffs on imports and a looming U.S. Department of Commerce investigation, American solar-grade polysilicon production is expected to keep pace with the growth of the domestic PV supply chain.
California solar on canals initiative moves forward
The California Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI) aims to use research from the University of California, Merced, to find communities willing to generate power with solar-covered canals.
Swedish grid operators reluctant to integrate batteries
A report from Svensk Solenergi says connection to the electricity grid is a significant obstacle to the expansion of battery storage technology in Sweden, with grid operators often hesitant to connect large-scale projects.
Portugal adds 1.77 GW of solar in 2024
Portugal set a record for solar deployment in 2024, installing 1.77 GW and surpassing the previous year’s total. The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity now stands at 5.66 GW, as it works toward a revised 20.8 GW target by 2030.
Sprsun unveils air-source heat pump for swimming pools
The Chinese manufacturer said its new heat pump system has a heating capacity of 6.5 kW to 17 kW and a coefficient of performance ranging from 4.8 to 5.23 at 15 C.
Solar adds record 452 GW to global renewables capacity in 2024
Global renewables capacity grew by a record 585 GW in 2024, with solar accounting for 452 GW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Solar and wind together made up 96.6% of the increase.
Carbon secures €2 million for solar gigafactory, launches crowdfunding
Carbon has obtained €2 million ($2.1 million) from 11 independent power producers (IPPs) and two consulting firms to support its new gigafactory project in France. The French solar module maker is also launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise at least €1 million.
Offshore vs. ground-mounted PV
Researchers in Saudi Arabia have compared the performance of ground-mounted PV plants with that of off-shore solar facilities and have found that floating installations benefit from the cooling effect of the seawater.
Tesvolt presents new C&I battery storage system with 15 year performance guarantee
With two cycles per day, the Forton can be loaded without voiding its 15-year performance guarantee. That opens the possibility of trading on the electricity market, enabling companies to recoup their investment more quickly.
Solar becomes Spain’s top power source in 2024
Spain’s solar PV capacity reached 6 GW in 2024, making it the country’s top power source with a 25.1% share, surpassing wind at 24.9%. Renewable generation grew 10.3%, accounting for 56.8% of total electricity production.
