Policy Brazil’s 2026 solar sector saw 40.6 GW of capacity lost as 923 projects surrendered, erasing BRL 134 billion in planned investment. New compensation rules and curtailment allocation measures are unlikely to trigger significant greenfield development, according to industry analysis.
Solar A six-year operational study of a 12 MW solar plant in Algeria found that performance ratios fell during 2020, a period coinciding with reduced maintenance activities due to the pandemic. The research, conducted at Djillali Liabes University, documents how operational disruptions impacted yield over a five-year span.
Solar Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and Imida conducted the first field-scale validation of low-height vertical agrivoltaic systems in southeastern Spain. The study, published in Renewable Energy Focus, prioritized agronomic compatibility over maximum energy yield, achieving land equivalent ratios between 1.16 and 1.53.
Policy The Dutch digital infrastructure inspectorate has warned that cyberattacks on cloud-controlled home energy devices could cause significant grid imbalances. This risk is heightened by the rapid growth of heat pumps and EV chargers, prompting calls for stricter EU cybersecurity regulations.
Solar U.S. small-scale solar generation has quadrupled over the last decade, reaching nearly 93,000 GWh in 2025. California accounts for more than a third of this total, while Texas and Florida have seen rapid expansion from smaller bases.
Finance Atmos Renewables has purchased a portfolio of wind and solar assets from European developer BayWa r.e., including the Bullawah wind and battery project. The acquisition expands Atmos's operational and in-construction capacity to exceed 2GW as BayWa r.e. retreats to its European core markets.
Solar A massive 244-tonne transformer has completed a 2,165 km journey from Adelaide to northern NSW. The delivery enables the construction of the second stage of Acen Renewables' 720 MW New England Solar project.
Finance Swift Current Energy has filed a lawsuit in New York state court alleging that First Solar knowingly supplied 2.4 million defective cadmium telluride modules. The complaint details significant performance losses, specific manufacturing flaws, and a dispute over warranty testing procedures.
Markets FOB China TOPCon cell prices edged lower in early October, remaining 13% below late-August peaks as industry executives met to discuss minimum pricing. The discussion follows significant year-on-year declines in Chinese solar capacity additions and upcoming efficiency standards.
Solar Qcells will introduce residential solar panels with U.S.-made aluminum frames by the end of 2026, enabling installers to qualify for the ITC domestic content bonus. The frames will be produced at ALUKO Group’s Tennessee facility, which integrates extrusion, anodization, and fabrication under one roof.
Policy The USITC has issued a final affirmative injury determination in the Solar IV investigation, finding that dumped and subsidized solar cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos harm domestic manufacturers. The Department of Commerce is expected to issue official duty orders in early November 2026, with combined tariff rates potentially exceeding 200%.
Policy China’s commerce and industry ministries have proposed restricting the export of advanced solar manufacturing technologies, including perovskite-silicon tandem cells and specific coating processes. The measures, currently under public consultation, target production know-how rather than finished modules, citing national security concerns.
Storage Nightpeak Energy has brought the Bocanova 2 battery storage facility online in Brazoria County, Texas. The project adds 150 MW of capacity to the site, bringing the total installed capacity to 300 MW.
Solar Solar carports are emerging as a strategic alternative for schools and municipalities in Massachusetts, offering distinct advantages over traditional rooftop or ground-mounted systems. While structural costs are higher, integrating battery storage and planning for future EV charging are key to maximizing the project's long-term value.
Policy Sumant Sinha, CEO of ReNew Energy, stated that extreme reliance on Chinese manufacturing for solar and battery components threatens the global shift away from fossil fuels. He noted that building alternative supply chains, such as India's, requires significant time and investment.
Policy At RE: DIALOGUES 2026, industry leaders highlighted that 18.1 GW of renewable capacity relied on temporary grid access in May 2026. The event emphasized that right-of-way constraints and transformer shortages are hindering the integration of recently commissioned power plants.
Solar Bengaluru-based Emmvee Photovoltaic Power has shifted more than half of its cell production to the larger G12R format, citing efficiency gains and lower silver usage. The company plans to convert remaining M10R lines once current orders are fulfilled, aiming for a complete transition to G12R.
Finance Trina Solar has acquired a 1.6% equity stake in Changzhou Betterial Film Technologies for approximately $5.88 million. The move aims to strengthen upstream supply chain stability by deepening ties with a key materials supplier.
Solar Uttar Pradesh has surpassed nine lakh rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, adding over 3,000 MW of capacity. The program has generated significant economic activity, creating over one lakh direct jobs and engaging thousands of vendors.
Solar NTPC has launched an EPC tender for a 15 MW floating solar project with a 60 MWh battery storage system at Tamarind Falls Reservoir in Mauritius. The tender requires bidders to demonstrate significant solar experience and adhere to strict performance metrics for the storage system.
Storage ArcActive has activated a lead-acid battery pilot system at Deakin University’s 7.25 MW microgrid testing site in Australia. The project, partnered with Origin Zero, aims to standardize commercial storage deployment using proprietary bipolar technology.
Policy Researchers at the French energy agency CEA have demonstrated a laboratory-scale method that recovers over 98% of silver from photovoltaic waste without using nitric acid. The process, validated in a pilot reactor, produces a high-purity silver composite and is funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program.
Policy The German Federal Office for Information Security has recommended that operators of small renewable energy facilities eliminate direct internet connections to their control systems. The guidance aims to mitigate cybersecurity risks by enforcing stricter network segregation and authentication protocols.
Storage Premier Energies and Germany’s RCT Nexor have formalized a joint venture to manufacture battery energy storage systems in Seetharampur, Telangana. The venture plans a total capacity of 12 GWh, with the first phase targeting 6 GWh by FY2027-28.
Markets New analysis indicates China can produce green hydrogen at $120/MWh, significantly cheaper than Germany or the US. This cost gap makes Chinese exports attractive to Japan despite high seaborne transport fees.
Policy TGREDCO has launched a competitive tender for 800 MW of wind capacity to be developed on a build-own-operate basis. Bids must meet strict financial eligibility criteria and submit by October 2026.
Policy ERCOT has approved new rules requiring grid-forming capabilities for storage projects, following a period where batteries handled all frequency regulation. The move aims to enhance grid inertia as the Texas fleet expands rapidly.
Markets India added a record 51 GW of solar capacity in 2025, 55% more than in 2024, overtaking the US as the largest solar market outside China, according to BloombergNEF. Rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar was the fastest-growing segment, with subsidies for decentralised agrivoltaic projects also contributing.
Policy A joint filing urges Maine regulators to require utilities to permit meter socket adapters, citing cost savings and UL 414 certification. This move counters CMP’s claims of safety hazards while highlighting potential homeowner savings on battery installations.
Finance Governor Hochul announced a $37 million Commercial Cohort Initiative to establish four accelerators for clean energy startups. NYSERDA will administer the program, supporting projects from pre-seed pilots to late-stage commercial scale-up.
Markets Terawatt PV Research projects that Texas will account for nearly 45% of domestic silicon solar module output in 2027, driven by manufacturing hubs in Dallas and Houston. The state’s strategy relies on retrofitting existing infrastructure and leveraging pro-business policies to attract major manufacturers.
PM Surya Ghar: eligibility, subsidy and how to apply
ALMM explained: List-I modules, List-II cells and the 2028 wafer rule
Maharashtra rooftop solar subsidy: PM Surya Ghar, the SMART scheme and MSEDCL net metering
