European photovoltaics have been instrumental in generating enough electricity since early March to avoid €10 billion in gas imports, with daily savings averaging €110 million. This increase in solar power generation is due to expanded photovoltaic capacity, reaching 65 GW in 2025. Renewable energy sources collectively met 46.4% of Europe's electricity demand in 2025, with wind and solar surpassing coal- and gas-fired power plants for the first time. The energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine has cost the EU €1.7 trillion to date, highlighting the importance of investing in and expanding renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Researchers develop perovskite solar cells about 50 times thinner than conventional devices
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed ultra-thin perovskite solar cells that are 50 times thinner than conventional designs using a vacuum-based thermal evaporation process. These cells can generate energy under diffuse light and are semi-transparent, making them suitable for integration into building windows and facades. The technology offers advantages such as simple manufacturing processes, low temperatures, and the ability to absorb specific wavelengths while remaining transparent. The cells have shown promising conversion efficiencies and could potentially generate hundreds of MWh per year when installed on glass-facade buildings. The researchers are working on scaling up production and exploring applications in sustainable architecture, with a focus on enhancing the stability, durability, and scalability of the thermal evaporation process for potential commercialization.
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EVs equipped with vehicle-integrated PV could cover up to 80% of their electricity needs
A research project led by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has shown that vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) can significantly reduce strain on power grids, especially in the logistics sector with high electricity demands. Passenger cars in Central Europe could generate up to 55% of their electricity needs through onboard solar generation, while in Southern Europe, this could rise to 80%. VIPV systems have the potential to reduce charging costs, decrease the need for external charging infrastructure, and lower electricity demand from the European grid by 15.6 TWh by 2030 if all new vehicles sold between 2024 and 2030 were equipped with VIPV.
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Australia installs 400,000 home batteries in 10 months for 11.2 GWh
Australia has seen a surge in consumer-led energy storage with over 400,000 batteries installed in the past 10 months, totaling 11.2 GWh of storage capacity. The Cheaper Home Batteries program by the Australian government has been successful in promoting the adoption of rooftop solar and cleaner energy systems. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted the positive impact of the program on reducing energy bills and supporting the grid. The initiative offers up to 30% discount on battery installation costs, with a tiered scheme based on battery size to encourage households to choose the right-sized battery. The program aims to deploy over 2 million batteries by 2030, contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy system in Australia.
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Intelligent solar siting neutralizes local opposition at near-zero cost
A new study published in Geography and Sustainability presents a geospatial modeling framework that shows utility-scale solar buildouts can avoid critical ecological habitats with minimal impact on project economics. Researchers from Cornell University, The Nature Conservancy, and other institutions used New York State as a case study to analyze land-use priorities for decarbonization. The study found that prioritizing biodiversity, agriculture preservation, or cost minimization led to different regional trade-offs in land use. By utilizing dual-criterion macro-siting algorithms, asset managers can reduce risks in pipeline development and present optimized spatial configurations to overcome NIMBY resistance. This suggests that smart macro-siting can mitigate local opposition and environmental degradation at a minimal cost premium, leading to more just and ecologically responsible energy transitions.
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Spain, France set benchmark in renewables expansion without biodiversity loss
Swiss researchers conducted a comparative analysis of national policies in France, Italy, and Spain on integrating biodiversity into renewable energy planning and ecological impact monitoring under the European Green Deal framework. France and Spain have more advanced frameworks, with Spain prioritizing renewable energy projects in low environmental value areas and France leading in national coordination with specialized observatories. Italy remains regionally fragmented with gaps in cumulative impact assessment, depending on regional authorities for environmental integration of renewable energy. The study highlights the challenges and progress in aligning energy, environmental, and spatial planning policies for successful renewable deployment, emphasizing the need for assessing indirect, cumulative, and long-term effects on habitats and species.
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Upcycling silicon from end-of-life solar modules via palladium nanoparticles
Italian researchers have developed a Pd/Si catalyst for upcycling silicon from end-of-life PV panels, achieving performance comparable to commercial catalysts over six cycles. The system involves palladium nanoparticles supported on recovered silicon, allowing for stable recycling. The method aims to manage the increasing global waste of EoL solar panels and expand the use of silicon in various catalytic processes. The process involves removing the front glass of discarded PV modules, purifying the silicon cells, and preparing the Pd/Si catalyst. The catalyst showed promising results in a benchmark reaction, indicating its potential as a sustainable and efficient catalyst for various applications. Researchers have developed a new recycling process using a Pd/Si catalyst to upcycle silicon from End-of-Life photovoltaic panels for the Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reaction. The catalyst was used in five recycling cycles with a 97% isolated yield and an E-factor of 9. The process was successful in synthesizing 22 substrates from various iodoarenes and olefins, including intermediates for important compounds. The study was published in Green Chemistry and involved researchers from Italy's Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, University of Perugia, and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA).
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PV power generation to surpass coal in Texas
Texas is on track to surpass coal-fired generation with utility-scale solar power by 2026, as solar generation is projected to reach 78,000 GWh compared to coal's 60,000 GWh in the ERCOT grid. The state is experiencing a surge in solar capacity additions, with plans to install 14 GW of new utility-scale solar. Texas is a key player in the energy transition, with significant battery storage planned to stabilize the grid as renewable penetration increases. By early 2027, solar and wind combined are expected to exceed 20% of the total U.S. electricity generation mix.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/16/pv-power-generation-to-surpass-coal-in-texas/
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German scientists explore whether solar power plants can induce rain in deserts
A research project led by the University of Hohenheim in Germany, funded by the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, aims to assess the climatic impacts of large-scale photovoltaic installations in desert regions. The project will study how photovoltaic parks in coastal desert environments could potentially enhance rainfall by interacting with moisture-bearing sea breezes. The research will involve deploying high-resolution LiDAR systems and conducting measurements near large solar installations in the United Arab Emirates to determine optimal size, placement, and design parameters for maximizing their impact on precipitation formation. The project also explores integrating solar power generation with drought-resistant crops and water management strategies in arid regions. Disturbed atmospheric teleconnections could impact solar power generation in various regions including North Africa, Southern Europe, the Southern Arabian Peninsula, India, North Asia, and Eastern Australia.
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Women’s leadership is everywhere in Ukraine
The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation has been established to enhance energy resilience in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the importance of decentralized renewable energy systems like solar panels and battery storage. Programs such as "100 Solar Schools" and "50 Solar Hospitals" aim to provide long-term energy independence and support critical infrastructure. The focus on localized energy systems highlights the shift towards energy security and independence. European support for Ukraine's transition to sustainable energy, including decentralized solar power plants and smart grids, can contribute to a more resilient energy future. Empowering women in the energy sector and engaging communities in sustainable energy solutions are key to achieving a sustainable and secure energy future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/15/womens-leadership-is-everywhere-in-ukraine/