Researchers from the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics have quantified the potential of ultra-low-cost solar to deliver 1,000 TWh per year for domestic use and 2,600 TWh per year for exports in Australia. The ARENA 30-30-30 vision aims for 30% solar module efficiency and an installed cost of $0.30 per watt by 2030, creating a 2,000 GW-scale solar market in Australia. This could support a fully decarbonized economy and large-scale production of green metals for global markets, changing the economics of Australia's energy transition. Cost reductions in heavy industry and closer cost parity with conventional production for green commodity production are expected as a result of ULC solar implementation.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Australian science agency trials AI robots for solar farms
CSIRO has repurposed AI-driven robots from the mining industry to conduct maintenance inspections at large-scale solar farms in Australia. Equipped with cameras, sensors, and AI software, these robots can identify issues like dust build-up and physical damage, aiming to reduce maintenance costs, improve efficiency, and extend asset lifespan. This integration of robotics and AI is expected to shift the focus from manual tasks to skilled technical work, making inspections in harsh conditions more feasible. CSIRO plans to partner with industry to make this technology more widely available after successful trials.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/25/australian-science-agency-trials-ai-robots-for-solar-farms/
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Solar and wind reach record 17% of US power generation
In 2025, wind and utility-scale solar in the US accounted for a record 17% of electricity generation, producing 760,000 GWh. Solar generation increased by 34%, while wind power remained the larger source of zero-carbon electrons. The growth in renewables is driven by increasing electricity demand from data centers and industrial electrification. The future integration of renewables will rely on managing interconnection backlogs and deploying battery energy storage systems. An historic expansion of the US electric grid is expected in 2026, with 86 GW of new utility-scale generating capacity, primarily from solar and battery storage technologies.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/24/solar-and-wind-reach-record-17-of-us-power-generation/
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Tesla advances plan to build 100 GW of U.S. PV manufacturing capacity by 2028
Tesla is making strides towards deploying 100 GW of solar manufacturing in the U.S. by 2028, with a focus on developing new equipment and processes for energy products at a large scale. The company is in discussions with Chinese firms to purchase $2.9 billion worth of solar equipment, including screen-printing production lines. CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to achieve the 100 GW solar power target in the U.S. within three years, showcasing a commitment to expanding renewable energy solutions.
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Entso-E report finds systemic failures behind 2025 Iberian blackout
Entso-E's final root cause report on the April 28, 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal identified systemic failures in voltage control, reactive power management, and regulatory frameworks, with manual disconnections and lack of real-time monitoring contributing to the blackout. The investigation was hindered by incomplete data, particularly from generators below 1 MW. Entso-E issued 22 recommendations to strengthen European grid resilience, focusing on voltage control, oscillatory stability, disconnection behavior, and defense and restoration, including improving reactive power resources, real-time visibility, and harmonizing operating voltage ranges. The article also discusses recommendations for improving small-scale generation, defense, and restoration in the context of climate-related incidents, suggesting adaptive load shedding schemes, better coordination among operators, and standardized data collection frameworks for future investigations.
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Why technical due diligence is becoming the backbone of Europe’s solar-storage boom
The European energy transition is accelerating with the growth of hybrid solar-plus-storage projects, which are becoming more complex and require rigorous technical due diligence to ensure reliability, investor confidence, and a resilient clean-energy transition. SolarPower Europe has developed new guidelines for these projects, integrating environmental and social governance, supply chain sustainability, cybersecurity, and financial risk analysis. Technical due diligence is crucial for earning trust in asset performance and ensuring a resilient, bankable, and sustainable clean-energy future in Europe.
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Edify Energy awards EPC contracts for 1.8 GW of solar and storage in Australia
Renewables developer Edify Energy has awarded DT Infrastructure the EPC contracts for two massive solar and battery energy storage projects in Queensland, Australia, totaling 900 MW of solar and 900 MW/3,600 MWh of battery storage. The use of grid-forming inverter technologies will enhance power network stability and resilience. These projects are expected to significantly contribute to the National Electricity Market and support the transition towards an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future. Construction is set to begin soon with a target delivery and operations date of 2028, showcasing a major step towards climate solutions in the renewable energy sector.
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Thermochromic bifacial PV glazing system for reducing building cooling loads
Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a novel thermochromic bifacial photovoltaic glazing system that passively regulates solar heat gain while harvesting energy from both sides. The system integrates hydrogel-based thermochromic layers with bifacial PV modules to reduce cooling loads, indoor temperatures, and energy consumption. The hydrogel transitions from transparent to translucent as temperature rises, reflecting light towards the rear side of the PV glass for enhanced electricity generation. The prototype system optimizes building energy use, reduces costs, and emissions by dynamically modulating solar transmission and capturing reflected energy. The design addresses limitations of previous hybrid solutions by combining PV glazing and hydrogel-based TC technology in a single system for advanced glazing applications. The research on TC‐BiPV glazing shows significant benefits in reducing direct solar heat gain and increasing electricity generation compared to other glazing options. Annual simulations indicate that TC‐BiPV can provide a gain of 9-18% for skylights and 6-14% for vertical windows. The system also reduces indoor heat gain and cooling loads, making it a practical solution for energy-efficient building envelopes in warm climates. The study highlights the scalability and passive nature of the TC‐BiPV approach, emphasizing its potential for climate solutions.
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Scientists demonstrate quantum battery prototype with rapid charging
Scientists from CSIRO, RMIT University, and the University of Melbourne have developed a quantum battery prototype that charges, stores, and discharges energy based on quantum mechanics principles, offering rapid and scalable energy storage. Unlike conventional batteries, quantum batteries charge faster as they get larger, showcasing the potential to revolutionize energy storage and usage. The prototype, wirelessly charged with a laser, retains stored energy for a significantly longer time than it takes to charge, with the goal of extending energy storage time to make them commercially viable in the future. This innovation could play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy solutions and combating climate change.
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China’s new five-year plan deepens shift toward focus on renewables system
China's 15th Five-Year Plan prioritizes clean electricity as a key driver of economic growth, aiming to meet incremental electricity demand with incremental clean power generation while peaking fossil fuel consumption. The plan includes a "new energy system" concept that expands beyond wind and solar to include hydropower, offshore wind, nuclear, and more, with non-fossil energy expected to account for 25% of total energy consumption by 2030. Aligning renewable energy policy with wider industrial and regional development strategies, the plan sets targets for wind and solar capacity doubling by 2035, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and collaboration to combat climate change.