China has commissioned the world's largest open-sea solar project, the 1 GW HG14 offshore PV project off the coast of Dongying, Shandong province. The project combines PV with energy storage and aquaculture, occupying 1,223 hectares of shallow coastal waters. The installation is China's first gigawatt-scale fixed-pile offshore PV project, approved under a national sea-use rights framework. The project is expected to generate 1.78 TWh annually, meeting 60% of electricity demand in the area, while also reducing CO2 emissions and integrating aquaculture for additional revenue streams.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Argentina’s YPF Luz begins 100 MW output at El Quemado solar park
YPF Luz has activated the first 100 MW of its El Quemado solar park in Mendoza province, the first renewable energy facility to operate under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). With an estimated investment of $210 million, the project is progressing towards a total capacity of 305 MW, generating enough electricity for over 233,000 Argentine households. This milestone marks a significant step towards the country's renewable energy goals, showcasing the potential for large-scale projects in energy infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources.
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US solar installer adapts business model as policy support shifts
ReVision Energy, a leading residential solar installer in New England, has grown and evolved with a focus on building a just and equitable electric future. The company prioritizes relationships over transactional marketing, becoming a Certified B Corp and emphasizing employee ownership. With increased demand for installations as tax credits expire, ReVision is meeting customer obligations with a sense of urgency. By focusing on community-driven models, customer engagement, and education, the company has built high customer loyalty and a competitive advantage. Additionally, ReVision's electrical apprenticeship program ensures a skilled workforce for the future of solar projects, despite challenges such as policy changes and tax credit expiration.
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Massachusetts awards 1.3 GW in first large-scale energy storage tender
The Massachusetts DOER has chosen four energy storage projects, including Jupiter Power's Trimount ESS, to contribute to reaching a goal of 5,000 MW of operational storage capacity by 2030. Trimount ESS will be located at a former Exxon oil terminal in Everett, repurposing the site into a clean energy hub. This project is anticipated to defer $2.2 billion in regional transmission upgrades, showcasing the potential for large-scale energy storage to support the transition to renewable energy sources and reduce the need for costly infrastructure investments.
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Carmaker uses repurposed EV batteries to help power factory in Australia
Nissan Australia has repurposed retired electric vehicle batteries to power part of its production facility in Melbourne and supply EV chargers through the Nissan Node project. This collaboration with Relectrify aims to increase battery cycle life, reduce energy storage costs, and promote a circular economy. The initiative is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 259 tonnes and save 128 MWh of energy each year, showcasing a sustainable future for end-of-life EV batteries.
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Sembcorp completes acquisition of 300 MW solar project in India
Sembcorp Industries has expanded its renewable energy operations in India by acquiring a 300 MW solar project in Rajasthan, connected to the national grid and operating under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. This acquisition boosts Sembcorp's renewable energy capacity in India to over 7.6 GW, furthering its global renewables portfolio to 20.2 GW. This move highlights the company's commitment to sustainable energy solutions and contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change through the expansion of renewable energy sources.
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PV redox flow battery with 4.2% solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency
Scientists in China have developed a novel anthraquinone-based solar redox flow battery (SRFB) device that combines a solar cell with a redox flow battery, achieving an average solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.2% under simulated one sun conditions. The SRFB device utilizes redox couples 2,6-DBEAQ and K4[Fe(CN)6] paired with a triple-junction amorphous-silicon photoelectrode, allowing for photo-charging without an external bias and discharge over 10 cycles with a solar-to-output electricity efficiency of 4.3%. This breakthrough paves the way for advanced solar-to-chemical energy conversion technologies, offering new possibilities for sustainable energy solutions.
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Solar and storage program forecast to save all Massachusetts ratepayers $313 million per year
A report from Synapse Energy Economics and the Solar Energy Industries Association highlights the potential benefits of solar plus storage in Massachusetts. By meeting deployment targets set by the SMART 3.0 incentive program, ratepayers could save $313 million per year by 2030. The program aims to push older, inefficient natural gas plants out of the auction, resulting in lower wholesale electricity prices. Solar and storage technologies can reduce the state's reliance on natural gas during winter months, leading to cost savings and emissions reductions. The planned expansion of solar and storage could avoid the use of 29 billion cubic feet of natural gas and reduce CO2 emissions by 1.6 million metric tons annually by 2030.
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Argentina inaugurates its first solar highway
Argentina has recently unveiled its first solar highway, the Circunvalación Avenue in San Juan, featuring 36 solar panel arrays with a capacity of 5 kW each. These panels are mounted on monopoles along the road and combined with inverters and LED lights to independently power the highway's nighttime lighting. The project, which created over 80 jobs during construction, is based on a distributed generation model used in other countries. San Juan's high solar radiation conditions enable the maximization of the capacity factor of the installed equipment, showcasing the potential for solar energy solutions in the region.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/23/argentina-inaugurates-its-first-solar-highway/
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Off-grid floating PV-desalination system for hydrogen production
A research team from the University of Exeter has successfully simulated a solar-powered hydrogen production system in Oman using floating photovoltaic technology and seawater desalination. The system has a levelized cost of electricity of $0.05/kWh and a levelized cost of hydrogen of $9.5/kg, generating 1,755 kg of hydrogen per day. This innovative approach offers a practical roadmap for hot-climate regions to produce large-scale hydrogen without competing for land or freshwater. The project showcases the potential for utilizing solar power for environmental solutions in the region, with researchers now focusing on optimizing the system to reduce costs and assessing long-term performance impacts.