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.
Author: Pv Magazine
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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.
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Germany backs Moll Batterien sodium-ion battery plant with over €22 million
Germany is investing over €22 million in public funding to support Moll Batterien's sodium-ion battery plant in Bavaria, part of a larger €103 million investment. Set to begin operations in 2026 with an initial capacity of 1 GWh per year, the project is expected to create 126 jobs and training positions. The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and the European Union's European Regional Development Fund are the primary sources of public funding for this initiative.
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Imaging tech to analyze sub-cells in tandem and triple junction PV devices
Researchers at Fraunhofer ISE have developed new imaging methods to measure losses in individual sub-cells of multi-junction solar cells, specifically perovskite-silicon tandem and perovskite-perovskite-silicon triple junction devices. The research team detailed the Suns-Voc and Suns-PL imaging methods for tandem cells, and used a combination of luminescence imaging and lock-in thermography for triple-junction cells. These methods provide insights into electric losses, selectivity losses, and resistive losses, making them valuable for quality assurance in production and research settings. Additionally, the effectiveness of these imaging techniques in analyzing the quality of electron and hole transport layers in solar cells is demonstrated, with the potential for application in other tandem and triple junction cell technologies, including III-V compound solar cells for space applications.
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Solar, wind and storage: stable prices, stable grid
Australia's rapid expansion of solar and wind energy has not increased wholesale electricity prices since 2016, making it a global renewable energy leader. Solar and wind are displacing coal and gas, meeting all growth in demand, with stable grid infrastructure and high rooftop solar adoption rates contributing to falling wholesale prices. Rooftop solar systems in Australia cost $6,000 and last 20 years, with an annual electricity output of 1200-1400 kWh per kW, driving widespread adoption at a low cost of 3 US-cents per kWh. All-electric solar homes in Australia have zero gas and petrol bills, with large energy storage options available, and the quick installation and high resilience of Australian rooftop solar systems make them a promising solution for climate experts.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/19/solar-wind-and-storage-stable-prices-stable-grid/
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Awendio Solaris plans multi-gigawatt solar manufacturing hub in Canada
Awendio Solaris plans to invest CAD 1 billion in a solar manufacturing facility in Montreal, Quebec, targeting the Canadian and US markets. The facility will create 1,000 jobs and produce up to 5,000 MW of solar cells and modules per year using n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact technology with a fully North American supply chain. Operations will be powered by Quebec's hydroelectric grid and on-site solar generation, with support from First Nations groups and research partnerships with local universities. Additionally, Hydro-Québec plans to deploy up to 3 GW of solar capacity by 2035, starting with a 300 MW solar tender and offering financial incentives for residential and commercial solar installations. These initiatives are expected to significantly contribute to Canada's clean energy transition and economic growth.
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Amea Power begins construction on 1 GW/600 MWh solar-plus-storage plant in Egypt
Amea Power has secured financing and begun construction on Africa's largest single-site hybrid renewable facility in Egypt, integrating 1 GW of solar PV with 600 MWh of BESS and expected to be operational by June 2026. Located in the Aswan Governorate, the project is a key part of Egypt's clean energy journey, enhancing energy security, supporting local employment, and contributing to national development. The project's financing, led by the IFC and involving international partners, highlights the growing momentum towards sustainable energy solutions in the region.