A pilot project in Thuringia has successfully installed a compact medium-voltage series regulator to increase the capacity of existing power lines and accommodate more electricity from photovoltaic systems, allowing for around 260% more PV capacity without immediate grid expansion. Thüga plans to offer this technology to distribution system operators across Germany and Europe, with Hitachi Energy manufacturing the devices in Poland. This regulator is viewed as a cost-effective complement to existing grid technologies, potentially saving operators hundreds of millions of euros in expansion costs by 2035. Thüga highlights the importance of system interaction for efficiently integrating renewable energy sources.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Photovoltaics for metro stations
Bangladeshi researchers have modeled the technical and economic potential of integrating rooftop solar PV across Dhaka Metro Rail's MRT Line 6, finding that a 20.38 MW system distributed across 21 sites could significantly offset auxiliary electricity demand while delivering strong financial returns. The system generates more than 25.5 GWh annually, avoids approximately 235,297 tonnes of CO2 emissions over 20 years, and has a six-year payback period, 234.1% return on investment, and a net present value of $20.05 million. The study, the first to pair detailed station-level PV design with zone-based hybrid optimization for a South Asian metro system, divided the city into three zones for localized system design, with Zone B being the most cost-effective and Zone C achieving a 70% renewable fraction without battery storage. Multiple universities in Bangladesh contributed to the research published in Energy Reports, highlighting the importance of grid sellback tariffs and solar irradiance in determining the optimal system architecture.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/06/photovoltaics-for-metro-stations/
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FuturaSun launches PV modules with integrated anti-soiling glass technology
Italian solar module manufacturer FuturaSun has introduced Silk Nova Pure, a new photovoltaic module series with integrated anti-soiling glass technology called True Rays, developed in partnership with Irish company Kastus. This technology aims to increase energy yield and reduce cleaning requirements for commercial and utility-scale solar projects by improving dust and dirt removal. By addressing soiling as a major issue affecting photovoltaic systems, FuturaSun emphasizes the importance of reducing contaminant build-up to maintain light transmission, stabilize energy yields, and reduce cleaning frequency. The True Rays glass combines hydrophilic and photocatalytic properties to ensure long-lasting effectiveness without degradation, ultimately improving performance, reliability, and energy production throughout the module's lifetime. Commercialization of the Silk Nova Pure modules is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 after certification and production planning.
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The Hydrogen Stream: Orica move forward with 50 MW hydrogen hub in Australia
Orica, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Sasol, Topsoe, Acme Group, Techfem, Teca Gas, and a consortium in Finland are all making strides in the production and utilization of clean hydrogen, green methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions. China's commitment to increasing renewable energy consumption, including hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, aligns with the global push for climate solutions. These efforts collectively aim to boost the market for renewable hydrogen and support a more sustainable future.
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Chinese scientists build 27.3%-efficient inverted perovskite solar cell based on dual-molecule interface
Researchers from China's Soochow University and other scientists have developed innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. One team created a dual-molecule interface layer that enhances charge extraction and stability, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 27.3%. Another group modified perovskite solar cells with CzOTf, resulting in cells with an efficiency of 26.20% and excellent stability. The scaled-up cells maintained a power conversion efficiency of 21.54% and operated outdoors for 35 days without degradation. These advancements in solar cell technology offer promising solutions for increasing renewable energy production.
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Shallow gabion foundations enable solar plant deployment on archaeological site
Ijes Solar is building an 8.9 MW solar park in France for Total Energies, set to be completed in summer 2026. The project, located in an area with archaeological significance, utilizes shallow gabion foundations to protect buried artifacts. Once operational, the solar plant will provide renewable electricity for 3,500 households. A crowdfunding campaign has been initiated to engage local residents in the energy transition and support the project in the region.
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Powering fertilizer production with agrivoltaics
India's fertilizer sector faces vulnerability due to reliance on imported natural gas for urea production, leading to increased subsidies for farmers. To address this, an integrated system combining agrivoltaics, maize cultivation, ethanol production, and urea manufacturing is proposed, utilizing captured CO2 for low-carbon urea production and green hydrogen for ammonia synthesis. This model offers multiple revenue streams, including government blending targets for ethanol and carbon markets for emission reductions, benefiting farmers, industry, and the government while supporting rural economic development. The Renewables team at CSTEP, a research-based think tank focused on science, technology, and policy, leads the way in promoting renewable energy solutions and energy conservation strategies in India.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/03/powering-fertiliser-production-with-agrivoltaics/
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Energy Dome to build 23 MW/200 MWh carbon battery in Ireland
Italian carbon battery developer Energy Dome and Google have partnered to develop renewable energy storage infrastructure in Ireland, signing a commercial contract for a 23 MW/200 MWh BESS using Energy Dome's carbon technology. This innovative approach compresses and stores carbon for energy generation, providing long duration storage without relying on lithium or other minerals. The facility, located in County Offaly near Dublin, is expected to come online in 2028, setting a precedent for more carbon battery projects in Europe and worldwide through the Energy Dome and Google partnership.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/01/energy-dome-to-build-23-mw-200-mwh-carbon-battery-in-ireland/
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New PV module recycling tech achieves 97.75% silicon recovery for electrode production
A research team in India has developed a novel recycling process to recover silicon and native silica from end-of-life crystalline silicon solar cells for use in energy-storage applications. The process involves manual dismantling, thermal treatment, ball-milling, leaching, and mixing with carbon nanotubes and binders to form a slurry. The recovered material showed promising electrochemical performance in lithium-ion systems, with electrodes on copper foil and ITO exhibiting diffusion-controlled behavior, and those on graphite substrates showing capacitive charge-storage characteristics. The study concludes that electrodes on copper foil and ITO are suitable for silicon-based electrodes in Li-ion systems, while graphite-based electrodes show promise for sustainability-driven energy-storage applications.
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Solar can outcompete grid power in rural India
A new study in rural India shows that solar-based distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems can generate electricity at a lower cost than conventional grid supply. Careful planning around local demand, storage, grid conditions, financing, and long-term operations is crucial for cost savings. Village Energy Plans (VEPs) are recommended for reliable, scalable deployment, emphasizing site-specific planning and integration with distribution companies. Rajiv Shukla highlights the importance of aggregation, virtual net metering, efficient surplus power management, and increased utility participation for the evolution of DRE into a scalable and sustainable rural energy solution.