SNEC 2026 showcased a shift in the solar industry towards a broader system conversation, focusing on storage, dispatchability, and grid stability, with solar-plus-storage systems taking center stage. The emergence of bifacial solar cell technology and artificial intelligence integration are driving the industry towards application-specific designs and higher-value frontiers. Despite challenges, the industry is evolving towards becoming a systems industry integrated with storage and software, with future competition focusing on efficiency, cost, dispatchability, system integration, service capability, and lifecycle performance. Solar is transitioning from a manufacturing industry to a systems industry, making it more complex and interesting to follow.
Category: Electricity & Industry
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Made from Air: A New Era for Industry
AirPlant One is a new industrial facility that manufactures fuels and materials from air, water, and electricity, marking a shift towards a new manufacturing paradigm called eManufacturing. This approach converts carbon dioxide and water into hydrocarbons using renewable power, extending the promise of Power-to-X technology beyond energy production. The facility produces sustainable aviation fuel and E-Naphtha, showcasing the potential for a fundamentally different industrial architecture where hydrocarbons can be manufactured rather than extracted. This development represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly industrial system. eManufacturing offers a pathway to cleaner fuels, chemicals, and materials, showing that a world made from air is possible and marking the beginning of a transformation in industrial systems for the next century.
https://www.twelve.co/post/made-from-air-a-new-era-for-industry
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Fraunhofer ISE achieves 34.4 efficiency for III-V germanium solar module
Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has set a new record for power conversion efficiency of its III-V germanium solar module, increasing it from 34.2% to 34.4% using "shingle-matrix" technology and space-grade solar cells. This achievement was made possible by adapting triple-junction solar cell technology to the terrestrial solar spectrum and utilizing anti-reflective front glass structures supplied by Temicon. The key factor in this breakthrough was the use of shingle-matrix technology for interconnecting the solar cells, eliminating solder-coated copper ribbons, reducing shading, and increasing active area utilization. In addition, in July 2025, Fraunhofer ISE achieved 40% efficiency for an indoor III-V solar cell based on an indium gallium phosphide absorber, showcasing their commitment to advancing solar energy technology for a more sustainable future.
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Solar-powered floating shellfish farming tested in French lagoon
A French consortium has launched the SolarinThau project in Thau Lagoon, southern France, which integrates floating solar panels with oyster farming to support the local shellfish industry and tackle energy and environmental issues. The prototype platform will undergo an 18-month trial period from July 2026 to December 2027 to assess its technical, environmental, and economic viability. The project is led by a consortium with funding from the French government and the Occitanie Region, showcasing a promising initiative in sustainable energy solutions.
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Golden moment: Australia’s biggest wind farm becomes first to reach 1 GW of output
Australia's Golden Plains wind farm has made history by exceeding one gigawatt of electricity generation output, becoming the nation's largest wind farm with up to 1.3 gigawatts of capacity. This clean, renewable energy source is not only lowering electricity bills for Australians but also bolstering Victoria's power system. Plans for further expansion and the addition of a large battery storage facility indicate a commitment to sustainable energy solutions and a significant step towards a greener future in Australia.
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1M+ customers have connected solar to PG&E’s grid
PG&E, the largest utility in the U.S. in terms of solar interconnections, has focused on modernizing the grid for safe and reliable two-way power flows, with a recent emphasis on virtual power plant deployment. Their investments in grid automation, advanced forecasting, streamlined interconnection, and the integration of solar paired with battery storage have positioned California as the top state for residential solar and overall solar capacity. Customers in California have access to rebates and credit rates for solar generation, with solar plus storage systems offering backup power during public safety power shutoffs. This has led to increased interest in solar and resiliency options in the state.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/a-million-customers-have-connected-solar-to-pges-grid/822676/
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AirPlantTM One Opens in Moses Lake: America’s First Commercial E-Jet® Fuel Plant Begins Operations
Twelve has opened AirPlant One in Washington, the first facility in the US to produce E-Jet fuel and E-Naphtha from CO2 and renewable electricity. Alaska Airlines and Microsoft were present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, committing to purchasing output from the facility. The E-Jet SAF and E-Naphtha offer lower CO2 emissions, price predictability, and support domestic industrial growth. Microsoft's strategic investment aims to reduce emissions associated with business travel and advance clean energy solutions in aviation and global industry. Twelve's focus on electrifying fuel and chemical production using CO2 and renewable electricity is commercially viable in the United States and can scale to additional production sites and airline partners.
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Solar-plus-storage microgrids now delivering competitive baseload power
Yana Hryshko of Wood Mackenzie discussed the potential of solar and battery storage for delivering baseload power in various markets at a recent conference in Shanghai. The team at Wood Mackenzie modeled scenarios for Ukraine, Ghana, and the Netherlands, considering different solar-plus-storage deployments. Hybrid solar-plus-storage solutions have a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) compared to conventional fuel solutions in these countries, with significant drops in the LCOE over time. The modeling assumes a consistent system architecture and specifications, focusing on reducing capex through tapping into existing transmission infrastructure. Solar-plus-storage microgrids are already cost-competitive and successful in Ukraine, Ghana, and the Netherlands, highlighting their value for generating affordable and clean electricity quickly in the energy transition.
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Australia’s biggest transmission project powers up
Transgrid has completed the EnergyConnect project in New South Wales, linking three state grids and integrating renewable energy zones into the national network. The project includes 700 km of new transmission lines, with the first stage already operational, adding 800 MW of transfer capacity. Despite challenges and cost overruns, EnergyConnect is expected to deliver significant benefits for consumers and help Australia achieve its climate change targets. Additionally, Transgrid is making progress on the HumeLink transmission project to connect Snowy 2.0 to the grid and planning for the delivery of the NSW section of the VNI West project, enhancing the integration of renewable energy sources and improving grid efficiency for a more sustainable and climate-friendly energy system.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/06/10/australias-biggest-transmission-project-powers-up/
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Australia endorses ambitious new global electrification target to hasten exit from fossil fuels
Australia's energy and climate minister, Chris Bowen, has endorsed a new global electrification target of 35% by 2035 to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and meet climate goals. The initiative, announced at the UN's interim climate talks in Bonn, aims to increase the share of final energy demand met by electricity from 20% to 35% by 2035, based on analysis from the IEA and IRENA to support the Paris Agreement and limit warming to 1.5°C. The COP31 Presidency, led by Türkiye's minister Murat Kurum, will work with countries to facilitate access to technical assistance and financial support to achieve the electrification goal, which was welcomed for its potential to lower energy costs, increase energy security, and reduce emissions. Other initiatives from COP28 and COP29 include tripling renewable energy capacity, expanding energy storage, modernizing electricity grids, mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035 for action in the developing world, halving global waste growth, and increasing energy efficiency in buildings by at least 25% by 2035.