Archive

1 April 2026

51 articles collected

Today's Signal

CEFC commits $100 million to help VW Group offer discounted loans for EVs

The Driven AU EV ·

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is allocating $100 million to support Volkswagen Financial Services Australia in providing reduced-interest loans for electric vehicles. This investment aims to lower financing costs for consumers purchasing various battery-electric models across the Volkswagen Group brand portfolio.

SA electricity demand is set to double, but is the grid ready?

Energy Magazine AU Grid ·

ElectraNet's latest Transmission Annual Planning Report indicates that South Australian electricity demand is projected to double, prompting a detailed assessment of the state's current network capacity and future infrastructure requirements.

Bringing clarity to electricity prices

Energy Magazine AU Power ·

The Grattan Institute has analysed the primary drivers of Australian electricity pricing, highlighting that constructing large-scale solar infrastructure is projected to be nearly five times cheaper than building black coal facilities by 2030.

RayGen rolls out 1 MW ‘solar hydro’ power plant in Brazil

PV Magazine AU Power ·

Melbourne-based RayGen has commissioned a 1 MW pilot facility in Brazil, marking the first international deployment of its proprietary technology combining concentrated solar PV with thermal hydro storage. This project demonstrates the global scalability of the firm's integrated generation and long-duration storage solution beyond its existing Australian operations.

Home battery demand surges on Iran war, rebate cliff

Energy Magazine AU Storage ·

VoltX Energy reports a 200 per cent spike in residential battery enquiries, particularly in Sydney's outer suburbs, as consumers react to Middle East instability and the approaching end of government rebates. This surge in demand reflects growing household urgency to secure energy independence amid heightened geopolitical risks and shifting financial incentives.

BMW cuts prices of fully electric iX1 and iX2 models

The Driven AU EV ·

BMW has reduced the retail pricing of its iX1 and iX2 battery electric vehicle models in Australia. The manufacturer implemented these cost reductions to attract consumers seeking alternatives to rising internal combustion engine fuel prices.

UNSW unveils new ageing method to assess TOPCon solar module degradation

PV Magazine AU Solar ·

UNSW researchers have developed a nitrate-based accelerated ageing technique to test the front-side metallisation stability of TOPCon solar cells. This single-sided chemical method replicates acidic module environments to predict degradation patterns, aiming to lower costs and shorten development timelines for high-efficiency solar technology.

New episode: What’s next for Australia’s iron ore sector?

Power Technology AU Power ·

Australia’s iron ore industry faces a decade of decelerating production growth through 2035 as the sector navigates aging Pilbara infrastructure and high export market concentration. Future stability depends on managing asset lifecycles and shifting global demand patterns within this critical mineral corridor.

Beyond the OCE

Italy targets 16 GWh storage auction under MACSE scheme

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Italy’s energy regulator ARERA has endorsed a ministerial proposal to auction 16 GWh of energy storage capacity for 2029 under the MACSE mechanism. The regulator advised that final procurement volumes should be adjusted to align with the actual capacity of the current project pipeline.

German rooftop PV tender undersubscribed as prices hold

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Germany’s Federal Network Agency allocated only 155 MW of rooftop solar capacity in a recent tender, leaving nearly half of the available 283 MW unassigned. Successful bids achieved an average price of €0.0956 ($0.11) per kWh as the auction failed to attract sufficient developer interest.

Middle East conflict lifting PPA valuations, says Pexapark

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Pexapark reports that escalating Middle East tensions are driving up long-term power purchase agreement valuations across Europe. The Swiss analytics firm observes that market participants are currently repricing future years in response to these geopolitical risks.

Italy, Spain set solar records in March

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Falling gas prices and record-breaking solar output in March drove electricity costs down across major European markets. Portugal and Spain achieved their lowest daily average price points since 2024 and 2013 respectively, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting data.

Iberdrola awards $4bn contracts for EGL4 subsea interconnector

Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·

Iberdrola has issued contracts exceeding $3.96 billion for the Eastern Green Link 4 subsea electricity interconnector. This major infrastructure project involves the development of a high-voltage subsea cable system to facilitate large-scale power transmission.

TerraSpark, Dcubed to test space solar on SpaceX 2027 mission

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Luxembourg-based TerraSpark plans to demonstrate radio frequency-based space-to-earth power transmission in 2028 following a €5.4 million funding round. The startup will also collaborate with Germany's Dcubed on a preliminary orbital mission scheduled for early 2027 aboard a SpaceX launch.

BBDF 2026 Opening Session: Optimism, caution, and grid fees

PV Magazine GLOBAL Storage ·

Investors at the Battery Business & Development Forum (BBDF) 2026 signaled continued confidence in the energy storage market, while warning that regulatory uncertainty, particularly around grid fees in Germany, could affect project economics and inve…

JinkoSolar drops Vietnam solar manufacturing project

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

JinkoSolar has cancelled a planned 4 GW solar cell production facility in Vietnam's Hai Ha district due to unfavorable export conditions caused by US antidumping tariffs. The manufacturer intends to pivot its strategic focus toward domestic supply chains and emerging markets across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

On the Wire

CRP Subsea secures contract for Vattenfall’s Nordlicht I cable systems

Power Technology GLOBAL Wind ·

CRP Subsea will provide cable protection systems to Jan De Nul for the Nordlicht I offshore wind farm, a Vattenfall project located in the German North Sea. The contract involves the delivery of NjordGuard systems to safeguard 68 inter-array cables against fatigue and instability.

Video: Iran war could see record EV sales in Australia

The Driven AU EV ·

Escalating conflict involving Iran could accelerate Australian electric vehicle adoption as motorists seek alternatives to volatile fuel prices. Industry analyst Giles Parkinson suggests these geopolitical tensions may push the local market toward a definitive tipping point for mass consumer transition.

Premier Energies commissions 5.6 GW solar module facility in India

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Premier Energies has initiated trial operations at a 5.6 GW solar module factory in Telangana, India. The Seetharampur plant utilizes G12R TOPCon technology and zero busbar architecture to manufacture high-efficiency photovoltaic components.

EU energy regulator opens consultation into PPA market

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

The European Union Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is running a public consultation on the evolution of the bloc's power purchase agreement (PPA) market to identify existing initiatives and challenges.

100-hour LDES battery technologies from Form, Noon and Ore: how do they compare?

Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·

Form Energy, Noon Energy, and Ore Energy are developing competing 100-hour long-duration energy storage systems, utilizing iron-air and carbon-oxygen chemistries. While these technologies target multi-day grid stability, they currently face varying challenges regarding energy density, round-trip efficiency, and undisclosed commercial cost structures.

What end-to-end visibility reveals about hidden BESS safety risks

Energy-Storage.News GLOBAL Storage ·

Intertek advocate for a comprehensive lifecycle management strategy to identify and mitigate latent safety hazards in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The proposed end-to-end visibility framework aims to address technical vulnerabilities before they escalate into critical failures or operational risks.

Azerbaijan commissions 500 MWh battery storage project

PV Magazine GLOBAL Storage ·

President Ilham Aliyev has inaugurated a 500 MWh battery energy storage system in Azerbaijan. The project is intended to improve grid reliability and facilitate the incorporation of renewable power sources into the national network.

Solar parks reshape soil biodiversity, plant traits

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

A study of 20 French solar installations found that panel shading significantly reduces soil biodiversity and respiration, particularly in mown sites. Conversely, plant height and leaf area increased under panels when managed through grazing, suggesting that land management techniques and shading levels are critical factors in the ecological health of solar farms.

Philippines accelerates grid entry for 1.28 GW of solar

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

The Philippines Department of Energy is expediting the grid connection of 12 solar facilities totaling 1.28 GW this April. This acceleration aims to mitigate domestic energy risks stemming from Middle East conflict and subsequent volatility in international oil markets.

TetraSpar floating wind prototype retires after five years offshore

Power Technology GLOBAL Wind ·

The 3.6 MW TetraSpar floating wind prototype is scheduled for decommissioning after a five-year offshore deployment. The project conclusion follows the successful collection of operational data intended to inform the development of commercial-scale floating wind infrastructure.

Extensive testing validates reuse of 23-year-old second-life polycrystalline solar modules

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Brazilian researchers confirmed that 23-year-old polycrystalline solar panels maintained 87–88% of their initial power output after two years of field testing. While demonstrating technical viability for circular economy initiatives, the study notes that low prices and superior warranties for new silicon modules currently limit the financial incentive for large-scale reuse.

Solar above 60° North: The Arctic as PV’s next frontier

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

An IEA-PVPS report identifies the Arctic region as a growing solar market where bifacial technology and cold-climate efficiency gains are driving deployment despite extreme seasonality. The study highlights that solar installations above 60° North are becoming vital for energy security, though developers must navigate technical hurdles like permafrost and heavy snow loads.

Capital Dynamics, Solo Renewables partner on $132m LDES system

Power Technology GLOBAL Power ·

Capital Dynamics and Solo Renewables have formed a joint venture to develop a £100 million long-duration energy storage facility in Northern Ireland. The project represents a significant investment in the region's grid stability and renewable integration capabilities.

SwitchedOn podcast: The plug-in solar hack that’s now booming in Germany

RenewEconomy AU Solar ·

Germany is experiencing a surge in balcony solar adoption, utilizing plug-in photovoltaic systems to transform residential energy consumption patterns. This decentralized technology allows apartment dwellers to generate power directly from their balconies, bypassing traditional rooftop installation barriers.

Bhutan opens rooftop, ground-mounted solar tender

PV Magazine GLOBAL Solar ·

Bhutan's Department of Energy is inviting private developers to submit expressions of interest for rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations under a build-own-operate model. Interested parties must register their participation by the initial deadline of April 30.

bZ4X review: More range, lower price, still very Toyota

The Driven AU EV ·

Toyota has updated its bZ4X electric vehicle for the Australian market, featuring an increased driving range, accelerated charging capabilities, and a reduced entry price. These technical and pricing adjustments aim to improve the model's competitiveness within the local battery electric vehicle segment.