Study finds PV plants reshape land surface conditions, reducing wind speed and increasing soil moisture
A China-based research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 147 studies on how solar PV systems alter land surface processes, covering 609 installations worldwide and 11 key climate variables.
UNE accelerates silicon wafer recycling using AI computations and robotics
Researchers from the University of New England’s Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using artificial intelligence and powerful supercomputers to assess potential solvents to separate silicon wafers with minimal contamination.
SMA shifts Australian focus to large-scale sector
German inverter and battery manufacturer SMA Solar Technology has confirmed its withdrawal from the Australian residential and commercial market, with CEO Jürgen Reinert declaring the company will instead focus on large-scale infrastructure, grid-forming technology and hybrid integration.
Trina launches Australia-specific solar module for rooftop market
Chinese PV technology manufacturer Trina Solar has launched an “Australia specific” variant of its Vertex S+ modules featuring a power output of 515 W and a maximum efficiency of 24.65%.
Rooftop solar surges to new high on back of battery boom
Australia’s rooftop solar market climbed by 31% in the past month with the latest data revealing that a record 442 MW of small-scale PV capacity was installed across the country in April 2026.
Premier Energies unveils 600-630 W all-black TOPCon solar modules
The Indian manufacturer said its new all-black panel series features a power conversion efficiency of up to 23.32% and a bifaciality factor of up to 85%.
Risen Energy unveils new C&I energy storage system solution
China-headquartered solar panel and energy storage solutions manufacturer Risen Energy has announced its RisenStack Pro Modular ESS has passed Australia’s new C&I energy storage certification – covering electrical safety, EMC, and functional safety, and complies with Australian standards.
New irrigation tech helps reduce water use in agrivoltaics
Spanish researchers found that combining agrivoltaics with regulated deficit irrigation can cut tomato irrigation water use by about 50%, while improving land-use efficiency through simultaneous crop and solar energy production.
Grid-scale and distributed solar break quarterly generation records: AEMO
In Q1 2026, grid-scale solar generation jumped 648 MW compared to the same period in 2025, recording an all-time quarterly high of 2,706 MW output, according to new figures released by AEMO in its Quarterly Energy Dynamics Q1 2026 report.
Sungrow proposes multi-microgrid clusters for mining above 100 MW
Sungrow has released a mining microgrid power solutions white paper in partnership with TÜV Rheinland and the China Electrotechnical Society covering application scenarios from 2.5 MW up to more than 100 MW.
