First Nations microgrids to share $11 million in ARENA funding
Two First Nations communities in the Northern Territory will share $11 million in ARENA funding that will enable the design, development and leadership of their own microgrid projects, and create a remote First Nations communities energy transition blueprint.
No evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels, study finds
Researchers in the United States reviewed claims about PFAS in solar panels and found that while fluoropolymers may be used in limited components like backsheets or coatings, there is no confirmed evidence of PFAS leaching from commercially deployed modules.
End-of-life solar panel circular economy research gets new $5 million home
Sydney researchers in partnership with industry have launched a solar panel recycling hub to improve solar panel waste circular economy technologies and resource extraction, adding another boost to Australia’s existing initiatives.
Recurrent lands grid connection tick for hybrid solar-battery project
A 360 MW solar farm and a 150 MW / 600 MWh battery energy storage system to be built in New South Wales has secured approval to connect to the electricity grid in the state’s New England Tablelands region.
TBEA launches 500 kW string inverter
The new inverter is designed around standardised 5 MW and 5.5 MW PV sub-arrays with the aim to reduce balance-of-system costs. It features a maximum efficiency of 99.0% and a high-voltage architecture of up to 1,600 Vdc and 1,000 Vac.
The world added 605 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, says IEA
Latest report from the International Energy Agency says last year’s 600 TWh increase in solar PV was the largest-yet electricity generation increase by any source in one year, outside of periods of post-crisis recovery.
Insurance premiums trending down despite severe weather threat for solar
Insurance premiums for renewable energy projects in Australia are expected to decrease this year despite natural catastrophe and extreme weather exposures remaining a major concern, particularly for large-scale solar asset owners and investors.
Philippines announces 7th renewables auction with focus on solar
The country’s seventh green energy auction is set to procure rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar projects across the Philippines, with increased allocation in Mindanao. The Department of Energy plans to release the auction’s terms of reference during the second quarter of this year.
Scientists identify new loss factor in tracker-based PV plants on slightly undulating terrain
Researchers have identified a new source of underperformance in utility-scale PV plants caused by “suboptimal backtracking” on slightly uneven terrain. The study shows that real tracker control systems deviate from ideal flat-terrain assumptions, reducing irradiance capture and causing measurable energy losses compared with simulations.
Agrivoltaics maintain or enhance forage quality, study finds
Researchers have analyzed the biomass and nutritional value of grasses and legumes for grazing dairy cattle, growing in agrivoltaics fields. The results showed that forage quality may be maintained or even enhanced in agrivoltaic environments.
