Repowering: A smarter path for aging renewable infrastructure
Many GW of aging U.S. solar installations will require electrical upgrades in the coming years, and smart owners will turn to repowering and cable rejuvenation as cost-effective ways to extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of new builds or full site reconstruction, with the added benefit of preserving existing interconnection rights.
Base Power announces 100 MW residential storage program with CoServ in Texas
The program, which is the largest of Base Power’s five utility collaborations, will deliver battery backup to an estimated 5,000 CoServ customers.
Jigar Shah sees virtual power plants as the fastest way for states to stabilize electric bills
States can control the retail cost of electricity by promoting virtual power plants, consisting of distributed batteries and other resources, which can be deployed “within months,” said industry veteran Jigar Shah and a co-author in a report.
Guidelines to assess three-terminal, four-terminal tandem solar cell performance
Researchers in the U.S. have developed a set of guidelines and protocols to assess the performance of three-terminal (3-T) and four-terminal (4-T) tandem solar cells, including those with subcells made of III–V, CdTe, perovskites or silicon materials.
Washington’s HB 2296 could improve home solar economics, but advocates say recent amendments are cause for concern
The bill, which is being considered in Senate committees after passing the state House, requires utilities to allow meter-mounted devices to connect between retail electric customer meters and meter sockets. These devices reduce complexity and installation time, ultimately saving homeowners money.
New model reveals pathway for land-efficient U.S. solar expansion
McGill University researchers, publishing in Communications Earth & Environment, used deep-learning computer vision to analyze 719 solar projects across the Western U.S. The study establishes a new “land-sparing” benchmark, providing developers with precise data to balance rapid capacity expansion with conservation and land-use priorities.
National lab assesses alternatives to “direct transfer trip” that can block solar projects
“Direct transfer trip,” a costly approach to ensure that distributed generation shuts down during a power outage, can make solar projects uneconomical. A national lab report points to a combination of inverter-based approaches as a viable alternative.
First Solar reports 2025 earnings, announces Oxford PV licensing agreement, alleges patent infringement in new ITC action
The company’s stock price fell more than 12% in extended trading following the earnings announcement, partly due to lower-than-expected guidance for 2026 sales and revenue.
Global-warming-induced degradation could raise rooftop solar LCOE by up to 20%
A global study finds climate change will sharply increase high-temperature risks, accelerate degradation, and raise costs for rooftop PV, with economically disadvantaged regions hit hardest. Researchers warn current IEC standards underestimate future risks, urging urgent updates to avoid stranded assets and rising electricity costs.
Mexico could become data center hub, but clean power lags behind
Mexico is attracting US data centers seeking faster power connections, but these facilities will initially rely on firm gas generation from the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), with renewables as a potential future option, Mexican energy expert Santiago Barcón told pv magazine.
