Solar module efficiency could exceed 35% by 2050
A new Perspectives research study on the future of the global PV supply chain outlines how module prices, performance, and lifetimes could evolve over the next 25 years. The work reflects a collaboration among leading solar research institutions worldwide. One of the study’s authors, the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), told pv magazine that solar module and cell efficiencies could exceed 35% by 2050, with panel prices expected to drop by a factor of two.
In case you missed it: This week’s top five solar news stories
pv magazine USA spotlights news of the past week including market trends, project updates, policy changes and more.
Renewable Properties increases capital facility to $120 million
Additional funds of $40 million from AB CarVal will support pipeline expansion into new markets and technologies.
Treaty Oak Clean Energy begins construction on 385 MW Louisiana solar portfolio
Two projects in Morehouse and Sabine parishes will provide power to Meta.
Sodium-ion battery cells already near lithium-ion cost parity, set to get cheaper
By 2050, sodium-ion batteries with fast learning rates could deliver storage at $12.76 – $16.24/MWh – cheaper than lithium-ion at $18.56 – $25.52/MWh – while also offering higher energy-to-power ratios and high cycle durability, a new research finds.
La Niña Ridge drives December solar gains across U.S. Southwest
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that December’s solar resource reflected a classic La Niña pattern, with suppressed irradiance in the Pacific Northwest and above-normal conditions across the southern U.S. A blocking ridge brought clear skies and strong solar gains to the Southwest and Texas, while cloud cover and fog reduced output farther north.
U.S. would reach 100% renewable energy by 2148 at recent pace
China is outpacing the U.S. toward 100% renewables for all energy uses and is on track to reach that standard by 2051, versus 2148 for the U.S., projects a study of 150 countries by Stanford professor Mark Jacobson.
AI-based solar service provider enters largest U.S. market
Otovo, a European solar operations and maintenance service firm headed by former Sunnova CEO, enters California residential market with acquisition of Solar Service Professionals.
How real estate financing can keep projects moving in 2026
Solar developers are leveraging land assets to bypass financing bottlenecks and secure critical safe-harbor status ahead of the 2026 deadline.
California introduces bill to legalize plug-in balcony solar
The legislation would reclassify small-scale solar devices as household appliances to bypass utility interconnection requirements and permitting fees.
