Global solar corporate funding reached $22.2 billion in 2025
While global solar corporate funding in 2025 fell to the lowest level recorded since 2020, deal count rose to its highest level since 2017. Mercom Capital Group says investors favored smaller, lower-risk, execution-ready projects last year amid policy uncertainty, trade pressures and higher financing costs.
New design specifications for sodium-ion batteries
U.S. scientists used density functional theory to reveal how sodium ions are stored in nanoporous carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries, identifying dual ionic and metallic storage mechanisms within the pores. Their findings provide practical design guidelines to improve battery voltage, safety, and commercial viability for stationary energy storage.
Duke Energy Florida unveils green hydrogen demonstration facility
The facility will use solar power to generate hydrogen used to run a modified GE Vernova combustion turbine during times of peak grid demand.
First Solar wins key round in TOPCon patent dispute
The federal patent office rejected separate challenges from JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar and Mundra Solar to invalidate intellectual property that First Solar claims is fundamental to the manufacturing of crystalline silicon solar cells.
Duke Energy commissions 50 MW battery storage project at former coal site
The utility activated a four-hour duration lithium-ion system at its retired Allen Steam Station to manage rising solar capacity and provide grid reliability in the Carolinas.
Solar to surge 49% as EIA forecasts 70 GW of new capacity by 2027
Utility-scale solar is set to meet rising data center demand as generation in Texas nearly doubles and battery storage capacity in ERCOT more than triples by 2027.
Certification hurdles inhibit growth of solar panel reuse market
A new white paper from SPR argues that interconnection rules and unfavorable economics make large-scale, responsible reuse largely infeasible.
Global BESS demand jumps 51% in 2025 as installations top 300 GWh
Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, tells ESS News that 2026 is set to be another strong year for BESS, with forecast additions exceeding 450 GWh and no material supply constraints in sight. Meanwhile, the initial impact of rising lithium prices is already visible at the cell level, but the full effect has yet to ripple through to system pricing.
Copeland releases sanitary water heat pumps
US-based Copeland has launched its Sensi Hydro sanitary water heat pump designed to provide energy-efficient hot water for hotels, commercial buildings, and public facilities. The units feature ZW scroll compressors, independent refrigerant circuits, and backup mode to ensure reliable hot water supply.
The changing landscape for utility-scale solar O&M
In their interview about the evolving role of O&M providers, DEPCOM’s VP Business Development Services, Jesse Brown, and its VP Plant Services, Keavy Ladner, highlight the importance of a long-term perspective paired with an ownership mentality.
