Solar industry

New figures show the world added around 690 gigawatts of solar power capacity in 2025, according to reporting by pv magazine. The total underscores the continued rapid expansion of solar energy worldwide, as installations keep outpacing forecasts driven by falling costs and strong demand in major markets. Industry observers are weighing what the record-scale buildout means for grids, fossil fuel demand and global climate targets.

New analysis from the Solar Energy Industries Association outlines the policy outlook and industry landscape for US solar photovoltaic manufacturing, framed as a basis for cooperation between the United States and Europe. The review comes as both regions seek to expand domestic clean-energy supply chains and reduce reliance on imports amid shifting trade and industrial policy.

Questions are being raised over whether the rapid expansion of solar power in the United States is finally losing momentum. Analysts and readers are debating the state of the industry, its growth trajectory, and what factors could be holding back new installations after years of strong gains.

A new report argues the next wave of American battery demand will come not from electric vehicles but from grid-scale storage, as utilities add batteries to balance growing amounts of wind and solar power and to stabilize an aging electricity network under rising demand from data centers. Industry watchers see this as a structural shift in where battery manufacturing and investment will flow next.

Arevia Power, previously known as a solar developer, is reportedly repositioning itself toward gas-fired power and data center energy projects. The reported pivot highlights how energy companies are chasing demand from data centers rather than renewables alone. Details on the scale of the shift and its clients remain limited, but the move fits a broader industry trend of repurposing clean-energy developers for AI-driven power demand.

Solar combined with battery storage is making its strongest case yet in Texas, according to energy industry reporting. The state's growing power demand and grid strain are driving interest in solar-plus-storage systems as a reliable alternative, and the argument is being closely watched by energy markets and policymakers elsewhere.

Reports highlight how shrinking availability of open land is pushing the solar industry to install panels in tighter, less conventional spaces. As large-scale solar farms compete with agriculture and development for ground, developers are turning to rooftops, car parks, and other constrained sites. Commentators in the energy press say land constraints are becoming a defining challenge for solar expansion worldwide.

Researchers have tested underwater solar panels at a depth of ten metres in the South China Sea, according to an industry report. The trial explores whether photovoltaic systems can generate usable power below the surface, where light is weaker but conditions are more stable. Details on efficiency results and which institution led the test have not been released, leaving the technology's practical prospects uncertain.

French renewable energy developer JP Energie has announced acquisitions totalling 202 MW of wind and solar capacity. The move expands the company's portfolio in France's fast-growing renewables market. Details on the specific projects, sellers and financial terms were not disclosed in the announcement, which was reported by trade outlet Renewables Now.

NextEra Energy and Entergy topped U.S. solar project starts in the fourth quarter, according to industry tracking by Industrial Info Resources. The two utilities led a wave of new solar construction as power companies race to add renewable capacity to meet growing electricity demand from data centers and electrification across the country.

Solar panel deliveries have begun under supply agreements worth roughly $240 million between TOYO and U.S. buyers. The milestone marks the start of shipments under the contracts, which support American solar project pipelines amid growing demand for domestically supplied panels. The announcement drew attention from energy and markets watchers tracking TOYO's expansion in the U.S. solar supply chain.

Trade coverage in the solar sector argues that photovoltaic projects have outgrown off-the-shelf engineering approaches. Growing project scale, varied grid requirements, and site-specific conditions are making one-size-fits-all designs harder to apply, pushing developers and equipment makers toward more customised planning, equipment and system integration as the industry matures.

Trials are underway in Australia on wireless telecom towers wrapped in solar panels, a design that could let towers generate their own power and cut reliance on the grid. Industry coverage is focused on whether the solar-wrapped approach can withstand real-world conditions and how much energy it could realistically produce for network operators.

The Howard County council has discussed a bill that could place a pause on solar energy projects in the county. The proposal would halt new solar developments while officials weigh regulations. Details of the debate, the reasons for the proposed moratorium and reactions from residents or the solar industry have not been widely reported yet.

Chinese solar manufacturer Tongwei has launched the TNC 2.0 FULLX G12R-48, a rooftop solar module built on its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TNC) cell technology. The company says the panel reaches 24.5% efficiency, a figure that would place it among the more efficient mainstream rooftop products on the market. The announcement adds to intensifying competition among Chinese module makers racing to commercialise higher-efficiency cell formats.

The UK's largest solar and energy storage exhibition took place in Birmingham, bringing together industry figures from across the renewable energy sector. pv magazine reported the main takeaways from the event, covering developments in solar technology, battery storage and the policy landscape shaping the UK's clean energy transition.

Renewable energy developer Q ENERGY has inaugurated an 11 MWp solar farm in the Marne department in northeastern France. The facility adds new photovoltaic capacity to the region's energy mix and marks another step in France's push to expand solar power. Industry outlets reported the opening as part of ongoing solar development activity across the country.

Building materials maker CertainTeed has released Landmark PWR, a new solar roofing system. The product combines solar generation with traditional asphalt shingle roofing, aimed at homeowners who want renewable energy without separate panel mounts. Trade coverage in the solar industry is reporting the launch, though detailed specifications and pricing have not yet been widely shared.

TCL Solar has introduced a new line of back-contact, double-glass solar modules, expanding its photovoltaic product portfolio. Back-contact designs eliminate visible front contacts to improve efficiency and aesthetics, while double-glass construction boosts durability and weather resistance. The launch positions the Chinese manufacturer to compete in the high-efficiency residential and commercial solar market as demand for premium modules grows.

A new market outlook projects growth in space-based solar power through 2035, driven by rising demand for energy security. The report points to expanding investment and development in the sector as countries look to diversify energy sources. Interest in the technology continues to build as governments and industry weigh its potential role in future energy supply.

Indian solar equipment maker Swelect has launched a new range of hybrid solar inverters aimed at commercial and industrial customers. The product line is designed to combine solar generation with battery storage, helping businesses cut grid dependence and manage energy costs. The launch was reported by pv magazine Global.

Building materials manufacturer CertainTeed has released Landmark PWR, a new solar roofing system for residential homes. The product combines solar panels with roofing shingles, aimed at homeowners who want to generate electricity without installing conventional rack-mounted panels. The launch adds to a growing market of integrated solar roofing options as demand for residential clean energy products continues to expand in the United States.

ABB has introduced the Microlectric BS225M-TCVCN meter socket, a new product aimed at supporting the growing demand for solar energy. The launch adds to ABB's electrical equipment range and is designed to accommodate solar installations connected through the metering point. The announcement has drawn attention within the energy sector as solar adoption continues to expand.

Zhongtian Hechuang has opened a tender for an electrolysis hydrogen production testing and evaluation center at its Wushenqi wind and solar power hydrogen production project in Inner Mongolia, with an investment of 65.13 million yuan. The project is part of China's expanding green hydrogen build-out, converting renewable power into hydrogen at scale. Industry watchers are tracking progress as a sign of momentum in the country's hydrogen sector.