Solar industry

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.

A new policy outlook examines the state of U.S. solar photovoltaic manufacturing and the opportunities for deeper cooperation between American and European industry. It outlines the current domestic manufacturing landscape, policy drivers shaping the sector, and how transatlantic partnerships could strengthen supply chains for solar components on both sides of the Atlantic.

Austrian renewable energy developer RP Global has purchased a 22-megawatt-peak roadside solar project in Germany. The acquisition adds to the company's growing solar portfolio and reflects continued investor interest in German renewable energy assets. Further details on the seller, price and timeline for the project were not disclosed.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed a petition against a solar company, alleging it used a fraudulent sales scheme against customers. The filing accuses the firm of deceptive practices in selling solar installations. The action signals state scrutiny of solar industry sales tactics, and the case is expected to move through the courts as consumers await potential restitution.

Renewables company X-NOOR has completed a solar installation at a steel wire rope factory in Dubai. The project adds to the growing uptake of solar power by industrial facilities in the United Arab Emirates. Details on the system's capacity and expected output have not been disclosed, and reaction to the announcement has so far been limited.

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.

President Trump has signaled openness to expanded solar energy development in the United States, but the proposal reportedly carries conditions that could limit its appeal to the renewable energy industry. Details of the catch remain sparse, leaving analysts questioning whether the offer represents a genuine shift in the administration's stance on solar power or a narrower political gesture.

First Solar is adjusting its approach to enforcing intellectual property rights related to TOPCon solar cell technology. The company, a leading US solar manufacturer, has previously pursued legal action to protect its proprietary thin-film and cadmium telluride innovations, and the recalibration signals a shift in how it plans to defend its TOPCon-related patents. Details of the revised enforcement strategy have not been disclosed.

The Clean Energy Council has published its latest report on rooftop solar and battery storage, covering January to June 2026. The release compiles installation figures and market trends for the period, offering an updated picture of household and small-scale energy adoption. Industry watchers use these half-yearly reports to track growth in rooftop solar and storage uptake.

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.

Leading photovoltaic and energy-storage companies are debating how to escape intense price competition in their industry. Executives are pointing to three main routes: breakthroughs in core technology, new ways to monetise artificial intelligence, and expanding into overseas markets while staying compliant with local rules. The discussion reflects widening losses and overcapacity pressure across the solar and storage sectors.