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Standard Solar
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Plug-in balcony solar panels are drawing attention as a simple way for renters and apartment dwellers to generate their own renewable power. The panels hang on a balcony railing or wall and connect directly to a standard household socket, feeding electricity into the home without professional installation. Popular in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, the systems are now being discussed as a model for expanding small-scale clean energy access globally.
- 2Standard Solar acquires two Washington solar projects from OneEnergy▼Standard Solar acquires two Washington projects from OneEnergy
Standard Solar has acquired two solar projects in Washington state from developer OneEnergy. The deal adds to Standard Solar's growing portfolio of distributed generation and community solar assets, while allowing OneEnergy to recycle capital into new development. The move reflects continued consolidation in the US solar sector, where established owners are buying shovel-ready projects from independent developers amid strong demand for clean energy capacity.
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Standard Solar has acquired a two-project portfolio from OneEnergy Renewables, adding new solar capacity to its growing nationwide portfolio. The deal continues a broader pattern of consolidation in the US solar industry, where larger developers and financiers have been absorbing project pipelines from smaller independent developers. Financial terms and the locations of the two projects were not disclosed in the initial announcement.
- 4Solar mass loss could destabilize the solar system, study says▼Terminal Instability of the Solar System Triggered by Stochastic Solar Mass Loss
A new paper in the Astrophysical Journal Letters argues that stochastic solar mass loss, the Sun gradually shedding mass through radiation and particle emissions, can trigger a terminal instability in the solar system's planetary orbits. The finding is drawing attention for suggesting long-term planetary motion is less predictable than standard models assumed.
- 5Tandem Solar Cells Push More Power From Smaller Panels●Solar Panels Done? Now Tandem Solar Panels | More Power From Smaller Panels | Future Solar Techno...
Attention is turning to tandem solar panels, a next-generation technology that stacks layers of photovoltaic material to extract more electricity from the same surface area. The discussion frames today's standard panels as mature and asks whether tandem designs are the future of solar, offering higher efficiency and smaller installations for homes and solar farms.
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Plug-in solar is being promoted as an easy way for households to generate their own electricity: small panels that plug into a standard outlet and feed power into the home, without professional installation. The idea is being floated as something other places should copy, tapping interest in cheap, accessible renewable energy amid rising utility costs.
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Knox County commissioners have approved a revised solar ordinance, updating the county's rules governing solar energy projects. The measure sets new standards for how solar developments can be built and operated in the area, though details of the changes were not immediately available.
- 8Standard Solar Acquires Two Washington Solar Projects from OneEnergy Renewables▼Standard Solar Expands Washington Portfolio with Acquisition of Two Solar Projects from OneEnergy Renewables
Standard Solar has acquired two solar projects in Washington state from OneEnergy Renewables, expanding its clean energy portfolio in the region. The deal adds to Standard Solar's growing footprint across US community solar and distributed generation markets, while OneEnergy continues developing renewable projects for sale to long-term owners.
- 9Standard Solar acquires 15.8 MW of projects in Washington▼Standard Solar buys 15.8 MW of solar projects in Washington
Standard Solar has purchased 15.8 MW of solar projects in Washington state, expanding its distributed generation portfolio. The deal, reported by Renewables Now, adds to the company's growing footprint in community and commercial-scale solar as demand for clean energy assets continues across the United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
- 10Standard Solar Buys Two Washington Solar Projects from OneEnergy▼Standard Solar Acquires Two Washington Solar Projects Totaling 15.79 MW from OneEnergy Renewables
Standard Solar has acquired two solar projects in Washington state totaling 15.79 MW from developer OneEnergy Renewables. The deal adds to Standard Solar's growing portfolio of distributed generation assets in the Pacific Northwest and continues a pattern of established solar companies acquiring development-stage projects from smaller developers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
- 11Trina Solar researchers propose new classification of UV degradation in TOPCon cells▼Trina Solar researchers propose new classification of ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers at Trina Solar have put forward a new classification system for ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells. The proposal, reported by pv magazine Global, aims to standardise how the industry identifies and measures UV-related performance loss in this widely deployed cell technology. The work could inform testing standards and reliability assessments as TOPCon becomes the dominant solar cell type worldwide.
- 12Hacker could have crippled hundreds of thousands of solar installations in Germany▼Folge wäre „auf jeden Fall ein # Blackout “ gewesen: # Hacker hätte hunderttausende Solaranlagen in Deutschland lahmlege
Security researchers report a vulnerability that would have allowed hackers to take control of hundreds of thousands of solar power installations across Germany at once. Experts warn the consequence could have been a large-scale blackout, highlighting how little-protected internet-connected energy equipment poses a risk to the national grid. The flaw has reignited debate about security standards for renewable energy infrastructure and smart home devices in Germany.
- 13New global standards set for indoor light solar cells▼Global consensus sets testing guidelines for solar cells harvesting indoor light
An international consensus has established testing guidelines for photovoltaic cells designed to harvest indoor ambient light, a technology used to power sensors and small electronic devices without batteries. Standardized measurement procedures are expected to make performance claims comparable across laboratories and manufacturers, supporting commercial development of indoor photovoltaics for the growing market in connected devices and Internet of Things hardware.
- 14Trina Solar Proposes New Classification for UV Degradation in TOPCon Cells●Trina Solar Proposes Reversible and Irreversible Classification for UV-Induced Degradation in TOPCon Cells
Trina Solar has proposed a new classification system that separates ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells into reversible and irreversible forms. The company argues this distinction matters for how module performance loss is measured and predicted over a solar project's lifetime. The proposal is drawing attention in the solar industry as TOPCon technology becomes the dominant cell architecture and buyers seek clearer warranty and durability standards.
- 15IEA PVPS examines solar glare rules across countries▼IEA PVPS explores glare from solar installations and surrounding legislation internationally
The International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems programme is investigating glare caused by solar installations and how different countries regulate it. The work compares legislation internationally, addressing a growing concern for solar projects near homes, roads and airports as deployment expands. Industry coverage highlights the need for clearer, harmonised standards on glare assessment and mitigation.
- 16Grounding Strategy Cuts Lightning Overvoltage in Solar Panels●Grounding Strategy Reduces Lightning Overvoltage in Solar Panels - News and Statistics
A reported grounding strategy reduces lightning-induced overvoltage in solar panel installations, offering a way to protect photovoltaic systems from surge damage during storms. The finding matters for solar farm operators and rooftop owners in lightning-prone regions, where strikes can damage inverters and panels and cause costly downtime. Industry observers are weighing how such grounding practices could be adopted more widely in solar system design and maintenance standards.
- 17Why Solar Roof Tiles Remain Rare After Tesla's Exit●Why Solar Roof Tiles Are Still Rare After Tesla Quit, and When They’re Worth It
Tesla has withdrawn from the solar roof tile business, and the technology remains uncommon despite years of promises. Industry commentary points to high installation costs, complex retrofitting, and limited durability compared with standard panels paired with conventional roofs. Observers say solar tiles mainly make sense for new builds or roof replacements where the premium is offset by avoiding a separate roofing job.
- 18Massachusetts town proposes clean energy bylaw to replace solar rules▼New clean energy bylaw would set state-mandated and local standards, replace town’s solar bylaw
The town of Harvard, Massachusetts is considering a new clean energy bylaw that would combine state-mandated requirements with local standards, replacing the town's existing solar bylaw. The proposal, reported by The Harvard Press, would update how local officials review clean energy projects, aligning town rules with current state law.
- 19Lignin-based silver paste solar cell hits 25.96% efficiency▼Heterojunction solar cell built with biomass lignin-based silver paste achieves 25.96% efficiency
Researchers have built a heterojunction solar cell using a silver paste derived from biomass lignin, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 25.96%. The result, reported by pv magazine, suggests wood-derived materials could replace conventional petroleum-based pastes in high-efficiency solar manufacturing, cutting costs and the carbon footprint of photovoltaic production while maintaining performance close to standard silver paste cells.
- 20California balcony solar law signed: when can you plug in?▼A balcony solar bill in California is now law. When can you plug in?
California has enacted a balcony solar bill into law, allowing residents to plug small, portable solar panels into standard outlets to offset their electricity use. Coverage across multiple California outlets is focused on the practical question of when the systems can actually be installed and connected, as regulations and implementation details are still being worked out following the bill's passage.
- 21Quality flaws lift solar system power costs 20%, report finds▼HelioVolta report: Quality issues raise solar system’s LCOE by 20%
A new report from solar inspection firm HelioVolta finds that quality issues in installed solar systems raise their levelized cost of energy by about 20%. The findings point to defects in workmanship and components undercutting expected savings, prompting discussion among solar developers, installers and asset owners about inspection standards and long-term project economics.
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California has approved the use of plug-in solar panels that residents can install on balconies and in yards, opening up small-scale solar power to renters and people without rooftop access. The decision makes it easier for households to generate their own electricity with simple, portable panels that plug directly into a standard outlet.
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Battery storage was paired with 37% of new residential solar installations in the United States in 2025, according to industry reporting. The figure highlights how homeowners increasingly add batteries alongside panels, driven by outage concerns, time-of-use rates and changing incentive structures. The share underscores storage's shift from niche add-on to standard component of the US home solar market.
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Solar Power World argues that reliability compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation should be built into solar projects from the earliest design stage rather than addressed after construction. Planning for NERC requirements upfront, the outlet says, helps developers avoid costly retrofits and grid-interconnection delays as large solar installations increasingly fall under federal reliability rules.
- 25Utility-Scale Solar Boom Expected to Expand THHN Cable Market Through 2035▼Thhn Solar Cable Market To 2035: Utility-Scale Solar Boom Fuels Expansion - News and Statistics
A new market report projects growth in the THHN solar cable market through 2035, driven by the rapid buildout of utility-scale solar farms. THHN wiring, a standard building wire increasingly used in solar installations, is expected to see rising demand as utilities and developers add large-scale photovoltaic capacity worldwide. The outlook ties cable market expansion directly to solar energy investment trends over the next decade.
- 26US solar leases still beat utility rates after credit loss●US homeowners lost the 30% solar credit, but leases and PPAs still undercut utility rates
US homeowners no longer qualify for the 30% federal solar tax credit, raising the cost of buying panels outright. Industry commentary argues that third-party solar leases and power purchase agreements remain financially attractive, since monthly payments can still come in below standard utility electricity rates, keeping solar accessible without upfront ownership costs.