solar PV

Social media users are discussing how coal power plant emissions can directly reduce the performance of nearby solar PV systems. Pollution and particulates from coal combustion can block sunlight and settle on panels, lowering their efficiency. The observation has struck a chord with people interested in renewable energy, who are pointing out that fossil fuel generation may undermine clean power even where it sits alongside it.

A new report highlighted by pv magazine finds that high defect rates in solar modules are dragging down performance and energy yield across installations. Defects reduce the output solar farms can deliver, affecting returns for operators and investors. The findings raise concerns about quality control in manufacturing and long-term reliability as solar capacity expands worldwide.

pv magazine USA examines the outlook for a prosperous and enduring solar photovoltaic manufacturing ecosystem in the United States. The discussion comes as domestic solar production expands, with debate over whether federal incentives and private investment can sustain a competitive, self-reliant supply chain against cheaper imported panels.

A new market forecast projects steady expansion of the PET-based photovoltaic backsheets market through 2035, driven by continued growth in global solar capacity additions. Backsheets are a key protective layer in solar modules, and demand is tied directly to how many panels are manufactured and installed worldwide. The outlook reflects expectations that solar installations will keep rising over the next decade.

PV Tech has published a rundown of seven practical lessons aimed at speeding up utility-scale solar installations. The piece draws on project experience to highlight where build timelines stall and what developers, EPC contractors and installers can change to deliver large solar farms more quickly.

Solar and battery storage supported 982,000 jobs across the European Union in 2025, according to figures reported by pv magazine, with photovoltaics alone accounting for 874,000 positions. The numbers underline the scale of employment tied to the EU's clean energy transition, with solar power now a major source of jobs across the bloc.

Industry commentary argues that establishing high-quality solar cell manufacturing facilities inside the United States should be the priority right now, ahead of debates over which cell technology to adopt. The piece, published by pv magazine USA, reflects ongoing discussion in the US solar sector about domestic supply chains and industrial policy.

A user reports setting up old photovoltaic modules on holiday using an adjustable mounting construction from NuaSol, modified so the brackets hold several modules together instead of single panels. The steeper tilt was chosen to improve output. The post drew modest attention among home and garden enthusiasts interested in second-hand solar setups.

Pv magazine is examining how commercial electricity users are turning to onsite solar paired with battery storage to secure reliable power and control energy costs. The coverage highlights that combining generation and storage on-site can reduce exposure to rising utility rates, demand charges and grid outages, offering businesses more predictable energy expenses and greater independence from an increasingly volatile power grid.

DTE Energy has finished construction of a 100MW solar photovoltaic plant in Michigan, adding significant renewable generating capacity to the utility's portfolio. The completion marks another step in DTE's push to expand clean energy resources in the state, though further details on timeline for operation and project partners were not immediately available.

A new market forecast projects steady growth for rooftop mounting clamps and fasteners through 2035, driven by expanding solar PV installations on residential and commercial rooftops. As global solar deployment accelerates, demand for the hardware that secures panels to roofs is expected to rise in step, with the report offering projections and statistics for manufacturers and industry watchers.

Italian utility Enel has finalised the acquisition of a 270MW portfolio of solar PV projects in the United States, according to PV Tech. The deal strengthens Enel's renewable energy presence in the US market, where demand for large-scale solar capacity continues to grow.

Solar industry publication pv magazine USA has published its weekly roundup of solar news, gathering the key solar energy stories from the past week that readers may have missed. The roundup comes as solar power continues to attract strong attention from industry watchers, policymakers and consumers following rapid growth in installations and ongoing policy debates in the United States.

A new market forecast projects steady growth for the ground-mounted solar PV module market through 2035, driven mainly by rising utility-scale demand. The report points to large solar farms, rather than rooftop installations, as the key engine of expansion, reflecting continued investment in renewable energy capacity worldwide.

US renewable energy companies Maxwell, CleanChoice Energy and Lydian have received investments totalling US$1.3 billion, according to PV Tech's finance round-up. The figures highlight continued investor interest in the American solar and clean energy sector, with the capital expected to support project development and company expansion. Further breakdowns of each investment were not immediately detailed.

Clean Capital's community solar model is being highlighted alongside pv magazine's October 2026 events lineup. Community solar lets households and businesses subscribe to shares of a local solar project and receive credits on their electricity bills, expanding access to renewable energy without rooftop installation. Industry watchers are following how such business models develop as solar markets mature.

Alight has acquired a 2GW pipeline of solar PV and energy storage projects in Sweden from Soltech. The deal adds significant development capacity to Alight's Nordic portfolio as demand for large-scale solar and flexibility assets grows across the region. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed in the initial coverage.

An Italian startup has presented a prototype of a double-layer photovoltaic system aimed at installations where roof or ground space is limited. The design stacks two PV layers to generate more power from a constrained area. The announcement was reported by pv magazine Global, and details on the technology, efficiency gains and commercialization timeline have not yet been made public.

Germany is projected to accumulate around 600,000 tonnes of discarded solar photovoltaic panels by 2030, as the first big wave of installations from the 2000s and 2010s reaches the end of its lifespan. The figure is drawing attention to whether the country's recycling infrastructure and waste rules are ready to handle the coming volume of end-of-life panels.

Trade publication PV Tech has rounded up the week's top solar manufacturing news, reporting that United States policy measures are driving activity in the domestic solar industry. It also covers a lawsuit filed by Linton against Chinese crystal-growing equipment maker Jingsheng, a case being followed across the solar supply chain.