【SMM Flash News】First Solar Licenses Oxford PV’s Perovskite Tech to Expand US Footprint

CHN Energy has fully commissioned its 4 GW Lingwu PV project in Ningxia, following the grid connection of its Phase II 2 GW section. Part of a massive 6 GW mining-subsidence base, the site will deliver 10.8 TWh annually to the east via the 800 kV Ningxia-Zhejiang UHVDC line. The project pioneers a 'solar-coal-storage-hydrogen' model, bundling PV with existing thermal assets and a 400 MW/800 MWh grid-forming storage system to smooth variability. By repurposing degraded coal lands, integrating 'PV + ecology' for vegetation recovery, and sharing an existing 750 kV coal plant substation, the base sets a benchmark for land reuse and long-distance clean energy transmission in western China.

France's grid operator RTE reported a near doubling of renewable energy curtailment in 2025 to almost 3 TWh. Driven by expanding capacity and frequent negative wholesale prices, solar and wind generators on 'premium' schemes increasingly reduced output to prevent grid imbalances. While total 2025 generation reached 547.5 TWh (over 95% low-carbon), the surge in curtailment underscores the urgent need for enhanced flexibility solutions like battery energy storage and demand response.

Premier Energies launched India's first zero-busbar (0BB) TOPCon solar cell at Intersolar Gandhinagar. Replacing traditional thick silver busbars with ultra-fine silver lines, the new architecture significantly reduces silver consumption and shading losses while boosting power output, mechanical flexibility, and resistance to micro-cracks. The innovation aligns with the manufacturer's $1.36 billion, three-year expansion plan to double its capacity, integrate backwards into ingot-wafers, and enter the inverter and battery markets.