[SMM PV News] France Unveils 2026 Solar Auction Calendar and New Supply Rules

Neoen has announced two new battery energy storage system ('BESS') projects during the Franco-Japanese Economic Forum. In France, it will build a 248 MW/496 MWh facility, set to be the country's largest battery and the first connected to the 400 kV network, utilizing units from Japan's Nidec. In Japan, Neoen is making its first local investment with the 100 MW/400 MWh Ako Battery in Hyogo prefecture, partnering with Equans and Toho. Both projects target a 2028 commissioning as Neoen advances its goal to add 10 GW of global capacity by 2030.

Italy's New Time has outlined a four-year roadmap to industrialize perovskite PV production in the Emilia-Romagna region. Developed in collaboration with researchers from Italy and the Netherlands, the strategy targets formulation optimization in year one, small-scale certification production in year two, pilot-scale development in year three, and full-scale manufacturing by the fourth year. The initiative will utilize existing industrial facilities and is internally funded through reinvested company profits. By streamlining production processes, New Time aims to make perovskite modules cost-competitive with existing PV technologies while driving gains in performance and efficiency.

The Zambian government has launched the Carbon Feed-In Premium Program ('CFIP') to procure 300 MW of new grid-connected solar capacity. The initiative is open to independent power producers and national utility ZESCO. Eligible solar projects must have a capacity between 30 MW and 100 MW and include an on-site battery energy storage system with at least 30 minutes of capacity. ZESCO will act as the primary offtaker. Funded through a bilateral agreement, Norway will pay for the verified emissions reductions generated by the projects. Expressions of interest are due by May 31.