News

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.

[smm silicon-based pv morning meeting summary: upstream silicon market prices mostly stable over the weekend downstream module quotes show an upward trend] over the weekend, n-type recharging polysilicon quotes were 48-56 yuan/kg, the n-type polysilicon price index was 51.4 yuan/kg, and granular polysilicon quotes were 49-51 yuan/kg. polysilicon prices remained temporarily stable over the weekend. previously, the market sentiment was bearish, with limited transactions this weekend. the market is focusing on order signing conditions in early march, as well as the trend of silver prices amid international situations.

A new Greek law establishes a 130 MW agrivoltaics target, capped at 10 MW across 13 prefectures. Exclusively for farmers, the scheme allows up to two 200 kW systems per person. Installations must be at least 2.1 meters high on farmland or greenhouse roofs, and can include 1-hour battery storage (non-grid charging). Applications open the first 10 days of each month on a first-come basis. Approved projects will secure fixed-tariff contracts, with specific rates pending government announcement.

French energy giant Engie recently announced it will fully acquire the UK's largest distribution network operator, UK Power Networks (UKPN), for an equity consideration of approximately £10.5 billion (around $14.2 billion). This transaction marks the strategic exit of the original controlling shareholder, the consortium led by Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Group, after holding the asset for 16 years.

In recent years, the PV industry has entered a period of deep adjustment, with module prices continuing to decline, and both upstream and downstream segments of the industry chain facing severe profit compression. Driven by the imperative of "extreme cost reduction," PV glass, a key auxiliary material for PV modules, has imposed increasingly stringent requirements on the cost and quality of upstream raw materials.

Pakistan has officially transitioned to a net billing regime for solar, slashing the export rate for excess power from PKR 26 ($0.093) to PKR 13 per kWh. However, a controversial attempt by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to apply these lower rates retroactively to existing net metering contract holders was quashed following intervention by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Responding to public backlash, the Prime Minister ordered that existing agreements be honored, prompting Nepra to issue a draft amendment ensuring current users retain their original tariffs until their contracts expire.

On 25 February 2026, Safetian announced the resumption of production at its holding company, having received notification from Anhui Meidalun that operations would formally restart in the coming days. The successful restart of production lines will steadily restore normal supply of the company's photovoltaic cell products, further enhancing production line stability and operational efficiency.

Recently, the European Commission has approved a €400 million state aid scheme for Greece aimed at supporting the country's clean technology manufacturing sector. The scheme aligns with the Net Zero Industrial Act (NZIA) and has been authorised under the Clean Industries Agreement State Aid Framework (CISAF). It will promote domestic manufacturing of technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, electrolysers, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) through direct grants and tax incentives.

Thin-film leader First Solar has signed a non-exclusive patent licensing agreement with UK-based Oxford PV to develop and manufacture perovskite-based solar products for the US market. Covering utility, commercial, and residential sectors, the deal allows First Solar to integrate advanced perovskite semiconductors into its next-generation modules while excluding crystalline silicon tech. CEO Mark Widmar noted the move aligns with their long-term goal of market-wide commercialization, supported by an R&D infrastructure in Ohio and a target to reach 18 GW of US annual manufacturing capacity by 2027.

On February 3, 2026, the United States and India formally signed a bilateral trade agreement, reaching a significant consensus on tariff arrangements for Indian goods exported to the US market. Under the terms of the agreement, the reciprocal tariff rate applicable to Indian goods (including solar modules and energy storage components) was reduced from 25% to 18%.

On 24 February local time, the US Department of Commerce announced preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) rates on imports of photovoltaic products from India, Indonesia and Laos: India's subsidy rate stands at 125.87%, Indonesia's at 104.38% and Laos' at 80.67%. Following the preliminary CVD ruling, the industry awaits the anticipated preliminary AD ruling around 21 April, with the final AD/CVD determination expected on 3 September 2026. Customs will only commence collecting definitive duties after the ITC issues its final decision on 19 October.

On February 24 local time, the US Department of Commerce announced preliminary CVD rates for PV product imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos: India’s subsidy rate is generally 125.87%, Indonesia’s is 104.38%, and Laos’ is 80.67%. Following the preliminary CVD ruling, the industry is awaiting the preliminary AD ruling expected around April 21, with the final AD/CVD ruling anticipated to be announced on September 3, 2026. Customs will only begin collecting final tariff duties after the ITC makes its final decision on October 19.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Conference Summary] Silicon Metal: Post-Chinese New Year, the market exhibited strong wait-and-see sentiment, with silicon enterprise offers remaining basically stable compared to pre-holiday levels. Yesterday, SMM assessed oxygen-blown #553 silicon in east China at 9,200-9,400 yuan/mt and #441 silicon at 9,300-9,600 yuan/mt. The most-traded futures contract fluctuated near 8,350-8,450 yuan/mt, while some futures-spot traders saw their spot-futures price spread quotes strengthen slightly. On the first trading day after the holiday, market activity was dominated by inquiries, with limited spot transaction volumes. Silicone: Yesterday's transaction price stood at 13,800-14,000 yuan/mt, holding steady from pre-holiday levels. During the Chinese New Year holiday, demand remained stagnant. Post-holiday, as downstream plants resumed operations and the first wave of rigid restocking demand gradually emerged, coupled with low operating rates on the supply side and the upcoming silicone monomer industry conference in Zhejiang from late February to early March, silicone prices are still expected to rise.