[SMM PV News] New Time Unveils 4-Year Roadmap for Perovskite Production in Italy

Maxeon Solar Technologies has filed for voluntary judicial management in Singapore to seek an arrangement with creditors and avoid liquidation. The decision follows two years of financial struggles triggered by the continued detention of its modules by 'US' Customs and Border Protection ('CBP') and recent legal actions seeking over $70 million in damages. After 'CBP' detained its Mexico-made products in 2024 and its former parent SunPower filed for bankruptcy, Maxeon pivoted its focus entirely to the 'US' market. In February 2026, the company abandoned its planned $1.9 billion facility in New Mexico in favor of using third-party 'US' manufacturers. An initial hearing is set for April 9.

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.

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.