Safetian Resumes Production, Restoring Supply of Photovoltaic Cell Products

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%.