[SMM PV News] US Energy Storage Hit by Policy Shifts

Eastman Auto & Power has opened an 800 MW solar module manufacturing facility in Sonipat, Haryana, advancing its 'Make in India' footprint. The plant supports the company's strategy to provide integrated solar solutions, combining its newly manufactured PV modules with its existing portfolio of grid-tie, off-grid, and hybrid inverters, as well as energy storage batteries. By complying with domestic content requirement (DCR) rules and MNRE standards, the locally produced modules are eligible for government-supported programs, including the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to accelerate residential rooftop solar deployments across the country.

European solar auctions and corporate PPAs added 92 GW of new capacity between 2022 and 2025, according to SolarPower Europe. After earlier struggles, auction-driven deployment rebounded to a record 25.2 GW in 2025, a 23% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, corporate PPAs saw mixed results across the continent—dropping 56% in Germany but remaining strong in Spain, Italy, and Poland. Despite utility-scale growth, total EU solar installations in 2025 experienced a slight 0.7% decline to 65.1 GW. This marks the first annual drop since 2016, driven primarily by softened residential demand. With total capacity now at 406 GW, industry reports warn that reaching the bloc's 750 GW target by 2030 will require renewed policy support to address 'persistent inefficiencies' in auction designs.