Silicon Wafer Price Plummet Amid Mounting Inventory Pressure

Waaree Energies has greenlit an INR 39 billion capital expenditure to build a solar glass manufacturing facility with a 2,500 MT per day capacity via its subsidiary, Waaree Green Glass. Additionally, the company's board approved an INR 1.9 billion cash acquisition to increase its equity stake in Waaree Transpower (formerly Kotsons) from 64.04% to 75.10%. Expected to close by June 2026, this move aims to fund capacity expansion for the subsidiary's advanced transformer solutions and further vertically integrate Waaree's supply chain.

South Korea's 'MOIS' has launched a national drive to establish community-owned solar cooperatives, targeting 2,500 'Sunlight Income Villages' by 2030. Under the program, communities will install 300 kW to 1 MW plants on idle land to share revenues among residents. The government is offering long-term, low-interest loans covering up to 85% of costs from a KRW 450 billion renewable energy fund in 2026. To overcome grid bottlenecks, the initiative grants projects priority grid access and 'ESS' installation support, while mandating the use of domestically produced modules and inverters.

Saudi Arabia installed a record-breaking 7.8 GW of solar capacity in 2025, bringing its cumulative solar total to an estimated 12.4 GW. While this cements solar as the nation's dominant renewable source, analysts at 'GlobalData' warn the current growth trajectory falls short of the 130 GW required by the 'Vision 2030' target, which demands over 23 GW of annual additions. To close this gap, experts urge the kingdom to implement standardized 'PPAs', streamline permitting, and heavily invest in grid flexibility and solar-plus-storage. Notably, the Saudi Power Procurement Company recently signed a massive 15 GW renewable energy deal (including 12 GW of solar) to accelerate future deployment.