[SMM PV News] Iraq Cuts Solar Customs Duties to 5% to Spur Adoption

The European Commission's newly drafted Industrial Acceleration Act (IAA) requires publicly subsidized clean energy projects to use EU-manufactured components. Photovoltaic projects must integrate EU-made inverters and solar cells within 3 years, a transition period praised by some for balancing reshoring but criticized by others as too slow to counter Chinese competition. Besides, BESS over 1 MWh face an aggressive timeline requiring EU-made battery management systems within 1 year and EU cells within three, which industry experts warn could stall storage rollouts. Additionally, the Act enforces strict barriers on strategic investments over €100 million from nations that 'control more than 40% of global capacity,' mandating technology transfers and capping foreign equity ownership at 49%.

Brazil's 439 MW Bom Jardim solar complex in Ceará has begun testing four of its 10 plants. Backed by a BRL 2.13 billion ($407 million) investment and qualifying for REIDI tax incentives, the 706-unit project targets full commercial operation by December 2027. Generated power will be routed via an 8 km transmission line to the 230 kV Icó Substation, with the development expected to create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Japan installed an estimated 5.8 to 6 GW of solar in 2025, pushing its cumulative capacity past 100 GW. According to RTS Corp, growth was driven by C&I power purchase agreements and new-build rooftop solar mandates in Tokyo and Kawasaki. Installations in 2026 are expected to remain steady, with a potential market rush before FiT/FiP subsidies for >10 kW systems end in FY2027. Long-term, Japan aims for solar to be its largest power source by 2040 (targeting up to 280 GW) and is actively subsidizing perovskite technology to hit a 20 GW target.