India’s Union Budget 2026–27 removes customs duty on solar glass inputs, lithium battery cell machinery, and critical minerals processing equipment
India’s Union Budget 2026–27 extends basic customs duty (BCD) exemptions on the import of capital goods used for lithium-ion cell production for battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as capital goods required for processing critical minerals. It also removes the 7.5% BCD on sodium antimonate used in solar glass manufacturing.
Study finds much lower-than-expected degradation in 1980s and 1990s solar modules
Researchers at SUPSI found that six Swiss PV systems installed in the late 1980s and early 1990s show exceptionally low degradation rates of just 0.16% to 0.24% per year after more than 30 years of operation. The study shows that thermal stress, ventilation, and material design play a greater role in long-term module reliability than altitude or irradiance alone.
TOPCon cell prices rise for fourth week amid elevated silver costs and export rebate uncertainty
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
SAEL Group solar SPVs assigned higher ratings by Crisil
Crisil Ratings has assigned higher ratings to five special purpose vehicles (SPVs) of SAEL Industries Ltd, citing revenue stability, adequate debt coverage metrics, and execution capabilities across SAEL’s solar power generation and PV module manufacturing operations.
Chinese startup claims record-breaking 27.87% efficiency for single-junction perovskite solar cell
Shenzhen-based SolaEon has reported a 27.87% efficiency for a single-junction perovskite solar cell on a 0.076 cm² lab device, certified by China’s National Photovoltaic Industry Metrology and Testing Center.
Analysts warn of possible, sudden silver price fall
pv magazine has spoken with silver analysts from Bloomberg and StoneX about the vertiginous growth of silver prices in recent weeks. They both agree that when prices rise too fast, investors’ behavior may change quickly. Meanwhile, the price of the precious metal has reached another all-time high today at $110 per ounce.
India requires $145 billion in annual energy investment to bridge growth and climate targets
India must mobilise around $145 billion in annual energy investment to sustain economic growth while pushing its net-zero ambitions. The bulk of this capital will be directed toward scaling up renewable power generation, grid infrastructure modernization, and energy storage, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Renewable energy industry’s key expectations from Union Budget 2026
The upcoming budget must prioritize in-house technology and equipment development, provide clarity on delayed power purchase agreements (PPAs) and power sale agreements (PSAs), increase budgetary allocation and policy support for Green Energy Corridors, introduce production-linked incentives for battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing, establish an Approved List of BESS Integrators (ALBI), lower the cost of capital through priority sector lending, extend ALMM for solar cells, and continue the ISTS waiver, among other measures.
China TOPCon solar module prices climb over 30% since mid-December
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
China PV module prices expected to hit $0.12/W in H2
China’s PV module prices are expected to hover around $0.12/W in the second half of 2026 as the removal of export VAT rebates, front-loaded demand, and persistent oversupply keep market sentiment volatile.
