Google acquires Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion
Google is set to acquire solar and storage developer Intersect Power, arming itself with the tools to bypass grid bottlenecks and build the projects that will power its AI data centers.
China strengthens intellectual property protection in solar industry
Chinese authorities are planning to implement a series of policy measures to introduce stronger intellectual property protection to the country’s photovoltaic sector. Chinese enterprises are being encouraged to accelerate technological advancements and reserve basic patents for developing technologies.
Rising silver prices drive China’s Longi shift to copper-metallized solar cells
China’s Longi says it will begin mass production of base-metal PV modules in the second quarter of 2026 as rising silver prices intensify pressure to reduce metallization costs.
New process achieves 97% silver recovery from end-of-life solar panels
Australian researchers have developed a new separation technique that employs the same crushing and flotation principles used in mineral processing to recover more than 97% of silver from end-of-life solar panels.
UK study finds azimuthal trackers boost floating PV performance
A University of Exeter team has tested single-axis tracking systems for floating solar across 12 UK sites, finding azimuthal tracking delivers the largest energy gains and lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
Huawei, Sungrow lead Wood Mackenzie’s inverter market ranking
Wood Mackenzie’s first-half 2025 solar inverter ranking finds the top 10 leading inverter manufacturers have a 71% global market share.
Battery technology outlook for 2026 sharpens beyond lithium-ion
Longer-duration storage, safety-driven procurement and Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) compliance in the United States are accelerating interest in alternative battery chemistries, even as lithium-ion remains dominant amid rising data center demand and tighter supply chain rules.
JA Solar, Trina Solar tie for top spot in Wood Mackenzie ranking
Wood Mackenzie’s first-half 2025 solar module ranking places JA Solar and Trina Solar jointly at No. 1 and introduces a new “Grade A” benchmark aimed at procurement and project finance decisions.
UK research calls for robust approach to rooftop solar fire safety
Research commissioned by the UK government finds rooftop solar panels can significantly influence fire behavior, particularly when the height gap between modules and the roof surface falls below critical limits.
Silver hits record high of $83.62 an ounce
Silver prices have surged to record levels over the past week, surpassing $80 an ounce after China said it plans to restrict silver exports in 2026.
