1. China Datang brings online 500 MW solar farm for direct data center supply
China Datang Corporation has brought into operation a 500 MW photovoltaic power station in Zhongwei, directly supplying power to a data center cluster. This is the first large-scale "computing–electricity synergy" green power project in China. The first phase has a total installed capacity of 2 GW, including 1.5 GW of wind power and energy storage. The solar farm generates approximately 970 GWh annually, meeting about 50% of the electricity demand of the Zhongwei Cloud Base. The project uses a dual model of four 110 kV dedicated lines for direct supply combined with market trading, aiming to provide low-carbon, low-cost electricity for data centers in the western region. This model is part of the national "East Data, West Computing" strategy.
2. The best performing utility-scale PV asset in Australia
Rystad Energy data shows that in April, all large-scale photovoltaic power plants in Australia generated 1,730 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 21%. The 204 MW Edenvale solar plant in Queensland became the best-performing utility-scale PV asset with an average capacity factor of 33.1%, followed by Metka's 82 MW Moura plant. Overall, wind and solar generation in Queensland reached 1,256 GWh, the highest among all states.
3. French IPP building mini solar farms via low-voltage extension
French independent power producer Solvéo Energies is expanding its Bélesta-en-Lauragais photovoltaic plant to 3 MW, with the newly added 300 kW unit adopting a distributed design of "mini solar farms" directly connected to the grid at low voltage. This model allows for separate metering and power sales without modifying the existing electrical configuration, and can be operational within 18–24 months. Projects below 300 kW are exempt from environmental impact assessment, while those between 300 kW and 1 MW require only a simplified regional review. Although initial costs are slightly higher, it shortens approval and grid connection times and reduces land use. This model is designed for land that traditional developers consider unsuitable.
4. Madagascar plans 46 solar projects totaling 932 MW
Madagascar's state power company Jirama and the Rural Electrification Development Agency have signed memoranda of understanding for 46 solar projects with a total capacity of 932 MW. Jirama signed 55 projects (526 MW) and ADER signed 406.72 MW. The country currently operates approximately 592.4 MW of solar power, with hydropower dominating. The new policy aims to increase the share of renewable energy from 45% to 80–85% by 2030 and raise the electrification rate from 36% to 80%.
5. Solar on canals reduces water evaporation by 70% and algae growth by 85%
A Nexus demonstration project in California installed 1.6 MW of solar panels over irrigation canals. Data from one irrigation season shows a 50–70% reduction in water evaporation and an 85% reduction in algae growth. This model achieves the dual benefits of clean power generation and water conservation, making it particularly suitable for agricultural regions. A University of California study estimates that covering approximately 4,000 km of canals could save 6.3 billion gallons of water annually. The project is also testing various structural configurations and an iron-flow battery energy storage system.
6. IFC, Norfund back 315 solar hybrid minigrids in Nigeria
The International Finance Corporation and Norway's Norfund are providing up to US$83.2 million in financing to support five renewable energy service companies in Nigeria to build 315 solar hybrid minigrids, expected to add 494,189 new electricity connections. Nigeria currently has more than 85 million people without access to electricity. The project aims to expand reliable power supply, reduce energy costs, and promote local economies. Previous data from the Africa Solar Industry Association shows that Nigeria has over 4.8 GW of operational solar power.
7. Pumped storage project advances at 1.35 GW hydropower plant in India
GE Vernova has received an order from Megha Engineering to supply nine 150 MW pumped storage units for the 1.35 GW Upper Sileru hydropower plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, with a total capacity of 1.35 GW. The project is expected to be completed by 2030 and will become one of the largest pumped storage stations in India. The project provides long-duration energy storage, supporting wind and solar grid integration, frequency regulation, and grid stability, with annual generation sufficient to meet the electricity needs of about 3 million Indian households. This is GE Vernova's second pumped storage cooperation with MEIL, and global pumped storage installed capacity accounts for approximately 30%.
8. Western Australia backs grid buildout ahead of coal exit
The Government of Western Australia plans to establish a 1.4 billion Australian dollar clean energy fund to support transmission and grid projects, preparing for the retirement of coal-fired power plants before 2030. The fund will focus on developing the Clean Energy Link Eastern and Northern Projects. The Eastern Link will deliver reliable clean power to Perth and the southwest region, meeting the electricity demand of around one million households. The Northern Link is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The two projects will jointly transmit 3 GW of renewable energy and generate approximately 800 local jobs during construction. Previously, the state government has invested 1.6 billion Australian dollars in grid upgrades.
9. Rooftop solar surges to new high in Australia on back of battery boom
Australia added 442 MW of new residential rooftop solar in April, a record high for a single month and a 31% increase month-on-month. The main driver was the adjustment in subsidy rules under the federal government's "Cheaper Home Battery Plan" (from 1 May, the subsidy ratio for large-capacity batteries was reduced), triggering a rush among households to install 40–50 kWh large-capacity batteries and matching high-power PV systems. The average size of new systems nationwide rose to 11.35 kW. The plan has supported the installation of more than 350,000 small-scale battery storage systems over the past ten months.
10. France publishes specifications for 925 MW ground-mounted solar tender
France's Energy Regulatory Commission has published the tender rules for the ninth PPE2 ground-mounted PV tender, with a total capacity of 925 MW, targeting projects above 500 kW (including agrivoltaics), of which 200 MW are reserved for sites below 5 MW located more than 500 metres from other projects. The bidding period is from 20 to 30 July 2026. Supply chain requirements: PV modules must not be assembled in third countries dominated by non-EU countries, and at least four out of eight key components (inverters, cells, modules, etc.) must not come from such countries. Price is the priority criterion; in the event of a tie, the smaller capacity project wins.
11. Indonesia tenders 1.2 GW of solar
Indonesian state power company PLN has launched a tender for 1,225 MW of PV projects under "Mentari Nusantara I", distributed across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua, with commercial operations targeted for 2029. The tender uses a "Giga One" integrated procurement model, bundling multiple projects to achieve economies of scale. This model will also be used for hydropower, wind power, and energy storage projects in the future. Indonesia's solar installed capacity surpassed 1.49 GW last year, with a government target of 100 GW. The bid submission deadline has not yet been announced.
12. EU solar and storage push could cut power system costs by nearly half
A scenario analysis jointly released by SolarPower Europe and Rystad Energy shows that if PV and battery energy storage are accelerated, EU solar installed capacity could reach 732 GW and energy storage 600 GWh by 2030. Power system operating costs would fall by 49% compared to 2025, saving €55 billion annually; wholesale electricity prices would fall by an average of 14% to €63.4/MWh; and price volatility would be reduced by 42%. Combining solar and storage could increase capture prices by 73%. Cumulative natural gas import costs saved from 2026 to 2030 would reach €223 billion. The EU is currently facing structural obstacles such as grid bottlenecks and insufficient manufacturing capacity.
13. Solex Energy plans 5 GW solar cell factory in India
Indian PV manufacturer Solex Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Gujarat to invest approximately US$420 million to build a 5 GW solar cell factory and a 10 GW battery energy storage system factory in the state. The cell factory will be built in two phases (2 GW + 3 GW). The company is also collaborating with Germany's ISC Konstanz to develop high-efficiency TOPCon and back-contact tandem technologies, with plans to mass-produce modules achieving 24.6% efficiency and 665 W output in fiscal year 2027. The company aims to reach 10 GW of module capacity and 10 GW of cell capacity by 2030.
14. Brazil revokes 3.57 GW of solar permits amid grid connection constraints
Brazil's National Electric Energy Agency has revoked 3.57 GW of PV project permits due to insufficient grid connection capacity and curtailment. Companies including Auren, Solatio, and Enel Green Power have abandoned projects, with Piauí state (1,747 MW) and Minas Gerais state (1,265 MW) accounting for the majority. Solar still leads Brazil's utility-scale project pipeline with 79 GW.
15. Angola switches on Africa’s largest off-grid solar-plus-storage park
Portugal's MCA Group has brought into operation a 31.85 MW off-grid photovoltaic plant with 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage in the Lobito Corridor in eastern Angola, becoming Africa's largest off-grid solar-plus-storage project. It can supply power to more than 90,000 people without relying on any fossil fuels. The project was developed by Angola's state-owned power company PRODEL, with an investment of approximately US$102 million, and is part of Angola's rural electrification programme, which will be followed by the construction of 46 solar microgrids.
16. There are now more than 2 million UK solar installations
As of the end of March 2026, the UK's solar installed capacity reached 22.1 GW, and the cumulative number of PV installations exceeded 2 million. In March alone, 27,607 systems were installed, the highest since 2012. The government has a target of 45 GW by 2030 and has invested £15 billion to support household installations.
17. Argentine football turns to photovoltaics
Argentine football clubs River Plate and Vélez Sarsfield are advancing stadium PV projects to reduce operating costs. Vélez is installing a 120 kW system. River Plate plans to install facilities on the roof of its expanded Monumental Stadium, generating 6,500–7,000 MWh per year, meeting 70% of its electricity demand. The project will be privately financed with no cost to the club, with a construction period of approximately 36 months and a total investment of over US$100 million.
18. South Korean utility to install 95 MW of solar at substations by 2030
Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to install 95 MW of solar power on idle land at approximately 500 substations nationwide by 2030, starting with a 1 MW pilot this year. The project aims to help public institutions achieve the K-RE100 target (60% renewable energy by 2030), while converting green belts around substations into PV facilities can also help prevent the spread of wildfires. South Korea added more than 3.1 GW of new solar capacity in 2024.
19. Iberdrola advances pumped-storage hydro station in Spain
Spain's Iberdrola is upgrading the Valdecañas pumped-storage hydropower plant, adding 355 MW of power and 210 GWh of energy storage, along with a 15 MW/7.5 MWh hybrid battery. The plant connects two large reservoirs to form a giant hydro battery, which can absorb surplus wind and solar power and release it when demand arises. Iberdrola has deployed more than 4.2 GW of pumped storage in Spain.
20. Negative electricity prices in France hit a new record
In April, negative electricity prices swept across the French market, with 90% of day-ahead markets seeing zero or negative prices, reaching a low of -€479/MWh, and hitting -€498 in early May. Surging PV generation (6 GW added in 2025) and reduced flexibility of nuclear power (adjustable output of 28 GW) are the main causes. The situation in the Middle East has pushed up gas power prices during morning and evening peak hours, with intraday price differences reaching 3.5 times the average.
21. SEG Solar to expand U.S. manufacturing with 4 GW solar module plant
SEG Solar is investing over US$200 million to build a 4 GW module factory in Houston, which will begin operation in the third quarter of 2026, bringing its total U.S. production capacity to 6 GW. The company has obtained FEOC compliance certification and is also building a 5 GW silicon rod/wafer factory in Indonesia to achieve vertical integration. Texas' module capacity is expected to exceed 15 GW in 2026.
22. Bhutan tenders solar projects for healthcare facilities
Bhutan has tendered for the installation of 12.1 MW of rooftop PV at 73 public healthcare institutions, divided into four groups (3 MW each), under a BOO model with a 25-year concession period. The project is supported by green financing (developers contribute 15% equity). The deadline for the first expression of interest is 29 May. Bhutan's cumulative PV installed capacity reached 21 MW in 2025, with targets of 1 GW by 2030 and 5 GW by 2040.
23. Palestine launches program for local authority solar projects
The Palestine Monetary Authority has launched the Shamsi Palestine initiative in partnership with Austria, Finland and Norway, securing financing of 25 million US dollars, of which Palestine contributes 20 million. It supports local authorities in developing photovoltaic projects through a mix of loans and grants, with a maximum repayment period of 7 years. The program aims to strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on energy imports and lower electricity costs.
By the end of 2025, Palestine’s cumulative installed solar power capacity reached 308 MW.