During the period from September 18th to 24th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. California risks losing major virtual power plant program as funds dry up
California's flagship Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program faces the risk of shutdown due to depleted funds. The program, namely the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) plan, was established in response to the grid crises in 2020 and 2022 and includes one of the world's largest VPPs, helping the grid smoothly weather four heatwaves in the summer of 2024. Affected by a $12 billion budget shortfall, its funding has been cut and is expected to run out by the end of the year. It requires $75 million to sustain operations until 2026, but the state government has not yet finalized a funding decision.
2. Australia rooftop solar hits 26.8 GW as home battery uptake surges
As of June 2025, Australia's total rooftop solar PV capacity reached 26.8 GW, covering 4.2 million users. Additions in the first half of the year reached 1.1 GW; although this represents a year-on-year decrease, it still exceeds the projected pace needed to meet the 2030 target. Meanwhile, home battery installations surged by 191% to 85,000 units, with the accelerated adoption of energy storage supporting the energy transition.
3. Colombia to replace subsidies with solar for 1 million low-income households
The Colombian government has launched a new plan to install solar PV systems for over 1 million low-income households, gradually replacing electricity subsidies. This move aims to reduce user costs, enhance energy independence, and add clean energy capacity to the grid. The government plans to shift ongoing subsidy expenditures into permanent solar investment, aiding the national clean energy goals.
4. Malaysian utility plans solar expansion
Malaysian utility Sarawak Energy plans to vigorously expand its solar energy capacity, including developing ground-mounted and floating PV projects. Simultaneously, the company is conducting feasibility studies for pumped storage at three locations to enhance grid stability and promote regional energy trade, contributing to achieving the state's target of 10 GW installed capacity by 2030.
5. California now hosting canal top solar-plus-storage plant
California's 1.6 MW "Nexus" canal-top solar pilot project has been completed and put into operation, paired with a 75 kW iron-based flow battery energy storage system. Funded with $20 million from the state government, the project aims to validate the combined benefits of such technology in water conservation (reducing evaporation), power generation, and improving water quality, providing a new energy solution for agricultural areas.
6. Ukrainian hospital receives solar-plus-storage system
A hospital in Slobozhanske, northeastern Ukraine, near the front lines, has activated a solar-plus-storage system. The area often experiences power outages exceeding 18 hours due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The system, donated by the charity RePower Ukraine in collaboration with a British company, includes 84 solar panels and 36 kWh of storage capacity, ensuring power supply for the hospital's critical systems. The hospital serves 50,000 patients annually. This is the 11th such project completed by the organization.
7. Saudi Arabia launches 3.1 GW solar tender
Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has launched the seventh round of bidding under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), issuing a request for qualifications for 3.1 GW of solar projects covering four initiatives. The projects are located in Hima, Al-Jouf Province (1.4 GW), Bisha, Aseer Province (600 MW), Medina (500 MW), and Mawaq, Hail Province (600 MW). Developers are required to proceed under a build-own-operate model. Prequalification must be completed by September 29. This round of bidding supports Saudi Arabia's 2030 energy transition goals.
8. Micronesia runs solar minigrid tender
The Pacific Community (SPC) has initiated a tender for hybrid solar minigrids in the Federated States of Micronesia, seeking engineering, procurement, and construction services for three villages in the Faif Islands, including the supply of low-voltage distribution network materials and training. Located in Chuuk State, which has an electrification rate of only 35%, the three villages will install rooftop, shed-top solar, and storage systems, among others. The tender falls under an EU-funded project. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for October 1, with applications due by October 27, and a contract is planned to be awarded before the end of the year. The country's solar capacity has remained at 5 MW since 2018.
9. Germany adds 1.95 GW of new solar in August
Data from the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) shows that 1.95 GW of new solar PV capacity was added in August, bringing the total for the first eight months of the year to 10.8 GW. By the end of August, the nation's cumulative installed capacity reached approximately 111 GW. The monthly addition far exceeded the average monthly pace required to meet the 2030 target, with over half coming from open-space projects, significantly surpassing the planned proportion of 50%.
10. QatarEnergy selects Samsung C&T for 2 GW solar project
QatarEnergy has selected Samsung C&T to build the country's largest solar project, the 2 GW Al-Duhail project. The project will be developed in two phases, with the first 1 GW phase planned to be operational by the end of 2028. Upon completion, Qatar's total solar PV capacity will increase significantly, helping to achieve the 2030 target of 4 GW of renewable energy and reducing emissions by approximately 4.7 million tons annually.
11. Flanders reaches 81% digital meter adoption among solar homes
According to the grid operator Fluvius in the Flemish Region of Belgium, 81% of household solar PV system owners in the region have already installed digital meters. The remaining 157,000 households must complete mandatory replacement by the end of 2025, with approximately 88,000 households still eligible to apply for subsidies of €1,000 to €2,000. This move addresses grid pressure from PV, heat pumps, etc. The region terminated new PV subsidies in 2024. Belgium is projected to reach 33.6 GW of solar PV capacity by 2035.
12. Czech electricity distributor connects 253 MW of solar in H1
Czechia's largest electricity distributor, ČEZ Distribuce, connected 253.1 MW of solar capacity in the first half of this year, involving 9,084 power plants. Among these, 86% were equipped with energy storage systems (100.8 MW / 120 MWh), and 72% were micro-sources of 10 kW or less. Central Bohemian Region had the highest number of plants (2,601), while Ústí nad Labem Region added the most capacity (52 MW). The company plans to invest $934 million in grid upgrades. Czechia added a total of 357 MW of new PV capacity in the first half of the year, with total installed capacity exceeding 4.8 GW.
13. South Africa deploys 928 MW of solar in Q1
Data from the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) shows that South Africa added 928 MW of new solar PV capacity in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 9.46 GW. The current project pipeline exceeds 10 GW, including 1.29 GW of newly approved projects from the seventh round of renewable energy bidding. The government plans to add at least 3 GW of renewable energy annually to accelerate the energy transition.
14. China completes 1 GW solar-wind-storage complex in Qinghai desert
China's CRRC Group has completed a 1 GW integrated solar-wind-storage complex in the Delingha desert in Qinghai Province. The project includes 700 MW of solar PV, 300 MW of wind power, and 100 MW / 400 MWh of energy storage. Utilizing Trina Solar's TOPCon modules, the project represents a total investment of 3.5 billion yuan and was connected to the grid in May 2025. It can effectively stabilize the output of renewable energy.
15. Electricity prices increase across major European markets
Analysis from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting shows that electricity prices rose in most major European markets in the second week of September, with increases in Belgium, France, Germany, and others, while prices fell in the UK and Nordic markets. Prices in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands exceeded €75/MWh, with France having the lowest price at €26.36/MWh. This round of price increases was due to rising natural gas prices, carbon prices, and increased demand in some markets, with reduced solar output in France, Germany, and Italy also being a factor. Spain and Portugal set new September records for daily solar power generation. Prices in many markets are expected to decrease this week.