News & Exhibition

Operators of solar power generation facilities expose themselves to financial risk from the effects of hailstorms, snow and typhoons, according to the latest report from climate insurance provider kWh Analytics.   Details of such risks are examined in kWh Analytics’ Resilient Power Report 2026. The report follows the publication of its annual Solar Risk Assessment paper in May 2026, which highlighted the impact of hail and fire on PV installations, and considered the effects of tracker drift and module twisting on a facility’s performance.   Hail risk is a topic of the Resilient Power Report, which describes the advantages gained when modules are effectively stowed ahead of hailstorms. A paper from Ross Huiman of Clearway and Andrew Griffiths of Nextpower describes how a utility-scale solar park in the heart of ‘hail alley’ in Lubbock, Texas, lost less than 0.018% of its modules thanks to automated stow orders sent to the facility ahead of a forecast hailstorm.   Nextpower trackers were installed at the project, and the authors described how modules were stowed to 60 degrees automatically prior to the hailstorm, and remained in the stowed position for three hours during the storm.   This meant that fewer than 200 modules were damaged across the two project sites, and the authors wrote that, when Clearway personnel attended on-site after the event, they found nearby service vehicles extensively damaged by hail, “including broken windows and battered hoods and car roofs, yet made zero insurance claims associated with the solar array.”   Heavy snowfall was another key challenge identified. In winters where heavy snow and prolonged cold periods are forecast, PV sites with remote-controllable trackers have an advantage, report author Matthew Messer of Madison Energy Infrastructure notes.   Snow stow commands can be issued before snowfall to position modules at steep angles. This meant that after storm Fern, which moved across the eastern US in January this year, the prolonged cold spell would have meant snow accumulation on modules “for days or even weeks” had they not been placed in near-upright positions.   At sites without remote snow stow technology, manual technicians were dispatched by Madison to position panels manually, before the storm hit. On-site CCTV was used to monitor the situation and confirm that the module and racking conditions were acceptable during and after the storm.   The report notes that solar production can return up to ten days earlier if modules are stowed before heavy snowfall, compared to not stowing and allowing accumulated snow to melt naturally.   “Our industry has made great strides in understanding the risks facing renewable energy assets and the resilience measures needed to mitigate them. Technologies and protocols that weren’t in place just a few years ago are now operational,” said Jason Kaminsky, CEO of...

The prices of European renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) rose by 5.0% in September, according to monthly figures published by Pexapark.   PPA prices rose in most European markets, most notably in the UK, which saw the strongest monthly increase of 10.9%. Spain and Portugal experienced declines in prices, with average prices falling 3.5% and 1.4% respectively.   The Swiss price intelligence platform company’s September analysis notes that its re-calibration of the Danish PPA fair values contributed to some of the statistical changes. In Denmark, the ten-year annual baseload fair values, starting in 2028, were lowered by around €5/MWh (US$5.6/MWh) as “offtakers widened the risk discounts embedded in their pricing.”   The composite PPA price figures have seen a rebound from this summer, reaching an average price of 48.34/MWh (US$54.12/MWh) in September, compared to €46.02/MWh (US$53.1/MWh) in August.   European offtakers signed 21 agreements in September for around 1.2GW of clean energy capacity. Of this, corporate offtakers accounted for 92% of announced capacity, and four utility-based PPAs were signed for around 103MW of renewable energy capacity.   Onshore wind and solar comprised 281MW and 276MW, while Google’s long-term 597MW PPA with the Finnish Loviisa nuclear plant accounted for 41% of all clean energy capacity.   The analysts note there was an uptick in the number of flexible purchase agreements (FPAs), with 16 announced in Europe for around 2.1GW of capacity, more than double the August 2026 figure.   In April this year, Pexapark analysts predicted UK gas prices to rise by 44%, compared to 23% in Germany, with the increases due to the effects of the Ukraine and Iran conflicts pressuring global energy indices in all energy sectors. The commensurate rises in both one-year and ten-year PPA prices—10.9% in the UK and 3.6% in Germany—is in accord with the company’s predictions, as global fuel price changes have parallel effects on renewable purchase agreements.   Pexapark also reported that there was a record three hybrid PPAs announced in September, including Zelestra’s hybrid PPA with steelmaker Salzgitter Flachstahl for 147MW of solar capacity and 79MW of co-located batteries charged from solar plants.   Norwegian utility Statkraft also agreed a seven-year hybrid PPA with Wattmanufactur for a 20MW solar farm and 10MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS), due to be operational later this year in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Also this month, Abei Energy and Shell Energy finalised an agreement for a hybrid deal on the Arcos de la Frontera project in Cadiz, Spain, which adds to the six deals the two partners struck between 2024 and 2025.   Q: Are Your Energy Storage Systems Compatible with Different Solar Panels and Inverters? A: Yes. Our energy storage systems are designed to work with a wide range of solar panels and...

A 505 hectare operational solar park in Saudi Arabia is the site of a breeding programme for an endangered species. The 250MW solar park in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is an environment in which sand gazelles are considered to be able to establish a viable herd.   The solar PV facility is built and managed by the Amaala Sustainable Company for Energy (ASCE), a joint venture of the EDF Group, Masdar, and SUEZ and Korea East-West Power (EWP).   A seven-month proof-of-concept was launched in October 2025, involving several species, and sand gazelles were selected for their ecological importance and suitability for the site’s environment. Thirty-eight sand gazelles were introduced into the solar plant in May 2026, and are expected to produce offspring by December this year.   Population modelling by the Reserve’s Scientific Services Division indicates the introduced herd will grow to around 600-head by 2031 (500 is considered to be a minimum number of animals suitable for reintroduction to the wider 24,500km² reserve).   Some 73% of the site’s area will be open to the animals, comprising of open habitat and areas under the panels where the ground temperature is 5-10°C lower. The sand gazelles will be protected by a predator-proof fence and monitored by a specialist ranger team.   Dubbed ReWildingVoltaics, the initiative’s findings will inform similar future programmes in other regions where utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure and wildlife restoration can coexist, said the Royal Reserve.   Omar AlDaweesh, CEO of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at EDF Group, said: “This initiative demonstrates how renewable energy infrastructure can create value beyond the clean electricity it generates. By bringing biodiversity conservation into an operational solar facility, we are showing how energy infrastructure and nature can coexist.”   AgriPV projects commonly combine traditional agriculture with PV arrays, such as the introduction of sheep into facilities in France’s Cher and Charente departments. However, the Saudi initiative is said to be one of the first to target biodiversity action for endangered species in operational PV facilities.   Italy offers some of the most conducive physical and financial environments for agriPV, despite a ban on the practice in 2024, which was only partially repealed in 2025. In May this year, Danish IPP European Energy constructed a 225.5MW agriPV project in Sicily, and Austria’s renewable energy company Kelag International acquired a portfolio of agrivoltaic projects last month in the country’s Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions.

Ahead of the holiday, SUNDTA has completed the production of a batch of high-voltage lithium batteries and energy storage containers, all of which have passed factory testing and inspection. SUNDTA operates its own core battery manufacturing plant; its expansive warehouse facilities ensure ample stock and rapid delivery, effectively meeting customer demand.   The completion of this batch arrives at a time when energy users are seeking greater control over power costs and resilience. High-voltage lithium batteries are gaining attention because they offer a more efficient way to store and deliver electricity. At higher voltage, current is lower, which reduces cable loss, heat generation, and wiring complexity. Battery management systems keep cells balanced and protected, while modular designs allow capacity to be expanded as needs grow. These batteries are well suited to daily cycling, peak shaving, backup power, and solar self-consumption. Compared with lower-voltage alternatives, they can reduce conductor size and simplify system architecture, which can lower balance-of-system costs and improve overall design flexibility.   Energy storage containers take these cells and turn them into ready-to-deploy assets. They combine batteries, thermal management, fire protection, power conversion, and controls in a single enclosure. Factory assembled and tested, they reduce site work and speed up commissioning. They are movable, scalable, weather-resistant, and space-efficient. Such systems support commercial and industrial facilities, microgrids, utilities, and remote areas. Their containerized format also allows relocation and phased investment, so capacity can be added when demand increases.   SUNDTA’s products reflect these market advantages but with stronger manufacturing control. Its own core battery manufacturing plant means it oversees cell production, module assembly, and system integration. This helps ensure consistency, safety, traceability, and quality from start to finish. Each unit is inspected before leaving the facility. Because SUNDTA is not dependent on outside battery supply, it can respond to urgent orders and maintain stable lead times.   The company’s expansive warehouse facilities further strengthen delivery. With large indoor and outdoor storage area, SUNDTA can stockpile finished batteries, containers, and key components. This inventory buffer helps customers avoid delays caused by holiday schedules, logistics bottlenecks, or sudden demand spikes. When a project needs rapid shipment, SUNDTA can draw from available stock and arrange delivery quickly.   Beyond products, SUNDTA provides one-on-one customized solar-storage system solutions. The team evaluates customer needs and actual regional conditions, including electricity consumption patterns, tariff structures, grid policies, climate, installation space, and renewable energy goals. Based on this analysis, SUNDTA designs a system that matches the...

    SUNDTA has successfully completed and commissioned a distributed rooftop photovoltaic project in Anhui Province, China. With a total capacity of 551.25 kW, the project combines rooftop solar generation with battery energy storage and uses SUNDTA 700 W N-type solar panels, SUNDTA 51.2 V 200 Ah rack-mounted lithium batteries, and Solis 50 kW energy storage inverters. The project has entered operation after successful commissioning, demonstrating SUNDTA’s integrated capability in solar and storage project delivery.   The project utilizes 788 N-type 700W solar panels, 11 Solis 50kW energy storage inverters, and two sets of rack-mounted lithium batteries (totaling 54 units); this configuration supports peak shaving and valley filling, load shifting, and an increased self-consumption rate for the rooftop solar energy.   The equipment selection reflects a focus on efficiency, safety, and long-term reliability. SUNDTA 700 W N-type panels offer high conversion efficiency and strong power generation performance, helping maximize limited rooftop space. The wall-mounted lithium batteries are compact, easy to install, and suitable for distributed applications, while the Solis 50 kW energy storage inverters provide stable conversion and intelligent energy management. Together, these products form a flexible solar-plus-storage system that can respond to changing load demand and improve energy resilience.   The Anhui project also highlights SUNDTA’s service strength. SUNDTA not only has a professional sales team capable of addressing the needs of overseas markets, but also maintains an experienced engineering and O&M team with rich experience in building photovoltaic projects. From initial site assessment and system design to equipment selection, construction guidance, commissioning, and operation, SUNDTA’s engineering team supports the full project lifecycle. This practical experience helps reduce risks, shorten delivery time, and ensure stable system operation after grid connection.   For overseas customers, SUNDTA can provide remote technical support. Through remote monitoring, online diagnosis, parameter configuration guidance, troubleshooting suggestions, and technical training, SUNDTA’s team can assist international partners even when travel is not immediately possible. This remote support capability is especially important for distributed rooftop projects, where installation conditions, grid rules, and customer requirements can vary from one market to another. It allows SUNDTA to respond quickly and help partners solve technical issues efficiently.   SUNDTA welcomes global customers to visit China to see its factory and project sites in person. Visiting the factory allows customers to understand production processes, quality control, and product testing, while visiting operating projects such as the Anhui rooftop installation provides direct insight into real performance and installation q...

The average price of a renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in Europe in August reached €46.02/MWh (US$53.1/MWh), up from €45.01/MWh in July, which is equivalent to a 2.2% month-on-month increase.   This is according to the latest figures from Pexapark, which were published last week and attribute some of this change to the manner in which it tracks PPA value, rather than an uptick in prices alone. For instance, the firm completed a “recalibration” of PPA fair values in Great Britain, which found that “offtakers had moderated the risk discounts embedded in their pricing,” yielding higher values for PPAs after the recalibration.   This is particularly impactful for longer-term PPAs—Pexapark notes that ten-year PPAs saw an average price increase of £5/MWh (US$6.74/MWh)—and is reflected in the 4.9% month-on-month price increase in all Great Britain PPAs, the highest growth figure reported by Pexapark.   However, the majority of countries tracked by Pexapark also reported month-on-month increases in average PPA prices, with Germany (2.8%), the Netherlands (2.8%) and Italy (1.6%) all reporting an increase in PPA prices.   Pexapark’s latest figures also show no or marginal changes in PPA prices in three European countries: Spain (no change), France (0.2% increase) and Poland (0.3%). Earlier this month, PV Tech Premium heard from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Europe’s Jonathan Bruegel about how renewable energy PPAs are popular in Europe as they represent “known costs”, compared to fossil fuel prices, which have fluctuated more dramatically since the start of the current conflict in the Middle East.   Europe signs 14 PPAs in August, down from 24 in July Pexapark also reported that the number of deals signed in August fell considerably from the previous month—with 14 agreements completed for 335MW of capacity, compared to 24 deals for 1.1GW of capacity in July—and this disparity between the lower availability of PPAs and high demand for power could have contributed to the increase in prices in many countries.   The analyst noted that corporate offtakers continue to dominate the renewable energy PPA space. In July, corporate offtakers accounted for 21 of the 24 deals signed, while in August they accounted for 13 of the 14 agreements. July also saw a “more evenly distributed” mix of renewable energy technologies, while in August, onshore wind power accounted for 64% of the energy generation capacity for which deals have been signed.   Meanwhile, Portugal and the Nordics saw a 1.6% and 1.2% month-on-month decline, respectively, in PPA prices. Earlier this year, WElink Energy Portugal 2, the owner of Portugal’s largest solar PV project, entered administration.   FAQ A: What is a solar energy storage system? Q: A solar energy storage system stores excess electric...

  HEFEI, China – September 2026 – SUNDTA, a leading provider of residential and commercial energy storage systems, has launched its annual client visit tour across Europe this month, with stops in Poland and Italy to showcase the company's latest photovoltaic (PV) energy storage technologies and reinforce its commitment to personalized, on-site service. As part of its longstanding tradition of meeting clients face-to-face, SUNDTA's delegation travels to key markets each year to conduct on-site assessments, understand specific operational needs, and deliver customized one-on-one PV energy storage solutions. By factoring in local terrain conditions, sunlight duration, and site-specific constraints, the company ensures that every system is precisely engineered for maximum performance and reliability.   Poland Warehouse Project: A Tailored Solution in Action The first leg of the tour took the SUNDTA team to Poland, where they visited a client's large-scale warehouse facility. The client, seeking to install a rooftop PV system, required a comprehensive energy storage solution that could accommodate the building's structural characteristics, local climate patterns, and solar exposure levels. SUNDTA's engineering team conducted a thorough on-site evaluation, analyzing roof load-bearing capacity, orientation, shading factors, and seasonal sunlight variations. Based on these findings, the team rapidly generated remote design schematics—delivering the client a clear, immediate visual overview of the entire project scope, from panel layout to battery placement and inverter integration. "Every site presents unique challenges," said paris from SUNDTA. "Our Poland warehouse client needed a system that could handle peak loads while providing reliable backup power. By conducting on-the-ground assessments and leveraging our remote design capabilities, we were able to present a complete solution within hours—not weeks."   Professional Engineering and Remote Support Team What truly sets SUNDTA apart is its integrated approach to client service. With over 50 certified photovoltaic engineers and project managers on staff, the company maintains a professional team capable of providing round-the-clock support from initial design through final commissioning. The company's remote engineering capabilities enable rapid response to client needs across time zones. Following the Poland site visit, SUNDTA's design team worked collaboratively with the client to refine system specifications, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure. This hybrid model—combining in-person consultations with remote technical support—has become a hallmark of SUNDTA's client-centric philosophy.   12 Years of Photovoltaic Expertise With 12 years of hands-on experience in photovoltaic engineering and system design, SUNDTA brings deep technical expertise to every project. The company operates its own dedicated factory with indepen...

Germany’s federal network agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has launched its third rooftop solar PV tender of the year, which aims to award 296.3MW of new rooftop solar capacity.   The maximum bidding price has been set at €0.10/kWh (US$0.12/kWh) and bidders will have to pay for bids made. Both components remain unchanged from the two earlier rooftop solar tenders launched this year, one in February and one in June, which sought to tender 282.7MW and 296.3MW of new capacity, respectively.   However, both of these tenders were undersubscribed. The first tender saw just 155MW of new capacity awarded, from a total bid capacity of 177MW, while the second tender awarded 208.5MW. Between these two tenders, the average volume-weighted winning bid increased from €0.0956/kWh to €0.0972/kWh, while the number of successful bids increased from 85 to 108.   While Germany’s rooftop solar tenders have been undersubscribed this year, its utility-scale tenders have been oversubscribed; in August, the Bundesnetzagentur received more than 3GW of bids in its latest utility-scale tender, and awarded contracts to 261 bids for the full 2.1GW of capacity.   The government plans to launch a third utility-scale solar tender in December, bringing the total utility-scale solar capacity tendered above 6GW, which would make up for some of the shortfall in the rooftop solar space. Across the two rooftop solar tenders completed so far this year, the government has awarded 363.5MW out of a maximum available capacity of 579MW.   This disparity in interest in solar tenders comes as Germany posts new solar output records. Figures from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) show that in the first half of the year, German solar PV generation increased by 10% year-on-year and exceeded 40TWh for the first time on record.   The same figures show that ground-mount solar contributed to the majority of this growth, with 3.5GW of new ground-mount capacity additions between the first half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, compared to 2.1GW of new rooftop capacity between these periods.   European Commission to rule on Solarpaket in relation to state aid limits It is worth noting, however, that the Bundesnetzagentur is keen to expand its rooftop solar tenders further under the Solarpaket reforms introduced in 2024. Under these reforms, the government aims to increase the total rooftop solar capacity awarded annually through tenders to 2.6GW, up from the current target of 1.1GW.   However, the government is waiting on a decision from the European Commission that the Solarpaket reforms do not violate its “state aid” rules, which are put in place to prevent companies from gaining an unfair “advantage” by receiving government support for a project.   The Bundesnetzagentur noted that the commission is currently considering its latest tender with regard to state aid rules, and if a decision i...