During the period from December 4th to 10th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. How to build giant solar plants in mountainous areas
A Chinese research team has proposed a new method for designing mountain solar power plants. Using a simulated 386.4 MW plant in Pu'er, Yunnan as an example, they created a 3D terrain model via drone surveying. The study found that convex areas (Zone A) had 3.5% lower temperature losses compared to concave areas (Zone B), with significantly reduced shadow-related electrical losses, resulting in better overall system efficiency. This research provides quantitative guidance for the planning and operation of PV arrays in complex terrain.
2. Sunman to build 500 MW solar panel manufacturing plant in Australia
Chinese company Sunman has secured AUD 171 million in combined funding from the Australian Commonwealth and the New South Wales government to build the country's largest PV module manufacturing plant in the Hunter Valley, with an annual capacity of 500 MW (300 MW initial phase). The factory will produce products including eArc flexible modules (70% lighter than traditional glass modules) and house an innovation center. It is expected to create 200 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs, supporting the development of a local solar supply chain in Australia.
3. Saudi Arabia secures financing for 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity
A consortium comprising Saudi ACWA Power, Badeel, and Aramco Power has secured USD 5.9 billion in senior debt financing for its 15 GW solar and wind projects. The portfolio includes five PV plants and two wind farms located in Riyadh, Aseer, and other regions, with commissioning scheduled from the second half of 2027 to the first half of 2028. Power Purchase Agreement tariffs are as low as SAR 0.047-0.051/kWh. The projects will drive employment and supply chain development, supporting Saudi Arabia's renewable energy goals.
4. Bangladesh approves 220 MW solar project, its largest to date
Bangladesh has approved the construction of a 220 MW solar power plant in Sonagazi, with a total investment of approximately USD 154 million. The Islamic Development Bank is providing a USD 143 million loan. Developed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board, it will become the country's largest PV plant and will utilize the grid connection infrastructure of an existing 75 MW plant. The government aims to source 20% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030.
5. India installs 6.1 GW of open-access solar in first nine months of 2025
India added 6.1 GW of open-access solar capacity in the first nine months of 2025, a 13% year-on-year increase, bringing the cumulative total to 27.9 GW. Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat were the leading states. Despite challenges like grid connection delays and transmission capacity constraints, demand from commercial and industrial users continues to drive market growth. The third quarter saw 2.2 GW of new additions, down from the second quarter but doubling year-on-year.
6. Malaysia’s 4 GW/5.12 GWh solar-plus-storage complex gets World Bank funding
Malaysia's Johor state has launched the "Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor" project, planning to build 4 GW of solar PV paired with 5.12 GWh of storage, with a total investment of about USD 6 billion. The project has received support from institutions including the World Bank's International Finance Corporation. It aims to power the Johor-Singapore Economic Special Zone, promote cross-border power trading within the ASEAN Power Grid, is expected to create 125,000 jobs, and will boost regional clean energy trade and industrial development.
7. Morocco opens tender for 1,000 km UHV transmission line
Morocco's National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has launched a tender for a 1,000 km ultra-high voltage AC transmission line to connect the Boujdour and Tensift regions, transmitting approximately 2 GW of renewable energy. The project follows an EPC model and is scheduled for commissioning in December 2028. The country already has over 30,000 km of UHV lines; this project is a key element in increasing grid capacity and integrating solar and wind power.
8. Tunisia accelerates large-scale solar as new players enter market
Tunisia is accelerating the deployment of large-scale solar projects. Within the first 500 MW concession program, the 100 MW Kairouan plant is 95% complete and expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The second 800 MW phase and an additional 300 MW batch have been awarded. Under the authorization scheme, over 500 MW of distributed projects have been approved. New entrant SoleCrypt plans to build a 60 MW plant, and self-generation capacity is also growing steadily.
9. Spain awards 133 energy-storage projects totaling 2.4 GW and 10 GWh
Spain's Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving has approved EUR 827 million in funding for 133 energy storage projects with a total power of approximately 2.4 GW and capacity of about 10 GWh. The projects are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, with the Andalusia region receiving the most funding (EUR 351 million). Major developers include Iberdrola, Atlantica, and Rolwind. The ST Palmosilla project is the largest (200 MW / 885 MWh). Project implementation must be completed by September 30, 2029.
10. France deploys 1.5 GW of solar in Q3
France added 4.45 GW of new PV capacity in the first three quarters of 2025, with 1.53 GW added in the third quarter alone. Cumulative installed PV capacity reached 29.7 GW by the end of September. Large-scale projects (>500 kW) contributed nearly one-third of new capacity, while small-scale residential systems accounted for the highest number of installations. Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie were among the leading regions. The project pipeline capacity has grown to 36.9 GW.
11. Italy’s first Fer X solar auction allocates 7.7 GW at average price of €0.05682/kWh
Italy's energy agency GSE has completed the first solar auction under the new FER X scheme, allocating 7.7 GW of capacity across 474 projects. The average winning price was EUR 0.05682/kWh, 37.34% below the price ceiling. Concurrently, 0.94 GW was allocated to wind power. The auction received 1,387 proposals totaling 17.5 GW, reflecting strong market response.
12. Irish energy industry calls for 500 MW of storage capacity by 2030
Ireland's grid operator EirGrid is planning to procure 201 MW of long-duration energy storage. However, the industry body Energy Storage Ireland is urging the government to commit to a 2030 target of 500 MW of storage capacity. The proposed procurement contracts have a 10-year term, but the industry suggests extending it to 15 years to ensure investment returns. Ireland recently integrated storage systems into its real-time electricity market to enhance grid flexibility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
13. SMA launches new containerized medium-voltage substation for large-scale BESS and solar plants
SMA Solar Technology has launched its new containerized medium-voltage substation, the MVPS-9200, in Europe. It integrates two inverters, a transformer, and a medium-voltage distribution system into a standard 12-meter container. The solution is suitable for large-scale solar and battery storage systems with 1500V DC voltage. It uses SiC-MOSFET technology to reduce losses, supports maintenance at half power, and simplifies plant design and installation.
14. Ofgem approves GBP 10.3 billion investment in UK transmission grid
UK energy regulator Ofgem has approved a five-year GBP 28 billion grid investment budget, of which GBP 10.3 billion is allocated for electricity transmission network upgrades. Total transmission investment could reach GBP 70 billion by 2031, with at least GBP 44 billion already committed. This investment aims to support renewable energy grid integration and is expected to save households an average of GBP 80 per year on bills, although network charges will increase by GBP 108.
15. Germany records growth in solar self-consumption
Calculations by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, based on the core data register and grid operator data, show continuous growth in PV self-consumption in Germany: reaching 8.2 TWh in 2023 and increasing to 12.28 TWh in 2024, accounting for 17% of net PV generation. This growth is driven by high electricity prices, expanded storage capacity, and the adoption of heat pumps/electric vehicles, contributing to grid stability.
16. Large-scale agrivoltaics come to Norway
Norwegian solar developer Energeia AS has been granted a concession for a 46 MW agrivoltaic project (Seval Skog), which will become the country's largest solar project. Located in Øyer municipality in eastern Norway, it covers 72 hectares, features single-axis trackers and 6 MW/12 MWh of storage, and will generate about 53 GWh annually. It integrates pasture for grazing and hay production. Construction is planned for 2026, with commissioning in 2028. The company also has several other PV projects in development. Norway added 49 MW of PV in the first half of 2025, bringing its cumulative capacity to 763 MW.
17. Denmark’s second largest PV plant goes online
Swedish independent power producer Alight has commissioned the 215 MW Lidsø solar plant on Lolland, Denmark, the country's second-largest PV project. Built by European Energy, the plant features about 350,000 panels and operates with year-round sheep grazing. The generated electricity is supplied to Danish State Railways under a long-term PPA. Denmark's cumulative PV capacity exceeded 4 GW by the end of 2024, with an expected 750 MW of new additions in 2025.
18. US battery capacity rises 59% with 14 GW added in 12 months, says EIA
Data from the US Energy Information Administration shows US battery storage capacity increased by 13.8 GW over the past 12 months, a 59.4% year-on-year rise. Utility-scale solar added 31.6 GW in the same period. An additional 22 GW of storage is expected in the coming year, concentrated mainly in Texas and California. Storage, alongside solar, is dominating new US power capacity additions.
19. Dominican Republic brings Caribbean’s largest solar plant online
The Dominican Republic has commissioned the 162.6 MW Coto Peril solar plant, the largest in Central America and the Caribbean. Developed by Spanish company ACCIONA and local investors, it comprises three PV facilities. The plant will generate 286 GWh of clean energy annually, reducing CO2 emissions by over 210,000 tonnes. It also benefits more than 8,000 people through job training and water/electricity improvements. ACCIONA has other operational and under-construction PV projects in the country, continuing to drive renewable energy development and support its energy transition.
20. Optimal solar-plus-storage sizing for heavy industry operation
An Australian research team developed a high-resolution model to assess the feasibility of providing 24/7 electricity to heavy industry using solar PV and storage. The study found that smart grid interaction and industrial load flexibility strategies are more effective at reducing electricity costs than merely lowering technology costs, aiding the transition to 100% renewable power. The research provides an optimized pathway for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries like steel and aluminum.
21. Australian rooftop solar install rates reach 2025 high
Australia added 279 MW of new residential rooftop PV in November 2025, a nearly 14% increase from the previous month, marking the third consecutive month of growth. Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia led the increase, with 30-50 kW systems showing the fastest growth. The national average system size recovered to 10.81 kW, but year-to-date installations remain 13% lower than the same period in 2024.
22. Offshore solar could achieve LCOE of less than $0.06/kWh in Thailand, Malaysia
An international research team completed a global techno-economic assessment of offshore floating PV, finding Thailand and Malaysia to be among the most cost-competitive regions, with levelized cost of electricity potentially below USD 0.06/kWh in some areas. The study considered irradiation, water depth, and engineering constraints, suggesting fixed-tilt bifacial module configurations are suitable for early-stage deployment. LCOE is below USD 0.10/kWh for 34% of suitable global maritime areas, indicating significant scaling potential for offshore solar.