During the period from June 16th to 25th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. Australia approves 250 MW agrivoltaic solar farm in Tasmania
Australia has approved a 250 MW agrivoltaic solar farm in Tasmania after a 20 - day process. Developed by local families in partnership with an adviser, it'll be built on 435 hectares in Bothwell. With about 4,000 panels and a 144 MW/576 MWh BESS, it allows sheep grazing beneath. The project will cut emissions, connect to the grid, and shows how agri and renewables can co - exist, helping Australia's clean energy transition.
2. The U.S. Residential Solar Market Is in a Downturn
The U.S. residential photovoltaic (PV) market is facing a severe risk of collapse. Affected by macroeconomic pressures, drastic policy changes, and high interest rates, the industry's installed capacity plummeted by 31% in 2024, with giants like SunPower filing for bankruptcy one after another. The core trigger is the "Great Beautiful Act" draft, which proposes to cut the 25D tax credit for residential PV within 180 days and gradually eliminate the 48E investment tax credit (ITC) – reducing it to 60% in 2026, 20% in 2027, and eliminating it entirely in 2028. Additionally, the policy separately bans lease projects from claiming tax credits. This policy has severely hit industry confidence, causing Sunrun's stock price to plummet by 40% in a single day. Meanwhile, grid buyback electricity prices in California and other regions have been reduced by over 75%, and combined with a 25% tariff on aluminum, user economic benefits have been further eroded. The industry urgently needs to emulate Australia (where soft costs are as low as $0.89 per watt) to compress non-technical costs in order to survive in the tightening environment.
3. Pakistan: Proposes 18% Tariff on Chinese Solar Panel Imports to Boost Domestic Manufacturing
In the first three quarters of FY2025, Pakistan imported 12.7 GW of solar modules from China, with a surge to 7.5 GW in Q3 alone. Over the past five years, cumulative imports have reached 39 GW, primarily used in distributed systems (4.9 GW of rooftop PV installed, serving over 293,000 users). To support domestic manufacturing, the government plans to impose an 18% sales tax on imported modules, while exempting tariffs on locally manufactured equipment and import duties on key raw materials. The move aims to reduce import dependency and create jobs, but its prospects are uncertain (a similar tax imposed in 2022 was canceled due to backlash). Grid upgrading pressures and China's role as a "testing ground" for green transitions pose key challenges.
4. Sinohydro Bureau 11 Signs Africa's First Large-Scale PV Operation and Maintenance Project
Recently, Sinohydro Bureau 11 signed a contract for the 100 MW Kabwe Photovoltaic Operation and Maintenance Project with the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Generation Company in Zambia. This marks the company's first large-scale photovoltaic (PV) O&M project in Africa. Located in Zambia's Central Province, the project will provide a five-year operation and maintenance service for the country's largest single-unit PV power plant, covering intelligent inspection and other comprehensive services. The signing consolidates the company's market position and contributes to Zambia's energy transition.
5. United Renewable Energy Unveils Workforce Restructure & Tech Shift
United Renewable Energy (URE) in Taiwan plans to lay off over 100 employees, about 10% of its workforce, by Q4 this year, while phasing out aging PERC solar cell lines at its Miaoli plant. As TOPCon modules dominate the market, URE will consolidate TOPCon production at its Tainan facility and launch all-black modules in Q3 2025. The company is shifting to an integrated energy solutions provider, entering energy storage to cover the full value chain.
6. Ireland shuts last coal plant, becomes 15th coal-free country in Europe
On June 20, Ireland became Europe's 15th coal-free country by halting coal power at the 915 MW Moneypoint plant. Built in the 1980s to counter oil crises, it's no longer needed with more renewables. Wind provided 37% of Ireland's 2024 electricity, and solar is growing. Post-closure, Moneypoint will backup with fuel oil till 2029. Experts urge a future with grid upgrades, and warn against gas over-reliance.
7. UK rooftop solar installations surge, new battery storage record set
In May 2025, the UK witnessed a surge in small - scale solar installations, with 21,125 installations, a 30% year - on - year increase. By May 31, 2025, 101,861 solar installations were recorded, up 37% from 2024. Battery energy storage also set a new record, with nearly 3,400 certified installations, a 112% jump. Heat pump growth was more moderate, with cumulative installations passing 300,000. These figures, from MCS, indicate growing consumer interest in home - grown energy.
8. Turkey's Wind Power Installed Capacity Reaches 13.4 GW, Soaring 177% in a Decade
On June 15, Turkey's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced that as of May 2025, the country's wind power installed capacity reached 13,391 megawatts (approximately 13.4 GW). Starting from just 19 MW in 2002, the capacity has soared by 177% in a decade. Turkey's wind power development benefits from the synergistic drive of geographical advantages, policy support, and energy transition strategies, contributing to its sustainable energy development.
9. Morocco Officially Announces Essaouira Gigawatt-Scale Offshore Wind Project
On June 10, during the Mediterranean Day event of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, Morocco officially announced plans to build its first offshore wind farm near the coast of Essaouira. With a planned installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts, the project is among the first batch of initiatives funded by the Mediterranean Blue Partnership Fund, aligning with Morocco's goal of having over 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Construction is expected to commence in 2029.
10. Scotland Plans to Increase Offshore Wind Capacity by 40 GW by 2040
The Scottish government has unveiled a proposal to boost its new offshore wind capacity to 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2040, far exceeding previous plans, in a bid to advance renewable energy development and accelerate energy transition. A public consultation has been launched, with the target expected to meet the electricity demand of 45 million households. Driven by private-sector enthusiasm and inflows of capital and technology, the goal will also factor in environmental considerations, aiming to fuel the rapid growth of the offshore wind industry.