1. Pakistan's Operational PV Capacity Estimated at 51 GW
According to the Pakistan Electricity Review 2026 published by Renewables First, Pakistan's operational PV capacity is estimated at 51 GW as of March 2026, with cumulative module imports reaching 54 GW. Distributed solar generated 51 TWh in FY2025, equivalent to 46% of grid-supplied electricity, pushing total national generation to a record 186 TWh. High electricity tariffs and falling solar costs are the primary drivers, but the rapid expansion of distributed solar is eroding utility revenues, creating new policy pressures.
2. Oman Signs 2.7 GW Wind-Solar-Storage PPA
Oman's state-backed renewable developer O-Green Energy has signed a PPA with Nama Power and Water Procurement for a 2.7 GW continuous renewable energy project in Mahmout and Duqm. Combining solar, wind, and battery storage for round-the-clock clean power, commercial operations are targeted for summer 2028. Supporting Oman Vision 2040's goal of 7 GW solar, 3 GW wind, and 3 GW storage by 2030, this marks the Gulf region's first gigawatt-scale hybrid renewable project.
3. Australia Installs 400,000 Home Batteries in 10 Months
Australia's Cheaper Home Batteries Program has driven 400,000 residential battery installations totaling 11.2 GWh in 10 months since July 2025, averaging 1,250 systems per day. The AUD 7.2 billion federal program provides up to 30% subsidy on installation costs. Residential storage deployment matched the entire utility-scale sector's annual total within 10 months. Energy Minister Chris Bowen described it as a remarkably successful policy. Over 2 million batteries are projected by 2030 under the program.
4. Toyo Denies Ethiopia Duty Evasion, Confirms 4 GW Ramp and US Cell Plant
Japanese solar manufacturer Toyo Co. has rebutted allegations of circumventing U.S. anti-dumping duties through its Ethiopian facility, calling the petition riddled with misinformation. Toyo's Ethiopian cell plant reached full 4 GW capacity in October 2025, with FY2025 shipments of 4.5 GW and revenue of $427 million (up 142% YoY). The company also announced a U.S. onshore cell plant in final planning stages to provide full domestic content options, while its Houston module plant expands to 2 GW.
5. GCL Technology Expands into LFP Energy Storage Business
Chinese polysilicon and module giant GCL Technology has announced a strategic move into lithium-ion battery storage, focusing on physically synthesized iron oxide red-based LFP cathode materials. Its Leshan Xinneng subsidiary has commissioned 200,000 tonnes of capacity, targeting 400,000 tonnes at full build-out. This positions GCL beyond pure PV into a multi-product platform spanning silicon, lithium, and carbon materials. The move comes as GCL reported FY2025 revenue decline and a net loss of CNY 2.868 billion, with storage seen as a key diversification.
6. France's Carbon Scraps 5 GW Solar Gigafactory Project
French startup Carbon has abandoned its 5 GW solar module gigafactory plan in Fos-sur-Mer, previously designated a Project of Major National Interest with a EUR 1.5 billion investment. Carbon cited lack of EU regulatory predictability and insufficient protection for European-made products under the Net-Zero Industry Act as key reasons. Attempts to downscale and partner with China's LONGi failed to secure viability. The collapse signals deep structural challenges facing European PV manufacturing reshoring efforts.
7. Romania Shifts from Solar to Storage Rebates
Romania has suspended its flagship Casa Verde solar grant program for the second year and pivoted to battery storage rebates for existing prosumers, with a 2026 budget of EUR 76 million and up to 90% capex coverage. Over 250,000 prosumers have already installed approximately 850 MW of residential storage. The Casa Verde program deployed 3.7 GW of solar over four years. This shift signals Eastern Europe's transition from raw solar deployment to storage-enabled flexibility, potentially serving as a blueprint for neighboring countries.
8. China Conducts First Space-Based Solar Power Experiments
Xidian University's Sun Chasing project has completed ground validation of key technologies for space-based solar power stations. The experiments demonstrated 1,180 W microwave power transmission over 100 meters with 20.8% DC-to-DC efficiency and dynamic power delivery to a drone moving at 30 km/h. Launched in 2018, the project aims to collect solar energy in orbit and beam it wirelessly to Earth, providing continuous power unaffected by day-night cycles or weather. The next step is in-orbit testing.
9. India PV Curtailment Rose to 300 GWh in Q1 2026
Ember's latest report reveals India curtailed 300 GWh of renewable energy in Q1 2026 due to transmission constraints, with total curtailment reaching approximately 470 GWh and a single-day peak of 34 GWh on March 30. Northern and western regions accounted for 178 GWh and 122 GWh respectively, while the southern region recorded zero transmission-related curtailment. Ember recommends deploying 3-4 GW of two-hour BESS to absorb most curtailed generation and regulatory reforms to procure storage as a transmission asset.
10. Italy to Allocate 10 GW of Solar in 2026-2027 Auctions
Italian energy agency GSE plans three auctions under the FerX scheme by end-2026 and through 2027, allocating 10 GW of solar and 16 GW of wind capacity. The first FerX auction allocated 7.7 GW of PV at an average awarded price of EUR 0.05682/kWh. The second auction was the first to implement EU Net Zero Industry Act resilience criteria, excluding Chinese components for projects above 1 MW. The new round consolidates Italy's position as one of Europe's largest renewable energy markets.
11. Sahaj Solar and Clarion Plan 750 MW Module Factory in UAE
Indian PV manufacturer Sahaj Solar and U.S.-based Clarion Investments have formed a joint venture to build a 750 MW PV module factory in the UAE. The joint venture will serve GCC countries and the U.S. market, providing a non-China sourcing alternative for U.S. buyers while strengthening local manufacturing in the Gulf region, aligning with the global trend of solar supply chain diversification.
12. European PV Avoided EUR 10 Billion in Gas Imports Since Iran Conflict
SolarPower Europe estimates that European PV has substituted approximately EUR 10 billion in gas imports since early March 2026, when the Iran conflict escalation disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, averaging EUR 110 million in daily savings. In 2025, photovoltaics met 12.5% of Europe's electricity demand with 65 GW of new capacity added. Combined wind and solar generation exceeded coal and gas plants for the first time. This reinforces PV's role as an economic shield against fossil fuel price volatility and geopolitical crises.
13. Fujiyama Power to Set Up 1.2 GW TOPCon Facility in India
Indian PV manufacturer Fujiyama Power Systems has announced an investment of INR 350 crore (approximately USD 36.5 million) to build a 1.2 GW TOPCon solar cell facility in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. This will bring total capacity to 2.2 GW alongside its existing 1 GW PERC line, with commercial production expected in Q1 FY2028. The move supports India's Domestic Content Requirement compliance as ALMM-II rules for solar cells take effect June 1, 2026, reducing cost volatility and improving margins.
14. EU Underestimating Rooftop PV Generation by 135 TWh
SolarPower Europe's latest Solar+ Report reveals that actual EU rooftop PV generation in 2025 was approximately 410 TWh, while official statistics recorded only 275 TWh, a gap of 135 TWh or a 33% underestimate. Key reasons include incomplete system registration, invisible self-consumption, and smart meters reporting only net consumption. The report warns that energy policy based on inaccurate data risks underinvestment in renewable targets. Approximately 80% of distributed generation is self-consumed or stored, structurally invisible to official statistics.
15. IRENA Proposes 35% Global Electrification Target by 2035
IRENA's new roadmap calls for raising electricity's share of total final energy consumption from 23% today to 35% by 2035 and over 50% by 2050. Global renewable capacity must grow from 5.14 TW in 2025 to 18.4 TW by 2035 and 38.2 TW by 2050. Currently, 2,500 GW of solar, storage, and wind projects are stuck in grid connection queues worldwide. IRENA calls for annual grid investment to rise to $1.2 trillion, well above the $0.5 trillion realized in 2025.
16. Europe Launches Grid Capacity Map Platform Capacitypedia
ENTSO-E and DSO Entity have jointly launched Capacitypedia, a pan-European digital platform featuring an interactive color-coded map displaying available connection capacity across transmission and distribution networks in 27 European countries. Originating from Action 6 of the EU Grid Action Plan, the platform provides a single entry point for developers, utilities, and investors to identify grid capacity for new solar, wind, and storage projects. It offers the first cross-European transparency tool for grid capacity.