The EuroCZFactory project, part of the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program, was recently launched with the aim of bolstering manufacturing capacity in key segments of Europe's photovoltaic (PV) supply chain.   Partners of the EuroCZFactory project held a two-day kick-off meeting on June 23–24, 2026, in Trondheim, Norway, hosted by SINTEF (the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research). The meeting brought together 16 partners from across Europe’s solar PV manufacturing, research, and innovation sectors to agree on the project's technical roadmap and initial implementation steps.   The project focuses on two core raw materials for PV cells: silicon ingots and wafers. Despite the continued expansion of installed PV capacity in Europe, there has long been a significant gap in local production capacity for silicon wafers and ingots.   Spanning 42 months, the project will see a joint R&D team tackle the full suite of process technologies required for the localized mass production of Czochralski (CZ) monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers. Research activities will cover the optimization of silicon crystal growth and wafer slicing processes, the establishment of digital smart manufacturing lines, and the creation of a pilot production line using full-scale manufacturing equipment to validate the technology in a real-world setting.   Advancing technology in the upstream PV manufacturing sector is the core objective of EuroCZFactory; the project aims to build up Europe's autonomous core PV manufacturing technologies, narrow the local supply chain capacity gap, and provide technical support for future European PV industry support initiatives.   During the kick-off meeting, partners presented the project's core technology R&D areas, organizational structure, and coordination mechanisms. A consensus was reached that EuroCZFactory must align with various European PV industry support programs to collaboratively strengthen the local PV manufacturing ecosystem.   Moving forward, SolarPower Europe will lead efforts regarding the dissemination of project results, the commercialization of technology, and external communications, while also playing a key role in several strategic tasks.   In the project's initial phase, SolarPower Europe will coordinate engagement with supply chain companies, investment institutions, policymakers, local governments, and ESG experts. They will identify the pain points hindering the expansion of European silicon ingot and wafer production capacity, including technical bottlenecks, funding gaps, and regulatory barriers. The team will comprehensively map out various EU and local funding channels—including the EU Innovation Fund, Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), and dedicated regional investment pathways—to support the expansion of local manufacturing.   In the initial phase, the project will focus on establishing the ...

While unveiling the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, Bangladesh announced a major policy that has sent shockwaves through the global photovoltaic (PV) industry: import duties, regulatory duties, supplementary duties, and advance taxes on core solar equipment have all been reduced to 0%.   01 Elimination of Four Import Taxes Across All PV & Energy Storage Categories Previously, the aggregate tax rate for importing PV equipment into Bangladesh ranged from 26.2% to 58.6%. Now, tariffs, regulatory duties, supplementary duties, and advance taxes on over ten categories of key products—including PV modules, inverters, and mounting structures—have been cut to 0%, effective until June 30, 2031. According to the announcement read in parliament by the Finance Minister, equipment benefiting from these duty and tax exemptions includes: solar PV modules/panels, solar inverters, mounting structures, lithium cells, lithium-ion batteries, battery pack housings, battery energy storage systems (BESS), battery management systems (BMS), UV-protected solar DC cables, and battery thermal management systems. Previously, aggregate import tax rates for PV equipment in Bangladesh remained high. Industry data shows the following comparison between original aggregate rates and the rates under the new policy: Product Categories Original aggregate rate New rate Solar Panel 22% 0% Solar inverters 37% 0% PV mounting structures Up to 58.6% 0%   This tax exemption policy is expected to significantly lower the cost of constructing power plants. Estimates suggest that the construction cost of a 1 MW rooftop solar power plant could drop by 25%–30%. 02 Underlying Drivers of the Policy   02 Underlying Drivers for the Policy Rollout Bangladesh’s introduction of a "zero-tax" policy for photovoltaics (PV) is driven by clear strategic considerations: 1. Meeting EU Export Compliance Needs: Ready-made garment exports are a pillar of Bangladesh's economy. The EU’s CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) requires the relevant supply chain to meet green compliance standards. Previously, high import duties made the cost of PV retrofitting prohibitively expensive, resulting in very low willingness among enterprises to adopt green upgrades. The new policy significantly reduces costs, aligning with export compliance requirements. 2. Alleviating Energy-Related Foreign Exchange Pressure: Bangladesh’s energy mix is ​​dominated by natural gas, with a heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports. Recent fluctuations in energy supply, natural gas shortages, and the shutdown of certain coal-fired power plants have forced the country to import high-priced electricity from neighbors, placing immense strain on foreign exchange reserves. Widespread PV adoption can reduce foreign currency expenditure on fossil fuel procurement. 3. Fulfilling Prior Policy Commitments: Bangladesh’s Power Minister had previously signaled plan...

The capital frenzy sparked by SpaceX’s IPO has clearly revealed that the U.S.-China space-based solar power race is accelerating from the technology validation phase toward industrial implementation. However, constrained by costs and geopolitical dynamics, it is unlikely to independently reshape the global energy landscape in the short term; rather, it serves primarily as a strategic supplementary option for the future.I. SpaceX’s IPO: The Key Event That Sparked the Capital Frenzy1. The Largest IPO in History Listed on NasdaqOn June 12, 2026, SpaceX went public on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX.The offering price was set at $135 per share, raising a total of $75 billion—a new record for IPO fundraising in global capital markets.On its first day of trading, the stock price surged 19.23%, with the closing market capitalization exceeding $2.1 trillion.2. Investment Priorities and Core BusinessesThe proceeds will be primarily invested in four key areas: the Starlink low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, mass production of Starship reusable rockets, a space-based AI computing network, and space-based solar power.SpaceX has announced its long-term strategy: to launch Starlink satellites in large numbers over the next decade, deploy in-orbit solar power stations, and elevate space-based solar power to a core business segment of the group.3. The Chinese Factor in the Supply ChainFrom gallium to polysilicon, and from photovoltaic materials to key manufacturing processes, China controls the world’s core production capacity.China’s export controls on strategic materials such as gallium and germanium have significantly raised overseas refining costs and procurement barriers.SpaceX’s large-scale construction of orbital infrastructure requires vast amounts of critical raw materials, and its supply chain is highly dependent on China.II. Space PV: The Core Battleground of the U.S.-China Competition1. Unique Advantages of Space PVThe space environment is free from cloud cover and atmospheric obstruction, providing uninterrupted sunlight; theoretical power generation efficiency can reach more than five times that of ground-based PV.The vacuum of space provides natural cooling conditions, which are conducive to the operation of high-energy-consumption facilities such as AI data centers.Solar panels can be folded for launch and deployed in orbit, allowing for flexible expansion of surface area and offering exceptional adaptability.2. Technology Pathways: The Evolution from Crystalline Silicon to PerovskiteTraditional crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels are heavy and have relatively weak radiation resistance, making them unsuitable for the harsh conditions of satellite launches.Flexible perovskite photovoltaics are thin, rollable, and feature high photovoltaic conversion efficiency; they are widely recognized as the mainstream technology path for space photovoltaics.P-type HJT (heterojunction) is regarded as the preferr...

The global solar energy storage market is growing rapidly, but the expansion is no longer balanced across all regions. Different markets are showing clear differences in policy support, grid infrastructure, electricity demand, solar resources, investment models, and project development speed.In 2025, the global PV and energy storage industry is moving into a more segmented stage. Mature markets such as Europe, China, and the United States are focusing more on grid optimization, energy storage deployment, and business model upgrades. At the same time, emerging solar markets in India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia are becoming the new growth engines for global solar PV and battery energy storage systems.For solar companies, energy storage suppliers, EPC contractors, distributors, and renewable energy investors, understanding these regional differences is becoming more important than ever.一、Europe Solar Market: Slower Growth and Rising Grid ChallengesEurope has long been one of the world’s leading solar PV markets. However, the European solar market is now facing a turning point.According to industry forecasts, the European Union is expected to add around 65.1GW of new solar PV capacity in 2025, slightly lower than 65.6GW in 2024. This would mark the first annual decline in EU solar installations in nearly ten years.One of the main reasons is the slowdown in the residential rooftop solar market. As household solar subsidies are gradually reduced or removed in several European countries, residential solar installations are facing pressure. Although utility-scale solar projects continue to grow, they are not enough to fully offset the weakness in the rooftop solar segment.At the same time, Europe is facing several structural challenges: Grid congestion Negative electricity prices Lower feed-in tariffs Slow electrification progress Long project approval timelines Insufficient energy storage capacity Increasing solar curtailment risk These issues are making new solar investments more complex, especially for large-scale solar power plants.二、Why Battery Energy Storage Is Becoming Essential in EuropeThe biggest challenge for Europe is no longer solar power generation itself, but how to absorb, store, and use renewable electricity efficiently.As solar penetration increases, the demand for battery energy storage systems, also known as BESS, is rising quickly. Energy storage can help reduce grid congestion, improve renewable energy utilization, stabilize electricity prices, and support peak shaving.In 2024, the EU installed about 18.5GWh of battery storage systems, bringing total installed battery storage capacity to around 49.1GWh. In 2025, new battery energy storage installations are expected to grow by nearly 40%, reaching approximately 25.7GWh.This shows that Europe’s solar market is shifting from a pure PV installation market to a PV-plus-storage market. For BESS manufacturers, hybrid inverter suppliers, lithium batt...

Hungary’s largest battery energy storage project, developed by Greenvolt Power, recently began operations. BYD Energy Storage supplied a 288.6 MWh Cube battery energy storage system for the project. András Tóth, Hungary’s State Secretary for Energy, and others attended the commissioning ceremony.   With a capacity of 99.8 MW/288.6 MWh, the project will significantly enhance the local grid’s regulation capabilities and power supply reliability upon commissioning. It will facilitate the large-scale grid integration of renewable energy in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe, accelerating the green transition of the local energy structure.   The BYD Cube Energy Storage System features high safety, ultra-high integration, and rapid response capabilities, enabling it to meet diverse application needs such as grid frequency regulation and peak shaving. Leveraging its technical expertise in battery and system integration, BYD Energy Storage has supported this project with leading, high-quality energy storage products and technical services, helping it become a benchmark energy storage project in Europe.   To date, BYD Energy Storage has implemented numerous large-scale energy storage projects in over 110 countries and regions worldwide. As European nations accelerate their energy transitions, the critical role of energy storage systems in power grids is becoming increasingly prominent. BYD Energy Storage will continue to provide safe and efficient products and solutions to global customers, contributing to the global goal of carbon neutrality.

Against the backdrop of adjustments to Europe’s renewable energy supply chain, the importance of global industrial cooperation is becoming increasingly evident   Key Policy: Starting in May 2026, the EU’s new “supply chain de-risking” financing regulations for renewable energy projects will officially take effect. Under these regulations, EU public financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will cease providing loans, financing, and public subsidies to any new renewable energy projects that use inverters or energy storage PCS (power conversion systems) from specific “high-risk suppliers.”   Policy Scope: Financial Restrictions, Not a Comprehensive Ban. It is important to clarify that this policy constitutes a “financing restriction” rather than a “blanket import ban.” Privately funded or purely commercial projects utilizing Chinese equipment may still proceed normally and in compliance with regulations. However, since approximately 20% of large-scale ground-mounted power plants and public energy storage projects in Europe rely heavily on EU public funding, these projects will be forced to adjust their supply chains.   As one of the world’s largest markets for solar and energy storage, Europe is actively advancing its energy transition and carbon neutrality goals. However, industry organizations generally believe that balancing supply chain security with industrial development efficiency, project economic viability, and the pace of the energy transition will be a critical challenge for the European market in the coming years.   Over the past decade, the global new energy industry chain has gradually developed a highly specialized division of labor. Through continuous innovation, large-scale manufacturing, and a well-established supply chain system, Chinese enterprises have made significant contributions to the global PV and energy storage industries. Currently, Chinese-made inverters, energy storage systems, and PV modules are widely used in many countries and regions around the world, playing a positive role in reducing the cost of clean energy and improving energy accessibility.   Faced with the growing demand for global energy transition, the interconnections between national markets are tighter than ever before. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has repeatedly emphasized that achieving global climate goals requires a more open, efficient, and stable international supply chain system. For the new energy sector, technological innovation, industrial synergy, and cross-regional cooperation remain the key drivers of green development. The current international landscape is complex and volatile, with factors such as geopolitics, energy security, and economic development profoundly influencing the global industrial landscape.    However, regardless of how market...

Government Subsidies1. The European Union has approved a €750 million aid package for Italy to help businesses enhance their competitiveness amid the energy crisis and to promote the green transition and the upgrading of the energy structure.2. The Italian government’s Superbonus program, launched in 2020, has gradually adjusted its subsidy rate from the initial 110% to the current 70–65%, continuing to support energy-efficiency retrofits for residential and commercial buildings, as well as the installation of photovoltaic and energy storage systems.3. The European Commission has approved Italy’s €17.7 billion National Energy Storage Special Aid Program, which focuses on supporting large-scale energy storage projects. The program will run until December 31, 2033, with the aim of enhancing grid flexibility and the capacity to integrate renewable energy.4. Italy’s Agrivoltaics Special Support Program has a total budget of approximately €1.7 billion, focusing on supporting agrivoltaic project development. These projects can be applied to pastures, greenhouses, agricultural cultivation, and fisheries, and are promoted through investment subsidies and long-term feed-in tariff incentives.5. The EU has approved Italy’s €5.7 billion Energy Communities support program, which encourages communities, villages, business parks, and residents to jointly invest in PV+storage systems to achieve green energy sharing, self-generation and self-consumption, and revenue sharing.Note: Not all of the above subsidy policies can be stacked unconditionally; specific eligibility must be assessed based on project type, funding sources, and EU state aid rules.Market DemandAccording to Italy’s National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) and industry forecasts, Italy will continue to accelerate its energy transition over the next decade.By 2030, renewable energy generation is projected to account for over 63% of the country’s electricity consumption; by 2035, total renewable energy installed capacity is expected to exceed 160 GW, with solar and energy storage emerging as one of the fastest-growing sectors.As the EU’s carbon neutrality goals continue to advance, demand for green electricity in Italy’s industrial sector is growing rapidly. Energy-intensive industries such as papermaking, chemicals, steel, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and shipbuilding are accelerating their procurement of green energy and actively deploying PV, energy storage, and energy management systems.At the same time, market demand continues to grow for energy communities, commercial and industrial energy storage, agri-PV, factory rooftop PV, and large-scale ground-mounted power plants, presenting long-term development opportunities for the PV and energy storage industry chains.Against the backdrop of the global energy transition and supply chain restructuring, open cooperation, technological innovation, and industrial synergy wi...

Cambodia has approved four more renewable energy investment projects, including three solar power plants and a large-scale energy storage battery system, further advancing the country’s clean energy development and energy transition strategy.The Investment Committee of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) held a meeting today (May 19) to review seven applications for eligible investment projects, with a total investment of approximately $450 million and an expected creation of about 900 jobs.Among them, there are four new energy projects in the infrastructure sector, specifically a 200-megawatt solar power plant, a 100-megawatt solar power plant, a 30-megawatt solar power plant, and a 500-megawatt/1,000-megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage battery system project, with a total solar power generation capacity of 330 megawatts.These projects are planned for Sihanoukville, Stung Treng, and Pursat provinces. Observers believe that the introduction of large-scale energy storage systems will help enhance the stability of Cambodia’s power grid and improve the regulation capacity of renewable energy.The CDC stated that the remaining approved projects include a laundry and printing factory in the industrial sector, as well as wastewater treatment and boiler facilities, and an edible oil refinery project in the agro-industrial sector.In recent years, Cambodia has continued to expand investment in new energy sectors such as solar, wind power, and energy storage systems to achieve its goal of having renewable energy account for at least 70% of the national energy mix by 2030.In February of this year, the CDC approved a wind power plant project in Mondulkiri Province with an investment of approximately $200 million; in April, it approved a 150-megawatt wind power plant and a 350-megawatt solar power plant project.

The International Energy Agency has recently released its latest report, *World Energy Investment 2026*. The IEA projects that total investment in renewable energy projects will reach approximately $665 billion in 2026, with solar energy alone accounting for $365 billion. Investment in nuclear energy will also continue to recover, exceeding $80 billion annually; currently, 15 countries are constructing nearly 80 gigawatts of new nuclear power capacity.

In the first quarter of 2026, U.S. energy storage developers added 9.7 GWh of new installed capacity, setting a record high for that quarter.The report, jointly released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, noted that despite measures taken by the U.S. government that industry insiders believe are slowing the development of clean energy, energy storage capacity still grew by 32% year-over-year.The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) stated that demand from data centers, electricity price volatility, and global disruptions in natural gas and gas turbine supplies are the primary drivers of energy storage demand.Several major tech companies, including Google and Meta, have announced agreements this year to procure tens of thousands of megawatt-hours of energy storage capacity to power the data centers required to run artificial intelligence technologies.With the Trump administration prioritizing oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy, the solar industry faces the dual challenges of tariff pressures and a freeze on approvals for large-scale projects.The report indicates that 467 solar and energy storage projects are currently awaiting approval and may face delays or cancellation.The report projects that by 2030, global new energy storage capacity will exceed 610 gigawatt-hours.Darren Vanterhoff, interim president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), stated: “The energy storage sector’s strong performance in the first quarter underscores the fundamental value of this technology.”He noted that sufficient energy storage infrastructure can help consumers weather fuel price shocks, lower electricity costs, and enhance grid reliability.Of the new installations in the first quarter, utility-scale projects accounted for 7.8 GWh; commercial and industrial systems added 648 MWh, and residential systems added 515 MWh.