During the period from November 6th to 12th, 2025, the following international news occurred:
1. France revises off-peak hours to match solar generation patterns
French grid operator Enedis implemented reforms to off-peak electricity tariff periods starting November 1, 2025, to better align with renewable energy generation patterns like solar power. The reforms adjust summer off-peak hours to a maximum 3-hour period between 11:00 and 17:00, while maintaining at least 5 consecutive nighttime off-peak hours. The plan aims to gradually cover 14.5 million users on time-of-use tariffs by October 2027, potentially shifting 5 GW of midday electricity demand and alleviating evening peak demand.
2. Key takeaways from All Energy Australia 2025
The All-Energy Australia 2025 exhibition indicated accelerated development in the PV and energy storage market. The federal "Cheap Home Battery" program spurred the installation of 100,000 household storage units within four months, with the first-year target expected to reach 300,000 units. To achieve the 2030 target of 82% renewable electricity, the pipeline for utility-scale solar and storage projects exceeds 150 GW, with large-scale battery deployment leading globally. Despite slow short-term investment decisions, industry confidence has significantly rebounded.
3. Bahrain to host world’s largest single-site rooftop solar power plant
Bahrain will build a 123 MW PV project comprising ten rooftop plants and four ground-mounted plants. A 50 MW array on the 262,000-square-meter warehouse roof of Bahrain Steel will become the world's largest single-site rooftop solar plant upon completion. The project involves a power purchase agreement between Foulath Holding and Yellow Door Energy, with annual generation exceeding 200 GWh and reducing carbon emissions by 90,000 tonnes annually, supporting Bahrain's steel industry decarbonization and solar installation goals.
4. Europe faces surge in negative power prices as solar output grows
Several European countries are experiencing a surge in negative electricity prices due to renewable energy oversupply. By the end of October, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and France had all recorded over 500 hours of negative prices. In October, Germany's solar capture price was only €71.55/MWh, 84.8% of the market average; Spain's capture rate was as low as 57.4%, reflecting significant price suppression affecting solar revenues.
5. Ghana, Switzerland partner on $200 million rooftop solar rollout
Ghana and Switzerland have partnered to launch a $200 million rooftop solar project, the National Clean Energy Programme. Implemented by Ghana's Ministry of Energy and Green Transformation in collaboration with the Swiss Click Foundation, the project will install 4,000 rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 137 MW. Ghana's current solar capacity is 188 MW, and it aims for renewables to constitute 10% of the national electricity mix by 2030.
6. Morocco distributed solar potential pegged at 28.6 GW
A new study indicates Morocco's distributed solar potential (primarily rooftop PV) reaches 28.6 GW. Under an optimistic scenario, this could generate 66.8 TWh annually, reduce emissions by 48.19 million tonnes of CO2, meet 98% of 2035 electric vehicle charging demand, and create a $31 billion market. The report calls for enacting relevant laws by 2026 and advancing smart grid construction to unlock this potential.
7. Florida utility on pace to reach 93 GW solar, 50 GW storage by 2045
A report from the Southeastern Clean Energy Alliance shows Florida Power & Light (FPL) is on track to deploy 93 GW of solar and 50 GW of storage by 2045, far surpassing other utilities in the region that are only "testing the waters" with solar. The region added 5 GW of solar last year, with Georgia Power, Duke Energy North Carolina, and others receiving recognition. However, distributed rooftop solar deployment remains limited, and the alliance calls for accelerated solar and storage development.
8. First Solar plans fifth US factory with 3.7 GW capacity addition
First Solar plans to build its fifth US module manufacturing factory, adding 3.7 GW of annual capacity. Expected to be operational by the end of 2026, this will bring its total US capacity to over 14 GW, solidifying its position as the largest domestic solar manufacturer. The company added 2.7 GW of new orders in Q3 2025, with a backlog reaching 54.5 GW. Its products comply with trade policy requirements and are eligible for a 40% tax credit.
9. Australia plans nationwide three-hour free solar power offer from July 2026
Australia plans to implement a "Solar Sharing Scheme" from July 2026, requiring retailers to provide households with three hours of free daytime electricity daily to absorb surplus solar generation. The policy will cover New South Wales, South East Queensland, and South Australia, benefiting all smart meter users, including tenants, aiming to optimize grid load and reduce overall energy costs.
10. AlphaESS launches all-in-one storage systems for C&I applications
Chinese energy storage company AlphaESS launched two all-in-one commercial and industrial energy storage systems: the Storion-H30-G3 (72.3 kWh) and H50-G3 (120.5 kWh), supporting parallel expansion up to 2.4 MWh. The systems integrate PCS, EMS, and BMS, with maximum efficiency of 97.8%, featuring triple fire protection and IP55 rating. They are suitable for SMEs, commercial complexes, and other scenarios, helping users increase returns.
11. Portugal’s EDP, Rondo sign PPA for solar-powered industrial heat project
Portugal's first "Heat-as-a-Service" agreement was signed between EDP and US-based Rondo Energy for a project at a Heineken brewery. The project includes a 7 MW solar PV plant and a 100 MWh thermal battery. PV power and grid-sourced renewable electricity charge the thermal battery, enabling 24/7 emission-free steam supply, replacing fossil fuel boilers, and covering approximately 25 GWh of annual electricity demand, setting an example for energy-intensive industries.
12. France concludes C&I rooftop PV tender with average price of €0.09648/kWh
France's Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition concluded the 11th round (2021-2026) of its commercial and industrial rooftop PV tender for projects over 500 kW. It allocated 300.9 MW of capacity to 129 projects at an average price of €0.09648/kWh. The Seine-et-Marne department received the highest allocated capacity. This price shows a slight fluctuating downward trend compared to previous tender rounds.
13. Spain approves new decree to accelerate storage and grid modernization
The Spanish Council of Ministers approved a new Royal Decree aimed at accelerating energy storage deployment and grid modernization. The decree sets a 2030 target of 22.5 GW of storage, streamlines the approval process for adding storage to existing renewable power plants, and strengthens oversight of grid operation. It also shortens connection times for power consumption projects like EV charging, promoting industrial electrification and R&D innovation testbeds.
14. Hydrogen production to lower curtailment at Dutch solar park
The Netherlands launched the H2 Hollandia green hydrogen project, involving a 5 MW electrolyzer connected to a 115 MW solar park, producing approximately 300,000 kg of green hydrogen annually. The project utilizes curtailed solar power (potentially reducing curtailment by 50%) and regular generation for hydrogen production. The hydrogen will supply local transport and other sectors. Expected to be operational by summer 2026, it is one of the largest green hydrogen projects in the Netherlands.
15. Uzbekistan expands solar home subsidy uptake to over 35,000 households
Uzbekistan provided $12.8 million in rooftop PV subsidies to 35,000 households from January to September 2025, with participation in the "Solar Home" program more than doubling year-on-year. The program buys surplus electricity fed into the grid at 1,000 soums per kWh. The Khorezm region received the most subsidies. The country's current PV capacity is 2.3 GW, targeting 25 GW of wind and solar by 2030.
16. UK solar capacity hits 20 GW
The UK's installed solar capacity has surpassed 20 GW, with 1.4 GW added in the first three quarters of 2025, approximately 58% from ground-mounted plants. Fifteen Contracts for Difference (CfD) projects became operational during the year, including the largest solar farm, Cleve Hill (373 MW). Subsequent CfD auction rounds will be crucial for achieving the 2030 target of 45 GW.