Audi to invest $4B in first U.S. assembly plant in Georgia

Audi, Volkswagen Group's luxury brand, announced it will invest $4 billion in its first U.S. factory, at the Middle Georgia Mega Site in Peach County near Macon, Georgia, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and the first U.S.-built vehicles produced in the early 2030s. The plant will assemble premium SUVs for North America with annual capacity of up to 200,000 vehicles and is expected to create around 4,500 jobs. Audi said the plant will reduce its exposure to trade and currency risks, such as the 15% tariff on European auto imports to the U.S.

Wood Mackenzie reports 2.8 GW of U.S. wind turbine orders in Q2 ahead of 45Y and 48E tax credit deadlines

Wood Mackenzie said in an October 26, 2026 report that U.S. wind turbine orders reached 2.8 GW in the second quarter as developers raced to commence construction before July 4, 2026, deadlines tied to the 45Y production tax credit and 48E investment tax credit under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Projects that missed the commence construction deadline must be placed in service by December 31, 2027, to qualify, while projects that met the July 4 deadline have until December 31, 2030.

Samsung SDI signs 1 GWh U.S.-made NCA battery storage supply agreement with Alpha Omega Power

Samsung SDI has signed an agreement to supply 1 GWh of nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) battery storage to U.S. utility and independent power producer Alpha Omega Power, with all cells and modules to be manufactured at Samsung SDI's StarPlus Energy plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.7 containerized energy storage is to be delivered before the end of 2026, for projects scheduled to begin construction in 2027 in the WECC and ERCOT markets. The deal brings Samsung SDI's contracted supply to APO to 1.5 GWh, following an earlier contract signed in 2025.

China solar module prices hold at $0.107/W as proposed price floors draw skepticism

China's TOPCon module export prices held steady for a second week despite a proposal by eight major polysilicon manufacturers, discussed at an October 11 meeting in Hangzhou, for minimum selling prices of CNY 0.79/W for TOPCon modules and CNY 0.86/W for back-contact modules, alongside a minimum polysilicon price of CNY 43/kg inclusive of tax. The OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released October 20 put the Chinese Module Marker for TOPCon modules below 645 W at $0.107/W FOB China, unchanged, with Q1 2027 forward prices at $0.106/W.

JOC reports regulatory moves and peak season prices weighing on US importers

JOC reports that regulatory moves and peak season prices are weighing on US importers, in an item whose body carries only DSV's third-quarter earnings, which reflected continued momentum from synergies in the ongoing integration of Schenker's business while a portfolio-cleanup process weighed on activity. The item does not name the regulatory measures, the products or HTS codes affected, any rate or any effective date.

Philippines initiates WTO-notified safeguard investigation on pork imports

The Philippines notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards that it initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of pork on October 9, 2026, with the notification circulated as G/SG/N/6/PHL/25. Interested parties must submit written comments, evidence and positions within five working days from the date of publication of the Notice, and parties required to complete an investigation questionnaire must submit complete responses within the prescribed period. The Notice does not specify an intended public hearing date.

Supply Chain Dive analysis identifies five trends reshaping consumer electronics supply chains

FMC floats port fees for Spanish ships and import restrictions

The Federal Maritime Commission has floated port fees for Spanish ships and import restrictions, according to JOC. The item does not state the rate of the fees, the products or HTS codes covered, or an effective date.

EcoFlow launches Titan 5000 residential storage systems in the US

EcoFlow launched its Titan series of residential battery storage systems in the US, with the Titan 5000 Classic, Titan 5000 and Titan 5000 Plus starting at 5 kWh and expanding to 30 kWh, available from Oct. 13. The Titan 5000 and 5000 Plus offer 7.2 kW output, while the Classic provides 4 kW at 120 V; all three carry five-year warranties and FCC authorization dated July 20.

pv magazine analysis: U.S. solar tracker suppliers shift to integrated systems via M&A

pv magazine reports that U.S. solar tracker suppliers are pursuing mergers and acquisitions to expand beyond trackers into adjacent components, citing NextPower, Array Technologies and GameChange Energy as the leading acquirers, with NextPower spending more than $1.1 billion. The article attributes the shift to a saturated domestic tracker market, forecast declining U.S. tracker shipments from 2026 to 2035, and the roughly 10% share of utility-scale solar capex that mounting systems represent. It also cites the Section 45X credit and the 10% domestic content bonus as incentives to manufacture in the United States, and notes the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered into force in January 2026.

China's solar anti-involution campaign adds mandatory efficiency and energy standards from Jan. 1, 2027

China's anti-involution campaign against below-cost competition in solar manufacturing now combines CPIA's standardized cost-accounting model, an Aug. 6 pledge by eight polysilicon producers representing more than 90% of effective capacity to price at or above full cost, and three mandatory national standards taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. The standards cap polysilicon energy consumption at 6.3 kg of standard coal equivalent per kilogram and set minimum Grade 3 module conversion efficiency of 23.2% for TOPCon and HJT and 23.5% for BC. The Silicon Industry Branch estimates effective polysilicon capacity will fall to about 2.4 million MT after restructuring, 16.4% below end-2024 levels.

pv magazine roundup: sodium-ion specs, California plug-in solar law and U.S. solar manufacturing financing

pv magazine USA's weekly roundup reports that the U.S. energy storage market is developing its own sodium-ion specification amid federal domestic content policies, FEOC sourcing rules and UL 9540A testing, and that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 868, allowing portable solar devices to connect through a receptacle. It also reports that the New York Public Service Commission approved a two-year meter socket adapter pilot, that more than 70% of announced U.S. solar manufacturing expansion plans are not yet financed, and that a Wood Mackenzie report finds four-hour storage cheaper than open-cycle gas in 43 modeled markets while tariffs threaten near-term U.S. gains.

FMC questions Cosco on late payment of reparations to ag shipper

The Federal Maritime Commission questioned Cosco over a late payment of reparations to an agricultural shipper, according to JOC. The report does not state the amount owed, the case number or the date the payment was due.

FMC questions Cosco on non-payment of reparations to ag shipper

The Federal Maritime Commission questioned Cosco over its non-payment of reparations to an agricultural shipper, according to a JOC report. The material provides no further detail on the amount, the shipper, the case number or any deadline.

In case you missed it: Solar stories of the week

White House announces $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel complex in Iowa

The White House announced that a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel complex is coming to Iowa, described as the largest steel plant ever built in the United States, with 1,750 permanent jobs, up to 6,000 construction jobs and an estimated $95 billion in U.S. economic output over construction and the first decade of operations. Mesabi Metallics CEO Joe Broking said the project combines direct-reduction grade iron ore pellet from Minnesota's Iron Range with DRI to EAF steelmaking in Iowa. The announcement does not state an effective date, a start of construction or any change to tariff or entry requirements.