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.

China's MIIT proposes stricter solar cell and module efficiency standards in draft 2026 specifications

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released for public consultation on Oct. 16 draft 2026 Photovoltaic Manufacturing Industry Specifications that would replace the 2024 rules and raise minimum average conversion efficiencies, with the consultation open until Nov. 15. New and expanded cell lines would need 26.2% for n-type TOPCon, 26.0% for HJT and 26.6% for BC, up from a uniform 26.0% for new n-type cells; existing lines would need 25.3% for TOPCon and HJT and 25.6% for BC, against 25.0% previously.

ARMA opens consultation on proposed 2027 EPR oversight fees for Alberta producers

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) has opened its 2027 EPR Oversight Fee Consultation, inviting producers to review proposed oversight fees and the oversight fee methodology and to submit feedback, including at a scheduled webinar. ARMA states that the consultation presentation, the 2027 EPR Oversight Fee Calculator and the webinar recording are coming soon, and that the Fee Setting Policy and current oversight fee FAQs are available. The notice does not state the proposed fee amounts or the consultation deadline.

ARMA releases first EPR annual report on Alberta's producer-funded recycling system

The Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) released its 2025 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Annual Report, covering the first transitional year of Alberta's EPR framework following the April 1, 2025 launch of Phase I of the Single-Use Products, Packaging and Paper Products (PPP) and Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) programs. At launch, 217 communities representing approximately 94% of Alberta's population received EPR-funded services, with more than 5,300 producers and suppliers participating in ARMA-administered EPR.

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.

In case you missed it: Solar stories of the week