Recent news in the solar panel and related equipment sector includes advancements in manufacturing, cybersecurity concerns, and policy developments. The US saw increased domestic module production, while global module prices declined, potentially driving further capacity growth. Cybersecurity threats related to exposed management interfaces on solar devices have also emerged. Additionally, the US is imposing tariffs on solar panel imports from Southeast Asia due to alleged subsidies from China.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain:
Increased US Production:
The US has seen a significant rise in solar module manufacturing, with a 75% year-over-year increase in the first half of 2024.
Domestic Capacity Expansion:
Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), more than 95 GW of manufacturing capacity has been added across the solar supply chain, including nearly 42 GW of new module capacity.
Declining Module Prices:
Global PV module spot prices decreased by 50% between December 2022 and December 2023, partly due to growing overcapacity in the solar supply chain.
Tariffs on Southeast Asian Imports:
The US Commerce Department is imposing tariffs of up to 3,521% on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, citing concerns about Chinese subsidies and dumping.
Cybersecurity:
Exposed Management Interfaces:
Forescout’s research revealed that tens of thousands of solar power devices worldwide are vulnerable due to exposed internet-accessible management interfaces, some lacking even basic password protection.
Rogue Communication Devices:
U.S. experts have found undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, in some Chinese solar inverters and batteries, potentially creating security risks.
Policy and Market Trends:
24-Hour Solar Generation:
The emergence of 24-hour solar generation is enabling 24/7 clean energy contracts for industries requiring continuous power, particularly in emerging economies.
Dominant New Capacity:
Solar has been the leading source of new generating capacity to the grid since 2021, representing over 69% of new capacity in the first quarter of 2025.
Utility-Scale Growth:
The utility-scale solar segment experienced a record 33% year-over-year growth in 2024, with 41.4 GW of installed capacity.
Residential Market Dip:
The residential solar market saw a slowdown in installations due to state-level policy changes and high interest rates, but forecasts suggest a rebound in the coming years.
Technology Advancements:
High-Efficiency Modules:
Innovations like TOPCon bifacial modules and heterojunction (HJT) panels are delivering higher efficiency and long-term reliability.
Perovskite Solar Cells:
Researchers are exploring perovskite materials, which can be formulated as an ink and printed onto various surfaces, offering potential for flexible and efficient solar energy harvesting.
Singlet Fission:
Cornell University researchers have developed a method called “singlet fission” that could potentially double a solar cell’s light-harvesting potential, although it remains in the experimental phase.
