Solar • Table.Briefings

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May 19th, 2026

Coal-fired power stations: How they affect solar energy

Burning coal not only produces emissions but also releases aerosols into the air, significantly reducing electricity generation from solar power systems.

By Lisa Kuner

News | Solar

May 12th, 2026

Solar expansion: Revised city comparison reveals significant differences

In only 20% of Germany’s major cities have enough solar systems been installed recently to meet the overall expansion target. Environmental Action Germany (DUH) is therefore calling for the conditions for rooftop PV to not be made any worse.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt

Windräder mit großen Batteriecontainern und Solarmodulen in den Niederlanden, 2022

News | Renewable energies

May 12th, 2026

Constant solar and wind power is already competitive with fossil fuels

Some renewable energy plants capable of providing a reliable, continuous supply of electricity are already cheaper than gas- and coal-fired power plants. Over the next ten years, costs for hybrid projects that include storage will continue to fall.

By David Goeßmann

Fotovoltaik und Windenergie aus Zhangjiakou

News | Climate in figures

April 28th, 2026

Solar: The surprising top 10 PV pioneers

Two top-10 country rankings for solar energy reveal some surprises. While China generates more electricity from solar power plants than all OECD countries combined, Hungary and Chile also stand out.

By Nico Beckert

Kauf von Solarpanelen in Lahore, Pakistan.

Feature | Solar industry

April 22nd, 2026

Pakistan: How China helped trigger a solar revolution

Pakistan’s solar capacity has risen rapidly in recent years. That transformation also has to do with China’s overcapacity. But the solar revolution has left poorer segments of the population stuck with an expensive fossil-fuel-based power grid.

By Urmi Goswami

Ein Stand von BYD auf einer Messe in München.

News | Trade

March 25th, 2026

Chamber of Commerce: Chinese companies call for greater political stability in the EU

A survey shows that Chinese companies view Europe not as a temporary stopover but as a long-term partner. This, however, depends on Brussels creating “stable, fair, and predictable” conditions.

By Manuel Liu

News | Energy transition

March 10th, 2026

Court of Auditors: EU targets for energy communities are “wishful thinking” for the time being

In a new report, the European Court of Auditors criticizes the lack of progress in energy communities. It says the targets are too optimistic, the guidelines unclear and the incentives inadequate.

By Lukas Bayer

News | Energy prices

March 6th, 2026

Citizen energy: Commission recommends more solar

The EU Commission is planning measures to strengthen citizen energy. The aim is to ease the financial burden on households by enabling people to have their own solar power systems and energy communities. But it is concerned about aggressive online advertising.

By Manuel Berkel

Feature | Renewable energies

February 26th, 2026

EEG leak: More utility-scale solar, end of feed-in tariffs for rooftop systems

Germany’s Economy Ministry is planning to end the feed-in tariff for small solar systems. Instead, utility-scale ground-mounted PV is to be expanded more strongly. Whether that keeps the 22-gigawatt expansion target within reach is, however, doubtful.

By Malte Kreutzfeldt and Nico Beckert

Feature | China

February 19th, 2026

Competition with China: Climate-focused business groups call for protection for the green transition

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a tightrope walk on his China trip. Climate cooperation with China remains important – yet business representatives are calling for a strong “made in Europe” approach, including in green-tech industries.

By Nico Beckert