Mountains to climb – 05-2026
Mountains to climb
Energy security is the topic of the moment, and this month we zoom in on Asia where many nations are reacting to yet another fossil fuel driven energy crisis by turning to solar to provide a cheaper, less conflict-dependent form of generation.
With damage to fossil fuel production sites across the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed, global energy markets are taking an unprecedented hit. “Markets are still responding to events as they happen,” said IEEFA analyst Sam Reynolds in this edition, which is packed with expert insight into how vulnerable markets can turn historic fossil fuel dependency into economic strength – and what this might mean for solar. Can oil’s crisis be solar’s gain?
In keeping with the energy security and resilience theme, the magazine also features in depth coverage of markets like Pakistan, Mongolia and the Philippines. Moving away from Asia, pv magazine Latin America’s Luis Ini reports on Cuba’s energy blackouts and electricity infrastructure issues – and why solar is providing a lifeline to many in a country that is enduring frequent blackouts often lasting 16 hours or more.
The May magazine also includes a deep dive into how last year’s policy reforms in China have changed project economics by exposing them to the mercies of the market. Yujia Han explores how the policy reset and new spot market approach could affect standalone battery storage bottom lines. Meanwhile, “This round of reform hits solar especially hard”, as pv magazine China’s Vincent Shaw put it in his report. It’s a must read ahead of SNEC 2026 in early June in Shanghai. We’ll see you there!
Other topics in this issue:
- Mongolia’s solar opportunity: Mongolia could export electricity via connected grids across China, Russia, Japan and South Korea.
- Pakistan’s net metering debacle: Regulatory stumbles amid booming distributed solar generation.
- Manufacturing centers: Capital expenditure and technology selection in China, India and the United States.
- The best laid plans: Elon Musk’s plans to build 100 GW of PV manufacturing capacity in the United States in three years.
- Compressed air energy storage: Compressed air energy storage is appearing in a flurry of record-breaking utility-scale plants.
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