SPW~ICYMI - New tariffs + American panel manufacturers' TOPCon woes

Here are some highlights from the last week in solar and storage, in case you missed them on Solar Power World's website. We have a new daily email newsletter, and you can subscribe here.

This story could very well be different based on the minute you're reading it, but President Trump announced new reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners earlier this week. Some of the highest tariffs have been placed on Southeast Asian countries, the same ones facing high AD/CVD rates on solar cells and panels.

Our managing editor Kelsey Misbrener reports that inverter companies, module makers and even mounting manufacturers are getting equipment certified to handle 2,000 V. The jump to 2 kV would mean reduced BOS costs and more cost-effective projects. Is the United States ready?

With all the TOPCon patent infringement lawsuits circling the market, EIC Kelly Pickerel wanted to see how American solar panel manufacturers were faring. Without access to TOPCon cells (or really any n-type designs), U.S. panel makers are using p-type PERC cells. There's nothing wrong with PERC, but with China able to earnestly scale n-type manufacturing, the United States is falling further behind in the solar panel manufacturing race.

Finally, Billy Ludt has a Q&A with a monitoring technology startup that wants to help utility-scale solar site owners detect fires before they spread...like wildfire. A great quote from within: "In the kitchen, the chef puts out a fire. They don’t call in a firefighter, because the fire is still so small." These sensors can help system owners get brush fires under control before the brigade has to be called in.

There is also so much project news this week on Solar Power World , it's crazy. Make sure to check in daily! See you next week.