Solar Infra Helps India Meet Record 256GW Power Demand
Visual Credits: Canva
India “comfortably” met the rising peak power demand of 256 GW on Saturday, the highest-ever recorded on a single day amid the soaring temperatures because of the growing contribution of solar power to the energy mix, TOI reported.
At the time of the peak power demand of 256.1GW at 3:38 pm on April 25, solar contributed 57GW which is 22% of the total energy generation.
Data from the grid controller of India showed that at 12:30 pm on that day solar power generation from roof top systems and solar plants rose to 81GW which was one third of total energy generation of 242 GW.
Karnataka Court Pauses Stricter Power Grid Penalties for Renewable Forms
Karnataka High Court temporarily blocked new, stricter penalties for solar and wind power producers for deviating from scheduled grid supply after industry bodies challenged the rules, Reuters reported.
India, on March 31, increased penalties for wind and solar generators for deviating from their supply pledges to the power grid. Until the next hearing, renewable energy companies can continue using the older system for paying charges when their power generation differs from the schedule given to grid operators, the court order said, the news wire noted.
The case was filed by the National Solar Energy Federation of India, which argued that new rules issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) were introduced without proper public consultation. Solar and wind power output depends on weather conditions and cannot always be controlled, the petitioners said, unlike coal or gas-based power plants.
The state government and power regulator have been asked to respond by June 10. India aims to build 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Industry groups had previously said stricter regulations could lead to revenue loss and limit investor interest in India’s clean
Chinese Solar Exports Double in a Month to Hit Record High in March 2026 Amid Energy Crisis and Change in Chinese Tax Rebate
China’s solar exports reached a record 68 GW in March, double the previous month, amid high energy prices due to the US-Israel war with Iran and an additional boost from changes to Chinese tax rebates, analysis by think tank Ember showed.
The March data from the Chinese customs authority provides the first insight into the global response to the energy crisis. Analysis by Ember, with data published openly in the China Solar PV Export Explorer, reveals that the record 68 GW of solar exports is equivalent to Spain’s entire solar capacity, surpassing the previous record set in August 2025 by 49%.
The think tank noted that the latest data shows that the regions most affected by the unfolding energy crisis have seen some of the sharpest increases in demand for solar PV. Sales were also higher in anticipation of a change in export tax rebates from 1 April, which adds 9% to solar panel costs.
Fifty countries set all-time records for Chinese solar imports in March 2026, with a further 60 seeing the highest levels in six months. Exports to Africa rose by 176% compared to February 2026 to reach 10 GW in March 2026, while exports to Asia doubled to reach 39 GW – both new all time records. Combined, the two regions were responsible for three-quarters of the increase in Chinese solar exports.
Countries with particularly rapid growth in Asia include India (+141%, +6.6 GW compared to February 2026), Malaysia (+384%, +1.8 GW) and Lao PDR (+108%, +2.3 GW). In Africa, Nigeria (+519%, +1.2 GW compared to February 2026), Kenya (+207%, +1.4 GW) and Ethiopia (+391%, +1.1 GW) all imported over 1 GW of solar PV technology for the first time ever in a single month, predominantly in the form of solar cells, the report said.
China and India Lead Global Wind Surge as 165 GW of Wind Capacity was Added in 2025: Report
World wind capacity reached 1,299 GW by the end of 2025, according to the Global Wind Report 2026, released by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). China installed nearly 120 GW in 2025 — almost matching the entire world’s total additions from the previous year, reported Carboncopy, adding that China accounts for 73% of all global onshore installations and has surpassed 640 GW in cumulative capacity. Wind now competes directly with coal power prices in China. Under its latest commitments, China aims for 3.6 TW of combined wind and solar by 2035, making annual wind installations of over 100 GW the new norm, the report said.
Currently, 138 countries power their economies with wind. Asia commissioned 80% of the global total of new wind capacity — 131 GW. India doubled its annual installations to build 6.3 GW of wind capacity last year, found the report. In India, new onshore wind capacity installed in 2025 led to an 85% increase over the previous year. This surge was driven by the government’s ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, of which 100 GW is earmarked for wind.
The report anticipated that India will add over 40 GW of new onshore capacity through 2030, bolstered by hybrid projects and the repowering of older wind farms in coastal states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat
China’s Renewable Energy Capacity Reaches 2,400 GW by March End
During a press conference on Monday, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said China’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 2,400 gigawatts (GW) by the end of March, accounting for more than 60% of the national total, reports state broadcaster CGTN. Wind and solar capacity reached 1,900 GW, accounting for half of total installed capacity, adds the outlet.
Israel Destroys Solar Panels in South Lebanon
Israeli soldiers used bulldozers to destroy solar panels in Debel, south Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported. According to the Lebanese National News Agency, these panels supply the town with electricity, which is needed for its water supply, and Israel destroyed homes, roads and olive trees as well, the news outlet said.
