The US solar industry is suffering from the price increase of aluminium due to the Mideast war.
The war in Iran has caused a shortage of aluminium, which is making racking systems more expensive. This adds to the financial pressures already being felt by an industry that has been struggling with high silver prices. Aluminium is a vital component for solar racking components, such as rails and clamps used to mount solar panels. The London Metal Exchange benchmark aluminium price has risen 15% since the end of February. CME's COMEX aluminum futures contract is up more than 30%.
The US solar industry is suffering from the price increase of aluminium due to the Mideast war.
The war in Iran has caused a shortage of aluminium, which is making racking systems more expensive. This adds to the financial pressures already being felt by an industry that has been struggling with high silver prices. Aluminium is a vital component for solar racking components, such as rails and clamps used to mount solar panels. The London Metal Exchange benchmark aluminium price has risen 15% since the end of February. CME's COMEX aluminum futures contract is up more than 30%.
Report shows that US energy storage added in the first quarter hit a record.
A report on Thursday showed that U.S. energy developers installed 9,7 gigawatt hours of new capacity during the first quarter of 2026. This was a record-high quarter. The Solar Energy Industries Association and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report said that energy?storage capacity increased by?32% over the past quarter, despite federal policies the industry claims are slowing down clean energy development. SEIA says that data centers, volatile electric prices and disruptions in global gas and gas-turbine supplies are driving demand.
Report shows that US energy storage added in the first quarter hit a record.
A report on Thursday showed that U.S. energy developers installed 9,7 gigawatt hours of new capacity during the first quarter of 2026. This was a record-high quarter. The Solar Energy Industries Association and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report said that energy?storage capacity increased by?32% over the past quarter, despite federal policies the industry claims are slowing down clean energy development. SEIA says that data centers, volatile electric prices and disruptions in global gas and gas-turbine supplies are driving demand.
Maguire: The NextEra-Dominion AI deal is not the last.
AI isn't just a way to increase electricity demand, it also resets the minimum scale for power supply. The proposed tie up between NextEra Energy and Dominion looks less like an one-off deal and more like a model. The $67 billion merger of two U.S. companies into one of the?world's largest energy producers is a sign that utilities must consolidate in order to build and finance the massive electricity networks needed to?run the U.S. data-heavy economy.
Want to join the "China is back" rally? Raychaudhuri: Be careful!
Investors often repeat the phrase "China is back", pointing to the successes of the country's?artificial-intelligence companies, and its ongoing recovery from a deflationary slump of three years. Stock-picking remains difficult in China. China appears to be emerging from its slump. The first-quarter gross national product increased by 5.0% on an annual basis, compared to a low of 4.5% for the fourth quarter, mainly due to strong manufacturing and exports. The consumer spending is still patchy, and the property market continues to decline.
Maguire: New models are needed to track China’s chaotic commodity transition.
China is the most energy-intensive country in the world and the top consumer of power. But analysts who monitor the raw material requirements for the country may need to adjust their models to take into account key structural changes to its economic makeup. Years of weakness in the real estate sector, historically the primary driver of economic expansion, has forced the country to re-calibrate how it generates demand and creates jobs. This has led to a contraction of?activity in the property sector.
Maguire: New models are needed to track China’s chaotic commodity transition.
China is the most energy-intensive country in the world and the top consumer of power. But analysts who monitor the raw material requirements for the country may need to adjust their models to take into account key structural changes to its economic makeup. Years of weakness in the real estate sector, historically the primary driver of economic expansion, has forced the country to re-calibrate how it generates demand and creates jobs. This has led to a contraction of?activity in the property sector.
Maguire: New models are needed to track China’s chaotic commodity transition.
China is the world's largest energy consumer and the most energy-intensive country, but analysts who monitor the country's raw materials needs may have to adjust their models in order to take into account key structural changes to its economy. Years of weakness in the property sector, historically the main driver for economic growth, has forced the country to re-calibrate how it generates demand and creates jobs. This has led to a contraction of activity in the property sector. These?developments? have changed China's economy in a material way.
Maguire: New models are needed to track China’s chaotic commodity transition.
China is the world's largest energy consumer and the most energy-intensive country, but analysts who monitor the country's raw materials needs may have to adjust their models in order to take into account key structural changes to its economy. Years of weakness in the property sector, historically the main driver for economic growth, has forced the country to re-calibrate how it generates demand and creates jobs. This has led to a contraction of activity in the property sector. These?developments? have changed China's economy in a material way.
US solar panel manufacturers seek tariff investigation on Ethiopia
A group of U.S. manufacturers of solar panels?asked federal trade officials on Tuesday to investigate solar shipments coming from Ethiopia. They alleged that the companies were completing their products in Ethiopia to avoid paying import duties for Chinese-made goods. This is the latest attempt by domestic solar panel manufacturers to get tariffs imposed on imports made by Chinese companies. The filing claims that Toyo of Japan and Origin Solar Manufacturing use Chinese wafers in Ethiopia to manufacture solar cells…
US solar panel manufacturers seek tariff investigation on Ethiopia
A group of U.S. solar panels makers asked federal trade officials on Tuesday to investigate solar shipments coming from Ethiopia. They claimed that companies were finishing their products there to avoid paying import duties for Chinese-made products. The filing at the U.S. Department of Commerce comes after a decade of efforts by the owners of domestic solar panels factories to obtain tariffs on imports that are primarily made by Chinese companies.
Trump's crackdown against solar companies linked to China stalls U.S. manufacturing boom
Solar companies, banks, and insurers stopped doing business at least half a dozen newly built U.S. panels factories due to uncertainty about whether their ties to China would disqualify them for clean-energy subsidies. Industry executives and documents examined by have confirmed this. This shift is a result of new policies from the Trump administration and threatens to undermine more than one-third of U.S. capacity for solar panels in factories originally built by Chinese companies.
Trump's crackdown against solar companies linked to China stalls U.S. manufacturing boom
Solar companies, banks, and insurers stopped doing business at least half a dozen newly built U.S. panels factories due to uncertainty about whether their ties to China would disqualify them for clean-energy subsidies. Industry executives and documents examined by have confirmed this. This shift is a result of new policies from the Trump administration and threatens to undermine more than one-third of U.S. capacity for solar panels in factories originally built by Chinese companies.
Bangladesh switches to solar energy as Middle East crises drive energy risks
Bangladesh has issued tenders for solar power of 495 megawatts, as it aims to reduce its dependence on imported fuels. The?Iran war? is driving a global rise in energy prices. The Bangladesh Power Development Board invited bids on 10 grid-connected projects ranging in size from 25 MW up to 100 MW. Private investors are expected to develop the plants. They will be located near existing'substations' in order to reduce grid strain and support grid stability. BPDB officials?said that the deadline for final bids is June 28.
First Solar's sales increase on the back of higher demand for solar panels
First Solar, the largest U.S. solar panel manufacturer, reported on Thursday higher quarterly sales that met Wall Street's expectations. This was aided by demand from India and third parties. First Solar has increased its pricing power as a result of the U.S. tariffs and more stringent trade enforcement, which have raised the price of imported solar panels. In extended trading, shares of the company rose by 0.55%. Mark Widmar, CEO, said in a statement: "We have delivered a strong start to 2026 with record revenue for the first quarter…
First Solar's sales increase on the back of higher demand for solar panels
First Solar, the largest U.S. solar panel manufacturer, reported on Thursday higher quarterly sales that met Wall Street's expectations. This was aided by demand from India and third parties. First Solar has increased its pricing power as a result of the U.S. tariffs and more stringent trade enforcement, which have raised the price of imported solar panels. In extended trading, shares of the company rose by 0.55%. Mark Widmar, CEO, said in a statement: "We have delivered a strong start to 2026 with record revenue for the first quarter…
Chinese solar manufacturers report fresh losses despite optimism over Iran War-driven boost in overseas demand
A major Chinese solar manufacturer?said this week that the U.S./Israeli war 'in Iran' is boosting interest overseas?in renewable energies. However, weaker domestic demand is weighing down on the outlook of the sector. Oil and gas prices have soared as a result of the two-month conflict in the Middle East. This has led to countries looking for alternative energy sources and trying to protect their economies from future shocks. The overall global demand for solar panels will likely decrease by 5-10% in 2026 as a 20% decline in China…
Chinese solar manufacturers report fresh losses despite optimism over Iran War-driven boost in overseas demand
A major Chinese solar manufacturer?said this week that the U.S./Israeli war 'in Iran' is boosting interest overseas?in renewable energies. However, weaker domestic demand is weighing down on the outlook of the sector. Oil and gas prices have soared as a result of the two-month conflict in the Middle East. This has led to countries looking for alternative energy sources and trying to protect their economies from future shocks. The overall global demand for solar panels will likely decrease by 5-10% in 2026 as a 20% decline in China…
Russell: The war between Iran and the US will supercharge Asia’s transition from fossil fuels towards electrons.
The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has turned out to be an 'aha moment' for Asia. This is the continent that is most vulnerable to the loss of crude and liquefied gas through the still mostly closed Strait of Hormuz. China was largely responsible for the electrification of this region, which is home to the world's fastest-growing population. The ripple effect from the loss of?of?about 10 million barrels of crude and refined products per day (bpd), and around 20% of global LNG, is proving to be a game changer.
