The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators ('ACER') launched a public consultation, open until May 8, to assess the bloc's power purchase agreement ('PPA') market. 'ACER' seeks data on regulatory and financial conditions, including public guarantees, trading platforms, and tax incentives. The goal is to identify market barriers, inform its annual report, and guide future regulatory measures to improve market accessibility. This comes as the European 'PPA' market navigates complex dynamics; Finergreen noted a 35% drop in 2025 signings, whereas Pexapark reported February 2026 saw the highest monthly volume of new deals since early 2024.

According to consultancy 'Greener', Brazil imported 17.9 GWp of PV modules in 2025, a 24% decline from 2024, with 79% destined for the distributed generation segment. The drop reflects an inventory buildup as distributed additions slowed to 8.8 GW. Despite a fragmented market of 115 brands, the top 10 suppliers—led by JA Solar, Longi, Astronergy, and Risen—accounted for 59% of imports. Import costs have surged to 44% of the product's 'CIF' value due to higher import duties (up from 9% to 25%) and rising freight costs. Looking ahead, the market faces further pricing impacts from the end of Chinese export tax incentives, though some utility-scale projects may benefit from reinstated duty quotas.

[Weekly Operating Rates in the Aluminum Processing Industry: China's Aluminum Processing Sector Sees Modest Growth Amid Peak Season Demand] This week, the weekly operating rate of leading downstream aluminum processing enterprises in China edged up 1 percentage point WoW to 62.9%.

Current manufacturer expectations for this month and April remain cautious, with some companies having already lowered their April production forecasts.

Solid-state batteries were a hot topic at the 2026 Two Sessions, where delegates noted that the industry is at a critical inflection point, moving from “samples” to “products.”

Brazil's 439 MW Bom Jardim solar complex in Ceará has begun testing four of its 10 plants. Backed by a BRL 2.13 billion ($407 million) investment and qualifying for REIDI tax incentives, the 706-unit project targets full commercial operation by December 2027. Generated power will be routed via an 8 km transmission line to the 230 kV Icó Substation, with the development expected to create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Recently, the European Commission has approved a €400 million state aid scheme for Greece aimed at supporting the country's clean technology manufacturing sector. The scheme aligns with the Net Zero Industrial Act (NZIA) and has been authorised under the Clean Industries Agreement State Aid Framework (CISAF). It will promote domestic manufacturing of technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, electrolysers, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) through direct grants and tax incentives.

On February 25, Hong Kong's Financial Secretary announced measures to develop Hong Kong as a gold trading hub. Following a cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange and the upcoming 2026 launch of the Hong Kong Gold Central Clearing System, the government will pursue three initiatives: offering tax incentives for eligible gold trading and settlement institutions; supporting the establishment of an industry association to consolidate resources, enhance market promotion, and expand networks; and creating a training framework to equip professionals with updated market knowledge and skills.

Futures: Overnight, LME lead opened at $1,965/mt, fluctuating downward during the Asian session; it dipped to $1,948.5/mt upon entering the European session, but then rose due to a weakening US dollar index, touching a high of $1,976.5/mt before finally settling at $1,974.5/mt. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE lead 2603 contract opened at 16,665 yuan/mt, briefly touched a low of 16,560 yuan/mt early in the session, then rebounded as bears reduced positions, reaching a high of 16,680 yuan/mt before finally settling at 16,665 yuan/mt, up 0.48%, forming a doji star. On the macro front: As markets awaited a series of US economic data, a weaker US dollar made dollar-denominated commodities more attractive to overseas buyers; spot gold extended gains. The White House's Hassett predicted worsening employment: AI boosts productivity, reduces labor demand. Alphabet planned to raise about $15 billion by issuing US dollar bonds. China's Ministry of Commerce held a symposium with automakers: Multiple measures to promote the expansion and quality improvement of auto consumption. The Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing Stock Exchanges announced a package of measures to optimize refinancing. Seven departments including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security provided administrative guidance on employment to leading platform companies and courier firms. Three departments including the Ministry of Finance issued an announcement on tax incentives for re-exported cross-border e-commerce goods. : SHFE lead stopped falling and stabilized, but as the Chinese New Year holiday approached, logistics vehicles halted in some regions, leading to reduced shipments and quotations from suppliers. Only some cargoes self-picked up from primary lead smelters were quoted at premiums of 0-50 yuan/mt against the SMM #1 lead average price ex-works. In the secondary lead sector, more smelters were on holiday and reluctant to sell at low prices, with most enterprises suspending quotations; a few secondary refined lead offers were at discounts of 25 yuan/mt to premiums of 50 yuan/mt against the SMM #1 lead average price ex-works. Downstream enterprises generally entered the year-end wrap-up phase, with minimal inquiries, resulting in thin trading in the spot market. Inventory: On February 9, LME lead inventory decreased by 100 mt to 232,750 mt. As of February 9, SMM lead ingot social inventory across five regions rose to a five-month high. Today's lead price forecast: With previously in-transit lead ingots by rail concentratedly arriving at warehouses, social inventory of lead ingots increased significantly, mainly reflected in Jiangsu and Zhejiang region warehouses. Last week, lead prices fell, prompting lead-acid battery enterprises to conduct relatively concentrated stockpiling of lead ingots, leading to a noticeable decline in lead smelters' in-factory inventory. This week being the last before the Chinese New Year, the final batch of lead-acid battery enterprises will enter the holiday state, further weakening lead consumption. Meanwhile, with the start of the Spring Festival travel season, migrant workers have returned to their hometowns, and the number of vehicles in operation has gradually decreased. Currently, some regions no longer support road transportation. It is expected that the growth momentum of social inventory for lead ingots will slow down, and the inventory buildup of lead ingots is anticipated to be more reflected in the smelters' plant inventories. Overall, lead prices are in the doldrums ahead of the holiday. Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, other data are processed by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database model, for reference only and do not constitute decision-making advice.

Despite a low national electrification rate of 12%, Chad has achieved the second-highest solar penetration in Africa, with photovoltaics accounting for 36.7% of its electricity mix. The country currently has 110 MW of installed capacity, including 63 MW of utility-scale and 34.7 MW of residential systems. To convert its oil wealth into broader energy access, the government is advancing a 350 MW pipeline of projects concentrated around N’Djamena, including the 50 MW Noor Chad plant (commissioning in 2025) and the 36 MW Djermaya facility. Under the 'Chad Connection 2030' plan, authorities aim to install 520 MW of new solar capacity and achieve a 90% electrification rate by 2030, supported by tax incentives for equipment imports.