PVTIME – The planned conversion of Ohio’s former Conesville coal plant into a 2GW solar module manufacturing facility by Ohio Sunshine is emblematic of the ongoing global energy storage revolution. Scheduled to break ground in early 2026 and commence commercial production in Q1 2027, the project encapsulates three defining trends that are shaping the global energy storage sector: the drive for regional supply chain resilience; the integration of advanced photovoltaic technologies to enhance storage value; and the alignment of industrial development with supportive policy frameworks. As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, energy storage has evolved from a supplementary component to a critical enabler of grid stability and decarbonisation efforts. Analysing the Conesville project alongside broader market dynamics reveals how these trends are converging to redefine the future of energy storage on a global scale.
A key trend highlighted by the Ohio Sunshine project is the global shift towards localised energy storage and photovoltaic supply chains, primarily driven by policy incentives and concerns about supply chain security. The project’s equipment supply strategy, which involves partnering with the Italian firm Ecoprogetti for core production lines and sourcing TOPCon solar cells from Talon PV’s Texas facility, demonstrates a deliberate shift towards reducing reliance on a single region for manufacturing. This shift mirrors a wider global movement, most prominently exemplified by the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which establishes escalating local content requirements for renewable energy projects. Under the IRA, projects must meet a 40% domestic manufacturing threshold by 2025 and 55% by 2027 to qualify for the maximum investment tax credit of 40%. Ohio Sunshine’s commitment to regional supply chain integration responds directly to these policy signals, demonstrating how legislative frameworks are steering investment towards localised production ecosystems.
The emphasis on localisation has implications for global energy storage dynamics, extending beyond the United States. Wood Mackenzie’s analysis of the US storage market highlights the impact of such policies. While supply chain adjustments may cause a 11% contraction in large-scale storage projects by 2026, the long-term effect will be a more resilient domestic manufacturing base. The market is projected to resume double-digit growth by 2028 as local manufacturing capacity comes online, contributing to a five-year forecast of nearly 93GW of storage installations across the US. A similar pattern is emerging in other regions, as governments seek to balance renewable energy expansion with industrial development and energy security. The Conesville project, which initially created 83 local jobs with the potential to generate further employment in the supply chain, demonstrates how energy storage-related manufacturing can deliver tangible economic benefits, thereby strengthening political and public support for decarbonisation efforts.
The rapid advancement of photovoltaic technologies, particularly TOPCon technology, is complementing the localisation trend and enhancing the value proposition of energy storage systems worldwide. Ohio Sunshine’s planned use of TOPCon cells reflects a global shift towards this high-efficiency technology, which already dominates over 70% of the crystalline silicon photovoltaic market and is expected to increase to 81% by 2025. Recent research breakthroughs have further elevated the potential of TOPCon technology. A collaborative study published in Joule demonstrated that industrial-grade TOPCon cells can achieve a certified efficiency of 26.09% on standard M10 wafers. This advancement, achieved through precision steel mesh printing and optimised local polysilicon design, improves energy output and enhances bifacial performance to around 90%, closing the gap with more expensive silicon heterojunction technologies.
Integrating high-efficiency TOPCon technology with energy storage systems creates a synergistic effect that is transforming renewable energy deployment strategies. Higher photovoltaic efficiency means greater energy generation per unit of installed capacity, thereby increasing the value of storage systems by making the most of stored energy. This synergy is particularly important in markets with high levels of renewable energy penetration, where storage systems must efficiently capture and discharge variable solar output in order to maintain grid stability. According to industry experts, the combination of TOPCon technology with energy storage is becoming a standard requirement for large-scale renewable projects, as evidenced by the increasing number of integrated energy storage solutions being deployed worldwide. For the Conesville facility, this technological choice ensures its output can meet the evolving needs of energy developers seeking to optimise generation and storage efficiency, thus maintaining its relevance in a rapidly advancing market.
The Ohio Sunshine project also aligns with the broader trend of accelerating global energy storage demand, which is driven by the increasing adoption of renewable energy and growing electricity consumption. The US storage market has already shown significant growth in the third quarter of 2025, with installations reaching 5.3GW, surpassing the full-year figure for 2024. Large-scale projects have been the primary growth driver, accounting for 4.6GW of third-quarter installations, while the residential storage segment has seen a 70% year-on-year increase, with California, Arizona, and Illinois leading deployments. This growth is not confined to the US: global forecasts indicate that storage demand will reach terawatt-hour scale over the next decade as hundreds of gigawatts of renewable energy projects come online.
The demand for energy storage is further fuelled by the increasing electrification of sectors such as data centres and transport, which require a reliable power supply and grid flexibility. In Ohio, large commercial and industrial users rather than residential consumers are driving much of the growing electricity demand, highlighting the need for storage solutions that can meet industrial-scale requirements. The 2GW capacity of the Conesville facility will help to address this demand by supplying high-efficiency solar modules that can be paired with storage systems to provide stable, low-carbon power to these critical users. This aligns with industrial demand trends, underlining the project’s commercial viability and contributing to broader grid stability objectives.
Policy frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping these energy storage trends, with governments worldwide moving beyond simple subsidies to implement more sophisticated mechanisms that support market growth. In the US, for example, the IRA’s tax credit structure has been instrumental in driving investment in renewable energy and storage. Meanwhile, state-level policies such as California’s net metering and the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Energy Target 3.0 programme provide additional support for distributed storage deployments. In Ohio, the debate around community energy programmes reflects a broader policy dialogue about balancing renewable energy expansion with consumer affordability. The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel has emphasised the need for market-driven approaches to solar development that do not shift costs onto non-participating households and small businesses. This highlights the importance of policy design in ensuring sustainable storage growth.
Policy approaches to energy storage are becoming increasingly diverse globally, with different regions focusing on specific aspects of the market. For example, the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme has allocated €954 million to grid-scale long-duration storage research, reflecting a focus on overcoming the technical challenges posed by high levels of renewable energy penetration. Meanwhile, emerging markets are implementing supportive policies to attract investment in storage technology, recognising its role in expanding energy access and enhancing grid reliability. These varied policy approaches are creating a dynamic global landscape in which best practices are shared and adopted, thereby accelerating the overall advancement of energy storage technologies and markets.
Looking ahead, the Ohio Sunshine project exemplifies trends that point to a future energy storage landscape characterised by regional supply chain resilience, continuous technological innovation and growing market integration. Manufacturing will probably become more localised as governments prioritise energy security and industrial development, though this could lead to short-term adjustments in the supply chain. Technologically, ongoing improvements to TOPCon and other photovoltaic technologies will enhance the value of energy storage further, while advances in battery chemistry and system design will reduce costs and improve performance. Integrating storage with other energy systems, such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and smart grids, will expand its application scenarios and create new revenue streams.
However, the global energy storage sector still faces challenges. In the short to medium term, supply chain constraints, particularly with regard to critical materials, could hinder growth. Policy uncertainty and evolving regulatory landscapes could also create barriers for investors, underscoring the importance of stable, long-term policy frameworks. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure the environmental sustainability of storage technologies throughout their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, in order to maintain the sector’s role in decarbonisation efforts.
The transformation of the Conesville coal plant into a cutting-edge solar module facility exemplifies these trends and challenges, representing the broader transition occurring across the global energy system. By embracing localised supply chains, advanced technologies, and market-driven demand, the project contributes to Ohio’s economic and energy transition, while also providing insights into the future direction of the global energy storage sector. As the world continues to pursue decarbonisation goals, energy storage will remain a cornerstone of the renewable energy revolution. Its development will be shaped by the interplay of policy, technology and market forces, which are clearly evident in the Conesville initiative.
In conclusion, the global energy storage sector is entering a period of accelerated growth and transformation. This is being driven by converging trends such as localised supply chains, technological advancement, and increasing demand. The Ohio Sunshine project is a prime example of how these trends are being translated into practical action, showcasing the potential for industrial renewal through renewable energy and storage development. As policies evolve to support sustainable growth and technologies improve, energy storage will play an increasingly central role in ensuring grid stability, enhancing energy security, and enabling the transition to a low-carbon global economy. The successes and challenges of projects such as Conesville will provide valuable insights for future energy storage developments worldwide, helping to shape a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
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