In an update to its International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics, the German engineering association the VDMA said that solar module sizes of up to 4.0m² may be brought to mass production in the future.

The pilot project, consisting of a 50 MW solar plant and a utility scale electrolyzer, is planned to test how this combination may help reduce grid constraints in the country.

Enapter wants to launch mass production in Saerbeck, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It also plans to expand its current production facilities in Pisa, Italy.

Orders fell more than 70% in the second quarter but China’s economic recovery is providing the basis for cautious optimism.

Rheinland Solar has built a 750 kW floating solar plant to power several sieving machines and suction excavators at a quarry in Germany. On weekends, the excess electricity is sold to the grid at market prices.

The German developer will use the funds to finance its 16 GW global solar pipeline.

Eco-Tec, an Austrian PV company, is cooperating with a startup, Meine Blumenwiese, to ecologically upgrade ground-mounted solar projects. The two companies aim to generate clean energy while also creating new habitats for a range of insects and animals.

According to the latest figures from the Federal Network Agency, the country’s cumulative installed PV power has now reached 51.98 GW.

Centrotec, a German energy efficiency specialist, has acquired Switzerland’s Pari Group, which holds an 80% stake in German PV module manufacturer Sonnenstromfabrik.

Statkraft and Naturstrom AG have signed a power purchase agreement for a 50 MW solar array in Bavaria, while BayWa r.e. has announced a new solar-wind hybrid project, with 22 MW of solar capacity.