Sandra Enkhardt
JinkoSolar to lease TOPCon patents to rivals in exchange for licensing fees
JinkoSolar is offering its n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) patents to competitors to encourage technological development and prevent legal conflicts.
Fraunhofer IWU unveils online tool for sizing of rooftop PV systems
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhoer IWU) has developed a new online tool to calculate the size of rooftop solar arrays, heat pumps and batteries.
Renewables covered almost 60% of German electricity demand in 2023
New statistics from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) show that PV systems in Germany generated around 59.9 TWh of solar power in 2023, with 6.4 TWh used for home consumption.
Germany hits 80 GW milestone
Germany deployed around 1.18 GW of new PV systems in November and could potentially install more than 14 GW of PV capacity this year, according to new statistics from the national network operator.
German installer Eigensonne files for insolvency
Berlin-based Eigensonne, a supplier of rooftop PV systems for purchase and rental, has filed for insolvency. However, rival supplier Calosol is offering Eigensonne’s customers the chance to install their systems at their agreed prices with equivalent components.
Germany sets new ceiling prices for solar auctions
The German grid agency has set a ceiling price of €0.0737 ($0.081)/kWh for ground-mounted PV and €0.1050/kWh for rooftop solar installations.
Germany’s solar funding in firing line after €60 billion budget shortfall
The leaders of Germany’s three major political factions have agreed to cut an unspecified amount of solar spending, among other initiatives, to plug a €60 billion ($64 billion) budget shortfall triggered by a German federal court ruling in November. However, the Federal Association of Solar Economy (BSW-Solar) has criticized the announcement and said that concerns remain about other major solar projects that are potentially at risk.
SMA to build 3.5 GW inverter factory in US
SMA Solar Technology AG says it will open a new 3.5 GW inverter factory at an unspecified location in the United States in 2025. The German manufacturer is currently talking with several US states and potential partners to select the best production site.
German heating specialist unveils photovoltaic boilers
Nexol says its new boilers use a special controller to facilitate the management of special heating elements. It recommends the use of a storage tank with a volume of up to 300 liters.
Bauer Solar introduces 440 W glass-glass solar modules
Bauer Solar is expanding its “Premium Protect” series with its new 440 W glass-glass solar modules. Since the beginning of December, the German PV manufacturer has only offered glass-glass modules.
