Itochu launches residential lithium-ion battery in Japan
The Japanese trading firm has started selling its new Smart Star L lithium-ion storage battery system for the Japanese residential PV market. It has designed the system in cooperation with Yokohama-based manufacturer NF Corp.
ABB unveils suite of new solar inverters as part of pivot towards greater digitalization
The Swiss-headquartered power electronics company is to introduce new 100 kw and 120 kW three-phase string inverters for the C&I and large-scale markets, the new 60 kW TRIO TM and a new addition to its residential UNO-DM-PLUS range.
Mercedez Benz enters U.S. battery market with Vivint partnership
The German manufacturer, in partnership with the No. 2 residential solar installer in the United States, will bring customizable home energy storage systems to the United States.
Belgium: researchers say solar-plus-storage is far from becoming economically viable
According to a scientific paper from the Université libre de Bruxelles, even a further reduction in storage prices may not be sufficient to make solar-plus-storage attractive in the Belgian market.
Italy opens ancillary services market to pilot renewable energy and storage projects
The project is the initial stage of an organic reform of the Italian ancillary services market, which is expected to be implemented in accordance with the European balancing code.
Italy issues new regulation to promote solar and renewables in non-interconnected islands
The new rules will apply to the country’s 20 minor islands that have no connection with the national grid. Solar installation will be entitled to receive a premium tariff for both injected and self-consumed power.
Czech Republic provides incentives for solar-plus-storage
The Czech government is supporting the adoption of solar-plus-storage solutions through a specific incentive program. Each kW of PV installed must be coupled with at least 5 kW of storage capacity.
BECE posts $68 million net profit in 2016
The Hong Kong-listed renewables developer recorded a net profit of HK$529.2 million ($68.03 million) in the 12 months to the end of December, from a profit attributable to shareholders of about HK$38.5 million in 2015. Basic earnings per share for the year were HK$0.14.
UK energy storage: government in no hurry
A seminar on the outlook for the U.K.’s energy storage market that took place this week in London highlighted the vibrant activity taking place in the sector, but was unable to answer when or if government can come up with a meaningful policy.
Residential battery firm Moixa receives equity investment from Japan’s TEPCO
The developer of home batteries has attracted half a million pounds’ worth of equity investment from Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings to aid its market expansion.
