Winaico presents bifacial 435 W TOPCon solar modules with 22.30% efficiency
Taiwanese manufacturer Winaico said its newest bifacial, n-type, glass-glass TOPCon compact modules are available in a 435 W aluminum-framed version, and a 430 W full-black version. The module efficiency is up to 22.30%.
Austria offers incentives for PV systems above 35 kW with European modules
The Austrian government has introduced incentives for PV systems over 35 kW that feature made-in-Europe modules. The measure aims to create new jobs and support the energy transition, offering a 20% higher subsidy for qualifying projects.
U.S. startup launches online platform for residential PV system purchase
Two-year old Monalee has developed an online platform for U.S. homeowners looking to buy solar PV and storage systems. Its software enables the process from quotes to financing, installation, and after-sales support.
Spanish startup offers pre-assembled vertical rooftop PV systems equipped with reflectors
FutureVoltaics says it has developed pre-assembled, reflector-based vertical rooftop PV systems. The systems feature 175 W heterojunction bifacial solar modules and special reflectors on both sides.
Western Europe cloudy while East sees solar gains in May
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that, thanks to warm temperatures and relatively sunny skies, Finland and Sweden had irradiance up to 30%, which unusually resulted in higher total irradiance than the more southerly UK and France. On the other side of the Baltic Sea, Poland, the Baltic States, and neighbouring countries also experienced irradiance up to 30% above the long-term average.
DLR launches solar atlas to identify rooftop PV potential in Germany
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has created a solar atlas to identify rooftop PV potential in Germany. This new open-access online platform uses aerial photographs and geodata processed with machine-learning methods to determine solar energy potential for the country’s entire building stock of around 20 million units.
China’s updated electricity market rules to benefit renewables, storage
China’s updated power market regulation now encompass a broader range of market participants, including energy storage entities, in a bid to ensure secure operation.
French roofing specialist offers adhesive solar modules for low-load bearing roofs
France-based Iko is launching Iko Excel Solar, a lightweight PV solution for roofs that cannot withstand excessive loads. The 18.3%-efficient module weighs approximately 2.5 kg/m².
Fronius to cut 350 jobs
Fronius has revealed plans to cut 350 jobs due to “persistently weak sales” from its solar energy division. The Austrian inverter manufacturer significantly expanded production and hired new employees in 2022 and 2023.
Renewable energy benefits surpass estimates, says Berkeley Lab
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says benefits from lower emissions are more significant than most prior estimates.
