Colored modules for building-integrated photovoltaics
Taking inspiration from the 3D photonic structures on a Morpho butterfly’s shimmering blue wings, scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed colored solar panels that can be incorporated into a building’s exterior practically invisibly while maintaining high efficiency.
Weil-McLain launches dual-fuel heat pumps for residential, light commercial applications
The US-based heating specialist said its new air-to-water heat pumps use difluoromethane as the refrigerant and have a coefficient of performance of up to 5.37.
Switzerland expands rules for rooftop solar, storage, energy communities
Switzerland is expanding rules for rooftop solar, energy storage, and energy communities to expand self-consumption and ease pressure on the grid. The new regulations, set to take effect in 2026, introduce updated tariffs, encourage battery storage, and allow local electricity trading.
California bill introduced to mandate a VPP implementation plan
Virtual power plants, which could save state ratepayers an estimated $550 million per year, are connected aggregations of distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and energy storage.
California off to a strong clean electricity start with solar up 33.8%
Forty-eight days into 2025, CAISO gas use for electricity is down almost 28%, while battery use is up 78%, and solar has already met 100% of demand in the midst of winter.
Persistent cloud drops British Isles solar output in early February
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that cloud-bearing weather systems dominated the British Isles, significantly reducing irradiance across the UK and Ireland between 9 and 18 February 2025, when solar generation reached in the region its lowest levels relative to capacity in at least a decade.
US added nearly 50 GW of new solar generating capacity in 2024
A new report by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and BloombergNEF unpacks the market and policy trends facing the U.S. solar industry.
Lennox debuts residential heat pump for cold climates
The company says that its new SL22KLV heat pump system can supply heat in temperatures as low as -28.9 C. It uses R-454B as the refrigerant and has a size ranging from 2 tons to 5 tons.
Austrian startup presents vertical bifacial PV systems for garden fences
Sunbooster GmbH is offering 372 W flexible solar systems including inverters and cabling. The price for the smallest version is €500 ($524).
Solar, battery-equipped home destroyed by explosion in Germany
In the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, an explosion tore away the outer wall of a show home equipped with solar panels and a residential battery. The badly-damaged building, which was vacant at the time of the incident, will likely be demolished.
