Photovoltaic inventions increased seventeen-fold in three decades
The European Patent Office says China has overtaken other countries in photovoltaic patent filings over the past 15 years, while European startups and universities retain a lead in agrivoltaics and niche solar applications.
German court upholds grid connection charges for battery projects
Germany’s top court has ruled that distribution network operators may require battery storage projects to pay grid connection fees, calling the charges fair as they help prevent overbuilding and shield consumers from excess system costs.
‘Inclusion is not a trend, it’s a standard we must build’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Jesús Alijarde, founder and CEO of Spain’s Ibersyd / Cerfo. He says one of the earliest biases he had to confront was the idea of men as protectors of women. “It may sound noble, but in practice, it reinforces inequality,” he states.
Montenegro sets ceiling price of €65/MWh for first solar auction
Montenegro has set a ceiling price of €65 ($76.11)/MWh for its first solar auction, which will offer 12-year contracts for difference (CfD) for up to 250 MW of capacity. The auction is scheduled to take place later this year.
European Patent Office backs Borealis in POE encapsulation dispute
The European Patent Office has ruled that Borealis AG can continue producing polyolefin encapsulation (POE) material for solar applications, rejecting a patent challenge by Japan’s Mitsui Chemicals.
‘In engineering, women remain markedly underrepresented’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Maria Ardila, construction engineer at UK-based Cubico Sustainable Investments. She says that progress remains slow in the energy industry because gender matters are often viewed as personal choices rather than the systemic issues they truly are. “Until society challenges the outdated norms and organizational structures that penalize mothers, meaningful advancement toward gender equity in leadership will continue to be constrained,” she states.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Fox ESS, Gold Electronics plan IPOs in Shenzhen
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) has approved a plan by Fox ESS to raise more than CNY 1.6 billion ($223 million) through a share sale, while Hangzhou Gold Electronics has secured clearance to seek up to CNY 850 million for its battery management system (BMS) business.
Array Technologies to acquire APA Solar
Solar tracker supplier Array Technologies has signed an agreement to acquire Ohio-based solar racking company APA Solar for $179 million.
‘Equity begins with visibility’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Jessimiela Usidame, Procurement Manager at UK-based Elgin. She says creating equity means making space for women to speak, lead, and shape outcomes at every level. “Still, many women in commercial and project-facing roles must prove themselves — again and again. There’s often an unspoken presumption about what we can’t do, before anyone sees what we can,” she states.
Iberdrola’s 500 MW Núñez de Balboa PV plant reportedly caused Spain blackout
Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE) says a PV project in Badajoz was responsible for Spain’s massive power outage on April 28. Media reports have now revealed that the solar plant is the 500 MW Núñez de Balboa photovoltaic facility, which is owned by Iberdrola.
