European corporate PPA market bound for another record year in 2024
At the RE-Source conference this week in Amsterdam, RE-Source Platform Policy and Impact Director Annie Scanlan projected record corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) growth in Europe for 2024. Corporate PPA capacity has already reached 10.7 GW this year, nearing last year’s record of 10.8 GW.
‘Beyond keeping the lights on, solar builds community resilience’
This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Nataliia Cherepovska, communication manager at Poland’s Menlo Electric. She says that especially in Ukraine, where she comes from, solar is more than a green initiative – it’s a lifeline. “Solar-powered crucial facilities keep running even when the grid falters, ensuring critical services,” she states. “Solar energy doesn’t just power buildings – it powers hope, security, and progress.”
France’s Carbon involved in patent case with JA Solar
France-based PV manufacturer Carbon is currently involved in patent proceedings with JA Solar over tunneling silicon oxide (SiO2) layers, doped polysilicon layers, and electrodes in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar products.
JA Solar files patent infringement lawsuit against Astronergy
JA Solar has filed two patent lawsuits against Astronergy in the Unified Patent Court (UPC). The proceedings are related to the tunneling silicon oxide (SiO2) layers, the doped polysilicon layer, and the electrodes used in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar products.
Runergy urges US authorities to revoke two of Trina Solar’s TOPCon patents
Runergy is pushing the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to cancel Trina Solar’s tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) patents, US9,722,104 and US10,230,009.
Czechia planning retroactive cuts to feed-in tariffs for PV systems
The Czech government is trying to retroactively reduce feed-in tariffs (FITs) granted for PV projects between 2006 and 2013. The local solar sector has criticized the move, claiming that it could incite panic among investors.
Trina Solar files with U.S. Trade Commission to protect TOPCon solar patents
The Chinese solar panel manufacturer filed patent complaints against Runergy and Adani Green Energy.
Italy’s regional governments approve 5.1 GW of utility-scale PV projects in January-September period
Italy’s regional governments approved 5.1 GW of solar in the first nine months of this year, with Sicily leading by approving around one-third of the total new capacity.
How will PV’s intellectual-property scuffles shake out?
Lawyers are doing brisk business as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar technology moves into the mainstream. A series of patent infringement cases have been launched in the United States and Europe and their impacts are reverberating through the marketplace. How likely is it that winners will emerge?
Australian solar installer fined over workplace injury
The Australian authorities recently imposed a AUD 40,000 ($27,260) on a solar installation company after a worker fell 10 meters through an asbestos roof in the state of Victoria.
