Articles written by Emiliano Bellini

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Markets & Policy
Ukraine specifies hours eligible for rooftop PV feed-in tariff Ukraine has introduced time windows for electricity generated by household PV systems to qualify for the green tariff, with different periods applying in summer and winter. The rules also appear to prevent battery-discharged electricity outside these windows from receiving the green tariff.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 14, 2026
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Applications & Installations
PVcase adds key export option to its solar design software PVcase has added PVC 2.0 export to its Ground Mount software, enabling solar engineers to transfer 3D project geometry directly to compatible tools such as PVsyst. The open standard aims to reduce manual data handling and errors while improving interoperability and consistency across solar design and simulation workflows.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 13, 2026
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Research & Development
Mass-scale reuse pilot project finds 15% of second-life solar modules fail to meet safety requirements Researchers in Australia identified two scalable routes for electrical safety qualification of second-life PV modules: silicone backsheet repair and faster parallel wet-leakage testing. A Queensland pilot found that 15% of 2,200 reuse-ready modules failed the wet-leakage test, highlighting the need for dedicated safety screening while modified testing could reduce costs and processing time.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 13, 2026
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Technology & Products
MRCool launches do-it-yourself monoblock heat pump without outdoor unit The U.S. manufacturer has launched a 115 V do-it-yourself monoblock heat pump with 10,000 Btu/h cooling and 9,000 Btu/h heating capacity, using R-32 refrigerant and inverter-driven technology.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 13, 2026
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Technology & Products
A. O. Smith launches CO₂ split heat pump water heater for residential use A. O. Smith has launched the Voltex X, an outdoor split-system heat pump water heater using CO₂ refrigerant and designed for cold-climate operation down to -31.7 C. The system offers up to 303 L of storage, smart controls, leak and freeze protection, and a 10-year limited warranty.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 12, 2026
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Research & Development
Perovskite solar tested at over 5,000 m altitude Monochrome will test a perovskite PV prototype at an altitude of around 5,150 meters during an alpine expedition in Pakistan’s Karakoram region. The field trial will assess power-generation performance and durability under harsh, off-grid conditions as the company explores perovskite technology for future BIPV applications.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 12, 2026
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Markets & Policy
European Patent Office revokes Hanwha’s long-disputed passivation patent The European Patent Office has revoked Hanwha Solutions’ 689 patent covering passivation technology used in silicon solar cells, citing a lack of inventive step. The decision follows years of patent litigation between Hanwha Q Cells and solar manufacturers including JinkoSolar, Longi and REC across Europe, the US and Australia.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 12, 2026
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Research & Development
Scientists demonstrate outdoor operability of reflector-assisted spherical photovoltaic modules Researchers in Qatar developed a 450-cell, 0.70 m-diameter spherical PV prototype with a hemispherical aluminium reflector that substantially improves energy capture. The system, however, demonstrates mainly directional/seasonal benefits rather than superior annual yield or economic competitiveness compared to a flat counterpart.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 11, 2026
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Technology & Products
Rhoss launches propane heat pumps for multi-family residential applications The Italian manufacturer has expanded its MidiPACK-PI R290 heat pump range with four new models offering heating capacities of 38.2 kW to 64.7 kW and cooling capacities of 34.6 kW to 60.3 kW. The units have a reported SCOP of 3.34 to 3.50 and can produce water at temperatures of up to 80 C.
Emiliano Bellini
Aug 11, 2026