Author
Jochen Siemer
Jochen joined pv magazine in 2023. He began working as a freelance journalist in 1988. A few years later, he found himself focusing on renewable energies. Since 2021, he has dealt exclusively with photovoltaics in all its aspects – from scientific studies on the development of the global market to the product presentation of a new roof hook.
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Articles written by Jochen Siemer
Mounting system for photovoltaic installations on gabions
Wi Solar, Karl Ditandy, and Diconal have developed a mounting system that enables PV module installation on irregular gabion structures. The solution adapts standard mounting technology to variable gabion geometries and could be used for applications including noise barriers, retaining walls, and slope stabilization.
Austrian scientists testing foldable PV system with dual-axis tracking
TU Graz researchers have developed FLAPTrack, a dual-axis solar tracker that combines higher PV yields with automated weather protection by folding modules flat during storms. The system aims to make dual-axis tracking economically viable again, with reported yield gains of up to 40% compared with fixed-mount installations.
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Germany energy provider builds 50 MW power-to-heat system
Enercity is building a 50 MW power-to-heat plant in Hanover to support its coal phase-out, decarbonize district heating, and absorb surplus renewable electricity. The facility will expand the utility’s flexibility by converting excess power into heat for the district heating network and storage systems.
European B2C photovoltaic market lacks truly dominant players
Berlin’s Center for Sustainable Transformation has, for the third time, undertaken the challenging task of analyzing the European end-customer market for photovoltaic systems. While the study relies heavily on estimates, it finds that the frequently-assumed dominance of large competitors does not actually exist.
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The Smarter E spotlights Renewables 24/7
The German trade fair was fully booked again this year. Although there are slightly fewer exhibitors than in 2025, average stand sizes have increased. Exhibitors showcased their products and services—ranging from photovoltaics and battery storage to electromobility, energy management and connectivity—through to Thursday. A special exhibition captures the fair’s core concept under the title “Renewables 24/7.”
Fraunhofer IOSB-AST assesses economic viability of long-term PV electricity procurement for steel plants
Fraunhofer IOSB-AST has assessed the economic viability of long-term electricity procurement from a solar park for Stahlwerk Thüringen GmbH (SWT), providing a basis for further negotiations. The analysis highlights the role renewable energy can play in supporting a cost-effective electricity supply for industrial consumers.
Austria allocates €12 million for solar-plus-storage rebates
Austria will open its second 2026 PV funding round on June 17 with a total budget of €12 million, while continuing incentives for battery storage and European-made components.
The first funding round showed strong demand and a clear shift toward PV-plus-storage systems, with around 90% of applications including batteries.
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