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
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.
Jul 06, 2026
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.”
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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.
Global PV equipment market to reach 2.6 times current size by 2035
A new study by Germany’s mechanical engineering association (VDMA) finds global capital expenditure on PV manufacturing equipment will grow to more than 2.5 times current levels by 2035, with European suppliers retaining competitive strengths for now despite structural challenges.
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Gas-fired electricity two to three times costlier than renewable backups
A study by Forum Ökologisch‑Soziale Marktwirtschaft (FÖS), commissioned by Green Planet Energy, says electricity from gas plants could reach €0.67 ($0.78)/kWh, largely due to externalized costs, while renewable-based backups remain far cheaper.
Mar 10, 2026
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