Articles written by Ralph Diermann

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Research & Development
Inverter protection system triggers permanent short circuit in under 1 millisecond A German research team has developed a semiconductor-based protection concept tailored to renewable energy systems that forces a permanent short circuit in less than 1 millisecond in the event of a fault. The generated short circuit remains intact during the fault, reliably protecting the components from overcurrent.
Ralph Diermann
Oct 28, 2025
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Applications & Installations
Thieves steal 50 km of cable from 11 MW solar farm in Germany Thieves stole 50 km of cable worth about €100,000 ($117,400) from an 11 MW solar project in southern Germany, with repair costs expected to exceed the material loss, according to police.
Ralph Diermann
Sep 24, 2025
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Applications & Installations
Dr. Metje Consulting launches mini backyard solar systems DIYers can assemble the frame and modules themselves, according to the supplier. A 5.34 kW system with glass-on-glass modules from Trina Solar is available in Germany starting at €5,999.
Ralph Diermann
May 15, 2025
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Markets & Policy
Meyer Burger reports 2024 EBITDA loss of $257 million Meyer Burger has posted a CHF 210.4 million ($256.7 million) EBITDA loss for fiscal 2024, on sales of approximately €75 million. The Swiss PV manufacturer says its future is “highly uncertain” as it seeks new financing and works on restructuring plans to remain operational.
Ralph Diermann
Apr 11, 2025
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Research & Development
Current UV tests overestimate TOPCon solar module degradation Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) has found that current UV testing methods overestimate degradation in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar modules, as dark storage after UV exposure causes temporary efficiency losses that largely reverse under sunlight.
Ralph Diermann
Apr 09, 2025
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Applications & Installations
TWL unveils PVT panels for ground-source heat pumps The German specialist for solar thermal energy and heat storage said its new PVT collectors rely on double-glass and monocrystalline TOPCon cells. The product has a power conversion efficiency of 22.5% and a maximal thermal ouput of 1,100 W.
Ralph Diermann
Apr 07, 2025
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Markets & Policy
European Solar Manufacturing Council urges Borussia Dortmund not to use JA Solar modules The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has criticized Borussia Dortmund’s decision to install 11,000 JA Solar panels on its stadium roof, citing the supplier’s exclusion from the US market over alleged links to forced labor. JA Solar responded to these accusations stating that SolarPower Europe’s Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) previously investigated its supply chain and found that it didn’t violate the SSI Principles
Ralph Diermann
Apr 04, 2025
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Applications & Installations
Borussia Dortmund plans 4.2 MW PV system at soccer stadium Borussia Dortmund, a German soccer team, is partnering with JA Solar and RWE to install a 4.2 MW solar system with battery storage at its stadium, supplying 4 MWh for on-site consumption. A smaller PV installation is already in operation on the stadium roof.
Ralph Diermann
Mar 27, 2025
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Applications & Installations
Austria installs 2.2 GW of PV in 2024 Austria installed 2.2 GW of new PV capacity in 2024, bringing its cumulative total to 8.3 GW by the end of the year, according to industry group PV Austria.
Ralph Diermann
Mar 27, 2025