Articles written by Ralph Diermann

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Floating PV array
Applications & Installations
IEA PVPS certifies that floating PV systems have small carbon footprint Floating systems cause slightly more CO2 emissions than land-based solar systems, mainly because of the additional components for the structure. But overall, they also perform very well from a climate perspective.
Ralph Diermann
Aug 01, 2024
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Technology & Products
Heat pump plus PV usually cheaper than gas heating after 11 to 14 years An analysis by Eon and Aachen University shows how quickly heat pumps with and without photovoltaic systems and storage pay for themselves in different types of homes, also in comparison to gas heating. A heat pump with photovoltaics is usually more economical than without. Balcony solar usually pays for itself in three to six years. An accompanying survey shows that most people underestimate the economic viability of climate-friendly energy technologies.
Ralph Diermann
Jun 24, 2024
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Technology & Products
Fraunhofer IAO, DHBW Heilbronn examine decentralized hydrogen storage Researchers have analyzed various storage options for green hydrogen, such as in neighborhoods, at company locations and on campus grounds. Their study provides an overview of the respective advantages and disadvantages of physical, chemical and pure hydrogen storage.
Ralph Diermann
Jun 24, 2024
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Applications & Installations
Baywa re switches on 54 MW agrivoltaic site in Spain Baywa re has commissioned a 54 MW agrivoltaic solar project in Spain. Denmark-based Velux has agreed to purchase most of its 96.8 GWh of annual output under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
Ralph Diermann
May 28, 2024
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Applications & Installations
Austrian startup offers double-axis tracking system for agrivoltaics Anywhere Solar says its new trackers have a module area of 75 m2 and can host PV systems up to 19 kW in size. When deployed horizontally, the systems allow vehicles up to 4.3 meters high to pass underneath.
Ralph Diermann
May 28, 2024
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Markets & Policy
Solarwatt shuts down battery factory in Germany Solarwatt says it will shut down its battery factory in Germany. Battery production at the Dresden facility will halt at the end of this year, and the company will move all battery and solar panel production to China.
Ralph Diermann, Sandra Enkhardt
May 28, 2024
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Applications & Installations
Faulty installations often to blame for battery fires The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and German battery analysis specialist Twaice have jointly evaluated 26 battery fires between 2018 and 2023. They say that the diversity of components plays a critical role in igniting fires.
Ralph Diermann
May 15, 2024
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Applications & Installations
German PV system prices down by over 4% since November The Selfmade Energy online platform says that prices for PV systems and battery storage systems fell by more than 4% between November 2023 and March 2024. In March, for example, 6 kW PV systems without batteries were sold for between €1.66 ($1.79)/W and €2.10/W.
Ralph Diermann
May 14, 2024
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Applications & Installations
Sonnenkraft unveils 400 W TOPCon panel for terracotta red rooftops Austrian manufacturer Sonnenkraft has developed a terracotta glass-glass module that aesthetically blends in with tiled roofs. It has an efficiency rating of 20.02%.
Ralph Diermann
May 07, 2024