Articles written by Sandra Enkhardt

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Markets & Policy
Austria announces energy storage offensive, shifting solar subsidy focus Austria plans to overhaul its solar subsidy framework from 2027, shifting support from standard PV systems toward battery storage, energy management systems and specialized solar applications. The government aims to accelerate storage deployment, with up to 8 GW of market-oriented capacity by 2030, while industry groups are urging swift implementation and clearer funding rules.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 21, 2026
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Technology & Products
Kostal launches 25 kW battery inverter Kostal’s Plenticore BI 25 is a 25 kW AC-coupled battery inverter for commercial and high-end residential systems, with three-phase backup power up to 25 kVA and peak efficiency of 98.3%. It supports three independent high-voltage battery connections and storage capacities from 5 kWh to 230 kWh.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 21, 2026
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Prototyp eines hybriden Strahlungskühlungs- und Solarsystems zur gleichzeitigen Erzeugung von Strom, Wärme und Kälte. (Foto: Gan Huang, KIT)
Research & Development
KIT develops hybrid solar system with radiative cooling KIT researchers have developed a hybrid system that combines photovoltaics and passive radiative cooling to simultaneously generate electricity, heat, and cooling from a single surface. A prototype achieved cooling of up to 6.5 C below ambient temperature, 60.6 W/m² of electrical power density, and heat temperatures of up to 110.8 C.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 14, 2026
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Markets & Policy
European transmission system operators prepare for solar eclipse European transmission system operators are preparing for the August 12 solar eclipse, which is expected to temporarily reduce photovoltaic generation but pose no threat to electricity supply. French and German grid operators forecast PV output declines of around 9.7 GW and 2 GW, respectively, with the impact expected to be lower than during previous eclipses.
Sandra Enkhardt, François Puthod
Aug 10, 2026
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Research & Development
Photovoltaics feed record 12 TWh into Germany’s public grid in July Solar generation surpassed the previous monthly high set in June, when photovoltaic systems delivered more than 11 TWh to the grid for the first time.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 04, 2026
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Technology & Products
Sono Motors files for insolvency, puts solar business up for sale The Munich-based company ceased operations at the end of July. It is now seeking an investor for its B2B photovoltaic business after failing to secure viable financing for the division during its restructuring process.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 03, 2026
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Markets & Policy
Germany reduces solar feed-in tariffs by 1% Fixed feed-in tariffs for solar systems under the partial feed-in model will now range from €0.0544 ($0.063)/kWh to €0.0770/kWh, while systems operating under the full feed-in model will receive between €0.1024/kWh and €0.1222/kWh.
Sandra Enkhardt
Aug 03, 2026
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Markets & Policy
Solar’s share of EU electricity demand tops 20% for three consecutive months Data compiled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE shows photovoltaics supplied more than 20% of EU electricity demand in May, June and July for the first time. Latvia set a new EU record, with solar meeting 49% of the country’s electricity demand in June.
Sandra Enkhardt
Jul 31, 2026
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Markets & Policy
Germany’s Enpal closes its Hamburg sales office The Berlin-based company says it intends to focus on its core sales locations in Munich, Essen and Berlin. The closure sees more than 80 sales staff laid off.
Sandra Enkhardt
Jul 30, 2026