Giga Storage’s battery project in Belgium expands to 2.8 GWh
Netherlands-based Giga Storage is advancing its massive Green Turtle battery energy storage project in Belgium, having increased its capacity and assembled the construction team
EU-funded project seeks set up pilot production of large-area perovskite PV modules
The EU-funded Laperitivo project aims for 22% efficiency in 900 cm² opaque perovskite modules and 20% efficiency in semi-transparent ones. The project partners include imec, Fraunhofer ISE, TotalEnergies, and EDF.
Belgium to allow plug-in solar panels, batteries
Belgium’s transmission and distribution system operator says it plans to allow household solar panels and batteries with a plug and socket to connect to the grid from May 2025.
Assessing floating PV costs across Europe
Researchers have analyzed the viability of floating PV in terms of net present value, internal rate of return, and LCOE. They included 25 European countries in their work, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.
Lightweight mobility with vehicle-integrated photovoltaics
A European consortium of commercial and research groups is developing lighter weight, solar-powered, cost-conscious, three and four-wheel prototype vehicles for passengers and cargo. The $13.4 million project aims for a platform that has standardized components, including the battery, powertrain, and solar PV parts, as well as support for end-of-life, maintenance, and refurbishment.
New tool to estimate cities’ rooftop PV potential considers roof superstructures
Called SolarNet+, the novel framework is claimed to calculate cities’ PV potential not only by finding the orientation of roofs in areal imagery but also by identifying superstructures such as windows or chimneys. It was tested using areal photographs from Munich and Brussels and proved superior to reference frameworks.
Analysts predict 337 MW of new solar in Belgium for H1
Analysts from the Becquerel Institute say that they expect 337 MW of new solar capacity in Belgium for the first half of 2024. They anticipate around 900 MW for the full year, due to growth in specific segments.
Belgium’s Flanders region records 230 MW of January-May solar additions
PV analyst Wannes Demarcke tells pv magazine that solar deployment in the Belgian region of Flanders slowed in the first months of this year. Initial figures show a decline from 2023 levels following the expiration of subsidies and reduced value-added tax on buildings less than 10 years old.
Engie breaks ground on 800 MWh battery in Belgium
Once completed, the four-hour battery energy storage project will operate under a 15-year contract with Elia, Belgium’s electricity grid operator, and be located next to Engie’s gas power plant in Vilvoorde.
Belgian wildlife park hosts world’s largest wooden solar carport
Belgian energy company Perpetum Energy has built a 40 MW solar carport at Pairi Daiza, a privately owned zoo and botanical garden in Hainaut, Belgium. It said the total investment reached €40 million ($43 million) investment.
