Europe

Switzerland-based energy producer MET Group has finished building a 23.4 MW solar project in eastern Hungary. It will generate enough energy to supply around 13,000 local homes and has a life expectancy of 30 years.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Laure-Aline Baheux, Power & Renewables BL Manager at Omexom – Vinci Energies. She says companies must ask why they need more women, and reflect on the challenges of recruiting and retaining them. “It’s essential to adapt job offers and career paths. For instance, recognizing that women often apply only when they meet more qualifications than men,” she states.  

A survey of 1,797 residents was used to determine the willingness to pay for low-carbon residential heating in the Netherlands. On average, respondents were willing to pay a premium of 33% for electricity-based heating. Policy recommendations were also provided as part of the study.

New research from Switzerland shows that capex costs for Alpine PV projects in Switzerland currently range between €2,231/kW and €4,182/KW for ground-mounted projects and up to €3,802/kW and €7,108/kW for wall-mounted and floating projects, respectively.

More than 4,500 certified heat pump installations were recorded in the United Kingdom in July 2024, while battery storage installations continue to significantly outperform previous years. Subsidy schemes that slash the cost of installing a heat pump are a key growth driver, according to the industry.

In the module prototype, all components that are not directly used to convert light into electricity are made of biodegradable or recyclable materials or renewable raw materials. The module is the result of the E2 – E-Quadrat project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says higher wind production, lower electricity demand, and a drop in average temperatures led to falling electricity prices across most major European markets during the fourth week of August.

Sweden installed 460 MW of solar in the first half of 2024, following a record deployment year in 2023. However, market growth has been sluggish due to lower electricity prices and uncertainty around green tax deductions for batteries, according to Svensk Solenergi.

Varta says it now expects high demand for its Varta.wall DC high-voltage battery. It initially presented the product at Intersolar 2022, but has struggled with its market introduction.

Linde has signed a long-term deal to supply clean hydrogen in Alberta, Canada, while Hyundai Motor and Pertamina have agreed to jointly develop Indonesia’s hydrogen ecosystem.