French agency warns against unchecked reuse of secondhand solar modules
Soren, the French environmental agency, has warned that uninstalled panels are often resold or exported through loosely regulated reuse channels, especially to developing countries.
UK smart meter rollout is slowing down
The latest smart meter installation data for Great Britain reveals a slowdown in deployment. Suppliers have been tasked with providing three in four households with smart meters by the end of 2025 – failure could result in financial penalties.
French roofing specialist offers adhesive solar modules for low-load bearing roofs
France-based Iko is launching Iko Excel Solar, a lightweight PV solution for roofs that cannot withstand excessive loads. The 18.3%-efficient module weighs approximately 2.5 kg/m².
Fronius to cut 350 jobs
Fronius has revealed plans to cut 350 jobs due to “persistently weak sales” from its solar energy division. The Austrian inverter manufacturer significantly expanded production and hired new employees in 2022 and 2023.
Bosch unveils water source heat pumps for residential, commercial applications
Bosch Home Comfort has presented two new heat pumps series that can be used for both retrofits and new buildings. Both products have a size of a size of ½ to 6 tons and a coefficient of performance of up to 4.9.
Lightweighting vehicle-integrated photovoltaic modules
A European research team has investigated interconnection and encapsulation strategies to improve the damp heat and mechanical resilience of vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) modules, finding carbon-fibre reinforced plastics to be promising.
Hive Energy secures grid connection permit for 215.6 MW of solar projects in Serbia
UK’s Hive Energy said the projects will feature battery energy storage systems that equate to 10% of the overall solar capacity.
Azerbaijan gives green light to 760 MW of solar
Azerbaijan has approved the construction of two new solar plants totaling 760 MW in the southeastern part of the country. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. (Masdar) will oversee the development of the projects.
BNEF Summit highlights sluggish trading of low-carbon hydrogen, derivatives
Analysts at the recent BNEF Summit in Munich discussed delays for hydrogen adoption in European countries, noting that locations are crucial for predicting which hydrogen production plans will proceed. Projects in areas with high amounts of renewables have an advantage.
Electricity prices falling in most European markets
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says electricity prices fell in all major European electricity markets during the last week of May, except for the Italian and Nordic markets. Additionally, Portugal broke its record for daily solar energy production again.
