Europe

A German research team has developed a new technique to recover and reuse methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) from perovskite solar cells via solvent extraction. Such recycling method can reportedly save up to 61% costs in the lab and industrial manufacturing.

Construction has commenced on a massive battery energy storage system (BESS) project at Cellarhead in the West Midlands, with 54 BESS containers installed in only 38 days.

In recent years, the Baltic countries have experienced a solar generation boom as the region seeks to kill two birds with one stone. These nations aim to break away from years-long energy dependence on Russia amid growing security concerns while also continuing to prioritize the green energy transition.

Researchers from China University of Petroleum have reported on hydrogen-microorganism interactions in underground storage, while Sungrow Hydrogen has won a $4.1 billion bid for an integrated hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol project.

Firefighters in Gersthofen, Germany, have extinguished a fire at a hydrogen refueling station that was inaugurated on June 17 as part of a pilot project supported by the German government.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Annemarie Schouten, Head of Solar Development Netherlands at Vattenfall. She says establishing herself in a male-dominated sector was not always easy and explains how finding mentors may offer good support in dealing with unequal treatments. “I would say to younger colleagues entering this industry to surround themselves with different people,” she stated. “People that are not just like you. We need this variety of views, insights and ways of working to tackle the challenges ahead.”

The National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) is carrying out two agrivoltaics research projects on solar parks operated by BayWa r.e. and Valorem in several regions of France. Despite the different climatic conditions, similar positive trends were observed with a drop in temperature and an increase in soil humidity under the solar panels, as well as a better quality of forage that made it more digestible for animals.

Austria installed 2.6 GW of solar capacity last year. Newly installed PV capacity has nearly tripled, supporting employment.

Voters will soon go to the polls for a UK General Election which has seen the cost-of-living featuring high on the agenda. Much of what’s in store for solar and the wider renewables industry in the United Kingdom may depend on decisions made by the next government – as key deadlines for net-zero draw near.

According to a new survey, 91% of respondents support the expansion of renewable energy sources in Jordan. Strategic interests of geopolitical actors, in particular the US, are seen as hindering the country’s energy transition, however.