LevelTen’s European solar PPA index fell to €73.2/MWh in Q1
US energy consultancy LevelTen Energy said in a recent report on solar and wind power purchase agreements in Europe that the prices of wind and solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the European markets increased by 56% year-on-year to reach €88.88 ($97.40)/MWh in the first quarter of this year.
Austria accepts 100,000 applications in solar rebate scheme
Around 90,000 of the accepted applications in the latest round of Austria’s rebate scheme came from homeowners, and approximately 30,000 include the installation of battery storage.
The importance of manufacturing execution systems in the growing PV industry
As PV manufacturing ramps up across the U.S. and Europe, manufacturing execution systems (MES) offer advantages to an efficient and effective process. We will review trends in PV manufacturing and their significance for data management and learn about MES functions that are needed today for solar cell and module production.
Installed heat pump costs to fall by 20% by 2030, says UK research institute
The UK Energy Research Center says that the total installed cost of air-source heat pumps could fall by 20% by 2030. Non-equipment costs may decline by 30%, while equipment costs alone could drop by 17%.
Germany hits 70 GW milestone
Germany added 2.65 GW of new PV capacity in the first three months of this year. In March alone, the nation’s new PV additions hit 944 MW.
German startup unveils mobile, tiltable PV modules
Sinn Power is offering new tiltable solar panels for vertical PV systems in nature reserves and water-protection areas. They are not anchored to the ground and use a pendulum weight to return to their proper positions when hit by strong winds.
Belgium’s Flanders region launches new call for solar rebates
The Flemish authorities have allocated a budget of €3 million ($3.3 million) for the first round of its solar rebate scheme. The call is open to homeowners, businesses, public organizations, and energy communities.
Ascent Solar acquires Swiss thin-film solar module maker Flisom
Ascent Solar says its acquisition of Flisom will triple its production capacity.
SMA Solar begins work on 20 GW inverter factory in Germany
SMA says its total inverter capacity will double to 40 GW once its new factory is fully operational in Niestetal, Germany.
Croatia launches rebate program for solar, other renewables, batteries
The Croatian government has allocated €60 million ($65.6 million) in subsidies for businesses to install 80 MW of renewables and 20 MWh of batteries.
