Agrivoltaics have an average LCOE of €0.093 per kWh in Germany
According to new guidelines by Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE, agrivoltaic projects are already competitive with other renewable energy sources today. The lack of a proper regulatory framework, however, is currently preventing the dual use of arable land for food production and power generation from becoming a mainstream solution.
Work begins on underground hydrogen storage project in Germany
German energy provider EWE wants to set up a test cavern with a capacity of 500 cubic meters at a depth of 1,000 meters. It is scheduled to go into operation in spring 2022.
Germany has 270,000 residential batteries linked to PV
Around 88,000 energy storage systems linked to rooftop PV were installed last year in the country, which supports residential batteries through a dedicated scheme.
China’s cheap electricity crowds out foreign polysilicon
Imports from South Korea and the U.S. dwindled, year-on-year, ensuring Germany’s Wacker and the Malysian unit of Korean company OCI will supply the bulk of the world’s non-Chinese solar polysilicon this year.
PV can cover almost half of typical office buildings’ electricity demand
Scientists in Germany have estimated that roof and facade PV systems can cover almost 40% of the total requirements of a standard office building, assuming that no battery storage is installed.
Baywa re sets up unit to manufacture mounting systems
The new Novotegra GmbH unit will bundle all activities related to the group’s PV mounting structure business.
Quantum dot solar cells and the search for stability
In various forms, quantum dot technology has attracted plenty of attention among PV researchers recently. And as efficiencies have crept past the 15% mark, the community is beginning to look at other factors limiting the viability of quantum dot solar cells in a commercial setting. Scientists in Germany examined the degradation mechanisms affecting different quantum dot materials; and suggest a standardization of stability testing to enable comparability of results.
Nice Solar Energy files for insolvency under self-administration
The CIGS thin-film specialist employs 160 people in Germany. Business operations will continue with no disruption for the time being.
Mobile laboratory for PV module testing
MBJ Solutions and TÜV Rheinland have jointly developed PV TravelLab, which is purportedly the world’s first portable laboratory for PV module tests. It can be used to assess solar panels at any location in the world.
Energetica unveils solar modules with gapless tech
Austrian solar manufacturer Energetica aims to commercialize gapless PV modules by the fourth quarter.
