Germany

Bosch has invested $106 million in a heat pump factory near Porto, Portugal, where it produces heat pump systems with propane as a refrigerant. It says its commitment to heat pump development and production will hit €1 billion ($1.06 billion) by the end of this decade.

Germany’s HPS Home Power Solutions says its new 15 kW system uses surplus power from PV installations to produce hydrogen via electrolysis.

SunOyster Energy has installed its PVmover system to supply power for a lodge in South Africa’s Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. It includes nine PV modules with a combined capacity of 3.8 kW.

Researchers in Germany have found that there is “no evidence” to support the notion that renewable energy generation fosters peace through prosperity. The trio of academics came to this conclusion after empirically testing the assumption that distributed renewable energies may reduce international conflicts and promote democratic values.

German engineering association the VDMA reports strong PV equipment exports in the second quarter, representing 92.5% of sales. Overall, PV equipment sales were up by 50% compared to the first quarter of the year and up slightly compared to the same period last year, but incoming orders for PV equipment were down by 14%.

The Dutch authorities have started building a national hydrogen network, while Fortescue has acquired a 12.5% stake in Norwegian Hydrogen.

A lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system recently exploded in a home in central Germany, preventing police and insurance investigators from entering due to the high risk of collapse. The explosion may have been preceded by off-gassing, but it remains unclear whether an external ignition source was the cause. Some scientists say thermal runaway may have triggered the blast.

It is extremely unlikely that a battery storage system will smoke, burn, or explode, despite a spate of recent reports. But what happens if something does go wrong? Do insurance companies pay out? Do premiums go up? How do insurers assess the issue?

Jérémy Langon, head of energy sourcing and site development for Lhyfe, tells pv magazine that the France-based hydrogen producer is focusing on a combination of renewable sources, including offshore wind, to scale up hydrogen production.

A European group has looked into the soiling impact on PV modules in Oman. They have collected 60 samples, based on season, month and tilt angles.