Fraunhofer ISE testing agrivoltaics on standard weather protection covers
Fraunhofer ISE and German weather protection specialist VOEN Vöhringer are testing an agrivoltaic system that uses existing crop cover structures to support solar modules, eliminating the need for a dedicated mounting system.
German home battery owners can save state millions with ‘a maximum of six clicks’
Berlin-based researchers behind the ‘Your Power Storage Can Do More!’ initiative want home battery owners to use intelligent charging to help the grid and state budget, and slow battery aging.
TWL unveils PVT panels for ground-source heat pumps
The German specialist for solar thermal energy and heat storage said its new PVT collectors rely on double-glass and monocrystalline TOPCon cells. The product has a power conversion efficiency of 22.5% and a maximal thermal ouput of 1,100 W.
European Solar Manufacturing Council urges Borussia Dortmund not to use JA Solar modules
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has criticized Borussia Dortmund’s decision to install 11,000 JA Solar panels on its stadium roof, citing the supplier’s exclusion from the US market over alleged links to forced labor. JA Solar responded to these accusations stating that SolarPower Europe’s Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) previously investigated its supply chain and found that it didn’t violate the SSI Principles
Scientists propose manufacturing process to build perovskite solar cells on the Moon
German scientists believe that power generation for future habitats on the moon could be achieved by manufacturing halide perovskite cells locally, using regolith-based moonglass.
PV curtailment jumps 97% in Germany in 2024
Solar curtailment increased by 97% in Germany last year, driven by rapid growth in PV deployment and unusually high solar radiation in the summer, according to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).
Germany’s 50Hertz opens up reactive power market to renewables, battery storage
With regulator the Federal Network Agency requiring grid companies to tender for the provision of the reactive power needed to maintain network voltage, electricity transmission system operator (TSO) 50Hertz has stolen a lead on its rivals.
The Hydrogen Stream: Just 17% of EU hydrogen projects likely on track
Westwood Global Energy Group says just 17% of the European Union’s hydrogen projects will advance without intervention, while Smartenergy says Spain’s Orange.bat project has cleared a key environmental hurdle and will launch in May 2028.
German startup launches bidirectional charging kit for EVs
Energy Island Power, a German startup, has developed a connection kit that allows electric vehicle owners to use their car’s power to support home energy needs by integrating with the solar inverter and the home grid.
The Hydrogen Stream: Trafigura drops $471 million green H2 plan in Australia
Trafigura says it has scrapped plans for a $471.2 million green hydrogen plant in Australia after a feasibility study, while Aurora Energy Research says Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Great Britain could drive over 50% of renewable energy demand by 2035, requiring €100 billion in investment.
