Centrotherm order intake from PV industry remains below expectations
The German PV equipment provider has improved sales and results in the first half of the year. The company, however, received more orders from the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. In the next 12 months, centrotherm expects new orders from the Chinese solar industry.
SMA closes first half of 2018 with higher earnings and revenue
The company reports having shipped 4.3 GW of PV inverter capacity, which marks a significant year-on-year increase. While revenues increased slightly, net income improved by a higher margin.
Second-life EV battery market to grow to $4.2 billion by 2025
Circular Energy Storage, a London-based research and consulting group, reports a strong business case for reconstituted electric vehicle batteries for energy storage applications. As the EV and static storage system markets grow rapidly, synergies could be a useful tool for continued cost optimization.
German scientists observe perovskite defects, push higher cell efficiencies
A team of researchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin and University of Potsdam has been able to observe defects in a perovskite solar cell, and found that the largest efficiency losses occur at the interface between the perovskite and transport layer.
Saudi’s Zahid takes major stake in German PV company Greencells
The Zahid Group has invested an undisclosed amount in Germany-based Greencells. A key focus for the latter will now be hybrid systems in the APAC and African regions. An update on the 1.2 GW Sweihan solar project in Abu Dhabi was also given.
Solar power production reaches new high in Germany in July
With over 6.17 TWh, solar power generation surpassed its previous record of 5.93 TWh, set just two months earlier.
Germany sees 342 MW of new PV capacity come online in June
The country’s cumulative installed solar PV capacity has now reached 44.3 GW. As a result of this strong growth, the FITs for rooftop solar will be further reduced.
SolarEdge extends patent infringement lawsuit against Huawei
Following the claim filed in June, SolarEdge now alleges Huawei has infringed two more of its patents. With its HD-wave inverter topology the subject of the first lawsuit, the Israeli manufacturer now says its Chinese rival also copied its power optimizer technology.
Eon finalizes Innogy takeover bid
When Eon receives all regulatory approvals, it will own an 86.2% stake in Innogy. The energy company also finalized its voluntary public takeover bid to the minority shareholders.
Germany’s Brandenburg launches home storage incentive program
Starting from now, subsidies for up to 1,000 residential solar-plus-storage systems can be requested from the Investment Bank of Brandenburg.
