Sonnen launches trade-in program for old solar battery storage systems regardless of condition or manufacturer
The initiative by the Allgäu-based company targets owners of photovoltaic storage systems installed before the end of 2020. The value of the trade-in bonus depends on the capacity of the new Sonnen battery. Sonnen describes the campaign as a “targeted growth initiative in a new market segment.”
The Hydrogen Stream: Germany audit warns of missed H2 goals
Germany’s Federal Court of Audit (Bundesrechnungshof) says the nation’s hydrogen strategy is falling short despite heavy subsidies, while Pulsenics and Endua have launched the first commercial AI-based monitoring system to improve electrolyzer performance under fluctuating renewable power conditions.
World’s largest heat pump under development in Germany
The 162 MW project is being developed by German utility MVV Energie. The system will use water from the Rhine river as a heat source and is expected to generate heat with temperatures of up to 130 C.
Algorithm optimizes renewable power procurement in Germany
German electricity trader Flexpower has expanded its power purchase agreement (PPA) platform with an algorithm that calculates the most cost-efficient mix of renewable energy contracts and spot market purchases for industrial consumers.
Inverter protection system triggers permanent short circuit in under 1 millisecond
A German research team has developed a semiconductor-based protection concept tailored to renewable energy systems that forces a permanent short circuit in less than 1 millisecond in the event of a fault. The generated short circuit remains intact during the fault, reliably protecting the components from overcurrent.
The Hydrogen Stream: Woodside nears completion of Beaumont ammonia project
Woodside Energy says its Beaumont New Ammonia Project is nearly complete, while Australia and India have agreed to collaborate on green hydrogen tech, supply chains, and workforce development.
Opes Solar Mobility starts VIPV module production
Opes Solar Mobility has opened a 12,000-square-meter facility near Leipzig, Germany, to produce flexible photovoltaic modules for commercial and recreational vehicles, supplying partners across Europe, Africa, and South America.
Frankfurt airport now hosting 17.4 MW vertical PV plant
Next2Sun constructed the photovoltaic system with 37,000 vertically mounted solar modules. It stretches over a length of 2.8 km along the airport’s Runway West.
Future-proof or fail: how battery storage projects can thrive in Germany
Germany’s battery storage boom is real but so are the bottlenecks. As capital pours in and gigawatt-hour-scale projects near launch, grid connection delays and regulatory uncertainty are threatening to dampen momentum. At the 3rd BVES Investor Summit in Berlin, more than 500 industry leaders gathered to weigh the hype against the hard realities.
Mercedes unveils car with 20% efficient ultra-thin solar coating
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first car prototype with a silicon-free, 20%-efficient nanoparticle solar coating that powers the vehicle even when off and uses modules thinner than a human hair.
