Switzerland

New research from Switzerland showed that alpine floating PV systems can outperform lowland or ground-mounted counterparts in terms of energy yield and sustainability. The scientists found that the main material-reduction potential of such floating PV installations lies in the resource-intensive mounting system.

Lausanne-based energy group Alpiq is selling its seven rooftop solar assets in Switzerland to PS Panneaux Solaires SA. The units have a total installed capacity of 5.5 MW.

GoodWe has cut in half the time necessary to install a waterproof solar carport, according to the company’s Senior International Business Development Director of BIPV, Apollo Chai. He notes that the manufacturer has also already launched vertical and horizontal solar shades to address current gaps in the European market.

Sulzer, a Switzerland-based fluid engineering specialist, has supplied molten salt pumps for a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) project in China. The facility is designed to provide solar power 24 hours a day.

A group of researchers has investigated how high temperature heat pumps may be upscaled for industrial applications and has found that larger setups promise higher efficiency. They also found that smaller setups show a better coefficient of performance resulting from design effects.

The SLF research institute recently completed a survey on the Bernina Pass commissioned by a PV system design company that wants to build a solar park there. Measuring snow with drones makes it possible to identify the most suitable terrain and just a few meters to the left or right can makes a difference.

A Swiss research team published a review of the technologies used to manufacture of colored building integrated PV, discussing competitive characteristics of more than a dozen products, as well as success factors to drive market development.

Swiss voters have approved a new electricity law that mandates PV systems on large buildings, supports electricity communities, and encourages collective self-consumption.

A recent report from the Swiss Federal Council describes the difficult trajectory of efforts to rebuild the domestic PV industry and concludes that plans to create a European supply chain could be too expensive.

A European research team has investigated interconnection and encapsulation strategies to improve the damp heat and mechanical resilience of vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) modules, finding carbon-fibre reinforced plastics to be promising.