Fronius launches new inverter for large-scale PV plants
The 50 kW version of the new inverter features an efficiency of 98.6% and a European efficiency of 98.1%. It can be deployed with a decentralized approach, next to the PV modules, or centralized, at the grid connection point.
Meyer Burger begins manufacturing activities at 400 MW module factory in Germany
The Swiss manufacturer opened its module factory in Freiberg a few days after having begun manufacturing activities at its 400 MW cell factory in Thalheim.
Simple trick to protect PV systems from pigeons
A German PV system owner has developed a simple solution intended at preventing the birds from nesting under the modules.
Major fire at solar-powered warehouse in the Netherlands raises concerns among nearby residents
Pieces of solar panels were found in an area of several kilometers around the warehouse. The local municipality has urged farmers to prevent livestock from eating the fragments. An expert on fires in PV arrays, however, told pv magazine that these fragments are not dangerous for the animals.
Ever heard of algovoltaics? Enel is testing it for applications on large solar plants
Nicola Rossi, head of innovation at Enel Green Power, has told pv magazine how the company is seeking to combine microalgae cultivation with solar power generation. The integration scheme is aimed at minimizing interferences with the PV plant and maximizing the benefits in microalgae yield
Ferrero signs up for Sicilian solar – the ambassador will be happy
The Ferrero Rocher maker will buy the energy generated by two agrivoltaics projects planned in Sicily as it aims to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Construction begins on Europe’s largest floating PV plant
The plant is being built by Dutch developer Groenleven on a former sand extraction lake in the northern Netherlands. The company’s project manager for floating PV, Willem Biesheuvel, told pv magazine about its approach to deploying floating arrays always with a west-east orientation, which he claims ensures more stability and resistance to wind and waves.
CEA-Ines achieves 19.2% efficiency for flexible perovskite solar cell
The cell was fabricated with a flexible substrate made of indium tin oxide (ITO) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The device was tested through a damp heat test and showed it can retain around 90% of its initial efficiency after 800 hours.
Axpo Italy chief says country is catching up with European private-PPA peers
Two PV farms planned in Sicily by Canadian Solar, with a total 12 MWp generation capacity, will sell the electricity they produce to Axpo Italia under a ten-year PPA at a fixed rate which the Chinese-Canadian company did not reveal.
Greece developed 1 GW of solar in 2020 and has linked Crete to the mainland grid
Statistics published by Greece’s leading solar association show the country constructed 913 MW of new photovoltaic systems last year. Meanwhile, Greece’s largest island has been connected to the mainland power network by what has been described as the world’s longest subsea AC cable.
