Germany deploys 1.53 GW of PV in February
The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached approximately 102.3 GW at the end of February.
Heat pumps in Germany nearly twice as expensive as in UK
RWTH Aachen University conducted the price comparison in cooperation with Octopus Energy. The reasons are significantly different technical and regulatory requirements, but also the funding system.
AE Solar releases bifacial solar modules for vertical projects
AE Solar has launched bifacial solar modules with 560 W to 580 W of power output, designed for vertical installations and agrivoltaic projects. The German company says the modules offer up to 10% backside power gain.
SMA posts €93 million loss for 2024
The German PV company saw revenue plunge nearly 20% last year. SMA expects revenue and profit to stabilize in 2025 due in part to restructuring measures, which are already having an impact.
Germany hit by two PV system fires
A photovoltaic system on the roof of a warehouse caught fire in the northern German town of Norden, triggering a large-scale operation by the volunteer fire department that lasted for hours and involved the use of two water cannons on Monday. On the same day, in Erftstadt, near Cologne, a garage in the area of a PV system caught fire, according to the local fire department.
Severe damage prevents grid connection of 29 MW floating PV system
Leag’s prestige project on the Ostsee lake in Cottbus is in trouble: storms and waves have washed pontoons onto the shore and several solar modules have come loose from their fastenings. A salvage operation is underway and trouble is brewing even before the large photovoltaic system is put into operation.
Could German PV energy communities participate in the balancing market?
The RWTH Aachen University has simulated 27 scenarios of energy communities participating in the balancing market in Germany and has found that the business model behind an energy community is only feasible if battery storage is available.
Germany introduces new rules for solar remuneration during negative prices
The new provisions will apply to all PV systems exceeding 2 kW.
A closer look at Aira’s heat pump tech
Swedish manufacturer Aira launched its heat pump in Europe in 2024. The company told pv magazine it is now developing a full home energy management system proposition to integrate heating, solar, battery energy storage and electric vehicle charging.
Germany allocates 2.15 GW in latest PV tender, final average price for first time under €0.05/kWh since 2019
Germany’s latest auction for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0388 ($0.0400)/kWh to €0.0495/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.
