Italy launches second agrivoltaics tender
Italy has launched a second agrivoltaics tender, allocating €323 million ($348.4 million) in unused funds from the first round, which awarded 1.5 GW of capacity in December 2024. Developers have until June 30 to submit bids.
German startup launches bidirectional charging kit for EVs
Energy Island Power, a German startup, has developed a connection kit that allows electric vehicle owners to use their car’s power to support home energy needs by integrating with the solar inverter and the home grid.
Six-year test field shows agrivoltaics can be critical for rice productivity
Scientists in Japan have conducted a field experiment in rice plantations hosting agrivoltaics systems and have found that rice growth can be affected by reduced biomass and reduced panicle number. However, their analysis has also shown that gross return in lowland rice agrivoltaics can be 14 times higher than rice growth without PV.
Using surplus solar power to pre-cool, pre-heat homes
Scientists in Australia have shown how pre-cooling and pre-heating could be implemented in Australian buildings with the support of excess solar power. Their analysis has demonstrated that summer has the highest potential for air conditioning demand reduction.
PVH launches foundation system for solar installations on complex terrain
PV Hardware (PVH) has released PVH Terra, a foundation system designed to improve solar plant installation on challenging terrain. The system aims to improve stability in expansive soils, frost-affected areas, and sites with poor geotechnical conditions while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Gstar’s wafer factory in Indonesia gets monocrystalline growth furnaces
Singapore-based solar manufacturer Gstar Solar has received the first of 120 monocrystalline growth furnaces to be delivered to its new 3 GW wafer manufacturing facility in Indonesia.
US solar module prices rise as market absorbs tariffs
US solar module prices rose in December 2024 for the first time since last summer, driven by tariff adjustments and patent litigation uncertainty, according to Anza. While prices have since stabilized, module type, cell origin, and geopolitical factors continue to shape the market.
Assessing LCOE of rooftop PV in the Baltics
A study estimating the economic viability of rooftop solar in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania forecasts the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for PV systems in the Baltic States at between €0.08 ($0.087) and €0.09/kWh by 2050 at a 6% discount rate.
Spain offers €200 million grant for solar ingot, wafer factory
Sunwafe SL has secured the largest share of Spain’s €297.3 million ($321.6 million) fund for clean energy manufacturing, as the government boosts support for domestic production.
Austa releases all-in-one storage system for residential use
Austa has launched an all-in-one residential storage system with a three-phase inverter offering output from 5,000 W to 15,000 W and storage capacities ranging from 10 kWh to 30 kWh.
