Hidden devices found in Chinese-made inverters in the US, reports Reuters
US officials are reassessing the risks posed by Chinese-made devices in renewable energy infrastructure according to news agency. Reuters cites two unnamed sources, who would only provide a few details.
Italian court rejects law on suitable areas for renewables
Italy’s Lazio regional tribunal has partially invalidated a May 2024 decree defining suitable zones for ground-mounted renewables, forcing national and regional authorities to rethink the policy framework.
UK grid operator streamlines grid connection process for renewables up to 5 MW
Regulator Ofgem approves higher threshold for a transmission system impact assessment requirement applying to distributed generation projects in England and Wales. The move is expected to lower development costs for projects with capacity between 1 MW and 5 MW.
Ireland to launch fifth renewables auction on May 29
Ireland will launch its fifth renewables auction on May 29, with grid operator EirGrid set to finalize the procurement process by Oct. 10.
Three-year field test shows TOPCon, HJT solar module reliability in desert areas
A three-year field experiment comparing the performance and reliability of passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC), tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), and silicon heterojunction (SHJ) modules in desert climates found that HJT modules exhibited the highest degradation, while TOPCon modules showed the lowest degradation.
Heat pump deployment requires massive amounts of storage, finds UK researcher
Researchers in the United Kingdom found that approximately 175 TWh of hydrogen and compressed air storage capacity will be needed to fully decarbonize heating in the United Kingdom. Lead researcher Bruno Cardenas told pv magazine that, when domestic heat demand is 100% electrified, average annual electricity demand and peak load in the grid are 26% and 70% higher than current levels.
Flexibility options are a central concept for highly renewable energy systems research
To address the variability of renewable energy for a stable supply, 22 distinct types of flexibility options are found in 100% renewable energy systems research articles, categorized into power-to-X, energy storage, demand response, transmission and distribution grids, and curtailment.
Helping the maritime industry to decarbonize
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) highlights the transformative potential of green hydrogen and hydrogen-derived ammonia for decarbonizing the maritime industry. According to its experts, hydrogen could be soon be used as a maritime fuel, as ongoing innovation is slated to make hydrogen storage and transportation more viable over time.
Battery and battery tech developments in brief from the floor of Intersolar 2025
Europe’s largest solar power event filled 18 very large halls in Munich, and new launches ranged from balcony solar to cow poop innovations.
pv magazine Focus: Manufacturers, installers, scientists discuss EMS
Installers, manufacturers, scientists and users at the Smarter E Europe event – held last week in Munich, Germany – discussed PV home storage, energy management systems (EMS), and key challenges in the implementation of Germany’s new solar provisions.
