Forecasts point to strong solar conditions across the U.S., China and Europe through spring
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the end of the Northern Hemisphere spring is creating favorable conditions for solar generation across key markets in the United States, China, and Europe.
Rinnai unveils air-to-water heat pumps for commercial, industrial use
The systems use propane as the refrigerant and range in capacity from 40 kW to 410 kW. Their coefficient of performance reaches up to 3.88.
Colombia sets up state solar panel maker with Swedish state support
Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy says it has created a state-owned solar panel manufacturer with Swedish government backing to supply domestic renewable programs and strengthen local manufacturing.
Hurricane Melissa floods Cuba’s Río Cauto solar park, cuts power supply
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says emergency generators, some powered by solar panels, are being deployed as Cuba struggles to restore electricity after the storm.
US startup launches DC-powered solar water heater
California-based Apparent Inc. has unveiled a new water heater that can reportedly offset 100% of a home’s water heating cost. The system uses low-voltage DC electricity generated by conventional solar panels and a cloud based, machine learning platform that manages energy in real-time.
The future arrived early: Why our energy cost forecasts need to catch up
While solar modules and batteries have become icons of rapid progress, most energy models are still stuck in the past. A new global analysis shows that the cost of renewable energy has fallen far faster than expected. Solar PV, wind power, and battery technologies have already reached price levels that models once placed many decades ahead – a misplaced pessimism that risks misdirecting billions in climate investment and could distort long-term defossilization strategies.
Increasing PVT-assisted heat pump efficiency with liquid overfeed design
Researchers in China developed a large-scale PV-thermal heat pump system using a liquid overfeed method that reportedly improves both thermal and electrical efficiency. Field tests showed up to a 4.81% boost in power generation and significantly reduced pressure losses compared to conventional systems.
Fothermo debuts immersion heater for excess PV power
The German company said its new device features a DC input supporting up to 3 kW of photovoltaic power. The heating output can be continuously adjusted between 0 W and 1,000 W. Priced at €549 ($635) including VAT, the heating element is designed for hot water storage tanks with capacities of up to 500 L.
High pressure boosts eastern solar as storms hit North America’s northwest
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that North America experienced a highly variable solar performance in October, as a strong high-pressure system boosted irradiance across the eastern regions while cooler, cloudier conditions reduced solar potential in the Pacific Northwest.
Aermec debuts modular heat pump for residential, commercial buildings
The Italian manufacturer said its new WWMG heat pump system has a coefficient of performance of up to 4.98 and an energy efficiency rating of 16.30 BTU/Wh.
