PVT-driven geothermal heat pump system for greenhouses
South Korea’s Rural Development Administration has created an energy system for greenhouses that combines photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) panels with a ground-source heat pump. It is said to compensate, via the PVT panels, the typical shortcomings of geothermal energy and to be able to reduce heating and cooling costs in greenhouses by up to 78%.
LG debuts stackable home batteries ranging from 10.6 kWh to 17.7 kWh
LG Energy Solution will start selling its new enblock S batteries on the US market in November.
Austria slashes VAT on residential PV
Austria has reduced the value-added tax (VAT) on residential PV systems. The new measures apply to all new PV systems up to 35 kW in size, and it will go into force in January.
Ecoflow launches ‘retrofit’ residential battery with PV-coupling technology
The 5 kWh battery solution uses Ecoflow’s PV-coupling technology that reportedly ensures an easy connection to existing solar arrays. The new product features an output voltage range of 150-800 V.
Solax introduces hybrid inverter for 200% PV system oversizing
Solax claims its new hybrid inverters can oversize PV systems by 200%, making them an ideal solution for commercial rooftop installations. There are five versions, featuring rated power outputs ranging from 15 kW to 30 kW.
Novel algorithm for ultra-short term forecast of PV system faults
A research group in Pakistan has developed a PV system fault forecasting technique that can reportedly detect faults at the inceptive stage. The scientists claim their new algorithm is able to extract cell parameters and use the data to forecast fault conditions.
Irish government allocates €380 million for residential, community grant schemes
Roughly €380 million ($403 million) has been earmarked for spending in Ireland’s residential and community grant upgrade schemes, which includes solar PV installations, according to the Irish government’s 2024 Budget. The head of the local energy association, however, cautions to pv magazine that the new budget may not be ‘quite so generous’ as it first appears.
Bangladesh introduces rooftop PV requirement for big, new buildings
Bangladesh has implemented a new rule stating that new buildings with rooftop spaces exceeding 92.2 square meters must install net-metered solar power systems as a prerequisite for grid connection.
Australian competition regulator issues warning about LG home batteries
South Korea’s LG has updated a recall of its solar batteries, with Australia’s consumer watchdog warning owners of LG-branded batteries to “immediately” switch off their solar storage systems, amid concerns of overheating batteries.
France expands limits of ‘energy communities’
The French government has issued a long-awaited decree to expand the maximum permitted distance between members of energy communities from 2 km to 20 km.
