Key takeaways from Italy’s KEY trade show
This year’s KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, Europe’s second-largest solar trade show, highlighted the rapid growth of Italy’s PV market and its expanding international reach.
Spanish startup offers new PV-CPS system integrating energy storage
Spanish startup BlueSolar has unveiled a patented PV-CSP system that combines hybrid panels and thermal storage to deliver uninterrupted solar power. The technology uses optical light filters to generate electricity and capture heat for storage or steam, targeting large-scale plants in high-solar-resource markets.
RWE plans 1.2 GWh battery on German former coal plant
The energy company says it is investing a mid-three-digit million euro amount into construction of the 600 MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
Belgian company challenges 800 W limit for plug-in solar panels in Flanders
Belgian smart energy firm Innovoltus is challenging a new rule from the Flanders energy agency in Belgium capping plug-in solar panels at 800 W per meter, arguing the region lacks authority to impose the limit. The move comes as the country begins sales of plug-in solar panels and home batteries ahead of an April 17 connection date.
UK’s largest solar and storage project secures financial close
Quinbrook completes financing for Cleve Hill Solar Park in Kent, England. The solar and storage project will be the largest in the United Kingdom when it goes live later in 2025. The developer claims contract for difference, capacity market and power purchase agreements (PPAs) were critical to securing project financing.
Nexol Photovolthermic launches new PV water heater
Nexol Photovolthermic AG has developed a new hybrid solar water heater for residential use, offering 1.5 kW of heating output and sizes ranging from 80 to 300 liters.
Back-contact VIPV modules based on glass fiber-reinforced composite sheets
A university team in Poland has developed lightweight bifacial vehicle integrated PV (VIPV) mini-modules with back contact cells and glass fiber-reinforced composite sheets. Fabricated in a low-cost process, larger versions of the device are planned for use in a custom-built solar car for international competitions.
Bangladesh seeking to improve net metering for rooftop PV
Bangladesh is seeking to overhaul its net-metering policy to encourage rooftop PV deployment by allowing 100% power injection and expanding eligibility to all grid-connected users, including those with single-phase and prepaid meters.
Australia adds 3 GW of rooftop PV capacity in 2024
Australia’s rooftop solar uptake continued to surge in 2024, with a new report revealing more than 300,000 PV systems with a combined capacity of almost 3 GW were installed on the roofs of homes and businesses across the nation in 2024.
How to identify interruption of ribbons in solar modules
Scientists in Spain have investigated the total or partial interruptions of ribbons that connect solar cells in modules and have proposed a classification based on their type and location.
