Author: solarenergy
The systems use propane as a coolant and vary in capacity from 40 kW to 410 kW. Their coefficient of performance reaches up to 3.88. November 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Rinnai Applied, a unit of Japanese heating solutions provider Rinnai Corp, has launched a new line of air-to-water heat pumps for commercial and industrial applications. “Flexibility and system versatility are key features of the R290 commercial and industrial heat pump range, with the addition of smart control logic that can manage up to six units, five of which are controlled by a master unit. This arrangement prioritizes system performance and…
First Solar has announced that it will establish a new manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina, for the onshore final production processes for Series 6 Plus modules. The company expects to spend approximately $330 million to establish the new facility, which is expected to begin commercial operations in the second half of 2026. The onshore processes will convert thin-film solar cells produced by First Solar’s international fleet into fully completed modules. The Gaffney plant is expected to create more than 600 new jobs and increase First Solar’s capacity by 3.7 GW, reaching an annual capacity of 17.7 GW by 2027.…
Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition says a new €2 billion ($2.3 billion) financing package aims to accelerate industrial capacity, expand renewable energy deployment and boost the country’s long-term energy resilience. November 14, 2025 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain Spanish Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen has unveiled a €2 billion aid package aimed at strengthening Spain’s industrial value chain and accelerating the country’s energy transition. The program is mainly funded through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Facility (RTRF) and partly aligned with the European Clean Industry State Aid Framework (CISAF). It builds on PERTE ERHA, a strategic state…
Tesla says the recall and replacement efforts stem from a battery cell defect that has led to safety concerns in both the United States and Australia. November 14, 2025 Marija Maisch By ESS news Tesla has one recall message for its fully integrated Powerwall 2 AC battery energy storage system and initiated a replacement program for approximately 10,500 affected units in the United States. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tesla has received 22 reports of overheating, including six cases of smoking and five cases of fire causing minor property damage. No injuries have been reported. Tesla said the…
Using the mask-and-plate copper metallization technique, scientists from the German research center have fabricated a 1.21 cm² perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a heterojunction bottom device. The cell achieved an efficiency of 19.35%, reportedly the highest value achieved to date for this cell type using galvanic front metallization. November 14, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) in Germany have applied the so-called mask-and-plate front metallization approach to the development of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells for the first time. “The novelty of this work is threefold: first, we achieve very small feature sizes…
Renewable energy is still growing faster than fossil fuels around the world despite policy changes in the United States, with oil demand possibly peaking “around 2030”, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday. The Paris-based IEA presented several scenarios for the future of energy in its annual World Energy Outlook – the first since it came under fire from US President Donald Trump’s administration over its oil forecasts. “The pace varies, but renewables are growing faster than any other major energy source in all scenarios, led by solar photovoltaics,” the agency, which advises mainly developed countries, said in its 518-page…
Italian grid operator Terna says solar installations from 2025 through October indicate a slower annual growth rate than in 2024. November 14, 2025 Massimiliano Tripodo Image: Jonathan Göhner, Unsplash By pv magazine Italy Italy installed around 4.81 GW of new PV systems in the first ten months of this year, according to new statistics from national transmission system operator Terna. The current growth trajectory indicates a potential full-year contraction compared to 2024, when installations reached 6.8 GW. Annual additions totaled 5.23 GW in 2023, 2.48 GW in 2022 and 0.94 GW in 2021. Terna reported that approximately 732 MW of…
Wuxi DK Electronic Materials (DKEM) has filed a patent lawsuit against Zhejiang Guangda Electronic Technology for allegedly infringing its patents on conductive silver paste. November 14, 2025 Vincent Shaw Wuxi DK electronic materials (DKEM) announced that its subsidiary, Zhejiang Soter Materials Technology, has filed a lawsuit in the Zhejiang High Court against Zhejiang Guangda Electronic Technology for allegedly infringing its conductive silver paste patents. DKEM is seeking an injunction to stop production and sales, the destruction of relevant production equipment and molds, and damages of 200 million CNY (27.5 million USD) for economic and legal costs. The Silicon Industry Department…
The European Commission has launched its first call to link suppliers and buyers to the Hydrogen Mechanism, while Italian researchers say solar, wind, storage and electrolyzers could cut island transport emissions by 90% and cut costs by almost a third. November 14, 2025 Sergio Matalucci The European Commission launched the first call for interest in the context of the hydrogen mechanism. The mechanism aims to connect potential suppliers with buyers of renewable or low-carbon hydrogen and derivatives such as ammonia, methanol, certain aviation fuels (eSAF) and eMethane. Bids can be submitted until January 2, 2026. On January 19, the European…
The US mounting systems supplier said its new product is designed to fit both Cee and Zee purlin frame structures. It features a bottom-facing adjustment screw. November 14, 2025 Lior Kahana Colorado-based metal roof fastener company S-5! has introduced a new clamp for solar carport applications. The new product, called S-5-CP, is designed to fit both Cee and Zee purlin frame constructions, while also eliminating the need for drilling holes. Cee and Zee purlins are cold-formed steel members used in the secondary frames of metal buildings to support roof and wall panels. C purlins are symmetrical and often used for…