Author: solarenergy
Generac Holdings announced that it has been selected to begin negotiations by the Department of Energy (DOE) to receive an award for a $50 million grant as part of the U.S. Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP). DO. The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a $10.5 billion investment to increase grid flexibility, improve the energy system’s resilience to extreme weather, and ensure that American communities have access to affordable, reliable energy when and where they need it. Generac, in partnership with the California Water Association (CWA), aims to integrate clean energy…
A European research team has proposed a new approach to sizing air source heat pumps that uses long-term climate data and adjusts system operation based on actual local climate conditions. The sizing algorithm includes the peak heat demand, the unitary final energy demand and the seasonal heat demand for different house sizes. October 23, 2024 Emiliano Bellini An international research group has devised a new sizing methodology for air source heat pumps (ASHP) that is tailored to specific weather conditions. The new method is designed for ASHPs used in detached houses for space heating and hot water supply. The group…
Belgian grid operator Fluvius plans to install around 403,000 smart meters in solar-powered homes by 2025, when their use becomes mandatory. To date, the company has installed 553,500 smart meters in Flemish homes with PV systems. October 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Belgian grid operator Fluvius has announced plans to accelerate the rollout of smart digital meters in solar-powered homes in Flanders, where such devices will be mandatory from January 2025. Fluvius said it has already installed 553,500 smart meters for PV system owners and plans to deploy a further 403,000 smart meters by the end of 2025, at a rate…
New research from Germany shows that identifying the cheapest heating source for homes remains a challenge, as the final results depend on the assumptions made and energy prices. However, the scientists have shown that air-to-water heat pumps and gas heating systems are currently the most cost-effective solutions. October 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the Technical University of Munich in Germany evaluated the environmental, economic and eco-efficiency performance of 13 different heating systems for a typical two-storey German home and found that air source heat pumps and gas systems cost the most. -effective solutions. The scientists specified that identifying the…
Mercedes opens recycling plant for electric car batteries Mercedes-Benz inaugurated an electric vehicle battery recycling plant in Germany on Monday, with the luxury carmaker’s boss hailing an “important milestone” in boosting the sector’s sustainability. The plant, in the southwestern city of Kuppenheim, will have an annual capacity to recycle 2,500 tons of material, which will contribute to the production of around 50,000 batteries for the group’s electric models. The plant “marks an important milestone towards improving the sustainability of raw materials,” said Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who attended the opening of the factory, said recycling is “the…
Trina Solar has filed a lawsuit in a US court against Canadian Solar, alleging patent infringement of an unspecified tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology. October 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Chinese module maker Trina Solar has filed a patent infringement complaint in US District Court for the District of Delaware lawsuit against three unspecified units from rival Canadian Solar. Canadian Solar has revealed that the patent litigation concerns two unspecified U.S. patents held by Trina related to the TOPCon solar panel technology. “Canadian Solar respects and takes its own and third party intellectual property rights very seriously,” said…
Dutch grid operators TenneT, Enexis, Liander and Stedin say expanded use of ‘capacity restriction contracts’ among renewable energy operators could free up around 880 MW of additional grid capacity. The contracts are provided by congestion service providers (CSPs), who act as intermediaries in the Netherlands. October 22, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Image: Vysotsky, Wikimedia Commons The Dutch grid operators TenneT, Enexis, Liander and Stedin released reports this week on the available grid capacity, in response to new requirements from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). “The results of the congestion studies at the regional grid operators provide virtually no…
The proposed developments will combine solar energy and BESS. Image: Starlight energy Starlight Energy has applied for early planning permission for two proposed solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) developments in Leicestershire, England. The developer, an offshoot of NextEnergy Group, has submitted a screening advice request to Harborough District Council in relation to two development sites in the Harborough and Saddington areas. The proposal suggests that, if approved, ground-mounted solar panels with a combined capacity of approximately 20 MW would be installed at the two sites, in addition to the co-located BESS with an additional 20 MW capacity. The…
In addition to qualifying for various credits established in the Inflation Reduction Act, silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing activities for the solar energy sector can benefit from the 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (CHIPS ITC), created in the CHIPS and Science Act. Last lines for the CHIPS ITC were released today by the Ministry of Finance, and while the law is intended to support the general semiconductor market, it does mention solar wafer production. Waffles come off the line in the former SolarWorld production facility. Archive photo of the Oregon Department of Transportation The guidelines provide taxpayers with clarity on…
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) says solar installations reached 160 GW between January and September 2024, while cumulative capacity reached 770 GW in August. October 22, 2024 Vincent Shaw The Chinese NEA said the country added 20.89 GW of new solar capacity in September, up 27% month-on-month. From January to September, the newly installed PV capacity was approximately 160 GW. At the end of September, China’s total installed electricity generation capacity was 3.16 TW, up 14.1% year-on-year. Solar power capacity rose to 770 GW, up 48.3%, while wind power reached 480 GW, up 19.8%. Chinese energy companies invested CNY398.2 billion…