Author: solarenergy
First Solar, a manufacturer of thin-film solar panels, is launching a patent infringement investigation based on tunnel oxide passivated contact technology (TOPCon) used in crystalline silicon solar energy production. First Solar acquired TOPCon patents through the acquisition of TetraSun in 2013. Before the acquisition, the California-based startup had developed a proprietary cell architecture and manufacturing processes for large-format crystalline silicon wafers. First Solar had already produced a number of silicon-based designs a few years earlier stop that line in 2016. First Solar still retains the TOPCon-related patents issued in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and Australia,…
BlackRock’s climate infrastructure business has increased its stake in Brite Energy Partners. The KRW 100 billion ($72 million) investment will help scale up the South Korean independent power producer’s solar portfolio and expand its energy storage and EV charging businesses. July 19, 2024 Patrick Jowett Daegu, South Korea.Photo: Rushanziatdinov, PixabayBlackRock’s Climate Infrastructure business has increased its majority stake in South Korean independent energy producer Brite Energy Partners.The latest transaction, worth KRW100 billion, marks BlackRock’s fourth investment in Brite Energy Partners since August 2021.Brite Energy Partners said the investment will help it scale its solar portfolio to more than 1 GW…
The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says 220,000 balcony PV systems were installed in the country in the first half of the year, up to a capacity of 200 MW. July 19, 2024 Sandra Enkhardt By pv magazine GermanyGermany deployed 200 MW of balcony PV systems in the first half of this year, according to new figures from Federal Network Agency.The agency reported that capacity is represented by approximately 220,000 new systems. It attributes the recent growth to simplified registration of plug-in solar devices, which have been available since April. The average registered gross power of these systems has increased…
The proposed site for Enviromena’s 48.9 MW solar farm was rejected despite being recommended for approval. Image: Enviromena. Despite being recommended for approval by the planning officer, North Warwickshire Borough Council committee members voted against the 150-acre solar farm set up for development on a site near the M6 at Fillongley. The decision, taken on July 8, came on the day Rachel Reeves, Labor chancellor, pledged to “rebuild Britain”. Reeves had criticized a “status quo that responds to the existence of compromises by always saying “no,” with too many construction projects being rejected due to local conflicts. Yesterday, July 17,…
SSE Renewables’ first solar project, the 31MW Littleton Pastures solar farm in Worcestershire, started in August 2023. Image: SSE Renewables. As part of an agreement with Ortus Energy, SSE will acquire 13MW of rooftop solar PV projects and help develop up to 130MW of rooftop solar in the commercial market. SSE’s customer division, SSE Energy Solutions, will manage the existing assets, which are already installed in multiple locations. SSE will then have the exclusive option to finance the 130 MW pipeline over the next three years, with development and installation financed upfront. Ortus Energy will identify and develop the projects,…
Europe has been slow to recognize the role of energy storage devices in energy markets. Current market conditions, in terms of frequent oversupply, increasing numbers of zero and low energy prices, have all highlighted the limits of flexibility in the region.This limitation has now been recognized by the European government. More and more governments and transmission system operators (TSOs) are recognizing the crucial role of energy storage by including energy storage targets in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and national energy plans.As a result of current market conditions, the sector sees the emergence of a more diversified European…
First Solar says it is evaluating potential infringement of its patents for its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology, secured through its 2013 acquisition of TetraSun. The American manufacturer of thin-film solar panels did not name the companies involved or provide a timeline for the investigation. July 19, 2024 Emiliano Bellini First Solar said it is investigating possible violations of the patents it holds for TOPCon solar cell technology.“First Solar has secured the US patent and related international counterparts through the acquisition of TetraSun, Inc. and has initiated an investigation into several c-Si solar manufacturers for possible infringement of their…
If you’re planning to go solar in Colorado Springs, you’ll need to choose between roof-mounted solar panels and ground-mounted solar panels. Each option has its advantages, meaning the best choice depends on your unique circumstances.
In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that Rio de Janeiro recorded the sunniest June in more than 18 years, with solar radiation 15% above the long-term average. This was part of a band of above-average sunshine that stretched through Bolivia, Paraguay and parts of Brazil. Conversely, southern Argentina saw a drop in insolation up to 30% below the long-term average, while experiencing its cloudiest June during the same period. July 19, 2024 SolcastThe shift in the jet stream in June has brought significant variations in weather conditions across South America. Rio de Janeiro experienced…
Researchers in Italy have designed a water source heat pump system intended to generate cooling, heating and hot water for domestic use in social housing stock built between 1970 and 1990. The new concept integrates photovoltaic thermal energy with thermal storage and promises a seasonal coefficient of performance of 5. July 19, 2024 Emiliano BelliniA group of researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome has developed a new water source heat pump system (WSHP) that integrates photovoltaic thermal energy (PVT) and thermal energy storage (TES) for the production of integrated heating, cooling, domestic heating water production and electricity.The system…