Author: solarenergy

The German research institute says it is currently investigating three copper metallization methods: screen printing, FlexTrail printing and rotary printing. The proposed technology is reportedly compatible with TOPCon or heterojunction bottom cells. December 13, 2024 Valerie Thompson Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) in Germany are developing copper metallization technology to avoid the use of silver in perovskite-silicon tandem devices. “Basically, we will develop a perovskite-silicon tandem device using printed copper instead of silver. ISE’s exclusive FlexTrail printing technology will be essential. We are working with partners from PV and printed electronics to create…

Powernaut’s software balances local generation from decentralized devices such as solar panels, batteries and heat pumps with the needs of the electricity grid. December 13, 2024 Blathnaid O’Dea Belgian renewable software startup Powernaut has raised €2.4 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Berlin-based Revent, with participation from several other major European venture capital firms. London’s Seedcamp, Antwerp’s Pitchdrive and Brussels’ Syndicate One joined Revent to support Powernaut, which is headquartered in Ghent. Powernaut makes software to integrate decentralized devices, such as solar panels, electric vehicles, batteries and heat pumps, with the electricity grid. The company was founded in…

China Power Construction Corp. (PowerChina) says it has completed the largest tender in the history of the solar industry, involving 51 GW of PV modules and 51 GW of inverters. The tender results, published on November 13, set a new record for scale and industry involvement. December 13, 2024 Vincent Shaw PowerChina has announced the results of the largest tender in the history of the solar industry, involving 51 GW of PV modules and 51 GW of inverters. The tender round for PV modules was divided into three categories: 12 GW of tunnel oxide passivated contact modules (TOPCon) for own…

A trifecta of cutting-edge products debuted Thursday at Hithium’s second Eco Day event in Beijing. December 13, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS news Chinese energy storage specialist Hithium has used its annual Eco Day event to unveil a trio of innovative products: a 6.25MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS), a specialized sodium-ion battery for utility-scale energy storage, and an installation-free microgrid system for home. On Thursday, Hithium introduced its ∞Pack+ high-capacity full-scenario energy storage platform. The manufacturer said the five main benefits are high capacity, standardization, platformization, scenario-based and maintainability. To read further, visit our ESS news website. This…

According to the latest figures, the US energy storage market set new installation records in the third quarter of 2024 report ‘US Energy Storage Monitor’ released by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Wood Mackenzie. 50 MW energy storage system at the Golden Triangle II project in Mississippi. Credit: Origis Energy This is the highest record for installations in the third quarter, with a total of 3.8 GW and 9.931 GWh deployed – 3,431 MW and 9,188 MWh coming from network-scale deployments. Deployment of network-scale energy storage in both Texas and California was robust in the third quarter as…

Smaller solar manufacturers have shut down production lines, but not at a pace fast enough to return profit margins to healthy territory. InfoLink’s Amy Fang considers what’s in store for PV companies in the near term. December 13, 2024 pv magazine Printed edition 24/12 from pv magazine Economic headwinds and changing policies have slowed the global solar energy market in the second half of 2024. The discussion continues to focus on how to alleviate the oversupply of PV systems. InfoLink has conservatively forecast solar demand of 492 GW to 568 GW in 2025, but this could be even weaker and…

PV hardware (PVH), a global provider of solar trackers, has launched PVH Terra, a foundation system designed and manufactured entirely in the United States and designed to address challenging ground conditions in utility-scale solar installations. Credit: PV Hardware PVH Terra is manufactured entirely in the United States and exceeds the domestic content qualifications set forth in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). PVH claims that the ground-mounted foundation can reduce embedment depth by up to 70%, depending on project site conditions. The holder is a perpendicular screw that is driven into the ground at an angle using specialized machines. “PVH Terra…

Manufacturers and suppliers of batteries for photovoltaic energy storage must meet more extensive requirements under the new EU battery regulation. Many companies are still unsure what this means for their product design, processes and management systems. Yalcin Ölmez, head of the operational and investment risks department at the German testing organization TÜV SÜD, explains what companies must now take into account. December 13, 2024 Yalcin Ölmez Image: Carl Grüner, Unsplash By ESS news The new EU battery regulation will gradually impose extensive and, in part, new requirements on battery manufacturers, importers, distributors and ‘service providers’. The legislation applies to all…

The agrivoltaic project, with a production capacity of up to 5,011 MW, will cover 2 km of the Orellana Canal in Cáceres, western Spain. December 12, 2024 Pilar Sanchez Molina Recreation of a project on the Navarra Canal with solar panels Image: Nafarroa green By pv magazine Spain Spanish energy company Acciona Energía is planning an agrivoltaic project to be rolled out across the Orellana Canal in Cáceres, in the west of the country. Spain. The company says the PVORELLANA project “will demonstrate a new solution and a new business model for photovoltaic energy generation: agrovoltaic solar channels, a sustainable…

The US finalizes tariff hikes on more green technology imports from China The United States on Wednesday tightened tariff hikes on more Chinese imports, including crucial solar panel components, capping recent efforts by the world’s largest economy to protect its growing green energy sector. The latest measures announced by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office limit a review of tariffs imposed during newly elected President Donald Trump’s first administration. Tariffs on solar wafers and polysilicon will double to 50 percent in January, while those on certain tungsten products will rise from zero to 25 percent. “The tariff increases announced today will…