Solis unveils hybrid inverters for rooftop applications
Solis has released a new line of hybrid inverters in five different power output versions, ranging from 3 kW to 8 kW. The hybrid inverters can be used with either lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, with a maximum charging and discharging current of 190 A.
Israeli developer starts building 250 MW/550 MWh solar-plus-storage project
Teralight has started building what will be Israel’s largest solar park. The Ta’anach PV project will have an installed capacity of 250 MW and include 550 MWh of storage. It is located in the Jezreel Valley, northern Israel, and will start operations in the first half of 2024.
Bosch to open heat pump factory in Poland
Bosch has announced plans to build its first heat pump factory in Dobromierz, Poland. The German heating manufacturer will invest €225 million ($247.3 million) in the new facility, which is expected to start operations in early 2026.
Novel technique to recover 100% of silver from CIGS solar cells
Swedish researchers have developed a method to recycle valuable metals from flexible thin film copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) solar cells under mild leaching conditions. They showed that 100% of silver and 85% of indium can be recovered after 24 hours of leaching at room temperature using two moles of nitric acid.
Brazil hits 20 GW of distributed solar capacity
Brazil’s distributed-generation solar capacity has hit 20.186 GW, with more than 10.204 GW of residential rooftop installations.
PV-powered robotic lawn mower from New Zealand
Researchers from Massey University in New Zealand have developed a robotic lawn mower with three 50 W solar panels and a 20 Ah lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. Two of the PV panels can be retracted and stacked inside the robot. They slide out when it needs to recharge its batteries.
Installed heat pump costs to fall by 20% by 2030, says UK research institute
The UK Energy Research Center says that the total installed cost of air-source heat pumps could fall by 20% by 2030. Non-equipment costs may decline by 30%, while equipment costs alone could drop by 17%.
Israel introduces storage-linked tariff for distributed PV
The Electricity Authority of Israel has decided to regulate the connection of energy storage systems to low-voltage PV plants with capacities of up to 630 kW. It is introducing a supplementary tariff for PV and storage facilities that share single metered connection points to the grid, in order to reduce bottlenecks on the grid.
Mibet unveils new balcony solar mounting structure
China’s Mibet has developed a mounting system for PV modules installed on balcony railings, terraces, gardens, and garage rooftops. It offers a maximum title angle of 30 degrees and can withstand wind loads of 30 meters per second.
US manufacturer releases cold climate heat pump
Rheem has unveiled an air-source heat pump that provides uninterrupted heating under -30.5 C ambient conditions. It has successfully passed the US Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge.
