Sandra Enkhardt
Solarwatt announces 85 layoffs
German module manufacturer Solarwatt blamed market disruptions and very low module prices for its decision to lay off 10% of employees at the end of the year.
Germany’s January-October solar capacity additions hit 11.7 GW
Germany installed 11.7 GW of new solar capacity between January and October 2023, with 1.23 GW added in October alone, bringing the nation’s cumulative installed solar capacity to 79.2 GW.
Maxeon sues Aiko Solar for alleged patent infringement
PV manufacturer Maxeon has filed a lawsuit in Germany claiming that its rival, Aiko Solar, has breached European patents for the architecture of back contact solar cells. Aiko Solar has denied the allegations.
Swiss scientist to develop hybrid flow lithium-ion batteries
A scientist in Switzerland is trying to develop a hybrid flow battery and lithium-ion battery by incorporating solid storage materials into the flow battery tank. He is currently identifying stable materials for the storage tanks over a 20-year operating period.
Investigators still uncertain about cause of 30 kWh battery explosion in Germany
A lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system recently exploded in a home in central Germany, preventing police and insurance investigators from entering due to the high risk of collapse. The explosion may have been preceded by off-gassing, but it remains unclear whether an external ignition source was the cause. Some scientists say thermal runaway may have triggered the blast.
Voltfang launches ‘New Life’ commercial storage system with 45 KWh capacity
The battery storage system has 30 percent more power and capacity when compared to the German company’s previous model. The solution is particularly suitable for use in charging infrastructure, food-retail and commercial areas with high power peaks, the company claims.
Germany installs 919 MW of solar in September
Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says that 919 MW of new PV systems were installed in Germany in September.
Austria slashes VAT on residential PV
Austria has reduced the value-added tax (VAT) on residential PV systems. The new measures apply to all new PV systems up to 35 kW in size, and it will go into force in January.
German home destroyed by 30 kWh battery explosion
The German authorities have attributed the recent explosion of a 30 kWh storage battery in a private home to a likely technical defect. The incident has left the home uninhabitable, and property damages will likely be substantial, according to investigators.
Qcells fully acquires intellectual property rights for LECO tech
Qcells has acquired full ownership of intellectual property rights for LECO technology with the recent acquisition of Cell Engineering. The technology is known to enhance the efficiency of PERC and TOPCon solar cells.
