Grid issues plague solar’s comeback in Czechia
The lack of a transparent grid capacity system in Czechia is eroding the solar self-consumption business model, and in some parts of the country, grid bottlenecks are delaying grid connections.
Plug-and-play PV system for garden fences
German PV product supplier Green Akku says that its new PV system can be vertically attached to fences. It reportedly generates more solar power, even in winter.
EU launches first cross-border solar tender
Participants in the European Union’s new cross-border solar tender will have to submit project proposals with capacities between 5 MW and 100 MW. Luxembourg is providing a voluntary payment of €40 million ($43.9 million) and Finland is hosting the projects that will compete for the subsidies.
Italy sets new provisions for innovative agrivoltaics
The European Commission is now reviewing Italy’s new rules on agrivoltaics. They define which “innovative agrivoltaic systems” are entitled to the Italian government’s €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) incentive scheme for agrivoltaics.
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.
Key takeaways from South Korea’s Green Energy Expo
Green Energy Expo, South Korea’s largest solar event, attracted a higher number of visitors and exhibitors this year, underscoring the strength of the domestic PV industry, despite recent unfavorable regulatory changes.
Average solar LCOE increases for first time this year
A new report by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis. It shows that utility-scale solar and onshore wind LCOE increased for the first time in 2023, at $24/MWh to $96/MWh for solar and $24/MWh to $75 MWh for wind. Nevertheless, the two renewable sources are still the economic frontrunners when compared to nuclear, gas, and coal.
Germany wraps up large-scale PV tender with average price of €0.0703/kWh
Germany’s first auction of the year for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0529 ($0.059)/kWh to €0.0730/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.
Hybrid wind-solar power system for residential applications
Dutch startup Airturb has developed a 500 W hybrid wind-solar power system featuring a vertical axis wind turbine and a solar base hosting four 30 W solar panels. The system can be used for rooftop or off-grid applications.
Scotland to deploy first floating PV array
Nova Innovation, a leader in tidal energy tech, says it will install Scotland’s first floating PV demonstrator later this year. The company currently has a multi-megawatt international pipeline under development.
