Germany: PV storage subsidies expected in May
The new subsidies for battery storage systems will apply retroactively to all photovoltaic systems installed this year and have a maximum capacity of 30 kW. The German Environment Ministry and KfW state bank have not made any official announcements, however, the program is expected to be introduced in the coming week.
Power-One and Panasonic unveil energy storage collaboration
U.S.-based Power-One, Inc. and Japans Panasonic Corporation have announced that they will work together on the development of energy storage systems and the large-scale utility and commercial photovoltaic inverter business.
Global smart grid investment to double by 2018
Global smart grid investment grew 7% in 2012 to US$13.9 billion, according to figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Upgrading grids "our lifeline" TÜV Rheinland chief
The CEO of solar testing company TÜV Rheinland has called on politicians in Germany and the European Union to make a huge effort to upgrade grids because, he told an audience at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, “our current network is our lifeline”.
Global fuel cells market to reach US$910.3 million in 2018
Transparency Market Research has released a new market report that states that global fuel cells demand is estimated to reach US$910.3 million in 2018. In 2011 the demand was worth US$355.3 million.
Germany: Promoting solar power storage
The Federal Solar Industry Association or BSW welcomes the announcement by the German government to promote the development of solar power storage.
Battery market development will be guided by step-wise innovation
Pike Research’s Brittany E. Gibson is confident that emerging cleantech markets for batteries, especially for transportation and stationary applications, will be viable new markets in ten years.
IHS releases 2013 PV predictions
Falling prices and consolidation will remain in 2013, predicts IHS. Despite this, photovoltaic installations are expected to grow, the demand-supply balance is likely to be restored and China is set to become the biggest global solar market. Overall, the research company has laid out 10 predictions for the coming year.
Smart grid and CSP schemes among EU's 1.2 billion handout recipients
The EU has announced more than 1.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) of funding for renewable generation projects, including more than 200 million for concentrated solar power (CSP) projects in Greece and Cyprus, and 8.2 million for a smart grid scheme in Belgium.
250 kW power to gas plant enters operation
The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) has inaugurated a 250 kW power to gas research plant with a possible methane production of up to 300 cubic meters per day. This makes it the largest plant of its kind in the world.
