Irish wind specialist SSE Airtricity expands into solar
The Irish renewable energy supplier, which is already active in the residential and commercial solar business, has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in rooftop PV installer, Activ8 Solar Energies.
Spain: Government expects solar to dominate by 2030 with up to 77 GW
In a new report, the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Digital Agenda has predicted that solar will become the country’s largest electricity source by the end of the next decade. Cumulative installed PV power could even reach 77 GW by the end of 2030, according to the most bullish scenario drafted by the Spanish government.
German scientists use germanium to improve performance of kesterite solar cells
Although current efficiencies for solar cells based on kesterite do not exceed 12.6%, the use of germanium may enable the development of cells with a higher energy band gap.
Germany adds another 200 MW of solar in February
After an encouraging start to the year, solar PV demand in Germany remained at January’s level. Almost half of the new additions came from ground-mounted power plants.
Belgium: Flemish government to support pilot floating solar projects with €6 million
The funds are part of a €100 million investment plan. The pilot projects will be developed on water surfaces that are not utilized for other purposes.
Fotowatio wins Armenia’s 50 MW solar tender
The solar facility will sell power to the local grid at around US$0.04/kWh. The project is part of Armenia’s six-year $58 million solar program.
Video interview: Energy Storage Highlights winner Younicos talks storage-as-a-service
Aggreko-owned storage system experts Younicos claimed first place in the pv magazine Energy Storage Highlights award. Alexander Schönfeldt, the company’s VP sales EMEA, describes this award-winning concept and reveals more details about Younicos’ new rental storage system.
US researchers mull zinc oxide as solar cell manufacturing alternative to titanium dioxide
The group of scientists has identified a new process by which holes get trapped in nanoparticles made of zinc oxide.
Viessmann finalizes unsubsidized 2 MW solar park in Germany
The facility, which will power the company’s headquarters, will raise its power production for self-consumption by 50%. The installation will also deliver part of its power surplus to other companies of the group and to the spot market.
TÜV Rheinland exposes inverter, battery hacking vulnerabilities
Testing from TÜV Rheinland has revealed that PV inverters and battery storage systems are vulnerable to hacking. By changing system parameters, a hacker could potentially cause a battery system to corrode, “making it like a ‘bomb’.”
