Germany

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology researchers have told pv magazine that hydrogen storage pipelines and gravel could become a reality in lakes or water reservoirs in Europe, the United States, Japan, or China within 10 years. “The technology required to implement the proposed system is available, simple and cheap,” they said.

A group including scientists from Insititute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) and German PV equipment manufacturer Centrotherm has developed a POLO back junction solar cell by using an industrial plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system with a low-frequency plasma source. The device achieved a slightly higher efficiency than a reference device fabricated via more expensive atomic layer deposition (ALD).

The device developed by TU Bergakademie Freiberg researchers uses aluminum as an anode, graphite as a cathode, and a polymer-based solid electrolyte. It is being validated and further developed for industrial production. The goal is storage capacity of 10 kWh.

Webasto, a German automotive industry supplier and developer of vehicle integrated PV, unveiled a new sun roof system concept with components that are 40% lighter and a capacity of 350 kWh per year.

The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub has tapped Siemens Energy to provide and install six electrolyzers for a 100 MW system, with construction set to begin next year and commercial operation expected by 2027.

Anker SOLIX’s new microinverters are optimizing solar production and storage for homeowners according to Shaun Xiong, board member and general manager of the company’s charging business. He says the company is also well on its way to achieving its goal of zero plastic packaging by 2027.

Namibia Power Corp. (NamPower) has secured a loan from German state-owned development bank KfW to expand the planned Rosh Pinah project in Namibia from 70 MW to 100 MW. The NAD 1.3 billion ($72.6 million) loan will cover 80% of the solar project’s costs.

The German government says that the H2Mare OffgridWind project in Denmark has connected two electrolyzers to a wind turbine for hydrogen production, while Ontras Gastransport and H2 Energy Europe have agreed to define the technical and commercial framework for hydrogen transportation in its Green Octopus Mitteldeutschland pipeline project.

German PV project developer Fellensiek Projektmanagement GmbH & Co. KG has filed for insolvency due to claims from an unnamed investor. However, the company’s 20 project entities remain unaffected, and buyers are being sought for their sale.

Oxford PV is delivering its first commercial perovskite solar modules to US customers. The 72-cell solar modules have an efficiency of 24.5% and, according to the company, can generate up to 20% more energy than conventional silicon modules.