Sandra Enkhardt – pv magazine International

Germany installs 919 MW of solar in September

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:45:11 +0000

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says that 919 MW of new PV systems were installed in Germany in September.

From pv magazine Germany

Germany installed 919 MW of new PV capacity in September, according to the latest figures from the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). This compares to 1,056 MW in August and 750 MW in September 2022.

In the first nine months of this year, developers connected 10.72 GW of solar to the grid, compared to 5.6 GW in the same period a year earlier.

This means that the German government's goal of achieving a newly installed capacity of 9 GW for this year has already been exceeded. With a view to the goal of a cumulative installed capacity of 215 GW by 2030, the monthly increase – viewed linearly – would have to be 1,578 megawatts, as determined by the Federal Network Agency. This value has not been reached in any month so far this year.

The country's cumulative solar capacity surpassed 77.67 GW at the end of September.

In September, the combined capacity of rooftop systems supported with feed-in tariffs or market premiums totaled 666 MW. This is also the lowest value since February and a significant decrease compared to previous months when there were more than 800 MW in this segment – with the peak value of almost 937 MW having been reached in June.

Austria slashes VAT on residential PV

Sandra Enkhardt — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:15:55 +0000

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.

From pv magazine Germany

The Austrian government has decided to reduce the VAT for solar modules to 0% from January 2024. Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler announced the new measure as part of a new economic stimulus package.

“As an association, we have been calling for this measure for a long time and are very pleased that the PV expansion in the small segment will be given a boost next year,” said Herbert Paierl, CEO of trade body PV Austria. “This means that our motto ‘Zero sales tax – zero bureaucracy' will finally be implemented. It is the right step at the right time, as the industry is currently experiencing a decline in demand for photovoltaics.”

Austria is set to reduce VAT to 0% starting in early 2024 for all PV systems with a 35 kW of output, covering both component purchases and installation costs. This two-year measure is designed to support solar expansion by simplifying processes and replacing federal rebates.

Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Austria has joined other European nations such as Ireland and Germany in adopting this strategy. Austria installed more than 1 GW of solar in 2022, up from 740 MW in 2021, 341 MW in 2020, and 247 MW in 2019, bringing its cumulative PV capacity to 3.79 GW and covering 6.6% of the country's electricity demand last year.

German home destroyed by 30 kWh battery explosion

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 11:20:42 +0000

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.

From pv magazine Germany

Germany experienced another accident involving a battery storage system on Oct. 6.

“At around 2 p.m., the fire safety department of the Wernges district was alerted of smoke coming from a two-family house,” Police Chief Inspector Andre Müller of the East Hesse Police Headquarters told pv magazine.

When the police arrived at the scene, local fire departments were already present, but they could not detect any fire. However, an explosion had occurred, resulting in the collapse of the home's eastern wall.

The explosion has been linked to a 30 kWh storage unit in the basement. Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that a technical defect may have caused the explosion, according to the police officer.

The homeowners managed to evacuate the house independently. The police reported that three individuals sustained minor injuries, including the homeowner, a resident, and a neighbor.

The police estimate the damage to be in the mid-six-figure range, rendering the house currently uninhabitable. Firefighters secured the area with construction fences and provided support to prevent the residential building from collapsing. The police did not disclose any information about the battery manufacturer.

During the latter part of September, there were multiple instances of home photovoltaic storage systems catching fire. In total, pv magazine has learned about five similar incidents in Germany and Austria.

Qcells fully acquires intellectual property rights for LECO tech

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:00:52 +0000

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.

From pv magazine Germany

South Korea-based solar module manufacturer Hanwha Qcells is still in patent litigation with photovoltaic competitors in various regions of the world over possible infringement of its patents for a passivation technology.

Now, it also owns the intellectual property rights to Laser Enhanced Contact Optimization (LECO) technology thanks to the finalization of the acquisition of Cell Engineering (CE).

CE started to develop this manufacturing process in 2017 and cooperated than with Hanwha Qcells in transfering it to mass production.

The LECO technique is reportedly able to raise PERC and TOPCon solar cell efficiency by between 0.2% and 0.5%. It reportedly achieves a high throughput through a lean and cost-effective laser treatment.

Now, it also owns the intellectual property rights to Laser Enhanced Contact Optimization (LECO) technology thanks to the finalization of the acquisition of Cell Engineering (CE).

CE started to develop this manufacturing process in 2017 and cooperated than with Hanwha Qcells in transfering it to mass production.

“After working very closely with CE, the acquisition of the company by Qcells felt like the next logical step in order to fulfill the complete potential of the LECO technology,” said Jörg Müller, head of Qcells R&D.

Danielle Merfeld, the Global CTO of Qcells, noted the willingness of Qcells and CE to collaborate with other industry players to leverage the advantages of LECO technology in the solar sector.

“However, Qcells does not tolerate any unlawful usage of the LECO technology, and is fully committed to defending its intellectual property rights to ensure that the solar industry can continue to pursue its research and development activities with confidence,” said Merfeld.

Germany, Austria hit by multiple solar battery fires in September

Sandra Enkhardt — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:30:01 +0000

pv magazine has learned that five solar-related fires in Germany and Austria occurred in late September. Photographs show that two of the blazes were likely caused by residential batteries manufactured by LG.

From pv magazine Germany

There were multiple reports of fires involving batteries connected to residential PV systems in Germany and Austria in September. pv magazine has learned about five such incidents in the latter half of the month, with three occurring in Germany and two in Austria.

The most recent incident occurred on Sept. 29 in Kleinkahl, Germany. According to the fire department report, a single-family home experienced heavy smoke due to a technical malfunction that blew up the power storage unit of a PV system. The incident report stated that the room housing the electricity storage unit was affected.

Firefighters initially extinguished the blaze, while safely cooling the battery in a container to prevent reignition. High-performance fans were used to clear toxic fire smoke from the house. Although no one was injured, the residence is currently uninhabitable due to extensive smoke and soot damage.

Images from the fire brigade suggest that the battery may have been a product from South Korean manufacturer LG. This would make it a similar basement fire in Kochel am See, Germany, on Sept. 19.

“In the basement, a heavily smoking battery was discovered in the technical room, presumably from a PV system,” said the Kochel department. “The battery was disconnected and transported outside.”

It was then submerged in water in a steel container outdoors and cooled. The residents were not at home at the time of the incident. In this case too, no people were harmed.

A third incident occurred on Sept. 26 in Ehrenfriedersdorf, Germany. The fire department provided medical care to two individuals and a nearby highway had to be shut down as a result. It did not disclose any details regarding the origin of the storage unit.

Austria, meanwhile, was also hit by a number of solar-related fires around the same time. One incident occurred on Sept. 24 in an allotment garden settlement in Altach, Austria. When firefighters arrived, they found a shelter and an attached building fully engulfed in flames, along with an agricultural transport vehicle inside the shelter.

The fire department quickly extinguished the fire, with no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be a defective PV battery storage unit at the rear of the caravan.

On the same day, the Feldkirchen fire department in Carinthia, Austria, responded to a cellar fire. The storage model involved in this incident is not clear from the pictures taken by the emergency services. According to a local media report, residents of the home were awakened by a loud bang just before midnight, and the basement of the house caught fire.

The report suggests that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in a PV system that ignited the batteries. One resident was taken to the Klagenfurt Clinic for smoke inhalation.

1Komma5° announces TOPCon solar module factory in Germany

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 14:30:30 +0000

1Komma5° says it plans to start production at a new TOPCon solar module factory in Germany from next year. The Hamburg-based startup aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 1 GW, with further expansion targets set to reach 5 GW by the year 2030.

From pv magazine Germany

German startup 1Komma5° has unveiled plans to build a solar module manufacturing facility in eastern Germany.

The Hamburg-based company said the new factory will be located in the states of Brandenburg or Saxony. It will start commercial operations next year. The facility will produce TOPCon panels and will initially have an annual production capacity of 1 GW. The company plans to expand the capacity to 5 GW by 2030.

This year, the startup launched new 415 W full black TOPCon modules. The company uses polysilicon from Wacker Chemie for its solar modules, which are currently manufactured in China according to its own specifications. Wacker Chemie's polysilicon will also be used in production in Germany.

1Komma5° initially refrained from disclosing the source of the solar cells for its solar modules and the exact investment amount allocated for its production facility setup. Its response to pv magazine‘s inquiry is still pending. However, the company has recently expanded its supply chains to encompass the markets of Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Italy, and Australia.

Luxembourg allocates 52.7 MW in agrivoltaic tender

Sandra Enkhardt — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:15:32 +0000

The Luxembourg Ministry of Energy has allocated 52.7 MW in an agrivoltaics tender. While the final prices from the procurement exercise have not been disclosed, the ministry said it considered ecological and agricultural factors.

From pv magazine Germany

The Ministry of Energy of Luxembourg has allocated 52.7 MW of PV capacity across 14 projects in the country's first tender for agrivoltaic projects. The tender was originally supposed to allocate 50 MW. The selected projects will spread across the country and will occupy a total surface of 73.5 hectares.

The Ministry of Energy noted significant diversity in the use of agricultural land for solar projects. They have designated such facilities for deployment on meadows used for fodder or grass production, pastures accommodating cattle, sheep, chickens, and Iberian pigs, as well as arable land with crop rotation and an orchard hosting laying hens.

Among the 14 selected projects, eight will incorporate solar trackers, while one will feature a shade roof.

Although specific details regarding the final prices of the tender were not provided by the ministry, they emphasized that the selection process considered not only securing the best price but also factored in ecological and agricultural considerations. These considerations entail enhancing the ecological quality of the area through the project and maintaining agricultural usage of the area with the participation of an active farmer.

An essential criterion in this tender focused on promoting biodiversity through the photovoltaic systems. Patrick Witte from the project developer GPSS, which is directly involved in four of the 14 chosen schemes, noted the emphasis on increasing biodiversity in these agrivoltaic projects.

“For the first time in the history of photovoltaic tenders in Luxembourg, this tender was oversubscribed,” said Witte.

Priority was given to PV systems with output below 2 MW and various types of use, such as pasture and arable land.

European solar manufacturers demand EU support

Sandra Enkhardt — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 07:00:08 +0000

Solar module prices have hit a new low in recent months, due to market forces that SolarPower Europe describes as a "perfect storm." The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) says domestic solar module production fell from 9 GW in 2022 to 1 GW this year, with production now almost at a standstill. The associations say that urgent action is needed to prevent a potential wave of insolvencies in Europe.

SolarPower Europe and the ESMCouncil have sent letters to the EU Commission calling for quick measures to preserve the solar industry in Europe and protect it from a second wave of insolvencies.

In recent months, module prices, have dropped more than 25%, hitting a record low of under €0.15/W for low-cost products. This break in the pre-pandemic price threshold is causing significant challenges, especially for European PV manufacturers. SolarPower Europe has cautioned in a letter to the European Commission that these record-low import prices for photovoltaics could jeopardize the EU's open strategic autonomy goals.

“While price drops are typically welcome news, if unchecked they have serious repercussions for our open strategic autonomy,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, the chair of SolarPower Europe. “In the short term, this is already posing real challenges to domestic competitiveness and the rebirth of EU solar manufacturing. We’re urgently calling on EU leaders to save Europe’s strategic tech supply lines.”

The association attributes the current situation to a “perfect storm” of market forces, with strong global demand and intense competition among Chinese photovoltaic suppliers leading to increased investments along the supply chains. Currently, there is approximately 600 GW of worldwide production capacity. This oversupply has resulted in a rapid decline in prices for raw materials like silicon and throughout the module, inverter, and battery supply chain, according to Solarpower Europe. Consequently, European manufacturers are struggling to sell their products, raising the risk of insolvencies, exemplified by the recent bankruptcy of Norwegian ingot manufacturer Norwegian Crystals.

ESMC's survey of 15 European photovoltaic manufacturers found that solar module production dropped from 9 GW to 1 GW year on year by the end of August. SolarPower Europe said that manufacturers face additional challenges due to a temporary slowdown in the European photovoltaics market in the third quarter, influenced by inflation and increasing bottlenecks in network connections and project approvals.

To address these issues, SolarPower Europe has called on the EU Commission to swiftly support the solar industry. Specific measures include the emergency purchase of module stocks from European photovoltaic manufacturers and the establishment of an EU-level bank for photovoltaic manufacturers to address shortcomings in state aid under the Temporary Transition and Crisis Framework (TCTF).

The association also advocates for the adoption of the Net Zero Industry Act, incorporating strict sustainability and resilience criteria in specific auctions. It also supports the EU Forced Labor Regulation's intended impact through the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI). SolarPower Europe encourages cooperation between EU member states' funding programs and seeks to boost photovoltaic demand in Europe, potentially through the European directive on overall building efficiency, to counterbalance the oversupply.

“This is a rare second chance. Europe’s original solar manufacturing base was lost a decade ago,” warned Hemetsberger. “If we don’t respond rapidly and appropriately to this price crisis, we’re looking at another wave of bankruptcies, and a false start for EU's open strategic autonomy agenda.”

pv magazine print edition

In the September issue of pv magazine, we examine booming solar markets in Brazil and Mexico; investigate whether TOPCon modules really are more susceptible to degradation than PERC products; attempt to unravel how US solar manufacturers can qualify for domestic content bonuses under the Inflation Reduction Act; and look at how homeowners can achieve the residential solar, battery, and EV dream.

The ESMC noted the critical situation for manufacturers and called for swift support from the EU Commission, including options such as the TCTF framework, the Net Zero Industry Act, and stringent measures against products tied to forced labor. The call has been endorsed by approximately 40 manufacturers across the PV value chain, as well as by organizations ESMC, PV Thin, and ISC Konstanz.

The ESMC predicts around 120 GW of solar module imports in Europe this year, effectively doubling demand on the continent. The association highlights the dilemma facing European manufacturers: Persist with closed production and the risk of bankruptcy or seek refuge in regions like the United States, where the PV industry enjoys support such as the Investment Tax Credit (IRA).

Shell looking to sell Sonnen

Sandra Enkhardt — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 06:45:14 +0000

Shell, which acquired Sonnen four years ago, is now actively seeking a majority shareholder for the Germany storage system specialist.

From pv magazine Germany

Shell has put Sonnen up for sale, according to Handelsblatt. The German news outlet now values Sonnen – which Shell acquired for for €500 million ($536.8 million) four year ago – at €1.35 billion to €1.8 billion. The oil giant reportedly wants to sell off all of the German energy storage company, or at least 51% of it.

Sonnen, one of the world's largest providers of PV home storage, has experienced continuous growth in recent years. It holds a strong position in Germany, other European markets, and the United States.

The company also recently doubled its production capacity in Wildpoldsried, Germany. However, it declined to comment on the Handelsblatt report when contacted by pv magazine.

“In principle, Sonnen is continuing its global growth course in the rapidly expanding storage market,” said a company spokesperson.

Shell has also declined to comment on the matter.

Shell acquired charging infrastructure specialist Ubitricity and Next Kraftwerke in 2021., but now it seems to want to withdraw from the residential storage business. It recently sold its retail electricity and gas business in Germany and Great Britain to Octopus Energy.

Fraunhofer ISE helping Holosolis to build Europe’s largest solar factory

Sandra Enkhardt — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 14:00:54 +0000

Fraunhofer ISE is helping Holosolis to build Europe's largest PV factory – a 5 GW solar plant in France – by 2025. The German research institute is providing support in technology selection and factory planning.

From pv magazine Germany

Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy (ISE) said it will support French startup Holosolis, a spinoff of EIT InnoEnergy, in building a module manufacturing facility in Hambach, near Sarreguemines, in northwestern France.

The site is at a now-abandoned factory project by REC. The Norwegian solar module manufacturer originally planned to build a 4 GW heterojunction panel factory there.

“HoloSolis' approach of building a PV production line from solar cells to PV modules while further developing the technology convinced us from the beginning,” said Jochen Rentsch, head of technology transfer in the photovoltaics division at Fraunhofer ISE. “We are very happy to be able to accompany the young company on its way to become a major European-based producer of PV components.”

Three European players – EIT Innoenergy, French IDEC Group, and TSE – founded Holosolis. EIT Innoenergy is an EU co-financed cleantech investor based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. IDEC Group is a significant local real estate player in France, while TSE is a key producer of solar energy in France and a leader in agrivoltaics.

Holosolis stands as a flagship initiative under the European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA), which aims to establish a European production capacity of 30 GW annually by 2025.

Voltfang unveils outdoor storage system with recycled EV batteries

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:15:35 +0000

Germany's Voltfang has developed outdoor stationary storage systems featuring recycled electric-vehicle batteries with capacities ranging from 33 kWh to 644 kWh.

From pv magazine Germany

German battery manufacturer Voltfang has expanded its product range with a turnkey outdoor battery solution. The company said that the capacity of the new product is between 33 kWh and 644 kWh.

“This makes them ideal for applications such as charging stations and infrastructure projects with low space requirements, as well as for manufacturing companies with limited space,” it said in a statement.

The manufacturer stated that the storage system boasts effective insulation and operates within a temperature range of -20°C to 50°C. It incorporates a sturdy housing with a double wall that shields it from sunlight, rain, and other environmental elements, while the inverter is directly attached to the housing. Voltfang has integrated its proprietary energy management system into the storage unit, creating an all-in-one outdoor solution.

“The Voltfang Outdoor System is the perfect solution for using storage capacity outdoors without losing power. We have developed a complete solution that is ready to use and does not require complex installation,” said Voltfang CEO, David Oudsandji. “The storage is designed to withstand extreme climatic conditions, whether Spain's blazing midday sun or Scandinavia's winter.”

The Aachen-based company utilizes recycled electric vehicle batteries to manufacture stationary storage systems. It estimates the battery lifespan through specialized software, and these devices reportedly achieve a comparable service life to new systems. Voltfang has already implemented some of its systems at various commercial facilities in Germany.

German consumer group debunks residential battery misconceptions

Sandra Enkhardt — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:49:19 +0000

Verbraucherzentrale NRW, a German consumer protection association, has issued a warning about five misleading assumptions about PV-linked residential battery systems.

From pv magazine Germany

As electricity markets fluctuate and energy prices rise, German households are increasingly seeking self-sufficiency with rooftop PV systems and batteries. About 70% of new residential systems in Germany now include home storage. However, not all claims about battery storage use are accurate.

In order to counter false expectations, Verbraucherzentrale NRW has clarified the five main mistakes that could be made when buying a residential storage system.

1: Battery storage cannot be installed at a later stage

This is not true. Verbraucherzentrale NRW said that integrating battery storage later is achievable with a hybrid inverter in a PV system. Retrofitting is also feasible with a conventional inverter, even after many years of PV system operation.

2: The larger the battery, the better

“This is wrong,” the consumer group said. Although battery storage systems are still expensive, they should not be oversized for economic purposes. As a rule of thumb for the appropriate size of storage, they said that every 1,000 kWh of annual electricity demand justifies 1 kWh of storage capacity. In other words, with an annual electricity demand of 5,000 kWh, a storage system should have a capacity of 5 kWh. Consumers should also consider the size of a PV system and remember that rather small systems rarely produce enough surplus power to charge large battery storage.

3: You can always save money by using battery storage

“This is another misconception,” the association said, noting that residential batteries still have high upfront costs. This is only the case if the sale of excess solar power into the grid over the estimated service life is higher than the purchase cost of the battery. Verbraucherzentrale NRW offers calculations and estimates as to whether the savings to be expected are higher than the purchase price.

4: With a battery storage system, electricity can be stored in the summer for the winter

Some battery providers use this narrative to advertise their products. Verbraucherzentrale NRW said that the residential batteries that are currently available on the market can only be used to shift excess solar power for consumption in the evening or at night, with no seasonal storage being possible.

5: With battery storage, users always have electricity and are independent of the power grid

Verbraucherzentrale NRW, which is based in in North Rhine-Westphalia, provides a resounding “no” in response to this. Households remain reliant on the technical connection to the public grid, even with PV systems and storage. In cases of power failure, standard photovoltaic systems and home storage systems cease to supply energy unless equipped with an emergency power or backup system, an addition that Consumer advocates estimate to cost between €500 ($540) and €2,000.

“It is important to be aware of the personal goals of using photovoltaics in conjunction with battery storage and then to obtain comprehensive information,” said Stefan Hoffmann, an energy analyst at Verbraucherzentrale NRW.

In March, Verbraucherzentrale NRW warned about a series of myths that consumers should know when buying residential PV systems.

“It is important to be aware of the personal goals of using photovoltaics and then to find out more. In this way, disappointments can be avoided and solar power can be used really efficiently,” said Sören Demandt, a digital energy transition analyst for Verbraucherzentrale NRW.

Germany allocates 1.67 GW in large-scale solar tender

Sandra Enkhardt — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:45:30 +0000

Germany’s latest auction for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0539 ($0.0588)/kWh to €0.0665/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.

From pv magazine Germany

Germany's Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has allocated 1,673 MW of PV capacity in the nation's latest tender for utility-scale solar.

It assigned the capacity across 124 bids and slightly exceeds the 1,611 MW that the Bundesnetzagentur planned to allocate. The tender was significantly oversubscribed, with 516 project proposals totaling 4.653 MW.

The agency had set a ceiling price of €0.0737/kWh for the auction. The average price came in at €0.0647/kWh, with final prices ranging from €0.0539/kWh and €0.0665/kWh.

The Bundesnetzagentur said it excluded 22 bids due to formal errors, and that most of the bids – 63 offers with a combined capacity of 907 MW – were for projects on arable land and grassland. Another 50 bids, totaling 681 MW, were for projects along motorways and railways.

The southern state of Bavaria secured the largest share of allocated capacity, with 741 MW, followed by Lower Saxony with 223 MW and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 147 MW.

Germany records 1.2 GW of new solar in July

Sandra Enkhardt — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:51:30 +0000

Germany deployed 1.2 GW of new solar capacity in July, contributing to a 7.69 GW expansion in total new PV capacity for the first seven months of 2023. By the end of July, the nation's cumulative installed solar capacity had surged to 75.17 GW.

From pv magazine Germany

Germany added approximately 1,200 MW of new PV capacity in July, according to the latest figures from the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).

The month's new capacity additions compare to 1,160 MW of solar in June and 535 MW of solar in July 2022.

The newly installed PV power for the first seven months of this year reached 7.69 GW, which is close to the 9 GW target set by the German government for this year. However, in order to reach the 2030 target of 215 GW, more than 1,571 MW will need to be installed per month.

The country's cumulative installed solar capacity surpassed 75.17 GW at the end of July.

German consortium plans 5 GW vertically integrated solar module production

Sandra Enkhardt — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:54:58 +0000

Heckert Solar, Wattkraft and Interfloat are planning to invest around €2 billion ($2.18 billion) in three different manufacturing facilities that will produce everything from polysilicon to solar modules.

From pv magazine Germany

German solar module maker Heckert Solar, PV product distributor Wattkraft and Europe’s largest solar glass manufacturer Intefloat have unveiled a plan to build a vertically-integrated solar module production across several locations in Germany.

The consortium said it will invest around €2 billion ($2.18 billion) in the manufacturing facilities.

Thanks to this new investment, Heckert Solar's existing manufacturing plant in Langenwetzendorf, Thuringia, will see its capacity increase from 400 MW to 2.8 GW. Furthermore, the consortium will build a 5 GW facility to produce polysilicon and solar cells at a facility owned by Heckert Solar in Frankfurt am Oder, eastern Germany.

Moreover, Interfloat is planning to produce antimony-free, low-iron, textured solar glass for the combined value-added chain at one of its industrial sites in Brandenburg.

The consortium also said the new production facilities will manufacture glass-glass modules with an efficiency of 24% and a carbon footprint below 18 grams/kWh, which it says complies with the highest ESG sustainability standards.

The three companies did not reveal more details about the project.

German cabinet approves measure to expedite solar deployment

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:00:13 +0000

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs has approved measures to streamline solar deployment, with a target of 215 GW of installed capacity by 2030.

The German government approved the draft “Solar Package 1” bill this week to ensure annual installations of 22 GW by 2026 and “to remove obstacles,” according to German Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

“It will be easier for companies, farmers, citizens and municipalities to invest in photovoltaics,” said Sven Giegold, state secretary for the economy ministry.

The proposed legislative changes primarily simplify plug-in solar devices, while encompassing all areas including rooftop and ground-mounted systems, as well as tenant electricity and community energy supply.

Rooftop installations will be streamlined, as the existing simplified grid-connection procedures will be extended to PV systems up to 30 kW in size. Direct marketing access for smaller PV systems will also be simplified, and technical equipment requirements for systems up to 25 kW will be eased.

For medium-sized commercial plants, a plant certificate will only be necessary for a feed-in capacity of 270 kW or an installed capacity of over 500 kW.

A new model in the draft also promotes the supply of solar power within buildings, extending to residential tenants or commercial customers. The existing EEG subsidy for PV systems on buildings will also encompass outdoor areas.

Plug-in solar devices are limited to an output of 2 kW and an inverter output of 800 VA. They must be operated behind a final consumer's point of use.

The previous EEG amendment introduced a new repowering regulation for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, which will now extend to roof systems, allowing the replacement of old modules with more powerful ones while maintaining the original feed-in tariff.

pv magazine print edition

In the latest, “In Conversation” issue of pv magazine we talk to a range of people about their experience with solar, from a sailor and a pair of overland adventurers to a mountain climber and more besides. We also focus on Africa to consider why a continent with such vast solar resource still lags more developed economies when it comes to widespread PV and energy storage rollout.

Key for ground-mounted PV systems is the expansion of area coverage, allowing agricultural land in disadvantaged areas for construction. Extensive agrivoltaic systems meeting extensification criteria will receive a bonus, and biodiversity solar parks will receive additional funding through separate ordinance authorization.

A dedicated PV tender sub-segment is planned for ground-mounted systems, including agrivoltaics, floating, and parking lot systems, up to 3,000 MW per year.

Following cabinet approval, “Solar Package 1” proceeds to the Bundestag for consideration. The economics ministry is also developing “Solar Package 2” to implement additional measures from the jointly created “Photovoltaics Strategy.”

Meyer Burger shifting focus to US market

Sandra Enkhardt — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 09:15:44 +0000

Meyer Burger is now prioritizing the establishment of new module and cell production facilities in the United States, driven by favorable market conditions in the country.

From pv magazine Germany

Switzerland's Meyer Burger Technology AG produced 302 MW of its heterojunction solar modules in Freiberg, Germany, during the first half of this year, surpassing its output for all of 2022. The company reported a 71% year-on-year jump in sales to CHF 96.9 million ($110.5 million). It says that it remains financially strong and is capable of proceeding with its production expansion plans.

However, the company is now shifting its strategic focus from Europe to the US market. This transition became evident in July, when its announced plans to establish a 2 GW cell production facility in the United States, alongside an existing module plant.

By combining US module and cell manufacturing, Meyer Burger will benefit from the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit 45X system, a component of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This initiative could potentially provide up to CHF 1.4 billion in cumulative funding from mid-2024 to the end of 2032.

Meyer Burger is capitalizing on the favorable financial conditions in the US market, but it is also actively tackling current market obstacles in Europe. The European market has experienced the entry of Chinese PV manufacturers, introducing 85 GW of solar modules in the first half of this year, frequently at prices below manufacturing costs.

This influx has significantly influenced market dynamics. During the first quarter, Meyer Burger effectively sustained its selling prices at almost consistent levels. However, in the second quarter, the company made price adjustments downwards in reaction to the broader decrease in solar module prices.

Global demand for solar modules is rising, including in Europe, but market conditions are not ideal, according to Meyer Burger.

GreenAkku unveils L-base for PV systems on flat rooftops, gardens

Sandra Enkhardt — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 08:15:15 +0000

GreenAkku says that its 24 kg exposed concrete base for solar arrays enables the installation of PV systems on flat rooftops and in gardens, without the need for additional substructures or drilling.

From pv magazine Germany

GreenAkku, a German solar module supplier for balcony applications, has developed its new L-base solution to simplify the installation of PV systems on flat rooftops, garages, carports, and gardens.

The L-base, which is made of exposed concrete, is manufactured by Wattstone. It serves as a foundation for the solar modules, allowing direct installation with threaded sleeves. Each L-base weighs 24 kg, eliminating the need for additional weighting or fastening to withstand wind and weather, as confirmed by wind tunnel tests.

The cost for a single L-base is €57.90 ($63.40) plus shipping, with options for cheaper packs of two or three. The solution eliminates the need for drilling and offers protection for underlying surfaces through anti-slip pads.

GreenAkku says that the L-base is applicable for small and larger PV systems, with a 10-degree tilt to orient modules toward the east or west. The solution permits adaptable adjustments to system layout, eliminating the need for standard assembly procedures.

Austria publishes map of locations with available grid capacity for PV

Sandra Enkhardt — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:20:14 +0000

The Austrian government introduced the Electricity Industry and Organization Act (ElWOG) two years ago, leading to the creation of a map of locations with available grid capacity for solar. The ElWOG require grid operators to be transparent about grid-connection capacity.

From pv magazine Germany

Austria's Oesterreich Energie association has developed a map of network capacity to serve as a guide for system operators.

“A critical point in the construction of renewable generation plants is the sufficient availability of network capacities on site,” explained Franz Strempfl, a spokesman from the electricity industry association, noting that the map will help to facilitate the planning and deployment of PV systems. “In this way, we create transparency throughout Austria with regard to the current utilization of substations and thus facilitate the planning of the systems. We are currently experiencing enormous dynamism in the photovoltaic sector.”

The Austrian government introduced the ElWOG two years ago, leading to the creation of the map. These provisions prompted the country's grid operators to provide clarity about their available grid-connection capacities, among other requirements.

Oesterreich Energie will update the map on a quarterly basis, by using reports from Austrian system operators. The association said that the map offers an advance overview for grid connection requests, but does not replace them. Binding grid connection commitments must still be obtained from the grid operator for PV systems.

An industry survey by PV shows that securing a grid-connection permit is a significant challenge, as indicated by many market participants. In a survey, 66% of its members identified network access as a major challenge.

PV Austria is calling for modern e-business laws and aims to collaborate with the Ministry of Climate Protection and E-Control to eliminate obstacles to photovoltaic expansion.

Austria surpassed 1 GW of annual PV installations for the first time in 2022. PV Austria said that developers installed 1,009 MW of solar, surpassing 740 MW in 2021, 341 MW in 2020, and 247 MW in 2019. By the end of 2022, the country's cumulative PV capacity had reached 3.79 GW, accounting for 6.6% of the nation's electricity demand last year.

Turnkey solution for self-sufficient electricity, heat supply from hydrogen

Sandra Enkhardt — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:15:23 +0000

Germany-based Ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions has developed a containerized solution to produce heat and hot water from hydrogen. It includes a photovoltaic inverter, a battery, a heat pump, a heat and cold buffer storage system, an electrolyzer, a compressor, and a fuel cell.

From pv magazine Germany

The Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany has developed a turnkey self-sufficient solution that supplies buildings with heat and electricity using hydrogen-based technology.

Munich-based Ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions (OHS) built the system in accordance with the researchers' specifications, fitting the entire technology within a shipping container. It includes essential components such as a photovoltaic inverters, batteries, heat pumps, heat and cold buffer storage, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage units, compressors, and fuel cells.

The solution uses a specially developed energy management system to adapt production to different scenarios, optimize renewable energy use, and support the grid.

“The aim of our research is to further develop the algorithms of our energy management system and to implement energy-optimized operation all year round,” said Ulf Schwalbe, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Fulda University of Applied Sciences and the head of the Electromobility and Renewable Energy research group.

OHS wants to give the “EcoreOne” container an externally attractive design for use in the living environment. It has already developed a modular system of decentralized storage solutions for larger industrial and residential building complexes, with a focus on the long-term storage of renewable electricity.

“The container for the Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a world first for us. I'm very excited about the practical insights that the research team will gain with it,” said OHS Managing Director Markus Ostermeier.

Since March, the container has undergone test operations at the OHS company premises in Schweiternkirchen, Bavaria. Recently, it was transported to Fulda and established there.

The forthcoming research work in Fulda aims to achieve several objectives. One goal is to extend the operational lifespan of heat pumps. The researchers also plan to enhance energy management solutions for efficient supply to both residential and industrial buildings. In addition, they will assess the system's integration with the energy market and its capability for temporary storage of heat, cold, and power across diverse climatic and weather conditions.

The project has secured financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (Next Generation EU) and the Ministry for Science and Art of the German state of Hessia.

Sono Motors equips first bus with PV retrofit solution

Sandra Enkhardt — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:15:56 +0000

Sono Motors has equipped its first bus with its PV retrofit solution, featuring 16 semi-flexible rooftop solar modules to feed 1.4 kW of output into the vehicle's battery system.

From pv magazine Germany

German vehicle-integrated PV (VIPV) specialist Sono Motors has shifted its focus to photovoltaic solutions for vehicles, following the discontinuation of its Sion solar EV project in February.

The Munich-based company has initiated a pilot project in Hof, Bavaria, to equip a bus operated by Stadtwerke Hof with a revised version of the “Solar Bus Kit” – Sono Motors' PV retrofit solution for buses.

Sono Motors offers 16 semi-flexible solar modules, totaling 1.4 kW in output, for the bus roof. This lightweight setup, weighing just 50 kg, directs solar energy to the battery supporting the bus's diesel engine.

The solar-equipped bus has gained road approval from the TÜV and is active in Hof. Meanwhile, an equivalent mid-hybrid bus, lacking the photovoltaic kit, serves as a performance and energy consumption benchmark on selected routes.

“We are very excited about the results of the pilot project,” explained Stadtwerke Managing Director Jean Petrahn.

The project serves as a stepping stone towards the gradual conversion of the fleet in the coming years.

German startup offers app to maximize use of solar power surplus in homes

Sandra Enkhardt — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:00:45 +0000

Clever-PV has developed a manufacturer-independent energy management solution for homes. The app is free to download from app stores and can be connected to PV systems, wall boxes, heat pumps, and other smart devices. This allows users to optimize the use of self-generated solar power.

From pv magazine Germany

German startup Clever-PV has developed an app that could become an alternative to classic energy management systems.

The Bavarian company said that the new app was originally developed as a novel solution for charging electric cars with excess electricity from photovoltaic systems and that it can now be used as a manufacturer-independent technology to synchronize photovoltaic systems, charging stations, heat pumps, heating rods and other smart devices via an Internet connection.

The app can be downloaded free of charge from the relevant stores for iPhones and Android.

According to Clever-PV, no additional hardware is required such as expensive control boxes or gateways. The energy management is set up directly on the mobile phone and the connected consumer devices would then be optimized depending on the generation of the rooftop PV system or the photovoltaic balcony modules.

Users could save several hundred euros a year and also reduce their CO2 footprint, the company claims, noting that the app was developed in close cooperation with the first test users, and that it now has more than 10,000 registered users already.

“We are already working on the development of additional functions and the integration of further devices,” explained Danny Klose, managing director of Clever-PV. “We originally developed Clever-PV for ourselves. Photovoltaic surplus charging is normally only possible with expensive hardware. With our solution, customers have more freedom in selecting their devices and don't need an installer to set it up.”

Offshore floating PV demonstrator to go online on Belgium’s North Sea coast

Sandra Enkhardt — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:00:04 +0000

The SeaVolt consortium says it will launch an offshore floating PV demonstrator off the Belgian port of Ostend. The main companies – Tractebel, DEME, Equans and Jan De Nul – say the anchored floating array will collect data for at least a year to scale up the tech.

A Belgian consortium – including the Tractebel engineering subsidiary of France's Engie – plans to switch on a floating PV pilot project in waters off the port of Ostend, on the Belgian North Sea coast.

The group – which also includes Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering NV (DEME), marine offshore specialist Jan De Nul and Ghent University – said the project's main contractor, Equans, is now carrying out final assembly.

The group says it built the array’s floater with an unspecified type of lightweight carbon fiber material, which presents potential benefits for offshore use, but is not often used in harsh marine conditions. Optical embedded fibers and sensors attached to the structure will assess whether the material’s structural integrity (vibrations/fatigue) is in line with the numerical models and results obtained from the ocean wave tank and wind tunnel tests.

The consortium, which also has the support of Ghent University, plans to collect data from the floating plant for a year to advance the development of offshore photovoltaics on a large scale.

“It is important not only to minimize the attachment of excessive marine growth to the floater to maintain its buoyancy,” the group said. “Specific tests will be conducted to assess combining the floater systems with mussel cultivation and oyster farming, which present specific challenges.”

The project will collect data on the impact of waves, rain and salt spray on various solar module technologies with different configurations. The companies also want to assess the effects of different angles of inclination caused by waves and wind on energy yield. They also want to evaluate the effectiveness of necessary protective measures for the solar modules against seawater and bird droppings.

Tractebel is also testing another offshore solar project in the North Sea. The group, which includes DEME, solar installer Soltech NV and Ghent University, installed a €2 million ($2.2 million) array near an aquaculture farm and offshore wind project.

Expectations for this new application are high. Offshore PV in combination with wind farms on the high seas could enable the use of multiple locations and existing infrastructure for electricity.

In a study published in 2020, scientists from Utrecht University in the Netherlands claimed that offshore PV plants could be more productive than ground-mounted arrays, after running a simulation comparing a North Sea project to a conventional system at the Utrecht Photovoltaic Outdoor Test field. The Dutch government says it plans to commission 3 GW of offshore PV by 2030.

Austrian utility starts building 300 MWh organic flow battery project

Sandra Enkhardt — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:30:14 +0000

Burgerland Energie has deployed a redox flow storage battery from German battery manufacturer CMBlu in the immediate vicinity of a PV-wind power hybrid power plant.

From pv magazine Germany

Austrian energy supplier Burgerland Energie has started building a 300 MWh storage project based on the “Organic SolidFlow” technology developed by Germany-based specialist CMBlu.

The system is based on high-performance organic energy storage molecules. The material used is lignin, which can be sourced as a by-product from pulp mills. It is filled into two separate tanks and combined for a biochemical reaction in a special unit.

The material is organic, non-flammable, non-explosive, and can live through more than 10,000 charging cycles. The flow battery system has a multi-cell stack design and is only really suitable for stationary storage applications, but it is easily scalable to the gigawatt level.

The project is located in Schattendorf, Burgenland, eastern Austria, and is connected to a hybrid photovoltaic wind power plant. With the construction of the storage facility, the technology will be used in the field for the first time.

“One could have made it easy for oneself and rely on lithium-ion storage,” said Burgerland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil. “But that would not have fitted in with our attitude that we want to generate energy from natural and fair resources. Storage solutions, where we accept the exploitation of mines and other continents, are not the social image that we will accept in the course of an energy transition. That's why we chose a research collaboration with CMBlu to achieve and build a European model.”

Stephan Sharma, CEO of Burgenland Energie, said the goal is to supply electricity from wind and sun around the clock. He also warned that there is always the danger of under and over-coverage with a lot of photovoltaics and wind power on the grid.

“To compensate for this for an energy-independent system, we need a storage volume of around 300 MWh by 2030,” he added.

The storage system is tested directly at the hybrid power plant. Burgenland Energie completed the 15 MW photovoltaic system at the beginning of the year. The “Organic-SolidFlow” battery connected to the solar park is initially located as a “battery lab” in a 40-foot, air-conditioned and location-independent container. The other batteries will then be installed at different locations.

CMBlu was among the winners of the 2018 pv magazine Annual Award for its organic flow battery tech.

Meyer Burger builds 2 GW solar cell factory in US

Sandra Enkhardt — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:15:20 +0000

Meyer Burger plans to start a 2 GW cell factory in Colorado in the fourth quarter of this year.

From pv magazine Germany

Switzerland-based heterojunction solar panel maker Meyer Burger AG says it intends to set up a 2 GW solar cell factory in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Meyer Burger plans to start manufacturing at the cell factory in the fourth quarter of this year. The solar cells manufactured in the new plant are intended exclusively for the company’s own module production, which is currently being built in Goodyear, in the US state of Arizona.

The modules are intended for sale in the North American market. Meyer Burger originally wanted to supply the module plant in the United States with heterojunction solar cells from Germany.

The investment will benefit from the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit and related policies, as well as support from the state of Colorado and the city of Colorado Springs.

Meyer Burger expects tax credits of up to €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) from the IRA alone for the 2024-32 period.