Germany

German renewables firm Baywa r.e. has actually begun work with its 4th utility range drifting PV project in the water-rich nation.

After announcing plans to test hydrogen fuel cell buses in November, the European coach travel route planning start-up has begun a pilot project to reduce diesel consumption by using solar panels on the vehicles of its partner companies. FlixBus says the ultra-thin, lightweight CIGS modules help save 1.7 litres of diesel per 100km.

The EyeCon module has a hybrid power output of 326 W/m ² or a bifacial performance of 28%, determined with the offered global plus behind irradiance. According to the research group, the silicon cell creates in between 23 and 42 W/m ² of additional power when the diffuse irradiance element increases from 8 to 30%.

Item advancement company the Cambridge Design Partnership, dealing with compatriot solar service Solivus, has actually developed a curved solar module featuring a natural thin movie. The style is based upon Solivus' desire to "create a product so attractive that individuals would enjoy to have one in their garden".

Research study institute the Fraunhofer ISE has actually approximated the technical capacity of drifting PV at mining sites in Germany at around 56 GW. With floating jobs 10-15% more pricey than land-based options, scientists have actually required further incentives, such as the staging of 'development tenders'.

German Jurchen Technology proposes an innovative racking system for photovoltaic panels – PEG. The substructure requires less material than conventional mounting systems, simplifies installation and optimizes land-use.

An R&D team from HZB has established a new record for tandem silicon/perovskite solar cells. The cell measured 1 sq cm has achieved 29.15 percent conversion efficiency. The researchers state that the new record of 30 percent is on the way. The achievement has been approved by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.

A 42 MW solar park will be built in eastern Germany to generate power for the 16.7 Hz network of German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn. Construction is expected to start once final approvals are received from local authorities.

Researchers in Germany are trialing a host of new processes and materials to develop interdigitated back contact solar cells. A deposition technology named ‘hot-wire’ chemical vapor deposition, is said to provide excellent passivation without the need for treatments such as recrystallization or hydrogenation.

Manz AG has signed an agreement with China’s Shenzhen Yinghe Technology for strategic cooperation in lithium-ion cell and module production.

Calyxo, a German cadmium telluride solar module manufacturer, has filed for insolvency for the second time, despite the recent emergence of new prospective investors. Meanwhile, Crystalsol – an Austrian flexible solar panel maker – has also initiated insolvency proceedings, due to losses of roughly €7 million.

Solibro Hi-Tech filed for insolvency last Friday. In August, 2019, Solibro GmbH was also declared insolvent. Both companies belong to Hanergy group.

Development financiers are looking to lure in private players to deploy utility-scale solar in the world’s most densely populated country, hoping to combat land shortages for renewables.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, First Solar has agreed to settle a 2012 class action lawsuit to the tune of US$350 million. The settlement is subject to approval by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

The Volkswagen group has hinted that it is searching for a charging robot for EV. These are mobile charging robots that will make electric vehicles autonomous.