Germany

Scientists at the Centre for Solar Energy as well as Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) are making use of a brand-new scanning electron microscopic lense to examine solar cells.

A Deutsche Telekom subsidiary has actually consented to purchase solar energy from Vattenfall. Swedish power firm Vattenfall as well as the Power & Air Solutions subsidiary of German telecoms firm Deutsche Telekom, have actually authorized a business 10-year solar energy acquisition contract (PPA).

With ever-rising varieties of business organisations making renewable resource promises, German utility innogy has actually made a decision to include 770MW of its solar and also wind capability from numerous nations to a system that attaches tidy power manufacturing to business purchasers worldwide.

Manz AG, making tools distributor, has actually approved a EUR20 million (US$ 21.83 million) take care of "high performance" battery manufacturer AKASOL for prepared 'gigafactories' in Germany as well as in the United States.

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.