ryansheehanrts, Author at Elite Home & Solar

Solar Energy

How to power a cow shed with no grid connection

March 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The Languedoc region in south-eastern France is one of Europe’s largest wine-growing areas, with nearly 300,000 hectares under vine. The tradition runs deep, and for good reason: abundant sunshine and hilly terrain offer ideal conditions. The only thing lacking is water – especially in the summer. When it does rain, it tends to pour. This poses challenges for winegrowers, but aside from olives, wine remains one of the few viable uses of the land.

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Pierre Michaùd’s family business also has a long tradition. Like his father, he grows and cultivates the precious grapes in the eastern part of the Languedoc. But with the change of generations comes a new spirit in the winegrowing business. Pierre Michaùd wants to run the farm more in harmony with nature, a path that has set a precedent in the Languedoc since the region got rid of its image as a cheap wine producer of the 1970s.

20 solar modules installed

The conversion of the farm also includes diversification. Pierre Michaùd is expanding his agriculture to include cattle farming. To this end, he has built a barn on the mountainous part of his land, mainly from natural materials. It is covered with a trapezoidal sheet metal roof.

EU Farming Strategy emphasizes the role of solar

Until now, the lack of water was a hurdle to adding cattle farming to the farm. But the farmer and winegrower found a solution together with the planner of solar and storage systems Perma Batteries. The roof of the barn is covered with a trapezoidal sheet metal. The Perma Batteries fitters mounted 20 solar modules on it. Actually, there would have been room for even more solar power on the roof. But all the solar power has to be consumed on site.

Solar power for the water pump

Because there is no electricity connection on the mountain to operate a pump to bring water from the farm’s own well to the surface – this was also a hurdle to the establishment of a cattle farm on Pierre Michaùd’s land. The farmer has also toyed with the idea of connecting the planned and ultimately built barn to the electricity grid. He also had it checked whether this would be possible, but the costs prevented him from doing so. A power line up the mountain would have cost a hefty 100,000 euros, which he would have had to pay out of his own pocket. In addition, extensive clearing work would have been necessary to lay the line on the steep terrain.

My PV: Farmer relies on solar-electric heat supply

Diesel out of the question

So the barn and the water pump had to be operated completely self-sufficiently from the power grid. A diesel generator was out of the question for Michaùd. Apart from the costs, this was not in line with the goal of running the cattle farm organically. After all, the diesel generator burns fossil fuels and thus further heats up the climate. The high maintenance and fuel costs coupled with poor efficiency were also decisive exclusion criteria.

What solution Pierre Michaùd found, you can read in the special on PV in agriculture. You can download the special here free of charge after registration. In this edition you find more solutions to power your farm with energy from the sun. (su)

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Solar Energy

“We are navigating a turbulent market”

March 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Menlo Electric has grown rapidly in global solar and storage distribution. Can you share more about the company’s history?

Menlo Electric was founded in late 2020, initially as a subsidiary of an installation company. From the very beginning, our goal was to build an international distribution business, operating across multiple markets. This strategy was designed to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in demand within any single market, ensuring long-term stability and growth.

Also interesting: European Energy puts its largest solar park in Poland into operation to date.

Did the strategy work?

It allowed us to expand rapidly, despite a market slowdown in Poland after net metering was phased out in Q1 2022. In 2021, we sold nearly 200 MW of solar components. The following year, our sales tripled to 600 MW, and in 2023, we reached 900 MW. Last year, we surpassed 1.3 GW of components sold. To put it in financial terms: in 2021, our revenue stood at €50 million, growing to €150 million in 2022. Over the past two years, despite the drop in component prices, our revenues have remained stable as we continued to grow in volumes.

What are Menlo’s main markets?

We are primarily active in Europe, the Middle East, and Southern Africa, with an emerging presence in the United States.

How have you experienced the sharp decline in component prices in recent years?

Module prices did decline at an unprecedented pace, at times falling by 30% per month, as seen in mid-2023 and again towards the end of 2024. Battery and inverter prices also plummeted. According to Bloomberg, battery prices declined in 2023–2024 at the fastest rate since 2017. At the same time, the European residential solar market contracted significantly. According to data from SolarPower Europe, residential installations in Europe shrunk by 30% in volume. When factoring in the impact of falling component prices, the market declined by more than 50% in value.

Also interesting: R.Power Poland: Pure Energy for Posh Fashion

Can you share a concrete example of the impact of this slowdown?

For example, SolarEdge, a key manufacturer in the inverter and storage market, saw its quarterly sales drop from nearly $1 billion to approximately $200–250 million. As distributors and installers rushed to liquidate their stock in a shrinking market, intense competition drove selling prices significantly below purchase cost.

The market for commercial PV and solar parks has picked up in Europe. Couldn’t that compensate for the lost share in the residential sector?

For modules, the impact was somewhat mitigated, as many of the same products can be used across both: residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) installations. However, the situation was far more severe for inverters and batteries, which are typically specifically designed for residential use and cannot be economically or technically repurposed for C&I applications.

Also interestin: RWE has scored big in the tender for PV systems in Poland.

Sounds like a journey in troubled waters.

Market contraction led to a huge oversupply, leaving many distributors struggling to unlock capital from their inventories, which in turn created cash flow challenges. As a result, several distributors faced serious financial difficulties.

Menlo Electric is active internationally. Did your strategy not allow you to compensate for problems in some markets with growth in others?

Interestingly, similar trends emerged simultaneously in different parts of the world, although for different reasons: In the United States changes to net metering regulations in California led to a sharp slowdown in the residential solar sector, putting U.S. distributors in a situation very similar to their European counterparts. In South Africa the residential solar market contracted significantly as ESKOM effectively addressed load shedding issues. By late 2023, power outages were already reduced, and by the first quarter of 2024, they were virtually eliminated. This removed a major driver for residential solar demand.

Also interesting: similar trends emerged simultaneously in different parts of the world, although for different reasons

What’s the solution to this situation?

This intense crisis has actually driven increased cooperation between companies that previously operated purely as competitors. In the current market, distributors are buying and selling components among themselves across different regions, trying to rebalance supply and demand for various solar and storage products.

How have your suppliers, i.e. manufacturers, reacted to the crisis?

According to our experience manufacturer support has fluctuated. Particularly in the second half of 2024, when it became clear that the downturn was more prolonged than many had anticipated, several manufacturers scaled back or put on hold their support mechanisms for distributors. This has added further strain to an already difficult market.

Also interesting: Energix Polska teams up with Nomad Electric for 30 MW solar power project

Sounds like tough times and market consolidation

Overall, the industry is undergoing a significant reshuffle. Some distributors are reducing their international footprint, while others have gone out of business entirely. The coming months will likely bring further consolidation, as companies adapt to the new market realities.

How has the crisis hit Menlo Electric and how is it being dealt with?

It should come as no surprise that Menlo Electric has been significantly affected by the current crisis. As one of the youngest and fastest growing companies in this sector before the downturn, we did not have the time to accumulate substantial earnings that could serve as a financial cushion during such turbulent times. As a result, we have had to adjust our strategy, expanding our portfolio, focusing on key markets and increasing sourcing from other distributors across Europe. This approach allows us to remain agile while navigating the current market conditions.

Also interesting: EIB Group signs PLN 701M deal to fund Polish home PV installations.

So, what is your outlook for the future?

We remain optimistic about the future. Back in late 2020, Menlo was a company that could fit into a single room. In just three years, we scaled to €150 million in annual sales across four continents. I see absolutely no reason why we won’t rebound and return to our growth trajectory once the market stabilizes. Our priority now is to protect the foundation we have built over the past four years and position ourselves for renewed growth as soon as market conditions allow.

What key challenges did you face when expanding globally?

Running an international business in Poland, especially when expanding beyond the European Union, comes with unique hurdles. One of the challenges we experienced was finding a banking partner that could support our operations not only in Poland and Europe but also in key markets like the Middle East and South Africa. We quickly realized that there were only two banks with the necessary global footprint and presence in Poland. Fortunately, we were able to establish a strong partnership with one of them, HSBC Poland. It has provided us with tremendous support and flexibility over the years. The same applies to our partner KUKE, an insurance company belonging to Polish Development Fund Group. It has allowed us to extend insured credit limits to our clients not only across EU, but also e.g. in Ukraine and Southern Africa. With this kind of support, we will continue to build Menlo’s international presence.

Also interesting: Poland: Expert Energy Storage Conference in Warsaw.

Even though Menlo is internationally oriented, how do you see the future of the Polish PV market?

PV sales will remain stable for large systems. In my opinion, we will see more and more installations of energy storage in the residential market soon. The Polish electricity grid is a problem that needs to be addressed. It was and still is in a bad state and its rapid improvement is necessary for a further and sustainable expansion of photovoltaics.

The interview was conducted by Manfred Gorgus

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Solar Energy

The smarter E AWARD 2025: Energy transition pioneers shortlisted

March 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The generation of electricity from solar and wind power continues to grow rapidly, and production costs are already extremely low. When it comes to ensuring a comprehensive, safe and renewable 24/7 energy supply, the key challenges lie in the intelligent integration of renewable electricity into the energy system using digitalization and flexibilization solutions. This also includes the massive expansion of battery and energy storage solutions. The mobility sector has a vital role to play in global decarbonization. And above all else, the energy transition is a global task. The five categories recognized within The smarter E AWARD mirror this complex situation.

Modules for new surfaces and integration

The finalists in the Photovoltaics category thoroughly reflect current trends and challenges. Conventional PV modules may have become far more powerful and efficient in recent years, but available space remains a limiting factor when it comes to expanding photovoltaics. Technical developments are therefore trending towards innovations that make previously unused surfaces accessible for PV systems, such as particularly lightweight PV modules or PV modules with very high bifaciality that are suitable for vertical installations. Vertical installations are interesting options, both in an agricultural context and for infrastructure (such as noise barriers). Current trends in the inverter field are aimed at integrating more grid support and safety features, particularly in the commerce and industry sectors as well as for ground- mounted PV systems. Good examples of this include a power supply with phase accuracy, the option to connect to weak grid nodes, grid-forming functionality and enhanced monitoring of cooling or insulation resistance.

Finalists in the Photovoltaics category

7Secondsolar (South Africa) with its AUTOPV planning software solution

Aevy (Norway) with its Aevy asset management platform

Aiko Energy (China) with its ABC INFINITE PV module

Anhui Huasun Energy (China) with its Kunlun Series Ultra-high Bifaciality HJT solar module

LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its Hi-MO X10 module

MBJ Solutions (Germany) with its MBJ Sunlike Lab solar simulator

Seaward Electronic (UK) with its PV:1525-IV testing device

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its SG350HX-20 string inverter

Sunmaxx PVT (Germany) with its Sunmaxx PX-1 combination module

Weidmüller Interface (Germany) with its PV Inline lightning and overvoltage protection

Current trends in storage technology

This year’s submissions in the Energy Storage category show that many manufacturers have taken installation challenges into account. In the residential storage sector, there is a trend towards systems that can be stacked in a modular fashion and that, therefore can connect with each other automatically. The number of devices suitable for outdoor use is also increasing. Manufacturers are increasingly commissioning industrial and large-scale storage systems and delivering them ready for installation. The trend in cell chemistry is moving strongly towards iron phosphate. Interconnection effort and costs are reduced by individual cells that are becoming increasingly larger. The market for 4h storage is becoming more significant for battery containers, and many containers have a maximum charge/discharge rate of 0.25C. Many systems use artificial intelligence for fault detection and energy management. SiC-based power electronics are increasingly being used to increase efficiency and reduce volume. System safety remains a focus and is being improved by the increased use of arc detection and multi-level safety concepts at the various system levels.

ees Europe 2025: storage industry meets battery research

Finalists in the Energy Storage category

CMBlu Energy (Germany) with its Organic SolidFlow Battery storage system

EcoFlow (China) with its PowerOcean DC Fit residential storage system

EVE Energy (China) with its Mr. Big battery cell

Huawei Technologies (China) with its ESS LUNA2000-215-2S10 storage system

Hydrostor (Canada) with its A-Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system

p&e power&energy (Germany) with its Scalable Cell Level Power Electronics Platform inverter system

SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its U8A1 UPS solution

SOL Research (Germany) with its Powerstation 2.500

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale storage system

Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology (China) with its Power 6.25 MWh 4h BESS battery container

Products and solutions for electromobility

The large number of submissions in the E-Mobility category relating to solar carport solutions is particularly striking. This is a consequence of changes in the law regarding carports for large parking lots. The industry is responding with a comprehensive offering. High-current, high-voltage charging, especially in connection with the new MCS charging standard, is once again proving to be a driver of innovation. Special electrical safety components are now being developed specifically for the new requirements. Another trend is the use of PV on commercial vehicles that allows for the surface of a trailer to be utilized for additional power generation.

The smarter E Europe: Save billions with bidirectional charging

Finalists in the E-Mobility category

Cable-Sherpa (Austria) with its Cable-Sherpa cable management

DEHN (Germany) with its DEHNguard M DC ACI 1250 FM power protection switch

Etecnic (Spain) with its EVcharge Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform

Friedrich (Germany) with its URBANROOF parking lot canopy

GoodWe (China) with its Vela Series Residential Solar Carport

Hive Power (Switzerland) with its Hive Power FLEXO Smart Charge SaaS solution

SAMSUNG SDI (South Korea) with its No Thermal Propagation Technology battery concept

Schaltbau (Germany) with its C330 high-power DC contactor

Shenzhen Kehua Hengsheng Technology (China) with its EV3102-040K-HR-UC SiC charging module

OPES Solar Mobility (Germany) with its O.Motion matrix solar module series

Digital integration is key

The products and solutions submitted in the Smart Integrated Energy category vividly illustrate the intricacy and complexity of one of the key challenges facing the transition to tomorrow’s climate-neutral energy world. For the energy transition to be a success, electricity from renewable sources must be integrated into the energy system in a comprehensive and smart way, in more and more locations and at all grid levels.

The smarter E 2025: Energy management systems a „must have“

Finalists in the Smart Integrated Energy category

FENECON (Germany) with its FEMS FENECON energy management system

meteocontrol (Germany) with its mc Assetpilot

fleXality (Germany) with its AI-based fEnOMS software solution

Sungrow Power Supply (China) with its Stem Cell Grid Technology grid-forming inverter technology

Toscano (Spain) with its COMBI-PRO-MAX switching solution

Utiligize (Denmark) with its integrated Forecast & Investment platform

Zählerfreunde (Germany) with its white label energy management SaaS solution for utilities

The energy transition is being addressed worldwide

The finalists in the Outstanding Projects category provide excellent examples of how the energy transition, humanity’s major challenge, is being tackled across the globe. The spectrum ranges from large-scale green hydrogen production and large storage projects that ensure a steady supply of ever greener electricity, to the use of public institutions to generate solar power and projects providing cooling energy for food.

Finalists in the Outstanding Projects category

Beijing HyperStrong Technology (China) with its Beijing Siyuanqiao Integrated Charging Plus Storage Station Project

Beijing HyperStrongTechnology (China) with its 250 MW/1,000 MWh energy storage project in Santanghu

CyberGrid (Austria) with its Theiß Hybrid Storage System

Electricity Authority of Cyprus (Cyprus) with its installation of PV systems in 405 public schools

GIZ Indonesia (Indonesia) with its off-grid Solar Ice Maker project for fishing communities

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT (Germany) with its BiFlow hybrid storage system project

LONGi Solar Technology (China) with its 3000 Nm³/h Electrolyzer in Hydrogen-Rich Blast Furnace Smelting project

Phaesun (Germany) with its BeCool: Clean Cooling for Markets in Kenya project

Sungrow Hydrogen (China) with its Low Carbon Institute Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project

Xiamen Ampace Technology (China) with its energy storage project integrated into a high-voltage transformer station in Chile

The smarter E

Accelerating Integrated Energy Solutions – that is the goal of The smarter E, the world’s leading alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry. The aim is to create a future-oriented energy world by shining a spotlight on renewable energies, decentralization and digitalization as well as cross-industry solutions from the electricity, heat and transport sectors for a sustainable 24/7 energy supply. This global event series unites four exhibition brands: Intersolar, ees, Power2Drive and EM-Power. They all serve as platforms for presenting innovations that help move the energy industry forward. (hcn)

Further information on The smarter E can be found at: www.thesmartere.com

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Solar Energy

Human factor behind high costs

March 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Related studies, including those by Envaris and Trust-PV, show that the human factor is commonly the most significant weak point in installation and maintenance. A detailed analysis carried out by Energynet and Envaris has determined the five most common causes of damage to photovoltaic systems.

SolarPower Europe: New Operation & Maintenance Best Practices Report launched

The causes include fire damage, storm damage, lightning strikes, snow pressure and theft. However, the analysis of Trust-PV’s on the reliability and safety of solar systems goes even further.

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A key part of their findings is based on the project Solar Bankability: Here, the authors studied the technical risks of photovoltaic projects using tried and tested methods for professional risk assessment. The results in a nutshell: modules, inverters and cabling are by some way the components most frequently affected by malfunctions. At the same time, related incidents are more likely to cause subsequent expensive failures that impact the productivity of facilities.

More maintenance tips and tricks

40 percent of electrical installations are non-conforming

Over a third of costs and more than 40 percent of malfunctions are directly attributable to faulty electrical installations. This includes cable protection, cable connections, cable fastening and general cable workmanship. A further 15 percent of costs and a quarter of malfunctions can be traced back to the use of incorrectly applied or insufficient materials in electrical installation.

New blog explains error patterns and damage in second-hand PV modules

The two studies clearly indicate that the expertise and diligence of the individuals carrying out the work are decisive for the system as a whole. Meticulous planning and the use of high-quality components can prevent a great deal of damage further down the road. Equally important for high system reliability and prevention of interruptions are professional installation, regular maintenance and custom adaptation of protection measures. (HS/TF)

Free white paper for safe operations of facilities: The expert authors at EMC-direct have prepared the white paper “Knowing and avoiding common causes of damage to photovoltaic systems” to raise awareness of high quality standards in the assembly and electrical installation of PV systems. Download the white paper for free here (German language)

The author: Thaddäus Nagy is the Executive Director of EMC-direct. In the last two years alone, Nagy and his team have been involved in the construction of numerous large-scale open-air systems across Europe. Products from the specialist supplier for cable protection and fastening technologies, based in Dorsten near Gelsenkirchen have been used among others in large solar projects in Austria and Denmark.

Portugal: Nomad Electric signs new O&M contract

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Solar Energy

CID leads at European Energy Forum 2025 in Kraków

March 20, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The European federation of energy communities represents a network of 2,500 energy communities and 2 million citizens who are active in the energy transition. This year’s annual European Energy Communities Forum offers a wide range of workshops, exchanges and interactive sessions for both starting and more established citizen-led energy initiatives and anyone who seeks to boost a more just, democratically governed energy system.

Also Intersting: Large battery storage systems in Europe are all the rage

CID support for energy communities

In February the European Commission officially launched its Clean Industrial Deal (CID). Part oft the Commission’s CID ist he „Affordable Energy Action Plan“, which contains a number of good measures that are aimed to reduce energy prices for citizens, businesses and communities across the European Union. The European Federation of Energy Communities particularly welcomes the action plan’s commitment to a „Citizens’ Energy Package“, which is to be published before the end of 2025.

Also Intersting: Poland increasingly a solar heavyweight

Simplification as a strategy

Specifically the package addresses improving opportunities for communities, citizens and businesses to join together in an energy community and initiatives such as energy sharing. The „Citizens’ Energy Package“ will be particularly important as most Member States have not yet implemented the framework conditions for energy communities required by existing EU legislation. In addition, the Action Plan proposes other measures that will particularly benefit energy communities, such as simplifications in the areas of network charges, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and permits for construction and connection of renewable energy plants.

Also Intersting: Kenneth Frey new Head of Europe of SOFAR

Criticism on the CID

In addition to praise, however, there is also criticism from the Federation of CID. Specifically, the European Federation of Energy Communities points to positions in the CID that it sees as misguided priorities and tactics that strengthen corporate power at the expense of social fairness. The association considers initiatives such as small modular reactors to be deliberate diversionary tactics that have nothing to do with the goal of affordable energy. The Federation also sharply criticizes the release of investments in liquefied natural gas infrastructure to enable additional gas imports, as well as the repeal of EU legislation that ensures European companies are held accountable for respecting human rights and environmental protection.

Also Intersting: Polish pv wholesaler Menlo Electric tops list of European growth companies

The President of the Federation to CID

Dirk Vansintjan, President of the European Federation of Energy Communities, explains: “Energy communities are social economy actors that form a growing and innovative part of European industry and will contribute to the implementation of the energy transition. To revitalize the European economy, however, the Clean Industrial Deal must be, at its core, a social contract that prioritizes the simplification of regulations for the local production, distribution, and supply of renewable electricity and heat through energy communities, as well as citizen-oriented approaches to renovation and energy savings.”

Also Intersting: Poland Surpasses 21 GW Milestone in PV Installations in 2024

Great expectations for the gathering in Poland

In any case, the CID provides ample material for discussion at the meeting of European Energy Cooperatives in Krakow, Poland, which will lead to an exciting and hopefully fruitful three-day gathering. Krakow itself is an exciting location, as in recent years the city has undergone a successful transformation from a community dominated almost entirely by coal mining to a modern municipality that excels in services, particularly in the field of green energy. (mg)

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Solar Energy

10 must-know technological trends driving solar and storage development

March 20, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Despite the rapid expansion of PV installations worldwide, the evolving power infrastructure faces five challenges: supply chain security, clean energy consumption, power system stability, resilience to load variability, and cost management. As a vital part of power decarbonization, the energy storage sector is going through a period of intense accelerated growth.

Expert analysis: The three strongest solar energy trends in 2025

The following are the ten crucial technological trends essential for advancing solar and storage.

High density and high efficiency

With the declining costs and increased localization of third-generation wide-bandgap semiconductors, inverters are progressively incorporating Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices. Enhanced by advanced control algorithms, increased computing power, and novel thermal packaging technologies, these changes will significantly boost the power density and efficiency of equipment.

Development of high-voltage and high-power systems

Over the past decade, inverter single-unit power has undergone a major improvement cycle every 2-3 years, with DC voltage moving toward 2000V. Sungrow deployed the world’s first 2000V DC PV system in China’s Shaanxi province, reducing Balance of System (BOS) costs by over 0.04 yuan (USD cent 0.55) per watt compared to 1500V systems, setting a new industry benchmark for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

Expert analysis: As we rebuild the grid, we must rethink its management

Grid forming

As renewable energy penetration increases, grid-forming technologies are becoming essential to ensure a flexible, reliable, and resilient power system. Since 2006, Sungrow has been at the forefront of grid-forming technology research, honing core capabilities such as flexible inertia support, wide-frequency oscillation suppression, enhanced continuous high/low voltage ride-through, microsecond-level voltage construction, adaptive harmonic management, rapid off-grid debugging, seamless switch between on-grid and off-grid modes, and gigawatt-scale project black-start technology.

Digitalization and AI empowerment

Digitalization and AI are revolutionizing the entire lifecycle of PV plants, boosting both reliability and operational efficiency. Sungrow has utilized advanced AI training techniques for inverters to create a sophisticated AI-driven battery management system.

This system constantly tracks and analyzes multiple parameters of battery cell states, such as temperature, current, voltage, and pressure. By doing so, it enables real-time health assessments, offers early alerts for cells showing signs of potential issues, and prevents the onset of thermal runaway, significantly improving the safety and performance of PV installations.

Artificial intelligence: The key to transforming renewable energy systems?

Secure and reliable Systems

A 30-year system design lifespan is set to become a new trend and standard for future inverters. More than a dozen advanced designs and technologies integral to system security and reliability, including modular design, multi-tier active fault alarms, arc detection, and shutdown mechanisms.

In addition, Sungrow invested in two large-scale, real-world energy storage system burn tests, each costing over 10 million yuan (approx. USD 1.4 million), to affirm the safety of its liquid-cooled energy storage system PowerTitan series. These tests safeguard personnel, assets, and operational safety, setting a new safety benchmark for the energy storage industry.

Topology innovation

Topology innovation plays a crucial role in enhancing power conversion efficiency. In 2018, Sungrow spearheaded a major R&D project and developed the world’s first 6MW 35kV Solid State Transformer based (SST-based) PV inverter. This inverter replaced traditional low-frequency transformer with a high-frequency one, achieving an overall maximum efficiency of 98.5%. This is just one instance of how innovative topologies are continually evolving and being applied across various solar and storage applications.

High-precision simulation

For different global scenarios and grid conditions, system-level modeling and simulation capabilities are needed to mimic the performance of solar, wind, and storage systems in on-grid/off-grid and steady-state/transient processes. As simulation systems evolve, they will increasingly approximate real-world conditions, significantly shortening inverter and power system development cycles while reducing costs.

Virtual power plants

Virtual power plants (VPPs) leverage internet technologies to aggregate distributed PV, energy storage, and loads into a unified entity for grid dispatch. VPPs optimize energy utilization, promote clean energy consumption, reduce grid congestion and negative pricing, and enable control in patches for grid ancillary services, ensuring rapid response and grid stability. This significantly reduces grid construction and operational costs. By leveraging real-time monitoring and demand forecasting, VPPs can guide users to optimize their electricity consumption, and, by doing so, enhance supply reliability.

Source-grid-load-storage-carbon integration

The integrated management of source-grid-load-storage-carbon systems can promote large-scale clean energy integration, reduce curtailment, and achieve clear carbon reduction goals. Sungrow is providing integrated solutions for the world’s largest 2.2GW wind-PV-storage-hydrogen multi-energy complementary microgrid project in Saudi Arabia. 2025 will mark the beginning of zero-carbon parks, with source-grid-load-storage-carbon integration becoming the preferred solution.

Green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol

The global demand for green hydrogen is soaring, and renewable energy-based electrolysis represents a critical future pathway. Moreover, ammonia and methanol are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of storage and transport. Decoupling power generation from hydrogen production systems allows for the remote production of hydrogen through power transmission.

Hydrogen production rectifiers, designed with fast dynamic response capabilities, are adept at managing the power fluctuations inherent in renewable energy sources. These features make them well-suited for use in large-scale renewable hydrogen production facilities and central hydrogen production stations. (David Zhao/hcn)

Market for hybrid power plants in Europe still in the starting blocks

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Solar Energy

Market for hybrid power plants in Europe still in the starting blocks

March 20, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Combining solar and wind parks with large battery storage systems at a single location, known as co-location, offers many advantages. For example, the risks for the operators of the renewable energy generation plants are reduced by diversifying revenues, protecting against price cannibalization and shifting generation or feed-in to the evening hours. The economic efficiency of battery storage can be increased by cost savings due to a common grid connection point and a faster grid connection. Advantages for the power supply arise from fewer grid bottlenecks, avoided curtailment of plants and better utilization of scarce grid resources.

So far only small market share for hybrid systems

However, the market for renewable co-location projects in Europe is only just beginning. According to Aurora Energy Research, solar and wind farms with an installed capacity of almost 1.2 gigawatts (GW) were in operation across Europe in 2023, combined with large-scale battery storage. PV plus battery storage was the frontrunner here with 724 megawatts (MW), while onshore wind power plus battery storage was at 475 MW. According to SolarPower Europe, of the 0.8 GW of large-scale battery storage systems with a capacity of 1.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh) installed in Germany between 2021 and 2023, 11 percent were combined with renewable energy plants, primarily solar parks. In the UK, 12 percent of wind and solar farms were combined with battery storage or electrolysers, according to an April 2024 report by industry association Renewable UK.

Download now for free: Our new hybrid special

However, experts and industry representatives are seeing a significant increase in demand for large-scale battery storage and co-location projects. In Germany, project developers have currently submitted grid connection requests for 161 GW of battery storage capacity, which is a hundred times more than the 1.6 GW currently installed. SolarPower Europe also predicts strong growth in large-scale battery storage in its “European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024-2028”. According to a medium scenario, the total installed battery storage capacity is expected to climb to 78 GWh, double the 2023 figure (35.8 GWh).

Growing interest in co-location projects

In a “high scenario”, installed battery capacity in Europe is expected to grow to 135 GWh by 2028. Large batteries, especially grid storage (so-called utility-scale storage), will dominate. Their share of newly installed capacity is expected to rise to 45% by 2028, more than doubling from 2023 (21 percent). As a result, interest in co-location projects is also growing, according to analysts such as Jannik Carl and Eva Zimmermann from Aurora Energy Research. Almost all large-scale PV projects are now combined with battery storage, says Stefan Müller, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the EPC Enerparc.

Co-located solar park for a resilient grid completed in Sweden

Valerii Lazarev, Projects Bankability Manager at WElink Energy, sees negative electricity prices (at peak times), bottlenecks and high costs for grid access as important drivers for co-location projects. EPCs could benefit from the hybridization of existing solar projects by flattening the production curve and delivering energy on demand and thus at higher prices. And this with comparatively low investment costs because there is no need to set up a new, expensive grid connection.

Largest hybrid plant in Portugal

The international developer, based in Ireland, is currently in the process of expanding a 219 MW solar park in Vaquieros (southern Portugal), which was commissioned at the end of 2021, in several phases into a co-location facility with a capacity of over 1 terawatt-hour, according to Lazarev. Initially, the existing 219 MW of PV capacity will be increased by a further 50 MW, followed by the construction of a 165 MW wind farm and then a 100 MW/400 MWh battery storage facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025 and should be completed by the end of 2027.

How to combine agri-PV with wind power and storage?

Europe’s largest co-location power plant is currently being built by the Spanish energy producer Endesa, also in Portugal (Pego, province of Santarém). The plan is to combine a 365 MW PV plant, a wind farm with 264 MW and a 168 MW battery storage facility. In addition, a 500-kilowatt (kW) electrolyzer will be installed to produce green hydrogen using surplus energy that the battery storage system cannot absorb.

Further cost decline an important driver

The continued decline in costs, particularly for photovoltaics and battery storage, is also an important driver for more co-location projects. According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in July 2024, the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of solar parks in Germany is between 4.1 and 6.9 euro cents/kWh. When combining ground-mounted PV systems and battery storage, the LCOE is 6.0 to 10.8 cents/KWh.

Large battery storage systems in Europe are all the rage

Should battery prices fall to the predicted levels of 180 to 700 euros/KWh by 2045, the ISE even expects production costs for ground-mounted PV battery systems to be between 3.1 and 5.0 cents. By comparison, the production costs for fossil fuel power plants are significantly higher today: brown coal power plants cost 15.1 to 25.7 cents, hard coal power plants 17.3 to 29.3 cents, combined cycle power plants 10.9 to 18.1 cents and flexible gas power plants 15.4 to 32.6 cents per kilowatt hour. Nuclear power plants are between 13.6 and 49.0 cents/kWh.

Reduce construction and operation costs by 50 %

According to Aurora Energy Research, the actual increases in profitability (IRRs) that can currently be achieved by combining a solar power plant with a battery storage system in key European markets are in the range of one to just over two percent. The IRRs of individual solar parks were compared with those that are combined with a battery storage system.

Podcast: Prospects and pitfalls for investments in solar and large battery projects

RenewableUK points out the high potential cost advantages of co-location projects if regulatory barriers are removed and approvals are simplified. Combining PV projects with battery storage at the same grid connection point could reduce construction and operating costs by 50 percent. In addition, a more flexible energy system with the integration of storage in the UK would save 16.7 billion pounds (19.8 billion euros) in electricity system costs annually by 2050, which would also benefit electricity customers.

Complexity and regulation as obstacles

There are various reasons why co-location projects are often unable to fully exploit their potential cost advantages in practice and why the number of projects implemented is only gradually picking up speed. “In addition to regulatory issues, this combination of technologies is extremely complex in terms of structure and commercialization. Business models must be considered individually and, depending on local parameters, a single project can often be more attractive than a co-location project,” says Philipp Kraemer, Director Strategic Growth & Digitization at CCE.

Solar Investors Guide: Storage systems to revolutionize the grid

In Germany, for example, the so-called exclusivity principle of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has so far slowed down the economic viability of solar and wind farms combined with battery storage. It states that EEG-subsidized plants may only be charged with green electricity and not with gray electricity (from the grid) throughout the year, otherwise the EEG plant status or the subsidy will be lost. This severely limits a profitable, flexible operation of the storage system in co-location with a solar or wind farm for shifting the feed-in to high-price hours and for providing balancing energy (during which grid electricity is also charged).

UK, Ireland and Italy already further ahead

According to the solar package I, it should be possible to change the operating mode every two months from June 2025, and to charge the storage system from the grid and the renewable energy system in parallel from June 2026. However, Aurora analyst Zimmermann fears delays in the regulation coming into force in Germany, because the Federal Network Agency, which is responsible for the regulation, has not yet decided on a measurement concept. Other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, which allow flexible operation of co-location systems, are already further ahead in this respect, says Zimmermann.

Expert analysis: Battery storage as a business model for PV

Intersolar Europe, which is taking place this year from May 7-9, offers a comprehensive overview of the latest products, technologies and solutions, as well as the major trends in the field of PV hybrid power plants. At the accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference, there will be a session in English from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, titled “Hybrid PV Power Plants II: Strategies for Matching Energy Generation & Power Demand.” On Thursday, May 8, the topic of hybrid power plants will be the subject of a session in English at the Intersolar Forum (Hall A3, Booth A3.150) from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Optimizing C&I rooftop solar projects:

March 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The European C&I solar market is expanding rapidly, with top markets like Germany, France, and Italy driving significant capacity growth. By 2030, the sector is expected to more than double, offering both opportunities and challenges for solar developers. Efficiency and accuracy are crucial to meet this growing demand. Discover how PVcase Roof Mount automates and optimizes C&I rooftop solar development while overcoming key obstacles.

C&I solar challenges

80% of rooftop solar projects experience delays due to design and installation inefficiencies. Let’s have a look at the key stallers:

1. Complex roofs and shading. Unlike traditional flat roofs, C&I buildings feature varying slopes, orientations, and obstructions such as chimneys, skylights, HVAC units. These factors make maximizing solar coverage while minimizing shading losses difficult.

2. Stringing and cabling. Manually designed electrical layouts with improper stringing often lead to energy losses, higher material costs, and installation inefficiencies.

3. Lack of accurate early-stage energy simulations. Imprecise yield calculations can lead to inaccurate project ROI estimates. Miscalculations in expected solar performance may arise from inconsistent or overly simplified shading and irradiance models.

Meet the growing demand and tackle C&I rooftop obstacles

In a competitive market with multiple companies bidding on projects, precision, speed, and optimization are vital. PVcase Roof Mount helps maximize layout efficiency and streamline the C&I rooftop design process. How can this solution help you meet demand and address common challenges?

1. 3D design. PVcase Roof Mount works in AutoCAD, offering precise module placement, roof modeling, and measurement. It provides a 3D project view, enhancing visualization of complex layouts compared to traditional 2D tools.

2. Advanced shading analysis. Ray-tracing-based shading analysis simulates year-round sunlight exposure in hourly increments, providing precise irradiance and shading data to enable optimal panel placement and stringing.

3. Automated electrical design. PVcase Roof Mount’s stringing algorithms enable engineers to generate optimized string layouts in minutes instead of hours. The automated cable tray and cabling feature simplifies wire routing, and reduces material miscalculations and voltage drop risks.

4. Early-stage energy simulation. The software conducts energy yield assessments during the design process, eliminating manual data transfers and providing faster, more accurate simulations compared to other tools.

Bottom line

PVcase Roof Mount empowers developers and engineers with state-of-the-art design tools. It enables users to master complex geometries, optimize electrical layouts, and deliver high-performance solar installations faster than ever.

Companies using PVcase Roof Mount report:

80% faster design time.
85% quicker stringing and cabling optimization.
Streamlined workflows and reduced delays.

Visit PVcase.com to learn more.

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Solar Energy

New report highlights Morocco’s solar investment potential

March 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

SolarPower Europe has published its ‘Morocco: Solar investment opportunities’ report. This new publication offers key insights into the Moroccan solar sector, and opportunities for international investment. The report was supported by the Global Solar Council (GSC) and Cluster EnR, the Moroccan renewables’ association.

This latest work of SolarPower Europe’s Global Markets Workstream explores the numerous investment opportunities within Morocco’s solar sector, highlighting the country’s market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, as well as concrete recommendations to accelerate solar deployment.

Solar Investors Guide: ELTIF & PPA – funding solar projects

The report provides an overview of Morocco’s business environment, and major macroeconomic trends, while analysing the regulatory framework and infrastructure network of the country. It maps the Moroccan energy sector, including the energy mix, key stakeholders, and the policy and legislative framework governing renewable energy generation, more specifically regarding solar energy generation. Finally, the report’s recommendations reflect the evolving dynamics of the energy sector in the country.

52% renewable power share by 2030

Morocco is committed to expanding its renewable energy capacity, aiming to reach a 52% share of its total electricity capacity by 2030. As the country undergoes its energy transition, the solar sector, in particular, is experiencing a consistent growth, offering investors a chance to contribute to a sustainable future while achieving attractive returns. The report’s most likely ‘medium’ scenario forecasts that Morocco will reach 2.27 GW of total installed solar capacity by 2027, and 2.97 GW by 2028.

Growing skills gap in a booming solar job market

During the report’s online launch, Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) at the European Commission, said in a video statement; “Morocco has emerged as a frontrunner in renewable energy, with ambitious goals to achieve 52% of installed electricity capacity from renewables already by 2030; solar energy is at the heart of this transition…The report serves as an excellent blueprint for action and an important tool for investors, businesses and policymakers to seize the opportunities before us.”

Solar power for Balingho

Gustavo Fernandes, Head of Africa and International at Voltalia, and Chair of SolarPower Europe’s Global Markets Workstream stated; “Morocco is a vibrant market on the threshold of significant solar growth, set to become a key global player in the renewable energy sector. This report aims to provide policymakers with actionable recommendations to help unlock the country’s full potential, and drive its transformation.“

2.2 GW solar capacity added by 2028

Fatima Zahra El Khalifa, Director General of Cluster EnR said; “Morocco’s abundant solar potential positions it as a key player in the renewable energy sector. This study highlights the country’s significant role in becoming a regional energy hub. With strategic investment in solar infrastructure, Morocco is poised to realise its full potential, accelerate its energy transition, and foster long-term sustainable growth.”

Is renewable electricity from Morocco a viable idea for the UK?

Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council said; “Morocco has been a solar pioneer in Africa, and we expect another 2.2 GW of solar capacity to be added by 2028. With a robust regulatory framework, long-term ambition and rising electricity demand catalysed by the country’s green hydrogen strategy, costs will continue to plummet for solar, opening new investment opportunities.”

Download the report here

The report is the fifteenth in a series of SolarPower Europe’s global market reports, which includes: Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Kazakhstan, Latin America, the Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Senegal, Tunisia, and Vietnam. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

No increased blackout risk when sun is shining

March 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The record of 100 GW of installed capacity was broken by photovoltaic systems installed in Germany at the end of December, and around 17 GW went into operation in 2024. But does this mean that Germany’s power grids are on the verge of collapse, with the threat of supply interruptions and blackouts? Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), gives the all-clear. “Despite a sharp increase in renewable electricity generation, the grids in Germany are still among the most reliable in the world,” he emphasized at the end of January at the “Future Power Grids” conference in Berlin.

Germany – Photovoltaics have broken the 100-gigawatt mark

According to the German Solar Industry Association (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft, BSW-Solar), the risk of overloading the power grid due to excess solar power, a temporary imbalance in the grid or even a blackout is very low. This assessment is also shared by the scientific community.

Policymakers and industry would taken timely precautions and put the necessary regulatory and technical measures in place to avoid a blackout in the electricity system, Carsten Körnig, Managing Director of BSW Solar said. Among other things, the 2012 System Stability Ordinance and, not least, the recently passed Solarspitzen-Gesetz (Solar Peak Act) have contributed to this.

EU and national standards ensure a stable grid

Even in the highly unlikely event that a timely balance between electricity supply and demand is not achieved, the consequences should remain manageable and controllable, according to energy experts. Regulatory requirements and standards at the EU and national level ensure this.

New report shows ways to facilitate renewable integration into grids

“Claims that an increase in frequency to over 50.2 hertz in the power grid will result in an inadequate emergency mechanism for photovoltaic inverters and the threat of abrupt mass shutdowns of photovoltaic systems and a drastic drop in grid frequency are not correct. Equally false is the statement that when the photovoltaic systems are subsequently switched back on, sudden and massive frequency fluctuations may occur again“, Körnig explains.

The smarter E Europe: Save billions with bidirectional charging

Prof. Bernd Engel, grid integration expert at the elenia Institute of the Technical University of Braunschweig, agrees with him and explains: “Photovoltaic systems in Germany have not simply been switched off when frequencies are exceeded since 2012. Rather, the power is continuously reduced by means of the inverters, the control instruments of a solar system, depending on the grid frequency. The higher the frequency rises, the more the inverter reduces its feed-in power.” This is precisely regulated by the application rules of the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE). These requirements apply without exception to all photovoltaic systems and battery storage systems.

System-friendly behaviour mandatory for all PV inverters throughout Europe

In addition, all photovoltaic systems with a capacity of over ten kilowatts that were put into operation before 2012 have been retrofitted in accordance with the provisions of the System Stability Ordinance, which came into force in July 2012. This ensured that they no longer shut down at 50.2 hertz, but rather at different frequencies. Since 2018, this system-friendly behavior has been mandatory for all photovoltaic inverters throughout Europe and is also subject to certification. This regulation had to be implemented in all EU countries by April 21, 2019.

CEO Talk: Frank Henn of Kostal Solar Electric: Solar inverters become universal genies

The regulations for stepless throttling of inverters when frequency increases have also proven themselves in practice in the past. There have already been situations in the grid in which the stepless power reduction by the inverters worked very well and led to a stabilization of the grid frequency.

The supposed risk of a “rebound effect”, i.e. frequency fluctuations caused by solar systems being restarted, has also been ruled out in practice. If the frequency drops again, the solar systems increase their output using the same procedure. Even if some inverters switch off completely, the grid must first be in a stable state for at least one minute before the inverters reconnect and slowly ramp up at a rate of ten percent nominal power per minute to prevent any “rebound effect”.

Stabilizing effect of battery storage systems

Furthermore, all battery storage systems, from home storage systems to large-scale storage systems installed from May 2019, support the system both at overfrequencies and underfrequencies and would already have a stabilizing effect of more than ten gigawatts.

Expert analysis: How to approach battery energy storage systems in Europe

The recently adopted new regulations in the Solar Summit Act (“Solarspitzengesetz)“ have also further clarified the requirements for controlling solar installations, optimized the system integration of renewable energies into the power grid and further reduced the risks of an imbalance in the grid. Distribution system operators have also been obliged to regularly check the controllability of photovoltaic installations in the future. After the Bundestag passed the law at the end of January with the votes of the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens, it was also approved by the Bundesrat (Federal Council) last Friday. (hcn)

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