Italy - Elite Home & Solar

Solar Energy

Hybrid energy parks face headwinds in Europe

July 10, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Combining solar and wind parks with large battery storage systems at a single site, otherwise known as co-location, offers several advantages. For operators, it reduces risk by diversifying revenue streams, protecting against price cannibalisation, and enabling generation or feed-in to shift to evening hours. The economic viability of battery storage improves through cost savings from a shared grid connection and faster grid access. For the power system, benefits include fewer grid bottlenecks, reduced curtailment of plants and more efficient use of limited grid capacity.

So far only small market share for hybrid systems

However, the market for renewable co-location projects in Europe is still in its early stages. According to Aurora Energy Research, solar and wind farms with a combined capacity of nearly 1.2 gigawatts (GW) were operating in Europe in 2023 alongside large-scale battery storage. PV plus battery storage led the way with 724 megawatts (MW), followed by onshore wind plus storage at 475 MW. According to SolarPower Europe, 11 percent of the 0.8 GW of large-scale battery storage systems totalling 1.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh) installed in Germany between 2021 and 2023 were combined with renewable energy plants, mainly solar parks. In the UK, 12 percent of wind and solar farms were co-located with battery storage or electrolysers, according to an April 2024 report by industry association Renewable UK.

Get your free copy of our new hybrid special now

However, experts and industry representatives report a sharp rise in demand for large-scale battery storage and co-location projects. In Germany, project developers have submitted grid connection requests for 161 GW of battery storage capacity – one hundred times more than the 1.6 GW currently installed. SolarPower Europe also forecasts strong growth in large-scale battery storage in its European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024–2028. In the medium scenario, total installed capacity is expected to reach 78 GWh, more than double the 2023 figure of 35.8 GWh.

Growing interest in co-location projects

In a high-growth scenario, installed battery capacity in Europe is expected to reach 135 GWh by 2028. Large batteries, particularly grid-scale systems, also known as utility-scale storage, will lead the market. Their share of new installations is projected to rise to 45 percent by 2028, more than double the 2023 level of 21 percent. As a result, interest in co-location projects is also increasing, according to analysts Jannik Carl and Eva Zimmermann of Aurora Energy Research. Almost all large-scale PV projects are now combined with battery storage, says Stefan Müller, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EPC provider Enerparc.

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

Valerii Lazarev, Projects Bankability Manager at WElink Energy, identifies negative electricity prices during peak times, grid bottlenecks and high grid access costs as key drivers for co-location projects. EPCs can benefit from hybridising existing solar projects by flattening the production curve and delivering energy on demand – and therefore at higher prices. This can be achieved with relatively low investment, as no new and costly grid connection is required.

Largest hybrid plant in Portugal

The international developer, based in Ireland, is currently expanding a 219 MW solar park in Vaquieros, southern Portugal, into a co-location facility with a capacity of over 1 terawatt-hour, according to Lazarev. Commissioned at the end of 2021, the park will be enlarged in phases. First, an additional 50 MW of PV capacity will be added, followed by a 165 MW wind farm and a 100 MW/400 MWh battery storage system. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

A how-to of ombining agri-PV with wind power and storage

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

Further cost decline an important driver

The continued decline in costs, especially for photovoltaics and battery storage, is another key driver of co-location projects. According to a July 2024 study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar parks in Germany ranges between 4.1 and 6.9 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. For combined ground-mounted PV systems with battery storage, the LCOE is between 6.0 and 10.8 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Large battery storage systems in Europe all the rage

If battery prices fall to the projected range of 180 to 700 euros per kilowatt-hour by 2045, the ISE expects production costs for ground-mounted PV battery systems to drop to between 3.1 and 5.0 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, fossil fuel power plants are already significantly more expensive: lignite-fired plants cost between 15.1 and 25.7 cents, hard coal between 17.3 and 29.3 cents, combined-cycle gas plants 10.9 to 18.1 cents and flexible gas power plants 15.4 to 32.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. Nuclear power ranges from 13.6 to 49.0 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Reduce construction and operation costs by 50 %

According to Aurora Energy Research, the actual increase in profitability (IRR) currently achievable by combining a solar power plant with a battery storage system in key European markets ranges from one to just over two percent. The IRRs of standalone solar parks were compared with those of projects co-located with battery storage.

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 several reasons why co-location projects often struggle to realise their full cost-saving potential in practice, and why uptake remains slow. “In addition to regulatory issues, this combination of technologies is extremely complex in terms of structure and commercialisation. Business models must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and, depending on local conditions, a standalone project may be more attractive than a co-location one,” says Philipp Kraemer, Director Strategic Growth & Digitisation at CCE.

Solar Investors Guide: Storage systems to revolutionise the grid

In Germany, the so-called exclusivity principle under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has hindered the economic viability of solar and wind farms combined with battery storage. It stipulates that EEG-subsidised plants may only be charged with green electricity year-round; using grid electricity would result in the loss of EEG plant status and associated subsidies. This severely restricts the profitable and flexible operation of storage systems co-located with solar or wind farms – particularly for shifting feed-in to high-price hours or providing balancing energy, which requires drawing power from the grid.

UK, Ireland and Italy already further ahead

According to the Solar Package I, from June 2025 it should be possible to switch the operating mode every two months, and from June 2026 to charge the storage system both from the grid and the renewable energy system in parallel. However, Aurora analyst Eva Zimmermann warns of possible delays in the regulation taking effect in Germany, as the Federal Network Agency – responsible for implementation – has yet to approve a measurement concept. Other European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, which already allow flexible operation of co-location systems, are further ahead in this regard, says Zimmermann.

Expert view: Battery storage as a business model for PV

Intersolar Europe, taking place this year from 7 to 9 May, offers a comprehensive overview of the latest products, technologies and solutions, along with key trends in the field of PV hybrid power plants. At the accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference, an English-language session titled “Hybrid PV Power Plants II: Strategies for Matching Energy Generation & Power Demand” will run from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 May. On Thursday, 8 May, the topic will also be featured in an English session at the Intersolar Forum (Hall A3, Booth A3.150) from 15:00 to 16:30. (hcn)

Stay up to date and sign up for our newsletter

Source link

Solar Energy

Italian agrivoltaics evolving into standalone industry

July 2, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Agri-PV is no longer just a technical add-on to solar development or a footnote in farming. It’s becoming a distinct industry in its own right, and one that bridges energy and agriculture in practical, forward-looking ways. By aligning both sectors towards a shared goal, agri-PV is supporting more sustainable and resilient production while bringing added value for landowners, farmers and energy providers.

Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws

A common misconception, including even among authorities, is that agri-PV is simply a pretext for pushing PV projects onto agricultural land. Clear, consistent communication is needed to counter this view. At the heart of every project lies an agronomic concept. The PV element serves as a financing tool and a means of supporting more sustainable, resilient farming, and is not an end in itself.

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

New project approach: planning starts with agriculture

In future, CCE plans to adopt a new strategic approach: projects will begin with a clear agronomic goal such as cultivating olives for high-quality organic oil, with the PV element added later. The solar system will be designed to suit the needs of the agricultural project, not the other way around.

CCE

Guest author Sandro Esposito.

Take the project in Santa Lucia (Lazio region), for example. An existing PV installation was converted into an agri-PV model focused on producing high-quality olives. The PV system helps secure financing and supports more sustainable, efficient crop management, while the agricultural approach prioritises quality over quantity. First marketable results are expected from 2026.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

Structural implementation – new companies with agronomic focus

CCE Italia plans to establish a separate company in 2025 dedicated entirely to the development and implementation of agri-PV projects. The focus is not only on generating electricity but also on producing high-quality agricultural goods for the market. Each project company will operate with its own structure, including agricultural management, monitoring systems and an expanded business model that combines energy sales with the marketing of agricultural products.

Subscribe to our special free newsletter for farmers

Technology offers precision and control

The projects are based on advanced technologies, including sensor systems for yield and quality monitoring, precision farming, software-controlled water management, full carbon footprint measurement and resource efficiency tools. The goal is to achieve a fully documented and certified production process.

Scaling and market integration

The agri-PV concept is set to expand across Europe in the coming years. CCE’s membership in the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS) helps maintain close ties with key stakeholders in both agriculture and energy. It also provides a platform to shape new perspectives and support a shift in how agri-PV is understood. AIAS has already introduced a new job title: agrivoltore – an agricultural entrepreneur who is also an energy producer.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume

Agri-PV offers a way to produce high-value agricultural goods with measurable environmental benefits – powered by clean energy and guided by intelligent control systems. The outcome is products with guaranteed origin, proven resource-efficient production and strong quality standards. As a result, agri-PV provides not only a new economic perspective for agriculture but also a tangible contribution to ecological transformation. (Sandro Esposito/hcn)

More about CCE

Source link

Solar Energy

Italian agrivoltaics evolving into standalone industry

June 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

New project approach: planning starts with agriculture

CCE

Guest author Sandro Esposito.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

Structural implementation – new companies with agronomic focus

Subscribe to our special free newsletter for farmers

Technology offers precision and control

Scaling and market integration

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume

More about CCE

Source link

Solar Energy

From concept to industry – the evolution of agrivoltaics in Italy

June 18, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Agri-PV is neither an appendage of the PV industry nor a marginal topic of agriculture, but rather a hybrid and at the same time new form of industry that integrates both and aligns them towards a common goal: sustainable, resilient production with double added value.

Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws

A common misconception – including among authorities – is that Agri-PV is a pretext for legitimising PV projects on agricultural land. To clearly contradict this impression, consistent communication and positioning is required: the agronomic concept is at the centre of every project. The PV component is a financing support structure and a solution to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient, not an end in itself.

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

New project approach: planning starts with agriculture

In future, CCE will pursue a strategic change of perspective: projects will begin with a clear agronomic objective – such as the cultivation of olives to produce high-quality organic oils – and only then will PV be integrated. The PV system adapts to the conditions of the agricultural project, not the other way around.

CCE

Our guest author Sandro Esposito.

As in the project in Santa Lucia (Lazio region), for example: Here, an existing PV project was converted into an Agri-PV model, producing high-quality olives. The PV system secures financing and allows a more sustainable and efficient crop management, while agricultural production focuses on quality rather than quantity. The first marketable results are expected from 2026.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

Structural implementation: new companies with an agronomic focus

CCE Italia will establish a separate company in 2025 that is fully dedicated to the development and realisation of Agri-PV projects. This is not just about electricity production, but also about agricultural product lines with high market quality. Each project company will have its own structure with agricultural management, monitoring systems and an expanded business model: in addition to selling energy, the agricultural products will also be marketed.

Subscribe to our special free newsletter for farmers

Use of technology: precision and control

The projects rely on the most advanced technologies: sensor technology for yield and quality monitoring, precision farming, software-supported control of water consumption, complete measurement of the carbon footprint, and resource efficiency. The aim is a fully documented and certified production process.

Scaling and market integration

The Agri-PV concept will be rolled out across Europe in the coming years. CCE’s membership of the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS) ensures a connection to key stakeholders – both on the agricultural side and in the energy sector – and gives us the opportunity to shape a new perspective and foster a paradigm change in the discussion about Agri-PV. A new job title has already been created within AIAS: agrivoltore – an agricultural entrepreneur who is also an energy producer.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume

Agri-PV offers the opportunity to produce agricultural products with high added value and measurable environmental benefits – using clean energy and intelligent control. The results are products with a guaranteed origin, demonstrably resource-efficient production and high quality. Agri-PV therefore not only offers a new economic perspective for agriculture but also makes a concrete contribution to ecological transformation. (Sandro Esposito/hcn)

More information about CCE

Source link

Solar Energy

Fimer ramps up relaunch with strategic investments and new initiatives

May 30, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Following the acquisition by the McLaren Applied group earlier this year and its recent participation in Intersolar 2025, Italy-based Fimer is moving forward with determination on its relaunch plan, strengthening the brand through a series of concrete initiatives aimed at supporting both business goals and partner confidence.

Among recent developments, Fimer has officially joined the Italian ANIE Federation. Within the Confindustria system, ANIE represents over 1100 high and medium-high technology companies active in the electrical engineering and electronics supply chains and industrial general contractors.

Acquisition of Italian inverter manufacturer Fimer completed

Through this membership, Fimer joins a network of strategic players offering cutting-edge technologies to the building, energy, industry and infrastructure sectors – a significant step forward in its mission to promote innovation and support the energy transition.

The company is also investing in product innovation, new certifications, service enhancements and activities to engage with its commercial network.

Technology and sustainability at the core

Fimer continues to focus on technologically advanced solutions: high-efficiency inverters, scalable storage systems and intelligent digital platforms designed to ensure excellent performance, flexibility and sustainability in residential, commercial-industrial and large-scale applications.

There is a apecial focus on the Power Platform for residential applications, including PowerUNO (single-phase), PowerTRIO (three-phase) inverters and the modular storage system PowerX – integrated solutions designed to offer customers greater autonomy, savings and control.

Intersolar Europe: Fimer is back with new products

PowerUNO and Power TRIO: the inverters are designed for both new installations and retrofits. Compact, elegant, and scalable, they are available in different power ratings (2.0–6.0 kW PowerUNO, 4-10,0 kW PowerTRIO), easy to install (Plug&Play connections) and equipped with smart connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, App, Aurora Vision® portal). They feature built-in AFCI (arc fault detection) for enhanced safety.

PowerX offers a total capacity of up to 30 kWh, expandable at any time to suit the user’s needs. The system is designed to maximise self-consumption in all types of homes.

Stay informed – subscribe for our free newsletters

In particular, PowerUNO and PowerX are now available to order and have received TÜV Rheinland certification – a widely recognised mark of quality and safety.

Enhanced services and local presence

Alongside the relaunch of its product portfolio, Fimer has strengthened its after-sales service. A new dedicated call centre was recently launched in Germany through a strategic partnership with a local service provider. The same model will soon be replicated in the United Kingdom, aiming to deliver more widespread and responsive technical support.

Finally, dialogue with partners continues through participation in events organised by leading Italian distributors and by opening the Terranuova Bracciolini manufacturing plant for technical visits. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

RWE to develop two large agri-PV plants in Italy

April 8, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The energy company RWE secured two projects in Italy’s agri-PV subsidy tender. The plants are supported through a contract for difference: once operational, electricity is sold on the power exchange at market price. The state compensates RWE for any shortfall between the auctioned reference price, which is the level required for economic operation, and the actual market price. If market prices rise above the reference, RWE must return the surplus. Moreover, the company receives an investment subsidy of up to 40 per cent.

PV from field and barn: Our special for the dual harvest on farms

Start-up scheduled for the end of 2025

The energy company RWE secured two projects in Italy’s agri-PV subsidy tender. The plants are supported through a contract for difference: once operational, electricity is sold on the power exchange at market price. To ensure economic viability, the state compensates RWE for any shortfall between the market price and the auctioned reference price, which is the level needed for profitable operation. If market prices exceed this reference, RWE is required to return the surplus. In addition to this mechanism, the company also receives an investment subsidy of up to 40 per cent.

Don’t miss any important information about the solar energy transition in agriculture! Simply subscribe to our free newsletter.

Modules are elevated on high trackers

The two systems are being built as tracker installations, with solar modules mounted on structures that rotate around an axis at a height of three metres. This setup not only meets the requirements for continued agricultural use of the land but also boosts energy yields, as the tracking modules maintain a more optimal alignment with the sun compared to fixed systems. Crops will be cultivated beneath the panels in a fully integrated energy-agriculture system, improving land efficiency while maintaining farm output. In addition, the solar modules offer protection for the crops against hail, frost, drought and heavy rain.

Agri-PV: How to succeed on the path to regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Improving technology

Once the plant is up and running, RWE will assess how shading affects both crop growth and the energy yields of the solar modules. The data gathered through this monitoring will feed into the company’s further development of agri-PV technologies. “The start of construction marks the realisation of our world-first agri-PV projects on a commercial scale, with more to come,” says Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia. “Sunny Italy is also a perfect market for this technology. Advanced agri-PV helps us to use the scarce resource of land responsibly and efficiently, generating two different yields (agriculture and renewable energy) from the same land. Win-win at its best.” (su)

Source link

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

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)

Source link

Solar Energy

Fimer makes a new start – participation at KEY in Rimini

February 25, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The choice to participate in this event comes at a turning point for Fimer. Indeed, the takeover of a new ownership and substantial investments have allowed the company to return fully operational. Further future investments of over 50 million euros will allow Fimer to achieve a renewed financial solidity and focus on the development of new products.

Italy: KEY in Rimini as showcase for energy transition

KEY represents a unique opportunity for FIMER to showcase its latest technologies for the photovoltaic market, the company announced.. Among the same, the Power platform, including single-phase and three-phase inverters with a storage system for the residential segment, deserves to be mentioned, as well as the new high-power three-phase inverter PVS-75/125 and the line of inverters PVS-10/33 which are designed for C&I projects.

Power platform: PowerUNO, PowerTRIO and PowerX

The Fimer residential solutions portfolio offers a wide range of innovative string inverters and versatile solutions for energy storage that guarantee the maximization of self-consumption. In particular, the new Power platform includes a single-phase inverter, PowerUNO, a three-phase inverter, PowerTRIO and a modular storage system, PowerX.

PowerUNO and PowerTRIO represent the new generation of hybrid, single-phase and three-phase inverters. They are available in a wide range of power sizes, from 2 to 6 kW for single-phase and from 4 to 10 kW for three-phase, allowing the needs of projects of any size to be met, whether they are new installations or revamping.

The two 16 A MPPTs guarantee maximum compatibility with most photovoltaic modules and optimize the use of energy from the solar panels. Installation is considerably simplified thanks to the Plug&Play connections accessible from the outside and the presence of a single output intended for both standard operating conditions and backup situations. Finally, integrated connectivity allows real-time monitoring, offering complete control over the system’s performance.

Acquisition of Italian inverter manufacturer Fimer completed

PowerX is a response to the growing demand for storage systems. Designed with minimal dimensions, it allows for quick and easy installation. This modular battery system offers the possibility to expand the storage capacity at any time. Each PowerX system allows the installation of three 5 kWh battery modules, for a total of 15 kWh. Furthermore, it is possible to connect two systems together, thus reaching a maximum of 30 kWh, a notable flexibility that satisfies every energy storage need.

KEY Rimini 2025: Focus on renewable opportunity for the Mediterranean region

PowerUNO and PowerX are already available on the market and can be ordered. PowerTRIO is under certification and will be released soon.

Main features of PowerUNO and PowerTRIO

– Hybrid inverters, installation on the DC or AC side

– Compact design

– Small and light, but robust and powerful

– Wide range of power sizes (from 2,0 kW to 10 kW)

– Backup capacity respectively of up to 6 kW and 10 kW

– External Plug&Play connections (no need to open the front cover)

– Built-in communication devices: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB

– Conversion efficiency +98%

– Super quiet, with noise level below 40 dBA

– Free remote monitoring through the “Energy Viewer” App

– Built-in arc fault detection system (AFCI)

Main features of PowerX

– Preassembled Plug&Play cable for the connection to the inverter

– Up to 3 battery modules per system for a capacity of 15 kWh

– Up to two systems can be connected for a total of 30 kWh

– Maximum load/unload power 5 kW

– Lightweight. Allows an easy handling, transportation and maintenance

– Possibility to add an energy storage system anytime

– LFP (Lithium-iron-phosphate)

PVS-75/125: the new battery ready three-phase inverter

With three power sizes (75 kW, 100 kW and 125 kW) and up to 12 MPPTs, which can be paralleled according to project needs, this battery ready inverter is designed to offer an innovative and flexible solar solution for commercial & industrial applications.

Particularly compact and light and designed to allow rapid installation and easy maintenance, this new solution by Fimer represents an important step in the path that the company is taking to conquer the market through innovation, research and the quality of Made in Italy products.

Main features of the new PVS-75/125:

– Battery ready

– Fuse-free design

– Optimized weight and volume

– Quick to install, easy to maintain

– 24/7 remote monitoring

§ Real-time I-V curve available

PVS-10/33 range: three-phase string inverters

When visiting the Fimer booth, do not miss the three-phase string inverter solutions PVS-10/15 and PVS-20/33, designed to meet the needs of C&I projects. These inverters, available in different power sizes, respectively from 10 kW to 15 kW and from 20 kW to 33 kW, stand out for their ability to optimize construction and operating costs.

Thanks to their versatility, these solutions are suitable for any type of application, both for new and existing systems, with low installation and maintenance costs. Quick installation and commissioning, as well as simplified maintenance with a fuseless design, are just some of the distinguishing features of these products.

Stay informed, subscribe to our free newsletters

The advanced integrated communication features ensure flawless interoperability with new digital technologies, while the integrated Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity allows the creation of networks flexible based on TCP/IP at low costs. Furthermore, the ease of replacement of any network device allows for easy and convenient management of the infrastructure.

SolarPower Europe calls for action plan to save the European PV inverter industry

In the context of retrofitting, this range of inverters stands out for its remarkable flexibility in adapting to existing photovoltaic field configurations, offering tailor-made solutions for each project.

Main features of PVS-10/33:

– Compact inverters suitable for vertical and horizontal installation

– Fuse free design

– Maximum string voltage 1100 Vdc

– Compatible with bifacial photovoltaic modules

– Integrated Export Limitation function

– Single string current monitoring

– Arc fault detection system (optional)

– 10% additional power available with temperatures up to 30°C (PVS-20/33)

– PID recovery function (optional)

Fimer exhibits at Pavilion D3 / Booth 421 at KEY. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

RWE starts operation of its first solar plant

February 25, 2025 ryansheehanrts

RWE has commissioned its first solar plant in Italy. The 8.3 megawatt (MW) Bosco ground-mounted solar plant consists of around 15,000 bifacial modules. The photovoltaic plant is located on a 16-hectare site in the municipality of Partinico near Palermo, Sicily.

KEY Rimini 2025: Focus on renewable opportunity for the Mediterranean region

Thanks to the implementation of a new accelerated permitting process in Italy, RWE was able to achieve Ready to Build in less than 18 months. Construction took around ten months. In order to optimise the use of land and resources, as well as to tackle grid scarcity, the Bosco solar plant uses the existing nearby RWE substation in Partinico, from which the local RWE wind farms already feed green electricity into the grid.

Protecting biodiversity

To operate the plant in harmony with the local ecosystem a wildlife-friendly fence was installed to allow safe passage for small animals. There is enough space between the ground and the bottom wire to allow animals such as foxes and rabbits to pass underneath. This voluntary measure reflects RWE’s commitment to a positive impact on biodiversity when delivering renewable energy projects.

Italy: KEY in Rimini as showcase for energy transition

“With the commissioning of Bosco, our first solar plant in Italy is up and running, with more projects to come. Solar is a perfect match for our growing wind fleet in Italy, as solar and wind complement each other perfectly as their production patterns naturally balance each other. Bosco is a flagship project in the field of efficiency, both in terms of the permitting process and grid access. We look forward to the next milestones in our journey to support a clean, stable and cost-effective energy future for Italy», Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australias said.

Integrated approach for renewables in Italy

RWE takes an integrated project approach that incorporates the development, construction and operation as well as marketing of wind farms and solar plants in Italy. As of today, the company operates 16 onshore wind farms with a combined installed capacity of 527 MW in the country. With its onshore fleet, RWE supplies around 450,000 Italian households with green electricity every year. The company is currently constructing the 53 MW Mondonuovo wind farm in the Apulia region. In addition to wind and the Bosco project, RWE is constructing its first commercial scale Agri-PV plants Morcone (9.8 MW) and Acquafredda (9.3 MW) in Campania region. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

RWE builds two huge agri-PV plants in Italy

February 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The energy company RWE was successful in the tender for subsidies for agri-PV plants in Italy, with two projects. The plants are subsidised by means of a contract for difference. After commissioning, the electricity is sold on the electricity stock exchange at the current price. RWE is compensated by the state for the difference between the price specified in the tender, which RWE needs to operate the plant economically, and the selling price on the market. If the price sold on the stock exchange exceeds the price auctioned, RWE must pay the excess revenue. In addition, RWE receives an investment subsidy of a maximum of 40 per cent.

PV from field and barn: Our special for the dual harvest on farms

Start-up scheduled for the end of 2025

The two plants are being built in the south-western province of Benevento in Campania. One of the two plants with a capacity of 9.8 megawatts is being built in Morcone, roughly 40 kilometres north-east of Naples. The Acquafredda solar park with an output of 9.3 megawatts is being built some 30 kilometres further north. The plants comprise a total of approximately 32,500 modules. RWE has now started construction of the two plants. Both agri-PV systems should be connected to the grid by the end of 2025.

Don’t miss any important information about the solar energy transition in agriculture! Simply subscribe to our free newsletter.

Modules are elevated on high trackers

The two systems are built as tracker installations. The solar modules are turned around an axis at a height of three metres. This not only fulfils the requirements regarding the usability of the area for agriculture. It will also increase the energy yield, as the tracked modules are better aligned with the position of the sun than a fix-mounted system. Crops will be harvested below the panels in a fully integrated energy-agri system, increasing agricultural production while optimising land use. I Additionally, the solar modules protect these crops from hail, frost, drought and heavy rain.

Agri-PV: How to succeed on the path to regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Improving technology

Once the plant has been commissioned, RWE will analyse how the shading affects the development of the plants and the actual yields generated by the solar modules. RWE intends to use the data from this monitoring to further develop its agri-PV technologies. „The start of construction marks the realisation of our world-first agri-PV projects on a commercial scale, with more to come“, Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, holds out the prospect. „Sunny Italy is also a perfect market for this technology. Advanced agri-PV helps us to use the scarce resource of land responsibly and efficiently, generating two different yields – agriculture and renewable energy – from the same land. Win-win at its best“, she states. (su)

Source link

1 2 3