Germany

Across from a multitude of solar panel cleaning robots, ees Europe showed off flow batteries, and hydrogen – though lithium ion vendors dominated the conference.

Also on the rise: LG new battery storage solution. New Belgium brewing beer with the sun. What you need to know about solar and affordable housing. Is solar worth it–compared to paying the utility? Part II of an American at Intersolar. And more.

The first two halls at Intersolar Europe 2022 were packed with many variants of solar panels and innovations: from eight-foot-tall monsters, to red, green and blue modules, to small, climbable modules from Meyer Burger.

Also on the rise: An American at Intersolar. Why a long-term maintenance plan is essential. Solar that works in the shade. Scout Clean Energy buys nearly 400 MW of First Solar modules. Pine Gate purchases 2.4 GWh of EnerVenue batteries. And more.

Solar panels abound, racking and battery choices expand, and robots make a move – Intersolar 2022 and ESS Europe. But first, how to get there.

The German company’s decision to cede market share to Chinese companies producing the material for solar panels, in order to focus on semiconductor-ready, electronic grade product, has seen it slip behind its rivals in terms of production scale.

SMA is offering a new line of four inverters with power ratings of 12kW, 15kW, 20kW and 25kW, for use in rooftop PV systems up to 135kW in size. It claims the inverters provide grid-compliant power control of entire systems and enable over-dimensioning of PV arrays by up to 150%.

Also on the rise: Lots of optimism about Build Back Better, ITC more at SEIA finance seminar. A pilot managed by Enel X will supply the Ontario grid with demand response loads from 14 sites. New solar trailer bus tags along in Munich. Solar Landscape completes final project under New Jersey’s community solar pilot program. Evolving requirements in the solar + storage industry–the first in a series. Comcast signs up for 250MW of Illinois solar.

Munich, Germany’s municipal bus fleet will now be equipped with solar-powered trailer units.

Rystad Energy and BloombergNEF indicate that the impact of the war has sent prices of fossil fuel-tied forms of hydrogen production surging, leaving the gradual but consistent downward price trend of green hydrogen now looking remarkably competitive.