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The new podcast unpacks why agri-PV projects are rarely straightforward

Solar Investors Guide #8 – Agri-PV for farmers and investors

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Podcast (German): Valuable agricultural land can serve two purposes: as pasture or arable land and for generating clean solar power. Stephan Schindele has played a central role in industrialising agrivoltaics, both at Fraunhofer ISE and at BayWa r.e. He explains the advantages these systems offer farmers and where the pitfalls lie.

Two decades of ups and downs in solar startup funding, from the 2023 peak to the 2025 low and this year’s rebound

Solar startup funding in Europe recovers to €82m after 2025 low

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Venture capitalists are back and putting larger sums into fewer early-stage companies, while acquisitions and new EU cybersecurity rules are changing how startups grow.

Thaddäus Nagy (right) is CEO of EMC-direct

EMC-direct: don't underestimate the C-parts!

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CEO Talk: The project business revolves around modules, inverters and mounting systems. Small components such as cable ties, connectors or protective conduits for wiring are often neglected. Sooner or later, such oversights will come back to haunt you. We find out why.

Clean dreams – a rendering of the Gryfino battery site as planned for 2028

Poland – Fluence digs in on third major battery en route to 8 GW

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An 800 MWh reserve that can respond in a fraction of a second is now under construction for PGE at Gryfino, in the north-west corner of Poland, with operation due in 2028.

Franz-Josef Feilmeier (right) is an expert in energy storage

Fenecon: large storage systems – made in Europe

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CEO Talk: Growing demand for large-scale storage systems is working in favour of European suppliers. Safety and security are becoming increasingly important. What role does service play, from commissioning through the entire lifespan of the storage system? Fenecon's CEO shares his view.

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What is photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics (PV) refers to the generation of electrical energy from sunlight. At the heart of this process are the solar-active semiconductors known as solar cells, which capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.

From a technical standpoint, a PV system or solar installation functions as a generator. Here, individual solar cells are combined into a solar module, which is protected from the elements. These modules are then assembled into a larger solar generator, which can be mounted on rooftops, façades, open ground or specially designed structures. The electricity generated is direct current (DC), which is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter. This AC power can be used directly on site or fed into the public grid via the building’s connection. The electricity is typically supplied to the local utility or grid operator.

Larger PV systems installed on open land are often called solar parks. These feed power into the grid via dedicated transformers and switchgear. In many countries special Acts and regulations govern remuneration for solar power, whether via feed-in tariffs or market premiums for direct sales to third parties.

Self-consumption can be increased by using solar power for heating water, room heating, air conditioning or refrigeration. Battery storage systems help by storing surplus solar electricity for later use. These so-called solar batteries improve system reliability, especially when solar output dips.

Not all incoming sunlight is converted into electricity. The conversion rate depends on the intensity and wavelength of the incoming light spectrum. This ratio between usable electrical output and the maximum available solar radiation is known as efficiency.

The performance of a solar generator or storage system is defined by its output. When multiplied by the number of sunshine hours, this gives the solar yield – the amount of electricity generated per day, month or year. In addition to charging and discharging power, solar batteries are also rated by their capacity, or the amount of energy they can store. Power is measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW), while energy and yield are expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh). (HS)