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Electrolyser internals – the starting point for North Macedonia's hydrogen corridor ambitions

North Macedonia charts a course for European hydrogen integration

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New analysis from the government in Skopje sets out how North Macedonia could build a green hydrogen economy by 2050 and connect into a pan-European network with Serbia and Greece.

Buildings, transport and industry, all rooted in the same demand-side thinking

Using less energy emerges as a public-friendly climate strategy

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A new IIASA-led study finds that climate strategies which cut energy and resource demand tend to improve quality of life across a broader range of dimensions than supply-side alternatives, and that communicating these benefits can strengthen public support.

LONGi's storage range in formation, from compact to container-scale

PV Europe's picks of the week – more storage, more scale

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LONGi shows its new solar-plus-storage portfolio, SolarEdge adds 107 kWh for C&I, Clou and Midea bring 261 kWh of liquid-cooled storage and AlphaESS scales to 6.7 MWh.

Not abstract art but an aerial view of the Amynteo Cluster in Greece

Greece – former lignite mine reborn as gigawatt-scale solar hub

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RWE and PPC have finished building 930 MWp of solar capacity in Western Macedonia, part of a joint venture that also has 567 MWp under construction for 2027.

Leon Zhang (right) is President of LONGi Solar Europe

LONGi Solar: modules and storage from a single source

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CEO Talk: The utility business in Europe is growing and increasingly challenging. Solar fields now come with large batteries, and suppliers must meet standards for grid compliance, safety and security. How is the business changing and what strategy will ultimately succeed? Leon Zhang, President of LONGi Europe, 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 rooftopsfaçadesopen 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 waterroom 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)