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The “PV2Float” project by RWE, Fraunhofer ISE and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is testing three floating PV systems (30 kW each) over three years. The research focuses on technical improvements, environmental impact and public acceptance. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Researchers in Zurich have been measuring the yields of solar modules in the Alps for seven years. The first results are now available. They can be incorporated into the future planning of alpine solar plants.
Four universities of applied sciences are launching a new platform for Alpinsolar projects. This provides an overview of the current status of all planned, rejected and realised alpine solar plants in Switzerland. The aim is to improve transparency and acceptance. The reason: many of the projects meet with resistance.
At the end of September, the innovative solar car of the aCentauri Solar Racing Team arrived in Adelaide, Australia. At the end of October, the ETH Zurich students will use it to compete in the World Solar Challenge.
The Italian manufacturer of high-efficiency PV modules, FuturaSun, acquires Solertix, a start-up specialized in perovskite solar cells research and upscaling for industrial applications.
A study by the University of Hohenheim has shown that agriculture benefits from shading the soil with solar systems, especially in dry regions. This is because less water evaporates, which the plants need.
The manufacturer of commercial storage batteries Tesvolt and the University of Magdeburg want to cooperate on scientific projects in the future. They want to research new approaches to energy storage and further develop battery technologies.
Coils in a road that are used to charge electric vehicles while driving full speed: A consortium of researchers and developers from industry wants to bring this technology to series production readiness.
A student project of the THI shows favourable economic viability of a vertical agri-photovoltaic system using bifacial PV modules.
