Business Innovator - Xpert.Digital - Konrad Wolfenstein

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⭐️ Renewable energies

: Renewable energies: Solar & photovoltaics – consulting and planning – Image: Xpert.Digital

As an industry expert in the fields of mechanical engineering, logistics and photovoltaics, I write here in my Xpert Blog about topics including the solar obligation, solar carports, photovoltaic substructures/mounting systems and solar modules.

The best way to reach me is via email at [email protected] or by phone at +49 89 89 674 804.

Depending on the technology used, electricity from renewable energy sources can be produced significantly more cheaply than electricity generated in conventional power plants. This is shown in a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. According to the study, electricity from gas turbines and coal-fired power plants is the most expensive to produce.

Photovoltaic systems convert solar radiation into electrical energy using solar cells. In a global comparison, Germany, along with China, the USA, and Japan, was recently among the leading countries in the use of photovoltaics for electricity generation.

In Germany, the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems has increased continuously. In 2020, photovoltaic systems with a capacity of approximately 54 gigawatts were installed in Germany. The electricity generated by these systems amounted to roughly 51 terawatt-hours in the same year. The largest solar power generation capacities are located in southern Germany. Bavaria currently has by far the largest capacity of any German state, followed by Baden-Württemberg.

▶️ Energy storage revolution needed | Electricity gap instead of gas gap: Summer surplus and winter shortage – The bitter truth about our electricity grid
| Germany's electricity grid faces a critical gap between summer surpluses and winter shortages. | While we are giving away massive amounts of renewable energy, bureaucratic hurdles are blocking the necessary expansion of storage capacity. | Battery storage is booming, but unclear political frameworks are severely hindering the energy transition. | The steadily rising negative electricity prices on the exchange demonstrate the urgency of a genuine storage revolution. | | Investors urgently need long-term planning security instead of constant regulatory uncertainties regarding grid fees. | Without sufficient storage capacity, our electricity system remains vulnerable to dangerous supply risks and extreme price fluctuations. | Large-scale batteries are currently the fastest tool for efficiently cushioning short-term generation peaks. | | A successful transformation requires the expansion of storage capacity with the same priority as wind and solar power plants. | Learn why storage capacity is the indispensable key to the stability of our future electricity grid. | Read now at xpert.digital how Germany can finally master the system-critical storage revolution successfully. [...]

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▶️ The second phase of the energy transition has begun: Why battery storage is now becoming more important than solar power systems
The second phase of the energy transition shifts the focus from pure electricity generation to intelligent storage. | | Battery storage systems are developing into the most important infrastructure component for a stable German electricity grid. | | Despite the rapid boom in large-scale storage, grid connection remains the biggest administrative bottleneck for new projects. | The installed storage capacity is currently growing faster than any other technology in the German energy system. | A legally mandated exemption from grid fees until 2029 currently creates enormous economic incentives for savvy investors. | Municipalities and companies benefit from increased security of supply and new revenues through the targeted use of large-scale storage systems. | Strategic co-location at existing facilities also enables the efficient use of existing grid infrastructure. | Critics are often mistaken about the cost distribution, as redispatch costs arise primarily from conventional power plants and not from renewable energy. | The market is shifting away from private home storage systems towards professional, grid-supporting large-scale storage facilities. | Now is the ideal window of opportunity to benefit from regulatory advantages before the framework changes after 2029. [...]

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▶️ China's fusion offensive: Race for solar energy – This giant Chinese magnet is supposed to solve our energy problem
China is betting everything on a breakthrough in nuclear fusion with massive state investments. | | A giant superconducting magnet is intended to solve the energy problems of the future. | While Western projects like ITER fail due to bureaucracy, Beijing is building at record speed. | | Nuclear fusion is considered the "holy grail," but remains extremely technically challenging. | | China is dominating the race through a tight integration of industrial policy and capital. | Billions are flowing into specialized technologies to deliver the first kilowatt-hours of electricity by 2030. | However, critics urge caution regarding the so-called "fusion constant" when making time predictions. | Despite skepticism, the race is creating enormous opportunities for high-tech suppliers. | The geopolitical balance of power could fundamentally shift as a result of this energy technology. | Find out at xpert.digital why this race is crucial for investors and the economy. [...]

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▶️ Electricity price illusion: Why cheap gas won't lower your bill
The planned relief in electricity prices through cheap gas proves, upon closer inspection, to be a deceptive illusion for consumers. The new gas-fired power plants from 2026 onward are primarily being built as expensive reserves to cover 85 percent downtime. | | Instead of lower fuel costs, high fixed costs for mere availability will massively burden electricity bills in the future. | The new capacity market model finances power plants like a fire brigade, regardless of their actual operating time. | Economic logic shows that the actual gas price is hardly significant with an operating time of only 15 percent. | Instead of relying on long-term fossil fuel projects, experts are calling for a flexible mix of renewables and storage. | | The power plants will be financed through a government loan, which will be directly passed on to electricity prices from 2032 onward. | International examples have long demonstrated that storage technologies represent a more cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel reserve capacities. | Political promises often ignore the economic reality of the impending, multi-billion-euro investment costs. A transparent cost-benefit analysis is urgently needed to make the energy transition affordable and future-proof. | [...]

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▶️ Solar parks in Germany: Between expansion pressure and administrative collapse – public anger and mountains of paperwork
| Learn why Germany's ambitious solar park targets are failing due to the bureaucratic realities of building authorities. | | The massive staff shortage in government agencies is leading to years of permitting delays and blocking the energy transition. | Despite record expansion, a growing gap exists between political ambitions and actual implementation on the ground. | Administrative bottlenecks are forcing projects into limbo, jeopardizing investment security for solar investors. | In some municipalities, solar parks are even operated for years without valid permits, calling official oversight into question. | | Growing citizen protests and local conflicts of interest are increasingly complicating site selection for new ground-mounted solar installations. | | While agrivoltaics offers a promising solution to land-use conflicts, it also requires faster procedures. | Regional differences in administrative practices lead to an unequal distribution of economic benefits and burdens. | Only a digital upgrade and more staff in government agencies can untangle the photovoltaic deadlock. Discover on xpert.digital which strategies are truly crucial for the sustainable expansion of solar energy. [...]

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▶️ Too fast for its own grid: Why China's green miracle is suddenly stalling – power grid at its limit
China's rapid expansion of renewable energies is reaching its limits due to insufficient grid capacity. | The geographical separation of desert solar parks and industrial centers is leading to massive power losses. | | Increasing amounts of green electricity have to be curtailed because they cannot reach consumers. | With a €500 billion investment program, Beijing is now trying to avert the looming grid collapse. | But grid expansion can hardly keep pace with the extreme rate of expansion. | | These structural bottlenecks serve as a critical lesson for global climate policy. | Similar problems with grid integration have long been evident, albeit on a smaller scale, in Europe as well. | | A successful energy transition absolutely requires the interplay of generation, transmission, and storage. | China must now prove whether it can win the race against its own success story. | Only through system optimization will the massive expansion of green energy remain ecologically and economically viable. | [...]

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▶️ Solar parking lots & solar carports: From thermal baths to stadiums – Why more and more operators are covering their parking lots with solar panels
Discover why German parking lots are becoming key power plants for the energy transition through the construction of solar carports. | Learn how thermal baths, stadiums, and government agencies are successfully transforming their sealed surfaces into sustainable energy sources. | The combination of legal solar mandates and the desire for energy independence is fueling this innovative boom. | We analyze six current practical examples from Landau to Bad Wörishofen to identify their economic potential. | Solar carports utilize valuable space efficiently and reduce dependence on the power grid through local charging infrastructure. | Learn about the role of federal legislation and bureaucratic hurdles in the planning process. | Gain insights into why stadium parking lots offer ideal conditions for efficient electricity generation on non-match days. | Read how businesses can drastically reduce their energy costs through battery storage and on-site power generation. | This ecological analysis reveals why the roof over your car represents an underestimated energy reserve. | Understand how the daily visibility of these installations sustainably strengthens public acceptance of green energy. | [...]

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▶️ Heating subsidies cut: When the government saves – How a medium-sized company ingeniously saves heat pump subsidies
A medium-sized craft business from Hanover is offsetting the reduction in heat pump subsidies out of its own pocket and taking immediate responsibility for its customers. | The German government is lowering the eligible assessment basis from €30,000 to €28,000 and introducing new social tiers that hit higher-income homeowners harder. | | The reform aims to redistribute wealth in favor of low-income households, but at the same time leads to increasing uncertainty and postponed investment decisions. | Nordwærme is granting precisely the percentage discount that compensates for the government cut and is communicating this as a contribution to reliability in the skilled trades. | The campaign is a clever marketing move with manageable costs that fosters customer loyalty, media attention, and trust. | | Technically, the company is relying on a milling process for the quick and cost-effective retrofitting of underfloor heating systems, which makes heat pumps more efficient. Industry data reveals significant uncertainty: order backlogs are shrinking, and growth scenarios range from strong increases to substantial declines. | Individual compensation remains temporary and cannot comprehensively resolve structural funding problems. | Such company-specific solutions partially mask political shortcomings and reduce the pressure for a sustainable reform of the funding architecture. | In the long term, the energy transition in the heating sector remains on a reliable [...]

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▶️ Utility-scale photovoltaics and tensegrity architecture: Up to 70% lower costs and safe support structures for solar modules
Tensegrity-based utility-scale photovoltaics promises up to 70% lower substructure costs through material-efficient tension networks. | Controlled compliance increases storm resistance and reduces the risk of torsion-related damage. | Modularity and low weight facilitate automated assembly and lower labor and logistics costs. | Adaptability to uneven terrain opens up new, previously uneconomical areas for solar projects. | Life cycle costs, insurance premiums, and failure risks are becoming central to economic assessments. | Independent wind tunnel tests and dynamic load analyses are crucial for investor confidence. | Long-term questions regarding cable fatigue, corrosion, and maintenance intervals require pilot projects and field data. | Tensagrid and similar concepts complement, rather than replace, classic torque tube systems in specific applications. | Material efficiency and resilience make such designs future-proof in the age of extreme weather events. | For developers and investors: understand structural design as a strategic risk position and favor empirically validated solutions. [...]

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▶️ 25,000 solar modules for a solar parking lot above the cars in Essen: The mega-project on the P10 trade fair parking lot
Essen is transforming the P10 trade fair parking lot into a large solar carport with 25,000 solar modules. The project will generate up to 11 MWp and around 11 GWh of electricity annually. Investments of €15–20 million will create new revenue streams for the city. Approximately 5,000 tons of CO2 will be saved annually, and climate-friendly energy will be supplied. ROOF+ from Bochum is carrying out the construction work and strengthening regional value creation. The electricity will be marketed directly to municipal customers through Power Purchase Agreements. The dual use of the land conserves natural areas and increases land efficiency. However, construction time, permits, and technical challenges remain risks. Citizen participation and municipal partnerships increase acceptance and planning certainty. P10 can serve as a blueprint for comparable urban solar projects in Germany. [...]

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▶️ Transparent GridParity solar modules: Generate electricity and let light through – The ingenious solar solution for patios and carports
Discover semi-transparent GridParity modules for carports, patios, and conservatories that generate electricity and let in daylight. | | The glass-glass construction with bifacial cells offers extra robustness and suitability for overhead applications in demanding projects. | | Benefit from dual surface use: weather protection and energy generation in a single component. | Despite the higher price, the amortization period is reduced thanks to increased yield, longer lifespan, and integrated functionality. | | Up to 30-year performance guarantees and certified wind and snow load resistance provide planning security. | pvDach focuses on quality instead of a throwaway economy and offers a sustainable alternative to cheap mass-produced goods. | Bifacial technology can boost yield by 10–30%, depending on the substrate. | Different levels of transparency allow for the optimal balance between light comfort and performance. | Ideal for architects, builders, and farmers who want to combine design, function, and energy efficiency. | | Choose according to your application: For maximum surface area output alone, an opaque standard module is often more economical. [...]

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▶️ Swarm storage | Electric car as energy storage: The battle for the electricity market – When stationary metal boxes become gold mines
Electric cars sit unused for an average of 23 hours a day – a gigantic storage medium is waiting in every garage. | With bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-grid), vehicle batteries become decentralized energy storage systems that can buffer surplus solar and wind power. | This principle makes it possible to charge during the day and supply the grid or households again in the evening, thus increasing grid stability. | Studies see potential savings of up to €22 billion per year in Europe and significant reductions in the need for grid expansion. | | The EU is creating the technical prerequisites with ISO 15118 and new regulations, but standards alone do not guarantee market penetration. | Manufacturers such as BMW, Volkswagen, and Hyundai are launching initial commercial V2G offerings, but often rely on closed ecosystems. | This fragmentation and lack of interoperability could slow down widespread adoption and restrict competition and customer benefits. | For private households, this results in concrete savings (around €700 per year) and additional feed-in tariffs. A European data space and uniform standards are crucial for electric cars to function as flexible swarm storage systems. | The future race between regulation and manufacturer interests will determine whether electric cars become a key resource for the energy transition or remain a fragmented promise. [...]

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▶️ “Electrification Action Plan”: EU overrides German heating law – Why oil and gas could soon become unaffordable
The EU's "Electrification Action Plan" envisions the comprehensive electrification of transport and buildings by 2040. | This could undermine Germany's heating law, as electricity is intended to economically displace fossil fuels. | Brussels is relying on price controls rather than bans to make gas and oil less attractive through electrification. | | Heat pumps and e-mobility are at the heart of the strategy; e-fuels and green gases remain niche options. | | Social leasing and funds are intended to ensure a socially just transition. | Expansion targets for renewable electricity, nuclear energy, and storage are prerequisites for the planned surge in demand. | | For Germany, this creates a conflict of objectives between national technological openness and European commitments. | Industry sees opportunities through planning certainty, but also risks due to fluctuating subsidy landscapes. | If electricity becomes cheaper than gas, market forces could render the German Building Energy Act (GEG) de facto obsolete. | Ultimately, the plan aims for a coherent, security-oriented, and more energy-independent European strategy. [...]

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▶️ EVN and the myth of the "luxury problem"? The real core problem: Too much electricity or too little grid?
EVN is investing €5.5 billion by 2030 in grids, storage, and digitalization to solve the perceived "luxury problem." | Europe doesn't have a generation problem, but an infrastructure problem – a lack of grids and storage is slowing down the energy transition. | | With massive grid expansion in Lower Austria, EVN is creating more transmission capacity for wind and solar power. | Large battery storage facilities at former power plant sites transform surplus energy into market opportunities and grid stability. | The combination of generation, grid, and storage is the scalable model for regional energy sovereignty. | EVN leverages its strategic agility as a medium-sized utility without fossil fuel liabilities. | Financial discipline and high taxonomy compliance ensure favorable capital conditions and sustainable growth. | | Investments in district heating and geothermal energy are driving the underestimated heat transition. | Experience in Bulgaria and North Macedonia strengthens the international scalability of the model. EVN demonstrates that an integrated investment program resolves system tensions and makes the energy transition feasible. [...]

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▶️ How the global crisis unleashed the German solar boom: Electricity price miracle thanks to solar
| The German solar boom of 2026 unleashes new record installations and drives the energy transition forward. | Battery storage is growing rapidly and transforming from a supplementary technology into a strategic asset. | Commercial photovoltaics is becoming increasingly profitable due to high self-consumption and rising fossil fuel prices. | Renewable energy decouples electricity prices from gas and stabilizes the spot market. | The 2027 amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) hits private households harder but strengthens companies with professional energy management. | Geopolitical crises such as the Iran nuclear deal act as a catalyst for energy self-sufficiency and investment. | Tax depreciation rules and subsidies increase the short-term profitability of PV projects. | Security of supply is becoming a competitive factor for industry and SMEs. | | Despite the boom, gaps in expansion targets, grid bottlenecks, and a shortage of skilled workers remain key challenges. | Companies that invest in solar and storage now secure long-term cost stability and resilience. [...]

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▶️ Energy policy put to the test: Four problem areas, one system failure – Between centrally planned control and regulatory overload
Germany's Energy Policy 2026 Put to the Test: Failures in Four Key Areas Threaten the Energy Transition. | | Excessive government control and regulatory overreach create planning uncertainty for investors and households. | | The new Electricity Supply Act (StromVKG) creates security of supply, but de facto favors gas-fired power plants and poses risks under European law. | | The Building Modernization Act contains open regulatory questions and could miss climate targets. | Subsidies for heat pumps are redistributed socially, but signal a stop-and-go approach and hinder economies of scale. | Energy sharing remains largely ineffective due to a lack of smart meter infrastructure and regulatory practice. | Institutional instability increases risk premiums and inhibits private investment in decarbonization. | | Proposed solutions: technology-neutral instruments, reliable CO2 signals, and massive grid investments. | Without clear rules, a digitalization platform, and a smart meter rollout, Germany risks losing its attractiveness as a business location. Xpert.digital analyzes the political mistakes and shows pragmatic paths to restoring trust and investment security. [...]

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▶️ The electricity grid and heat pumps as scapegoats: Why Germany has failed for years in grid expansion
The electricity grid is not the main culprit; rather, it's decades of underinvestment and slow approval processes. | | Heat pumps are often made the political scapegoat, even though they have long been the dominant technology in new construction. | | Grid bottlenecks are the result of delayed infrastructure development and not primarily private consumers. | | Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) is a temporary buffer, not a permanent solution, and creates incentives through grid fee reductions. | The costs of fossil fuel heating will rise sharply in the long term due to CO2 pricing and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS 2), making heat pumps more economically attractive. | Redispatch and balancing costs demonstrate the shift of the problem to the transmission grids and could be avoided with timely expansion. | Virtual power plants and sector coupling offer technical solutions to dampen peak loads and reduce grid capacity requirements. | The costs associated with climate change make hesitation in switching to electrically powered heating a risky financial decision. | | Projects like JenErgieReal demonstrate how digital control and local storage can increase grid stability. Accelerated planning, clear funding conditions, and political reliability are crucial to ensure that grid expansion and heat pump installations go hand in hand. [...]

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▶️ China's silent access to our power grid: Why the EU is now pulling the plug
China's remote access to inverters threatens grid resilience in Europe and necessitates political action. | Over 200 GW of PV capacity is already connected to Chinese inverters, posing significant security risks. | The EU is halting subsidies for high-risk devices and advancing technological sovereignty. | Battery storage could save billions and significantly reduce negative electricity prices. | European manufacturers have the capacity; the market downturn is primarily due to Chinese pricing strategies. | Replacing Chinese inverters would only moderately increase project costs (approx. 2–4%). | Research into long-term storage technologies such as iron powder opens up new seasonal storage options. | Existing power plant infrastructure could be converted for iron storage, securing regional value creation. | Clear legislation, faster grid connections, and targeted support policies are crucial. | Xpert.Digital analyzes the interfaces of geopolitics, technology, and economics for a secure, independent energy transition. [...]

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▶️ News on the GridParty insolvency: PV terraces & solar carports: How a savior from Bavaria is reviving the lucrative niche market
The GridParity insolvency reveals management errors and risky expansion rather than solely political blame. | Internal conflicts, resistance to advice, and a flawed strategy drove the once-pioneering solar company to ruin. | The technological legacy—frameless double-glass modules for overhead mounting—remains valuable and certified. | pvDach eK from Rottenburg has acquired the naming rights and is focusing on streamlined structures. | With a focus on B2B customers, contract manufacturing, and efficient project execution, pvDach is strategically differentiating itself. | PV terraces and solar carports offer stable demand through self-consumption, architectural benefits, and compliance with commercial regulations. | The niche market benefits from normalizing module prices and reduced dependence on feed-in tariffs. | Investors are learning: Technology isn't enough—leadership, openness to advice, and operational reliability are what count. | pvDach is taking advantage of the market consolidation, building a portfolio of references, and targeting institutional clients. Perspective: With focused niche expertise and a B2B strategy, pvDach is positioned for a profitable solar future. [...]

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▶️ STABL Energy: Second life for electric car batteries – Critical assessment, strengths, limitations and unresolved questions
STABL Energy transforms end-of-life electric vehicle batteries into safe, modular large-scale storage systems, thus extending their lifecycles. | | A novel modular multilevel inverter technology enables the dynamic balancing of heterogeneous battery modules. | The Energy-as-a-Service subscription lowers entry barriers for commercial customers and delivers immediate electricity cost savings. | Second-life storage systems reduce CO₂ emissions and conserve scarce raw materials such as lithium and cobalt. | Strategic partnerships and awards demonstrate the Munich-based startup's market and technological maturity. | Despite strong growth prospects, scaling remains capital-intensive and dependent on battery availability. | Patents and collaborations with semiconductor manufacturers strengthen the competitive position, but major players are potential challengers. | | Regulatory requirements such as the EU Battery Directive create opportunities but also introduce additional compliance hurdles. Large-scale technical validation and standardized norms remain open questions for long-term market penetration. | If scaling is successful, STABL has the potential to play a central role in the circular economy and energy transition. [...]

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⭐️ Renewable energies

▶️ Energy storage revolution needed | Electricity gap instead of gas gap: Summer surplus and winter shortage – The bitter truth about our electricity grid

▶️ The second phase of the energy transition has begun: Why battery storage is now becoming more important than solar power systems

▶️ China's fusion offensive: Race for solar energy – This giant Chinese magnet is supposed to solve our energy problem

▶️ Electricity price illusion: Why cheap gas won't lower your bill

▶️ Solar parks in Germany: Between expansion pressure and administrative collapse – public anger and mountains of paperwork

▶️ Too fast for its own grid: Why China's green miracle is suddenly stalling – power grid at its limit

▶️ Solar parking lots & solar carports: From thermal baths to stadiums – Why more and more operators are covering their parking lots with solar panels

▶️ Heating subsidies cut: When the government saves – How a medium-sized company ingeniously saves heat pump subsidies

▶️ Utility-scale photovoltaics and tensegrity architecture: Up to 70% lower costs and safe support structures for solar modules

▶️ 25,000 solar modules for a solar parking lot above the cars in Essen: The mega-project on the P10 trade fair parking lot

▶️ Transparent GridParity solar modules: Generate electricity and let light through – The ingenious solar solution for patios and carports

▶️ Swarm storage | Electric car as energy storage: The battle for the electricity market – When stationary metal boxes become gold mines

▶️ “Electrification Action Plan”: EU overrides German heating law – Why oil and gas could soon become unaffordable

▶️ EVN and the myth of the "luxury problem"? The real core problem: Too much electricity or too little grid?

▶️ How the global crisis unleashed the German solar boom: Electricity price miracle thanks to solar

▶️ The electricity grid and heat pumps as scapegoats: Why Germany has failed for years in grid expansion

▶️ China's silent access to our power grid: Why the EU is now pulling the plug

▶️ News on the GridParty insolvency: PV terraces & solar carports: How a savior from Bavaria is reviving the lucrative niche market

▶️ STABL Energy: Second life for electric car batteries – Critical assessment, strengths, limitations and unresolved questions

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