The Enphase System in the IBC SOLAR Test_Part I

“This is really easy!” – was the conclusion of an IBC SOLAR colleague when setting up our small Enphase laboratory test system. Yes, the Enphase storage systems can do a lot. However, the simplicity of the system was one of the main reasons for IBC SOLAR to add it to the portfolio at the end of April. But what actually makes the system so special and how is the setup, commissioning and operation of an Enphase PV system with the new Encharge storage system? That’s exactly what we want to look at in this two-part blog series. To start with: For the test setup, we converted one of our colleague’s string systems to an Enphase system including the new Encharge storage. But first, let’s get to the basics and the individual components: (more…)

From team event to Teams event

Like for many other young people, our training started in September 2020. After about half a year of the pandemic and unusual circumstances, it finally meant we could start our professional lives. Since the corona situation had eased a bit during summer, it was easier to get together with the other trainees. From a joint lunch break on the first day to our first get-together a few weeks later – it was perfect to be able to discuss things and chat. However, the Corona situation was not making it easy for us and the long-awaited team event had to be cancelled in the end. Nonetheless we came up with a creative alternative. (more…)

Nighttime Science

Science does not only take place during the day in the laboratory, but from time to time also at night. In the PV sector in particular, there are also often so-called outdoor measurements on site. For example, in addition to their work in the laboratory, the scientists at HI-ERN (Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg) also carry out these kind of measurements in the form of experiments and test series using existing PV systems in operation. As a result of current research activities in a joint German project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, two prototypes for outdoor photoluminescence measurements were recently evaluated on a wide variety of module concepts at our test facility in Bad Staffelstein. (more…)

The exceptional year of 2020 – the IBC SOLAR annual review

A lot has happened in 2020. The fact is, as for many others, it was an exciting year for the solar industry. Now that Christmas is fast approaching, it is once again time for us to review everything and look back. Here you can read our highlights from 2020. (more…)

The making of: Kabai Solar Park

The number of large scale solar parks is growing worldwide and we at IBC SOLAR are also contributing to this. From countries within Europe to Asia with projects in Japan and India. More and more countries want to increase their share of a green power supply with the help of photovoltaics. And each of these projects is unique in terms of the task at hand, always exciting in its implementation and peppered with some challenges. The most recent example is Hungary’s largest solar park in Kabai with around 43 MW. It emerged from the collaboration between IBC SOLAR Energy (the international project division of IBC SOLAR AG) and MET Asset Management AG during the course of 2020. A year full of surprises and challenges for the entire Energy team. (more…)