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June 27, 2025
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Satellite dishes get new life, hosting solar panels for data center

A Swiss telecom service provider converted unused satellite dishes into solar dishes, powering its data center’s rising energy needs. Smart energy tech firm SolarEdge provided its DC-optimized inverter solution, overcoming the challenge of shading.

CKW, a Swiss provider of integrated energy and building technology solutions, has transformed disused satellite dishes located on the premises of telecom service provider Leuk TDC. The project was developed in collaboration with smart energy technology company SolarEdge, highlighting the potential of repurposing infrastructure for solar.

Instead of disposing of the parabolic antennas, they now host photovoltaic systems. Axpo’s subsidiary CKW fitted two satellite dishes in Leuk, Switzerland, with 307 solar panels each.

The new design for the complex, constructed in 1972, enables meeting the energy requirements of Leuk TDC’s power-hungry data centre. Each dish generates an estimated 110 MWh of clean energy per year. The telecommunications firm has also installed a rooftop solar system on the main building of the computing and data centre, for a further 555 MWh.

The data centre is powered by hydroelectric plants as well, so its electricity demand is covered with 100% renewable energy.

SolarEdge systems maximizing output of each pair of PV panels in satellite dishes

Given the complex orientation and inclination of the solar panels on the satellite dishes, shadows threatened to reduce the efficiency of the solar system. With traditional string solar inverters, they reduce the overall performance of the solar array to match the weakest-performing panel on the string, meaning one shaded panel could reduce energy yield considerably.

In a string structure, a photovoltaic unit in a satellite dish wouldn’t be cost-effective

SolarEdge’s DC-optimized inverter solution was used with Power Optimizers, attached to the underside of every pair of solar panels. It enables the solar system to mitigate the impact of module mismatch on the satellite dishes. Inverters turn the direct current (DC) from PV panels into alternating current (AC).

“Having design flexibility with a solar installation is a huge benefit for installers. In complex cases such as these, with uneven surfaces, without the use of power optimizers we simply would not have been able to achieve anywhere close to the level of energy being produced today. I recommend that others planning similar solar installations allocate sufficient time for planning and collaborate with trusted personnel to overcome any technical challenges,” said CKW’s Deputy Head of Solar Technology for Central Switzerland Manuel Jossi.

Making use of existing ability to track sun’s movement

The combination of PV and hydropower provides Leuk TDC with more financial stability by reducing its dependency on variable grid electricity costs. “The satellite dishes were becoming obsolete, so we always knew we wanted to make use of them in some way or another,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer John Harris explained.

One other advantage is that the parabolic antennas follow the sun’s path throughout the day, maximizing the solar power output.

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June 27, 2025
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Solar power exceeds Bulgaria’s entire electricity demand for first time

For the first time, photovoltaic production alone surpassed power consumption in Bulgaria – for two hours. Interestingly, even more electricity was exported at the same time.

On Friday, June 20, the active photovoltaic capacity in Bulgaria between 10:00 and 11:00 before noon was 2,935 MW, and in the following hour it grew to 3,230 MW, state news agency BTA reported. According to data from the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), it exceeded the country’s entire consumption for the first time ever, by 17 MW and 313 MW, respectively.

Even more electricity was exported at the same time, as total domestic production amounted to 6,567 MW and 6,736 MW.

Of note, not all solar power went to Bulgarian consumers, given that some traders and customers have long-term contracts with other suppliers, like the National Electricity Co. (NEK) and nuclear power plant Kozloduy, the article adds.

“This is a significant event and a great success for Bulgaria and the Bulgarian energy sector. Positioning us this way – as a leading country in the production of photovoltaic energy – not only supports the implementation and fulfillment of the commitments that Bulgaria has made for decarbonization, but it also has a positive effect on the country’s investment climate. Thanks to the solar energy that we transform into electricity, we are modernizing the entire Bulgarian energy sector,” Chairwoman of the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association Meglena Rusenova commented.

Photovoltaics are perhaps the fastest-growing private investment sector in Bulgaria, she said.

Photovoltaics are biggest factor lowering prices at the electricity exchange

Over the past two years, over EUR 2 billion have been invested in electricity production, according to Rusenova. On top of that there are capital investments in energy storage and infrastructure, she pointed out.

Solar energy contributes to reducing prices for end users, and in practice, photovoltaics are the most significant factor for lower prices on the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX), Rusenova underscored.

According to ESO, a total of 3.5 GW of photovoltaic capacity has been connected in the last three years, bringing the total to 4.7 GW.

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June 27, 2025
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Adolf Goetzberger Award 2026: Apply with innovative solar solutions and win EUR 25,000

The Adolf Goetzberger Award, which recognizes innovation in solar, energy storage, smart grids, and power system efficiency, has invited applications for 2026, following a successful debut in 2025. The award once again spotlights developments that combine technological excellence with practical value and societal impact, according to the organizers.

The EUR 25,000 Adolf Goetzberger Award, named after German physicist and solar energy pioneer Adolf Goetzberger, honors individual contributions to forward-looking concepts, prototypes, or processes in photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, energy storage, smart grid integration, and system efficiency. Systemic and cross-disciplinary solutions are expressly welcome, the Adolf Goetzberger Foundation said.

The innovations should make a tangible contribution to sustainable energy system transformation

What matters is that the innovations address real-world technical and economic challenges and make a tangible contribution to the sustainable transformation of the energy system, reads a press release from the foundation, which is dedicated to promoting science and research, environmental protection, and climate action, with a particular focus on solar energy.

The inaugural Adolf Goetzberger Award was handed out in March 2025 to Heribert Schmidt for developing the HERIC® (highly efficient and reliable inverter concept) topology. The 2026 award ceremony will be held next spring.

Awarding innovation that makes the world a better place

“Innovation starts with a clear goal: making the world a better place. That’s the mission behind the Adolf Goetzberger Award. We aim to spotlight solutions that truly move the needle – technologically sound and socially relevant,” said Thomas Nordmann, Chair of the Adolf Goetzberger Foundation Board of Trustees.

This year’s award has an expanded scope

In addition to traditional entries from photovoltaics and solar thermal energy, the award now also invites cross-sectoral approaches, such as the smart combination of multiple technologies, advanced control and automation systems, innovative storage solutions (including power-to-X), the integration of heat pumps, or efficiency improvements in hybrid systems.

The award primarily targets applicants from Europe but is open to international individuals as well. In addition to the EUR 25,000 cash prize, recipients will receive a certificate recognizing their contribution to the energy transition. Applications can be submitted online at Goetzbergerstiftung.de.

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June 27, 2025
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Court ruling brings risk of reversal of power market liberalization in Kosovo*

The Commercial Court in Kosovo* supported the claims filed by one company in a complaint, suspending its obligation to purchase electricity in the free market. The ruling follows protests against the controversial liberalization of the power market for larger firms, which came into force on June 1.

Two old coal-fired power plants in Kosovo* account for 92% of domestic production, which is the highest level in the world. Outages often prompt expensive emergency imports of electricity. Just last week, all operational coal units malfunctioned, while one in Kosovo B has been under reconstruction since last month.

Nevertheless, the authorities pushed through a controversial liberalization of the market for companies with more than 50 employees or an annual turnover of more than EUR 10 million. The measure, which came into force on June 1, led to two large protests. Almost 1,300 firms must purchase electricity in the free market.

However, the Commercial Court in Kosovo* suspended the obligation for REKS in a recent first-degree ruling. The company filed a complaint after it wasn’t allowed to use universal supply. It argued that it faced irreversible financial damage.

KEK signs few commercial power purchase contracts

The designated supplier of last resort is government-controlled Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK). It is the operator of the Kosovo A and Kosovo B coal plants. Corporate consumers can opt for contracts of up to six months with the supplier of last resort.

KEK said a week ago that 360 such deals have been signed and that another 540 were coming. It only had 16 commercial contracts until that point.

Kosovo Chamber of Commerce claims KESCO is favored in liberalization

In the interpretation of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC or OEK), the new court ruling means the entire power market liberalization needs to be suspended.

Conversely, the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) said that last week the Basic Court of Prishtina rejected the motion that the chamber filed challenging the regulator’s public notice on the matter, which it issued in March.

KCC suggested that KESCO was favored in the switch, citing the lack of offers to consumers from other power suppliers. Dozens of other companies have also filed complaints, it added. The chamber called for a fair and feasible transitional phase and the creation of a clear plan that would ensure the stability for businesses and citizens.

Also of note, the Commercial Court said REKS’s gross income last year amounted to just EUR 6.5 million.

In other news, the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said it would challenge ERO’s decision at the Basic Court because of the potential increase in electricity prices due to the liberalization.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
June 27, 2025
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Grants for public institutions’ solar projects in Romania top EUR 500 million

The Romanian Ministry of Energy has signed 29 more grants to public entities for investments in solar power plants for self-consumption, bringing the total number of projects under the program to 1,046. The latest round of grants is worth EUR 11.3 million, putting the total sum approved so far at EUR 502 million.

The 29 grants, financed from the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, will help build solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 9.13 MW at schools, hospitals, city halls, and other institutions across Romania. It brings the total installed capacity supported under the program to over 403 MW, according to a press release from the Ministry of Energy.

The latest batch of projects puts the total planned capacity at over 403 MW

In many cases, installed renewable capacities cover up to 70% of the energy needs of public institutions, the ministry noted.

Romania’s outgoing Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja hailed the program as a “paradigm shift,” noting that Romania was already in a new energy era, with local communities no longer just consumers, but active participants.

“Over the past two years, the Ministry of Energy has consistently provided support to local public authorities that understood the importance of investing in energy production for their own consumption. We have made funds available, simplified procedures, and worked side by side with beneficiaries so that the projects move forward quickly,” Burduja stated in a Facebook post.

The latest round of contracts covers public entities in 18 counties across the country: Arad, Argeș, Bacău, Brăila, Călărași, Constanța, Dâmbovița, Galați, Brașov, Gorj, Hunedoara, Maramureș, Mehedinți, Olt, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, and Timiș.

The number of contracts has increased from 633 in March

In March, the ministry said it had signed 633 contracts, worth a combined EUR 339 million, of which EUR 294 million was from the Modernisation Fund. Total planned capacity at the time was 237.4 MW.

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June 26, 2025
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Hitachi Energy: Game-changing solutions for a sustainable energy future

Hitachi Energy, a global leader in energy technology, develops system solutions and offers products and services that actively contribute to sustainable energy and a better future, Igor Anđelković, the company’s Country Marketing and Sales Leader in Serbia, said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025. Game-changing technologies for high-voltage grids and transportation, along with solutions for renewables integration, support decarbonization efforts and deliver added value to both clients and local communities.

Multinational company Hitachi Energy, a silver sponsor of the BEF 2025 conference, is present in the Southeast Europe region through its Balkan Cluster, which covers seven markets – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Inspiring the next era of sustainable energy

Since 2010, Hitachi Energy has implemented eco-efficient solutions for high-voltage grids of up to 550kV. The company’s innovative and eco-efficient EconiQ® high-voltage portfolio applies revolutionary technology free of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and proven to significantly reduce carbon footprint throughout the life cycle.

The high-voltage EconiQ® roadmap demonstrates the scalability of this technology, which allows customers and industry to quickly transition to eco-efficient solutions.

Photo (Hitachi Energy): Hitachi Energy has implemented eco-efficient solutions for high-voltage grids of up to 550kV

Now more than ever, pioneering technologies like EconiQ are needed to advance a sustainable energy future, says Anđelkovic.

Efficient renewables integration

In the renewable energy segment, Hitachi Energy offers a range of substation solutions that help to efficiently integrate renewable energy into the transmission grid and distribution network. This includes grid connection solutions for all types of renewables power plants.

Hitachi solutions are used in a large number of wind projects in Southeast Europe

The major projects in Southeast Europe, completed or in the implementation phase, which use Hitachi Energy’s technology are wind farms Pupin and Crni Vrh in Serbia, Gvozd in Montenegro, Komanje Brdo and Ivan Sedlo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Pometeno Brdo and Korlat in Croatia.

Photo (Hitachi Energy): Hitachi Energy offers a range of substation solutions that help to efficiently integrate renewable energy into the transmission grid and distribution network

Driving transportation and energy towards carbon neutrality

Hitachi Energy is also committed to decarbonizing the transportation sector. Its revolutionary ‘grid-to-plug’ electric vehicle charging system, called Grid-eMotion® Fleet, is a smart mobility solution that enables operators to efficiently scale up their operations and is expected to contribute to sustainable society for millions living in urban areas.

Grid-eMotion® Fleet marks a game-changing shift from a charger-product based approach to a charging-system based approach, which helps to accelerate the future of smart mobility.

Hitachi Energy has been pioneering EV charging solutions since 2013, when it first introduced innovative flash-charging eBus solutions in Geneva and Nantes.

Advanced technologies for smart airports

With its innovative solutions, Hitachi Energy has made significant advancements in air traffic as well, with the development of smart airports being one of its key innovations. This includes advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), video analytics, and 3D LiDAR to improve the passenger experience and improve airport operational efficiency.

Hitachi Energy also helps airport to decarbonize and become more sustainable with its electrification and digitization solutions.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.