Stay informed about the latest developments in cabinet manufacturing, IP rating standards, outdoor enclosure technology, and industrial cabinet solutions.
Volvo Cars and Vargas portfolio company Northvolt have selected Gothenburg, Sweden, to establish a new battery manufacturing plant. The plant will commence operations in 2025, create up to 3,000 jobs and complement the planned R&D centre that both companies announced in December as part of an investment of approximately SEK 30 billion.
Volvo Cars and Northvolt announced the joint battery cell factory in February 2022 and received building permission from the Swedish Land and Environment Court this summer. In August, the city planning committee in Gothenburg also granted building permits for the first construction phase.
For Sweden, the Novo plant is the second battery cell production facility after Northolt’s plant in Skellefteå. Volvo Cars and Northvolt first announced plans for the plant in the Gothenburg district of Torslanda, near Volvo’s vehicle plant there, in February 2022. At the time, the aim was to have the plant up and running by 2025.
and Gothenburg’s first battery gigafactory. NOVO Energy, the joint venture between Northvolt and Volvo Cars, celebrated the start of construction for its highly anticipated battery factory in Torslanda, Gothenburg.
Exterior electrical boxes are weatherproof enclosures that protect outdoor electrical connections from moisture, dust, and impact damage. Here’s what you need to know: Key Features to Look For: Top Applications:
Exterior electrical boxes with weatherproof ratings (typically NEMA 3R) protect against rain, sleet, and snow but aren’t designed for submersion. Waterproof boxes (NEMA 4X) can handle direct water contact and even temporary underwater conditions. Gasket design separates the winners from the pretenders.
Quality exterior electrical boxes represent one of those investments that truly pays for itself over time. When you factor in the avoided service calls, prevented water damage, and improved safety, the difference between good and great boxes becomes clear.
Your exterior electrical boxes work hard to protect your electrical connections – return the favor with regular maintenance. After two decades of installing exterior electrical boxes throughout Central Indiana, I’ve heard just about every question homeowners can ask.
Flexible solar panels typically have an efficiency rating between seven and 15 percent. Unlike rigid solar panels, flexible panels are lightweight and can be installed on curved surfaces. However, they are not commonly offered as part of a rooftop or ground-mounted system by solar installers.
In 2025, premium flexible solar panels achieve up to 22.5% efficiency for monocrystalline and 19% for CIGS technology. This makes them increasingly competitive with rigid panels while maintaining superior installation versatility.
Bifacial solar panels have an efficiency of 22 percent, much higher than traditional single-sided flexible solar panels. However, to gain the full value of the panel, you'll need to mount it so both sides can absorb sunlight, which limits installation options.
Flexible panels often cost more per watt than comparable rigid ones. But when portability, weight, and versatility are priorities, they can offer excellent value. Comparing cost per watt, considering weight and mounting costs, helps evaluate whether they’re the best choice for your setup.
The EU solar sector continues its upward trajectory, with mid-2025 figures confirming robust growth. SolarPower Europe’s latest analysis highlights record installations, policy momentum, and the technology’s central role in the continent’s clean energy transition. Source: eepowerschool.com
The Europe solar PV market size crossed USD 63.1 billion in 2024 and is set to register at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2025 to 2034, due to the growing focus on green energy and net zero initiatives.
According to SolarPower Europe ’s mid-year analysis, the EU added a substantial volume of solar capacity in the first half of the year, driven by favourable policy frameworks, declining technology costs, and growing public and private investment.
The price of solar PV modules has decreased significantly over the past decade, with the cost of solar power falling below grid parity in many parts of Europe, thereby increasing market competitiveness, as both established and new players compete for market share.
Thin-film solar modules transform the renewable energy landscape with their lightweight design, flexibility, and cost-effective production. Unlike traditional silicon-based photovoltaics, thin-film technology enables solar energy harvesting on unconventional surfaces, from building facades to wearable electronics.
The most commonly used ones for thin-film solar technology are cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), amorphous silicon (a-Si), and gallium arsenide (GaAs). The efficiency, weight, and other aspects may vary between materials, but the generation process is the same.
Thin film solar cells are favorable because of their minimum material usage and rising efficiencies. The three major thin film solar cell technologies include amorphous silicon (α-Si), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe).
Front. Energy Res., 15 June 2025 Thin-film photovoltaics, particularly those based on perovskite materials, are revolutionizing solar energy research through rapid efficiency gains, innovative device architectures, and advanced modeling techniques.
The flagship battery storage project commenced operations on February 1, only days before cutting ties with the Russian power grid. Estonian state-owned energy company Eesti Energia has inaugurated the nation’s largest battery energy storage facility at the Auvere industrial complex in Ida-Viru County.
The battery energy storage park and its substation will be connected to the electricity transmission network using a 330kV AC underground cable, marking a first in Estonia. Baltic Storage Platform confirmed that the BESS will seek to ensure the stability and resilience of the Estonian electricity grid.
Estonia’s climate minister, Yoko Alender, emphasized the role of storage systems in this transition, stating, “Estonia has a clear goal – by 2030, the amount of electricity we consume must come from renewable sources.
Estonia has laid the cornerstone for what will become the largest battery park in continental Europe, marking a crucial step toward synchronizing the Baltic power grids with the rest of Europe by 2025.
