
Grid connections remain significant barrier despite ‘dynamic’ Irish solar sector
Despite a surge in activity, grid connections remain a key barrier to the development of solar projects in the Republic of Ireland.

Economies of scale can counterbalance grid connection challenges for NSIP’s, say developers
The scale of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’s (NSIP) can help to counterbalance many of the challenges solar project developments face currently, including those around grid connection, said speakers at Solar Media’s Solar Finance and Investment Europe conference.

Scatec boosted by new hydropower assets and completion of solar parks
Scatec’s posted an improved first-quarter financial performance after closing its acquisition of hydropower developer SN Power in January and completing solar projects in South Africa and Ukraine.

Denmark’s Better Energy completes transformation from solar developer to IPP
Danish solar company Better Energy is expecting to improve its financial performance this year thanks in part to its transition from a project developer to an independent power producer (IPP).

Opdenergy enlists BBVA to lead financing for 725MWp Spanish solar portfolio
Independent power producer Opdenergy has mandated BBVA as the underwriting entity for financing the development and construction of its 725MWp backlog of solar projects in Spain.

Amazon invests in nine renewables projects, including company’s first solar-storage facility
Amazon has announced plans for nine new utility-scale solar and wind projects in the US, Canada, Spain, Sweden and the UK, putting it on track to powering all its activities with renewables by 2025.

Acciona shareholders give green light to IPO of renewables unit
Spanish energy company Acciona has secured shareholder approval for an initial public offering (IPO) of its renewables division, providing a boost for the firm’s plans to reach 6GW of installed PV by 2025.

Spanish IPP Opdenergy aims to raise €400m in initial public offering
Spanish independent power producer Opdenergy is preparing to launch an initial public offering to help fund the development of 3.7GW of renewables projects across Europe and the Americas.

Iberdrola creates JV with insurance firm to invest in 1GW of Spanish renewables
Iberdrola has formed a strategic alliance with insurance company Mapfre that will initially invest in 230MW of clean energy projects in Spain, including 130MW of solar PV.

New joint venture to develop and acquire 3.4GW of Spanish solar
Clean energy investment platform Renewable Power Capital (RPC) has announced the creation of a new joint venture that will develop and acquire 3.4GW of solar PV in Spain.

BayWa r.e. profits from renewables ‘megatrend’ to post record financial results
German agriculture group BayWa is forecasting a significant revenue rise for its renewables unit this year, thanks to a strong project pipeline and growth in PV component trading.

Encavis revenue up 7% despite ‘average’ conditions affecting solar performance
Encavis expects revenue from its solar parks to rebound this year following a 2020 that saw the company’s portfolio affected by “average” meteorological conditions.

545MW solar PV capacity added in UK during 2020 despite COVID, lack of subsidies
The UK solar industry installed 545MWp (DC) of new solar PV capacity during 2020, the first full calendar year when no government subsidies were on offer.

#SFIEurope: How scale, sophistication, consolidation and globalisation will shape European solar
Liam Stoker reflects on last week's Solar Finance & Investment Europe conference, where investors, developers and asset owners gathered to hear how emerging trends will shape Europe's surging solar ecosystem in the coming years.

#SFIEurope: Spanish solar ‘no bubble’ despite grid chaos, big player squeeze
Panellists at London event were all confident market will retain momentum and grow bolder despite the speculative plays and competition from utilities and oil majors.

#SFIEurope: Ireland’s RESS is a ‘good opportunity’ but concerns remain
There is a “huge opportunity” for solar in Ireland, with the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) providing a route to market for the technology.

#SFIEurope: Industry fears Portugal’s ultra-low PV tariff approach will spread
Iberian operators tell London event they worry adoption of Lisbon’s solar auction design by neighbour Spain could entrench model producing prices developers ‘cannot survive’ on.

#SFIEurope: Unavoidable risks cannot stop merchant solar momentum
Free-market plays are spreading throughout Europe’s four corners despite risks that neither technology nor innovative finance can eliminate for now, say speakers at London event.

#SFIEurope: Cannibalisation to threaten Europe’s utility-scale solar drive
Wholesale price cannibalisation poses the most significant threat to Europe’s utility-scale solar industry, a panel of investors has heard at the London event.

UK and Israeli firms to deploy 420MWp merchant solar duo in Spain
PV Tech understands that two solar projects by developer Hive Energy and financier Noy Fund will be deployed without PPAs, with plans to generate revenues via direct energy sales.

Lightsource BP signs financing, goes bifacial-plus-trackers for Spain debut
Lightsource BP has clinched a funding deal with London-headquartered bank NatWest to finance the development of its maiden Spanish solar projects.

UK subsidy-free solar momentum gathers as new names join familiar faces in the build phase
The momentum behind subsidy-free, utility-scale solar developments in the UK has continued to gather, with new names and familiar faces alike demonstrating their commitment to the market.

Europe should mull PV manufacturing revival to meet climate goals, scientists say
EU production line of 5 to 10GW a year is possible and would help deliver the required 117GW-to-630GW capacity push, experts say as separate study touts PV’s job benefits for coal regions.

Solar secures paltry 1% of capacity at Italy’s renewable auction relaunch
Project in Sardinia (5MW) emerges as sole PV winner of 500MW auction dominated by wind power (495MW) but industry representatives believe solar future is subsidy-free.