African PV imports from China up 60% in one year, says Ember
Think tank finds evidence of “take-off” for solar in Africa, with import growth is spread across the continent. Ember analysis notes import surge has potential to markedly increase electricity generating capacity in some countries.
Sunsave raises GBP 113M, targets full EMS offer for UK consumers
Equity and debt facility provides Sunsave resources to increase deployment and develop home energy management system (EMS) according to co-founder Ben Graves. The start up offers solar on a subscription basis with customers owning the installation on their property from the offset.
Swedish heat pump maker Aira raises €150 million, plans production capacity expansion
Aira is raising €150 million in equity financing to support increased production capacity in Wroclaw, Poland, as well as further research and development in Sweden.
UK opens seventh CfD renewables auction
Extended contracts and more flexible commissioning dates on offer for solar developers. The target commissioning window for solar projects has also been extended, giving developers more flexibility on contract start dates.
Record UK heat pump installations for H1 driven by grant support
Heat pump deployment accelerates in the United Kingdom as grant scheme provides record support in first half of 2025. UK government has targeted 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028.
UK installs 621 MW of PV in H1
Provisional data finds United Kingdom on course to add more than 1 GW in 2025 with revisions likely to show greater capacity as more plants are recorded. However, the pace of deployment must accelerate to hit 45-47 GW target by 2030.
Smart Pension invests GBP 330 million in Octopus Energy clean-tech funds
UK workplace pension provider Smart Pension has announced an initial GBP 330 million ($440 million) strategic investment in Octopus Energy Generation. The renewables arm of Octopus Energy invests in solar, wind and energy storage projects, as well as clean energy technologies such as heat pumps.
Big Solar Co-op raises over GBP 1 million for UK coal mine project
Solar bond offered through impact investing platform provides community energy cooperative with funds to construct 3.5 MW project in Whiteborough, England. Big Solar Co-op plans to use European manufactured and second-life panels. The co-op expects to commission the project before the end of 2025.
Solar primed for expansion in Malaysia
State support is nothing new for solar in Malaysia, but following years of steady growth, things are ramping up. Following a big tender announcement and a slew of new support mechanisms, industry leaders and market analysts tell pv magazine how blending private sector investment with government backing can bring Malaysian PV to the next level.
UK needs to get “obsessed” with energy storage, says ESA founder
Energy Storage Association (ESA) founder Jason Howlett tells ESS News learning lessons from other markets can ensure Great Britain avoids levels of negative pricing seen in elsewhere, as pace of UK renewables deployment is poised to ramp up.
