US investment giant snaps up New Zealand rooftop solar specialist
BlackRock has agreed to acquire SolarZero, a New Zealand rooftop PV specialist, as part of its push into renewable energy in the Asia-Pacific region.
EU proposes €0.18/kWh price cap on solar, wind
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has announced a mandatory electricity usage reduction of at least 5% during peak price hours. Electricity market restructuring measures and a €3 billion ($2.9 billion) investment for a new green hydrogen bank were also on the agenda.
The weekend read: What is the future of solar for ESG finance?
There are three main drivers behind the continuing growth of solar today: the economics of energy, the energy crisis driven by the war in Ukraine, and a growing global focus on green and net zero initiatives. What matters is that these three drivers change the dynamics of investment – there is a growing body of capital looking to align with low-carbon, net-zero initiatives. Yet as the debate rages about operational versus overall sustainability, what is the future of solar for ESG finance?
SolarPower Europe at odds with implications of EU windfall tax on renewables
SolarPower Europe has issued a statement opposing any moves by the European Commission to impose a lower maximum electricity price on renewables than on fossil fuel energy. EU member state energy ministers will meet this week to thrash out emergency measures to protect bill payers.
EBRD loan to fund 150 MW of solar in Turkey
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will contribute up to $100 million to support 150 MW of solar capacity, plus 53 MW of wind.
UK council has finance decisions removed after splurge on solar projects
The local authority in Thurrock, England, has had control of its financial decisions passed to neighboring Essex County Council after racking up debts of more than GBP 1 billion ($1.1 billion) over four years, including more than GBP 800 million invested in solar bonds.
Solar companies consider reduced income to help UK households
Solar Energy UK members have made positive noises about a plan to shift historic, fixed-payment incentive contracts over to contracts-for-difference deals, which would limit the profits they would receive from soaring energy prices.
Greece readies €340 million grid-scale storage plan
Developers in Greece will bid to secure annual payments for large-scale storage facilities that must be operational before 2026.
Pension funds set to buy Dutch rooftop solar installer
The European Commission has an eye on the potential acquisition of Groendus by public retirement funds in the Netherlands and Canada.
Solar Philippines to build 4 GW solar farm in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan provinces
Solar Philippines, a Manila-based PV module manufacturer and project developer, is looking to secure at least 2,500 hectares of land to expand its 500 MW flagship solar project to 4 GW.
