The weekend read: Greek solar investment soars
An array of new investment plans were announced in Greece in May, ranging from mega PV projects to battery and electric vehicle production, as well as a move to smart green islands. pv magazine explores the state of these investments and links them to the country’s general policy frameworks – most notably, Greece’s master plan to boost green investments in former lignite regions and establish a new type of economy.
The Hydrogen Stream: UK’s launches second tender for low-carbon hydrogen, BMW tests first fuel cell electric vehicle
Furthermore, Germany-based large-bore diesel engines and turbomachinery company MAN Energy Solutions is acquiring the majority of shares in the Augsburg-based electrolyzer manufacturer H-TEC Systems, while the India H2 Alliance is expanding with the aim of building consensus for a common path towards hydrogen commercialization in India’s steel and cement sectors.
Lightsource BP buys 703 MW of PV projects in Spain, seeks off-takers through tender
The U.K.-based solar developer wants to identify potential buyers for the electricity generated by the facilities through competitive bidding.
Solar mandatory on new buildings in Berlin from 2023
Under the new provisions, which will come into force in 2023, a photovoltaic system will have to cover at least 30% of the roof area of a new building.
Austria deployed 341 of new PV in 2020
The country’s cumulative PV capacity exceeded 2 GW at the end of 2020.
German companies dominate European solar park operation market
Belectric, Enerparc, Juwi and Baywa have almost 10 GW of project capacity under operation between them, according to monitoring service Solytic, roughly half the volume being managed by the next 32 biggest maintenance providers combined.
Spain to devote €3.9bn of EU cash to ‘innovative renewables’
The investment has been planned as part of the nation’s recovery and resilience plan to access EU funds for its post-Covid economic stimulus package. The spending plans of Portugal and Greece have also been approved by the European Commission in the last 48 hours.
Irish utility backs 11 PV projects selected in Ireland’s first renewables auction
Irish power and gas utility Bord Gáis Energy is supporting Danish developer Obton in the development and construction of several projects that competed in the country’s first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction.
UK solar industry wants capacity trebled this decade
Solar Energy UK today called on the government to provide it with the same kind of support that has been extended to offshore wind companies.
The PV glass price rollercoaster
First-half profits will be up at solar panel glassmaker Xinyi Solar despite the fact the price of the module raw material has been on a downward trend in the current three-month window.
