United Kingdom

In the U.K., Canadian Solar Inc. has closed a refinancing deal worth GBP41.9 million (US$56 million) with BayernLB. Meanwhile, in Canada, it has signed an Operation & Maintenance (O&M) agreement with Axium Infinity Solar LP for eight PV plants totaling 105.5 MW.

Analysis of the U.K.’s energy figures for 2017 show that renewables provided more power than coal on 315 days of the year, with solar a dominant player throughout the summer months.

For the 11 months up to the end of November, the U.K. added 902 MW of solar PV capacity to reach a cumulative total of 12,642 MW, which is around 7% higher than last year.

Acquisition of the British company by Dutch-British oil giant Shell will support growth of First Utility’s smart energy solutions and aid incorporation of battery technology and renewables, company CFO says.

While solar has been recognized in Scotland’s first energy strategy, which aims to supply half of the country’s energy needs from renewables by 2030, criticism has been aimed at the lack of concrete policy frameworks for solar, an energy source that could add 6 GW capacity in the next 12 years.

Perovskite solar start up, Oxford PV has received €15 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), to support its efforts at commercialization of silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell production.

European renewable energy investment platform Vortex, has sold a 45% equity stake in Vortex Solar Investments to Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP), Malaysia’s second largest pension fund, in a GBP 67.5 million transaction.

Wirsol has announced the acquisition of two solar projects totaling 16 MW, which are gearing up to begin construction in the U.K. Wirsol also says it has plans to expand this portfolio to around 150 MW over the next 18 months.

British Petroleum makes first move in PV since 2012 with acquisition of 43% stake in British renewables firm Lightsource.

In two separate studies, in the U.K. and Switzerland, respectively, the notion of combining solar power and trains has been explored. The results indicate it could offer a cost-competitive, energy saving alternative to the traditional power methods currently employed.