Great British Energy doubles fund, commits $1.3 billion for manufacturing
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to benefit from extra funding for community projects. Investment granted to fund renewable energy schemes and solar panels on public sector buildings.
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.
France extends collective self-consumption to 5 MW
After being exempted from excise duty up to 1 MW just over a month ago, the maximum power threshold for collective self-consumption has been raised from 3 MW to 5 MW in mainland France.
California’s new community solar program still isn’t working
pv magazine USA spoke with Aaron Halimi, founder and president of Renewable Properties, and Derek Chernow, Western Regional Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access, about the impact of California Public Utilities Commission’s final decision on the state’s community solar projects.
US community solar to double by 2029, says Wood Mackenzie
Cumulative community solar installations are forecast to increase from less than 7 GW installed today to more than 14 GW in five years.
France expands limits of ‘energy communities’
The French government has issued a long-awaited decree to expand the maximum permitted distance between members of energy communities from 2 km to 20 km.
US community solar to exceed 6 GW in 2023
Following a suppressed 2022, US community solar is expected to have an upward trajectory, boosted by new state laws, the implementation of billions in grant money from the Inflation Reduction Act, and the smoothing of bumps in the supply chain.
Breaking through ‘status quo bias’ with co-designed solar power plants
A group of Dutch researchers assessed the impact of including stakeholder input in the design process of solar power plants. It found that a co-designed approach may help counter the resistance of local inhabitants and result in more positive evaluations of the project.
German municipalities encouraged to financially participate in solar parks
Local communities in Germany have the opportunity to operate ground-mounted PV systems via simplified contracts for existing systems or contracts for new, repowered systems.
Silicon Valley Bank financed 62% of US community solar
US Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) closed down Silicon Valley Bank last week after its share price plunged due to ongoing bond-market losses, triggering $42 billion of withdrawals.
