Alight lands financing: Alight from Sweden has achieved the financial close on a senior debt portfolio financing worth €110 million from Rabobank of the Netherlands. It will use the proceeds to build, own and operate solar energy projects with around 220 MW combined capacity in Sweden. The project sizes are up to 50 MW. Alight calls it the 1st of its kind portfolio facility in the Nordics. It will provide the company flexibility to finance small-to-medium-sized projects.
Zolar cutting costs: German residential solar systems supplier Zolar is laying off close to 200 employees due to weakening demand in this segment, reported local newspaper Handelsblatt. In fact, the company has decided to focus on selling its software solutions and installment payment service directly to local installers, and phase out its business of selling solar systems to homeowners. High electricity prices that skyrocketed demand for rooftop PV systems for homes during the Russia-triggered energy crisis have now come down. This is a significant reason for the disinterest among homeowners in investing in PV systems.
Sonnedix acquires 80 MW in Italy: Sonnedix has acquired an 80 MW solar PV plant in Sicily, Italy from Blunova SpA. This is part of its partnership with Blunova under which it will acquire 10 operational power plants representing a combined 250 MW capacity from the latter in Italy. It targets to close agreements for 6 more projects during H1 2025. All 10 projects under the deal are contracted under Italy’s Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) FER 1 auction round, providing a stable and guaranteed electricity price to Sonnedix’s customers over 20 years. Blunova claims a 4 GW development pipeline comprising solar PV, agrivoltaics, onshore and offshore wind, and storage technologies.
500 MW German PV partnership: Encavis and Innovar Solar have signed a framework agreement for the development of a rolling capacity of 500 MW of solar PV projects in Germany. They define rolling as referring to if individual projects are successfully developed, new projects will follow so that 500 MW will always be developed in parallel. The development of projects has already begun.
Floating PV at Port of Barrow: UK’s port operator Associated British Ports (ABP) has revealed a masterplan for the Port of Barrow to help the country achieve its net zero emissions by 2050 target. The plans include establishing the Barrow EnergyDock Floating Solar Project with a proposed 32 MW capacity. It will be located in Cavendish Dock and meet the growing demand for zero-carbon energy. A public consultation on the project will begin shortly.
Solar & storage project changing hands: Belgium’s Aukera Energy is purchasing a 46 MW solar PV project, with a 40 MW co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) in Germany. Located in Rhineland-Palatinate, the project is currently at an advanced development stage. The project is being sold by an unidentified German renewables developer, advised by financial advisory firm Capcora. It will reach the ready-to-build (RTB) stage by Q1 2025.
Land hunting job for Solaria: Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente SA has secured a contract with Repsol Renovables to look for land for the latter for its renewable energy projects. Solaria will negotiate with landowners on behalf of Repsol and also sign the lease contract. It will execute this deal through its LandCo Generia. The latter can also acquire land and sign a right of use for the land with Repsol in case land owners plan to sell the land.