Europe PV News Snippets

Solarwatt gets Cradle to Cradle certification for glass-glass modules; Canadian Solar sells UK projects; Enerparc to refinance 315 MW solar; Ørsted acquires Germany's Ostwind; Qcells acquires stake in Lynqtech & PNE in Spain's Kolya.

Cradle to Cradle certification for Solarwatt: Germany's Solarwatt claims to have become the 1^st solar module manufacturer in the country to receive Cradle to Cradle certification for its glass-glass modules manufactured in Dresden (see 300 MW Module Facility In Germany). The certificate has been awarded by the independent Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute for modules evaluated by the accredited agency EPEA. Solarwatt explains that the certification means its modules are considered sustainable over the entire cycle, from material procurement to recycling. It added that the company is 'reacting to the growing interest in sustainable solar modules in Europe'. "Solarwatt has already set up its production accordingly in recent years and uses 100% green electricity. We now wanted to make this commitment visible to our customers and have initiated the demanding certification process," said Solarwatt Managing Director Detlef Neuhaus.

Canadian Solar sells 2 projects in the UK: Canadian Solar has completed the sale of 2 solar power projects in the UK to alternative asset manager Gresham House. The projects comprise a 50 MW solar plant with 38 MW/76 MWh of battery energy storage in Durham, along with a standalone solar project of 28 MW capacity in Warwickshire. Both are fully permitted and entire subsidy free projects, it stated. The Durham project is the company's 1^st co-located solar and storage project in the UK, and the 2^nd for Gresham House. "This sale represents our very first collocated solar and battery energy storage project successfully delivered in the UK. Our decision to sell the two projects before construction is primarily aimed at obtaining immediate market recognition and it does not preclude Canadian Solar from building, alone or in partnerships, the next projects developed in the UK or in EMEA," said Canadian Solar Chairman and CEO Dr Shawn Qu.

Enerparc raises €257 million refinancing: German solar park developer Enerparc AG has raised €257 million from Commerzbank and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg as syndicated loan, and calls it one of the largest portfolio financings for solar parks in Germany to date. It plans to use the proceeds to replace and refinance existing loans for a 315 MW solar portfolio managed by Enerparc Solar Service Holding 2 GmbH.

Ørsted acquires Ostwind: Denmark based renewable energy company Ørsted has acquired German wind and solar project developer Ostwind for €689 million enterprise valuation. It includes financial liabilities of the projects and companies. Ostwind's current portfolio comprises 152 MW in operation and under construction, 526 MW in advanced development and a development pipeline of close to 1 GW out of which 88 MW is solar PV. For Ørsted, the transaction helps it expand its presence in Europe, and marks its entry into the growing German and French onshore markets. The Danish company touts a portfolio of 4.8 GW of onshore wind and solar PV projects in operation and under construction across the US and Europe. It aims to count 17.5 GW onshore capacity globally by 2030.

Lynqtech gets Qcells as majority stakeholder: Hanwha Q Cells GmbH has acquired a 66% stake in Hanover based digital cloud platform company Lynqtech, for an undisclosed sum. Lynqtech is a subsidiary of enercity AG. For Qcells, the deal strengthens its competencies in software and IT based energy solutions and expands its role as a full-service provider of clean energy solutions along with being a cell and module manufacturer. Lynqtech will also benefit from financial strength of the Hanwha Group and the international footprint of Qcells.

PNE acquires stake in Kolya: Germany headquartered onshore and offshore wind farms company PNE has acquired the majority stake of 51% in Spanish developer of large scale solar power projects, Coliaenergia ESPAÑA (Kolya). Kolya's portfolio has 1.004 GW for its own project development, and 804 MW being developed for internationally active and renowned 3^rd parties. With this deal, PNE forays into the Spanish solar market. At the end of June 2022, PNE's solar pipeline was 2.408 GW. It now holds a pipeline of ongoing PV projects with a total of 4.216 GW, including 1.808 GW from Kolya.