by Catie Owen | Dec 8, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
A major overhaul of Great Britain’s electricity grid connection process was confirmed on 8 December by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
The initiative will prioritise a new pipeline of “shovel-ready” energy projects that are expected to generate £40bn in clean investment annually. The transformation is designed to accelerate progress towards the government’s Clean Power by 2030 target.
The overhaul of the connections process comes after the queue for grid access grew tenfold in five years, reaching over 700GW – approximately four times the nation’s projected need by 2030.
Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, said: “This overhaul of the connections process is the single most important step we will take towards a clean power system.
“The energy projects our country needs now have the green light to deploy at a pace we haven’t seen for decades.”
The new approach moves from a first-come, first-served model to one that prioritises projects ready to meet Great Britain’s energy and economic needs.
NESO’s official release states that thousands of projects, including wind and solar farms, battery storage, and hydrogen, will join the new pipeline. This includes 283GW of generation and storage capacity and 99GW of transmission-connected demand.
“Transforming the grid connections process is a vital first step in unlocking the capacity needs for a secure, affordable energy transition,” stated Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer at NESO.
“These changes will cut grid bottlenecks by prioritising ready-to-build projects, giving certainty about when and where they can connect and unlocking billions in clean energy investment.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We inherited a broken system where zombie projects were allowed to hold up grid connections for viable projects that will bring investment, jobs and economic growth.
“To fix this we embarked on ambitious, once in a generation reforms to clean up the queue and prioritise the projects that are ready to help us deliver clean power by 2030.”
The first protected projects scheduled to connect in 2026/2027 will begin receiving formal offers with confirmed connection dates through December and into the new year. Remaining offers to be finalised by Q3 next year.
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by Catie Owen | Dec 5, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Great British Energy (GBE) has released a Strategic Plan, outlining a practical five-year roadmap to accelerate the UK’s transition to renewable power and bolster the nation’s industrial capacity.
The publicly owned energy company’s publication details its priorities to drive investment, support workers, and ensure communities benefit from the energy transition.
Through GBE expenditure between now and 2030, the organisation plans to deliver at least 15GW of clean energy generation and storage assets, which is sufficient to power the equivalent of almost 10 million homes.
This investment is projected to mobilise £15bn of private finance over time through GBE’s long-term partnerships and investments. Furthermore, the plan includes support for over 1,000 local and community energy projects, aiming to expand public participation and local control within the energy system.
The initiative is also projected to support more than 10,000 jobs directly through GBE-backed and funded projects, including in regions historically dependent on oil and gas.
GBE will function as a developer and equity investor, granting the public a sustained stake in clean energy infrastructure. The returns from publicly owned assets will be reinvested into new capacity, jobs, and opportunities across the UK, forming an income-generating portfolio.
The plan sets three priority investment areas to support its mission: GBE Local, focusing on direct community and public service benefits; Onshore Energy, aiming to strengthen grid stability and unlock land-based energy potential; and Offshore Energy, intended to accelerate UK leadership in deep-water offshore wind.
The Strategic Plan provides additional detail on the £1bn “Energy – Engineered in the UK” programme, a major initiative scheduled for formal launch later this month.
This programme is designed to strengthen the UK’s industrial base, support the nation’s Industrial Strategy, and build a resilient, long-term supply chain for clean energy, supporting high-quality jobs nationwide.
In comments on the plan, GBE’s CEO, Dan McGrail, said, “We are proud to be putting public ownership to work, unlocking investment, powering communities, creating jobs, and building an energy system that delivers for the UK.
“This Strategic Plan marks a major milestone in our mission to accelerate clean energy and the industries that support it.”
GBE’s Chair, Juergen Maier, stated, “This plan puts the UK public at the heart of our energy future. By investing in clean power, supporting local projects, and unlocking British industry, Great British Energy will help deliver an energy system that works for everyone.”
Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, added, “We set up Great British Energy to be a national champion that allows us to reap the benefits of Britain’s natural resources. This plan shows what a publicly owned energy company will deliver: an abundance of clean, homegrown energy for British people and thousands of good jobs across the country.”
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by Catie Owen | Dec 5, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Alight, a Nordic solar developer and independent power producer, has officially commissioned the Lidsø solar park on Lolland, Denmark.
The facility, which is now operational, represents the company’s first asset in the Danish market and is currently the second-largest solar park in the country, boasting an installed capacity of 215 MWp.
The park spans 253 hectares near Rødby Harbour on Lolland. Alight owns and operates the site, which will supply the Danish grid with new renewable energy enabled by a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed with DSB, Denmark’s state-owned railway company.
According to the company’s official release, the Lidsø solar park is an important step in Alight’s growth across the Nordics, diversifying its portfolio into a new market with growing demand for renewable energy.
“We are extremely proud to inaugurate one of Denmark’s largest solar parks today,” said Warren Campbell, CEO of Alight. “Lidsø solar park will be an important part of Denmark’s energy transition and is proof that solar power can contribute on a large scale.
“Thanks to long-term Power Purchase Agreements, we can deliver new, additional sustainable capacity to the Danish grid, while strengthening our position as a leading player in the Nordic market.”
The park features approximately 350,000 solar panels. About half of these panels are mounted on trackers, which generate more energy by following the sun’s path.
Furthermore, the facility is designed as an agrivoltaics project, combining energy production with agriculture by having around 1,700 sheep grazing within the park year-round.
On DSB’s sustainability goals, Aske Mastrup Wieth-Knudsen, Head of Sustainability at DSB, said:
“It is crucial for us to contribute to increased production of renewable energy in Denmark… this project contributes to our goal of more train journeys powered by renewable energy with minimal impact on the climate and environment.”
Alight acquired the park from European Energy in March, with the €127 million acquisition financed by SEB and SEK.
[Image credit: Lidsø solar park]
by Catie Owen | Dec 4, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar, Storage, Video
The future of the UK’s energy sector hinges on a skilled workforce. At this autumn’s Solar & Storage Live UK, we caught up with Sturge Mazzocchi, Head of Solar Careers UK at Solar Energy UK, a key initiative dedicated to meeting the industry’s ambitious growth targets.
With the support of Solar Energy UK, Sturge is driving the programme’s clear vision to guide everyone into solar employment.
In this interview, he details the strategy for supporting recruitment and training, the challenge of securing 15,000 new workers by 2030, and the innovative work being done through the Recruitment Zone and the Installer Training Hub at the show.
“For us to reach our targets, those priority roles need to come mainly from deployment. Once you can fulfil your deployment side… your supply chain follows off the back of that.”
What is the Solar Careers Programme, and how has it evolved since launch?
The Solar Careers programme is a key action stemming from the government and industry solar roadmap, which aims to reach 60GW of solar by 2030. Since its launch, I’d say we’ve become far more crystalline – and by that, I mean clearer – in its vision, which is to guide every person possible into solar careers.
We do that in three principal ways. Firstly, we promote career opportunities to key audiences. We’re very much focused on deployment and maximising the number of qualified people we can get into those roles, primarily to raise awareness of the roles we have.
Secondly, we support recruitment in the area. This isn’t just about awareness but actively getting people into jobs and growing the workforce. And the third part is to promote training opportunities to keep the workforce upskilled and current.
By focusing on these three areas, we are meeting the aims and the vision of the Solar Careers programme.
In your view, what does success look like for the Solar Careers programme?
Given the target of 60GW by 2030, how do we measure the success of the Solar Careers programme by then? In numbers, success looks like an uplift of around 15,000 more people working in the industry.
Our industry needs to grow to 43,000 jobs. At the moment, we have around 20,000 people in the workforce, and by 2035, we need to get to 43,000. That’s an uplift of 23,000 in total.
When designing the strategy for the Solar Careers programme, you need to know exactly how many people you need to grow by per year. It’s quite a difficult forecast to make because there are so many factors that could stimulate that amount of growth. For example, if there aren’t the right specific apprenticeships, how are we going to educate people in the right way?
We recognised that it would take a few years to put these things in place, so in years one and two, we’re starting to make progress. We’re looking to support the growth of the industry by 500 people in year one (2025).
In 2026, we feel we could go to an extra thousand, so 1,500, and then 1,500 by 2027. That gets us to an extra 3,000. From there, you’d be in a position to start ramping up, as much of the necessary infrastructure would be in place. That’d get us to the 15,000 I mentioned.
This is what the runway looks like for the Solar Careers Programme, and we’re monitoring the ways we’re supporting the growth of the industry.
What are some of the biggest challenges the programme has faced so far?
One of our biggest challenges is securing skilled workers for our most in-demand roles.
At Solar Energy UK, we are in a position to mobilise and bring together all the different sectors of the industry, as well as businesses that perform different functions and services. They come together and highlight the most in-demand roles that they may need support fulfilling.
For us to reach our targets, those priority roles need to come mainly from deployment. Once you can fulfil your deployment side – installers, engineers, those sorts of roles – your supply chain follows off the back of that.
Our biggest challenge is essentially developing a skilled workforce. In the domestic and commercial sectors, we mainly need installers, as well as design engineers and project managers. For utility-scale, the main role is operations and maintenance site technicians.
These are the most in-demand roles that we need to grow the industry. Once we can start to fulfil these roles at scale, the rest will follow on afterwards.
What innovations has the Solar Careers Programme developed to encourage interest in the sector?
In terms of innovation, I would say that we’re trying to adopt and use the latest technologies and advancements available at our disposal. But we’ve also created some new functions this year to further our goals.
Our new skills steering group has created standardised job descriptions that have been agreed across businesses. They have an agreed set of roles and responsibilities and required qualifications, which we can then begin to promote as one of the most in-demand roles.
Alongside this, we’ve routes to competence. As part of that, we’ve developed a career map for people coming into the industry. Solar Energy UK has been helping the initiative I’m heading up, Solar Careers UK, to make these. We can then use that to mobilise an audience interested in entering the industry.
We are building a solar talent pool. This addresses the challenge of continuing engagement with interested individuals after their initial interaction, whether through our website or a recruitment event. Instead of relying on them to return unguided, we capture their interest.
How can we continue that engagement, given that they wanted to come into the industry? We ask them to register their interest, and we create a talent pool of people we can communicate directly with, giving them all this guidance over time. We currently have 7,200 people who are interested in joining the industry, which we’ve grown in a short space of time.
We will continue to do as much as we can to meet our vision, which is to guide every person possible into a solar career.
Your partnership with Solar & Storage Live UK has helped establish the Installer Training Hub and the Recruitment Zone. What does this mean for Solar Energy UK?
Firstly, I would really want to thank Solar & Storage Live for working in partnership to put these features on. Without us working together and putting them together each year and providing that platform, it really wouldn’t be possible.
If we look at the Recruitment Zone, across the show’s three days, over 250 candidates will come and meet businesses that have live job vacancies for introductory interviews.
This is really important for us because that’s 250 more people we can promote the different types of jobs, the different technologies, and the different services we have in the industry, and show why it can be an attraction.
For the Installer Training Hub, this addresses the third part of what we aim to deliver: promoting training opportunities and upskilling the workforce.
We’ve got nine businesses in there that are putting on training workshops throughout the three days. There will be over 2,500 installers who will engage with approximately 20-minute workshops and practical installer demos across a range of areas.
We have ground-mount installations, domestic and commercial mount and module installations, battery and inverter technologies, and MCS training, covering the latest fire classifications and how to be certified.
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by Catie Owen | Dec 4, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Press Release
Press Release
BayWa r.e. has successfully completed the sale of two UK solar farms – Clump and Yanel Solar Farm – to Capital Dynamics, an independent global asset management firm specialising in private assets and a leading investor in global green energy.
The projects have both received full planning consent and have a combined capacity of more than 121 MWp, contributing significantly to the UK’s renewable energy generation.
Clump Farm, located in Leicestershire, has an expected capacity of around 77 MWp, with the potential to supply renewable electricity to approximately 19,000 homes each year. Yanel Solar Farm, situated in North Somerset, will provide a capacity of 44 MWp, supplying up to 11,000 households.
Developed under a joint venture with Grüne Energien Solar, the two solar farms have been designed with a focus on improving and protecting the local landscape and environment by improving biodiversity.
With the completion of this transaction, BayWa r.e. continues to strengthen its role as a trusted developer and supplier of high-quality renewables assets across Europe, driving forward the energy transition.
John Milligan, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. in the UK, said: “These projects showcase the powerful results our teams can achieve together. We are proud of the quality and long-term impact of these solar farms and pleased to see them transition to the hands of a strong partner like Capital Dynamics.
“Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering high-value renewable projects that accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition, in close collaboration with communities and local stakeholders.”
Dr. Daniel Gaefke, COO of BayWa r.e., added: “This transaction builds on a series of successful project sales in recent months, underscoring the strength of our development strategy. The portfolio reflects the scale and excellence we aim to provide – both in the UK and internationally – and highlights our ability to create strategic assets for our trusted partners.”
BayWa r.e. has marked a major year of progress in the UK, reaching a total of 235 MW of consented solar power in 2025, including the company’s first Development Consent Order (DCO) approval for Oaklands Farm Solar Park, and securing planning permission for Redshaw BESS, BayWa r.e.’s largest battery energy storage project in Europe.
The UK development pipeline currently includes over 3.3 GW of onshore wind, solar and battery energy storage projects. BayWa r.e.’s asset operations business in the UK manages over 1.7 GW of solar, onshore wind and BESS sites across the UK and Ireland.
[Image credit: BayWa r.e.]
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by Catie Owen | Dec 4, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Enso Energy has received development consent for the 190MW Helios Renewable Energy Project following an examination by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The project will be built in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire.
The scheme involves the installation of ground-mounted solar arrays, energy storage, and all associated grid connection and infrastructure necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the development. It is designed to generate over 50MW of electricity.
The application for the project, to be jointly developed by Enso Energy and Cero Generation, was accepted for examination on 30 July 2024.
The project completed its examination within the statutory timescale set out in the Planning Act 2008, marking the 102nd energy application out of 169 applications examined to date to meet this deadline.
The Planning Inspectorate highlighted the role of local communities in the process. The examination involved a six-month period during which local people, the local authority, and other interested parties were invited to give evidence to the Examining Authority.
The authority noted that local communities continue to be offered the opportunity to participate in the examination of projects that may affect them.
Before submitting its recommendations to the Secretary of State on 3 September 2025, the Examining Authority affirmed that it considered all local views and the evidence collected during the examination.
“It is an important project to deliver the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 targets and support the UK’s transition to homegrown renewable power,” commented Enso Energy’s Managing Director Bill Rees.
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by Catie Owen | Dec 3, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Innovation
Plans for the UK’s largest floating solar energy project at the Port of Barrow have been approved by Westmorland & Furness Council’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, confirmed the decision on Monday 24 November, which marks a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
The Barrow EnergyDock project involves the installation of a floating solar array of up to 40MWp on Cavendish Dock. This renewable energy source is expected to generate enough electricity annually to power the equivalent of approximately 14,000 homes, with the energy primarily intended for use by the advanced manufacturing sector.
The project aims to help control electricity costs at the port, reduce carbon emissions, and improve energy resilience for local industry.
The installation will feature around 47,000 panels mounted on floating pontoons, fixed at an optimum angle for generation and secured to the dock bed by an anchoring system.
The proposed array would cover around one-third of the dock’s water area. This floating approach is intended to preserve valuable port land for operational and manufacturing uses, supporting local jobs and the wider economy.
Kirsten Abbott, Senior Project Manager (Energy Generation and Storage) at ABP, commented on the development, stating: “We are delighted to receive approval for this landmark project, which represents a significant step towards cleaner, more resilient energy for the region.
Barrow EnergyDock demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that support industry and reduce carbon emissions.”
The project not only highlights ABP’s dedication to renewable energy but also underscores its efforts to secure economic growth for the Barrow and Furness area. Bryan Davies, Divisional Port Manager (Northwest and Scotland), added:
“The development marks a major milestone in realising ABP’s exciting plans for the Port of Barrow, which are designed to drive economic growth and support the region’s advanced engineering sector. We look forward to taking this project forward.”
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by Catie Owen | Dec 2, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
R.Power, a European independent renewable energy producer, has begun construction on its Klotze Solar Park in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
This project signifies the company’s first utility-scale photovoltaic installation in the country.
The Klotze Solar Park, which has an installed capacity of 20MW, was awarded a 20-year support contract through the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) auction system.
This installation is a key development in R.Power’s strategy for expansion into Western Europe and supplements the company’s existing German portfolio, which includes over 115MW of solar capacity recently secured in the German Innovation Auction organised by Bundesnetzagentur.
Speaking on the development, Przemek Pięta, CEO and Co-Founder of R.Power, said: Germany is a strategically vital market for R.Power, and the start of construction at Klotze Solar Park is a milestone for our company.”
He added that the project “follows our recent success in the German Innovation Auction, where we secured 115.5MW of capacity for new PV projects integrating innovative elements such as storage and hybrid configurations.”
Pięta concluded that, “Together, these achievements demonstrate our strong development capabilities and our long-term commitment to the German market.”
Once operational, the Klotze installation will provide clean electricity to thousands of households, thereby supporting Germany’s decarbonisation objectives and contributing to the national renewable energy mix.
The project aligns with R.Power’s approach of combining photovoltaic and battery energy storage assets to increase system flexibility and value creation, reinforcing its capacity to execute projects across various European markets.
[Image credit: R.Power]
by Catie Owen | Dec 1, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Q ENERGY officially inaugurated the 8.5MW Cahuzac-sur-Adour solar park in the Occitanie region of France on Friday, 28 November, alongside numerous local representatives.
The project involved converting a former quarry site in the Gers department into a renewable energy facility, marking Q ENERGY’s first park in that area.
The site, a Classified Installation for Environmental Protection (ICPE), was used for crushing and screening materials between 1993 and 2019. Its redevelopment into a solar power plant on an already artificial space supports the region’s development and the production of renewable energy.
The 14,500 solar panels across 7.5 hectares now provide renewable energy for nearly 5,000 people and avoid approximately 2,600 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The project aligns with the national plan to increase renewable energies and with Occitanie’s strategy to become an “energy-positive region” by 2050. With this addition, Q ENERGY now has 12 solar parks and 14 wind farms developed and/or built in Occitanie, supplying renewable energy to almost 400,000 people.
Maud Gaide, Solar Director at Q ENERGY, said: “This project was led in an exemplary manner by the teams at Q Energy. Collaboration with local elected officials enabled the development of a solar farm that is well integrated into its territory and whose economic benefits will enable local authorities to carry out projects and investments”.
The solar park incorporates an exemplary ecological approach alongside clean energy generation. Environmental measures include adapting fences for small wildlife movement, installing amphibian barriers, and planning hedge planting.
Soon-to-be implemented measures involve installing educational panels near the Adour hiking trail to raise public awareness of biodiversity and energy transition issues and reshaping an embankment to encourage the settlement of European bee-eaters.
Véronique Sauzay, Regional Solar Manager at Q ENERGY, noted: “The entire team working on this project was committed to developing a project that is consistent with environmental protection values.
“It is important that our green electricity production projects respect the natural characteristics of the sites on which they are located and enhance their ecological value”.
[Image caption: Solar parc Cahuzac-sur-Adour, France. Image credit: Absoludrones, Q ENERGY]
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by Catie Owen | Nov 28, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
A new three-way collaboration between global renewable energy firm Zelestra, the Aragón-based nonprofit ECODES, and Microsoft has been announced, designed to boost social and environmental community investment across Aragón, Spain.
The initiative is built upon a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under which Microsoft will purchase the clean energy generated by Zelestra’s Escatrón II and Fuendetodos II solar projects in Zaragoza, Aragón. The projects, currently under construction, will deliver a combined capacity of 95.7 MWac.
A key component of the agreement is the funding provided to ECODES to implement direct impact programmes and lead grant-making activities.
These Community Funds are specifically targeted at supporting community-led sustainability initiatives for vulnerable populations, expanding access to sustainable infrastructure and healthy environments, and advancing economic inclusion.
The partnership aligns with Zelestra’s 3 Es (Education, Energy and Environment) strategy and supports Microsoft’s carbon negative goals and Datacenter Community Pledge to create local benefits.
Scarlett Alvarez Uzcategui, Zelestra’s Chief Stakeholder and Sustainability Officer, said the partnership “aligns perfectly with our commitment to deliver meaningful, positive impact in the communities where we operate.
“We will be present in Aragón for the long-term… and we are certain that the benefits of this initiative will also have a lasting positive impact for communities nearby.”
Eoin Doherty, Vice President, EMEA Regional Leader, Cloud Operations + Innovation, at Microsoft, emphasised this local commitment: “As Microsoft grows its presence in Aragon, we are committed to advancing community prosperity, well-being, and sustainability.
“This collaboration with Zelestra and ECODES is an important part of fulfilling this commitment and ensuring that we meet our clean energy goals in a way that delivers lasting benefits to the local community.”
The project also adheres to ECODES’ mission to ensure an inclusive transition. Cecilia Foronda, Head of Action for a Just Ecological Transition at ECODES, called the collaboration a “unique opportunity to help accelerate the transition to a green, inclusive, and responsible economy in Aragon and across Spain.”
She added: “ECODES commits to listen to local stakeholders so that the benefits of this collaboration reach those who need them most, strengthening social participation and territorial balance and leaving no one behind.”
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by Catie Owen | Nov 27, 2025 | Europe, Innovation, Video
As the UK’s largest renewable energy exhibition, Solar & Storage Live 2025 brought together the entire energy value chain – from manufacturers and installers to investors and policymakers.
At the show, we sat down with John Behan, Co-Founder and CEO of AMPYR Distributed Energy (ADE). ADE is a rapidly expanding force in the C&I sector, dedicated to making the transition to net zero simple and cost-effective for businesses by providing fully funded, on-site solar and storage solutions.
In this interview, John discusses ADE’s mission to deliver green, reliable power and offers a crucial investor perspective on the distributed energy market.
“We’ve deployed primarily on-site solar, and the trend we’re really highlighting over this decade is the growth in co-located solar and storage behind the meter.”
What is AMPYR Distributed Energy (ADE)’s role in the sector?
John: At ADE, we’re on a mission to simplify net zero for business customers. But what does that mean? It means we deliver fully funded on-site renewables that provide green, reliable power at a lower cost exactly where it’s needed.
This allows our customers to focus on running their business while achieving their sustainability goals.
Tell us about the talk you did at Solar & Storage Live UK.
John: A lot of the talks at the show are typically around products, industry, and the market. I wanted to really focus on an investor perspective on distributed energy, so bringing a bit of a finance angle.
In the talk, we covered some background on the distributed energy market and why it’s growing so much. We had record rooftop deployment last year, and that’s going to continue, potentially reaching around a gigawatt per annum by the end of the decade.
Then I jumped into the investor perspective: why the market is gaining traction for investors like us, but also what the trends and some of the challenges are.
Why is sponsoring the C&I Theatre important for ADE?
John: When we sponsored the theatre last year, we were relative newcomers to the market; we were less than a year old. For us, that was about trying to get our initial foothold in the market.
Since that time, despite being a relative newcomer, we’ve expanded from 14 to 40 employees through acquisition, we’ve trebled our assets under management, and we’ve also expanded into Europe, into Germany.
In the last 12 months, we’ve had really solid growth, and we’re now positioning ourselves as one of the leaders in the C&I market.
What trends in the industry should solar stakeholders be aware of?
John: To date, we’ve deployed primarily on-site solar, and the trend we’re really highlighting over this decade is the growth in co-located solar and storage behind the meter.
Now, the investor side is still trying to get the business model right. Principally, we want to supply more on-site power to the customer via the battery, but ultimately, that doesn’t really utilise the battery in the right way.
You’ve got to really create a floor via contracted returns and then optimise the battery as it should, to capture all the additional revenue streams that are out there. You can typically share those revenue streams with a customer.
To summarise, what you really need is a combination of both: we need contracted returns from the battery, but we also need the upside to be able to unlock material deployment in the market.
That’s really our key trend, and going forward, we have an ambition to put storage alongside every solar asset that we install.
What is the importance of attending Solar & Storage Live UK for ADE?
John: I said the same last year: I think it is the biggest in the UK, certainly probably one of the biggest renewable conferences in Europe, and it is bigger again this year.
For us, Solar & Storage Live UK is really important as brand awareness is key for us. Lots of our partners and customers are here, and potential customers. It’s a chance for us to meet new and existing partners as well, and, as I’ve said previously, this is the best way to network.
At the show, you have short, sharp meetings back-to-back, and everyone’s in the same place. That’s why it’s so beneficial. Of course, attendees also have dinners on, we have socials; the whole team is here to have a bit of fun as well.
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by Catie Owen | Nov 26, 2025 | Asia, Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
ACCIONA Energía, a Spanish renewable energy developer, has been awarded a 20-year power supply agreement for the entire output of two new renewable energy projects in the Philippines.
The contracts were secured through Round 4 of the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
The award covers the 101MW Kalayaan 2 wind farm in Laguna, which is currently under construction, and the 180MWp Daanbantayan solar plant in Cebu, for which construction is slated to begin before the end of 2025.
The power supply contract is expected to provide long-term certainty for the energy generated by these facilities, contributing to the Philippines’ renewable energy objectives while supplying clean and reliable power to consumers.
ACCIONA Energía stated that the agreement “supports the Philippines in reaching its renewable energy targets while delivering clean, reliable power to consumers.”
In addition to these two projects, the company is developing a pipeline of more than 2GW in the Philippines.
The firm recently restructured its Southeast Asian partnerships to strengthen its position in key markets like the Philippines and Thailand, where it holds significant portfolios and intends to continue expanding in the coming years.
ACCIONA has maintained a substantial presence in the Philippines since 2016 through its water and infrastructure divisions, completing notable projects such as the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the Putatan II and Laguna Lake water treatment plants.
Furthermore, ACCIONA’s foundation, acciona.org, has been working to support underserved rural communities in the country since 2021.
Through collaborations with the Ayala Foundation and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development, the foundation has brought electricity services to areas that previously lacked access.
These efforts have so far reached around 3,500 households, small businesses, and community centres.
With Spain’s solar market remaining a crucial topic, don’t miss your free ticket for Solar & Storage Live España 27-28 May 2026.
by Catie Owen | Nov 26, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
TCL SunPower Global, a prominent provider of solar technologies, has entered a strategic distribution partnership with Failte Solar, a well-established distributor across Ireland and the UK.
The agreement is set to significantly boost TCL SunPower’s market presence in both the residential and Commercial and Industrial (C&I) segments.
Under the new terms, Failte Solar will become the exclusive distributor of TCL Solar-branded modules in Ireland and across the UK. Furthermore, Failte Solar will be the exclusive Irish partner for SunPower-branded modules.
The deal establishes a robust distribution channel, marking the launch of the TCL Solar brand in Ireland and strengthening its presence in the UK, while re-establishing a strong presence for the SunPower brand in Ireland. Steven Zhang, GM at TCL SunPower Global, noted the importance of the new collaborator.
“Failte Solar is a key partner in our regional expansion,” he stated. “Their deep installer network, strong local relationships and market insight, and operational expertise give us the reach and agility to accelerate our growth across Ireland and the UK with the TCL Solar product line.”
Zhang added that Failte Solar will operate as their “local exclusive Irish partner and bring SunPower solutions to Irish customers.”
Mark Shinners, CEO at Failte Solar, expressed confidence in the venture. “We’re proud to partner with TCL SunPower Global to bring their innovative solar technologies to installers and customers across Ireland and the UK,” he said.
Shinners highlighted the company’s capability, stating that as “the largest Solar equipment solutions distributor in Ireland together with a rapidly growing presence in the UK market, Failte Solar is well equipped to deliver fast, reliable access to high-performance solar solutions through our strong installer network with over 250,000 square feet of warehousing capacity.”
He concluded that the partnership “strengthens our offering and positions us to meet growing demand with speed, scale, and service excellence.”
The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition by increasing access to high-performance solar solutions.
by Catie Owen | Nov 25, 2025 | Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
Technique Solaire Group has announced the signing of an agreement with Iberdrola to acquire 100% of the shares of Iberdrola Renouvelables, S.A.S., its French onshore renewable subsidiary.
The strategic transaction marks a major milestone for the Group, though completion remains subject to customary conditions precedent, including regulatory approvals and consultation with employee representative bodies.
Iberdrola Renouvelables, S.A.S. holds a portfolio comprising 118MW of operational wind assets, alongside a substantial pipeline of 639MW of onshore wind and solar PV projects currently under development in France.
This transaction represents Technique Solaire Group’s first investment in onshore wind. The strategic diversification will broaden the Group’s expertise and strengthen the resilience of its project portfolio against future changes in energy market regulations and renewable support policies.
The combination of wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) is also set to enable the Group to offer customers green electricity tailored to their needs.
Thomas de Moussac, Co-founder and Managing Director, Development, explained: “Entering the wind sector is a strategic milestone for Technique Solaire.
“Following our successes in solar and biogas, this transaction – which gives us immediate access to 118MW in operation and a substantial project pipeline – opens a new chapter in our development.”
Lionel Themine, Co-founder and Managing Director, Finance, added that the acquisition “reflects our strategy to diversify our growth engines.”
“It is also fully in line with our capital discipline and our long-term financial trajectory. It will strengthen our model based on regulated or contracted assets.”
Finally, outlining the operational priorities post-completion, Julien Fleury, Co-founder and Managing Director, Operations, said: “After completion, our priorities will go to safety, operational continuity, asset performance, and the smooth integration of highly experienced teams we will be delighted to welcome.
“We will place industrial excellence and local engagement with our stakeholders at the heart of this transition.”
by Catie Owen | Nov 25, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
AMPYR Distributed Energy (ADE), part of the AGP Group, has announced the acquisition of Shawton Energy (Shawton), a specialist provider of fully-funded solar energy solutions to UK businesses.
The deal is set to reinforce ADE’s standing in the UK distributed energy market by incorporating Shawton’s experience and commercial relationships, expanding both its customer base and operational capacity.
Since its launch in early 2024, ADE has rapidly grown in the UK’s onsite renewables sector and recently expanded into Germany. The company now manages a portfolio of over 100MW of contracted capacity across more than 150 sites.
Shawton, founded in 2019, will maintain its focus on delivering onsite renewable installations to provide cheaper, greener energy to businesses. The firm will retain its established brand, team, and Warrington offices.
ADE is slated to collaborate closely, supplying competitive Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) funding and strategic support for Shawton’s customer pipeline.
Commenting on the move, John Behan, CEO of ADE, stated: “This acquisition is the latest in a number of strategic moves that cement ADE’s position as a leader in the European C&I solar market. With ambitious growth targets, we are actively expanding our capabilities and assets under management.
Our goal is to lead the sector by making onsite energy simple for our customers and partners.” Behan added, “We have been impressed with the growth trajectory of Shawton under the leadership of Jamie Shaw. Shawton has built a strong market reputation and solid operating base of assets, alongside a material pipeline with leading corporates.
“We look forward to working closely with Jamie and his team to accelerate the deployment of onsite renewables across the UK.”
Shawton’s previous investment from Lazard Asset Management in 2023 facilitated the completion of multiple long-term rooftop PPA projects and the development of the Point Lane 8.6 MWp solar farm.
Jamie Shaw, founder and CEO of Shawton, noted the significance of the acquisition, saying: “Our partnership with ADE marks an exciting new chapter for our business. By joining forces, we have access to the capital and resources that will further support our growth in a consolidating market and competitive environment.”
Rob Wall, head of private infrastructure at Lazard Asset Management, concluded that the transaction “positions Shawton for its next phase of growth.”
[Image caption: Shawton Energy Point Lane solar farm. Image credit: AMPYR]
by Catie Owen | Nov 21, 2025 | Europe, Everything Installer, Innovation
The 2025 edition of Solar & Storage Live UK brought together a gathering of solar professionals and experts, ranging from scientists to industry titans.
One such titan in attendance was Jonathan Bates, Managing Director of Photon Energy, renowned for his distinguished career in the renewable energy sector.
However, as the UK Ambassador for the RePower Ukraine Foundation, Jonathan is also dedicating his expertise to a humanitarian mission.
In this interview, he discusses the vital role of solar and storage in protecting essential services in Ukraine and outlines the huge task ahead.
“I want them to think that [our mission] is something they can help with, because it’s really very easy: cash, kit, time.”
Our last conversation with RePower Ukraine was at Solar & Storage Live UK 2024. Can you talk to us about the impact of your hospital project?
Jonathan: We’ve successfully implemented my first project, or the first project that I’ve been involved in, which was for a hospital in a community in eastern Ukraine, in a small town called Slobozhanske.
It’s a 36KW PV system with 36KWh of battery storage and 30KW worth of inverters on a small local hospital that treats about 50,000 patients a year.
The system was donated by various companies within the UK solar industry. My company, Photon Energy, donated the solar panels. CGEN donated the inverter and the battery storage unit. Then, between us and Midsummer, we raised a further £15,000 in cash to fund the installation, the shipping, the mounting system, the scaffolding, cabling, and all the rest of the balance of system.
It was finally shipped from the UK to Ukraine in May this year, installed in the end of June/beginning of July, and they had a formal opening of the system just a couple of weeks ago in Ukraine.
I travelled out to the opening and attended in person. I was given a tour of the system, which is fully operational and very neatly and well-installed, which was a plus.
It was fantastic to speak with the medical staff at the hospital, who explained the real benefits and impacts that the system is having. It means that they can still provide emergency power when there’s a power cut.
They can rely on the solar and batteries to provide power to X-ray, maternity, and all those sorts of units where you absolutely don’t want power to stop.
It was just really inspiring to see these communities living under horrendous conditions – they’re 50km from the front line – and just seeing that life goes on as normal.
The community is having to get by and exist in difficult circumstances, and it’s really quite inspiring, I guess, to see them doing that.
What has been the impact of RePower’s other projects in Ukraine this year?
Jonathan: The hospital project is the second project that’s been organised by RePower in Slobozhanske.
The other project was a water pumping system, helping to pump water around the town, because the power infrastructure had been very badly damaged. There have been two projects completed in Slobozhanske. We are now working to fund and organise another two projects in eastern Ukraine.
I’ve actually got a list of over 100 hospitals that are looking for this kind of support, because hospitals have been deliberately targeted by the Russians in Ukraine.
There’s a huge amount of work to be done today to just ensure they can continue to deliver basic services, but also in the future when the country’s going to have to be rebuilt. There’s going to be a massive reconstruction effort taking place, and it’s a massive task.
What logistical challenges has RePower Ukraine faced over the last year?
Jonathan: Staffing is a problem. A lot of people are fighting at the front, and so having people to do the installation is a challenge.
One of the other things RePower does is run training programmes for veterans and for internally displaced people so that they can train or retrain to become solar designers and solar installers.
It’s a recognised problem, and the charity is trying to do something about it. To date, they’ve run three training courses. The last one was funded by Mercy Corps from the US. It’s a challenge; the staffing of the organisation is a challenge. People are trying to live and work in essentially wartime conditions.
When I was there, alarms were going off in the middle of the night. You’re woken up and you have to decide whether you are going to the bomb shelter or not.
People with children are having a difficult life because the children are suffering from anxiety, and are scared when they see birds or drones overhead. RePower are doing what it can under very difficult circumstances.
One of the key issues they face is funding. Not just funding for the individual projects, but the core funding for the organisation, so that they can keep hold of their staff who are dedicated, very capable, committed, highly skilled people. But keeping them is a problem.
Did visiting RePower Ukraine’s projects in person make a personal impact on you?
Jonathan: It’s made me more committed completely! It’s a fantastic country, and a very, very friendly country. The people there are defending us all. You see the sacrifices the people are making.
If you go to the Maidan, the main square in Kyiv, and see the flags and the memorials. they are very moving. You realise that they’re not just defending Ukraine, they’re defending Western Europe and they’re defending us all.
In my opinion, we have to give something back. We must support them in every way we can. Having been there, I’m twice as committed as I was.
In a year’s time at Solar & Storage Live UK 2026, what successes do you hope to share with us?
Jonathan: As I said, Greenpeace have given me a list of 100 hospitals. Whether we can get all of those done, I don’t know. But I’d certainly like another 10 done by this time next year.
It’s not just me; there’s a whole team of people who are committed to this, who are working towards meeting the charity’s objectives.
There’s a team of us in the UK. We get a lot of support from Solar Energy UK, which is opening doors to its membership. They’re opening doors to other organisations that we can then try and convince to support the charity and to make a real difference and have a real impact today.
Overall, when you speak to people about RePower Ukraine at this year’s show, what message do you want them to take away?
Jonathan: I want them to think that [our mission] is something they can help with, because it’s really very easy: cash, kit, time.
If people have experience in fundraising or have something they can do to help, then the more of us the merrier.
There are a lot of companies out there that want to help, and the onus is on me and the rest of us who are helping RePower to turn their desire to help into concrete actions, real systems, and implementation.
To find out more about RePower Ukraine or to donate, follow the link here.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live UK? Get your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live London – the capital’s most exciting solar event. Or, find a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
by Catie Owen | Nov 20, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Large Scale Utility Solar
European Independent Power Producer (IPP) Econergy Renewable Energy Ltd. has successfully connected its 52MW Resko solar project in Poland to the national electricity grid.
The facility is expected to reach full commercial operation within the next 30 days.
The project is owned by a partnership in which Econergy UK, a subsidiary 75.24% owned by Econergy Renewable Energy Ltd., holds a 51% stake, with The Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd. holding the remaining 49%.
The long-term commercial operations are underpinned by a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) signed with Apple Inc. Under this agreement, the technology firm will purchase approximately 75% of the project’s electricity output at a fixed price for 19 years from the start of commercial operation.
The remaining 25% of energy generation will be sold on the wholesale market at prevailing prices.
Commenting on the milestone, Eyal Podhorzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Econergy Renewable Energy, said: “The long-term vPPA with Apple, a global leader in technology and innovation, is a testament to the quality of our assets and the strength of our commercial strategy.”
In a further strategic development, Econergy UK confirmed it has received a Distribution System Operator (DSO) licence from Poland’s Energy Regulatory Office (URE). This licence grants the company greater flexibility in developing and connecting future projects across Poland by enabling the utilisation of the Resko site’s network and infrastructure.
Podhorzer concluded that the new licence “further enhances our ability to expand and operate efficiently across Poland, and we remain committed to executing our growth plans with the same momentum into 2026 and beyond.”
[Image caption: The Resko solar project. Image credit: Econergy]
by Catie Owen | Nov 19, 2025 | Europe, Oceania, Storage
Recurrent Energy, a global solar and battery storage developer and a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, has announced the sale of its Australian hybrid solar and battery project to an undisclosed European infrastructure and investment group.
The Gunning Energy Park, located in New South Wales, Australia, combines a 275MWdc solar farm with a 120MW battery energy storage system (BESS).
The project is slated to connect to the National Electricity Market via a Transgrid transmission line and is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power more than 76,000 homes.
The sale is another achievement for Recurrent Energy in the Australian market, following a recent series of milestones.
These include reaching financial close on the Carwarp Energy Park, a 171 MW solar farm in north-west Victoria, and the development and sale of the Mannum BESS project in South Australia, a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system.
Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Recurrent Energy, commented: “This milestone builds on our continued success in the country, highlights our ability to develop innovative, large-scale renewable energy projects, and marks an important step in advancing Australia’s transition to a cleaner and more reliable energy system.”
by Catie Owen | Nov 19, 2025 | Europe, Everything Installer, Innovation, Storage, Video
Early autumn saw the return of Solar & Storage Live UK: the nation’s largest platform for solar installers and manufacturers to meet, network, and discover new innovations.
At the show, Solar&StorageXtra caught up with Craig Bilboe, Country Manager UK & Ireland for EcoFlow.
With his extensive background in energy technology and business development, Craig offers a sharp perspective on navigating market regulations and installer needs.
“As we move into the winter period, we’re now really looking at concerns around grid stability and power outages. Our Gateway will really address some of those concerns, as well as the rising cost of energy.”
Since we last caught up with EcoFlow at Solar & Storage Live London, what has been new for the company?
Craig: Lots of things have happened. So, we have new products to release here at the show. We have the Gateway, which is really important and is being asked for by our installation partners. They’re craving our Gateway, so that’s really good.
And we have some, the new PowerInsight and our AI functionality, which is something unique to the industry. And I think actually, there’s a whole host of benefits to incorporating AI.
Now, we have to be very careful in delivering this message to consumers because everything has AI. But EcoFlow are the only company in this arena that I know of, in our industry, that is offering a specific AI to the energy storage market.
This will have huge benefits to not only the existing consumers, but also people who may never have had access to dynamic tariffs or have been able to capitalise on savings.
This product is probably the most exciting for me as an individual, because there’s a huge opportunity for energy saving for end users that may be in a social housing sector or may have some physical challenges, or might find it very difficult to access traditional dynamic tariffs. We have a product here that could potentially change the industry.
So, as usual, EcoFlow attends Solar & Storage Live UK to present and bring new products to the market.
What drove EcoFlow to open a UK office, and why choose Birmingham as the location?
Craig: We opened our UK HQ in Birmingham this Autumn. Opening an office here is important for our installation partners because we need to demonstrate as a manufacturer that we’re investing not only in the local community but also tin he region and the country as a whole.
Our installers really want to be able to have a location where they can come and get trained. They’ll have the comfort that we’re here for the long period, and that we’re here to support them, not just for now, but for the coming years too.
Overall, we think it’s vitally important that we have a location where everyone can come and learn more about EcoFlow.
What opportunities or challenges are you targeting in the UK residential and commercial solar-storage sectors?
Craig: There are lots of challenges and opportunities we’re looking to tackle. But, to that end, our Gateway is something where end users are really starting to look at.
As we move into the winter period, we’re now really looking at concerns around grid stability and power outages. Our Gateway will really address some of those concerns, as well as the rising cost of energy.
Over time, I think we’ll see an increased demand for our batteries, but also our different solutions, such as off-grid scenarios and all the other functionalities.
What’s your long-term vision for EcoFlow in the UK and Europe?
Craig: We’ve had a presence in the UK for over three years; we wouldn’t have invested in our new office unless we wanted to be here for the long term.
We want to continue to bring new products, new innovations into the European market and beyond, support our installers, and maintain our large presence in the home energy sector.
Really, we want to be able to provide good products for our installers, which add benefits to the end users and continue to play a part in our industry.
Why is EcoFlow a repeat exhibitor of Solar & Storage Live?
Craig: Solar & Storage Live UK is probably our most important vehicle to access new installers.
We’ve put all our focus on this event to demonstrate – or at least showcase – our new products. We want to demonstrate our functions and all the great things about EcoFlow.
This [show] is probably the best vehicle now that we can see to reach all new installers, touch base with our existing installers, and network within the industry as well.
I would say that this is probably the most important thing that we do every single year to generate new business.
Catch more of Craig’s insights in the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, where Craig discusses how AI-driven energy management can transform the storage sector.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live UK? Get your free ticket to Solar & Storage Live London – the capital’s most exciting solar event. Or, find a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
by Catie Owen | Nov 18, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Everything Installer
French company HoloSolis has successfully raised over €220m in financing to support the construction of a new solar panel factory, which the firm states will be one of the largest in Europe.
The development comes as solar energy remains a central pillar of European strategy to boost environmentally friendly power sources and reduce reliance on external energy supplies.
The HoloSolis project, located in Sarreguemines-Hambach, is slated to become fully operational by 2030. It aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 5GW, which is projected to generate enough power for one million homes.
Furthermore, the initiative is expected to create 2,000 direct jobs.
The recent financing round involved several key companies, including Cales Technologie, InnoEnergy, TSE, Groupe IDEC, Armor Group, and Heraeus.
InnoEnergy France CEO Karine Vernier stated, “HoloSolis embodies the ambition we have had since day one: a strong and sovereign European solar industry.”
The financial commitment is a major step toward establishing the large-scale production necessary to meet the region’s ambitious clean energy targets.
Are you involved in France’s solar market, or looking to get a foothold? Explore the benefits of attending Solar & Storage Live Paris – taking place 14-15 October 2026.
