UK Government Proposes Reforms to Renewable Energy Auction Scheme to Enhance Solar PV Growth

The UK government is currently consulting on reforms to its renewable energy auction scheme, which includes plans to extend the target commissioning window (TCW) for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. These proposed changes aim to facilitate the growth of renewable energy sources by 2030, acknowledging the increasing scale of solar initiatives.

In a significant development, British energy company National Grid plc has reached an agreement to sell its US onshore renewables business, National Grid Renewables, to Canadian investment firm Brookfield Asset Management and its partners for $1.7 billion. The final cash consideration is subject to standard adjustments.

The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has submitted its formal feedback to the European Commission regarding three crucial aspects of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA): regulations on renewable energy auctions, selection criteria for net-zero strategic projects, and the list of essential components for net-zero technologies. ESMC expresses strong support for the NZIA’s ambition to enhance European clean energy.

In other news, the European Commission has published a new policy document titled “A Vision for Agriculture and Food,” which highlights the importance of solar energy in the EU’s transition toward a sustainable and competitive agricultural market.

TrinaTracker, a subsidiary of Trinasolar and a leader in smart solar tracking solutions, plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2025.

Alotta, a Norwegian renewable energy company, has entered into a contract with Emilsen Fisk, a Norwegian fish farming entity, to deploy a floating solar array at a fish farm in Båfjordstranda, located in Norway’s Trøndelag region. This project will become the world’s northernmost floating PV plant.

European Energy has successfully divested its largest utility-scale solar project to date, marking its second significant divestment in the U.S. market since its entry in 2021. With this transaction, the total capacity divested now stands at 800 MW.

SolarPower Europe has released its sixth report on best practices for operations and maintenance (O&M) in the solar PV industry, which aims to support sustainable growth within the sector.

Japan’s government has approved its Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, which focuses on boosting renewable and nuclear energy capacity. This updated plan prioritizes clean energy sources and innovative renewable technologies.

Spain’s solar energy sector has experienced remarkable growth, reaching a capacity of 22.45 GW by early 2023, driven largely by ground-mounted solar farms accounting for 77% of new installations. This report examines the policies, technological advancements, and market dynamics propelling Spain’s ascent as a leader in Europe’s solar landscape.

In popular news this month, RWE has commissioned its first solar plant in Italy, the Bosco solar plant, with a capacity of 8.3 MWac, featuring 15,000 bifacial modules across 16 hectares in Partinico, Sicily. This facility will provide green electricity to approximately 7,000 households.

OCI Energy, a clean energy developer based in San Antonio, Texas, has partnered with Israeli solar company Arava Power to develop Project SunRoper, a 260 MWac solar farm in Wharton County, Texas, located about 60 miles southwest of Houston.

The County Council for Nottinghamshire, UK, has initiated a tender process for electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint suppliers, moving closer to enabling public charging on residential streets.

DMEGC Solar has been awarded EcoVadis’ silver medal for sustainability, recognized for its performance in environmental management, labor and human rights, business ethics, and sustainable procurement.

At the Solar & Storage Live event in Birmingham, Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at SolarAid, discussed the organization’s commitment to providing solar energy solutions to off-grid communities in Africa, highlighting their innovative technology.

In another development, NEXT Energy Technologies has upgraded its pilot production line to manufacture large, transparent, power-generating windows measuring 40” x 60”. These represent the largest transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) windows produced to date, showcasing scalability in solar technologies.

The Guidiville Indian Rancheria has launched a microgrid project to attain energy independence on its 43-acre trust land near Ukiah, California, led by Sean Ahern of Timberline Renewable Solutions.

VDE Americas has introduced the VDE Hail Risk Atlas, designed to predict the economic risks to solar assets from hail damage, enhancing protective measures for solar investments.