Europe

BNZ has secured a €166 million (US$185.4 million) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for 700MW of new solar capacity in Europe.

According to Alight, the portfolio facility is thought to be the first of its kind in the Nordics, with the first three projects already financed.

One of the “market signals” the company cited is an increase in negative electricity prices across Europe, as supply exceeds demand.

The aid will take the form of direct grants and will be open for companies producing solar panels and batteries among others.

Sharp has launched four new PV modules for the rooftop solar sector, which include two bifacial modules with an output as high as 450W.

The company announced a 'strategic realignment' of its operations to 'ensure [a] return to profitability'.

Development of the projects has already begun according to the companies, which have collaborated in the past.

Eurowind Energy has signed a shares purchase agreement for a 55MW solar portfolio, currently under construction in Portugal.

Niam Infrastructure and Evecon have announced plans to build a new solar-plus-storage portfolio in Latvia.

Swansea University has developed an 'innovative freeware tool' to assess the effectiveness of different solar panel materials and colours.