Solar Frontier and NEW to develop 100MW portfolio of thin-film solar farms in the UK

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Thin-film module producer Solar Frontier has revealed that it will partner with German developer, New Energy for the World (NEW) to develop and sell 100MW of solar farms in the UK.

All of the proposed solar projects will use Solar Frontier’s CIS solar cells which the company claims is a good fit for the British climate. The decision to expand into the UK large-scale solar market was based off the partnership’s successful 7.15MW project in Banwell, Somerset.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The group’s first UK project used Solar Frontier CIS modules and system components, German contractor Hadbank for substructure and mounting, and NEW for EPC services. Commenting on the project, Wolfgang Lange, managing director of Solar Frontier Europe, said: “The Banwell project, which commenced operations in 2015, serves as a frontrunner for future projects – it demonstrates the performance advantages of CIS especially in UK weather conditions, the benefit of optimising system components to leverage the advantages of CIS, and the importance of an experienced development team.”

Construction of the first of the 100MW portfolio of projects is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2015. Solar Frontier confirmed that it has already secured land and grid connection, and was now in talks with investors interested in purchasing the first tranche of completed solar farms.

Atsuhiko Hirano, CEO of Solar Frontier, said that the company’s expansion into the UK is part of a wider global strategy, he said: “Solar Frontier is going global as part of our long-term growth strategy and the UK is a key market for us. We already have a strong standing in the residential, commercial and utility segments in Europe, and are now proud to introduce new and broader market solutions also in the UK.”

According to industry analysts, the UK is now the third largest global market for utility-scale solar, however, the government’s recent move to scrap all renewable obligation support for projects over 5MW could hamper the UK’s performance.

Read Next

September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has launched a new electrical balance of systems (eBOS) trunk connector.
September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
September 5, 2025
During a week of major US clean energy developments, ContourGlobal, PSE, Arevon, and Ameren Missouri advanced solar projects across four states in the US.
September 5, 2025
Newly formed firm Solaris Assets has acquired the business operations and assets of Texas-based residential solar installer Sunnova.
September 5, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has announced that two of its tracking systems are compatible with 2,000V solar systems.
September 5, 2025
Research firm Rystad Energy has found that Queensland’s utility-scale solar PV power plants have dominated the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, rankings for August 2025.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines