Financial, Legal, Professional

Recent signs suggest that after several quiet years, large-scale solar is once again showing strong growth in Europe in spite of the steady withdrawal of subsidies. PV Tech Power caught up with six energy finance experts from the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright for the their take on some of the market and financing trends that will shape European solar in the years to come.

How best to bridge the gap between the production of renewables such as solar and demand is the subject of much debate. Marc Perez, Richard Perez, Karl R. Rabago and Morgan Putnam argue the case for curtailment combined with storage as a cost-effective solution.

Development and private capital is fuelling a solar boom across the Earth’s four corners, from India to South Africa and Mexico. Five finance heavyweights walk José Rojo through their learnings so far and their future plans to tap into an industry they see as key to a better world.

The advent of distributed generation and renewable energy sources is requiring a swathe of new regulatory standards to ensure safety and grid stability. Scott Picco, Laurie Florence and Tim Zgonena of UL look at some of the latest and upcoming codes designed to addressing the proliferation of battery storage systems and distributed energy resources.

Strong policy support to safeguard the bankability of low-carbon energy technologies and underpin the UK’s ongoing decarbonisation efforts. Gareth Miller of Cornwall Insight outlines proposals for a new route to market that would guarantee future investment in much-needed renewables such as solar and onshore wind.

Led by a bullish Spain, the industry’s free-market revival has dispelled memories of the FiT fallout but also ushered in an era of uncertainty. José Rojo charts players’ efforts to master the rules of a new game of tough PPA interactions and merchant risks.

Substantial flows of investment into renewables have brought about significant reductions in the cost of delivered energy, while simultaneously increasing the penetration of renewables in most markets. These developments herald the rise of Renewables ‘2.0’, a post-subsidy world for investment in renewable energy. Duncan Ritchie and Kornelia Stycz of Apricum explore the opportunities in corporate PPAs and hybrid renewable energy systems in the context of the Renewables 2.0 energy transition

For PV to continue competing with alternative energy sources, the cost of financing solar projects must fall. David Feldman, Rebecca Jones-Albertus and Robert Margolis of the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory explore ways in which research and development can boost PV competitiveness

Community solar is the fastest growing segment in the US. Ben Willis looks at some of the legal and financing drivers helping propel the sector forward, and the ongoing challenges it faces in fulfilling its potential

Community solar is the fastest growing segment in the US. Ben Willis looks at some of the legal and financing drivers helping propel the sector forward, and the ongoing challenges it faces in fulfilling its potential