Financial, Legal, Professional

Storage has an important role to play in the UK’s future energy system, but the challenge for investors and developers is to select the right business models and combination of technologies. Maria Connolly and Stuart Urquhart at UK law firm TLT look at how some of the new regulatory and policy developments are helping enhance the bankability of storage

Banks will be unable to fully finance solar on the scale envisaged in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Vicky Münzer-Jones and Stacey Giunta look at the role of solar bonds in bringing much needed capital to the sector.

In the previous issue of PV Tech Power, quality assurance was considered as a key measure in maximising PV power plant performance and ensuring safety. Building on this train of thought, Thomas Sauer and Georg Fischer from EXXERGY examine insurance as a risk mitigation measure, based on analysis of more than 3,600 insurance claim cases.

Australia’s large-scale PV segment has been one of the star performers of the past year. Vincent Dwyer and Jacqueline Fetchet look at the past and future drivers for this dynamic market and ask whether recent momentum can be maintained

A spate of extreme natural disasters in 2017 have highlighted the vulnerability of PV power plants to damage. Becky Nace-Grover looks at how the PV and insurance industries should ready themselves for a future where such events are likely to become more frequent

Risk mitigation | The EU-funded Solar Bankability Project has developed a framework for managing the potential legal, technical and economic risks associated with PV projects. Here, members of the team behind the project set out some of the key tools and guidelines that have been devised to ensure ongoing quality management over the entire lifecycle of a PV power plant.

Reporting | The growing range of stakeholders in the solar business, from the owners of small rooftop systems to pension funds, require timely and adequate information on asset performance, but to varying levels of detail. Edmée Kelsey looks at how the industry is rising to the increasingly onerous reporting challenge

Business models | Corporate PPAs offer environmentally minded businesses a means of reducing their carbon footprint and renewable energy developers a new route to market in the face of declining subsidies. Daniel Kaufman offers some insights to buyers and sellers looking to navigate the many complexities of this new market.

Europe | With the decline of solar subsidies in Europe, the industry is under pressure to find new routes to market. SolarPower Europe policy adviser Sonia Dunlop looks at some of the innovative new business models being developed to help ensure solar has a sustainable future

Finance | Danielle Ola looks at some of considerations of investors looking to capitalise on the opportunities for solar in Sub-Saharan Africa.