2020 in retrospect: A year in solar

With the great demand for lithium batteries comes great responsibility to install and use them safely. Although much of that responsibility lies with manufacturers, Dr Kai-Philipp Kairies of ACCURE Battery Intelligence discusses how a combination of data gathered from the field and analytics embedded in software can make batteries safer to operate while maximising value.

The mismatch between supply and demand for lithium batteries presents a challenge to the global transition to sustainable energy and the role energy storage will play in it. Andy Colthorpe hears how the dynamics are playing out, and how the challenge can be overcome.

Germany’s early lead among Europe’s battery storage adopters is now long gone. But with the urgency to deploy renewable energy compounded by the need for greater energy independence, some industry players and experts see change coming on the horizon, Cameron Murray writes.

ESG is now at the centre of many investor requirements when it comes to finalising deals, and while solar is obviously a destination of choice from an environmental perspective, that is only part of the puzzle. Galp’s head of Renewable Energy Innovation Centre Emilien Simonot and its environment and CSR manager Claudia Montenegro detail the essential considerations for the solar industry from an ESG perspective.

Manufacturers and developers alike have felt the pain of supply chain constraints of the last two years but, amidst sky-high prices and contractual disputes, how have relations between manufacturers, distributors and developers changed? Liam Stoker reports.

Consistently high levels of inflations seen across the world are impacting all industries in different ways. And solar PV is no exception. Alexa Capital examines the risk and reward profiles for different company structures and moots than greater market consolidation may be on the way.