14/9/2025-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- Sep 12
- 5 min read
Germany News
Vattenfall starts 76 MW PPA-financed agri-solar plant
Vattenfall has commissioned Germany’s largest agri-photovoltaic installation in Tützpatz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with a total capacity of 76 MW. Built over three sites on 93 hectares, it integrates bifacial solar modules with both animal husbandry (mobile chicken coops) and crop farming.
The project operates without EEG subsidy, relying instead on a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with PASM (a subsidiary of Telekom), which will take all the electricity. A large battery storage facility of 50.4 MW/109 MWh is planned for 2027, to bolster grid stability.
What Germany’s solar build-out must do in the next five years
To hit its goal of 215 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic capacity by 2030, Germany must shift from mere volume to high-quality solar deployment. According to a PV Think Tank paper, the next legislative period should feature streamlined permitting and bureaucracy, greater use of energy storage, and more digital, standardized processes.
It also calls for more participation by households, businesses, and municipalities. Crucially, solar projects must be flexible, grid-friendly, and designed for reliability so that renewables can deliver power reliably, not just during peak conditions.
Farmer wins before Rhineland-Palatinate OVG over IHK fees for PV
In a significant ruling, the Higher Administrative Court (OVG) of Rhineland-Palatinate decided that a farmer need not pay membership fees to the local Industry and Commerce Chamber (IHK) for photovoltaic systems on farm buildings.
The court found that the PV installations operated by the farmer are part of his agricultural business and thus exempt from IHK contribution obligations. The decision is not yet final but is being viewed as an important precedent for many farmers who generate solar power as a sideline and have faced IHK demands under commerce laws.
Merz hints at Germany likely to throttle wind and solar expansion
Political signals from Friedrich Merz suggest that Germany may scale back its ambitious expansion of wind and solar capacity. While specific policy measures have not been confirmed, concerns have arisen that regulatory or financial constraints could slow the growth of renewable projects.
Industry and environmental groups are worried such a shift would undermine Germany’s ability to meet its climate goals, as renewable energy is seen as central to reducing emissions and energy dependency. The possibility of hedging back on expansion reflects tension between climate targets, grid constraints, and cost pressures.
Bundesrat initiative: photovoltaics in flood-zones
The German Bundesrat has revived an initiative to allow free-standing photovoltaic ground-mount solar installations in designated or interim flood risk areas. Currently, the Water Resources Act (WHG) blocks construction in these zones via restrictions in flood protection law.
Since solar installations generally do not seal large amounts of surface or impede water run-off, the proposal seeks to amend the law to permit solar parks there, treating them similar to agricultural land in legal status. The move aims to unlock more land for solar energy without undermining flood safety.
USA Solar News
Solaris acquires Sunnova assets, puts SunStrong in control of legacy systems
Solaris, backed by an ad hoc group of lenders and GoodFinch Management affiliates, bought most of Sunnova’s assets and operations in a cash deal of US$25 million, plus debtor-in-possession credit bids and cure costs.
The acquisition includes Sunnova’s residential solar servicing and storage portfolio as well as its O&M (operations & maintenance) platform. SunStrong (a joint venture of SunPower and Hannon Armstrong) is now managing the legacy systems. With this, SunStrong’s managed portfolio grows to over 500,000 solar customers and more than 4 GW of distributed generation and storage assets in the U.S.
Nextracker acquires Origami Solar for $53 million
Nextracker has acquired steel-frame manufacturer Origami Solar in an all-cash deal valued at around US$53 million (including future contingent payments). Origami specializes in roll-formed steel solar panel frames made from recycled steel, which are designed as drop-in replacements for traditional aluminum frames.
The move aims to boost strength, durability, and lower carbon footprint of solar installations, and helps Nextracker expand into the panel frame market. It also supports localized U.S. supply chains and enhances integration of trackers and frames.
EVO Power raises over $20m USD to fund operational expansion across AU and US entities
EVO Power, an Australian battery energy storage system (BESS) integrator and service provider, raised over US$20 million via its parent company LKA Pacific. Investors included Mirae Asset Venture Investment, AJU IB Investment, DS Investment Partners, and Gravity Private Equity.
Funds will be used to scale operations in Australia, the United States, and Korea; expand product offerings; and develop their software for distributed energy resource (DER) controls. EVO Power intends to build upon its six years of growth, enhancing its capabilities in facility development, execution, and operations & maintenance.
Array Technologies confirms compatibility with 2,000-volt solar projects
ARRAY Technologies announced that its DuraTrack® and OmniTrack® solar tracking systems have been verified by Intertek to meet industry standards (under UL 3703 and UL 2703) for compatibility with 2,000-volt (2 kV) module-wired systems.
This is significant as the solar industry shifts toward higher voltage architectures, which allow reduced electrical losses, lower material (e.g. copper) and balance-of-system costs, and improved efficiency. Since ARRAY’s systems already comply without needing modifications, this provides an advantage in future utility-scale and large solar installations.
Community solar makes subtle gains in capacity, but bold moves in policy across the U.S.
Community solar projects in the U.S. saw modest growth in capacity recently, but significant policy changes are underway in many states.
These policy shifts include improved regulatory frameworks, more favorable state incentives, broader participation for low- and moderate-income customers, and streamlined interconnection rules. The evolving policy environment is helping community solar overcome traditional barriers such as cost, financing, and grid access, allowing these programs to make bolder gains even if capacity has not surged yet.
Peoples Move
“Focus on transformation: Olaf Heyden joins the SMA Managing Board”
Olaf Heyden has been appointed Chief Transformation Officer (CTrO) of SMA Solar Technology AG as of 14 February 2025. He began leading the company-wide restructuring and transformation program back in September 2024.
In his new fixed-term role (until Q2 2026), he also assumes the duties of Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing Operations, Human Resources, and Digitalization. SMA’s Supervisory Board states this move aims to strengthen SMA’s position as a global system and solution provider amid market challenges.
Jason Eschenbrenner Named VP of Special Projects at EPC Power Corp.
Jason Eschenbrenner has been appointed Vice President of Special Projects at EPC Power Corp., leveraging extensive experience from previous roles in the energy and power sectors.
In this capacity, he will be responsible for defining and executing strategic initiatives that extend beyond standard operations, including identifying growth opportunities, optimizing project delivery, and leading cross-functional teams toward innovation and efficiency. His leadership in special projects is seen as instrumental in helping EPC Power navigate emerging markets, new technologies, and evolving regulatory demands. Eschenbrenner’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on agility and strategic execution.
Comments