19/10/2025-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- Oct 18
- 5 min read
USA News
“Procure with Haste” as U.S. Solar PPA Prices Climb
In Q3 2025, solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) prices in North America jumped by 4 % quarter-on-quarter, reaching around $59.77/MWh at the 25th percentile on LevelTen’s platform, while
wind PPAs rose about 5 %.
According to LevelTen Energy, mounting policy headwinds, tariff pressures, and constrained supply chains could sustain this upward trajectory for months or even years. The report urges buyers not to remain complacent, but to act swiftly to lock in favorable PPA terms before further escalation ensues.
Cancellation of America’s Largest Planned Solar Project
The Trump administration officially terminated the Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada, which would have been among the largest solar installations in the U.S., capable of powering nearly 2 million homes. The decision signals increasing political and regulatory uncertainties affecting large-scale solar development in the country.
Fortress Power & TerraSol Team Up for Solar + Storage at Team Toyota
Fortress Power has entered a partnership with TerraSol Energies to deploy a landmark solar plus battery storage system at a Toyota dealership site.
The installation centers around an 820 kWh eSpire battery, enabling the site to curb energy costs and reduce CO₂ emissions through increased self-consumption and resilience.
TotalEnergies’ Danish Fields Solar in Texas
TotalEnergies is advancing its “Danish Fields” solar project in West Texas, comprising several gigawatt-scale photovoltaic plants. This investment underlines the company’s ambition to scale up solar presence in the U.S. and capitalize on abundant solar resource and supportive state policies.
Construction Kicks Off on 150 MW Bee Hollow in Illinois
Geronimo Power has begun construction on the 150 MW Bee Hollow Solar project in St. Clair County, Illinois, with Burns & McDonnell as EPC contractor.
The project has secured a PPA with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) and is slated for commercial operation in late 2026. Once operational, Bee Hollow is expected to power 45,600 homes and offset about 219,100 metric tons of CO₂ annually.
Germany News
Photovoltaic market – where is it headed?
In recent months, module prices across different photovoltaic technologies have shown erratic fluctuations rather than a clear trend.
The small-scale installation segment is seeing a slowdown in demand, pushing EPC firms and manufacturers to shift focus toward medium and large projects, where competition and price pressures are intense. Looking ahead, market observers expect further cooling in demand, driven by uncertainty over future energy policies and the erosion of existing business models and investment incentives.
EnBW’s Solar Park with EV-Battery Storage
Germany’s EnBW has unveiled a 14.2 MW solar park in Aach, complemented by an 810 kW / 2.34 MWh storage system built using modules derived from surplus or second-life EV batteries. The site’s output is projected to cover the yearly electricity needs of around 5,500 households, while during peak surplus it can power about 2,400 homes for three hours. This approach reduces reliance on new raw materials and demonstrates a circular use of EV batteries in stationary storage.
Tützpatz Agrivoltaic Project in Germany with GCL SI Partnership
Vattenfall has inaugurated its Tützpatz project in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a 76 MWp solar farm integrated with agricultural uses over 93 hectares It is Germany’s largest ground-mounted Agri-PV installation to date, and operates under a long-term power purchase agreement, selling to a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. The project demonstrates that food production and clean energy generation can coexist on the same land footprint.
World’s First Vertical Floating Solar Power Plant
In Bavaria, Germany, a novel solar installation featuring vertical, bifacial modules has been commissioned in a former quarry pond — the world’s first vertical floating solar plant. It achieves 1.87 MW of capacity and is designed to generate about 2 GWh annually, covering roughly 4.65 % of the water body's surface. Its vertical orientation and keel-anchored structure allow for energy harvest from both sides and adaptability to wind and water level changes.
R-Power’s 115.5 MW Hybrid Win in Germany
Polish energy firm R.Power has secured support for hybrid solar + battery projects totaling 115.5 MW in Germany’s latest EEG innovation auction. These projects will benefit from 20 years of guaranteed remuneration under the German scheme, blending large-scale PV and storage to deliver dispatchable clean energy. This marks a significant step for R.Power in expanding within Europe’s advanced renewable market and underlines the growing centrality of hybrid systems in future energy infrastructure.
Peoples Move
Franz Szymanski Appointed Chief Operating Officer at SG Inc
SG Inc has announced the appointment of Franz Szymanski as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With extensive experience in operational leadership and strategic business management, Szymanski will play a key role in driving efficiency, growth, and innovation across the company’s core operations.
His leadership background in scaling industrial and technology-driven businesses positions him to strengthen SG Inc’s performance and market competitiveness. As COO, Szymanski will oversee daily operations, process optimization, and organizational strategy, ensuring the company continues its trajectory of sustainable expansion and operational excellence.
Chris Herbers Appointed VP of Strategic Growth at Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Energy has appointed Chris Herbers as Vice President of Strategic Growth, bringing his extensive experience in energy strategy and business development to the role. Herbers will focus on driving the company’s long-term growth initiatives, fostering innovation, and expanding clean energy opportunities across its service territories. With a strong background in utility operations and strategic leadership, he will play a key role in advancing Black Hills Energy’s mission to provide reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy solutions while supporting the transition to a more resilient and diversified energy future.
Departure of Dr. Enno Wolf from LichtBlick’s Executive Leadership
Dr. Enno Wolf will step down from the executive board of LichtBlick SE at the end of the year, citing personal reasons. Since 2020, he has served as COO, overseeing the company’s asset portfolio, energy trading, flexibility services, as well as technology, data, communications, sustainability, and political affairs.
Under his leadership, LichtBlick doubled both revenue and customer numbers, expanded into electromobility, and developed a multi-gigawatt pipeline of solar and battery projects. In his announcement, Wolf expressed gratitude to the leadership team and staff, stating that the time has come for new challenges. LichtBlick’s supervisory board plans to reorganize the management structure, aiming to fill the vacant third executive position—focused on sales—by mid-2026.
Thomas Ost – Head of Construction, Uniper Renewables
Thomas Ost serves as the Head of Construction at Uniper Renewables, where he leads the planning and execution of renewable energy projects across Europe. With extensive experience in project delivery and construction management, he oversees all stages of solar and wind developments, ensuring quality, safety, and timely completion.
Under his leadership, Uniper continues to expand its renewable portfolio, driving the transition toward sustainable energy. Thomas is known for his strategic approach, technical expertise, and ability to manage complex, large-scale infrastructure projects within dynamic and fast-evolving energy markets.
Comments