28/9/2025-Solar Energy Investment News & People Moves
- Viridian Energy
- Sep 27
- 7 min read
Germany News
Greencells has secured the EPC contract for the 133 MWp Bohrau Solar Project with LEAG in Brandenburg’s Lausitz
Greencells has secured the EPC contract for the 133 MWp Bohrau Solar Project with LEAG in Brandenburg’s Lausitz region, marking one of Germany’s largest solar initiatives.
The site, previously shaped by coal mining, highlights the shift to renewable energy and will also feature biodiversity measures such as flowering strips, woodland structures, and wildlife corridors. This is Greencells’ second collaboration with LEAG after the Haidemühl project, reinforcing its role as a trusted EPC partner. Construction begins in Q4 2025 with completion in 2026. Greencells continues expanding its German portfolio, with nearly 600 MWp installed across 50 projects and 3.3 GW worldwide.
“Strong Renewable Expansion and Proactive Curtailment Can Lower Costs of the European Energy System”
Dutch researchers show that renewables plus short-term storage could supply about 92.5 % of Europe’s electricity demand, with the remaining ~7.5 % met via green hydrogen — assuming a self-sufficient Europe without imports or exports.
They argue that overbuilding capacity and actively curtailing excess renewable generation can mitigate variability and reduce system costs. The study introduces the “Firm kWh Premium” metric to compare cost of firm power vs intermittent supply. Their model (PEIROCOM) co-optimizes generation and storage to minimize annual system costs.
“Goldbeck Solar and Elysium Solar Build Nationwide’s Largest Agri-Photovoltaic Plant with Crop Farming”
Goldbeck Solar and Elysium Solar have broken ground on a 48 MW agri-photovoltaic facility near Berlin’s Schönefeld airport Designed to integrate solar generation with conventional farming, the system uses bifacial modules on trackers, allowing continued crop cultivation beneath.
The plant is expected to produce ~59 GWh annually and be completed by August 2026 The investment is managed via Klimavest, a Commerzbank real assets fund.
“Heimwatt Acquires Cologne Photovoltaics Company EGT”
The solar and heat-pump firm Heimwatt is acquiring Cologne’s EGT Energiegewinner Technik, which is under preliminary insolvency. EGT’s 60 employees will be integrated into Heimwatt.
The move lets Heimwatt expand into the B2B segment (project development and installation for businesses). The acquisition aims to preserve jobs while bolstering Heimwatt’s service and project footprint.
“Hanwha Q-Cells Ends Direct Sales of Its Photovoltaic Systems”
Hanwha Q-Cells is ceasing its direct-to-consumer sales of photovoltaic systems and will henceforth rely solely on its network of authorized partners in Germany and Europe. The company cites the weak German residential PV market and cost pressures from falling module and storage prices. Some job cuts will accompany the shift, though Hanwha says its German locations for R&D (in Bitterfeld-Wolfen) and sales/administration (in Berlin) will remain.
“EnBW Starts Operations of First Section of PV-Wind-Storage Hybrid in Gundelsheim”
Energy utility EnBW has commissioned the first phase of a combined solar, wind, and storage project in Gundelsheim, Germany.
The hybrid facility integrates photovoltaic and wind power generation with battery storage, aiming to demonstrate synergies in renewable generation and flexibility. EnBW will monitor the system’s performance and look to expand or replicate such hybrid plants elsewhere.
USA News
“Solar and Battery Developer Soltage Closes $525 Million Investment”
Soltage, an independent power producer focused on distributed utility-scale solar and battery storage, secured a $525 million tax credit investment agreement.
The deal supports advancing their 2 GW pipeline of solar + storage projects, and will fund the next ~260 MW of deployment. Soltage also earlier closed a $260 million construction and term debt financing facility. Their portfolio includes many smaller utility-scale projects (ground mount, rooftop, canopy) serving commercial, industrial, government, community, and C&I customers.
“Boviet Solar to Expand to 3 GW of Annual U.S. Module Production
Capacity”
Vietnamese solar manufacturer Boviet Solar announced the installation of its third module production line at its Greenville, North Carolina site, raising its U.S. annual module capacity to 3 GW. The facility will also host 3 GW of cell manufacturing capacity, enabling vertical integration of their proprietary “Gamma Series” mono- and bifacial panels.
Boviet expects to invest ~$400 million in the Greenville campus and to create over 1,300 high-skill local jobs when fully operational. move shakes up U.S. solar manufacturing amid renewed domestic buildout efforts.
“Solar Construction Firm Blue Ridge Power Issues Mass Worker Layoff in North Carolina”
Blue Ridge Power, an EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) firm created by utility-scale solar developer Pine Gate Renewables, filed a WARN notice in North Carolina, cutting roughly 517 jobs (348 in Cumberland, 169 in Buncombe). The layoffs are part of a managed wind-down amid broader “market headwinds” confronting the renewables sector. Blue Ridge Power had built many solar projects across the Carolinas and had ~700 employees. Pine Gate said it would transition ongoing projects to other EPC contractors and support affected employees.
“New Yorkers Voice Support for 15 GW of Renewable Energy by 2030”
As the New York Power Authority (NYPA) sought public comments on its Renewables Strategic Plan, a strong majority of submissions called for NYPA to build 15 GW of public renewable capacity by 2030.
Advocates argue this target is essential to meet the state’s 70 % renewable energy mandate under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Some critics say NYC’s existing peaker plants must be shuttered faster, and that moving to renewables is both an environmental and social justice issue NYPA had originally proposed only 7 GW; the public push seeks doubling that.
“A Tightened U.S. Solar Trade Environment”
U.S. solar trade rules are tightening via tariffs, new antidumping & countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations, and stricter “foreign entity of concern” (FEOC) restrictions, reshaping imports of modules, cells, and components Though ~75% of U.S. solar cell & module supply is imported, these policies aim to boost domestic manufacturing New tariffs include 10 % baseline plus country-specific rates; for solar cells and wafers some tariffs reach 60%.
FEOC restrictions could disqualify projects from tax credits if they involve “prohibited foreign entities,” especially tying to Chinese ownership. Domestic content thresholds for tax credit eligibility escalate through 2029.
“LS Energy Solutions Activates 200 MW / 400 MWh Energy Storage in California”
LS Energy Solutions commissioned a 200 MW / 400 MWh battery storage system in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The facility uses lithium-ion technology and will provide grid services, capacity, and flexibility to support renewables integration The project is part of LS Energy’s efforts to build storage assets to underpin decarbonization and grid reliability.
The announcement underscores rising deployment of large energy storage facilities in the U.S. to buffer variability and support grid stability.
Clean energy jobs grew three times faster than overall U.S. workforce, but federal obstruction puts growth at risk
According to the 2025 Clean Jobs America report by E2, the U.S. clean energy sector employed 3.56 million people in 2024, with nearly 100,000 jobs added that year—three times the growth rate of the overall workforce. However, this marked a slowdown from 2023, attributed to federal policy uncertainties and economic challenges.
Since January 2025, over $22 billion in clean energy projects have been canceled, potentially eliminating 16,500 jobs. The Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" could jeopardize up to 830,000 additional positions, threatening the sector's momentum and economic stability.
Peoples Move
Till Brendel – Vice President at Enpal
Till Brendel is Vice President at Enpal, Germany’s leading residential solar and renewable energy company. Enpal focuses on providing homeowners with solar systems, energy storage, and smart home solutions through a subscription-based model. In his role, Till drives strategic growth, operational excellence, and innovation across Enpal’s expanding renewable energy offerings.
With a strong background in scaling technology-driven businesses, he contributes to Enpal’s mission of making sustainable energy accessible and affordable to households. His leadership supports the company’s rapid expansion and commitment to enabling a carbon-neutral future by integrating solar, storage, and e-mobility solutions into everyday living.
Mike Butler – VP of Operations, Distributed Generation at QE Solar
Mike Butler serves as Vice President of Operations, Distributed Generation at QE Solar, a company specializing in operations and maintenance (O&M) services for solar energy assets. In his role, he oversees distributed generation projects, ensuring smooth performance, reliability, and efficiency across client portfolios.
With extensive expertise in O&M, asset optimization, and project operations, Mike focuses on maximizing energy output and reducing downtime for solar assets.
His leadership supports QE Solar’s mission to provide comprehensive management solutions for renewable energy owners and operators, driving sustainability and cost efficiency in the expanding distributed solar generation sector across the U.S.
Dawn Buchel – Vice President of Power and Energy at Atwell, LLC
Dawn Buchel is Vice President of Power and Energy at Atwell, LLC, a consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with a strong presence in renewable energy. She leads initiatives in power and energy, overseeing project delivery, client strategy, and growth within the solar, wind, and energy infrastructure markets.
Dawn’s experience bridges technical expertise with business development, supporting clients in developing, designing, and executing large-scale energy projects. Under her leadership, Atwell advances its role in accelerating clean energy deployment across the U.S. Her focus includes renewable energy expansion, grid integration, and delivering innovative engineering solutions that meet evolving market demands.
Jason Rossi – Senior Vice President, Project Operations at SunShare
Jason Rossi is Senior Vice President of Project Operations at SunShare, a leading community solar developer in the U.S. He manages the full project lifecycle, from construction oversight to operations, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality execution of solar projects.
With years of expertise in renewable energy, Jason drives efficiency, safety, and reliability in SunShare’s portfolio, enabling community access to affordable solar energy. His leadership ensures seamless coordination between stakeholders, contractors, and utilities, positioning SunShare as a trusted developer in the growing community solar market. Jason plays a key role in scaling SunShare’s impact and delivering clean energy to communities.
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