News: Blog
50 larks among abundance of birdlife spotted at Dutch solar farm
At Solarcentury we design and manage our solar farms to enhance biodiversity. A review of our projects in the Netherlands makes reassuring reading and offers insights we can build on. Designs with nature in mind Solar panels are positioned to encourage rainwater and sunlight to reach the ground below. In the Netherlands, 25% of the ground is left uncovered alongside the panels, leaving a […]
The age of the large-format module
By Christopher West, Head of Central Engineering, Solarcentury Overview In 2019, an interesting trend started to appear in the PV market; the increase in module peak power was not being driven by improved cell efficiencies, but instead by making the PV modules bigger. Over the course of 2019 and 2020 modules of over 400 W […]
Renewables still growing despite global energy decline during Covid-19
Statkraft’s latest Low Emissions Scenario reports that despite the high uncertainty of the moment, there is reason for optimism when it comes to the continuation of green trends over the next several decades. Here Gry Johanne Åmodt, VP Head of Global Drivers from the Corporate Strategy and Analysis team, talks us through what the future […]
Saving the planet with solar… and without compromise
Barbara Flesche, CEO, calls for collaboration to ensure we maintain the highest of standards as the solar industry continues on this incredible growth journey All market studies seem to agree: the projected growth rates for solar are staggering. Even BP now foresees solar becoming the fastest-growing energy source ever witnessed. It’s unbelievably exciting to watch […]
Keeping us in the loop
There’s a lot of information to keep on top of, and not enough hours in the day. So we’ve downloaded our favourite commentators on the climate, covering social, podcasts and newsletters. On social Eric Holthaus – giving real-time warnings and some hope along the way. Eric is a meteorologist and climate journalist. He maps extreme weather events and does his best to sound the alarm for people who may be affected. But more than that […]
The journey of a 300 tonne transformer
Our Contracts and Logistics Manager, Jose Lopez, had a task on his hands when faced with transporting a 300 tonne transformer 2,850 miles across Europe from Croatia to Spain. Here he talks us through that journey. A transformer fit for purpose Talayuela Solar in Spain is one of the largest solar energy projects in Europe. At 300MWp (and almost one million solar PV panels), it will generate approximately […]
Dan Davies: a farewell
This July, Dan Davies leaves Solarcentury after a career here spanning four decades. He shares his journey. A bit more than 21 years ago – a few weeks after becoming a dad for the first time – I joined Solarcentury. I’d been working for Jeremy Leggett as a consultant the year before, developing a number […]
Solar and the longest day
We’re approaching the longest day in the Northern hemisphere. But will it be the best day for solar? The answer may not be as you’d expect. Jan Muller, Director of Asset Management, explains. Solar really likes a combination of low temperatures and high levels of irradiance. It still works in cloudy conditions, but performs best […]
How the Coronavirus crisis impacts the construction of our largest solar farm in the Netherlands
Like most of the world, our team in the Netherlands has tried to make the best of the bizarre changes our society is experiencing since the Coronavirus came to our shores. Our offices are empty, and the only way we can communicate with our colleagues is via phone and video conference. But the effects are […]