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 […]

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Day in the life of Jenny Burbridge, Commercial business controller

Jenny Burbridge, Commercial business controller, manages to balance her passion for the environment, being a busy parent, and her love of all things systematic. In our latest day-in-the-life blog, she considers how she and Solarcentury have evolved together over the past twenty years.  How did it all begin with Solarcentury? I joined Solarcentury in 2000, a year after having my second baby when I was ready for a new challenge. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Day in the life of Sarah Howarth, Head of Content & Design; a lockdown special

Sarah, Head of Content & Design (and working-parent), hopes for better decision-making in a post-Corona world   I’m told we’ve passed 100 days of lockdown, a third of the year. I can’t say it feels like that, but perhaps that’s because we’re now coming out the other side – things are being booked in the diary, I’ve had a hug with my brother (social-bubble-legal), and kids are enjoying a few hours of school. These extra allowances each […]

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Day in the life of Barbara Flesche, CEO

Barbara Flesche became CEO at Solarcentury in late 2020, having previously led the company’s development and project financing teams. She tells us what makes her tick. How did you end up working in renewables? I’m a trained banker and started my career focused on M&A, structured finance and corporate finance. I gained experience of renewables […]

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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 […]

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