ESG360 - How Solar Power Can Fuel the Green Energy Transition

• Solar energy has been making great strides in recent years as pressure builds on countries to meet net zero emissions goals

• The latest available data from the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that solar capacity increased 22% to 127 gigawatts in 2020 compared to 2019.

• The maturity and stability of solar photovoltaic panels has made them among the cheapest forms of energy production

In this episode of ESG360, we discuss solar power with Vinod Mukani, head of the Infrastructure and Power Business at Nomura. Solar energy has been making great strides in recent years as pressure builds on countries to reach net zero emissions goals. The latest available data from the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that solar capacity increased 22% to 127 gigawatts in 2020 compared to 2019. The size of the solar market is expected to reach $223 billion by 2026.

Nomura recently acted on an innovative solar and battery storage financing for AMP Energy, a renewables specialist. The deal highlights 3 key trends and challenges. Firstly, the maturity and stability of solar photovoltaic panels has made them among the cheapest forms of energy production. Secondly, the renewables markets is global but jurisdictional nuances make financing a challenge, in particular the way renewables are subsidized vary between countries. Finally, there’s great demand for tailored financing whether it’s for distributed solar that’s produced using rooftop systems or community solar projects that power multiple properties from a central source.

Contributor

Vinod Mukani

Head of Infrastructure & Power Business, Nomura Securities International, Inc.