Solar Power World

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Google just announced on its European Public Policy Blog that it has agreed to make its first clean energy project investment in Europe – a €3.5 million (ca. $ 5 million) investment in a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Germany. Benjamin Kott, Clean Energy Advocacy Manager at Google writes the transaction will still require the formal approval of the German competition authorities and is subject to other customary closing conditions.

The recently completed facility is located on 116 acres in Brandenburg an der Havel, near Berlin. The power plant has a peak capacity of 18.65MWp, which puts it among the largest in Germany.

Kott writes that Google is always looking for new ways to encourage development and deployment of renewable energy across the world. This facility will provide clean energy to more than 5,000 households in the area surrounding Brandenburg. Until the early 90’s, the site was used as a training ground by the Russian military.

Google agreed to jointly invest in this project with the German private equity company Capital Stage, which brings strong experience in the German photovoltaic and renewable energy market. Germany has a strong framework for renewable energy and is home to many leading-edge technology companies in the sector. More than 70% of the solar modules installed in Brandenburg are provided by German manufacturers.

After investing in clean energy projects in the U.S., Kott says Google’s excited about making its first investment outside of the U.S.

googlepolicyeurope.blogspot.com