Suntech and Alternergy partner to expand UK solar market

At the Solar & Storage Live UK event in Birmingham, Suntech and Alternergy announced a strategic cooperation agreement to develop the UK solar market. The partnership aims to combine Suntech’s photovoltaic technology and manufacturing with Alternergy’s local distribution expertise to provide PV solutions to installers and wholesalers across the UK and Ireland.

Industry discussions at the conference highlighted several challenges facing the UK’s solar pipeline, particularly for large-scale projects exceeding 100 MW. While securing planning consent has become more efficient, developers face hurdles regarding financial close and revenue visibility. Industry leaders noted that while recent auctions have set capacity records, consistent revenue support is necessary to secure investor backing for large-scale infrastructure. Additionally, the sector faces significant skill shortages regarding the engineering talent required to connect new assets to the transmission network.