/26^th February 2021, SolarPower Europe, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ Belgium recorded its best year for new installations as cumulative installed solar photovoltaic capacity exceed 10 GW at the end of 2020. A study conducted by Ecofys, suggests that Belgium could set a renewable energy target between 22,5% and 27,2%. The association recommends an objective at 25% renewables minimum. Solar photovoltaic (PV) power in Belgium had a strong performance in 2020 despite the negative health, social and economic effects of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, revealed the recent update of Europe Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Market Outlook: 2021 ÷ 2030.  Each of Belgium’s three regions has its own regulatory framework for solar and renewable energy. The country has the potential to reach 18 GW of solar capacity by 2040, according to the grid operator Elia. Solar PV developments have very good prospects in Belgium as solar technology costs are going down.

/23^rd March 2021, BayWa r.e. Renewable Energy GmbH/ BayWa AG has been given the green light for the capital increase at BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH (BayWa r.e.) by an external investor. The regulatory approvals by the responsible supervisory authorities in Germany, Austria and Australia have laid the foundation for the largest transaction in BayWa’s corporate history: Funds advised by the Swiss investor, Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP), will acquire a 49% stake in BayWa r.e. with an equity contribution of €530 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in March. BayWa AG will remain the majority shareholder with a 51% stake.

/14^th October 2021, BayWa r.e. Renewable Energy GmbH, Fraunhofer ISE/ BayWa r.e., a pioneer in Agri-PV solutions, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, together with other research partners, have built the first Agri-PV research facility for apples and espalier fruit at the Nachtwey organic fruit farm in Gelsdorf in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The primary objective of the project, which is funded by the German Ministry of Environment, Energy, Food and Forestry of Rhineland-Palatinate (MUEEF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), is to increase climate resilience in fruit growing and to ensure safe and sustainable apple production with additional solar power generation. As part of the project, which will run for five years, numerous factors will be investigated on eight varieties of apple.