Search: Otovo

Otovo, the European solar and energy services marketplace, has closed a $7.25 million financing round aimed at accelerating its global expansion. The funding was reported by Business Wire.

Why it matters: While Otovo primarily operates in residential solar, its growth into broader energy services could expand its relevance to EV charging infrastructure, particularly in home charging and vehicle to grid integration markets.

Otovo has finalised its acquisition of SunSystem Technology for $1.3 million, expanding its service platform to cover approximately 30% of the United States. The deal was reported by Business Wire.

Why it matters: Otovo's expanded US footprint in distributed energy services could create new partnership and integration opportunities for EV charging providers seeking bundled solar and charging offerings across a broader geographic base.

Nissan is heading Project SUITE, a £10 million UK Government backed initiative to develop technologies that reduce home and public charging costs and improve EV efficiency. Engineers at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranbrook, Kent, are working on solutions including vehicle integrated solar panels to extend range, building on the solar powered Ariya concept unveiled earlier this year with photovoltaic panels on the bonnet, roof and tailgate. The project aims to fundamentally change how electric vehicles are charged, powered and experienced.

Why it matters: A £10 million research programme targeting cheaper charging infrastructure and onboard energy generation could influence future procurement specifications and reduce operating costs for charge point operators. Vehicle integrated solar technology may also shift demand patterns at public charging sites if range anxiety decreases.

First WATT Renewable Limited and MTN Nigeria have announced a strategic partnership to deploy approximately 34 MWp of solar photovoltaic capacity and 40 MWh of battery energy storage across MTN facilities nationwide, alongside renewable energy infrastructure to power 60 kW EV charging stations at eight MTN sites in Ikoyi, Matori, Ojota, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Kano and Ibadan. The Energy as a Service programme targets data centres, switch facilities, cable landing stations, customer service centres and other network critical locations to reduce diesel dependence and lower operating emissions.

Why it matters: The partnership demonstrates how telecom operators with extensive property portfolios can anchor renewable powered EV charging rollouts, creating procurement opportunities for solar, battery storage and charging hardware suppliers. Eight confirmed charging locations across major Nigerian cities signal a scalable model for integrating EV infrastructure into existing commercial real estate.

Autostrade per l'Italia has awarded E.ON Drive Infrastructure Italy three lots to build 104 ultra-fast charging points at 18 service areas on key motorway corridors, including the A4 Turin to Trieste and A14 Bologna to Taranto routes, by the end of 2026. Each site will feature four to eight Alpitronic HYC400 chargers with up to 400 kW per point, plus canopies with photovoltaic systems and battery storage to optimise solar generation and reduce grid peak loads. All stations will offer card payment without subscription, transparent pricing and high accessibility standards.

Why it matters: The award signals a major motorway charging rollout in Italy and highlights demand for high power Alpitronic hardware paired with on-site solar and storage. Contractors and equipment suppliers targeting Italian concession tenders can benchmark the four to eight charger format and integrated energy management approach now being deployed on ASPI's network.

E.ON Drive has been awarded a competitive tender by ASPI, one of Europe's leading toll-road operators managing around 3,000 km of Italian motorway network, to install 104 ultra-fast charging points of up to 400 kW across 18 service areas on the A4 (Turin to Trieste) and A14 (Bologna to Taranto) corridors. Each site will integrate photovoltaic systems and battery storage, powered entirely by green energy. The tender is part of a wider ASPI programme covering 60 service areas to meet European AFIR requirements for long-distance electric mobility infrastructure.

Why it matters: The award demonstrates how major European toll-road operators are procuring integrated energy hubs combining solar, storage and ultra-fast charging to comply with AFIR mandates. For CPOs and suppliers, the 60 site programme signals a substantial pipeline of motorway charging opportunities across Italy's busiest routes.