Training

Training

Alto unveils new training features...

Post By: September 18, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , ,
Alto unveils new training features

Alto has boosted its training offering for estate and letting agents. 


Agency users can now access an overview of Alto training via its website, choose from an expanded training offering for their branch and book the training themselves.


The training is now divided into three options. These are Alto Essentials: designed for branches and their staff that have recently joined Alto; Alto Innovations: keeps experienced Alto users up to date with new features, updates and integrations. Alto custom training: this paid offering can range from an Alto ‘health check’ with a dedicated expert, bespoke one to one or team training, or advanced training on topics like accounts or property management for specialists looking to further improve their knowledge



All of these training options are supported by Alto’s Help Centre which is updated daily and provides more than 600 how-to articles and user guides. Alto customers can also use the help centre to raise support queries. 

It coincides with the launch of a new booking system. To book a custom training session, Alto customers can now simply visit the Alto website – select their slot of choice and pay with it online using their credit card details. 


Riccardo Dawson, chief operating officer at Alto said: “We know that investing in training is the best way for any agent to get the absolute most from their CRM. 


“We’re delighted to dial up our training offering to ensure agents not only are set up for success when they join Alto – but also have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Alto and its latest features and functionality at a time that’s convenient for them.”



Source link

Read More

Ushering in the Next Age of Rooftop Solar in Europe’s Commercial Space

Post By: August 15, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


With 90% of all rooftops across the EU sitting unused, the opportunity ahead could be enormous. It makes sense for those operating in these industries to pay close attention to the latest advancements in the rooftop PV space


Ushering in the Next Age of Rooftop Solar in Europe’s Commercial Space

Ushering in the Next Age of Rooftop Solar in Europe’s Commercial Space


Leandro Netz, who is Head of Business for Solnet Group | Solnet Group



The European commercial sector is advancing at a rapid pace, driven by a number of key technologies. One of the commonalities between the majority of these advancements, is that decarbonsation lies at the core. It is clear that the next wave of the industry will have greener technologies at their core, and that companies will also have greater autonomy over their own energy supplies. 

This shift presents a particularly interesting opportunity for businesses with large amounts of unused rooftop space, such as grocery stores and large commercial buildings. With 90% of all rooftops across the EU sitting unused, the opportunity ahead could be enormous. It makes sense for those operating in these industries to pay close attention to the latest advancements in the rooftop PV space, as they are set to play a major role in the years ahead.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the process of planning and installing a PV system has not gotten any simpler. This should not be the case. Solar PV, and renewables in general represent a shift to a more decentralized energy system. In order to realize the full benefits of decentralization, it is necessary for the barriers to install a system to be far lower than the centralized plants they are replacing. 

 

Solar innovation is changing gear

Solar innovation is now moving very much in line with what we have seen with tech in general in recent years. Considerable work has been done to lower entry barriers and to onboard corporations to new technologies – it could be argued that we have still not seen this happen at scale for solar PV. While many large commercial businesses have the resources to dedicate staff to the planning and managing of a plant, for many, switching over to a rooftop solar installation is simply not worth the effort despite the overwhelming benefits.

Thankfully, there have been significant developments in recent years that make the process of owning a rooftop PV system far simpler. In Europe in particular, it is now possible for small to medium sized businesses to take advantage of a rooftop system without needing to dedicate staff to the planning or construction of the system. In fact, the pieces are now in place for a wider rollout of smaller scale rooftop PV systems, as well as energy as a service models. This will benefit both smaller companies, as well as larger corporations with more decentralized energy needs, such as the aforementioned grocery chains or logistics providers.

 

Energy Cost certainty is more important than ever

This opens up the doors to almost any organization with free roof space to hedge against uncertainty in the European energy market. This presents a massive opportunity for European organizations to confidently secure their energy supplies for years to come. After a chaotic winter, this opportunity should not be taken lightly, especially with investor confidence in the region lower than it has been in recent years.

In Germany, Europe’s largest economy and the industrial heart of the EU, there is presently 66GW of solar PV installed, with 13.2% of that represented by rooftop systems. In the future, it is expected that annual growth will amount to an impressive 20GW per year, with 50% of that to be rooftop PV. This represents an immense opportunity for many businesses in the country.

Commercial buildings in particular present a great fit for rooftop solar. With multiple locations spread over large areas, such as the case for large grocery chains, being able to install multiple rooftop systems with a single partner is an extremely valuable opportunity. This value is compounded even further when you begin to implement additional technologies to unlock further efficiencies. One of the most obvious opportunities for sector coupling in the commercial space is with the integration of EV charging systems. Offerring integrated EV charging capabilities to customers could turn out to be a valuable differentiator in the years to come.

 

More data – for better performance

And all of this is ignoring a fairly significant elephant in the room – the continued, and ever accelerating pace of technological development. One of the most significant developments we are seeing, across technology types, is a greater ability to leverage data and analytics. This will have massive implications in the management and utilization of energy, and in many cases these advancements will require nothing more than an update to the software running in the background.

As we see data and software playing a continually bigger role in solar PV, we can expect the pace of innovation, and in turn the value to users to increase as well. This can be likened to the regular software updates that deliver improved performance to Tesla’s, which was preceded by those for our smartphones. Ten years ago, a car improving over its lifetime was unheard of – ten years from now, we may see rooftop PV systems undergo a similar transformation.

We can clearly see the rooftop PV space moving towards being more adaptive, reactive, and ultimately beneficial for a wider range of businesses. It has never been so easy, and so valuable for commercial business owners to install a rooftop PV system in Europe. The benefits will only grow as technology, as well as the utilization of data continues to improve. Europe’s commercial rooftops will likely look far different a decade from now – and the ones who are paying attention now have a great opportunity in front of them.

 

 

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag


Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.

Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

EverVolt™ - Power your business with a solar pioneer you can trust.

EverVolt™ – Power your business with a solar pioneer you can trust.

Offer homeowners best-in-class solar and energy storage in one money-saving bundle. Panasonic’s new EverVolt™ Series modules come in 350W, 360W, 370W & 380W models and work seamlessly with their EverVolt battery storage – all warrantied by one of America’s most trusted brands.

Source link

Read More

NIOSH and U.S. Coast Guard Seek Applications for Commercial Fishing Safety Grant -- Occupational Health & Safety

Post By: August 10, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NIOSH and U.S. Coast Guard Seek Applications for Commercial Fishing Safety Grant

The deadline to apply is August 29, 2023.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Aug 10, 2023

Professionals in the fishing and maritime industries might be able to secure additional funding, thanks to the latest from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

In a release dated August 9, NIOSH announced the availability of $6 million in extramural grant funding for commercial fishing safety research and training. The grants—which are administered by NIOSH and supported by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)—will apply to fiscal year 2024. The application process is open to all qualified individuals throughout academia, nonprofit organizations, municipalities and businesses.

Through its Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program, NIOSH aims to improve the work environments for commercial fishers. Grantee training is currently focused on training fishers in safety procedures, developing first aid and training materials, and creating better educational approaches for the safety trainers themselves.

The deadline to apply for this latest NIOSH funding is August 29, 2023. For fiscal year 2024, the final funding opportunity for research and training grant funding will be January 30, 2024. Interested parties can find more information on the NIOSH Commercial Fishing Occupational Safety Research and Training Program website.

About the Author



Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.



Source link

Read More

Sun Powered and Profitable: California Commercial Real Estate Owner Improves ‘Rentability’ with Innovative Rooftop and Carport Solar Installation

Post By: August 4, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Solar installation on Redwood City R&D facility generates new revenue stream for the building owner, who will sell power to their tenants

Commercial real estate (CRE) company, H&S Properties, has commissioned a 623kWp rooftop and carport solar installation on a research and development (R&D) facility in Redwood City, California. SolarEdge’s DC-optimized technology was chosen for the project to maximize energy production and profitability for H&S which will store the energy for its tenants to use. Now operational, the installation is forecast to produce 950,000 kWh of electricity each year, equivalent to 78% of the building’s total energy use.

The building’s tenants are comprised of four research and development (R&D) companies working on a variety of projects, ranging from DNA research to the development of solar windows. H&S Properties will sell the energy produced onsite to its tenants at around 10% less than the price of grid provided electricity, providing an opportunity for significant savings that are expected to grow as energy prices increase.

“Solar represents a major opportunity for CRE owners to significantly increase the value of their properties and make them much more attractive to potential tenants,” says Robert Hymes, Chief Development Officer at installer MYNT Systems. “For building owners, the biggest issue keeping them up at night is the thought of properties lying vacant. Providing access to sustainable, lower-cost energy is incredibly appealing to prospective tenants, and, in fact, we are finding that some companies now have a mandate that any building they occupy must have solar. The good news is that these buildings typically have large, empty roofs. Leveraging SolarEdge technology, we turn that empty space into what is effectively a passive, high-value tenant for the building owner.”

The solar installation includes 1,299 bifacial solar modules, upgraded to smart modules with SolarEdge Power Optimizers, two SolarEdge DC-optimized inverters, and a battery. The SolarEdge solution maximizes solar energy production by overcoming issues such as shading, module degradation and soiling, which can limit production in traditional string-inverter systems. In addition, it provides design flexibility around module layout and placement, allowing system owners to make the most of all available space.

Another advantage of the SolarEdge solution is the ability to monitor each pair of modules independently and in real time. This was an important consideration for MYNT Systems which will maintain the system. With module-level monitoring, it is able to accurately pin-point potential issues to minimize time on site and maximize system uptime. In addition, it will use the granular data to provide highly accurate production information to H&S Properties which it will use to bill its tenants.

Hymes concludes: “Solar is much more than a technology that reduces energy bills – for CREs it actually provides an opportunity to increase the value of their buildings. When speaking with clients, we tend to talk less about kW/h production and more about the impact solar has on rental prices and tenant retention. Our clients are not solar experts, but they understand those metrics very well. By speaking the industry’s language, we are able to convey the advantages of solar power to a much wider audience.”

Source link

Read More

Rightmove launches new tool to track training progres...

Post By: August 1, 2023 0 Comment(s) , ,
Rightmove launches new tool to track training progress

Rightmove has launched a new tool to help agencies manage their training with the portal.


The new tool ‘Teams View’ is available within the Rightmove Hub and gives agencies better visibility of the training that staff have completed and track their progress.


With Teams View, agencies can allocate training, set reminders and generate automated reports as well as track staff progress of their staff.



Rightmove’s head of education Jason Charles said: “With so much free training now available on the Rightmove Hub to help agents continue their professional development, agencies have told us it can be difficult to keep track of the Rightmove training that staff have already completed, and the training which specific team members need. 


“With Teams View, no matter whether agencies are single branch or covering nationwide, they will be able to better identify how the Rightmove Hub can help staff with the training that they need to help them progress their career.”


Meanwhile, Rightmove has said it will host a webinar for agents on Thursday 3 August at 10:00am focused on the latest insights, data and trends surrounding energy efficiency, Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) and greener homes.

The webinar, hosted by Rightmove’s director of property science Tim Bannister, and Simon Leadbetter, founder of sustainability magazine Blue & Green Tomorrow, will cover what letting agents can do now to help their landlords prepare for potential changes Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), with the government’s plans currently unclear, and how all agents can differentiate their business from the competition in an increasingly green-aware market.


Bannister said: “We’re hearing from agents that landlords need more clarity and certainty on upcoming changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in order to plan ahead, and agents themselves want this clarity so they can offer their landlords the best advice. 


“From our latest deep-dive into the many issues surrounding energy efficiency, the indications are that green concerns are rising up the priority list for consumers too, and demand for more energy efficient homes will only increase in the years ahead. We want to help agents by sharing the latest data on this important topic and ways they can help their landlords right now.”


To sign up to the webinar, agents can visit the Rightmove Hub: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/greener-homes-live-qa/



Source link

Read More

Solar Financing for Small to Medium Sized Commercial Properties

Post By: July 5, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Between tax incentives, including those stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act, and reducing their utility bill, solar can help companies control costs and put more money toward other business objectives.


Solar Financing for Small to Medium Sized Commercial Properties

Solar Financing for Small to Medium Sized Commercial Properties


Q&A with Susan Tanski, Co-founder and Head of Strategy | Sunstone Credit



Can you tell me a bit about Sunstone Credit and the work you do?

Sunstone Credit is a clean energy financing company that helps businesses of all sizes go solar. 

Due to the large upfront expense, one of the biggest issues companies have when it comes to switching to solar energy is the financing, which is where Sunstone comes in. We have a network of solar installer partners throughout the country that we work with to offer businesses access to simple, affordable and easy-to-understand solar loan financing.

Ultimately, we want to help companies reduce their carbon footprint, while saving money and contributing to a clean, green future.

 

Outside of the environmental impact, what are some of the ways going solar can benefit a business?

There are a number of ways going solar can benefit your business. Some examples include:

Economic Benefits: Between tax incentives, including those stemming from the Inflation Reduction Act, and reducing their utility bill, solar can help companies control costs and put more money toward other business objectives.

Customer Preference: Whether it’s a global company like Patagonia, or a local, eco-friendly soap maker from the farmers market, consumers have shown that they’ll spend more if it means buying from a sustainable company. And it doesn’t stop at consumers. Investors and lenders are also demanding more sustainable practices from the companies they do business with.

Resilient Power Access: Going solar gives businesses more energy independence. So even when there are issues with the grid, or power outages, businesses that use solar panels backed up with battery storage can stay open without interruption and continue to serve their customers.

 

What is preventing more businesses from going solar?

Financing. Solar comes with a large upfront cost, and until recently, most companies have not had easy access to loan financing for solar installations.

With Sunstone, we’ve created affordable and easy-to-understand solar financing so that more and more businesses can start to take advantage of the benefits of going solar.

 

What’s the top misconception that businesses have when it comes to solar and / or solar financing?

A lot of people think that solar only pays off if you live in a state with a lot of sun, when really, solar offers financial benefits no matter where you live. Take New Jersey for example. While they don’t get the most sunlight in the world, energy tends to be more expensive there and there are local incentives that businesses can take advantage of. So if an NJ-based company switches to solar, they can easily generate significant utility bill savings, even in the dead of winter.

 

How are Sunstone’s loans different than other financing options?

Sunstone strives to be different in a few ways. First, our underwriting evaluates the credit of the business and we do not require a personal guarantee from the business owner in most cases.  Second, we offer long terms, up to 20 years, as well as 100% financing at fixed interest rates. Finally, we have a much more streamlined underwriting process than banks or other financing programs. Our goal is for businesses to be able to go solar and see the benefits as quickly as possible, while minimizing headaches. 

 

Where do you see the commercial solar market heading over the next few years?

We believe the commercial solar market is an over $1 trillion opportunity, and the best way to finance these projects is with easy and straightforward loan products like those offered by Sunstone. Residential solar finance is already figured out for the most part, and so is large and utility scale, so small to medium sized commercial properties are really the final domino here. We’re excited to fill that void and help more businesses go solar, save money, and save the planet!

 

 

 

About Susan Tanski

Susan Tanski is Co-founder and Head of Strategy for Sunstone Credit, a technology-enabled clean energy financing platform that helps businesses go solar. Susan has over 15 years of experience in financial services and climate technology, including at Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp., Capital One and Goldman Sachs.

 

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag


Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.

Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

Stat-X® Fire Suppression for Energy Storage Systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems

Stat-X® Fire Suppression for Energy Storage Systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems

Stat-X® condensed aerosol fire suppression is a solution for energy storage systems (ESS) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) applications. Our Stat-X condensed aerosol fire extinguishing product was tested for efficacy in suppressing li-ion battery fires. It was found that the product successfully extinguished single and double cell battery fires. This testing was conducted in parallel with a large battery fire testing program on behalf of a large energy storage company.

Source link

Read More

Qcells maintains No. 1 position in both U.S. residential & commercial solar market segments

Post By: July 3, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest U.S. PV Leaderboard Report issued by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables solidifies Qcells as a leading choice for solar panels. With the Q1 2023 results available, Qcells continues to hold these No.1 market share positions, while offering popular turnkey solutions for the residential, commercial, and utility sectors.

[San Francisco, CA, July 3, 2023] Qcells, a dominant provider in complete energy solutions, continues to lead the solar industry in both U.S. residential and commercial markets, according to a recent report issued by Wood Mackenzie, a leading energy research and consultancy firm.

According to Wood Mackenzie’s U.S. PV Leaderboard Report for Q2 2023 (the “Leaderboard Report”), Qcells obtained 35 percent market share in the U.S. residential solar module market for Q1 2023, marking 15 consecutive quarters occupying No.1. Over one-third of U.S. households that installed solar in Q1 2023 used Qcells panels, meaning the company has set a new record for the highest market share by an individual supplier over the past ten years.

The Leaderboard Report also ranks Qcells as the U.S. commercial market leader with 35.3 percent market share for Q1 2023. Qcells has held this No.1 position in the commercial segment for more than four years.

Qcells is set to maintain its leading market performance in the U.S. by making a significant investment of over $2.5 billion to establish a comprehensive solar supply chain within the country. The recent announcement marks the largest investment in the history of American solar and sets Qcells up as the only company in the U.S. to establish a fully integrated, silicon-based solar supply chain from raw material to finished panel.

Alongside its capacity expansion plans, Qcells has achieved significant milestones in developing turnkey energy solutions for the residential, commercial, and utility sectors, demonstrating its commitment to serving diverse customers’ needs across three segments.

Qcells is pursuing the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) ecolabel for some of our solar panels. EPEAT is a globally recognized, voluntary label that helps purchasers identify low-carbon solar panels and inverters. Such ecolabels allow customers to confidently partner with solar manufacturers like Qcells, who are committed to being a leader in sustainability and reducing the solar industry’s climate footprint.

Qcells CEO Justin Lee said: “Qcells stands by the quality of its products and is proud that our customers agree that we’re a reliable choice for solar. We are building a company that wants to go above and beyond for our customers, making it easy for them to take advantage of the clean energy technology that is affordable, reliable, and sustainable.”

# # #

About Qcells
Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules, portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers the world over. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Qcells offers Completely Clean Energy through the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, storage solutions, renewable electricity contracting and large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets. For more information, visit: https://qcells.com/us/

Source link

Read More

Ōtākou Māori trades and training programme gets green light

Post By: June 5, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Paul Miller, Aukaha, Willie Jackson, Naylor Love apprentice Jamahl Oliver Backer, Flynn Sefo-Cloughly, who is working towards starting his apprenticeship; and Chris Rosenbrock, Aukaha. Photo / Supplied

Manawhenua-owned consultancy Aukaha has welcomed a more than $40 million boost for new Māori trades and training programmes, saying it will make a difference for thousands of whānau Māori facing genuine barriers to employment or stuck in low-paying jobs.

Willie Jackson, Minister for Māori Development and Associate Minister for Social Development – Māori Employment, touched down in Dunedin last week to announce approved funding of $42.6m across 30 by Māori, for Māori employment and training programmes, including one in Ōtākou led by Aukaha.

The minister also announced $24.45m for new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes for young people not in employment, education of training.

Aukaha general manager Mana Tākata, Chris Rosenbrock, said the investment was critical to enabling longer-term, locally-led solutions.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

“We know that a kaupapa Māori approach, with wraparound support, not just for the individual but for the whānau, works. The issues facing whānau Māori who are not in employment, or who may be in employment but feeling trapped in a low wage or temporary work environment, are complex and a business-as-usual approach is not enough.

Our goal to grow the overall wellbeing of whānau, rather than the narrower goal of just securing employment. That is important, but it is not necessarily the only endpoint.”

Over the past three years, Aukaha has guided more than 250 whānau into long-term, sustainable employment, training or re-training. The new Māori Trades and Training funding means 80 more whānau will have the opportunity to join the Aukaha programme over the next 24 months.

A trainee that Aukaha is currently supporting met Jackson on Friday afternoon during a tour of the site of the new state-of-the-art ACC building under construction in Dowling St, a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Property and ACC.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Sam* is one of several rangatahi for whom Aukaha has been able to secure employment and apprenticeship opportunities with commercial construction heavyweight Naylor Love drawing on its professional and iwi networks.

“The programme focuses on intensive pastoral care, but also brings our extensive professional and iwi networks into play and we are able to provide support not just for the employee, but also the employer,” said Rosenbrock, “so it is really complementary.”

Source link

Read More

Qcells retains No. 1 market share in the U.S. residential & commercial solar module segments

Post By: May 10, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest U.S. PV Leaderboard Report issued by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables solidifies Qcells as a sustained market leader. With the 2022 results available, Qcells has now held the No.1 market share position in the residential and commercial solar segments for five and four consecutive years, respectively.

[San Francisco, CA, May 10, 2023] Qcells, a leading provider in complete energy solutions, once again leads the solar industry in both U.S. residential and commercial markets, according to a recent report issued by Wood Mackenzie, a leading energy research and consultancy firm.

According to Wood Mackenzie’s U.S. PV Leaderboard Report for Q1 2023 (the “Leaderboard Report”), Qcells obtained 33.7 percent market share in the U.S. residential solar module market for 2022, marking 18 consecutive quarters occupying No.1. Qcells panels are installed in more than one third of U.S. solar households, meaning the company has set a new record for the highest market share by an individual residential module supplier over the past ten years. Further, Qcells logged a remarkable 38.9 percent market share in Q4 alone.

The Leaderboard Report also ranks Qcells as the U.S. commercial market leader with 17.7 percent market share for 2022. Qcells has held this No.1 position in the commercial segment for the last four years.

Qcells is well positioned to continue its leading market performance in the U.S., driven by its longstanding commitment to bolstering the domestic market. Qcells’ announced plans to invest more than $2.5 billion – the largest investment in the history of American solar – to build a complete solar supply chain in the U.S. With this, Qcells aims to accelerate the U.S.’ renewable energy transition and domestic manufacturing expansion amid the country’s push for made-in-America clean energy solutions.

Alongside its capacity expansion plans, Qcells’ milestones extend to its growing integrated energy solutions for the residential, commercial, and utility sectors.

Most recently, Qcells and Summit Ridge Energy, the nation’s largest commercial solar company, announced a partnership where Qcells will provide 1.2 gigawatts of solar panels to support the development of more than 350 community solar projects during the next four years. Qcells will also deliver more than 2.5 gigawatts of solar panels, as well as provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services to selected solar projects contracted by Microsoft through power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Qcells CEO Justin Lee said: “Qcells is proud to be a leader in clean energy solutions in the U.S. PV module sector. Our consistent market leadership serves as proof that our customers value what Qcells as a brand has to offer. Establishing a complete, domestic solar manufacturing value chain in the U.S. will only help Qcells continue reaching greater heights and maintain its position as the dependable choice for the U.S. market.”

# # #

About Qcells

Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules, portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers the world over. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Qcells offers Completely Clean Energy through the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, storage solutions, renewable electricity contracting and large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets. For more information, visit: https://qcells.com/us/

Source link

Read More

Real Estate Remains a Compelling Proposition for Residence and Citizenship by Investment -Asian Wealth Management and Asian Private Banking

Post By: May 7, 2023 0 Comment(s) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For institutional, professional investors and financial intermediaries only and not for retail or public use.

Jump to section:

1. What are some of the options and variations in real estate investment between residence by investment (RBI) and citizenship by investment (CBI) programs?

2. How are the current economic challenges impacting real estate investment for these programs?

3. Do you think the combination of an alternate residence or citizenship with an attractive property investment will remain a compelling proposition?

Video transcript

1. What are some of the options and variations in real estate investment between residence by investment (RBI) and citizenship by investment (CBI) programs?

Within residence and citizenship by investment programs, there are a number of variations. Programs can’t always be compared the same as apples and apples per se, and there are differences and variations between residence and citizenship themselves.
But some of the key variations that come up in conversation and are worthwhile for clients to know are, there’s often a minimum investment amount that varies between programs. For example, in Spain, the minimum investment amount for real estate is EUR 500,000, whereas in St. Kitts and Nevis, for citizenship by investment it is USD 200,000.
There are also different types of properties that qualify, depending on the program. Commercial, residential, and service departments are three key sectors and categories that programs allow or don’t allow. Some programs only allow off-plan residential property. Some programs, particularly in the Caribbean, have a list of published government-approved projects. These are typically off-plan projects in low-density areas or areas where the government wants to promote tourism, and they often have a globally recognized hotel operator associated with them. One’s got to be very careful. And the governments and the programs are very specific about what types of property can qualify. Some countries, such as Portugal, do specify and encourage investments in low-density areas.
The type of ownership can also vary from program to program. Grenada and Portugal do permit co-ownership of a property, whereas a program like Malta insists that it’s full-title ownership, and it is a freehold title.
Probably the last key variation between programs, which is worth recognizing, is the holding period. And by this, I mean the minimum period of time that an investor must hold their property and their real estate investment, without jeopardizing their application. In St. Kitts and Nevis, for example, this could be seven years for a USD 200,000 investment, whereas in Antigua, for an investment of the same value, it could be five years. In Greece and Spain, the holding period is perhaps not as defined. It’s a residence program, so one always has to have a qualifying asset while in the period of residency.
There are, it’s fair to say, lots of variations. There are nuances within programs, and each program has restrictions and limitations, and it’s very much worthwhile seeking advice from a professional, to make sure that you have a safe and qualifying asset in your real estate investment.

2. How are the current economic challenges impacting real estate investment for these programs?

The demand really does remain very high for real estate investment in these programs. Programs evolve and have life cycles naturally, without the current economic challenges that we face. Right now, we are seeing a change in the Portugal program, and the real estate investment is being impacted by that.
In Greece, we’re seeing some changes being implemented in the coming weeks and months, and that’s around locations where qualifying investment is permitted, whether it be in Athens and a couple of the islands, the minimum investment thresholds are being increased.
The changes I’ve just mentioned are perhaps more natural and a part of an evolution, whereas there certainly are some challenges that we’re seeing on a macro level, linked to the economic situation that we are experiencing. We’re seeing that cost of construction is a lot higher than pre-pandemic levels, and we’re seeing the general cost of living increasing significantly in a lot of countries.
But with regard to investment migration real estate, it’s not really impacted any differently than traditional real estate in these markets. In capital cities and key markets, real estate remains very desirable and is often in short supply. Real estate is still considered a safe haven in this kind of economic environment. We’re also seeing rents in capital cities and outside of capital cities having some significant increases.
And despite all of the doom and gloom about the economic challenges that we are facing, we’re also seeing increased amounts of tourism, which many of the investors in this industry benefit from because tourism in the Caribbean often leads to greater return on investment, greater capital appreciation, as well as the yields. Investors who are renting their properties out in the Caribbean, and also in cities like Barcelona, Athens, and Lisbon, are very happy to see year-on-year rental increases and increases in their property values. That remains to be good news and a trend that is seen in these tough economic times.
Governments and developers are seeing an increase in residence and citizenship by investment. Developers see the funds that are generated as part of the capital stack, allowing them to complete and build a project, but now they’re seeing it as more attractive than ever because the cost of borrowing from a bank has got higher. If they’re able to borrow at a low or sometimes zero interest from a citizenship or a resident by investment client, then that becomes highly, highly desirable to them.
High-net-worth individuals have typically liked real estate. They’ve got a good track record and familiarity with real estate, and it is seen as a secure asset.
I’m confident about the future, and I think real estate remains to be an asset, which safeguards capital and is actually a good hedge against inflation.

3. Do you think the combination of an alternate residence or citizenship with an attractive property investment will remain a compelling proposition?

Yes, I do strongly believe that it will remain a compelling combination. Other qualifying investment options for residence and citizenship by investment often include government contributions, which are sometimes referred to as donations, or cash on deposit, or starting a business. And some of these offer no returns or very little returns, or in the case of donation and contribution, you’re not going to get even your original capital back. Real estate investment as a qualifying asset, if you choose the property wisely, is really, really attractive.
Real estate is something that people are familiar with and is a proven investment and has a good, solid track record in times of high interest rates and in times of low interest rates. Investing in real estate when it’s linked to investment migration is also a lot more than just buying a property. You’re getting your asset allocation and diversification.
But when a property acquisition is linked to your alternative residence or citizenship, it’s got to be super, super attractive. We know the main benefits of real estate can be from the core asset appreciating in value, but it can also be from getting an attractive yield. When you combine that with the benefits of investment migration, which can be improved global access and mobility, increased security, better health care, or a hedge against political and economic stability, it really does become very, very compelling.
Historically, real estate’s always been a smart decision and a smart investment, but if you combine it with an alternative residence or citizenship, it could be a really, really smart decision.

Source link

Read More