Photon Energy Solutions HU Kft., the Hungarian unit of Netherlands-based solar project developer Photon Energy, has switched on a 1.3 MW solar power plant in Tolna, in central Hungary.

According to Hungarian renewable energy specialist, Ferenc Kis, changes occurred in the Hungarian grid connection process earlier this summer with direct financial implications imposed by obligatory bid bonds. "This coordinated grid connection capacity allocation on the country level will result in new network connection possibilities reserved previously by developers but also gives an emergency break option for the system operator if the PV capacity grows faster than the flexibility of the system."

According to Kis, the last three auctions have shown significant competition as the procurement exercises were up to five times oversubscribed, while the average bid prices fell by 28% to an average of €50.3/MWh.

The latest statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveal that Hungary had installed 1.95 GW of solar by the end of 2020. New capacity additions hit 553 MW last year.