93: NextEnergy Capital's Mike Bonte-Friedheim

In episode 93 of the [i3] Podcast, we speak with Michael Bonte-Friedheim, the Founding Partner and Group CEO of NextEnergy Capital, a firm that specialises in investing in solar energy plants. We talk about the role of subsidies, the growth of the sector and the fact that ESG in solar isn't just about renewable energy Overview of Podcast with Michael Bonte-Friedheim 01:00 The genesis of NextEnergy Capital 04:00 Solar is our choice of technology 05:00 The technology of solar hasn't changed a lot, but the efficiency and the cost of components has changed dramatically. So much so that in most countries, solar energy does not require subsidies 10:00 What makes one solar plant more attractive from an investment perspective than another? 12:00 ESG issues in solar: integration of solar plant in landscape and community 16:00 On floating solar plants: water evaporation and birds 20:00 The impact of the Inflation Reduction Act 21:00 Solar in China 23:30 More and more institutional investors are breaking down what is in that infrastructure and real asset bucket 28:00 Solar Plus 30:00 Solar is expected to double in size over the next few years 31:00 Biodiversity – what happens to soil if you leave it alone for 40 years? 35:30 The NextEnergy Foundation receives five per cent of our group's profits