The far ultraviolet spectra of the highly ionized solar-abundant element nickel is analysed on the basis of new observations of laser produced plasmas. The transitions involved are mainly between principal quantum numbers 3 and 4 and their spectra are observed and classified in isoelectronic elements in the period between nickel and scandium with the aid of atomic self-consistent field calculations. Recent solar iron identifications are supported and the data provide information about configurations which can account for solar forbidden lines.