The first day of the SolarPower Summit 2025, held at the Albert Hall in Brussels, was buzzing as policymakers, industry leaders and key experts gathered for our flagship event.
Shining Start to the Summit
Our CEO Walburga Hemetsberger opened the SolarPower Summit 2025, stating: “SolarPower Europe turns 40 this year. We are meeting here at a time when Europe is at a crossroad. And there is only one direction: Fast forward Europe’s Security, Competitiveness and Climate Action”.
Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera, shared a keynote opening speech with a full house of attendees from the solar sector and policy world: "Brussels is the capital of the sun, the capital of the solar power. Solar energy has been driving this energy transition in recent years. You - solar - represent competitiveness, security, and values."
Following the opening from Vice-President Ribera was the Minister of Climate and Environment of Poland, Paulina Hennig-Kloska. In her speech she stated that "Crucially solar energy reduces our dependency on imported fossil fuels, shielding economies from volatile markets. Solar power is not just a technology, it's a key to unlock Europe's competitive & secure future". These were important words that comes at a time when Poland oversees the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
This was reiterated by our President Aristotelis Chantavas: “It is a time of uncertainty in the world: trade wars, real wars. It can be tempting, to cling to the ways of the past. But that’s not an option. Renewables are Europe’s ultimate freedom energy.” Read the full speech.
The theme of this year’s summit is #LetsFlex. It’s time to take the next step, we need a flexibility revolution- accelerating solar deployment with grids, storage, and electrification.
The first fireside chat of the day was around “Powering Europe’s Future: Solar, Flexibility and Industrial Competitiveness”. During the discussion, MEP Andrea Wechsler reaffirmed that: "Solar has been a success in Europe. Now we see challenges, and we turn to flexibility. That needs to be the core focus of our policies - flexibility, grid development, storage".
This was echoed by the Director of the IEA, Laura Cozzi who noted that "Our latest report is confirmation that solar is the queen & you can see it in the numbers. 12 years in a row of year-on-year installations breaking records. Last year, for the first time, solar produced more energy than oil globally".
Flexible Buildings, Resilient Grids
A highlight moment from today’s event was the launch of our ‘Flexible Buildings, Resilient Grids’ report. Our modelling shows that by 2030, smart solar building solutions could meet more than half of EU daily energy system flexibility needs.
Our Director of Market Intelligence, Michael Schmela, launched the report with recommendations on how to access the benefits of flexible buildings;
"To unlock rooftop solar potential, we must set price signals that incentivise flexible behaviour and efficient grid-use. We must also tailor technology support schemes."
The report recommends how the EU should set its subsidy rules; to allow and encourage EU countries to boost the roll out of smart energy devices, such as inverters, heat pumps, EV chargers, and batteries, that make buildings capable of demand response. This includes funding for automation and control systems, home energy management systems, electrical panels, wiring, and energy sensing.
The report can be accessed here.
Many thanks to both DMEGC and GridX for sponsoring this report.
Misinformation Session
In an age when information spreads rapidly and widely, the future of solar energy lies in our ability to confront and dispel false narratives. Misinformation around solar energy can mislead the public and slow down the energy transition. It is essential for solar communicators to be equipped with the skills to identify and counter these myths effectively and consistently.
This workshop focused on the importance of addressing misinformation and provide participants with practical tools to address the most pressing challenges, while strengthening public understanding and support for solar power.
Advancing solar innovation: signing of the European Partnership for Innovation in Solar PV
On behalf of the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV), SolarPower Europe and the European Commission officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin the European Partnership for Innovation in Solar PV. During the ceremony, Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General of Research and Innovation (DG RTD) highlighted; "Europe is re-inventing itself as the leader in solar research and innovation (R&I). We need to drastically step up our efforts to support the solar industry in Europe."
The partnership, by bringing together industry, research, and the European Commission helps European solar PV innovation to be faster and stronger, ensuring that we have a consistent approach from the beginning of the R&I process to the commercialisation of new products, solutions and technologies.
Solar Startups Awards
Today’s sessions reached a peak with the Solar Startup Awards 2025! The Solar Startup Award is an annual prize presented by SolarPower Europe in recognition of the ground-breaking steps that solar innovators are taking towards a renewable-based energy system.
We are proud to announce that Heliup, aevy, and suena took home the Gold, Silver and Bronze Solar Startup Awards respectively.
The three finalists were selected by our jury members Stefan Mueller, Felix Krause, Jenny Chase, and our Executive Advisor and Director of Market Intelligence Michael Schmela.
As the sun sets on day 1 of the SolarPower Summit…
Day 1 has been full of electrifying energy and shining solar moments! To end the day, we look forward to celebrating SolarPower Europe’s 40th anniversary with a dazzling award show and golden party with all our solar friends! Check out some of the photos from the day here.
Cover image: MEP Andrea Wechsler, Executive Vice President European Commission, Teresa Ribera, CEO of SolarPower Europe, Walburga Hemetsberger, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kolska, President of SolarPower Europe, Aristotelis Chantavas, Former EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, Director at International Energy Agency, Laura Cozzi.
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