Opening address from Commissioner Dan Jørgensen 

Starting day 2 with a flash: EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen , gave a keynote address to attendees of the SolarPower Summit 2025;

“We live in a defining moment for Europe. We need to rapidly bring down our energy costs. We need to accelerate decarbonisation. In the face of these challenges, we need to deliver the benefits of a full energy union and we need more solar power, now more than ever.

Europe is stronger together and we are stronger with solar. Let’s unlock a genuine energy union for secure, competitive, and decarbonised growth. 

Lets Flex our solar muscles!”

SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger echoed these messages saying “Renewables – solar – are a defence strategy. We need to make sure that when we talk about security and the new energy security strategy of Europe, renewables have a seat at the table.” 

SolarPower Europe and Greenpeace Ukraine sign new partnership agreement

A standout moment from today’s Summit was also the announcement of SolarPower Europe’s collaboration with Greenpeace Ukraine, to accelerate solar installations across the Ukraine.
 
SolarPower Europe and Greenpeace will work together to ensure that Ukraine’s reconstruction creates quality employment, safeguards the country’s energy security, and reorients the economy towards a sustainable and prosperous future, with solar as the backbone of a new, green energy system.
 
Announcing the collaboration, Walburga Hemetsberger said; "Solar brings hope, opportunity, the promise of a brighter, peaceful future. We're committed and looking forward to collaborating with Greenpeace to accelerate solar across Ukraine." 

"Embracing solar energy is a double opportunity for Ukraine to overcome its energy challenges and boost economic development, and the EU's support will play a crucial role in making this vision a reality. We're looking forward to working together to make this a reality and ensure Ukraine's energy independence and security for generations to come,” said Nina Schoenian, Managing Director at Greenpeace Germany.

New report on Hybrid Solar PV

SolarPower Europe launched its new report: ‘Embracing the benefits of Hybrid PV systems’, which includes solar hybrid projects with storage, wind, or both. The report estimates that hybrid projects have a 10% lower Levelised Cost of Electricity compared to standalone projects. The report modelling also reveals how hybrid projects enhance security of supply by ensuring electricity generation even after sunset. 

However, with regards to solar and battery hybrid utility projects specifically, the UK is outstripping the EU, hosting 62% of Europe’s ‘PV+BESS’ projects alone. By comparison, leading EU countries host much fewer solar and storage projects (Germany only hosts 6% of Europe’s total for example). 

Read the full report here.

Score! SolarPower Europe and UEFA kick-off new partnership
 
One bright moment at the SolarPower Summit was the announcement of UEFA and SolarPower Europe’s   strategic partnership to advance sustainability within the European football community.

The collaboration focuses on leveraging renewable energy, specifically solar power, to help UEFA, national football associations, and football clubs reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for the sport. 

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said; “Solar and football already energise communities and nations across Europe – they’re a perfect match. We’re proud to take a natural step in working with UEFA to support their 2030 sustainability goals.”

Michele Uva, UEFA's Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability stated; "We aim to enhance sustainable football infrastructure by advancing renewable energy implementation and best practices. This partnership brings valuable expertise to a constantly evolving area of our work."

Stay tuned for further details on this exciting collaboration!

Interesting sessions throughout the day

Supply chains

This session focused on how to make European solar supply chains more resilient and sustainable. 

“This is a technology that still has a lot to give,” Stefano Lorenzi (3Sun) reminded us that solar is far from reaching its full potential. As Europe pushes for more resilient, sustainable supply chains, investing in solar innovation is essential. 

Jacek Truszczinksi from the European Commission added "The regulatory framework is there, now it's time to implement and deliver on Europe's manufacturing ambitions."

Permitting

As part of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED), Member States are required to implement RED rules on a national level to streamline the permit-granting process and accelerate administrative procedures for spatial planning of renewables. The session assessed how these rules have been transposed across the EU and highlighted the ongoing challenges and implementing them effectively at the local level.

MEP Nicolás González Casares said; "In these critical times for Europe, we must speed up the permitting processes while ensuring public acceptance, a key prerequisite for expanding solar."

Grids

An afternoon panel discussion looked at how grid flexibility can support the rollout of solar power across Europe. The speakers highlighted that while grid flexibility is essential to a cost-efficient energy transition, progress is still being held back by outdated regulations, limited grid digitalisation, and a lack of economic incentives for consumers and investors. 

To make our grids more flexible, we need better planning, support for hybrid systems like solar-plus-storage, and clearer market signals like “time-of-use tariffs” to reward those who help balance the grid.

That's a wrap on the SolarPower Summit 2025

As this year’s event come to an end, we will leave you with the wise words of Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen:

“Even when the sky is filled with dark clouds, light always finds a way through.”

Thank you to all the solar enthusiasts who joined us over the last couple of days to share sunny moments, flex our solar muscles and exchange with bright ideas. 

The message that rang true throughout all the conversations was that solar is crucial to Europe’s security, competitiveness and decarbonisation. Let’s continue the great work together. Let’s Flex!