2025 marks 40 years of SolarPower Europe! Since its founding in 1985, SolarPower Europe has become a leading energy association, working tirelessly to make solar the number one electricity source in Europe by 2030. In 2024, we were awarded European Association of the Year and the International and European Association Success Awards. We haven’t done this alone. Our achievements have only been possible thanks to our members, partners, and solar champions.
We were delighted to honour some of the wonderful people and partners who have played a significant role in shaping the course of SolarPower Europe, and the solar sector, over the years, with our 40th birthday awards ceremony "The Solars".
Longest Standing Member
The Award for Longest Standing Member was given to TNO. This member has been with us for 25 years – almost the whole solarcoaster! Based in the Netherlands, TNO is a leader in Research and Development – advancing European solar technology. Thank you for your support through 25 years, TNO and Dr Wiep Folkerts.
Solar Visionary
Solar Visionary was awarded to Jochen Hauff. Jochen has been an invaluable force behind SolarPower Europe's success over the years. His vision and dedication have helped shape SolarPower Europe, and without him, many of our achievements would not have been possible. As early as 2009, Jochen contributed his expertise as a consultant for SolarPower Europe (then EPIA) in the 'Set for 2020' study, outlining the path for solar to become mainstream. From 2016 to 2024, he served as a highly respected and appreciated Vice-President and member of SolarPower Europe's Board of Directors. Jochen’s knowledge, competency and commitment makes him a true Solar Visionary!
Global Solar Champion
The Global Solar Champion Award was handed to both Sonia Dunlop, CEO of Global Solar Council (GSC) and Bruce Douglas, CEO of Global Renewables Alliance (GRA). Two trailblazers who are championing solar on the global stage. Under the slogans #SolarCanDeliver and #DoubleDownTripleUp they have already booked major successes for solar at COP and continue to push for a solar and renewables-powered world.
Lifetime Achievement Award
We were honoured to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to both Dr Winfried Hoffmann and Dr Tapio Alvesalo.
Two of the true founders who have spearheaded the European solar sector. They have been there since the early days, they have seen the ups and downs – and they have stayed on the sunny side.
Dr Winfred Hoffmann has been furthering solar since the 70s. His work in NUKEM, a thin-film research group began in 1979, and grew through the years to become RWE Solar in the late 90s. RWE solar was in the top five global solar production companies of the time. Though the 2000s, he lead work at Schott Glass and Applied Materials. He’s also served the board of BSW Solar and SMA Solar, and of course, we were privileged to have his leadership on the SolarPower Europe Board for 17 years, and for half that time he was our President.
Dr Tapio Alvesalo was already working on flexibility in the 80s, researching energy storage and electric vehicles as Head of Neste Battery Division. His career has seen critical leadership roles developing and marketing advanced solar energy systems, including as Chair of the SolarPower Europe Board in the 90s. He has served as Vice-President, Corporate Technology, of Fortum, and today acts as a Partner and Board Member of Solnet.
Dr Hoffman, Dr Alvesalo, your efforts really speak for themselves. We thank you for all that you have done for solar – and continue to do.
Solar Partners
We also paid special tribute to the many partners who are instumental to solar's growth. Solar is fundamentally a story of collaboration.
We are all the more powerful when we work together. In our uncertain times, it is more important than ever to work together, to talk, to disagree, to compromise – to build a brighter, more secure, more competitive future together.
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