Program
Solar Quality Summit Europe 2025

The solar sector has experienced remarkable growth in the past year, and this trend is expected to persist. However, to sustain this extraordinary growth, it is imperative to actively involve key stakeholders in ensuring quality assurance. It is crucial that all relevant parties understand the vital role quality assurance plays in the effective and efficient operation of PV installations.

The Solar Quality Summit 2025 is here to unite stakeholders essential for maintaining quality in the solar sector, including EPCs, O&M service providers, investors, asset managers, technology companies, and Transmission System Operators (TSO) and Distribution System Operators (DSO). The success of the solar revolution depends on forging close partnerships with all concerned parties, and only through such collaboration can we ensure continued success in this transformative industry

Speakers:

Walburga Hemetsberger – SolarPower Europe
Markus Elsässer – Solar Promotions

Quality assurance has become a crucial element within the solar industry, especially as CAPEX and LCOE continue to rise and the trend of repowering systems well before modules reach their end-of-life gains momentum. Gain insights on the benefits of quality assurance, while also learning about the associated costs and risks that arise from neglecting.  Explore how to calculate the costs of quality based on decisions made throughout the value chain and ways to enhance quality with evolving workflows.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion and explore the dynamic opportunities emerging in the shifting energy market. Discover how asset owners can capitalize on the transition from FiT to PPAs and merchant PV and how to leverage energy trading to maximize revenue streams. Delve into the strategic advantages of energy trading and gain valuable insights into the future of PV systems and their role in shaping the energy market of tomorrow. Don't miss this engaging session where industry experts will share their perspectives and strategies for success.

This workshop will explore how prioritising cybersecurity fuels the resilience and efficiency of PV systems. Join us for an engaging session where we'll delve into the strategies for mitigating cyber threats and safeguarding PV infrastructure. The workshop will discuss diverse viewpoints on cybersecurity challenges, financial dynamics, and operational responsibilities through real-world case studies.

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) has evolved into an independent sector within the solar industry, highlighting the significance of staying up-to-date. This session is all about staying ahead of the curve by keeping abreast of the latest developments and embracing best practices. Get ready as we unveil the updated version of the O&M best practice guidelines from Solar Power Europe’s Lifecycle Quality workstream. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in our quiz during this session. Test your expertise and see how well you fare against the latest standards and practices in the field

IoT has the potential to fundamentally reshape the energy grids, turning traditional power systems into more efficient and responsive networks that reduce grid congestions and energy curtailment. Gain insights into existing IoT applications and security vulnerabilities within energy systems, with a comprehensive overview of threat models and mitigation techniques. Discover how advanced technologies like blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can enhance resilience and security, making grids more effective, robust, and reliable.   

Dive into dynamic insights and Q&A on key topics in Europe's solar industry, crucial for understanding the PV fast changing landscape:

• Europe’s hottest markets
• PV in the European electricity market
• Risk management and insurance for solar investments
• Costs of O&M  - Investor’s lessons learned

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have the ability to transform energy management and improve grid efficiency and reliability of renewable energy technologies . This session will address the financial and technological challenges of deploying BESS, including the risks associated with new technologies and emerging suppliers. Learn about innovative financing models such as Blended Financing, Debt Financing  and Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) to minimise costs and risks. Discover strategies to attract institutional investors and ensure sustainable BESS integration.

Quality assurance certifications aren't just about ticking boxes; it ensures safety and reliability in PV modules, safeguarding both manufacturers and end-users alike. Gain insights on the different quality assurance certifications, and explore the need for standardisation and  the appropriate forms that such standardization may take.

The wave of AI tools opens up the doors to a new wealth of insights that need to be governed by models to avoid a data tsunami effect on stakeholders. Join us during this workshop as the Horizon Europe Research project SUPERNOVA will showcase how to leverage on AI to manage and govern the immense quantity of data and provide solutions using Instruction Tuned Large Language Models.

Supply chain sustainability in the supply chain, especially within the framework of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations is crucial and will gain increased prominence. At the forefront of this discussion is the Solar Stewardship Initiative, has developed an ESG standard for a more responsible, transparent and sustainable solar value chain. Gain the first insights of the ESG standard assessment results and lessons learned.

The European PV sector is showing continuous growth. The year 2023 showed yet another record deployment level helping the EU to work toward achieving its climate goals for 2030 and 2050. Yet, an often underestimated and critical bottleneck emerging in various member states is the shortage of a qualified workforce. Learn more about SolarPower Europe's Lifecycle Academy, which aims to equip both existing professionals and career changers with the necessary knowledge and skills, ensuring a high level of competence within the sector along the PV project’s lifecycle.

Data sharing agreements (DSA) are normally not foreseen in the early stages of a Power Plant development, it is generally left for posterior agreement between O&M, Asset Managers and Owners. DSA tends to become a resource drain among stakeholders, creating a barrier for research and collaboration between parties. Join us for this workshop where the Horizon Research project SUPERNOVA will discuss the creation of a data space for the PV sector to enable a transaction-based flow of data.

The quality of a PV system is not only on the solar panels and the maintenance of the systems but also on the compatibility with the Grid. Network Codes are the rules of the game regarding connecting the PV systems to the grid and ensuring the stability of the systems. Join us for an insightful workshop and learn about the upcoming changes with RfG 2.0 in 2025. Discover how these changes will impact the solar industry and what adaptations will be necessary to stay ahead. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and prepare for the future of PV grid integration.

Circular business models are essential for enhancing resource efficiency, extending product lifetimes, and promoting the re-use of products, capturing residual value from by-products or 'waste.' However, circular business models for the re-use of PV panels often lack visibility. Gain insights on B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2C (Business-to-Consumer) re-use models and learn how to implement these models effectively to maximize resource utilisation and profitability.