An increasing number of solar marketplaces have entered a new phase – one where achieving strong, ongoing installation rates depends heavily on system flexibility. Recorded live at The smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, this episode of pod brings together two conversations that examine how solar marketplaces are changing in the face of this new reality, which includes falling capture prices and the rapid rise of battery energy storage.
Host Jonathan Gifford is first joined by Edurne Zoco, Executive Director of Clean Technologies and Supply Chain at S&P Global, for a wide-ranging look at the major trends in global solar in 2026. Zoco explains why a temporary slowdown in installations masks a future continued growth trajectory, how batteries are becoming indispensable as solar penetration increases, and why the distributed market segment is gaining momentum across Europe.
The episode then shifts to Brazil with Barbara Rubim, recently elected President of AB Solar, who outlines the obstacles facing what was one of the world's fastest-growing solar markets. Rubin reflects on Brazil's rapid expansion to nearly 70 GW of installed capacity, the growing impact of renewable-energy curtailment, and the pivotal role that the country's first large-scale storage auctions could play in unlocking the next wave of development.
Taken together, these conversations reveal the urgency of a shift towards energy storage, and how smarter market design and technologies will allow that storage to deliver greater value and flexibility across electricity networks.
About The smarter E Podcast
The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Edurne Zoco is an executive director for the Clean Technology & Renewables team at S&P Global Energy, leading the group's research activities across renewables, batteries, and energy storage. Zoco has been involved in the solar industry for over a decade and has presented at leading industry events and conferences since 2007. Prior to joining S&P Global, she was employed by Trina Solar, a leading PV manufacturer where she held global positions within corporate and strategic marketing.
Barbara Rubim became the Chair of the Brazilian solar-industry association AB Solar in May, 2026. She is a lawyer specializing in electricity sector regulation and holds an MBA in Finance from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). Rubim leads Bright Strategies, a consultancy focused on structuring renewable energy businesses. Over the past five years, she has participated in the development of more than 780 MW of projects. She has also trained more than 8,300 professionals through her courses and Masterclasses on Distributed Generation and the Free Energy Market.