Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 41:47 .

Global Solar Energy Developments and Future Ambitions

The global solar energy landscape is evolving significantly, with countries like India, the USA, Brazil, and Australia making notable advancements in solar capacity and related technologies. India has emerged as a leader, surpassing the USA to become the second-largest solar market. The country focuses on solar electrification, successfully solarizing millions of irrigation pumps and aiming for substantial growth in solar home installations. Meanwhile, the U.S. solar industry is predominantly driven by data centers and has achieved domestic manufacturing of every major component in the solar supply chain. Despite challenges, solar energy represents over 90% of new power generation in the U.S. Europe is not lagging, with solar capacity increasing significantly and ambitious goals set by the European Commission for renewables and energy storage, emphasizing battery integration. Brazil is also shifting towards enhancing its regulatory framework for solar and energy storage, aiming for major advancements in both sectors. Finally, Australia is witnessing a surge in household solar systems while planning for broader integration of storage solutions.

_{Automated summarization by AI Conver}

Speaker

Barbara Rubim
Chair of Board
ABSOLAR - Associação Brasileira de Energia Solar Fotovoltaica
Brazil

Subrahmanyam Pulipaka
CEO
National Solar Energy Federation of India: NSEFI
India

David McElrea
CEO
Smart Energy Council
Australia

Walburga Hemetsberger
CEO
SolarPower Europe
Belgium

Stacy J. Ettinger
Senior Vice President of Supply Chain & Trade
Solar Energy Industries Association
United States

Talk of session: Global Solar Market Outlook: What is Powering Sustained Solar Growth Around the World?

After another record year for global PV installations in 2025 - largely driven by China - the outlook for 2026 is more complex. Policy shifts in China, political headwinds in mature markets and rising geopolitical tensions are altering growth dynamics, while emerging markets are showing accelerated growth on the back of low-cost modules. This session brings together leaders from major solar markets to assess risks, opportunities and strategies in the context of sustained global expansion.

Key topics:

• Launch of the Global Solar Market Outlook 2026-2030
• China's new solar strategy and policy
• Growth drivers in emerging markets
• Positioning solar in a shifting geopolitical landscape

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Sonia Dunlop
CEO
Global Solar Council

To Talk

Global Solar Market Outlook Launch

Speaker

Michael Schmela
Executive Advisor & Director of Market Intelligence
SolarPower Europe
Belgium

To Talk

The Solar & Storage Superpower: China's Next Chapter

Speaker

Corrine Lin
CEO
InfoLink Consulting Co,. Ltd.
China

To Talk