Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 14:25 .

Philipp Kunze's Insights on PV Development and Innovation

Philipp Kunze from NexPower highlights the necessity of integrating components within the economics of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems to navigate market challenges such as grid curtailment and negative pricing. Research conducted in collaboration with Aurora Energy Research reveals that co-locating PV with storage solutions can enhance economic returns, especially with tracking systems, which improve internal rates of return (IRRs) by up to 2.1 percentage points compared to fixed-tilt systems. A financial analysis shows that co-located photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems (BESS) provide substantial revenue gains, leading to a maximum present value (MPV) increase of 44%. The rapid expansion of PV systems in Germany is projected to further press downward on capture prices, despite the growing occurrence of negative pricing hours. Tracking solar systems outshine fixed-tilt systems, generating up to 28% more power under optimal conditions while also benefiting from decreased capital expenses. As developers explore both green and gray energy storage systems, the financial benefits of green storage, though limited in grid access, still present modest uplifts in IRR. Overall, adopting advanced technologies like tracking systems and optimizing energy storage will be key to enhancing financial viability in the evolving solar energy landscape.

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Speaker

Philipp Kunze
Vice President Business Development and Sales Europe
Nexpower LLC
Germany

Talk of session: What's Hot in Solar Technology - Latest Product Trends in Rooftop and Utility-Scale PV Systems

Solar technology is advancing rapidly as manufacturers balance intense price pressure with rising performance and system demands. From higher-efficiency modules and smarter inverters to innovative mounting systems and trackers, new products aim to cut costs, simplify installation and enhance grid compatibility. This session highlights the latest trends shaping rooftop and utility-scale PV systems and their role in performance optimization and system integration. Key topics: Latest module, inverter and mounting innovations Product trends in rooftop and utility-scale system design Perspectives on performance optimization, system integration and grid functionality Discussion on developments supporting long-term cost competitiveness for different solar applications

Further Talks of this session:

International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) 2026 Launch

Speaker

Dr. Markus Fischer
VP R&D Operation
Hanwha QCells GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Solar Cell & Module Trends - Towards Higher Efficiencies and Better Performance

Speaker

Dr. Alex Li
Head of Product Management, LONGi Utility
LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
China

To Talk

From Rooftops to Gigawatts: Emerging Solar and Storage Technology Trends in Modern Solar PV System

Speaker

Ussama Rai
Chief Technology Officer
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
China

To Talk

Automation and Innovations in Racking Systems for Solar Installations

Speaker

Ralf Steinheiser
Head of Innovation and Technologies
Goldbeck Solar

To Talk

Q&A

To Talk