Panel Discussion: How to Overcome Challenges to Tap Solar's Full Potential?

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Recording of Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | The smarter E Europe 2024 | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 26:46 .

Brazil's Solar Surge: Overcoming Challenges and Setting Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets with Effective Policies and Global Insights

The discussion centers around overcoming challenges to fully harness solar energy's potential. For the first time, policy recommendations were included in a global market outlook report, highlighting an active approach at the global level. The primary recommendation is to promote solar PV development across all segments and set ambitious national targets. Current targets often fall short of actual market growth expectations, signifying underestimation by stakeholders. Various member states are adjusting their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) with increased solar ambitions; however, there’s still significant room for improvement. Brazil serves as a case study demonstrating rapid growth due to effective policies like net metering inspired by the US model rather than direct subsidies common in Europe. Despite initial resistance from incumbent companies and utilities, Brazil enacted laws ensuring clarity and stability for distributed generation. Brazil's renewable electricity initiatives resulted in 92% of its electricity demand being met sustainably last year – making it one of Latin America's largest markets powered predominantly by renewables. Yet long-term goal setting remains a challenge compared to developed nations' structured plans aiming towards carbon neutrality sooner than later. The speaker also expresses concerns about other developing countries lagging behind while recognizing Europe's historical emissions responsibilities alongside rising powers like India aiming for carbon neutrality only by 2070.

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Sonia Dunlop
CEO
Global Solar Council
United Kingdom

Dr. Rodrigo Lopes Sauaia
CEO
ABSOLAR - Associação Brasileira de Energia Solar Fotovoltaica
Brazil

Walburga Hemetsberger
CEO
SolarPower Europe
Belgium

As solar energy continues its strong global growth trajectory, exceeding all expectations, more and more obstacles are appearing on the long way towards completing the energy transition. The question is: what is needed to unleash solar's full potential in Europe and globally, and what can realistically be achieved? This session will discuss:

  • Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024–2028 (report launch)
  • Solar power's role in European and global decarbonization strategies
  • Solutions for unlocking the vast potential of solar

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Michael Schmela
Executive Advisor
SolarPower Europe
Belgium

To Talk

Speaker

Bruce Douglas
CEO
Global Renewables Alliance
Belgium

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. Juan Rivier
Head of Global Regulation
Iberdrola
Spain

To Talk

Speaker

Vegard Vollset
VP- Head of EMEA Renewable
Rystad Energy
Norway

To Talk

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Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

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