Panel Discussion: Impacts of the Government`s Plans for Solar on Market Growth

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Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 43:50 .

Dynamic Challenges and Opportunities in the Solar Energy Market

The solar energy market is experiencing significant shifts influenced by current geopolitical events, such as the Iran war, which has resulted in increased aluminum prices and a rise in do-it-yourself residential installations. Sales growth for solar solutions has surged, particularly following rising fossil gas prices, reflecting changing consumer behavior. Despite the increase in demand for residential solar, market uncertainty driven by political factors is causing delays in investment decisions, particularly in the renewable energy sector. As Germany grapples with its energy infrastructure challenges, the need for effective policy interventions becomes evident, especially in facilitating grid access and supporting innovation. Stakeholders highlight the tension between maintaining traditional energy systems and transitioning to more sustainable solutions, particularly as consumer confidence wavers amidst fluctuating fossil fuel prices. The importance of clear policy direction and streamlined procedures is essential to restore investment confidence and navigate the complexities of current market dynamics, ultimately aiming for enhanced resilience and sustainability in energy provision.

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Speaker

Andreas Kerscher
Country Director Germany
ib vogt GmbH
Germany

Eric Quiring
VP Pubic & Government Affairs
SMA Solar Technology AG
Deutschland

Katharina David
Co-CEO
K2 Systems GmbH
Germany

Germany is still Europe's largest solar market by far, but its government policies are under review. About a year into the new government's term, legislative changes affecting the electricity market are under discussion. These include withdrawing priority grid access for renewables and scrapping feed-in tariffs. If these changes go through, they could significantly worsen investment conditions for solar and battery storage in Germany. This session examines what is on the cards for solar in Germany and how the potential regulatory changes would impact deployment in the future.

Key topics:

  • Overview of key solar policy frameworks under discussion
  • Status of Germany's solar market across segments
  • Impact of new legislation on investment attractiveness
  • Future outlook for solar in Germany

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

David Wedepohl
Managing Director International Affairs
BSW - German Solar Association
Germany

To Talk

Further Content
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The German PV and Battery Storage Market

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The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

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Publications
Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025–2029

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power is the most authoritative market analysis for the solar sector.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Solar Made in the EU

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Despite strong research capabilities and the presence of leading production equipment suppliers, Europe has been struggling to rebuild competitive wafer-to-module manufacturing, while the USA and India have enabled a local renaissance in solar manufacturing. In Europe, even long-established inverter manufacturers have been losing considerable ground. With the EU's Net Zero Industry Act yet to deliver momentum, attention is turning to the upcoming Industry Accelerator Act. This session examines how policy, investment and value-chain strategies can strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase internal value creation.Key topics:Overview of EU and national policy frameworks to support local manufacturingStatus of Europe's solar manufacturing value chainInvestment gaps and competitiveness challenges Strategies for triggering a sustainable solar manufacturing revival 

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Off-Grid: PV-Based Hydrogen Microgrid Projects Around the World

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 

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