Q&A Session

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Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 12:04 .

Comprehensive Energy Solutions and Community Impact in Emerging Technologies

The discussion highlights diverse energy demands and the challenges in identifying off-grid energy solutions in rural Brazil, emphasizing local needs and the role of community engagement. Key players, including energy consultants and collaborative partners, stress the importance of conducting comprehensive surveys to gauge demand and measure social impacts, such as household connectivity. The conversation also covers the significance of energy usage data analysis, which aids in informed decision-making and improves energy efficiency through a collaborative approach. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming various sectors, enhancing efficiency while presenting challenges like cybersecurity risks. The evaluation of energy solutions reflects a balance between quantitative metrics such as Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and qualitative community outcomes, including happiness and engagement. Addressing financing barriers is crucial for unlocking renewable energy potential in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in major markets like Nigeria and Kenya. Training local communities in solar panel maintenance creates a self-sufficient workforce, vital for remote areas. Lastly, the importance of using open software solutions in installations is underscored to mitigate risks associated with proprietary systems.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

This session provides an overview of current market trends and forecasts in the off-grid sector. Industry experts will be sharing key insights from recent projects, highlighting successes, challenges and lessons learned from real-world implementation. The discussion will offer practical takeaways for stakeholders looking to better understand market dynamics and develop resilient, scalable off-grid energy solutions.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Sohan Gwalani
Research Analyst
Wood Mackenzie
United Kingdom

To Talk

Speaker

Xenia Rebsam
Chief of Staff
Off-Grid Europe GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Diogo Costa
Product Manager
Obton A/S
Denmark

To Talk

Speaker

Robert Cooke
Manager, Operations
Northern Energy Innovation, Yukon University
Canada

To Talk

Speaker

Valentin Laroche
Design Engineer
TTA - Trama TecoAmbiental
Spain

To Talk

Further Content
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The German PV and Battery Storage Market

The first of its kind, this study offers an overview of the photovoltaics and battery storage market in Germany.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

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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