Introduction: Utility-scale Solar Power III

premium account

Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 4:23 .

Lifecycle Quality and Sustainability in Solar Energy: Insights from Industry Leaders at Solar Power Europe's Session Hosted by Adele Ara, CTO of Lightsource bp

Adele Ara, the CTO of Lightsource bp and a representative from Solar Power Europe, opens a session focused on lifecycle quality in the solar energy industry. Adele highlights the importance of resilience, reliability, sustainability, and responsible decommissioning as key factors for ensuring that solar farms have an effective second life. Lightsource bp is an emerging leader in this sector with operations across 19 countries and over 9 gigawatts developed since its inception 14 years ago. The session includes presentations from four thought leaders:Magnus Herz (TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH), Sishir Garemella (Kiwa PVEL), Tomaso Charlemont (BayWa r.e. AG), and Ulrike Jahn (Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP). These experts will share insights on maintaining site resilience and technology longevity. Adele also introduces Solar Power Europe's initiative on end-of-life best practices published earlier this year. This guide aims to address aging infrastructure by fostering sustainable waste management, responsible decommissioning processes, and second life solutions—essential steps given the industry's increasing scrutiny. Finally, Adele invites Magnus Herz to start his presentation while emphasizing ongoing efforts towards resilience and sustainability within solar power operations.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Adele Ara
Chief Technology Officer
Lightsource bp
UK

If designed and maintained well, solar systems can function for several decades. However, every PV power plant's life ends at some point - even if high-quality components have been used, whether because of age, financial feasibility or extreme weather events. The resulting waste streams need to be managed, but also generate a huge potential for repowering solar installations.

This session will provide:

  • Overview of end-of-life management best practices
  • Product quality control from fab to field
  • Module reliability & performance
  • Repowering solar power plants
  • The impact of extreme weather on climate

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Magnus Herz
Project Manager
TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Sishir Garemella
Head of Interational Business Development
Kiwa PVEL
USA

To Talk

Speaker

Tomaso Charlemont
Head of PV Revamping / Repowering EMEA
BayWa r.e. AG
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Ulrike Jahn
Senior Scientist
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP
Germany

To Talk

Further Content
Webinar
EEG Reform & Grid Package – What prospects and potential does Photovoltaics have beyond 2027?

September 18, 2026

New rules for solar and energy storage: The planned EEG reform for 2027 could fundamentally reshape the support framework and market conditions. Join our webinar in cooperation with BSW-Solar to find out what opportunities and challenges these changes may bring to the industry.

Howard Wenger and Aaron Thurlow
How U.S. Innovators Are Reshaping Solar

The smarter E Podcast Episode 261 | Language: English

July 23, 2026

Live from Munich: Industry leaders discuss Nextpower’s integration of utility-scale storage and Caelux’s breakthrough perovskite-on-glass solar tech.

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.

Tim Meyer
Can Renewables Deliver 24/7 Power?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 259 | Language: English

July 2, 2026

Can renewables power an industrial nation 24/7? Tim Meyer and expert guests discuss breakthrough insights from The smarter E Europe 2026.

Edurne Zoco and Barbara Rubim
Effective Responses to Power Markets in Flux

The smarter E Podcast Episode 262 | Language: English

August 6, 2026

Recorded live at The smarter E Europe 2026: Industry experts discuss global solar trends, battery storage, and new market dynamics worldwide.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.