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
Publication
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.

Intersolar Europe Conference 2023
Panel Discussion - Intersolar

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 09:30 am - 11:00 am

The smarter E Europe Conference 2023 | Conference Program

free account

Get Inspired. Together to the Next Level!

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

premium account

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 

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.