Welcome & Introduction of the session Solar Technology II

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Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 4:54 .

Exploring Solar Industry Challenges and Innovations: Insights from Quality Testing to Emerging Technologies

The session on Solar Technology 2 focuses on quality testing and accessibility for solar modules and balanced systems amidst a rapidly changing industry landscape. The solar industry is experiencing constant technological advancements, transitioning from PERC to larger modules, bifacial designs, TopCon technology, and now exploring back-contact solutions. Significant developments occurred in 2022-2023; however, by 2024 the industry anticipates stabilization with financial challenges impacting Independent Power Producers (IPPs), project developers, and module manufacturers facing overproduction issues. This situation necessitates improved efficiency across production lines while maintaining high-quality standards as errors can severely impact projects' viability through energy loss or availability problems. Steven Xuereb of Kiwa PI Berlin introduces George Touloupas from CEA who has extensive experience in technical consulting for PV projects since 2010. As Vice President of ESG at CEA since joining in 2015, he leads efforts ensuring technology advancement aligns with stringent quality benchmarks essential for sustaining successful photovoltaic ventures globally.

Automatisierte Zusammenfassung durch AI Conver

Steven Xuereb
Executive Director
Kiwa PI Berlin
Germany

Solar companies that want to maintain their position in the market cannot compromise on the quality and reliability of their products, even in the face of today's immense price pressures. But how can high-quality, long-lasting products be guaranteed in a highly competitive business environment that demands constant innovation in product design and changes in the bill of materials to quickly reduce costs? This session will provide: Best practices for maintaining high-quality standards while innovating product design Strategies for PV product procurement ensuring long-term reliability despite continued cost pressures Discussion on quality assurance programs and benchmarks for product reliability testing, from procurement, pre-production, production to post-shipment.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

George Touloupas
Vice President, ESG and New Services
Clean Energy Associates (CEA)
USA

To Talk

Speaker

Patrick Zank
Senior Battery Consultant & Business Development Manager
VDE Renewables GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. Anna Heimsath
Head of Department "Analysis PV Modules and Power Plants"
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

Dr. Ingrid Hädrich
Head of Group 'Degradation Analysis and Modelling' (PV Modules)
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Tristan Erion-Lorico
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Kiwa PVEL
USA

To Talk

Speaker

Patrick Zank
Senior Battery Consultant & Business Development Manager
VDE Renewables GmbH
Germany

Steven Xuereb
Executive Director
Kiwa PI Berlin
Germany

George Touloupas
Vice President, ESG and New Services
Clean Energy Associates (CEA)
USA

Dr. Anna Heimsath
Head of Department "Analysis PV Modules and Power Plants"
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

Dr. Ingrid Hädrich
Head of Group 'Degradation Analysis and Modelling' (PV Modules)
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

Tristan Erion-Lorico
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Kiwa PVEL
USA

To Talk

Weiterführende Inhalte
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.

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 

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: 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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