ETIP PV Newsletter - July 2024

ETIP PV Conference 2024: The Potential of Solar PV Technologies with digital tools for responsive power systems

The conference highlighted the pivotal role of cutting-edge solar PV technology in transforming energy systems. As cyber secure digitalisation takes the forefront in technology discussions, the conference delved into its critical importance in protecting and optimising energy infrastructures. During the conference, solar PV innovators and wider energy stakeholders were united to discuss, explore, and advance the integration of solar PV technology into a sustainable energy future. 
The conference featured four panel discussions on solar PV systems effective control, energy sharing, solar PV flexibility, and the energy data space. The fourth session was co-organised with the ETIP SNET.

Technology is ready to respond to the demands of the Terawatt Era of renewable energies focusing on flexibility. Energy communities play a central role in engaging and empowering end-users to contribute to the energy transition. Implementing smart solutions within a supportive regulatory and policy framework will ensure the optimal development of these energy communities.
Pierre-Jean Alet, Group leader of Digital energy solutions at CSEM and co-Chair of the Conference commented: “Photovoltaics is now relevant for the entire power system. Lively discussions and expert panellists provided a unique opportunity for the solar and grid sectors to build a common understanding towards action. Two insights stand out for me. Energy communities can be a cost-neutral way to broaden participation in the energy transition, and we are going to see the emergence of software-defined power networks."

The Steering Commitee elections took place on 22 May to select 20 applicants and re-applicants and join 13 remaining members and 5 permanent members representing the solar PV industry and research community (EERA PV, SPE, ESMC, EUREC and PVThin).

New Members: Marina Foti (3SUN), Michael Buennig (Wacker Chemie), Puzant Baliozian (VDMA), Nora Adam (Baywa RE), Jan Lossen (ISC Konstanz), Geert Palmers (imec), Pere Roca (IPVF), Solveig Roschier (Fortum), Jan Clyncke (PV Cycle), Sara Golroodbari (University of Utrecht), Busra Yilmaz (Kameleon Solar), Nicola Baggio (FuturaSun), Thomas Dalibor (Avancis), Marion Perrin (Energy-Pool)
Re-elected Members: Rutger Schlatmann (Helmholtz- Zentrum Berlin), David Moser (Eurac Research), Bianca Lim ( ISFH), Christian Breyer (LUT University), Venizelos Efthymiou (University of Cyprus), Fabrizio Bizzarri (Enel Green Power)
Remaining Members: Peter Fath (RCT Solutions), Bonna Newman (Lightyear), Ralf Preu (Fraunhofer ISE), Philipp Kratzert (Solarwatt), Nabih Cherradi (Desert Technologies), Pierre-Jean Alet (CSEM), Ulrike Jahn (Fraunhofer CSP), Eduardo Roman Medina (Tecnalia), Marko Topic (University of Ljubljana), Delfina Munoz Cervantes (CEA Liten), Gunter Erfurt (Meyer Burger)

The new Steering Committee held its first online meeting this month to start discussing the platform milestones and upcoming activities including the update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on PV.

Agri-PV webinar

The Integrated PV Working group recently released an insightful white paper "Agrivoltaics in European Countries and Happy Farmers", which explores the perspective of interviewed farmers about their farms, motivations for adopting solar panels, satisfaction level with Agri-PV.

In addition, the experts presented, in a webinar organised by ETIP PV, the results of farmers survey and Agri-PV technical innovation. The webinar, with more than 75 participants, was also the opportunity to have an interesting discussion on the topic of Agri-PV in Europe.
Speakers: Kay Cesar (TNO), Bas Van Aken (TNO), Sara Golroodbari (Utrecht University), Nabih Cherradi (Desert Technologies)

Successful Workshop at Intersolar Europe 2024

At the occasion of the Intersolar Europe, ETIP PV organised a session entitled "Towards a circular PV Industry: Strategies & Innovations in PV Circularity" on the PV Manufacturing Stage in collaboration with VDMA.

Thanks to the speakers David Moser (Eurac Research), Jan Clyncke (PV Cycle), Laura Miranda Perez (Oxford PV) and Raffaele Rossi (SolarPower Europe), the session aimed at exploring strategies and innovations in PV circularity, focusing on PV module design for circularity and the state-of-art PV recycling solutions.