EUPI-PV Conference 2026 – Solar PV Innovation: Investing to Deliver a Secure and Competitive EU

Friday May 29th (Brussels, BELGIUM): On 27 May 2026, the European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV), together with the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV), hosted the EUPI-PV Conference 2026 in Brussels. The event brought together representatives from the PV industry, research community, European institutions, and energy sector stakeholders to discuss the pivotal role of solar PV innovation in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, security, and strategic autonomy.

Held under the theme “Solar PV Innovation: Investing to Deliver a Secure and Competitive EU,” the conference explored how investment in solar PV innovation can contribute to Europe’s ambitions for energy independence, industrial leadership, and a resilient energy system. Discussions focused on the role of innovation, industrial policy, market design, and regulatory frameworks in accelerating the transition from research to commercial deployment across the PV value chain.

Opening remarks were delivered by Rutger Schlatmann, Chairman of ETIP PV and EUPI-PV Partnership Board Chair, Krzysztof Kuik from the European Commission DG RTD, Adel el Gammal from EERA, and Simon Bennett, Head of Energy Innovation at the International Energy Agency (IEA). Speakers highlighted the central role of photovoltaics in the global energy transition and underlined the importance of innovation and industrial competitiveness for Europe’s future energy security.

The conference also underlined the importance of initiatives such as the European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV) in fostering a dynamic European ecosystem for PV innovation that remains strongly connected to industrial needs and market deployment.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the urgent need to align technology innovation with industrial policy and regulatory adaptation. Participants stressed that Europe’s ambitions for large-scale solar deployment can only be achieved through faster grid modernisation, stronger flexibility mechanisms, and clearer long-term policy signals to attract investment.

Particular attention was given to the strategic importance of rebuilding European PV manufacturing capacity and strengthening resilience across the supply chain. Panel discussions explored the need to balance competitiveness, sustainability, and strategic autonomy, while also identifying opportunities for Europe to differentiate through innovation, quality, and advanced applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

The conference also featured presentations from several EUPI-PV projects, including Sunvibe, IN.SPIRE, EuroCz, and aLLEGRO, showcasing developments in advanced inverter technologies, hybrid PV and battery systems, wafer manufacturing, and grid integration solutions. Demonstration activities across Europe illustrated how innovation can improve system stability, interoperability, manufacturing resilience, and renewable integration.

Three thematic panel sessions explored Europe’s long-term PV vision, the role of photovoltaics at the core of future power systems, and the relationship between innovation, reliability, and bankability. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for greater grid flexibility, battery storage deployment, dynamic grid operation, and updated market frameworks capable of supporting a power system increasingly dominated by renewable generation.

Participants also examined the impact of upcoming European regulatory frameworks, including FP10 and the ETS revision, and discussed how these instruments can support the integration of innovative PV technologies into the European market. Speakers stressed that many technical solutions already exist, but deployment remains constrained by regulatory complexity, insufficient investment certainty, and slow adaptation of standards and grid codes.

Beyond technology and policy, the conference also addressed the importance of public trust and social acceptance in enabling energy transition. Speakers highlighted that long-term bankability depends not only on technological reliability, but also on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and creating durable social value around renewable deployment.

Throughout the day, participants repeatedly emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between industry, research centres, policymakers, grid operators, and investors to accelerate implementation and industrial scale-up.

Concluding the conference, Rutger Schlatmann, Head of the Solar Energy division at Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin and Chairman of ETIP PV, highlighted the importance of coordinated action across the entire European solar ecosystem:

“Europe has the innovation capacity, industrial expertise, and technological know-how to lead the next phase of the global solar transition. The challenge now is to move faster — by aligning innovation, manufacturing, grid integration, and policy frameworks to build a resilient and competitive European energy system.”

The conference concluded with a strong consensus that achieving Europe’s energy and climate objectives will require not only continued PV deployment, but also accelerated action on flexibility, industrial resilience, grid integration, and long-term investment certainty.

Presentation materials and further information from the conference will soon be available on the ETIP PV website. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue contributing to the dialogue on Europe’s solar future and the role of innovation in building a secure, competitive, and resilient energy system.

About ETIP PV
The European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) brings together stakeholders from across the European photovoltaic sector, including industry, research organisations, policymakers, and civil society. ETIP PV supports the development of a strong and competitive European PV ecosystem by shaping research and innovation priorities and contributing to Europe’s energy transition objectives.

Contact:
ETIP PV Secretariat
alexandra.michaelsen@wip-munich.de
t.garabetian@solarpowereurope.org