Relive the highlights of the SolarPower Summit in our aftermovie
Von der Leyen: a landmark moment for solar in Europe
The Summit opened with a powerful message from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marking a historic turning point for solar in Europe:
“Last June, solar became the largest electricity source in the European Union for the first time ever. This is a milestone we should celebrate. It shows what is possible when innovation, investment and political will come together. This progress is delivering benefits beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, EU solar has saved 110 million euros every single day in avoided gas imports. It proves what we already knew – homegrown clean energy is vital to our strategic independence.”
Her message set the tone for the Summit: solar is not only breaking records, but reshaping Europe’s energy security and economic resilience.
View the full speech here.
“The only question is speed”
European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen followed with a stark assessment of Europe’s energy challenge: “We are paying the price of inaction, and it is unacceptable when we already have the solutions. The solutions are no longer the question. The only question is speed.”
This urgency was echoed by SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger and Interim President Francisco Beirão, who called on the sector to move from ambition to implementation: “Together, only together, can we deliver Europe’s energy future.”
Building solar resilience
Day one discussions highlighted how solar is reshaping Europe’s energy system and geopolitical position.
In a standout exchange, Moldova’s Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu described how the country has moved away from dependence on Russian gas towards regaining control with renewables at its core.
At the same time, the International Energy Agency’s Laura Cozzi pointed to the rapid rise of storage, noting that new battery capacity additions have already surpassed record annual additions for natural gas, a clear signal of system transformation.
Solar+ delivers affordability and security
A central milestone of the Summit was the launch of the new report: Solar+: An EU pathway to achieve renewable targets, price affordability, and energy security.
A partnership between SolarPower Europe and Rystad Energy, the report was brought to the stage by Michael Schmela and Per Magnus Nysveen, showing that by 2030, a renewables-based system can:
- cut EU power system operating costs by half
- lower wholesale electricity prices by 14% on average, and up to 25% in high-price markets
- reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels by up to €50 billion per year
Across multiple sessions, combining solar with storage, electrification, and flexibility was positioned as the key to unlocking the next phase of Europe’s energy transition.
Read the full report here.
Batteries, electrification and grids take centre stage
Across both days, one message emerged: flexibility must become a core pillar of Europe’s energy system.
Battery storage is already driving down power prices, enabling higher shares of renewables, and strengthening system resilience. Unlocking its full potential now depends on enabling batteries, EVs and hybrid systems to participate fully in energy markets, supported by smart meters, data access and open market design.
Flexibility also offers faster and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional grid expansion, through demand-side response, digital tools and non-wire solutions. Gaps remain particularly at distribution level, where limited data access, weak interoperability, and uneven rollout across Member States continue to hold the system back.
The next step is to embed flexibility into planning and market rules, supported by a coherent EU Flexibility Strategy and a dedicated battery storage action plan.
From vulnerability to resilience: solar in Ukraine
Ukraine’s energy transition opened day two, offering a concrete example of how solar and storage can deliver resilience under extreme conditions.
Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, highlighted the transformation of the country’s power system, describing a shift from “complete vulnerability” to building a new system powered by renewables. Despite major capacity losses, Ukraine has restored gigawatts of power and doubled its solar deployment since 2024, with further potential still to be unlocked.
Yuliana Onishchuk, Founder and CEO of the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, pointed to the rapid growth of decentralised energy and storage, with battery capacity surging in recent years and distributed solar systems supporting critical infrastructure. As Romanko underlined, “we went from complete vulnerability to building a new system, and it is still growing.”
Fighting solar disinformation
Among the many sessions held across the two days, one focused on the growing challenge of disinformation targeting solar and climate solutions. Narratives are increasingly shifting away from questioning climate science towards attacking policies, technologies and costs. Renewables, and solar in particular, are increasingly at the centre of these organised disinformation campaigns, often framed through emotionally charged concerns such as land use, energy prices or system reliability.
Participants stressed that addressing disinformation requires a combined approach based on both facts and community engagement. As highlighted during the session, “misinformation usually starts from a fear point,” meaning responses must address concerns as much as correct false claims. Alongside debunking, efforts should focus on “prebunking” by anticipating narratives, strengthening media engagement, and using digital tools to monitor emerging trends. Together, these approaches can help build trust and ensure solar’s role in Europe’s energy transition is clearly understood.
Industry policy and competitiveness in focus
Day two also saw Kerstin Jorna, Director-General of DG GROW, highlighting the importance of industrial policy for Europe’s solar manufacturing base. While Europe is on track to meet its deployment targets, she noted that the industrial side is lagging behind, particularly in modules, cells and wafers. She pointed to the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Competitiveness Fund and the Net-Zero Industry Act as key tools to strengthen Europe’s manufacturing base and ensure a more level playing field.
Discussions also underscored the central role of electrification for industrial competitiveness. While high electricity costs and regulatory uncertainty remain key barriers, the business case is increasingly clear. As Neil Makaroff from Strategic Perspectives put it, “electrification is a no-brainer move.” Supported by stable frameworks, targeted investment, and tools such as PPAs and ETS revenues, electrification offers a pathway to align decarbonisation with industrial resilience and long-term competitiveness.
Innovation powering the next chapter
Innovation remained front and centre with the European Solar Startup Award 2026, where reLi Energy was named Gold Winner.
The company works to optimise the performance and lifespan of battery energy storage systems (BESS), combining hardware and software solutions to help asset managers, traders, and system integrators maximise efficiency and revenue while protecting their assets. Their technology reflects the growing importance of smart, flexible solutions in a renewable-based system.
CEO and Co-Founder Laura Laringe said: “The award validates our work to bridge the gap between battery physics and energy trading. It shows that the market is ready for software that protects assets while maximizing revenue.”
The finalists, Gridio, Qurrent, and Polar Night Energy, further showcased the strength and diversity of Europe’s solar innovation ecosystem.
“You will see us a lot together.”
Closing the Summit, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra linked Europe’s energy transition directly to global instability, warning: “The news provides us with the narrative every day. We can’t afford to be at the mercy of what’s happening in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.”
He stressed the need for faster electrification, stronger interconnection, and a more integrated European energy market built on renewables such as solar and wind.
Building on this, SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger pointed to collaboration as the defining theme of the Summit: “I heard a lot of positive messages, but we are also facing a lot of challenges. What I want to highlight is the plus in Solar+: solar plus batteries, but also solar plus wind. We have the same vision, and we are here to deliver together.”
WindEurope CEO Tinne Van der Straeten reinforced the importance of electrification, noting that: “Everything we electrify today is a win for Europe’s independence and competitiveness.”
Referring to her cooperation with SolarPower Europe, she added: “You will see us a lot together.”
Continuing the Solar+ momentum
As the discussions in Brussels wrapped up, one conclusion stood out: Europe has the tools, the technology, and the partnerships to deliver its energy transition.
As Commissioner Dan Jørgensen reminded participants: “The only question is speed.”
A sincere thank you to the policymakers, industry leaders, innovators and partners who took part in this year’s SolarPower Summit, and to all those working every day to turn Solar+ into Europe’s next energy chapter.
Now let’s ensure we make the most of the Solar+ era.
Take a look at the SolarPower Summit highlights in the full photo album.
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