SolarPower Europe launches two new solar quality assurance reports

• SolarPower Europe launched its pioneering ‘Technical Due Diligence Best Practice Guidelines for Hybrid Utility Solar PV & Battery Energy Storage Systems,’ and an updated ‘Engineering, Procurement & Construction Best Practice Guidelines Version 3.0,’ at its annual Solar Quality Summit Event.
• The Technical Due Diligence (TDD) Best Practice Guidelines provides an industry-first unified framework for assessing the technical, legal, environmental, financial viability, and bankability of hybrid utility-scale solar and battery storage projects from initial planning, through all project stages.
• The third edition of the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Best Practice Guidelines outlines best practices to improve the quality of large-scale hybrid solar PV and battery storage systems.
• Updates include a revised health and safety chapter that incorporates biodiversity protection and cybersecurity, alongside expanded guidance for utility-scale hybrid PV + battery storage engineering, delivery, and commissioning.

BARCELONA, Spain (Wednesday 18th February 2026): SolarPower Europe’s latest reports outline best practices for guaranteeing the long-term technical excellence of large hybrid solar PV and battery storage systems, while ensuring a high-quality EPC and commissioning process, i.e. preparing the plant for commercial operation.

Robust and transparent due diligence processes, i.e. ‘health checks’, performed by technical advisors or independent engineers are essential to maintain the integrity, financial viability, sustainability, and long-term reliability of hybrid systems.

For the first time, SolarPower Europe’s new Technical Due Diligence Guidelines offers a complete guide for supporting stakeholders on how to evaluate the feasibility, bankability, and performance of hybrid solar PV and battery storage projects across their entire lifecycle.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe (she/her) said; "Quality hybrid solar and battery storage projects are powering Europe’s clean energy. These landmark reports will support the sector in building and maintaining high-calibre hybrid solar projects with flexibility and confidence, while driving Europe’s solar transformation forward.” 

The latest revision of SolarPower Europe's Engineering, Procurement & Construction report showcases industry-aligned best practices, with expanded chapters on risk management and health and safety; and additional guidance for delivering successful and professional EPC services for hybrid solar PV and battery storage engineering, delivery, and commissioning.

The third EPC edition also strengthens guidance on electrical safety, skills requirements, responsible procurement, audits and traceability (including environmental, social, and governance [ESG] considerations), construction readiness, and quality checkpoints.

Timo Franz, Head of Project Business Europe, Astronergy, and Chair of SolarPower Europe’s Lifecycle Quality Workstream (he/him said); “The new Technical Due Diligence and EPC Guidelines provides the sector with clear standards to evaluate, design, and deliver robust hybrid solar and storage projects. They strengthen quality, safety, and long‑term performance at a crucial moment for Europe’s energy transition.”

Wojtek Swietochowski, General Manager, ABO Energy, and Vice-Chair of SolarPower Europe’s Lifecycle Quality Workstream (he/him) said; “Hybrid PV and energy storage systems are reshaping Europe’s energy landscape, and common standards are essential for this growth. These guidelines guarantee that hybrid projects deliver reliable performances, protect workers and biodiversity, and meet the expectations of both investors and communities.”

Kangqiao Huang, Senior Director, Policy Research and Public Affairs, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL), and Vice-Chair of SolarPower Europe’s Lifecycle Quality Workstream (she/her) said; “The Lifecycle Quality Workstream has gathered industry expertise to put forward two best practice guidelines and systematic assessment frameworks for hybrid solar PV+BESS projects on both technical due diligence and EPC phases. By providing standardised norms and energy storage integration models, the guidelines will streamline deployment processes, and accelerate Europe's transition to a resilient, sustainable energy future.”

The TDD Best Practice Guidelines provides a comprehensive framework to identify and quantify risks to hybrid solar PV and battery storage projects. This complements the revised EPC Best Practice Guidelines, which contains updated risk management and health and safety chapters. For example, the report outlines innovations like robotic solar module installation systems, which can reduce heavy repetitive lifting for workers. Regarding biodiversity protection, the guidelines recommend that hybrid projects should minimise soil sealing, preserve existing vegetation wherever possible, and integrate ecological features like hedges or wildlife passages to safeguard habitats. On cybersecurity, the paper advises that solar projects need simple but strong digital protection, like secure logins and separated networks, to stop anyone from interfering with control systems.

Notes: 

• Hybrid solar PV and battery storage energy systems (BESS), are joint renewable projects which combine solar, wind, and/or battery storage.

• All best practices mentioned in these reports are beneficial and relevant for utility-scale hybrid solar PV and battery storage projects. These guidelines are a key tool for operations & maintenance (O&M) service providers, technical advisors, project developers, financiers, investors, lenders, asset owners, asset managers, monitoring tool providers, policymakers, and all interested stakeholders in Europe and beyond.

• In these guidelines, over 30 experts of SolarPower Europe's Lifecycle Quality Workstream have illustrated their knowledge and experience from across the solar sector, coming from O&M, EPC, engineering, recycling and circularity, waste management, utility-scale solar, and manufacturing backgrounds. Visit our workstreams page here.

• Our suite of industry best practice guidelines are available on our Solar Best Practices Platform, which gathers all of the products of SolarPower Europe’s Lifecycle Quality Workstream under one roof. The Platform is designed as the definitive one-stop-shop for solar quality assurance in Europe. It provides access to a wide range of SolarPower Europe’s reports, tools, and checklists, as well as a directory of companies that adhere to best practices. This includes the Solar Best Practices Mark, which allows companies to benchmark their performance and create more transparency in their solar services.  

• A joint offering from Intersolar Europe and SolarPower Europe, the Solar Quality Summit Europe annual event, brings together leading members of O&M, Asset Management, and Engineering, Procurement and Construction communities, to advance the long-term quality of Europe’s solar projects.

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