2024 Agenda
Interested in speaking? Reach out to Conference Producer Charlotte Reynard to learn more creynard@solarmedia.co.uk
09:00 -
09:05
Presentation
Speaker
09:10 -
09:30
Keynote Presentation
Delivered by a C-level executive from a top industry developer, our opening session promises to deliver the key insights in the market today, along with the outlook for the future of the Large Scale Solar industry in the EU.
We will be asking:
- What should your key priorities be in the context of the EU’s renewable energy targets?
- What role will Iberia play in the EU solar landscape?
- How will the manufacturing reliance on China change the EU?
09:30 -
10:15
Room One
Panel Discussion
This session will discussing the evolving policy and regulatory environments for solar energy in Europe. What is upcoming that will help to bolster the industry and align with the climate and energy goals?
- How will the new increased European renewable targets affect the industry across the regions?
- As permitting & planning pain points reveal themselves, what EU regulations are in place that will help to streamline these processes?
- What are the implications of the move towards CfD mechanisms in the EU?
- What are the implications of the manufacturing targets for EU-based companies?
10:15 -
10:35
Room One
Presentation
This session will explore:
- How are manufacturers ensuring reliability amidst rapid solar deployment?
- How can manufacturers effectively address ESG concerns in their supply chains?
- How can manufacturers help the industry in a world of over-supply?
- What are the new manufacturing requirements for the next generations of solar?
Deployment and New Build
Operations for the Long-Haul
11:05 -
11:50
Room One
Panel Discussion
- Delve into the emerging trend of green hydrogen production powered by solar energy: its potential, its risks, and its role in a sustainable energy future.
- This session will explore what's ahead for Europe and the complimentary and diversification of renewable technologies.
Moderator
Speaker
11:05 -
11:25
Room Two
Presentation
This session will explore the intersection of solar PV farms and AI, tackling predictive maintenance, forecasting, and fault detection. We will delve into the latest advancements in optimisation, exploring how projects can use AI technology to accurately forecast outputs, assist in O&M efforts, and increase reliability and efficiency of large scale solar projects.
11:50 -
12:10
Room One
Presentation
Solar PV is emerging as the fastest-growing renewable power source in Ireland, with 2022 being a record year for renewable capacity connection to the grid. This session will delve into how Ireland is super-charging its' renewable and solar PV industry growth, and what you need to be aware of when operating in this region, using project case studies to illustrate key challenges and learnings.
Speaker
11:30 -
11:50
Room Two
Presentation
According to Eurostat data, the current share of renewable energy in Czechia could double to 35% by 2030. This presents a huge opportunity for the already-growing industry in the country.
But what are the opportunities and trends that you need to look out for in this region? This session will examine all this and more with lessons from case studies.
11:50 -
12:35
Room Two
Panel Discussion
- What needs to happen to move co-location projects from speculative to reality?
- What are the arising technical issues and continuing risks that come with co-locating storage and solar?
- What are the implications for grid stability and energy reliability when a project is co-located?
- Exploring the development and deployment of lithium-ion, and the revenue streams available for these projects
- What technology is available to realise a solar and co-location project?
12:35 -
12:55
Room One
Presentation
- Exploring the advancements and challenges in floating photovoltaic systems (FPV)
- How efficient are these systems, what are the risks involved?
- What can we learn from already deployed floating solar projects in Europe?
- How have they helped contribute to renewable targets in countries with smaller land mass?
12:35 -
12:55
Room Two
Presentation
Deployment and New Build
Operations for the Long-Haul
14:30 -
15:15
Room One
Panel Discussion
- What are the 'easy wins' that developers can move forward with in order to alleviate bottlenecks?
- What can we learn from other countries' permitting and planning processes, and what lessons can we learn from those countries that have cleared the way for solar deployment
- Uncapping the bottlenecks through collaboration and communication across all points
- What role do farming, agricultural, historical and even archaeological associations & organisations play in deploying solar PV projects?
- How can developers bring local communities along with them, and what are the benefits of doing so?
Moderator
Speaker
14:30 -
15:15
Room Two
Panel Discussion
- Using best practice case studies, this session will examine strategies for effective monitoring, maintenance, and optimisation of solar assets.
- How do you ensure that your solar assets are performing at maximum capacity and efficiency?
- What is the effect of AI, how can it be used for greater efficiency of assets?
Speakers
15:15 -
15:35
Room One
Presentation
- What policy frameworks have been introduced to accommodate Agri PV, and what is upcoming?
- How do you define the criteria for an Agri PV project that needs to be fulfilled?
- What are the nuances in permitting and planning processes when comparing Agri PV with a conventional ground-mounted PV project?
16:00 -
16:45
Room One
Panel Discussion
The skills and recruitment gap remains one of the biggest barriers to successful project deployment, but how can companies armour themselves with the best workforce possible? The answer lies in upskilling and retention.
In this practical session you will learn how you can plan and execute the best upskilling and retention plan for your company.
You will also learn:
- Which specific skills and areas companies need to focus on to nurture talent
- How the industry can step up and lead the way for the new generation of skilled solar PV workers
- What your recruitment and retention strategy neesd to entail to ensure you attract the best talent possible
09:15 -
10:00
Room One
Keynote Panel
This session will ask the big questions to kick off Day 2, and take a deep dive into the next 12 months into 2025, and beyond, asking: 'How can you prepare for the next 12 months?'
- Do EU companies need to adapt their business models to unlock profit, and if so, how?
- What are the market opportunities and pricing strategies in the EU solar energy market
- What are the macroeconomic factors at play in the EU right now, and how will they affect the future of the industry?
- How will fluctuating interest rates impact the industry?
- With development deadlines looming, how much of the deployment pipeline will be realised?
- What are the impolication of the move from auctions to CfD models?
- Analysis of how much of the EU pipeline will actually be built?
Deployment and New Build
Operations for the Long-Haul
10:20 -
11:00
Room One
Panel Discussion
- Central & Eastern Europe has gone from strength to strength in the Solar PV market, with a 47% grid capacity increase compared to 2021 (according to Solar Power Europe)
- Which countries are the unsung heroes of the industry? And which countries are up and coming?
- This session will dig into the specific issues around legislation, regulations, and local government specificities across the region.
Speaker
10:00 -
10:20
Room Two
Presentation
10:20 -
11:00
Room Two
Panel Discussion
- How can you implement ESG to introduce or increase biodiversity in your PV plant?
- Who are the organisations you need to collaborate with in order to succeed?
- How do you explore and determine the biodiversity potential for your PV projects?
Deployment and New Build
Operations for the Long-Haul
11:30 -
11:50
Room One
Presentation
- Hear from a top developer on how they have achieved maximum possible efficiency in their hybrid projects
- What have been the main risks and challenges in funding and investment?
- How have the effects on local communities been mitigated?
11:50 -
12:30
Room One
Panel Discussion
- How do you define the right time and conditions to execute a repowering or revamping project?
- How do you decide whether to revamp, repair, or replace?
- What are the return on investment options in revamping and repowering?
11:30 -
12:30
Room Two
Networking Roundtables
- In these discussion groups, learn how the solar market is evolving across the EU.
- After introductions, you will be able to share key developments, findings, successes and challenges, and share expertise with your peers, guided by a moderator.
- We will then review and share the points of each table at the end of the session.
Deployment and New Build
Operations for the Long-Haul
14:00 -
14:45
Room One
Panel Discussion
- Which countries are the unsung heroes of the industry? And which countries are set to be the bigger players in the industry?
- This session will dig into the specific issues around legislation, regulations, and local government specificities across the region.
Speaker
14:00 -
14:45
Room Two
Panel Discussion
- Which countries are the unsung heroes of the industry? And which countries are set to be the bigger players in the industry?
- This session will dig into the specific issues around legislation, regulations, and local government specificities across the region.
14:45 -
15:30
Room One
Panel Discussion
- What is the new power landscape in Europe, and how is the industry adapting to it?
- What policies are upcoming, and what are national and local governments doing to help alleviate the grid backlog?
- How can you make your projects more attractive and achieve a grid connection?
- What roles do solar / energy communities play in relieving some of the bottlenecks across Europe?
- How can the numerous development deadlines across EU countries help filter out the grid backlog?
