Agenda

This session will address the evolving landscape of PV module technologies, reviewing TopCon and Back Contact solutions across efficiency, durability, and cost. Presentations will examine the gap between real-world performance and nameplate ratings, analyse degradation patterns and long-term output expectations, and understand the manufacturing trade-offs required to achieve higher wattage modules. Gain insights into technology roadmaps that balance performance optimisation with reliability and economic viability in solar energy systems.

In this discussion, industry experts will look at whether the pursuit of higher efficiency is compromising module reliability. Panellists will examine whether increased wattages truly deliver better returns for asset owners and identify where manufacturers may be making critical trade-offs. The discussion will explore what asset owners should prioritise when selecting modules, balancing efficiency targets with long-term durability and lifecycle value to optimise solar investment outcomes.

This session examines the evolving ESG and regulatory landscape shaping solar, storage, and inverter markets. Covering EU battery regulation requirements including passports, traceability, and lifecycle mandates, alongside growing ESG reporting expectations for investors and developers. The session will address supply chain risk and cybersecurity considerations, analyse Net Zero Industry Act implications, and evaluate how the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is influencing material costs and sourcing strategies across the renewable energy sector.

This session explores the complex realities of global supply chains in renewable energy manufacturing. Presentations will compare China and Europe manufacturing landscapes, examine supply chain dependencies and bottlenecks, and analyse cost pressures across modules, steel, and components. The session will evaluate the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism’s impact on materials such as steel and aluminium, discuss ESG-driven sourcing decisions and their trade-offs, and address emerging risks around supplier restrictions and cybersecurity in the renewable energy sector.

This session explores the evolving battery technology landscape and the dominance of LFP chemistry. Presentations will examine Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) as the leading chemistry in utility-scale storage, evaluate emerging alternatives including sodium-ion and solid-state pathways, and analyse trade-offs between cost, cycle life, and energy density. The session will address manufacturing scaling constraints and review research pathways aimed at improving lifecycle performance across battery technologies.

This session examines the evolution of inverters, Power Conversion Systems (PCS), and medium voltage system architectures. Presentations will explore the shift to higher voltage systems (up to 2kV) and its impact on Balance of System (BOS) costs including cabling and transformers. The session will clarify PCS versus inverter functionality in bidirectional systems, discuss grid compliance evolution, and address PV + storage system integration. Inverter benchmarking initiatives will also be reviewed to assess performance standards and industry best practices.

This discussion examines the critical disconnect between testing protocols and real-world performance. Panellists will reveal what is actually failing in the field, explain why lab certification doesn’t match real-world operation, and identify blind spots in current testing standards. The discussion will explore how newer technologies change failure risk profiles and propose what better validation frameworks should look like to bridge the gap between lab results and operational reality.