Reshaping the European Solar & Storage Landscape: the 3rd Solar Energy Storage Future Germany 2025 Concluded Successfully

On May 6, 2025, the highly anticipated the 3rd Solar Energy Storage Future Germany 2025 was held as scheduled in Germany. The event gathered experts, corporate representatives, investors, and policymakers from the global solar and energy storage sectors for in-depth discussions on cutting-edge technologies, business models, and policy frameworks.

Amid ongoing global energy transitions, this year’s conference, themed around connection, dialogue, and action, provided a practical platform for companies to explore trends, define directions, and discuss partnerships.

[Keynote 1]

The first keynote speaker, Dr. Andreas Hauer, Board Member of the German Energy Storage Systems Association(BVES), shared insights on "Flexibility as the Core of Future Energy Systems." He highlighted that as the share of renewable energy rises, energy systems face increasingly complex balancing challenges, requiring flexibility in time, space, and energy form. Dr. Hauer systematically reviewed the coupling paths of various storage technologies in electricity, heat, and mobility sectors, using European case studies to illustrate how "Flexible Sector Coupling" promotes cross-sector collaboration between electricity, heat, and hydrogen. He emphasized that storage should not be viewed as an isolated technology but as a critical enabler for decarbonized industries.

[Keynote 2]

The second keynote speaker, Nikola Gazdov, President of the Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity from Renewable Sources (APSTE) in Bulgaria, delivered a deep analysis of trends in the European storage market and strategic transformation pathways. He pointed out that European storage is at a pivotal moment, driven by both policy and pricing mechanisms. With intensified electricity price volatility and the growing adoption of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), storage is becoming indispensable for ensuring market flexibility and grid stability. Gazdov noted that the continued expansion of solar is accelerating the "cannibalization effect," and only through integrated solar-storage deployment can the challenges of price fluctuations and zero-pricing events be effectively managed.

[Panel 1]

The first panel forum focused on "Mitigating Price Volatility through PPAs and CfDs," centering on practices and regulatory challenges in key European markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. Experts and developers from Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, and other regions explained the fundamental differences between PPAs and Contracts for Difference (CfDs) in terms of market structures, risk allocation, and financing adaptability.

Discussions revealed that Germany and the Netherlands are transitioning from traditional subsidies to bilateral CfDs, planning to introduce more comprehensive "price floors + guarantee support" systems to stimulate corporate PPA demand. In contrast, PPA markets in Eastern Europe and the Balkans remain in the early exploratory stage due to unstable policies and weak credit mechanisms, requiring standardized contract terms and risk mitigation tools.

Speakers emphasized the increasing frequency of negative pricing, which is disrupting existing PPA structures. Future contracts must prioritize flexibility and storage integration capabilities. The forum also recommended supporting cross-border PPAs and hybrid solar-storage projects to improve revenue stability and bankability. Despite slow progress on PPA standardization across nations, speakers agreed that advancing policy guidance, market education, and bank recognition is essential to achieving large-scale corporate renewable procurement.

[Presentation 1]

A speaker from BMSer delivered a keynote titled “Full Lifecycle Management of Battery Systems,” offering an in-depth presentation on the comprehensive management pathway for energy storage battery systems — spanning project planning and design, system integration, operation and maintenance, and end-of-life recycling. He pointed out that as the scale of global energy storage projects continues to expand, ensuring the safety, economic viability, and recyclability of battery systems throughout their entire lifecycle has become a critical challenge for the industry’s sustainable development.

He emphasized that the Battery Management System (BMS), as the “central nervous system” of storage systems, plays an increasingly pivotal role — not only in real-time monitoring and fault alerts, but also in early-stage system configuration, long-term performance optimization, and asset value assessment for repurposing. BMSer has proposed a comprehensive full-lifecycle solution by integrating proprietary chips, active balancing algorithms, and cloud platforms, creating a seamless “chip-to-cloud” management system.

During the presentation, he also shared BMSer’s practical experience from several large-scale energy storage projects worldwide, showcasing the industry’s trend towards higher safety standards and greater integration in energy storage management technologies.

[Presentation 2]

Marvin Oerlemans, Head of Sales Europe at Antaisolar, delivered a comprehensive overview of the company’s achievements in the solar sector. He noted that with the advancement of the EU’s REPowerEU plan, solar PV installations in the EU reached 65.5GW in 2024, and are projected to surpass 70GW in 2025. Notably, rooftop PV installations will continue to outpace utility-scale ground-mounted projects by 47%, highlighting enormous market potential.

He emphasized that Antaisolar, as a globally leading provider of solar racking solutions, has established a full-scenario product portfolio covering tracking systems, rooftop mounts, and more. Its proprietary smart tracking algorithms significantly boost energy yields. Through its “Five-Step Service System,” the company delivers end-to-end coverage from project site selection to post-operation maintenance. With a cumulative shipment record of 41.7GW, Antaisolar has built a solid localized service network across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In his presentation, Oerlemans also highlighted the company’s ESG practices, including publishing the industry’s first ESG report and introducing the “RAISE” strategic framework. These initiatives reflect the broader trend of solar mounting technologies evolving towards intelligent and customized solutions. By establishing R&D centers in Shanghai, Fujian, and Spain, the company continues to drive product innovation and actively support the global energy transition.

[Panel 2]

The second panel discussion, themed “Business Models and Bankability of Standalone Storage and PV+Storage Hybrid Projects in Europe”, explored the rapid evolution in the market positioning and financing logic for energy storage projects. Developers, investors, and financial experts from Germany, the UK, Poland, and Spain engaged in in-depth discussions around topics such as whether standalone PV projects have lost appeal, how storage financing has shifted over the past 12 months, and investors’ primary concerns and future expectations.

On the subject of whether standalone PV has become outdated, several panelists remarked that, amid heightened electricity price volatility and frequent negative pricing, securing financing for single-revenue PV projects has become significantly more difficult. In contrast, hybrid PV+storage projects, with their dispatchable capacity and more diversified revenue structures, are increasingly favored by banks and off-takers. Project experience in Germany and Spain demonstrated that PPA projects with long-term value typically incorporate storage strategies or at least possess the potential for storage expansion.

Discussing storage financing trends, speakers noted that over the past year, storage has evolved from an “optional configuration” to a “critical variable.” However, this shift also exposed challenges such as inconsistent valuation methods and immature revenue models. Developer representatives candidly admitted that, amid the storage boom, project quality and execution capability have become more critical than sheer installed capacity. Financial institutions emphasized that truly “financeable” storage projects remain scarce, and the verifiability of mixed revenue models — including frequency regulation, arbitrage, and peak-shaving — will determine financing feasibility.

Regarding market outlook for 2025 and beyond, panelists agreed that investors will increasingly prioritize projects with blended revenue structures, resilience against market volatility, and standardized structures to improve financing efficiency. New models such as co-developed PV+Storage projects and cross-border PPAs with storage arbitrage are gaining clearer market traction.

[Presentation 3]

Michal Pavlicek, Director of Utility Sales at AIKO, delivered a keynote titled “The Value Advantages of ABC Modules in PV Power Plants and Storage Systems.” He provided an in-depth analysis of the core advantages of N-type All Back Contact (ABC) cell technology. Pavlicek noted that within the same land area, deploying 650W ABC modules, compared to 615W TOPCon modules, can increase installed capacity by 6%. With a conversion efficiency of 25% and a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C, these modules deliver significant power generation gains, achieving No.1 efficiency globally.

He emphasized that ABC technology, through its gridless design, micro-crack control (with annual degradation <0.35%), and local shading optimization, achieved a 6.6% generation increase in a 120MW project in Germany. Field data showed that a mere 3% increase in upfront investment could yield nearly USD 10 million in additional revenue over a 30-year project lifecycle. When integrated with energy storage systems, the surplus DC power produced by high-efficiency modules further expands arbitrage opportunities between peak and off-peak periods, enhancing returns by an additional 7% under blended tariff models.

During his presentation, Pavlicek also shared results from a comparative test project in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, where ABC dual-glass 635W modules outperformed TOPCon modules by 12.04% in power generation per unit area over five days, demonstrating superior low-light performance in dawn and dusk conditions. These results underscore the core value of high-efficiency modules in reducing LCOE and improving project IRR.

[Presentation 4]

Frank Polhaus, General Manager of Teos Energy GmbH, delivered a speech titled “Key Challenges and Practical Solutions in Energy Storage System Construction.” He provided a detailed analysis of the practical difficulties encountered throughout the lifecycle of large-scale BESS projects — from planning and design to grid connection and operational management. He noted that modern storage systems now achieve power densities of up to 290MWh per hectare, 70 times that of PV plants, resulting in fundamental system demands such as substation upgrades and extensive cable management.

Polhaus highlighted three dimensions of complexity in BESS projects:

1. Engineering: A single 4.5MWh container requires handling 36 large-diameter DC cables.

2. Technical: Real-time monitoring of 12 operational parameters, including voltage, temperature, and state of charge (SOC), is essential to manage 15,000 LFP battery cycles.

3. Compliance: Projects must adhere to SF-6-free mandates and Germany’s EnWG regulations.

He noted that storage project construction cycles typically exceed those of PV projects by over 40%. Drawing from a 174MWh project in Germany, he underscored the importance of pre-contracting elements like battery replacement strategies and grid interface standards. These operational insights indicate that successful storage projects require a comprehensive framework integrating engineering technology, commercial models, and data management — a structure vital for achieving global storage targets by 2030.

[Panel 3]

The third panel forum focused on “Revitalizing Europe’s Domestic PV and Storage Manufacturing.” The discussion directly addressed the operational challenges facing European manufacturers in sustaining and growing local production capacity. Panelists pointed out that high energy consumption, elevated labor costs, policy barriers, and heavy dependence on global supply chains are key obstacles restraining Europe’s manufacturing competitiveness. Meanwhile, China’s dominant production capacity and intensifying global competition are forcing European manufacturers to redefine their value propositions.

Panelists from manufacturing, industry policy, and supply chain sectors unanimously agreed that for Europe to reclaim manufacturing strength, it must transition from subsidy reliance to building systematic capabilities. This includes continuous manufacturing incentives, green procurement policies, tax reductions, and shifting from “assembly manufacturing” to “full-value-chain manufacturing,” as well as moving from single-product competition to solution-based industrial ecosystems.

On the technical front, artificial intelligence and automation were highlighted as vital tools for lowering manufacturing costs and narrowing gaps with Asian competitors. The discussion emphasized that supply chain synergy — including localizing raw material and cell supply, achieving scaled manufacturing breakthroughs, and closing operational loops between EPC and O&M services — is the decisive factor in rebuilding Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

Education and skill-building were also cited as a long-term competitive moat. Without a localized pool of engineers and skilled renewable energy technicians, there can be no meaningful manufacturing revival. This discussion established a clear roadmap for how European manufacturing could navigate its crisis — not by mimicking China’s model, but by developing a market-suited, regionally integrated new manufacturing system.

Pictured above: Michael K. Lee, CEO of C&D Clean Energy Co., Ltd.

[Panel 4]

The fourth panel discussion, themed “Investor Priorities in Renewable Energy and Energy Storage,” provided an in-depth exploration of the key factors driving continuous capital inflows into the solar and storage sectors, differentiated regional investment opportunities, and the challenges and strategies currently shaping the market.

Panelists from asset management firms, project finance institutions, and long-term investment funds pointed out that a combination of policy momentum, technological cost reductions, and volatility in traditional energy markets has jointly fueled a surge in green asset investment. Especially with the accelerated pursuit of carbon neutrality targets, energy storage projects are evolving from a supporting role to a core allocation within investment portfolios.

The discussion highlighted that Germany remains one of the primary investment destinations, while Southeast European markets such as Romania, Serbia, and Poland are gaining increasing investor interest due to their growth potential and competitive cost structures. In contrast, mature markets like Spain and Italy face mounting pressure on returns and intensified competition from project homogeneity.

In terms of investment trends for energy storage, most participants agreed that standalone generation assets are no longer sufficient to meet future revenue stability expectations. New blended revenue models — combining solar-plus-storage integration, storage arbitrage opportunities, and participation in capacity markets — are reshaping asset valuation logic. However, storage projects continue to face significant financing challenges, including immature revenue models and insufficient policy support for bankability.

Amid a rapidly evolving market landscape, speakers called for green energy investment to shift beyond conventional infrastructure thinking towards a new phase characterized by greater flexibility, technology-led development, and financial innovation. There was broad consensus that energy storage will become one of the most highly targeted asset classes in capital markets over the next five years.

[Presentation 5]

Michael Zhang, Director at Sunshare, offered an in-depth analysis of the development opportunities and challenges within Europe’s rapidly growing balcony PV market. He shared valuable insights on the evolving industrial structure, technological innovations, and market expansion strategies, noting that amid a threefold increase in European residential electricity prices over the past three years, PV is entering an unprecedented growth window. Sunshare’s newly launched balcony PV storage system, Sunshare Glory, is positioned as a market pioneer for this transformation.

Leveraging breakthroughs in performance, safety, and user experience, Sunshare Glory is the world’s first balcony PV storage system equipped with semi-solid-state battery cells. It features a maximum input power of 2400W and an intelligent load-matching technology that eliminates household energy waste. Its innovative smart battery maintenance system ensures reliable operation in extreme conditions ranging from -20°C to 60°C. In terms of safety, the system integrates five protective mechanisms from the cell level to the system level. A specially developed no-drilling installation system allows fast adaptation to typical European balcony structures like cement or curved walls, cutting installation time by 80% compared to conventional setups.

Zhang emphasized that Sunshare’s innovation is driven not only by its own commercial objectives but also by the broader ambition to elevate the balcony PV industry to new heights. Going forward, Sunshare will continue leveraging both technological R&D and consumer insights to develop highly innovative products addressing global residential energy demands. Additionally, Sunshare will actively promote industry standards and work alongside sector partners to support the global energy transition and sustainable development.

[Presentation 6]

Alvaro Zanón, Global Technical Director at Hopewind, delivered a technical presentation titled “Grid-Forming Technologies and Their Applications in Storage Systems and Renewable Energy.” He explained that as renewables shift from auxiliary to primary power sources, conventional grid-following technologies face growing limitations. His presentation outlined three groundbreaking values brought by grid-forming technologies:

1. A revolution in system stability;

2. Significant enhancements in power quality;

3. The creation of new multi-scenario application models.

These technologies enable renewable energy plants to reduce curtailment losses and offer a crucial technological foundation for building a new power system dominated by renewable

[Panel 5]

In the panel session titled “Strategic Solutions: Overcoming Energy Storage Project Deployment Barriers,” industry experts examined the primary challenges facing storage project development and proposed actionable solutions. Land acquisition and grid interconnection were identified as the two most significant bottlenecks in storage project rollouts. Panelists suggested that storage developers could learn from the experiences of solar and wind projects by simplifying permitting processes and promoting shared infrastructure frameworks to accelerate project timelines.

On the financing front, storage projects are increasingly dependent on long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and ancillary service contracts to secure stable returns and mitigate risks. However, bank financing remains hindered by immature valuation models and insufficient policy support.

Finally, experts emphasized that current grid policies and pricing mechanisms have yet to fully recognize the flexibility value that storage provides. They called for regulatory and market reforms to fairly assess and compensate storage’s contribution to grid stability. Overall, the discussion stressed that the storage industry must learn from the broader renewable energy sector while actively driving policy innovation to solidify storage’s role in the future energy system.

[Panel 6]

In the Executive Panel Discussion“The Next Decade of Energy Transition and Market Structure in Europe,” C-level executives from major energy companies engaged in deep discussions on solar-storage integration, grid reforms, and evolving market mechanisms. Panelists agreed that with Germany targeting 215GW of installed PV capacity by 2030, storage will become an indispensable enabler. Yet, grid access remains the largest bottleneck. They cited TenneT’s innovative use of flexible contracts and dynamic grid-sharing models in the Netherlands as a promising approach and explored the feasibility of applying similar models in Germany.

With the rollout of Redispatch 2.0 bringing plants over 100kW into dispatchable operations, the panel noted that storage still lacks clear positioning in compensation schemes and dispatch regulations. They advocated for a more flexible, decentralized Redispatch 3.0 framework that would fully integrate storage into grid operations.

In terms of market mechanisms, energy storage still relies heavily on arbitrage and ancillary services. Incentives such as capacity markets, CfDs, and grid fee exemptions require strengthening, while investors seek clearer, stable revenue pathways. On financing, PPAs are replacing FITs as the mainstream model, but storage projects continue to face financing challenges due to revenue uncertainties. Panelists called for the development of more mature revenue models and improved bankability. Technical trends such as second-life batteries, agrivoltaics, and smart energy systems are attracting attention. A Fraunhofer study highlighted that PV+Storage systems have already achieved cost advantages, sparking discussions around disruptive technologies of the future.

Panelists also acknowledged that the growing integration of European regional grids presents new challenges — citing examples like Danish wind oversupply impacting German grids — and stressed the urgent need for enhanced cross-border coordination mechanisms.

[Presentation 7]

In this session, Oleg Kim, Sales & Operations Director for Europe at SINENG, highlighted the company’s long-standing strategic focus on Germany and the broader European market. He introduced SINENG’s full-range intelligent PV and storage solutions tailored to local market needs. In the PV sector, SINENG’s comprehensive portfolio of inverters covers utility-scale power plants, C&I installations, and residential rooftops. In the energy storage sector, SINENG now offers full-capacity centralized and string PCS solutions, all featuring grid-forming capabilities to actively support stack-stable grid operations in compliance with diverse national grid codes.

Having remained on BloombergNEF’s Tier 1 global PV inverter manufacturer list for six consecutive quarters, SINENG has delivered numerous landmark PV+Storage projects across Europe. To better respond to local customer needs, SINENG has established a localized marketing and service system centered around its German subsidiary, complemented by a localized supply chain and warehousing network — laying a solid foundation for further international market expansion and capturing high-end market share.

[Presentation 8]

Timo Heinrich, Business Development Director at DAH Solar, delivered a technical presentation addressing the widely discussed UV-Induced Degradation (UVID) issue in N-type TopCon modules. He shared the company’s latest research findings and solutions, underscoring the importance of long-term performance stability in high-efficiency modules and the foresight required in technology R&D.

Since 2022, several industry institutions have flagged concerns about performance degradation in N-type TopCon modules following UV exposure. DAH Solar’s experimental data showed an initial average degradation of 2.62% in early UV exposure stages, which stabilized to below 1% after conditioning treatments. Some samples even exhibited performance recovery under natural sunlight, highlighting the metastable characteristics of TopCon technology.

To tackle this challenge, DAH Solar introduced industry-leading UVID solutions at both the cell and module levels. On the cell side, it optimized passivation layer materials such as SiNx and AlOx to enhance UV resistance. On the module side, it collaborated with top-tier encapsulation material suppliers to co-develop light-conversion technologies that transform harmful UV rays into harmless blue light — significantly enhancing UV durability and extending module lifespan.

The solution has passed rigorous certifications by TÜV Rheinland and RETC, confirming its reliability under high-intensity UV environments. DAH Solar reaffirmed that long-term stability remains a core principle of its technology roadmap and pledged to continue advancing material science and manufacturing processes to lead N-type technology toward more mature, bankable commercialization.

[Panel 7]

In the panel “Strategy and Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Rooftop PV and Balcony PV in Europe,” energy suppliers, distributors, and integrated platform providers discussed policy guidance, market trends, product integration, and technological innovation within the user-side PV sector.

Panelists acknowledged the fast-growing popularity of balcony PV systems in Europe but noted challenges including inconsistent installation standards, complex grid connection procedures, and insufficient consumer education. To achieve broader adoption, they called for policy streamlining and unified technical regulations.

On the product supply side, representatives from SegenSolar and sun.store shared insights into current distribution challenges, citing potential supply fluctuations in core products like modules and inverters. To better support installers in responding to market volatility, distributors are accelerating their digital transformations, offering more flexible inventory management and one-stop procurement platforms — shifting procurement from reactive to proactive planning.

Solavita pointed out a noticeable rise in consumer demand for integrated solutions combining PV, storage, and smart home technologies. Particularly in new housing developments and renovation projects, users increasingly favor seamless experiences with energy visualization, efficiency optimization, and automated scheduling. While the market is steadily maturing, supply chain integration requirements are rising sharply.

Finally, on the role of AI and machine learning, panelists were unanimously optimistic about their potential in power generation forecasting, system diagnostics, and household energy consumption management. AI-driven solutions are expected to enhance PV system efficiency, extend equipment lifespan, and improve user engagement — accelerating the mainstream adoption of smart energy applications.

Pictured above: Davide Lonardi, Country Representative for Solavita Skyworth Italy.

[Panel 8]

In the closing panel “Strategic Investment and Storage Project Development: Capturing Value Amid Evolving Policies and Markets,” core players and investors in the storage sector discussed the current state of the German market, policy landscape, regional distribution, business models, and future prospects.

Panelists broadly agreed that while enthusiasm for storage is surging and development demand is strong, project “buildability” remains constrained by grid access bottlenecks. Several speakers observed that although Germany has become one of Europe’s most attractive storage markets, genuinely ready-to-build projects remain scarce, with certain regions showing signs of “speculative overheating”. Key investment risks include grid congestion, ambiguous pricing signals, and fragmented policy frameworks.

When asked, “If you could amend one policy to improve market conditions, what would it be?” responses varied: some advocated abolishing BKZ restrictions; others wanted to streamline permitting procedures in Bavaria; still others proposed extending grid fee exemptions beyond 2030 or accelerating the rollout of zonal pricing reforms. Yet, all panelists agreed that a clear, stable, long-term policy direction is essential to maintaining investor confidence.

On forward-looking topics — such as whether storage revenues might decline due to ancillary service market saturation (as seen in the UK), or whether innovative auction mechanisms might be suspended — most panelists believed market mechanisms must continue evolving. Revenue streams are expected to shift from reliance on ancillary services to more complex models combining arbitrage and capacity support. Any reduction in policy support would test the commercial maturity of these business models.

The session ultimately highlighted that while the German storage market is booming, true competitive advantage lies in securing buildable, profitable, and exit-ready projects. In a context of policy uncertainty, advancing technologies, and increasingly cautious capital, those capable of risk insight, resource locking, and strategic flexibility will emerge as front-runners in the next five years of Europe’s storage race.

Awards & Networking

As the conference concluded, Energy Box hosted an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding individuals and companies for their significant contributions to the renewable energy industry. These honors celebrate leadership and innovation in driving solar, storage, and green energy transitions.

Pictured below: Selected award-winning companies and individuals.

Cocktail Dinner

After the conclusion of the forum sessions, the conference seamlessly transitioned into a cocktail networking reception. This informal gathering provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to strengthen connections and explore deeper cooperation opportunities. Industry leaders, technical experts, and innovators from the solar and energy storage sectors came together in a relaxed setting to exchange insights, spark new ideas, and celebrate the industry’s recent progress and promising future prospects.

Selected Conference Highlights & Positive Feedback

With that, the 3rd Solar & Energy Storage Germany Conference 2025 successfully came to a close.

Energy Box will continue to organize high-impact events worldwide, actively promoting the growth and development of the global renewable energy industry