Blog – Full Width

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe have partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

The collaboration focuses on leveraging renewable energy, specifically solar power, to help UEFA, national football associations, and football clubs reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for the sport, SolarPower Europe and UEFA said.

According to Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability, the two organizations aim to enhance sustainable football infrastructure by advancing renewable energy implementation and best practices. “This partnership brings valuable expertise to a constantly evolving area of our work,” he noted.

Solar and football are a perfect match

“Solar and football already energise communities and nations across Europe – they’re a perfect match. We’re proud to take a natural step in working with UEFA to support their 2030 sustainability goals,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger underlined.

As part of a cooperation agreement, the partnership will focus on expanding solar power use, facilitating power purchase agreements (PPAs) for long-term renewable energy supply, and hosting a webinar in 2025 to inform national football associations about solar energy and storage options.

The deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed

Sports offer a great opportunity for applying solar technologies, Robert Cathcart wrote in an op-ed for Balkan Green Energy News. Stadiums are often ideal for solar installations, he added.

Interestingly, the deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed yesterday.

Photovoltaic module manufacturer JA Solar and football club Borussia Dortmund have joined forces for the installation of a new PV system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park. The outcome would be the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof.

The 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe have partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

The collaboration focuses on leveraging renewable energy, specifically solar power, to help UEFA, national football associations, and football clubs reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for the sport, SolarPower Europe and UEFA said.

According to Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability, the two organizations aim to enhance sustainable football infrastructure by advancing renewable energy implementation and best practices. “This partnership brings valuable expertise to a constantly evolving area of our work,” he noted.

Solar and football are a perfect match

“Solar and football already energise communities and nations across Europe – they’re a perfect match. We’re proud to take a natural step in working with UEFA to support their 2030 sustainability goals,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger underlined.

As part of a cooperation agreement, the partnership will focus on expanding solar power use, facilitating power purchase agreements (PPAs) for long-term renewable energy supply, and hosting a webinar in 2025 to inform national football associations about solar energy and storage options.

The deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed

Sports offer a great opportunity for applying solar technologies, Robert Cathcart wrote in an op-ed for Balkan Green Energy News. Stadiums are often ideal for solar installations, he added.

Interestingly, the deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed yesterday.

Photovoltaic module manufacturer JA Solar and football club Borussia Dortmund have joined forces for the installation of a new PV system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park. The outcome would be the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof.

The 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

Greek company Katheris said it installed the country’s first solar panel recycling machine. As one of few such endeavors in entire Southeastern Europe, the business move could contribute to the development of a lucrative market that would ease environmental and climate impact.

Repairing and recycling solar panels is limited, and landfilling is still a common practice throughout the world. Photovoltaic waste is expected to reach 4% to 14% of total electricity production capacity by 2030 and rise to as much as 60 to 80 million tons by 2050. Katheris, a recycling company based in Herakleion (Heraklion), the capital of Crete, Greece’s largest island, saw an opportunity in solar panel waste.

PV modules contain valuable materials, of which silver, crystalline silicon, aluminum and copper are the most valuable. There are also toxic heavy metals inside, a major environmental risk.

Before modular designs become standardized so panels can be dismantled easily, the development of a recycling market will likely remain slow. Landfilling is cheap when there are no strict regulations for such electronic waste, and recovering separate materials is costly.

Some recyclers just crush or pulverize the decommissioned or damaged photovoltaic devices. The material is then used for a different purpose. The value of separate raw materials is lost and the waste is downcycled rather than recycled or reused.

Solar panel recycling to prevent environmental devastation, save resources

Katheris said it has set up Greece’s first solar panel recycling machine. The company with 70 employees said it is evolving and expanding the range of materials that it handles and recovers.

“By recycling photovoltaic panels, we contribute to saving resources and preventing the devastating impact that the disposal of these materials can have on the environment,” the announcement reads.

Solutions other than landfilling necessary for billions of PV modules

There is some 2 TW of solar power systems installed in the world as the capacity has doubled in just two years. It means solutions are necessary for several billion PV modules that will reach the end of their operating life within 30 years.

Solar panel recycling is exceptionally important for the climate, and manufacturing expenses as well. Purifying silicon is an especially energy-intensive process, still largely conducted using fossil fuels, and the production of the remaining materials is comparable.

As for the rest of the region covered by Balkan Green Energy News, Romania is an important example with its solar panel industry grant program, as it includes funds for recycling activities.

Greek company Katheris said it installed the country’s first solar panel recycling machine. As one of few such endeavors in entire Southeastern Europe, the business move could contribute to the development of a lucrative market that would ease environmental and climate impact.

Repairing and recycling solar panels is limited, and landfilling is still a common practice throughout the world. Photovoltaic waste is expected to reach 4% to 14% of total electricity production capacity by 2030 and rise to as much as 60 to 80 million tons by 2050. Katheris, a recycling company based in Herakleion (Heraklion), the capital of Crete, Greece’s largest island, saw an opportunity in solar panel waste.

PV modules contain valuable materials, of which silver, crystalline silicon, aluminum and copper are the most valuable. There are also toxic heavy metals inside, a major environmental risk.

Before modular designs become standardized so panels can be dismantled easily, the development of a recycling market will likely remain slow. Landfilling is cheap when there are no strict regulations for such electronic waste, and recovering separate materials is costly.

Some recyclers just crush or pulverize the decommissioned or damaged photovoltaic devices. The material is then used for a different purpose. The value of separate raw materials is lost and the waste is downcycled rather than recycled or reused.

Solar panel recycling to prevent environmental devastation, save resources

Katheris said it has set up Greece’s first solar panel recycling machine. The company with 70 employees said it is evolving and expanding the range of materials that it handles and recovers.

“By recycling photovoltaic panels, we contribute to saving resources and preventing the devastating impact that the disposal of these materials can have on the environment,” the announcement reads.

Solutions other than landfilling necessary for billions of PV modules

There is some 2 TW of solar power systems installed in the world as the capacity has doubled in just two years. It means solutions are necessary for several billion PV modules that will reach the end of their operating life within 30 years.

Solar panel recycling is exceptionally important for the climate, and manufacturing expenses as well. Purifying silicon is an especially energy-intensive process, still largely conducted using fossil fuels, and the production of the remaining materials is comparable.

As for the rest of the region covered by Balkan Green Energy News, Romania is an important example with its solar panel industry grant program, as it includes funds for recycling activities.

As energy storage holds a key role in supporting the grid and energy transition efforts, Sungrow’s ESS Experience Day in Munich was an insightful opportunity for leading experts across Europe to exchange thoughts on this crucial topic towards a sustainable future. The event was followed by almost 300 attendees. It covered a broad range of topics, relevant to the technological, business and safety implications of energy storage systems.

Reconfirming its commitment to supporting its partners and driving the transition to a clean and sustainable future, Sungrow successfully hosted the ESS Experience Day in Munich on March 20, bringing together industry experts, partners, and stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in energy storage systems (ESS).

The event underscored Sungrow’s devotion to driving the transition towards a more resilient, stable, and renewable-powered energy landscape across Europe.

Energy Storage: A Cornerstone for Europe’s Renewable Future

As Europe accelerates its shift to renewable energy, the need for grid stability and flexibility has never been greater. Energy storage systems play a critical role in balancing supply and demand, enabling a higher penetration of renewables into the grid. By 2030, Europe aims to generate at least 45% of its energy from renewable sources, according to the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan.

However, intermittent generation from solar and wind requires advanced storage solutions to maintain grid stability and prevent curtailment. The deployment of ESS projects requires advanced technologies, but also strong collaboration between involved parties and devoted teams of experts that secure swift and efficient operations, Mr. Shawn Shi, Vice President of Sungrow and President of Sungrow Europe, emphasized in his speech that opened the event.

“The outstanding result that made possible the commercial operation of the BW ESS Bramley 331 MWh project in just 12 days after the grid energization, reflects not only the technical innovation of PowerTitan 2.0; it is also a reflection of our excellent delivery management capabilities and close collaboration with our partners,” he asserted.

An evening full of insights and meaningful discussions

The event in Munich acted as a platform to exchange in-depth knowledge and thoughts by experts in the industry, including case studies, while the almost 300 attendees had the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations of Sungrow’s latest state-of-the-art battery storage systems: the liquid-cooled PowerStack 200CS and PowerTitan 2.0.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation Policies & Trends of Battery Storage by Mr. Antonio Arruebo, Market Analyst at SolarPower Europe (SPE). It included an exclusive preview of preliminary figures from the SPE Battery Outlook, the leading report about the current and future development of the field. It will be officially published at Intersolar in May 2025.

PowerStack 200CS and PowerTitan 2.0 are Sungrow’s latest state-of-the-art battery storage systems

Mr. Arruebo underlined the need for flexibility of the grid, predicting that EU power flexibility needs to increase fivefold by 2030 and arguing that batteries and demand response can meet two thirds of flexibility requirements.

At the same time, the forecast is that the European BESS market is expected to expand by 30% to 40% year on year to reach 260 GWh by 2028. The high scenario by SPE foresees that this figure could reach 400 GWh by the same year.

Two milestone European projects were showcased at ESS Experience Day

The agenda of the event covered a broad range of issues related to ESS and energy transition. It included the latest developments on grid forming capabilities, presented by Dr. Ivan Volodin, ESS Product Manager at Sungrow Europe, and the impressive PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale burn test, presented by Mr. Yang Ye, Senior Technical Marketing Manager at Sungrow OSKA, showcasing the latest developments on BESS safety.

Flexibility is a key factor for deploying more renewable energy and fighting negative prices and price volatility.

Moreover, Mr. Andres Doebel, Head of ESS for the DACH region at Sungrow Europe, emphasized in his speech the crucial aspect of the one-brand solution in securing a successful ESS project. Mr. Robert Von Wahl, Director of Sungrow EV Charging Europe, analysed the opportunities that ESS holds for the crucial role of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and operation in Europe.

The event hosted the presentation of two case studies, showcasing two milestone ESS projects in the region – the Bramley 100/331 MWh ESS project by BW ESS in the United Kingdom and the Vilvoorde 200/800 MWh ESS project by Engie in Belgium.

Dr. James Li, ESS Director Europe of Sungrow, highlighted the successful delivery story of the Bramley BESS project, while Mr. Dries Herman, Technical Project Manager of the Vilvoorde project, drew attention to the key factor of flexibility for deploying more renewable energy and fighting negative prices and price volatility.

Europe is emerging as a key driver of growth in energy storage

Finally, a panel discussion between ESS Analyst Mrs. Starry Ce, Vice President of Strategy and Development of the Griffin Group Energy Mr. Adam Zalewski, Director of Product and Supply Chain of Kyon Energy Mr. Florian Diehm, CCO of Entrix Mr. Lars Löhle, and Dr. Stefan Zhao, Director of Sungrow European Research Institute, concluded the main part of the event, with a valuable debate on the challenges and opportunities that the present and future holds on ESS development and energy transition.

As the global energy storage market is bolstered by an annual growth rate of 21% by 2030, to 137 GW / 442 GWh (BloombergNEF), Europe is emerging as a key driver of growth.

Events like the ESS Experience Day in Munich serve as crucial platforms for knowledge sharing and fostering partnerships that accelerate the deployment of storage technologies. The success of the ESS Experience Day in Munich marks another milestone in Sungrow’s mission to lead the renewable energy transition with reliable, efficient, and sustainable storage technologies and services.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide.

The company is recognized as the world’s No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world’s most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 180 countries, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience.

At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit www.sungrowpower.com.

As energy storage holds a key role in supporting the grid and energy transition efforts, Sungrow’s ESS Experience Day in Munich was an insightful opportunity for leading experts across Europe to exchange thoughts on this crucial topic towards a sustainable future. The event was followed by almost 300 attendees. It covered a broad range of topics, relevant to the technological, business and safety implications of energy storage systems.

Reconfirming its commitment to supporting its partners and driving the transition to a clean and sustainable future, Sungrow successfully hosted the ESS Experience Day in Munich on March 20, bringing together industry experts, partners, and stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in energy storage systems (ESS).

The event underscored Sungrow’s devotion to driving the transition towards a more resilient, stable, and renewable-powered energy landscape across Europe.

Energy Storage: A Cornerstone for Europe’s Renewable Future

As Europe accelerates its shift to renewable energy, the need for grid stability and flexibility has never been greater. Energy storage systems play a critical role in balancing supply and demand, enabling a higher penetration of renewables into the grid. By 2030, Europe aims to generate at least 45% of its energy from renewable sources, according to the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan.

However, intermittent generation from solar and wind requires advanced storage solutions to maintain grid stability and prevent curtailment. The deployment of ESS projects requires advanced technologies, but also strong collaboration between involved parties and devoted teams of experts that secure swift and efficient operations, Mr. Shawn Shi, Vice President of Sungrow and President of Sungrow Europe, emphasized in his speech that opened the event.

“The outstanding result that made possible the commercial operation of the BW ESS Bramley 331 MWh project in just 12 days after the grid energization, reflects not only the technical innovation of PowerTitan 2.0; it is also a reflection of our excellent delivery management capabilities and close collaboration with our partners,” he asserted.

An evening full of insights and meaningful discussions

The event in Munich acted as a platform to exchange in-depth knowledge and thoughts by experts in the industry, including case studies, while the almost 300 attendees had the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations of Sungrow’s latest state-of-the-art battery storage systems: the liquid-cooled PowerStack 200CS and PowerTitan 2.0.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation Policies & Trends of Battery Storage by Mr. Antonio Arruebo, Market Analyst at SolarPower Europe (SPE). It included an exclusive preview of preliminary figures from the SPE Battery Outlook, the leading report about the current and future development of the field. It will be officially published at Intersolar in May 2025.

PowerStack 200CS and PowerTitan 2.0 are Sungrow’s latest state-of-the-art battery storage systems

Mr. Arruebo underlined the need for flexibility of the grid, predicting that EU power flexibility needs to increase fivefold by 2030 and arguing that batteries and demand response can meet two thirds of flexibility requirements.

At the same time, the forecast is that the European BESS market is expected to expand by 30% to 40% year on year to reach 260 GWh by 2028. The high scenario by SPE foresees that this figure could reach 400 GWh by the same year.

Two milestone European projects were showcased at ESS Experience Day

The agenda of the event covered a broad range of issues related to ESS and energy transition. It included the latest developments on grid forming capabilities, presented by Dr. Ivan Volodin, ESS Product Manager at Sungrow Europe, and the impressive PowerTitan 2.0 large-scale burn test, presented by Mr. Yang Ye, Senior Technical Marketing Manager at Sungrow OSKA, showcasing the latest developments on BESS safety.

Flexibility is a key factor for deploying more renewable energy and fighting negative prices and price volatility.

Moreover, Mr. Andres Doebel, Head of ESS for the DACH region at Sungrow Europe, emphasized in his speech the crucial aspect of the one-brand solution in securing a successful ESS project. Mr. Robert Von Wahl, Director of Sungrow EV Charging Europe, analysed the opportunities that ESS holds for the crucial role of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and operation in Europe.

The event hosted the presentation of two case studies, showcasing two milestone ESS projects in the region – the Bramley 100/331 MWh ESS project by BW ESS in the United Kingdom and the Vilvoorde 200/800 MWh ESS project by Engie in Belgium.

Dr. James Li, ESS Director Europe of Sungrow, highlighted the successful delivery story of the Bramley BESS project, while Mr. Dries Herman, Technical Project Manager of the Vilvoorde project, drew attention to the key factor of flexibility for deploying more renewable energy and fighting negative prices and price volatility.

Europe is emerging as a key driver of growth in energy storage

Finally, a panel discussion between ESS Analyst Mrs. Starry Ce, Vice President of Strategy and Development of the Griffin Group Energy Mr. Adam Zalewski, Director of Product and Supply Chain of Kyon Energy Mr. Florian Diehm, CCO of Entrix Mr. Lars Löhle, and Dr. Stefan Zhao, Director of Sungrow European Research Institute, concluded the main part of the event, with a valuable debate on the challenges and opportunities that the present and future holds on ESS development and energy transition.

As the global energy storage market is bolstered by an annual growth rate of 21% by 2030, to 137 GW / 442 GWh (BloombergNEF), Europe is emerging as a key driver of growth.

Events like the ESS Experience Day in Munich serve as crucial platforms for knowledge sharing and fostering partnerships that accelerate the deployment of storage technologies. The success of the ESS Experience Day in Munich marks another milestone in Sungrow’s mission to lead the renewable energy transition with reliable, efficient, and sustainable storage technologies and services.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide.

The company is recognized as the world’s No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world’s most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 180 countries, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience.

At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit www.sungrowpower.com.

Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund Football Club, is set to become the site of the world’s largest solar power plant installed on a stadium roof.

PV module manufacturer JA Solar, based in China, and German football club Borussia Dortmund are joining forces for the installation of a new photovoltaic system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park, creating the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof, according to JA Solar.

The stadium, which hosts the highest average number of spectators per match in European football, has also become a flagship of sustainable innovation.

Of note, the 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

The system will generate over 4 MWh annually for Borussia Dortmund’s own consumption

The announcement came a day before the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

Aligned with the sustainability goals and long-term vision of both Borussia Dortmund and JA Solar, this project will generate reliable green electricity for the next 30 years.

More than 11,000 modules will be installed on the stadium roof. The system will generate over 4 MWh annually for Borussia Dortmund’s own consumption.

The rooftop system is expected to reduce the club’s CO₂ emissions by about 1,800 tons a year, while significantly improving the stadium’s energy security and resilience.

Cramer: We are setting the course for a more environmentally friendly future

Installation is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025, with completion targeted by the end of that same summer, JA Solar said.

Carsten Cramer, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA, said that JA Solar would play a key role in the planned renovation of the photovoltaic system on Signal Iduna Park’s roof.

“With JA Solar’s modules, which will power the largest photovoltaic system on any stadium roof, we are setting the course for a more environmentally friendly future,” Cramer added.

According to Henning Schulze, Vice President of JA Solar, the company is proud that its modules will be used for this project at this iconic stadium. “In times of rapid political change and market disruption, our participation in this project is a clear statement from JA Solar that we are here to stay,” Schulze noted.

Signal Iduna Park, the home of Borussia Dortmund Football Club, is set to become the site of the world’s largest solar power plant installed on a stadium roof.

PV module manufacturer JA Solar, based in China, and German football club Borussia Dortmund are joining forces for the installation of a new photovoltaic system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park, creating the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof, according to JA Solar.

The stadium, which hosts the highest average number of spectators per match in European football, has also become a flagship of sustainable innovation.

Of note, the 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

The system will generate over 4 MWh annually for Borussia Dortmund’s own consumption

The announcement came a day before the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

Aligned with the sustainability goals and long-term vision of both Borussia Dortmund and JA Solar, this project will generate reliable green electricity for the next 30 years.

More than 11,000 modules will be installed on the stadium roof. The system will generate over 4 MWh annually for Borussia Dortmund’s own consumption.

The rooftop system is expected to reduce the club’s CO₂ emissions by about 1,800 tons a year, while significantly improving the stadium’s energy security and resilience.

Cramer: We are setting the course for a more environmentally friendly future

Installation is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025, with completion targeted by the end of that same summer, JA Solar said.

Carsten Cramer, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA, said that JA Solar would play a key role in the planned renovation of the photovoltaic system on Signal Iduna Park’s roof.

“With JA Solar’s modules, which will power the largest photovoltaic system on any stadium roof, we are setting the course for a more environmentally friendly future,” Cramer added.

According to Henning Schulze, Vice President of JA Solar, the company is proud that its modules will be used for this project at this iconic stadium. “In times of rapid political change and market disruption, our participation in this project is a clear statement from JA Solar that we are here to stay,” Schulze noted.

Hybrid solar, which combines solar with energy storage or wind, reduces the levelized cost of electricity by 10% compared to standalone projects, according to the latest report from SolarPower Europe.

Hybrid solar supports system flexibility, improves the cost-effectiveness of an asset, and makes energy generation more reliable, SolarPower Europe stressed.

“Embracing the benefits of Hybrid PV systems” reveals how hybrid projects enhance the security of supply by ensuring electricity generation even after sunset.

Hybrid solar projects have surged in recent years. Since 2015, solar (PV) + battery energy storage systems (BESS) have accounted for 5% of total BESS additions across Europe. The UK leads in hybrid PV+BESS installations, which make up 62% of total PV+BESS capacity, driven by strong policy support, market dynamics, and large-scale projects, according to the report.

PV+Wind hybrid projects, with only 555 MW installed, have yet to gain traction in Europe

In contrast, EU countries like Sweden (10%), Italy (8%), Germany (6%), Bulgaria (6%), and Denmark (5%) follow at a much lower level, with the rest of the EU-27 and Switzerland making up for only 3%.

The market for PV+Wind is equally concentrated, led by Poland with 277 MW, thanks to conducive policies and complementary generation patterns. However, in co-located setups, sharing the same connection point, regulations still need proper implementation.

The Netherlands (150 MW), Portugal (78 MW), and Denmark (7% share) have also advanced, with the UK and the rest of Europe lagging behind, with just 11 MW of PV+Wind, the report underlines.

Overall, PV+Wind hybrid projects have yet to gain traction in Europe, with only 555 MW installed by the end of 2024—less than 1% of the utility-scale solar fleet.

Five benefits

According to the report, Hybrid projects bring numerous benefits to end-users as they offer cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable electricity. The benefits can be distributed in five categories:

1. Resources utilisation. By combining different generation technologies, a more efficient usage of the existing resources can be achieved.
2. Efficient storage usage. Allowing hybrids to withdraw electricity from the grid enables an optimized system operation.
3. Cost reduction. Hybrid projects realize cost synergies by maximizing existing infrastructure usage and reducing the financing costs for renewables.
4. Curtailment avoided. By hybridizing renewables with storage, the surplus renewable output can be stored and injected later into the grid during hours of peak demand.
5. Increased reliability. Combining different generation technologies and/or storage increases the reliability of the energy output.

Hybrid systems offer a wide range of cost-saving benefits, including reduced expenses for grid connections, land use, project development (such as feasibility studies), and operations and maintenance (O&M). Hybrid projects can also reduce the project financing costs.

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a renewable generator is reduced under a hybrid project as a result of the savings in the investment costs and operational expenditures associated with the connection of the project.

Furthermore, the risk perception of a hybrid project can be decreased, seen both from the debt and the equity perspective, as the project outcomes are more predictable and/or can be further guaranteed in a PPA (i.e., less merchant risk).

SolarPower Europe sets policy recommendations

When comparing solar PV and storage hybrid systems to gas plants, the International Energy Agency (IEA) provides detailed modeling on how the LCOE for solar plus storage compares to that of coal in China and India, as well as gas in the US. The analysis shows that solar plus storage is significantly more cost-effective in these markets, often by more than 20%.

SolarPower Europe stresses that the EU is far from exploiting the full potential of hybrid solar systems, and the report brings key policy recommendations.

Hybrid solar, which combines solar with energy storage or wind, reduces the levelized cost of electricity by 10% compared to standalone projects, according to the latest report from SolarPower Europe.

Hybrid solar supports system flexibility, improves the cost-effectiveness of an asset, and makes energy generation more reliable, SolarPower Europe stressed.

“Embracing the benefits of Hybrid PV systems” reveals how hybrid projects enhance the security of supply by ensuring electricity generation even after sunset.

Hybrid solar projects have surged in recent years. Since 2015, solar (PV) + battery energy storage systems (BESS) have accounted for 5% of total BESS additions across Europe. The UK leads in hybrid PV+BESS installations, which make up 62% of total PV+BESS capacity, driven by strong policy support, market dynamics, and large-scale projects, according to the report.

PV+Wind hybrid projects, with only 555 MW installed, have yet to gain traction in Europe

In contrast, EU countries like Sweden (10%), Italy (8%), Germany (6%), Bulgaria (6%), and Denmark (5%) follow at a much lower level, with the rest of the EU-27 and Switzerland making up for only 3%.

The market for PV+Wind is equally concentrated, led by Poland with 277 MW, thanks to conducive policies and complementary generation patterns. However, in co-located setups, sharing the same connection point, regulations still need proper implementation.

The Netherlands (150 MW), Portugal (78 MW), and Denmark (7% share) have also advanced, with the UK and the rest of Europe lagging behind, with just 11 MW of PV+Wind, the report underlines.

Overall, PV+Wind hybrid projects have yet to gain traction in Europe, with only 555 MW installed by the end of 2024—less than 1% of the utility-scale solar fleet.

Five benefits

According to the report, Hybrid projects bring numerous benefits to end-users as they offer cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable electricity. The benefits can be distributed in five categories:

1. Resources utilisation. By combining different generation technologies, a more efficient usage of the existing resources can be achieved.
2. Efficient storage usage. Allowing hybrids to withdraw electricity from the grid enables an optimized system operation.
3. Cost reduction. Hybrid projects realize cost synergies by maximizing existing infrastructure usage and reducing the financing costs for renewables.
4. Curtailment avoided. By hybridizing renewables with storage, the surplus renewable output can be stored and injected later into the grid during hours of peak demand.
5. Increased reliability. Combining different generation technologies and/or storage increases the reliability of the energy output.

Hybrid systems offer a wide range of cost-saving benefits, including reduced expenses for grid connections, land use, project development (such as feasibility studies), and operations and maintenance (O&M). Hybrid projects can also reduce the project financing costs.

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a renewable generator is reduced under a hybrid project as a result of the savings in the investment costs and operational expenditures associated with the connection of the project.

Furthermore, the risk perception of a hybrid project can be decreased, seen both from the debt and the equity perspective, as the project outcomes are more predictable and/or can be further guaranteed in a PPA (i.e., less merchant risk).

SolarPower Europe sets policy recommendations

When comparing solar PV and storage hybrid systems to gas plants, the International Energy Agency (IEA) provides detailed modeling on how the LCOE for solar plus storage compares to that of coal in China and India, as well as gas in the US. The analysis shows that solar plus storage is significantly more cost-effective in these markets, often by more than 20%.

SolarPower Europe stresses that the EU is far from exploiting the full potential of hybrid solar systems, and the report brings key policy recommendations.