Dynamic growth and shifting regulatory frameworks are shaping solar markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Jonas Kasal, Managing Director at Memodo, explains how these trends influence strategy, investment and project development.
Munich, 16 April 2026
Can you briefly describe your role, tasks and responsibilities within the company?
I am one of the two Managing Directors of Memodo s.r.o., a company operating across the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. Given my technical background, I am primarily responsible for defining and driving the company’s product, commercial, and technical support strategy. In the past, I was personally responsible for most C&I (Commercial & Industrial) projects within the company.
How important is C&I for Memodo in the CEE market?
As the market has increasingly shifted toward this segment, we put a strong focus on the C&I business. Today, all our sales representatives have the required skills to design and manage commercial projects.
How has the growing demand in the C&I market reshaped our business strategy?
We follow a holistic approach and place strong emphasis on long-term service and comprehensive support. We therefore offer service contracts alongside our projects to ensure high quality standards. Currently, this is primarily available in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with plans to extend the offering to Poland.
Since when has Memodo been active in Central and Eastern Europe?
Memodo has been active in the CEE region since early 2018.
In which countries is Memodo active, and what is its presence there?
We have dedicated sales teams in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, supported by local-language technical support in each market. From a logistics perspective, we operate from our central warehouse in Prague, which serves all three countries.
What do you consider to be the greatest advantages of the markets in CEE?
The greatest advantage of the CEE markets is their strong growth potential and openness to innovation. These markets are still in a relatively dynamic phase of energy transition, which creates significant opportunities for new technologies, business models, and partnerships.
Is energy security a factor for your customers?
Another key advantage is the increasing awareness of energy security and independence, which is driving demand for decentralized renewable solutions such as solar and battery storage. This provides a favourable environment for companies like Memodo that focus on high-quality, long-term energy solutions rather than purely short-term transactions.
What feedback are you receiving regarding skilled workers?
The CEE region also benefits from a skilled technical workforce and a growing community of installers, engineers and energy professionals who are adopting new technologies and contributing to the modernisation of the energy sector. While the markets can be volatile, their momentum and development potential make them attractive for companies committed to advancing renewable energy.
What do you consider to be the greatest challenges in CEE?
The main challenge in the CEE region is market stability and regulatory predictability. On a yearly basis, support schemes, legislation and market frameworks change. While the transition from centralised to decentralised power generation is necessary and progressing, it also creates uncertainty.
In your opinion, a more regulated environment would help PV development in CEE?
I believe governments should adopt and drive a more long-term strategic perspective. Businesses need stable conditions to invest in sustainable high-quality solutions and aftersales services. Frequent regulatory changes lead to high fluctuation among market participants, which ultimately harms the entire industry — particularly in terms of solution quality and service reliability. As a wholesaler, we ultimately do our best to ensure stability when it comes to our selected suppliers and warranties. However, we cannot replace installers who leave the market or go bankrupt when it comes to end-customer service.
How do you view the markets in CEE in relation to other markets?
CEE markets are significantly more dynamic — but also more volatile — compared to more mature markets such as Germany. They are also highly price-driven.
What would you like to see happen in your markets?
A more stable market would naturally lead to higher overall quality in the market. When businesses operate in a highly dynamic market with subsidy windows that open and close unpredictably, they tend to prioritize the lowest-cost solutions in order to maximize profitability. While I understand this — in many cases it is simply a matter of survival — it is not ideal for the long-term development of the sector. I hope that policymakers recognize this dynamic and work toward more stable, predictable frameworks.
What developments do you expect in CEE over the next two to ten years – say until 2035?
Cybersecurity will become a critical issue and will require clear regulatory frameworks and industry standards. here will also be significant developments in grid services legislation. The market will require greater standardisation, which will be challenging for regulators and grid operators. As coal plants are phased out, renewable energy, particularly solar, will play a larger role in the energy mix. However, many grids are already operating at capacity limits. In this context, battery storage will be essential for grid stabilisation and flexibility services. I also hope there will be broader recognition that renewable energy is not only about reducing CO₂ emissions – it is fundamentally a strategic decision to become more energy indepent.
Tomáš Bílek, responsible for international business development and sales at Fenecon, discusses opportunities and challenges in the region’s growing energy storage market.
Munich, 26. März 2026
Mr Bílek, could you briefly describe your role at Fenecon?
I am responsible for International Business Development and International Sales at Fenecon. Following the company’s internal restructuring, my focus is on the residential and commercial sectors, and until last year also on industrial-scale solutions.
So you are personally responsible for global business development?
Not quite. Our company has divided responsibilities not only functionally but also geographically. The DACH region is managed by our German partner management team. The USA also falls outside my area of responsibility, as we have a separate company there with its own production facilities.
So you’re personally responsible for global business development?
Not quite. Our company has divided responsibilities not only functionally but also geographically. The DACH region is managed by our German partner management team. The USA also falls outside my area of responsibility, as we have a separate company there with its own production facilities.
What is your region?
My focus is primarily on Central and Eastern Europe — from Poland eastwards to Ukraine and further south to North Macedonia and northern Greece, extending even to Georgia.
How is Fenecon approaching internationalization?
We are present throughout Europe primarily through individual projects. Our organized international expansion only began in 2022 due to rapid company growth. Due to internal restructuring, internationalization is still relatively new for us.
In which countries are you currently present?
Currently, we have a structured market presence through country partners in Sweden, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Cyprus and Greece. In other countries, such as Croatia and Slovakia, we have established individual contacts and representatives.
What role do the country partners play in the Fenecon universe?
Our approach is not based solely on sales. We work with country partners who essentially act as local Fenecon branches. In addition to sales, they also handle technical support, monitor compliance with regulatory requirements, and provide customer service. It is also important that they provide us with market feedback, which directly informs our product development.
How do you enter new markets?
Entering a new market involves comprehensive preparation. We typically spend up to a year analyzing regulatory frameworks, certification requirements, grid connection conditions, and simulating use cases before signing a partnership agreement. In the energy sector – one of the most heavily regulated industries – we believe this preparation is essential for a successful market entry.
What types of storage systems are currently driving your business?
Our portfolio ranges from small three-phase residential systems starting at 6 kWh up to industrial systems exceeding 1 MWh, and recently even beyond 4 MWh with our Industrial XL solution. Across markets, approximately 70–80 percent of our business is currently generated in the residential and commercial segment. Utility-scale and large industrial applications account for roughly 20–30 percent.
Does this apply to all countries?
However, market dynamics vary significantly by country and change rapidly. For example, the Czech residential market experienced a boom after 2020, but two years later demand collapsed. At the same time, ancillary services and utility-scale applications — previously considered unattractive — are now emerging as major drivers.
Poland is considered a prime example for PV development and expansion in CEE.
In Poland, residential demand has declined significantly since 2023. Three years ago, we received constant inquiries from Polish companies. Last year, activity slowed considerably. We expect increasing development of behind-the-meter and standalone applications in the near future.
How challenging is the regulatory environment in Central and Eastern Europe?
The biggest challenge is the volatility. Regulatory frameworks, grid connection requirements, and certification requirements change frequently, sometimes without warning.
Do you have an example?
In the Czech Republic, for instance, the certification requirements were changed from one month to the next. The market practically ground to a halt. No one knew which systems could still be installed. Similar changes occurred again a year later.
So this constant back and forth is killing business?
This uncertainty is not good for investors, especially for storage projects with longer lead times. Even residential construction projects are often dependent on subsidy programs, and the application process can take months. If the regulations change before commissioning, systems can be installed but not connected to the grid. Stable framework conditions are crucial for us. That’s why we prefer markets that have already undergone initial regulatory adjustments and offer predictable conditions.
Would you say that Eastern Europe is a more difficult market than Western Europe?
I wouldn’t say more difficult, but different. In developed markets like Germany, the Nordic countries, or the Netherlands, regulatory clarity ensures investment security. Revenues can be predicted more reliably. The disadvantage of mature markets lies in stronger competition and higher regulatory requirements. In emerging markets, the biggest challenge is navigating the changing environment and adapting quickly.
What role do subsidies play in Central and Eastern Europe?
Subsidies remain the most important driver of the residential energy storage market in many countries, but especially in Central and Eastern Europe. When subsidies are available, demand increases dramatically; when they are withdrawn, market growth slows significantly.
What about the utility sector?
Subsidies also continue to play a significant role in the industrial and utility sectors, although investments in commercial applications are increasingly profitable even without subsidies. In Northern Europe, for example, favorable conditions for ancillary services have enabled projects with payback periods of less than three years in recent years – entirely without subsidies.
These are exceptionally short payback periods – how is that possible?
These exceptional returns are now the norm. They can be achieved in an environment with stable market mechanisms that attract investment. In the long term, ancillary services and grid stabilization are likely to become the most important sources of revenue for large-scale storage systems and reduce their dependence on subsidies.
Do you expect to see more grid-supporting storage solutions in the future?
Yes. We anticipate an increase in both grid-connected and stand-alone storage solutions. Grid stability requirements are rising. Frequency and voltage fluctuations are posing ever greater challenges across Europe. With the increasing share of renewable energies, maintaining grid stability within the required parameters becomes more complex. This leads to a structural demand for storage systems that can provide balancing and ancillary services.
How do you see the development of the European market in the East and West?
In developed markets, I expect continued growth in residential energy storage, with subsidies continuing to play an important role. In the commercial and utility sectors, a clearer and more stable business model is emerging – increasingly independent of subsidies. Requirements for grid stabilization, dynamic pricing models, and the expansion of markets for ancillary services will create stronger economic incentives. Dynamic tariffs and market-oriented mechanisms, combined with balancing energy services, will help ensure that investments quickly pay off and that revenue models for energy storage projects are economically viable.
What is your conclusion for Central and Eastern Europe?
Fenecon’s strategy in Central and Eastern Europe focuses on long-term partnerships, regulatory understanding, and technical adaptation to local conditions. Although country-specific market uncertainties continue to pose a challenge, the increasing need for grid flexibility to improve stability will further drive demand for battery storage systems across the region.
This interview examines Econergy Int. Ltd.’s strategy, market dynamics, and operational approach, highlighting technical, financial, and regulatory factors shaping large-scale energy storage deployment across Europe.
Munich, 05. März 2026
The interview features Joshua Murphy, who progressed from storage design to head of the energy storage division and now oversees business strategy, contract design, financial modelling, and route to market contracting. Founded in 2009, Econergy operates in seven European countries, combining local expertise with international financing to develop photovoltaic, wind and battery storage projects. The discussion addresses market opportunities, including Germany’s high revenue potential relative to growth in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as challenges such as grid congestion, regulatory reforms, project readiness, and the shortage of skilled labour. The interview also explores hybrid battery-solar projects, innovative designs including agrivoltaics, and the broader geopolitical and energy policy context influencing renewable integration.
To start, can you tell us a bit about your journey into the energy storage sector?
My background is rooted in utility stage solar and storage design, supported by earlier work at SMA in application engineering. I joined econergy as the head of storage design and integration. As the company’s strategy evolved, I moved into the role of Head of Energy Storage to support all battery operations. Today, my responsibilities center on business planning, forecasting, contracting, and coordination with project finance teams.
Where are the operational markets of Econergy geographically?
Econergy operates in seven key markets: Romania,Italy, the UK, Germany, Poland Greece, and Spain, with local offices staffed by development, legal, and grid experts.
Why is local presence essential for project development?
Local presence is critical for effective project development, particularly in land acquisition, permitting, grid connection processes and stakeholder engagement. Market maturity varies across regions. Germany offers a high number of ready-to-build projects, while Central and Eastern Europe remain more focused on development pipelines.
How is the company’s operational scale structured across markets?
Local teams of 15 to 40 people manage development, permitting, finance, and operations in key markets. Madrid hosts specialised project finance teams managing multiple projects’ financing and debt arrangements. In some countries, such as Germany where we are building our operations and pipeline, we are supported by local expertise
How is your financing structured for projects?
Our financing structure combines equity and debt mechanisms. Equity is raised through listings, strategic investors, bonds on TASE (ECNR), and private equity from insurance companies and funds. Debt financing typically consists of non-recourse project-level debt covering 60–80% of project costs, sourced regionally. All projects undergo rigorous technical, financial and legal due diligence by third-party advisors to ensure bank and investor confidence.
What grid connection challenges do you face in Central and Eastern Europe?
Grid limitations across Europe can slow project deployment. Some market participants secure connections speculatively for resale. Regulatory reforms are underway in the UK, Germany and countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, to improve access and streamline processes. Delays in grid connections can be a problem, as they restrict capital deployment and affect economic growth.
What are the current market dynamics and revenue opportunities for battery storage across Europe?
Germany presents high revenue potential due to market liquidity, price volatility, and feed-in tariff structures that enable profitable trading for batteries. Central and Eastern European markets are growing, with government incentives such as Poland’s capacity market, though overall revenue levels remain lower. Maintaining a presence across multiple markets supports diversification and balances opportunity with risk.
How does the company approach hybrid battery-solar strategies?
The company integrates battery storage with solar assets to optimise market participation and reduce exposure to price volatility. Batteries are increasingly essential for new solar-parks, marking a shift from standalone solar. This approach allows natural hedging, charging during low-price periods and discharging at peak prices, improving asset economics.
What is the company’s approach to project development and acquisition?
Greenfield development focuses on robust planning, connection readiness, and securing permits. Strategic acquisitions target ready-to-build projects to gain a foothold in competitive markets such as Germany, despite premium costs. Over six months, due diligence was conducted on more than 60 projects in Germany to identify optimal opportunities.
What technical and operational factors influence project success?
Component reliability is critical, with banks assessing spare parts availability, warranties, and manufacturer credibility to reduce risk. The complexity and maintenance requirements of trackers affect adoption decisions compared with fixed systems. Local conditions such as altitude, sun exposure, and weather variability directly influence solar production yields.
How do market incentives and support mechanisms affect battery project viability?
Capacity markets in Poland provide long-term contracts that reward battery availability and support grid stability. European funding grants for battery capital expenditures accelerate project feasibility. Projects with government contracts enhance bankability and reduce investment risk.
How do you see the German market in comparison?
In Germany, the market has historically been energy-only, and while no final decision has been taken yet, the government is considering the introduction of an ad-hoc, market-wide capacity mechanism for delivery around 2031. Current proposals envisage procurement of up to 41 GW of de-rated capacity through competitive, technology-neutral tenders, potentially including longer-term contracts for new capacity. If implemented, this would materially improve revenue visibility and strengthen the investment case for flexible assets such as battery storage, alongside energy and ancillary services revenues.
What challenges do competition and talent shortages create in the market?
Competition is intense for grid connections, projects, and supply chain resources. There is a growing need for experienced professionals in construction, commissioning, and battery operations. Grid operators are often under strain, limiting the timely processing of connection requests and slowing market growth.
How does leadership and corporate culture influence the company’s operations?
The company was founded by two longtime friends, Eyal Podhorzer and Yoav Shapira with complementary operational and financial skills. It maintains a long-term vision, focusing on owning and operating assets throughout their lifecycle rather than pursuing a build-and-flip strategy. That approach influences everything, from disciplined capital allocation to technical execution and risk management.
As a publicly listed company, we operate with a high level of transparency. This creates internal accountability and reinforces trust with stakeholders across all markets in which we operate.
What are the key market trends and future outlook for battery storage in solar projects?
Hybrid projects are expected to become the standard, with most new solar projects incorporating battery storage for resilience and revenue optimisation. Innovative designs, including agri-photovoltaics and adjusted solar-park orientation, aim to optimise generation timing. Batteries will play a central role in maintaining grid stability as fossil fuel generation declines.
What environmental and technical challenges does the company face?
Grid balancing through battery storage is essential to manage solar intermittency and maintain energy system stability. Physical and regulatory complexities, such as landowner negotiations, permitting timelines, and varying national regulations, present ongoing hurdles. Monitoring and managing component warranties, technical advisors, and contingency plans are critical to project success.
What is the current status on the companies pv-portfoloie in CEE?
The company’s pv-portfolio in both Romania and Poland is reflecting a strategic balance between operational projects and a robust development pipeline. In Romania we have 390 MW already in operation, complemented by 58 MW ready to connect and ~1GW under construction. Projects in pre-construction add 460 MW, while 1,4GW are under license, bringing the total development pipeline to 3,4GW. In Poland, 52 MW are operational, 105 MW are in pre-construction, ~900 MW are under license, and 1,4 MW are at the initiation stage, totaling to about 2,5 MW in development.
What do you consider your flagship projects in Central and Eastern Europe?
Our flagship projects in the region are undoubtedly Parau 1 and Parau 2 in Romania. Parau 1 combines 92 MW of photovoltaics with a 70 MW / 140 MWh battery storage system. Parau 2 has 343 MW of photovoltaics and a 150 MW / 300 MWh battery storage system. Parau 2 secured a 15-year contract for difference at €49.4/MWh in Romania’s first CfD auction.
How do geopolitical factors and energy policy affect battery adoption?
Batteries reduce exposure to volatile gas prices by storing low-cost renewable energy. Perspectives on nuclear energy vary, with small modular reactors potentially complementing renewable generation. Growing energy demand from data centers drives the need for stable power, supporting diverse solutions including batteries and nuclear.
As solar becomes a standard business asset in Central and Eastern Europe, returns increasingly depend on operational management, market responsiveness and effective digital systems.
Munich, 12. February 2026
For most businesses, the decision to invest in solar energy has long been settled. Solar plants, together with energy storage systems, have moved beyond experimentation and now form part of core operational strategy – also in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The decisive factor is how these assets perform financially. Recent experience highlights a clear shift within the energy sector: the decisive factor is no longer the installed power alone, but how that power is managed. As solar generation expands and price volatility increases, value creation depends on efficient operational control rather than on production volume.
Maximising revenue through intelligent management
Timely fault detection, accurate production monitoring and intelligent energy management increase revenue from existing infrastructure. Smaller, well-managed projects therefore often deliver higher returns than larger facilities that operate passively and respond too slowly to change. Electricity prices now fluctuate several times a day. Under these conditions, value is created by deciding when to store energy and when to sell it to the market.
Energy storage as an investment asset
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) increasingly function as investment assets rather than cost-saving tools. When connected to the grid, they can generate revenue by providing balancing services. In such cases, operation is typically handled by a balancer who manages charging and discharging to capture favourable market prices. The underlying logic is straightforward: low prices favour storage, while high prices favour export. However, these decisions require forward planning rather than real-time reaction.
Optimising storage
Maximum efficiency is achieved when storage is managed through specialised software in the form of an intelligent energy management system. These systems forecast consumption, market prices and solar generation to identify optimal charging and selling scenarios. As a result, payback periods for storage systems can be reduced to a few years. In 2026, businesses seeking higher efficiency must address price volatility with responsive operational strategies. Only reliable energy management systems can continuously monitor markets and optimise whether energy is sold or used internally.
Grid constraints affect revenue potential
As solar and wind capacity continues to expand across Europe, production curtailments caused by grid constraints are becoming more frequent, even when electricity has a market value. This directly reduces potential revenue. Grid conditions therefore represent a growing financial factor. In 2026, effective solar operations require close alignment with grid requirements. Facilities without adequate management systems may be forced to reduce or halt production, while those able to respond quickly can protect revenues and avoid losses. Solar energy facilities, particularly energy storage systems, now depend entirely on software. These systems control production, storage, grid communication and responses to market signals. Disruptions, unclear responsibilities or dependence on a single technology provider can directly affect business continuity and revenues. Cybersecurity has therefore become a core operational concern rather than a purely technical issue.
Operator competence drives financial outcomes
By 2026, evaluating energy storage systems solely on technical specifications will no longer be sufficient. The competence of system operators and the way systems are managed will be equally critical. As energy storage directly affects power supply stability, software failures or cyber incidents can lead not only to downtime but also to significant financial losses. Reliable software providers, secure system architectures and clear control over data flows are becoming as important as the efficiency of batteries or solar modules. Reducing technological dependencies is essential to ensure that energy assets support business performance.
Active management is the key to success
Rapid decision-making, responsiveness to market and grid signals, and secure operational management are increasingly making the difference between economically successful and less successful projects. By 2026, returns will no longer depend solely on the size of a solar generator, but on how actively and effectively it is managed.
Text by Dr Sarunas Stanaitis, CEO of Inion LT. Edited for publication by Manfred Gorgus.
Trinasolar’s head of Eastern Europe shares why she expects the region to be among the world’s fastest-growing solar markets over the next ten years.
Munich, 31. January 2026
What are your company’s current activities in Central and Eastern Europe?
Trinasolar has significantly expanded its presence across Central and Eastern Europe over the past two years. Today, we are active in 17 out of 21 countries in the region, with particularly strong momentum in the Baltics, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
What are your best-selling products in the region?
On the solar side, Trinasolar supplies high-efficiency n-type modules for utility-scale, C&I, and residential customers, and advanced tracking and fixed-tilt systems for the utility-scale segment.
Are you seeing increasing interest in storage systems in CEE?
Trina Storage is rapidly scaling in Eastern Europe, where we are already delivering for multi-MWh BESS projects in Lithuania, Estonia, and Romania, with additional projects advancing across Poland and other parts of the region. With increasing needs related to grid stability, flexibility, curtailment mitigation, and reactive power compensation, we see growing demand for hybrid solar-plus-storage solutions — an area where our integrated approach creates strong added value.
What makes the CEE region a focus area for your expansion?
Central and Eastern Europe is unquestionably a strategic growth region for us. Eastern Europe differs from Western Europe in several ways — particularly in development stage, regulatory frameworks, and energy-security needs — which makes our localized expertise especially valuable.
How does your company stand out in the CEE market?
A key differentiator is our localized, customer-centric approach. Each country is treated as a unique market: the team first seeks to understand its specific regulatory environment, grid requirements, and customer needs, then tailors the right technology and support accordingly.
What do customers in the region expect from Trinarsolar?
Over the past years, we’ve seen that customers in Eastern Europe increasingly rely not only on our products, but on our cross-regional experience, allowing us to act as a trusted advisor throughout project planning, procurement, grid integration, and long-term system performance.
What are your goals for 2026?
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, we will continue to follow market fundamentals and prioritize the largest and fastest-growing countries, while staying agile and present in emerging opportunities.
How is Central and Eastern Europe special?
In a global context CEE stands out because it combines strong ambition for new PV utility systems and BESS capacity, significant grid expansion needs, growing reliance on private financing as well as developing and rapidly maturing regulatory frameworks.
Do certain CEE countries offer particularly favorable conditions for development?
One of the unique strengths of the Central and Eastern European region is its diversity in market maturity. With 21 countries at different stages of development, the region offers a balanced and continuous flow of opportunities. Even when certain markets are slow due to regulatory changes or external pressures, others accelerate—allowing us to maintain a steady pipeline and stable supply across the entire region.
Can you give some examples?
From a market standpoint, several countries stand out today. Romania has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets thanks to its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) backed auctions, strong investor appetite, and a robust pipeline across both PV and storage. The Baltic states — particularly Lithuania and Estonia — are also frontrunners, especially for BESS. The market is supported by clear regulatory frameworks and a strong focus on energy security. We recently announced a major BESS project in Lithuania with Stiemo and more are underway.
Poland is considered an exciting and matured PV and BESS market. What do you think?
Poland continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing interest in utility-scale PV, hybrid systems, and PPA-based models. Bulgaria also consistently delivers close to 1 GW per year purely on market economics, despite having almost no PV subsidies. Other countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and several Balkan markets are regarded as strategically important for Trinasolar.
How would you describe your overall footprint in CEE?
The diversity of regional markets and their specific challenges underpins our presence across the region and our focus on supporting customers in the Eastern European markets, covering modules, tracker systems and energy storage solutions.
Can projects in CEE thrive without EU funding?
Absolutely. While EU funding has historically played an enabling role — especially for early BESS and grid-support projects — the landscape is rapidly changing. In many CEE countries, we already see robust development without subsidies.
Do you have any examples?
Across Central and Eastern Europe, market dynamics vary widely. In the Baltic States, many large-scale projects have been financed entirely with private capital, and momentum increased further after the Baltics disconnected from the Russian grid in February 2025. In Poland, utility-scale PV has long been driven by PPA-based and merchant models. Bulgaria, despite offering almost no PV subsidies, consistently delivers around 1 GW of new capacity each year, driven purely by solid project economics. Non-EU markets such as Albania are expanding rapidly, fueled by strong local demand and favorable economic conditions. Even in Ukraine, solar and battery storage projects continue to move forward under wartime conditions, supported by international donors, private investors, and duty exemptions.
How do you explain the shift from subsidies to private financing? Across Europe, policymakers have moved away from subsidizing individual technologies and projects. Instead, states are focusing on creating a conducive environment for electricity systems. They are achieving this by reforming balancing energy markets, establishing capacity markets for battery storage systems, strengthening grid interconnections, and placing greater emphasis on energy security and reliability. As a result, more photovoltaic and storage projects are now being developed by private companies that prefer financing through financial institutions rather than EU subsidies. This approach offers greater flexibility and helps to avoid the complexities of public tendering procedures.
How do you see the PV and BESS market in CEE evolving over the next decade compared to other regions?
Over the next ten years, Central and Eastern Europe will move from being a “catch-up” region to becoming a frontrunner in innovative solar and energy storage models. Several forces are driving this transformation, including REPowerEU targets and broader EU climate goals, heightened energy‑security needs following the war in Ukraine, rapid electrification and industrial decarbonization and ongoing grid modernization with new capacity mechanisms supporting battery storage. Together, these trends are steering the market from primarily residential installations toward commercial, industrial, and utility‑scale projects, with hybrid PV + storage solutions playing an increasingly central role. BESS is emerging as essential infrastructure for grid stability, flexibility, and curtailment mitigation.
How will policy shape this future in CEE?
We’re witnessing a clear policy evolution across Europe. The region is moving away from direct, technology‑specific subsidies and toward building an enabling market environment—through reformed balancing markets, stronger interconnections, and capacity markets designed to enhance flexibility. As a result, more PV and BESS projects in Central and Eastern Europe are now financed by private developers, PPA structures, and financial institutions, giving the region greater resilience and momentum. Looking ahead, we expect CEE to become one of the world’s most dynamic solar and storage markets between 2025 and 2035, driven by robust demand, strategic policy frameworks, and the growing need for flexible, reliable, and secure energy systems.
Interview by Manfred Gorgus
About Katerina Jirku Nemec
Katerina Jirku is Head of Eastern Europe at Trinasolar, where she is responsible for driving regional business strategy, market development and commercial execution across the growing Eastern European solar landscape. In this role she oversees end-to-end processes from market analysis and opportunity origination through to contract negotiation, project execution and post-contract performance. With more than a decade of experience in the solar industry, Katerina has a strong background in market entry strategy, regulatory analysis, and developing long-term commercial strategy for complex and fast-growing markets.
In this interview, the managing director of CCE Romania explains the role of solar energy in the current reforms and the main challenges in the country’s transition from fossil energy production to low-carbon systems.
Munich, 04. December 2025
With fifteen years of experience in the Romanian energy sector, Alexandru Matei Fatu, managing director of CCE Romania, has played an active role in its transformation toward decarbonisation. The country is experiencing a rapidly accelerating shift from traditional CO₂-based power generation to photovoltaics and other low-carbon technologies. In this interview, Fatu discusses how this transition is reshaping established energy structures, redefining approaches to power generation, grid stability and sustainability, and outlines the key opportunities and challenges for solar energy in Romania.
What is your view on the current energy landscape in Romania?
Romania’s energy landscape has long been characterised by a diverse energy mix. Coal, natural gas, hydropower and nuclear power traditionally formed the foundation of the country’s electricity supply. In the early 2000s, Romania was a net exporter of electricity and played a key role as a regional energy hub in Southeast Europe.
When did this change start?
With EU market integration and a gradual decline in domestic generation capacity, Romania became an electricity importer. However, this appears to be changing. Through the transformation from CO₂-based to CO₂-neutral production, Romania is once again becoming a net exporter. Investments in photovoltaics and wind energy are increasing.
What role does coal play in the country’s energy mix today?
The share of coal in electricity generation has fallen from around 30 percent at the beginning of the 2010s to about 15 percent in 2024. Wind and solar energy now supply around one-fifth of national production. Hydropower remains an important pillar of the system, and nuclear energy also plays a limited role in maintaining security of supply.
What is the population’s attitude towards photovoltaic projects?
One aspect that distinguishes Romania’s energy transition is the constructive attitude of local communities towards renewable energy projects. Unlike in some European countries, Romania is experiencing openness and cooperation. Municipalities and local authorities recognise the benefits, ranging from new, future-proof jobs and improved infrastructure to increased tax revenue. Partnerships at the municipal level form part of our development success in Romania.
What are the challenges for project developers?
In my view, the biggest obstacles are administrative complexity and limited grid capacity. Although the legal framework has improved in recent years, regional differences still exist in the permitting processes. Inconsistent regulations complicate the approval process and lead to delays.
What ist he situation on grid connection points?
The availability of suitable grid connection points also remains insufficient. However, grid connection and building permits can now be applied for concurrently, which has already considerably shortened project development time. A capacity tendering system is intended to provide greater transparency and planning certainty starting in 2026. If implemented effectively, this may represent a benefit for investors and project developers.
Where do you see the strength of your branch?
Certainly in our multidisciplinary experience and close collaboration with regulatory authorities and grid operators. We can also manage project financing without EU subsidies. We reliably secure projects with long-term power purchase agreements, and this is also supported by banks.
How do you assess the next 10 years?
By 2035, Romania’s energy landscape may have fundamentally transformed. Renewable energies are expected to dominate electricity generation, complemented by storage solutions and digitally optimised grids. The participation of prosumers and energy communities will hopefully contribute to the development of a more decentralised and thus more resilient system. Hybrid concepts combining photovoltaics, battery storage and green hydrogen appear to represent the next phase of innovation. We are already investigating how combined photovoltaic and hydrogen plants can contribute to decarbonisation and system flexibility.
With abundant sunlight, Albania has the potential to diversify beyond hydropower. Professor Lorenc Malka explores how solar energy and storage could reshape the nation’s energy future.
Munich, 14. November 2025
Albania’s geographical location offers strong potential for photovoltaic deployment. Prof. PhD Eng. Lorenc Malka from the Energy Department at the Polytechnic University of Tirana provides insights into the current status, future scenarios, opportunities, and barriers for deploying photovoltaic power plants and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the country.
Prof. Malka, what is the Energy Situation in Albania?
The electricity system in the Republic of Albania includes electricity generation, transmission, distribution, market operation, and trading. The goal is to provide electricity to both commercial customers and residential end-users. These activities are carried out by entities licensed by the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE), in accordance with the amended Law no. 43/2015 “On the Electricity Sector.
What is the status on renewable energy?
On the supply side, Albania’s power sector is almost fully decarbonised, relying primarily on hydroelectric power, which accounts for approximately 95 percent of electricity generation. As of 31 December 2024, the country’s total installed electricity generation capacity is approximately 3,213 MW. This includes a 98 MW thermal power plant that never became operational due to a cooling system failure.
What is the grows of photovoltaics in recent years?
Total installed power increased by about 537 MW compared to 2023, mainly due to the addition of photovoltaic renewable energy sources. According to the 2024 ERE Annual Report, total domestic electricity generation reached 7,836,626 MWh. Of this, 4,371,085 MWh (55.7 percent) was produced by KESH sh.a, the Albanian Power Corporation, while 3,465,541 MWh was generated by other power producers.
How much PV capacity is installed in Albania?
In 2024, installed photovoltaic capacity reached 449.09 MW, with actual electricity generation amounting to 489.4 GWh. Of this, PV plants operating under feed-in tariff (FIT) contracts produced 67,700 MWh, while those participating in the liberalised electricity market generated 158,105 MWh. The remainder came from other plants.
Will electricity demand increase in the future?
On the demand side, total energy consumption in Albania has nearly doubled compared to 2005, with current usage around 24 TWh. The transport sector accounts for 38 percent, the residential sector for 25 percent, and industry for 20 percent; the remainder is consumed by other sectors. Fossil fuels dominate, making up more than 60 percent of annual national energy consumption. Annual electricity consumption includes both regulated and deregulated market segments.
Albania is well positioned for decarbonization with hydropower – so why photovoltaics?
Heavy reliance on hydropower makes Albania vulnerable to climate variability. In recent years, there has been a greater focus on diversifying energy sources, with the government actively promoting renewables. Solar is already well developed and feeding electricity into the national transmission and distribution network, while wind energy remains at an early stage. The installation of renewable energy sources—especially photovoltaics—has grown, particularly as support frameworks and policies have become more favourable to PV compared to other renewables.
The interview was conducted by Manfred Gorgus.
More Interviews on Albainia´s energy transition with Prof. Malka
Gas wird nach Ansicht von Fachleuten eine zentrale Rolle in der polnischen Energiewende spielen.
Bei einer Debatte unter dem Titel „Polens Energiezukunft und die Rolle von Gas“ am Dienstag dem vierten November im Pressezentrum der Polnischen Nachrichtenagentur PAP betonten Vertreter von Regierung und Energiewirtschaft, dass Gas zum einen Übergangsbrennstoff sei, zum anderen auch Stabilisator des Energiesystems sei.
Gas – Kernkraft – erneuerbare Energien
Vertreter des Energieministeriums erklärten, dass Polen sich in einer Phase der Transformation befinde. Derzeit arbeite man am Nationalen Energie- und Klimaplan, der die Ziele für 2030 und 2050 festlege. Neben dem Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien und der Vorbereitung des ersten polnischen Kernkraftwerks spiele Gas eine wichtige Rolle, um die Versorgung in der Übergangszeit – bis zu 100 % Erneuerbare und Kernkraft – zu sichern und die Abhängigkeit von Importen vor allem aus dem Osten zu verringern. Das Ministerium plant, bis Ende des Jahres ein Strategiepapier fertigzustellen, das die Grundlage für Maßnahmen zur Versorgungssicherheit und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit schaffen soll..
Energieunternehmen mit konkreten Plänen
Der staatlich kontrollierte Energiekonzern PKN ORLEN S.A. (ORLEN) plant, bis 2035 Gaskraftwerke mit einer Gesamtleistung von 4,3 GW zu errichten. Weitere 12,8 GW aus erneuerbaren Quellen sollen bis dahin fertiggestellt sein. TAURON Polska Energia S.A. (TAURON) arbeitet an Wasserstoffprojekten. Dalkia Polska, die polnische Tochtergesellschaft des französischen Energiekonzerns EDF (Électricité de France), ist auf Fernwärme, Energieeffizienz und lokale Energielösungen spezialisiert und setzt für die Zukunft auf eine Kombination aus Gas, Biomasse und Wärmepumpen.
Gas nur als Brücke
Die Experten waren sich einig, dass Gas in den kommenden Jahren eine Brückenfunktion übernehmen wird. Gaskraftwerke gelten als vergleichsweise saubere Energiequelle, die Polen auf dem Weg zu einer klimaneutralen Energieerzeugung eine stabile Stromproduktion in einem zunehmend volatilen Energiemarkt gewährleisten soll. Sollte das polnische Kernkraftwerk gebaut und an das Netz gehen, könnte es die stabile Komponente in der künftigen Energieerzeugung darstellen. (mg)
RWE baut in Gundremmingen einen Batteriespeicher mit 400 Megawatt Leistung und einer Speicherkapazität von 700 Megawattstunden. Der neue Großspeicher nutzt die Netz-Infrastruktur des ehemaligen Kernkraftwerks, was großer Vorteil bei der Umsetzung des Speicherprojektes sein dürfte.
Das Unternehmen investiert rund 230 Millionen Euro in das Projekt. Der Baustart wurde am 29. Oktober 2025 mit einem symbolischen Spatenstich im Beisein des bayerischen Ministerpräsidenten Markus Söder und RWE-Vorstandschefs Markus Krebber offiziell eingeleitet.
RWE plant, die Inbetriebnahme des Batteriespeichers Anfang 2028 abzuschließen. Nach Fertigstellung soll die Anlage dazu beitragen, kurzfristige Schwankungen im Stromnetz auszugleichen. Dafür werden rund 200 Container mit etwa 850.000 Lithium-Eisenphosphat-Batteriezellen installiert. Der Speicher wird Strom für knapp zwei Stunden mit voller Leistung abgeben können.
Integrationspartner ist H&MV Engineering, ein Unternehmen mit über 1450 Angestellten, das nicht nur im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien, sondern auch als Energieversorgungsunternehmen und mit Datenzentren unterwegs ist. Durch die Übernahme der Skanstec Gruppe Anfang 2024 hat H&MV Engineering ist ein europaweit führender Anbieter von spezialisierten Planungs-, Ingenieur- und Baudienstleistungen mit 400 Mio. € Umsatz mit 22 Standorten im EMEA-Raum entstanden.
Auf dem Gelände in Gundremmingen sind laut RWE weitere Energieprojekte vorgesehen, darunter ein Solarpark und ein neues Gaskraftwerk. Der Solarpark darf als Ergänzung zum Großspeicher verstanden werden. Das Gaskraftwerk wird fossile Brennstoffe nutzen und ist technisch als Backup für erneuerbare Energien gedacht. (mg)
Founded in 2020 in Warsaw, Menlo Electric has maintained a strong international focus from the very start, with 75% of its business taking place outside of Poland. Menlo Electric CEO Bartosz Majewski shares how the Poland-based distributor navigates a turbulent global solar market, tackling falling prices, declining residential demand, and fierce competition while maintaining capacity for future growth.
MUC 21.02.2025
Menlo Electric has grown rapidly in global solar and storage distribution. Can you share more about the company’s history?
Menlo Electric was founded in late 2020, initially as a subsidiary of an installation company. From the very beginning, our goal was to build an international distribution business, operating across multiple markets. This strategy was designed to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in demand within any single market, ensuring long-term stability and growth.
Did the strategy work?
It allowed us to expand rapidly, despite a market slowdown in Poland after net metering was phased out in Q1 2022. In 2021, we sold nearly 200 MW of solar components. The following year, our sales tripled to 600 MW, and in 2023, we reached 900 MW. Last year, we surpassed 1.3 GW of components sold. To put it in financial terms: in 2021, our revenue stood at €50 million, growing to €150 million in 2022. Over the past two years, despite the drop in component prices, our revenues have remained stable as we continued to grow in volumes.
What are Menlo’s main markets?
We are primarily active in Europe, the Middle East, and Southern Africa, with an emerging presence in the United States.
How have you experienced the sharp decline in component prices in recent years?
Module prices did decline at an unprecedented pace, at times falling by 30% per month, as seen in mid-2023 and again towards the end of 2024. Battery and inverter prices also plummeted. According to Bloomberg, battery prices declined in 2023–2024 at the fastest rate since 2017.At the same time, the European residential solar market contracted significantly. According to data from SolarPower Europe, residential installations in Europe shrunk by 30% in volume. When factoring in the impact of falling component prices, the market declined by more than 50% in value.
Can you share a concrete example of the impact of this slowdown?
For example, SolarEdge, a key manufacturer in the inverter and storage market, saw its quarterly sales drop from nearly $1 billion to approximately $200–250 million. As distributors and installers rushed to liquidate their stock in a shrinking market, intense competition drove selling prices significantly below purchase cost.
But the market for commercial PV and solar parks has picked up in Europe. Couldn’t that compensate for the lost share in the residential sector?
For modules, the impact was somewhat mitigated, as many of the same products can be used across both: residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) installations. However, the situation was far more severe for inverters and batteries, which are typically specifically designed for residential use and cannot be economically or technically repurposed for C&I applications.
A perfect storm, it seems?
Market contraction led to a huge oversupply, leaving many distributors struggling to unlock capital from their inventories, which in turn created cash flow challenges. As a result, several distributors faced serious financial difficulties.
Menlo Electric is active internationally. Did your strategy not allow you to compensate for problems in some markets with growth in others?
Interestingly, similar trends emerged simultaneously in different parts of the world, although for different reasons: In the United States changes to net metering regulations in California led to a sharp slowdown in the residential solar sector, putting U.S. distributors in a situation very similar to their European counterparts. In South Africa the residential solar market contracted significantly as ESKOM effectively addressed load shedding issues. By late 2023, power outages were already reduced, and by the first quarter of 2024, they were virtually eliminated. This removed a major driver for residential solar demand.
What’s the solution to this situation?
This intense crisis has actually driven increased cooperation between companies that previously operated purely as competitors. In the current market, distributors are buying and selling components among themselves across different regions, trying to rebalance supply and demand for various solar and storage products.
How have your suppliers, i.e. manufacturers, reacted to the crisis?
According to our experience manufacturer support has fluctuated. Particularly in the second half of 2024, when it became clear that the downturn was more prolonged than many had anticipated, several manufacturers scaled back or put on hold their support mechanisms for distributors. This has added further strain to an already difficult market.
Sounds like tough times and market consolidation
Overall, the industry is undergoing a significant reshuffle. Some distributors are reducing their international footprint, while others have gone out of business entirely. The coming months will likely bring further consolidation, as companies adapt to the new market realities.
How has the crisis hit Menlo Electric and how is it being dealt with?
It should come as no surprise that Menlo Electric has been significantly affected by the current crisis. As one of the youngest and fastest growing companies in this sector before the downturn, we did not have the time to accumulate substantial earnings that could serve as a financial cushion during such turbulent times. As a result, we have had to adjust our strategy, expanding our portfolio, focusing on key markets and increasing sourcing from other distributors across Europe. This approach allows us to remain agile while navigating the current market conditions.
So, what is your outlook for the future?
We remain optimistic about the future. Back in late 2020, Menlo was a company that could fit into a single room. In just three years, we scaled to €150 million in annual sales across four continents. I see absolutely no reason why we won’t rebound and return to our growth trajectory once the market stabilizes. Our priority now is to protect the foundation we have built over the past four years and position ourselves for renewed growth as soon as market conditions allow.
What key challenges did you face when expanding globally?
Running an international business in Poland, especially when expanding beyond the European Union, comes with unique hurdles. One of the challenges we experienced was finding a banking partner that could support our operations not only in Poland and Europe but also in key markets like the Middle East and South Africa. We quickly realized that there were only two banks with the necessary global footprint and presence in Poland. Fortunately, we were able to establish a strong partnership with one of them, HSBC Poland. It has provided us with tremendous support and flexibility over the years. The same applies to our partner KUKE, an insurance company belonging to Polish Development Fund Group. It has allowed us to extend insured credit limits to our clients not only across EU, but also e.g. in Ukraine and Southern Africa. With this kind of support, we will continue to build Menlo’s international presence.
Even though Menlo is internationally oriented, how do you see the future of the Polish PV market?
PV sales will remain stable for large systems. In my opinion, we will see more and more installations of energy storage in the residential market soon. The Polish electricity grid is a problem that needs to be addressed. It was and still is in a bad state and its rapid improvement is necessary for a further and sustainable expansion of photovoltaics.
Die polnischen Gasnetze sollen in Zukunft eine zentrale Rolle in der Energiewende des Landes einnehmen. Sie sollen neben Erdgas, auch zunehmend Biomethan transportieren. Um dies zu ermöglichen, sollen die Produktion von Biomethan gefördert, finanzielle Mittel bereitgestellt, und die Rahmenbedingungen für den Ausbau der Biomethanproduktion geschaffen werden. Noch handelt es sich allerdings um eine Absichtserklärung. Wie Regierung und Versorger sich die Transformation vorstellen, lesen Sie hier.
Polska Spółka Gazownictwa (PSG) ist Polens größter Verteilnetzbetreiber, der mit über 210 000 km Leitungslänge einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur Energiesicherheit in Polen leistet. Das Unternehmen will in Zukunft den Einsatz von Biomethan forcieren, um seine Gasinfrastruktur für die polnische Energiewende zu transformieren. Das ist ein Ergebnis der 29. Aufladetechnischen Konferenz vom 23. bis 24. September 2025 in Dresden.
Biomethan als Zukunftsenergie
Der Anteil von Biomethan im Energiemix soll maximiert werden, da es laut PSG klimafreundlich und ressourcenschonend ist. Erste Biomethananlagen sollen bereits erfolgreich ans Netz gegangen sein und zeigen das Potenzial dieser Technologie auf.
Polens Energiestrategie und Gassektor
Die polnische Regierung plant, ihre Energiepolitik bis 2050 grundlegend zu verändern, wobei der Gassektor eine wichtige Rolle beim Übergang zur CO₂‑neutralen Energieproduktion spielen soll. Das Vorgehen bei der Dekarbonisierung soll dabei pragmatisch erfolgen, mit Fokus auf erschwingliche Energiepreise und schnelle Marktintegration von Biogas und Biomethan.
Finanzierung und Zusammenarbeit
Die Entwicklung des Biomethanmarktes soll durch gezielte finanzielle Unterstützung gefördert werden, unter anderem durch Darlehen von Banken und den polnischen Entwicklungsfonds. Die Vernetzung von Forschung, Industrie und Politik soll den Aufbau von Kapazitäten für Produktion, Netzanschluss und Verteilung fördern.
Herausforderungen und Perspektiven
Neben technischen Herausforderungen bei Netzanbindung und Systemregulierung liegt ein Schwerpunkt auf dem Ausbau der Infrastruktur und der Schaffung marktgerechter Rahmenbedingungen. PSG sieht seine Aufgabe darin, die Versorgungssicherheit von Bevölkerung und Wirtschaft zu gewährleisten und die Rolle von Biomethan im Energiemix zu stärken.
Fazit
PSG soll als Schlüsselakteur der polnischen Energiewende mit der Förderung von Biomethan zur nachhaltigen Transformation des Energiesystems beitragen. Mit Geld, optimierten Rahmenbedingungen sowie politischer Unterstützung will Polen bis 2050 eine klimafreundliche und sichere Energieversorgung erreichen. Allerdings ist das Thema Biomethan ebenso wie Biogas noch schwierig, weil es aktuell noch keine zuverlässigen Rahmenbedingungen dafür gibt. Das war das Fazit der ersten Biogasmesse Polens vom 30. September bis 02. Oktober 2025. (mg)
Andreas Zyber has been working for various German companies in the Polish PV industry since 2011. Since 2022 he has been managing director of Quantumsolarpv GmbH, the German branch of a Polish PV wholesaler that is growing across Europe even in turbulent times. In our interview he reveals the secret of success in difficult times.
How did you get into photovoltaics?
By a roundabout route. I studied mechanical engineering in Poland and obtained an engineering degree there. I then studied business administration in Germany and graduated with a business degree. After managing business with Poland for a German commercial vehicle manufacturer for years, I decided to switch to the photovoltaics industry in 2011.
What motivated you to change?
A mixture of desire to build something new and enthusiasm for the technology. I was especially excited about photovoltaics because of its possibility to generate clean electricity for decades with comparatively small investments.
How would you describe your role in the Polish PV industry?
I come from the sales of commercial vehicles. These are technical products that require explanation. I have taken my experience into the PV industry and describe my first years in the industry as ambassador work for German photovoltaic technology in Poland where I succeeded in establishing partnerships for German companies in Poland. Some of the companies I worked for have received awards for their solutions and technologies in Poland.
If you could enter the industry again, would you do everything the same?
In 2011, the PV industry in Poland was just beginning. I am a B2B salesperson and have continued this work in the PV industry. If I could turn back time, I would personally invest in the production of PV components with German quality standards in Poland.
How can you best describe your current tasks in the market?
While I previously worked practically only for German companies in the Polish market, my job today is communication in both directions: selling products and services from Polish companies to the European market and products from European companies to the Polish PV market.
What products and services do you offer?
Our focus is on complete PV solutions, from small roof systems to system providers for large PV projects, roof systems and open space systems for customers in Poland and German-speaking Europe, i.e. Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
2023 seems to have been a difficult year for many Polish wholesalers. Was it also for your company?
A clear no. Our warehouse, marketing and logistics is based in Poland. Our German branch is located near Munich. From there we primarily serve customers in the DACH region and other Western European countries. Throughout Europe we deliver within 24 hours if the components are in stock. Our team is lean and all employees have experience in the photovoltaics industry. We work with flat hierarchies, which makes us fast and flexible. We think from the customer’s perspective and talk to the customer. The market seems to appreciate that.
How does the Polish PV market differ from other markets?
In my experience, price plays a bigger role in Poland than in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. We can offer reasonable prices, but as a young company we have to convince in all areas: fast and reliable delivery, good advice, attractive prices and flexibility when the customer is asking for changes in the order.
What developments do you see in the Polish PV industry for the next 6 months to 2 years?
The PV industry in Poland has developed into a stable market in recent years. Following the change of government, the PV industry will now receive billions in EU funds. This is one of many subsidies that Poland is expected to receive. This will lead to a further increase in PV installations in the country. Due to the outdated Polish power grid and its time-consuming upgrading, electricity storage will be an increasingly interesting investment in the next 12 to 24 months.
The 45 MW site in Estonia is now fully operational, with a 32 MWh battery energy storage system in development to enhance grid flexibility and support renewable integration.
Munich, 06. August 2025
Commissioned in 2024 with an installed photovoltaic output of 45 MW, the Raba solar park represents one of Estonia’s larger operational solar facilities to date. The project incorporates a 32 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to support grid reliability and mitigate solar intermittency.
Raba performing in line with projections As of July 2025, the Raba solar park is operating as expected, delivering approximately 40,000 to 44,000 MWh annually. The installation features bifacial modules from TrinaSolar, specifically the Vertex Dual-Glass-Bifacial model. Developed by Sunly and Metsagrupp and constructed by Smartecon, the solar park plays a key role in supplying clean electricity to the region.
Battery system already under construction
The battery storage system, initiated in 2024, is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by early 2026. The system is designed to offset fluctuations in solar generation, improving overall system flexibility and stability.
Financial backing
The project is supported by a €17.8 million loan from Swedbank. It represents a strategic investment in Estonia’s renewable energy infrastructure, contributing to national decarbonisation objectives and reducing fossil fuel reliance.
Estonia exceeds 50 percent renewables in domestic electricity in 2023
In 2023, for the first time, more than half of Estonia’s electricity was generated from renewable energy sources, with solar power accounting for approximately 20%. However, when including electricity imports, renewables comprised only about 30% of the country’s total electricity supply. Estonia has set an ambitious goal to meet all of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030.
Larger projects on the horizon
Estonia’s solar sector has seen the commissioning of several large-scale photovoltaic projects alongside Raba’s development: The Kirikmäe Solarpark, operational since 2024, contributes over 77 MW to the national grid, increasing overall generation capacity. Similarly, the Sopi Solarpark, online since 2025, adds a further 74 MW. Looking ahead, the Risti Solarpark is under construction and, upon completion in 2027, will be the largest photovoltaic installation in Estonia and the Baltic region, with a planned capacity of 244 MW.
Solar and storage strengthen Estonia’s energy autonomy
Together, these projects underscore Estonia’s increasing focus on utility-scale solar energy. According to official figures, Estonia has not imported any electricity from Russia since 2005. In 2023, the country completely stopped importing oil and gas from Russia. Estonia’s electricity supply is well integrated with neighboring EU countries such as Finland and Latvia, and the balance with Russia has been balanced since 2023. The disconnection from the Russian power grid will be completed by 2026 at the latest, effectively ending Estonia’s energy dependence on Russia for electricity. The integration of renewable energies therefore greatly increases the country’s independence and security of supply.
Lithuania-based software expert Inion reported a 48% increase in revenue to EUR 267,000 in the first quarter of 2025, driven by rising demand for AI-powered energy management solutions, particularly in the energy storage sector.
Munich, 02.July 2025
Inion Software is a fast-growing Lithuanian company specializing in energy management solutions for the renewable energy sector. The company recorded revenue of €181,000 in the first quarter of 2024, which increased to €267,000 in the first quarter of 2025 – an impressive increase of 48%. For the full year 2024, the company reports revenue of €1.2 million. Following the positive result in the first quarter of 2025, Inion Software expects to exceed this figure in 2025 as demand for digital energy solutions made in Europe continues to grow.
Clear trend towards more AI in energy management
According to Dr. Stanaitis, the company’s growth is driven not only by the rising demand for advanced digital tools that collect, process, and display data from solar and wind power systems. The software also serves a growing market of smart batteries and storage systems that need data processiing, along with an increased awareness of cybersecurity in renweable energy infrastructure. Dr. Šarūnas Stanaitis, CEO of Inion Software says: „More and more energy producers and users are turning to smart, secure, and AI-based platforms to manage energy flows, optimize storage, and make informed trading decisions.“
Positive market prospects boost the company
Inion’s software tools leverage artificial intelligence and real-time analytics to optimize battery charging cycles, the timing of power sales, and system performance. This helps customers maximize their return on investment. Global trends confirm the company’s positive outlook. Citing the Global Market Outlook published by SolarPower Europe in May 2025, the Lithuanian company expects annual growth in solar energy installations worldwide of over 10% between 2025 and 2029. „The renewable energy sector remains one of the most dynamic in the world,“ says Dr. Stanaitis. „We will continue to invest in existing products and bring new solutions to market tailored to the evolving needs of this market.“
Inion expands into Italy and eyes further EU growth
With Inion management systems already being used in large-scale renewable energy projects – a recent example being the Švyturys-Utenos Alus brewery, where the company completed the second phase of energy management for Lithuania’s largest solar power and energy storage project to date – the company entered the Italian market in 2024. Collaboration with local partners on energy storage solutions with integrated control systems has already begun there, and plans are to expand to other EU countries in the near future. „Italy is just the beginning,“ added Dr. Stanaitis. „We are currently exploring opportunities in other EU countries.“ (mg)
Central and Eastern Europe are becoming key regions for photovoltaic deployment. Konstantyn Lytvak, Technical Support Manager at SegenSolar, outlines market conditions in Poland and the Baltic States, highlighting regional differences and technical priorities.
Munich, 18 Juli 2025
For readers who are unfamiliar with Segen Solar, can you briefly describe your business?
SegenSolar is a professional B2B photovoltaic distributor based in Cologne, Germany. We’re part of Segen Global – alongside Segen Ltd in the United Kingdom, Segen Pty in South Africa and Soligent in the USA. We serve installers across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Benelux and beyond. We support our partners through the full project lifecycle – from technical system design to logistics, commissioning support, and post-sale care.
How long have you been with the company, and what is your position within it?
I joined SegenSolar eight months ago as a Technical Support and Sales Manager. My role bridges two key areas: I support our customers – mainly installers and EPCs – in selecting the right PV and energy storage solutions. At the same time, I also work with our UK colleagues to shape the European Expansion Team. The goal is to adapt proven UK strategies to suit the diverse requirements of our European markets.
Can you briefly describe your tasks and which markets you serve?
My core responsibility is to make my clients‘ work easier. I assist them in designing future-proof PV systems that meet local regulations, budget constraints, and performance expectations. I also help troubleshoot technical challenges and guide them through product selection and setup. I currently focus on the Polish market, with additional involvement in other European regions where we’re expanding. With over 50% of my sales already involving energy storage, I’m deeply involved in helping customers transition toward more self-sufficient, storage-integrated systems.
From your experience, how would you best describe your market?
The PV industry is anything but static. It feels more like a ride in a roller coaster. Local policy shifts, electricity prices and global supply chains all influence the market. In Poland, we’ve seen impressive growth. According to the June 2025 Polish PV Market Report by the Institute for Renewable Energy, the country now boasts 21.8 GW of installed PV capacity—putting it fifth in the EU for growth last year. Yet with that do come challenges: grid saturation, curtailment, and pricing pressures during peak solar hours. That’s why BESS solutions are no longer optional – they’re essential.
Absolutely – but I would say they’re constructive challenges. The UK market is mature, consolidated, and strongly shaped by national policies and installer networks. Segen has around 30% market share there, and I was able to personally witness its scale and professionalism during my onboarding visit to our training centre in Kent. In contrast, the Polish and wider European markets are more fragmented and price sensitive. We deal with significantly more local players and varying funding conditions. This requires flexibility, customer focus, and the constant adaptation of our value proposition to local conditions.
What do you want to achieve in the markets you serve?
My goal is to build long-term, trust-based relationships. I want my clients to know they can always rely on me – whether it’s for technical guidance, product updates, or help with a tricky installation. European customers are demanding, and rightly so. They expect technical competence, clear communication, and fast support. My mission is to provide all three. If I can make their jobs easier, I know they’ll keep growing – and so will we.
What developments do you expect in the markets you serve in the next 12 months?
Although I don’t work directly in the UK market, I see us bringing more of the UK’s strengths to Europe such as integrated training and digital tools. In markets like Poland, we expect continued demand for hybrid inverters, AI-powered energy management systems, and plug-and-play BESS solutions. Storage is no longer a „nice to have“ –‚ it’s essential for grid balancing, financial returns, and independence. We’re seeing strong uptake, especially as Polish homeowners and businesses face curtailment risks and seek to store excess solar for later use.
And until 2030?
By 2030, the PV industry will look significantly different. I expect greater integration of AI in energy management. Households will become energy traders, not just consumers. Energy will be treated like a digital asset bought, sold, and optimized in real time. Software will play as large a role in this as hardware.
Will Poland take the lead in PV?
According to the June 2025 report, Poland could reach 38 GW of PV by 2028 – well ahead of government forecasts. That tells me that the market will outpace regulation, and smart distribution will be key to keeping pace.
Interview by Manfred Gorgus
About Konstantyn Lytvak
Konstantyn Lytvak holds a master’s degree in environmental and health engineering and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Kraków University of Technology. He also completed postgraduate studies in project management at Tischner European University. He has over ten years of experience in the solar industry.
SegenSolar is part of Segen Global – a group with operations in Europe, Africa, and the United States. Segen in the UK is also part of this group. Therefore, we are not positioning ourselves as a purely British company.
Would it be possible to rephrase the question accordingly? We can still proceed with an answer about the differences we see between the British and Polish markets.
Swiss based energy company Axpo and EDP Renewables have signed a long-term agreement to optimise a battery energy storage system (BESS) for a 60 MW solar i nstallationn in Poland.
Munich, 09 July 2025
The installation, located in the Greater Poland – Wielkopolska – region, will have a storage capacity of 241 MWh and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027.
Under the agreement, Axpo will handle the commercial management and optimisation of the system. It will apply its experience in managing flexible energy assets across Europe. The financial structure includes a floor and revenue-sharing model.
The deal is one of the first of its kind between private-sector entities in Poland’s energy storage sector claims Axpo. Therfore the company expects the innstallation to serve as a benchmark for similar projects in Central and Eastern Europe.
Poland’s grid problems are well known, which is why the project is intended to be seen as part of efforts to stabilize the Polish power grid. The BEES concept is in line with the country’s efforts to modernize the grid and integrate renewable energy.
Last week, Matjaž Grošelj spoke in an interview about the challenges of 19 different markets in Eastern and Southeastern Europe and how he and his sales team are dealing with them. This week, he reports on the current market situation and prospects in a sales area that stretches over 2,500 kilometres from the Baltics to Greece.
Munich, 08 Juli 2025
What developments do you expect for your Eastern Europe markets in the next 12 months?
We expect the markets to remain flat, with no significant growth anticipated in the medium term. Our industry experienced record-breaking demand and shipment volumes in 2022-2023, which led to sky-high expectations combined with panic buying, and hyperinflation in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
You mean overcrowded warehouses, falling demand and prices?
Yes, exactly. The overordering during the period of exceptionally high demand led to a massive oversupply across the industry, affecting all types of equipment—from PV modules and inverters to mounting systems. The destocking process is still ongoing, with both manufacturers and European distributors holding large inventories from that period. As a result, current market activity and prices remain well below the levels seen in 2022–2023.
Do you expect the market to stabilise?
The decline is slowing and stabilizing at a new, albeit lower, level. At K2 Systems, we focus on what we can influence. We continue to serve our customers with the utmost respect while developing new technical solutions, enhancing our service offering, and introducing innovative business models. We also place great importance on our so-called indirect customers – those who purchase our products through our sales partners rather than directly from us. It is important to us to ensure good service for all customer groups, as this is the only way to achieve sustainable customer loyalty.
What are your long-term expectations for your markets until 2030?
The enormous growth of the past five years has also brought challenges, prompting regulators to impose certain restrictions on the industry. In many countries in our region, electricity grids are overloaded. As a result, regulators have removed incentives for photovoltaic power plants in the residential segment, where the number of small, decentralized energy producers is highest.
Do you have an example at hand?
One such measure was the elimination of net metering schemes in several countries. Net metering allowed households to feed surplus energy into the grid during the day and draw energy from it during periods of low production. Since upgrading public power grids is both time-consuming and capital-intensive, and government budgets are already constrained, storage systems are becoming the new key element in residential markets. While households are expected to gradually adopt storage solutions, we anticipate only modest growth.
Is power storage the solution to grid problems in your markets?
However, investments in storage alone are not enough. A more comprehensive transformation of household energy consumption is necessary to increase self-consumption and reduce grid feed-in. This includes the introduction of new heating systems such as heat pumps and electric vehicles. However, this is an extremely capital-intensive process that rarely happens quickly, even though storage systems are already being promoted in many countries. The use of storage systems in private households is still far from reaching the level of net metering times. Therefore, commercial real estate and large solar parks—especially those with storage systems—will remain the most active segments for some time to come.
What are your expectations specifically for your market segment mounting systems?
Regarding overall demand in our region, we do not expect a major boom before 2030. Instead, we expect stagnant demand and annual installation volumes below the peaks of 2022–2023. This outlook does not take into account other influencing factors such as energy market prices or potential geopolitical events that could significantly impact the attractiveness of PV investments. Our goal is to at least maintain or even expand our market share in the rooftop segment, even in a challenging market environment.
In this exclusive interview, Agata Krawiec-Rokita, CEO and Co-founder of sun.store, explains how the company is reshaping Europe’s solar market with its digital B2B platform for PV components — setting new standards for transparency, accessibility and hassle-free purchasing for installers across the continent.
Munich, 02 July 2025
Can you give a brief description of your company? sun.store officially launched in October 2023. Despite being a young company, we’ve grown rapidly: in under a year, we’ve surpassed 1 GW of traded components and €100 million in GMV, making us one of the fastest-growing solar marketplaces in Europe.
Your roots are in Poland, why did you start in the Netherlands? We chose the Netherlands as our legal base due to its proximity to the Port of Rotterdam, the logistical heart of European imports. Being in the Eurozone also facilitates smooth financial operations across the continent. However, as our operational backbone is rooted in Poland and Central Europe, we’re actively considering moving our full operations back to Poland to stay closer to our core market and team.
What does your component portfolio look like? Our strongest categories are solar modules, inverters, and battery storage systems. We are also expanding our offering in mounting systems and electrotechnical equipment to provide a more comprehensive solution for installers and distributors.
What services do you offer? Beyond product sales, we provide logistics coordination and technical support in component selection. Our aim is to reduce friction in the purchasing process and enable smoother project planning for professionals.
What are your target markets? We serve customers across all of Europe: from Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands to Spain, Romania, Italy, and beyond. Our model is built for scalability across diverse solar markets.
Who are your target groups? Our primary customers are residential and small-to-mid-sized commercial & industrial (C&I) installers, as well as smaller wholesalers and regional distributors looking for better access to supply and prices.
What are sun.store’s unique selling points? sun.store stands out through selection, price, and convenience. We aggregate a wide variety of verified offers, provide real-time availability, and simplify transactions in what used to be a very fragmented supply chain.
Is there a company philosophy? Our goal is to make the solar supply chain more transparent, efficient, and accessible. By digitizing the buying and selling process, we help accelerate installations, reduce overhead, and ensure that clean energy reaches more rooftops, faster.
How would you describe your tasks in the company?
I am the CEO and co-founder of sun.store. I oversee sales and marketing, product development, and internal operations. My focus is on building a platform that truly reflects the needs of solar professionals, both today and in the long-term future.
What share does Poland and Central & Eastern Europe have in your sales?
Our roots are Polish, and the platform’s early transaction came largely from the Central and Eastern European region. In 2023, Poland represented over 56% of our gross merchandise volume (GMV). However, as we’ve scaled, the market mix has diversified significantly. By 2025, Germany represents nearly a quarter of our GMV, with the Netherlands, France, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, and others making up a growing share. This confirms our international trajectory. While Poland and CEE are important to us, sun.store is now a truly European platform with a diversified and balanced customer base.
How has your business developed in Central and Eastern Europe?
The CEE region was foundational to our growth – it’s where our team, early adopters, and trusted partners come from. But over time, we’ve expanded westward. Today, Western Europe, particularly Germany and the Benelux region, plays a key role in our volume and revenue. That said, we remain deeply connected to the CEE region, and our infrastructure supports buyers and sellers from across Europe.
What are your priorities in each country?
While there are local nuances, we observe a broader trend across Europe: increasing interest in solar-plus-storage, especially in the residential and commercial rooftop segments. Utility-scale projects are also growing in specific countries, but small and mid-sized C&I installations are gaining momentum nearly everywhere.
How do the Polish roots affect your business – if at all?
Our Polish origins give us a strong base in Central Europe, but we operate with a pan-European mindset. This balance allows us to redistribute supply – for instance, when demand slows in one country – like in Poland in early 2024 – we help local distributors and installers sell their inventory into higher-demand regions like Germany or the Netherlands. It’s a built-in hedge against local market fluctuations.
Where do you see growth opportunities in the next 12 to24 months?
We see three clear short-term drivers: One is Residential and small C&I storage solutions – these are in high demand, especially in countries with evolving net-metering policies or energy price volatility. The second is Overstock clearance and arbitrage – as markets shift and inventories move, agile marketplaces like sun.store help suppliers find buyers for surplus or redirected stock quickly. The third is Digital adoption. Many solar professionals are moving online for procurement. Our company benefits directly from this shift, offering a scalable and easy-to-use alternative to traditional channels.
Where do you see growth within the next three to five years?
Several trends will shape the next chapter of solar. Solar-plus-storage will become standard in commercial & industrial projects. Renovation or let’s call it upgrading of older PV installations will become an increasingly important part of our business. I’m specifically thinking of replacing aging inverters and adding storage to existing pv-installations. Refurbishment, recycling, and second-life use of solar components will open a new circular economy segment. Software-driven optimization, including predictive maintenance, VPP integration, and dynamic energy management, will gain traction. And finally, digital B2B trade in PV will become mainstream – a shift we’re already enabling today.
New large-scale photovoltaic project near Poland’s Baltic coast uses cable pooling alongside a wind power farm to enhance efficiency and simplify grid connection amid local network constraints.
Munich, 01 Juli 2025
GOLDBECK SOLAR has successfully completed construction of the Postomino solar park in the municipality of Nosalin, located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland. The state-of-the-art ground-mounted photovoltaic installation has a capacity of 90 MW and spans approximately 110 hectares. Once operational, it is expected to generate around 96 gigawatt hours of electricity annually – enough to meet the needs of 32,000 households.
Cable pooling ensures grid connection
Poland is facing a grid challenge. According to market experts, grid connection requests are increasingly being rejected by operators. Like many networks across Europe, Poland’s grid was not designed to accommodate a large number of decentralized energy producers. Although a multi-billion euro investment package has been approved, implementation is expected to take decades. Agri-PV systems and east-west oriented panel layouts can help reduce peak loads around midday. The Postomino solar park is part of a cable pooling project, where the new PV installation shares the high-voltage infrastructure of a neighboring wind farm. GOLDBECK SOLAR Polska is responsible for delivering the entire project – from planning and construction to grid connection.
South-facing layout proves most efficient for this site
According to GOLDBECK’s planning department, the south-facing orientation of the modules ensures optimal use of solar radiation and delivers the highest energy output – all while complying with legal limits on maximum installed capacity. Although this layout leads to a pronounced midday power peak, the system is designed to maintain high efficiency throughout the rest of the day and provides the highest overall yield in the long term.
East west was not an option
An east–west configuration would have produced a flatter generation curve with reduced midday peaks. However, at this specific location, it would result in lower annual energy output, making it a less economically viable option. The site’s grid connection challenge is effectively resolved through the cable pooling approach.
Synergies through cable pooling
Construction work on the Postomino solar park has been successfully completed – including the medium-/high-voltage substation (30/110 kV) and the approximately 8-kilometer-long 110 kV cable route for grid connection. Final testing, configurations, and preparations for commissioning are currently underway. Tobias Schüssler, COO of GOLDBECK SOLAR, explains: “With the Postomino solar park, we are sending a strong signal for a sustainable energy future in Poland. The combination of photovoltaics and wind power through cable pooling demonstrates how synergies can be efficiently leveraged to drive the energy transition forward. We’re proud to have reached this milestone together with our Polish team.”
Cutting carbon means cutting costs for energy users
With its expected annual power generation, the plant will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 61,223 tonnes. This is not only a significant contribution to the energy transition and the achievement of climate targets, but also a tangible economic advantage for users of clean solar energy, especially in light of rising CO₂ prices.
Since acquiring the Polish mobile brand Play in 2020, iliad has been steadily expanding its green power strategy. Now, another solar power PPA follows — part of a clear commitment to the energy transition. Read here why the French group relies on PPAs in Poland.
Munich, 27 June 2025
The new power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed with the Polish solar developer and operator R.Power. Starting January 1, 2026, R.Power will deliver 20 GWh of solar power annually to Play over a period of twelve years. The telecommunications company aims to save around 144,000 tons of CO₂ over the entire contract term.
The second PPA for Play
This is Play’s second solar PPA. The first agreement was signed in February 2024. With the new contract, the annually contractually secured volume of renewable electricity in Poland rises to 54.7 GWh.
Long-term stable prices
Besides the CO₂ component, long-term price stability is a key reason for concluding PPAs. Prices fixed for periods of 10 to 15 years significantly improve planning security in a market with highly volatile electricity prices. For this reason, PPAs are also a central element of the climate plan initiated by the Iliad Group in 2021.
Target: 50% Renewables in Poland by 2035
Poland traditionally has a high share of coal in its energy mix, leading to a correspondingly high CO₂ content in electricity. The CO₂ tax results in steadily rising costs for companies. PPAs therefore offer businesses tangible economic benefits, especially in Poland. Clean electricity from clearly defined sources enables secure long-term cost planning over decades. From January, Play will cover 13% of its electricity demand in Poland through PPAs. This is expected to rise to 50% by 2035. Technological and environmental progress.
Key Facts: • 12-year contract term • Delivery start: 1 January 2026 • 18 MW installed • 20 GWh annual production • 144,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided over the contract term • 13.3 million mobile and 2.1 million fixed-line customers in Poland (as of end 2024)
