Solarplaza Summit | Agri-PV

Even Kvelland is the co-founder and COO of Glint Solar, a Norwegian software company whose platform helps leading solar developers quickly identify and analyze greenfield solar projects for both ground and floating PV. Prior to Glint, Even worked in a number of energy-related functions spanning consulting, business intelligence and diplomacy in Europe, Africa and the US. Even studied energy, economics and international affairs at Macalester College and Columbia University, respectively.

Since 2020, Dr. Matthew Berwind has been a scientist at the Fraunhofer ISE leading public and private projects in the Agrivoltaics and Solar Power Plants groups as the subject manager for photovoltaic simulations. His thematic focal points at the Fraunhofer ISE are the maximization of dual-yield in tracked agrivoltaic systems, leading two public projects in this direction, as well as the digitalization of and data analytics for integrated PV power plants.

Eva Vandest holds a Master degree in Law from the University Paris Panthéon Sorbonne specialised in public law and political science and Sciences Po certification in Public Affairs, Strategy and Influence. Eva started at Amarenco as a jurist in 2016 before taking the lead of Public Affairs for Amarenco Group and being in charge of the influence strategy to boost sustainable solar energy deployment. She is also the chair of the Agrisolar Workstream of Solar Power Europe for 2 years and re-elected as Chair of the Land-Use and Permitting workstream including Agrisolar, Floating solar, Biodiversity and pemitting procedures.

Fabian Neu was born on a farm in the West of Germany and has over 12 years extensive experience in agricultural processing. After his studies in agricultural economics and working on a 5,000 acres grain farm in Australia with innovative irrigation systems, he gained 2 years political experience in the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Since 2021 he has gathered a deep experience in the field of Agri-PV contributing to a future of green and climate resilient agriculture. In his role as a Senior Expert for Agri-PV at RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH he supports the global Agri-PV activities by optimizing the technology and economic aspects of Agri-PV to adopt this technology in further utility-scale solar projects. Fabian is a member of the DIN SPEC 91492 consortium in Germany to define standards of livestock-specific requirements in the field of Agri-PV in Germany.

Rolando Roberto is the owner and CTO of AEDES GROUP ENGINEERING S.R.L. and a strong member of Italia Solare with an extensive history in solar and Agri-PV. He has worked comprehensively in the field, from securing permitting authorization of RES plants, to the final and executive design of solar power plants for more than 1.5 GW.

Jiří Bím was born in Mladá Boleslav. He finished FEE CTU with Bc. in 2017 in Electrotechnics, energetics and management study program. In 2020 he finished his Masters degree in the study program Management of energetics. Since 2021 he is PhD. student and researcher at CTU and studying topic Economics aspect of RES. He has focused on agrivoltaics and is also active in establishing legislation for agrivoltaics. From 2022 he is the Head of agrivoltaics section in Czech Solar association.

-

Luiggino is responsible for Marketing and Partnerships at Insolight. He brings extensive international management and entrepreneurship experience. He designed innovative marketing strategies, signed and implemented major sponsorship deals. He co-founded Solar Impulse SA, “Flying around the world with a solar airplane”, as Director and Board member, developing successful marketing, communication and partnership programs. He worked at Caterpillar & Logitech, then in Sport International Federations (UCI & FIVB) as Marketing Director, becoming a recognized sports marketing expert. He co-founded, consulted and managed various innovative companies. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering (EPFL), Business Administration (HEC UNIL) & Sports Management (IDHEAP). Photo credits to: Swiss Life / Marc Wetli

-

Antanas is a policy officer at the European Commission, DG AGRI, the unit responsible for economic sustainability of the EU CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). He holds a master’s degree in agricultural economics and policy from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. He has 6 years’ experience working on the implementation of the CAP at National level and 6 years – in developing the policy at the European level. His expertise covers the eligibility conditions for farmers to receive CAP income support, among which for the agricultural areas with Agri-PVs.

Peter is the Operations Director of BNZ. He contributes to the team effort with more than 11 years of experience in Solar PV and Wind renewable energies, in different phases of the project’s life, and with a leaning towards asset management. Prior to joining BNZ, Peter held various management and senior management positions in the asset management division of Vector Renewables (ex. Vector Cuatro) both in France and Spain and was focused on foreign markets. He also headed the technical asset management team of Alten RE, a Madrid-based IPP with an international presence. Over the span of his career, he has managed more than 1.5 GW of renewable energy assets.

Miguel Herrero is a Senior Market Advisor at PVcase. He brings 6+ years of experience in energy and climate across the private, public, and civil society sectors. Miguel develops analysis, insights, and research on global solar market trends and provides strategic advice to PVcase management. Prior to joining PVcase, Miguel was Senior Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe and a trainee in the cabinet of the EU climate and energy commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete.

Audrey Juillac is a 28 year old farmer and president of the FFPA, working in the South West of France. She started her activity 2 years ago with a strong will to show that young farmers have the responsibility to contribute to the changes we need to implement in order to have a more resilient agriculture. She is an ex physicist in search of a meaningful professional activity that has a positive impact on the society. She now has 3 ha of land, all cultivated in an organic way and is currently developping an agropv plant with the help of Green Light Hous Développement

With a degree in forestry engineering, Emilien has over 15 years of experience in climate-tech and renewables industries. He has been active in the field of agrivoltaics since 2015, he has contributed to bringing several sites to operation as well as collaborating on entrepreneurial projects across Europe, LATAM y APAC. Emilien joined Lightsource bp in 2023 as Head of Agrivoltaics EMEA and leads the activities of the company to further progress the integration of agricultural initiatives alongside energy production.

Constantin Klyk is a Mechanical Engineering graduate with expertise in renewable energies. With a background in research and a specific focus on Agri-PV systems, Constantin has made significant contributions to the field. When he served as a Project and Product Manager at Zimmermann, a prominent Sub-structure supplier, Constantin plays a crucial role in designing and implementing Agri-PV systems. Now, Constantin works as an independent consultant, at Agri-Pv Consulting. Additionally, Constantin is recognized as the lead author of the first dedicated book on Agri-PV: Agrivoltaics: Technical, ecological, commercial and legal aspects, due to be published on the first of July.

Angela Heinssen is admitted as a Rechtsanwältin (advocat) in Germany and is an expert in the current international AgriPV legislation. She is a legal adviser to GIZ India, Vattenfall Germany for approval procedures of Solarparks and different stakeholders and a member of the new German Association for Agrivoltaik (Bundesverband für nachhaltige Agri PV) and an elected member of the German Konsortium (working committee) for the new DIN SPEC 91492 Agriphotovoltaik with specific requirements for animal husbandry. Angela Heinssen studied international, European and German law in Göttingen, Kiel and New York with working experience in Brussels for the Directorate General Environment, the Association of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Brussels, and the Institute for International Law in Kiel/ Prof. Rüdiger Wolfrum (former judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea). She grew up on a large-scale dairy farm with sheep and horses and kept more than 150 heads of beef cattle on her own land.

After completing his studies in Industrial Engineering, Lars worked for five years as a Project Manager in the automotive sector. In 2022, he joined the Zimmermann PV Steel Group as a Project Manager in the areas of Agri PV and Ground-Mounted systems. Alongside his commercial and technical responsibility for the projects, Lars has also been involved in the development of Agri PV systems. Driven by his education and experience in steel construction, he works with the Zimmermann PV Steel Group to transfer Agri PV systems from the research project stage to technical and commercial utility-scale applications.

Ronald Knoche is the current CEO of REM Tec and the Vice President of VnAP, The Association for Sustainable Agri-PV. VnAP was founded in 2023 with the aim of improving the framework conditions for the expansion of the technology, strengthening agricultural businesses in its implementation and promoting broad public acceptance of Agri-PV. Ronald is a passionate entrepreneur for innovative technologies since more than 25 years, with a large demonstrated funding experience for several companies.

Nicholas Leads KPMG France expert team to accelerate Energy Transition and Decarbonation. He has dual experience in operational management and consulting and is an expert in purchasing management in complex, international and competitive environment. Thoughout his professional career, Nicholas has developed excellent skills to manage large multicultural networks.