Solarplaza Summit | Balkans

Wednesday 29 November 2023

19:00

Pre-Conference Networking Event

Thursday 30 November 2023

Program


08:30

Registration & Welcome Coffee

30 min.

Session Topics:

09:00

Conference Kick-Off

15 min.

Why invest in the Balkan solar market, conference goals and networking opportunities

Session Topics:

Session 1

Market Outlook for a Dynamic Solar Landscape

09:15

Opening Keynote

presentation

25 min.

Get up to speed with the Balkan solar market
 

Session Topics:
  • Market conceptualization & market split (Residential/C&I/Utility).
  • Facts and figures from 2023 and outline of goals for 2024
  • Overview of main challenges and opportunities related to solar development in the region
  • What is hot in the market?

09:40

From Concept to Reality: Developing Solar Energy Projects

panel

40 min.

From the moment a new project is conceptualized, numerous challenges, questions and opportunities arise. Learn from the experts and find out the winning models for developing solar projects in the Balkan region.
 

Session Topics:
  • Site selection and land use planning
  • Permitting, regulatory compliance, and environmental assessments
  • Finding the right development approach and partners for greenfield development
  • Biggest challenges in developing new projects

10:20

Morning Networking Break

Session Topics:

Session 2

The Foundations for a Successful PV Plant

11:20

Renewable Energy and the Grid: A Look into the Future

presentation

40 min.

The Balkan region is facing several challenges in deploying renewable energy sources, including resource availability, resource access, resource location, security of supply and affordability. Join us as we discuss the need for a resilient grid with updated infrastructure, such as being open to storage and more renewables. This session explores measures to improve the efficiency of the existing grid and compare the status of various countries in the region.
 

Session Topics:
  • Overview of the current procedures for acquiring more grid connections
  • Best practices for designing and implementing renewable energy projects to optimize grid connections
  • Future prediction models on grid availability and what this means for the industry
  • Prospects for regional integration in the energy sector
  • Grid connection and transmission infrastructure

12:00

The Solar Revolution: How to Invest and Finance Your Way to a Greener Future

panel

30 min.

The capital for solar development in the Balkans is there, but how to make sure that capital allocated to the right projects and what are the main deliberations financiers make when potentially investing in a project?
 

Session Topics:
  • Scaling up energy investments in the Balkans
  • What is the risk appetite of banks and financiers
  • Case studies of projects that have already secured financing in the region
  • Financing strategies from commercial banks to new up and coming investment funds
  • Managing more merchant risk in new financing schemes

12:30

Winning Strategies for PPAs

panel

40 min.

Successful PPA transactions can serve as a powerful engine for solar energy investments in the country. And as renewable energy markets grow in complexity, so do the financing strategies available and PPA strategies.Join this roundtable where our speakers will share their perspective with the audience on how they assess PPAs. This session will cover key aspects of these agreements and their potential to drive the growth of the Balkan solar energy market.

Session Topics:
  • What is the standard for PPAs in the region
  • What trends to expect
  • Contracting & Pricing Strategies
  • Best practices for designing and negotiating effective PPAs

13:10

Networking Lunch

Session Topics:

Session 3

Technology and Engineering

15:00

Innovations in Technology: What to Expect, Bankability and More

presentation

30 min.

Technology has the ability to provide new opportunities and improvements to renewable energy development. Join this session to explore the frontrunning tech solutions that are innovating the Balkan solar market.
 

Session Topics:
  • What are the main trends in the present vs the technology outlook in the coming years
  • Technologies that support the scaling of solar. Bi-facial modules, floating solar?
  • Main challenges with technology integration and how to avoid them
  • Reducing costs and supply chain constrains

15:30

Hybridization of Projects: Energy Storage and More

panel

30 min.

What are the options available to manage excess energy in a solar plant? In this session we outline why and when you should consider storage as an added value to your asset and the potential of integrating different technologies into one plant.

Session Topics:
  • An overview of the status of storage deployment in Europe and in the region
  • The practicalities and technical considerations of adding a battery to your solar plant
  • What is the real RoI of coupling your solar plant with a storage system?
  • Maximise and stabilize your connection point
  • Real case study of ESS implementation
  • Regulatory framework and policies supporting energy storage integration in the Balkans

16:00

Afternoon Networking Break

Session Topics:

Session 4

Electricity Markets & Agrivoltaics

17:00

Harvesting the Sun: The Benefits and Challenges of Agri-PV for Solar Energy Development

presentation

30 min.

Explore how combining agriculture with solar power generation can benefit renewable energy developers and farmers in the region. Learn about successful case studies, opportunities and challenges, as well as technical and regulatory considerations.
 

Session Topics:
  • Overview of agrivoltaics and its benefits
  • Case studies of successful agrivoltaics projects in Europe
  • Technical and regulatory considerations for developers interested in implementing agrivoltaics in the Balkans

17:30

Energy Trading 101: Navigating an Increasingly Volatile Market

presentation

40 min.

This is your chance to make the most of the wholesale power market. The increase of intermittent power such as wind and solar in the grid result in a more volatile energy market and a greater difficulty in price forecasting. Staying up to date on the best strategies to excel in the energy trading market is essential to avoid greater financial risks and to remain an active participant in the buying and selling of renewable electricity.

Session Topics:
  • How to improve the forecasting of renewable energy production
  • Short-term vs long-term energy trading & peer-to-peer contracts
  • Trading electricity at the right time
  • Ancillary and balancing services. Can solar compete head-to-head with other generation technologies?
  • Price projections and outlook
  • Exploring energy derivatives as a way to hedge against market risks

18:10

Conference Wrap-Up

10 min.

Highlights and takeaways

Session Topics:

18:20

Networking Drinks

Session Topics:

Need any help?

We got you. Send out an email to our team and we are here to help.

Lorena Nieuwenhoven
Project Manager

For questions about the program and content of the event:

[email protected]
Rosita Valuckyte
Business Developer

For questions regarding partnership opportunities:

[email protected]
Victoria Bitca
Business Controller

For practical questions regarding our activities:

[email protected]