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.

09:00

Conference Kick-Off

15 min.

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

Lorena Nieuwenhoven

Solarplaza

Session 1

Market Outlook for a Dynamic Solar Landscape

09:15

Opening Keynote

presentation

20 min.

Get up to speed with the Balkan solar market

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?

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Panos Kefalas

Aurora Energy Research

09:35

The Journey from Development to Operation & Maintenance in Solar Energy Projects in Bulgaria

presentation

15 min.

Elena Rasheva

Evklips Energy

09:50

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.

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

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moderator

Nikolay Kolev

Kolev, Angelov & Miteva Law (Kamm Law)

Elena Rasheva

Evklips Energy

Efstathios Sideris

Econergy

Evangelos Samouil

Sigma Energy

Dimitar Dimitrov

FEEIT

10:30

Morning Networking Break

Session 2

The Foundations for a Successful PV Plant

11:20

Renewable Energy and the Grid: A Look into the Future

panel

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.

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

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moderator

Lorena Nieuwenhoven

Solarplaza

Ilir M. Shala

Global Energy Solutions (GES)

Dusan Vucic

COTEE

Iva Draganovska

Solarpro Energy

12:00

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

presentation

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?

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

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Rositsa Chopeva

xFigure Finance

Svetlin Pislenski

EBRD - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

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.

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

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moderator

Lorena Nieuwenhoven

Solarplaza

Nela Vlahinić

XEnergy

Tina Jakaša

XEnergy

Joffroy Beckers

DTEK Renewables International BV

13:10

Networking Lunch

Session 3

Technology and Engineering

15:00

Innovations in Technology: Effective PV solutions and optimization of LCOE

presentation

20 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.

What are the major challenges for PV deployment in the region
Technological developments to overcome these challenges
How to reduce the LCOE of solar power plants?

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Marta Zajac

Trina Solar

15:20

Hybridization of Projects: Energy Storage and More

panel

40 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.

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

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moderator

Mariyana Yaneva

Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity (APSTE)

Lorenc Gordani

Tirana Business University

Lorenc Gordani

Director of Master Department, Lecturer & Adviser

Tirana Business University

Director of Master Department and Lecturer in Business and Public Law, Tirana Business University (TBU) and Adviser in Energy Policy & Law, Regulation and Infrastructure high-level projects in Albania. The leading professional activities include academic teaching, applied research, strategic consulting, and institutional capacity building. The work focuses on the EU legal framework in Albania and the public policies related to industry and interest groups, international institutions and public authorities. The main activities have been focused on promoting issues related to sustainable growth in Albania as part of the EU integration process within the regional integration of the Western Balkan countries. Higher education is fully attended in Italy, France, Germany, etc. In continuation, he has worked as a researcher, professor, and trainer in various national and international environments. He has been engaged as a legal advisor and consultant to foreign and local companies, public authorities, and international organizations. The activities have been accompanied by the publication of an extensive bibliography, mass-media appearances and participation as a key speaker in many international conferences on the legal and political framework of the EU in Albania, mainly in the energy policy, business field, public policies, etc.

Krasen Mateev

Solarpro Holding

Krasen Mateev

Managing Director

Solarpro Holding

Mr.Krasen Mateev holds a bachelor degree in Electrical Power Engineering and master degree in Renewable energy from Technical University of Sofia. He had more than 9 years practical experience in design, installation and commissioning of photovoltaic power plants, monitoring systems and service of inverters. <br>He had successfully conducted more than 120 projects related to PV installations, energy storage and power management. During the past years Krasen was involved in some of the R&D related to product development of innovative concepts in the field of direct using of PV energy – MPPT DC/DC converter which allows direct supplying the DC Grid of public electrical transport with PV energy, a DC/DC power electronics for water heating, power electronics for battery management systems, energy storage systems and EV charging stations.<br>Currently Krasen is Managing Director of Solarpro Holding, where he is fully supporting development of all business lines within the group related to EPC and O&M of PV power plants as well as energy storage systems, EPC and O&M services for charging stations for EV and all actual R&D projects within the Holding.

Lorenzo Paumgardhen

Jinko Solar

16:00

Afternoon Networking Break

Session 4

Electricity Markets & Agrivoltaics

17:00

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

presentation

20 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.

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

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Jiří Bím

Czech Solar Association (Solární Asociace)

17:20

Powering your Decisions: How to Navigate an Increasingly Volatile Market

presentation

20 min.

The increase of intermittent power such as wind and solar in the grid results 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. Join this session for a wrap-up of all the main topics discussed throughout the day and a vision for the future.

Victor Signes

Rystad Energy

17:40

Conference Wrap-Up

10 min.

Highlights and takeaways

Lorena Nieuwenhoven

Solarplaza

17:50

Networking Drinks

Solarplaza Summit | Balkans

Registration & Welcome Coffee

Conference Kick-Off

Market Outlook for a Dynamic Solar Landscape

Opening Keynote

The Journey from Development to Operation & Maintenance in Solar Energy Projects in Bulgaria

From Concept to Reality: Developing Solar Energy Projects

The Foundations for a Successful PV Plant

Renewable Energy and the Grid: A Look into the Future

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

Winning Strategies for PPAs

Technology and Engineering

Innovations in Technology: Effective PV solutions and optimization of LCOE

Hybridization of Projects: Energy Storage and More

Electricity Markets & Agrivoltaics

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

Powering your Decisions: How to Navigate an Increasingly Volatile Market

Conference Wrap-Up