Top 5 takeaways from Intersolar Europe 2026
Three days, hundreds of conversations and countless opportunities to exchange ideas with developers, investors, utilities and technology providers from across the European renewable energy industry.
For the WALDEVAR team, Intersolar Europe 2026 provided valuable insights into the technologies, market trends and investment priorities shaping the future of utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), Floating PV and renewable energy infrastructure.
Here are a few of the trends that stood out:
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming part of every conversation
One topic was impossible to ignore: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Across meetings and technology showcases, storage was consistently part of the conversation, confirming its growing role in making renewable energy projects more flexible, reliable and commercially viable.
Digitalisation is transforming utility-scale solar parks
Solutions built around SCADA, Energy Management Systems (EMS) and AI-powered monitoring are becoming increasingly important as developers look for more efficient ways to operate, monitor and maintain utility-scale renewable energy assets. The focus is no longer only on building solar parks, but on maximising performance, reducing operational costs and improving long-term asset management through smarter digital technologies.
Floating PV continues to gain momentum
Floating solar attracted significant attention throughout the exhibition.
Beyond the growing number of Floating PV projects, manufacturers are increasingly developing products specifically designed for floating applications, while new opportunities continue to emerge across Europe and other international markets. As technology advances and dedicated solutions become more widely available, Floating PV is clearly entering a new stage of maturity and becoming an increasingly important part of the renewable energy landscape.
Land use continues to evolve
Agrivoltaics also stood out as an area receiving increasing attention.
New structural solutions are enabling a more efficient use of land by combining photovoltaic generation with agricultural activities, helping developers maximise land productivity while supporting sustainable energy generation. As land availability becomes an increasingly important consideration, agrivoltaics is emerging as a practical solution for future utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Romania is becoming one of Europe’s most attractive renewable energy markets
Romania was frequently mentioned in discussions with international developers and investors as one of Europe’s most promising renewable energy markets.
The combination of strong solar irradiation, large areas suitable for utility-scale projects, faster permitting compared to many Western European markets and a highly skilled local engineering workforce is positioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for renewable energy investment.
As the market continues to mature, Romania is strengthening its role not only as a project location, but also as a strategic hub for large-scale renewable energy development in Central and Eastern Europe.
