The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) successfully concluded at the BEC Bilbao Exhibition Centre, hosting over 1,600 participants from 61 countries between 22 and 26 September 2025. The event showcased more than 1,000 scientific presentations on the latest innovations, reinforcing its status as the premier platform for photovoltaic research and collaboration.

Jon de Gregorio, Conference Director and Scientific Coordinator of the EU PVSEC at WIP Renewable Energies, stated: "The EU PVSEC is the meeting point where innovation joins application, and where research and policy converge to accelerate the global energy transition. The engagement from researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers throughout this year's conference confirms its importance in shaping the future of solar energy."

Key Advances in Solar Energy Technology
This year's scientific programme once again demonstrated the breadth and depth of innovation driving the photovoltaic sector forward. Covering every link of the PV value chain, sessions explored both fundamental research and system-level solutions, underscoring the central role of solar in Europe's and the world's energy transition. Carlos del Cañizo, EU PVSEC 2025 General Chair, summarised: "The photovoltaic community is continuously advancing cell and module efficiency, not only in laboratories but also in production, expanding PV solutions into new application fields. Research is increasingly addressing critical challenges such as stability, reliability, productivity, and sustainability. However, further progress is needed, particularly in the area of PV and storage, which remains key to a fully decarbonised energy system."

Cross-cutting themes emerged throughout the programme, showcasing how solar technologies can be applied everywhere, from traditional to emerging fields. As the global PV market grows, rapid advancements in materials, designs, and manufacturing are evident. Sustainability and circularity remain central, with research focused on reducing material use, such as replacing silver with copper, and advancing end-of-life management of modules. Ensuring long-term stability and predictable energy yield is equally essential, with studies carried out on degradation mechanisms such as UV-Induced Degradation (UVID). Lastly, the role of AI across the PV value chain is rapidly expanding, from design to operations and maintenance, including drone applications.

Perovskite solar cells continue to stand out as the leading complementary technology to silicon, with significant work dedicated to ensuring their future viability. Rapid innovation in cell and module designs and manufacturing requires faster and improved testing and qualification approaches. The options for module manufacturing in Europe were also highlighted, with several studies outlining long-term policy recommendations.

Agrivoltaics is gaining momentum as a promising approach to dual land use, offering economic benefits for farmers and also greater resilience to climate change. Flexibility solutions, principally through battery storage, were noted in many presentations as essential to enable the next phase of PV penetration and reduce curtailment, alongside the need for stronger grids and improved grid management.

Finally, this year's event emphasised the importance of inclusiveness, diversity, and social engagement within the PV sector, with ongoing efforts to address these aspects and integrate them into the sector's future development.

Session Recordings Available for Three Months
Recordings of the scientific sessions, Parallel Events, and the Industry Summit will be available online for three months following the event. This allows participants and the wider solar community worldwide to revisit presentations, catch up on sessions they may have missed, and access the wealth of insights shared at the EU PVSEC 2025.

Next Chapter in PV Innovation in Rotterdam
The 43rd EU PVSEC will be held from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Rotterdam. As a leader in renewable energy, the city will provide the perfect setting for the global PV community to gather and build on the successes of Bilbao, driving innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in photovoltaics.

Featured Product

Quality assurance in the manufacturing industry

Efficiency and precision with CSP software. In the highly competitive world of manufacturing, quality assurance is a critical factor for success. CSP offers you state-of-the-art software solutions specifically designed to ensure the highest standards of quality assurance in the manufacturing industry.