2024 Agenda

Our team is currently hard at work curating the 2025 Agenda.

Interested in speaking on a panel or presenting a case study at the 2025 event?

Contact our team at uss@solarmedia.co.uk.

Agenda at a Glance
08:00 - 09:00 Networking
09:00 - 09:05 Welcome

Speaker

Chief Executive Officer,
Global Solar Council
09:05 - 09:25 Fireside Chat

As the 4 July General Election draws near, Solar Energy UK and the Global Solar Council will take to the stage to open the 2024 UK Solar Summit in a pre-election exclusive with 5 key developments the industry will need from the next administration.

Speakers

Chief Executive Officer,
Global Solar Council
Chief Executive,
Solar Energy UK
09:25 - 09:45 Keynote

PV Tech’s Head of Research, Finlay Colville, takes us on a guided tour of the global solar PV landscape, focusing specifically on the key trends impacting the UK solar market in 2024, before turning to the audience for an interactive Q&A addressing special topics voted on by you!

Have your say! Use this poll to cast your vote and select the 2 topics you’re most eager to hear Finlay explain in detail on the day.

Topics to choose from include:

  1. What’s the outlook for PV module pricing?
  2. What’s the technology roadmap out to 2030?
  3. Is the UK solar sector going to be impacted by recent trade policies coming out of the US and Europe?
  4. How does the UK compare with the rest of the world in ESG buying and supply-chain traceability?
  5. Where can the UK take a global leadership position in the solar industry?
  6. What are the main risk factors that could derail global solar growth and deployment aspirations?

Speaker

Head of Research,
Solar Media
09:45 - 10:05 Presentation
  • Importance of action in the face of the overwhelming challenge of climate change
  • How the UK solar industry is playing its part in helping the country achieve net zero
  • The need for us to be ambitious, go faster and the importance of AR6
  • How we need to tackle the key barriers and collaborate to realise the full potential of solar

 

Speaker

Director of Solar, Storage and Private Wire,
EDF Renewables UK
10:05 - 11:00 Panel Discussion

Governmental Policy Changes and Impacts on the Solar Market.

Marking just over 1 year since its foundation, this session will welcome back the UK Solar Task Force to analyse progress, celebrate new initiatives realised, discuss any new-found challenges, and will lay out a path for industry leaders to help combat these to ultimately reach Net Zero.

Bringing together key players from government and industry to drive innovation towards the deployment target of up to 70GW by 2035, this session will divide into the Task Force’s key objectives around the strategic roadmap, electricity networks, skills, rooftop solar, and supply chain.

Moderator

Chief Executive,
Solar Energy UK

Speakers

Director of Solar, Storage and Private Wire,
EDF Renewables UK
Director of Policy & Delivery,
Solar Energy UK
General Counsel, EMEA and Global Head of Transactions,
Lightsource bp
Commercial & Development Director,
Exagen
11:00 - 11:30 Networking

Brought to you by

UK Solar Outlook

Local Authorities, Planning, and Communities

11:30 - 11:50 Presentation

Get your finger on the pulse with this whistle-stop tour of the key data insights from the UK & Irish solar market, delivered by Solar Media’s very own award-winning Market Research team! What has been accomplished in the first half of 2024, and what is ahead for the next 6 – 12 months?
Get the numbers you need, straight from the horse’s mouth!

Speakers

Senior Analyst, Market Intelligence,
Solar Media
Analyst, Market Intelligence,
Solar Media
11:30 - 12:10 Panel Discussion

A 360 degrees examination of the National Grid. The panel will dissect the implications of the proposed £58 billion grid investment plan by National Grid ESO, analyse the grid’s resiliency, and take a look ahead at what current modernisation is underway to accommodating the rapid growth of renewable energy sources.

Moderator

Director, Electricity Systems,
Energy Networks Association (ENA)

Speakers

Head of Connections,
National Grid ESO
Director of Distribution System Operator,
UK Power Networks
Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer,
NovoGrid
Director of DSO,
National Grid
11:50 - 12:10 Presentation

What’s on the horizon for PV technology to ensure longevity and the best possible performance of your solar farm? From an industry leader, hear from Jinko’s Europe ESG Manager Mario Quintana on identification and analysis of ESG aspects, reporting, risks and opportunities and best industry practices.

Jinko Solar

Speaker

ESG Manager EU,
JinkoSolar

 

12:10 - 12:30 Presentation
  • What knowledge and expertise can developers learn from the Planning Inspectorate?
  • What do developers need to move project progress along?
  • What is the current planning landscape and the inspectorate’s view beyond the 2021-25 Strategic Plan?

Speaker

Professional Lead for Infrastructure,
The Planning Inspectorate
12:10 - 12:30 Presentation

A boost to the UK’s climate action ambitions, AR6 signifies a shift in priorities for the UK’s renewable energy industry. This session will explore:

  • What’s different this year compared to 2023’s AR5?
  • What will the future energy mix of the UK look like from 2024 onwards?
  • How is this likely to change in the next few years?
  • What’s on the cards for AR7, and what are the repowering considerations?

Speaker

Head of Policy, Regulation, and Development,
Low Carbon Contracts Company
12:30 - 14:00 Networking

Brought to you by

UK Solar Outlook

Local Authorities, Planning, and Communities

14:00 - 14:45 Panel Discussion

NSIP projects are those generating capacity above 50MW (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects) and require development consent from DESNZ.

  • How to effectively plan your supply chain?
  • Obtaining a grid connection
  • How to get the local community on board – how are NSIPs ‘giving back’ to their local areas?
  • What does DESNZ need from NSIPs; what are the reforms to the NSIP process?
  • How significant will the new National Policy Statement be for the solar industry?

Moderator

Partner,
Pinset Masons

Speakers

Senior Asset Manager,
Schroders Greencoat
Head of Planning,
Telis Energy
Technical Director,
Gateley Harmer
Head of UK Development,
Elements Green
Director,
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
14:00 - 14:45 Panel Discussion

Focusing on England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, this session will home in on how local authorities and councils are working to meet net zero targets, and what their future aspirations are for their energy mixes, covering:

  • Ground mount solar.
  • Rooftop solar potentials.
  • Battery Storage options for existing and upcoming projects.

Moderator

Founder,
Stephen Cirell Consultancy Ltd & Advisor, APSE Energy

Speakers

Finance Manager,
Warrington Borough Council
Principal Advisor,
APSE
Founder & CEO,
UKSOL
Cabinet Member,
Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice
14:45 - 15:30 Networking Roundtables

For those who want to meet investors and developers alike, this facilitated networking session will supply you with a prime business card-swapping opportunity, as well as the chance to ask those burning questions to get the best insights from our moderators on what investors want from developers, and vice versa.

If you’re interested in attending these Roundtables please email creynard@solarmedia.co.uk

Moderators

Investments Director & Head of Renewables,
Kajima Europe
Chief Financial Officer,
Exagen
Managing Director, Fund Management,
Foresight Group
Managing Director, Power Markets and Asset Management,
Renewable Power Capital
Investment Director,
Thrive Renewables
Head of Operations Solar,
Encavis AG
14:45 - 15:30 Panel Discussion
  • What are the best spaces available that do not encroach on farmland, or have potential planning constraints?
  • Storage integration in rooftop solar – how to reduce bottlenecks.
  • How best to work with farmers and farmland for PV?
  • Understanding how land use misconceptions hinder reaching the 70GW target, and how industry, government and trade bodies must counter these misconceptions
  • What does the solar industry need to support the development of solar farms whilst protecting BMV land?

Moderator

Chief Adviser - Renewable Energy and Climate Change,
National Farmers' Union (NFU)

Speakers

Development Director,
Island Green Power
Head of Business Development UK & Ireland,
Lightsource bp
Head of Solar, UK,
Statkraft
Head of Science, Policy & Research,
Friends of the Earth
15:30 - 16:00 Networking

UK Solar Outlook

Local Authorities, Planning, and Communities

16:00 - 16:20 Presentation

Join Paul Manning from NovoGrid for an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of UK grid connections—featuring the latest market data, trends in connection costs and timelines, and the impact of the new technical limits.

 

NovoGrid Logo

Speaker

Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer,
NovoGrid
16:00 - 16:45 Panel Discussion
  • What other rooftop options can be utilised for PV beyond the usual land and rooftops?
  • How are local authorities prioritizing these PV alternatives?
  • Discussing the absence of clear policy push and government initiatives.
  • What public sector and energy procurement collaboration is needed as energy usage increases?
  • What other rooftop / infrastructure is available for PV, for example car ports?

Moderator

Partner,
Shoosmiths

Speakers

Director,
Solar for Schools
Sales Manager Nordics,
Schletter Group
CEO,
UK Warehousing Association
16:20 - 17:00 Panel Discussion
  • What are the best revenue streams for solar and storage projects?
  • What supply and demand fluctuations should you consider with hybrid projects, and what are the effects on revenue streams?
  • How to select the right projects to co-locate with PV.

Moderator

Director - Head of Asset Management,
Foresight Group

Speakers

Senior Energy Analyst,
REGEN
Structured Finance and M&A Manager,
FRV
UK Managing Director,
Hive Energy
Head of Energy Storage UK,
NextEnergy Capital

 

17:00 - 17:30 Panel Discussion
  • First announced in 2022, REMA (Review of Electricity Market Arrangements) looks to address the inefficiencies of the energy market design.
  • The reforms in the government’s March ’23 proposal will have an extended significant impact on the solar industry for the next 5-10 years – but how?
  • This session examines REMA’s findings, explores what the government’s proposed reforms are, and how they could affect the solar energy market and consumers.

Moderator

Senior Reporter,
PV Tech

Speakers

Net Zero Project Manager,
REGEN
Deputy Director, Advocacy,
Energy UK
16:45 - 17:30 Panel Discussion
  • How to incentivise the industry to go beyond existing governance and regulations to future-proof operations.
  • What is the impact of ESG efforts within the supply chain, from mineral sourcing to manufacturing, to the labour force employed.
  • How the Carbon Border Tax is impacting the market.

Moderator

Vice President,
Global Electronics Council

Speakers

Director of Business Development,
NTR plc
Supply Chain Sustainability & PMO Manager,
Lightsource bp
Sustainable Debt Analyst,
Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)
ESG Manager – Sustainability and Supply Chains,
JA Solar
17:30 - 19:00 Networking

Brought to you by

 

Jinko Solar