Today starts international conference SUNNY DAYS 2023 in Bol, Brač! The sponsors of this event dedicated to solar energy project development are the European Commission, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, SolarPower Europe, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and State Property, the Ministry of Agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank. With 400 registered participants, you can join and be part of the conference on May 25th and 26th, and you can register HERE.

Sponsors, partners, numerous sponsors, and great interest in participating in the conference confirm that the use of solar energy is the most important topic for achieving energy self-sufficiency more quickly. Croatia and neighboring countries have significant potential for solar energy utilization. In fact, the untapped solar potential in this region is among the best in Europe! However, the share of realized solar projects in Croatia is still below 1 percent. The European Union’s goal to achieve 45% renewable energy by 2030 will result in significant growth in solar projects. However, it is crucial to implement measures that ensure this growth can happen, such as resilient power grids, streamlined permitting processes, a skilled workforce, resilient supply chains, and a stable regulatory environment that can attract investors. How can we change everything necessary to accelerate and empower the development of solar projects in line with national and European goals? That is just one of the questions that will be discussed at the SUNNY DAYS conference. The contribution of agrovoltaics power plants to achieving energy self-sufficiency and how they can help agriculture mitigate the effects of climate change is a topic of special importance at the conference. After the Agri-PV – projects for agricultural and energy production, there will be a professional roundtable for further education and addressing all questions that farmers may have on this topic.

Solar energy has great potential for energy and economic development, aiding decarbonization and reducing energy import dependency. Although its development in Croatia is progressing slower than expected, the number of solar installations on household and commercial rooftops is increasing day by day. To achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030, we need around 2500 MW of solar power plants capable of producing 3 TWh of electricity per year.

The European Commission advocates for the development of special “Go-to” areas where permits for renewable energy projects will be issued within one year, and this is one of the topics at the conference. Mapping these areas for Croatia has been initiated by OIEH, and they will speak about it on the panel. Financing large and small renewable energy projects is ready to be supported by all financial institutions in Croatia, with larger investments highlighted by institutions such as EBRD and EIB sharing their experiences in financing solar projects in Croatia and the region.

In the European Union, nearly 66% of electricity generated from solar power plants was produced on-site, confirming that this sector significantly contributes to the development of solar energy projects. Therefore, the development of on-site solar installations is another topic at the conference.

An important part of the conference is dedicated to energy challenges in the industry. Last year, the industrial and entrepreneurial sectors faced the hardest blow from the energy crisis, and they are increasingly turning to purchase green energy through Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contracts – long-term contracts for direct renewable energy procurement from producers. These contracts, according to the EU, play a crucial role in the development of renewable megawatts and new renewable energy projects. Moreover, they help industries meet climate goals and achieve carbon neutrality. You will learn about their preparation, implementation, and the benefits they bring at the SUNNY DAYS conference.

The development of solar energy will also require accelerated grid connection of new power plants and the development of network capacities ready to accommodate them. The readiness of Croatia and countries in the region for accelerated development of renewable energy projects will be discussed by participants of the panel on regional solar energy development, coming from Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia.

The implementation of energy storage systems, which can help address various issues related to surplus energy production, will certainly assist in the faster development of solar projects. The importance of energy storage in the energy transition and how hybrid systems can participate in solar power projects are questions that will be answered at the conference.

Ultimately, everyone should benefit from green energy, and citizens need to be informed about how they can participate in the energy transition and the benefits it brings. They have been actively working on establishing independent energy communities and devising ways to power their homes with green, clean, and affordable energy. Successful energy communities from Croatia, the region, and Europe will share inspiring stories about their activities at the conference.

[wpdatatable id=3]