Episode #1
What happens after solar wins?
Solar has won the cost battle. But as deployment accelerates, the industry faces a new challenge: making solar work as a core part of the global electricity system. Recorded live from InterSolar Europe 2026, this special episode of Watt Matters brings together three leading voices from across the solar ecosystem: Jenny Chase from BloombergNEF, Josephine Berg from S&P Global, and Stefan Müller from Enerparc. Together, they explore how the industry is moving beyond cheap panels and rapid growth toward a more complex era defined by grids, storage, market design, flexibility, and long-term project economics. From negative electricity prices and solar cannibalization to AI-driven efficiency and the rise of storage, the conversation examines what it takes for solar to succeed at scale. Takeaways: Solar’s biggest challenge is no longer cost reduction, but system integration. Cheap solar power is reshaping electricity markets around the world. Storage and flexible demand are becoming essential for future solar growth. Solar developers must adapt to new market realities and revenue models. Manufacturing overcapacity remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Electricity demand growth from AI, data centers, and electrification creates new opportunities. Grid constraints and regulation are now central challenges for solar projects. Software, automation, and AI will improve project efficiency and economics. The solar industry is entering a more mature business phase. Collaboration across energy sectors will define the next decade of growth. Chapters: 00:00 – Solar’s next challenge after winning the cost battle 03:10 – Jenny Chase: Solar’s success and the clean power transition 11:45 – Storage, flexibility, and solving solar cannibalization 17:30 – Why solar manufacturing remains a difficult business 22:40 – Josephine Berg: Solar’s transition into a mature industry 30:15 – New markets, new business models, and the complexity of growth 37:20 – Policy, regulation, and the future electricity system 43:10 – Women in solar and building a more diverse industry 45:20 – Stefan Müller: Building and operating solar in the new era 47:30 – AI, efficiency, and the future of solar project development 59:30 – The next chapter for large-scale solar To learn more about accelerating solar project success and how PVcase supports developers from design to delivery, visit www.pvcase.com .
