Michael Schmela

Job Title: Executive Advisor
Company: SolarPower Europe
Country: Belgium

Michael is Executive Advisor to the CEO and a member of the leadership team. Alongside his business development work, Michael heads SolarPower Europe's award-winning market intelligence team. He is lead author of the annually published Global Market Outlook and EU Market Outlook, and works closely with Policy Analyst Raffaele operating the Solar & Storage workstream. Michael has been working in solar for over 20 years. After co-founding Photon-Magazine in 1996, he served in various positions within the Photon group, primarily as Editor-in-Chief of Photon International. In 2014, Michael started MISCHCO, a company offering strategy consulting and communication services to solar companies. In 2016, TaiyangNews, a digital news platform for the solar industry that Michael founded, went online. Michael studied Geology/Palaeontology at Bonn University, Geology at RWTH Aachen, and Mineralogy at Frankfurt University. He speaks German and English.

May 06, 2025Conference Highlights & Preview

May 06, 2025Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025-2029

Sessions

Session

The smarter E Europe Conference Opening - Flexibility Drives Change

Tuesday, May 06, 2025, 09:30 am - 11:00 am

ICM München Room 1

A fully renewable energy system requires more than just expanding generation capacity - it demands intelligence, flexibility and seamless integration across the electricity, heat, and mobility sectors. The Conference Opening sets the stage for a high-level dialogue on how digitalization, storage solutions and sector coupling can ensure a reliable 24/7 renewable energy supply. Experts will discuss regulatory advancements, innovative business models and cross-industry as well as cross-sector synergies that pave the way forward. What has already been achieved - and what critical steps must follow to turn ambitious goals into reality?

Session

Solar's Role in Decarbonization Strategies Around the World

Tuesday, May 06, 2025, 11:30 am - 01:00 pm

ICM München Room 14 A

While many analysts still underestimate the growth potential of solar power, the most flexible power technology once again set a record-breaking installation milestone in 2024. But what does solar's success mean when political decarbonization commitments often lack strong government support, global fossil fuel demand continues to rise, and climate targets, including the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold—have already been exceeded? This session will provide: Launch of five-year Global Market Outlook for Solar Power Insights into solar's role in decarbonization strategies across major global markets Leading solar associations' views on key opportunities and challenges in the world's largest solar markets