How we’re steering the key debates in European solar

As a global solar leader, Lightsource bp does not take the role of solar in the energy future for granted.

That’s why our own leaders share their experience with trade associations like SolarPower Europe to drive the sector forward and maximise its contribution.

Zosia Riesner, Director of Power Markets, Europe, is chair of the markets and investment workstream. Penny Laurenson, Director of Environmental & Social Planning at Lightsource bp has also been elected to vice-chair SolarPower Europe’s land use and permitting workstream.

Both workstreams are new focus areas for SPE in 2023 and are among nine areas where Lightsource bp is an active contributor.

Our CEO for EMEA and APAC, Kareen Boutonnat, has served as a vice-president at SPE since March 2022.

It is crucial the solar industry’s voice is clearly heard on both these topics at a time when Europe’s energy systems are being redrawn.

Europe is facing an energy crisis. Renewables are the central pillar of all routes to rapid decarbonisation and long-term energy security. Solar has been described by the European Commission as the ‘kingpin’ of the energy transition effort. Recent forecasts expect solar photovoltaics to be the largest source of electricity globally (by installed capacity) as early as 2027, overtaking coal.

Zosia will be focused on Europe’s emerging market design and the long-term view on a regulatory environment that can support large-scale, rapid deployment while cutting bills and carbon in the process.

Penny will be focusing on the streamlining of permitting processes across Europe as well as promoting the benefits of solar and winning public acceptance.

Lightsource bp is active in 19 markets, with around 1000 employees developing a multi-gigawatt pipeline of projects on an annual basis.