The solar PV and energy storage markets are increasingly growing closer to one another. Suppliers are offering more unified solutions and seeking the cutting edge of technology as consumer knowledge and market dynamics mature. Simultaneously, digital safety and cybersecurity for energy storage systems and inverter products is of increasing concern.
At the Intersolar Europe expo in Munich, Energy-storage.news sat down with Andrzej Zalewski, general manager of Central & West Europe at renewable energy solutions provider Hopewind, to discuss precisely these dynamics. Hopewind offers PV solutions for the C&I and utility-scale sectors, energy storage and inverter products as well as a suite of hydrogen energy solutions, which play an increasing role in Europe’s energy transition.
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We spoke about the European solar and storage markets, in particular the fate of the corporate & industrial and residential sectors; the challenges and opportunities of the coming 12 months; the importance of innovation and cybersecurity, and the unique offerings Hopewind brings to the space.
ESN: How are you approaching the European distributed solar & storage market in 2025?
Zalewski: I’m observing more and more interest in BESS solutions. I don’t quite want to say that the market is mature right at this moment, but what I’m observing is that people are asking very detailed questions about the systems. Before [at previous shows], they were asking how it works, because they realised they needed something, but they didn’t know what it was. Now, they know about the batteries – about the capacity and the technology types – so they come to us asking for price, availability, technical specifications. To me, that shows that this market is changing very fast, faster than even a few months earlier. In the past, with PV and inverter technology, things moved quite slowly, and there were not so many innovations. Right now, every week gives something new [in BESS innovation]. I am expecting that the BESS market will mature this year, like the PV market is mature now.
For example, our 130kW C&I Power Conversion System and Next-Gen On-Grid Inverter (60–110kW) combine IP66/C5 protection with AFCI 4.0, which is ideal for commercial and industrial applications. Europe’s energy transition demands adaptable, high-performance solutions. We are inventing products tailored specifically for European market demands.
In a maturing market, how is Hopewind offering different technology from its competitors?
We are always following the market and trying to deliver devices the market can utilise. We offer both liquid- and air-cooled power conversion systems (PCS), including a 130kW rack version that is perfect for C&I scenarios and a liquid-cooling 215kW PCS which can be installed inside the battery container.
We also offer a common, direct solution for a PCS which can be easily installed into the storage cabinet. We offer an all in one solution for utility BESS scenario. This kind of all-in-one BESS container offers the Battery and PCS integrated into one container and with the internal cable connection prefabricated, it is a DC&AC combination solution. It has significant advantages for onsite commissioning and shortens the grid connection cycle for utility-scale BESS projects.
Every product is developed through rigorous market research and testing. This ensures they solve specific challenges, like harsh environments or grid instability.
In short, we don’t just follow trends—we shape them, delivering solutions that meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s opportunities.
What are the main challenges facing European distributed solar market players, in light of slower growth and changing priorities?
The money is the key, I think. Return on investment (ROI) is one of the major questions right now; if I buy a system, how long will I wait for a return on that? We as a supplier are shortening the ROI, for example by giving customers devices which are more powerful and more reliable, which will ensure better power generation and benefit. The same goes for PCS systems.
Simultaneously, Hopewind is diversifying its offerings as a company. We have multiple product series, including wind power converters, PV inverters, BESS, hydrogen power solutions, and VFD, which ensures resilience against sector-specific slowdowns.
We can see the [European] market is experiencing some stagnation, but this depends on the country. For example, in Poland, my colleagues hear complaints about the residential market but there are still between 9,000 and 13,000 residential installations monthly, so the market is still there.
How does Hopewind ensure its inverters and BESS solutions are cybersecure?
Cybersecurity is a non-negotiable priority for Hopewind. For our inverters in the residential and C&I sector we use our own cloud system called Hope Cloud, and our servers are located in Frankfurt and we have certifications that everything is safe and we are not transferring data to outside [sources]. Hopewind has certificates under IEC 62443 and is SGS cybersecurity certified, as well as other global frameworks for secure grid communication and data integrity. We invite stakeholders to engage directly with our technical team for detailed protocols, underscoring our commitment to transparency and trust.
