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Newsletter
February 2025
Solar Energy in Brazil: The Next Powerhouse
Brazil isn't just embracing solar energy—it’s revolutionizing its potential in the global energy sector.
 

As we count down to the Solar World Congress 2025 in Fortaleza, let’s dive into Brazil’s solar energy history.

Written by ISES Board Member Dr.Aline Kirsten Vidal de Oliveira, Prof.Marcelo Almeida, Marília Braga

Fifteen years ago, no one could have imagined that Brazil would become one of the world’s largest powers in photovoltaic solar energy. And for good reason—until 2010, the country had only a few dozen megawatts installed in the form of isolated systems distributed throughout the country, mainly in the North and Northeast regions. These systems were largely encouraged and financed by government rural electrification programs, such as the "Luz para Todos" (Light for All) Program.
Read the full blog here
Solar World Congress 2025 in Fortaleza Brazil
 
The Solar World Congress, SWC, 2025 will take place in Fortaleza, Brazil, from 04 to 07 November and will be jointly organized by ISES and ABENS, the Brazilian Solar Energy Association. SWC 2025 will take place directly the week before COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The call for papers is now open, deadline to submit your abstracts is 30 April.
 
Visit the SWC 2025 website
 
The Sun is Shining on the African Continent

Written by ISES President Prof. Viktoria Martin

I recently returned from a Kenya Project meeting for the EU-financed project EPIC Africa, during which I was reminded that “going solar” can be as simple as a single solar hot water heating system. Supported by the Kenya’s Solar Hot Water Heating regulations, it is a common sight around the Nairobi area where we stayed. 
Read the full blog
Tripling Up Renewables, and Doubling Down on Efficiency

Written by ISES Board Member Dr. Davé Renné

About a decade ago, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) established the Coalition for Action (CfA), a non-governmental multi-stakeholder platform for promoting the rapid uptake of renewable energy technologies. I wrote about the CfA in my last SunBurst, nearly two years ago, but the activities that ISES plays within the CfA are perhaps even more relevant today
Read the full blog
Reflections on COP29 in Baku

Written by ISES Treasurer Chiel Boonstra

Looking back at my full week at COP 29 in Baku resulted in enthusiasm and increased motivation to pursue the 100% renewables agenda in future work. 

Discussions with visitors confirmed what ISES stands for. With its roots in the scientific world, two scientific journals, and two major conferences, ISES has a standing reputation among national COP negotiation teams. Scientific information is the ground for political decisions. 
Read more
ISES at the IRENA Assembly 2025

Written by ISES NGO and Project Manager Melina Hanhart

In January, ISES joined the fifteenth session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly under the theme ‘Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition – The Way Forward’, with a focus on energy security, socioeconomic development and financing options. ISES Past President Dave Renne and Melina Hanhart from the ISES HQ Team represented ISES at this global platform, joined by 170 IRENA member states and organizations.
Read more
EuroSun 2024 Proceedings Published

ISES and IEA SHC are thrilled to announce that the EuroSun 2024 Conference Proceedings are now live and available online!

These open-access proceedings feature high-quality research, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in solar energy and related fields presented at EuroSun 2024 in Cyprus.

A heartfelt thanks to all authors for their contributions. We also thank the members of the EuroSun 2024 Scientific Committee for their work in bringing the proceedings together.
View the EuroSun 2024 Proceedings
Renewable Transformation Challenge

The Elsevier and ISES Renewable Transformation Challenge 2025 – RTC – will launch on 01 March and we welcome your submissions!

The challenge recognizes accomplishments by organizations such as private enterprises, NGOs, and research institutions for undertaking projects and programs that help move the world toward an energy system supplied entirely by renewable energy sources, or for conducting the critical analyses that provide meaningful roadmaps for the transformation.

Deadline for all submissions is 30 April 2025.
Renewable Transformation Challenge
PV Magazine: Curtailing Solar Photovoltaics is Here to Stay, Overbuilding PV will Become Normal
ISES Members Prof. Andrew Blakers (ANU) and Prof. Ricardo Rüther (UFSC) are pleased to share an ISES column in pv magazine, discussing the increase of curtailing solar photovoltaics.
Read the PV magazine article here
 
     Solar Energy Journal        

In this month's issues of the ISES flagship publications, Solar Energy and Solar Energy Advances, we continue to explore cutting-edge research and innovations shaping the future of solar technology. Dive into these impactful studies to stay informed on the latest trends and developments in the field.

New issues for both journals are available via science direct:

Solar Energy

Solar Energy Advances
Call for Papers: Digitalization of Solar Energy Systems
 

This special issue explores the impact of digitalisation on solar energy systems, merging technology and sustainability.

The focus is on exploring synergies between innovations such as IoT, AI and data analytics to optimise the life cycle of solar energy systems.

Authors can submit multidisciplinary case studies, trends, and applications that use digital solutions to address challenges in resource assessment, system monitoring, maintenance, and grid integration. 

Submission Deadline: 31 March 2025
 
Read more about this special issue
Call for Papers: Solar-to-X Technologies for Sustainable Energy Solutions
 

Solar Energy journal is pleased to announce a special issue focusing on Solar-to-X Technologies, pivotal to driving the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. We invite researchers, scientists, and engineers from academia, industry, national laboratories and policy agencies to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address innovative advancements, challenges, and applications of solar-to-X technologies.

Submission deadline: 01 June 2025
 
Read more about this special issue
ISES Membership Benefit

ISES Members benefit from significantly reduced prices when subscribing to the Solar Energy Journal - log into your ISES account to purcahse a subscription.
Set Your Personalized Solar Energy Alert
Never miss a new article in the Solar Energy Journal - sign up for SEJ publications alerts!

To sign up for the alerts, please use our manual here.
 
News from ISES Sections 

ISES- Cyprus: Dr. Nicolaides, a Physicist and Meteorologist, is the former Director of the Department of Meteorology of the Republic of Cyprus and has taken office as the new ISES Cyprus President on 17 January 2025. Read more here.

GÜNDER: The SolarHub project aims to foster collaboration among renewable energy experts, organizations, and stakeholders. It focuses on advancing solar energy technology, policy development, and market integration through shared knowledge, research, and partnerships. SolarHub promotes sustainable solutions, supporting global efforts to transition to clean, renewable energy systems. Click for details

ASES: Submit an Extended Abstract to present athe ASES 2025 National Solar Conference (Aug 4-6, 2025)! The 2025 conference theme is "Innovation for Universal Renewable Energy Access". Hosted at the University of Colorado Boulder. Submit an extended abstract by February 28, 2025 here.

UK-ISES: Over 50 people gathered at the Royal Institution, London, on Thursday, 18th September, to celebrate the formation of ISES-UK back in 1974. ISES board member Geoff Stapleton (SEIAPI Executive Officer) was invited to present on behalf of the ISES Board and ISES headquarters to congratulate ISES-UK on achieving 50 years of promoting solar research and the industry. Read more on the ISES website.
 
ISES Member News

Valentin Software:  The 2025 program version of PV*SOL premium introduces a new license model, transitioning from the previous device-bound to a modern, user-based license model. The new license allows you to work device-independently and manage licenses yourself. Learn more here.

TAREA: Secondary School Students in the cold weather areas in Tanzania have been facing the challenge of taking cold showers. Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) has developed an institutional solar water heater plant to showcase the solution. Read more
New and Renewing Corporate ISES Members
PVsyst


SEIAPI


TVPSolar


LNEG


CRES


IMDEA


GREIA


FIR


ORAH


 
News from ISES Partners

Global Womens Network Transition (GWNET):  As part of their new project to empower SADC women in energy, GWNET and SACREEE are hosting a networking event on 25 February 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana. The event highlights women's energy contributions and features keynote speakers from SACREEE, GWNET, ADA, and H.E. Ambassador Romana Königsbrun. To learn more contact GWNET or see here.

World Bioenergy Association (WBA): Institutional Cooking with Pellets in Rwanda – A Pilot Project, The WBA, in collaboration with BioMassters Ltd, piloted a school cooking project in Rwanda, replacing firewood with locally made wood waste pellets. The initiative reduced wood use, created a smokeless kitchen, and improved cost efficiency—offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cooking methods. Read more.

World Wind Energy Association (WWEA): The WWEA participated in the 15th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA with a delegation comprising President Dr. Irfan Mirza, Secretary General Stefan Gsänger (chair of the Empowering People & Communities Working Group at the IRENA Coalition for Action), Vice President Monica Oliphant (member of the Coalition Steering Group), Dr. Karunamoorthy and Dr. Ibrahim Togola. Read the report from the Public Private Dialogue to the IRENA Assembly by Monica Oliphant. 

IEA PVPS: Join IEA PVPS for a webinar presenting our new “Snapshot” report as well as a PV industry update. The Snapshot report will provide a first look at PV market developments from 2024, highlighting installation trends, country rankings, and emerging market dynamics. For more information on the speakers, Mr Gaëtan Masson and Ms Izumi Kaizuka, click the registration link. Date: 15 April 2025. First session: 09:00-10:30 CEST (Register here). Second session: 17:00-18:30 CEST (Register here)

Solar Cookers International (SCI): SCI is championing a cleaner, safer future for families worldwide through no-emissions solar cooking solutions.  At the UNFCCC COP29, SCI announced new UN-funded projects bringing zero-emission solar cooking to Mali and the Central African Republic. Building on this momentum, SCI will host a United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) Virtual Side Event on March 19, 2025, highlighting solar cooking’s role in advancing gender equality and climate action. Click the link below to register!
 
Upcoming Webinars
Celebrate International Womens Day 2025 with us!
 

On March 5th, ISES and GWNET, the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition, invite you to our online Solar Speed Networking – Women Energizing the Future event. 
 
View webinar details here
Webinar: Sneak Peek into the ISES Solar World Congress 2025

We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive webinar this April, where we’ll share all the  details about the upcoming Solar World Congress 2025, organized by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the Brazilian Solar Energy Association (ABENS) from 04-07 November 2025 in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Registration for the webinar will open soon here – date to be confirmed!

Webinar details
 
ISES and ISES Supported Events

IEA PVPS Snapshot report webinar
15 April 2025 (09:00 and 17:00 CEST)
Online


CONSOLFOOD 2025
05 - 07 May 2025
Marseille, France

Exhibition: 07 – 09 May 2025
Conference: 06 – 07 May 2025
Munich, Germany
3 Day Free Exhibition Tickets available for ISES Members


04 - 06 August 2025
Boulder, Colorado (USA)

04 - 07 November 2025
Fortaleza, Brazil
ISES Member Discount Available
 

Support our work

At the International Solar Energy Society, ISES, we are dedicated to advancing solar energy and creating a world powered by clean, renewable resources. But to continue this vital work, we need your support. We invite you to donate today and help us amplify our impact. 

Every contribution, big or small, fuels our mission and helps us reach more people. Click here to make a donation.

Thank you!

Stay in touch with ISES on social media or email us at public.relations@ises.org
Top image source: Aline Kirsten Vidal de Oliveira, The first grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation in Brazil in Florianópolis (27°S, 48° W). The photovoltaic (PV) installation has an installed power of 2.078 kWp and started operating in 1997.

Image: Hp.Baumeler, Wikimedia Commons
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