What does it take to secure affordable, clean energy and water for rural people in low-and medium income countries? For sure, it is a combination of concerted political effort and technological progress.
As part of the Intersolar Europe Conference, speakers will shed light on experiences, innovations and future perspectives of off-grid system in four dedicated off-grid sessions.
In 2026, a focus of the program will be on innovations and technologies. Renowned speakers from international organizations will be providing insights into exciting projects and learnings.
Renowned key note speakers from international organizations will be providing insights into electrification, off-grid systems and decentralized renewable energies.
For participants only interested in these sessions, a separate Off-Grid Conference ticket is available.
| Date |
June 23, 2026 |
| Session times | 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Event language | English |
| Venue | ICM – International Congress Center Messe München Room 14c |
| Program |
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| Tickets | Buy your ticket |
This session provides an overview of current market trends and forecasts in the off-grid sector. Industry experts will be sharing key insights from recent projects, highlighting successes, challenges and lessons learned from real-world implementation. The discussion will offer practical takeaways for stakeholders looking to better understand market dynamics and develop resilient, scalable off-grid energy solutions.
For many years, the photovoltaic (PV) market was dominated by grid feed-in systems. Increasingly affordable solar modules and storage systems have been changing this picture. The resulting competitive situation is leading to new results when evaluating whether a grid connection makes sense for a particular use or not. However, off-grid applications for thermal energy are also gaining importance, such as solar-electric heating and cooking. Innovative system design as well as innovative storage and applications are shifting into focus.
Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection. Off-Grid: Technology, innovation and application (e.g. productive use, business models, agricultural-PV, water-energy-food …)
In this urgent and forward-looking session of the Intersolar Europe Conference, we bring together voices from the frontlines of decentralized energy: representatives from Syria, Ukraine and Ethiopia – spanning immediate crisis response and longer-term energy market development – alongside practitioners who build and operate these systems at scale. What unites all perspectives is a shared insight: decentralized renewable energy proves its reliability precisely where conventional grids are absent, destroyed or isolated – from war-torn regions to island communities cut off from mainland supply. The initial focus is on the immediate, life-saving needs: hospitals, schools and water supply systems. We then move to the medium-term goal – interconnecting mini-grids, rebuilding resilient infrastructure, creating new jobs and livelihoods. A central question runs through both phases: how do we train local workforces through vocational training, apprenticeships and certification programs, so that rebuilding is not only about hardware, but about people and enduring capacity? Join us to examine how off-grid solar transitions from emergency stop-gap to the sustainable backbone of recovery and growth.
Off-Grid Connect is a relaxed 90-minute get-together for anyone who wants to keep the dialogue going - whether you're a developer, financier, policymaker, or simply passionate about off-grid solutions. The event is supported by the Agentur für Wirtschaft und Entwicklung (AWE) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) - and we are pleased to welcome opening remarks from a senior BMZ representative (to be confirmed). Join us in the foyer for open networking around the topics of Solar Home Systems, Mini-Grids, Finance & Services, and Islands - with drinks and snacks to fuel the exchange. We look forward to welcoming you. Your participation makes the difference.
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