Bridging Borders: What Ireland Can Learn from Europe’s Solar Surge

By Declan Cullinanne, Chair of the Irish Solar Energy Association’s Board of Directors & MD at Amarenco

I recently had the opportunity to join a panel at the Large Scale Solar Europe event, where solar leaders from across the continent came together to share progress, challenges and ideas. What struck me most was just how aligned our experiences are—whether in Dublin or Düsseldorf, Córdoba or Kraków, we are all grappling with the same realities.

Here are some of my key takeaways:

1. Shared Challenges Across Borders

Every European market is facing the same core issue: how to scale fast enough while navigating bottlenecks in supply chains, regulation, and workforce capacity. Ireland is not unique in this regard—but that also means we’re not alone in the search for solutions. Learning from other markets, particularly those ahead of us in deployment, can help us avoid common pitfalls.

2. Supply Chains Are Under Strain

In Iberia, transformer lead times are now exceeding 30 months. And across Europe, we’re seeing a growing shortage of construction contractors to meet the rising pace of solar build-outs. Similar delays are beginning to impact Irish projects too—especially grid-related infrastructure. We must plan proactively, build domestic capability where possible, and foster greater regional coordination to keep timelines on track.

3. The Role of Battery Storage Is Crystal Clear

From France to Poland, it’s clear: large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are no longer optional—they’re essential. Co-location of BESS with solar is fast becoming the norm in many EU markets, with long-duration energy storage (LDESS) seen as the most realistic path to balancing power supply and demand. In Ireland, storage is beginning to scale, but we need clearer policy frameworks, incentives and grid planning to fast-track co-located storage and secure system flexibility.

4. Financing Models Still Evolving

Debt-to-equity gearing remains a challenge for BESS projects. While Irish banks are cautious, the right blend of revenue certainty and policy clarity could unlock capital. Markets with more advanced storage penetration show us that government-backed mechanisms and robust route-to-market structures are key.

5. Eastern Europe’s Rise Mirrors Ireland’s Movement

Markets like Romania, Hungary and the Baltics are rapidly evolving—and their challenges feel familiar. Grid access, policy development, and investor confidence are recurring themes. These similarities make Eastern Europe a valuable comparator for Ireland, and a region we can grow alongside as we scale our clean energy ambitions.

6. Land Constraints Spark Innovation

In many countries, land grading policies limit access to development sites, pushing developers to find more creative solutions. Ireland faces its own land-use pressures, particularly where solar intersects with food production or amenity use. Delivering community benefit, clear planning pathways, and balanced land strategies will be key to overcoming these hurdles.

7. Technology Keeps Evolving

Module innovation continues apace, particularly in response to regional climate conditions. We’re seeing improvements in cell efficiency—nudging 25%—and better performance in low-irradiance markets like ours, which is promising news for Ireland’s energy yield.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to build out Ireland’s solar capacity, collaboration with our European peers will be critical. Their experience offers us a mirror and a map: a chance to learn, adapt, and accelerate our progress.

From supply chains to storage, the message is clear: scale brings complexity, but also opportunity. Ireland has the ambition and the talent. Let’s make sure we’re matching it with the urgency and coordination this moment demands.

We’ll continue this conversation at Solar Ireland 2025: Advancing Towards Net Zero, our annual flagship event that brings the industry together to shape the next chapter of our clean energy future.