Brussels, 22 June 2026. On June 22, the SOLHUB Cluster successfully held its first joint webinar, “Scaling Solar Energy Communities in Europe: Innovation and Citizen Engagement”, as part of the EU Green Week 2026. The online event gathered researchers, representatives of EU-funded projects and key energy stakeholders to explore solutions that can accelerate the development and consolidation of solar energy communities across Europe.
Organised with the participation of the projects SOCIAREM, INNOTREC and PVSMILE, the webinar created a space for exchanging knowledge, sharing practical experiences and discussing how to foster more decentralised, participatory and sustainable energy models. Within this framework, SOCIAREM played a key role in highlighting the importance of citizen-centred approaches and inclusive governance in renewable energy communities.
A platform connecting innovation and citizen engagement
The session was opened by Rocío Armada Gallego, Project Officer at the Finnova Foundation, who stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among European initiatives to address shared challenges in the energy transition. This introduction set the stage for a discussion focused on practical solutions and real-world applications.
First, Francisco Martín Martínez, Associate Professor at Universidad Pontificia Comillas, presented SOCIAREM’s approach. He emphasised the need to place citizens at the centre of energy community design and governance. In particular, he highlighted the importance of transparent, inclusive and accessible models that enable local actors to actively participate in decision-making processes and benefit from the energy transition.
Next, Mohammad Sadegh Javadi, Senior Researcher and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, introduced the INNO‑TREC perspective. His intervention focused on the role of digital tools and energy platforms in facilitating the creation and operation of energy communities, improving energy exchange mechanisms and enhancing economic performance.
Finally, Vasilis Kalavrouziotis, Research Associate at the Energy Policy Unit of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), representing PVSMILE, presented advanced digital solutions applied to solar energy systems. He explained how artificial intelligence, digitalisation and innovative technological architectures can support the integration of photovoltaic energy while contributing to more flexible and efficient energy systems.
Addressing challenges and opportunities for scaling energy communities
Following the presentations, the webinar concluded with a roundtable discussion entitled “Scaling Renewable Energy Communities: Fair, Digital and Nature-Conscious PV Solutions”. This session brought together different perspectives and connected them to concrete challenges for scaling up across Europe.
Participants underlined that real-life pilot projects are essential to identify barriers and develop solutions that can be replicated in different contexts. The discussion also addressed key topics such as collective self-consumption, fair benefit-sharing mechanisms and the role of digital tools in improving planning, operation and economic viability.
Strengthening SOCIAREM’s contribution to Europe’s energy transition
This first joint webinar marks an important step for the SOLHUB Cluster and reinforces collaboration among European projects working on solar energy communities. In this context, SOCIAREM reaffirms its commitment to developing citizen-driven, transparent and socially responsible energy models, supporting local authorities, stakeholders and communities in the transition towards more inclusive energy systems.
Through its active involvement in initiatives such as SOLHUB, SOCIAREM continues to contribute to the broader European effort to scale up solar energy communities that are accessible, resilient and aligned with both social and environmental priorities.