Munich, Germany – May 8, 2025: On the eve of The smarter E Europe 2025, Europe’s largest platform for the energy industry, the prestigious The smarter E AWARDs were presented at a grand ceremony at Messe München. This year’s awards spotlighted groundbreaking innovations across five key categories – Photovoltaics, Energy Storage, E-Mobility, Smart Integrated Energy, and Outstanding Projects – with three winners honored in each, reflecting the sector’s diversity and dynamism.
The 15 winning entries represent the cutting edge of renewable energy, showcasing solutions that enable continuous, sustainable energy access. From advanced planning software and high-efficiency PV modules to organic batteries and fire-safe EV technologies, the winners are setting new standards for a climate-neutral future.
Photovoltaics: Driving Smarter Solar Adoption
7Secondsolar (South Africa) was awarded for AUTOPV, a cloud-based SaaS tool that halves planning time for large-scale PV projects by automating technical design and documentation.
Longi Solar (China) received acclaim for its Hi-MO X10 module, boasting 670W output, 24.8% efficiency, and innovative shading and heat reduction technologies.
Weidmüller Interface (Germany) earned honors for PV Inline, the world’s smallest surge protection device for rooftop PV installations, designed for quick, space-saving deployment.
Energy Storage: Scalable, Safe & Sustainable
CMBlu Energy (Germany) impressed with its Organic SolidFlow Battery, a modular, recyclable storage system with 20,000+ cycles, using metal-free materials.
Hydrostor (Canada) showcased its Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) system that offers long-duration storage with minimal environmental footprint and a 50-year service life.
Samsung SDI (South Korea) introduced U8A1, a compact, high-output battery for UPS systems, delivering five-minute power backup at 8C discharge rate – ideal for hospitals and data centers.
E-Mobility: Powering the Clean Transport Future
Friedrich GmbH (Germany) was awarded for URBANROOF, a timber-structured solar carport that produces 60% more energy and is adaptable for both EVs and trucks.
Samsung SDI received a second award for its No Thermal Propagation technology, which significantly enhances EV battery safety through fire-resistant design.
Kehua Tech (China) earned praise for its 40kW SiC Charging Module, offering 97% efficiency, ultra-low standby consumption, and robust durability for EV fast chargers.
Smart Integrated Energy: Intelligent Energy Ecosystems
Fenecon (Germany) was recognized for its energy management system, optimizing time-of-use tariffs and EV charging based on dynamic electricity prices.
SMA Solar Technology (Germany) received honors for its SMA Commercial Energy Solution, which integrates solar, storage, and management tools to reduce costs for commercial users.
Makersite (Germany) introduced an AI-powered product digital twin platform to track carbon emissions across supply chains, aiding climate transparency.
Outstanding Projects: Global Impact, Local Solutions
Next2Sun (Germany) implemented agri-PV vertical bifacial modules in Germany and Mali, enabling dual-use farming and solar generation.
PV2+ Project (Spain) was awarded for developing transparent solar modules that preserve biodiversity in ground-mounted PV farms.
SolarWorX (Germany/Africa) won for Modular Pay-Go Solar Systems deployed in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing off-grid electrification to underserved communities.
From May 7–9, 2025, these award-winning solutions are being showcased live at The smarter E Europe in Munich, where visitors can engage with the innovators and explore real-world applications of next-gen energy technology. The event, encompassing Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe, continues to serve as a catalyst for global energy transition, uniting thought leaders, developers, and policymakers in a shared vision of a renewable 24/7 energy future.