SUPERNOVA at Solar Quality Summit Europe 2026: AI, sensors, and smart data = earlier insights and stronger forecasting

At Solar Quality Summit Europe 2026, the SUPERNOVA project organised 3 sessions.

Highlights included:

• Our workshop ‘AI Agents in a PV plant‑integrated monitoring system based on SUPERNOVA,’ explored how intelligent agentic systems can elevate solar PV plant operation and maintenance. The session started with an overview of digitalisation and a presentation on how federated platforms can communicate. David Moser from Becquerel Institute Italia introduced the audience to the concept of AI agentic systems, setting the stage for an energetic group exercise where participants brainstormed potential agent functionalities across different phases of a solar PV system.
• What does it take to move “predictive maintenance” from a buzzword to a practice that truly benefits the entire solar PV sector? This question guided our ‘Predictive Maintenance in Action’ session, highlighting SUPERNOVA’s developments, from advanced internet of things sensors and new data‑collection practices, to their integration into digital platforms. We also discussed the critical need for advanced analytics powered by AI, and as Will Hitchcock from Above put it, we are often “data‑information poor, this data is powerful, but even more powerful in full context.” The session also emphasised the importance of detailed bill of materials knowledge for predictive maintenance, pointing to today’s lack of transparency and how near‑infrared spectroscopy can help bridge that gap
• Our final session, ‘Next-Gen Forecasting: AI-Driven Solar & Grid Predictions,’ showed how AI, sensing quality, and advanced models, are boosting solar and grid predictions. With better data and faster sampling, forecasting becomes more accurate, resilient, and valuable across the whole solar PV value chain.

Key takeaways from our discussions and the event overall?

AI, high‑quality sensors, and smarter data use are driving earlier insights, stronger forecasting, and more resilient, automated solar plant operations.

Additionally, AI and data quality only create value if they translate into profitable, actionable outcomes. Otherwise the intelligence generated cannot drive real impact.

Thanks to all of our speakers for their participation in our sessions.

A joint offering from Intersolar Europe and SolarPower Europe, the Solar Quality Summit Europe annual event, brings together leading members of the O&M, Asset Management, and Engineering, Procurement and Construction communities, to advance the long-term quality of Europe’s solar projects.

Photo: SUPERNOVA session at Solar Quality Summit 2026 © Joan Gosa