The Future of Solar Energy: Trends and Innovations 2026

Datum

Donnerstag, 26. Februar 2026

Zeit

16:00 Europe/Belgrade

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Mel Peh, Consultant at United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

Mel is an independent consultant for the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) who supports the work of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Track and the Transition Financing Track. Previously, she worked in equity research, consumer goods sector analysis, green and sustainability origination, and climate risk integration for private credit.

She holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in New York and a B. Bus. in Banking and Finance from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She is a CFA Charterholder.

Nick Kanopoulos Ph.D, CEO of Brite Solar Technologies

Dr. Nick Kanopoulos is the Founder and CEO of Brite Solar, with extensive experience in semiconductor technology development, mass production, and global market strategy. He has held senior leadership roles at Applied Materials and Atmel Corporation and founded Data Communications Technologies, which was later acquired by Atmel.

He has also served as Director at RTI International, Adjunct Professor at Duke University, and special advisor to the Minister of Macedonia & Thrace in Greece. Dr. Kanopoulos holds degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Patras and MS and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University.

Laura Miranda, Ph. D., Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Oxford PV

Laura leads Oxford PV’s global communications and sustainability strategy, overseeing marketing, public affairs, and ESG implementation across the company’s operations and products. With over a decade at Oxford PV, she has held key leadership roles including Head of Sustainability and Government Affairs, Head of Materials Research, and IP management.

From 2020 to 2024, Laura played a central role in shaping the company’s intellectual property strategy, managing its extensive patent portfolio in collaboration with the Chief Technology Officer. Her work has been instrumental in positioning Oxford PV as a global leader in perovskite solar innovation.

With more than 10 years of experience in the solar sector and over 20 years in R&D and innovation, Laura is recognized for her leadership in strategic communications, sustainability, and perovskite solar technology. Her expertise spans stakeholder engagement, solar PV innovation, and thought leadership in the global clean energy transition. Laura holds a Ph. D. in Materials Science and a degree in Chemistry and is a frequent speaker at international industry events.

Veronica Bermudez, Ph. D., Founder & Principal Consultant at Berbetin

Veronica Bermudez is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Berbetin, an independent consulting and innovation firm focused on PV project deployment and solar manufacturing scale-up. She works with developers, manufacturers, and investors to bridge photovoltaic innovation with industrial execution and bankable project outcomes.

With more than 20 years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Veronica has held senior roles in applied R&D, technology transfer, and industrialization within the photovoltaic sector, including thin-film and next-generation PV technologies. Her expertise spans utility-scale PV projects and solar manufacturing scale-up, with a focus on system integration, BOS-driven cost optimization, and the assessment of reliability and industrial execution risks.

Her work focuses on how system-level decisions across PV projects and manufacturing platforms shape scalability, cost structures, and long-term asset performance, supporting informed investment and industrial decision-making in the solar sector.

Richard Rast, President and CEO of Highland Materials, Inc.

Richard leads the Highland team and partners who are focused on product validation, engineering/construction, plant operations, supply and offtake, and financing/funding. Prior to joining Highland, Richard started, developed, and subsequently sold three successful businesses over the past 40 years. His technical expertise and the scope of these businesses included planning, design, construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing, industrial and commercial facilities; facility decarbonization, renewable energy development; environmental compliance and remediation. Financial expertise includes debt, tax equity, incentives, and private equity. Richard is active in regional workforce development programs focusing on skill development, apprenticeship, and joint enrollment programs to encourage deeper participation in traditional trades including manufacturing and construction. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech and has been a lecturer and adjunct professor at Georgia Tech, the University of Colorado, and the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Mark A. Chlapowski, Managing Director, Investment Banking in Young America Capital, LLC

Mark has 30+ years of experience in advising governments, institutions, and companies on funding and strategic transactions valued at over $6 billion much of which in emerging markets. He was a lending officer at Irving Trust - Bank of New York, a member of the BGN–Credit Suisse First Boston advisory team (a leading LATAM M&A force over a decade) and then helped launch Cohen S.A.’s (Argentina) public-market structured-finance unit. Over the years, he was also involved with the IADB, KPMG and Natural Resources S.A. With Young America Capital some seven years, Mark principally works with early-stage to low-middle market companies in assisting them to achieve their funding and strategic goals.

He holds a BA from Georgetown University and earned his MBA with Beta Gamma Sigma honors from Columbia Business School. In academia he taught courses in Corporate Finance at the Master level at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion (Paraguay) and occasional classes elsewhere. He is bilingual in English and Spanish, with working knowledge of Portuguese and a familiarity with French. FINRA Series 63 and 79 licensed.

Srđan Sokolović, MBA, PhD, Owner of Sowa Solutions

An expert with more than fifteen years of work experience in a corporate energy company. Persistent in defining short-term and long-term strategies, business development and improving business efficiency in order to increase clients' profits. He is also an expert in the analysis of market segmentation, competition, prices and similar analyzes for the needs of market research and new product development. In addition to this, he also has extensive experience in developing new products by optimizing operational expenses and improving quality/price ratio. He has also expertise in creating PowerPoint presentations, instructions, various graphic displays and other technical documentation.

Expertise in organizing conferences and creating engaging and informative content. An experienced speaker with experience in speaking in international conferences on topics regarding sustainable development. Established writer with articles published in Times of Malta, Lubes Magazine, and Bulletin of Oil Nationally Committee of Serbia.

Agenda

AGENDA

10am EST / 16h CET

Opening of Conference (15 min)

Speakers:

Srđan Sokolović, MBA, PhD, Owner of Sowa Solutions,

Mark A. Chlapowski, Managing Director, Investment Banking in Young America Capital, LLC

10:15h EST / 16:15h CET

Presentation 01 " Building a Greener Future" (20 min)

Speaker: Mel Peh, CFA, Consultant at UNEP FI
Q&A (10min)

10:45h EST / 16:45h CET

Presentation 02 " Agri-PV Specialty Panel Technology" (20 min)

Speaker: Nick Kanopoulos Ph.D, CEO of Brite Solar Technologies

Q&A (10min)

11:15h EST / 17:15h CET

Presentation 03 “Perovskite solar cells (PSCs)” (20 min)

Speaker: Laura Miranda, Ph. D., Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer at Oxford PV

Q&A (10min)

11:45h EST / 17:45h CET

Presentation 04 “Innovating Beyond Technology: Rethinking How Solar Projects Scale at System Level” (20 min)

Solar technology advancing faster than project system integration
Why that gap has become a key limiting factor today?
Ways to addressing it

Speaker: Veronica Bermudez, Ph. D. , Founder & Principal Consultant at Berbetin
Q&A (10min)

12:15h EST / 18:15h CET

Presentation 05 " Solar Grade Poly Silicon Material Project in USA" (20min)

Speaker: Richard Rast, CEO of Highland Materials, Inc.

Q&A (10min)

12:45h EST / 18:45h CET

Presentation 06 “ Navigating the Solar Market: A Guide for Latin American Countries” (20min)

Speaker: Srđan Sokolović, MBA, PhD, Owner of Sowa Solutions

Q&A (10min)

13:15h EST / 19:15h CET

Closing Remarks (5 min)

13:20h EST / 19:20h CET

End of Conference