Solar & Storage Live UK 2026 will bring the solar, battery storage and wider energy sectors together at the NEC Birmingham from 22nd to 24th September. The event expects 20,000 industry professionals and will combine an exhibition, conference programme, practical training and networking across three days.
Free to attend for industry professionals, the event will also be co-located with EVCharge Live UK, reflecting the growing connections between renewable generation, storage and electric transport.
Technology across the energy system
The exhibition will feature 500 global exhibitors covering technologies and services across residential, commercial and utility-scale energy.
Visitors can expect technologies including solar PV modules, battery energy storage systems and intelligent energy management equipment, alongside services covering engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), electrical infrastructure, installation, maintenance, finance, recruitment and training.
The event brings manufacturers, installers, developers, utilities, investors, policymakers and commercial energy users together.
EVCharge Live UK adds a dedicated focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and e-mobility, bringing charge point operators, fleet managers, energy providers, installers and technology companies into the wider discussion.
Five themes shaping the programme
More than 250 speakers from government, industry, finance and the wider energy sector are expected to participate in the conference.
The programme is organised around five areas:
- Utility-scale solar
- Residential solar
- Commercial and industrial (C&I) energy
- Energy storage
- Workforce development
Utility-scale sessions will examine project deployment, grid infrastructure, planning and policy. Residential discussions will cover rooftop adoption, battery storage and smart home energy systems.
For commercial and industrial users, attention will turn to how solar and storage can contribute to lower energy costs, sustainability objectives and long-term energy resilience.
Storage and grid flexibility
Energy storage will be another major focus, with sessions covering battery technology, flexibility services and grid balancing.
As renewable capacity grows, storage is becoming increasingly important to the way electricity is managed. The event will consider its role alongside grid modernisation, investment and smarter energy management technologies.
These discussions come as the UK energy industry addresses wider questions around infrastructure, financing and the delivery of new renewable capacity.
Developing the workforce
Skills are another important part of the programme. Rapid industry growth requires more trained installers, engineers and other specialists across solar, storage and EV infrastructure.
The Installer Training Hub will provide practical workshops and live demonstrations covering areas including:
- Solar PV installation
- Battery storage integration
- System commissioning
- Installation practices
The event places practical learning alongside conference discussions, with visitors able to engage directly with equipment.
A dedicated Careers Zone will connect employers with people entering the renewable energy industry, while the Start-Up Zone will provide emerging companies with opportunities to meet customers, investors and industry partners.
Bringing connected sectors together
Solar & Storage Live UK comes at a point when solar can no longer be considered independently from storage, grid infrastructure, transport and energy management.
The event’s combination with EVCharge Live UK reflects that development. Electricity generation, batteries, charging infrastructure and digital energy systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, creating both technical and commercial opportunities.
For professionals working across the sector, the Birmingham event will provide an opportunity to examine these connections while discussing the practical issues affecting project delivery, including grid access, policy, finance and workforce availability.
Solar & Storage Live UK 2026 takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 22nd to 24th September, with visitor registration free for industry professionals.
Read the full preview of Solar & Storage Live UK 2026, including the conference programme, exhibition and training opportunities in PES Solar: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/the-future-of-energy-returns-to-birmingham https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/the-future-of-energy-returns-to-birmingham
