Utility-Scale Solar: O&M and Asset Management

Dr. Puzant Baliozian is the VDMA PV Equipment Group's project manager since September of this year. He is involved in techno-economic studies for manufacturing capacity of PV along the value chain and represents the interests of European PV equipment manufacturers internationally. The PV Sector Group at VDMA also publishes the yearly international technology roadmap for photovoltaics (ITRPV) showing highly relevant technology projections and trends. Dr. Baliozian studied physics at the American University of Beirut (BSc., 2014) and has a specialization in renewable energy (MSc. 2016) from the university of Freiburg. From 2016 until recently, he worked at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg in the field of photovoltaic production technologies where he also did his PhD. He is best known for developing the passivated edge technology for separated industrial solar cell concepts, to boost cell and module efficiencies.

Sebastian Bartels is leading the global sustainability services area at DEKRA, helping organizations to define and achieve their sustainable development related goals and strategies. With a background in safety & environmental engineering, Sebastian is responsible for DEKRA's portfolio providing sustainability solutions spanning testing, inspection, certification, verification, training and advisory services in the areas of Energy Transition, ESG and Circular Economy. Previously, he worked in various senior management and expert roles in the Consulting, Testing, Inspection and Certification industry, as well as in Mobility, Logistics and Transportation. He is active in global, European, and national standardization and associations and teaches post-graduates at a university as associated lecturer. Sebastian lives in Belgium and Germany. DEKRA is the world's leading unlisted and independent expert organization, combining technical expertise and global presence in over 60 countries.

Dr. Sagarika Kumar currently works as a senior researcher at Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Abu Dhabi in the field of PV reliability and testing. Her work is pivotal to improvement of long-term reliability of solar PV modules installed in the Middle east region. She was previously working as a lead researcher and project manager at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, UAE on developing desert-specific environmental standards for PV modules. She was awarded her Ph.D. in PV module reliability from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India in 2020. She also completed her master's from there in Energy Science and Engineering. PV Solar research society recognizes her as a passionate researcher and has awarded her multiple times in recognition of her work in PV module reliability. She has contributed to several peer-reviewed journals and international conferences, and along with that, she has also supervised and mentored several researchers during her young research journey.

Since 15 years Andrea Viaro is committed to the purpose of the transition towards sustainable energy generation. Pursuing his way in the solar industry he participates regularly in roundtable discussions and public events, sharing his knowledge and supporting the development of the solar PV industry. He has gained professional experience in the photovoltaic business working internationally for different tier-one manufacturers and consultancy firms in the PV industry. He holds a master's degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Padova (IT) and has thorough know-how about the PV market, technology and quality aspects. As Global Head for the Large-Scale Renewable Energy business at Stäubli Electrical Connectors, together with his Team, he contributes to the company's strategy strengthening Stäubli's global leadership position in the RE market, developing the partnership with customers and growing the success of Stäubli's PV eBOS portfolio.