From Battery Storage to Beer Gardens—Our Impressions from Intersolar Europe 2026
Intersolar is loud. Not because of the speakers—but because of the ideas.
At every turn, people are discussing storage, grids, flexibility, and the future of energy supply. Amid all the innovations, however, one thing stands out: the most valuable insights often come not from the exhibition booths, but from the conversations in between. These are precisely the impressions we’re taking away from Intersolar Europe 2026 in Munich.
When BESS suddenly becomes huge
Almost everywhere at the trade show, one topic dominated: battery storage. It wasn’t small home storage systems that were the focus of many discussions, but large-scale storage systems in the megawatt range. These systems are becoming an increasingly crucial component of the energy transition. The reason is obvious: renewable energy alone is not enough. Only smart storage solutions can provide electricity when it is actually needed. Integrating large-scale battery storage systems into power grids will therefore become significantly more important in the coming years. This trend was clearly evident at Intersolar 2026, which is why our team from 8.2 Certification GmbH was all the more proud to share our expertise on the certification of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Fostering engaging conversations rather than quickly exchanging business cards
The discussions with companies that are already working on tomorrow's solutions were particularly interesting. Among others, we were able to exchange ideas with Mars Energie Entwicklung and our colleagues from Mardjonovic Grid Integration GmbH. The presentation by Glück MSR GmbH, a manufacturer of plant controllers, sparked lively discussions afterwards, particularly regarding the requirements for grid integration and control technology. These discussions demonstrate just how dynamically the industry is evolving. Many innovations emerge through direct exchanges between manufacturers, project developers, grid operators and certification bodies rather than on stage.
What Customers especially appreciate About 8.2
One insight from many conversations made us particularly happy: our responsiveness was highlighted positively on multiple occasions. While customers elsewhere report having to wait several weeks for a response — or finding that there are no direct points of contact — our customers find working with 8.2 straightforward and personal. Our project managers are quickly reachable, and decisions don’t get lost in endless coordination loops. This was explicitly mentioned on multiple occasions, especially in an industry where projects are becoming increasingly complex and schedules are getting tighter.
And then there was also...
Of course, the trade show wasn't just about technology. A personal highlight was the impromptu magic show at the Linyang stand, where our colleague was invited on stage to assist the magician.
Our Conclusion
At Intersolar Europe 2026, we saw the direction in which the energy industry is heading: larger battery storage systems, smart grid integration and increasingly interconnected energy systems.For us, however, the people behind these technologies were as important as the technologies themselves. After all, innovation doesn’t solely come from new products, but from trust, collaboration and personal interaction above all else. That’s exactly why we’re already looking forward to the next Intersolar.