BECQUEREL PRIZE

European Becquerel Prize for Outstanding Merits in Photovoltaics

The European Becquerel Prize for Outstanding Merits in Photovoltaics is being awarded on the occasion of the EU PVSEC Conference. This prize was established by the European Commission in 1989 to mark the 150th anniversary of Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel’s discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839, which laid the foundation of both, photovoltaics and photography.

Becquerel Prize Winner 2025

Congratulations to Walburga Hemetsberger, winner of the 2025 Alexander Edmond Becquerel Prize

Walburga Hemetsberger receives this prestigious award for being one of the most important ambassadors for solar energy in Europe.

"With a solid academic foundation in law as well as social and economic sciences from the University of Innsbruck/Austria, she has dedicated her professional career to working as a representative for various sectors, including an internship at the European Commission, in Brussels. Since 2019, she has held the position of CEO at SolarPower Europe and has successfully advocated for the deployment of solar energy across the continent, contributing to the adoption of the Solar Energy Strategy by the European Commission and the EU Solar Standard.

Walburga Hemetsberger

Ms. Hemetsberger is widely recognised for her tireless efforts in integrating solar photovoltaics into Europe’s broader energy transition and climate change strategies. With remarkable energy and enthusiasm, she has played a pivotal role in shaping EU solar policy during a critical period for the PV industry.

In addition to her policy leadership, she has been a strong advocate of the Women in PV initiative, which aims to promote and inspire female leadership in the solar sector and enhance gender diversity in the energy transition. Her influence on innovation and research initiatives, such as the Partnership for Photovoltaics, underscores her commitment to the future of renewable energy. Walburga Hemetsberger is truly an inspiring leader in this vital field.

On behalf of the Becquerel Prize Committee, we cordially congratulate Walburga Hemetsberger and thank her for her enthusiastic commitment to photovoltaics."

Prof. Dr Stefan Glunz, Chair Becquerel Committee

The official prize ceremony took place during the opening session of the 42nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, the EU PVSEC 2025, which took place from 22–26 September 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. The Laudation speech was given by Prof. Dr Rutger Schlatmann from Helmholtz Centre Berlin.

becquerel-prize.org