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

becquerel-prize.org

Becquerel Prize 2025 - Nomination of Candidates closed.

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Call for Nominations: 2025 Becquerel Prize for Outstanding Contributions to Photovoltaics

We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the Becquerel Prize 2025, which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of photovoltaic solar energy. The prize, established in 1989 by the European Commission, will be awarded during the 42nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), taking place in Bilbao, Spain, 22—26 September 2025.

Candidates must be nominated by another person. We invite all members of the community to submit nominations for deserving individuals whose work has had a major impact on the field of photovoltaics. The deadline for nominations is 12 May 2025, CET. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize excellence in photovoltaics!

Details on the application can be found here.

Please note: Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect at the age of 19 and published his groundbreaking book “La lumière, ses causes et ses effets” (Light, its causes and effects) at the age of 47. We therefore also encourage the nomination of younger candidates!

Prof. Christophe Ballif

Exiting Chairman Becquerel Prize Committee

Prof. Stefan Glunz

Chairman Becquerel Prize Committee

Promoting science, renewable energy, and people engaging for it is more important than ever, considering that the non-science-based and dangerous approach taken with respect to climate change is unfortunately getting popular nowadays. All should be aware that solar energy will be, together with wind, the key contributors to a liveable world!  

Finally, the Becquerel Committee takes the chance to also announce that Prof. Stefan Glunz will act as the new Chair of the Prize, replacing Prof. Christophe Ballif, Chairman of the last four editions!

On behalf of the committee

Prof. S. Glunz, Chairman, Prof. Ballif, exiting Chairman

Becquerel Prize
Ceremony 2024

Check out more in the
Flickr collection

Find all former winners and more details on the history of the prize here:

Becquerel Brochure (pdf)

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