The photovoltaic market in Romania has grown massively in the last decade, but there is a period of relative stagnation until 2027, after which the industry will depend on the ability to balance solar surplus with battery storage, said Mirel Jarnea, Business Development Manager SEE at LONGi Solar, at the Energy Strategy Summit 2026, organized by Energynomics.
“If the prices will drop, it means that nothing will come into our country to produce more,” said Jarnea.
A photovoltaic MW that cost 1-1.5 million euros nine years ago is built today for 500,000 euros, and the investment in a battery has dropped from 900,000-1 million euros to 150,000-160,000 euros. This cost reduction explains, in his opinion, why Romania cannot be directly compared with Spain, because when the Spanish invested massively in solar the equipment was twice as expensive. On the other hand, the number of hours in which they could produce energy is incomparably better, with over 2,000 production hours compared to 1,100-1,200 in Romania.
In the short term, Jarnea identified two major uncertainties. The first is the storage requirement, where balancing the PV surplus could require the installation of 20 and 30 GW of batteries, a distant target compared to current capacities. The second is the change in attitude of China, which has abandoned the policy of minimum equipment prices and is no longer willing to make any trade compromises with Europe, which could increase the cost of investments but reduce the appetite of banks for project financing. In addition, Romanian companies are at a disadvantage compared to Chinese builders, who come with their own funds and can support large-scale projects without bank support.
Energy Strategy Summit 2026 was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: Elektra Renewable Support, 4P Renewables, ABB, Alive Capital, Atmoce, Baringa, BCR, Big Store, Capalo AI, CBRE Romania, Distribuție Energie Electrică România, Eastship, Distributie Oltenia parte din Evryo, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, Electroalfa, Electroprecizia, EnergoBit, Enery, Enexus, Eurowind, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Hagag Energy, KStar, LONGi, MBK Power Energy, MET Romania Energy, Monsson Trading, Nextpower, OX2, Romgaz, Schraubram, Sigenergy, Softenerg WEBUS 4 ENERGY, Solar Today, Sunotec, TBEA, Think Blu Solution, Transelectrica, Waldevar Energy, WTW Romania. Coffee Break Partner Enerta. Lanyard Partner Monsson Operation. Beverage Partners Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion. Digital Partner Imsol. Mobility Partner BlackCab.