Berlin – September 08, 2026 -- BLUETTI brought together executives from BSW-Solar, Shelly Group, Flatpeak and pv magazine at IFA 2026 to debate how real-time data and artificial intelligence are converting standalone solar and storage products into integrated home energy systems.
Panelists call for open standards to scale balcony solar and home batteries
Speakers argued that balcony photovoltaic units, home battery storage and smart home devices now let households generate, store and manage energy closer to the point of consumption. They said broader adoption depends on open integration standards, reliable data exchange and favorable market conditions.
Thomas Seltmann, a photovoltaic and storage technology expert at BSW-Solar, said the energy transition is becoming part of daily life as households take a more active role in producing and managing their own power. He pointed to a new product safety standard for plug-in photovoltaic systems, published at the end of 2025, as a step toward legal certainty for suppliers and consumer safety.
Shelly Group and Flatpeak highlight interoperability and tariff-driven charging
Mircho Mirev, head of integrations at Shelly Group, said the next phase of smart energy is not about adding more connected devices but ensuring they work together seamlessly through open integrations and reliable signal exchange.
Tom Hibbard, co-founder and chief sales officer at Flatpeak, said linking BLUETTI systems to live tariff data allows batteries to charge when electricity is cheapest and cleanest and discharge when it is not, without requiring household intervention.
pv magazine journalist points to consumer 'aha moment' after installing storage
Tristan Rayner, an energy journalist with pv magazine and ESS News, said households that install solar and storage, or storage alone, often experience a sudden realization of their energy consumption patterns and savings potential. He said the industry's task is to convert that awareness into tangible value.
The panel, held under the theme "Energy. Value. Future. – From Energy Supply to Smarter Living," reflected BLUETTI's positioning of the balcony solar unit as the starting point for a connected, scalable home energy ecosystem.