What drew you to a career in photovoltaics?
I became involved in photovoltaics at a time when solar energy in Bulgaria was still a niche technology. My career began as an installer, giving me hands-on experience with renewable energy systems. This foundation helped me develop strong technical expertise and a clear understanding of how solar solutions impact businesses and communities in practice.
What motivated you to start a company?
Driven by both engineering curiosity and a vision for a cleaner energy future, I founded VVT Engineering, which I continue to lead as CEO and owner.
When did Solar Academy Bulgaria become part of your journey?
Soon after, I established Solar Academy Bulgaria to create a platform where businesses, policymakers and academia could work together to advance renewable energy.
What was your motivation?
I felt a strong responsibility to share my experience. Alongside my work in the industry, I was actively involved in teaching and inspiring young engineers while pursuing my PhD in Electrical Engineering. The combination of entrepreneurship, technical practice, teaching and research shaped the holistic perspective I bring to photovoltaics today.
That sounds like a strong sense of idealism. Have you been able to maintain it?
Today, through my leadership roles in VVT Engineering, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Solar Academy Bulgaria, I remain committed to advancing solar energy not only as a technology, but as a catalyst for resilience, innovation and sustainable economic growth in Bulgaria and beyond.
You have spoken about major challenges in the Bulgarian PV industry. What are the key issues?
The photovoltaic sector in Bulgaria faces several structural challenges. One of the main issues is the lack of sufficient expertise among some companies constructing solar power plants, which can result in lower-quality systems and reduced customer trust. In addition, limited state support for end consumers makes it difficult for households and small businesses to participate actively in the energy transition. Bureaucratic processes remain complex and time-consuming, increasing costs and slowing innovation. Another important concern is the presence of unusually low-priced components of uncertain origin and quality, which may harm the sector’s long-term reputation.
Lorenc Malka: Solar is key to Albania’s hydropower challenge
Do you see viable solutions to these challenges?
Our approach addresses these challenges on multiple levels. Through targeted information campaigns, we aim to reach businesses and households and demonstrate the long-term value of high-quality solar solutions. We also organise roundtables and maintain an active dialogue with policymakers to reduce bureaucracy and improve transparency. At the same time, we emphasise that professionally executed projects deliver durable and sustainable results. Overall, we work to shift perceptions and show that solar energy is already an integral part of everyday life, providing energy independence, security and cost savings.
How would you describe the role of Solar Academy Bulgaria?
Solar Academy Bulgaria plays a bridging role in the country’s renewable energy landscape. We founded it to connect business, academia and policymakers on a single platform, recognising that meaningful progress requires collaboration between all three.
What is the mission of the Academy?
The Academy has two main objectives. First, it provides education and reliable information to raise awareness among businesses, institutions and households about the opportunities offered by photovoltaics. Second, it works to create a supportive environment through dialogue with lawmakers and industry stakeholders.
How do you put this mission into practice?
In practice, we organise information campaigns, professional training programmes and roundtables to address both technical and regulatory challenges. We also showcase best practices and successful projects, demonstrating that renewable energy in Bulgaria is not only feasible but essential for competitiveness, sustainability and energy independence. Overall, Solar Academy Bulgaria serves as a catalyst for knowledge, dialogue and trust, helping to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy in an inclusive and sustainable way.
CCE Romania’s Alexandru Matei Fatu on unlocking solar potential
What are your main responsibilities as chairman?
As chairman, my role is to represent and coordinate the interests of our members while driving the sector forward. My priorities include reducing bureaucracy, promoting professionalism and fair competition, and working closely with policymakers to ensure a transparent and predictable regulatory environment. At the same time, I see it as my responsibility to bring together businesses, institutions and decision-makers around shared goals, so that innovation, quality and sustainability define the future of Bulgaria’s energy sector.
What is the current state of solar energy in Bulgaria?
Solar energy in Bulgaria is expanding rapidly, although its share remains relatively modest compared to traditional energy sources such as coal and nuclear. Several structural challenges persist. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) are still not widely implemented, energy communities are at an early stage of practical development and legislative changes to support them are still evolving. In addition, grid capacity remains limited, digitalisation is incomplete and regulatory adaptation is progressing slowly.
Are companies adopting PV as a way to reduce energy dependency?
Despite existing barriers, businesses increasingly recognise the value of solar energy. Many are investing in projects for self-consumption or as long-term strategic investments, often independent of state support. This shows that solar energy is becoming a strategic tool for competitiveness, energy security and sustainability in Bulgaria’s economy.
How has the sector evolved in recent years?
In recent years, the sector has undergone significant transformation. Falling technology costs, rising electricity prices, and increasing corporate demand for green energy have driven a new wave of projects. Today, the market includes both large-scale installations and self-consumption systems, demonstrating a more active role of both businesses and households in the energy transition.
Tomáš Bílek of Fenecon: “CEE markets require flexibility and local adaptation
What is the level of expertise and market maturity?
The sector has matured, with improved expertise, stronger companies and greater awareness of the benefits of solar energy. However, challenges remain, including bureaucracy, limited support for end users, missing instruments such as PPAs and grid constraints. Despite this, solar energy is moving beyond a niche technology and becoming an increasingly important part of Bulgaria’s energy mix.
Which segments play an important role in the country’s PV sector?
All segments play a vital role, but the strongest growth is currently in the commercial and industrial rooftop sector. Businesses are investing in PV systems for self-consumption to reduce costs, increase energy independence and maintain competitiveness. This trend is amplified when paired with battery storage, enabling companies to use energy more efficiently and minimise their exposure to grid instability.
What about the residential sector?
The residential segment remains underdeveloped, primarily due to limited incentives and administrative complexity. With the right support mechanisms, households, especially when combined with storage solutions, could become a significant driver of the energy transition.
Lithuania – rising cyber attacks test resilience of energy networks
What is the role of large-scale and community projects?
Large-scale utility projects remain important but face challenges such as grid constraints, regulatory uncertainty and land-use limitations. Energy communities and prosumer models hold strong potential but are still at an early stage of practical implementation in Bulgaria.
How easy is it to integrate large PV systems into the grid?
Integration remains challenging due to limited grid capacity, outdated infrastructure and insufficient digitalisation and flexibility mechanisms. These limitations can create uncertainty and delays for investors.
What needs to happen next?
Bulgaria has strong potential, but the grid requires modernisation, digital management systems, and investment in storage and balancing solutions. Without these improvements, the transition risks remaining slow and fragmented. However, with strong business demand and the right policy prioritisation, Bulgaria can significantly accelerate its progress and strengthen its regional competitiveness.
What is the current status of energy storage?
Energy storage in Bulgaria is still at an early stage, although development is accelerating. Residential adoption remains limited, while commercial applications are growing, particularly in combination with rooftop solar systems. At grid level, several large-scale battery projects are currently under development.
What are the main challenges for storage?
Key challenges include regulatory uncertainty, administrative barriers, and grid limitations. Despite this, companies are increasingly recognising the value of solar combined with storage and are investing accordingly. Storage is expected to become a core element of Bulgaria’s energy transition.
How does Bulgaria compare with other EU countries?
Bulgaria still trails many EU countries in solar and storage development. Despite favorable natural conditions and strong investor interest, progress is held back by limited incentives, outdated infrastructure, and gaps in regulation compared with countries like Germany, Spain, Greece, and Romania.
What could help Bulgaria catch up?
Bulgaria has the resources and expertise to accelerate its energy development. Reducing bureaucracy, introducing PPAs and energy communities, and modernising the grid could unlock substantial potential. The energy transition is no longer merely a technological challenge; it has become a strategic economic priority for any country seeking to remain competitive. With the right policies, Bulgaria not only has the chance to catch up but also to emerge as a key player in south-east Europe’s clean energy transition.
Trinasolar’s Jirku Nemec: CEE is a strategic growth region
What role do subsidies play?
Bulgaria has introduced several subsidy schemes under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. However, due to prolonged political instability and delayed reforms in recent years, a significant portion of these funds remained underutilised.
Are these subsidies effective?
Subsidies are important not only financially but also as a signal of political commitment. Targeted support for storage, rooftop solar, and digitalisation could accelerate adoption and improve accessibility for businesses and households.
What funding mechanisms are most important?
EU programmes remain the primary funding source for solar and storage projects in Bulgaria, including the Recovery and Resilience Plan and EU structural funds. However, stronger national support mechanisms are needed to complement these instruments.
What is needed to accelerate the transition?
Accelerating the transition requires a combination of stable EU funding and consistent national policies. In particular, national financing tools play a key role in making renewable energy accessible to all stakeholders.
What developments do you expect over the next 12–24 months?
The sector is expected to continue growing, especially in commercial and industrial rooftop projects. Increasingly, businesses will pair solar with storage to boost energy independence, and large-scale storage projects are also expected to come online.
And by 2030?
By 2030, with the right policies in place, solar energy could become a core pillar of Bulgaria’s energy system. A modernised, digitalised grid, together with storage and PPAs, would allow broader participation from businesses, households and energy communities.
Barbara Michalowska: “Agri-PV products designed with durability and ease of installation”
How does the Solar Academy support international companies?
Solar Academy Bulgaria helps international companies enter and succeed in the Bulgarian market by providing local expertise, market insights and networking opportunities.
What practical support do you provide?
We connect companies with local stakeholders, including institutions, businesses and technical experts, and offer roundtables, training programmes and partnerships to build trust and enable successful project implementation.
How does this support help them succeed?
By reducing risks, fostering connections, and promoting sustainable, high-quality project execution, our support ensures that companies integrate successfully into the market.
Interview by Manfred Gorgus
Dr Eng Veselin Todorov is the founder and CEO of VVT Engineering and chairman of Solar Academy Bulgaria. As an electrical engineer, entrepreneur and educator, he has extensive expertise in photovoltaic systems, energy storage and energy management solutions. He collaborates with businesses, institutions and policymakers to improve regulation, uphold high-quality standards and accelerate the energy transition. He is also a lecturer at the University of Mining and Geology “St Ivan Rilski” in Sofia and a recognised thought leader in clean energy, energy independence and sustainable economic development across south-east Europe.
