ReLi energy wins first prize at European Solar Startup Awards 2026

Germany-based reLi Energy won gold at the European Solar Startup Awards 2026. It has outperformed the three other finalists to claim the top spot.

ReLi Energy optimises the performance and lifespan of battery energy storage systems (BESS) through both hardware and software solutions, according to SolarPower Europe.

These solutions are designed for asset managers, traders, EPCs or system integrators, the association added.

ReLi Battery Analytics provides granular, real-time insights into your battery’s internal health.

It tracks State of Health (SoH), State of Charge (SoC), and detects cell imbalances or potential anomalies before they become critical, directly protecting your asset’s lifespan and warranty, according to the firm’s website.

Laringe: The market is ready for software that protects assets while maximizing revenue

The European Solar Startup Award is an annual prize presented by SolarPower Europe. The prize strives to back up the ground-breaking steps that innovators are taking towards an electrified, renewable-powered energy system.

Laura Laringe, CEO & Co-Founder of reLi Energy, stressed that the award validates their work to bridge the gap between battery physics and energy trading.

“It shows that the market is ready for software that protects assets while maximizing revenue. We are proud to be chosen by industry experts as a leader in Europe’s energy transition,” she underscored.

This year’s jury was Jenny Chase (BloombergNEF), Anke Dissel (Enerparc AG), Felix Krause (Vireo Ventures) and Michael Schmela (SolarPower Europe).

According to Walburga Hemetsberger, SolarPower Europe CEO, reLi and all the other finalists demonstrate how smart and flexible technology can realise the future of a flexible, cleaner and predictably priced energy landscape in Europe.

Competition from Estonia, Sweden, and Finland

Four finalists were selected to pitch to the awards jury in person at the SolarPower Summit in Brussels.

Estonia-based Gridio presented a smart EV charging app. It automatically charges users’ electric vehicles based on energy tariffs and the availability of excess solar. Its platform provides the charging of EVs when it makes sense and requires no additional hardware. The app does it by connecting with the cloud services of the major car manufacturers.

Qurrent’s solution aggregates energy resources, including solar and battery systems, and connects, controls and optimises them for the benefit of the grid and the asset owners. The firm comes from Sweden.

Sand Battery technology can convert renewable power to heat and store it in sand. When needed, it produces hot water, air or steam for industrial processes, district heating networks or space heating. The solution is developed by Finish startup Polar Night Energy.