Best Practices for BESS Optimization: Focus on Sizing and Bankabilty Aspects

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Time: 3:00pm–4:00pm
Hall: Room: MAAI

This session presents best practices for BESS optimization, with a focus on sizing methodologies and bankability considerations. It provides a techno-economic and grid stability perspective on optimized BESS sizing for PV power plants and examines the role of OEMs in delivering bankable
BESS projects. Together, the contributions highlight key technical and commercial factors required for successful and financeable battery storage deployments.

3:00pm–3:10pmWelcome and Introduction

John van Zuylen

CEO

AFSIA - Africa Solar Industry Association

3:10pm–3:35pmOptimized Sizing of BESS for PV Power Plants: A Techno-Economic and Grid Stability Perspective

Rüdiger Ophoven

Lead Business Development Manager Energy & Climate Protection

ILF Consulting Engineers Germany GmbH

3:35pm–4:00pmThe OEM's Role in Bankable BESS Projects

Nick Lusson

Head of Sales, C&I, Sub Saharan Africa

GoodWe

To Program Overview

Speakers

Speaker

Nick Lusson, GoodWe

Head of Sales, C&I, Sub Saharan Africa

Kenya

Speaker

Rüdiger Ophoven, ILF Consulting Engineers Germany GmbH

Lead Business Development Manager Energy & Climate Protection

Germany

Speaker

John van Zuylen, AFSIA - Africa Solar Industry Association

CEO

Rwanda

John is the Founder of AFSIA, the Africa Solar Industry Association. AFSIA aims at promoting the use of solar energy across Africa and being the voice of solar professionals active in Africa. AFSIA's activities include market intelligence analysis, content generation, info sharing, events and business facilitation services. Prior to AFSIA, John has been leading the development of solar projects for 13 years across 4 continents. These projects ranged from utility-scale to commercial and residential projects, and included on- and off-grid systems, hybrid systems, Solar Home Systems and mini-grids. John regularly advises the public and private sector on market dynamics and operational strategy for solar developments in Africa. Next to AFSIA, John is also in charge of La Fromagerie, the only goat cheese farm and factory in Rwanda. John holds a MBA in strategy, managerial and organizational behaviour, Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth.