At Solar & Storage Live Zürich, Solar&StorageXtra met Maxine Cronier, Head of Global Partnerships and Sales for SmartHelio.
Maxine explained how SmartHelio’s language model is helping the industry better understand solar plants, discussed her presentation at the show, and how customer demand has shifted.
Interview with Maxine Cronier, Head of Global Partnerships and Sales for SmartHelio
“By identifying issues in advance, we ensure minimal downtime and proactively maintain components, maximising performance. After all, it’s always cheaper to fix something before it breaks.”
Xtra: Can you explain SmartHelio’s mission in the industry?
Maxine: Our mission at Smart Helio over the past five years has been to ensure that solar plants built across the planet work as efficiently as possible. This helps prove the profitability of solar investments and accelerates global solar adoption.
Xtra: Can you talk to us about your presentation?
Maxine: I had the opportunity to speak on stage with various players in the Swiss market, sharing insights from our experience with predictive analytics and how we’re implementing “magic” innovative solutions in the solar industry.
It was also a chance to share our journey – how we’ve reached this point, the impact we’ve had on our clients, and the next steps for us.
Xtra: Can you give examples of how predictive maintenance and failure prediction have improved the sustainability effectiveness of the industry?
Maxine: Predictive analytics, for us, means the ability to predict failures by identifying early symptoms.
Let me give an example outside of the solar industry: think of human health. By analysing the frequency and patterns of a heartbeat, we can assess heart health. If the pattern is normal, we know the heart is healthy. If it fluctuates significantly, there might be a potential issue. If it’s flat, there’s a problem.
Similarly, we use patterns in solar systems – such as inverters and connectors – to predict and prevent failures. By identifying issues in advance, we ensure minimal downtime and proactively maintain components, maximising performance.
After all, it’s always cheaper to fix something before it breaks.
Xtra: What trends are you noticing in customer demand for solar and BESS products, and how is SmartHelio evolving to meet them?
Maxine: We’ve observed a shift in the industry, particularly in mindset.
About three years ago, the focus was largely on building new solar installations, which was essential. But now, with increased capacity, there’s a realisation that we don’t have enough personnel to operate and maintain them effectively.
This has led to a transition toward automation, digitalisation, and a more proactive approach to asset management.
In response, we’ve adapted our solutions to handle the massive amounts of information being generated. It’s critical to make this information actionable so that people can address issues effectively.
That’s why we’ve developed large language models (LLMs) – similar to ChatGPT. These allow users to ask specific questions like, “What’s happening with my plant?” or “When should I intervene?” or “Should I invest in this plant?”
These are crucial questions that previously could take hours or even days to answer. Now, with our system, the answers are available within seconds.
Xtra: What benefits can companies, especially start-ups, gain from attending Solar & Storage Live?
Maxine: I would highlight two key points. First, having the opportunity to speak on stage and present our work was invaluable.
It was also inspiring to hear from others in the industry. We’re all working toward the same goal – advancing the energy transition – and it’s motivating to see the progress being made.
Second, the networking opportunities have been fantastic. Although we’re based in Switzerland, there are so many people to meet in this space, particularly in storage.
Events like these provide an excellent platform for meaningful connections across different segments of the industry.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live, or want to come back for more? Don’t miss the London edition from 2-3 April 2025 – or find a Solar & Storage Live event closer to home.
