manufacturing Metlen Italy – Metlen secures Energy Release 2.0 access for Arvedi steel plant 02/19/2026 - The partnership grants Acciaieria Arvedi access to the Energy Release 2.0 framework, with roughly 2.4 TWh of electricity to be delivered from a 170 MW solar portfolio. Margriet Fotografie After the spike – why solar and battery prices will cool again 02/15/2026 - The recent price spike in solar modules and batteries is not a new normal but a market catching its breath, says Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. Sungrow PL – Sungrow to open 12.5 GWh storage and 20 GW inverter plant 02/14/2026 - Backed by a €230 million investment, Sungrow’s first European factory in Wałbrzych will start operations within 12 months, manufacturing battery storage systems and PV inverters for Europe. European Court of Auditors EU warned over shortfall in renewable energy raw materials 02/13/2026 - Efforts to diversify imports, increase production and expand recycling are losing momentum within the EU, says the European Court of Auditors, which urges swift corrective action. Elevion Group How smart energy systems keep Europe’s industry competitive 01/24/2026 - EU manufacturers are boosting resilience through intelligent storage, peak shaving, and flexible load management – cutting costs, easing grid strain, and securing production during energy scarcity, says Mariglen Nora of Elevion Group. SMA SMA confirms contract renewal for CTO Olaf Heyden 01/22/2026 - The solar inverter and energy management systems manufacturer has extended CTO Olaf Heyden’s contract to June 2027, with responsibility for Operations, Digitalisation and Human Resources. Margriet Fotografie Europe races to secure supply as China ends export incentives 01/16/2026 - China’s decision to end VAT export rebates is expected to reshape the solar and battery sectors. Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar, views this as a signal of deeper market changes. ZSW EU commits to 56 GWh of new battery production capacity 12/21/2025 - Five industrial‑scale battery projects across the EU have secured a combined €640 million from the European Commission’s Innovation Fund. Holosolis France – Trinasolar backs €1 billion, 5 GW Holosolis gigafactory 12/15/2025 - At the France–China summit, Trinasolar and Holosolis agreed on a strategic partnership for a Sarreguemines-Hambach gigafactory designed for 5 GW annual production capacity and substantial regional benefits. Longi ESG partnership advances responsible copper sourcing 12/14/2025 - The Copper Mark and the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) have joined forces to promote responsible copper production and sourcing across the solar energy value chain. CGTN Spain – CATL-Stellantis gigafactory breaks ground 12/14/2025 - Construction has started on the €4.1bn, 50 GWh LFP gigafactory in Zaragoza, a 50:50 joint venture. Production is expected by end of 2026. HoloSolis HoloSolis raises over €220 million for 5 GW plant 11/18/2025 - Funding from public and private partners will enable the manufacturer to build a major module plant in Sarreguemines‑Hambach, due for completion in 2030 and set to become one of Europe’s largest. SolarPower Europe European solar industry pushes EU for PV manufacturing action plan 10/12/2025 - The European Solar Manufacturing Council and SolarPower Europe call for additional measures beyond the Net Zero Industry Act to secure and sustainably expand Europe’s solar industry. SMA/Meyer SMA announces further job cuts amid declining sales 10/11/2025 - The crisis at SMA is deepening, driven by a sharp decline in sales within the residential and commercial and industrial markets. EU PVSEC EU PVSEC wraps up in Bilbao – Rotterdam set for 2026 09/29/2025 - The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) concluded at the BEC Bilbao Exhibition Centre, bringing together over 1,600 participants from 61 countries between 22 and 26 September 2025. Enel Fraunhofer and SolarPower Europe map route to EU solar reshoring 09/27/2025 - Solar installations that boost supply chain resilience can compete with Chinese imports if backed by the right policies, according to a new report by SolarPower Europe and Fraunhofer ISE. New AutoMotive European battery projects enter build and commissioning phase 09/26/2025 - Europe’s battery supply chain is accelerating, with more projects now moving into construction, commissioning or securing long-term investment support. The trend marks a shift from announcements to tangible industrial progress. EU Commission Business leaders warn against rollback of EU 2035 clean‑car target 09/24/2025 - Top executives from more than 150 European EV businesses have issued an open letter urging Ursula von der Leyen to uphold the EU’s 2035 zero‑emission target for cars and vans and strengthen Europe’s e‑mobility position. Margriet Fotografie Expert view: China signals the end of rock‑bottom solar prices 09/19/2025 - China’s solar industry has entered a new phase. After years of cut‑price competition and unchecked capacity expansion, the market now faces higher costs, explains Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. IDTechEx Second-life batteries and AI open new paths for storage 09/19/2025 - New battery developments and the use of machine learning could make energy systems more streamlined, efficient and sustainable, according to consultancy IDTechEx. SolarPower Europe “Two different things” – why market access and cybersecurity must remain separate 09/16/2025 - Stronger cybersecurity alone will not secure Europe’s solar industry. A new industrial policy is needed, says Jan Osenberg, Head of System Integration at SolarPower Europe. Panasonic Panasonic to expand heat pump giga‑fab in Czech Republic 09/11/2025 - The Japanese group is committing €320 million to enlarge its heat pump giga‑fab in Pilsen, while establishing a supporting research and development hub. Trinasolar Trinasolar–HoloSolis partnership aims to boost European solar manufacturing 09/04/2025 - The new licensing agreement grants HoloSolis access to the TOPCon patent portfolio in Europe, as part of a partnership to build large‑scale solar cell and module production capacity in Hambach, northeastern France. Northvolt Lyten acquires Northvolt battery plants in Sweden and Germany 08/16/2025 - The California-based startup is securing gigafactories and expertise in Europe, and has announced plans to resume battery production at several Northvolt sites. Sermatec Sermatec expands Eastern European presence with 430 MWh storage in Bulgaria 08/12/2025 - The battery storage system on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast will enhance grid stability and renewable energy integration. Show more