manufacturing

The module giant's 2026 Shanghai launch stacked eight innovations spanning cells, modules, hardware and software, lifting standard module output above 690 watts, and possibly the whole sector past its ruinous price war.

A new whitepaper finds industrial flexibility could cut EU renewables curtailment by 61 percent and avoid 60 GW of peak capacity, while opening new revenue streams for energy-intensive sectors.

After a punishing downturn, Europe's solar market is finding its footing. European Solar’s Gerard Scheper argues the deeper change lies in the industrial and political reset now taking shape around it.

SMA met thresholds in market presence, market share, company size and sustainability, one of only twelve manufacturers to qualify from a field of 30.

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.

Once viewed as a brake on production, flexible electricity use is reshaping European industry's relationship with the grid. Michael Villa of smartEn sets out the opportunities, hurdles and the role of AI.

The EU wants to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing through legislation allowing member states to link project funding to non-price criteria such as carbon footprint. A new DIW Berlin study warns that the resulting patchwork of national rules is driving up costs and weakening European competitiveness.

Annual investment in the sector is forecast to more than double by 2035, with cumulative spending over the next decade estimated at 250 to 300 billion US dollars.

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.

The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) and the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation on responsible mineral sourcing, transparency and the protection of workers’ rights throughout solar supply chains.

Backed by a €230 million investment, Sungrow’s first European factory in Wałbrzych is set to begin operations within 12 months, producing battery storage systems and PV inverters for the European market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Five industrial‑scale battery projects across the EU have secured a combined €640 million from the European Commission’s Innovation Fund.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The crisis at SMA is deepening, driven by a sharp decline in sales within the residential and commercial and industrial markets.

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.

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.

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.