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All articles of topic manufacturing

Inside a Fronius testing centre, the kind of European production base that is set to benefit from stricter inverter regulation

European inverter makers face a cybersecurity reckoning

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As the EU tightens cyber rules for networked inverters, manufacturers must navigate both a new compliance burden and a chance to make "made in Europe" count for more.

Pascal de Boer is General Manager Europe at SolarEdge

Pascal de Boer: "The most interesting driver is cybersecurity itself"

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SolarEdge's European chief explains why hyperscaler power demand and cybersecurity concerns around Chinese inverters are reshaping the company's strategy on the continent, alongside AI, US manufacturing and the new Nexis platform.

Dr Harald Scherleitner, Chief of Sales and board member at Fronius International

"A reasonable price for European security" – Fronius CSO on Made-in-Europe rules

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Harald Scherleitner discusses Fronius's return to growth, the strategic case for building in Europe and why cybersecurity has become a defining purchasing criterion for inverters.

Andrea Polini, making the case for the whole-company approach

Sungrow's Andrea Polini: "Bankability counts more than price"

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Sungrow Europe's team leader for technical sales explains how the company is scaling European production, software and infrastructure while strengthening its position on grid integration, cybersecurity and C&I solutions.

Authors of the Magnetic West report, Thomas George and Sarah Naber of Prewave

Beyond Tier-1: how China's processing dominance hides in plain sight

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Prewave's Magnetic West maps how Chinese dominance in processing creates systemic exposure several tiers upstream of where most procurement teams are looking. Solar and batteries are no exception.

Stringers ‘made in Europe’ by BBS Automation, formerly Teamtechnik

A boom decade ahead for PV investment

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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.

SMA headquarters in Niestetal, central Germany

S&P Global Energy names SMA a Tier 1 inverter supplier

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

LONGi founder and CTO Li Zhenguo presents the Technology Forest in Shanghai

LONGi plants a Technology Forest of eight innovations

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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.

Intelligent electrification, combining solar, battery storage and AI, sits at the heart of this vision for industrial flexibility.

Industrial flexibility: a €300 billion opportunity for Europe

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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.

Gerard Scheper, CEO of Netherlands-based European Solar

Beyond recovery: solar enters a new industrial chapter

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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.

Our guest author, solar market expert Gerard Scheper from the Netherlands

After the spike – why solar and battery prices will cool again

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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.

Michael Villa, Executive Director of the European industry association smartEn (Smart Energy Europe)

Michael Villa: "Demand side flexibility is a strategic asset"

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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.

Pressing issue: inconsistent rules are holding back PV’s “Made in Europe”

Study: fragmented EU rules hindering European solar manufacturing

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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.

Europe’s energy plans start with what fits in your palm

EU warned over shortfall in renewable energy raw materials

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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.

An ESG initiative aims to improve traceability and sustainability of critical minerals in solar modules

SSI, IRMA partner on responsible mineral sourcing

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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.

A visualisation of the planned 65,400 m² Sungrow factory in Wałbrzych

Poland – Sungrow expands with 12.5 GWh storage and 20 GW inverter site

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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.

In Italy and elsewhere, solar power is ensuring competitive electricity prices for industry

Italy – Metlen secures Energy Release 2.0 access for Arvedi steel plant

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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.

Our guest expert author Mariglen Nora, Head of Green Energy of the Elevion Group

How smart energy systems keep Europe’s industry competitive

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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.

Olaf Heyden, Chief Transformation & Operating Officer at German inverter manufacturer SMA

SMA confirms contract renewal for CTO Olaf Heyden

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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.

Our solar market expert and guest author, Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar

Europe races to secure supply as China ends export incentives

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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.

Clean‑room precision driving Europe’s push for large‑scale battery production

EU commits to 56 GWh of new battery production capacity

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

Two red folders, one giant leap for solar manufacturing

France – Trinasolar backs €1 billion, 5 GW Holosolis gigafactory

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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.

Copper plays a critical role in the infrastructure of solar parks

ESG partnership advances responsible copper sourcing

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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.

Adjacent to the car plant, a hole in the ground with gigafactory potential

Spain – CATL-Stellantis gigafactory breaks ground

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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.

The future HoloSolis solar factory, set for completion in 2030

HoloSolis raises over €220 million for 5 GW plant

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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.