EU’s ‘Green Deal’ needs solar manufacturing strategy, say trade bodies

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Dr Peter Fath, Managing Director of RCT Solutions GmbH and Chairman of the Board of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment, commented: “European solar PV production can be profitable. A recent study from VDMA together with the German solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE, shows that solar PV manufacturing in Europe and Germany can be highly competitive if the size of the production fab is appropriate. Image: Fraunhofer ISE

There needs to be a comprehensive industrial strategy for the solar industry located in the EU as part of the pending release of the EU’s own ‘Green Deal’ strategy, according to German manufacturing trade group VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) and solar trade association, SolarPower Europe.

Dr Jutta Trube, Vice Managing Director Electronics, Micro and New Energy Production Technologies & Division Manager Photovoltaic Equipment at VDMA, said: “Solar PV energy generation is one of the most cost-effective sources of electricity in Europe and in many parts of the world, and in the near future it will be the largest power generation source. As a clean and scalable technology, it is in a perfect position to deliver the European Green Deal. In fact, Europe has a long history when it comes to solar, as it was European research institutes and developers that led the world in solar innovation. To safeguard Europe’s security of energy supply and ensure energy self-sufficiency, we need to strengthen the industrial capacity of European solar manufacturers. An industrial strategy for solar is thus of critical strategic importance for a green Europe.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Dr Peter Fath, Managing Director of RCT Solutions GmbH and Chairman of the Board of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment, commented: “European solar PV production can be profitable. A recent study from VDMA together with the German solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE, shows that solar PV manufacturing in Europe and Germany can be highly competitive if the size of the production fab is appropriate. To further boost solar manufacturing in Europe, a comprehensive and EU-wide industrial strategy for solar must be implemented. As European solar equipment manufacturers, we at VDMA are ready to contribute to the EU’s energy and climate targets.”

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, said: “The European Commission’s industrial policy represents a unique opportunity for the solar industry. With a new industrial strategy for solar, the EU can take global leadership on the existing and next generation of solar technologies, manufacturing, and services. A recent JRC study found that the European manufacturing chain could increase its competitiveness with an annual gigawatt production volume. With an industrial strategy in place we can make this happen and create sustainable high-tech jobs at companies that will be able to benefit from Europe’s world-leading solar research centres.”

The majority of solar related research institutes have already aligned in pushing for adequate R&D funding required for the Green Deal to be effective. R&D centres are also dependent the rebirth of the solar manufacturing sector that includes the complete upstream supply chain, something that has been eroded significantly since China has come to dominate more than 70% of the manufacturing sector. 

There was a noticeable number of European Commission employees and advisors that attended EU PVSEC last September, soon after the new Commission had been announced. 

The hope is that policies put in place in the Green Deal will re-boot PV manufacturing in the EU and provide the lowest carbon footprint for a major increase in downstream PV installations. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

August 28, 2025
Latin America has the potential to unlock billions in clean energy investment if it aligns national policies with global sustainability goals and investor expectations.
Premium
August 28, 2025
US solar companies could potentially pay “tens of billions” of dollars in retroactive duties on products imported from Southeast Asia between June 2022 and June 2024, following a decision from the US Court of International Trade (CIT).
August 27, 2025
Long-term procurement decisions from the US solar industry could support US solar manufacturing, regardless of changes to federal tax credits, PV Tech has heard.
Premium
August 27, 2025
American Clean Power Association’s MJ Shiao assesses the state of US PV manufacturing in the wake of recent policy developments.
August 26, 2025
US-based solar module manufacturer Bila Solar will include US-made steel module frames in its 550W dual-glass products.
August 21, 2025
JA Solar's CTO, Zi Ouyang, discusses the company's latest module technologies and why the future is tandem.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines