SolarWorld’s management resign as official insolvency starts

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The Management Board, including Philipp Koecke, Frank Henn, Colette Rückert-Hennen and Jürgen Stein have resigned their positions at the company. However, SolarWorld AG’s founder and chairman, Dr. Ing. Eh Frank Asbeck was not stated to have resigned his positions at the company. Image: SolarWorld AG

Bankrupt German integrated PV module manufacturer SolarWorld AG has announced the resignation of its Management Board, excluding founder and chairman, Dr. Ing. Eh Frank Asbeck. 

SolarWorld AG said in a statement that the official insolvency proceedings related to only the assets of SolarWorld AG had started as expected on August 1, 2017, while the ongoing search for an investor, continued. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The Management Board, including Philipp Koecke, Frank Henn, Colette Rückert-Hennen and Jürgen Stein have resigned their positions at the company. However, SolarWorld AG’s founder and chairman, Dr. Ing. Eh Frank Asbeck was not stated to have resigned his positions at the company. 

Last week, Horst Piepenburg the insolvency administrator noted that a group of investors could takeover of the production sites before the end of July, saving around 450 jobs as a deal had essentially been brokered for the two manufacturing plants.

On entering insolvency proceedings, Piepenburg noted that the “ongoing search for an investor the accompanying investor process, especially concerning the manufacturing sites of SolarWorld Industries Sachsen GmbH and SolarWorld Industries Thüringen GmbH have no substantial impact on the assets, financial and earning situation of SolarWorld AG.”

A deal to save SolarWorld AG’s main manufacturing operations has been claimed in media reports to include the Qatar Foundation, a major investor in SolarWorld AG through Qatar Solar as well as the involvement of Eicke R. Weber, former Fraunhofer ISE Director with other potential investors, believed to be located in Germany.

The group companies entering insolvency proceedings include; SolarWorld Industries GmbH, SolarWorld Industries, Thuringia, SolarWorld Innovations GmbH and SolarWorld Industries Germany GmbH.

Read Next

Sponsored
July 17, 2026
At Intersolar 2026, PV Tech sat down with Suntech's General Manager Mr. Yang Hao to discuss how a quarter-century of experience, combined with robust industrial backing, positions the company for the industry's next chapter. 
July 16, 2026
LONGi’s has unveiled a suite of new technologies intended to demonstrate how the PV industry can innovate its way out of its current malaise.
July 16, 2026
German solar energy research institute ISC Konstanz has appointed Dr Gerhard Mathiak as its head of its module department.
July 16, 2026
In the second of a two-part post, Moustafa Ramadan, head of PV Tech Research, explores the increasingly complex risks associated with solar cell procurement in the US.
Premium
July 15, 2026
US module and soon-to-be cell manufacturer T1 Energy is looking beyond wafers and cells to catalyse domestic production of ancillary components such as glass, frames and even pallets—while tapping semiconductor industry talent to staff its expanding operations.
July 14, 2026
German solar and wind developer SoWiTec has announced insolvency due to excessive debt.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye