SolarPower Europe has released a report mapping Europe’s solar PV module production equipment capacity, identifying at least 38 companies involved in manufacturing key machinery for the solar supply chain, including cells, ingots, wafers, and polysilicon.
The report follows the launch of SolarPower Europe’s International Solar Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), aimed at strengthening connections between European solar manufacturers and global markets while facilitating access to public financing. This initiative underlines the potential of European solar production equipment providers in enhancing the region’s solar sector resilience.
Solar Production Equipment – Key Players in the EU’s Industrial Ecosystem for Solar PV explores Europe’s capacity to manufacture the equipment and machinery required at each stage of the solar module production process.
Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe, stated that their first Solar Production Equipment report highlights Europe’s crucial role at a key point in the solar supply chain—manufacturing essential equipment for solar technology. He emphasized that production equipment is a vital part of Europe’s reindustrialization and that the solar sector can leverage its potential through initiatives such as the International Solar Manufacturing Initiative.
Currently, at least 38 solar PV module production equipment manufacturers operate across nine European countries—Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Hungary, Finland, and Norway. The majority, approximately 75%, specialize in manufacturing equipment for solar cells and modules.
In addition to mapping companies and manufacturing capacity, the report’s literature review identifies areas of European technological edge in the face of very strong competition from China. For example, Europe is still a global leader for next generation perovskite and tandem solar cell technology, and Germany hosts the technology leaders in cell testing equipment.
The release of this publication follows the introduction of the International Solar Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), which aims to link European manufacturers with global markets, while also supporting efforts to increase domestic demand for resilient products in Europe. ISMI is focused on helping the European solar industry, including production equipment manufacturers, access international development and investment opportunities, such as the EU Global Gateway strategy. The Global Gateway strategy seeks to mobilize €300 billion for key infrastructure projects, including in the energy sector, while assisting European partners globally in achieving their climate, energy, and development objectives.
ISMI was launched in Brussels in March 2025 in the presence of representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.
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