Revitalisation of the PV industry in Germany:
BMWK funds a feasibility study on the re-establishment of the PV industry in Germany
Frankfurt, 14.03.2023: The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is initiating the “Libertas” feasibility study on the re-establishment of the entire PV industry in Germany.
As the world faces unprecedented energy and climate challenges, it is more important than ever to avoid energy dependencies. In 2005, German companies were world market leaders in the production of solar modules. In contrast, more than 50% of PV modules are currently imported from Asia and there are critical gaps in the supply chain in Germany and Europe. Re-establishing the entire PV industry in Europe is a top priority. The study aims to make a significant contribution to achieving this goal.
The “Libertas” study is funded by the BMWK and is included in the catalogue of measures to strengthen transformation technologies for the energy transition. The authors are a consortium of representatives from the European mechanical engineering industry VDMA e.V., the developers of solar factories RCT Solutions GmbH and the industry-related research institution ISC Konstanz e.V.. However, other stakeholders are invited to participate in the study.
To this end, a questionnaire will first be prepared and an extensive workshop will be held during the Intersolar trade fair. Interested stakeholders can obtain further information at libertas@rct-solutions.com.
The aim is to re-establish relevant PV manufacturing in Germany and Europe. The study will work out how the entire ecosystem of manufacturing, mechanical engineering, supply chain, research institutes as well as qualified personnel can be fully established in the shortest possible time. In addition to competitive and innovative products, sustainable, CO2-neutral manufacturing will also be considered.
Dr. Jutta Trube, Head of the Photovoltaic Production Equipment Division, VDMA e.V., said: “With the VDMA Innovation Roadmap (ITRPV – International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics), we in the mechanical engineering sector have an excellent tool to obtain the necessary information for the development of modern machinery and equipment. Our members support the rebuilding of the PV industry in Europe with innovations and modern production facilities.”
Dr Wolfgang Jooss, CTO of RCT Solutions GmbH, adds: “Germany is in a position to set up large-scale, fully integrated production immediately. Even if this requires investments in the billions. Currently, over 90% of solar components are manufactured in Asia. But we have shown with large-scale projects in Turkey and India that, given the right framework conditions, the industry with the entire value chain can emerge anew.”
Dr. Radovan Kopecek, Head of Research at ISC Konstanz e.V., emphasised: “All important innovations in the modern crystalline silicon solar energy come from Germany. The research institutions here are working on the technologies of today and tomorrow. It is the dream of all of us to have large factories here again where these developments are used and further developed.”
Contact person:
Overall project manager and representative RCT Solutions: Dr Wolfgang Jooss wolfgang.jooss@rct-solutions.com)
VDMA: Dr. Jutta Trube (Jutta.Trube@vdma.org)
ISC Konstanz: Rudolf Harney (rudolf.harney@isc-konstanz.de).
Press & Media: Kaan Ahizer (kaan.ahizer@rct-solutions.com)