New report reveals that European solar production equipment manufacturers can support EU solar re-industrialisation goals

• SolarPower Europe has published a new report mapping Europe’s solar PV module production equipment capacity.
   
• Today, at least 38 companies are active in Europe manufacturing the equipment and machinery that produces vital steps of the solar PV module supply chain, including cells, ingots, wafers, and polysilicon.
   
• The publication follows the launch of SolarPower Europe’s International Solar Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), which aims to connect European solar manufacturers – including production equipment manufacturers – with global markets and related public financing.
  
  BRUSSELS, Belgium (Wednesday 5th March 2025): New market analysis highlights the potential of European solar production equipment providers in supporting Europe’s plans for a resilient solar sector. 

‘Solar Production Equipment – Key players in the EU’s industrial ecosystem for solar PV’ explores the European capacity to manufacture the equipment and machinery that produces at each stage of the solar module manufacturing process.

Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe (he/him), said: “Our first Solar Production Equipment report reveals the enduring role of Europe at a key juncture of the solar supply chain – creating the essential equipment that produces solar technology. Production equipment is a very important part of Europe’s reindustrialisation story, and the solar sector can tap into its clear potential through efforts like the International Solar Manufacturing Initiative.”

Current solar PV module equipment producers are based across nine European countries (DE, FR, IT, NL, CH, ES, HU, FI, NO). The majority – 75% of European solar equipment manufacturers – are active in machinery for the cell and module segments.

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 publication follows the launch of the International Solar Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), which seeks to connect European manufacturers with global markets,  complementing efforts to boost European domestic demand for resilient products. ISMI is working to ensure that the European solar industry – including production equipment manufacturers – can tap into existing international development and investment streams already, like the EU Global Gateway strategy. The Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise €300 billion for strategic infrastructure projects, including in the energy sector. It supports European partners around the world in meeting their climate, energy, and development goals.

ISMI was launched in Brussels in March 2025 in the presence of representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.

© SolarPower Europe