EU Commission remarks on solar manufacturing crisis

This evening, EU Finance Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness gave a statement in the European Parliament on the current price crisis facing the European solar industry. SolarPower Europe has issued the following reaction:

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe (she/her) said: 

“The European Commission engaging on the solar manufacturing crisis in the European Parliament is an important step. We continue to encourage and contribute to this dialogue at the highest political level. Time is running out to save European solar PV manufacturers.

While we acknowledge the Commissioner’s comments on the role of the Net-Zero Industry Act and the EU Solar Strategy, as well as other existing tools, we are compelled to stress that further urgent action is still needed to support EU solar manufacturing.  

European solar manufacturers are in a different landscape compared to May 2022, when the EU Solar Strategy was announced. Manufacturers are going bankrupt. More support, and better access to support, is critically needed.

It is reassuring to hear that the Commission will carefully weigh the impact of any potential trade defence measures against Europe’s energy and climate targets. History has shown that trade defence measures did not bring back the reshoring of solar manufacturing and coincided with deep declines in solar deployment. 

Our modelling suggests that so-called safeguarding measures on solar could lead to more than 30% decline in solar installation this year and cut deployment in half in the years to come.

More durable solutions are available. In line with the sector-specific, multi-billion euro plans for wind, chips, and hydrogen, we’re calling for a dedicated EU Solar Charter. 

We are at a make-or-break moment for European solar manufacturing. If Europe doesn’t act now, there will be no solar manufacturing left to save. We cannot leave our climate and energy security targets in the hands of others.”

NOTES

• Our 11 September 2023 press release, where we warn that without immediate action, European solar manufacturing companies face further announcements of insolvency.

• A statement from our Board on 2 October 2023, cautioning the discussion on trade barriers and plotting a way forward for European solar manufacturing. 

• On 15 November 2023, we also published a video statement, where SolarPower Europe Policy Director, Dries Acke, sets out our positions around European solar manufacturing.

• A joint letter from 29 November 2023 more than 420 solar organisations warning against trade measures, and pointing to more durable solutions.

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