Active Working Groups
ESMC
In order to create a favorable political environment and support the PV manufacturing industry in Europe, the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) initiated three working groups, on the topic of Policy mapping, EcoDesign and Energy Labelling and EU Recovery funds and IPCEI.
Picture ©Imec
Policy Mapping Working group mission
The initiative was instigated by Lucas Weiss (Voltec Solar) and introduced by Carsten Rohr (vice-chair of the ESMC). This working group aims at identifying relevant policies (already in place, under development or potential new policies) impacting the PV market demand and more importantly European PV manufacturers.
A survey was conducted rating the impacts of these policies, either positive or negative on the PV industry. The results obtained through this survey will serve as a basis for future policy recommendations to promote European solar manufacturing.
EcoDesign Working group mission
Following the JRC preparatory study, ESMC initiated a Joint Mission Group under ETIP-PV to join forces with Solar Power Europe, PV Thin and IECRE (IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications) to engage in the policy development process and provide expert input.
The work of the Joint Mission Group is structured in 4 working groups:
- WG I – EcoDesign PV Modules
- WG II – EcoDesign Inverters
- WG III – Energy Label
- WG IV – Sustainability Criteria
The concrete objective of this Joint Mission Group is to produce an Expert Input Paper with a common position towards the European Commission in the initiative of setting up sustainable product policy instruments (criteria development of the EC policies). This paper was issued in march 2021, see below.
Latest working group publications
March 2021
Expert input paper – EcoDesign and energy labelling for photovoltaic modules, inverters and systems in the EU
The concrete objective of this Joint Mission Group is to produce an Expert Input Paper with a common position towards the European Commission. This paper was issued in march 2021.
Carsten Rohr
ESMC Vice-chair
For more information or details about the WG- Eco-design and Policy mapping:
EU Recovery Funds and IPCEI Working group mission
This working group launched in 2021 will aim at shaping a PV industry IPCEI at European Level bringing together European manufacturers and National Governments with the aim to enable co-financing of PV industry development in Europe
Latest working group publications
12 April 2021
Policy statement – Appeal for RRF commitment
Download the Policy statement Solar manufacturing renaissance in Europe — appeal for RRF commitment where ESMC advocates for RRF to take the strategically important PV industry in consideration.
Pre 2021
Industrial policy letter
Download a letter to commissioner Thierry Breton and commissioner Kadri Simson that advocates for a IPCEI for PV manufacturing signed by eight Member States.
Johan Lindahl
ESMC Secretary General
For more information or details about the EU Recovery funds and IPCEI working group:
Our latest activity in the working groups
One of ESMCs core missions is to stay updated on the latest news of the PV industry. Below, you can find the latest press releases on ESMC activities. Beside these published announcements, ESMCs working groups are involved in public consultation rounds on the central policy topics.
Our co-President Eicke Weber on the revival of European cell production
Our co-President Eicke Weber share his thoughts on the history of German, and European, PV manufacturing and calls for a rapid revival of European cell production to break free from dependence on China in a recent interview with Dieter Düran. In the interview, Mr....
Press release: ESMC alerts the EU Member States not to lose the PV manufacturing opportunities in Europe
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) along with the national Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRP) are timely instrument to push the European Green Deal objectives forward. However, the RRPs presented by the Member States to the European Commission do not reflect...
ESMC calls the European Commission for the comprehensive solar strategy
European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) recently requested the European Commission for the comprehensive EU solar strategy to be prepared and stronger Photovoltaics (PV) manufacturing reflection in Recovery and Resilience Facility. This request has been made as a...