News Archive

ESMC's archived publications and press releases.


Here you’ll find all press releases, publications, news letters and position papers written or co-written by ESMC as an organization or individual board members.

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New global certification of low-carbon PV modules

A brand new global certification of low-carbon embedded modules has been launched. This significant achievement was made possible by the non-profit organization Global Electronics Council, with funding from the Ultra Low-Carbon Solar Alliance (ULCSA). Working in...

ESMC appoints a Sustainability Policy Director

The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) happily announces that Jens Holm, former Swedish MP, joins the ESMC executive team as Sustainability Policy Director. Jens Holm has 15 years’ experience as a full-time politician, with three years in the European...

VITRONIC – Showcasing the value of precise inspection

Meeting ESMC Board member Richard Moreth, also means meeting one of the most experienced in the field of Automatic optical Inspection (AOI) of PV in Europe. This is an important, but not always visible, step in the production chain, and we had the opportunity to speak...

MCPV- Aiming for a fully integrated EU solar supply chain

Prof. Eicke R. Weber hardly needs any introduction in this context. As co-chair of ESMC since the organization was formed in 2019, he often represents ESMC and is a well-known face for our members. When we e-meet him for an interview, he is sitting in a sunny Freiburg...

VOLTEC Solar – With local values

Name: Lucas Weiss Company: Voltec Solar Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Location: Alsace, France No. years in the industry: 16 years Company webpage: www.voltec-solar.com“I installed my first PV module in 2003, and already then I felt that solar energy was the...

An impact opportunity: “Made in EU-PV”

In line with our core mission to improve the conditions for European PV manufacturing and call for central support, ESMC would like to introduce you to a fundraiser film-project that we are supporting: “Made in EU- PV”. By creating a documentary film, the industry...

“If you please − draw me a sheep!”

“If you please − draw me a sheep!”

Says the little prince in 2nd chapter of the wonderful book by Saint Exupery. If you remember well this story and if you read it again, long time after we probably all had do read it in school you might be surprised how much it can teach us: The aviator that tries to draw a sheep and fails all the time in the eyes of the (young) Little Prince. The Little Prince, Greta, our children and grandchildren cannot be satisfied with the “Energy policy-sheep” that current politicians draw, mainly influenced by powerful lobby groups that like to maintain the status quo.

The Sun always in our mind…

The Sun always in our mind…

“If I am asked whether it is in my nature to worship the sun, I say: absolutely!”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in conversation with Johann Peter Eckermann, March 1832.

Fossil addiction drives us again:

Fossil addiction drives us again:

The current hype for “Green” Blue and other shades of Hydrogen via “natural gas” removes energy from the effort that we need to put into the massive deployment of the renewables, mainly Solar PV.

New alliance for Solar Panels has been created

New alliance for Solar Panels has been created

The new Ultra Low Carbon Solar Alliance will work to build greater market awareness around how solar supply chain decarbonization is producing solar panels with low embodied carbon to help governments and companies meet aggressive sustainability goals.

Alone? Together!

Alone? Together!

Some of you might know this fantastic Jazz song from 1932 performed by late Chet Baker:
Alone together, beyond the crowd
Above the world, we’re not too proud
To cling together, we’re strong
As long as we’re together

Although clear for a long time almost no European Government takes the appropriate action to tackle the challenges of our changing world. It does not help to meet and greet Greta and the world becomes a better place.
We need action to fight climate crisis but as well understand the effects on public health: An alarming report came from the European Environment Agency “Air pollution remains Europe’s top environmental threat to health, with more than 400 000 premature deaths driven by air pollution every year in the EU. Noise pollution comes second, contributing to 12 000 premature deaths.“ ‘The Green Deal on a sustainable future, strong action is needed… towards a more inclusive and sustainable Europe,’ said Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director.

Generalists vs Specialists

Generalists vs Specialists

The 4th edition of the Solar Industry Forum that took place this Wednesday 9th of September showed again the increased dynamism of European PV manufacturers.

Which way to go renewables in Europe?

Sleepwalking, side-stepping or frontrunning?
A part of the Bruegel Annual Meeting was VP Timmermans’ talk about the Green Deal, he’s in charge of. VP Timmermans gave a typical example of the lack of vision for Solar by the current statements of the EU-Commission officials.

Once upon a time…

Once upon a time…

1990: “The share of solar energies in global energy provision can and must be increased quickly. This applies especially to developing countries which, within the framework of their agricultural and industrial development programmes, are faced with fundamental decisions on the choice of energy sources and carriers.

Once upon a time…

Once upon a time…

Famous philosopher Georg Hegel (1770-1831) said: “From the history of peoples we can learn that peoples have learned nothing from history.” But with this new ESMC-Newsletter part we at least can try…

The Solar Industry Forum is back for its 4th edition

The Solar Industry Forum is back for its 4th edition

Co-organised by the ESMC, SolarUnited, Becquerel Institute, ETIP-PV and ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, this event continues to be the meeting point for all industry stakeholders to exchange cutting edge information and raise their knowledge about the future of the manufacturing industry in the solar PV sector.

It’s the Economy AND the Planet, stupid!

It’s the Economy AND the Planet, stupid!

Dear friends of European Solar Manufacturing!
In troubling times, with worries about the health and jobs for a lot of citizens we should do the maths. Back in 1992 the word of “It’s the Economy, stupid” became a key element of Bill Clinton’s campaign to win the American presidency. But there had been 2 more elements: “change against more of the same” and “don’t forget health care”. Health care and change need to be combined in our worries for our climate future, so René Cattin, friend of impressive Greta Thunberg, draw a cartoon crossing Economy and changing it against “planet”.
I guess we all agree that we need to make change, so that economy and the care for the planet need to go together. It’s upon us to harmonize both. Integrating externalities is the key, or like our slogan with Brussels based think-tank “Green Budget Europe” was: “Tax bads not goods”. Last year higher CO2 prices heavily pushed Coal electricity out of the European Grid. Even in the heartlands of Coal, Germany and Poland, it becomes more expensive to burn coal for electricity.
At ESMC we are very happy about the recent announcements to bring back large-scale European PV production to Europe. We congratulate Voltec-Solar, Systovi and Meyer Burger for their courage to move on towards the right direction. We need more of this entrepreneur-spirit!
This follows the joint initiative “Solar Manufacturing Accelerator” by SolarPower Europe, VDMA, ETIP-PV, IPVF and ESMC to push for more European production. More to come soon.
Please join us in September for our 7 Wednesday sessions of the Solar Industry Forum, hosted jointly by SOLARUNITED, Becquerel Institute, ETIP-PV, ETA-Florence Renewable Energies and ESMC.

Recommended Events

Intersolar trade show will do a 2 days online event 14th  and 15th JulyProgram: https://www.thesmartere.com/en/events/online-events/intersolar-innovation-dayHannover trade show goes Virtual: Several times postponed now life with an interesting...

Two documents on the EU energy strategy

Two documents on the EU energy strategy

Two documents on the EU energy strategy, published July 8th focusing on “Green hydro” and “off-shore-wind” almost only. It seems that Solar is a lost battle for the EU-Commission, although it should be a key player!

German Coal Phase out

German Coal Phase out

German Coal Phase out: Too late too expensive: last week’s decision by German Government to phase out Coal by 2038 largely insufficient and as many critics state largely overpaid

Green Jobs a key for a Post Corona Recovery IRENA states

“Policy makers need to recognise how many renewable energy jobs can be created along each segment of the value chain, so they can design green recovery programmes that maximise regional and national value creation. From project planning and development to the...

Hannover trade show goes Virtual

Several times postponed now life with an interesting Online on the 14th  and 15th July Program with several energy and digitalisation topics: Future minded like the real show in Hannover: https://hannovermesse.digital/en/program_overview/

No lost Battle! European Solar is the answer !

No lost Battle! European Solar is the answer !

Dear friends of European Solar Manufacturing ! In recent weeks we are moving slowly back to “normal” Tuesday 23rd June we had the opportunity to meet again in Brussels with HQ-team to discuss “in real” next ESMC-steps.Yesterday 8th July, we had a gathering...

The Solar Manufacturing Accelerator

The Joint Initiative to promote Solar Manufacturing in Brussels The first event took place this 8th of July the Solar Manufacturing Accelerator(SoMA), the joint initiative by ETIP-PV, SolarPower Europe (SPE), IPVF (Solar Europe Now), VDMA and ESMC,...