The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE) have called on EU leaders to take urgent steps to safeguard the continent’s solar manufacturing sector, ahead of a ministerial meeting on 30 September.
In a joint letter sent to European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, Director-General Kerstin Jorna, and Ministers of the Competitiveness Council, the two organisations said decisive political action was needed to secure the future of Europe’s solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.
“Europe’s solar industry is at a crossroads. Without immediate, coordinated action, Europe risks losing its remaining solar manufacturing base. We call on EU leaders to turn the ambition of the Net-Zero Industry Act into reality,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe.
The letter warns that despite policy initiatives such as the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the 2024 EU Solar Charter, European solar deployment is slowing while manufacturers face closures and bankruptcies.
The NZIA aims for at least 30GW of EU-made solar PV by 2030, but industry representatives argue this target is unattainable without additional support.
“The EU must act now to preserve its solar sovereignty. The ESIA’s 30GW ambition is not materialising – and time is running out. Manufacturers cannot wait until the next financial framework to see action,” said Christoph Podewils, Secretary General of ESMC.
The associations set out five measures for consideration at the upcoming Solar-PV Ministerial Meeting and European Solar Industry Alliance (ESIA) Forum. These include:
- A European PV Industry 2030 Action Plan.
- Revised public procurement rules to include “Made in Europe” criteria.
- A new cleantech manufacturing fund.
- Extended temporary operational support across the solar value chain.
- Greater involvement from the European Investment Bank, including preferential loans and guarantees.
The letter concludes: “This is a make-or-break moment. The EU must show it is ready to preserve and rebuild Europe’s solar industry – before it is too late.”
