Only with a strong industry of its own can the EU build resilience across the entire solar value chain. Critical materials and products in the upstream PV value chain are silicon, ingots and silicon wafers, as prerequisites for the production of solar cells, photovoltaic modules and ultimately solar power plants. According to industry representatives, dependence on products from a single country jeopardises the use of solar energy in Europe in the event of possible supply disruptions. In a joint statement, stakeholders call for immediate action to build a local, sustainable value chain for the solar industry.
Goal: create fair conditions for the industry in Europe
Effective measures could include subsidies for investments in production capacities, support for manufacturing products, a guaranteed and competitive electricity price and benefits for low CO2 emissions in manufacturing products. The overarching goal is to create fair conditions for industry and thus ensure fair competition.
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"We are convinced that a sustainable European PV manufacturing industry can be revitalised with the help of government support to encourage the installation and operation of production facilities," says Professor Andreas Bett, Director of Fraunhofer ISE. This would significantly reduce Europe's heavy energy dependence and at the same time create economic value and jobs. "A time-limited industrial policy that specifically promotes the renaissance of a manufacturing industry for renewable energies is strategically smart and urgently needed," says also Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger.
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The representatives of European photovoltaics included polysilicon manufacturer Wacker, solar cell and module manufacturer Meyer Burger, wafer manufacturers Norsun and Norwegian Crystals, equipment manufacturer for silicon ingots and solar cells ECM Group as well as the research institutes Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer CSP. "We need the right policy framework and more financial support to make investments in the value chain in Europe more attractive, especially for investments and energy-intensive upstream production steps such as ingot and wafer production," says Carsten Rohr from Norsun. "We should be able to benefit from sustainable production." (nhp/mfo)
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