- Meyer Burger selects traditional solar sites in Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Saxony-Anhalt) and Freiberg (Saxony) for the establishment of production facilities
- Use of existing infrastructure is aimed at saving resources – skilled workers and competencies available in the regions
- Ramp-up plans: production start in the first half of 2021 with 400 MW solar cells and 400 MW solar modules, expansion to 5 GW planned
- Use of locations requires successful implementation of capital increase
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) has chosen locations in the “Solar Valley” in Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Saxony-Anhalt) and in Freiberg (Saxony) to start its own solar cell and module production. “We are looking forward to revitalising two of the most traditional solar locations in Europe and creating new jobs,” said Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger. “The fact that we are able to use existing infrastructures and the high level of expertise in the regions is a conscious strategic decision that will enable us to achieve short ramp-up times and high product quality”.
A team of internal and external production specialists evaluated the conditions at the sites and rated them as very favourable. In Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Meyer Burger rents buildings of the former solar cell manufacturer Sovello on a long-term and cost-effective basis. Initially, the buildings will cover an area of 27,000 square metres; additional space can be rented for extensions if required. Meyer Burger will use its latest production equipment there to manufacture highly efficient solar cells using the proprietary heterojunction technology.
The high-efficiency cells are further processed into SmartWire modules in Freiberg, almost 150 kilometres away. “With Meyer Burger, there is once again a supplier of technologically leading solar cells Made in Europe,” said Gunter Erfurt. “Almost all solar modules manufactured in Europe today contain cells that come from Asia.”
