News
Published in: Solar, Press Releases
- OPES Solar Mobility opens Europe’s first factory for flexible solar panels for vehicles.
- Global partners lined up for rollout of bus, truck, and trailer models.
- Solar modules enhance range and battery life in diesel and electric fleets.
Zwenkau/Germany, 25.10.2025 – Technology company OPES Solar Mobility today inaugurated Europe’s first production facility for flexible solar panels designed for vehicle integration in Zwenkau near Leipzig. The ceremonial opening was attended by representatives from politics and industry. In its 12,000 m² production space, OPES employs highly innovative manufacturing technology and will create 120 new jobs. The solar panels produced at the new site are particularly suited for commercial and recreational vehicles. They supply solar power to electrical systems in both diesel and electric vehicles, extending driving range and increasing battery lifespan.
Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer emphasized: “The opening of this facility in Zwenkau provides another example of Saxony’s strength as a hub for industry and technology. Here, scientific excellence, entrepreneurial courage, and highly skilled professionals come together to deliver forward-looking solutions. Technology ventures like OPES Solar Mobility are essential for creating jobs, retaining value in the region, and providing answers to the global challenges of our time.”
High market potential
After production ramp-up, the solar modules will be delivered to over 15 partners and customers across Europe, Africa, and South America. They will be integrated into camper vans, refrigerated trailers, city buses, and truck cabins. Additional partnerships are near finalization.
Pavel Kuch from MAN Truck & Bus CZ: “At MAN Truck & Bus CZ, we see great potential in vehicle-integrated photovoltaics as a way to further improve the efficiency and sustainability of our vehicles. By generating part of their own energy, buses and trucks can reduce operating costs, extend driving range and enhance battery performance. In cooperation with OPES Mobility, we want to bring this innovative technology onto the road.”
Dr. Martin Heinrich of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE: “We estimate the technical potential of solar modules for commercial vehicles in the EU at around 70 gigawatts – equivalent to ca. 6 million trucks and 30 million vans. The average CO₂ reduction potential per vehicle is 10 to 15 percent.”
Cutting-Edge Technology from Germany
OPES Solar Mobility developed the new solar modules over several years, together with leading research partners including the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The company uses proprietary patents and a custom-built machinery setup for production.
Robert Händel, CEO of OPES Solar Mobility, explains: “Our innovative, robust Matrix architecture for vehicle-based solar modules ensures reliable performance in real-world conditions and generates significantly more electricity than conventional technologies.”
The increased yield is achieved through the special interconnection of solar cells. The cells are linked in a brick-like pattern, allowing many cells to remain active even when parts of the module are shaded by roof structures, other shadows or dirt. This design greatly reduces energy losses that minor shading typically causes in conventional systems.
“OPES is industrializing a new technology and already generating strong international demand. The modules are highly resistant to vibrations and mechanical stress typical in vehicles, making them suitable for integration into commercial vehicles worldwide,” Händel added.
About OPES Solar Mobility
OPES Solar Mobility is a leading manufacturer of solar solutions for vehicles. Our O.Motion solar panels are specially developed for the requirements of the vehicle sector. With our engineering team, we support the integration of photovoltaics in vehicles and offer system-optimized solutions for power electronics - from low voltage to high voltage. From our factory in Germany, we supply vehicle manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry and enable the integration of solar technology both ex works and via retrofits.
From its plant in Zwenkau, the company supplies vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers, enabling both the factory integration of solar technology and retrofitting solutions.
Press contact
Frank Orlicek
E-Mail: frank.orlicek@opes-mobility.
Telefon: +49 34203 444-071
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