Meyer Burger is developing additional production capacity for solar modules in Germany, thereby optimizing the expansion to 1.4 gigawatts for 2023
April 29, 2022 at 12:48 am EDT
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Meyer Burger Technology AG
/ Key word(s): Expansion/Miscellaneous
Meyer Burger is developing additional production capacity for solar modules in Germany, thereby optimizing the expansion to 1.4 gigawatts for 2023
29.04.2022 / 06:45
Meyer Burger is responding quickly to current global developments, in particular in the supply and logistics chains, and is completing the ongoing expansion of the module production capacity to 1.4 gigawatts (GW) at the Freiberg (Germany) site
In doing so, Meyer Burger is using available synergies in order to implement an optimal ramp-up in the current business environment
Expansion planning and preparations of the Goodyear site in the US (Arizona) are progressing rapidly with a view to implementing the development quickly
For the continued growth of corresponding module capacities beyond the ongoing expansion to 1.4 GW, Meyer Burger is using additional existing premises for the development of further solar cell production capacities at the Thalheim (Germany) site
Sales of the high-performance modules in the strategically important US solar market are progressing as planned and are unaffected by the decision
Meyer Burger Technology AG is developing a new module production facility with an additional 400 Megawatts (MW) at the Freiberg (Germany) site, using space in its logistics center in the immediate proximity of the existing plant. To this end, the company is using solar cell capacities from the production site in Thalheim (Bitterfeld-Wolfen) that are initially, on a short-term basis, being handled in Germany instead of the US. This will help optimize the planned expansion to a total nominal annual capacity of 1.4 GW for 2023.
Meyer Burger is currently focusing the ongoing expansion to 1.4 GW in Germany
Meyer Burger is adapting to the current global logistics and supply situation, responding quickly and flexibly to external changes: The company is proactively addressing the tense situation, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, taking the opportunity to pursue further development in Germany. The use of available synergies through additional development in an existing building in Freiberg, the existing production capacities in Germany and the elimination of long transport times for machines and systems to the US optimizes the timetable. Furthermore, supply chain risks are minimized and, more significantly, human resources can be put to more efficient use. Sales of the high-performance modules in the strategically important US solar market are progressing as planned and are unaffected by the decision.
As planned, Meyer Burger is simultaneously pursuing its expansion strategy on high speed in the US in order to develop a medium-term solar module production with an annual capacity of up to 1.5 GW in Goodyear, Arizona. The preparatory work in the plant began on schedule in the first quarter of 2022.
Additional production facilities rented in Thalheim
The planned expansion of the module capacities at the Goodyear site requires synchronized growth of the solar cell production beyond the ongoing expansion to a capacity of 1.4 GW. For this anticipated growth in capacity beyond 1.4 GW, Meyer Burger has obtained a long-term lease on an additional building on the same site as the premises already used in Solar Valley in Thalheim, and can now begin preparing the further development of production.
Strategic autonomy of the EU thanks to the development of solar energy
The additional expansion of production of the high-performance solar modules in Germany contributes to the strategic autonomy of Europe in the energy revolution. The aim of the European Union is to ensure the rapid development and expansion of the European PV industry across all stages of the value creation chain: Meyer Burger's production capacities in Germany contribute to resolving Europe's fundamental import dependence. With the development of regional value creation and an orientation in line with consistent sustainability and social standards, Meyer Burger plays its part in supporting the long-term independence of the European Union and promoting the goal of climate neutrality.
Meyer Burger Technology AG is a Switzerland-based company operating as a holding entity of the Meyer Burger Group, engaged in systems and processes based on semiconductor technologies. The Company mainly focuses in photovoltaics (solar industry) but also covers important areas of the semiconductor and the optoelectronic industries as well as other selected high-end markets based on semiconductor materials. The range of systems, production facilities and services along the value chain in photovoltaics encompasses wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems. The Company operates across three continents, as well as provides service network with replacement parts and expendables, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, maintenance and customer service, training and other services. The Company established itself as an international brand by offering precision products and technologies. It operates Muegge GmbH as a wholly owned subsidiary.