Statement: EU Industry Ministers discuss actions to support EU solar manufacturing

Brussels, BELGIUM (30 September 2025): Today, EU Industry Ministers gathered to discuss European solar manufacturing. The meeting came alongside the annual forum of the European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA). The Ministers discussed the implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act and other measures to reshore EU solar manufacturing.   

Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe (he/him):  

“It is encouraging to see Industry Ministers, the European Investment Bank and the European Commission discuss solar supply chains and EU manufacturing at the highest levels. But that is only meaningful if it is followed up with concrete action. SolarPower Europe, together with the ESMC, laid out such plan in a recent joint letter. It asks to: 
 

1. Revise EU Public Procurement Legislation, including EU content preferences  
2. Introduce a new EU Solar Manufacturing Booster, similar to the recently launched Battery Booster  
3. Expand State Aid rules to all solar value chain segments to prevent further factory closures 
4. Increase the support role of the European Investment Bank for European solar manufacturing 

With these positive actions – none of which require any protectionist trade measures – we can revive European solar manufacturing. In a recent report, SolarPower Europe calculated that we need to invest annually between €1.4 and 5.2 billion to reach the 30GW manufacturing goal.” 

Notes  

• Ahead of the ministerial, SolarPower Europe and the European Solar Manufacturing Council issued a joint call for a concrete action plan for solar manufacturing in Europe. See the letter here.
   
• In a recent letter, 43 companies and associations from across the economy urged for clarity in the EU carbon accounting rules, recommending that Power Purchasing Agreements and their Guarantees of Origin are consistently recognised in EU legislation. See the letter here. 
   
• A new report from SolarPower Europe and Fraunhofer ISE titled “Reshoring Solar Manufacturing to Europe” models how solar systems that support supply chain resilience can be competitive. See the report here.

© European Union 2025

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