MCPV has recently closed a set of finance agreements, totalling €4,2mio, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Province of Groningen and Regional Development Agency NOM, enabling the company to kick-start implementation on its 4-gigawatt cell factory in Veendam. The company has also signed an agreement with Enexis, the regional electric grid operator, securing the electric grid capacity sufficient for the initial gigafactory plus future expansion. Particularly relevant given the current scarce grid capacity in The Netherlands. Previously, a land purchase agreement for an industrial site large enough to host the initial MCPV gigafactory plus future expansion had also been signed. MCPV is very pleased that with these milestones, it can start implementation of its project, and grateful for the support from its many stakeholders, reflecting the confidence in its next generation manufacturing approach combined with a world class team. With the industrial cleantech revolution well underway, MCPV is aiming to become a leading producer of competitive, made-in-Europe solar cells and modules. It is doing so by combining blended finance, European next generation digitally enabled manufacturing technology, and gigawatt-scale production. The recent milestones bring MCPV significantly closer to achieving this ambitious goal that will strengthen European energy security, generate high quality jobs, and create a new significant export industry for The Netherlands and Europe. About MCPV MCPV was co-founded by pioneers in the European clean energy sector with the objective to develop, build and operate competitive, gigawatt scale heterojunction photovoltaic cell and module manufacturing plants in Europe. To reinforce Europe’s manufacturing position, MCPV’s world class team developed a strategy based on a mix of gigawatt scale, next generation production lines, and leading-edge digital manufacturing architecture, all made in Europe. This in support of building Europe’s net zero industry backbone, strengthening energy security and building a competitive position in the global clean manufacturing revolution. MCPV’s inaugural flagship project, a solar cell facility in the Northern Netherlands, is fully aligned with this goal of enhancing Europe’s solar manufacturing industry and its associated supply chains. By integrating cuttingedge digital manufacturing technologies and prioritizing sustainability and circular economy principles, this project aims to significantly boost the solar cell production capacity in Europe. Planned to kickstart production in 2026, the low carbon footprint gigafactory will create more than 600 full time direct clean tech jobs, in strong support of the Northern Netherlands transition towards a leading European Net Zero Industrial hub. The MCPV team looks forward to continuing the excellent public-private cooperation reflecting the well-known Dutch “polder” model. The MCPV project is a cornerstone of SolarNL, the pioneering Dutch public-private programme developing integrated and resilient solar industrial and innovation projects. €412mio has been awarded to SolarNL in 2023, a substantial part of which allocated to MCPV. Marc Rechter, CEO of MCPV commented: “On the back of close public-private cooperation, reflected in the approval in 2023 of the significant funding under the National Growth Fund, the MCPV team has further strengthened the company’s position by hitting key project and financial milestones, enabling the kickstart of its implementation phase. The European environment for the implementation of large-scale Net Zero Industry projects is strengthening, with the Green Industrial Deal as a backbone for the accelerated implementation of projects like MCPV’s. The next generation of European cleantech manufacturers will enable the rebound of the European economy and strengthen Europe’s strategic independence. Global solar manufacturing companies are replacing the global oil and gas companies as engines of growth. Therefore, Europe must build its own strong solar manufacturing industry, and I am confident that all the necessary policy measures will be implemented with the required strength and urgency, allowing for European capital to flow to the EU’s solar manufacturing projects, where it is most critically needed. MCPV’s team jointly with public and private partners are working relentlessly to accelerate time to market, build a world class global cleantech company, and deliver the huge value of the solar industry to the European economy.”

15th of April marked a significant stride in fortifying a robust and dynamic European PV manufacturing sector.  Another milestone was reached in the effort to build a resilient and competitive European PV Manufacturing Industry.   With the signing of the #EuropeanSolarCharter, policymakers, manufacturers and off takers are setting the stage for a period of fast growth in European #solar manufacturing. Supporting the fast ramp up of production capacity of next generation high efficiency PV at speed, while at the same time ensuring clear rules of the game are enforced, will allow for a strong and profitable EU PV industry to emerge. Time has come to move from the drawing board to implementation.    In The Netherlands we have taken a head start with the approval last year of the National Growth Fund for the SolarNLconsortium, with a package totalling €412m in State support. This year the consortium members are preparing for implementation and roll out will kick start next year.    MCPV is at the vanguard of this pivotal movement in Europe and takes immense pride in being a signatory of the Charter. We eagerly anticipate the delivery of our inaugural “Made in Europe” #cells and #modules by 2026. Moreover, we are enthusiastic about forging strategic alliances with our European counterparts throughout the value chain. Together, we aim to expedite progress and establish a solid foundation for a sustainably competitive EU PV manufacturing industry.   MCPV is excited to be at the forefront of this strategic development in Europe and therefore is a proud co-signatory of the Charter, looking forward to delivering its first cells and modules “Made in Europe ” by 2026. Moreover, we are enthusiastic about forging strategic alliances with our European counterparts throughout the value chain. Together, we aim to expedite progress and establish a solid foundation for a sustainably competitive EU PV manufacturing industry.   The time is here, let’s get to work! 💪 Check here the European Solar Charter

The entire MCPV team is immensely pleased to announce the approval by the Dutch Cabinet of Ministers of the National Growth Fund proposal, which includes MCPV’s first GW-scale HJT cell manufacturing facility in Europe. The related public funding and blended finance lay the foundation for MCPV to become Europe’s first greenfield GW PV manufacturing start-up, and work together with the Dutch and European PV value chain to ensure more energy security, substantial cleantech jobs, economic added value, and competitive European PV supplies. More info

 MCPV, the PV manufacturing spin-off started by Resilient Group in 2020, was awarded a package of grants and loans under the Dutch National Growth Fund programme, as part of SolarNL, the joint industry proposal for large-scale production of circular solar cells and solar panels in the Netherlands. The SolarNL programme is an ambitious collaboration between industry and research institutes for the development and large-scale production of circular integrated solar cells and panels made in The Netherlands. Project partners, besides MCPV, include Amolf, TNO, Solarge, Exasun, Lightyear Layer and Hyett Solar, among others. The SolarNL proposal was awarded the highest total public funding support as well as best score overall out of 47 proposals which saw 18 proposals approved.  In supporting this sector programme with a total of €412mln in grants and loans, the Dutch Government is reinforcing its commitment to accelerate climate mitigating measures as well as strongly supporting the further development of clean tech industries. The Circular Solar Manufacturing Project embodies this commitment, and MCPV takes immense pride in being selected as an integral contributor to this trailblazing initiative.  The MCPV project is designed to significantly elevate Europe’s collective capacity within the solar industry and related supply chains, utilising advanced digital manufacturing technologies, coordinating scale-up across the value chain, and implementing sustainability and circular economy principles from the initial design stages.   When reaching full capacity, the project is forecast to employ more than 500 full time clean tech jobs, boosting the Northern Netherlands region of Groningen’s transition from Natural Gas production towards a leading position in Europe’s emerging Net Zero Industry sector. The MCPV team is looking forward to work closely with all local, regional, and national stakeholders on the implementation of this state-of-the-art manufacturing project.   Benjamin Strahm, CTO of MCPV: “This public support is an important achievement towards a new era of PV manufacturing in Europe, associating the most recent technologies and knowledge in various areas to achieve productivity that has never been reached so far.” Dr Benjamin Strahm.  Marc Rechter, CEO of MCPV: “With this important public support of the MCPV project, we have the opportunity to build an emerging European clean tech champion in the global PV market. Europe has the brains, technology, capital, and resources to build its own independent, competitive clean energy system, and the MCPV team is super proud to contribute towards this goal. We look forward to work with the broader Dutch and European value chain to create a resilient and profitable European PV industry, maximise ESG impact and create exciting opportunities for those that want to accelerate positive change.”  More info here

Commissioner Thierry Breton will deliver a keynote speech and welcome a host of high-level speakers from across the PV value chain, high-level EU and EU country politicians and policymakers, off-takers, innovators, investors and financial institutions. Please fill in the European Solar PV Industry Alliance launch conference registration form if you would like to participate in the launch conference, either in person or online.  The Commission officially endorsed the alliance on 11 October 2022. It aims to scale up the manufacturing capacity of innovative solar PV products and components in Europe and provides a framework for coordinating in areas such as innovation and technology, supply chain, access to finance, circularity, regulation and skills. The alliance is one of the concrete initiatives of the EU solar energy strategy, adopted in May 2022 as part of the REPowerEU, which will help the EU reach over 320 GW of newly installed solar photovoltaic capacity by 2025, and almost 600 GW by 2030. The launch conference takes place on 9 December 2022, 10:00 – 16:00 CET at SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre. It will also be an opportunity to promote the alliance and for stakeholders to discuss major issues that the alliance will address. Our CEO Marc Rechter will contribute to the panel discussion “Scale up challenges for manufacturing of solar PV in Europe” at the launch of the European Solar PV Industry Alliance.

This week the European energy transformation has grown wings. Following the publication of the REPowerEU action plan and the EU Solar Strategy last Wednesday, today saw the successful launch of the PV IPCEI. This perfect storm of policy initiatives will enable the industry to deliver what Europe has needed all along: supersizing renewables deployment, cutting red tape, building internal manufacturing capacity along the whole value chain, energy security, massive scale up of cleantech jobs, and the opportunity to put to good use all of the research and innovation Europe has developed over the past decades. Let’s keep the sense of urgency while we implement! https://vimeo.com/713645696

After several years of hard work with the industry it is very rewarding to see our efforts take hold and real momentum building for the accelerated build up of a strong EU solar manufacturing value chain! Looking forward to participate in Friday’s PV-IPCEI launching event on behalf of MCPV!