As of: February 27, 2024, 11:30 a.m
By: Natascha Berger
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The solar giant Meyer Burger is moving its production from Germany to the USA.
Despite warnings from the industry, the traffic light government was unable to keep the manufacturer in the country.
In Colorado, Meyer Burger isn't just hoping for appreciation.
Freiberg – The disappointment in the solar industry is deep.
Solar cell manufacturer Meyer Burger announced last week that it would stop production in Germany and move to the USA.
While module production in Freiberg, Saxony, is scheduled to come to a standstill from March, everything is already being prepared in the United States so that the solar giant's two new production facilities can start work as quickly as possible.
The reasons for the move are not only due to the traffic light government's slow decision-making.
Crisis in the solar industry: Traffic light companies like Meyer Burger react too slowly despite warnings
The crisis in the solar industry has long been impossible to dismiss.
Cheap production from China is putting German and European manufacturers under increasing pressure.
While the lower prices are perceived as good for consumers, the dependence on China threatens the existence of German solar manufacturers.
The federal government's “Solar Package 1” was intended to keep German production in the country and to promote the expansion of photovoltaics with a series of measures.
But an agreement by the traffic light coalition is not in sight until the next week of meetings in mid-March.
Manufacturers like Meyer Burger have been threatening for a long time: If the conditions don't improve quickly, they will have to turn their backs on Germany.
Meyer Burger is leaving Germany.
The solar giant is hoping for better conditions in the USA.
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
“Not possible in Germany” - solar giant Meyer Burger welcomes decision-making in the USA
Meyer Burger now put this threat into action.
The solar giant particularly welcomes the quick decisions in the USA, which seem to be a long way off in Germany due to disputes in the traffic light government.
In the USA, the red carpet is being rolled out for new plant locations, Meyer Burger COO Daniel Menzel told
Handelsblatt
.
In “High Tech Way” in Colorado, an old chip manufacturer Intel factory is to be converted into the solar module manufacturer’s new factory.
From choosing the location to signing the rental agreement, just ten weeks passed.
Menzel emphasizes that such a pace is not possible in Germany.
Module production is already starting at the second location, in the US city of Goodyear in Arizona.
The first systems are scheduled to roll off the production line in May.
US President Biden wants to make the solar industry less dependent on China
In addition, it is also US President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that plays into the hands of solar companies like Meyer Burger.
The dependence on China is also noticeable in the USA, which is set to change as a result of Biden's economic plans.
The IRA is intended to support investments in climate protection with around $370 billion.
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Gunter Erfurt (r), Meyer Burger boss, explained the solar panels to Robert Habeck during a company visit in 2022.
Now Meyer Burger is leaving Germany.
© Soeren Stache/dpa
Tax credits and loans: These investments attract solar company Meyer Burger in the USA
According to
Handelsblatt
, Meyer Burger expects tax credits of up to $1.4 billion over the next eight years.
The solar giant, which has its headquarters in Switzerland, has already been promised a loan of $300 billion.
In addition, the Colorado location, which relies on green energy, brings other advantages: A $90 million financial package brings tax credits as well as cheaper electricity and water tariffs.
Jared Polis, the governor of Colorado, wants to have all electricity in the state come from renewable energy by 2040.
350 new jobs are expected to be created in Colorado.
Some of them are to be trained in Germany.
Leaving Germany, on the other hand, means that around 500 employees at the Freiberg site in Saxony will lose their jobs.
The company's last chance for a temporary production stop in Germany is subject to one condition: the traffic light must find a solution for the solar system manufacturers within the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, two new companies are already positioning themselves to take Meyer Burger's place.