Plans For Small Solar Module Factory In Luxembourg

• Evocells and Socom to form JV called Solarcells for a 50 MW solar PV module fab in Luxembourg
• It will have an annual production capacity of 100,000 panels, with plans to double it up by 2026
• The fab is to be located in Hollerich which was preiously owned by tobacco company Heintz Van Landewyck

Momentum for Made in Europe solar products continues with Belgian solar panel producer Evocells and Luxembourg based electrical engineering firm Socom announcing a joint venture (JV) called Solarcells to establish a 50 MW module fab in Luxembourg, with plans to double it up by 2026.

The JV Solarcells SA is planned to roll out close to 100,000 panels annually from the 50 MW fab in Hollerich on what was previously a site of tobacco company Heintz Van Landewyck, starting from the end of 2023.

While Socom will enter into solar PV manufacturing with this JV, Evocells will expand its geographical footprint. The latter currently produces solar modules with over 400W output at its factory in Baillonville, Belgium.

Socom Group Management Committee Chairman Marc Thein said, "It is easier to produce locally in order to be less dependent on the supply of components and deliveries from the other side of the world."

Addressing a press conference to announce the project, Thein was quoted by local media as saying that the Hollerich fab will be equipped to produce high-performance modules with over 400W power rating with IEC certification. These will be around €15.0 to €18.0 more expensive than their Chinese counterparts.

Both the partners are working out an 'internal solution' to start producing cells within Luxembourg since it will be importing these from Europe for now.

"This energy source is not only clean and helps the Grand Duchy to achieve its renewable energy development objectives, but it is also produced locally and is part of the solutions to break out of dependence on Russian fossil fuels," said Luxembourg's Energy Minister Claude Turmes. "The SOCOM project, which aims to produce photovoltaic panels on the national territory, helps us to strengthen this independence: from the production of the panels to the production of solar energy, the local energy transition is accelerated."

The news follows a demand from European PV stakeholders for public support of up to €0.15/W for local manufacturing over the next 10 years along with €40.0/MWh energy price to build a sustainable value chain (see European Solar PV Community Demands Political Action).