The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE) have issued a joint appeal to EU leaders, warning that Europe’s solar industry faces a “make-or-break moment” unless immediate measures are taken to safeguard domestic production.

In a letter sent to European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, Director-General Kerstin Jorna, and Ministers of the Competitiveness Council ahead of the Solar-PV Ministerial Meeting, the two associations urged policymakers to go beyond the current Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).

They called for an EU-wide action plan and stronger financial support mechanisms to preserve Europe’s solar sovereignty.

“Europe’s solar industry is at a crossroads. Without immediate, coordinated action, Europe risks losing its remaining solar manufacturing base,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe.

Christoph Podewils, Secretary General of ESMC, stressed that the NZIA’s goal of 30 GW of EU-manufactured solar PV capacity by 2030 is far from being achieved. “The EU must act now to preserve its solar sovereignty. Manufacturers cannot wait until the next financial framework to see action,” he said.

Industry demands to EU leaders

The joint letter outlines five urgent measures for consideration at the upcoming ministerial meeting and the European Solar Industry Alliance (ESIA) Forum:

• European PV Industry 2030 Action Plan: A roadmap to rebuild and expand solar manufacturing across the full value chain.
• Revision of EU Public Procurement Legislation: To reward resilience, cybersecurity, and EU content, ensuring “Made in Europe” solar is prioritized.
• New Cleantech Manufacturing Fund: A facility under the next EU budget dedicated to solar, covering both CAPEX and OPEX support.
• Expansion of Temporary OPEX Support: Extending state aid frameworks to all segments of the solar value chain to prevent further factory closures.
• Greater role for the European Investment Bank (EIB): Including low- or zero-interest loans, counter-guarantees, and support linked to European-made content.

A decisive moment

Despite strong political commitments under the NZIA and the 2024 EU Solar Charter, the associations warned that industrial closures and bankruptcies are accelerating while solar deployment growth slows. They argued that the EU must move quickly to protect its climate neutrality goals and strategic autonomy.

“This is a make-or-break moment. The EU must show it is ready to preserve and rebuild Europe’s solar industry before it is too late,” the letter concluded.