Meyer Burger Closes German Solar Operations

In a significant blow to European solar manufacturing, Swiss company Meyer Burger has announced the cessation of operations at its German production sites in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The closure, effective September 1, 2025, has resulted in the layoff of approximately 500 employees across the facilities in Hohenstein-Ernstthal and Bitterfeld-Wolfen. This development marks a critical turning point for the Swiss solar manufacturer's presence in Germany and highlights the challenges facing European solar production.

The closure comes amid intense market pressure from Chinese competitors, whose solar modules have flooded the European market. This surge in Chinese imports has been particularly acute since Chinese manufacturers faced restrictions in the US market, leading them to redirect their focus to Europe. The resulting price depression has created an extremely challenging environment for European manufacturers. The situation exemplifies the broader struggles of the European solar industry to compete with Asian manufacturers who can produce at significantly lower costs.

Despite ongoing efforts by insolvency administrators Lucas Flöther and Reinhard Klose, the search for new investors has proven unsuccessful. While maintaining openness to potential investors, Flöther acknowledged the current absence of viable investment prospects, citing the persistently difficult economic situation in the European solar industry. The company's German subsidiaries entered insolvency proceedings in May 2025, following a series of setbacks including the loss of major US customer Desri in November 2024.

Prior to the closure, Meyer Burger had attempted to pivot towards the more profitable US market. However, this strategy faced significant setbacks when the company was forced to curtail its US expansion plans in August 2024. The cancellation of the contract with US-based Desri further complicated the company's strategic repositioning. The closure of the German operations reflects both the immediate challenges facing European solar manufacturers and broader questions about the sustainability of solar manufacturing in high-cost regions amid intense global competition.