The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) stated that on September 30, 2025, energy and industry ministers from the 27 EU member states spent the entire morning session discussing solar PV manufacturing in Europe, emphasizing the strategic importance of the sector for the continent’s competitiveness, resilience, and clean energy transition. ESMC noted that the ministers, along with European Commission Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, stressed the urgent need to strengthen the solar PV value chain and retain production capacity within Europe.
Reportedly, ESMC Secretary-General Christopher Podewils, who attended the summit at the Berlaymont building of the European Commission in Brussels, expressed that many ministers were deeply impressed by their strong commitment to solar PV manufacturing, particularly their support for the “Made in Europe” label in public tenders.
ESMC further stated that this political signal was followed by the ESIA annual meeting, where policymakers, manufacturers, and financial experts gathered to discuss strategies for turning ambition into action. The organization highlighted the intervention of the European Commission’s Eike Klapper (Unit C1 – Access to Finance), who confirmed the EU’s intention to provide operational support (OPEX) for clean tech manufacturing, such as production support or tax credits, through a new competitiveness fund. This fund will be linked to existing instruments, including the Innovation Fund.
Podewils was quoted as welcoming the shift toward OPEX support but emphasized the need for immediate assistance for European manufacturers. He reportedly added that while Europe possesses both political will and industrial expertise, the key challenge now is to translate commitments into concrete and rapid measures to support solar PV manufacturing across the continent.
