Solar PV must be critical infrastructure: ESMC
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has called on European policymakers to recognize solar power as critical security infrastructure, according to a statement released Wednesday. The industry body warned that the rapid expansion of photovoltaics (PV) across the continent must be matched with robust cybersecurity, more resilient EU clean-tech value chains, and tighter regulatory oversight.
ESMC said that the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), unveiled by the European Commission on March 4, is too limited in scope, too slow to implement, and too insufficient to support the growth of Europe’s solar PV industry. It outlined five key amendments to strengthen the proposal. It said the IAA currently covers only solar cells and inverters, two of the eight main components in the PV value chain, and should be expanded to include at least three components, applying to at least half of publicly tendered PV capacity.
The organization also argued that eligibility criteria should prioritize European production, noting that the current proposal extends to as many as 40 non-European countries with free-trade agreements. “Made in Europe must have real meaning,” ESMC said.
In addition, the group called for stricter conditions on foreign investment, including a requirement for non-European companies to establish joint ventures with European partners for projects exceeding €100 million ($117 million).
The ESMC further stressed that public funding aimed at scaling Europe’s solar industry should also support European equipment suppliers. This would accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing technologies and strengthen collaboration with European research institutions, which remain globally competitive but lack sufficient industrial partnerships within the EU, the group said. Finally, ESMC warned that timing is of key essence and that the policy measures will only be effective if IAA enters into force in a timely manner. For this reason, the PV part of the Industrial Accelerator should come into effect in the first half of 2027.
“Energy has become a matter of security. Decentralized solar and storage systems have proven to be more resilient than centralized infrastructure, both for on-grid and off-grid applications, such as satellites and defense systems. These are compelling reasons to invest in Europe’s industrial capacity,” said Christoph Podewils, Secretary General of ESMC.
“Now is the time to turn the tide from factory closures to renewed investment in European solar manufacturing”, he added.
The Industrial Accelerator Act is part of the European Commission’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce strategic dependencies in key clean technology sectors, including solar PV, through public procurement and support mechanisms.
The ESMC represents more than 60 European solar manufacturers and research organizations across the region.