Solar-Fabrik AG

Solar-Fabrik is one of Europe's most experienced solar companies. The key element of our philosophy is to strive for Premium solar power solutions with permanently high yields. Our Premium modules are characterized by an extremely high level of efficiency and excellent durability. This allows us to guarantee our customers a safe investment and long-term profitability.

We work with state-of-the-art production equipment. Automation, certified management systems and careful testing along our entire production line deliver outstanding products. The Premium system components are perfectly tailored to our modules, promising reliable yields over decades.

We see sustainability as a yard stick for a company policy which is geared towards long-term profitability while rising to economic, ecological and social challenges. Our manufacturing system is eco-friendly and conserves resources. By constructing Europe’s first “zero emissions factory” in 1998, we paved the way for an energy concept that focuses firmly on renewable energy sources.

Reliable partners for maximum customer satisfaction

Premium technology requires premium partners. Solar-Fabrik's partner network spans across the whole of Europe. Experienced contractors have been successfully installing our Premium modules and system components for many years. Their projects are recognized throughout Europe for their extremely high yield levels and smooth functioning. Through extensive consultation, sound planning and professional installation, our partners ensure that our high standards are implemented at each step until hand-over.

A partnership at eye level also sets the foundation for successful collaboration between management and employees. Sustainability defines the way we think and act, striving for a safe energy industry for the future: in Europe and across the world.

history

Solar-Fabrik was founded as a GmbH (limited liability company) in May 1996 by solar pioneer Georg Salvamoser. Its solar modules were initially produced in factories belonging to collaborative partner AstroPower (today GE Energy) in the U.S, until the company started operating its first in-house production line for solar modules in Freiburg in October 1997. In 1998 Georg Salvamoser was awarded a prestigious German environmental award. Then in 1999 the company moved in to new premises on Freiburg’s Munzinger Strasse, which gained recognition as Europe’s first zero-emissions factory. In the years that followed, the young company grew at a rapid pace. July 2002 saw the company, which by now had around 100 employees, converted into an AG (stock corporation) and then floated on the stock market later that year. A second production site was launched in 2002.

Despite initially being purely a manufacturer of solar modules, in 2005 and 2006 Solar-Fabrik’s attention focused on turning the company into an integrated solar group. This new direction was necessary as the supply of raw materials across the entire industry was squeezed by acute silicon shortages. In July 2005 Solar-Fabrik purchased GEWD, a trading company specializing in wafers, and one year later, on July 1, 2006, secured a 33.3% share in cell manufacturer SEP. This was increased to 90% in 2007. In October 2006 the company concluded a purchase contract for an 80% stake in OJAS Energy Ltd. The Indian firm Poseidon, which specializes in processing cells and wafer materials, is a subsidiary of OJAS.

As a result, Solar-Fabrik is one of the few manufacturers to cover almost the entire solar value chain, from wafer trading to module manufacturing.

At the end of 2006, company founder Georg Salvamoser stood down as CEO, but he remained connected to Solar-Fabrik as an advisor.

2008/2009 saw a crucial increase in raw material availability and prices for silicon and cells fell. As a consequence, the company decided to refocus on its key expertise of module manufacturing, and fully relinquished the wafer trading and wafer processing branch of its business. At the beginning of 2009 Günter Weinberger took over as CEO of Solar-Fabrik.

In March 2009, Solar-Fabrik opened a new, highly automated factory for module production in Freiburg Hochdorf. As a result, Solar-Fabrik’s manufacturing capacity increased to a total of 130 MW, growing again in the following year to 210 MW. The three existing production facilities were brought together in a new plant.

During 2010 the company intensified its activities in Italy and France, and opened a sales office in Lyon.

Solar-Fabrik AG  acquired 50.01% of the shares of SolSystems Energy GmbH on August 1, 2011. SolSystems Energy GmbH (SSE) has its headquarters in Stadtbergen, Bavaria, Germany, and develops and installs PV solar systems.

Solar-Fabrik discontinued Singapore cell production at Solar Energy Power Pte. Ltd. (SEP) in Singapore by the end of 2011. Freddy Goh, the Managing Director of SEP and CTO at Solar-Fabrik AG retired from both positions in April 2012.

In June 2013 Solar-Fabrik AG and the photovoltaic wholesaler BayWa r.e. Solarsysteme GmbH, a subsidiary of BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH (BayWa r.e.), agree a sales partnership.

In August 2014 Solar-Fabrik takes over fab 2 of of the former Centrosolar Sonnenstromfabrik in Wismar.This  adds another high-tech production line to Solar-Fabrik's capacity.  The new fab continues production of the highly valued module series 'Professional' and 'Vision' well known from the former Centrosolar Group. With this step  Solar-Fabrik AG  once more proves its claim for premium quality module production- 'made in Germany'.