German Solar Startup Fighting Against All Odds With Unique Technology

While most German solar manufacturers have shut down or moved production abroad due to cheap Chinese imports flooding the market, one startup is doubling down on manufacturing in Germany. Sunmaxx believes its patented photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module technology will give it a competitive edge.

The PVT modules harness both solar electricity and heat, capturing 60% of energy thermally. This is a higher overall efficiency rate of 80% compared to typical panels’ 20%. The unique thermal management system originally from automotive was combined with solar.

Though Sunmaxx’s current capacity is limited to 50MW annually at its Saxony factory, it hopes to scale up production. However, experts say European players need at least 3GW capacity to compete on cost with China’s gigafactories.

Germany imports about 90% of its solar needs from China, which dominates the global supply chain. This over-reliance is seen as risky, as it was with Russian gas. While the risk of supply disruptions from China is lower thanks to filled warehouses across Europe, self-sufficiency remains crucial for energy security.

Industry leaders call for increased government support like production subsidies to boost local manufacturing. Critics argue this is not a long-term solution. As policies in nations like the US heavily back the renewable sector, German firms struggle with less funding and investment incentives at home.

Companies scaling up innovative technologies, including Oxford PV’s record-setting 28.6% efficient perovskite-silicon tandem cells, offer hope. But for now, the German solar sector remains dwarfed by China and highly import-reliant unless large-scale domestic production is revived. Startups like Sunmaxx aim to drive that resurgence with unique made-in-Germany solutions.