Solar industry on the right track despite challenges

For Joachim Goldbeck, this is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, he believes that politicians now have a duty to ensure that the upturn is not slowed down again. “After a series of good steps in the Easter package, two important levers are still missing: simplified and reliably accelerated approval procedures at all levels and simplified system certificates,” explains the Managing Director of GOLDBECK SOLAR. This is because higher interest rates and ongoing inflation are causing costs to rise, meaning that systems that rely on EEG tariffs cannot be approved and implemented at the necessary speed. In addition, the current discussion of revenue skimming in politics is unsettling new investors, which is also slowing down the necessary expansion. The industry only seems to be able to cover the demand for skilled workers at present. Goldbeck comments: “Thanks to the solar industry’s good reputation, we are finding many new skilled workers. This means that we are currently up to the challenges and expenditure in this respect.” Due to the strong growth, however, many more exciting tasks await committed people who are interested in a job in the solar industry.

Internationally only mediocre

In an international comparison, Germany’s position is divided. While German companies are often well positioned in the areas of project development, financing, construction and maintenance of plants, the situation is poor in the other sectors. “The industry is complex. In the core product of solar modules and their precursors, only Wacker Chemie is still involved in the global market for silicon in significant quantities,” says Joachim Goldbeck. And the dependence on China, which produces around 90 percent of the world’s modules and precursors, is also overwhelming. For GOLDBECK SOLAR, a determined industrial strategy in Europe is needed here. SMA Solar Technology AG still plays a significant role in inverters, and other manufacturers have also been able to hold their own so far.

Clear forward strategy required from politicians

Like many of his colleagues, Joachim Goldbeck is making clear demands to politicians: “We now need a clear forward strategy in Germany. Support for exports to non-European countries, for example through the assumption of risks or the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS), is just as much a part of this as a bold solar reindustrialization.” In this way, the solar sector could finally develop into one of the most important branches of industry in Germany and contribute to further prosperity in the Federal Republic.