Centrosolar

Centrosolar was a Munich-based German solar-energy company focused on photovoltaic generation systems. It became known as one of the leading exchange-listed solar companies in Europe and supplied equipment for private homes as well as commercial and industrial properties. Its offering included standard grid-connected photovoltaic systems, which fed electricity into an existing power network, and non-grid-connected generators intended for locations without conventional grid access. The company operated during the rapid expansion of Germany's photovoltaic industry, when falling module prices, public policy support, and growing interest in distributed renewable electricity created demand from households, businesses, and property owners. Centrosolar's business was not limited to individual solar modules: it marketed complete systems and related solutions for different installation contexts, including residential roofs and larger industrial facilities. This systems-oriented approach positioned the company within the broader European solar value chain rather than solely as a component manufacturer. A major industrial development was the construction of a large photovoltaic module facility in Wismar, Germany. After approximately ten months of construction, the factory opened in 2008. The site covered about 47,000 square meters and had an annual production capacity of 150 megawatts. The reported investment was €23 million, and the facility was associated with the creation of 250 jobs in Wismar. The plant represented Centrosolar's effort to establish significant manufacturing capacity in Germany at a time when European producers were seeking to scale production and compete in an increasingly international market. Centrosolar also maintained operations outside Germany. Its French and Dutch subsidiaries served local markets and extended the company's commercial reach beyond its domestic base. These subsidiaries later followed a different corporate path from the German manufacturing operation. In 2014, Centrosolar declared bankruptcy. The German production facility was subsequently purchased by CS Wismar, while the French and Dutch subsidiaries were acquired by the German solar producer Solarwatt. They continued operating under the names Solarwatt France SARL and Solarwatt BV. As a result, Centrosolar is best understood as a defunct European photovoltaic company whose history reflects both the industrial growth and the consolidation pressures of the solar sector. Its principal legacy lies in the photovoltaic systems and manufacturing infrastructure developed before insolvency, together with the businesses and assets that were transferred to new owners after 2014.

Centrosolar emerged as a German photovoltaic company headquartered in Munich and became one of the more prominent exchange-listed solar businesses in Europe. Its core activity was the development and sale of photovoltaic systems rather than participation in only one narrow part of the solar supply chain. The company served private households, commercial customers, and industrial property owners, offering both conventional grid-connected systems and generators for situations where no electricity-grid connection was available. The company's development took place against the background of Germany's rapid expansion of solar power. Distributed photovoltaic generation became increasingly visible on residential and business properties, and companies sought to provide integrated solutions capable of meeting different installation and operating requirements. Centrosolar positioned itself within this market by marketing systems for buildings and larger properties, while also building manufacturing capability in Germany. Its most significant industrial project was the Wismar module plant. Construction took about ten months, and the factory opened in 2008. The site occupied approximately 47,000 square meters and was described as having 150 megawatts of annual solar-module capacity. The reported €23 million investment and the creation of 250 jobs made the project important both to Centrosolar's manufacturing strategy and to the local economy in Wismar. The facility embodied the company's attempt to maintain a substantial European production base during a period when the photovoltaic industry was scaling rapidly and becoming more globally competitive. Centrosolar also developed an international commercial footprint through subsidiaries in France and the Netherlands. These units allowed the company to conduct business in markets outside Germany and formed part of its broader European presence. The available reference material does not identify the company's founders, specific chief executives, detailed product model names, or the precise date on which it was established, so those elements cannot be stated reliably here. The company's independent existence ended in 2014, when it declared bankruptcy. The insolvency resulted in the separation of its principal assets and businesses. The German production facility was acquired by CS Wismar. Centrosolar's French and Dutch subsidiaries were acquired by Solarwatt, another German solar producer, and continued business under the names Solarwatt France SARL and Solarwatt BV. These transactions illustrate the consolidation of photovoltaic assets and operating businesses following Centrosolar's failure. Centrosolar's history therefore combines expansion, manufacturing investment, international activity, and insolvency. Its principal documented contribution was the development and marketing of photovoltaic systems for buildings and off-grid uses, supported by a sizeable module-manufacturing operation in Wismar. Although the Centrosolar company became defunct after its 2014 bankruptcy, parts of its industrial and international footprint continued under successor ownership.

• 2014

  Centrosolar declares bankruptcy

  [1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  The company entered bankruptcy, ending its independent corporate operation.

• 2014

  German factory and European subsidiaries change ownership

  [1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  CS Wismar purchased the German production facility, while Solarwatt acquired the French and Dutch subsidiaries, which continued under Solarwatt branding and corporate names.

• 2008

  Wismar photovoltaic module factory opens

  [1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  Centrosolar opened a 47,000-square-meter module factory in Wismar after approximately ten months of construction. The facility had reported annual capacity of 150 megawatts, represented a €23 million investment, and created 250 jobs.

A German photovoltaic systems provider serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, with an emphasis on complete solar-generation solutions and German manufacturing capacity.

• Photovoltaic systems

  Grid-connected photovoltaic systems

  Centrosolar marketed standard photovoltaic systems designed to operate alongside an existing electricity grid. These systems were aimed at private homes as well as commercial and industrial properties, allowing customers to generate solar electricity on or near their buildings and connect the installation to the broader power network.

• Off-grid solar systems

  Non-grid-connected solar power generators

  The company also offered solar power generators for applications without a conventional grid connection. The reference material does not provide specific model names or technical specifications, but identifies these systems as a distinct part of Centrosolar's offering alongside standard grid-connected installations.

• Solar modules · 2008

  Photovoltaic modules

  Photovoltaic modules were manufactured at Centrosolar's Wismar facility, which opened in 2008 with reported annual capacity of 150 megawatts. The available sources do not identify individual module families or model numbers, but the plant formed a central part of the company's German production strategy.

• 2014

  Enter bankruptcy proceedingsOther

  Background

  Centrosolar could no longer continue as an independent operating company.

  Action taken

  The company declared bankruptcy, after which its German production facility and foreign subsidiaries were transferred to different owners.

  Aftermath

  CS Wismar acquired the German facility, while Solarwatt acquired the French and Dutch subsidiaries. The subsidiaries continued as Solarwatt France SARL and Solarwatt BV.

  Source

• 2008

  Expand German photovoltaic manufacturing in WismarStrategy

  Background

  Centrosolar pursued greater in-house and domestic manufacturing capacity during the expansion of the European photovoltaic market.

  Action taken

  The company constructed and opened a 47,000-square-meter photovoltaic module factory in Wismar, with reported capacity of 150 megawatts and an investment of €23 million.

  Aftermath

  The factory became a major Centrosolar production asset before being acquired by CS Wismar following the company's 2014 bankruptcy.

  Reported construction investment. €23 million (2008)

  Source

• 2014

  Centrosolar declares bankruptcy[1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Centrosolar declared bankruptcy, ending the company's independent operation and leading to the subsequent sale of its German production facility and foreign subsidiaries.

• 2014

  Centrosolar assets and subsidiaries transferred to new owners[1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The German production facility was purchased by CS Wismar. Solarwatt acquired Centrosolar's subsidiaries in France and the Netherlands, which continued as Solarwatt France SARL and Solarwatt BV.

• 2008

  Centrosolar opens large photovoltaic module factory in Wismar[1]Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Centrosolar opened a 47,000-square-meter photovoltaic module factory in Wismar after approximately ten months of construction. The facility was reported to have 150 megawatts of annual capacity, involved a €23 million investment, and created 250 jobs.

1. 1Centrosolaren.wikipedia.org