SolarWorld
SolarWorld was a German photovoltaic company that operated across the solar manufacturing value chain before successive insolvencies ended its original and successor businesses.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
SolarWorld was a German solar-energy company focused on photovoltaic products and solar-power systems. Its activities extended across much of the crystalline-silicon value chain, including silicon feedstock, solar-cell and module manufacturing, wholesale distribution, project development, and the construction of turnkey photovoltaic installations. The company promoted an integrated manufacturing model in which technological development and production were coordinated within the group rather than being limited to final module assembly. The business began in 1988 as an individual enterprise established by engineer Frank Asbeck. In 1998, its activities were transferred to SolarWorld AG, and the company became publicly traded on 11 August 1999. During its expansion, SolarWorld developed production and sales operations in Germany, the United States, and other international markets. Its principal German locations included Bonn, Freiberg, and Arnstadt, while its American manufacturing base was in Hillsboro, Oregon. The Hillsboro facility had been acquired from Komatsu in 2007 and became one of the largest crystalline-silicon solar factories in North America. In 2013, SolarWorld took over production activities from Bosch Solar Energy in Arnstadt, retaining approximately 800 employees there at the time. SolarWorld also expanded through strategic transactions and partnerships. In 2006, Shell transferred its crystalline-silicon solar activities to the company. From 2010, SolarWorld maintained a joint venture relationship with Qatar Solar Technologies, and QSTec became the largest shareholder during a 2013 restructuring connected with the company's financial difficulties. SolarWorld received the German Sustainability Award for Germany's Most Sustainable Production in 2008, reflecting the company's public positioning around industrial sustainability and renewable energy. Technologically, SolarWorld concentrated on crystalline-silicon photovoltaic manufacturing. From around 2016, it progressively moved production toward PERC, or Passivated Emitter Rear Cell, technology and five-busbar cell designs. The company also developed bifacial versions of its PERC cells. These changes were intended to raise conversion efficiency while relying on comparatively incremental manufacturing modifications rather than a wholesale move to a different cell architecture. The company faced increasingly severe pressure from global module-price competition, contractual disputes, and a difficult financing environment. SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency in Germany on 10 May 2017, citing continuing price distortions and the absence of a positive forecast for the future. A substantial legal claim by U.S. silicon supplier Hemlock Semiconductor was an additional burden; the dispute was reported as potentially involving damages of up to approximately $770 million, although this figure was a claim rather than a confirmed company payment in the supplied material. In August 2017, assets and operating activities of the German business were acquired by Frank Asbeck together with Qatar Solar Technologies and placed into SolarWorld Industries GmbH. The successor presented itself as a debt-free operation with a substantially smaller workforce and an initial planned production capacity of approximately 700 megawatts, with a possible return to more than 1 gigawatt. SolarWorld Industries GmbH nevertheless filed for insolvency in March 2018. Production at the remaining German facilities was subsequently wound down, with closure of production reported by the end of September 2018. SolarWorld Americas followed a separate path after the German insolvency. The U.S. subsidiary was placed into a sale process in 2017 and was acquired by SunPower in April 2018, with the transaction completed in October according to facility reporting. SunPower later reduced manufacturing activity at Hillsboro and decided to close the facility in January 2021. The SolarWorld brand therefore ceased to represent an operating global photovoltaic manufacturer, although former facilities and production assets continued to attract interest from other solar-industry companies, including Meyer Burger's announced plans to use former German factory sites. SolarWorld was a German photovoltaic company built around the idea of controlling much of the solar value chain internally. Founded in 1988 by engineer Frank Asbeck as an individual enterprise involved in renewable-energy projects, it transferred its activities to SolarWorld AG in 1998 and became a public company on 11 August 1999. The group developed a broad manufacturing and commercial footprint, covering polysilicon-related activities, crystalline-silicon cells, photovoltaic modules, solar-panel distribution, and the development and construction of turnkey solar-power systems. The company grew during the expansion of the global solar market and operated from German locations including Bonn, Freiberg, and Arnstadt, as well as from Hillsboro, Oregon, in the United States. In 2006, SolarWorld acquired Shell's crystalline-silicon solar activities. In 2007, it purchased a manufacturing facility in Hillsboro from Komatsu, creating one of the largest solar-cell production sites in North America at that time. In 2013, it took over production at the former Bosch Solar Energy site in Arnstadt, retaining approximately 800 employees there. The group also maintained sales offices in several international markets, including Spain, the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. SolarWorld positioned itself as a technology-focused, vertically integrated producer rather than simply a panel reseller. Its technical program included the migration of cell production toward PERC, or passivated emitter rear contact, technology, and the adoption of five-busbar designs. The company also developed bifacial versions of its PERC cells and modules. These initiatives were intended to increase conversion efficiency while avoiding the cost and execution risk associated with more radical cell architectures. SolarWorld received Germany's Sustainability Award for Most Sustainable Production in 2008, reinforcing its environmental and industrial positioning. The group faced increasing pressure from falling module prices, global overcapacity, competition from Asian manufacturers, and legal liabilities. SolarWorld and its US subsidiary SolarWorld Americas argued that imported solar panels were being sold under unfair conditions. In 2017, SolarWorld Americas joined Suniva in a US Section 201 trade action seeking tariffs on imported solar panels. The Solar Energy Industries Association opposed the requested measures, while First Solar later joined the petitioning manufacturers. Around the same period, SolarWorld was also involved in a long-running contractual dispute with silicon supplier Hemlock Semiconductor. Reported potential damages were large enough to threaten the German group's viability. On 10 May 2017, SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency, citing continuing price distortions and the absence of a positive future forecast. The German subsidiaries entered insolvency proceedings, while SolarWorld Americas initially continued operations. In August 2017, the German assets and operating activities were acquired by Frank Asbeck together with Qatar Solar Technologies, creating SolarWorld Industries GmbH. The successor entity was presented as debt-free, with a substantially smaller workforce and an intended initial production capacity of approximately 700 megawatts, potentially expandable beyond one gigawatt. It continued to emphasize mono-PERC cell production and inherited production and distribution operations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. SolarWorld Industries filed for insolvency again in March 2018. Production at its German facilities was subsequently wound down, with reports indicating that many production workers moved into other employment arrangements and that manufacturing in Freiberg was expected to end by September 2018. SolarWorld Americas was placed into an open-ended sale process during the parent company's insolvency and was acquired by SunPower in 2018. SunPower later reduced activity at the Hillsboro site and announced its closure in January 2021. The Freiberg and Bitterfeld-Wolfen sites subsequently attracted interest from Meyer Burger for new solar-cell production, but that later activity belonged to a new operator rather than to SolarWorld. SolarWorld is therefore best treated as a defunct photovoltaic corporate brand whose industrial assets and facilities passed to successors. In August 2017, the German assets and operating activities were acquired by Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies and placed into SolarWorld Industries GmbH. The successor presented itself as debt-free, with a substantially reduced workforce and an initial planned capacity of about 700 MW, potentially recoverable to more than 1 GW. It focused on mono-PERC cells and inherited production and distribution activities in Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, SolarWorld Industries GmbH filed for insolvency in March 2018. Production at the remaining German plants was subsequently wound down, with reports indicating manufacturing ended around the end of September 2018. SolarWorld Americas took a different path after the German insolvency. The U.S. subsidiary was placed into a sale process in 2017 and was acquired by SunPower in April 2018, with the transaction completed in October. SunPower later reduced manufacturing activity at Hillsboro and decided to close the facility in January 2021. The SolarWorld brand therefore ceased to operate.
History
SolarWorld originated in 1988 when engineer Frank Asbeck established an individual business involved in renewable-energy projects. In 1998, these activities were reorganized into SolarWorld AG, creating the corporate structure that later became associated with the SolarWorld brand. The company went public on 11 August 1999 and subsequently developed into an international photovoltaic manufacturer and distributor. The company pursued vertical integration across the crystalline-silicon solar chain. Its operations covered upstream materials, cell and module production, sales, project development, and turnkey system construction. This structure was intended to give SolarWorld greater control over quality, technology, and supply than a business focused solely on module assembly. The group maintained its headquarters in Bonn and operated or controlled production facilities in locations including Freiberg, Arnstadt, and Hillsboro, Oregon, while also maintaining sales offices in Germany, Spain, the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. A significant expansion occurred in 2006, when Shell divested its crystalline-silicon solar activities to SolarWorld. In the United States, SolarWorld acquired a Komatsu manufacturing facility in Hillsboro in 2007. The site became a major North American crystalline-silicon cell and module production center. In Germany, SolarWorld took over production from Bosch Solar Energy in Arnstadt in 2013 and continued to employ roughly 800 people there at that time. SolarWorld's growth was accompanied by a sustainability-oriented public identity. The company received the German Sustainability Award in the category of Germany's Most Sustainable Production in 2008. It also developed relationships outside its core European and American manufacturing base. A joint venture with Qatar Solar Technologies began in 2010, and QSTec became SolarWorld's largest shareholder during a 2013 restructuring associated with financial strain. The company continued to invest in photovoltaic technology during the mid-2010s. From 2016 it gradually shifted cell manufacturing toward PERC technology and five-busbar designs. The approach sought to improve cell and module efficiency while avoiding the higher risk and cost of a complete transition to newer architectures such as heterojunction. SolarWorld also introduced bifacial variants of its PERC technology and reported high average production efficiencies in industry presentations. SolarWorld's financial position deteriorated as international module prices fell and competition intensified. A contractual dispute with U.S. silicon supplier Hemlock Semiconductor became a major liability issue. In May 2017, SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency in Germany, citing market price distortions and the absence of a positive outlook. The German insolvency did not immediately place SolarWorld Americas into insolvency, but the American subsidiary was subsequently offered for sale as administrators attempted to address the parent company's obligations. In August 2017, Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies acquired the German assets and operating activities and formed SolarWorld Industries GmbH. The successor announced a smaller organization, an initial planned production capacity of about 700 MW, a focus on mono-PERC cells, and a workforce of roughly 500 to 515 employees. The new company nevertheless filed for insolvency in March 2018. Reports later indicated that production in Freiberg and the remaining German operations would be closed by the end of September 2018. SolarWorld Americas was eventually acquired by SunPower in 2018. SunPower initially sought to use the Oregon site to strengthen its U.S. production footprint, but later scaled back activity as industry conditions changed and decided to close the Hillsboro facility in January 2021. Former SolarWorld factory properties in Germany were subsequently considered for reuse by Meyer Burger, which planned solar-cell production in Freiberg and Bitterfeld-Wolfen. These developments marked the end of SolarWorld as an operating integrated photovoltaic manufacturer, while illustrating the continued industrial value of some of its former production sites. SolarWorld began in 1988 when engineer Frank Asbeck established an individual enterprise focused on renewable-energy projects. The activities were reorganized into SolarWorld AG in 1998, and the company went public in August 1999. It subsequently developed into a vertically integrated photovoltaic group, seeking to coordinate activities from silicon feedstock and cell manufacturing through module production, trading, project development, and turnkey solar-system construction. The company expanded through acquisitions and international operations. In 2006, it purchased Shell's crystalline-silicon solar activities. In 2007, it acquired a Komatsu-origin manufacturing site in Hillsboro, Oregon, which became a major North American solar-cell facility. SolarWorld also operated German facilities in Bonn and Freiberg and took over production at Bosch Solar Energy's Arnstadt site in 2013, continuing to employ roughly 800 people there. Sales offices and commercial activities extended to markets including Germany, Spain, the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other European, Asian, and African locations. SolarWorld's brand proposition combined domestic industrial production, sustainability, and photovoltaic engineering. It received the German Sustainability Award for Most Sustainable Production in 2008. The group also participated in public debates over German solar incentives: in 2010, its chief executive supported reducing feed-in tariffs, arguing that the market should move toward lower-cost solar deployment. SolarWorld sponsored the SolarWorld No. 1 solar car developed by the FH Bochum SolarCar Team, linking the brand to applied solar mobility. In 2008, it made an unsuccessful proposal to acquire Opel from General Motors with the stated ambition of creating an electric-vehicle manufacturer. Technologically, SolarWorld concentrated on incremental improvements to crystalline-silicon production. From around 2016 it migrated cell manufacturing toward PERC technology and five-busbar layouts. The company also developed bifacial PERC cells and modules. These changes were intended to raise conversion efficiency and module output while limiting the capital and operational risks associated with entirely new cell platforms. The group's financial condition deteriorated as international photovoltaic prices fell and competition intensified. SolarWorld had a joint venture with Qatar Solar Technologies from 2010, and QSTec became its largest shareholder during a 2013 restructuring. The company was also affected by a lengthy dispute with US silicon supplier Hemlock Semiconductor. Reported claims in the case were potentially very substantial, and the dispute was described as threatening SolarWorld's continued existence. In May 2017, SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency, attributing the filing to continuing market price distortions and the lack of a positive forecast. SolarWorld Americas was not initially placed into insolvency with the German parent. In May 2017 it joined Suniva in a Section 201 trade action seeking tariffs or other relief against imported solar panels. The petition encountered opposition from the Solar Energy Industries Association and became part of a wider US debate about solar import restrictions. Following the German insolvency, SolarWorld Americas was placed in an uncertain sale process. In August 2017, the German assets were acquired by Frank Asbeck together with Qatar Solar Technologies, who formed SolarWorld Industries GmbH. The successor business was presented as debt-free, with a reduced workforce and an initial target capacity of about 700 megawatts, focused on mono-PERC cells. The successor could not restore the former group. SolarWorld Industries GmbH filed for insolvency in March 2018. Production was subsequently wound down, and reports indicated that many workers were transferred into other forms of employment before manufacturing at Freiberg was expected to end by September. SolarWorld Americas was acquired by SunPower in 2018. SunPower later reduced operations at the Hillsboro plant and closed it in January 2021. The former German sites later attracted investment interest from Meyer Burger, but those developments represented a transition to new ownership and a new corporate operation. SolarWorld and SolarWorld Industries therefore remain historical photovoltaic brands rather than active operating companies.
- 2021
Hillsboro plant closure
[1]SunPower closes the former SolarWorld manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.
- 2018
Successor insolvency
[1]SolarWorld Industries GmbH files for insolvency in March.
- 2018
SolarWorld Americas acquired by SunPower
[1]SunPower acquires the U.S. subsidiary and its Hillsboro manufacturing operation.
- 2017
German insolvency filing
[1]SolarWorld AG files for insolvency on 10 May.
- 2017
SolarWorld Industries GmbH is formed
[1]Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies acquire the German operating assets and establish a successor entity.
- 2017
SolarWorld AG insolvency
[1]SolarWorld AG files for insolvency on 10 May amid pricing pressure and legal liabilities.
- 2016
PERC and five-busbar transition begins
[1]The company begins a gradual migration of cell production toward PERC technology and five-busbar designs.
- 2013
QSTec becomes largest shareholder
[1]During a financial restructuring, Qatar Solar Technologies becomes SolarWorld's largest shareholder.
- 2013
Arnstadt production acquired
[1]SolarWorld takes over production at the former Bosch Solar Energy facility in Arnstadt.
- 2010
Qatar Solar Technologies relationship begins
[1]SolarWorld establishes a joint venture relationship with Qatar Solar Technologies.
Products and positioning
A vertically integrated, technology-led photovoltaic manufacturer emphasizing European and American production, in-house control of the solar value chain, sustainability, and high-efficiency crystalline-silicon products.
Solar cells
Crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells
SolarWorld manufactured crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells as part of its vertically integrated production model. The company progressively modernized this activity through PERC processing and five-busbar configurations, with the objective of increasing conversion efficiency while using production changes that could be introduced incrementally. It also developed bifacial versions intended to generate electricity from light received on both sides of a module. SolarWorld manufactured crystalline-silicon solar cells as part of its vertically integrated production chain. In its later technology program, the company migrated toward passivated emitter rear contact technology and five-busbar designs to improve efficiency and current collection. It also developed bifacial versions intended to generate electricity from light received on both sides of a module.
Solar modules
SolarWorld photovoltaic modules
The company's principal branded hardware consisted of crystalline-silicon solar modules manufactured for residential, commercial, and utility applications. SolarWorld emphasized integrated control of materials, cells, and module assembly, with production distributed between European and American facilities during its operating period. The brand emphasized German engineering and production, module quality, and integration with the group's broader solar value chain. Later module development included mono-PERC and bifacial configurations. SolarWorld-branded modules were based primarily on crystalline-silicon cells and were manufactured for residential, commercial, and utility-scale photovoltaic applications. The brand emphasized German engineering and production, module quality, and integration with the group's broader solar value chain. Later module development included mono-PERC and bifacial configurations.
High-efficiency solar modules · 2016
PERC and bifacial modules
SolarWorld developed PERC-based cell and module products and also introduced bifacial versions. Bifacial designs can generate electricity from light received on both sides of the module, while PERC adds rear-side cell passivation intended to improve performance.
Solar-energy systems
Turnkey photovoltaic systems
Beyond component manufacturing, SolarWorld marketed and helped construct complete photovoltaic installations. These offerings connected the company's module business with project development, system integration, and the delivery of operational solar-power facilities. These activities included system design, project development, construction, and the integration of solar modules into turnkey power systems for customers and project owners. Beyond component manufacturing, SolarWorld developed and promoted complete photovoltaic installations. These activities included system design, project development, construction, and the integration of solar modules into turnkey power systems for customers and project owners.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017US Section 201 solar-import petition
United States
SolarWorld Americas joined Suniva in seeking US trade relief against imported solar panels, arguing that import competition reflected unfair market practices. The action sought tariffs or equivalent restrictions under Section 201. The petition became part of a major US solar-trade dispute. The Solar Energy Industries Association opposed the requested restrictions, while First Solar later joined the manufacturers seeking relief.
Outcome. The petition became part of a major US solar-trade dispute. The Solar Energy Industries Association opposed the requested restrictions, while First Solar later joined the manufacturers seeking relief.
- 2010Grid-parity and feed-in-tariff advocacy
Germany
SolarWorld publicly supported reductions in Germany's solar feed-in tariffs, with Frank Asbeck advocating a reduction in the range of 10% to 15%. The position reflected the company's view that photovoltaic costs were falling and that policy support should adapt as solar approached grid parity. German tariff rates continued to decline over subsequent years as policy moved toward regular reductions and deployment-based adjustment.
Outcome. German tariff rates continued to decline over subsequent years as policy moved toward regular reductions and deployment-based adjustment.
- 2008German Sustainability Award positioning
Germany
SolarWorld's sustainability positioning was reinforced when it received the German Sustainability Award in the category of Germany's Most Sustainable Production.
Outcome. The award provided external recognition for the company's production and renewable-energy positioning.
- 2008SolarWorld No. 1 solar car sponsorship
Germany
SolarWorld sponsored the SolarWorld No. 1 solar car developed by the FH Bochum SolarCar Team, using an engineering project to associate the brand with solar mobility and applied renewable-energy technology. The sponsorship linked the brand to student engineering, solar mobility, and experimental electric-vehicle technology, but no later commercial vehicle business is documented in the cited material.
Outcome. The sponsorship linked the brand to student engineering, solar mobility, and experimental electric-vehicle technology. The sponsorship provided a visible technology and mobility platform, but no later commercial vehicle business is documented in the cited material.
Brand decisions
2018
Sale of SolarWorld Americas to SunPowerM&ABackground
SolarWorld Americas was separated from the German parent company's insolvency process and placed into an open-ended sale process.
Action taken
SunPower acquired SolarWorld Americas to expand its US manufacturing capacity.
Aftermath
SunPower later reduced manufacturing activity and closed the Hillsboro facility in January 2021.
2017
Section 201 trade actionOtherBackground
SolarWorld Americas and Suniva argued that imported solar panels were being sold under unfair competitive conditions in the United States.
Action taken
The companies petitioned for relief under Section 201, including tariffs on imported solar panels. First Solar later joined the petition, while the Solar Energy Industries Association opposed it.
Aftermath
The action contributed to a major U.S. policy debate over solar tariffs, but SolarWorld's German parent entered insolvency during the same period.
- First Solar — Joined the trade action on 10 October 2017.
2017
Creation of SolarWorld Industries GmbHStrategyBackground
After SolarWorld AG's German insolvency filing, the business required a structure that could continue selected production and distribution activities without the former entity's liabilities.
Action taken
Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies acquired the German assets and formed SolarWorld Industries GmbH, presenting it as a debt-free successor with a smaller workforce and an initial target capacity of approximately 700 megawatts.
Aftermath
The successor filed for insolvency in March 2018 and German production was subsequently wound down.
2017
SolarWorld AG enters insolvencyOtherBackground
The company cited continuing photovoltaic price distortions and said it no longer had a positive forecast for the future. The Hemlock silicon dispute added significant legal and financial pressure.
Action taken
SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency on 10 May 2017, covering its German subsidiaries.
Aftermath
The German assets were later acquired by Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies and placed into SolarWorld Industries GmbH, while SolarWorld Americas entered a sale process.
2016
Migration to PERC and five-busbar technologyGeneration changeBackground
SolarWorld sought greater cell and module efficiency while limiting the capital and execution risks associated with a complete move to a new cell architecture. SolarWorld faced intense photovoltaic price competition and sought efficiency improvements that could be introduced without the risk of an entirely new cell architecture.
Action taken
The company began gradually moving high-volume production to PERC cells, five-busbar layouts, and selected bifacial designs.
Aftermath
The technology transition became central to the successor company's announced plan to focus on mono-PERC production, although the business later entered insolvency. The technology transition became a core part of the group's later high-efficiency manufacturing strategy, but it did not prevent the subsequent insolvencies.
2010
Support for lower German solar feed-in tariffsStrategyBackground
SolarWorld argued that Germany's generous photovoltaic support payments should be reduced as the economics of solar power improved.
Action taken
Chief executive Frank Asbeck supported a reduction of approximately 10% to 15% in the incentives.
Aftermath
German feed-in tariffs continued to decline, and utility-scale and later small rooftop systems reached grid parity under changing market conditions.
2008
Unsuccessful Opel acquisition proposalOtherBackground
SolarWorld sought to broaden its renewable-energy and technology profile into electric mobility during the global financial crisis.
Action taken
The company announced a proposal to acquire Opel from General Motors for approximately one billion euros, subject to Opel being separated from GM.
Aftermath
General Motors rejected the approach and stated that Opel was not for sale.
- General Motors — Rejected the proposal and declined to sell Opel.
2008
Bid to acquire OpelM&ABackground
SolarWorld sought to expand beyond photovoltaics and proposed purchasing Opel from General Motors during the automaker's financial difficulties.
Action taken
The company proposed a deal involving cash and bank financing and said it wanted to create an electric-vehicle manufacturer.
Aftermath
General Motors rejected the proposal and stated that Opel was not for sale.
- General Motors — General Motors rejected the offer.
Recent events
- 2021
SolarWorld Hillsboro facility closes[1]
Other
After acquiring the former SolarWorld Americas operation, SunPower subsequently reduced production and decided to close the Hillsboro, Oregon facility.
- 2018
SolarWorld Industries files for insolvency again[1]
Bankruptcy
The successor entity entered insolvency proceedings less than a year after the German assets had been transferred into the new company.
- 2018
SunPower acquires SolarWorld Americas[1]
M&A
SunPower acquired SolarWorld Americas to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity after the German parent company's insolvency placed the American subsidiary in a sale process.
- 2017
SolarWorld joins U.S. trade action seeking tariffs on imported solar panels[1]
Regulation · Other
SolarWorld Americas joined Suniva in a Section 201 trade action requesting relief from what the companies described as unfair import practices. The requested remedy included tariffs on imported solar panels. First Solar later joined the action, while the Solar Energy Industries Association opposed the tariff requests.
- 2017
SolarWorld AG files for insolvency[1]
Bankruptcy · Lawsuit
SolarWorld AG and its German subsidiaries entered insolvency proceedings after the company cited persistent price distortions and an unfavorable outlook. The Hemlock contractual dispute was also reported as a serious threat to the business.
- 2017
SolarWorld German assets transferred to a successor company[1]
M&A
Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies acquired the German operating assets and established SolarWorld Industries GmbH, which planned a smaller, focused manufacturing operation centered on mono-PERC cells.
- 2017
SolarWorld Americas joins US solar tariff petition[1]
Regulation · Lawsuit
SolarWorld Americas joined Suniva in seeking Section 201 relief from imported solar panels. First Solar later joined the petition, while the Solar Energy Industries Association opposed the requested tariffs.
- 2017
SolarWorld Industries GmbH is formed from SolarWorld assets[1]
M&A
Frank Asbeck and Qatar Solar Technologies acquired the German SolarWorld operating assets and established SolarWorld Industries GmbH as a smaller successor business.
- 2016
SolarWorld moves toward PERC and five-busbar cell production[1]
Product generation
The company began a gradual migration of its cell manufacturing toward PERC technology and five-busbar designs, while also developing bifacial variants.
- 2013
SolarWorld and Qatar Solar Technologies deepen relationship[1]
M&A
Qatar Solar Technologies became SolarWorld's largest shareholder during a financial restructuring, building on their joint venture established in 2010.
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