BayWa r.e. and Meyer Burger strengthen U.S. domestic manufacturing with solar panel procurement partnership
BayWa r.e. is partnering with Meyer Burger Technology AG to procure high-performance solar panels from its production site in Goodyear, Arizona. The offtake agreement is one of the two, which Meyer Burger announced in March 2023, regarding the increase of the annual capacity of their module production in Goodyear from approx. 1.6 gigawatt to approx. 2 gigawatt. This collaboration between BayWa r.e. and Meyer Burger underscores their shared commitment to supporting the U.S. domestic manufacturing industry and actively contributing to the growth, sustainability and diversification of the solar supply chain.
As part of this partnership, BayWa r.e. commits to procuring 1.25 gigawatt of modules over a span of five years from Meyer Burger’s cutting-edge facility. BayWa r.e.’s long-term commitment, spanning from 2025 to 2029, ensures a resolute supply of domestically produced solar panels for its extensive solar projects pipeline exceeding 9 gigawatt across the U.S.
“We are excited to be partnering with Meyer Burger on their state-of-the-art solar panel manufacturing facility in Arizona,” said Matthias Taft, CEO of BayWa r.e. “BayWa r.e. and Meyer Burger have a long history of working together in Europe to advance clean energy innovation and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the U.S.”
“Through this collaboration, we are also supporting the expansion of European manufacturing. The enormous increase in demand for renewable energy offers the chance for a regional diversification of the solar supply chains, and this partnership is a significant step towards a diversified and ambitious PV value chain in the years ahead – something that can ensure the renewables industry grows increasingly resilient.”
Meyer Burger is finalising the construction of the 2 gigawatt production site for high-performance solar modules. The facility will contribute to the expansion of the U.S. solar industry and create over 500 skilled manufacturing jobs. Meyer Burger’s proprietary heterojunction cell technology and patented SmartWire module technology enable the production of top-quality solar components, supporting the achievement of clean energy goals.
“We are very pleased to partner with BayWa r.e. in the U.S., which offers us the opportunity to rapidly grow the production of technologically leading, toxin-free, high-performance solar modules manufactured to high ethical and social standards,” said Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger. “With our accelerated expansion, we are supporting local and sustainable manufacturing for one of the most important energy sources of the future, solar energy.”
Following the recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., this collaborative effort aims to drive ongoing domestic manufacturing, generate local jobs, and foster a sustainable solar industry.
Meyer Burger has started production of high-performance solar cells and solar modules in 2021. Its proprietary heterojunction/SmartWire technology enables the company to set new industry standards in terms of energy yield. With solar cells and modules developed in Switzerland and manufactured in Germany according to high sustainability standards, Meyer Burger aims to become a leading European photovoltaic company. The company currently employs around 1200 people at research facilities in Switzerland, development and manufacturing sites in Germany and sales offices in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.
Meyer Burger was founded in 1953 in Switzerland. As a provider of production systems, the company has shaped the development of the global photovoltaic industry along the entire value chain in recent decades and has set essential industry standards. A large part of the solar modules produced worldwide today are based on technologies developed by Meyer Burger.
The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange （ticker: MBTN）。
About BayWa r.e. AG （BayWa r.e.）
At BayWa r.e. we r.e.think energy: how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.
We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor, and solutions provider and have brought over 5 GW of energy online and manage over 10 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.
BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey. Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a a€27.1 billion global business, and EnergyInfrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment.
