At full capacity in 2027, the Gigafactory will employ 1,700 people and produce 10 million photovoltaic panels per year, with a capacity of 5 gigawatts (GW) per year. This is equivalent to the energy needs of one million households, and corresponds to 8% of Europe’s imports of photovoltaic modules in 2022.
Heraeus, headquartered in Hanau, bundles diverse activities in the Business Platforms Metals and Recycling, Healthcare, Semiconductor and Electronics as well as Industrials. In the 2022 financial year, the group generated revenues of €29.1 billion with approximately 17,200 employees in 40 countries. The company is one of the world's leading producers of silver metallization pastes.
These pastes are an essential component of photovoltaic cells. Printed on the surface, they form a metal grid that extracts and conducts electrons, optimising the efficiency of the conversion of light into electrical energy.
"Heraeus will supply HoloSolis with the latest metallization technologies, a key element in the production of a photovoltaic cell. We will also play an active role on the board of directors, providing advice, experience, and expertise", explains Christian Neumann of Heraeus.
Towards 100% European solar energy
For HoloSolis, the arrival of Heraeus represents added value on several levels. "Heraeus, with its advanced technologies in metal solutions, is very valuable addition to our global leadership," said Jan Jacob Boom-Wichers, President of HoloSolis.
"The photovoltaic industry has become a pillar of Europe's energy transition. Its rapid growth requires a multiplication of supply chains, both globally and locally. We are proud to contribute to this strategic investment and strengthen our position in a market that is crucial for CO2 reduction", says Christian Neumann.
The European Photovoltaic industry is fully in line with the European Union's Green Deal, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It is also contributing to the Net Zero Industrial Act (NZIA), which aims to achieve a European share of 40% of photovoltaic panels installed in Europe by 2030.
"Our target is to produce the most energy-efficient photovoltaic modules, using the latest technologies, with a low carbon footprint, full traceability of supplies and compliance with the highest social and environmental standards. At our Hambach site, the economies of scale and the automation of the lines will enable us to achieve costs that are globally competitive", concludes Jan Jacob Boom-Wichers.
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