Germany's 1Komma5° to Launch 5GW TOPCon Plant

• 1Komma5° plans to set up a 5 GW TOPCon module assembly plant in Germany in 2024. Join the European push for higher-priced modules and reduce reliance on Chinese-made solar – discover 1Komma5°'s new production plant in Brandenburg or Saxony.

Germany-based energy startup 1Komma5° has announced plans to set up a 5 GW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) module assembly plant in Germany in 2024. The production plant is expected to be located either in Brandenburg or Saxony and will have an initial annual nameplate capacity of 1GW before increasing it to 5GW by 2030. 1Komma5° had raised €250 million (US$263 million) in equity through a Series B funding round, and €215 million was raised through re-investment options. The focus is on Europe for now, covering key markets like Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Finland and Italy, as well as Australia. The move into expanded manufacturing is part of a push to reduce reliance on Chinese-made modules, though industry people point out the vast gulf between Chinese modules and European modules, with Chinese prices almost 50% lower. The future of the European push for higher-priced modules may depend on subsidies, as skepticism about solar continues to exist in some countries.

What Is 1Komma5°'s European Push for Higher-priced Modules?

• 1Komma5° plans to set up a 5 GW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) module assembly plant in Germany in 2024.
• The production plant is expected to be located either in Brandenburg or Saxony and will have an initial annual nameplate capacity of 1GW before increasing it to 5GW by 2030.
• The focus of the European expansion is on key markets like Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Finland and Italy, as well as Australia.
• The push for higher-priced modules is intended to reduce reliance on Chinese-made modules, with Chinese prices almost 50% lower.
• The success of the push may depend on subsidies as skepticism about solar continues to exist in some countries.
• The Series B funding round raised €250 million (US$263 million) in equity and €215 million was raised through re-investment options.