American company Swift Solar has acquired the technology and production assets of Swiss solar panel manufacturer Meyer Burger, including key plants in Germany, which is set to strengthen the Western photovoltaic cell production base.
Acquisition of technology and assets
Swift Solar acquired full intellectual property and technical installations of Meyer Burger in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and Hohenstein-Ernstthal.
End of Meyer Burger's European production
The transaction follows the Swiss company's declaration of bankruptcy and the suspension of production in Germany in September 2024.
US strategic goal
The Silicon Valley investor plans to use European know-how to build a manufacturing base in the USA, reducing dependence on Asia.
American company Swift Solar has acquired the technology and production assets of Swiss solar panel manufacturer Meyer Burger. The transaction includes full intellectual property and technical installations located in Germany. The Silicon Valley start-up has taken possession of solar cell production lines in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and a plant in Saxony's Hohenstein-Ernstthal. The acquisition aims to transfer European expertise to the United States, where Swift Solar intends to develop high-efficiency silicon solar cells. The company plans to create a strong manufacturing base in the West, which is seen as a direct response to the dominance of Asian suppliers in the renewable energy sector.
The Swiss conglomerate Meyer Burger Technology AG had been struggling with financial problems for some time, leading to the suspension of its operations in Germany. Production at the facilities covered by the transaction was halted about six months ago. Meyer Burger Technology AG is a Swiss manufacturer of solar cells and modules headquartered in Gwatt, whose shares are listed on the Swiss SIX stock exchange. For years, the company was a technological leader in Europe, but struggled with strong price competition from Chinese manufacturers. In 2011, Meyer Burger acquired its German rival, Roth & Rau, which allowed for a significant expansion of its production base in Saxony. The restructuring process and ultimate insolvency forced the company to sell off key technological assets and production lines, which have now ended up in American hands.
The acquisition by Swift Solar is seen as a strategic move aimed at making the Western photovoltaic sector independent from Eastern markets. Investing in Meyer Burger's technology will allow the American enterprise to quickly implement advanced solutions without having to build research infrastructure from scratch. Timeline of the Meyer Burger asset acquisition: 2011 — Expansion in Germany; September 2025 — Operations suspended; March 12, 2026 — Acquisition finalized Representatives of Swift Solar emphasize that the acquired assets form the foundation for a new generation of solar cells to be manufactured in the USA.