Meyer Burger cuts solar module production due to Covid-19

Switzerland-based Meyer Burger Technology AG (SWX:MBTN) has reduced production of solar modules in Germany until the end of January as the number of quarantined employees among its workforce is growing amid rising Covid-19 infections.

The company, which recently completed the strategic transformation of its business model from a solar machinery maker to a manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, will operate only one of two production lines at its plant in the town of Freiberg, eastern Germany, which will have a negative impact on sales this year, Meyer Burger said last week.

However, the restriction will have only a minor and short-term negative effect on a small number of orders and will not affect the outlook for 2023 which remains valid.

Despite the slowdown, the company sticks to its plan to expand its production capacity at the plants in Freiberg and Thalheim, Germany as well as the US. At the end of September, Meyer Burger announced plans to open a US factory for high-performance solar modules, targeting an initial production capacity of 400 MW.

The Thun-based company is optimistic about its development as order backlog is growing fuelled by solid demand and its customers have been informed about a plan to raise prices in 2022.

Growth impetus for Meyer Burger is expected to come also from the recently unveiled strategy of the new German government to raise the country's installed solar capacity to 200 GW by 2030 as well as from climate protection measures in the US.

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