The European solar business of Japan’s Sharp Electronics is yet another casualty of the precarious situation the solar market is in the continent. Its European solar business has announced its exit from the solar energy market after being in business here for over 30 years.  

March 31, 2025 will be the last working day for Sharp Energy Solutions Europe (SESE), Hamburg, Germany based solar division under Sharp Electronics GmbH. In a brief statement, the company cited challenging conditions in the European solar market for the decision.  

It specified however, that the decision will not impact the company’s other operations in Europe or its remaining solar business. SESE will continue to remain responsible for managing any ongoing projects, orders or final requirements for its solar panels and related products.  

“As of April 1, 2025, Sharp Electronics GmbH will continue to provide customer service. All product and power output guarantees will remain valid for the duration of the guarantee period and will be managed and supported by Sharp Electronics GmbH,” it stated.

After experiencing a boom in solar installations soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine when electricity prices shot up, Europe is seeing the prices coming down and with it there has been a softening of demand for capital intensive solar in the market.  

Problems for the local European solar industry have been mounting as cheaper Chinese panels sit in the warehouses here. Absence of state support is adding to their problems. SESE’s decision to close down follows similar decisions from other companies over the last year, mainly in Germany, as they seek insolvency protection or shutter down.   

Speaking at the recent TaiyangNews webinar on Solar Market 2024 Review & 2025 Outlook, Lead Solar Analyst with Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Jenny Chase said there isn’t enough incentive to buy solar in Europe hence major markets will likelye stagnate or shrink.   

（Picture: Veer）