Bosch Solar Energy has begun operation of a new manufacturing line for crystalline solar modules in the French town of Vénissieux, near Lyon. The factory completed in only eight months has a peak capacity of 150 megawatts. Bosch is thus operating the largest and most modern module factory in France. At full utilisation, which should be reached this July, 2000 units will be produced daily.
This corresponds to an annual volume of 600,000 units per year which corresponds to the energy demand from 51,000 french households. “France is eminently suitable for solar energy use not least due to its geographical location. Especially the south offers very good solar irradiance data. Bosch is a strong brand, including in France. Together with our own local module production, this creates optimum conditions to ensure we also become one of the leading suppliers on the market in France,” said Guy Maugis, President of Robert Bosch France.
With the new factory, Bosch has managed to keep 200 jobs in Vénissieux. Production of common rail injection pumps at this diesel site was discontinued last year due to declining demand. A part of the plant then had to be abandoned: “The successful redevelopment in Vénissieux is the result of an exemplary and unique social dialogue,” said Guy Maugis.
With the joint efforts of the factory management, the corporate management of Bosch France, employees, Bosch managers in Germany and all staff representatives in collaboration with an economic expert, the “Agence de Développment Économique de la Région Lyonnais” (ADERLY), and the local authorities, the site was maintained with all jobs.
Seite 2 von 2 “With the factory in Vénissieux, we have moved closer to our customers in France, Southern Europe and North Africa and as such we can better and more quickly respond to their requirements,” explained Jürgen Pressl, member of the Bosch Solar Energy Board of Management and responsible for production. The lines in the new plant can be used flexibly. Five different types of mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline Bosch solar modules can be built. “Even when developing the factory in Vénissieux, it became clear that this was an experienced Bosch plant from the automotive industry. I am sure that the quality of our production and our products will impress our customers!”, said Mr Pressl.