OPES starts production in Zwenkau

At the end of October, OPES Solar Mobility officially opened its new production facility in Zwenkau in the presence of District Administrator Henry Graichen, State Secretary Thomas Kralinski and Mayor Holger Schulz. From now on, innovative photovoltaic modules specifically designed for commercial and recreational vehicles will be manufactured there on an area of around 12,000 square metres.

OPES photovoltaic modules can be used in trucks, buses, refrigerated trucks or campers, regardless of whether they are diesel or electric vehicles. This saves fuel or conserves battery power – and thus increases the range in an environmentally friendly way. OPES developed them in collaboration with various research partners, including the Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale). "We use a unique module structure, building a kind of staggered masonry from small, cut solar cells. This allows us to generate 70 per cent more electricity than conventional modules, for example in shaded conditions. They are also very light and flexible in use", explains site manager Alexander Uhle.

Strong support from the region

"There was tremendous support from the region: from the mayor, from Invest Region Leipzig and from the district ... Zwenkau is very close to the Leipzig metropolitan area, many of our employees come from Leipzig, the location is well connected and the building we found here was exactly what we needed", said CEO Robert Händel in his opening speech, explaining the decision to choose Zwenkau.

Invest Region Leipzig supported OPES Solar Mobility in cooperation with the Saxony Economic Development Corporation in its search for a suitable location and connected the company with numerous local players, including those in the field of skilled labour recruitment. Production is starting with 42 employees. "The plan is to have up to 120 employees by the end of 2027", said site manager Alexander Uhle.  

Ambitious plans for the future

Customers from Europe, Africa and South America, as well as regional companies such as ARI Motors from Borna and Regionalbus Leipzig, will be supplied with solar modules made in Zwenkau. In addition, they will soon be installed on the roof of the factory building. "This will enable us to generate our own electricity for our production line", says Uhle.

Furthermore, there are already additional plans for the near future.  "Our goal is to produce in three shifts starting in the second quarter of 2026. Currently, there is only one. Our hall also has space for a second fully automated production line. We want to start planning this in the second half of 2026 so that we can set it up in 2027."

We wish the entire OPES Solar Mobility team every success with these projects!

Photos: Sebastian Willnow/OPES