The new free trade agreement between the EU and India, one of the fastest-growing players in the PV industry, has created many opportunities for strategic cooperation in PV production. For this reason, Intersolar Europe 2026 and its partner, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), sector group Photovoltaics Equipment, will put a special focus on India.
Dr. Puzant Baliozian, Sector Group Leader at VDMA Photovoltaics Equipment, spoke to us about the opportunities, progress and priorities emerging from this cooperation and outlined the extensive events and networking opportunities related to this topic at Intersolar Europe 2026.
VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment supports the cooperation between Europe and India in PV mechanical engineering and production technology – what progress and milestones have recently been achieved?
Over the past few years, Indian-European cooperation in PV mechanical engineering and production technology has noticeably intensified and developed strategically. A key milestone was the intense dialogue across the entire PV value chain. European machine and plant engineers have long been more than just suppliers. They have increasingly acted as long-term technology partners for the industrial ramp-up of Indian PV production, contributing to the diversification of the global supply chain.
As sector group VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment, we support this development through industry, policies and research. Together with our partners, we address topics such as technological roadmaps, investment conditions and regulatory frameworks. Our efforts are laying the groundwork for a future-oriented partnership between Europe and India in the global PV production ecosystem. Export markets are a key success factor in our industry. European mechanical engineers can make a significant contribution to industrial development as technology partners. However, it is also crucial that international market activities remain closely tied to the development and enhancement of industrial capacities in Europe.
What are Europe and India’s interests and key issues when it comes to their solar energy cooperation?
India is focusing on rapidly expanding integrated PV production capacity across the entire value chain to ensure scalability, supply security and industrial competitiveness. Europe can support this effort with its strengths, particularly in machine and plant construction and in research and development. European technology is characterized by precise processes, high efficiency, quality and innovative power – driven by the close collaboration between industry and a robust research landscape. This technological excellence forms the basis for long-term partnerships. However, it is essential that international cooperation and export markets are closely tied to the expansion of domestic production in Europe. By working with India, Europe can scale its technology globally while strengthening its industrial base and technological sovereignty in a sustainable way.
What market opportunities and development potential do you see for European PV production technology in Indian and European markets?
Our latest VDMA Services Study, European Photovoltaics Machinery and Equipment Study, which we conducted with ISC Konstanz and Fraunhofer ISE, revealed that the greatest potential is unlocked when integrated machines cover all steps – from polysilicon/ingots and wafers to cells and modules. India’s dynamically growing PV market presents a real opportunity to build production capacity that is efficient, scalable and technologically innovative right from the start. Forecasts show that, by 2035, annual PV equipment CapEx across the entire value chain could reach around 7.5 billion US dollars. This highlights the market’s industrial and technological importance. This creates an extremely attractive business environment for European mechanical engineers. With an expected market size of around 2.2 billion US dollars by 2035, the European market also offers vast opportunities – provided the framework conditions and industrial policies actively support this growth.
The cooperation between Europe and India across the entire PV value chain looks most promising. India is currently building up integrated production capacity from ingot to module, while Europe provides expertise in production facilities, process know-how and quality technology. The cooperation potential includes cell technologies, ingot and wafer processes, highly automized module production, inline measurement technology, digitalization, quality assurance, resource efficient production concepts and detailed factory planning and engineering. Europe’s strong research and development landscape combined with India’s scaling potential is particularly valuable.
At Intersolar Europe 2026, there will be a special focus on India as a solar market, with side events aimed at promoting dialogue and strengthening relationships. Could you provide an overview of what attendees can expect?
Among other things, we are planning a high-ranking roundtable on PV production, an EU-India PV partnership side event, as well as many technical sessions covering manufacturing technology along the whole value chain – from ingots, wafers, cell and module technologies to automation and quality assurance. One highlight is the PV Action Workshop on European production technologies and pilot lines, which focuses on the development of industrial pilot and demonstration capacities in Europe. It also explores how research, mechanical engineering and industry can join forces to accelerate the introduction of new technologies to mass production. Another highlight is the release of the new edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) during Intersolar Europe. We also invite you to come and visit our VDMA booth in hall A2, booth A2.410, where we will present our current European machine and plant construction initiatives and international cooperation approaches.
