The SolarNL programme comprised a consortium of solar companies that aimed to build solar manufacturing capacity in the Netherlands and included, among others, MCPV, Solarge, HyET Solar and research group TNO. “MCPV deeply regrets the Dutch government’s decision to end State Aid support for the SolarNL programme. Last October, the company raised €4.2 million in finance to support the construction of a 4GW HJT cell manufacturing plant in the country. More support for European solar manufacturing industryThis decision follows two of the major European solar trade associations, the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE), asking EU policymakers to take measures to support a European solar manufacturing industry, beyond the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which came into force in June 2024. “To overcome those shortcomings, the European solar industry needs urgent support—both financially and politically,” Christoph Podewills, secretary general of ESMC, told PV Tech.