On March 1, 2013, SolarWorld became the first photovoltaics manufacturer to receive full certification for the reimbursement bonus in France. Solar power manufacturers producing electricity with German SolarWorld modules will receive the full 10 percent bonus on top of the feed-in tariff. “Our certification is further proof that it pays off to choose SolarWorld quality made in Germany. We are proud to be the first photovoltaics manufacturer to offer products eligible for the full bonus”, states Dr.-Ing. E.h. Frank Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld AG.

Certisolis, the testing and certification institute specializing in photovoltaic module performance, thus confirmed that the German brand manufacturer’s modules fully comply with the requirements under Article 1 of the Decree of January 7, 2013. The SolarWorld production facilities in Freiburg, Germany, cover all stages of the value chain, from wafers to solar cells all the way to the finished modules. The audit carried out by Certisolis focused on airtight proof that the entire production process is carried out in Europe. "During the audit of the different production sites, we were impressed by the responsiveness, professionalism and good organisation of the SolarWorld staff," declared Giséle Bovo, certification manager at Certisolis.

The decree issued by the French Ministry of the Environment provides for a 5 percent increase in feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic systems if the modules incorporate cells manufactured in the EEA or if the production stages of soldering, lamination and electrical testing are carried out in the EEA. If two of the above criteria are met, the bonus is increased to 10 percent. The 10 percent increase also applies if the wafer is produced in Europe and one of the other two criteria is met.