Last updated: March 2026
SolarWorld AG was Germany’s largest solar panel manufacturer and one of the most vocal advocates for European and American solar manufacturing against Chinese competition. Despite being a high-quality, well-regarded brand with manufacturing in both Germany and the United States (Hillsboro, Oregon), SolarWorld ultimately could not survive the economics of the global solar panel price collapse. This guide covers SolarWorld’s history, panel specifications, and what happened to the company.
SolarWorld Company History
- 1975 — Solar-Fabrik GmbH founded in Freiburg, Germany — the precursor to what would become SolarWorld
- 1998 — SolarWorld AG formed; Frank Asbeck (“the Sun King”) becomes CEO and builds the company aggressively
- 2000 — SolarWorld lists on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
- 2006 — SolarWorld acquires Shell Solar’s crystalline silicon manufacturing operations in Germany and the United States (Camarillo, CA)
- 2008 — SolarWorld acquires the Suntech factory in Hillsboro, Oregon, establishing a significant US manufacturing presence
- 2010–2012 — SolarWorld leads industry campaigns for anti-dumping tariffs against Chinese solar panel imports in both the US and EU, arguing Chinese manufacturers were pricing below cost with government subsidies
- 2012 — US Department of Commerce imposes anti-dumping and countervailing duty tariffs on Chinese solar panels following SolarWorld’s complaint — a landmark trade case
- 2017 — SolarWorld AG files for insolvency (German equivalent of bankruptcy) in May 2017. Despite the trade victories, price pressure from Chinese competitors using cells made in third countries proved insurmountable.
- 2017–2018 — SolarWorld’s US operations (SolarWorld Americas) are purchased by SunPower Corporation, which briefly maintains the Hillsboro, OR facility before eventually closing it.
SolarWorld Solar Panel Model Specifications
SolarWorld Sunmodule SW Series (Polycrystalline)
| Model | Watts | Voc | Vmp | Isc | Imp | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW 155 | 155W | 29.0V | 23.7V | 7.17A | 6.54A | 12.9% |
| SW 175 | 175W | 29.7V | 24.1V | 7.87A | 7.26A | 13.5% |
| SW 230 | 230W | 37.5V | 30.2V | 8.34A | 7.62A | 14.1% |
| SW 240 | 240W | 37.8V | 30.5V | 8.67A | 7.87A | 14.7% |
| SW 250 | 250W | 38.0V | 30.7V | 8.85A | 8.14A | 15.3% |
| SW 260 | 260W | 38.3V | 30.9V | 9.06A | 8.41A | 15.9% |
SolarWorld Sunmodule Plus SW Mono Series (Monocrystalline)
| Model | Watts | Voc | Vmp | Isc | Imp | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW 280 Mono | 280W | 39.5V | 32.2V | 9.06A | 8.70A | 17.1% |
| SW 290 Mono | 290W | 39.9V | 32.5V | 9.35A | 8.92A | 17.7% |
| SW 300 Mono | 300W | 40.1V | 32.7V | 9.56A | 9.17A | 18.3% |
SolarWorld Quality: Made in Germany and USA
SolarWorld’s key differentiation was manufacturing quality and origin:
- German manufacturing: Primary production in Freiberg, Saxony (East Germany). German-made panels carried a quality premium in European markets and a “made in Germany” assurance of manufacturing standards.
- US manufacturing (Hillsboro, OR): US-made panels were important for federal and state solar incentive programs that required domestic content, giving SolarWorld a competitive advantage in certain market segments.
- Vertical integration: SolarWorld manufactured polysilicon, wafers, cells, and panels — full control of the supply chain allowed quality consistency from feedstock to finished module.
- Linear power warranty: SolarWorld was among the first to offer a linear power degradation warranty (guaranteed specific output at each year, not just at year 25) — a marketing innovation later adopted industry-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to SolarWorld?
SolarWorld AG filed for insolvency in Germany in May 2017 after years of fighting Chinese solar pricing through trade cases. Despite winning US and EU anti-dumping tariffs against Chinese panel imports, Chinese manufacturers adapted by routing production through third countries (Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan) that were not covered by the tariffs. SolarWorld could not achieve the production cost reductions needed to remain competitive. SolarWorld Americas (the US subsidiary) was acquired by SunPower, which subsequently closed the Hillsboro, OR factory.
Are SolarWorld solar panels good?
Yes — SolarWorld panels had a strong reputation for quality. German and US manufacturing produced consistently reliable panels. The linear power warranty was industry-leading. Real-world field data from installed SolarWorld systems shows degradation rates at or below the linear warranty levels. The company’s failure was purely economic, not a product quality issue.
What are SolarWorld panel prices in 2026?
New SolarWorld panels are no longer available — the company no longer exists. Used SolarWorld SW 230–SW 300 panels appear on eBay and solar salvage markets. Expect $25–60 per used panel depending on wattage and condition. For historical reference, SolarWorld SW230 panels sold for approximately $2.61/W through US distributors in 2011–2013.
