Münster Accelerates E-Bus Expansion as Silicon Valley Firm Acquires German Solar Tech Plants

In a notable push for renewable energy adoption and clean technology, two significant developments have emerged involving Germany and the United States. Stadtwerke Münster has accelerated the electrification of its public bus fleet by dismantling much of its diesel infrastructure, while California-based Swift Solar Inc. has acquired advanced solar production facilities from the insolvent German firm Meyer Burger Technology AG.

Stadtwerke Münster has dismantled three of its four diesel tanks, reducing its diesel storage capacity from 400,000 liters to just 100,000 liters. This follows a marked drop in diesel consumption from over 2.6 million liters in 2017 to an expected 400,000 liters this year. The fleet now includes 97 electric buses and only 24 still using diesel, highlighting a commitment to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and lowering noise pollution in Münster. The freed-up space from the removed tanks is earmarked to strengthen the electrical infrastructure to support reliable overnight charging of the E-buses, pushing forward the city’s role as a pioneer in sustainable public transport.

Meanwhile, Swift Solar, a manufacturer of perovskite solar cells founded in 2017, has acquired Meyer Burger’s solar cell production lines located in Bitterfeld-Wolfen and Hohenstein-Ernstthal, along with Meyer Burger’s extensive global intellectual property portfolio. This acquisition also includes experienced former Meyer Burger employees, signaling continuity in manufacturing expertise. Swift Solar’s ambitious plan involves building a gigawatt-scale heterojunction (HJT) cell and module factory in the USA with expansion plans into perovskite tandem solar technology. Co-founder Joel Jean emphasized their vision to combine German silicon production expertise with American innovations in perovskite technology, aiming to dominate next-generation solar solutions. Meyer Burger had filed for insolvency in June 2025, and the deal secures the future use of their heterojunction silicon technology as a foundation for enhanced tandem solar cells.

Together, these developments illustrate Germany’s and its partners’ active roles in advancing renewable energy technology — from clean urban transport transformations in Münster to pioneering solar manufacturing technology linking German and American innovation.

"Our goal is not just delivering one generation of solar technology but many," Swift Solar's Joel Jean remarked. Meanwhile, Frank Gäfgen, managing director of Stadtwerke Münster, stressed the importance of these actions: "By reducing diesel dependency and expanding electric mobility, we aim to improve life quality and air purity in Münster."