Revolutionary technology from the solar industry: the Saxon PVT manufacturer Sunmaxx is honored as a pioneer in the category of energy generation technology.
Dresden, 08.11.2024 – Sunmaxx, developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic-thermal modules (PVT), wins the German Sustainability Award 2025 in the category of energy generation technology. With its patented hybrid technology, Sunmaxx enables the complete decarbonization of industrial, commercial and private buildings, thus driving the energy transition. This year’s German Sustainability Award is presented together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the WWF. The finalists in the Power Generation Technology category include SMA Solar Technology AG and zolar GmbH.
Sunmaxx sees itself as a driver of the energy and heat transition. The complete replacement of fossil fuels and heating systems with regenerative solutions is both a day-to-day business and a matter close to the heart for Managing Director Dr. Wilhelm Stein. Commenting on the announcement of Sunmaxx as the winner of the German Sustainability Award 2025, Dr. Stein said: “We are extremely pleased about the award. The fact that we were able to prevail against such a strong top field makes us very proud. Winning the German Sustainability Award 2025 confirms that we are in the right place at the right time with our hybrid modules. Never before has a rethink in the energy industry been as important as it is now – and we are making an important contribution to this by making roofs and facades usable for highly efficient power and heat generation.”
Dr. Jiri Springer, Chief Technical Officer at Sunmaxx, adds: “Anyone who wants to credibly advise and support planners, municipal utilities architects and implementing companies in the switch to regenerative systems must set a good example. As a developer and manufacturer of such systems, we pay attention to the most sustainable production possible. With a service life of 30 or more years, our modules are extremely durable. In addition, we are actively striving to map a large part of the supply chain in Europe in order to shorten transport routes. We only obtain the electricity required for the production of the modules from certified, pure green electricity providers.”
PVT was long considered uneconomical due to time-consuming and cost-intensive production processes. Sunmaxx was the first manufacturer to simplify, accelerate and automate these processes. To achieve this, Sunmaxx has combined its know-how from the solar industry with technologies from the automotive industry. Contrary to current industry trends, Sunmaxx manufactures its PVT modules locally in Germany. With the transfer of PVT to industrial mass production, Sunmaxx is making a significant contribution to strengthening the domestic solar industry as well as Saxony and East Germany as a business location, also with regards to international competition.
About Sunmaxx PVT
Sunmaxx is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of photovoltaic-thermal hybrid modules (PVT). The company, based in Ottendorf-Okrilla near Dresden, was the first manufacturer to succeed in transferring the technology to mass production. As a result, Sunmaxx is able to offer its extraordinarily powerful PVT modules cost-effectively and in high quality. Sunmaxx maintains the world’s largest PVT production of its kind with a volume of 120,000 modules per year, scalable to five times the volume.
Especially in combination with heat pumps, Sunmaxx PVT modules offer efficient heat supply and cooling without the use of fossil fuels. In this way, the Saxon manufacturer ensures an almost self-sufficient energy system for the home and for sector coupling in the entire energy segment – from industry and commerce to modern district heating systems in entire urban areas.
About the German Sustainability Award
The German Sustainability Award (DNP) honors excellence in sustainability in the fields of business, municipalities and research and is the largest European award of its kind. The award is sponsored by the German Sustainability Award Foundation.
The CEOs and sustainability officers of the 100 winners and finalists will be present at the 17th presentation of the German Sustainability Award for Companies on 28 November 2024 in Düsseldorf to receive their trophies and honour the best.
Special prizes honour exemplary achievements in the transformation fields of resources, society, nature and climate. The legendary Irish diplomat and activist Mary Robinson receives the honorary award. Around 1,200 guests and 100 media representatives are expected again.