It was in the early 1990s that Fronius first decided to focus on solar energy as a "technology of the future".
Still not taken seriously back then, the business segment has come to represent the most important pillar of the family company. Since value creation is set to remain in Europe going forwards, this growth is mainly showing itself in the Sattledt production site in Upper Austria.
Fronius, the family-owned company based in Upper Austria, is often associated with the booming photovoltaics industry. But it wasn't always this way: if you look back at the first 30 years of its youngest "Solar Energy" business segment, you'll see that it was only in recent years that this branch developed into the company’s new driving force. For a long time, what was once the "technology of the future", solar energy, led a shadowy existence and managed to survive one of the worst crises in company history. But one thing at a time…
The beginnings of Solar Energy
In 1950, Fronius began developing both its battery charging technology and welding technology branches, experiencing its first major successes from the 1960s onwards. These culminated in the milestone that was the introduction of an unprecedented welding system in 1981. "At some point we were starting to look more and more like power-guzzlers," remembers CEO Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß. "You have to realise that, back then, welding technology required vast amounts of energy. We wanted to 'give back' some of this power and started the initial trials with photovoltaic modules. These were the beginnings of the Business Unit Solar Energy."
Thirty years later it seems as though there’s no getting away from green power generation using solar energy. However, these current successes were nothing but a pipe dream for a very long time, as Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß explains: "In the early days, we were often portrayed as tree-huggers and had great difficulty finding a place for our systems on the market. To put it into context, we used to manufacture just one to two inverters per week."
www.fronius.com
Construction News
07/07/2022
30 Years Of Fronius Solar Energy


15/07/2025
National Highways has appointed Skanska to deliver a £153 million upgrade to the A47/A11 Thickthorn junction, in a major project designed to reduce congestion, improve journey reliability and support future economic growth across the region.
The contract will see Skanska carry out wide-ranging impr

15/07/2025
Demolition work has begun this week on Chippenham Road in Harold Hill, marking the start of the next phase in Havering Council’s ambitious housing regeneration programme.
The cleared site will make way for 138 new homes, part of a major redevelopment effort under the borough’s 12 Estates regenerat

15/07/2025
Planning permission has been granted for a 66-bedroom care home at Vistry's Westcombe Park development in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex.
The new facility will be operated by LNT Care Developments and delivered in partnership with specialist developer Charterpoint and Vistry, the master developer o

15/07/2025
Watkin Jones has launched Venti House in Stratford.
Venti House will be a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme offering excellent ESG credentials. The development is being funded through a Joint Venture between HGP and Watkin Jones and will be available for letting for the 2026/27

15/07/2025
Passengers travelling to and from Cardiff this coming weekend are being advised to check their journey plans in advance, as essential overnight engineering works will cause disruption between 19–21 July.
Network Rail will be carrying out critical upgrades between Cardiff Central and Newport, design

15/07/2025
A major milestone in Chelmsford's city centre regeneration has been reached as the newly named Bow Bridge Road officially opened, providing a crucial new link to Chelmer Waterside and paving the way for future development on the city's largest brownfield site.
Delivered on behalf of Chelmsford City

15/07/2025
At Freshbreeze, we believe that clean air is not just a necessity.... it's a right.
That's why we were proud to stand alongside local councillors, MPs, NHS leaders, and key stakeholders at Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital to pledge our commitment to healthier, greener communities. The ove

15/07/2025
Green wall tiles had always been a versatile option suitable for different interiors and styles.
Available in a very wide variety of tones - starting with soft and faded sage and mint and finishing with deep emerald and forest green. These wall tiles are capable to transform spaces into stylish an

11/07/2025
Story Homes has submitted a full planning application to South Ribble Borough Council for a proposed new residential development in Longton, aiming to build on the success of its nearby Longton Grange scheme.
With the majority of homes now sold at Longton Grange, the developer is looking to meet co

11/07/2025
Essar Energy Transition (EET), through its subsidiary EET Property Limited, has completed the acquisition of Thornton Science Park.
The 66-acre site includes purpose-built laboratories, industrial facilities, and office space, and is set to play a central role in EET's ambition to create one of Eur