3S Swiss Solar Solutions, with over twenty years of experience, is positioned as one of the leading manufacturers of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in Europe. The company, which operates with 100% Swiss production, plans to strengthen its leadership by 2025.

“We will definitely be number one in Switzerland next year, and it is one of the largest BIPV markets,” said Patrick Hofer-Noser, CEO of the company, in an interview with Strategic Energy Europe.

The executive emphasizes that 3S’s strategy is based on production excellence, highlighting that all its modules are fully assembled in Switzerland, although some components, such as solar cells, are purchased globally.

The company has production lines dedicated exclusively to BIPV elements—roofs, facades, and balconies—with an annual capacity of one million square meters. This local manufacturing model guarantees high-quality standards and compliance with European building regulations.

Innovation at the Service of Construction and Energy

One of 3S’s main competitive advantages is the dual function of its systems: “Our product protects the building and generates energy,” emphasizes Hofer-Noser. Unlike conventional solar modules, the Swiss company’s BIPV elements are certified as building materials, offering resistance to extreme conditions such as class 5 hail.

The CEO emphasizes that its solutions not only provide electricity generation but also meet structural requirements: “The standard solar module only produces electricity; our elements are designed to become part of the building, ensuring safety and efficiency.”

In addition, 3S has developed a range of customizable products in colors and finishes, facilitating architectural integration without compromising the aesthetics of the projects.

Digitalization and Service Throughout the Lifecycle

The company has incorporated advanced monitoring technologies by creating a digital twin for each installation. “We offer real-time monitoring to ensure the efficiency and safety of the system throughout its entire lifecycle, and will soon add predictive maintenance features,” explains Hofer-Noser.  

This approach allows 3S to differentiate itself in a market where renewable asset management is increasingly relevant. Digitalization also strengthens its business model based on installing training: more than 2,500 professionals were trained in 2024 to plan, install, and maintain these systems, notes the company’s CEO.

International Strategy Facing Geopolitical Challenges

Although 3S’s main market is Switzerland, the company has subsidiaries in Austria and Germany, and maintains projects in several European countries. However, 

Hofer-Noser acknowledges that global expansion must be managed with caution: “The political stability of each country is key when deciding whether to enter new markets.”

The executive points out that tariff discussions and trade tensions, especially with  China and the United States create an unpredictable environment for European manufacturers.

“We have a significant global oversupply, and the supply chain is largely dependent on a single country: China. Security policy, on the one hand, and trade barriers in major markets like the US and India, on the other, are putting increased pressure on Europe, so the continent is debating how to protect the market to remain as independent as possible in our niche,” he analyzes.

“The sector is under pressure, but our goal is to remain in our niche and be the number one or two player in every country where we operate,” he emphasizes.

Two decades of experience and half a gigawatt installed

Since its founding in 2001, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions has evolved from a manufacturer of solar panel machinery

to becoming a benchmark in BIPV. The company was part of the Meyer Burger Group between 2010 and 2018, after which it regained its independence.

 Currently, the company has over 25,000 solar roofs and BIPV system installations. “We have 20 years of experience, and our roofs continue to work perfectly,” Hofer-Noser emphasizes, highlighting the durability of its products and the low degradation factors that characterize its modules.

Outlook: Sustained Growth and Commitment to Efficiency

With growing demand across all its segments—roofs, facades, and balconies—3S plans to maintain its pace of growth worldwide. “Demand for everything we have today is increasing,” says the CEO.

Regarding innovation, the company is working on new, more efficient colors and improving its integration systems. “All our developments are designed as part of the building, not as an add-on,” Hofer-Noser concludes.

The vision of 3S Swiss Solar Solutions reinforces the strategic role of BIPV in the European energy transition, combining technology, design, and sustainability to transform every architectural surface into a source of clean energy.