PVTIME – Huasun has partnered with the leading European glass manufacturer, New Time, to set up a 1 GW perovskite HJT module production line in Italy. This is a significant step forward for regional solar manufacturing.
New Time has recently developed three innovative photovoltaic products: flooring, roof glass tiles and curtain wall glass. Founder and sole director Paolo Cimatti confirmed that the first batch of photovoltaic flooring has been sold and installations will begin in September. Certification for the photovoltaic tiles is ongoing, while discussions with foreign partners are advancing the first project to use transparent photovoltaic glass.
In May 2025, New Time signed a collaboration agreement with Huasun, a global leader in photovoltaic cells, to build a 1 GW next-generation HJT perovskite tandem module production line in Italy. Leveraging abundant local and European synthetic materials, the project will reduce Italy’s reliance on silicon imports from non-EU countries such as China, Peru and Bolivia, enabling the true localization of photovoltaic module production. Negotiations are underway to acquire two factories in Romagna, with production expected to begin in Q3 2026.
The partnership includes technical collaboration: New Time will send Italian engineers to Huasun in China for training before they return to Italy.
In May 2025, Emilia-Romagna approved New Time’s investment plan of 25.5 million, with a further 6.4 million in financing to follow. This funding will be allocated as follows: €8.3 million for the Budrio factory (special glass processing); €15.7 million for the San Lazzaro di Savena site in Bologna (product assembly and R&D); and €1 million for renovations to the Forlì headquarters.
Cimatti revealed that, when combined with the initial investment of €18.5 million in Budrio, the Invitalia-backed project and the Huasun joint venture, New Time’s investments from 2022 to 2026 will total around €50 million. Bolstered by growing traditional operations, turnover in 2024 exceeded €110 million. The firm is now focusing on new products, having acquired and modernised disused factories.
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