Image: Eternal Sun
Netherlands-based solar testing specialist Eternal Sun has announced the acquisition of Germany’s WAVELABS, a move that brings together two major players in the photovoltaic (PV) testing equipment sector. The agreement marks a strategic consolidation of expertise across cell and module testing, enhancing both companies’ capabilities to support the evolving solar technology landscape.
WAVELABS is best known for its LED-powered solar cell flash testers, while Eternal Sun specializes in solar simulators and climate chambers for module-level testing. Together, the companies will offer a more comprehensive portfolio of precision testing solutions for both industrial manufacturers and the research community.
As part of the acquisition structure, a new entity named WAVELABS Eternal Sun GmbH has been established and will continue to operate from WAVELABS’ existing facility in Leipzig, Germany. This new company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eternal Sun Group, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
Eternal Sun confirmed that the majority of WAVELABS’ 60 employees will remain with the company, and there are plans to maintain and expand operations in Leipzig as the business grows.
Complementary Focus Areas, Shared Vision
The two companies will continue to operate under their existing brand names and maintain their respective focus areas—cell-level testing for WAVELABS and module-level testing for Eternal Sun. However, they are expected to collaborate closely on next-generation testing solutions, especially for emerging PV technologies such as perovskite-silicon tandem cells, ensuring alignment between cell and module testing protocols.
“With WAVELABS joining the Eternal Sun family, we can offer our customers an unmatched range of cell and module testing solutions,” said Florian van Rijn van Alkemade, CEO of Eternal Sun. “Both companies share a passion for precision, innovation, and service. Together, we will shape the future of solar quality assurance and accurate characterization.”
Acquisition Enabled by Strategic Investment
The deal follows Eternal Sun’s May 2025 announcement of a new majority shareholder: Bolster, a Netherlands-based investment firm. This investment provided the capital needed to complete the WAVELABS acquisition and supports Eternal Sun’s long-term growth strategy.
While much of the solar manufacturing sector has shifted to Asia, Europe has remained competitive in testing equipment—a segment where precision, reliability, and innovation are critical. Despite WAVELABS’ presence in China, the company had faced challenges due to global overcapacity and a slowdown in factory expansions.
“Together with a new strong investor, WAVELABS can once again look to the future with confidence,” said Reinhard Klose, partner at law firm Flöther & Wissing, which oversaw the restructuring and investment process.
With this acquisition, Eternal Sun strengthens its position as a key provider of solar testing infrastructure, capable of supporting the industry’s transition to new materials and high-efficiency architectures.
