Brussels, 11/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 11 February, the European Commission authorised €56 million of regional investment aid, granted by the German authorities to Sunfilm for the production of thin-film solar modules in Saxony, Germany. The project involves a total investment of €393 million and is expected to create at least 380 new jobs in the region. On the same day, the Commission also authorised €39.72 million of regional investment aid, which the German authorities intend to grant to ersol Thin Film GmbH for the production of thin-film solar modules in Erfurt, Germany. The project involves investments of €371 million and is expected to create 461 direct new jobs in the region. The Commission found the measures in both cases to be compatible with the requirements of the EU Regional Aid Guidelines 2007-2013 and in particular with its rules on large investment projects, given that neither Sunfilm nor ersol Thin Film would not gain significant new market shares and the investment takes place in a fast growing market, the photovoltaic sector. The Commission therefore concluded that the additional production capacity created by the project would raise no concerns. (O.L./trans/rh)