HoloSolis Secures €220M to Build Europe’s Largest Solar Panel Gigafactory in France
In a major boost for European energy independence, French solar manufacturer HoloSolis has successfully raised over €220 million in funding. This significant financial backing will be used to construct a massive 5-gigawatt (GW) solar module factory in northeastern France, positioning it as one of the largest and most advanced photovoltaic (PV) production facilities on the continent.
The funding round attracted a mix of public and private investors, including Calés Technologie, Forming AG, and long-standing shareholders like InnoEnergy, TSE, Groupe IDEC, Armor Group, and Heraeus. This capital injection will accelerate the final factory design, deployment of advanced TOPCon cell technology, staff recruitment, and supply chain development.
Ambitious Scale and Timeline for the Sarreguemines-Hambach Gigafactory
The HoloSolis gigafactory will be situated in Sarreguemines-Hambach, in the Grand Est region of France. With an ambitious annual production target of 5 GW, the facility is set to become a cornerstone of the European solar industry. Once operating at full capacity, it is projected to manufacture approximately 10 million solar panels each year. This output is enough to generate clean electricity for roughly one million European households.
The company aims to have the factory fully operational by 2030, with production expected to commence earlier. The project is also a significant economic driver for the region, forecasted to create 2,000 direct jobs and stimulate local reindustrialization.
Advanced Technology and Strategic Partnerships
A key component of HoloSolis’s strategy is its licensing partnership with Trina Solar, a global leader in PV technology. This agreement grants HoloSolis the rights to use Trina Solar’s advanced TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cell technology within Europe. TOPCon is recognized as a high-efficiency, mature, and cost-competitive technology that enables large-scale production with a low carbon footprint. This partnership is crucial for accelerating HoloSolis’s production timeline and bolstering Europe’s domestic solar manufacturing capabilities.
A Strategic Leap for European Energy Sovereignty
The HoloSolis gigafactory is more than an industrial project; it is a strategic move towards “Made in Europe” energy sovereignty. The initiative directly supports the European Union’s goals under the Net-Zero Industry Act, which targets having 40% of the PV modules installed in Europe manufactured locally by 2030. By establishing large-scale production within its borders, Europe can reduce its heavy reliance on imported solar panels, strengthen its supply chain security, and control the environmental and ethical standards of its clean energy transition.
The project has already garnered strong market validation. HoloSolis CEO Bertrand Lecacheux revealed that the company has secured over 20 GW of customer commitments in the form of Letters of Intent, covering its first five years of planned production. This demonstrates robust demand from European PV developers for domestically produced solar panels.
Investors have expressed strong confidence in the venture. Karine Vernier, CEO of InnoEnergy France, stated that the funding is a critical step towards building a “strong and sovereign European solar industry.” Jean-Paul Calès of Calés Technologie emphasized that the investment supports both renewable energy and national reindustrialization, merging innovation with strategic capacity-building.
The President of the Grand Est region, Franck Leroy, confirmed that the successful financing validates the project and paves the way for construction to begin in 2026.
Why the HoloSolis Gigafactory is a Game-Changer
This project is pivotal for several reasons. It enhances Europe’s energy security by localizing a critical part of the clean energy supply chain. It delivers a substantial economic impact through job creation and investment in France. It advances sustainability by producing high-efficiency, low-carbon solar technology. Finally, it perfectly aligns with EU policy, making it a flagship project for the bloc’s green industrial ambitions.
The €220 million raised by HoloSolis marks a definitive leap forward. The 5 GW gigafactory in Sarreguemines-Hambach is poised to be a foundational pillar in Europe’s quest for a self-reliant, competitive, and green economy.
