Holosolis, backed by EIT InnoEnergy, launches Europe’s largest solar PV gigafactory
The photovoltaic modules gigafactory in Sarreguemines, Moselle, France will be fully operational from 2027.
Holosolis, a company founded by EIT InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology, a body of the European Union (EU), IDEC group and TSE, announces Europe’s largest PV module gigafactory, to be built in Moselle, France. Aiming to accelerate Europe’s solar PV manufacturing capabilities to ensure continental energy security, the new production site will see the capacity of Europe’s current largest factory bested by almost 70%.
The factory will start production in 2025 and, at full capacity will have a production capacity of 5GW per year, producing 10 million photovoltaic modules annually, equivalent to the energy needs of one million European homes. Committed to supporting local talent, it will also employ 1,700 people, most of which will be recruited in the Grand Est region and the Sarreguemine area, supported by a partnership with Pôle Emploi.
At a time where energy security is high on the agenda, Holosolis is committed to increasing Europe’s solar manufacturing capacity. With China currently responsible for 80% of the world's installed photovoltaic modules - compared to 3% for the European Union – Holosolis answers directly to growing concerns about supply sovereignty. Holosolis also puts sustainability at the core of its industrial project, aiming to lead the EU industry towards low-carbon, recyclable products.
Holosolis was created by three leading players in their respective markets. First, EIT InnoEnergy, supported by the European Union, one of the largest investors in cleantech and sustainable energy. EIT InnoEnergy has brought on board the IDEC Group, a major player in the French real estate industry and TSE, one of the main producers of solar energy in France, leader in agrivoltaics.
Deigo Pavia, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy said of the announcement: “Holosolis is part of the European dynamics of reindustrialisation of the photovoltaic sector. The international consultation conducted by the Holosolis team, which awarded the first gigafactory site to Sarreguemines in France, is a first illustration of this dimension. EIT InnoEnergy is proud to support a new player like Holosolis, which will undoubtedly be the first industrial reference of the European Solar Industrial Alliance that we are leading. With its 5GW of production, Holosolis will contribute to more than 15% of the ESIA's objective: annual capacity of 30GW by 2025, corresponding to 60 billion euros of new annual GDP in Europe and the creation of more than 400,000 new jobs (direct and indirect).”
Jan Jacob Boom-Wichers, CEO at Holosolis commented: "We will manufacture the most energy efficient modules, incorporating the latest photovoltaic technologies, with the lowest carbon footprint and highest social standards. Scale effects and line automation will allow for a competitive cost to rival the global giants in the industry. Our modules will be aimed at three main markets: residential roofing, industrial and commercial roofing, and agrivoltaics."
The gigafactory is set to be a strategic project for the success of the European Union Green Deal Industrial Plan. Holosolis is also one of the flagship initiatives carried out within the framework of the European Solar and photovoltaics Industrial Alliance (ESIA) to reindustrialise Europe at a sustained pace. In the context of the REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022, Europe aims to bring online 600GW of solar energy. The gigafactory will be a supplier of this booming EU market.
Following a thorough review process, Holosolis chose France for the know-how and availability of its workforce, the quality of its infrastructure and the low-carbon nature of the energy made in the country. The site secured for the gigafactory is across 50-hectares, offering expansion space as new technologies and manufacturing capacities are integrated.
