European Solar Pioneer HoloSolis Raises €220 Million to Expand Gigafactory in France

HoloSolis, a leading French manufacturer of low carbon PV cells and modules, has successfully secured over €220 million in both public and private funding to establish one of Europe’s largest solar gigafactories in Sarreguemines-Hambach.

The funding for this ambitious project comes from various sources, including Calés Technologie, Forming, and long-standing investors such as InnoEnergy, TSE, Groupe IDEC, Armor Group, and Heraeus.

Bertrand Lecacheux, the CEO of HoloSolis, expressed his pride in the new partnerships formed for the project. He highlighted the expertise that these partners bring to the table, emphasizing the company’s goal of building the largest TOPCon cell and module gigafactory in Europe. With over 20 GW of customer letters of intent, the strength of HoloSolis’ business model is evident.

The year 2025 also saw several European startups in the solar and energy-transition sectors securing new funding, providing a context for HoloSolis’ recent success. Companies like Solarock, Dracula Technologies, feld.energy, and Co-Power in France, Germany, and the Baltics received significant investments for their respective projects.

In comparison, HoloSolis’ funding surpasses €220 million, underscoring the substantial capital requirements associated with scaling up PV manufacturing in Europe. Karine Vernier, CEO of InnoEnergy France, expressed immense pride in HoloSolis’ achievement, emphasizing the importance of a strong and sovereign European solar industry.

Established in 2022 to reshore PV production in Europe, HoloSolis aims to meet the demand from EU PV developers for panels manufactured within Europe, in compliance with new regulations. The company’s production of PV cells and modules is expected to offer a sustainable and competitive alternative to existing market options.

With the support of various stakeholders and investors, including Jean-Paul Calès, President of CALES TECHNOLOGIES, HoloSolis is on track to create 2,000 direct jobs and achieve a production capacity of 5 GW per year by 2030. This capacity will be sufficient to power one million European homes annually, contributing significantly to Europe’s energy independence.

The funds secured by HoloSolis will be utilized for finalizing the factory design, implementing TOPCon technology, and facilitating recruitment and supply-chain setup. By doing so, the company aims to strengthen Europe’s energy sovereignty and establish a fully “Made in Europe” solar manufacturing ecosystem.

Eric Lauer, Strategic Development Manager at Forming AG, emphasized the importance of supporting the reindustrialization of France and enhancing the performance of photovoltaic panels through expertise in panel-structure interfaces.

HoloSolis has obtained all necessary permits to commence construction of its plant in 2026, including land acquisition, high-voltage connection agreements, building permits, and technological partnerships. With a focus on building a sustainable and sovereign European solar industry, HoloSolis is poised to play a crucial role in Europe’s energy transition and reindustrialization efforts.

Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, praised the progress made by HoloSolis in securing funding and partnerships for the gigafactory project in Hambach. He highlighted the project’s contribution to Europe’s energy sovereignty and regional reindustrialization, emphasizing the creation of 1,700 jobs.

Overall, HoloSolis’ journey towards establishing a state-of-the-art solar gigafactory in Europe reflects a significant step towards achieving energy independence and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices on the continent.