#MakeSolarEU: HoloSolis's role in reshoring solar manufacturing to Europe

The scaleup of solar systems implementation in Europe touches on several strategic aspects for the continent. First and foremost, solar PV is the safest, cheapest and fastest way to guarantee the green energy transition at the European level. Solar can be the solution to quickly deploy a safe and clean energy supply. 
 

Solar can also be the solution to diversify and ensure the resilience of the energy market in Europe, while benefitting small producers locally.

We need clearer and more protective measures for the European market. We will have the same production cost as large gigafactories in Asia. But we are going to have to compete with companies selling below their production cost. This is the result of massive subsidies and protective measures in third countries. 

We need European politicians to act to take the same measure as the US, India or China: introduce EU made content when public money is involved. 

Solar PV is one of the main pillars of the energy transition, and we need PV manufacturing plants in the EU to support its deployment.  

We are at a turning point: the future of Europe is at stake. We can’t be a continent without industry. It’s a pivotal moment and we need to seize the opportunity. 

HoloSolis will build TOPCon solar cells and modules. Our 5 GW factory will be built in Hambach, in the Grand Est region of France. The local support, the low energy costs, as well as the strategic position at the heart of Europe make this location the perfect fit for our purposes.

On-site construction works are expected to begin as soon as 2026. Module production will begin by the end of 2027, while solar cells will be produced starting from 2028. 

HoloSolis will reshore the last two steps of the solar PV module manufacturing at a large scale. Developers will be provided with highly efficient, resilient modules produced in Europe without critical raw materials and with an extremely low carbon footprint.

With a 5-GW capacity, HoloSolis’s factory will produce approximately 10 million solar PV panels per year, the equivalent of 1 million households with solar.

HoloSolis will source its electricity from the grid but will also benefit from the electricity generated by solar PV modules deployed on its rooftop and carparks. We will also develop Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to source our electricity.

HoloSolis will create 2000 new direct jobs in Hambach. The indirect jobs will amount to 3000. 

There are several aspects that will make out modules stand out. Firstly, as they are produced in Europe on a large scale, HoloSolis’s modules will be the most cost-efficient European modules on the market.

Secondly, HoloSolis will start out with the latest technologies for TOPcon-like laser-optimised metallisation, and localised contact passivation. This will ensure the highest performance of the produced modules from the start of production onwards. 

Thirdly, technology and innovation are in our DNA. Our research and development team, led by one of the inventors of the TopCON technology, is already working on innovation for the dynamic solar PV market.

And finally, we have a low carbon footprint. Thanks to a careful choice of suppliers and to France’s extremely low carbon footprint, HoloSolis-produced modules will provide an advantage for developers in public purchase procedures awarding the product’s environmental impact.

National and local authorities have been extremely supportive of the project since its announcement. This allowed us to secure financial support, and to efficiently reach milestones such as the construction and environmental permits, and secure a large volume of Letters of Intent from our future clients. 

However, doubts on the resilience legislation’s effectiveness tend to hold back investors which is a major challenge for HoloSolis. We need clearer rules to create a level playing field in Europe, like ‘Made in Europe’ criteria. There is a strong willingness from investors and PV developers to reshore solar PV manufacturing. We need to help them helping us. 

Manufacturing within Europe has significant environmental benefits, corresponding to the European roadmaps, while ensuring a diversified and resilient energy transition. It allows solar PV developers to benefit from cleaner products, respecting social and environmental EU laws. It brings back value to Europe by creating jobs. It allows us to industrialise innovation. And finally, it helps protect solar PV developers in the case of a rise in PV prices.

The current low module prices can’t stay forever. Large solar PV groups have been suffering extreme losses for months. Solar PV cell and module prices will rise after a consolidation period, and the market needs to have alternative to keep this rise acceptable. Developing solar manufacturing is therefore vital for the sector.

In 2030, our Hambach plant will have reached its full capacity, and we will be in the process of building a second one.

The first message is that reshoring solar PV production in Europe is feasible and not expensive. Our production costs will be comparable to international ones.  But we need a level playing field to compete in a dumped market. 

The second message is that we need to be clear and request local content and ‘Made in Europe’ criteria when public - European or national - money is being used.

It’s possible with clear and effective rules to speed up investments. Clear provisions that ensure a level-playing field for European products need to be adopted, especially when confronted with unfair trade practices.

This legislation represents a change of pace for European institutions. However, the implementation phase remains crucial for achieving meaningful change. Results will be maximised only if the European Union manages to foster European competitiveness and avoids the circumvention of provisions. Mentioning explicit reshoring of the value chains into Europe, rather than diversification, would give European actors a better chance to stand up against the competition. More ambitious and stricter European production objectives constitute the way forward to delivering industrial ambitions.