Plans for Europe’s largest photovoltaic (PV) panel production factory is well underway as reported by CARBON. The manufacturer, a major player in the solar industry, has submitted the building permit for the gigafactory. They plan to set it up in Fos-sur-Mer, in the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, in France. This project is in response to Europe’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen energy autonomy. Furthermore, it promises to grow the France’s green economy and change the local industrial landscape. Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is already engaged in the ecological transition. CARBON will be expanding its production capacity while contributing to Europe’s objectives.
Opportunities at Europe’s largest photovoltaic factory
The new gigafactory brings along with it the promise of 3,000 new job opportunities, a big relief for the region that is often affected by unemployment. The employment will concern ancillary sectors including logistics, maintenance, and administration. This is all on top of the direct production of solar panels. This marks a turning point for the region, which could become a central hub for green industry in Europe. However, the gigafactory project has not come without challenge. It has had the keen attention of the local authorities who have ensured that development is sustainable and respectful of the local environment. Moreover, if CARBON needs to navigate a competitive market and continually innovate in photovoltaic technologies.
Europe’s largest photovoltaic factory by CARBON has been backed by Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of Economy, who announced “battle plan”. The major solar plan has a clear objective which involves the installation of 100 gigawatts of solar panels across the country by 2050. Currently, the country produces 20 GW. A strong acceleration in photovoltaic capacities deployed each year will see the it increase from 3.2 GW to 6 GW each year.
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The Project Team
Following the government’s incentive measures, French players like as Carbon will intervene. This project, led by four partners from Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, was first unveiled in 2022. The partners include Pascal Richard, former director and co-founder of SMA France and current president of the AURA digital solar union; Pierre-Emmanuel Martin, president of the Terre et Lac group and the startup My Energy Manager; Laurent Pélissier, CEO of the industrial oven manufacturer ECM; and Gaëtan Masson, co-President of the European Solar Manufacturing Council – ESMC.
Europe’s efforts in solar panel manufacturing
Earlier this week, the European Commission announced a new proposal, the European Solar Charter (ESC). This proposal aims to combat the challenges facing the continent’s solar manufacturing industry. The charter was signed in Brussels on Monday by representatives of the 23 EU member states and the European Commission. Additionally, several industry bodies, including the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) and SolarPower Europe (SPE).
Europe’s solar manufacturers have repeatedly urged the European Union to step in with emergency measures to protect them from insolvency. Earlier this year, the bloc finalized the Net Zero Industry Act. Under this Act, at least 40% of solar equipment deployed on the continent should be locally produced. However, until the ESC proposal, it has failed to introduce any emergency measures to help to safeguard European businesses.
The ESC includes a series of voluntary actions to be undertaken to support the EU photovoltaic sector, such as price criteria. Resilience, sustainability, responsible business conduct, “ability to deliver,” innovation and cybersecurity criteria are also being proposed. In addition, the document proposes to expedite permits for PV manufacturing facilities and innovative forms of solar energy deployment, such as agrivoltaics, floating solar, infrastructure-integrated PV, vehicle-integrated PV, and building-integrated PV.
“We must ensure the solar industry remains strong for Europe’s future, renewables-centred energy mix. The European Solar Charter brings together the commission, national authorities and the industry, fostering cooperation and bringing support to the production of solar panels made in Europe,” European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simons said after the signing ceremony.
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