PVTIME – Heliup, a solar manufacturer supported by the European Commission, has commissioned a 100MW pilot facility in France for the production of lightweight photovoltaic modules. The plant specialises in producing ultra-thin 1mm glass panels designed for low-load rooftops, particularly those on flat commercial buildings.
Picture: Heliup
Heliup’s Stykon modules feature PERC cells and weigh 5kg/m² less than the industry average of 15kg/m², achieving a 60% reduction in system weight without compromising efficiency. The modules are built to withstand winds of up to 270km/h and other natural stressors, which addresses a key issue for rooftop installations on older or structurally constrained buildings.
Heliup secured €3.2 million in 2024 from the EU’s Innovation Fund to establish the facility as part of a wider effort to revitalise European solar manufacturing. This coincides with Carbon, a French start-up, planning a 500MW ‘Carbon One’ factory, set to launch in autumn 2025 with a 5GW cell capacity and a 3.5GW module capacity. Both projects leverage EU support to reduce reliance on Asian supply chains.
These twin factory launches signal a resurgence in EU solar production, with the aim of capturing 15% of global capacity by 2030 as part of the bloc’s Green Deal. Heliup’s lightweight technology is designed for a specific market: flat roofs account for 40% of EU commercial buildings, where traditional heavy modules are often unsuitable.
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