Carbon has acquired Photowatt from EDF Renouvelables to expand its solar module production. The company plans to build a 3.5 GW module manufacturing facility by 2026-2027, significantly boosting its capacity.
Carbon’s Strategic Acquisition of Photowatt
In a major development for the French solar industry, Carbon has announced the acquisition of Photowatt — a photovoltaic (PV) maker — from EDF Renouvelables. Carbon — a French solar module manufacturer — has also committed to investing €40 million ($44.6 million) to support and expand its solar activities.
The acquisition of Photowatt marks a pivotal moment for Carbon’s growth strategy. Photowatt — a company that has been part of the solar industry since 1979 — will now be integrated into Carbon's broader industrial project. Carbon plans to use Photowatt’s expertise and existing infrastructure to drive advancements in solar panel technology and manufacturing.
Photowatt — which has a current manufacturing capacity of 200 MW — will play a key role in Carbon’s ambitious plans to expand its production capabilities. The company aims to build a 500 MW solar panel assembly unit and establish a massive 5 GW photovoltaic (PV) cell and 3.5 GW module manufacturing facility by 2026-2027.
A €40 Million Investment to Boost Solar Production
As part of the acquisition, Carbon has pledged to invest €40 million in Photowatt’s operations. This investment will be used to create a new 500 MW photovoltaic module production unit at Photowatt’s Bourgoin-Jallieu site.
The new production unit is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will help boost Photowatt’s manufacturing capacity. The investment is also expected to support job retention and growth at the site, which currently employs 170 people.
In addition to the new production unit, Carbon plans to establish a research and development center called the Carbon Lab. This research facility will focus on improving manufacturing processes and scaling up production.
By investing in research and development, Carbon aims to make its solar panels more efficient and cost-effective. This will help the company compete with Chinese manufacturers, who currently dominate the global solar market.
Addressing the Growing Demand for French-Made Solar Panels
The acquisition of Photowatt is a strategic move by Carbon to meet the growing demand for Made-in-France solar panels. With increasing interest in locally-produced renewable energy solutions, Carbon is positioning itself to become a leader in the French solar market.
Photowatt will also serve as a pilot facility for testing new production techniques and refining module manufacturing processes. This will allow Carbon to optimize its production methods and stay ahead of the competition. The company’s focus on innovation and efficiency will be key to its success in the rapidly growing solar industry.
While the acquisition of Photowatt is a major step forward for Carbon, the company still faces significant challenges. Carbon will need to secure €1.7 billion in funding to build its planned 5 GW factory in Fos-sur-Mer, France.
Despite the challenges, Carbon is optimistic about the future. The company’s acquisition of Photowatt and its planned investments in production and research signal a strong commitment to the future of the solar industry in France.
Securing Jobs and the Future of Photowatt
For EDF Renewables — which acquired Photowatt in 2012 — the sale of the company to Carbon is seen as a positive step forward. Photowatt has faced financial challenges in recent years due to intense competition from Chinese solar manufacturers. However, EDF Renewables believes that Carbon’s acquisition will provide new momentum for the company and help secure jobs at the Bourgoin-Jallieu site.
Bruno Fyot, deputy CEO of EDF Renewables, expressed confidence in Carbon’s ability to revive Photowatt’s fortunes. “EDF Renewables considers that the acquisition project for Photowatt proposed by Carbon would provide new impetus to sustain the company’s activity and secure jobs on the site,” said Fyot.
Carbon’s acquisition of Photowatt marks a significant milestone in the French solar industry. With a €40 million investment in production and research, Carbon is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for locally-produced solar panels. The future of French solar manufacturing looks bright as Carbon works to scale up production and compete on the global stage.