HoloSolis Secures Trinasolar’s TOPCon Patent License For French Factory

French solar manufacturer HoloSolis has signed a patent licensing deal with China-based Trinasolar, granting access to its n-type TOPCon technology portfolio. The agreement will support HoloSolis in building a large-scale solar PV module production line in Europe, aimed at delivering high-efficiency, low-carbon panels for the regional market.  

“The partnership with Trinasolar allows us to combine this world-leading technology with Europe's high manufacturing expertise,” said HoloSolis’ CTO, Oliver Schultz-Wittmann. “By acquiring this license, we ensure that our products are both innovative and comply with global patent law standards, offering reliable, high-performance solar solutions 'Made in Europe'.” 

“This agreement is more than a licensing deal—it is a symbol of how global innovation can foster local industrial strength,” added Trinasolar’s President Europe, Gonzalo de la Viña. “By bringing proven, highly efficient technology to HoloSolis, Trinasolar is contributing to the development of a stronger and more resilient PV manufacturing ecosystem in Europe.” 

HoloSolis has plans to set up a large-scale manufacturing facility in Hambach, Moselle, in France’s Grand Est region. The plant is planned to reach an annual capacity of 5 GW, which translates to the production of around 10 million solar modules each year.  

Construction on a 50-acre site in Sarreguemines-Hambach is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first modules expected to roll out in 2027. While TOPCon is the technology of choice for HoloSolis, the startup is also interested in a tandem solution that combines silicon and perovskite, which it will continue to explore at the product and R&D levels. 

The French company, which counts EIT InnoEnergy as part of its founding consortium, has already secured technical support from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE for technology selection and factory planning.  

“In just over a year, we have secured over €200 million in financing and achieved important milestones, from permitting and land acquisition to grid connection and technical design. We also received strong support from the market, receiving letters of intent for the purchase of products with a total volume of more than 20 GW. This is enough to secure our production for the first five years,” shared HoloSolis CEO, Bertrand Lecacheux.  

Financing raised includes over €1 million in equity contribution via convertible bonds from a consortium of Technique Solaire, Photosol, CVE, and Tenergie, who wish to secure the supply of Made-in-Europe modules (see Europe Solar PV News Snippets: French Companies Rally Around HoloSolis For 5 GW French PV Fab & More). 

For now, the partnership between HoloSolis and Trinasolar is limited to patent licensing, but the 2 companies confirmed they are considering future cooperation. Also part of the discussions are strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Europe’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. 

Having replaced PERC as the industry workhorse, TOPCon technology has sparked fierce competition among companies, with multiple lawsuits filed across the globe. Active claims span the US, the EU, and the Asia Pacific regions, and touch nearly all major players, including Trinasolar. The Chinese manufacturer has filed patent infringement lawsuits against Canadian Solar in the US and China, as well as Runergy Alabama and Adani (see Trinasolar Seeking RMB 1 Billion+ In Damages From Canadian Solar). 

In April 2025, Trinasolar announced an exclusive patent licensing agreement with Oxford PV to enable the manufacture and/or sale of perovskite-based PV products in China (see Oxford PV & Trinasolar Enter Exclusive Patent Partnership).