[Solar: French startup Carbon abandons 5GW PV gigafactory project]

Published: May 21, 2026 14:59

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French solar startup Carbon has abandoned its planned 5GW PV gigafactory in Fos-sur-Mer, southern France. The project, previously designated a Project of Major National Interest, was expected to cover production from solar cells to modules with an estimated investment of EUR 1.5 billion. Carbon said the project required a protected European market to support industrial ramp-up, but the EU regulatory framework failed to provide sufficient policy visibility or preferential treatment for European-made products. SMM believes the cancellation highlights ongoing challenges for Europe’s PV manufacturing reshoring, including high costs, financing uncertainty and limited policy protection.

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