According to the European Commission, the French plan meets the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) and is based on three main points: the plan will promote the production of strategic equipment needed for the transition to a net-zero economy; everyone will benefit The amount of the recipients will not exceed the limit specified in the "Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework" - up to a maximum of 2.25 million euros; the assistance will last until December 31, 2025, which is less than two years ago.

There has been an increase in solar upstream investment activity in France over the past year, with several companies planning to build module plants in the country, including startup Heliup, which secured investment in a 100MW PERC lightweight module line.

Holosolis, the company founded by innovation group EIT InnoEnergy, plans to build a 5GW solar module factory in France; and Carbon, the company plans to build a 5GW/3.5GW cell and module factory in the south of France.

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president for competition policy at the European Commission, said: Thanks to the opportunities presented by the "Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework", member states can support investment in key areas for the transition to a net-zero economy. France’s tax break scheme targets batteries, solar modules, wind turbines and heat pumps, helping to meet Europe’s ambitious climate goals.

Vestager added that France's aid package follows similar plans approved by Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Spain, both in renewable energy and manufacturing, with a total value of 9.1 billion euros.

European countries are not only moving forward with aid packages to help set up in-house solar manufacturing, but are also updating their renewable energy targets and submitting new versions of national energy and climate plans as requested by the European Commission.

France’s updated 2030 target is for solar PV capacity of 60GW, an increase of just 20GW from the previous version of the national energy and climate plan submitted in 2019.Trina solar panels