CARBON inaugurates its R&D center in Istres for the photovoltaic industry

CARBON and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area announce the creation of CARBON Lab in Istres, an innovation center for the solar industry, marking a key step in the company's development in Europe.
Centre d'innovation photovoltaïque

Partagez:

The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Area and the CARBON company are committed to developing a center of innovation and excellence for the photovoltaic industry in Istres, called CARBON Lab. This project is part of CARBON’s strategy to strengthen its position in the European solar industry.

At the suggestion of Martine Vassal, President of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council and President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Authority, the Metropolitan Council has approved a construction lease with CARBON. This lease will enable CARBON Lab to set up on a 13.9-hectare site in Istres. The project involves the refurbishment of several disused industrial buildings, requiring an initial investment of €33 million (excluding VAT), partly financed by the France 2030 program. Meanwhile, photovoltaic projects are multiplying in France, such as the gigafactory at La Fois-sur-Mer.

Investments and economic impact

CARBON Lab will create 200 jobs in the metropolitan area, in addition to the 3,000 jobs at the Fos-sur-Mer gigafactory. Scheduled to be operational in 2027, this site will become a center of innovation and excellence, supporting CARBON’s other activities. In addition to technological innovation, the Istres site will host a research, development and innovation center dedicated to production processes and photovoltaic products, as well as part of the company’s training activities.

In a second phase, the site will house the Campus du Solaire, a nerve center for the entire solar industry and an international training center.

Statements by key players

Pierre-Emmanuel Martin, president and founder of CARBON, expressed his pride in this new location, underlining the company’s attachment to the South of France. Martine Vassal stressed the importance of this project for the region’s energy sovereignty and for the creation of sustainable jobs.

François Bernardini, mayor of Istres, and Frédéric Vigouroux, mayor of Miramas, also expressed their enthusiasm, highlighting the benefits for their respective communes and the importance of meeting today’s energy challenges.

CARBON Lab symbolizes the successful conversion of a former industrial site and a significant step forward for the solar industry in Europe.

  • Populaires ​
France: Générale du Solaire inaugurates 20 MWc floating solar plant in Alsace
Chevron and Energy Transfer Expand Their LNG Agreement at Lake Charles
France: EDF and Marcegaglia conclude a ten-year electricity agreement in Fos-sur-Mer
BrightNight launches 300 MW solar plant in Arizona with Cordelio Power
Woodside completes sale of 40% stake in Louisiana LNG project to Stonepeak
Pronur launches operations in Saudi Arabia to strengthen renewable energy solutions
Italian group Pronur establishes itself in Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, aiming to provide advanced technologies in the renewable energy sector and develop new industrial partnerships.
Ascent Solar Technologies secures $2mn public funding to strengthen cash position
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. announces the launch of a $2mn public offering to finance working capital, product development and general expenses.
Ardian acquires 117 solar power plants in Italy to strengthen its energy platform
Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund takes control of 117 photovoltaic plants totalling 116 MW in Italy, further consolidating its presence in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Zelestra secures $282mn financing for hybrid solar and storage project in Chile
Zelestra has secured $282mn financing from Natixis CIB, BNP Paribas and BCI for its Aurora project, combining a 220 MWdc solar plant and 1 GWh storage capacity in the Tarapacá region, Chile.
Egypt launches $200mn industrial solar complex at Ain Sokhna
Egypt has been building an industrial photovoltaic solar complex in Ain Sokhna since June 19, aiming to stimulate strategic local production with a total investment of $200 million funded by the Chinese group Sunrev.
Plenitude and Modine launch 1.585 MWp solar power plant in Italy
Plenitude and Modine have signed an agreement to build a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 1.585 MWp in Pocenia, designed to power thermal and refrigeration equipment at Modine’s Italian industrial site, without initial investment.
NamPower launches $90.3mn solar power plant to secure Namibian energy
Namibia begins construction of its largest solar plant, Sores|Gaib, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports by leveraging its solar potential, considered among the highest globally according to the World Bank.
Bangladesh Mandates Solar Panels on Public Buildings to Secure Energy Supply
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
Global electricity access reaches 92%, 666 million people still excluded
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.
Global solar panel recycling market to reach $548mn by 2030
Estimated at $384.4mn in 2025, the global photovoltaic panel recycling market is expected to grow annually by 7.4%, reaching $548mn in 2030, driven by the rapidly increasing number of installations reaching end-of-life.
Global photovoltaic market heading towards $968.32bn by 2030
Estimated at $613.57bn in 2025, the global photovoltaic market is expected to reach $968.32bn by 2030, driven by declining costs and growing demand from residential and utility sectors, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis published on June 26.
Sasol and Akuo sign major solar energy supply agreement
Sasol International Chemicals concludes a virtual contract with Akuo to supply half of the electrical needs for its Lake Charles industrial complex in the United States, via a solar plant scheduled for 2026.
Eurowind Energy invests €174.8mn in major solar park in Romania
Eurowind Energy initiates a €174.8mn investment to build a 220 MW solar park in Vișina, Romania, capable of supplying around 150,000 households annually.
CleanCapital acquires 27 MW solar assets and strengthens US presence
CleanCapital expands its portfolio by acquiring solar and energy storage assets totaling 27 MW in California and Massachusetts from Pacifico Energy to meet growing demand in the United States.
Austria introduces a 20% bonus for European photovoltaic equipment
Austria is launching an unprecedented 20% bonus on photovoltaic subsidies to promote equipment manufactured in Europe, with a total envelope of €20 million dedicated to solar installations and energy storage systems.
Longi and Pertamina launch 1.6 GW solar plant in Indonesia
Chinese manufacturer Longi will invest alongside Pertamina NRE in a 1.6 GW site at Deltamas, aiming to strengthen the local photovoltaic chain and capture demand expected under Indonesia’s power plan.
OMV Petrom invests in major 400 MW solar project in Bulgaria
OMV Petrom acquires 50% of the 400 MW Gabare photovoltaic project near Sofia, in partnership with Enery, in a deal valued at approximately €200 million including a potential energy storage solution.
Global SCADA market to reach $3.56bn by 2030
Driven by strong solar adoption, the global SCADA systems market for renewable energy is expected to reach $3.56bn by 2030, with an estimated average annual growth rate of 12.7%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
France: RATP inaugurates its first solar power plant with Urbasolar
RATP and Urbasolar officially inaugurated the Colombier photovoltaic power plant, the first large-scale solar installation operated by the Parisian public transport operator, set to produce 14 GWh of electricity per year.
European Energy secures €70m to fund two major solar projects in Australia
Danish developer European Energy finalises financing deal exceeding €70m for constructing two Australian solar plants, totalling 137 megawatts of installed capacity on the local electricity market.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS