Executive Vice President of the European Committee, Stephane Séjourné, visits 3SUN Gigafactory
On 15 May, EVP Séjourné, European Commissioner for Industry, visited the largest European photovoltaic module factory in Catania, recently marked by a new technological record.
The European energy transition passes also through Catania. Indeed, the city is home to 3SUN, the largest European photovoltaic module Gigafactory, part of the industrial and environmental relaunch plan promoted by the EU. This was an emblematic visit for Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Industry Commissioner Séjourné, who visited our Sicilian plant accompanied by Elena Grech, Deputy Director of the European Commission’s Representation in Italy.
Stefano Lorenzi, our CEO, and Stefano Ciurli, Enel’s Head of Global Services, welcomed them by illustrating the technology currently being used in our “sun factory” - an excellence hub for the European photovoltaic sector, for production capacity and technological innovation.
Séjourné: “Industrializing and decarbonizing together”
During the meeting, the French Vice President of the EU Committee highlighted 3SUN’s symbolic value in the European framework: “At a time during which the EU is called upon to strengthen its model, 3SUN meets several strategic challenges. The scientific challenge, by offering a new, cutting-edge technology on the solar energy market. The environmental challenge, by increasing the production of clean energy in Europe. And the geo-political challenge, by fostering Europe’s energetic independence along the entire value chain”.
3SUN, a Made-in-Europe excellence, is the only one of its kind in the industrial landscape, as integrated R&D&P player. This model can generate qualified labour while supporting the energy and ecological transition.
In 2024, the Italian government authorized investments for almost EUR 90 millions, allocated by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in the Gigafactory, which was also granted a EUR 560 million funding package by the EIB (European Investment Bank) and by a consortium of Italian banks. In 2022, the EU had signed a EUR 118 million non-repayable funding agreement.
A European solar power Gigafactory
Our plant - which will reach a final production capacity of 3 GW/year - is already running, with three active lines, producing up to 1.8 GW/year, equivalent to approximately 3 million solar panels. This makes the Gigafactory the largest European industrial player in the field, and one of the few that covers the entire PV value chain in the continent.
“We are very happy about EVP Séjourné’s visit, which confirms the growing attention of the Committee toward our Gigafactory - said Stefano Lorenzi - 3SUN modules and cells stand out for their high technological level and innovation, and this makes our Gigafactory a Made-in-Europe excellence and the only industrial player of this kind in Europe.”
High-efficiency technology and constant innovation
Our modules are based on the HJT (heterojunction) technology, and use the CORE-H® process, combining crystalline silicon system and amorphous silicon layers. With this method, we can improve light absorption and thus the module’s efficiency, making it more resistant and competitive. And our innovations do not stop here.
The Gigafactory works alongside CEA-INES, the French National Institute for Solar Energy, to develop the Tandem technology, combining HJT and perovskite. This new generation of solar cells will significantly increase the quality of light converted into electric power.
In the early 2025, the Tandem technology reached a new efficiency record - 30.8% - on a 9 square centimetre cell, exceeding its previous value of 28.4%. This outstanding result confirms the potential of the research conducted by 3SUN and its partners. The next step will be the industrialization of this technology, to bring extra-high-efficiency modules, designed and manufactured entirely in Europe, on the market.
Toward a EU solar power chain
Our project falls within a broader vision, aimed at building a European PV industrial supply chain, and compete with big global players. “We are well-aware of the strategic role held by 3SUN to foster the growth of the European PV sector, which, in order to be truly competitive, needs to develop a solid production chain with regulations supporting it”, said the CEO, Lorenzi.
The European Committee’s attention toward projects such as this one shows the will to build a sustainable, independent and cutting-edge European energy industry. And an important part of this strategy is already active, in Catania.