HELIUP raises €16 million to accelerate the industrialization of its lightweight solar panels for the building sector’s energy transition
HELIUP, a French industrial deeptech company specializing in lightweight photovoltaics, announces the successful closing of a €16 million funding round aimed at accelerating the large-scale deployment of its solar technology designed for existing building rooftops. This transaction marks a decisive step toward rapidly scaling up solar energy production in Europe by unlocking a largely untapped resource: large rooftops with limited load-bearing capacity.
An industrial response to Europe’s energy challenges
In a context of strengthened climate regulations and growing energy independence ambitions, deploying solar across existing buildings represents one of the fastest levers to reduce carbon emissions at scale.
Born out of French research (a spin-off from the CEA) and industrialized in France, HELIUP aims to become a leading player in lightweight photovoltaics in Europe, thereby contributing to:
- the decarbonization of the building sector,
- European energy sovereignty,
- industrial
Today, a significant proportion of European logistics, industrial and commercial buildings cannot accommodate conventional photovoltaic panels due to structural constraints related to installation weight.
HELIUP addresses this limitation with ultra-light photovoltaic panels designed for installation without structural reinforcement. HELIUP panels integrate state-of-the-art, high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic cells in terms of efficiency, combined with a proprietary architecture developed and industrialized by HELIUP, originating from research initially conducted at the CEA.
This approach notably enables:
- the use of already developed surfaces,
- the avoidance of heavy and costly structural works,
- significantly shorter deployment timelines,
- a reduced environmental footprint of
The future of photovoltaics in France is increasingly driven by self-consumption models, and HELIUP’s industrial project fully aligns with this dynamic. Already industrialized and validated with customers in France and across Europe, HELIUP’s solution ranks among the most mature technologies in the emerging lightweight photovoltaic market.
Scaling up industrial capacity: a new phase of growth
The funding round is led by Supernova Invest, alongside new investors — MAIF Impact, Lita Gestion, C2AD — as well as long-standing partners Starquest Capital and BNP Paribas Développement, who are renewing their confidence following an initial transaction.
HELIUP was supported by Avolta Partners in structuring and implementing this strategic transaction.
Following the commissioning of its first production unit in France and the commercial validation of its technology, HELIUP is now entering a phase of European expansion.
The funds raised will notably support:
- the strengthening of commercial teams across Europe,
- the expansion of production capacity at its French industrial site,
- the preparation of additional replicable production units,
- continued innovation efforts to maintain a sustainable technological
” This funding round gives us the means to accelerate HELIUP’s industrial deployment at a European scale. Our ambition is clear: to finally make millions of square meters of currently unused rooftops solar-ready and transform existing buildings into true energy infrastructure. By equipping existing rooftops, we enable building owners and operators to sustainably reduce their energy costs, enhance the value of their real estate assets, and comply with new regulatory requirements related to the energy transition. “
— Yannick VESCHETTI, President of HELIUP
“ At Supernova, we support deeptech innovations capable of becoming European leaders in their sectors.
HELIUP embodies this ambition, combining strong technological differentiation, proven industrial execution track record, and strong market traction. We are proud to support this new acceleration phase, which will concretely contribute to Europe’s energy transition. “
— Marine GLON, Investment Director at Supernova Invest
” HELIUP demonstrates that strategic technologies serving Europe’s energy transition can be industrialized in France. ”
— Emmanuel GAUDÉ, Chief Executive Officer of Starquest
” We are delighted to join the HELIUP journey, which has already demonstrated its industrial maturity, technical viability and economic competitiveness. We look forward to supporting its deployment phase in France and across Europe, in a context of massive electrification of uses in the coming years and growing demand for competitive and controlled energy production solutions. “
— Maxime GETTEN, Partner at Lita Gestion
“HELIUP provides a concrete response to the energy challenges we support at MAIF Impact: developing decarbonized, local solar production adapted to large rooftops. Their lightweight technology, compatible with building constraints, and their commitment to reindustrialization fully align with our investment priorities.”
