France’s solar capacity hits 20 GW by end of 2023. ⁵

France’s solar targets: 60 GW by 2030 (up from 40 GW) and 75-100 GW by 2035. ⁶

Coal:

In France, the cost of generating electricity from coal plants is approximately 0.135 USD/kWh in operating expenses (OPEX), whereas renewable energy sources have a significantly lower cost of around 0.04 USD/kWh. ⁷

Natural gas:

France’s 2021 natural gas cost for electricity generation: $82.37/MWh. ⁸

Nuclear plant:

According to the Energy Regulation Commission in France, the estimated cost of nuclear power generation for the existing fleet of 56 reactors is approximately $64.34 per megawatt-hour (MWh), which is lower than EDF’s estimated cost of $80.44/MWh. ⁹

Hydroelectric power plant:

As of 2022, the cost of electricity generation from hydroelectric sources in France was approximately $208.86 per megawatt-hour (MWh). ¹⁰

Solar plant:

Ground-mounted solar photovoltaics emerged as the most affordable source of clean electricity, with a cost of $59.44 per megawatt-hour (MWh).¹⁰

Wind plant:

Wind power production costs varied across different technologies, with fixed offshore turbines being the most expensive at $144.80/MWh, followed by onshore wind plants at $69.73/MWh, and floating offshore wind plants being the most cost-effective at $64.37/MWh.¹⁰

Coal:

Coal’s share of France’s electricity generation: 1% in 2021, with plans to phase out coal entirely by. ¹¹

Nuclear plant:

France’s 2023 power mix: Nuclear (65%) leads the way. ¹²

Hydroelectric power plant:

France’s 2023 power mix: Hydropower (12%). ¹²

Wind and solar:

France’s electricity: 15% from wind & solar. ¹³

Bioenergy:

France’s electricity mix: Bioenergy (2%) – smallest share.

France boasts a reliable electrical grid, providing uninterrupted 24/7 electricity access to all residents nationwide.

As of June 30, 2023, Enedis data reveals that 325,939 French households have adopted solar power, generating at least a portion of their own electricity through installed solar panels. ¹⁴

The total number of solar farms installed and projected in France is around 1,846; this is based on publicly available data. ¹⁵

France’s residential solar PV market is poised for significant growth, with an expected CAGR of 8.1% from 2022 to 2030. The off-grid segment is anticipated to experience even more rapid growth, with a CAGR of 18.1% driven by increasing energy demand in remote areas and supportive policies promoting decentralized power generation. ¹⁶

France’s on-grid solar panel market is currently valued at 22.96 GW (as of 2024) and is expected to expand significantly to 44.68 GW by 2029, representing a CAGR of 14.24%. This rapid growth supports France’s goal of achieving 100 GW of solar PV installations. ¹⁷

In France, the average annual salary for a solar engineer is approximately $53,601, with a salary range of $37,450 to $69,454, with the median salary sitting at $53,601. ¹⁸

As of 2024, the population of France is estimated to be approximately 68.37 million people. ¹⁹

There is no specific data on the overhead costs of solar panel production in France, but generally in more developed countries, overhead costs range from 25-35 % of the total production cost. Here are some insights into overhead costs for solar panels:

Rent/Facility Costs

Compared to other prominent European cities like London and Berlin, France offers relatively affordable rental and facility costs. Specifically, in the greater Paris region, the average annual prime rent for large industrial spaces (warehouses over 5,000 sqm) was approximately $80.44 per square meter in Q4 2023 ²⁰

Utilities

France: Electricity costs below EU average, $0.22/kWh (incl. taxes). ²¹

Labor Overhead

France (May 2023): Avg. hourly wage $18, Min. wage (SMIC) $12.50, helping keep labor overheads low. These figures can vary depending on the sector and region within France. ²²

Here’s a summary of the France solar energy infrastructure:

Electricity Generation

• France (May 2024): Total electricity capacity reaches 41,134 GWh ²³
• Primary sources: nuclear (65%), hydro (12%), coal (6%), renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass (17%), fossil-fired power plants.⁴
• Major power plants: The Cordemais Power Station, Civaux Nuclear Power Plant.  Chinon Nuclear Power Plant, Saint-Laurent Nuclear Power Station, Emile Huchet Power Station, Grand’Maison Dam, Revin Pumped Storage Power Plant, Roselend Dam, Le Pouget hydroelectric power station, Bouillante 2 Power Plant. ²⁴
• Renewable Energy Plants: They represent almost 47% of the installed capacity.
• Nuclear Plants: Over 41% of the installed capacity comes from nuclear power plants.

Transmission & Distribution

• France’s transmission and distribution activities are regulated public services under the CRE’s supervision. RTE, the country’s only transmission system operator, operates, maintains, and develops the public electricity transmission system to facilitate connections for producers, consumers, storage operators, and distribution networks, as well as European grid interconnections. Enedis, the main distribution network operator, connects the majority of renewable energy installations, while local distribution companies (ELD) manage the remaining connections. Additionally, EDF SEI provides special distribution networks for ZNIs, including overseas territories (except Mayotte) and Corsica, with Electricité de Mayotte responsible for energy production and distribution in Mayotte. ²⁵

Renewable Energy

• Grid-connected solar: Around 22.96 GW of utility-scale solar parks
• As of May 2023, France’s operational wind energy capacity reached 21.4 gigawatts, with a significant majority of 20 gigawatts coming from onshore wind farms, while offshore wind plants contributed around 0.5 gigawatts. Additionally, France had a promising wind energy pipeline, with 18.5 gigawatts of capacity in the development stage, poised to further boost the country’s wind energy output. ²⁶
• As of 2023, France’s hydropower capacity stood at 25,881 megawatts, marking a decline from the previous year. In contrast, the country’s total renewable energy capacity reached 65.4 gigawatts in 2022, with hydropower contributing approximately 40% to this total, highlighting its significant role in France’s renewable energy mix. ²⁷

Energy Access

• Around 100% of the population has access to electricity.

Energy Imports

• France was a net exporter of electricity in 2021, with a total of 24.5 billion kWh imported and 69.4 billion kWh exported. The largest recipients of France’s electricity exports were Switzerland (25%), Great Britain (23%), Italy (22%), and Spain (17%), together accounting for the majority of France’s electricity exports that year. ²⁸

Here’s a summary of the key regulations surrounding solar panel production in Bangladesh:

Renewable Energy Policy

France’s renewable energy sector is governed by a comprehensive legal framework, encompassing the Energy Code, Environmental Code, Town Planning Code, General Local Authorities Code, Code of Public Procurement, and General Code on Public Property. Additionally, France is bound to implement the „Clean energy for all Europeans package“, a suite of EU legislation comprising four directives and four regulations adopted between May 2018 and June 2019, aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. ²⁵

Renewable Energy Targets

France’s renewable energy targets for 2023 and 2028 are as follows:

• Solar energy: 20.1 GW by 2023, increasing to 35.1-44 GW by 2028
• Onshore wind energy: 24.1 GW by 2023, rising to 33.2-34.7 GW by 2028
• Offshore wind energy (including floating offshore wind): 2.4 GW by 2023, growing to 5.2-6.2 GW by 2028
• Hydroelectricity (including tidal energy): 25.7 GW by 2023, with a modest increase to 26.4-26.7 GW by 2028
• Biomass: 145 TWh by 2023, expanding to 157-169 TWh by 2028
• Geothermal energy: 2.9 TWh by 2023, increasing to 4-5.2 TWh by 2028. ²⁵

Renewable Energy Regulatory Development Authority

France’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) plays a pivotal role in regulating and advancing renewable energy projects, overseeing the country’s energy markets, including those involving renewable sources. Separately, the French Competition Authority (FCA), an independent public authority, focuses on preventing anti-competitive practices and scrutinizing mergers across various sectors, including energy, to promote a level playing field. ²⁵

Quality Standards

• Low-Carbon Module Regulations: Solar projects chosen through the CRE4 tenders must undergo a streamlined carbon assessment, developed by France’s Environment & Energy Management Agency (ADEME), to guarantee a carbon footprint of less than a specified limit of kg CO2/kW. This ’simplified‘ procedure ensures that selected projects utilize solar panels with a minimal carbon footprint throughout their entire lifecycle, aligning with France’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ²⁹
• ECS: Evaluation carbone simplifiée: France has implemented a mandatory simplified carbon assessment for solar projects over 100 kWp, ensuring that PV modules meet strict life cycle carbon emission standards. This certification process calculates the carbon footprint of each module’s production and assembly stage. The government sets a maximum embodied carbon limit for PV modules based on project size, and this factor significantly influences the evaluation of tender applications, accounting for up to 30% of the final score. Module manufacturers have achieved compliance by adopting low-embodied carbon polysilicon and wafers in their solar cell production. ³⁰
• ISO Certification: ISO 9001 certification is often sought by manufacturers to demonstrate a commitment to global quality standards, focusing on quality management systems for the durability and reliability of solar panels.
• Environmental Responsibility:ISO 14001 Solar panel manufacturers frequently pursue certification to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship. This certification showcases their dedication to implementing sustainable practices, such as minimizing waste, optimizing energy efficiency, and responsibly managing resources throughout the entire production process, thereby reducing their ecological footprint.
• Safety and Performance:ISO 45001, The implementation of the occupational health and safety management system standard is vital for maintaining a secure working environment in solar panel manufacturing facilities. This certification prioritizes employee well-being, minimizes workplace incidents, and optimizes the efficiency of the production process, leading to improved overall performance. ³¹
• AFNOR The French Ministry of Industry oversees AFNOR Certification, a leading institution responsible for evaluating and certifying products, services, and systems, including those in the solar industry. As the national standardization and certification authority, AFNOR Certification ensures that solar products and services meet rigorous quality and performance standards.³²
  Furthermore, the Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France (IPVF) plays a significant role in advancing photovoltaic research and may influence the development of solar industry standards. To ensure compliance with French regulations, specific tests are mandatory, including thermal performance tests (EN 12976 / ISO 9459-5) for solar systems and various quality and performance tests (EN 12975-2) for solar collectors, among others. These tests, overseen by institutions like IPVF, guarantee that solar products meet the required quality and performance standards in France. ³³

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Eco-Interest-Free Loan (éco-PTZ)

The Eco-Interest-Free Loan offers financial assistance for various home energy improvements, including the installation of thermal and photovoltaic solar panels. With a maximum funding amount of $10,725 for thermal panels, this loan can be combined with other energy renovation projects to increase the loan amount. Homeowners can access up to $21,450 for two projects and $32,148.48 for three or more, providing a comprehensive financial solution for energy-efficient home upgrades.

Prime for Photovoltaic Self-Consumption

The Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Incentive, introduced in 2024, replaces the former tax credit for photovoltaics, providing financial relief for solar panel purchases. This grant is distributed over five years and is paid in tandem with the income generated from excess energy sales, based on the solar panel’s power output. The incentive rates for 2024 are tiered according to installation power, offering:

• Up to 3 kWc: $0.46 per watt
• 3-9 kWc: $0.34 per watt
• 9-36 kWc: $0.19 per watt
• 36-100 kWc: $0.10 per watt

This incentive helps reduce the financial burden of transitioning to renewable energy.

Tax Exemption

Furthermore, solar installations that meet specific criteria may be eligible for an income tax exemption. To qualify, the installation must have a power output below 3 kWc, be connected to no more than two points, and not be used for professional purposes. In such cases, no taxation applies. However, if the installation exceeds 3 kWc, the income generated from selling surplus electricity is subject to taxation.

Energy Grant in 2024

In 2017, the government launched the Energy Grant (Energy Savings Boost), a program designed to support energy-efficient home upgrades. This state-run initiative provides financial assistance to cover a substantial portion of equipment costs, serving as a bridge between energy professionals and homeowners. By doing so, it facilitates the implementation of energy-related projects, making it easier for individuals to access and afford energy-efficient solutions.

Energy Savings Certificates (CEE)

Launched in 2006, Energy Savings Certificates (ESC) foster a collaborative approach between energy industry stakeholders and consumers. By incentivizing energy companies to fund the Energy Grant, ESCs enable consumers to offset the costs of residential energy efficiency upgrades. This innovative mechanism creates a mutually beneficial dynamic, where energy players support consumers in reducing their energy consumption, while also promoting sustainable practices.

The Green Industry Tax Credit

France’s 2024 Finance Act has launched the Green Industry Tax Credit, a measure to stimulate domestic solar panel production and green industrial investments. This temporary tax incentive targets industrial and commercial companies that incur capital expenditures in sectors producing batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, or heat pumps. The credit will benefit activities involved in manufacturing equipment and components, as well as sourcing critical raw materials. Qualifying expenses include investments in tangible assets, such as infrastructure and machinery, and intangible assets, like intellectual property rights, that enhance production capacity. ³⁵

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Cestas Solar Park

French renewable energy leader, Neon, has developed a massive solar park with a staggering 300 MW of total solar capacity. The project broke ground in late 2014 and was successfully commissioned in December 2015, marking a significant milestone in Neon’s pursuit of harnessing clean energy on a grand scale.

Toul-Rosières Solar Park 

EDF Energies Nouvelles successfully completed the Toul-Rosières Solar Park in June 2012, showcasing its expertise in designing and building large-scale solar facilities. This impressive plant harnesses the power of 1.4 million advanced thin-film solar modules from First Solar, a leading American manufacturer, to generate clean and sustainable energy.

Gabardan Solar Park 

In the Landes region of Southwestern France, the 67.5 MW Gabardan Solar Park was brought to life by EDF Energies Nouvelles, featuring First Solar’s innovative thin-film PV modules. Construction, undertaken by Schneider Electric, began in 2009 and was completed in 2011, showcasing a successful collaboration in harnessing the power of solar energy.

Les Mées Solar Park 

Located on the vast La Colle des Mées plateau in southern France, at an elevation of 800 meters, the Les Mées Solar Park is a comprehensive solar energy project comprising multiple farms developed by Enfinity and Eco Delta. With a combined installed capacity of 90 MW, this extensive solar installation was completed in late 2011, harnessing the region’s abundant solar resources.

Crucey Solar Park 

Following a three-year construction period that commenced in 2009, the Crucey Solar Park was successfully brought online in 2012. This impressive solar facility, developed by EDF Energies Nouvelles, features an array of 741,000 thin-film PV modules, collectively generating a substantial 60 MW of renewable energy capacity.

Massangis Solar Park 

EDF Energies Nouvelles has developed the Massangis Solar Park, a substantial solar PV farm utilizing thin-film First Solar PV modules. With a total capacity of 56 MW, the park was progressively commissioned from early 2012, reaching full operational status by October 2021, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of large-scale solar energy.

Curbans Solar Park 

At an elevation of 1,000 meters in the Curbans commune of southern France, Engie has developed and built a 33 MW Solar Park, featuring nearly 150,000 Yingli PV modules. This renewable energy facility, completed in late 2011 with an investment of €80 million, has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 120,000 tons annually, contributing significantly to a more sustainable future.

Total Energies’ solar power plant

TotalEnergies has launched its largest solar power plant in France, with a capacity of 55 MW, covering 75 hectares near Gien, Loiret. The plant, comprising 126,000 photovoltaic panels, will produce around 64 GWh per year. Building on this success, TotalEnergies was awarded 51 MW of solar projects in the latest CRE 4 tender, adding to its cumulative wins of 707 MW over the past ten bidding periods. The new projects, to be commissioned by end-2023, will be operated and maintained by TotalEnergies‘ growing local team. ³⁷

Stellantis Solar Carport 

In October 2022, Engie Green’s colossal solar carport project, with a capacity of 29 MW, was completed, earning the title of France’s largest solar carport at the time. Construction began in September 2021, and the project’s expansive canopy of PV modules now covers an area sufficient to accommodate more than 10,000 cars, showcasing a remarkable fusion of sustainability and functionality.

Lazer Floating PV Facility 

In 2023, EDF Renewables commissioned the groundbreaking Lazer floating PV facility, built on the Lazer hydroelectric plant in Hautes-Alpes, France. This 20 MW project amplifies the site’s renewable energy capacity, covering around two-thirds of the dam’s water surface. The innovative design demonstrates a successful integration of solar and hydroelectric power, setting a new standard for hybrid renewable energy solutions.

Marcoussis Solar Farm

The Marcoussis solar farm, developed by Engie SA, has set a new benchmark as Ile-de-France’s largest solar PV facility, with a capacity of 20.3 MW and comprising over 58,000 solar modules. Construction on this impressive project was completed in October 2021, solidifying its position as a leading renewable energy asset in the region

Horizeo Solar and Storage Project

The Horizeo project, a collaborative effort between Engie and Neoen, aims to create a pioneering solar plant with 1 GW of capacity, featuring advanced components like battery storage, agrivoltaics, and green hydrogen production. Although still in its infancy, the project is expected to reach completion by late 2026 and has already identified Saucats in southwestern France as its future home. ³⁸

Marville Solar Plant 

France’s Marville solar plant, a 152 MW behemoth, was launched in September 2021, marking the successful collaboration between French developer TSE and German energy company Enerpac. Situated near Verdun in the Meuse department, this massive facility spans 155 hectares of repurposed land, formerly a NATO military airbase used by Canadian forces, and is equipped with 364,000 PV modules.

Pompogne Solar Park 

In June 2012, GP Joule completed the Pompogne Solar Park in Aquitane, near the municipality of Pompogne, with an investment of €113 million. The 40 MW solar facility, built by the German power plant developer, comprises 175,000 solar PV modules supplied by US-based REC Solar.

Valenciennes Solar Project

France’s largest ground-mounted solar project, the 50 MW Valenciennes solar farm, was awarded to Total in the 2020 CRE4 tender and began operations in 2022. Located near Valenciennes in northern France, it’s part of Total’s 135 MW solar portfolio secured in the same tender.

Montane Solar Park 

Engie developed the 24 MW Montane solar park in Correze, France, at a cost of €28.6 million, completing it in June 2018 after a 2-year delay. The park uses one-axis trackers to maximize energy production by always orienting PV modules towards the sun.

Albioma SA

Albioma SA specializes in high-value photovoltaic power station projects, leveraging cutting-edge storage technology to maximize efficiency. As France’s leading photovoltaic power generator, the company designs and operates pioneering projects that seamlessly integrate storage solutions, pushing the boundaries of innovation in the sector. ³⁹

TotalEnergies SE

This company offers a comprehensive range of services for renewable energy projects, including development, construction, maintenance, and asset management. Their expertise extends to the production of green electricity through PV systems, which involve installing solar panels on rooftops or ground-mounted structures to generate a continuous flow of electricity. ⁴⁰

Meeco AG

The company provides Solar Solutions SARL delivers end-to-end solar project solutions, including implementation and management of renewable energy systems, backed by specialized technical and advisory services, catering to clients in Metropolitan France and beyond. ⁴¹

Voltalia SA

Headquartered in France, Voltalia SA is a leading renewable energy company, specializing in the end-to-end development of power stations that utilize a range of renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, to generate clean electricity. ⁴²

EDF Renewables

EDF Renewables SA, a subsidiary of Electricite de France SA, specializes in the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of renewable energy power plants, generating clean electricity mainly from wind and solar sources. ⁴³

Solairedirect

As a subsidiary of Engie SA, Solairedirect is a leading solar energy company in France, specializing in the end-to-end delivery of utility-scale solar projects worldwide, from development and construction to operation, maintenance, and investment.⁴⁴