Independent renewable energy producer CVE has officially inaugurated a new solar farm in Volx, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. With an installed capacity of 12 megawatts-peak (MWc), the photovoltaic plant will generate approximately 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of 8,700 residents. The project was developed on a former storage site unsuitable for agriculture, owned by the municipality and situated alongside the EDF Hydro Méditerranée canal.
Local investment with 30-year returns
CVE acquired the project in 2022 and handled its development, financing, construction, and long-term operation. The solar park spans 12 hectares and consists of more than 20,600 photovoltaic panels. The municipality of Volx, which hosts the facility, will benefit from an estimated €5mn ($5.3mn) in economic returns over the next 30 years through land leases, local taxes, and other operational contributions.
The choice to locate the project on a degraded industrial site aligns with a land-use optimisation strategy, avoiding competition with agricultural activities. According to project data, the municipality of Volx is now a net energy producer, generating approximately three times more electricity than it consumes.
A model for brownfield site redevelopment
Specific measures have been implemented to integrate the park into its local environment. Although the land holds no agricultural value, ecological monitoring was conducted by an independent ecologist during the construction phase and will continue throughout the site’s operation. Features such as hibernacula, avoidance zones for certain protected species, and pathways for small wildlife have been installed.
This approach, combining industrial site redevelopment with renewable energy production, represents a strategic development area for CVE, which aims to strengthen its presence in local territories by repurposing unused land. Through this project, the company reinforces its position in the ground-mounted solar segment while meeting regulatory requirements on environmental impact.
