The French company Générale du Solaire has officially inaugurated a floating photovoltaic plant located in Leutenheim, in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace. This project, installed on a former gravel pit still partially active, covers a total area of 27.6 hectares and has an installed capacity approaching 20 megawatts peak (MWc). The inauguration took place in the presence of Daniel Bour, president of Générale du Solaire, Marc Antoni, mayor of Leutenheim, as well as numerous local and regional elected officials and institutional representatives, bringing together around 120 guests. This is the first facility of its kind in Alsace to reach such scale.
Technical specifications of the floating solar plant
The Leutenheim solar plant is equipped with nearly 34,800 photovoltaic panels and 78 inverters to convert the generated current. Its expected annual production is estimated at 21 gigawatt hours (GWh), equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 7,250 households, excluding heating. Furthermore, this project benefits from a guaranteed electricity purchase contract for a period of 20 years following a call for tenders organized by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE – Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie).
Participatory financing and local involvement
In July 2024, participatory financing organized via the Lendopolis platform raised €1.73mn from residents of the Bas-Rhin and neighbouring departments. This local financing significantly contributed to the project’s implementation. During the official inauguration, speakers, including Daniel Bour and Marc Antoni, praised the local mobilisation and the involvement of regional authorities that have supported the project since its inception.
Development stages and project timeline
Initial administrative procedures and local consultations began in 2019, during which the municipality of Leutenheim officially validated the initiative by deliberation. Following this initial approval, a series of studies, notably environmental ones, were launched in spring 2019. The project then passed through various regulatory stages before the effective start of works in 2024, leading to the plant’s commissioning in early 2025. The official inauguration was held on June 24, 2025.
Environmental considerations and project monitoring
The construction site underwent rigorous environmental monitoring. Specific avoidance measures were implemented to protect sensitive areas such as shallows and banks, important habitats for local aquatic birds. An ecologist supervised the project from the preparatory phase through to the start of its operation, ensuring strict compliance with established environmental standards. An initial baseline state (N-1) was established regarding water quality, fish populations and birdlife, and will be followed by a new assessment in 2025.
