French group Tenergie has launched construction of a ground-mounted photovoltaic plant on the disused Grand Geas quarry site in Cabrières d’Avignon. The project, carried out in partnership with the local municipality, follows a call for expressions of interest won in 2021. Around four hectares will be equipped with solar panels, with a total installed capacity of 5.14 megawatts peak (MWp). Commissioning is scheduled for 2026.
Expected output of 7.6 GWh per year
According to the published figures, the plant is expected to produce around 7.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 3,100 residents. The disused quarry will be repurposed to host local electricity production. The first building permit was obtained in 2024, followed by a revised permit in 2025.
Local stakeholders, including the Luberon Regional Natural Park, are supporting the project. The business model is based on short supply chains via a collective self-consumption system. Businesses, local authorities and nearby residents will be able to access the electricity at a stated price of €0.10 per kilowatt-hour before tax (10 c€/kWh excl. VAT).
Participatory financing and local impact
A crowdfunding campaign will be launched by the end of the year, allowing residents to invest directly in the project. The announced fixed interest rate ranges from 7 % to 9 % over a period of three to five years. This mechanism aims to financially involve local communities while offering a guaranteed return.
In parallel, Tenergie co-financed an energy audit of municipal buildings with engineering firm Akyla. Revenues from the solar plant are expected to finance local infrastructure works from late 2026. The project is designed to reinvest economic returns into public facilities alongside energy production.
A structured operational framework
Tenergie’s strategy relies on deep territorial integration of its projects, encouraging local government and community participation from the outset. This approach helped secure agreement on the reuse of the quarry site as a new energy production hub.
The Cabrières d’Avignon plant is part of Tenergie’s wider solar portfolio across France. The independent company continues to expand its generation capacity, focusing on non-industrial zones and underused or idle land.
