popular articles

The French Photovoltaic Sector Reaches a Milestone with One Million Installations in 2024

The 52nd edition of the Solar Energy Observatory highlights significant growth in photovoltaic connections, marking a milestone with one million installations in operation.

Please share:

The French solar market solidified its position in the third quarter of 2024 with a total of 1,352 MW connected, according to data from the Solar Energy Observatory published by France Territoire Solaire. This figure represents a 33% increase compared to the 1,013 MW connected in the previous quarter, reflecting sustained growth across all market segments.

Performance by Segment

Large photovoltaic installations (500 kW and above) accounted for 521 MW of new connections, making it the most dynamic segment of the quarter. Large rooftops (100 to 500 kW) also reached a record, with a total of 456 MW connected, confirming their growing role in market expansion.

The self-consumption and residential installation segments continue to grow. Nearly 61,835 new self-consumption installations were connected, a record number. Residential installations under 36 kW contributed an additional 284 MW to the grid, while medium-sized rooftops (36 to 100 kW) remained stable with an additional 90 MW.

Impact on National Consumption

The share of solar electricity in France’s gross electricity consumption reached 8.91% in the third quarter of 2024. This growth reflects increased photovoltaic capacities connected to the grid and ongoing diversification of energy sources.

Meanwhile, the queue for distribution network connections has increased, surpassing 25 GW. This raises questions about the capacity of operators to manage the continuous growth of the solar fleet, particularly concerning connection delays.

Economic Factors and Constraints

With the market price of electricity stabilized around €45/MWh, the public financial impact of solar installations remains moderate. However, several structural challenges persist, such as delays in adopting strategic texts like the Multiannual Energy Program (PPE) and increased permitting and connection delays.

These factors, coupled with persistent price volatility and regulatory uncertainties, could limit short-term investments. According to France Territoire Solaire, these constraints require strengthened coordination between public and private stakeholders to stabilize the market.

A Dynamic to Monitor

Despite these challenges, the figures from the third quarter of 2024 confirm the growth of the photovoltaic market in France. However, the evolution of legislative frameworks and administrative processes will be crucial in sustaining this dynamic.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

German group Next2Sun signs an agreement with Chinese manufacturer Huasun Energy to become the exclusive European distributor of ultra-high bifaciality solar modules for vertical photovoltaic systems.
Pivot Energy has secured a $200mn tax credit purchase commitment to finance 40 community solar projects across eight U.S. states.
Pivot Energy has secured a $200mn tax credit purchase commitment to finance 40 community solar projects across eight U.S. states.
LONGi will supply its Hi-MO 9 solar modules to ENGIE for large-scale projects in the MENA region, marking a new phase in industrial adoption of back contact technology.
LONGi will supply its Hi-MO 9 solar modules to ENGIE for large-scale projects in the MENA region, marking a new phase in industrial adoption of back contact technology.
Hydro-Québec launches a 300 MW call for interest to initiate an investment plan targeting 3,000 MW of solar by 2035, marking a new strategic direction for the state-owned utility.
Hydro-Québec launches a 300 MW call for interest to initiate an investment plan targeting 3,000 MW of solar by 2035, marking a new strategic direction for the state-owned utility.
The Quebec government announces a new solar energy initiative, partially addressing a proposal submitted by the opposition in 2024.
EDP Renewables North America strengthens its presence in the Central Valley with a new solar and storage project, bringing its California portfolio to over 1.1 GW.
EDP Renewables North America strengthens its presence in the Central Valley with a new solar and storage project, bringing its California portfolio to over 1.1 GW.
Cypress Creek Renewables secured $150mn in financing to begin construction of a 104MW solar park in Washington State, with commissioning expected by mid-2026.
Cypress Creek Renewables secured $150mn in financing to begin construction of a 104MW solar park in Washington State, with commissioning expected by mid-2026.
SkyFire Energy achieves 10 MW of installed solar capacity in partnership with Jayman BUILT and launches a new donation cycle to associations, including Discovery House in Calgary.
SkyFire Energy achieves 10 MW of installed solar capacity in partnership with Jayman BUILT and launches a new donation cycle to associations, including Discovery House in Calgary.
Two solar plants developed in Michigan by DESRI and Ranger Power enter construction phase after securing financing from a banking consortium.
The US announcement of tariffs exceeding 3,500% on Southeast Asian solar panels is pushing manufacturers to shift focus toward high-potential regional markets.
The US announcement of tariffs exceeding 3,500% on Southeast Asian solar panels is pushing manufacturers to shift focus toward high-potential regional markets.
Swift Current Energy’s Double Black Diamond project is now operational, becoming the largest solar facility in the region with 800 MW capacity and a supply contract including the City of Chicago.
Swift Current Energy’s Double Black Diamond project is now operational, becoming the largest solar facility in the region with 800 MW capacity and a supply contract including the City of Chicago.
Panasonic has permanently ended its residential solar and storage activities, while continuing to publicly promote these technologies, raising questions about the coherence of its strategy.
Panasonic has permanently ended its residential solar and storage activities, while continuing to publicly promote these technologies, raising questions about the coherence of its strategy.
Croatian ENNA Solar acquires an 87.5 MW solar project in Romania from Kraftfeld Energy and plans to start construction in the third quarter of 2025.
Qatar inaugurated two photovoltaic plants totalling 875 MW, doubling its solar capacity and strengthening its energy goals for 2030.
Qatar inaugurated two photovoltaic plants totalling 875 MW, doubling its solar capacity and strengthening its energy goals for 2030.
Solaria has signed a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement with Trafigura for 1 TWh of solar energy from the Cifuentes-Trillo photovoltaic complex in Spain.
Solaria has signed a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement with Trafigura for 1 TWh of solar energy from the Cifuentes-Trillo photovoltaic complex in Spain.
Axpo and EDF Renewables Hellas have signed a short-term power purchase agreement for the output of two solar plants in Greece, with a total capacity of 102 megawatts.
Axpo and EDF Renewables Hellas have signed a short-term power purchase agreement for the output of two solar plants in Greece, with a total capacity of 102 megawatts.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has launched its largest rooftop solar project in Vietnam to supply Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex operations in Ho Chi Minh City.
The US solar industry is expected to add 502 GWdc of capacity to the market by 2035. However, political uncertainty could jeopardize these projections, putting future investments at risk.
The US solar industry is expected to add 502 GWdc of capacity to the market by 2035. However, political uncertainty could jeopardize these projections, putting future investments at risk.
The UK government has introduced an amendment aimed at preventing its public company from buying components linked to forced labour, which could impact the supply of Chinese solar panels.
The UK government has introduced an amendment aimed at preventing its public company from buying components linked to forced labour, which could impact the supply of Chinese solar panels.
CATL introduced several innovative batteries for electric vehicles, including the Naxtra, the first series-produced sodium-ion battery, and the Freevoy, marking the entry into the era of multiple power sources.
CATL introduced several innovative batteries for electric vehicles, including the Naxtra, the first series-produced sodium-ion battery, and the Freevoy, marking the entry into the era of multiple power sources.
After a one-year interruption, the Noor Ouarzazate III solar plant, with a capacity of 150 MW, has been brought back into operation by the Masen group. This event highlights Morocco's ambitions in renewable energy and energy transition.
Algeria explores a partnership with Chinese giant LONGi to launch local solar panel production. This initiative is part of the country's energy diversification strategy.
Algeria explores a partnership with Chinese giant LONGi to launch local solar panel production. This initiative is part of the country's energy diversification strategy.
The United States plans to impose heavy tariffs on solar panels from four Asian countries, citing transnational subsidies supported by China.
The United States plans to impose heavy tariffs on solar panels from four Asian countries, citing transnational subsidies supported by China.
Chinese group Das Solar begins construction of its first European factory in Mandeure, with an initial 2 GW capacity and the planned creation of 600 jobs.
Chinese group Das Solar begins construction of its first European factory in Mandeure, with an initial 2 GW capacity and the planned creation of 600 jobs.

Advertising