According to the latest data released by the French Renewable Energy Trade Association (SER), France’s total installed solar photovoltaic capacity crossed the 10 GW milestone in September 2020. The newly released data is based on the data provided by the Association of the Distributors of Electricity in France (ADEeF), Enedis, and RTE.

In the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, approximately 283 MW of solar capacity was connected to the grid. The cumulative installation in France reached over 10.2 GW at the end of September 2020.

The electricity generated from solar sources amounted to 4.46 TWh in Q3 2020, a slight increase compared to the 4.43 TWh electricity generation in the second quarter (Q2) of 2020. The electricity production from solar sources was 4.9% higher compared to Q3 2019. The power generation from solar sources represented 4.6% of the total French electricity consumption in Q3 2020.

According to the data, 604 MW of newly installed renewable energy capacity was connected to the grid in Q3 2020. The cumulative renewable installations in France reached 55.314 GW as of September 2020. France’s total installed wind capacity reached 17. 24 GW in September, with 312 MW of newly installed wind capacity connected to the grid in Q3 2020. Besides that, the total installed hydroelectric capacity reached 25.71 GW at the end of September 2020.

In September 2020, France’s Data and Statistical Studies said that the country added 379 MW of new solar capacity during the first half of 2020. These new installations were mainly concentrated in the southern part of the country. In 1H 2020, the electricity production from solar sources amounted to 6.7 TWh, a 14% increase compared to 5.9 TWh during the same period last year. The electricity production from solar sources represented 3% of the total French electricity consumption in 1H 2020.

Earlier this year, France announced its plans to invest €100 billion (~$118.4 billion) to retrieve the economy from the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of its ‘France Relance’ (France Relaunching) plan, the government has allocated €30 billion (~$35.51 billion) for the green energy sector.