France’s Data and Statistical Studies said that the country added 379 MW of new solar capacity during the first half (1H) of 2020.

France had managed to install 405 MW of solar capacity in 1H 2019. These new installations are mainly concentrated in the southern part of the country. The total cumulative installations in France reached 10.3 GW at the end of June 2020.

The power generated from solar sources amounted to 6.7 TWh in 1H 2020, up by 14% as compared to 5.9 TWh during the same period last year. The power generated from solar sources represented 3% of the total French electricity consumption during 1H 2020.

According to the data, power from solar parks in the country reached 10.2 GW, including 9.6 GW in mainland France. Also, 44% of the newly installed capacity in 1H 2020 is from installations of more than 250 kW. Smaller installations of less than 9 kW amounted to 84% of the new installations. The capacity of projects in the pipeline increased by 10% and reached 7.7 GW, out of which power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 2.1 GW have been signed.

The development of solar parks continues in the country, and the parks are mainly located in the south of mainland France. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions accounted for 67% of the new installations in 1 H 2020.

According to Mercom Capital Research, in 2019, a total capacity of 966 MW was installed in the country, compared to 862 MW in 2018, as per the data released by French electricity grid operator Reseau de Transport d’Electricite. The electricity production from solar PV energy amounted to 11.6 TWh in 2019, an increase of 8% as compared to 2018. Solar represented 2.5% of French electricity consumption in 2019. The total cumulative installations had reached 9.9 GW at the end of December 2019.

In the fourth phase of its plans to install 3 GW of solar capacity, France had awarded 103 solar projects aggregating 720 MW. The regions of the northern half of France represented 35% of the volume of projects, with around 85 MW of projects in the Center-Val de Loire region and 77 MW of projects in the Hauts-de-France region.

France and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with France to cooperate in the field of renewable energy. Both sides will collaborate on mutually identified areas through research, demonstration, and pilot projects between India’s National Institute of Solar Energy and France’s Commissariat aI’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives.