Solar

France is demonstrating its ability to enhance and increase photovoltaic energy production. Like the rest of the European Union countries, France has experienced significant growth. French solar market grew by around 30% in 2023, reaching 3.15 GW. PV systems for self-consumption accounted for around one-third of all new capacity additions.

France deployed around 921 MW of new PV systems in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to new figures released. For all of 2023, the country added 3,135 MW of new solar capacity. The results represent a 30% increase from 2022, when around 2.6 GW of solar was installed. In 2021, the nation added 2.8 GW of new PV capacity.

Currently, France is in fourth position in the ranking of PV producing countries within the European Union, behind Germany, Spain and Italy.

The results represent a 30% increase from 2022, when around 2.6 GW of solar was installed. In 2021, the nation added 2.8 GW of new PV capacity. The total  for 2023 could actually be higher than 3.15 GW. One-third of the capacity installed last year, or around 1,122 MW, came from PV systems under the national self-consumption scheme. It noted that self-consumption PV capacity almost doubled to reach 2,256 MW.

“The results of this year must be recognized and supported,” said Daniel Bour, president of Enerplan, the French solar association. “2024 will, logically, amplify these results, following the new regulatory provisions, with an objective that we expect to be well above 4 GW.”