France will install less solar capacity in 2022 according to sector representatives

The sector "hopes to reach" two gigawatts of new solar capacity in 2022, against 2,8 GW last year, according to Enerplan union president Daniel Bour.

"This year, as it started, we will do less than last year," said Mr. Bour, for whom "if we do 2 GW this year, it will be good".

The sector currently lists about 4 GW of projects with a connection permit but which cannot be started because the rise in the cost of materials has made them unprofitable with regard to the electricity purchase tariffs fixed before the general price spike.

The sector has requested emergency measures from the State, and is also awaiting a bill on "accelerating renewables" promised for the end of July by the government, before the legislative elections.

Industrialists would particularly like to see solar gain the status of "major public interest" (and no longer "collective interest"). They also ask for different impact studies depending on the land, that the Ifer tax benefits the municipalities rather than the departments, that the prefects be mobilized...

In a tense energy context, the sector estimates that it could supply France by 2025 with the energy equivalent of one to two nuclear reactors, ie an additional 25 GW.

But to date France is only at 13 GW already installed - a mix of residential, rooftop and ground-based power plants - when the official target is 20 GW in 2023. Emmanuel Macron for his part mentioned 100 GW in 2050, and the industry claims to be able to double that.

A report produced Tuesday by the think tank France solar territory with EY, underlines its advantages, in terms of electricity supply capacity but also on the economic level.

Since 2010, the cost of photovoltaic production has fallen by 85%. And with the general surge in electricity market prices since the end of 2021, the solar sector, which benefits from guaranteed remuneration, has become a source of net revenue for the State, being forced to pay back the surplus collected.