L R AS Published on Monday 9 December 2019 - n° 301 - Categories:France, other France
Still very few panel connections in France in the 3rd quarter
707 MW of solar power were installed in France during the first nine months of the year. This is approximately what was installed in 2018 (711 MW). This brings the total of installations to 9.6 GW. 5.7 GW, approved, are waiting to be connected to the grid.
France's 9.64 GW fleet breaks down into 9.26 GW in mainland France and 391 MW in overseas territories.
Solar electricity production increased by almost 9.2% over one year to reach 9.5 TWh over the period January-September. It supplied 2.8% of total electricity consumption in France, 0.3 points more than in the same period in 2018.
By way of comparison, Germany installed 377 MW in October alone, i.e. more than in the third quarter in France. This country installed 3.3 GW of solar energy between January and October.
PV Magazine of 3 December
Editor's note There is a contradiction between government announcements that the volumes awarded in calls for tenders are steadily increasing, and quarter after quarter connections that are not increasing. It is difficult to perceive the origin of this asymmetry. It is likely that it has an identical origin, and that it corresponds to the expectations of those who do not want to develop photovoltaic energy. The situation is being allowed to continue. We therefore hope that France will fall behind its neighbours who will benefit from the low cost of renewable energies compared to fossil fuels. Comparative competitiveness between countries is to France's detriment.
