France has taken another step forward in the development of its solar capacity in 2024. By installing approximately 3.32 gigawatts (GW) of new solar systems in the first nine months, the country has further advanced its renewable energy capabilities. According to data from the French power grid operator Enedis, around 1,351 megawatts (MW) of new solar installations were added in the third quarter alone this year. The growth was most pronounced in the sector of commercial rooftop solar installations, where small businesses increased their installations from 318 MW at the end of the first quarter to 547 MW by the end of the third quarter.
Reports indicate that over one million renewable energy installations have been connected to the power grid, with the majority being solar systems. The primary reason for this growth is the interest in self-consumption, particularly among individuals. Interest in self-consumption has more than tripled over the past two years, exceeding 610,000 prosumers.
France generates about 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. In addition to its nuclear capacity and the expansion of solar capacity, especially among individuals, France also generates an average of slightly more than 10 percent of its energy from hydropower and around 10 percent from wind power, depending on the season.
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Alongside this, Enedis data from September shows developments in the electric mobility sector, indicating that more than 800,000 chargers are currently installed in company parking lots across France, accounting for more than a third of the country’s chargers, which is double the number compared to 2022. These figures on the solar sector and charger infrastructure highlight the development of green technologies within the business sector.
Overall, this indicates France’s steady progress in sustainable development. Last year, Enedis set a record by connecting 4.2 GW of new renewable energy capacities, compared to 3.7 GW in 2022. With one quarter left in the current year, it’s clear that these figures are likely to be surpassed once again.
Energy portal
