France’s solar sector has reached several significant milestones this year, underscoring the country’s growing role in Europe’s renewable energy transition.
Recent data and project developments highlight progress towards France’s 2030 renewable energy targets and showcase how innovation is expanding the nation’s solar capacity beyond traditional formats.
According to thinktank Ember, solar power generated around 6.9% of France’s electricity in 2023, contributing to a total renewable share of 27%. The country’s installed solar capacity has continued to grow steadily, with France targeting 100 GW of solar capacity by 2050 under its national energy strategy.
While nuclear power still provides most of France’s electricity, the expanding contribution from solar and wind demonstrates an accelerating diversification of the energy mix.
Record renewable generation
One of this year’s key achievements came during the summer, when France and the UK both recorded historic highs in renewable electricity generation. France produced 19.5GW of solar power at peak on 19 July 2025, covering almost 40% of national electricity demand at that time.
This record output highlights both the increasing scale of France’s solar fleet and the improving performance of its systems during high-irradiance periods. The achievement reflects the success of recent installation drives, including utility-scale parks in the country’s southern regions and growing rooftop generation across residential and commercial sectors.
Although such instantaneous highs depend on weather conditions, the milestone reinforces solar energy’s capacity to make a meaningful contribution to France’s power mix.
It also illustrates the need for continued investment in grid flexibility, energy storage, and demand-management systems to balance variable renewable output as capacity expands.
Europe’s largest floating solar power plant
Another major success in 2025 was the inauguration of Europe’s largest floating solar power plant, developed by Q ENERGY in partnership with Velto Renewables. Located in Perthes, Haute-Marne, the 74.3 MWp “Les Îlots Blandin” project spans 127 hectares of former gravel pits and consists of over 135,000 photovoltaic modules.
The facility is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply around 37,000 people each year, while avoiding approximately 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Beyond its scale, the project demonstrates the potential of floating solar to utilise industrial or disused sites, reducing land-use pressures and opening new deployment opportunities across France.
Floating installations also bring technical and operational benefits, including improved module cooling and potential synergies with local biodiversity initiatives. The Perthes site represents a benchmark for similar projects now being explored nationwide.
Looking ahead
France’s record-breaking solar generation and the launch of the continent’s largest floating PV plant signal a sector entering a new phase of growth.
As policymakers continue to refine renewable energy frameworks and the private sector expands investment in diverse technologies, solar is set to play a central role in meeting national and European climate objectives.
These developments will be among the topics discussed at Solar & Storage Live Paris, where industry professionals will explore how innovation and collaboration are shaping the future of France’s clean energy transition.
France Solar Week marks the lead-up to Solar & Storage Live Paris, taking place 5-6 November. Haven’t registered yet? Don’t miss out on your free ticket by securing your place here.
