by Catie Owen | Oct 31, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar, Press Release
Press Release
Terrapinn is thrilled to announce the latest addition to its global clean energy portfolio, Solar & Storage Live Paris, taking place at Le Bourget, Paris, on 5–6 November 2026.
Doors open on Wednesday, 5 November, with more than 3,000 solar professionals expected to attend the debut edition.
France’s Premier Solar & Storage Event
Solar & Storage Live Paris will be France’s most exciting new exhibition dedicated to solar and energy storage. Organised by Terrapinn in partnership with Paris Le Bourget, the show is backed by leading sponsors Solis, Huawei, and SMA France, and supported by renewable energy associations including the Fédération Nationale de l’Énergie Solaire, Energy Storage Europe, France Renouvelables, and the Global Solar Council.
Over 150 exhibitors, including GoodWe, Heliup, FoxESS, Reonic, Rector, Sitetracker, and Sunman, will showcase cutting-edge solar and storage technologies alongside a vibrant mix of startups in the Start-up Zone.
A Must-Attend Event for the French Solar Community
With strong attendance expected from Paris and the Île-de-France region, the event provides a one-stop destination for installers, developers, property owners, landowners, and energy professionals. It’s free to attend for those who register on the website here.
The event offers an unparalleled opportunity to meet suppliers and partners, explore new technologies, and gain insights to grow business, increase revenue, and advance energy independence.
Richard Leach, Commercial Manager of Solar & Storage Live Paris, said:
“Our first edition will deliver a high-value experience focused on commercial outcomes. Exhibitors can expect access to EPCs, developers, and distributors, while attendees will benefit from practical insights, new technologies, and quality networking opportunities.”
Event Highlights
Exhibition:
Key players from across the energy value chain will gather to present the latest innovations driving solar and storage adoption in France. Headline sponsors include Platinum Sponsor Contact Italia, Gold Sponsors Sunman and Failte Solar, and Storage Theatre Sponsor Huawei.
Programme:
The two-day programme features four theatres and more than 150 speakers covering large-scale utility solar, commercial and industrial solar, energy storage and batteries, and residential solar. It opens at 10:00 on Wednesday, 5 November, with a keynote by Dominique Jamme, Director of the CRE – Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie.
Leaders from across the sector will share case studies, insights, and expertise on France’s evolving energy landscape. The conference is free to all attendees registered here.
Start-up Zone:
Over 100 emerging innovators will showcase technologies shaping the next generation of solar and storage solutions.
View more event highlights here.
Opening Times
- Wednesday, 5 November: 09:30 – 17:00
- Thursday, 6 November: 09:30 – 16:00
Find Out More
Discover more about Solar & Storage Live Paris and how to get involved.
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.
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by Catie Owen | Oct 30, 2025 | Europe, Innovation
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.
by Catie Owen | Oct 29, 2025 | Europe, Innovation, Large Scale Utility Solar
As France Solar Week draws attention to the nation’s growing renewable energy ambitions, data highlights just how far the country’s solar sector has come – and how much potential remains.
The Solar & Storage Live Paris: French Solar Market Report 2025 outlines steady progress toward national targets, strong policy support, and an expanding base of innovation that continues to strengthen France’s position as a leader in European solar development.
Market growth and trailblazers
France’s solar energy market has expanded significantly over the past decade, becoming one of Europe’s leading renewable sectors. Between 2009 and 2011, solar capacity surged nearly tenfold, reaching 6.7TWh annually by 2015.
In 2023, France’s solar market was valued at several billion dollars, with an expected annual growth rate of 14.24% until 2032. Solar PV generated 4.3% of all electricity in France, with large solar farms driving expansion. Falling solar panel costs, rising energy prices, and new solar technologies continue to boost growth.
Key companies leading the charge in France’s solar market include Engie SA, EDF Renewables, and TotalEnergies SE. Their pioneering efforts are helping to make solar a more viable and attractive option for businesses and industries looking to meet sustainability goals.
Meeting government expectations
France has set ambitious goals for the future of its solar industry. By 2050, the country aims to have 100GW of installed solar capacity, a significant jump from its current level of 17.1GW. The government is also aiming to produce 40% of the solar panels used in France domestically by 2030, reducing reliance on imports.
France has committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 52% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. This forms part of a broader effort to meet the European Union’s goal of a 55% emissions reduction by 2030.
To meet these goals, the government has introduced policies to encourage growth, including tax breaks, subsidies, and feed-in tariffs, which guarantee fixed payments for solar energy producers.
In 2023, new laws were passed requiring large car parks to install solar panels – a move expected to add between 6.75 GW and 11.25 GW of solar capacity. The government has also invested €2.2 billion in domestic solar panel production, funding two new factories.
The road ahead
The report identifies several challenges to France’s solar momentum, including the intermittency of solar power, land use competition, and the environmental impact of panel manufacturing and disposal. Solutions cited include investment in energy storage systems, smart grids, agrivoltaics, floating solar farms, and more.
Overall, France’s solar energy market is expected to experience rapid growth in the coming years, driven by robust government policies, innovative technologies, and increasing demand for renewable energy.
With ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050, the country is on track to become a leader in the global solar market.
To read about these developments in full, download the full Solar & Storage Live Paris: French Solar Market Report 2025 or meet the market in person at Solar & Storage Live Paris, taking place 5–6 November 2025.
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.
by Catie Owen | Oct 28, 2025 | Europe, Everything Installer
With over two decades of inverter innovation and 100GW installed globally, Solis has become a key player in Europe’s transition to smarter, more flexible solar energy.
Ahead of Solar & Storage Live Paris, Pierre Agrel, Product Solutions Specialist for France, discusses Solis’ growing presence in France.
He dives into the challenges and opportunities in hybrid and storage adoption, and how AI-driven energy management is shaping the continent’s solar future.
What is Solis’ role in the European PV and storage market?
Solis plays a leading role in Europe’s transition toward smarter, more flexible solar power. With over 20 years of inverter innovation and a global installed base exceeding 100GW, we’ve built a strong presence across Europe – from residential rooftops to multi-megawatt utility sites.
In France, our current focus is on providing reliable hybrid and storage-ready inverter solutions that enable self-consumption, grid independence, and long-term value for both installers and end users.
As one of the world’s largest inverter manufacturers, we combine the scale and R&D power of a global brand with a local support network, ensuring European customers have direct access to training, service, and technical expertise.
Our team in France is dedicated not only to the pre-sales process, but in-country support function for installers.
What is Solis’ track record in Europe so far?
Solis has been active in Europe for over 15 years, building a trusted reputation for reliability, innovation, and local service.
Today, we have a team of around 120 dedicated professionals across Europe – from technical engineers and service specialists to local sales and marketing teams – all focused on supporting installers, distributors, and end users in this market.
Our success is reflected in thousands of installations across the continent, covering residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.
Recent highlights include providing the inverters for the largest solar installation in Norway, a landmark project that showcases our capability in challenging climates and our strength in utility and large C&I applications.
Beyond products, Solis offers comprehensive service and support throughout the entire project lifecycle – from pre-sales design and local training to after-sales technical assistance and remote system monitoring via SolisCloud.
We also deliver regular installer training days, webinars, and technical workshops, ensuring partners have the knowledge and confidence to get the most from our technology.
What are the biggest barriers to scaling hybrid and storage adoption in France and Europe?
The biggest challenges today are grid complexity, regulatory fragmentation, and awareness. While technology is ready, many markets still lack unified standards for hybrid integration, grid export, and energy storage.
Installers also face steep learning curves as hybrid systems become more advanced. That’s why Solis invests heavily in training, education, and tools like SolisCloud AI – to make smart energy management simple and accessible for everyone.
Another barrier is economic: energy storage still carries higher upfront costs, but as prices fall and dynamic tariffs expand across Europe, the ROI for hybrid systems is becoming clearer.
The recent transition from hourly to 15-minute settlement periods for dynamic tariffs will only accelerate that trend, rewarding systems that can respond in real time.
How do you see the French market evolving over the next five years?
France is entering a new phase of solar growth, driven by policy support, corporate sustainability goals, and energy independence priorities.
In the next five years, we expect to see:
- Rapid expansion of hybrid systems — especially in the C&I sector — as businesses seek cost control and resilience.
- Smarter, AI-enabled energy management, integrating dynamic tariffs and virtual power plant participation.
- Growth in storage capacity at both residential and commercial levels, supported by improving battery economics.
- Tighter grid requirements that will favour high-efficiency, certified inverter solutions like Solis.
Solis aims to play a major role in this evolution – empowering French installers and end users with technology that’s simple, reliable, and ready for the energy future.
As a Platinum Sponsor for Solar & Storage Live Paris, what can our audience expect to see from Solis at the show?
We’re excited to showcase some of our most advanced energy solutions – including the new Solis S6-EH3P(80–125)K-H three-phase hybrid inverter.
This system is designed for commercial and industrial applications, featuring high efficiency, flexible battery integration, and intelligent energy management. It’s especially fitting to unveil it here in France, the first country in Europe where this inverter has been installed.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about Solis AI, our new artificial intelligence technology that was recently activated across Europe.
Integrated into the SolisCloud platform, Solis AI helps users automatically optimise energy use and maximise savings based on real-time conditions (dynamic tariffs, weather, and consumption patterns), all without any manual input.
We’re looking forward to connecting with installers, partners, and energy professionals from across Europe: sharing ideas, insights, and the latest innovations shaping the future of solar.
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.
by Catie Owen | Oct 27, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe, Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
Solar & Storage Live is expanding its European presence with a new event in Paris, targeting one of the continent’s fastest-growing solar and storage markets.
Richard Leach, Commercial Manager for Solar & Storage Live Paris, describes how the show will connect developers and innovators across France and Europe – driving collaboration that accelerates the country’s clean energy transition.
Why did Solar & Storage Live choose Paris, and how does it fit within the Europe portfolio?
Paris offers unparalleled access to one of Europe’s fastest-growing solar and storage markets. France is scaling up its energy transition through increasingly ambitious renewable targets, substantial public support mechanisms and a rapidly maturing utility-scale and C&I segment.
Solar & Storage Live Paris strengthens our European portfolio by establishing a presence in a strategic market that complements our events in the United Kingdom, Italy & Spain, creating a connected platform for innovators, investors, and decision makers across the continent.
What should attendees and exhibitors expect from the inaugural edition, and who will benefit from being there?
The inaugural edition will deliver a curated, high-value experience focused on commercial outcomes. Exhibitors can expect direct access to EPCs, developers, installers, and distributors who are actively engaged in project deployment. Attendees will benefit from practical insights, new technologies, and strong networking opportunities spanning the full value chain.
The event is particularly advantageous for companies seeking to enter or scale within the French market, as well as for stakeholders searching for reliable solutions to increase deployment speed and performance.
Can you highlight some stand-out features of the upcoming show, either on the show floor or in the agenda?
The show floor will prioritise innovation in batteries, PV modules, inverters, energy storage, asset management, and digitalisation. There will be 3 theatres with dedicated sessions that will explore utility-scale build-out, urban integration, regulatory clarity, and grid flexibility.
The agenda includes thought leadership from top-tier developers, financiers, policymakers, and technology providers. Targeted networking opportunities will facilitate business introductions aligned with procurement needs and real project pipelines.
What is your overarching vision for the Paris event’s role in the French energy transition?
Solar & Storage Live Paris is designed to be a strategic accelerator for France’s clean energy ambitions. The event convenes the full ecosystem of market participants to confront persistent barriers in permitting, grid integration, financing, and supply chain capacity. It provides a high-value platform to highlight proven solutions, foster industrial cooperation, and advance innovation that can unlock faster deployment.
By connecting French stakeholders with European expertise and global technological leadership, Solar & Storage Live Paris will contribute to building a more secure, affordable, and resilient power system for the nation’s long-term energy transition.
When the 2025 show wraps, what is on the horizon for Solar & Storage Live Paris?
The Paris event is planned as a long-term platform with annual expansion. Following 2025, our focus will be on growing the show’s scale, deepening engagement with policymakers and regional stakeholders, and advancing cross-border collaboration on innovation and investment.
The objective is to ensure Solar & Storage Live Paris becomes a cornerstone event that supports the continuous growth of solar and storage capacity in France and contributes meaningfully to Europe’s collective clean energy goals.
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.
Companies looking to confirm their stand at next year’s event should contact Richard Leach at Richard.Leach@terrapinn.com, or meet the sales team in person on stand G10 at next week’s event in Paris.
by Catie Owen | Jul 2, 2025 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Europe
Q Energy France has secured €109m in long-term debt financing to support the development of four renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 55MW.
Finalised in December 2024, the funding package was arranged and syndicated by BPCE Energeco and will be used for the construction of two wind farms and two solar plants.
“This financing demonstrates our ability to mobilise banking partners, who have once again placed their trust in Q Energy’s experienced teams and the quality of our projects,” said Sébastien Rondel, head of equity and project finance at Q Energy France.
Grégory Faillenet, managing director at BPCE Energeco, said the deal reflects the lender’s ability to support large-scale, multi-technology energy transition projects.
Velto Renewables acquired the assets in March 2025, with Q Energy retaining responsibilities as EPC contractor and asset manager.
At the time of the transaction, Lucas de Haro, CEO of Velto, stated: “This investment, in partnership with Q Energy, marks a significant step forward in Velto’s strategic growth.
“In addition to tripling our energy capacity, the development aligns with our vision to diversify our technological scope and expand our geographical footprint across Europe.”
The deal forms part of a broader funding effort by Q Energy, which secured €159m in non-recourse project finance throughout 2024.
This includes €50m raised for the commissioning of Europe’s largest floating solar installation in April.
Looking ahead, Q Energy aims to sustain this level of financial activity in 2025, with a substantial pipeline currently under development.
Are you involved in France’s solar market, or looking to get a foothold? Explore the benefits of attending Solar & Storage Live Paris – taking place 5-6 November 2025.
by Catie Owen | Feb 11, 2025 | Large Scale Utility Solar
HelioRec, a French offshore floating PV developer, has launched a project backed by the European Union and the Pays de la Loire government through the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership).
As described in a LinkedIn post from the company, the STEWART project will:
- Establish a protocol to monitor environmental impacts across various FPV systems.
- Analyse economic and legal frameworks to support sustainable FPV deployment.
- Develop new design guidelines and technical improvements to minimise ecological impact.
The company commented: “We are committed to driving innovation in floating solar technology, ensuring sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand.”
Partners on the STEWART project include: INNOSEA, Sapienza Università di Roma, Middle East Technical University, Tonucci & Partners, BayWa r.e. Global, Ege University and Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE.
Environmental impact
The ecological impact of floating solar systems has been a recent hot topic, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) subsequently releasing a report demonstrating their slightly larger carbon footprint.
However, The Zurich University of Applied Sciences saw different results when they investigated the entire life cycle of Switzerland’s high-altitude Alpine floating PV system.
The researchers found that it had a lower environmental impact than other systems – and outperformed them. This was despite the floating array’s larger need for raw materials.
Overall, stakeholders and researchers alike have called for more research into floating solar, its environmental impact, its effectiveness, and how we can decrease the former while also increasing the latter.
Looking to get a foothold in France’s solar market? Explore the benefits of attending Solar & Storage Live Paris – taking place 5-6 November 2025. Or find a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
