Centrale Parc Solaire | 16.5 MWc solar park project in the French commune of Éguzon-Chantôme in the Indre department

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Large solar project in Éguzon-Chantôme reaches decisive phase

The ambitious project for a solar park with a total capacity of 16.5 megawatts peak in the French commune of Éguzon-Chantôme in the Indre department is entering a crucial phase. On July 28, 2025, the Prefecture of the Indre department officially launched the public consultation on this significant energy project, which is to be built on a 22-hectare site in Le Pechovet.

Project development with municipal support

The roots of the photovoltaic project date back to 2019, when the municipal administration of Éguzon-Chantôme decided to use vacant municipal land for energy production. This strategic decision was in line with the growing trend in France to develop local energy resources and contribute to the national energy transition. In January 2020, the German company BayWa re was selected as the project developer, winning the contract due to its extensive experience in renewable energies and proven expertise in the energy transition.

BayWa re has already implemented several significant solar energy projects in France and established itself as a reliable partner for municipal energy projects. The company brings not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the specific requirements of the French energy market and the associated regulatory framework.

Innovative citizen participation as a success factor

A striking feature of the Éguzon-Chantôme project is the early involvement of the local community through a participatory financing campaign. A crowdfunding initiative was launched in 2021 and proved extremely successful. Within just over a month, €50,000 was raised, with 40 percent of the contributions coming from Éguzon residents themselves.

This form of civic participation follows an increasingly successful model in France, significantly increasing the acceptance of renewable energy projects. Participatory financing allows local residents to not just be passive observers of the energy transition, but to actively participate and benefit from the economic returns. The collection of funds was strategically held directly after the municipality's traditional chestnut festival, symbolizing the connection between local tradition and pioneering technology.

Technical specifications and energy yield

The planned solar power plant will have an installed capacity of 16.5 MWc and is expected to generate 21 gigawatt hours of electricity annually. This amount of energy is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 6,600 French households, excluding heating energy, and can theoretically supply more than 10,000 residents with clean energy.

The project's dimensions underscore its importance for the regional energy supply. The 22-hectare facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology, ensuring optimal use of solar radiation in this region of central France. The technical design takes into account both the climatic conditions and the specific features of the site at Lieu-dit Le Pechovet.

Regulatory progress and approval procedures

In December 2024, the project reached a significant milestone with a positive assessment by the Departmental Commission for the Protection of Natural, Agricultural, and Forestry Areas (CDPENAF). This commission plays a key role in the French approval process for solar parks, particularly assessing the impact on the landscape and the environment.

The CDPENAF assessment is a crucial component in France's complex approval process for renewable energy projects. These commissions were established to ensure that photovoltaic projects respect the principles of environmental and landscape protection while supporting the goals of the national energy transition. The positive assessment for the Éguzon-Chantôme project demonstrates that the planners have successfully struck a balance between energy production and environmental protection.

Public hearing as a democratic element

The public hearing, which begins on September 22, 2025, represents the next critical step in the permitting process. This 32-day process, which will last until October 23, 2025, will provide all interested citizens with the opportunity to learn about the project details and express their opinions and concerns.

Roland Renard, the investigator appointed by the prefecture, will be available at four meetings at the Éguzon-Chantôme town hall to hold direct discussions with citizens. These meetings are strategically spaced throughout the consultation period, allowing for participation from various segments of the population. In addition, citizens can view the complete project documentation, including the environmental impact study and the environmental agency's statement, during the town hall's regular opening hours.

France's ambitious solar energy goals

The Éguzon-Chantôme project fits seamlessly into France's ambitious energy goals. The French government has set a target of installing over 100 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity by 2050. This ambitious goal requires an annual installation of an average of 3 to 6 gigawatts of new solar capacity, representing a significant acceleration compared to the current pace of expansion.

The national energy strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 40 percent by 2030. Between 35.1 and 44 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity are to be installed by 2028, while only about 15.5 gigawatts were in operation at the end of 2023. These figures illustrate the enormous challenge and, at the same time, the great potential of the French solar market.

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Regional Energy Strategy in Central France

The Indre department and the entire Centre-Val de Loire region play a key role in France's solar energy strategy. The region has set itself the goal of meeting 100 percent of its energy needs with renewable sources by 2050, compared to 30 percent in 2019. This ambitious goal makes projects like the one in Éguzon-Chantôme important building blocks of the regional energy transition.

The geographical location in central France offers favorable conditions for solar energy projects. The region boasts sufficient solar irradiation and large areas suitable for photovoltaic systems. At the same time, the grid infrastructure is well developed, facilitating the integration of new solar capacity.

Economic impacts and local value creation

The solar project will have a significant positive economic impact on the municipality of Éguzon-Chantôme and the surrounding region. During the construction phase, temporary jobs will be created for local craftsmen and service providers. In the long term, the solar park will generate stable income for the municipality through business taxes and lease income from the municipally owned land.

Participatory financing also ensures that the economic benefits reach local investors directly. They receive an attractive return on their investments and thus participate directly in the project's success. This model has proven particularly successful in France, as it maximizes local value creation while simultaneously strengthening social acceptance of renewable energies.

Technological innovation and environmental aspects

The solar park's design incorporated the latest technological standards. The photovoltaic modules used are state-of-the-art and ensure optimal energy yield with minimal environmental impact. The system's design takes into account both landscape integration and the preservation of local biodiversity.

Particular attention is paid to the sustainable use of the land. The concept allows for extensive agricultural use between and beneath the solar modules. This so-called agri-photovoltaics makes it possible to combine energy generation and agricultural production, resulting in optimal land use.

Challenges of the French solar market

Despite this positive development, the French solar market faces several challenges. The energy system, traditionally heavily reliant on nuclear power, must be gradually diversified without compromising security of supply. The integration of large quantities of volatile solar energy requires significant investments in grid infrastructure and storage technologies.

At the same time, permitting procedures must be accelerated to achieve the ambitious expansion targets. The French government has already initiated reforms to simplify administrative processes and increase planning security for investors. The simplified permitting process, in effect since 2017, makes it possible to obtain all necessary environmental permits with a single application.

Financing mechanisms and investment climate

The French solar market benefits from various financing instruments and government support measures. The France 2030 investment program provides €34 billion for the energy transition, a significant portion of which will go toward the expansion of renewable energies. These funds support both large-scale commercial projects and innovative technology developments.

At the same time, participatory financing models have established themselves as an important complement. Platforms such as Lendosphere, Enerfip, and other specialized providers enable private individuals to invest directly in local energy projects. This development democratizes access to investment opportunities in renewable energies while simultaneously strengthening the local roots of the projects.

International cooperation and German participation

The involvement of German companies like BayWa re in French solar energy projects illustrates the successful cross-border cooperation in the European energy transition. German companies contribute not only capital but also technological know-how and experience from the German market.

This cooperation spans various areas of the value chain, from project development and financing to plant operation and maintenance. The exchange of technology and experience between the two countries contributes to increasing the efficiency of solar projects and reducing costs.

Outlook and future developments

Following the public consultation, the prefecture will decide whether to grant the building permit. If approved, construction of the solar park could begin in 2026, with commissioning planned for 2027. The project would then be among the first large-scale solar projects to be implemented as part of France's accelerated energy transition.

The success of the Éguzon-Chantôme project could serve as a model for similar projects in other French municipalities. The combination of municipal initiative, professional project development, innovative citizen participation, and careful environmental planning demonstrates a path toward implementing ambitious national energy targets at the local level.

Meaning for the European energy transition

The Éguzon-Chantôme project is exemplary of the profound changes taking place in the European energy system. France is evolving from a system primarily based on nuclear energy to a diversified energy mix in which renewable energies play a central role. This transformation requires not only technological innovations but also new forms of social participation and local engagement.

The experiences from such projects are incorporated into European energy policy and can serve as a guide for other member states. The French approach of participatory financing and close cooperation between municipalities and project developers could also be replicated in other European countries.

The solar project in Éguzon-Chantôme thus represents far more than just the installation of photovoltaic modules on a 22-hectare site. It represents a fundamental shift in the way energy projects are developed, financed, and embedded in society. The successful implementation of this project will not only contribute to local and regional energy supply but will also provide important insights for the future development of the French and European energy transition.

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