Solar PV in France – Statistics and Facts

Konrad Wolfenstein

6 years ago

Solar PV in France – Statistics and Facts

Solar PV in France / Les Mées Solar Farm, France – Image: BTWImages|Shutterstock.com

Solar activity is the foundation of energy production. It generates the heat and light necessary for life on Earth. Today, this natural energy is increasingly used to generate electricity from photovoltaic panels. In 2018, 95 percent of the French population was familiar with this energy source, demonstrating its popularity.

In the same year, however, less than 5 percent of French households owned photovoltaic modules. Based on the latest figures, more than half of the French population would be interested: firstly, in the energy independence that photovoltaic panels offer, and secondly, in selling their surplus production.

Despite a slow start, this industry is expanding. The sector accounted for more than 7,000 direct jobs and generated a turnover of almost five billion euros in France in 2017.

This year, France produced more than nine terawatt-hours of photovoltaic solar power. In 2019, approximately one-third of French production was generated in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

In 2019, three-quarters of the French population trusted photovoltaic modules. The increased sales of photovoltaic systems reflect this confidence, particularly in the small-scale market (0 to 3 kilowatts), which is specifically designed for the private sector and suitable for self-consumption.

The photovoltaic production capacity for private households quadrupled between the last quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2019. The French government has encouraged self-consumption by offering household bonuses based on the amount of energy produced. The government even purchases surplus electricity from households for their own use.

Photovoltaic electricity remains an intermittent form of energy, the production of which depends on geographical and climatic factors. It is no coincidence that the share of photovoltaic electricity in gross electricity consumption fluctuates depending on the season. In fact, peak consumption most frequently occurs between the second and third quarters of the year, while the lowest values correspond to winter and less sunshine.

The advent of energy storage technologies may provide answers to some of the problems arising from intermittent (temporarily interrupted) energy.

Solar activity is the basis of energy production. It produces the heat and light necessary for life on Earth to exist. Today this natural energy is being used increasingly to generate electricity from photovoltaic panels. In 2018, 95 percent of the French were familiar with this energy, which is proof of its popularity.

However, in the same year, less than 5 percent of French households owned photovoltaic panels. Based on recent figures, more than half of the French would be interested: firstly in the energy autonomy brought by photovoltaic panels, and secondly in selling their production surplus.

Despite slow beginnings, this industry is expanding. The sector counted more than 7,000 direct jobs and generated a turnover of nearly five billion euros in France in 2017.

In that year, more than nine terawatt-hours of photovoltaic solar electricity were produced in France. In 2019, about one third of the French production was generated in the New-Aquitaine region.

In 2019, three quarters of the French trusted in photovoltaic panels. Increased sales of photovoltaic installations reflect this confidence, particularly in the small segment market (0 to 3 kilowatts) specific to the residential sector and adapted for self-consumption.

The residential photovoltaic production capacity quadrupled between the last quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2019. The French government has stimulated self-consumption thanks to bonuses for households, depending on the amount of energy produced. The government even buys production surplus from households on self-consumption.

Photovoltaic electricity remains an intermittent type of energy, its production depending on geographical or climatic factors. There is no coincidence that the share of photovoltaic electricity in gross electricity consumption fluctuates according to seasons. In fact, consumption peaks most often occur between the second and third quarters of the year, while the lowest values correspond to winter and less sunshine.

The emergence of energy storage techniques may provide answers to some of the problems posed by intermittent energy.