There are many reasons to visit France, including the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum. However, France has also been working hard to reduce its carbon footprint and has even dared to think outside the box by carpeting a mountain in the Alps with 112,000 solar panels. This major project reportedly generates 100 MW to supply 12,000 homes with clean power. While the picturesque Alps are already compelling to visit, the eco-friendly addition will be even more so.
Investing in sustainability and eco-friendly practices
Beyond being recognized as one of the most romantic countries in the world, France is also rapidly increasing its reputation as an eco-friendly country highly committed to sustainability. This is evident in the French laws that promote waste reduction by banning the production and sale of single-use plastics and mandating supermarkets to donate unsold food.
Additionally, France’s climate target of achieving 50% lower emission levels by 2030 compared to 1990 levels has also encouraged significant expansion of renewable energy capacity. According to RatedPower, the country is expected to reach 163.1 GW by 2035. This comes as no surprise, as a unique project has led France to boost its total solar capacity. Find out more below.
France carpets a mountain in the Alps with solar panels
While Seville, Spain, gets 263 MW in solar capacity, France covers a mountain in the Alps with solar panels. In 2011, France dared to develop a mega solar project on the Plateau de la Colle des Mées (Plateau of the Mées Hill) in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA). The site was chosen specifically for its abundant sunlight. The mega-project is known as the Les Mées Solar Park.
The scale of Les Mées Solar Park is mind-boggling. The park, developed by ECO Delta in a single phase, stretches over 200 hectares of land. The park’s present owner, with 100% stake, is Sonnedix France. This is not the first solar project completed by ECO Delta, which also develops and manages wind projects. The company’s portfolio includes solar and wind farms in:
- Corse
- Tunisia
- Meria
- Cabasse
- Ginasservis
Thanks to Les Mées Solar Park’s scale alone, one can only imagine the number of on-site solar panels and the amount of power that the park delivers.
112,000 panels to produce 100 MW and power 12,000 homes
While some sources vary, Les Mées Solar Park reportedly has a total capacity of 100 MW, which produces enough clean power for 12,000 homes annually. However, this park does so much more than produce substantial amounts of clean power. According to a Power Technology report, Les Mées Solar Park is responsible for removing 40,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Naturally, this substantial capacity does not come from nothing. The Power Technology report mentions that the solar park has approximately 112,870 solar panels. Several contractors were involved in the park’s operations. The list of contractors includes:
- Siemens Energy
- Responsible for rendering engineering, procurement (including inverters), and construction services
- Was the Operations and Maintenance contractor
- Wuxi Suntech Power
- Solar panel supplier
According to The Guardian, Enfinity invested a whopping 70 million Euros in the project, and the investment paid off. The investment itself mandated that the system had to be developed without a concrete foundation. The solar panels have a lifetime of 20 years, and the absence of the concrete foundation would thus make it easier to remove and ensure healthy land for grazing afterwards.
In conclusion, Les Mées Solar Park is one of those pioneering mega-projects that ensure the lowest environmental impact possible, while producing substantial amounts of clean power to decarbonise a country that has been known for fossil fuel reliance. The park is the perfect example of the innovative extremes that countries worldwide are going to, to meet the global climate target deadline. A ‘sleeping Asian giant’ has also woken up and will align 5,000,000 solar panels in 2026.
