France: Photosol selects First Solar thin film PV modules for projects with a total of 106.5 MW

02/17/2017 | Print view

Photosol has selected high-efficiency First Solar thin film solar modules for 14 new projects in France also for environmental reasons the company says. - © First Solar — © First Solar

Photosol has selected high-efficiency First Solar thin film solar modules for 14 new projects in France also for environmental reasons the company says.

Photosol has selected First Solar thin film modules to power 14 solar power plants in France with a total capacity of 106.5 megawatts. The projects are part of the third procurement round initiated by France’s Commission de Régulation de l’Energie.

The power plants will be located in Central and Southwest France, and will range from 4.5 MW to 43 MW in capacity. The largest project will be located in Burgundy, with Jayme da Costa Energie Subsidiary in France of Jayme da Costa Group, a leading Portuguese engineering firm providing the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) for all the projects.

Expected generation of 134,000 MWh yearly

When completed, the plants will supply almost 134,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity to the French electricity grid per year. Significantly, the plants’ collective environmental footprint will be lowered by approximately 67 percent thanks to their use of First Solar’s high performance modules, which offer the smallest carbon footprint, fastest energy payback time and lowest water use of all solar technologies, Stefan Degener, Regional Head of Business Development at First Solar claims.

Low environmental footprint scores

“As France continues to drive a sustained renewable energy program to meet its CO2 reduction goals, while reliably addressing its energy needs, we see a huge opportunity for utility-scale solar to make a significant contribution by delivering reliable and affordable clean electricity,” said David Guinard, Managing Director of Photosol. “Our decision to select First Solar’s thin film modules was not only driven by the cost-competitiveness and proven performance advantage, but also by the significant environmental benefits that its module technology offers.” These projects bring Photosol’s total portfolio of PV plants, powered by First Solar modules, to almost 155 MW. Upon completion, they will take First Solar’s total installed capacity in Europe up to approximately 4.5 GW.

Exemplary bidding process

“The progressive French policy on reducing the carbon footprint of its solar energy program has set a new benchmark and serves as a precedent for other countries to follow. It is a clear demonstration of how evaluating the environmental footprint can be effectively embedded in a competitive bidding process,” said Degener. (HCN)