Wedoany.com Report-May 1, Enedis, France’s grid operator, reported that 1,407 MW of new photovoltaic (PV) systems were connected to the national grid in the first quarter of 2025, spanning January to March. This marks a significant increase from the 956 MW added in the last quarter of 2024 and approximately 1 GW in the first quarter of 2024. By March 2025, France’s total installed PV capacity reached 23.5 GW.
French PV association Enerplan commented on LinkedIn: “This growth will continue if the sector is not hindered and if public decision-makers remain firm in their support for renewable energy.” The statement addressed recent regulatory changes, including reductions in feed-in tariffs for rooftop PV systems under 500 kW. It remains unclear whether these tariff adjustments will impact the strong growth observed in France’s solar sector over the past two years, with effects likely to become evident by the end of 2025.
Xavier Daval, CEO of KiloWattSol, a solar and storage technical consulting firm, stated: “This is a very good start, with a pace that, if maintained, would lead to another record year.” He highlighted the key drivers behind the growth, noting that the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment continues to show robust momentum. The residential segment remains steady but exhibits signs of slowing for smaller installations. Large-scale projects display varied trends, with developments exceeding 5 MW beginning to gain traction again.
The first quarter’s performance underscores France’s ongoing commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly in solar power. The C&I segment’s strength reflects growing demand for sustainable energy solutions among businesses, while the residential sector’s stability indicates sustained interest in rooftop solar, despite potential challenges from tariff changes.
Enedis’s data highlights the increasing role of PV systems in France’s energy mix, supporting the country’s broader environmental goals. The continued growth in solar installations, especially in the C&I and large-scale segments, positions France for a potential record-breaking year in renewable energy deployment, provided supportive conditions persist.
