Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 10, France’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has announced the launch of a new “simplified tender” for photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on buildings or rooftops, with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 500 kW. The new scheme, named AOS or PPE2 Petit PV Bâtiment, will replace the ongoing S21 tender program.

The first round of bidding will take place from September 22 to October 2, 2025, and will allocate 192 MW of capacity. According to CRE, this represents a significant reduction compared to previous tenders, with the cut attributed to recent years’ targets being “significantly exceeded.” CRE aims to manage this surplus by distributing new capacity more evenly across future years.

In 2026, five additional bidding rounds are scheduled, with a total planned volume of 768 MW. This figure is notably lower than the installed capacity recorded under the S21 framework in 2024. CRE explained that future tender volumes will consider recent contract submissions, national strategic energy goals under the upcoming PPE3 (Programmation Pluriannuelle de l'Énergie), and demand observed in similar tenders for building-mounted PV systems.

For the first round of the AOS tender, the ceiling price has been set at €0.095 ($0.110)/kWh. This uniform tariff applies to all projects, whether they are mounted on existing buildings, new constructions, or similar structures. However, the Collective for the Defense of Photovoltaics (CDPF) expressed concerns about this pricing structure. The group stated: “A flat rate fails to reflect the varying complexity of different installations and may impact project viability.”

A security deposit of €10,000 is required for participation in the tender. This must be issued to the state either by a credit institution, insurer, or guarantee company, or deposited with the Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDC).

Beginning January 1, 2026, an additional criterion will be introduced into the tender process in line with the implementation of Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1735, part of the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). Under this requirement, to qualify, bids must use PV modules that include at least three resilient components, such as cells, modules, and inverters with resilience characteristics.

The introduction of the AOS tender reflects adjustments in national policy to manage the growth of rooftop PV systems, support long-term planning, and align with evolving European Union regulations. CRE stated that the revised tender approach aims to offer better visibility for developers while promoting stable and predictable deployment of solar capacity in line with France’s energy transition objectives.