According to the latest data released by French grid operators Enedis and RTE, the country added a record-breaking 5.9 gigawatts (GW) of new solar PV capacity in 2025.

This figure represents a significant increase compared to the 4.6 GW installed in 2024, 3.1 GW in 2023, 2.6 GW in 2022, and 2.8 GW in 2021. By the end of December last year, France's cumulative installed PV capacity had grown to approximately 31.1 GW.

Among the new capacity, about 65% was concentrated in the 100 to 500 kilowatt range, primarily driven by businesses, farmers, and local authorities. Capacity in this segment grew by 38% compared to 2024. However, with the introduction of simplified tendering procedures showing mixed initial results, it remains uncertain whether this growth can be sustained into 2026.

The residential PV sector also faces challenges. It added 929 megawatts (MW) of new capacity in 2025, slightly below the 1,080 MW added in 2024. The slowdown in growth is largely attributed to delays in publishing the eligibility criteria for the 5.5% VAT reduction on installations below 3 kW, leaving many installers in prolonged uncertainty.

Adjustments to feed-in tariffs have also impacted the residential market. The tariff for surplus electricity from systems smaller than 3 kW was significantly reduced, prompting a market shift towards 3 to 6 kW installations, often paired with storage solutions.

Despite the positive performance in 2025, industry insiders note that growth may slow down in 2026. Key regulatory uncertainties remain, including the yet-to-be-finalized Multi-Year Energy Plan (PPE) and the unclear schedule for the next round of tenders.