Is France behind in photovoltaics?

A field of solar panels now extends to Gien, in the middle of the Loiret forest. The Métairie solar power plant, the largest in the country, a huge photovoltaic energy complex, was inaugurated on Friday June 10 by TotalEnergies. “It’s a solar farm, which produces 55 MW, 126,000 panels, and which ensures the electricity consumption of 38,000 households”says Stéphane Michel, Managing Director of Gas, Renewables & Power – TotalEnergies.

This is the first project of such magnitude in France. All over the world, however, the race for solar energy is on. In Sayreville, New Jersey (USA), solar panels have been installed on the water. In Ashalim (Israel), in the desert, 150,000 mirrors reflect light up a tower to transform water into steam. In the province of Hebei (China), mountains as far as the eye can see are given over to solar collectors and peasants have been forced to give up their land. France only produces 2.2% of photovoltaic energy, ie three times less than Germany or Italy.