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Video length: 27 min
Correspondent. The solar of fear
Correspondent. The solar of fear
(SPECIAL SENDING / FRANCE 2)
Ground-mounted photovoltaic park projects are increasing in France. Despite their ecological vocation, some residents are worried about seeing land eaten away and their landscapes changing.
It must be one of the energies of the future: solar. Throughout France, ground-mounted photovoltaic park projects are multiplying, driven by the law to accelerate the production of renewable energies passed in March 2023.
Ever larger projects which, despite their ecological vocation and the economic benefits for the municipalities, arouse the anger of certain residents, who see the landscapes of the countryside where they live changing. Because these solar parks, which must be installed as a priority in already artificialized areas, often eat away at natural, agricultural and forest land.
“Agrivoltaism” to the rescue of the planet and farmers?
In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, an area very suitable for the production of solar energy, environmental activists denounce the installation of solar panels synonymous with clearing and destruction of protected species on the Lure mountain.
In Alsace, it is the project of an innovative cereal producer that is disturbing: he wants to combine agriculture and photovoltaics. Opponents fear a gradual artificialization of agricultural land. For its promoters, what we call “agrivoltaism” could on the contrary save both the planet and agriculture, by offering a virtuous and unexpected additional income to a profession in crisis.
A report by Alice Gauvin, Guillaume Marque, Elodie Delevoye, Martin Peignier, Luis Marques and Marielle Krouk broadcast in “Special Envoy” on April 25, 2024.
Among our sources
– RTE’s 2023 electricity balance sheet.
– The “Dashboard: photovoltaic solar – Fourth quarter 2023”, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.
– Announcement of the government’s solar plan, April 5, 2024.
– Observ’ER studies: The barometer of renewable electrical energies in France.
– Public consultation: Cruis photovoltaic park (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence).
– Public inquiry: Weinbourg Solar Park company, Weinbourg site (Bas-Rhin).
Non-exhaustive list.
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