France, Europe's largest floating solar power plant

<! – -> The largest floating solar power plant in Europe was inaugurated on 18 October in Piolenc, near Orange, France. The plant is equipped with 47 thousand photovoltaic panels, which were installed on the surface of an artificial lake. "This is a decisive turning point in the development of renewable energies," Eric Scotto, president and co-founder of the energy production company Akuo, who runs the site, commented to 20 Minutes newspaper.

Solar power stations in all artificial lakes would produce energy for 10 million people

"With the Piolenc solar power plant – he added – we intend to boost the floating solar market and show that there are no more obstacles to financing this type of project". The total investment that was necessary for the design and construction was around 17 million euros. For a 17-hectare plant that will supply 4,700 families (about 10 thousand people).

In France it is estimated that, taking into account all the existing artificial lakes in the area (and not classified Natura 2000, or protected areas), one could arrive at a production capable of responding to the demand of 10 million families. "It's something colossal," said Scotto. While the Minister of Ecological Transition Elisabeth Borne, who was present at the inauguration, added that "photovoltaics must double its installed capacity by 2023 and multiply it within the next ten years in France".

"The impact of the solar power plant on aquatic life is limited"

According to the creator of the project, Bernard Prouvost, "it has been explained for some time that for large solar power plants will soon be missing the right places on earth". Building them on water, on the other hand, does not compete with the agricultural exploitation of the soil. Akuo also underlines how the construction of a power plant like that of Piolenc is relatively easy: "It takes a few months to complete it." The company also ensures that the plant has been designed "to remain operational for at least 25 years".

The concept is also modular, consisting of a central anchorage and the fate of "islands" that are hooked around. This makes it possible to adapt the system, with different configurations, depending on the location. According to Akuo, the impact on aquatic life "is extremely limited. It is true that the amount of light entering the water is reduced, and therefore the temperature, but algae evaporation and proliferation are also limited ”.