Dive in the Construction of the Biggest European Floating Solar Project: +73MWp in France

Premium Account

Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Exhibition Program | Language: English | Duration: 13:05 .

Construction of Europe's Largest Floating Solar Project Underway in France, Says Ciel & Terre International Director Vincent Grumetz

The discussion focuses on Europe's largest floating solar project—a 73-megawatt peak plant in France, with Mr. Vincent Grumetz from Ciel & Terre International providing insights into its construction and challenges. Ciel & Terre International specializes in floating solar projects, having installed over 300 globally, totaling nearly 1.6 gigawatts of capacity since starting in 2013. This French project, developed by Q-Energy and constructed by a consortium including Solution 30 and Perpetuum, spans six lakes covering more than 127 hectares—with the power plant itself occupying about 45 hectares. It involves significant logistical coordination due to limited storage space on site for the large volume of components like modules and floats. Key challenges include optimizing Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) despite higher initial capital expenditures for structures and mooring lines unique to floating setups. Operational expenses (OPEX) are also higher due to specialized equipment required for maintenance tasks performed far from shore. To enhance efficiency, design optimizations include self-oriented modules at a five-degree tilt with high packing density—achieving around 1.7 megawatt-peak per hectare compared to ground installations' lower densities. Detailed preparation is crucial; organized logistics minimize onsite stock while ensuring timely supply flow. Overall, Grumetz emphasizes that each floating solar project requires bespoke solutions tailored to specific sites’ conditions for long-term reliability over decades.

Automatisierte Zusammenfassung durch AI Conver

Large installations are developing rapidly, and innovative applications in this area are on the rise: Hybrid power plants combine PV with wind or batteries or both, while floating PV uses water surfaces as power plant sites. This session will present projects such as Europe's largest floating PV installation and Sukari, the world's largest off-grid hybrid power plant. The latest trends in project development, EPC, O&M and Asset Management will also be discussed.

Further Talks of this session:

To Talk

To Talk

To Talk

To Talk

To Talk

Weiterführende Inhalte
Publication
The German PV and Battery Storage Market

The first of its kind, this study offers an overview of the photovoltaics and battery storage market in Germany.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

Publications
Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025–2029

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power is the most authoritative market analysis for the solar sector.

Intersolar Europe Conference 2023
Panel Discussion - Intersolar

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 09:30 am - 11:00 am

The smarter E Europe Conference 2023 | Conference Program

kostenfreier Account

Get Inspired. Together to the Next Level!

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Solar Made in the EU

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

Premium Account

Despite strong research capabilities and the presence of leading production equipment suppliers, Europe has been struggling to rebuild competitive wafer-to-module manufacturing, while the USA and India have enabled a local renaissance in solar manufacturing. In Europe, even long-established inverter manufacturers have been losing considerable ground. With the EU's Net Zero Industry Act yet to deliver momentum, attention is turning to the upcoming Industry Accelerator Act. This session examines how policy, investment and value-chain strategies can strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase internal value creation.Key topics:Overview of EU and national policy frameworks to support local manufacturingStatus of Europe's solar manufacturing value chainInvestment gaps and competitiveness challenges Strategies for triggering a sustainable solar manufacturing revival 

Sie verwenden einen veralteten Browser

Die Website kann in diesem Browser nicht angezeigt werden. Bitte öffnen Sie die Website in einem aktuellen Browser wie Edge, Chrome, Firefox oder Safari.