France has submitted an updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) outlining an ambitious target to increase its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 60GW by 2030. This marks a significant upward revision from the previous goal of 40GW set in 2019. The new draft also aims to achieve a cumulative installed solar capacity of 75-100GW by 2035, positioning France as a key player in the renewable energy landscape.
Despite the noteworthy increase, France's solar targets appear comparatively conservative in relation to neighboring countries. Spain and Italy, for instance, are targeting installations of 76GW and 80GW of solar PV by 2030, respectively, signaling a robust commitment to solar energy expansion.
Nuclear energy continues to play a pivotal role in France's decarbonization strategy, evident in the NECP draft with 104 mentions of “nuclear” compared to 19 for “solar.” In 2022, nuclear power contributed to 62.2% of France's electricity production, highlighting its ongoing significance in the country's energy mix.
As of the end of 2022, France had achieved a solar PV capacity of 15.7GW, with 2.6GW added in the previous year, representing more than half of the total renewable capacity added in 2022, which surpassed 5GW.
France's plan includes adding 5.5-7GW of solar capacity annually, with the majority expected from utility-scale solar (65%), followed by rooftop commercial and industrial (25%), and residential solar (10%).
At the industry level, France has witnessed increased activity from startups, with announcements of new module assembly plants set to become operational in the coming years. Notable initiatives include Carbon's plan for a 5GW/3.5GW assembly plant and Holosolis' goal of constructing a 5GW module assembly plant targeting various applications.
While Germany, the leading EU country in installed solar capacity, had yet to submit its updated NECP draft as of the report, the nation aims to achieve unmatched solar PV targets. Germany anticipates reaching 215GW of installed solar capacity by 2030, with an annual goal of 22GW, surpassing the combined planned capacity of Italy, Spain, and France.
Germany's ambitious solar targets were announced last year, doubling the previous goal of 98GW set in the 2019 NECP. In a bid to boost the domestic supply chain, Germany has also launched an expression of interest to attract 10GW of solar PV manufacturing.
Several countries, including France and Germany, are yet to submit their updated NECP drafts, with the deadline set for June 30, 2023. These drafts are crucial for outlining each country's commitment to the European Commission's renewable energy and climate goals, with submissions expected by June 2024.
