France electricity generation capacity: solar
France electricity generation capacity: solar stood at 30,437 MW in 2025, according to ODRé – Open Data Réseaux Énergies (RTE, NaTran, Teréga). It is one of the indicators in the Electricity: annual generation, consumption and capacity table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2007 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Electricity: annual generation, consumption and capacity table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed generation capacity | |||||||||||
| Solar | 30,437 | 24,496 | 19,402 | 16,059 | 13,086 | 10,355 | 9,480 | 8,556 | 7,641 | 6,787 | |
| Bioenergy | 2,295.01 | 2,280.93 | 2,244.03 | 2,186.34 | 2,184.76 | 2,141.56 | 2,080.76 | 2,026.53 | 1,929.12 | 1,898.35 |
Understanding france electricity generation capacity: solar
Enumerating the total peak electrical output ratings of all photovoltaic and thermal solar installations connected to power networks, this metric captures solar energy infrastructure. The coverage spans utility-scale ground-mounted solar parks as well as commercial and residential rooftop installations registered within grid interconnection databases. It differs from wind and hydro measures by capturing direct and diffuse solar radiation through semiconductor conversion rather than moving mechanical parts.
Interpreting these figures requires accounting for the decentralized nature of solar deployment, which includes numerous small-scale installations that lead to frequent retroactive statistical revisions as grid operators process backlogged connections. Analysts must remember that peak capacity ratings are measured under standardized laboratory test conditions and rarely match real-world output, which varies by daylight hours and weather. Comparing this metric against baseload capacity highlights the diurnal concentration of national solar generation potential.
Frequently asked questions
- Are residential rooftop solar panels included in this total?
- Yes, grid-connected domestic and commercial installations are aggregated alongside utility-scale solar farms.
- Why do historical solar capacity figures often get revised?
- Delayed reporting of small rooftop installations frequently requires retroactive updates by network operators.
- Does this series measure the amount of sunlight received?
- No, it measures the maximum rated electrical output of installed photovoltaic panels.