Articles written by François Puthod

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Urbasolar, Axpo, Solarpark, Windkraftanlagen, Frankreich
France faces grid bottlenecks, with 10% of territory already saturated Around 10% of the country now faces grid constraints, prompting power distributor Enedis to plan 100 new substations by 2030 to support further renewable energy deployment.
François Puthod
Jul 16, 2026
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France’s Reden halts solar module production Reden has halted solar module production at its Roquefort-sur-Soulzon facility, citing mounting cost pressures and competition from Asian manufacturers. The closure marks another setback for French solar manufacturing, leaving Voltec as the country’s only remaining PV panel producer.
François Puthod
Jul 13, 2026
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Shallow gabion foundations enable solar plant deployment on archaeological site Shallow gabion foundations enabled the installation of a solar plant on an archaeological site with minimal ground disturbance. The approach ensures structural stability while preserving sensitive subsurface heritage through a fully reversible foundation system.
François Puthod
Jul 02, 2026
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French startup offers concrete solar carport for heavy weight vehicles Visionpark is developing a concrete-structure photovoltaic canopy for heavy-duty vehicle parking areas, logistics hubs, and highway rest stops. In addition to generating electricity, the installation is designed to maintain refrigerated trucks at the required temperature and provide power while vehicles are stationary.
François Puthod
May 29, 2026
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Lidl launches 2.24 kWh battery in Germany for €299 The battery supports 1,000 W input and 800 W output, is compatible with most balcony PV systems, and can be optionally app-controlled via a dedicated app.
François Puthod, Sandra Enkhardt, Tristan Rayner
May 19, 2026
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Heat pumps may help boost residential solar in France The government’s electrification plan, presented last week, includes a goal to double heat pump deployment in France by 2030, potentially benefiting the residential photovoltaic sector.
François Puthod
Apr 16, 2026
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Morocco finally unlocks solar self‑consumption Morocco has published the implementing decree for Law 82‑21, enabling self-producers to consume their own solar power and sell up to 20% of surplus energy back to the grid. The measure, effective 9 June 2026, sets clear tariffs and grid limits.
François Puthod
Mar 20, 2026
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Morocco begins construction on 305 MW Noor Atlas solar program Morocco’s state energy agency and national utility have signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) and begun construction on six Noor Atlas solar plants totaling 305 MW. The project – financed by KfW, the European Investment Bank and Bank of Africa – aims to expand renewables, support local industry and create regional jobs.
François Puthod
Mar 11, 2026
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Key takeaways from Solaire Expo Maroc A pavilion dedicated to electric vehicles, a dominant Chinese presence and limited European representation shaped the solar trade show held Feb. 10 to 12 in Casablanca, Morocco. Local distributors warned of rising prices for Chinese solar equipment, while a booming commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, a nascent residential market, emerging storage demand and largely untapped solar potential underscored the sector’s direction.
François Puthod
Feb 16, 2026