France reduces VAT to 5.5% for solar up to 9 kW
The French Senate has approved France’s 2025 Budget Law, cutting the value-added tax (VAT) to 5.5% for PV systems up to 9 kW from October 2025. Industry professionals say the delay might prompt homeowners to postpone installations to secure the lower rate.
Research shows floating PV can reduce lake water temperature by 1.2 C
A before-after-control-impact study conducted at six French lakes for three years has revealed that PV coverage decreases water temperature by 1.2 C on average. The reduction in water temperature also occurred in areas of the lakes that were not covered with modules.
The Hydrogen Stream: Acwa Power, Sefe to supply green H2 to Europe
Acwa Power has partnered with Sefe to set up a hydrogen bridge between Saudi Arabia and Germany, while the Danish government has committed up to $1.1 billion to develop a new hydrogen pipeline.
Community managers key to wider adoption of energy communities
New research from France suggests that energy communities could benefit from dedicated community managers to address operational complexities. Researchers says that this role could offer contracts or assurances to ease concerns among risk-averse members.
France’s top audit body questions feasibility of EDF’s nuclear plans
France’s Cour des Comptes has issued a warning about rising nuclear energy costs. It is urging state-owned utility EDF to reduce its financial risks in international projects.
The Hydrogen Stream: EU grants €1.25 billion for 41 cross-border energy projects
The European Commission says 41 cross-border energy projects will receive €1.25 billion ($1.3 billion) in funding, with one-fifth allocated to hydrogen, while Lhyfe has started building its fifth hydrogen production site in northern France, set to provide green hydrogen by 2026.
French railway operator testing PV modules on train tracks
AREP, a subsidiary of French railway operator SNCF, has deployed a prototype of a mini-reversible solar power plant on non-running rails to test it for six months. The solution is shipped in standardized ISO containers including inverters and storage batteries.
CEA-INES, 3Sun achieve 30.8% efficiency for tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell
The 9 cm² cell consists of a top cell based on a perovskite absorber and a bottom cell with a heterojunction (HJT) structure. The results improve on the 29.8% efficiency CEA and 3Sun achieved for the same kind of cell in December.
EDF shuts down Photowatt solar manufacturing unit
EDF Renewables has decided to shut down all operations of French PV module manufacturer Photowatt, following the failure of its planned acquisition by Carbon.
France deploys 4.6 GW of PV in 2024
France deployed 4.6 GW of solar in 2024, bringing its total PV capacity to 22.12 GW. Grid operator Enedis says that self-consumption accounted for 35% of new installations.
