Axpo starts up largest rooftop solar plant in France

23.09.2024 - Axpo has commenced operations at the largest rooftop solar plant in France, it was announced today. Located in the northern town of Beauvais, the new installation is the latest demonstration of Axpo leveraging its considerable expertise to advance the expansion of renewable energies. In addition to strategic projects in the French solar sector, Axpo is active in other key markets such as Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland as the company continues to make significant ontributions to the energy transition.

Axpo subsidiary Urbasolar has brought the largest rooftop solar plant in France into operation in Beauvais, approximately 80 kilometres north of Paris. Installed on an industrial rooftop owned by the French real estate development company PRD (Percier Réalisation et Développement), the plant covers an area of 62,000 square metres and has an installed capacity of 12.8 MWp. The largest facility of its kind in France, it will generate approximately 13 GWh of electricity a year. This corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of around 3,000 French households. The project’s partners include PRD and investment management company HMC (Harbert Management Corporation), which has previously collaborated with Urbasolar on other successful projects.

Solar expertise a key Axpo strength

Axpo, through Urbasolar, is one of the leading providers of solar solutions in France and has already built more than 700 large-scale solar plants using various solar technologies. These include ground-mounted systems, car park canopies, greenhouses, agrivoltaics, floating PV, and rooftop installations. In the rooftop solar segment alone, Axpo has already installed over 190 MWp in France. The expansion of solar energy in Switzerland and Europe remains a core strategic pillar for Axpo.

The Head of Axpo’s Solar Division, Antoine Millioud, said, “This project in Beauvais highlights the expertise that the Axpo Group, through Urbasolar, has developed in France. Our extensive experience in various solar technologies enables us to expand our activities in other markets, including Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Switzerland. We are confident that our capabilities in delivering large-scale solar installations will further advance the energy transition and security of supply across Europe.”