Q Energy has begun construction of the 11MWp Chênet PV park in the Marne region of France, with work already well advanced after starting in autumn.
The company said commissioning is planned for summer 2026, when the plant is expected to generate enough energy to supply 5500 households and save 3000 tons of CO2 annually.
It added that the 9-hectare site previously served as a gravel pit between 1992 and 2009 and has since awaited new use.
The conversion will provide tax and rental income for the community and has been designed to allow grazing on the site, enabling a local farmer to expand his business.
Paul Colin, responsible solar project manager at Q Energy, said: “With Chênet, we are demonstrating that it is possible to transform a former industrial site into a productive and virtuous space for the region.
“The conversion of this already artificialised plot of land allows us to combine renewable energy production, local economic benefits and agricultural activity.
“It is a pragmatic and responsible approach to development, promoting sustainable and shared growth.”
The Chênet solar park is Q Energy’s first project in the Marne region, although the company is active in neighbouring Haute-Marne, where it has developed more than 300MW of renewable energy projects.
Adèle Leprêtre, regional manager at Q Energy, emphasised: “This project illustrates what we can achieve when local dialogue is at the heart of an initiative.
“The trust placed in us by elected officials and residents, as well as the quality of the discussions held throughout the development process, were decisive in obtaining authorization in just 12 months and completing the development phase in only four years.
“Chênet is the result of a genuine collective effort in support of the local energy transition.”