In June, the\u00a0Compagnie Nationale du Rh\u00f4ne\u00a0(CNR) unit of\u00a0French energy giant Engie\u00a0inaugurated its first\u00a0floating solar\u00a0power plant, on Lac de la Madone, in the southern French\u00a0Rh\u00f4ne department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That 230 kW pilot project was the prelude to a newly announced 30 MW floating array the company is planning in the municipality of Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne, in the Dr\u00f4me department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe technology is proven, we learned a lot with the Madone project,\u201d said Nicolas Dalisson, head of photovoltaic projects at CNR. During the first months of operation of the Madone plant, no problems appeared, he told\u00a0pv magazine, adding: \u201cThis gives us confidence in the success of the Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new project proposal is under review by the authorities with the town of Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne issuing a favorable opinion and CNR is now awaiting a building permit. \u201cWe hope to be able to start the construction during 2021,\u201d said Dalisson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne plant would be installed on two bodies of water at a former gravel pit operated by concrete and construction company\u00a0Lafarge. The nature of the location ensures the project would have little impact on the landscape or biodiversity, according to Dalisson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are also carrying out studies on the environmental integration of such projects on water bodies,\u201d added the project manager. \u201cThis is a very important aspect for us.\u201d The CNR representative said environmental impact studies could give rise to innovations such as fish spawning grounds installed under the floating platforms. \u201cWe intend to put the same devices in Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne,\u201d he said, adding the distance planned between the platforms and to the banks would take into account fish. \u201cWe have reached a ratio of just over 50% of the water surface. This is a strong measure taken as part of the sizing of the plant,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CNR \u2013 whose utility parent company also generates power from petrol, nuclear and natural gas \u2013 said it is studying changes in the physical-chemical nature of water which hosts its floating PV plants as well as the adaptation of species to such installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dalisson said the environmental authority has looked favourably on the Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne proposal, adding: \u201cAll the lights are green.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From: https:\/\/www.pv-magazine.com\/2020\/03\/03\/another-30-mw-of-floating-solar-ready-in-france\/<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The commune of Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Rh\u00f4ne, in the French department of Dr\u00f4me, has signaled its approval of a floating PV project submitted by the Compagnie Nationale du Rh\u00f4ne which still requires a permit from the planning authorities. In June, the\u00a0Compagnie Nationale du Rh\u00f4ne\u00a0(CNR) unit of\u00a0French energy giant Engie\u00a0inaugurated its first\u00a0floating solar\u00a0power plant, on Lac de la Madone,…
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