Montluçon photovoltaic shade house (03)

The project

This photovoltaic carport park covers 14.7 hectares of the parking lot at the Montluçon Exhibition Center. It is one of the largest carports ever built in France. Commissioned in August 2021 after ten months of construction, it produces an average of 15.7 GWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the yearly consumption of 7,100 people.

Photosol, an independent producer of photovoltaic energy, and Monev, the owner and manager of the Montluçon Exhibition Center, are behind the construction of one of the largest photovoltaic carports in France. Launched in 2018, this project is part of the sustainable development policy led by Monev’s management team for many years. The project, awarded through the national tender process by the Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie in February and August 2019, was spread across two parking areas at the Montluçon Exhibition Center.

It is located on a disused area of the Montluçon-Domérat aerodrome. The photovoltaic modules were oriented to prevent glare for pilots, and anti-reflective glass was used on the modules. The plant is therefore fully compatible with the aerodrome’s activities. Additionally, Photosol decided to install about twenty sheep to regularly graze the site, providing an economical and ecological way to maintain the vegetation under the modules.

In addition to this plant, Photosol owns three other ground-mounted plants as well as rooftop plants in the Allier, totaling 40 MWp in operation. Photosol is now the **leading photovoltaic producer in the department**.