Overview
Castres is a 3.15 MW solar PV facility located in France. It is operational and contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Castres is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in France, with a capacity of 3.15 MW. This scale places it in the small-to-medium range for solar installations in the country. The facility is operational and contributes to France's renewable energy portfolio. France has set ambitious renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), aiming for 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Solar PV plays a key role in this transition, supported by national feed-in tariffs and grid-connection regimes. The Castres facility operates within this regulatory framework, benefiting from policies that encourage distributed solar generation. The environmental significance of Castres lies in its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Solar PV systems have minimal operational emissions and can be integrated into the grid to support local energy needs. The facility's location in southern France benefits from high solar irradiance, enhancing its energy yield and efficiency.
Environmental context
Solar PV facilities like Castres have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no direct emissions. However, land use and visual impact are considerations, especially in rural or peri-urban areas. The facility's location in southern France, with abundant sunlight, optimizes energy generation while minimizing ecological disruption. Grid integration challenges are managed through France's robust electricity network and supportive regulatory policies.
Frequently asked questions
The Castres solar PV facility is located in France, at coordinates 43.6156 N, 2.2382 E.
The Castres solar plant has a capacity of 3.15 MW, making it a small-to-medium scale solar installation.
Castres is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, which converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials.
The Castres facility operates under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which sets a 42.5% renewable energy target by 2030 for member states, and benefits from France's national feed-in tariff and grid-connection policies.
Solar PV plants like Castres have minimal operational emissions and low water usage. The main environmental considerations are land use and visual impact, which are managed through site selection and planning regulations.