Overview
Saint-Paulien is a 1.56 MW operational solar PV facility in France. It contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III.
Saint-Paulien is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in France, with an operational capacity of 1.56 MW. As a small-scale solar installation, it supports France's transition to renewable energy sources. The facility is currently operational and contributes to the local energy grid. The plant operates under France's national regulatory framework, which aligns with the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), targeting 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. France supports solar PV through feed-in tariffs and grid connection policies, encouraging distributed generation. The 1.56 MW capacity places Saint-Paulien in the small-scale category, typical for community or commercial rooftop installations. Environmentally, Saint-Paulien's solar PV generation displaces fossil fuel-based electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The facility's location in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region benefits from favorable solar irradiation. Solar PV has minimal land-use impact compared to other renewables, and the facility's small scale limits visual and ecological disruption.
Environmental context
Solar PV installations like Saint-Paulien have a low environmental footprint, with no emissions during operation and minimal water use. The facility's location in central France experiences moderate solar irradiance, suitable for small-scale generation. Land-use impact is limited to the panel footprint, and the site does not interfere with bird or bat populations as wind turbines might. Grid integration is straightforward due to the small capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Saint-Paulien is located in France, with coordinates 45.1352 N, 3.8215 E, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The Saint-Paulien solar PV facility has an installed capacity of 1.56 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale solar installation.
Saint-Paulien uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight into electricity. It is a ground-mounted or rooftop array typical of small-scale solar projects.
Saint-Paulien operates under France's implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which mandates 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. The facility benefits from national feed-in tariffs and grid connection policies for solar PV.
Solar PV has minimal environmental impact, with no air or water pollution during operation. Saint-Paulien's small scale limits land-use change and visual intrusion, contributing to France's carbon reduction goals.