Picarreau solar power plant – France (Bourgogne–Franche-Comté Region)

Developed on a former 27-hectare brownfield site, the Picarreau solar power plant, located in Bourgogne–Franche-Comté, has become a major renewable electricity production facility.

With an installed capacity of 27 MWp and more than 62,000 photovoltaic panels, it produces nearly 29.8 GWh each year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 16,900 people, heating included.

By feeding this green energy into the grid, the plant helps strengthen the territory’s energy autonomy and reduce CO₂ emissions, fully contributing to national climate objectives and the local ecological transition.

A project serving the local territory

Designed from the outset as a driver of local development, the Picarreau solar power plant reflects the exemplary commitment of a municipality to the energy transition.

Led by the local authority, the project has supported regional economic development: several local companies were involved, and the economic benefits have supported businesses and services across the territory.

A transparent and educational approach

With a strong focus on awareness and knowledge sharing, the power plant regularly welcomes visitors thanks to three educational information panels installed around the site.

These displays retrace the origins of the project, explain how the plant operates and highlight local biodiversity, strengthening the connection between residents and their energy heritage.

Preserving and restoring biodiversity

Environmental protection was integrated from the project’s earliest design stages. In collaboration with specialist consultants, an ecological development plan was implemented to preserve the site’s natural habitats, including:

– the oak–hornbeam woodland area,
– nesting areas for the woodlark, Eurasian wryneck and red-backed shrike,
– the central island inhabited by the Bacchante, a rare and protected butterfly species.

Maintenance of the plant is carried out in an ecological manner through sheep eco-grazing. The sheep naturally regulate vegetation growth, avoiding the use of machinery or chemical products and promoting a living, balanced ecosystem.

A project financed by and for citizens

A symbol of strong collective commitment, the Picarreau solar power plant benefited from an exceptional citizen financing initiative, launched by the municipality and structured by Corsica Sole, with the support of Enerfip and the AJENA association.

Thanks to this mobilisation, €933,860 was raised, setting a national record in 2021 for a solar project financed through citizen equity investment.

Each €1,000 invested corresponds to 1,500 kWh of electricity produced per year, equivalent to around one fifth of the average annual electricity consumption of a household.