Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt solar power station – France (Lot-et-Garonne Region)

Developed on underused land on the edge of an industrial zone, the Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt solar power plant illustrates the shared ambition of the municipality and Corsica Sole to combine energy development with sustainable land use planning.

Covering an area of 32 hectares, the site hosts 18,500 photovoltaic panels with an installed capacity of 6.5 MWp.

Each year, the plant generates 7.9 GWh of renewable electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 4,500 people, heating included, thereby contributing to the energy autonomy of the Lot-et-Garonne region.

By producing this green energy, the plant avoids the emission of nearly 7,700 tonnes of CO₂ per year, directly supporting national climate objectives and the local energy transition.

A project supported by the municipality

Designed in close collaboration with the municipality of Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt and its residents, the project was built on continuous dialogue with the municipal council from as early as 2017.

The objective was to ensure the harmonious integration of the solar park into its surroundings and to maintain territorial coherence with existing economic activities.

The choice of location, a brownfield site near an industrial area, made it possible to enhance unused land without artificialising new surfaces.

The municipality fully supported this initiative, viewing it as a local lever for sustainable development and a concrete example of responsible land use planning.

An environmentally responsible power plant

The Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt power plant combines renewable energy production with the preservation of local ecosystems.

Soils have been kept permeable, and site management is designed to promote biodiversity, notably through ecological practices such as eco-grazing.

This method uses sheep to manage vegetation, limiting the need for machinery and chemical products.

A symbolic anecdote illustrates this harmony: in September 2023, a lamb was born on the site. It was named Corsica, in tribute to the company that made this encounter between nature and solar energy possible.

A citizen-led and participatory project

The Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt solar power plant was opened to participatory financing, enabling residents of Lot-et-Garonne and neighbouring departments (Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne and Gers) to invest directly in the energy transition of their territory.

For every €1,000 invested, a citizen contributes to the production of 1,500 kWh of electricity, representing more than one fifth of their average annual electricity consumption.

This model of local investment strengthens the link between communities and renewable energy, while fostering a more responsible, sustainable and shared economy.

The result of a collective effort involving the municipality, citizens and the teams at Corsica Sole, the Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt solar power plant is now a successful example of local collaboration.

It demonstrates that it is possible to produce sustainable energy while making the most of existing land resources and mobilising local stakeholders around a shared project.

Through this collaborative approach, the municipality of Saint-Quentin-du-Dropt positions itself as a committed player in the energy transition, firmly focused on the future.