La clé des champs, Solar Power Plant in France

12.5 MWc Production
17.7 hectares Area
Around 7 500 inhabitants Supplied with electricity
28 000 Solar panels
Around 200 tons of CO2 Avoided annually

Technical data

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About Boralex

All you need to know about Boralex's activity worldwide.

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Parc solaire de la clé des Champs France

The most powerful solar park in the Haute-Loire department

The Clé des champs photovoltaic park, located in Haute-Loire in the commune of Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon, in France, originated from an initial reflection by the commune in 2008. After 12 years of development and consultation, the most powerful photovoltaic park in the department was commissioned in October 2022

Creating local value

Economy

Tax revenue for the local town, lease income, community associations benefits and project donership and sponsorship

Agriculture

Assistance for the establishment of a young farmer, sheep breeder, provision of fenced land

Balancing energy production and environmental excellence

During the development phase of the project, Boralex chose to preserve areas with natural sensitivities by reducing the project’s footprint. The final project covers an area of 17.7 hectares, reduced by 22% compared to the initial study site. Among the compensatory measures implemented are the restoration of degraded wetlands outside the site and the recolonization of 2 hectares with the buttercup, an endangered plant species

Photovoltaic modules mounted on mobile structures

The photovoltaic panels of Clé des champs can adjust their position to follow the sun’s path from East to West thanks to a tracking system. This technology allows the panels to position themselves at an optimal production angle relative to the sun throughout the day. The system also includes a safety feature that allows the panels to be placed horizontally in case of strong winds. This project was a winner of the call for tenders by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), aimed at supporting the development of renewable energies in France

Participatory Investment

Boralex wanted to involve citizens in the energy transition of the territories by offering them the opportunity to invest part of their savings in the photovoltaic project. La Clé des champs is Boralex’s first project in France open to participatory investment. Citizens were invited to contribute approximately 40% of the equity, around €800,000, needed for the total financing of the project by acquiring ordinary shares in the citizen company. Launched in October 2020 via the Enerfip platform, the campaign resonated positively with the community, as it took less than 3 weeks to reach the amount of €844,000, invested solely by residents of the Puy-en-Velay agglomeration.