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Q ENERGY inaugurates Chênet solar farm in France

Published in: Solar, Press Releases

Q ENERGY inaugurates Chênet solar farm in France image

On 24 September 2026, Q ENERGY inaugurated the Chênet solar farm, located in the French municipalities of Sapignicourt and Hauteville in the Marne department. Built on a former sand and gravel quarry, the 11 MWp solar farm now generates enough locally produced renewable electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 4,800 people.

A new lease of life for a former quarry

The Chênet solar farm forms part of the redevelopment of a former sand and gravel extraction site that operated between 1992 and 2009. Built on previously developed land, the solar farm now puts nearly eight hectares of the site to productive use by generating local renewable energy for the benefit of the surrounding area.

Launched in 2021, the project is the result of close collaboration with the relevant local authorities, government services, landowners and other local stakeholders. The consultation process conducted throughout the project’s development made it possible to take the site’s specific characteristics into account and support the project through to commissioning.

Comprising nearly 18,000 photovoltaic panels across 7.8 hectares, the Chênet solar farm has an installed capacity of 11 MWp. Each year, it will generate the equivalent of the electricity consumed by more than 4,800 people and avoid approximately 2,900 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Sheep also graze beneath the solar panels. This helps maintain the site while restoring an agricultural use to the former quarry, demonstrating how renewable energy generation and livestock farming can coexist on the same land.

“With the Chênet solar farm, a former quarry is now being used both to generate renewable electricity and for sheep grazing. This achievement is the result of constructive dialogue with local stakeholders, which enabled the project to be completed in just five years - a record for a solar farm,” said Paul Colin, Solar Project Manager at Q ENERGY.

Although the Chênet solar farm is Q ENERGY’s first operational project in the Marne department, the company has been active in Haute-Marne for several years, where it develops and operates several renewable energy facilities. Across Marne and Haute-Marne, Q ENERGY now has more than 300 MW of installed capacity in operation across two solar farms and seven wind farms.

About Q ENERGY

Q ENERGY is Europe's full-service provider for green power plants. The company is active along the entire value chain of renewable energy projects - from solar parks, onshore and offshore wind projects to energy storage solutions and hybrid power plants. 600 employees in the Berlin headquarters and further international offices are currently driving a development pipeline of more than 7 GW across Europe. Building on more than 25 years of experience and +2.8 GW completed renewable energy assets, Q ENERGY is currently active in Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany. Together with its independent sister company Hanwha Qcells, Q ENERGY forms the energy division of its parent company and top-tier Korean enterprise Hanwha Solutions Corporation.

Media Contact

Carmen Lepadatu
Q ENERGY France
+33 7 72 24 97 59
carmen.lepadatu@qenergy.eu

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