A public inquiry has just been launched for the installation of a photovoltaic power plant at Laz, in the Center Finistère. The project is led by Total Solar, a division of the Total group. It would supply 10,000 homes with electricity, excluding heating. The prefecture will decide whether or not to grant a building permit on October 25, 2018.

On the fence of the quarry of Plessis, in Laz (Finistère), exploited from 1975 to 2013, a sign indicates the opening of a public inquiry, September 24, 2018. In question, a project of photovoltaic power plant carried by Total Solar , a Total group company specializing in solar energy.

This future tenant sees the land interest of the site, according to Paul Azibert, in charge of the project for the subsidiary: "One can find an economic profitability in the north of France. Large unexploited spaces represent land that is compatible with projects of this type ".

On October 25, at the end of the investigation, the prefecture of Finistère will choose to grant or not, a building permit.

"Trackers" signs

This solar farm will consist of 38,880 panels of 435 W each, spread over 8 ha, for 24 ha operated by the company.

Average production would reach 25.18 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 10,000 households, excluding heating.

The subsidiary Total Solar has chosen to set up mobile tracker panels that follow the curve of the sun to optimize capture: "They allow nature to get back on top once the job is done, because they are installed at 2 m from the ground, unlike fixed panels, " says Paul Azibert.

A significant ecological stake. The quarry is located in the heart of the Black Mountain ZNIEFF *. Total Solar wants to minimize the environmental impact of the site and the plant in service "for at least 30 years".

The public inquiry, which began on September 24, will end on October 25. The prefecture of Finistère will decide if it grants a building permit to Total Solar. | West France

Priority to safety

Eric Le Roux, co-owner of Carrières du Plessis comments: "Our real motivation is to close the access of the quarries to the walkers, who pass our barriers" . Quarries pose a high risk of rockfall and drowning because of the lakes in their center. "The plant will be fenced and under video surveillance, which will secure the site . "

Ideally, the project would start in 2020 and end one year later, with the electrical connection operated by ENEDIS, a subsidiary of EDF, for a total investment of 17 million euros.

* ZNIEFF: natural areas of ecological, faunistic and floristic interests.