Q ENERGY has commissioned an 11 MWp solar farm on a former sand and gravel quarry in France, combining renewable power generation with sheep grazing on previously developed land.
The Chênet solar farm, located across the French municipalities of Sapignicourt and Hauteville in the Marne department, was commissioned on 24 September 2026.
The project covers 7.8 hectares and comprises nearly 18,000 photovoltaic panels. According to Q ENERGY, the facility is expected to generate enough renewable electricity annually to meet the equivalent consumption of more than 4,800 people.
Solar redevelopment of former quarry land
The Chênet project repurposes land previously used for sand and gravel extraction between 1992 and 2009.
Q ENERGY began developing the project in 2021 and worked with local authorities, government services, landowners and other stakeholders during the development process.
The company said the consultation process helped address the characteristics of the former extraction site and supported the project through to commissioning.
The development provides a new use for almost eight hectares of previously developed land while adding renewable electricity generation capacity in the Marne region.
Sheep grazing integrated with solar generation
The solar farm also incorporates sheep grazing, allowing agricultural activity to take place alongside photovoltaic generation.
Sheep will contribute to vegetation management at the site while reintroducing an agricultural use to part of the former quarry area.
According to Q ENERGY, the project is expected to avoid approximately 2,900 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Paul Colin, Solar Project Manager at Q ENERGY, said the project demonstrates how a former quarry can be repurposed for renewable electricity generation while also supporting livestock farming.
Q ENERGY also said the Chênet project was completed within five years, describing this as a record timeframe for one of its solar farms.
Q ENERGY expands renewable portfolio in northeastern France
The Chênet solar farm is Q ENERGY’s first operational solar project in the Marne department.
The company has also been developing renewable energy projects in neighbouring Haute-Marne for several years.
Across Marne and Haute-Marne, Q ENERGY currently has more than 300 MW of renewable energy capacity in operation, comprising two solar farms and seven wind farms, according to the company.
The Chênet project adds to this regional portfolio while demonstrating the potential for former extraction sites to be redeveloped for renewable energy and complementary agricultural activity.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
The Chênet project highlights the growing role of previously developed or industrial land in renewable energy deployment. Repurposing a former quarry for solar generation can reduce pressure to develop undeveloped land, while sheep grazing provides a practical example of combining electricity generation with agricultural use.
The project also illustrates how site-specific land-use planning can support renewable energy development. Its combination of solar generation, livestock grazing and redevelopment of a former extraction site reflects a broader approach to integrating renewable infrastructure with existing land uses.
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