Photovoltaic rural electrification in France

The promotional programmes sponsored by the Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) to encourage the use of off-grid photovoltaic power systems have evolved over a period of ten years. From the first year-round residences that were equipped in the early 1980s, to those that are now participating in the programme set up jointly by ADEME and the electricity utility Electricite de France (EDF), the notions of service quality and longevity are now better adapted to users´ needs. This article outlines the evolution of ADEME´s approach in mainland France, describes the programme undertaken in the French territory of New Caledonia, and lastly summarises the results of a field survey of users of stand-alone photovoltaic systems in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe