Rural electrification using renewable energies avoids the need for expensive extensions to the national grid and has numerous benefits, both economic and for landscape preservation.

Perfected techniques
The vast majority of autonomous electric installations at rural sites are photovoltaic, occasionally supplemented by back-up generators for use in long periods with poor sunlight. These systems, which supply an alternating 230V current, support the full range of low-wattage domestic usage, on condition that energy-efficient appliances are used.
In mainland France, installations are generally “made-to-measure” to suit individual circumstances that are never the same.
In the overseas “départements”, where there are more installations, they are also more standardised (for large-scale cost-efficiency): installations are generally built from modular kits.

Up to 95% support
Rural electrification (except for commercial sites) is eligible for public financing on condition that the cost is at least 15% lower than that of connecting to the mains. The grant can be as high as 95% of the total cost, leaving the user to pay only 5%.
ADEME, through its regional branch offices, intervenes upstream, as soon as the dossier has been filed at the town hall, providing advice with feasibility studies, stewarding the dossier with the various partners and part-financing the project.
In the overseas “départements”, a different set-up also exists to take advantage of tax-exemption laws: private investors acting under tax-exemption regulations play a role alongside EDF (the National Electricity Company) and ADEME, which continues nonetheless to provide technical expertise.

Experience in decentralised electricity production
The technical experience acquired in rural locations is easy to transpose to other, larger applications, particularly for equipping buildings with photovoltaic generators connected to the mains, and in some cases incorporated into the building structure.
The decision to promote such a concept of decentralised autonomous production is currently in abeyance awaiting a government decision that will set tariffs for purchase by EDF of the electricity produced. Positive developments are expected in the next six months, with the publication of the order setting purchase tariffs for photovoltaic electricity.