The Toul-Rosières photovoltaic power plant or Air Base 136 solar park is a French solar power plant with an output of 115 MWc1. It was implemented in 2012 by EDF Energies Nouvelles in Rosières-en-Haye, near Pont-à-Mousson. With its 1,4 million solar panels spread out over 367 hectares the solar park was the largest in Europe at the time it was put into service in 2011. A Geode, a dome shaped building, displays the history of the former Toul-Rosières Air Base 136 and the solar power plant.
History
Starting in 2011, EDF Energies Nouvelles progressively built the photovoltaic power plant in increments of 12 MWc on the former Toul-Rosières Air Base 136 (1952-2004) of the French air force. The power plant, built on a former American NATO Air Base in Rosières-en-Haye, in the Pont-à-Mousson basin, cost 430M€ to set up. In 1967, the base became Air Base 136, of the 11th Fighter Wing, with the Jaguar as its signature plane.
From 2012 EDF Renewable has progressively implemented 1,4 million 120x60cm solar panels, over a surface area of 120 hectares, on the former air base.
The Home of Solar Photovoltaic Energy on-site (a dome shaped building in red Corten steel) displays the history of the old Toul-Rosières air base 136 (active from 1952-2004) of the French air force and its transformation into a solar photovoltaic plant.
Technology
The solar photovoltaic units from the American manufacturer First Solar are designed following state-of-the-art technology, with thin layers of Cadmium Telluride, an alternative to traditional silicium based modules, more appropriate to the amount of sunlight available in a typical day in the region.
Visit the aircraft hangars and the Geode to discover the history of the Air Base 136
The solar power plant was progressively put into use from May to November 2012, with more or less 1,4 million 120x60cm solar panels over 120 hectares, making the total coverage of the EDF plant 367 ha out of the 522 ha of the former air base.
The Home of Solar Photovoltaic Energy on-site (a dome shaped building in red Corten steel) displays the history of the old Toul-Rosières air base 136 (active from 1952-2004) of the French air force and its transformation into a solar photovoltaic plant.
3 aircraft hangars dating back to the military period of the base allow for a full immersion into the first life of the land. A guided visit is available, done by former fighter pilots and mechanics who worked on the base and who lived alongside the planes that you’ll discover: jaguar, F100 and a reactor.
To book your visit, go to the Pont à Mousson Tourism Office or call 03 83 81 06 90