The tender will consist of six rounds of 500MW each, with each round spaced six months apart. The first will end on 1 February 2017.

This timing will give the supply chain “stability and visibility needed for a transition to larger-scale production of photovoltaic electricity, which will contribute to the creation of green jobs,” said Segolene Royal, minister of ecology, sustainable development and energy.

Winners of the tender rounds will benefit from a new industry support mechanism under decrees issued in late May.

Royal’s ministry will select projects based on their economic competitiveness, environmental benefits and adaptation to the proposed site.

France aims to more than triple PV generation capacity to 20.2GW by 2023, which would advance the country toward 40% renewable energy mandate by 2030.