This photovoltaic carport project cover the Jonquières Sunday market and the parking nearby which represents a total are of 47 500 m2.

This structure allows the inhabitants to park their vehicles and be sheltered from the sun and bad weather. 3.9 megawatts, 8,940 modules and 978 tons of CO2 avoided each year are the main key figures of this solar plant which production corresponds to the consumption of around 5,000 people. It is Voltalia’s fifth power plant in operation in Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Solar shelters are compatible with various types of activities such as the industry, farming or as in the present case, commercial activities. They contribute to enhancing land value and also have, in the long term, a role to play in the acceleration of electric mobility as they are designed to accommodate fast-charging stations.

First IPP project development, builted and operate by Voltalia in the UK.

O&M Team in Tonge Solar Farm is working in how the valuable ecological features of the site, during the operation phase, can be managed to increase the value of the site for the wildlife.

Tonge Solar Farm has a Biodiversity Management Plan to ensure ensure the features of existing biodiversity value on the site are protected.

The main points in the operational phase where O&M team is working:

1. Managing grassland to ensure the development of a diverse sward beneath the and around the pv modules.
   • The site is managed to create a diverse grassland habitat which will benefit a wide range of wildlife, including invertebrates. The site was seeded using seed from suitable and natives species, and is managed using a cutting regime.
   • Now is under study with the SPV owner the possibility to combinated the grass cutting with a grazing regime.
2. Managing adjacent habit in order provide nesting and wintering habitats for birds.
   • Habitat and features, such as roosting poles, were provided on the site to maintain and enhance the value of the site for nesting and wintering birds.
   • Bat and bird box were installed on suitable and mature trees adjacent to the site. Also, raptors perchers were erected around the security fence in order to provide vantage points for raptor species to prey on small mammmal species populations that can expanded with the fussocky grassland.
3. To ensure wildlife and protected species are adequaty protected during the project’s life.
   • We ensure that species can continue utilising the site and they are protected during our operations works.
   • Two wildlife hibernacula were created, to provide shelter and over-wintering refuges for reptiles, amphibians and inverterbrates. Also, mammals gaps were installed in the security fence, in order to provide an access points for badgers, hares and small mammals to continue utilising the site for foraging.