72,000 solar panels on agricultural land: the first agrivoltaic farm in Oise threatened?

“For the moment, no one has won, no one has lost,” notes bitterly Sandrine Flouré, resident of Versigny (Oise) and member of the collective Citizens engaged in the defense of the country of Valois (CEPDV). One thing is certain, like many villagers, she will continue to mobilize against the installation of 72,000 photovoltaic panels on 53 ha of agricultural land, including crops and sheep breeding, halfway between Versigny and Rosières. And now, it is in court that the fight continues.

Two years ago, a wind of revolt shook these two villages in Valois when they learned that an agrivoltaic farm project, the first in the department, was underway in their area. Despite strong opposition, in December 2024, the public inquiry proved favorable to the project and in the process, the prefecture issued an order authorizing construction.

On January 15, 2026, the municipality of Versigny, five associations and some of its residents requested the administrative court of Amiens (Somme) to annul the prefectural decision authorizing the construction of the first agrivoltaic farm in the Oise. On February 6, the administrative court noted several flaws in the procedure and gave the prefect and the developer, TTR Energy, seven months to present an amended building permit.

“This is unacceptable”

“The court recognized that the prefect did not have to grant the permit, it was up to the two mayors to do so. But in the meantime, a new law has been passed which authorizes it. So, even if he was illegal when he issued his order, it will pass, vituperates Sandrine Flouré. This is unacceptable. »

The court also revealed inadequacies in the impact study, such as the nature of the panels that will be used, the absence of an overall carbon footprint for the project, the impacts that the dryer that will be installed may have on the environment or even what measures will be taken to avoid any pollution on the fauna and flora during the work phase.

“Not to mention that ten years ago, the largest owner of the land concerned planted apple trees so that the bats would come back and that with this project, there is a risk of collisions on the photovoltaic panels which will attract insects and therefore the bats which will come and eat them. »

“We won’t let it happen”

Despite “the dangers” pointed out by the residents to their living environment and the surrounding nature, the court considers that this “project, having regard to the productivity of its electricity intended to be injected into the public distribution network, must be regarded as an installation contributing to the operation of services intended for the public. » The project, called Greenlight Valois, claims to be able to meet the electricity needs of 15,000 residents over a year.

“Regarding the initial motivation, the agreements were made due to the project’s compliance with regulations,” comments the prefecture. As for the analysis of the decision of the administrative court, the prefecture services have just received the judgment. This analysis is in progress. » Opponents hope that the seven-month deadline will take the promoter by surprise. “We will have to redo a public inquiry on these points only, redo studies. For us, the whole project should have been canceled, maintains Sandrine Flouré. The prefect was not authorized to make the decision. And if it passes, we will appeal. We won’t let it happen. »

TTR Energy project manager, Léopold Santerre-Filleux d’Arrantieres, is not worried. “We welcome the court’s decision. There are a few points to strengthen, particularly with regard to the impact study, but the file was judged to be coherent and in line with the challenges of the territory. »