Photovoltaic Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)

In France, a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI), also known as a CEI, is a preliminary procurement mechanism used by public or private buyers to gauge the market and identify potential solar developers before drafting a formal tender.

To optimize your project pipeline, you can also consult our dedicated page for photovoltaic public tenders.

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What is a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI)?

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An EOI is an unofficial procedure, not provided for by the public procurement code, allowing a public entity to solicit private initiative to promote projects of interest, even if the need is not fully defined.

Essentially, EOIs are a preliminary step allowing public procurement actors to gauge the market and identify interested companies for pre-selection. Companies wishing to participate in a project will express their interest by responding to the EOI. In the photovoltaic sector, an EOI often involves a community soliciting interest from renewable energy developers and selecting the most satisfactory proposal for the installation of photovoltaic systems.

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Public Domain Occupation: Key Business Opportunities

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EOIs for Public Domain Occupation represent major business opportunities, as they allow a public buyer to select a partner for the construction, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic installations on public land.

Many municipalities and communities, under the energy transition law, are implementing actions to develop renewable energy production by private operators on public land. These published EOIs typically involve:

• Temporary Occupation Permits (AOT): Granting the right to rent public land, rooftops, or parking lots.
• Full Scope of Work: Companies expressing interest must propose a project covering the design, construction, operation, financing, and maintenance of the plant.

The strategic importance of EOIs has significantly increased over the past few years as they grant early access to high-potential public sites. To learn how to detect these projects even earlier, read our guide on how to identify renewable energy projects in France.

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The Growing Role of CEIs Under the APER Law and ZAEnR

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Since 2023–2024, the use of CEIs has accelerated significantly, driven by the APER law and the creation of Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAEnR).

For many municipalities, a CEI has now become the most flexible method to assess the potential of a public site (parking lots, schools, brownfields) and to compare proposals from developers before launching a more formal procurement procedure. This preliminary step allows authorities to assess:

• The technical feasibility (solar carports, agrivoltaics, rooftops).
• The economic relevance of the business models.
• The developer’s capacity to finance and operate the project.

To understand the context of these zones, consult our article on Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAEnR).

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Deepbloo: Automating the Detection of EOIs and CEIs

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Deepbloo centralizes EOIs and CEIs from over 200 sources, using AI to identify early-stage solar opportunities that are often missing from national tender platforms.

Deepbloo helps you find your calls for expressions of interest and tenders in just a few clicks, and alerts you daily to offers that match your business. Our platform is specifically designed to:

• Identify solar shade (ombrelles) expressions of interest or public tenders
• Track competitive intelligence in the energy sector.
• Monitor local deliberations before the EOI is officially published.

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In Summary:

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• Strategic Gateway: EOIs help local authorities accelerate renewable energy deployment while offering developers early access to high-potential opportunities.
• Flexible Process: Use the EOI phase to influence the technical design of future projects.
• AOT Focus: Target Temporary Occupation Permits to secure long-term land rights for solar assets.

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FAQ: Photovoltaic Calls for Expressions of Interest

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• What is the difference between EOI and CEI?

In France, they are the same. CEI (Appel à Manifestation d'Intérêt) is the French term for EOI.

• Does an EOI lead to a contract?

Yes, it is usually the first step toward a partnership for construction and operation on public land.

• Why are EOIs important for solar carports?

Under the APER law, carports are a priority, and many municipalities use EOIs to find developers for their public parking lots.‍

• Where can I find these notices?

They are often scattered on local websites. Deepbloo aggregates them into one daily alert for your business.

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