• The Agency
• Publications & press
• Newsletter
• Contact

Savoie

• Solar Valley
• Key industrial sectors
  • Solar industry & buildings
  • Eco-conception & recycling
  • Mountain sports industry
  • Composite materials
  • ICT
  • Agro-food
  • Metallurgy
• Economy & industrial fabric
• Real estate & business parks
• Lifestyle

Setting up / creating your business in Savoie

• Choosing Savoie
• Providing the assistance you need
• Welcoming your new team to Savoie
• Selecting a location within Savoie

Solar industry & buildings

An exemplary department in matter of solar energy: 1,500 solar energy jobs in Savoie at the end of 2008*

Rhône-Alpes, France's number one region for solar energy research

• Companies and organizations in Rhône-Alpes received €11.8 million from ADEME's fund
• 80% of which was allocated to projects set up in partnership with companies and organizations outside Rhône-Alpes
• 63% of the ADEME's research budget in Rhône-Alpes (€7.4 million) was allocated to energy-related projects
• In 2007 the photovoltaic sector grew by 240%, its highest growth rate since 1999
• Rhône-Alpes has a strong scientific, technical and industrial base in the photovoltaic solar energy field: Clipsol, INVENSIL, Photowatt, Schneider Electric, Tenesol, CEA, CNRS, INES, INPG, INSA Lyon, Université de Savoie, etc

Savoie, the solar champion

With a twenty-year history of promoting environmentally friendly policies, Savoie has become a national center of excellence for solar energy.
In 2009, Chambéry has been awarded first prize for the number of its solar thermal installations in the category between 20,000 and 99,000 inhabitants, with 3,680 m² installed panel. Saint Jean de Maurienne has been awarded first prize for the number of its solar thermal installations in the category between 5,000 and 19,999 inhabitants with more than 407 m² installed panel.
 

200 researchers at the National Solar Energy Institute (INES) in Savoie

The National Solar Energy Institute (INES) provides the focal point for solar energy research and development in France. As well as providing companies with test and development facilities for products and new processes, INES has two main priorities: training and research.
Launched with a mere handful of staff in 2006, the Institute now employs 200 people in a wide range of roles. It will soon reach its full complement of 500 staff, who will be housed in 17,000 m² of offices and laboratories.
INES will unite the strengths of several public-funded research laboratories (CEA, CNRS, CSTB), higher education bodies (University of Savoie, ENSAM), local and regional authorities (Savoie "Départemental" Council, Rhône-Alpes Regional Council) and government bodies (ADEME).
http://www.ines-solaire.com/

(*) Survey of all known solar-energy companies carried out from July-October 2008 by the Agence Economique de la Savoie