Solar Valley
Savoie, the solar energy champion
Key figures for the Solar Valley: 1,500 solar energy jobs in Savoie at the end of 2008*
The Agence Economique de la Savoie has carried out a survey (*) of companies in Rhône-Alpes that work in the solar energy sector. Of the 126 companies contacted, replies were received from 101, 40 of which are based in Savoie. These companies are presented in this publication (see company profiles in the following pages).
Solar energy companies in Rhône-Alpes employed 5,194 people and generated a turnover of €1152 million in 2007. These figures are expected to increase to 5,536 jobs (+6.57%) and €1293 million (+12%) in 2008. The solar market accounts for at least 50% of turnover for more than half of these companies, and one in five generates more than 90% of its turnover in the solar field. A large majority of these companies have manufacturing (38%) and/or design/consultancy operations; 36% carry out R&D.
The 40 companies based in Savoie generated a turnover of €193 million in 2007 (forecasts for 2008 predict growth of 13.6%). They plan to increase the number of people they employ from 1163 at the end of 2007 to 1257 at the end of 2008 (+8%). Taking into account the 176 research and teaching staff employed in the solar field by other organizations, Savoie's solar sector employs almost 1500 people.
(*) Survey of all known solar-energy companies carried out from July-October 2008 by the Agence Economique de la Savoie
