Solar Valley
Savoie, the solar energy champion
Strong growth of thermal solar
With the increasing demand for clean energy solutions, Savoie's solar energy sector is growing fast. 2006 saw a 260% increase in the surface area of solar panels installed in Savoie, giving a total of 15,000 m2 of thermal solar panels installed since 1990. This equates to 65 m2 per 1000 inhabitants, a much higher figure than the national average of 20 m2 for 1000 inhabitants.
Photovoltaic solar energy continues to develop
The photovoltaic sector is also growing rapidly, with the number of individual photovoltaic systems doubling in 2006. As a result, Savoie's photovoltaic production capacity rose to 1.25kWp per inhabitant and the number of solar systems in apartment buildings increased by 65%.
The average size of solar systems has also increased from 33 to 63 kWc.
Chambéry and Montmélian, setting the pace in renewable energies
In October 2004, the CLER (Renewable Energies Liaison Committee), in partnership with the ADEME and the Nicolas Hulot Foundation, launched the French Renewable Energies Championships for district councils. The second edition of the competition saw entries from 59 district councils (21 more than in 2004) in three categories: thermal solar installations, photovoltaic solar installations and wood energy installations.
Chambéry was first in its category for thermal and photovoltaic solar installations on public or private buildings. Montmélian was awarded first place in its category for thermal solar: no real surprise given that Montmélian is a pioneer in the field, having installed its first solar system as early as 1982!
Chambéry opens the largest photovoltaic power plant in France
On 1st June 2005, Chambéry inaugurated the largest photovoltaic power plant in France, which was installed on a hill known as “Les Monts”, at the foot of the Bauges Mountains. With 1000 m2 of solar collectors fitted to the roofs of two semi-buried drinking water reservoirs and of an adjacent building, the installation has a generating capacity of 100 kWp.
Built in an area of outstanding beauty used by walkers and outdoor lovers, the power plant is both a production facility and a demonstration unit for the general public, who can find out more about solar electricity from the information panels in the site’s observation tower.
www.mairie-chambery.fr
