The Poitou-Charentes Region – A Good Solar Student
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 04:09AM 
2009 saw the implementation in this region of a plan to develop the solar photovoltaic industry in the area. The region's Vice President tells us more.
This is a region which is resolutely focused on solar energy. Convinced of the benefits it represents. Making sure it has all the resources possible to develop it. Since 2009, the Poitou-Charentes region has a solar plan. "The" solar plan. Because, although others have since followed suit, this region was the first to implement a series of innovative tools to assist companies, associations, groups and other public bodies wishing to install photovoltaic plants.
First, there is the "usual" direct aid, in the shape of grants from the Regional Environmental Excellence Fund. But what makes this plan special is its double-funding feature. This is made possible by the EIB, the European Investment Bank, together with the Crédit Agricole, both of which have agreed to fund the plan with a loan each of 200 million euros. This is unprecedented in Europe. And it's working. "The initial objective of the plan was to produce 70 MW in the region within the space of four years," says Jean-François Macaire, Vice President of the Regional Council. "But since the production capacity proved larger than expected, this figure has revised upwards with a new target of 270 MW over 5 years!"
This decision to go with solar does not come as such a surprise for a region that has made environmental excellence its priority. And this since 2004. A region which also has a plentiful supply of sunlight. Additional incentive: the resultant job creation. Indeed, since 2009, more than a dozen regional companies have been set up, transformed or expanded around the solar power plants. "We also want to establish a production chain in the region", explains Jean-François Macaire. Notably, the region plans to forge a partnership with Solairedirect, a company which is keen to install a photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing plant.
Despite the plan and all the goodwill behind it, the development of photovoltaics in the region has suffered – as has this entire industry sector – as a result of the recent governmental measures. In order to surmount this, the industry has had to innovate, remain flexible, learn to bounce back. For example, as part of the Photovoltaic Resistance Fund set up by the region in March, Poitou-Charentes and Solairedirect created a joint local semi-public company called "Solar Electricity of the (Ester) Poitou-Charentes Region." The objective: to support the development of 120 MW of solar in the next 5 years, while at the same time promoting the production of photovoltaic electricity at market prices. And the region's involvement is paying off. In September 2011, 107 MW were connected, compared to 3 back in 2008. "We have a steady rate of installation despite the recent difficulties in the sector," says Jean-François Macaire.
When we ask him what he would advise other regions wishing to invest more in solar, he replies: "First and foremost, this is a tried and tested technology, with some plants in existence for over 30 years now, and still going strong. Its business model has progressed significantly. And today we are seeing that the Chinese panels are not the be all and end all. There is a real place for French industry." Not to mention the ecological issue: "This is a sector with known production costs, unlike fossil or nuclear energy," says Jean-François Macaire. "It is a guarantee of energy autonomy and assured energy supply throughout the region." The Poitou-Charentes Vice President will be participating in the Solar Energy Conference being organized by Solarplaza on November 10 in Lyon – where he will be explaining in detail the ins and outs of this innovative plan. A not-to-be-missed event!
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Ce sont d'excellentes nouvelles pour la région Poitou-Charentes ce qui garantira moindre coût de l'électricité pour ses habitants.