Project development

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A locally integrated development

Our support begins with the development of your floating solar power plant project. We’ll help you with all the necessary steps to turn your unused bodies of water into sustainable sources of income, while contributing to the energy transition and saving water at the same time.

We support you locally at every stage of the development of your project. Renewable energy projects such as floating photovoltaics are large-scale projects requiring both expertise and local knowledge.

Our project managers carry out all the procedures and studies required to obtain the necessary permits. Our collaborative approach, centered on active listening, enables us to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders.

99
floating projects built and operational

1,2 GWp
projects under development

3
GWp total capacity target +5 years

Discover our floating solar project development process

Site identification &
project preliminary design

We identify the potential of each site, then our engineers draw up a preliminary design for the floating solar power plant. This initial design will evolve according to the results of feasibility studies and in-depth analysis of technical, environmental and local issues.

Feasibility studies launched

Alongside consultation with local elected representatives, we carry out rigorous feasibility and impact studies on each site. These studies take place over four seasons, and cover the flora and fauna, landscape, physical and climatic environment, as well as local socio-economic and tourism factors.

Consultation

We also consult all the relevant government departments to ensure that the project is properly appraised. In addition to determining how we will connect to the electricity grid for the sale of renewable energy, we also consult the departments in charge of gas, telecoms, historic sites, fire, drinking water and regional planning.

Local dialogue

Using feedback from impact and technical studies, we carry out a pre-framework with government departments, and together we define any sensitivities and areas of exclusion. Our in-depth understanding of the site enables us to design the power plant in the best possible way and assess the impact it will have, how to reduce it or at least compensate for it. The local urban development plan may have to be modified to meet the project’s needs, but we carry out the whole process in consultation with all parties, enabling us to co-construct the renewable energy project.

Inquiry follow-up

We submit the application for planning permission and oversee its approval by the government. At this stage of the project, a public inquiry takes place: an investigating commissioner is appointed to present information on the project to the general public, in order to gather citizens’ opinions prior to obtaining the building permit.

Connection to the grid & application to the energy price tender

Once planning permission has been obtained, we apply to connect the project to the electricity grid and validate the layout. To sell the energy produced on the site, we apply to the energy price tenders.

Our experts talk about your solar project

For me, the development phase is the stage that enables us to understand the site in order to define the most suitable floating solar project.

The first step is to draw up an initial site inventory. As project manager, I work with engineering firms (ecologists, landscape architects, town planners, etc.), government departments and local players to understand the site.

Then, with our engineers, we design the layout and site plans, looking for the best project given the combined challenges. We also present this project to the various stakeholders in the area to obtain their opinions.

Finally, we carry out an impact study to understand the potential effects of the project on its environment and seek to avoid, reduce and ultimately compensate for them.

Project development is therefore a very rich stage involving many considerations, at the crossroads of expert opinions and feedback from local players to end up with a virtuous, integrated project.

Léa | Solar Project Manager

Discover our latest floating solar projects developed around the world

The Saiko Ike project
Floating solar panels on an irrigation pond

Saiko Ike is located in the mountainous area of central Hyogo Prefecture and has very clean water. The pond is owned by the Land Improvement District and managed by a local farmer’s association. Floating solar power is very popular in this area and is installed on six different ponds, including Saiko Ike,...