SOLAR ENERGY

EOLE-RES designs, implements, builds and operates ground-mounted photovoltaic projects across France, coordinating development either from its head office in Avignon or its different regional agencies. The company supports all costs associated with the development, construction, financing, maintenance and dismantling of its different solar projects.  The development of a ground-mounted solar project is carried out in several different stages:

SITE PROSPECTING

Solar projects developed by EOLE-RES are the result of site research, responses to invitations to tender or direct contact with local officials, farmers or land owners. The current tariff structure gives priority to areas with important solar yields, but also allows the development of projects throughout France, after a detailed study. EOLE-RES prefers sites with low environmental value, and no conflict of usage.
Our first projects were built on former industrial sites: a former gold mine, a former coking plant, a refinery ... However, some areas with low natural or agricultural value can be developed and adapted to solar projects, depending on local context and by adapting accompanying measures and reducing environmental impact.

DEVELOPMENT

EOLE-RES carries out environmental, landscape, technical and economic studies to optimize the project's layout and design, by taking into account the specificities of each site from a human, cultural and technical point of view to evaluate impact. Only once all these studies carried out will the application for the construction permit be filed.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

During the solar development phase we carry out an environmental impact assessment. This study is a scientific and technical analysis undertaken to assess the characteristics of the site and apprehend potential impacts on the human, natural and socio-economic environment.
For these field studies, EOLE-RES contracts out independent experts, chosen for their knowledge and expertise on projects and territory. The evaluation of any local issues is therefore conducted in complete independence from the project proposed by EOLE-RES.

• Landscape Studies

Similarly, landscape studies are conducted by technical consultants specialized in this sector. This expertise takes into account the characteristics and eventual vulnerabilities of the landscape and local heritage in order to assess compatibility and impact of a solar power plant project and suggests for example, alternative layouts or associated measures to minimize potential impacts.
Moreover, according to the local partners' expectations, EOLE-RES can support educational and cultural initiatives, such as notice boards about the project and its environment, or can also organize visits and awareness days.

All the necessary administrative procedures are undertaken by EOLE-RES including:
• drafting, filing and following the instruction of the construction permit application;
• obtaining an operating license;
• obtaining a power purchase obligation, signing the grid-connection agreement and the contract for the sale of electricity to EDF.
• organising project financing.

CONSTRUCTION

Puits Castan Solar Plant

The construction phase runs from the civil and electrical engineering work through to commissioning. The construction of a ground mounted solar plant entails several different stages which are carried out simultaneously with a total duration that can vary from 6 months to over a year, depending on project size and technical issues.

EOLE-RES is extremely conscious of implementing "green" construction works. Thus, at each stage, our teams introduce a set of rules of environmental good behavior, which particularly concern accidental pollution prevention, the use of space (by the earthmoving machinery), noise and dust, traffic on the roads and the access rehabilitation.
The different construction stages of a solar power project include:

• Foundation works
• Installation of the solar panel's structure
• Installation of the photovoltaic modules
• Connection of photovoltaic modules to inverters
• Testing and commissioning once the PV system has been installed and grid-connected.

OPERATION

Once the power plant is commissioned, EOLE RES teams are responsible for the site operation. EOLE-RES has an integrated team that oversees all our solar power plants and anticipates maintenance for optimal performance.

LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Educational projects are often organized around projects and take into account the specificities of each site and local communities needs so that the public has access to sites, through environmental education initiatives.
In many cases,  a Project steering committee is established. It includes both municipal and inter-communal officials, association and government representatives. Its aim is to facilitate the circulation of information concerning the project. It meets at every key stage of the project to facilitate dialogue and enable local actors to express their views in terms of planning and development and therefore help the petitioner to submit a fully concerted project.

The petitioner, in association with the steering committee will finally present a technically viable project which is also perfectly coherent with the local planning policy. Each project has different needs but more often than not, EOLE-RES participates in the revitalization of an existing tourist activity and participate in projects concerned with environmental protection. These types of projects are lead by the steering committee.
Educational workshops can be organized on "adopting good practices" to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Additionally, practical information relating to EOLE-RES' good construction practices is made available.

Information pannel

Information panels for the general public are placed in relevant locations around the projects to raise visitors' awareness about environmental aspects of energy conservation and the production of renewable energy. These panels detail the different stages of construction and explain how the solar plant functions. These panels are created in consultation with local actors and often include tourist information.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

During the construction phase, the site works represent an important part of the overall project cost. The construction site of a ground-mounted solar project necessitates many different skills, and we aim to use local know-how whenever possible: surveys, civil engineering, infrastructure, land servicing, electrical works, hotels, restaurants....
The presence of these different companies also generates local economic activity for the whole of the construction period. During the operation phase, a regular maintenance team will work on site to ensure smooth operations of the power plant.