define different architectural scenarios for each area (roof orientation, symmetry, colors, forms, integration with the
Rhône-Alpes region, FR - Photovoltaic Plants Villages Time period: 2010 - ongoing
Application: Renewable energy production
Theme of collaboration: Implementing joint financial mechanisms
Topic: Financial support programme
Description Since 2010, regional and local authorities in the Rhone Alpes region are cooperating within the "Village Photovoltaics Plants" project to test the installation of solar panels on public and private buildings in 8 pilot sites located inside five regional natural parks of Rhone Alpes (Monts d'Ardèche, Bauges, Pilat, Vercors and Baronnies Provençales). The project aims to promote the role of parks in the production of sustainable energy, while respecting the environment and contributing to local sustainable development. It also aims to develop an easily reproducible model for Regional Parks for these kinds of plants, as far as technical, financial and juridical aspects are concerned, based on the set up of local companies, with the participation of citizens and local authorities in the funding of plants. The first step of the project was to organize public meetings to raise public awareness and set up a Territorial Committee for each pilot site, comprised of local authorities, citizens and local partners. This activity was aimed at identifying the site for the installation of the photovoltaic plant and creating a first core group of partners who will later on form the local company that will own the plant. The second step was to perform landscape analysis of the pilot territories and define different architectural scenarios for each area (roof orientation, symmetry, colors, forms, integration with the local architecture). Subsequently, technical studies have been conducted regarding the connection to the electricity grid and carrying out simulations under different financing scenarios. Finally, several options of legal form for the creation of the local companies were evaluated and chosen according to each context.
Context / Background Regional natural parks of Rhone Alpes are committed to play their part in tackling climate change, reducing energy consumption but also experimenting new approaches to produce sustainable energy locally. The five parks involved in the project have decided to choose testing sites with quite diverse characteristics.
Key results - Ongoing projects: ∙ Pilat - Region Condrieu (52 kWp, 6 buildings); ∙ Monts d'Ardèche - Eyrieux-auxSerres (102 kWp, 10 buildings); ∙ Vercors - Gervanne Raye (70 kWp, 11 roof); ∙ Bauges – Plateau de la Leysse (75 kWp).
Financing & costs The studies carried out from 2010 to 2012 had a budget of € 420,000 with a multiple financing by the Electricité Réseau Distribution France (EAFRD) leader of the Vercors, the MED Programme, Region Rhône-Alpes and the Regional Energy Agency.
Partners involved - Governance -
Rhône-Alpes Regional Council General Council of the Drome Rhônalpénergie-Environnement (RAEE - Rhone Alpes Regional Energy and Environmental Agency) Regional natural Parks of Rhone Alpes, and in the particular the 5 parks directly involved, and their local authorities; CAUE (Councils for architecture, urbanism and environment) of Drôme, Isère, Ardèche associations specialized on renewable energy (AGEDEN, ASDER, ADIL26 and HESPUL) CPIE (Permanent Center on initiatives for the environment) of Vercors Park; ERDF (Électricité Réseau Distribution France) technical consultancies specialized on renewable energy National Federation of Regional Natural Parks
RAEE is coordinating the project. A Steering Committee is in place, formed by RAEE, the Regional Parks and representatives of local authorities and communities of the pilot sites. The Committee interacts with the Territorial Committees and with the consultancies and other subjects involved in the technical studies and the public awareness process.
Results achieved Four local companies have already been set up: ∙ Pilat - Region Condrieu (52 kWp plant, 6 buildings); ∙ Monts d'Ardèche - Eyrieux-aux-Serres (102 kWp, 10 buildings); ∙ Vercors - Gervanne Raye (70 kWp, 11 roof); ∙ Bauges – Plateau de la Leysse (75 kWp).
Lessons learned & Success factors The integration of architecture and landscape with the PPV plants is a major challenge of the project. Historic buildings present specific constraints that need to be addressed. For this reason the project has focused on PPV systems that integrate themselves seamlessly in the environment, in the respect of the heritage and architecture. Key success factors of the project are the financial and political support of the Regional Council, as well as the technical and legal expertise of all partners involved. Also the governance of the project and the involvement of local stakeholders (citizens, local energy agencies, local authorities), based on a shared vision, are being determinant.
Contact Patrick Biard European Projects Manager RhônalpénergieEnvironnement email:
[email protected] Website of the initiative: www.centralesvillageois es.fr
