A “positive” energy gymnasium? It’s in Peymeinade, a town with 8,000 inhabitants in the west of the Alpes-Maritimes where, in 2008, the new municipal team decided to commit to sustainable development.
Located on Chemin du Suye, the town’s gymnasium has just been equipped with a solar power plant producing 99.5 kilowatts.
The 680m² of photovoltaic panels connected to the grid on June 6, 2013, will produce the equivalent of 120,000 kilowatt-hours each year (equivalent to the consumption of 26 households of 4 people, Source: ADEME). Installed by the company Valsolar, the photovoltaic plant will be operated and maintained for 20 years.
This installation compensates almost double the gymnasium’s annual electricity consumption, which is 65,700 kWh. (Average over the last 6 years)
An ongoing environmental and educational initiative
This program is part of the ongoing environmental initiative of the town of Peymeinade, “AGIR Award Winning Town 3rd Year” which plans the development of local renewable energies with 2 other projects under construction (Mirabeau School – 150m², Suye Sports Complex – 700m²)
A photovoltaic plant “100% Made in Côte d’Azur”
Amidst anti-dumping laws against Chinese panels, this plant is an example of a virtuous project that promotes French-sourced equipment.
Equipped with solar panels from the manufacturing plant of Tournaire Solaire Energies (based in Pégomas), Axun inverters (developed by engineers in Sophia Antipolis), and installed by ValSolar (based in Mouans-Sartoux), it is a 100% local solar plant!
Reducing energy poverty in the Alpes-Maritimes
Located on a building with high solar potential, this type of generator contributes to the development of local energy production centers. Ultimately, this local electricity production will reduce general power outages, a regional weak point of the network. This plant is aligned with the goals of the department to increase the share of energy produced on the Côte d’Azur from 10% to 25% by 2020.
