Photovoltaic, Innovation, and Territories: Building the Energy of Tomorrow

 

My commitment to photovoltaics was born from my first experiences in Madagascar and then in Canada, where I became deeply aware of global energy challenges and the environmental impact of our consumption.

It was only natural that I turned to solar and wind energy. As an engineer in mechanical and electrical engineering, this choice made sense—both professionally and personally. Working in a sector that reflects my human and ecological convictions gives real meaning to my work.
Since the beginning of my career, I’ve seen this industry evolve at an impressive pace: technologies have improved, costs have fallen, business models have evolved, energy storage has become more accessible... and the challenge of adapting the networks has become central, given the rise of intermittent energies.

At the heart of this transformation, infrastructure plays a key role. Without a network capable of absorbing, adjusting, and redistributing energy efficiently, the transition cannot take place.
France has a major advantage: a robust electrical grid. A clear edge over other European countries. But to move forward, it is essential to maintain a clear and coherent incentive framework. Some recent signals—such as the reduction in feed-in tariffs—raise concerns. They could weaken an industry that, nevertheless, is competitive, innovative, and a job creator.

Floating solar farms offer relevant solutions in areas with limited land, by utilizing bodies of water or former industrial sites. But they require particular attention: local consultation and environmental assessment must guide each project. When well-designed, these projects can integrate into their territory, respecting existing uses and biodiversity.

Solutions30 Énergies stands out for its ability to combine technological agility and industrial rigor across the entire renewable energy value chain. Our national presence, combined with the responsiveness of our field teams, allows us to ensure consistent execution quality across the territory. Our strong partnerships with major clients and network operators enhance our role in the large-scale deployment of tomorrow’s energy infrastructure.

In certain areas, where demand remains modest, the profitability of projects is a real challenge. It relies on several pillars: stable public policies, hybrid business models, strong territorial anchorage... and a constant quest for performance.
I am convinced: innovation, collective intelligence, and operational efficiency are the keys to bringing forward sustainable, economically viable, and locally accepted projects.

The trends for tomorrow? Several dynamics seem particularly promising:

• Storage, which is essential to ensure the flexibility of networks.

• Agrivoltaics, which intelligently combines agricultural production and solar energy.

• Digitalization, for intelligent, predictive, and real-time management of installations.

• Local energy communities, which place energy at the heart of territories and give citizens more power to act.

These innovations—whether technological, social, or economic—are shaping a smarter, fairer, and more sustainable energy model.
This is the vision I choose to carry every day, on the ground, with commitment, rigor...and the belief that together, we have the means to build the energy of tomorrow.

By Mathieu Duclos

Group Head of Solar at Solutions30 Énergies