The study visit to the Coeur de Savoie pilot took place on 19 March 2024. The event, organised by the French National Solar Energy Institute (INES-PFE), brought together European project partners, Sun4All Community of Practice members and representatives from local communities. This day provided an opportunity to share experiences and best practices to deepen initiatives aimed at combating energy poverty and promoting the development of renewable energies, particularly photovoltaic solar power.

At the heart of the discussions were the solar initiatives of the Coeur de Savoie Community of Communes, actions implemented within the Sun4All project framework, and the involvement of the public development and construction agency OPAC in the programme. Participants also had the opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities specific to each territory, highlighting the importance of European collaboration in promoting solar energy. Visits to the Chavanne photovoltaic power plant and the CEA laboratories at INES were highlights of the day.

Béatrice Santais, President of the Coeur de Savoie Community of Communes, stressed the importance of exchanges between local and European players, highlighting the importance of European collaboration and the promotion of solar energy. Marie-Claire Barbier, President of INES, emphasised the innovative aspect of the Sun4All type of scheme, which combines the fight against precariousness with the development of renewable energies.

The visit was attended by several members of Sun4All Community of Practice: Unité des Communes valdôtaines Grand-Paradis (Italy) and their service provider, Engreen, the service provider for the Sezze Municipality (Italy), the Junta de Freguesia do Lumiar / Lumiar civil Parish (Portugal) as well as elected representatives from the French Communauté d’agglomération du Grand Chambéry and Commune de La Plagne-Tarentaise. We would like to thank them for their valuable contributions to this exchange day.

Interested in sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences with Sun4All? Check out our upcoming capacity-building activities!