Tracking system engineering firm Exosun has signed a contract to supply a 12MW solar plant that once completed will be the largest tracker-equipped plant in France.
The contract is between Exosun and La Compagnie du Vent, which owns and operates 23 wind farms in France jointly with one of France’s largest energy companies, GDF Suez.
The 28 hectare Langele solar plant will be in Landes, southwest France powering 5,000 homes. Scheduled to be grid connected by mid-2014, 72 of Exosun’s Exotrack HZ trackers will be installed.
The agreement follows the trend of an increase in utility scale solar requiring advanced solar tracker technology to increase efficiency, subsequently improving financial returns.
Langele Solar plant is part of France’s national solar scheme that saw the French government allocate 105 solar plants to various operators following the tender launch in 2012.
The plant is now in the construction phase, the fourth project for La Compagnie du Vent and GDF Suez to reach construction under the 2012 national solar scheme.
La Compagnie du Vent's president, Thierry Conil also confirmed the group's plans to use Exosun for 2013 tenders.
La Compagnie du Vent and GDF Suez will be responsible for development, project management, coordination and construction. Exosun will manage tracker delivery, assembly and installation.
The order is the biggest in Exosun’s history according to CEO and co-founder, Frederic Conchy. Conchy also added the utility scale market “is looking for solar trackers capable of delivering strong performance, yet featuring simple, low maintenance design”.
Exosun previously completed construction on France’s first solar tracking plant, Porette de Nerone, a 3.8MW plant that received dual ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification.
