UNI-SOLAR Powers Largest Solar Power Plant in the French Riviera

United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., announced that its UNI-SOLAR brand photovoltaics (PV) are powering the recently completed 570 kWp solar power plant atop the Nice Saint Isidore Eco-vallee Business Park in the city of Nice, France.

The site, owned by the Nice Cote d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), is four buildings with a total of 9,000 m2 of roof area fitted with UNI-SOLAR PV. The Nice CCI is converting the site into the region’s first green energy producer. This PV installation generates clean, renewable solar energy while reducing the site’s carbon footprint. Indeed, the yearly production of 650,000 kWh is enough to power 260 French homes and saves 6,165 tons of CO2 emissions.

Valsolar, a leading provider of PV solutions in the Cote d’Azur market with more than 30,000 m2 of rooftop experience, was selected to construct the project. Valsolar was responsible for installing PV while ensuring that the building was waterproof and providing financing for the project.

In partnership with waterproof building materials manufacturer Soprema, Valsolar opted for the SopraSolar product, which uses UNI-SOLAR’s flexible thin-film laminates bonded to a Soprema membrane substrate. UNI-SOLAR products are ideally suited for applications on roofs with low lift and low slope to which traditional glass-based PV panels cannot fit. In addition, the SopraSolar solution provides optimal sealing functionality for the roof. With this new seal, the roof takes advantage of a new 10-year guarantee.

“This multi-rooftop project highlights the unique capabilities of the UNI-SOLAR product for building-integrated applications,” said Ted Amyuni, president-EMEA of United Solar. “Our UNI-SOLAR laminates are flexible, lightweight and durable, and can be integrated into any architecture while ensuring the waterproofing function of the roof. We look forward to continued success in the French BIPV market with partners like Soprema and Valsolar.”