TotalEnergies Chooses SolarEdge for Enhanced Energy Production

Municipal site consumes 100% of the solar energy produced, equating to 30% of its annual electricity consumption

SolarEdge technology chosen by TotalEnergies to maximize energy production and meet strict safety standards

Béziers, France – 28 May, 2024 - The urban community of Béziers Méditerranée in the Occitanie region is a step closer to achieving its target to generate more than a third of its electricity supply from renewable sources¹, following the success of a solar installation at a municipal aquatic centre. With limited roof space available at the largely open-air facility, the solar system is installed on purpose-built carports and uses SolarEdge DC-optimized inverter technology to maximize energy production, while also meeting the high safety standards required for such a popular and busy venue.

Located in the commune of Sauvian, the Alfred Nakache aquatic centre includes a 50m Olympic-size heated outdoor swimming pool and a 25m indoor pool for learning and wellness activities. While the pools are heated by gas, a large amount of electricity is required to power the site’s water filtration and HVAC systems, as well as a number of amenities available for visitors. The Agglo Béziers Méditerranée approached the solar subsidiary of TotalEnergies Electricité & Gaz France for advice on building a viable solution for the site, that would also not make building insurance more complex or more expensive.

TotalEnergies designed and installed a 240 kWp solar system comprising 768 solar modules which are mounted on carports constructed specifically for this purpose. The carports are multifunctional, featuring panels that capture solar energy while providing shade for up to a hundred vehicles, available to visitors. The site meets the regulatory obligations of the La loi d'orientation des mobilités (LOM)² concerning the installation of charging points in car parks near public establishments.

The system is controlled by three SolarEdge DC-optimized inverters and SolarEdge Power Optimizers which are connected to each pair of solar modules. This technology maximizes energy production by mitigating the impact of shading and soiling, and enables remote, real-
time monitoring so that any drop in production can be quickly identified and remedied. Additionally, it comprises several inbuilt safety features. These include fault detection and

SafeDCTM which rapidly reduces the voltage of each module to a touch-safe 1V to enable safe access for maintenance teams or in the unlikely event of an emergency, first responders.

As a result, the Agglo Béziers Méditérranée benefits from high energy efficiency, enhanced safety and streamlined, cost-effective maintenance. Over the past 12 months, the solar installation has produced 288 MWh of electricity - offsetting 30% of the center's substantial energy consumption and saving 65 kilograms of CO₂.

¹Le plan climat-air-énergie territorial (PCAET) la communauté d'agglomération de Béziers Méditerranée vise à atteindre une consommation de 32% d'énergie renouvelable d’ici 2030
²https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/loi-dorientation-des-mobilites