Mélina Facchin 06:18, September 06, 2022, modified at 06:19, September 06, 2022
On Monday, Emmanuel Macron called on the French to be "at the rendezvous of sobriety".
The French energy bill has soared by 28% in one year according to INSEE.
More and more people are therefore turning to photovoltaics.
In Bas-Rhin, the company Voltec Solar, the national leader in the sector, is in high demand.
To avoid electricity shortages this winter, reduce skyrocketing energy bills, the President of the Republic encourages the French to "save 10% of what they usually consume".
Therefore, in an attempt to save money, more and more households are deciding to install photovoltaic panels on the roof of their house.
The Alsatian company Voltec Solar, in Dinsheim-sur-Bruche, is seeing its orders skyrocket and plans to double its production next year.
A production line that operates 24 hours a day, 6 days a week
In this vast Alsatian factory, the machines that manufacture the chain of photovoltaic panels are running at full speed.
"We feel that the demand is strong", assures Hicham Akif, the head of this workshop which employs a hundred people.
And production rates are accelerating accordingly.
“Currently, we shoot in three times eight [hours] and we also have a team on weekends who work twice 12 hours”.
"Photovoltaic has never been as profitable as today"
In recent months, the company's order books have been filling up at full speed.
"People are looking for solutions to reduce their electricity bill", confirms Lucas Weiss, general manager of Voltec Solar.
"Our solar panels have never been as profitable as today, since we pay for them and then the electricity is free in the following years", he continues.
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To equip a house, it takes about eight solar panels that cost about 10,000 euros.
"With current electricity rates, this can be repaid in less than 10 years, knowing that the panels have a lifespan of at least 25 years," said Lucas Weiss.
Production doubled next year
Today, Voltec Solar produces 1,500 panels per day, or 500,000 per year.
“We have the objective of doubling the production capacity next year”, explains the general manager of the company.
"Either a million solar panels per year, which will represent around forty additional jobs", he anticipates.
With photovoltaics, he estimates that a household saves around 1,000 euros on its annual electricity bill.