Accelerating Solar Development: How Photosol Slashed Site Prospecting and Analysis Time by 83%

Founded in 2008, Photosol is one of the leading French solar energy producers. With nearly 900 MWp in operation and 4.3 GWp under development in France and internationally, especially in Italy and Poland. Photosol is positioned among the historical leaders in the solar sector. Specialist in ground installations - agrivoltaics and on degraded land -, large roofs - agricultural and C&I - and parking canopies, Photosol develops and installs projects that create value for the territories and for its partners. With over 40 years of combined experience in renewable energy and finance, Photosol operates in multiple European countries including France, Poland, Spain, and Italy.

Photosol excels in project development, funding, construction supervision, and operation, consistently ranking among the top solar energy producers in France. With a commitment to sustainability, Photosol drives positive change by expanding its reach and finalizing financing for new photovoltaic parks.

With a recent milestone in 2023, Photosol secured €60 million in bank financing from BPI, BRED, and CIC. This funding will support the development and construction of eight new photovoltaic parks, further solidifying Photosol's position as a key player in the renewable energy sector.

As Photosol aimed to lead the charge in renewable energy, it faced hurdles that tested its mettle. From navigating complex regulations to streamlining project management, each challenge became an opportunity for growth and innovation.

1. Navigating complex site GIS data in France: Photosol encountered challenges in site prospecting due to the complexity of considering multiple layers in France's regulatory landscape.

Factors such as grid connection, environmentally protected lands, wet zones, and forest areas required meticulous consideration, with each layer often sourced from different websites.

While this demonstrated Photosol's commitment to thorough analysis and compliance with regulatory requirements, it also highlighted the need for a more streamlined approach to accessing and analyzing this data.

2. Scattered project and GIS data across tools and Excel files: Despite Photosol's expansive portfolio and diverse operations, the fragmentation of project and GIS data across various tools and Excel files hindered accessibility and collaboration.

The decentralized nature of this data management posed significant challenges, especially given the company's ambition to develop solar parks across diverse regions.

3. Challenges in onboarding new teams and members: As Photosol continued to expand its operations, effectively onboarding new team members and integrating them into existing workflows became a priority. The company's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement underscored the importance of fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. By investing in comprehensive training programs and centralized project information, Photosol aimed to accelerate the onboarding process and strengthen team dynamics.

4. Transitioning to streamlined site analysis:: Photosol identified opportunities to enhance efficiency and scalability in site analysis processes. The company recognized the limitations of traditional methods and sought to leverage technological advancements to streamline site analysis and project development. By embracing solutions such as Glint Solar, Photosol aimed to empower its team members to conduct site analysis, draw project layouts, and make project changes independently, reducing reliance on PV engineers in the early project stages and expediting decision-making processes.

5. Enhancing project proposals: Recognizing the importance of effective communication in landowner negotiations, Photosol sought a solution that would allow for professional visualization of solar projects.

In the search for a solution, Photosol stumbled upon Glint Solar at the Intersolar event in 2023. Surprised by its potential, they were drawn to Glint's comprehensive layer library tailored to their needs in France. Meeting Glint's CTO, John, and VP of Customer Success, Lena, solidified their belief in the partnership. Together, they saw a path to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities.

Glint Solar stepped in as the problem-solving partner Photosol needed to navigate the complexities of France's regulatory landscape. By centralizing project data—from grid connections to environmental factors—Glint Solar made it easy for Photosol to conduct thorough analyses without bouncing around different websites. This streamlined approach not only saved time but also ensured compliance with regulations.

Glint Solar also equipped Photosol with powerful tools such as 3D visualization and preliminary project drawing, empowering its team to make informed decisions quickly. With Glint Solar, Photosol's team members became more efficient and were no longer reliant on specialized engineers to move early-stage projects forward. They could now take the reins, speeding up the decision-making process and driving progress.

But Glint Solar didn't just improve efficiency—it also strengthened collaboration within Photosol's teams. With shared workspaces and map views, everyone could work together seamlessly, regardless of location. New team members found it easy to get up to speed thanks to Glint Solar's user-friendly interface and comprehensive training resources, fostering a culture of innovation.

And let's not forget about the presentation. Glint Solar's 3D visualizations transformed Photosol's project proposals, impressing landowners and stakeholders with stunning visuals. With Glint Solar, Photosol is now able to showcase its plans professionally and engagingly, solidifying its reputation as a leader in renewable energy.

In summary, Glint Solar didn't just solve problems for Photosol—they became trusted partners, driving efficiency, collaboration, and success across the board.

1. Reduced site analysis time by over 83%:

With Glint Solar’s streamlined site analysis tools, Photosol reduced their site prospecting and analysis time from an average of 30 minutes per site to just 5 to 10 minutes.

This represents an over 83% increase in efficiency, allowing Photosol to evaluate more sites in less time and expedite project development.

2. Accelerated decision-making:

With Glint Solar’s collaborative features, Photosol significantly improved communication between different teams, leading to quicker decision-making on critical project milestones.

While the core decision-making process still relies on internal business plans and economic data, the improved alignment and communication enabled the team to expedite decisions on whether to continue or stop a project, reducing delays and ensuring faster project progression.

3. Enhanced collaboration:

Utilizing the collaborative features of Glint Solar, Photosol improved communication and alignment among teams, across regions, and stakeholders. This led to a 20% reduction in project delays ensuring smoother project execution and delivery.

4. Increased stakeholder confidence:

Glint Solar's professional presentation capabilities, including 3D visualizations, elevated Photosol's project proposals to new heights. Landowners and stakeholders were impressed by the clarity and professionalism of the presentations, leading to an increase in successful land acquisition negotiations. 

Looking ahead, Photosol is poised for continued growth and expansion in the renewable energy sector, with Glint Solar as a key partner in their trajectory. As they venture into new markets such as Spain and Italy, Photosol will leverage Glint Solar's capabilities to streamline their solar development processes and capitalize on emerging opportunities. 

With access to market data and advanced analytics provided by Glint Solar, Photosol is confident in its ability to navigate new landscapes and accelerate its expansion efforts. Together, Photosol and Glint Solar are committed to driving sustainable energy initiatives forward, paving the way for a brighter and greener future.

Interested in learning more about how Glint Solar can help you navigate the complex regulatory/new market maze and unlock hidden opportunities with surgical precision, leaving competitors in the dust? Book a personalized demo now to witness firsthand how you too can slash site prospecting, design, and analysis times by over 83% and supercharge your solar greenfield pipeline growth.