Located in Fréjus, Edmond Solutions has been supporting individuals and businesses across the Var region for more than 15 years, with a strong focus on the self-consumption model. Benoît Fremon, the company’s CEO, tells us more.
How do you currently view the residential and commercial solar market in the region?
The solar market has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, it is no longer just an environmental initiative. It is also a practical solution for regaining control over energy bills. Edmond Solutions made the strategic decision early on to focus on self-consumption — meaning producing and directly consuming your own electricity.
This choice now makes perfect sense: even though public subsidies are gradually decreasing, projects based on this model remain highly profitable.
What major changes have you noticed over the years regarding customer profiles and demand?
Residential self-consumption remains economically very relevant. It allows households to produce part of their electricity and sustainably reduce their dependence on the grid. We are also seeing changing usage patterns, with growing electrification of energy needs, particularly due to the rise of electric vehicles.
As a result, more and more individuals and businesses want to generate their own energy to power charging stations.
At the same time, SMEs, retailers, and industrial companies are increasingly turning to photovoltaics. Faced with volatile and rising energy prices — as current geopolitical events regularly remind us — producing their own electricity has become a real way for them to secure costs and improve competitiveness.
Has the reduction in VAT on solar installations impacted your business and your customers?
Support measures have played a major role in making solar energy more accessible in France in recent years. However, these incentives have also evolved significantly and are now gradually decreasing.
From the beginning, we have relied on a transparent and educational approach by supporting each client individually to optimize the profitability of their project. This allows them to achieve significant savings, even without relying heavily on public subsidies.
We also offer innovative financing solutions that greatly reduce the initial investment and make these projects even more accessible.
Have these regulatory changes affected your advisory policy and the structure of your offers?
Yes, demand is clearly growing at every level. We continuously adapt our offers to meet new regulatory developments and integrate the most efficient technological solutions. Whatever the type of project, our objective is to make installations more profitable and less dependent on public subsidies.
These developments must have required some adjustments…
The sector has become much more mature. The reduction in photovoltaic equipment costs has helped the entire industry become more competitive.
On our side, we have structured our offers to accelerate our customers’ return on investment. This mainly involves sizing installations as closely as possible to actual consumption needs and optimizing self-consumption.
Have materials and technological solutions evolved as well?
Absolutely. Solar panels are more efficient, but above all, smart energy management solutions have progressed considerably, and we are constantly looking for the best technologies.
For example, we offer energy management systems, physical batteries, and virtual battery solutions that optimize the use of the energy produced. Maintenance has also become a key aspect of our industry.
That is why we implemented an advanced monitoring and predictive maintenance system that allows us to remotely and continuously supervise installations. This guarantees long-term performance and secures the investment because the ultimate goal always remains the same: increasing performance and profitability for our customers.
Do you offer subscription plans or integrated services to facilitate access to solar energy?
Of course. We have developed several financing solutions: green loans, solar subscriptions, and leasing solutions for businesses. The idea is to allow as many people as possible to access solar energy without requiring a large upfront investment.
The Var region enjoys exceptional sunshine but also has local specificities. Has this influenced your commercial and technical approach?
Yes, definitely. The Var region has remarkable solar potential, making it particularly suitable for photovoltaics. However, there are also local constraints: protected zones, urban planning restrictions, landscape preservation requirements, and more.
This requires excellent knowledge of the territory and local regulations. That is why we favor a local, hands-on approach with full in-house project management and no subcontracting.
Based in Fréjus, do you encounter particular obstacles in this area?
In some municipalities, urban planning or landscape protection rules can be stricter than elsewhere. This can sometimes extend installation timelines or require specific technical adaptations.
Our strength lies precisely in having highly skilled and deeply committed teams within our company.
In addition, our strong local presence enables us to efficiently support more complex projects by working closely with local authorities and urban planning departments.
Do local authorities play a role in the development of solar energy?
Yes, they play a key role in the energy transition. In the Var region, we are seeing more and more local initiatives encouraging the development of renewable energy.
These initiatives are essential, especially as solar energy is gradually becoming a strategic lever for strengthening regional energy independence and reducing carbon footprints.
Does proximity to the coastline or urban and rural areas affect project design and installation?
Yes. For example, installations near the coast must account for stronger winds, salty air, and specific exposure conditions.
We therefore adapt materials, mounting systems, and aesthetic integration so that installations blend harmoniously and efficiently into their environment.
What are your goals for the coming years?
Our ambition is to continue offering sustainable and accessible energy solutions by combining technological expertise with human support.
We want to strengthen our regional presence while developing innovative energy solutions for both individuals and businesses.
The energy transition must also be built locally, and our ambition is to contribute concretely by developing clean energy production within our territory.
This is also part of our CSR commitments.
How do you see the future of residential and commercial solar energy in the Var region?
I believe solar energy will become an essential component of the energy mix. Producing local energy that is consumed close to where it is needed will gradually become obvious.
We will also see strong growth in energy management and storage solutions that optimize consumption, alongside the expansion of electric mobility.
Electric vehicle charging stations will become increasingly common in homes, businesses, and parking areas. Combining these infrastructures with local solar production is a highly relevant solution both economically and environmentally.
At Edmond Solutions, we work every day with care and commitment to support this transition and help both individuals and businesses become active participants in their energy future.
