Total and French electric utility EDF will tomorrow inaugurate a photovoltaic solar panel production plant owned by their joint subsidiary Tenesol. Located in Saint-Martin-du-Touch in the Greater Toulouse region, the plant has a current capacity of 17 MW per year and is expected to eventually create around 100 direct and indirect jobs.

For more than 20 years, Tenesol has specialized in designing, manufacturing, installing and operating photovoltaic solar systems. Based in Lyon, France, the company already operates a photovoltaic panel production plant in South Africa. In 2005, consolidated revenue stood at close to €145 million. Its operations cover domestic and industrial applications at both grid-connected and off-grid sites. Tenesol has strong positions in Europe and France’s overseas departments and territories, as well as in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

The Toulouse plant expands Tenesol’s photovoltaic panel production capacity, while reaffirming Total and EDF’s commitment to the fast-growing renewable energies segment. This production strategy is supported by significant R&D to further drive the growth of their photovoltaic businesses.