A panel combining electricity and thermal production in order to heat the water, here is the exclusive proposal of the company DualSun. A technology, protected by patent, which has experienced a record growth rate in recent years, including in Ile-de-France. The company thus recorded a 40% growth in orders in Paris and the suburbs between 2018 and 2019.
When he left the École centrale de Paris ten years ago, Jérôme Mouterde, co-founder of the company, made the following observation: the heat in homes is too dependent on fossil fuels. "Photovoltaic panels know how to transform heat into electricity but not restore it at the thermal level," he explains. We managed to imagine hybrid panels offering both. "
Bouygues Construction headquarters and Greenelle tower equipped
The company's customers are divided in half between individuals and communities (social landlords, municipal swimming pools, offices, etc.). “Almost 30% of energy needs are absorbed by the building, analyzes the business manager. So we have a role to play in the ecological transition. And our technology in particular since our panels have a yield two to three times higher than those produced in China. »Chinese panels which represent 80% of solar panels in France.
Among the buildings equipped with hybrid panels in Ile-de-France: Challenger, the renovated headquarters of Bouygues Construction in Guyancourt in the Yvelines, which has 180 panels on a surface of 300 m2. They cover 70% of the hot water needs of the company restaurant, the management club and the gymnasium. The Greenelle tower (15th century) by architect Roland Castro also benefits. As well as the future RATP maintenance center in Massy, in Essonne.
"I plan to recoup my investment in less than twelve years"
Many individuals have also adopted it. Like Matthieu, from Souzy-la-Briche, in Essonne. It has been fitted with twelve panels since June 2017. "On average, the water is heated up to 60% and my electricity consumption for 50%," he estimates. But since I have a passive energy house, my needs are limited. "
Above all, he found another use: “DualSun also allows me to power my electric car all year round. "If he has an ecological fiber, Matthieu is attentive to his portfolio. The installation still cost him 14,000 euros. "The sun's rays are free and that will not change while the price of energy can only increase," he says. I plan to recoup my investment in less than twelve years. The sale of the surplus also brings him 200 euros per year.
State aid
Concretely, an installation costs on average 10,000 to 12,000 euros for a dozen panels, or even more depending on the intervention difficulties. They provide around 30 to 40% of electricity needs depending on the amount of sunshine and 50% of hot water production. “The expense may seem high, but you have to see it as an investment, reassures Jérôme Mouterde. Our equipment has 25 years of service life. As for the amortization period, he confirms that it would be ten to twelve years.
According to a study by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), the energy bill has jumped 50% in ten years. And it shouldn't stop. "So that everyone is perfectly aware of the savings made compared to the investment, we have set up a simulator on our site to have precise figures", underlines the co-founder of DualSun. In addition, aid is also offered by the State, which corresponds to 20% of the total investment, or around 2,000 euros.
"It allowed me to reconcile autonomy and ecology"
Laurent has an idea in mind: to be independent. This is the main reason that led him to take the plunge by installing the DualSun photovoltaic panels. And a good dose of activism too. "It allowed me to reconcile autonomy and ecology," he admits.
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This resident of Mitry-Mory (Seine-et-Marne) therefore had ten panels installed in April last for a total area of 18 m2. This equipment allows it to obtain hot water all year round and to supply certain electrical equipment such as lighting, television or even the computer.
“It's been a while since I've been looking to be independent and it was while doing research on the internet that I came across DualSun which is notably referenced on the Nicolas Hulot foundation website (Editor's note: former Minister of Ecology), details there. Everything is made in France and not in China like the vast majority of this technology. It's better for the country's economy and it's still more reassuring in terms of after-sales service. "
Today, almost 30% of its electricity is supported by DualSun. And in the summer, when it produces too much, it also has the possibility of reselling it to EDF. "But I don't do it, I want to be independent, not make money, so in the event of an overflow, I return to the network," he said. Its EDF bill went from 800 euros to around 560 euros per year.
In total, he will have spent 16,000 euros for the installation. "The price is high but it is above all a philosophy of life," he analyzes. No nuclear, renewable energy, less depend on the network in the event of a breakdown ... That's all at once. "
Beware of scams
With the significant public aid proposed for the installation of solar panels, numerous scams have developed. Aware of this bad publicity, Dualsun has put in place some safeguards. "We have created a simulator on our site to know what specific savings you can expect," says Jérôme Mouterde. The company manufactures the panels but does not install them. It calls on approved professionals. "These artisans will never approach you by phone or going door to door," he continues. If so, they don't sell our technology. Finally, one last precaution: establish at least three quotes. By going through the site, you will be put in contact with trained professionals.
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