INES is a world leader in R&D, expertise and training for advanced photovoltaic solar technologies, their integration into electrical systems and intelligent energy management. Our people and partners are redesigning the future for the energy transition.
Crédits : Guerrini
About INES
World leader in solar technologies
A French national institute for solar energy
Research & innovation
INES is a world leader in research and development for advanced photovoltaic solar technologies, their integration into electrical systems and intelligent energy management.
Capacity Building
INES Formation & Evaluation's mission is to support territories and companies to strengthen their capacities in the field of solar energy.
Shine
A key player in the solar industry worldwide, INES represents the French solar industry in different regional, national, European and international organizations.
INES environment
INES eco-system
INES is in the heart of the European solar ecosystem and energy transition.
- Academics, Universities
- Research Organizations
- Energy and building professionals
- Trade unions and professional federations
- ITEs and competitiveness clusters
- Networks of experts, national and international stakeholders
- State and Communities
- The European Commission
- Manufacturers, key account
The Institute for Energy Transition INES.2S was certified by the French government in 2019 and brings together activities dedicated to the integration of solar energy.
More information about the IET INES.2S
CERTISOLIS: the testing laboratory and independent third-party certification center for photovoltaic modules in France. In particular, it carries out qualification tests on photovoltaic panels and certifies their performance according to international standards.
Credits: Marina FerrariThe roots of INES
The INES is a collective and collaborative initiative, born from the determination of public and private stakeholders.
CEA, a major player in research, development and innovation.
A major player in research, development and innovation, the CEA (19,925 employees) is active in leading sectors such as national defense and security, nuclear and renewable energies, biotechnological and medical research, and technological research for industry.
It is the leading French research organization in terms of the number of published patent applications, and is also the leading French applicant on the European scene according to the European Patent Office.
The CEA's LITEN institute (1000 employees), dedicated to renewable energy technologies, storage and energy efficiency, has been the pilot of INES' research, development and innovation activities since its creation in 2005.
USMB | Laboratoire LOCIE | CNRS
The University of Savoie Mont Blanc has been a major player at INES since its creation with the installation of the LOCIE, a laboratory specializing in buildings, within the institute and by the development of initial training courses provided by the IUT Civil Engineering Chambéry and Polytech Annecy-Chambéry.
The University of Savoie Mont Blanc combines proximity to its territories and a wide opening to Europe and the world.
Its researchers are strongly involved in a number of fields that assist territorial dynamics: the mountain, mechatronics, the organization, tourism, image and energy sectors.
INES Plateforme Formation Évaluation
INES Plateforme Formation & Evaluation aims to promote solar energy in France and internationally, in particular by implementing information, training and evaluation actions.
The association's thirty or so employees work every day to contribute to solar radiation.
Funders
Key dates
- 1998
L’idée d’un Institut National de l’Énergie Solaire est née en 1998 de la volonté d’élus, notamment Michel Barnier et Jean-Pierre Vial, de créer un centre de référence dans le domaine du solaire.
- 2005
Le lancement de l’INES depuis 2005 a résulté de la convergence de quatre facteurs déterminants : la volonté indéfectible des élus (Département de la Savoie et Région Rhône-Alpes), l’expertise du tissu associatif avec, depuis vingt ans, le travail unique de l’ASDER, la présence historique d’industriels pionniers du secteur (Clipsol, Photowatt…), et l’investissement de grands laboratoires de recherche, au premier rang desquels le CEA, le CNRS et l’Université de Savoie.
- 2006
Signature de la convention liant les partenaires de l’INES en présence du Ministre de la Recherche.
- 2013
Le site occupe 22 000 m² de bâtiments dont le dernier a été inauguré en 2013.
- 2014
INES a été lauréat de l’appel à candidatures pour la création d’Instituts pour la Transition Énergétique lancé par le gouvernement français dans du Plan d’Investissement d’Avenir. La phase 1 de l’ITE INES 2 porté par INES s’est terminée en 2018.
- 2019
Une nouvelle phase est mise en place pour la période 2019-2024 avec une évolution dans les programmes. L’ITE prend le nom d’INES.2S pour marquer cette évolution.
The INES values
Our initiatives that are flourishing on the INES site reflect our values and commitments to environmental protection.
An eco-designed website
Hosted ecologically and without cookies! INES is committed to reducing its digital environmental footprint and respecting your data.
Index B of the EcoIndex
digital sobriety: Angle web
Editorial sobriety: Cyclop Éditorial
Ecological lodging: nfomaniak (certified by the MyClimate organization)
Neither cookies nor tracers (use of - Matomo, a statistical tracking solution that respects user data (very limited tracking).
Internal associations
AP'INES is the association of learners of the INES. In addition to facilitating and animating the life of its community, the association participates in scientific popularization actions and humanitarian missions (Electriciens sans Frontières). In partnership with AITAP
ACT'INES - Association dedicated to the cultural and sports activities of the employees working on the INES site (social facilities and provision of premises). Contact
Zero Waste
The Zero Waste Challenge approach set up within the INES Training and Evaluation team (recycling of consumables, dematerialization, composting, etc.).
Providing a "Soleil Vert" composter.
The CEA at INES promotes gentle and less polluting travel.
It participates in public transportation passes, promoting carpooling and car-sharing solutions.
It supports bicycle use by distributing safety kits and organizing a free bicycle maintenance service for its staff. A fleet of cars and electric bicycles is available for occasional business trips.
The INES "HELIOS" positive energy building
Annual consumption less than 27 kwh/m²/year
Use of solar energy to cover at least 40% of the needs.