One year after the installation of photovoltaic panels on its roof, the Héraclès cooperative cellar, the largest producer of organic wine in France, draws up a positive assessment of the virtuous collaborative experience, driven by its desire for innovation, imposed by the market versatility.
In May 2023, 864 panels were installed on 2,000 m² of the building’s ovoid roof, specially designed to accommodate this type of installation. The panels produce electricity directly consumed by the Gard cellar, the surplus is resold.
Of consumption
A few dozen meters from the Perrier spring, the Codognan cellar is planted in the middle of the vines, next to its eponymous cellar, but which is located in Vergèze! Each year, the establishment achieves between 10 and 13 million turnover and produces 100,000 hectoliters of wine (capacity 120,000 hl).
Innovation by Gérard Bertrand, cloudy wine! • Photo Yannick Pons
If the global wine market is in balance with 250 million hectoliters produced and sold each year, professionals observe a decline in consumption due to the drop in purchasing power and health considerations. Consumption habits have changed.
Daddy’s Red
Dad’s 15 proof red that we serve during the family meal gives way to lighter, clearer and sparkling wines, shared with friends as an aperitif. Thus, the Gard cellar has initiated a shift in its production, focusing on innovation.
Under the leadership of its main client, Gérard Bertrand, the Gard cellar now devotes nearly 10% of its production to new wines. “Bubble base” for sparkling wines, low alcohol levels, specific aromatic profiles, arrival of new grape varieties such as Floréal, Soreli or Souvignier gris, cloudy wines, etc.
Imposed innovation
For a year, a team of cooperators and administrators from the winery has been in working order behind the new president Jean-Philippe Julien and his director Frédéric Saccoman. The project resulted in an action plan, Bio Innov’ 2030, structured around three axes: innovation, communication and internationalization.
Sparkling wines made in “bubble base” at the cooperative cellar • Photo Yannick Pons
THE leitmotif from the Gard cellar, it means innovating, in order to turn to export markets and make it known! Thus, in the midst of the wine crisis, the Gard cellar has signed contracts and sold 82% of its wine to date this year.
Self-consumption
But the first innovation of the site is located on the roof of the building which accommodates a capacity of 120,000 hectoliters of tanks. With 89% self-consumption, the winery resells only 11% of the energy produced, which covers a quarter of its electricity needs over the year. A substantial economy, but also a common, virtuous and sustainable project.
A year earlier, ACTTE, the Cooperative Society of Collective Interest (SCIC) born in August 2021, carried out an innovative, cooperative and virtuous project in the Camargue. Its president Thomas Kreiser brought together 86 investors, individuals, winegrowers, residents and private companies in order to raise the funds necessary for the installation of 2,000 square meters of solar panels on the roof of the cellar.
Investor residents
Each investor became a member for the sum of 100 euros and each year receives a return on investment representing between 2 and 3% of the amount invested. A united and competitive system that advocates collective action.
This business model combines freedom of enterprise, economic solidarity and territorial anchoring while placing farmers at the heart of governance. A total investment of 350,000 euros. The financed system produced 420,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) this year, purchased by the Gard cellar which effectively reduced its electricity costs by 10%.
Invest in Calvisson
“ And this saving can become more important if electricity prices increase », Indicates Frédéric Saccoman. Actte is currently installing a collective heritage self-consumption project in Calvisson with the municipality and the Énergie Citoyen association.
A project intended to supply green electricity to the municipal technical center as well as the Sports and Leisure Centre. It’s time to invest in Calvisson!
Self-consumption
Collective self-consumption is a system governed by legislative and regulatory texts. It allows locally produced electricity to be shared between producer(s) and consumer(s) connected to the public distribution network, and within the same close geographical area. Whether individuals, businesses or communities, producer(s) and consumer(s) can participate in a collective self-consumption operation.
Most often, production is of solar origin and ensured by photovoltaic panels. They can be installed quite easily on building roofs, parking lot shades, or even on the ground.
