Photovoltaic expertise
Manage your solar projects from design to certification
Custom solutions for high-performance, compliant solar projects
The industrial photovoltaic sector is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovations, stricter regulatory requirements, and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of solar projects.
Kapstan draws on deep expertise in industrial photovoltaics, gained through audits of factories operating at various stages of the PV module value chain internationally, as well as through projects conducted with leading players in the French and European markets.
Our in-depth knowledge of:
- photovoltaic technologies (monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin-film),
- industrial value chains,
- French and European regulatory and environmental frameworks
enables us to support your projects with technical rigor, a long-term vision, and risk management.
Our integrated approach ensures sound decision-making, enhances the value of your products, and optimizes the environmental and energy performance of your photovoltaic installations, in compliance with French and international standards.
Why choose our support?
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International experience on production lines
We have audited photovoltaic manufacturing facilities around the world, from polysilicon purification through to the final assembly of modules. This experience enables us to accurately assess product quality, traceability, and performance.
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Low-carbon optimization of your products and processes
Our projects systematically include a carbon footprint analysis across the entire value chain. We identify concrete ways to reduce emissions, focusing on technological choices, industrial processes, and suppliers.
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Partner to French market leaders
Kapstan supports manufacturers and solar developers involved in large-scale projects, particularly in the context of CRE tenders, by combining technical expertise with an understanding of regulatory and environmental requirements.
CRE calls for tenders
The Simplified Carbon Evaluation (ECS) is a mandatory certificate in France for all photovoltaic modules intended for projects developed within the framework of public tenders (AO CRE). Kapstan supports manufacturers throughout the process of obtaining this certificate.
Our services include :
- Calculation of the carbon footprint of modules according to CRE4 and PPE2 methodologies
- Optimization of the supply chain, contact with appropriate suppliers
- Issuing ECS certificates, interacting with ADEME and Certisolis to ensure compliance
- Carrying out LCAs for each production process, from polysilicon purification to module assembly
Polysilicon purification
Polysilicon is the essential raw material for photovoltaic cells. Its production is particularly energy-intensive, and represents the main source of carbon impact in a module’s life cycle. Optimizing its supply and purification processes is therefore a key lever for reducing the environmental footprint of photovoltaics.
Wafer cutting
The wafers produced by cutting the silicon ingots are one of the most critical stages in terms of material loss. Their manufacture has a major impact on the module’s overall yield and carbon footprint, particularly as a function of thickness and sawing loss.
Cell production
Photovoltaic cells, manufactured from wafers, incorporate various chemical treatments and metallizations, depending on the technology used (PERC, HJT, TopCON). This stage is both energy-intensive and chemical-intensive, and determines the module’s final yield. It also accounts for a significant proportion of the module’s environmental impact.
Module assembly
The photovoltaic module comprises all the cells encapsulated in a protective structure. This stage determines the durability and performance of the final product. Although it represents a smaller part of the carbon footprint, it is essential to guarantee product quality and compliance with international standards.
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Life cycle assessment
Control the environmental impact of your photovoltaic products
Kapstan can help you create and validate environmental declarations for your photovoltaic products:
- EPD (Environmental Product Declarations)
- FDES/PEP Ecopassport
- ISO 14067
EPD, PEP and FDES
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) are standardized documents that provide transparent, comparable information on a product’s environmental impact on an international scale. In France, their equivalent for electrical, electronic and HVAC equipment is the PEP ecopassport®, a specific form of FDES (Fiche de Déclaration Environnementale et Sanitaire). These declarations are indispensable in sustainable construction and environmental certification processes.
LCA ISO 14067
An ISO 14067 LCA focuses on a product’s carbon footprint, assessing all the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout its life cycle: raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, use and end-of-life. This approach provides a precise view of a product’s impact on the climate, and is an essential tool for guiding emission reduction strategies.
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Carbon footprint of renewable power plants
Assess the carbon footprint of your photovoltaic power plants over their entire lifetime
Would you like to calculate the carbon footprint of your photovoltaic power plant?
Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we model the environmental impact of your power plant from construction to end-of-life. We calculate the carbon footprint per kWh produced (kgCO2-eq/kWh) and provide you with recommendations for optimizing the environmental impact of your photovoltaic projects.Our analysis covers two types of power plant:
- Photovoltaic power plants
- Multi-energy plants (PV, wind, hydro, storage)
The methodology applied
Kapstan is based on ADEME’s current methodology, including the impact of changes in land use. In addition, highly detailed and specific modelling of the photovoltaic module has been added, enabling us to challenge standards and obtain particularly accurate results that are representative of industrial reality.
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Technical studies
Secure your photovoltaic projects with our specialized technical studies.
Our photovoltaic technical studies cover a wide range of services to ensure the success of your projects:
- Reverberation studies
- Module purchasing support
- Yield studies
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Photovoltaic training
Strengthen your teams’ expertise with our tailor-made photovoltaic training courses.
We offer dedicated training courses for project developers and their teams. These sessions enable you to reinforce your knowledge:
- Industry and market players: from silicon production to module assembly
- Global and European context: regulations, environmental issues and cost trends
- Purchasing and quality: purchasing processes, factory quality control, and sampling methodologies (AQL)
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Une question ?
We work with all types of modules (monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin-film) and various technologies (PERC, TOPCon, and HJT)
We conduct life cycle assessments (LCAs) in accordance with ISO 14040/44 standards and CRE methodological requirements. For organization-wide assessments, we also utilize the Bilan Carbone® and the GHG Protocol.
Yes. They address strategic issues for decision-makers while also helping sales teams build their skills. The goal is to equip them with the tools they need to effectively promote carbon-related selling points and turn their environmental performance into a real sales driver in response to customer demands.
Case studies
All case studiesReady to secure and optimize your solar projects?
At Kapstan, we put our technical, environmental, and regulatory expertise to work for your solar projects. From optimizing your modules to assessing your carbon footprint and training your teams, our support helps you make informed decisions and maximize the performance of your installations.
Whether you’re developing a new power plant, responding to a CRE tender, or looking to reduce the environmental impact of your photovoltaic products, we work with you to build pragmatic, reliable solutions tailored to your goals.