The association Rayons Verts, a non-profit organization linked to the citizen cooperative ICEA, offers an innovative model for local renewable energy production within the Bassin Auterivain. Its objective is to develop photovoltaic power plant projects, particularly on the roofs of public buildings such as schools, town halls, and multi-purpose halls. These installations are financed by the cooperative, which brings together citizens, local authorities, and businesses.
Beyond projects on public buildings, Rayons Verts also offers solar kits through group purchasing for individual self-consumption. The association also engages in awareness campaigns to promote local and citizen-led renewable energy and energy savings.
For local authorities wishing to develop a self-consumption renewable energy project, Rayons Verts provides comprehensive support. This process includes preliminary studies to select rooftops and assess solar potential, preliminary designs, as well as technical, economic, and self-consumption assessments. Following the validation of the proposed scheme by the local authority, a 20 to 25-year agreement for the use of the solar power plant is established, often accompanied by a stake in the cooperative's capital.
Project management and commissioning are handled by Rayons Verts and ICEA, with financing and operation involving local citizens as shareholders. This approach ensures local energy and ethical operation, with over 57% of profits reinvested in new local projects or energy efficiency initiatives.
Certified by Énergie Partagée, the association and its cooperative advocate for participatory governance where each person has one vote, and ethical savings through social shares blocked for 5 years. To date, ICEA and Rayons Verts have already commissioned 20 citizen power plants in the SICOVAL and Pays du Sud Toulousain regions. The 36 kWc plant at the school in Grépiac, operational in December 2025, is the third installation of its kind in South Toulousain, following those at the school canteen in Lagardelle-sur-Lèze (2023) and the Trait Fachet farm in Miremont (2024).
