Solar Academy Graduate School is located on the INES campus in Savoie, France. National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) was created in 2005 by USMB, CNRS, CEA and CSTB as a platform for research in Solar Energy. INES has undergone a remarkable development: unique experimental facilities have been constructed (100 M€ invested in 10 years) with 450 employees working at INES in 2019 (about 350 at CEA and 100 at USMB/CNRS).
Consortium : USMB, CNRS and CEA
University Savoy Mont Blanc (USMB) is a high-level research and multidisciplinary university which has developed significant expertise in solar energy, energy efficiency in buildings, and modelling and information sciences. USMB also promotes multidisciplinary development through research federation FRESBE, and multidisciplinary Doctoral School SISEO.
The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is among the world’s leading research institutions. Its scientists explore the living world, matter, the Universe, and the functioning of human societies in order to meet the major challenges of today and tomorrow. Internationally recognised for the excellence of its scientific research, the CNRS is a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public. CNRS is also very active in structuring research on solar energy through supporting FédéSol (National Research Federation on Solar Energy)
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in innovation, research and development oriented to transfer technology. As a research organisation heavily involved in the development of renewable energies, the CEA is applying its expertise to R&D programmes focusing on the solar building and energy efficiency sectors. CEA researchers at INES are testing various innovative technologies for industrial companies, from concepts to “real” situations on the demonstration platforms at INES (Incas).