JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company") (NYSE: JKS), a fast-growing, vertically integrated solar power product manufacturer based in China, announced the incorporation of its French subsidiary JinkoSolar S.A.S. and the opening of its French office in Montpellier, in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon. The new location will support JinkoSolar’s local partners and complement the growth of the region’s solar industry.
“Since JinkoSolar established its commercial presence in France in 2009, the French solar market has become one of our top targets in Europe. Our physical and legal presence in France is part of our strategy to establish a sustainable and long-term presence in this market. We have sold over 40 MW of modules in 2011 alone and by locating our office and subsidiary in the middle of what could be called the French Sun Belt in Montpellier, we are better able to serve our local partners and to anticipate the future of the PV market in France,” said David Li, JinkoSolar’s Chairman.
The new office will be located in the first energy positive office building of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region. The building, which is called the Montpellier International Business Incubator (MIBI), was developed and is currently managed by Montpellier Agglomeration, the local government administrative authority responsible for business development in the greater Montpellier area. The building is 3,500sqm of total surface dedicated to serving international businesses and is one of the first Positive Energy Buildings in the South of France, with 700sqm of PV module installations. The annual estimated production of the panels installed equate to 76,630kWh/year, yielding 27 tons of CO2 emissions saved every year.
JinkoSolar is conscious of the company’s carbon footprint throughout its entire operation and supply chain and specifically chose the MIBI building for its nod towards energy efficiency and outstanding solar production.
Earlier this year, France introduced open tenders for large-scale solar energy projects, once again validating JinkoSolar’s decision to expand its operations in the region. “The French market is evolving with the introduction of the new open tenders’ framework. JinkoSolar is working with its local partners to prepare answers to the open tenders, demonstrating its willingness to innovate both technically and competitively in the French market,” concluded Li.