Episode IV International Solar Projects

In the Episode IV of Solar Warrior Fighting the Dark Side, we're taking the plane to travel around the world with Martin, founder and president of Écosolaris. Well established in the Quebec solar industry, he decided several years ago to export his expertise to several other regions of the world.

Join Floréal on this journey and discover the innovative projects led by Martin and his team, as well as the positive impact of solar energy on our planet and local communities.

Subscribe now to not miss our upcoming episodes! 🔔

Happy listenning Solar Warriors🎧

FAQ

What is Écosolaris?

Écosolaris, in Saint-Jérôme, specializes in products and services for off-grid solar systems, with a strong distribution business and in-house system assembly. Its founder, Martin Lambert, started the company around 2008 in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, initially with solar water heaters. A separate entity, Nordik-Radiant, handles radiant heating.

Why would a Quebec company carry out solar projects abroad?

Quebec has built strong off-grid and battery expertise, much sought after in regions where the grid is missing or unreliable. Montreal's large French-speaking diaspora also helps build ties. Écosolaris opened an office in Benin in 2013, a two-year experience full of lessons, even though it was not profitable.

What kinds of international solar projects are carried out?

All sizes: small solar phone-charging stations, solar street lights for a market or a soccer field, up to 80 to 100 kW systems for hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or farm machinery in Senegal, through calls for projects from the Quebec government.

Why is maintenance essential in these projects?

Because a system is only useful if it keeps working. Before delivering, you have to ask where spare parts will come from, who will repair the equipment and who will maintain it on site. Martin Lambert stresses local training, so equipment is not simply dropped off and abandoned at the first breakdown.

What impact does solar have in regions without electricity?

It changes daily life: lighting a public space lets people gather safely at night, and a charging station creates a business for a micro-entrepreneur. In some regions, just as cell phones replaced landlines outright, communities go straight to solar microgrids without ever having had a large power grid.