Horse

What Horse does

Hespul is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901, SIRET 402 178 701 00031) founded in 1991 under the name Phébus and headquartered in Lyon at 14 place Jules Ferry in the former Brotteaux train station. Originally created to deliver France's first grid-connected photovoltaic installation (Phébus 1, inaugurated June 14, 1992 at Lhuis, Ain), it has evolved into a 30-employee organization operating through two thematic teams — 'Photovoltaïque et réseaux électriques' and 'Énergie et société' — supported by administrative, communications, and IT functions. The association's purpose is to accelerate France's energy transition through independent expertise, advocacy, training, and digital infrastructure.

Hespul's core deliverables are organized around the Centre national de ressources sur le photovoltaïque (CRPV), established with ADEME in 2007, which operates the national reference websites photovoltaique.info and reseaux.photovoltaique.info (over 1 million annual visits, 40+ national consultations and 25,000+ webinar views annually). It also builds and maintains proprietary digital platforms: Mixeur, a web application aggregator for local energy transition actors combining CRM (Fabrique à Contacts), appointment scheduling (DialogWatt), and specialized apps for France Rénov' advisors and local authority technicians (38 structures, 500+ advisors); and Coutosuix, management software for social and solidarity economy (ESS) structures covering project, budget, time and funding tracking (73 structures, 1,600+ users). Professional training programs are delivered via partner centers including INES Formation & Évaluation, FORMAPELEC, FNCCR, Institut négaWatt, and ASDER. EU-funded exploratory research projects include FORESi (photovoltaic circular economy), ASCEND (positive energy districts), REgions (renewable grid integration), REstable (grid stability), FLEX#Cantal (network capacity), and Erasmus+ Climatubers.

The revenue model is diversified across six streams: ADEME core institutional funding (since 2007), direct grants from the French Ministry of Energy and Enedis for the CRPV, EU project funding, consulting and accompaniment fees from public and private clients, professional training revenue, and a fundraising layer consisting of membership dues, donations, and corporate patronage (Hespul is '1% for the Planet' certified). It also operates a commercial subsidiary, Épices Énergie (founded 2009), which sells web supervision platforms for renewable energy installations. Named institutional clients and partners include EDF Power Solutions, Métropole de Lyon, SPL Lyon Confluence, Edisun Power France (10 PV installations, 5 MW, 4.9 GWh produced in 2024 under Hespul exploitation), Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon territorial government, Électricité de Mayotte, and Un Deux Toits Soleil. Hespul also co-founded or co-animates major French and European energy networks including CLER (vice-presidency), ALTE 69, Énergie Partagée, Enercoop, EREF, Eurosolar, and Réseau Action Climat France.

Name

Horse

Legal name

Association Hespul

Website

https://hespul.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hespul is a Lyon-based French non-profit association founded in 1991 specializing in grid-connected photovoltaic energy and energy transition. It operates the national Photovoltaic Resource Center, develops digital platforms (Mixeur, Coutosuix) for energy actors, delivers professional training, and manages EU-funded research and consulting projects across France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Services and Photovoltaic Consulting

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory (EUAMANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Photovoltaic solar consulting
• Renewable energy services
• Energy transition training
• Solar resource center
• Citizen solar accompaniment

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Association members pay annual dues to support the organization. Hespul is an approved association eligible for 1% for the Planet.
2. Donations and corporate patronage: Hespul receives financial support through donations, corporate patronage, and crowdfunding. They are certified '1% for the Planet' and actively seek sponsors.
3. European project funding: Significant revenue from EU-funded projects including FORESi (circular economy in photovoltaics), ASCEND (positive energy districts), REgions (renewable grid integration), REstable (grid stability), FLEX#Cantal (network capacity), and Erasmus+ programs like Climatubers.
4. Institutional funding (ADEME, government, Enedis): Core operational support from ADEME since 2007, supplemented by funding from the French Ministry of Energy and Enedis for the Photovoltaic Resource Center. Additional support from local authorities for specific programs.
5. Consulting and accompaniment services: Fees for professional services including feasibility studies, technical assistance for photovoltaic projects, territorial energy planning, performance analysis, and exploitation management.
6. Professional training: Revenue from training programs covering photovoltaic conception to exploitation for public and private professionals, delivered through a network of partner training centers including INES, FORMAPELEC, FNCCR, Institut négaWatt, and ASDER.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hespul is a French non-profit association that specializes in the development of renewable energies, principally grid-connected photovoltaics. It provides consulting and accompaniment for photovoltaic projects (feasibility studies, technical assistance, exploitation management), runs the national Photovoltaic Resource Center and its information websites, develops digital tools (Mixeur, Coutosuix) for energy-transition actors, delivers professional training through partner centers, and runs awareness and citizen-accompaniment programs such as 'Au solaire citoyen·nes!'.

Product overview

Hespul is a non-profit association specializing in renewable energy development and energy efficiency since 1991. The organization operates through two main teams: 'Photovoltaic and Electrical Networks' and 'Energy and Society'. Its core offerings include the Centre national de ressources sur le photovoltaïque (CRPV), which manages the reference websites photovoltaïque.info and réseaux.photovoltaique.info, the Mixeur web application aggregator, and the Coutosuix management software for ESS structures. The organization also provides professional training programs, educational tools including the Livret Photovoltaïque and Info/Intox toolbox, site visit programs, and consulting services for photovoltaic project development and grid integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre national de ressources sur le photovoltaïque (CRPV): National resource center for photovoltaics and grid integration, providing objective and independent information on photovoltaics since 2007.
• photovoltaique.info
• reseaux.photovoltaique.info

Products and services

• Mixeur Web application aggregator providing CRM (Fabrique à Contacts), appointment scheduling (DialogWatt), and specialized tools for France Rénov' advisors and local authority technicians (e.g., Thermix, Écorénover); used by 38 structures and 500+ advisors.
• Coutosuix Management software for social and solidarity economy (ESS) structures, handling time programming and tracking, project and budget monitoring, financing tracking, and leave and expense management; used by 73 ESS structures and 1,600 users.
• Professional Training Catalogue — Photovoltaic and Electrical Networks Catalog of paid professional training programs covering photovoltaic system design through exploitation, delivered through a partner network of national training centers for installers, engineers, project developers and energy advisors.
• Photovoltaic Consulting and Accompaniment Services Paid consulting and accompaniment services for photovoltaic project development — feasibility studies, technical assistance, grid integration studies, energy planning, performance analysis and exploitation management — delivered to local authorities, municipalities, agricultural organizations and enterprises.
• Photovoltaic and Wind Site Visits Program Organized educational visits to renewable energy installations including the Beaujolais Vert Wind Farm (since 2019 with EDF Power Solutions), the Saint-Romain-en-Gal Photovoltaic Park (since 2024), and Lyon Confluence district rooftop PV installations.
• Livret Photovoltaïque (Educational Booklet) Pedagogical booklet covering photovoltaic energy through scientific elements, historical accounts, information for understanding energy, and activities for animators.
• Info / Intox Toolbox Educational toolkit with 11 question/answer cards and 5 summary sheets across 5 themes explaining photovoltaic installation operation and electrical system values.
• Mallette Photovoltaïque (Pedagogical Kit) Pedagogical kit facilitating understanding of photovoltaic electricity production and energy management, containing info/intox supports, manufacturing cards, samples, models, and components for photovoltaic circuits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31-year-old photovoltaic modules still producing 79.5% of original power (exceeding 25-year manufacturer warranties)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• EDF Power SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Annual partnership for organizing visits to renewable energy sites: wind farm at Beaujolais Vert (Valsonne, since 2019) and photovoltaic park at Saint-Romain-en-Gal (since 2024). Hespul provides educational content and event coordination while EDF Power Solutions provides site access.
• SPL Lyon ConfluencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Long-term partnership since 2004 for sustainable urban development in Lyon's Confluence district. Hespul supports solar deployment and the ASCEND European project (positive energy districts with Munich). The district now has over 55 PV installations (~3.3 MWc, ~20,000 m²).
• EnediscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect funder of the Photovoltaic Resource Center and active collaboration in technical working groups (CCPS committee). Hespul participates in the Comité de Concertation avec les Producteurs et les Stockage (CCPS) with Enedis.
• Toits en TransitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint organization of public awareness events 'Au solaire citoyen·nes!' in Lyon metropolitan area. Partnership for photovoltaic outreach, including joint stands at festivals and community engagement activities.
• GEDERRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer group (groupement d'employeurs) co-founded by Hespul that enables job sharing among ESS and energy transition organizations. Hespul is one of the founding members and uses GEDERRA for HR and administrative support.
• Épices ÉnergiecoreOthersCommercial subsidiary of Hespul providing web supervision and management platform for renewable energy installations (photovoltaic, wind, hydro). Shares office space in Brotteaux with Hespul.
• CLER NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul has been an active member since creation and holds vice-presidency. Participates in governance bodies including Grenelle de l'environnement, Environmental Conference, Supreme Energy Council. CLER federates ~300 professionals nationwide.
• ALTE 69 (Local Energy Transition Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul co-founded ALTE 69 in 2019 with Rhône departments and regions. Currently serves on ALTE 69 board. ALTE 69 provides energy advice to residents and supports local authority energy transition.
• EnercoopsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul contributed to Enercoop creation in 2005 with Greenpeace, Biocoop, CLER, Friends of the Earth, and La Nef. Enercoop is a 100% renewable electricity supplier.
• Énergie PartagéesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul is an active founding member of Énergie Partagée, which promotes citizen-owned renewable energy projects. Hespul also helped create Solira Investissement (2008), ancestor of Énergie Partagée.
• EREF (European Renewable Energy Federation)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul helped found EREF in 1999. EREF, based in Brussels, advocates for renewable energy support systems at EU level.
• EurosolarsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul is the sole official representative of Eurosolar in France. Eurosolar advocates globally for complete replacement of fossil and nuclear energy with renewables.
• Réseau Action Climat France (RAC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul is a founding member of Réseau Action Climat (created 1996), the French branch of Climate Action Network. RAC has 27 national member organizations plus local associations and individual members.
• négaWattcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe négaWatt scenario (Sobriety, Efficiency, Renewables) is the explicit guiding principle for Hespul's action. While Hespul cannot be a member (négaWatt only has individual members), many Hespul staff are individual members and trained ambassadors.
• Edisun Power FrancecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSince 2013, Hespul exploits and monitors 10 photovoltaic installations (5 MW total) for Edisun Power France. Manages daily performance monitoring, maintenance operations, and issue resolution. In 2024, installations produced 4.9 GWh.
• INES Formation & Évaluation, FORMAPELEC, FNCCR, Institut négaWatt, ASDERsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational training center partners for delivering Hespul's professional photovoltaic and electrical network training programs. Hespul provides content expertise while partners handle delivery and administration.
• AMORCEsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHespul co-animates the 'Les Générateurs' advisor network with AMORCE, funded by ADEME for 3 years to support rural renewable energy development. Also participates in regular exchange groups with AMORCE on photovoltaic topics.
• Un Deux Toits SoleilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizen solar collective in Lyon metropolitan area. Hespul supports citizen solar development by directing people to collectives when individual installations aren't possible. Joint events and festival presence.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Énergie Partagée: Federation promoting citizen-owned renewable energy projects in France. Co-founded by Hespul in 2010; both organizations share a focus on mobilizing citizens and local authorities for energy transition, providing technical resources, training, and project accompaniment.
• Enercoop: France's 100% renewable electricity supplier cooperative. Co-founded by Hespul in 2005 alongside Greenpeace, Biocoop, CLER, and others. Both share a renewable-energy mission and engage with the same citizen/energy-transition ecosystem, with Hespul providing technical expertise and Enercoop the supply-side commercial vehicle.
• CLER Network (Réseau pour la Transition Énergétique): National federation of ~300 energy-transition professionals and local organizations in France. Hespul holds vice-presidency and is a founding member; both organizations operate as resource networks for local energy-transition actors, share advocacy channels, and coordinate on policy positions.
• Institut négaWatt: French think tank developing the négaWatt scenario (sobriety, efficiency, renewables). Hespul explicitly aligns with négaWatt principles and several of its staff are individual members and ambassadors; both deliver professional training through partner networks and produce content shaping French energy policy.
• AMORCE: Association representing local authorities on energy and waste management. Hespul co-animates the 'Les Générateurs' advisor network with AMORCE; both organizations advise municipalities on renewable energy deployment and share ADEME-funded program mandates.
• ALTE 69 (Agence Locale pour la Transition Énergétique du Rhône): Local energy-transition agency co-founded by Hespul in 2019. Both organizations provide citizen accompaniment on energy projects, share office space, and coordinate on Rhône-department energy advising and training.
• SolarPower Europe: European solar energy industry association. Comparable to Hespul as a sector-wide PV advocacy and information body, but operating at EU rather than French level and representing industry members rather than citizens/local authorities.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): US non-profit focused on workforce training, codes and standards, and consumer protection in distributed solar. Highly comparable to Hespul in mission (training PV professionals, contributing to standards development, providing independent consumer information).
• Réseau Action Climat (RAC) France: French branch of Climate Action Network with 27 national member organizations. Hespul is a founding member (since 1996); both engage in national energy/climate policy advocacy and represent civil society in environmental governance.
• European Renewable Energy Federation (EREF): EU-level federation advocating renewable-energy support systems in Brussels. Co-founded by Hespul in 1999; both organizations operate as advocacy networks across European renewable-energy policy discussions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hespul
• Facebookfacebook.com/HespulAsso
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hespul

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Horse