Solar generation supports electricity supply at Vetrotech’s Romont production site

Solar electricity generation has become an established part of the energy supply at Vetrotech Saint-Gobain’s production site in Romont, Switzerland. Installed on the roof of the facility, the photovoltaic system supplies electricity directly to the site, while surplus production is exported to the public electricity network.

Commissioned in April 2024, the installation consists of 3,244 photovoltaic panels and has a peak capacity of 1,313 kWp. Based on operational data for 2025, the system supplied approximately 18% of the site’s electricity demand. Electricity generated on-site is used first by the Romont facility, with surplus production fed into the local grid.

Building on existing energy initiatives

The photovoltaic installation builds on earlier energy initiatives at the Romont site. Since 2019, the facility has sourced its purchased electricity from renewable hydropower through an agreement with Swiss energy provider Groupe E.

On-site solar generation complements this electricity supply by enabling the facility to produce part of its electricity locally and export surplus production to the regional electricity network.

The installation forms part of a broader programme of operational improvements implemented at the Romont site in recent years. These investments have focused on energy supply, manufacturing processes and site infrastructure, with the objective of improving operational efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the site’s activities.

Changes to the site’s heating infrastructure

Further improvements have been introduced through changes to the site’s heating infrastructure. A wood-based central heating system replaced the previous natural gas solution.

Based on internal calculations, the change to the site's heating infrastructure is expected to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions compared with the previous natural gas-based system.

Supporting the site’s continued development

Today, the photovoltaic installation is an important component of the Romont site’s electricity strategy. It combines on-site solar generation with renewable electricity purchased through the site’s agreement with Groupe E.

Together with the wood-based heating system and ongoing operational improvements, these measures support the site’s efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also contribute to the broader climate objectives of the Saint-Gobain Group and support the continued development of the Romont production site.