SAUREA, the autonomous photovoltaic motor

At a glance
Key Figures
The Team
4 questions to SAUREA

Electronic systems for solar installations are not always compatible with isolated sites and severe climates. They can show signs of failure after only two years, and they are very difficult to maintain.

Through its invention of an autonomous solar motor, SAUREA offers an unprecedented technological solution. The concept: A motor converts solar energy from photovoltaic panels directly into mechanical energy, without the use of conversion electronics. Reliable and ultra-resistant, it is maintenance-free for 20 years. It also reduces inequalities in energy access and improves people’s quality of life by motorising activities that had previously been manual (water pump, fan, agricultural machinery, etc.).

Testimony

"EDF Pulse gave us a platform to improve our reach, so that we could showcase our solution to the largest crowd, as well as interest investors."
Isabelle Gallet-Coty - President of SAUREA

SAUREA is a familial adventure with strong social and societal values, which convinced a large audience during the 30 day-long voting campaign. The project was awarded the Audience Award of the 2019 EDF Pulse start-up Awards after tight competition between spectacular projects.

L'équipe

Polyvalente, polyglotte et mixte, l’équipe SAUREA regroupe des compétences complémentaires : ingénierie en physique et mécanique, management, ressources humaines, communication, commerce international… Elle s’appuie également sur l’expertise de deux enseignants-chercheurs de l’ENS Cachan et du laboratoire GeePs.

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4 questions to SAUREA

Idée

Where did you get the idea for this startup?

After a career as an engineer and entrepreneur, Alain Coty, my father-in-law, was retiring. It all went as normal... Except he dreamed of a motor without electronics. While learning about advancements in photovoltaic cells, he had the idea of integrating them to make a solar motor. Water and humanitarian experts played a vital role in instantly recognizing the usefulness of a motor to operate a pump. The startup SAUREA (Solar Autonomous Reliable Applications) was created to bring the motor out of the laboratory to develop an industrial product. The aim? To make solar installations reliable.

News

Any recent good news?

The commercial launch of the first motor in the range! Its 130 W mechanical power is the equivalent of the manual operation of a pump by a man or woman to draw water; this is the force of human motricity.

Unexpected event

What is the most unexpected thing that your startup has made you do?

Coming from Burgundy by way of Normandy, I was surprised and immensely honoured to win the GIFA (Groupement International d’Investissement des Femmes Africaines, International Investment Group for African Women) award in June 2017. Cameroonian princess Marie-Thérèse Altermath-Massing herself handed me the GIFA Golden Award for Innovation!

Note: GIFA-LEPFIDA International is a network of female entrepreneurs and business founders promoting leadership among African women.

Skills

In what way does your project revolutionise your category?

A small revolution: converting free, clean energy from the sun directly into moving force. Directly? This means no electronics, no batteries, no sensors, no magnets, no rare metals, and no emission of fine particles, with an extremely low impact on the environment. It lasts 20 years without maintenance!