Ardian-backed Unite secures €13 million financing for three new solar aviary projects in France
Type: Financing · Technology: Solar · Country: France · Capacity: 14 MWc · Value: EUR 13M · Announced: 2026-06-01
Unite, a Lyon-based renewable energy producer backed by Ardian since 2024, secured €13 million in financing from Caisse d’Épargne Rhône Alpes and Caisse d’Épargne Loire-Centre to construct and operate three solar aviary projects in Ciran and Mouzay (Indre-et-Loire) and Sainte-Pazanne (Loire-Atlantique). The installations, totaling 14 MWc, will be built on pheasant farms and are scheduled for phased commissioning starting in 2027. Unite also recently commissioned the La Selle-en-Hermoy solar plant in Loiret, a 33.3 MW project with 36.6 MWc capacity, featuring 59,121 panels across 28 hectares and producing over 40,000 MWh annually. In June 2025, Unite commissioned two additional solar aviary projects in Brinon-sur-Sauldre (Cher) and Sainte-Croix-en-Bresse (Saône-et-Loire), with capacities of 10 MW and 200 MW respectively, the latter part of a CRE auction-winning portfolio. The financing structure underscores Ardian's continued support for Unite's expansion in agricultural solar integration.
Counterparties
- Unite (Developer)
- Caisse d’Épargne Loire-Centre (Lender)
- Caisse d’Épargne Rhône Alpes (Lender)
- Ardian (Investor)