A solar project is quite an adventure! Before the first solar panel is installed, feasibility studies need to be carried out, permits secured, lease agreements negotiated, commercial offers structured, and multiple areas of expertise aligned toward a common goal.
At Sunrock France, Nadège Bazille coordinates this work during the development phase. As a Project Development Coordinator, she supports projects from the initial idea all the way through to ‘Ready-to-Build’ (RTB) status, working closely with clients throughout the process. A true conductor, bringing together all the moving parts needed to make a project happen: let’s meet Nadège Bazille.
To begin, can you tell us about your background before joining Sunrock?
I started my career directly in the B2B solar industry. In my first role, I managed the administrative and regulatory aspects of projects, particularly permitting procedures, including urban planning matters and grid connection applications with Enedis. I also acted as the main point of contact for clients once the commercial agreement had been approved.
This role gave me a broad understanding of the entire solar project value chain, from feasibility studies through to construction and operation. It was an incredibly valuable learning experience.
What brought you to Sunrock?
Joining Sunrock was the natural next step for me. It’s been particularly rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to get involved much earlier in the life of a project.
What excites me most about this role is being close to both our clients and the project design process. I wanted to work on solutions that combine environmental ambitions with the economic and operational realities businesses face. Today, that’s exactly what I do.
What is your role at Sunrock France today?
My role is to support a photovoltaic project from the very first idea through to the moment it becomes Ready-to-Build, meaning ready for construction.
For our clients, the Project Development team is often the first point of contact at Sunrock. We are their main partner throughout the entire development phase. We also act as the link between the various areas of expertise within the company: Legal, Investments, Product Development, Asset Management, Business Development, and Project Management.
My job is to bring the right people together around the table at the right time. Everyone comes with their own technical, regulatory, or financial constraints, and the challenge is to align them all. That’s what allows an opportunity to become a real project that can move into the construction phase.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
My days are shaped by the different milestones that make up the life of a project. It starts with feasibility studies, followed by planning and permitting procedures and securing the necessary approvals. Then come lease negotiations and the structuring of commercial offers. I coordinate the entire process to ensure every piece of the puzzle falls into place.
What makes the role so interesting is that we’re never working on just one topic at a time. We move many projects forward in parallel, working with a wide variety of stakeholders and areas of expertise. You need to be able to switch from one to another without ever losing track.
What sets Sunrock apart from other players in the market?
For me, Sunrock’s strength lies in a balance that is quite unique. On one hand, we benefit from the experience and maturity of a leading European group with a strong presence in the Netherlands and Germany. On the other, we retain the agility of local teams that know their markets and local realities.
This combination makes a real difference in our day-to-day work. We can manage complex multi-site portfolios for major clients across Europe while adapting to the specific requirements and regulations of each country.
We’re also fortunate to benefit from strong financial backing. For our teams, that’s a real source of momentum. Our ambitions have the support they need to become reality, and we can start building the solutions of tomorrow, today.
This is what allows us to go beyond simply installing solar panels. We design photovoltaic solutions that are part of a broader energy ecosystem, tailored to the specific characteristics of each site. Individual self-consumption is one part of that approach, and so is collective self-consumption. Both can be combined with energy storage strategies and Energy Management Systems (EMS). We also support our clients with the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which has become necessary for many businesses in response to France’s Mobility Orientation Law (LOM).
Is there a project you are particularly proud of?
It’s difficult for me to choose just one project. What makes me proud is helping bring complex projects to life, projects that require time, patience, and a great deal of coordination. My greatest satisfaction comes at the end of the journey. After months of work, seeing a project move into operation after successfully completing every stage of development is incredibly rewarding.
It reminds me of a team sport. Victories are all the more meaningful because they are the result of a collective effort. Everyone has contributed their part, and together we achieve the goal.
What personally motivates you in your work?
Contributing every day to the development of renewable energy projects is my primary motivation. But what also makes me excited to get up in the morning is the environment in which I work.
Sunrock is an international company that brings together people with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise, and that’s a real strength. At the same time, in France, we’ve maintained the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a close-knit team. I really value that combination.
I also enjoy working at the intersection of energy, regulatory, and economic challenges. No two projects are the same, and each one requires a mix of pragmatism and creativity.
Which developments in the energy sector excite you the most?
The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Electrification is accelerating and energy independence has become a major priority. In this context, the challenge is no longer simply to generate green electricity. The question now is how to make the best possible use of it.
At Sunrock, we keep a close eye on market developments and on our clients’ needs so that we can anticipate the energy solutions of tomorrow. This means exploring new technologies, as well as developing new partnerships. Together, we’re exploring solutions that can meet the energy challenges taking shape around us.
We’re living through an exciting and inspiring period, where the possibilities ahead of us continue to expand.
