Planair crossing borders
Planair SA opened its first foreign subsidiary in 2010, in Valdahon, France. It provides audits and energy feasibility studies, assistance in project management and calculates carbon footprints. The Planair registered office in Switzerland complements these services as needed, also providing all the other company services.
Planair SA has, however, long since been exporting know-how and technologies that have matured in a country that is a pioneer in environmental standards and rational energy use. Planair knows the best way to combine the best Swiss materials and practices with those of the target area, paying attention to prevailing national or local considerations. Thus, for example, compensation for CO2 emissions depends largely on commitments made at the national level, governing procedures and standards, validation of facilities, exchange of certificates and so on. Building standards and methods in turn depend on local traditions and conditions: Via the EU Concerto programmes, Planair identifies the best options according to climate, needs, means, etc.
The choice of renewable energy should also take local environmental conditions and acceptance of impacts into account, expectations of production, means, etc. Thus, Planair is becoming active in Mali in a biomass use project: the water hyacinth, an invasive plant - to produce electricity. Other projects are being pursued in India and the Middle East.
In return, Planair gains from quality practices observed elsewhere - such as airtightness tests performed in construction in France, for example, to benefit its clientele in Switzerland.