Since 2018, SOLVEO Energies and Mini Champ Solaire® have partnered with the Occitanie Beekeepers’ Union to support beekeeping and protect biodiversity by installing beehives on our sites. Stéphane Théron, secretary of the Occitanie Beekeepers’ Union, comes regularly to care for our bees.
Half firefighter, half beekeeper
Stéphane Théron, 51 years old and a proud owner of about twenty hives, started beekeeping eight years ago thanks to his family. While working as a firefighter at the Colomiers headquarters, he has also been working as an amateur beekeeper with the Occitanie Beekeepers’ Association for five years. “ My passion for bees has led me to make some interesting encounters, including one with Olivier Fernandez, the president of the union, who is a great enthusiast like me: so one is quickly tempted to volunteer in the association.” He now regularly visits the association’s members, including SOLVEO Energies, to monitor and maintain the hives.
His role as a beekeeper at SOLVEO Energies
Stéphane has been looking after the SOLVEO Energies beehives since they were installed on our land two years ago. In general, he visits every 15-21 days, especially during the peak period between March and August. As our hives are equipped with sensors and connected scales, he can find out a certain amount of information that helps him to calibrate his movements according to the needs of the hive. “This way, I can check that the hives are doing well and that there are no particular issues. From the data I receive, I can tell if it is necessary to come and put up a boom in cases where the nectar supply is high,” explains Stéphane Théron.
In total, our bees are capable of producing almost 10 kg of honey per hive. As part of our partnership with the Occitanie Beekeepers’ Union, we are thrilled to be able to taste some of these crops every year.
“It’s a constant struggle”
“ The bee is a major pollinating insect for the benefit of agriculture and to preserve our biodiversity. If the bees were to disappear, there would be a risk of food shortages.” says Stéphane Théron.
With SOLVEO Energies and Mini Champ Solaire®, the hives benefit from secure, fenced-in plots that not only provide security against theft or vandalism but also promote the development of beekeeping that respects bees and biodiversity.
“ The beekeeping business faces many obstacles every day. From the threat of Asian hornets, colony theft, to global warming with heatwaves of up to 45 degrees. Floral resources are depleted, there is no more nectar or pollen and the bees no longer have anything to eat. It’s an everyday struggle! “
SOLVEO Energies aims to develop the establishment of beehives through Mini Champ Solaire®, thus acting on the preservation of biodiversity, while developing its activities for renewable energy.
