Fengtech at its zenith thanks to solar energy

Based in Entrammes, the Fengtech company has developed a system based on new generation solar energy that produces hot water and reduces the use of fossil fuels, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Liqun Feng has always been passionate about the sun. Originally from China, he conducted his first experiments by building solar ovens to cook rice when he was still in high school. He became an engineer, then a doctor in mechanics and worked as an R&D manager in France throughout his career. He then thought about developing a thermal system based on solar energy that would work whatever the climatic conditions. He sets out to solve two important problems, namely overheating in summer and freezing in winter, to invent a high-performance and durable product. Its system is ingenious and works even in cold and cloudy weather. It has a large heat storage capacity and the water temperature can reach 100°C. The Fengtech system is hybrid, it combines solar energy and conventional energy. In 2010, Liqun Feng created his company, Fengtech, which went through the Laval Mayenne Technopole incubator until 2018, during which time he co-developed the system with pioneer breeders from Mayenne. A first farm was thus equipped in 2012 in Saint-Léger-en-Charnie, then a second in Livre-la-Touche. 

Today, its performance has been proven by more than 40 farms, mainly in Mayenne and in the north-west of France. Farmers have been able to observe energy savings such that they have reduced the amount of fossil energy purchased by half  "To achieve carbon neutrality, the system associated with biogas or biomass boilers makes it possible to provide 100% renewable thermal energy" , explains the manager who works with a network of around twenty plumbers and heating engineers. Four years ago, in need of additional square meters, he set up the company in Entrammes, in the Riblay business area. Today, Fengtech is proud to be a partner of a European project "ICare4Farms" led by Laval Mayenne Technopole, in order to encourage the use of solar thermal energy for agricultural activities.

This project brings together eight partners from five countries: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Thus, four pilot sites are planned to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system. Finally, at the 2022 SPACE (international livestock show) in Rennes, Fengtech was awarded the "Innov' space" trophy, a great recognition. “At a time of energy crisis and environmental challenges, we have a solution! concludes, beaming, the business manager.