Founded in 1980, the French Renewable Energies Observatory is a non for profit association aiming at promoting renewable energy sources. Since 25 years, the main activity of Observ’ER has been collecting, analysing and disseminating qualitative and quantitative information about all renewable energy sectors in Europe. Its network is one of its principal work basis. One of the most representative work to illustrate the activity of Observ’ER is the EurObserv’ER barometers. This project has been coordinated by Observ’ER since 1999. The latest contract (IEE 2003 Call for proposals) is running till December 2007 and is focused on the monitoring of all renewable sectors growth in the EU 25 through quantitative indicators. Every two months one renewable energy source is studied and Observ’ER is in charge of collecting the most up-to-date data concerning the energetic and economic aspects of the sector.

Observ’ER's competency in terms of renewable energies policy survey is widely used by French energy actors. Observ’ER, on behalf of the Ministry of Economy is undertaking a national study about the impact of the 40% tax credit law on the renewable heat application market for households. This study will serve as a basis for REFUND +. For the Ministry of economy Observ’ER also does the yearly national assessment of solar thermal sector in France.

Thanks to its network, Observ’ER benefits from a very good basis to disseminate the result of its work throughout Europe. As an example, in 2005, EurObserv’ER barometers were downloaded from the Internet 33 000 times. Observ’ER’s magazine, Systèmes Solaires, is the only French generalist magazine on renewable energies. It counts 3 500 subscribers. Observ’ER also has a long experience in the logistic aspect of conferences or workshops organisation. For the last 18 years, Observ’ER has been organising bioclimatic architecture Awards in France. The last edition was held in October 2004 and the award ceremony gathered 350 persons.

Observ’ER is an experimented leader and participant in European projects : it has coordinated 8 European projects in 10 years and has participated as a partner or major subcontractor in five more.