The French Senate recently approved a law requiring car parks with 80 or more spaces to have solar panels installed within five years. Larger parking lots with over 400 spaces need to comply in the next three years. Failure to comply will result in a fine of 50 euros per parking spot per month until the requirements are met.
Large car parks must install solar panels covering at least half of the property. The government estimates the plan could generate up to 11 gigawatts of power, equivalent to 10 nuclear reactors.
Parking lots with architectural, environmental, heritage, or other proven restraints may be exempt, as well as car parks with at least half of their property shaded by trees and parking lots for heavy goods vehicles weighing over 7,5 tons. The new legislation is aimed at large car parks especially near highways and major routes.
France is the only EU country who missed the mark on its renewable energy targets in 2020. In addition to the solar panel requirements for car parks, the country is considering building solar farms near highways, agricultural lands, and railroads.
Source: EcoWatch