France: Installation Of Rooftop Solar Power On All Large Car Parks!
Nov 21, 2022
The EU rooftop solar market is evolving and developing. As part of the REPowerEU programme, earlier this year the European Commission launched an EU Solar Rooftop Initiative.
Since then, this solar rooftop initiative has continued to gain momentum. Just last month, a coalition of 18 organisations urged EU member states to establish requirements for the installation of solar energy on all new and renovated buildings as well as existing non-domestic buildings. Mandatory installation orders! EU solar roof initiative escalates!
According to SolarPower Europe, seven EU countries already have mandatory solar requirements for refurbished buildings and nine countries have mandatory solar installation requirements for new buildings. In this context, more and more EU member states are joining the queue.
Recently, the French Senate approved new legislation making solar energy mandatory for outdoor car parks, which will boost the development of renewable energy in France.
French Senator Jean-Pierre Corbisez said that large outdoor car parks with more than 80 parking spaces will be legally required to use solar PV, which will add 6.7-11GW of solar energy over the next few years, nearly doubling France's installed solar capacity. As of 2021, France has 13.2GW of solar capacity.
New non-domestic buildings must have at least 50% of their roof covered by solar PV
Under the new regulations, car parks with a minimum of 80 parking spaces and a maximum of 400 parking spaces will have five years from 1 July 2023 to meet the new regulations, with larger car parks needing to implement changes within three years.
Certain exceptions may apply if technical, safety, architectural, historical or environmental constraints prevent the installation of solar roofs.
Other measures adopted by law include an increase in the requirement for non-domestic roofs - 50% of the roof must be covered by solar PV, compared to the previous requirement of 30%.
Several proposals around agricultural PV have also been adopted, including the removal of asbestos from agricultural roofs in favour of solar PV, which will be implemented as a pilot measure over the next three years.
The French Renewable Energy Trade Association has welcomed several provisions proposed by the Senate which will accelerate the development of renewable energy in France.
