It’s not a bad idea, but, done for the wrong cultish idea, and, really, who pays?
France is taking a major step toward renewable energy by requiring large parking lots to install solar canopies.
As The Progress Playbook reported, France first announced this policy in 2023 and finalized it recently. It will apply to outdoor parking areas larger than 1,500 square meters, with the aim of expanding the country’s clean energy output.
Under the new law, most large parking lots will soon be covered by solar panels, transforming them into mini power plants. This mandate aligns with France’s goal to accelerate renewable energy adoption and reduce reliance on dirty energy sources, such as coal and gas.
In addition to generating clean energy, solar canopies offer another perk: shade for parked cars, protecting them from overheating in the sun.
Realistically, putting solar panels above parking areas is a good idea: they are large pieces of land which are used for one thing, and solar will not interfere with their operations, and, as mentioned, provide shade. Not just for the cars but for the people walking to them, as well as protect them from rain and snow.
Solar carports have several advantages. Johan Pienaar, CEO of Eversolar, explained to The Progress Playbook that they make excellent use of space, are easy to maintain, and generate high yields because panels can be optimally positioned. Though they come with higher upfront costs compared to rooftop solar systems, their efficiency ensures a similar cost per kilowatt-hour over time.
“From a return on investments perspective, solar carports definitely make sense,” Pienaar said.
Since I do not want to do math, 1,000 square meters is a block 20 meters by 50 meters. Which is 65 feet by 164 feet. Applied to 1,500 square meters, that’s not a particularly a big space. Maybe 50 car spaces. How much is the cost, and how long does it make to recoup the losses? Who will get the power? Will it be fed back into the grid, or, do the companies get it? And, what will companies charge to make up for the installation costs if they are forced to pay for installation?
Overall, it is a mostly benign climate cult law. Of course, France is also trying to force their peasants out of their vehicles, so, will this be for the Elites who continue to travel in fossil fueled SUVs and limos?
Specifically, with the demise of Russia’s oil and gas going to NATO countries, I would think that every country in the EU would be building as many windmills and solar panels as it can.
Pretty soon, it will become mandated that every apartment building have panels on the roofs and over their parking lots to provide the said apartment with power and not pull from the strained grid.
Does the first level of an underground parking lot have to be covered with solar panels?
Just off the top of my head and without considering that the solar panel and storage battery tech has been forced to market far too soon to be economically and/or environmentally viable in the first place…
A 1,500 square meter parking lot would require a minimum of 3 H/C spaces plus access isles between, also, most zoning regs require “green islands” to break up the expanse of impervious, Generally 15-20 spaces max. between islands, so total spaces would end up being 53 allowing for an aisle for a single rank depending upon how each municipality calculates the areas. Potential problems are chiefly the costs. The new “law” at the very least triples the construction cost, in addition the panel arrays must be elevated to allow for the vertical space for vehicles and pedestrian access below, this increases the wind exposure as well as the safety factor for the structures. Next all the wiring and telemetry must also be designed and built specifically for an area where the public has access, again for safety but also vandalism prevention. Private solar installations usually also require about a 30-35% battery storage capacity, there’s a bunch more money. On top of all these considerations, the implied increase in infrastructure improvements if these systems are to be tied into the existing grid will not only be expensive but increase the already lengthened construction calendar. Maintenance, panel and battery replacement, spent panel and battery recycling costs…
If I thought about this for another 15 minutes, I could undoubtedly find many more reasons the entire idea is a complete economy and developmental growth killing boondoggle.
I’ll take “Things that weren’t thought out” for a thousand, Alex.