SNCF: Discover Where Stations Will Have Signage in Their Parking Lots

To reduce its carbon footprint, the SNCF group will cover the parking lots of 119 train stations with solar panels, but what does that mean?

In the media, we are seeing more topics about solar panels occupying unusual places. If fields and rooftops have traditionally been the prime locations for this solution, parking lots and other asphalt surfaces are increasingly being used. SNCF is following this trend and will launch a major project in the coming years.

15% of electricity consumed by its stations

The SNCF subsidiary Gares et Connexion has signed a partnership with Tenergie, an energy sector player. Together, they are installing 180,000 m² of photovoltaic panels across 119 stations in France. According to the French group, this represents 150 to 200 MW per year, or 15% of the consumption of its 3,000 stations or that of 7,500 households.

The largest areas will be in the Grand Est (30,100 m² across 18 stations), Île-de-France (27,600 m² across 17 stations), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (20,200 m² across 17 stations).

The work will begin soon and should be completed by the end of 2024. By 2030, SNCF aims to produce as much renewable energy as it consumes in electricity. To achieve this, it plans to install 1 million m² of solar panels by the end of the decade. This does not mean that the electricity will directly power the stations or trains, as it will also feed into the electrical grid.

However, thanks to this local and green energy, electric trains will become even more advantageous than cars or airplanes in terms of CO₂ emissions.

A mandatory requirement for panels on parking lots?

This announcement comes a few days after the adoption of an important legislative text in the Senate. Article 11 of the bill on accelerating renewable energy requires the mandatory installation of panels on parking lots with more than 80 spaces (compared to 2,500 m² before).

This will come into effect for new parking lots starting July 1, 2023, as well as existing ones. Those with over 400 spaces will have three years to comply, while those with between 80 and 400 spaces will have until June 30, 2029.

However, neither SNCF nor Tenergie have detailed which stations and how many parking spaces are involved, or whether these locations fall under this legal obligation. It is only known that the stations in Calais (Pas-de-Calais) and Louveciennes (Yvelines) will be included in the program.

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