Bordeaux is on the road to solar energy plan

There are plans to have two million solar panels overhang 45km of road

The energy created would power 420,000 homes
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Bordeaux’s ring road could generate enough electricity for 420,000 homes if ambitious plans to cover it with solar panels receive the green light. The city’s ecologist mayor supports the project, which would cover 45km.

It would see two million solar panels overhang the road, placed 17m above traffic lanes (see mock image below).

This is what the road could look like

The panels would capture solar energy and also cool the ring road by shading it, collect rainwater, and capture greenhouse gases. 

Read more: Living off-grid in France: A couple’s 40-year plus success story

The government is proposing to develop seven hectares of land next to the road for more panels. Successful bidders would rent the land for 33 years.

Bordeaux already has one of the largest photovoltaic power stations in France, with 140,000 panels covering a former landfill site.

solar panels magazine bordeaux

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