Following more than three years’ construction, Disneyland Paris and Axpo have equipped 11,200 parking spaces at the renowned entertainment resort with solar panels, it has been announced.
The solar parking canopy, currently the largest of its kind in Europe, will generate 36 GWh of green electricity a year. The project is of strategic significance for Axpo in its development of renewable energies.
Europe’s largest solar parking canopy
In 2020, as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, Disneyland Paris, in collaboration with Axpo subsidiary - Urbasolar, commissioned the construction of Europe’s largest solar parking canopy. The facility is now fully operational.
The unique project involved the installation of 82,000 solar modules, with a combined capacity of 36.1 MWp
The unique project involved the installation of 82,000 solar modules, with a combined capacity of 36.1 MWp, over more than 20 hectares of parking space. The facility will produce 36 gigawatt hours (GWh) of climate-friendly electricity annually, enough to cover approximately 17 per cent of the theme park's current electricity consumption and equivalent to the needs of a city of 17,400 residents.
The modules not only generate sustainable electricity, but also protect up to 11,200 cars, camper vans, and tour buses from sunlight, rain and snow.
Strategically important project for both partners
The large-scale project is part of Disneyland Paris's broader environmental strategy, which aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize energy supply. The solar parking canopy will reduce CO2 emissions by 890 tons of CO2 a year in the Val d'Europe.
Axpo Head of Solar, Antoine Millioud, said: “The commissioning of Europe's largest solar parking canopy is strategically important for Axpo because with this project we are making a significant contribution to the development of a sustainable renewable electricity supply. We have established a relationship of trust with Disneyland Paris, enabling us to collaborate on the decarbonization of leisure infrastructures and, more widely, contribute to the energy transition.”
Combat climate change
Disneyland Paris Director of Planning and Environment, Damien Audric, said: “With this facility, we aim to contribute to combating climate change. It is also a priority for us to continuously enhance the visitor experience. Thanks to the parking canopies, we not only produce locally generated renewable electricity, but also offer comfort to visitors by protecting them from heat, rain, and snow, whether they arrive by car, camper van, or bus.”