5.6.2011

Renault and Gestamp Solar launch the world’s biggest automotive industry solar roof project.

In partnership with Gestamp Solar, Renault is launching the world’s biggest solar energy project in the automotive industry by installing solar roof panels at its French plants.

The panels will eventually cover a total area of 450,000 m2 offering an installed power capacity of 60 MW (the annual consumption of a town with a population of 15,000). By using renewable solar energy, Renault will cut CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons a year!

The project concerns the sites of Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cléon (ISO 14001-certified since 2000).

Drawing representing Douai’s plant

This is part of Renault 2016 – Drive The Change, Renault’s strategic plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% by 2013 and by a further 10% between 2013 and 2016. Renault has implemented several actions to reduce consumption at its plants (e.g. the zero carbon plant in Tangiers). With the solar roof project, Renault is showing its concern to conserve resources by diversifying the energy mix used to generate electricity, and particularly by using renewable energy sources.

The start date for installation is mid-June 2011 and completion is scheduled for February 2012.

So, what do you think about it?