Meeting Regulatory Obligations
French regulations: constraint or opportunity?
In recent years, a regulatory framework has been taking shape in France to encourage the development of renewable energy across the country, with the aim of increasing the share of green energy in the French energy mix.
Enacted on March 10, 2023, the Law on the Acceleration of Renewable Energy Production (known as the APER Law or “Renewable Energy Law”) is the latest major piece of legislation aimed at massively deploying renewable energy across France in the coming years.
The measures in this law should thus enable France to meet its targets for renewable energy production and consumption, as well as to catch up on its energy transition (the 23% target was not met in 2020).
A body of laws thus governs the development of solar projects by more precisely defining the areas suitable for generating green electricity, without undermining other activities already present in those same areas. Rather than a constraint, French regulations provide a genuine framework for the expansion of solar photovoltaics.
Regulatory framework for buildings
The regulatory framework governing the development of solar photovoltaic systems on building rooftops dates back to 2019 with the Energy and Climate Act, which was gradually refined by the 2021 “Climate and Resilience” Act, followed by the APER Act, its various implementing decrees dating from late 2023, and finally the Simplification Act adopted in 2025.
As a result, new construction, extensions, renovations, or installations on all commercial, office, industrial, or artisanal buildings, as well as public buildings larger than 500 m², are required to incorporate solar panels or green roofs covering:
• At least 30% of the roof area as of January 1, 2024
• At least 40% of the roof area as of July 1, 2026
• At least 50% of the roof area as of July 1, 2027
Regulatory framework for parking lots
Parking lots are ideal locations for solar projects. In addition to generating green electricity, solar canopies provide additional comfort for users. Their development is thus encouraged by the APER Act of March 10, 2023, the Green Industry Act of the same year, and the Simplification Act adopted on October 15, 2025.
These laws require existing parking lots larger than 1,500 m² to install solar panels or greenery on at least 50% of their surface area, or a combination of both (with a minimum of 35% photovoltaic coverage). The implementation deadlines are set between 2026 and 2028, depending on the size of the parking lot.
The requirement may also be met, in whole or in part, by installing a renewable energy generation system, provided that this system enables production equivalent to that which would result from installing photovoltaic canopies over the unoccupied area.In addition, installing solar panels on parking lot canopies can help you meet other requirements set forth in the 2019 Framework and Mobility Act (LOM) and its 2021 implementing decree, which stipulate that new non-residential buildings and condominiums with a parking lot of more than twenty spaces must have, as of January 1, 2025, have at least one charging station for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Installing photovoltaic carports will therefore generate local electricity to power these charging stations and, as a result, help control your energy costs.
These regulations thus present a real opportunity to harness the solar potential of parking lots and thereby enhance the value of these parking areas.
Regulatory framework for ground and floating solar farms
The 2023 APER law provides for the creation of Acceleration Zones favorable to the development of photovoltaic parks in each municipality, whether the projects involve ground structures, water surfaces, buildings, or canopies. This allows for the identification of areas where administrative procedures for obtaining building permits will be facilitated, and exclusion zones where photovoltaic projects will not be possible. This clarification of spaces avoids competition over available land and simplifies project development by focusing solely on favorable areas.
The law also provides for the establishment of new stakeholders, including prefectural referents and Regional Energy Committees, to facilitate the monitoring and implementation of projects.
Our photovoltaic solutions
to meet regulatory obligations
Whether on the ground, on water, on rooftops, or in parking lots, the development of photovoltaic solar energy is encouraged by various regulatory frameworks. Rather than an obligation, we prefer to speak of an opportunity for the stakeholders targeted by these legal texts, and we support them in developing a personalized project.
Expert insight
We closely monitor changes in the legal framework, both for the part related to the obligations of installing solar energy production units and for the development of photovoltaic projects we undertake. Mastery of the legal framework and all administrative steps of a project is one of Urbasolar’s strengths. This gives us the assurance that each project integrates perfectly into its natural and socio-economic environment. This is an essential aspect for the sustainability of renewable energy development in France.
Audrey Solard-Soto
Legal Land Manager, Urbasolar
References
Capacity:
2.5MWc
University Hospital Center (30)
The University Hospital Center of Nîmes installed photovoltaic canopies on its parking lot of over 13,000 m².
Annual production: 3.5 GWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of 1,600 people.
Capacity:
4.6MWc
Logistics Platform (30)
With a total area of 58,000 m², the Mitra campus is Auchan’s new regional hub for southern France. The solar panels installed on rooftops and parking canopies produce green electricity that contributes to renewable energy production.
Annual production: 6.0 GWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of 2,800 people.
Capacity:
13.2MWc
Ancienne carrière de sable et de gravier (47)
The ground and floating solar farm located in Aiguillon enables the municipality to meet its objectives for sustainable development and energy transition.
Annual production: 20.5 GWh, equivalent to the consumption of 9,700 people.
Photovoltaic rooftop plant on the Concerto logistics platform in Montbartier. (1min17)