Disneyland Paris has inaugurated Europe's largest solar shade plant on its parking lot, boasting a capacity of 36.1 megawatts peak (MWp).
French solar developer and installer Urbasolar announced the successful completion of the project, revealing that the 20-acre car park now features a staggering 82,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels, marking a significant leap towards sustainable energy generation. Urbasolar, a unit of Swiss Axpo Holding AG, spearheaded the design and construction of the plant and is also a co-investor in the venture, which commenced construction activities in 2020.
The installation of the PV shade plant, completed over a span of three years, encompasses 11,200 parking spaces for light vehicles and dedicated spots for motors and buses, all adorned with solar panels. With an estimated annual output of 36 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the plant is poised to meet approximately 17% of Disneyland Paris' current electricity consumption, equivalent to powering a city with 17,400 inhabitants.
The initiative underscores Disneyland Paris' commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation, aligning with the amusement park's ambitious climate change mitigation plan. By leveraging solar energy to mitigate the heat island effect in the visitors' parking lot, Disneyland Paris aims to enhance visitor comfort while reducing its carbon footprint and reliance on conventional energy sources.
