France is embarking on a plan to increase solar power generation by a factor of 10, and double its wind energy. When fully implemented, the government expects these changes to generate enough energy to power millions of homes - the equivalent of 10 nuclear reactors. One of the first steps is that every parking lot with more than 80 vehicle spaces must be covered with solar panels. Starting in July 2023, car parks will have from three to five years to comply, depending on their size. At least half of the surface area will need to be covered in solar panels. Other measures on the table include building large solar farms on vacant land found alongside highways and railways, as well as on agricultural lands where feasible. 

France’s national rail service plans to install 190,000 square meters of solar panels on its 156 stations throughout the country by 2025. This will increase to 1.1 million square meters by 2030, resulting in a 25% reduction in energy consumption. The government also plans to build additional off-shore wind farms. The location of the first one is about 35 km off the coast of La Rochelle, with a capacity of around 1,000 megawatts. The second will be farther out at sea, and together they will produce enough electricity for 1.6 million people.