The APER law (France's 2023 law to speed up renewable energy), passed in March 2023, requires large car parks to be partly covered with solar canopies. It also requires part of the roofs of commercial and industrial buildings to produce renewable energy or to be a green roof. The rules have changed several times since then, and the first deadlines have now passed.
Car parks over 1,500 m²
Who is affected
Outdoor car parks over 1,500 m² that existed on 1 July 2023. At least half of their surface must be covered with canopies that generate renewable energy1. Since the law of 26 November 2025, a mix of solar canopies and planting is allowed, as long as the canopies cover at least 35% of that half2.
When
- 10,000 m² and over: by 1 July 2026, a deadline that has already passed.
- From 1,500 to 10,000 m²: by 1 July 20283.
An extension is possible, subject to conditions
The law of 26 November 2025 allows the prefect (the State's representative in the département) to give more time to a car park owner who has committed in time2, 4. This extension is not automatic: the owner must apply for it.
| Car park size | Contract signed with a deposit | Purchase order | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 m² and over | before 30/06/2026 | before 31/12/2026 | before 01/01/2028 |
| 1,500 to 10,000 m² | before 30/06/2027 | before 31/12/2027 | before 01/01/2030 |
The panels must also meet the criteria set by a decree of 7 September 2026: efficiency, carbon footprint, warranty and origin5.
Exemptions and penalties
A car park can be exempted if it is already shaded by trees (one wide-crowned tree for every three spaces), if the works would cost more than 10% of the car park's value, or if there is a technical, heritage or economic constraint1, 6. Otherwise, the fine can reach €40,000 a year for car parks of 10,000 m² and over, and €20,000 for smaller ones, every year until the car park complies1, 7. On 29 June 2026, the Council of State (France's highest administrative court) rejected the legal challenges brought by retail federations against these rules8: the obligation stands.
The task is still huge. In early July 2026, only 10 to 15% of car parks over 10,000 m² were equipped or being equipped, according to an energy company in the sector9.
Sources: APER law, law of 26 November 2025, decree no. 2026-842 of 7 September 2026, 2024 implementing decrees.
Roofs of commercial and industrial buildings
New buildings, extensions and major renovations
For buildings with a footprint of 500 m² or more, part of the roof must carry solar panels or be a green roof. This share rises with the date the building permit application was filed: 30%, then 40% since 1 July 2026, then 50% from 1 July 2027. A bill now under review would bring this rate back down to 30%1.
Existing buildings over 500 m²
On paper, they must be equipped by 1 January 2028. But the text that should set the share of roof concerned has not been published1. And the same bill, passed by the Senate (France's upper house of Parliament) in February 2026 and now pending in the National Assembly (the lower house), would remove this obligation for private buildings and keep it only for public buildings10, 11. One to watch.
What this means for a solar developer
For car parks from 1,500 to 10,000 m², it all hinges on 30 June 2027: that is the deadline to sign a contract and still be able to ask for an extension. The next eight months are when owners will choose their installer.
But you still need to know where these car parks are. They can be spotted from the air, along with the details that matter for prospecting:
- the car park's surface area, which gives its size band and its deadline;
- solar canopies already in place, to rule out sites that are already equipped;
- tree cover, which can make the site eligible for an exemption;
- the address and the linked building, often a shop or a logistics site.
Briefing up to date as of 24 October 2026. The rules change fast: check each situation with a legal adviser before deciding.